Abstract
Both the development of sociology as a separate discipline (including social anthropology but excluding social psychology) & the current literature are described. The former took place in the 1950's as a result of several factors: (1) a number of Iraqi students completed PhD studies in the US & returned to Iraq, (2) the example of successful establishment of sociology departments in Egypt & Lebanon, (3) a sympathetic director of the Coll of Arts & Sciences, (4) governmental recognition of the usefulness of sociology in solving problems, & (5) the Arab intellectual heritage, specifically the work of Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406). The 1960's were a period of constant growth at the high school & Coll level, including the introduction of sociology as part of the curriculum of other departments, eg, psychology & history. 3 major events occurred: (A) establishment of the Iraqi Sociological Assoc, (B) initiation of an MA degree program, & (3) establishment of the National Center for Social & Criminological Research, which encourages & promotes theoretical & empirical research which will directly bear on the development & growth of Iraqi society. A review of the literature of Iraqi sociologists is presented under 2 categories: (a) work done abroad in connection with degree studies, & (b) that done upon return to Iraq. The former consists primarily of theses & dissertations dealing with general Arab & specific Iraqi topics. The latter includes theoretical & general writings of uneven quality on sociology rather than empirical research, partly because of the need for books in Arabic & partly because empirical research is difficult for financial & cultural reasons. Some specific works on Iraqi society however, have been written by Ali al-Wardi, especially on the subject of conflicts between Ur & nomad culture. Iraqi sociology is similar to sociology in other developing countries--it is much influenced by US sociology, & the emphasis is on producing books in the native language rather than on empirical research. J. N. Mayer.