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This thesis examines the lives of single, white, slaveholding women in the nineteenth-century American South from 1830-1870. The central hypothesis is that singleness, in spite of its restrictions, was a route to female autonomy that had its roots in the antebellum era and that was intensified during the Civil War and post-war years. The Civil War acted as a catalyst for accelerating personal, social, economic, and legal changes in single women’s lives. It helped to revise and expand traditional gender models by destroying slavery that had tied to the patriarchal structure of the Old South. Many of the single women discussed in this thesis did not automatically fit into the traditional model of southern womanhood. They were either permanently single, or had married late, were widowed, divorced or separated. Yet they operated their lives within a tight framework of traditional gender conventions that gradually broke down in the antebellum, Civil War and post-war years. Single women clearly understood the importance of adhering to gender conventions. However, they were often able to manipulate them to their advantage, gaining acceptance and respect in southern society that provided an effective springboard to enhance personal autonomy. In the post-war period these processes continued to gain pace, as female autonomy was heightened by protection tradition ideals about women that could be used to their advantage in seeking a divorce or to gain their due in widowhood. Thus, from conservative ideology sprang radical social change. This thesis provides a wealth of evidence in the form of letters, diaries and court records in support of the central hypothesis that in spite of its restrictions, singleness was a route to greater autonomy for women in the nineteenth-century South.

This thesis explores the connection between Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach (CA) and Catholic Social Teaching (CST). It questions whether their economic and theological views can be methodologically and practically compatible, articularly around issues of development as freedom and wellbeing as justice. The thesis proposes dialogue between CA and CST, framed by some parables of the New Testament, and argues that he fruit of such a dialogue can enhance human development and reduce injustices, especially in poor regions in Latin America.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ways in which 19th century Gothic fiction novelists Charles Brockden Brow and James Hogg explore the themes of religious enthusiasm and divine revelation. A close look at these texts reveals a common interest in the tension between the imagination and reality. By analyzing the philosophical and theological roots of these issues it becomes clear that Wieland and Confessions of a Justified Sinner mirror the anxieties of 19th century Anglo American culture. Questions regarding voice and authority, the importance of testimony, and religious seduction are common to both novels. I maintain that these authors comment on the obscure nature of human rationale by presenting readers with narrators that exhibit traits of delusion and spiritual awakening.

The continued "stereotyping" of Indians, because of imperfect knowledge and a lack of appreciation of their history and culture, is a barrier to understanding of their present poverty and underdevelopment. In recent years, more attention is being paid to the number of Indians who are migrating to the cities from the reserves. There are two main reasons for this; one is the hope of finding employment opportunities; the other is to take further training, which may be academic, technical or vocational. This study examines the needs of the Indian in the city, how they differ from the needs of other migrants, and what is being done to provide for them. In many instances it has been difficult for the Indian to adjust to life in an industrial urban centre. The cultural values are quite different from those to which he is accustomed on Indian reserves or from most of the small communities with which he is familiar. In his need for companionship and understanding, he has seldom been able to avail himself of opportunities to use existing resources in the cities, partly through unfamiliarity with the services offered, partly through shyness or fear of rebuff. Across Canada, associations have been formed by Indians, and in many cases with the cooperation of non-Indian well-wishers, to meet the social needs of these newcomers. A questionnaire was used to gain information from a representative number throughout Canada, especially on (a) the objectives of the associations, (b) the activities they sponsored, and (c) the problems they helped to solve. However, since so few have had more than a few month's experience, it is necessary to regard this largely as an exploratory study. The associations are providing new social relationships and personal services for the Indians in the cities. In so doing they help them feel a sense of participation, and they also increase the Indian's sense of responsibility and possible leadership. There is increasing awareness that the Indian needs help in solving some of his problems, but that he should be helped in the ways he chooses, and in the manner he finds most comfortable. Indian Friendship Centres can be a valuable base to facilitate his adjustment to the city, and his integration into Canadian society generally. There is obvious room for the employment of qualified social workers, as well as volunteers, in this activity. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

This thesis undertakes a comparative study of two adjacent, yet linguistically distinct Fraser River Canyon groups -- the Tait and the Lower Thompson -- through an examination of ethnographic and archaeological data. The archaeological examination is based on results provided by an excavation at the recent Tait pit house village of Esilao in the Canyon near Yale, British Columbia. There were two related objectives. The purpose of the archaeological study was to test whether there was a discernible overlapping of ethnographic and archaeological data. Secondly, the Canyon culture was to be examined to determine whether it showed a greater alignment with the coast or with the interior. The results of ethnographic study show considerable uniformity of Canyon culture and pronounced interior affinities. The archaeological investigation reveals much overlap between ethnographic and archaeological data and indicates that the Esilao village assemblage had a definite interior alignment, thus lending support to the ethnographic findings. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

Plant names in three Pacific Northwest Indian languages -- Haida (Skidegate and Masset dialects), Bella Coola, and Lillooet (Fraser River "dialect") -- were analyzed semantically and taxonomically. A computerized sorting system was developed to handle pertinent information associated with these names and their corresponding plant types. At the present time, each language contains an average of about 150 generic-level plant names, over 50% of which correspond in a one-to- one fashion with botanical species. Some of the names have no meaning other than as plant names, but most are analyzable into smaller units of meaning, reflecting traditional beliefs, utilization, innate characteristics of the plants, or their resemblance to some substance, object, or other plant. Some of the generic terms are obviously borrowed from other languages, and a number of taxa can be found in each language which originally applied to indigenous species and have been expanded in recent times to include cultivated or imported counterparts. Each language contains a few general "life-form" plant names, a number of intermediate taxa -- usually unnamed, and in Haida and Lillooet, a few specific-level terms. None of the groups has an all-inclusive word for "plant". There are also several specialized generic- level terms in each language, and many general names for parts of plants. Cultural significance of plants correlates positively with the degree of specificity of names applied to them, with the number of specialized terms associated with them, and with the lexical retention of their names in diverging dialects. Linguistic origin, floristic diversity, cultural traits, inter-group contact, and especially the recent acculturation of native peoples into "white" society, are believed to be major factors influencing the character of phytotaxonomic systems of the three study groups. Maps of the study areas are provided, and appendixes are included listing all plant names used in the study, their botanical correspondence, and the utilization and cultural significance of the plants involved. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

Each year millions of Canadian and Americans return to their country from visits abroad praising the varied character, the sense of distinctiveness, the historic charm and the rich atmosphere of the cities they have visited. Simultaneously, North America each year demolishes more vestiges of its historical heritage as it proceeds to pave more streets and parking lots and erect bigger and taller buildings. In this urgent process of building and rebuilding, irreplaceable remnants of our urban past which can give North American cities some of the highly-praised charm and atmosphere found in Europe are frequently obliterated as the 'unavoidable' price for growth and progress. Throughout the last century many individuals and private societies have, nevertheless, attempted to save and preserve some of the most noteworthy relics of our cities past for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Since about 1950 this embryonic preservation movement has redirected its emphasis from the saving of individual buildings to the preservation of entire historic districts within North American cities. Traditionally, the impetus for and the costs incurred in historic district preservation have been solely the responsibility of the private sector. The last few years, however, have seen a rising involvement of all levels of government in district preservation. Urban government, throughout the continent, is taking a serious look at the viability of restoring and rehabilitating declining but potentially rich neighbourhoods. Historic district preservation has at this point in time truly entered the ambit of city planning and it is vitally important that the planning profession appreciate the techniques and procedures now available to guide and facilitate success in this activity. This study was directed at discovering what is currently being done by planners to maximize success in historic district preservation. A broad survey of some 68 different historic district projects in North America served as the vehicle for this examination and an examination of goal formulation achievement was used as the most appropriate single dimension through which the overall problem can be approached. The central hypothesis formulated in this thesis is: Recurrent planning targets of Historic District preservation projects in North America in the 1960's can be classified under 15 broad goals. These are: (1) To encourage the restoration and preservation of buildings on a private basis where possible to such an extent that they will be desirable as private homes or places of business. (2) To improve the architectural merit of the rehabilitation-restoration work in the district. (3) To attract 'new development' to the district in order to instill new life, to broaden its tax base, or for other reasons. (4) To ensure that new construction is compatible with the existing historical context and architectural setting. (5) To acquire and preserve with public monies those buildings in the district that are worthy of preservation and cannot be saved through private means. (6) To relocate within the district historic buildings from outside the historic area that would otherwise face destruction. (7) To ensure the district's continuing existence as a living, functioning community - not a 'museum complex'. (8) To make the district a focus for cultural activity and a centre for the arts and crafts. (9) To develop and conserve those attributes of the streets, grounds, public squares or parks that contribute to the district's overall character. (10) To recognize the requirements of the automobile while also subordinating these requirements to the need for preserving the quality of the historic environment. (11) To improve the quality of the district's environment by systematically eliminating incompatible and undesirable uses and structures. (12) To carry out a relocation program for low income population which is being displaced. (13) To offset the pressures of land speculation within the district. (14) To enact and generally improve legislative measures designed to protect the quality of the district's environment. (15) To promote and advertise the district in order to develop local interest and to create a definite tourist attraction. The survey revealed that of these 15 hypothetical goals eight are generally considered highly relevant to virtually all projects irregardless of any variable (goal 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14). Five of these goals (goal 7, 2, 1, 9, 4) are, on the whole, being achieved with a high degree of success. Lastly, the study brought to light a great number of 'tools and techniques' which are currently being used to aid in the attainment of the planning goals. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This study examined the issues of culture, measurement and development involved in field-dependent-independent cognitive style research with Native Indian and Non-Indian students. Two cultural groups were tested, and each group consisted of 75 students from ages 8 to 12. One of the cultural groups was composed of Tsimshian Indians living in villages outside of Prince Rupert, and the other was composed of non-Natives living in Prince Rupert. Four measures of field-dependent-independent cognitive style were individually administered to students. One test (Embedded Figures Test) was established as the criterion measure of cognitive style, and the potential of the other three tests as measures of cognitive style was investigated. Five ages were included so that differences in developmental trends could be determined. Results showed that the non-Natives scored significantly closer to the field-independent end of the continuum than the Natives on two of the four measures of cognitive style. These results indicated that cultural differences do exist between the two cultural groups for two of the measures. The four cognitive style measures were found to inter-correlate highly, which indicated that they form a reasonable battery to use for measuring field-dependence-independence. Results also showed no interaction between age and culture, thereby indicating that no significant differences in development existed between the two cultural groups. In both groups, cognitive style developed in the same linear sequence, and reached the same level of development by age 12. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

This thesis is a study of contemporary urban design in North America. The physical aspects of the architecture of the city are examined in the light of the history of ideas and of urban design. While most studies show the development of modern architectural and urban design as a chronology of ever new trends and discoveries in a continuous line of progress, this work shows that many essential features of design are not new and have not been changing. On the contrary, ideas developed in the eighteenth century can be regarded as the essential source of inspiration of many aspects of contemporary design. The central theme of the thesis is that the body of thought developed in the late eighteenth century - defined as romantic thought - is still at the origin of the motivation of contemporary urban design. The study identifies the essential traits of the prevailing style of urban and architectural design and relates them to the main themes of the romantic tradition. The point made is that this tradition has become a very uncritical one and that the establishment of alternative and new traditions is thus made very difficult, if not impossible. The method followed in the thesis is to make hypotheses of influences between eighteenth century thought and contemporary notions affecting the physical design of cities. The hypotheses are supported by the evidence of the thoughts and projects of representative thinkers quoted and by the attitudes, the laws and the patterns of physical design found in our days. Among the sources used in this thesis the reader will find passages ranging from Edmund Burke and Immanuel Kant to Jane Jacobs, Frank Lloyd Wright and Arthur Erickson. A large body of thoughts from famous and less famous people who spoke and worked in a representative way is used throughout the thesis. Illustrations of "prophetic" designs from the age of Boullee and Ledoux and of many existing projects are introduced to clarify the arguments. Many examples were chosen from Vancouver, British Columbia, but typical examples from the entire North American continent are included. Most of the aspects influencing design are considered. The reader will find an examination of established patterns of existing urban design in North America, an analysis of the attitudes toward the city and architecture observations on the by-laws and the economic system influencing design decisions. This material is used to show that there is a great inertia of old styles and ideals which prevent the establishment of alternative life styles and of truly new canons of design, despite a general consensus about the need for some truly new approach in the physical design of our cities. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate