Graduation Date
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Samuel P. Oliner
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. June P. Leahy
Fourth Committee Member Name
Dr. Ronald A. Fritzsche
Keywords
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis is an examination of human agency within the process of social change as it has been displayed by the members of a traditional society. It is based on participant observation data that was collected between 1995-97 when the author served as a Peace Corps Volunteer living amongst a tribe of maroons, known as Saramakans, deep in the rainforest of South America. Exploring the assumption that changes in traditional societies have been forced upon them, this thesis examines the transformations that have occurred in the religious structure of the Saramakan tribe. From a social constructionist theoretical viewpoint, data suggests that this group of people have displayed a significant degree of agency within these changes. This is evidenced by the fact that three distinct aggregates are now found within Saramakan society, and each aggregate is expressive of the conscious decisions that have been made by the Saramakan people. This calls into question any overriding assumption that members of traditional societies are passive agents or unempowered victims of change. Factors that have contributed to the degree of agency possessed by the Saramakan people in guiding changes are also explored and include: geographic conditions, lack of forced or compulsory conversion, and tolerance within the tribe. This work is meant to add to the small but increasing body of literature focusing on human agency as a central aspect within the process of social change.
Recommended Citation
Mermis-Cava, Jonathan, "Human Agency and the Process of Social Change in the Religious Structure of a Traditional Society" (2000). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2476.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2476