Atualmente, percebe-se uma tendência acentuada no interesse de idosos pela inclusão digital. Em consequência disto, o envolvimento em novas práticas culturais referente ao universo digital surge em função da pressão social por se manter atualizado e, também, como forma de aproximação da família e amigos de gerações mais novas. O presente trabalho visa analisar a estruturação e organização dos processos de inclusão digital para que haja a apropriação de novas práticas culturais mediadas por tecnologias em rede com idosos. A partir desta diretriz, buscou-se analisar as mudanças que se evidenciam nas práticas culturais destes sujeitos quando mediadas pela tecnologia, bem como, analisar os processos de construção de intersubjetividade atravessados pelas práticas culturais mediadas pelas tecnologias centrado, especialmente, em uma comunidade virtual. Em se tratando da metodologia, desenvolve-se uma netnografia do tipo blended, que envolve, tanto a etnografia como a netnografia. O publico alvo desta pesquisa são 13 idosos que apresentam o interesse em apropriar-se das novas práticas culturais através do uso da tecnologia. O estudo se desenvolveu ao longo de dois anos e possibilitou a coleta de dados a partir da observação participante, diário de campo, entrevistas semiestruturadas, questionário com questões abertas e fechadas e registros on-line dentro da comunidade. Por meio destas, constatou-se a relevância da formação a longo prazo com planejamentos e encontros sistemáticos a fim de que sejam acompanhadas as mudanças na construção das novas práticas culturais e na intersubjetividade. Constatou-se que os letramentos mobilizados por alguns dos sujeitos participantes encontravam-se em níveis diferenciados e em contínuo desenvolvimento. A cerca dos processos intersubjetivos partiu-se das análises dos laços e dos capitais sociais, por meio destes identificou-se que os laços sociais fortes foram uma característica do grupo e a partir destes foram construídos os capitais sociais. Ainda com este enfoque, analisou-se os papéis dos sujeitos e suas modificações que ocorreram de modo processual. Concluiu-se, também, com esta pesquisa que a aprendizagem que envolveu os idosos foi compartilhada e fundamentada em histórias de vida, permeadas de dúvidas, conquistas, dificuldades e superações. No âmbito digital, a idade não se apresentou como um fator que definisse o acesso às possibilidades de possuir uma melhor qualidade de vida que surgiram com o computador. / Nowadays, it can be seen an increasing tendency in the interest of elderly people for digital inclusion. As a result of that the involvement in new cultural practices related to the digital universe arises due to the social pressure to keep up, and also as a way to become closer to family and friends of younger generations. This study aims to analyze the structure and organization of digital inclusion processes to provide appropriation of new cultural practices mediated by network technologies with older people. Based on this guideline, we attempted to analyze the changes that were revealed in the cultural practices of these subjects when mediated by technology, as well as analyze the processes of construction of intersubjectivity that are permeated by the cultural practices mediated by technologies and centered, especially, in a virtual community. In terms of methodology, a blended netnography was developed which involves both ethnography as netnography. The target audience of this research are 13 seniors who have an interest in appropriating the new cultural practices through the use of technology. The study was conducted over the period of two years and allowed the data collection from the participant observation, field journal, semistructured interviews, questionnaire with open and closed questions and online records within the community. Through this collected data, we realized the relevance of long-term training with planning and systematic meetings so that the changes in the construction of new cultural practices and intersubjectivity are accompanied. It is noted that the Literacies mobilized by some participants are at different levels and in continuous development. On the subject of intersubjective processes we start the analysis of ties and some types of social capital through these we identified that strong social ties were a feature of the group and from these were built social capital. Still on this goal we analyzed the roles of the subjects and identified that their changes occurred in a procedural way. We conclude, also, with this research that the learning process which involved the subjects was shared and based on life stories, permeated by doubts, conquers, difficulties and overcoming. In the digital field, age did not appear as a factor that defined the access to possibilities of having a better quality of life that came with the computer.

Esta pesquisa investiga práticas artísticas em alguns cursos livres de pintura da cidade de São Paulo. Gostos e idéias sobre arte muito heterogêneos surgem nestes espaços informais de ensino. Este trabalho se propõe a identificar essa diversidade e interpretar as concepções e funções de arte que presidem distintas formas de práticas artísticas vigentes não institucionalizadas na cidade de São Paulo. / This research analyses artistic practices in painting courses provided by organisations which are not linked to official educational bodies in São Paulo. Many different and heterogeneous tastes and ideas arise in these informal teaching spaces. The purpose of this research is to identify the diversity and interpret the concepts and functions of art used in the artistic practices in these less formal organisations.

Atualmente, percebe-se uma tendência acentuada no interesse de idosos pela inclusão digital. Em consequência disto, o envolvimento em novas práticas culturais referente ao universo digital surge em função da pressão social por se manter atualizado e, também, como forma de aproximação da família e amigos de gerações mais novas. O presente trabalho visa analisar a estruturação e organização dos processos de inclusão digital para que haja a apropriação de novas práticas culturais mediadas por tecnologias em rede com idosos. A partir desta diretriz, buscou-se analisar as mudanças que se evidenciam nas práticas culturais destes sujeitos quando mediadas pela tecnologia, bem como, analisar os processos de construção de intersubjetividade atravessados pelas práticas culturais mediadas pelas tecnologias centrado, especialmente, em uma comunidade virtual. Em se tratando da metodologia, desenvolve-se uma netnografia do tipo blended, que envolve, tanto a etnografia como a netnografia. O publico alvo desta pesquisa são 13 idosos que apresentam o interesse em apropriar-se das novas práticas culturais através do uso da tecnologia. O estudo se desenvolveu ao longo de dois anos e possibilitou a coleta de dados a partir da observação participante, diário de campo, entrevistas semiestruturadas, questionário com questões abertas e fechadas e registros on-line dentro da comunidade. Por meio destas, constatou-se a relevância da formação a longo prazo com planejamentos e encontros sistemáticos a fim de que sejam acompanhadas as mudanças na construção das novas práticas culturais e na intersubjetividade. Constatou-se que os letramentos mobilizados por alguns dos sujeitos participantes encontravam-se em níveis diferenciados e em contínuo desenvolvimento. A cerca dos processos intersubjetivos partiu-se das análises dos laços e dos capitais sociais, por meio destes identificou-se que os laços sociais fortes foram uma característica do grupo e a partir destes foram construídos os capitais sociais. Ainda com este enfoque, analisou-se os papéis dos sujeitos e suas modificações que ocorreram de modo processual. Concluiu-se, também, com esta pesquisa que a aprendizagem que envolveu os idosos foi compartilhada e fundamentada em histórias de vida, permeadas de dúvidas, conquistas, dificuldades e superações. No âmbito digital, a idade não se apresentou como um fator que definisse o acesso às possibilidades de possuir uma melhor qualidade de vida que surgiram com o computador. / Nowadays, it can be seen an increasing tendency in the interest of elderly people for digital inclusion. As a result of that the involvement in new cultural practices related to the digital universe arises due to the social pressure to keep up, and also as a way to become closer to family and friends of younger generations. This study aims to analyze the structure and organization of digital inclusion processes to provide appropriation of new cultural practices mediated by network technologies with older people. Based on this guideline, we attempted to analyze the changes that were revealed in the cultural practices of these subjects when mediated by technology, as well as analyze the processes of construction of intersubjectivity that are permeated by the cultural practices mediated by technologies and centered, especially, in a virtual community. In terms of methodology, a blended netnography was developed which involves both ethnography as netnography. The target audience of this research are 13 seniors who have an interest in appropriating the new cultural practices through the use of technology. The study was conducted over the period of two years and allowed the data collection from the participant observation, field journal, semistructured interviews, questionnaire with open and closed questions and online records within the community. Through this collected data, we realized the relevance of long-term training with planning and systematic meetings so that the changes in the construction of new cultural practices and intersubjectivity are accompanied. It is noted that the Literacies mobilized by some participants are at different levels and in continuous development. On the subject of intersubjective processes we start the analysis of ties and some types of social capital through these we identified that strong social ties were a feature of the group and from these were built social capital. Still on this goal we analyzed the roles of the subjects and identified that their changes occurred in a procedural way. We conclude, also, with this research that the learning process which involved the subjects was shared and based on life stories, permeated by doubts, conquers, difficulties and overcoming. In the digital field, age did not appear as a factor that defined the access to possibilities of having a better quality of life that came with the computer.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / This study refers to an investigation about the relations between labour market and gender in Fortaleza (CE), focusing on occupational areas aiming at understanding how women are positioned, especially in 2001 and 2005. It is pertinent due to helping to show that positioning and circulating places addressed to women are still very much related to gender division. Its theoretical field is Cultural Geography, particularly a branch that has discussed, problematised and made use of a theoretical articulationâs fruitfulness in the poststructuralist perspectives, as it helps to understand that these relations are constructed in the cultural practices to position women and men in different occupational fields. We have sought to understand gender relations from the cultural practices. In this sense, gender relations are understood as those which bring into play (fe)male representations and symbols whose powers are directed to social practices to stay alive in the societyâs value set. Therefore, gender use as the analysis focus lies at deconstructing, displacing meanings that were culturally constructed, and showing that when they are marked around gender difference, they can and should be issued, questioned and problematised. To understand these issues we have sought for the research data at the Censos do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e EstatÃstica (IBGE), AnuÃrios EstatÃsticos do Sistema Nacional de Empregos, and Instituto de Desenvolvimento do Trabalho (SINE/IDT-CE) and da RelaÃÃo Anual das InformaÃÃes Sociais (RAIS) in 2001 and 2005, as they provided accessibility and updating. From the collection, some variables that allow us to understand the studied problematic, were observed: occupational field, age, instruction degree, salary, and working hours of the workers in Fortaleza. With the crossing of variables, we have constructed the theme thread for the research: local labour occupation and distribution, which provided discussions of the studied problematic. This has allowed us to reflect about and understand the configuration of the women in the labour market as cultural practices. / Este estudo refere-se a uma investigaÃÃo sobre as relaÃÃes entre mercado de trabalho e gÃnero na cidade de Fortaleza/CE, focalizando, especificamente, os setores ocupacionais com a finalidade de compreender as maneiras que as mulheres estÃo posicionadas, com Ãnfase nos perÃodos de 2001 e 2005. Sua pertinÃncia està pautada na contribuiÃÃo de mostrar que os lugares de posicionamento e circulaÃÃo, endereÃados Ãs mulheres, ainda estÃo muito relacionados à perspectiva da divisÃo sexual. Tem como campo teÃrico a Geografia Cultural, mais especificamente, em uma vertente que tem discutido problematizado e se valido da fecundidade de uma articulaÃÃo teÃrica com as perspectivas pÃs-estruturalistas, por auxiliar a compreender que essas relaÃÃes sÃo construÃdas nas prÃticas culturais, para posicionar mulheres e homens em diferentes setores ocupacionais. Pretende-se compreender as relaÃÃes de gÃnero a partir de prÃticas culturais. Nesse sentido, as relaÃÃes de gÃnero sÃo entendidas como aquelas que pÃem em jogo representaÃÃes e sÃmbolos de masculino e feminino, cujas forÃas endereÃam para prÃticas sociais com a finalidade de se manterem vivas no conjunto de valores da sociedade. Logo, a utilidade do gÃnero como foco de anÃlise està em desconstruir, deslocar significados que foram culturalmente construÃdos e mostrar que, quando marcados em torno da diferenÃa sexual, podem e devem ser tencionados, questionados, problematizados. Para entender estas questÃes, foram buscados os dados para a pesquisa nos Censos do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e EstatÃstica (IBGE), nos AnuÃrios EstatÃsticos do Sistema Nacional de Empregos e o Instituto de Desenvolvimento do Trabalho (SINE/IDT-CE) e da RelaÃÃo Anual das InformaÃÃes Sociais (RAIS), no perÃodo de 2001 e 2005, por apresentarem maiores acessibilidades e atualizaÃÃes. A partir de sua coleta, foram observados os comportamentos de algumas variÃveis que permitiam compreender a problemÃtica estudada: setor ocupacional, faixa etÃria, grau de instruÃÃo, remuneraÃÃo e jornada de trabalho da populaÃÃo ocupada de Fortaleza. Pelo cruzamento das variÃveis, efetuei a construÃÃo dos eixos temÃticos da pesquisa: ocupaÃÃo e distribuiÃÃo da mÃo-de-obra local, o qual apresentou discussÃes sobre a problemÃtica estudada. Isso permitiu estabelecer reflexÃes e compreender a configuraÃÃo da mulher no mercado de trabalho como prÃticas culturais.

A relevância ambiental da presença de resíduos ligados de herbicidas e seus metabólitos no solo são fundamentais para novas metodologias de aplicação de herbicidas, considerando a transição desses resíduos para culturas seguintes, o seu efeito sobre a biota de sistemas terrestres e aquáticos, seu potencial de transferência para a cadeia alimentar, potencial de contaminação de águas subterrâneas, e seus efeitos em longo prazo sobre a qualidade e fertilidade dos solos. A aplicação de vinhaça para fertirrigação, de palha de cana-de-açúcar e torta de filtro nos canaviais são comumente utilizadas, mas não se sabe se essas práticas provocam a remobilização e mineralização dos resíduos ligados de herbicidas no solo, podendo trazer benefícios pela degradação desses herbicidas pelos micro-organismos do solo, ou afetar a qualidade do solo, lixiviando até os lençóis freáticos. Para tal, objetivou-se com este projeto avaliar, em condições de laboratório, a remobilização e degradação/mineralização dos resíduos ligados de 14C - diuron, 14C - hexazinone, 14C - diuron + hexazinone e 14C - metribuzin em dois solos de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar, onde foram aplicadas quantidades conhecidas destes herbicidas radiomarcados com posterior tratamento de vinhaça, torta de filtro e palha de cana-de-açúcar, além de identificar os metabólitos formados a partir da remobilização. O experimento foi montado em frascos biométricos tipo Bartha coletando-se soluções de NaOH nos tempos de 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 e 70 dias após o início do experimento e realizado a leitura no Espectrômetro de Cintilação Líquida, para determinação da mineralização dos herbicidas. Após 70 dias de incubação, os solos foram extraídos e os extratos foram lidos em Espectrômetro de Cintilação Líquida e concentrados. Realizou-se aplicação nas placas de TLC e leitura em Radio scanner. Após a extração, os solos foram oxidados em Oxidador Biológico e a radioatividade foi determinada por Espectrômetro de Cintilação Líquida. Os metabólitos dos herbicidas foram identificados através da cromatografia líquida de ultra eficiência acoplada a espectrômetro de massa quadrupole time-of-flight. O tempo de análise foi de 9 minutos com coluna Acquity UPLC® BEH C-18 (1,7 ?m, 2,1 mm d.i. x 100 mm) e temperatura de 40 ºC. O metribuzin foi o menos remobilizado, com uma média de 74,98% de produto que permaneceu ligado ao solo e o hexazinone foi o mais remobilizado (evolução do 14CO2 com média de 23,78%) em ambos os solos e tratamentos. Através da avaliação das massas, fórmulas moleculares e características isotópicas, foram identificados o metabólito DCPMU (1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea), originado do diuron, o metabólito B (3-cyclohexyl-6-(methylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione), originado do hexazinone, e os metabólitos DA (Desamino-metribuzin), DK (Diketo-metribuzin), e DADK (Desamino-diketo-metribuzin), originados do metribuzin / The environmental significance of the presence of bound residues of herbicides and their metabolites in the soil are fundamental to new methods of herbicide application, considering the transition of these residues to following crops, their effect on the biota of terrestrial and aquatic systems, the potential transfer to the food chain, the potential for contamination of groundwater, and their long term effects on the quality and fertility of soils. The application of vinasse for fertigation, straw and filter cake in sugar cane fields is often used, but it is unknown if such practice causes mineralization and remobilization of bound residues of herbicides, which may provide benefits for the degradation of the herbicides by soil microorganisms, or affect the quality of the soil, leaching to groundwater. The aim of this project is to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the remobilization and degradation/mineralization of bound residues of 14C-diuron, 14C - hexazinone, 14C - diuron + hexazinone e 14C - metribuzin in two soils for growing sugar cane, where were used known quantities of these herbicides radiolabeled with application of treatments vinasse, filter cake and straw and identify the metabolites formed from the remobilization. The experiment was performed in Bartha flasks collecting solutions of NaOH at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 70 days after the beginning of the experiment and conducted the reading on the Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer to determine the mineralization of herbicides. After 70 days of incubation, the soils were extracted and the extracts were read in Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer and concentrated. Application was made on TLC plates and read on Radio scanner. After extraction, the soils were oxidized in Biological Oxidizer and the radioactivity was determined by Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. The metabolites of the herbicides were identified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The analysis time was 9 minutes with Acquity UPLC® BEH C-18 column (1.7 ?m, 2.1 mm d.i. x 100 mm) and temperature of 40 ºC. The metribuzin was the least remobilized, with an average of 74.98% of product that remained bound to the soil and the herbicide hexazinone was the most remobilized (14CO2 evolution averaging 23.78%) in both soils and treatments. Through the masses, molecular formulas and isotopic characteristics, were identified the metabolite DCPMU (1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea), belongs to diuron, the metabolite B (3-cyclohexyl-6-(methylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione), belongs to hexazinone, and the metabolites DA (Desamino-metribuzin), DK (Diketo-metribuzin), and DADK (Desamino-diketo-metribuzin), belongs to metribuzin

Les objectifs de développement de systèmes de culture durables imposent aux acteurs du développement rural une reconception de ces systèmes. Les méthodes de conception actuelles conduisent souvent les chercheurs à être seuls concepteurs alors que parallèlement l'appropriation des innovations dépend fortement de l'implication des autres acteurs. En réponse, des approches participatives sont de plus en plus fréquentes pour pallier à cette difficulté d'appropriation. La méthode développée dans cette thèse -nommée DISCS pour 're-Design and assessment of Innovative Sustainable Cropping Systems' - met en oeuvre un processus de reconception des systèmes de culture par une approche participative tout en développant des outils d'évaluation multicritère. La méthode DISCS s'inscrit dans la lignée de la méthodologie du prototypage mais se différencie par une démarche itérative à trois échelles d'étude (parcelle, exploitation et territoire) afin de s'assurer que les innovations répondent bien aux attentes des acteurs. A chaque étape du processus une évaluation est réalisée à l'aide d'un jeu d'indicateurs. DISCS a été testée sur le système de culture agrumicole en Guadeloupe dans un but de réduire l'utilisation des pesticides. Cinq prototypes de gestion de l'enherbement ont été conçus collectivement puis testés selon les principes d'une approche systémique. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons les premières étapes de reconception du système agrumicole guadeloupéen basée sur la méthode DISCS. Notre travail nous permet de recommander des techniques de gestion de l'enherbement en jeunes vergers d'agrumes répondant aux contraintes actuelles de développement de systèmes de culture durable. / Re-designing sustainable cropping systems has become a major challenge for agricultural researchers and farmers. In most designing methods, researchers are the main, or sometimes the only designers. However, more and more attempts for involving different kinds of stakeholders in participatory approaches have been accounted for. The new method described in this thesis (DISCS for 're-Design and assessment of Innovative Sustainable Cropping Systems') implements a participatory re-designing process. Though founded on the common structure of prototyping methods, this five-step-method differs first by implementing three progress loops, at experimental field, farm then regional scale. Besides, an ongoing progress dynamic is set between research at the experimental station and crop management in farms, in order to ensure that innovative techniques actually match the farmers' expectations. Assessment at each step is performed using a scale-specific set of indicators. The DISCS method was tested on citrus production in Guadeloupe, to develop lower-pesticide sustainable cropping systems. Five weed management prototypes were collectively designed then tested at an experimental station based on the principles of a systematic approach. In this thesis, we present the first stages of citrus cropping system redesigning based on DISCS method. Our work enables us to recommend sustainable weed management techniques for young orchards that correspond to the current constraints facing orchards in Guadeloupe

In this investigation an attempt was firstly made to define, describe and explicate the phenomenon of HIV/AIDS providing a basis for understanding the multidimensional nature of HIV/AIDS in terms of its history, key characteristics, etiology, consequences, preventative and care strategies. Secondly, culture and cultural practices in general were investigated after which the characteristics, functions and elements of culture were studied. Hereafter, the researcher further investigated the situation of HIV/AIDS and cultural practices of the Batswana in Botswana through a literature study. The aim of the study was to establish the influence of cultural practices of the Batswana on the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Botswana. Three research questions were formulated for the study. The research questions included: (a) What are the current nature and prevalence of cultural practices of the Batswana in relation to the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Botswana? (b) To what extents do these cultural practices contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS? (c) What can be done to prevent the problem of HIV/AIDS in relation with cultural practices of Batswana people in Botswana? The selected research approach for the study was the combined quantitative- qualitative approach and the type of research, was identified as applied research. An exploratory research design was selected to reach the objectives of the study, namely: (a) To conduct the investigation within a theoretical based framework by undertaking a literature review on HIV/AIDS as a social phenomena, culture and cultural practices in general and the culture of the Batswana specifically. (b) To explore through an empirical study, the nature and prevalence of cultural practices of Batswana in relation to the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Botswana (c) To provide conclusions regarding the cultural practices of the Batswana in relation to the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Botswana. (d) To make recommendations for culturally appropriate behaviour-change strategies for Batswana in Botswana in an attempt to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS. Qualitative data through focus group discussions (22 females and 26 males) was collected. The sample thus included 48 respondents. The empirical research findings confirmed that it is acceptable in Botswana that men can have multiple relationships even after marriage. This includes polygamy, which is still part of the Batswana culture. Children are very important therefore the use of condoms is unacceptable. Prevention strategies do not take cultural practices into consideration. The empirical findings based on quantitative data collected through a structured interview schedule with 66 respondents revealed that the two statements: (a) “ A man is like a bull and should not be confined to one pasture” and (b) “Men are the only persons who can go to the cattle post and this puts women in subordinate positions” are part of the Batswana culture. These behaviours contribute to the spread of HIV. Alcohol consumption is also a contributory factor to the transmission of HIV. The family should take responsibility in educating the children about HIV/AIDS. The aim of the study and study objectives were achieved and a detailed presentation of recommendations are included in this research report. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work / unrestricted

Virginity Testing, a traditional Zulu pre-nuptial custom that determines the worth of a bride, has been resurrected in communities in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa as a response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The practice takes place during large community festivals when young girls have their genitals physically examined to determine whether they are virgins and results are made public. Supporters of the tradition claim that in fostering a value of chastity among its youth, it encourages abstinence from sexual intercourse which leads to a lower HIV infection rate and prevents the disease from spreading. Human rights activists disagree; Rather than slowing the spread of a disease, they argue, the practice instead endangers girls. Those who fail are often shunned and turn to prostitution, while those who pass may be exposed as potential targets for rape (due to a myth that says intercourse with a virgin cures HIV/AIDS). Despite a ban on the practice in 2005, the testing festivals continue, and are described by supporters as an important part of the preservation of Zulu culture. This thesis examines the ways in which human rights may be re-negotiated for young girls in Zulu communities while maintaining a respect for local culture. It moves beyond the traditional debate between relativism and universalism in order to propose solutions to rights violations in culturally diverse contexts by exploring ideas of inclusive human rights and capabilities theories.

Essa dissertação estuda as práticas culturais que transformam a paisagem das comunidades rurais Buracada, Santa Catarina e Pedra Alta, localizadas nos municípios de Muriaé e Rosário da Limeira na Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais. Paisagem é compreendida nesse trabalho como a expressão da interação de elementos construídos e não-construídos, e entre estes, os homens. Adotamos uma abordagem cultural da paisagem e a consideramos como em constante transformação. Buscamos na antropologia contribuições metodológicas para embasar o trabalho de campo e a interpretação da paisagem estudada. Nossa pesquisa de campo criou, através do relacionamento com um núcleo familiar, uma rede de interlocutores que nos auxiliou no processo de conhecimento dessas transformações. Para construir nossa interpretação aliamos nossas descrições aos relatos dos comunitários e a experiência de campo. Identificamos elementos na paisagem e procedemos com investigações sobre os mesmos, a fim de reunir conhecimento sobre o conjunto de práticas culturais locais que consideramos determinantes na transformação da paisagem. Compreender essas práticas culturais mais determinantes abre um caminho de continuidade para outras reconstruções. / This dissertation studies the cultural practices, which transform the landscape of the rural communities Buracada, Santa Catarina and Pedra Alta located in Muriaé and Rosário da Limeira municipalities, Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais State. Landscape is understood as an expression of the interaction between constructed and nonconstructed elements, men included. Investigates the landscape through a cultural perspective and considers it to be in constant transformation. Methodological contributions from anthropology consolidate our fieldwork and landscape interpretation. Creating a network within the communities\' population facilitated our investigation of these transformations. Our interpretation is based with the combination of our descriptions, interviews and fieldwork experience. Identifies landscape elements and proceeds with investigations on them to gather knowledge about the local cultural practices which we consider most determining of the landscape transformation. To comprehend these practices create the possibility of further reconstructions.

My aim in this study was to understand and explain the academic performance of married women students in higher education. The study was conducted on married women students who are studying at higher institutions in Nigeria. A mixed research method was used. The study population was drawn from two higher education institutions – a university and a college of education. Focus group conversations and interview protocol were used to gather qualitative data, while a questionnaire and the academic results of participants were used to gather quantitative data. Data were analysed using constant comparative approach – the reported stories that emanated from the conversations with the research participants; the deduced meanings from the interview protocol; and the statistical testing of the generated hypothesis via t-test statistics and Pearson product moment correlation. The findings include the readiness of women students to narrate their experiences, and the hindrances cultural practices impose on their academic performance, amongst other things. This study uniquely reveals that the academic performance of women students in higher education in Nigeria differs between married women students and single women students. However, some women students in this study were satisfied with their academic performance while others were not. They blamed their academic performance on several factors including cultural practices, marital status, financial constraint and so forth. Apart from women students in higher education who were not satisfied with their academic performance, all women students who formed the sample, including those who considered their academic performance to be satisfactory, complained about cultural practices and their effect on academic performance. Despite their complaints, however, the majority of the women student participants in this study, both married and single, continue to support cultural practices. They said that cultural practices, including the ones that are considered harmful to higher education for women and their academic performance, should not be eradicated or changed, as they maintain that these practices make women truly responsible. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted