Issued also as Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University. / Bibliography: p. 58.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1954. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 651-670).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1972. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (LL. M.)--Judge Advocate General's School, United States Army, 1975. / "April 1975." Typescript. Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in microfiche.

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 1993. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-82).

Literary theory widely attests to the powerful role of characters as vehicles in producing meaning. Yet current narrative models focus almost exclusively on primary characters, neglecting supporting characters, who are capable of reshaping narrative emphases or revealing layers of story within the story. This project demonstrates the significance of supporting characters in biblical narratives by applying a narrative methodology drawn from cognitive narratology to the Jephthah story (Judg 10:6 12:7) in order to illuminate the distinct perspectives of each secondary character within its storyworld. The first chapter outlines a cognitive narrative methodology, which asserts that the purpose of narrative is not merely to convey a meaning, but for readers to experience and engage the story. Therefore, it focuses not on determining the meaning of the text, but embracing the power of stories to become transformative and meaningful experiences for the reader with multiple points of engagement (characters). Chapter two introduces the timecourse (causally related sequence of events) of the Jephthah cycle and then analyzes the initiating event perspective. This chapter establishes the situations and expectations between Yhwh and his people that echo in unique ways into the scenes that follow. Each chapter that follows re-reads the story of Jephthah (Judg 10:17 12:7) through the lens of a supporting character king, the daughter of Jephthah, and the Ephraimites person and perspective through their social role (social and historical expectations built into social models), mode of conduct (character assessment based on biblical and social norms), and disposition (the personality of that character determined through speech, action, or direct narration). Each chapter also assesses the tellability of the story (establishing their viable perspective within the text) and concludes by summarizing the perspective and engaging with it from my own subjective awareness. Using the Jephthah account, I demonstrate the complexity and depth of the many unnamed characters who engage with this morally ambiguous judge, suggesting that they are part of a pattern of outside, or other, voices in biblical narrative that have the power to transform readers.

This thesis investigated the development and effectiveness of a perceptual training programmes for coaches and judges in gymnastics. Study one examined the variability of visual search for coaches and judges when viewing handspring vaults. The study found that there were no significant differences between the mean number of fixations, fixation duration and number of areas fixated across two time-points four weeks apart. In addtion, the natural range of variation of the number of fixations, fixation duration and number of area fixated was found to be 9/7%, 5.7% and 14.2% (expressed as coefficient of variation). Study two examined differences between expert and novice gymnastics coaches' and judges' visual search. Analysis of gaze behaviour showed that experts make significantly more fixations of significantly longer duration to significantly fewer areas than novies. There was no significant difference between the outcome juddgements made by the expert and novice coaches and judges. These findings suggest that visual search may be a contributing factor to expert performance in judgement formation. Study three explored the visual search pattern and knowledge used by expert coaches and judges when making decisions. Data were gathered through the used of eye-tracking and semi-structered interviews. Analyses established that experts tend to fixate on the torso and shoulders of gymnasts throughout the vault, and that there are three to four specific areas which are explored during each phase of a vault. Study four examined the effectiveness of a perceptual training programme for a perceptual traning and control group. Fixation number, fixation duration, number of areas fixated and outcome judgement were recorded at baseline, immediently after the programme and four weeks after it had been withdrawn. 2 (control vs. perceputal training) x 3 (intervention phase) ANOVA's with repeated measures showed that the perceptual training group produced significantly less error at the retention stage for number of fixations (F (2,6) = 12.57, p = 0.01, effect size n2 = .81), at the post-test for fixation duration (F (2,6) = 7.49, p = 0.02, effect size n2 = .71). However post-hoc analyses could not detect the difference for number of areas fixated. In study five, four participants that took part in the experiental condition watched a perceptual training DVD twice a week for six weeks. The case study data showed that the expert and novices who watched the perceptual training DVD made changes to their visual search variables and judgements and therefore became more analogous to the experts from study three to baseline to the post-test. However, only the novices retained the beneficial effects of the intervention. To conclude, this programme of research examinaed the development and effectiveness of a perceptual training programee for coaches' and judges' in gymnastics. This thesis suggests that a perceptual training programme based on the visual search and declarative knowledge of expert coaches and judges is effective at altering visual search and enhancing decision making for noveice coaches and judges. This research programme therefore promotes the use of perceptual training programmes for novice coaches and judges in sport.

The period of the Judges reflects a time in history where early monotheism comes into contact with many forces and influences. The most crucial of these is the Canaanite peoples with their religious practices which were focused largely on Baal and the pantheon of which he was a part. This study seeks to show that the Canaanite religious ideas had a detrimental influence on early monotheism as reflected in the book of Judges. This led to a downward spiral in which ‘everyone did what was right in his own eyes’ and consequently abandoned absolute monotheism for a syncrestic religion which led to religious and social chaos. The Canaanite religious forces which influenced the development of monotheism in this period are studied in the lives of four of the major judges, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson. The findings are then applied to today’s world in which similar influences are found. The methodology used to analyse the texts is V.K. Robbins’ socio-rhetorical method in which the layers of various texts are exposed to reveal a rich tapestry of meaning and understanding. Simultaneous analysis pertaining to narrative literature is also done. A brief description of the characteristics of Yahweh is established from the book of Judges and is used as the point of comparison with a similar description of the various gods and goddess of the Canaanite pantheon based on the Ugaritic literature. Each judge is placed in the historical, geographical, social and religious context of the narrative and the influences of the Canaanites highlighted. Applications for today are also made. The results of the study show that continuing association with the Canaanites led to the infiltration of their religious ideas into early monotheism. This encouraged the Israelites to abandon their unique monotheism for a blend of monotheism and polytheism which allowed everyone to live his life in the manner he believed was right for him. A similar situation is found in the 21st century AD. / Prof. J.H. Coetzee

As digital evidence grows in both volume and importance in criminal and civil courts, judges need to fairly and justly evaluate the merits of the offered evidence. To do so, judges need a general understanding of the underlying technologies and applications from which digital evidence is derived. Due to the relative newness of the computer forensics field, there have been few studies on the use of digital forensic evidence and none about judges' relationship with digital evidence. This study addressed judges' awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of digital evidence, using grounded theory methods. The interaction of judges with digital evidence has a social aspect that makes a study of this relationship well suited to grounded theory. This study gathered data via a written survey distributed to judges in the American Bar Association and National Judicial College, followed by interviews with judges from Massachusetts and Vermont. The results indicated that judges generally recognize the importance of evidence derived from digital sources, although they are not necessarily aware of all such sources. They believe that digital evidence needs to be authenticated just like any type of evidence and that it is the role of attorneys rather than of judges to mount challenges to that evidence, as appropriate. Judges are appropriately wary of digital evidence, recognizing how easy it is to alter or misinterpret such evidence. Less technically aware judges appear even more wary of digital evidence than their more knowledgeable peers. Judges recognize that they need additional training in computer and Internet technology as the computer forensics process and digital evidence, citing a lack of availability of such training. This training would enable judges to better understand the arguments presented by lawyers, testimony offered by technical witnesses, and judicial opinions forming the basis of decisional law. A framework for such training is provided in this report. This study is the first in the U.S. to analyze judges and digital forensics, thus opening up a new avenue of research. It is the second time that grounded theory has been employed in a digital forensics study, demonstrating the applicability of that methodology to this discipline.

It is June 2001, in a small church in deepest Arkansas. ‘Brother John’ is speaking at a youth service. The text he has chosen: Judges 19. ‘This is the story of a woman who left her husband. She disrespected authority and leaders. She got what she deserved. This is what will happen to you if you disobey your leaders.’ This is by far the worst sermon I have ever heard, and it started my journey with Judges 19-21. It is the only time I have ever heard this text referred to in public worship. There was nothing in my Christian journey until then that could have given me the skills to deal with that text, or that sermon. At the same time, it is a text that burrowed its way into my consciousness, because I have consistently worked with women (and men) who have experienced sexual abuse over the years. How can they read this text? Why is it there? In what sense can it be Scripture? While the text has been used oppressively, can it be read differently, and redeemed from oppressive interpretations? Has it got anything to offer, beyond a reading in memoriam?