Browsing by Author "Faizah binti Mohd Fakhruddin"

This study discusses the issues of intergenerational social mobility experienced by two generations of Malay families in FELDA Trolak Utara, Perak. The objectives of the study are to examine the patterns of social mobility, the socio-cultural factors that are responsible for the intergenerational social mobility patterns, and to identify the challenges experienced by two generations of the Malay family organizations during the social mobility process. The study involved fieldwork conducted from December 2014 to August 2015 for a period of nine months. The study employed the qualitative method using participant observation and in-depth interviews, using interview schedule with thirty families and several FELDA key personalities. The findings of the study show that the majority of the informants experienced upward intergenerational social mobility in terms of their level of education and occupations. Although horizontal intergenerational social mobility was also observed, nevertheless the cases were very limited in number. Social factors such as the major roles played by the Malaysian government, family institutions and individuals’ positive attitudes towards education in particular, had contributed to the immense incidence of upward intergenerational social mobility. In addition, other socio-cultural factors such as merantau tradition or hijrah (migration), religion and cultural traditions and values further strengthen such patterns to take place. Interestingly, the study further provides a new and distinct perspective in understanding the true sense of a more integrated and comprehensive approach of intergenerational social mobility as perceived by the informants. Such integrated approach is manifested through the informants’ emphasis on a balance of material and perceived non-material dimensions for the sake of achieving progress in this world and the akh?rah (Hereafter). While the material dimension marks the level of education and occupation as its yardsticks, the perceived non-material dimension dictates a more impeccable production of quality individuals that excel in the spiritual, akhl?q (morality) and social dimensions. Such qualities were observed to positively contribute to a harmonious state of informants’ familial relations particularly when the values of respecting and taking care of the elderly parents’ welfare were highly emphasized. In general, it is evident that the said infusion of material and perceived non-material dimension is able to produce a distinctive type of valuable human capital that excels in both material and perceived non-material development. In actual fact, this study provides some fresh and interesting insights to the sociological body of knowledge especially in intergenerational social mobility studies. Finally, this study further suggests a number of possible avenues for future research on intergenerational social mobility that could not be covered by this study. This includes large scale studies using a quantitative approach, comparative studies among different ethnic groups and areas of residence, and lastly, longitudinal studies on certain research participants for a certain period of time.

This study discusses the issues of students’ class participation level in the Study Circle programme and factors that contribute to it. The objectives of the study are to identify the students’ class participation level, the factors that are responsible for it and to find ways to increase the effectiveness of the Study Circle programme. The study on the Study Circle programme was conducted from 22nd September 2010 to 11th February 2011, in Semesters 1 and 2, 2010/2011 for a period of four and a half months. For data collection purpose, the study employed the qualitative method using participant observation approach and survey via questionnaire. Two mass lectures and three tutorial sessions of female Study Circle classes during the 2010/2011 academic session were selected for the said purpose. For the survey, ten Malay female students agreed to participate and respond to the questionnaire distributed to them. The findings of the study show that the students’ class participation level was not satisfying. There were several factors for this. Interestingly, the study shows that the informants did not perceive factors such as face-saving practice, shyness and peer perception as the responsible factors that determined their class participation level in the Study Circle programme. In actual fact, the most important factor that influenced students’ participation was the surrounding factors which include facilitators’ attributes, feedback, 2012teaching methods and styles, class size and class time. As for teaching styles and methods, the study found that student-centered approach was preferred in comparison with the teacher-centered approach. The student-centered approach includes the application of problem-based, inquiry-based and project-based learnings of which they strongly believed that the students’ class participation would take place actively, particularly when there was a two-way communication between the facilitators and the students. Finally, this study suggests that future research on Study Circle programme needs to be conducted particularly in the Study Circle curriculum which could eventually improve and at the same time ensure active participation from the students. In addition, it is also highly recommended that a comparative study on the above issue be undertaken for the betterment of the Study Circle programme in the future.