Sociology and Australian ethnic relations : a critical approach

What makes the sociological analysis of Australian ethnic relations necessarily sociological? To what extent is the knowledge produced in the study of this area scientific? This thesis sets out to provide constructive answers to these two questions. While the specific aim was to develop a systematic sociological analysis of Australian ethnic relations, a more general objective was to attempt to provide a guide for the sociological analysis of other sub-areas within Australian society, e.g., the sociology of health, work, etc. The method selected for attempting to answer these questions was firstly, to try to identify the nature of scientific sociology. This resulted in the development of an epistemological position for sociological inquiry called critical systematic sociological practice. One important principle of this practice was the need to locate the study of specific areas, such as ethnic relations, within the historical development of the Australian social structure. This practice was then used to critique the study of Australian ethnic relations in order to show the non-systematic nature of much of the knowledge produced in this area. It was also employed to analyse ethnic groups in the context of the wider class structure. This analysis, while pointing out the connection between ideology and the concept of multiculturalism and the dominant discourse of ethnic relations, was mainly intended to focus on the mechanisms by which the class structure is maintained and reproduced. In light of this analysis and the emancipationist-realist epistemological position adopted, it was suggested that consciousness raising coupled with various forms of praxis could be a means by which oppressed groups may be liberated from their subordinate social position. These means indicated the need for some sort of education programme (conscientization). How and where could such a programme be instituted? A case study of the organisation and curriculum of four Greek ethnic schools in Sydney was carried out to determine the role these schools now play in Australian ethnic relations and the role they could play in a truly multicultural society. The conclusion emphasises the contribution of critical systematic sociological practice to sociological knowledge in general and to knowledge in ethnic relations, in particular

Class, race and education: An Australian case study. by Paul Kringas and Ian Stewart

This paper applies anti-racist education and oppositional teaching strategies to an analysis of class, race and education in a specific historical context. Provided by MICAH, Canberra

Why ethnic schools : selected case studies

Ethnic schools are emerging as a major issue in Australian society, despite many people's ignorance about them. This book is concerned with migrants' perceptions of the role of these schools and their relation to the wider issues of migrant education and the arguments about assimilation versus multi-culturalism. The authors have studied the attitudes of Greek, Italian, Ukrainian and Slovenian communities and their findings present a picture of attitudes of interest to all Australians

Effect of rosiglitazone on the frequency of diabetes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose: a randomised controlled trial

Background Rosiglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that reduces insulin resistance and might preserve insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the drugs ability to prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals at high risk of developing the condition