Master’s Degree Awarded to Mr. Salah Al-Haqab in Sociology

Mr. Salah Abdullah Musleh Al-Haqab was awarded a Master’s degree in the major of Foundations of Sociology with an average of (Excellent) and a grade of (95%) for his thesis titled “The Reflection of Historical Transformations on the Field of Sociology,” which was submitted to the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

This thesis explored the causes and dimensions of the variations and differences among pioneers and schools of thought in sociology during its two fundamental historical phases: the classical and intermediate periods. It investigated the ongoing challenge in defining sociology among its specialists today.

The thesis aimed to understand the reflection of historical transformations on the field of sociology by uncovering the aspects contributing to the disagreement and variation concerning the boundaries of sociology’s scope and phenomena within its main currents in both its classical and intermediate stages.” The thesis’ significance also lies in its contribution to resolving, or at least minimizing, these differences among leading figures and schools of thought in sociology across these two periods.

Among its key findings, Mr. Al-Haqab’s thesis formulated a general definition of sociology as a culmination of its chapters, defining it as: “A science that studies qualitative social phenomena, relying on the sociological imagination to analyze all elements of social life, patterns of relationships and processes, and the foundations of social change; with the aim of understanding the laws governing social life and human behavior.”

The thesis concluded with several recommendations, including the need for more comparative studies between the classical and intermediate phases on one hand, and the postmodern phase on the other. This would help identify the dynamics of change in social concepts and methodologies, and their capacity to address contemporary societal challenges amidst technological advancements and globalization, ultimately facilitating the formulation of a comprehensive and definitive definition for sociology.

The thesis was examined and recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, students, and interested individuals, in addition to the candidate’s colleagues and family members.

A video from the Viva-Voce