Publisher's Synopsis
An original and revealing analysis of the intellectual and social position of the Arab academic in Arab society. Sabour explores both the way in which external and institutional determinants condition this position and how the Arab academic perceives his or her situation as a bearer of knowledge and performer of an academic function in a developing society. A wide range of variables are incorporated into the analysis, including the academic?s own educational, social, economic and symbolic capital, the field of activity in which he/she is involved and the status that he/she holds within academia. A modified version of Pierre Bourdieu?s notion of capitals, habitus and field are applied to these variables, and a theory of respectability is developed which takes into account the specificity of Arab society. Drawing together empirical evidence from Egypt, Morocco, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, this book is unique in its geographical scope and will be invaluable reading for researchers in sociology, education and Arab studies, educational policy makers and managers and anyone interested in the personal, social and institutional situation of academics.
