Abstract
The objectives of the research are to provide: a semantic analysis of the sociological concept of 'minority' in both English and Arabic, a historical analysis of the use of the concept in both western and Arab social contexts, an analysis of the specific discourse on Copts and minority in the Egyptian context and the examination of the underlying ideological positions, and to use this particular case to raise questions about comparability and cross-cultural analytical validity of such a concept. The method used in the thesis is a review of literature dedicated to define and analyze the concept of minority in both western, i.e. European and American contexts, and non-western, i.e. the Arab context. Secondly, an analysis of the literature dedicated to the contemporary discourse on the status of Copts in Egyptian society, particularly that raised concerning the inclusion of Copts in the Conference of Minorities in the Arab World held in April 1994. The thesis shows that there are three ideological responses to the question of the status of Copts within Egyptian society. These are the Islamist, the nationalist and the post-nationalist responses which define the contemporary ideological and political status of Copts.
School
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Date of Award
6-1-1997
Online Submission Date
1-1-1997
First Advisor
Frank Fanselow
Committee Member 1
Frank Fanselow
Committee Member 2
Donald Cole
Committee Member 3
Nicholas Hopkins
Document Type
Thesis
Extent
vii, 115 leaves
Library of Congress Subject Heading 1
Minorities
Library of Congress Subject Heading 2
Copts.
Rights
The American University in Cairo grants authors of theses and dissertations a maximum embargo period of two years from the date of submission, upon request. After the embargo elapses, these documents are made available publicly. If you are the author of this thesis or dissertation, and would like to request an exceptional extension of the embargo period, please write to thesisadmin@aucegypt.edu
Recommended Citation
APA Citation
Kirollos, M.
(1997).A social and semantic history of the concept of minority with particular reference to the coptic question [Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/retro_etds/1249
MLA Citation
Kirollos, Mariam Aziz. A social and semantic history of the concept of minority with particular reference to the coptic question. 1997. American University in Cairo, Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/retro_etds/1249
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Call Number
Thesis 1997/39
Location
mgfth
Comments
"The thesis may be consulted in the Library but may not be photocopied" This restriction will cease in May 1999 unless its renewal has been applied for and granted.