published_or_final_version / Urban Studies / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Language and treatment modality are important variables in conducting psychotherapy with students from non-Western countries. Both variables might also have significant impact on therapeutic outcome. Foreign students in America speak at least two languages, and utilizing either their native language or English during sessions might result in different kinds of emotional expressiveness. Indonesian and Malaysian students are from countries where it is uncommon to express emotions publicly. Since language is a part of culture, using English might facilitate a distancing from their cultural context, and might also facilitate more verbal expressions of emotion. On the other hand, using their native language might facilitate a warm and "at home" atmosphere. The purpose of this dissertation is to study the effect of native language and English during interactional group psychotherapy with Indonesian and Malaysian students, and to assess the efficacy of this modality with foreign students. Yalom's interactional group psychotherapy was used with a group of Indonesian, a group of Malaysian, and a group of international students. These three treatment groups were compared to a group of international students who served as a control group. English and the native language were used alternately during the sessions with the Indonesian and Malaysian groups. Only English was used during the sessions with the international student groups. Objective measurements used were the Profile of Mood States, the Personal Orientation Inventory, the Group Environment Scale, the Group Climate Questionnaire, and the Subjective Evaluation Ratings Scale. Subjective measurement was independent judges. Results indicated that Indonesians and Malaysians rated themselves as significantly more active during sessions in English than during sessions in their native language. Raters perceived the Indonesian and Malaysian groups as more cohesive when sessions were conducted in the native language than when conducted in English. This study also indicated that interactional group psychotherapy was effective for foreign students, with some limitations. This treatment method was effective in improving mood states and personality profiles. The method was most effective for the Malaysians. In addition, this study also supported the notion that insight awareness therapy is effective for YAVIS (young, attractive, verbal, intelligent, successful) clients.

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This narrative-based qualitative research investigated the distinct journeys of eight cross-cultural artists (four artists from South Korea and four artists from China). Utilizing a variety of theoretical frameworks surrounding cross-cultural research, this dissertation examined current discussions on cross-cultural challenges and their implications in the field of art education. Methods of data collection focused primarily on interviews and were examined through the lens of Bandura’s (1997) self-efficacy theory. Evaluating the lived experiences of artists illuminated nuances in cross-cultural environments, specifically, how socio-cultural transitions influenced their artwork and professional lives. The findings of this research correlate with previous literature surrounding current challenges in the lives of cross-cultural students. These challenges were discussed in the context of how art educators can best confront issues that emerge in the classroom. The analysis and discussion presented in this thesis seeks to provide insights into the experiences of cross-cultural artists, while highlighting the educational implications for both artists and educators.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Urban Design / This discourse represents a searching process. Its outcomes are consciously unpredictable and open-ended. Its topic is influenced by spatial dilemma across the spectrum of South - African cities and the fact that opportunities of finding answers towards integration on a regional level has only now become desirable and feasible through national policy. During a period of heightened political awareness the need for integration and improved access has become a pressing issue which forces us to seek answers on our feet.( Abbreviation abstract ) / AC2017

Thesis (M.Fine Arts)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Arts, 2016. / This paper will be an analysis of the covers and contents of the South African editions of Glamour magazine from September 2014 to August 2015 and True Love magazine from September 2014 to August 2015. The analysis will consider the effects of: globalisation; globalised culture and consumption; and perceptions of race and skin colour, (specifically the notion of colourism) in South Africa. Colourism is a prejudicial system that renders value and perpetuates social hierarchies along perceived tonal difference in skin colour. It has been asserted by writers like Deborah Gabriel and Nicole Fleetwood that this value system exists within communities of people of colour and is perpetuated by mainstream media, but maintains a somewhat obscure presence. I will consider the mechanisms that inform this colour system and will show how globalisation works to facilitate colourism. Finally, I aim to explain how skin colour extends beyond the body and define the effects of global cultural interaction, showing that colourism is not simply about skin colour and tone, but about economic, social, and political realities. / MT2017

A Research Dissertation Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The Department of Psychology School of Human and Community Development Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand May, 2017 / Utilizing the theories of change and social development, this study analyzes the extent to which participation in cross-national learning assessments has influenced educational policy and curriculum reforms in three African countries: Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. The study also interrogates structural reforms and exchange of technical capacities and evaluates the culture of learning assessment in these countries. To collect data, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants drawn from the Ministries of Basic Education, national examinations councils, civil society organizations and curriculum development institutions in the three countries. In total, 17 key informant interviews were conducted (five in Kenya and six a piece in Tanzania and South Africa). The interviews were complemented by summative content review of policy/strategic papers. This study shows that overall, at least 18 policy/official strategic documents were formulated in these three countries (seven in Kenya and six in Tanzania and five South Africa) as a consequence of participating in the cross-national learning assessments. Five curriculum reforms attributable to the participation in the cross-national learning assessments are also recorded. However, the findings of the current study suggest that these curriculum reviews have not critically considered learning outcomes and are limited in relation to content, design, delivery mechanisms and assessment of literacy and numeracy programmes. As far as teacher capacity is concerned, the study has established that teachers in these countries lack skills in measurement mainly due to the limited training or lack of coverage on psychometrics in the teacher training curricula. Capacity to implement own national learning assessments is varied across the three countries. South Africa and to some extent Kenya have demonstrated improved capacities to implement independent large-scale learning assessments. Much progress has however been made by South Africa in resourcing and implementing independent large-scale learning assessments, an indication of commitment to sustain the culture of monitoring of learning outcomes. There is also much variation in policy and programme formulation and resource investment in literacy programmes across the three countries; at least three programmes/initiatives in South Africa and one each in Kenya and Tanzania have been launched to respond to learning challenges especially in lower grades, with at least $USD 645.2 million invested between 2010-2015. However, the programmes in Kenya and Tanzania are technically and financially donor driven. In terms of structures, South Africa and Kenya have put in place official structures that could support the sustainability of the system of monitoring learning outcomes. For sustainability, a recommendation is made that learning assessments be decentralized and collaboratively managed with stakeholders at the provincial and county/local council levels. The study concludes by discussing the social development implications of these findings. / MT 2018

Orientador(a): Karylleila dos Santos Andrade / Banca: João Cardoso Palma Filho / Banca: Tânia Ferreira Rezende / Banca: José Manoel Miranda de Oliveira / Banca: Roberto Francisco de Carvalho / Resumo: Esta tese apresenta o desdobramento de uma pesquisa em nível de doutoramento cuja temática é a Educação Escolar Indígena Xerente. O lócus do estudo é a Escola Estadual Indígena Wakõmẽkwa, localizada na Comunidade Riozinho Kakumhu, reserva Xerente, na região do Município de Tocantínia-TO. A investigação objetivou refletir sobre a concepção dos professores indígenas sobre o sentido do Ensino das Artes na escola Wakõmēkwa, a partir da perspectiva da Interculturalidade. O estudo realizado se constituiu em uma pesquisa social desenvolvida na perspectiva da etnografia multissituada, amparada na abordagem qualitativa. As técnicas de pesquisa adotadas foram a observação participante, na primeira fase da investigação, e a sondagem percepcional, por meio de roda de conversa, na segunda fase. A base teórica que sustenta as reflexões incluem os estudos de Almeida e Albuquerque (2011); Fleuri (2001; 2003; 2006), Bourdieu (1989; 2004), Coelho (1993; 1997), Candau (2012), Cunha (2012; 2019), Quijano (2005, 2010), Mignolo (2009; 2017), Santos (2010a, 2010b), Tubino (2011), Walsh (2009, 2012) dentre outros, respaldados pelos documentos oficiais da Educação que regulamentam a Educação Escolar Indígena no Brasil, como Diretrizes para a Política Nacional de Educação Escolar Indígena (1994), o Referencial Curricular Nacional para Escolas Indígenas (1998) e as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para Educação Escolar Indígena (2013). Todos os professores da escola, além do Diretor e secretário... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This Thesis presents the unfolding of a research at a Doctoral level with the theme of Xerente Indigenous School Education. The locus of the study is the Wakõmẽkwa Indigenous State School, located in Riozinho Kakumhu Community, in the Xerente Reserve, in the region of the municipality of Tocantínia in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. This research aimed to reflect on the conception of the indigenous teachers about the meaning of the teaching of Art at Wakõmēkwa School, from the perspective of Interculturality. The study was constituted in a social research developed from the perspective of multilocated ethnography, supported by the qualitative approach. The research techniques adopted were the participant observation, in the first phase of the investigation, and the perceptual survey, through conversation circle, in the second phase. The theoretical basis that sustained the reflections include the studies of Almeida and Albuquerque (2011); Fleuri (2001; 2003; 2006), Bourdieu (1989; 2004), Coelho (1993; 1997), Candau (2012), Cunha (2012; 2019), Quijano (2005, 2010), Mignolo (2009; 2017), Santos (2010a, 2010b), Tubino (2011), Walsh (2009, 2012) among others, backed by official documents of education that regulate indigenous school education in Brazil, as Guidelines for the National Policy of Indigenous School Education (1994), the National Curriculum Referential for Indigenous Schools (1998) and the National Curriculum Guidelines for Indigenous School Education (2013). All the... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

This qualitative study explores how adult educators use a blended teaching format, that is, the use of face-to-face teaching combined with online technology, to promote cross-cultural understanding between students from different cultures. This study is based upon the following assumptions: (1) cross-cultural understanding can be achieved through blended global education; (2) technology and online international education can help students achieve the benefits of cross-cultural understanding; and (3) by promoting cross-cultural understanding, students will learn to challenge assumptions, create new perspectives, gain global competence, and embrace international diversity. This study examines the dedicated work of adult educators who participated in an online international teaching program, to have students from different countries, use technology to collaborate on shared projects in order to foster and promote cross-cultural understanding. The primary sources of data were: in-depth interviews with 20 adult educators, 10 from the United States and 10 from Mexico; a focus group of related academic and university professionals; and documentary analysis. The bounded case study examined, among other things, the adult educators' perceptions of differences in teaching in a face-to-face, online, and blended global format; the activities used within a blended global context to promote understanding among students from different cultures; the ways in which adult educators learned how to teach in this environment; and finally, those factors that facilitated or inhibited the process of cross-cultural understanding within this blended global format. Key findings included the power paradox of synchronicity; the blended cultural diversity paradigm; the impact of international collegial partnerships; and the anxiety and embrace of language challenges. A key finding was that, based upon the level of technology interaction coupled with the academic content of the collaborative work, students can achieve different levels of cross-cultural understanding from awareness to appreciation to advocacy. A primary recommendation from this study is that adult educators and institutions should embrace technology as a creative and innovative way to help students achieve cross-cultural understanding and global competence in today's changing economy.

This dissertation draws on feminist theory and ecofeminist philosophy to examine the connections between understandings of women and nature and the construction of pervasive conceptualizations and practices of childbirth. It also examines the relationship between conceptualizations of men and masculinity, culture and nature, and childbirth. In order to conduct such an examination, this study explores the dominant Western discourse around gender and childbirth. Specifically, the work aims to identify prominent characteristics and themes related to childbirth in both popular culture, such as Hollywood films (Knocked Up, The Backup Plan), documentaries (The Business of Being Born), birth guides, magazines, news articles, websites, and scholarly, medical and alternative healthcare discourse. This work seeks to consider how various conceptualizations of childbirth are used to legitimate, or, alternately, to undermine, patriarchal gender norms such as emphasized femininity and patriarchal (hegemonic) masculinity and, more generally, what ecofeminist philosopher Val Plumwood calls "master consciousness" (Val Plumwood 1993), a way of understanding the world that is reliant on an unjustifiably dualistic thinking and that is responsible for fostering social practices of domination. In particular, this work seeks to determine to what extent is our conceptualization of childbirth, and subsequent practice, based on potentially erroneous presumptions about the hierarchical division between the realms of culture and nature and masculinity and femininity? Perhaps most importantly, this dissertation sets out to consider the implications of alternative conceptualizations of childbirth emerging in the context of the natural birth movement. Specifically, I aim to determine whether or not these alternatives interpretations of childbirth counteract patriarchal gender categories and the culture/nature dualism. / Jeff Nall. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.