This thesis highlights the sociopolitics of English as a dominant/colonial language by focusing on the linkage between language, power, and race. Grounded in critical language theory, comparative education theory, and anti-racism research methodology, this research examines the inextricable relationship between language, power, and race. With this in mind, this thesis argues that language, specifically English, is not a neutral tool of communication but a highly contentious issue that is deeply embedded in sociopolitical ideologies and practices. The contexts of Japan and Trinidad and Tobago are used to illustrate how colonialism continues to impact English language policy, practice, and perceptions. In sum, this research aims to bridge the gap between critical language theory, comparative education theory, and anti-racism studies in a way that (1) highlights the complexity of language politics, (2) explores ideological assumptions inherent in the discourse of the "native" language, and (3) underscores the overlooked ubiquity of race.

This thesis highlights the sociopolitics of English as a dominant/colonial language by focusing on the linkage between language, power, and race. Grounded in critical language theory, comparative education theory, and anti-racism research methodology, this research examines the inextricable relationship between language, power, and race. With this in mind, this thesis argues that language, specifically English, is not a neutral tool of communication but a highly contentious issue that is deeply embedded in sociopolitical ideologies and practices. The contexts of Japan and Trinidad and Tobago are used to illustrate how colonialism continues to impact English language policy, practice, and perceptions. In sum, this research aims to bridge the gap between critical language theory, comparative education theory, and anti-racism studies in a way that (1) highlights the complexity of language politics, (2) explores ideological assumptions inherent in the discourse of the "native" language, and (3) underscores the overlooked ubiquity of race.

Após mais de cinco séculos de dominação e exploração portuguesa, a Guiné-Bissau, pequeno país localizado na costa ocidental da África, assume a difícil tarefa de constituir-se como nação e, dessa forma, forjar sua identidade nacional. Acreditando que a literatura apresente papel singular em tal engenho, o presente trabalho busca, através da trilogia do autor do primeiro romance nacional, Abdulai Sila, analisar como essas complexas construções vêm-se alicerçando e erguendo. Os romances A Última Tragédia (1995), Eterna Paixão (1994) e Mistida (1997), por tratarem de diferentes períodos do território em questão, da colonização ao pós-independência, possibilitam uma análise abrangente e elucidativa, além de lançarem mão da esperança como característica principal, indo de encontro à difícil realidade do pós-independência. As ideias, sobretudo, de Homi Bhabha, Edward Said e Stuart Hall, a respeito de cultura, nação, identidade, pós-colonialismo, constituem o cerne teórico e analítico dessa dissertação. Sob a óptica dos Estudos Culturais, por meio do entrecruzamento entre o discurso histórico e ficcional, o hibridismo pressuposto faz-se nítido. Às riquezas e belezas da cultura africana, expressas pelas diversas e diferentes etnias, unem-se aspectos culturais lusos, assim como elementos advindos e consequentes da realidade global e interconectada do mundo contemporâneo. Assim, a nação e a identidade guineense, ainda em processo de construção, já deixam entrever sua característica híbrida, em que o tradicional e o moderno conjugam-se e entrelaçam-se igualmente. / After more than five centuries of portuguese domination and exploration, the Guinea-Bissau, small country located in the occidental coast of Africa, assumes the difficult task to constitute itself as nation and, in this way, to forge its national identity. Believing that literature presents singular paper in such device, the present work searches, through the author‟s trilogy of the first national romance, Abdulai Sila, to analyze how these complex constructions are founded. The romances A Última Tragédia (1995), Eterna Paixão (1994) e Mistida (1997), for dealing with different periods of the territory in question, from colonization to post-independence, they make possible an including and elucidative analysis, beyond making use of hope as main characteristic, opposing to the difficult reality of post-independence. The analytical and theoretical core of this dissertation is constituted by the Homi Bhabha, Edward Said and Stuart Hall‟s ideas about nation, identity and post-colonialism. Through the point of view of the Cultural Studies, crossing historical speech and ficcional speech, the supposed hybridism becomes clear. To the wealth and beauties of the African culture, expressed by the ethnic differences, portuguese cultural aspects are joined, as well as consequents elements of the global reality of the contemporary world. Thus, the nation and the identity of Guinea-Bissau, still in construction process, allow already to see its hybrid characteristic, where the traditional and the modern are equally conjugated and interlaced.

Após mais de cinco séculos de dominação e exploração portuguesa, a Guiné-Bissau, pequeno país localizado na costa ocidental da África, assume a difícil tarefa de constituir-se como nação e, dessa forma, forjar sua identidade nacional. Acreditando que a literatura apresente papel singular em tal engenho, o presente trabalho busca, através da trilogia do autor do primeiro romance nacional, Abdulai Sila, analisar como essas complexas construções vêm-se alicerçando e erguendo. Os romances A Última Tragédia (1995), Eterna Paixão (1994) e Mistida (1997), por tratarem de diferentes períodos do território em questão, da colonização ao pós-independência, possibilitam uma análise abrangente e elucidativa, além de lançarem mão da esperança como característica principal, indo de encontro à difícil realidade do pós-independência. As ideias, sobretudo, de Homi Bhabha, Edward Said e Stuart Hall, a respeito de cultura, nação, identidade, pós-colonialismo, constituem o cerne teórico e analítico dessa dissertação. Sob a óptica dos Estudos Culturais, por meio do entrecruzamento entre o discurso histórico e ficcional, o hibridismo pressuposto faz-se nítido. Às riquezas e belezas da cultura africana, expressas pelas diversas e diferentes etnias, unem-se aspectos culturais lusos, assim como elementos advindos e consequentes da realidade global e interconectada do mundo contemporâneo. Assim, a nação e a identidade guineense, ainda em processo de construção, já deixam entrever sua característica híbrida, em que o tradicional e o moderno conjugam-se e entrelaçam-se igualmente. / After more than five centuries of portuguese domination and exploration, the Guinea-Bissau, small country located in the occidental coast of Africa, assumes the difficult task to constitute itself as nation and, in this way, to forge its national identity. Believing that literature presents singular paper in such device, the present work searches, through the author‟s trilogy of the first national romance, Abdulai Sila, to analyze how these complex constructions are founded. The romances A Última Tragédia (1995), Eterna Paixão (1994) e Mistida (1997), for dealing with different periods of the territory in question, from colonization to post-independence, they make possible an including and elucidative analysis, beyond making use of hope as main characteristic, opposing to the difficult reality of post-independence. The analytical and theoretical core of this dissertation is constituted by the Homi Bhabha, Edward Said and Stuart Hall‟s ideas about nation, identity and post-colonialism. Through the point of view of the Cultural Studies, crossing historical speech and ficcional speech, the supposed hybridism becomes clear. To the wealth and beauties of the African culture, expressed by the ethnic differences, portuguese cultural aspects are joined, as well as consequents elements of the global reality of the contemporary world. Thus, the nation and the identity of Guinea-Bissau, still in construction process, allow already to see its hybrid characteristic, where the traditional and the modern are equally conjugated and interlaced.

Após mais de cinco séculos de dominação e exploração portuguesa, a Guiné-Bissau, pequeno país localizado na costa ocidental da África, assume a difícil tarefa de constituir-se como nação e, dessa forma, forjar sua identidade nacional. Acreditando que a literatura apresente papel singular em tal engenho, o presente trabalho busca, através da trilogia do autor do primeiro romance nacional, Abdulai Sila, analisar como essas complexas construções vêm-se alicerçando e erguendo. Os romances A Última Tragédia (1995), Eterna Paixão (1994) e Mistida (1997), por tratarem de diferentes períodos do território em questão, da colonização ao pós-independência, possibilitam uma análise abrangente e elucidativa, além de lançarem mão da esperança como característica principal, indo de encontro à difícil realidade do pós-independência. As ideias, sobretudo, de Homi Bhabha, Edward Said e Stuart Hall, a respeito de cultura, nação, identidade, pós-colonialismo, constituem o cerne teórico e analítico dessa dissertação. Sob a óptica dos Estudos Culturais, por meio do entrecruzamento entre o discurso histórico e ficcional, o hibridismo pressuposto faz-se nítido. Às riquezas e belezas da cultura africana, expressas pelas diversas e diferentes etnias, unem-se aspectos culturais lusos, assim como elementos advindos e consequentes da realidade global e interconectada do mundo contemporâneo. Assim, a nação e a identidade guineense, ainda em processo de construção, já deixam entrever sua característica híbrida, em que o tradicional e o moderno conjugam-se e entrelaçam-se igualmente. / After more than five centuries of portuguese domination and exploration, the Guinea-Bissau, small country located in the occidental coast of Africa, assumes the difficult task to constitute itself as nation and, in this way, to forge its national identity. Believing that literature presents singular paper in such device, the present work searches, through the author‟s trilogy of the first national romance, Abdulai Sila, to analyze how these complex constructions are founded. The romances A Última Tragédia (1995), Eterna Paixão (1994) e Mistida (1997), for dealing with different periods of the territory in question, from colonization to post-independence, they make possible an including and elucidative analysis, beyond making use of hope as main characteristic, opposing to the difficult reality of post-independence. The analytical and theoretical core of this dissertation is constituted by the Homi Bhabha, Edward Said and Stuart Hall‟s ideas about nation, identity and post-colonialism. Through the point of view of the Cultural Studies, crossing historical speech and ficcional speech, the supposed hybridism becomes clear. To the wealth and beauties of the African culture, expressed by the ethnic differences, portuguese cultural aspects are joined, as well as consequents elements of the global reality of the contemporary world. Thus, the nation and the identity of Guinea-Bissau, still in construction process, allow already to see its hybrid characteristic, where the traditional and the modern are equally conjugated and interlaced.

This study focuses on the investigation and deconstruction of the phenomena of the South African dystopian society, as reflected in the novels of Lauren Beukes and films by Neill Blomkamp. The characteristics and signifiers of a uniquely South African dystopian society are established and investigated through a posthuman lens. The theoretical framework of this study is principally concerned with the critical posthuman writings of Rosi Braidotti, Donna Haraway and, to a lesser extent, Cary Wolfe. Feminism and post-colonialism, and their influences on posthuman theory, are applied as the secondary theoretical framework, in this study. The study is practice led, with the study of the literature serving as mutually informative to the execution of a body of work centred on the dystopian theme. The paintings are intended to be metonyms for the wide range of manifestations of social decline evident in contemporary South African narratives. / Arts and Music / M.A. (Visual Arts)

Since the creation of modern-day Iraq by the British Empire in 1920, the country’s state territorial structuring has been an ever-evolving source of political instability and conflict. Iraq’s ethnic and sectarian groups have been locked in a near constant struggle over questions of self-rule, shared rule, and secession. Consequently, the territorial model of federalism has never been far from political discussions, negotiations, and territorial disputes. Federalism was finally officially adopted in 2005, giving a new definition to Iraq’s territorial model. But while federalism seemed a natural means of managing Iraq’s long-standing ethno-sectarian divisions and was democratically ratified in a process that included most ethnic and sectarian groups, the model has failed to materialize, and territorial structure remains a major point of contention between the groups. The overarching aim of this dissertation is to shed light on two key questions. First, how have the dynamics between the major ethnic and sectarian groups of Iraq shaped the evolution of the country’s territorial structure from 1920 up to and beyond the federal constitution in 2005? Second, what can the trajectory of this evolution teach us about why federalism was adopted but has failed to materialize? I shall argue that Iraq’s territorial structuring over the past century has been systematically influenced by at least one of four “I”s: the groups’ ideas concerning territorial structuring, their conceptualizations of group identities, their definitions of group interests, and the influence of foreign actors. Focussing on the Shiite Arabs, the Sunni Arabs, and the Kurds, I will examine how these four factors have interacted to shape the territorial organization of Iraq over four key time periods: (i) the foundation of Iraq in 1920 to Saddam Hussein’s rise to the presidency in 1979, (ii) Saddam’s rule from 1979 to 2003, (iii) Saddam’s deposition in 2003 to the adoption of the federal constitution in 2005, and (iv) the post-constitutional period from 2005 to the present. I thus hope to explain how evolving inter-group dynamics over the past century have impacted the development of Iraq’s territorial structure, arguing that this sheds light on both the reference to federalism in the 2005 constitution and its subsequent failure to materialize. This dissertation thus demonstrates the powerful ways in which Iraq’s territorial structuring has been shaped by past trends in ethno-sectarian dynamics, putting us in a better position to understand the complexities of the country’s current territorial politics.

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