abstract: “OUT.” is a song cycle for bass and piano that follows the coming out process of a young homosexual who has been raised in a politically and religiously conservative corner of American culture. This character was taught from a very young age that anything or anyone of a queer nature was inherently wrong and should be avoided and scorned. The story arc captured in this seven-movement work is only a small portion of what the character ultimately goes through as they mature. This portion of their narrative has been isolated with the hope of embodying a queer character of strength, and this piece begins with the character knowing, understanding, and having already come to terms with their own sexuality. The story outlined in this song cycle is one of hardship that ultimately leads to triumph, as a demonstration that overcoming queer suppression is an achievable goal. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Composition 2019

Radical animal rights and environmental activism is considered domestic terrorism under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Traditional models of terrorism purport that there is a path to radicalization that is influenced by an individual's sense of identity and ideological beliefs. Using collective identity theory and cognitive experiential self-theory as the framework, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether social identity, cognitive processing mode, and ideological beliefs were predictors for engagement in radical animal rights and environmental activism. The Three Factor Model of Social Identity Scale, the Rational Experiential Inventory, and the Activism Orientation Scale were used to collect data from a sample of 65 self-described radical animal rights and environmental activists. Standard multiple regression analyses were used to test each hypothesis. According to the results of the study, only rational processing mode, F(6, 64) = 3.18, (p < .05 ), was a predictor of likeliness to engage in radical animals rights and environmental activism. Although ideology was not a significant predictor, exploratory analysis showed that ecofeminism demonstrated predictive value, F(2, 64) = 6.12, (p < .05). This study contributes to positive social change by expanding the understanding of the profile of radical activists, which may aid those who support radical actions and those who oppose such actions in opening a meaningful dialogue whereby solutions to issues facing the environment and animals can be addressed with successful outcomes.

[pt] A presente pesquisa analisa as construções identitárias performativodiscursivas de três ativistas LGBT que se identificam como bissexuais em narrativas sobre o processo de sair do armário e estereótipos, preconceitos e discriminações bifóbicos. As pessoas bissexuais frequentemente são pouco aceitas nos movimentos LGBT, apesar de serem teoricamente incluídas pela letra B na sigla. A bissexualidade é tratada como só uma fase antes de se assumir heterossexual ou homossexual e as pessoas bissexuais devem lidar com preconceitos de supostamente serem promíscuas e desconfiáveis. A aproximação desta investigação imbrica Linguística Aplicada, Linguística Queer, Antropologia, Teoria Queer, Epistemologias Bissexuais e Análise das Narrativas. Os dados foram gerados em entrevistas individuais com três mulheres bissexuais que participam de uma associação de ativismo e conscientização LGBT do Rio de Janeiro, na qual um campo etnográfico de 22 meses foi realizado entre 2010-2012. A análise se concentra sobre como as três ativistas constroem suas performances identitárias bissexuais como permanentes e nãopromíscuas. Nessas construções, veremos (1) como devem provar que suas performances identitárias não são só uma fase para serem aceitas, mas assim reforçam a ideia de identidades fixas/estáveis, (2) como suas construções identitárias reproduzem e/ou subvertem a tendência de definir a sexualidade com base no sexo/gênero da(s) pessoa(s) desejada(s) e (3) como as construções de performances bissexuais não-promíscuas excluem e/ou abrem outras possibilidades da diversidade sexual. As análises serão usadas para propor estratégias discursivas e de pensamento crítico sobre as categorias identitárias que poderão ser desenvolvidas com as ativistas no grupo para fomentar a aceitação das identidades bissexuais e da diversidade sexual. / [en] The present study analyses the performative, discursive identity constructions of three LGBT activists who identify as bisexual in narrativas regarding the process of coming-out and biphobic stereotypes, prejudice and discriminations. Bisexual-identified individuals are often little accepted in LGBT movements, despite being theoretically included due to the letter B in the anagram. Bisexuality is treated as just a phase before coming out as heterosexual or homosexual, and bisexual-identified people have to deal with being stereotyped as promiscuous and untrustworthy. This study combines Applied Linguistics, Queer Linguistics, Anthropology, Queer Theory, Bisexual Epistemologies and Narrative Analysis. The data were collected in individual interviews with three bisexual-identified women that participate in an LGBT activism and awareness group in Rio de Janeiro, in which 22 months of ethnographic fieldwork were realized from 2010-2012. The analysis concentrates on the ways in which the three activists construct their bisexual identity performances as permanent and not promiscuous. In these constructions, we shall see (1) how they must prove that their identity performances are not just a phase in order to be accepted, but in so doing reinforce the idea of fixed/stable identities, (2) how their identity constructions reproduce and/or subvert the tendency to define sexuality based on the sex/gender of the person(s) desired, and (3) how the constructions of non-promiscuous bisexual performances exclude and/or open other possibilities for sexual diversity. The analysis shall be used to propose discursive and critical-thinking strategies regarding identity categories that can be further developed with the group’s activists, to encourage the acceptance of bisexual identity performances and of sexual diversity.

The purpose of this feminist action research project was to produce a practical support volunteer training and manual for the Georgia Reproductive Justice Access Network (GRJAN). Founded in 2011, GRJAN is a grassroots, reproductive justice abortion fund that provides abortion funding and until 2012, practical support (lodging, transportation, and childcare) to low-income individuals seeking abortion services in Atlanta, GA. The resultant thesis is a reflective essay upon the project, documenting and analyzing the successes and failures of the project as well as discussing the limitations of pursuing feminist activist work within the academy.

Writing fiction within a feminist framework is a helpful way in bringing up women’s issues to a wider readership that is not necessarily familiar with feminist scholarship. Through creative narrative an author can dispel misunderstandings, correct misconceptions and represent underrepresented women who have been rendered invisible or pushed to the margins by hegemonic discourses. My novella tells the story of a group of Muslim women doing community work in Turkey. Navigating their way in contemporary Turkey, these women dispel the upheld literary stereotypes of Muslim women. Through their work and dedication, these women show that they are not victims of a suppressive religion, or escapees from an oppressive culture. Instead they see themselves as participants in a noble cause for the benefit of the wider society. The impetus for their service is drawn from the main sources of their religion: Quran and the example of the prophet Muhammad.

Detta arbete har som syfte att undersöka om emotionell inlärning har någon effekt på faktainlärning i ett informativt dataspel om Röda Korsets vattendistribution i DR Kongo. Det föreslås i arbetet att dataspel kan dra nytta av emotionella företeelser såsom fotografier, ansiktsuttryck och dylikt för att förstärka och ge en bättre bestående faktainlärning. En spelprototyp om Röda Korsets vattendistribution produceras i två versioner, en med emotionella och en med neutrala företeelser och testas sedan på varsin grupp med 10 andraringselever i varje. Eleverna får besvara ett frågeformulär direkt efter spelandet och en gång till två veckor senare för att undersöka hur hög inlärningen varit. Inget slutgiltigt resultat kunde utvinnas ur undersökningen, då skillnaderna mellan de två grupperna av elever samt storleken på grupperna (10) var för små för att ge några statistiskt signifikanta resultat. Dock hävdas det att skillnaden till den emotionella versionens fördel, ändå ger en indikation som motiverar en större studie för att slutgiltigt fastställa ett resultat.

In past decades historians have become increasingly focussed on Native political activism in Canada. This has brought greater understanding to Native political issues and a degree of legitimization to Native political activism. Despite historians interest in Native politics, however, some general weaknesses remain within the historiography. In particular, there has been a general tendency to document the political actions only of eras known to be politically prominent. This practice has led to an abundance of studies focussed on the Riel Uprisings and the surge of Native activism in the 1960s but has left other periods such as the interwar era significantly underrepresented. When the interwar era is mentioned, it is generally done in order to frame such political activities as context for other issues. These tendencies have created the impression that Native political activism was sporadic and reactionary, and therefore, not an established and legitimate response to longstanding grievances. This thesis attempts to rectify this gap within the historiography of Native political activism in Saskatchewan by illustrating the extent to which Native peoples during the interwar era were politically active. In establishing that Saskatchewan Native political activism was a force throughout the interwar era, this thesis elucidates the reasons for the rise in political activism within Saskatchewan Native communities, tracing the development of First Nations and Métis political organizations which began in the early 1920s and 1930s. This work then draws attention to the political strategies developed by Natives to achieve their political goals. Highlighting the period between 1922 and 1946 as a politically significant era for Natives in Saskatchewan, this work fundamentally demonstrates that the challenges facing Native political actions did not result in a failure of Native political identities as one might expect, but rather forced adaptation and growth.

<p>Detta arbete har som syfte att undersöka om emotionell inlärning har någon effekt på faktainlärning i ett informativt dataspel om Röda Korsets vattendistribution i DR Kongo.</p><p>Det föreslås i arbetet att dataspel kan dra nytta av emotionella företeelser såsom fotografier, ansiktsuttryck och dylikt för att förstärka och ge en bättre bestående faktainlärning.</p><p>En spelprototyp om Röda Korsets vattendistribution produceras i två versioner, en med emotionella och en med neutrala företeelser och testas sedan på varsin grupp med 10 andraringselever i varje. Eleverna får besvara ett frågeformulär direkt efter spelandet och en gång till två veckor senare för att undersöka hur hög inlärningen varit.</p><p>Inget slutgiltigt resultat kunde utvinnas ur undersökningen, då skillnaderna mellan de två grupperna av elever samt storleken på grupperna (10) var för små för att ge några statistiskt signifikanta resultat. Dock hävdas det att skillnaden till den emotionella versionens fördel, ändå ger en indikation som motiverar en större studie för att slutgiltigt fastställa ett resultat.</p>

Recent decades have seen substantial changes in the U.S. political landscape. One particularly significant development has been the growing influence of a conservative coalition encompassing evangelical Christianity, interventionist foreign policy and neoliberal reform. This study explores the force and internal dynamics of this political assemblage. Based on fieldwork among conservative voters, volunteers and candidates in a small city in northwestern Ohio during a midterm election year, it probes the energy of conservative politics, its modes of attachment and influence, and the organizational forms through which it circulates. Contemporary conservative politics are shown to be centered on a particular epistemological intuition: that to be able to act, one must believe in something. This intuition implies an actively affirmative stance toward “beliefs” and “values.” The study also addresses methodological and analytical challenges that conservative politics pose for anthropological inquiry. It develops a “conversational” analytical attitude, arguing that in order to understand the lasting influence conservatism one has to take seriously the problems that it is oriented toward.

This study departs from Gállok, an area 40 kilometres northwest of the city Jokkmokk, in northern Sweden. This is a place to which local people and Saami reindeer herders have material interests and emotional bonds. The mining company JIMAB wants to prospect for extracting minerals from this area. In the summer of 2013 local people, Saamis and environmental activists gathered in Gállok in order to protest and make resistance against these plans. Activism was made, debate articles were written, demonstrations were organized and information about what was going on in Gállok was shared through social media. The aim of this study is to examine the cultural processes of the anti-mining movement, in particular the happenings in Gállok in summer 2013. How did this anti-mining movement take form? What kind of strategies and methods were used, in order to mobilize participants? This study focuses on the material and bodily aspects of resistance and activism. What kind of material interests lie behind the involvement? How do they use their bodies as tools to make resistance? Furthermore the current thesis examines some of the reasoning, questions and emotions that circulate in the movement. Around which questions and values do the participants in the anti-mining gather? How do emotions affect people's involvement? One of the main arguments of this study is that social movements can be understood both as political and cultural. Is this also the case with the anti-mining movement in Gállok? This study consists of 5 chapters and a summary. The first chapter presents the theories, methods and materials that have been used in this study. In chapter two the reader is presented to the historical background and context of the anti-mining movement. In the third chapter, we examine some of the main reasonings, questions and emotions that circulate in the movement. The fourth chapter focuses on the happenings that took place in Gállok in the summer of 2013, when activists, locals and Saami people where gathered to protest and make resistance. In the fifth chapter a anti-mining demonstration that took place in Jokkmokk in the winter of 2014 is analyzed. The conclusions are then drawn in the final brief summary.