Thesis advisor: Jane E. Regan / Few would dispute the notion that consumerism is a prevailing feature of American culture. The extent to which consumer culture dominates the way most people see the world makes imagining alternatives to consumerism almost impossible. This stultification of imagination is highly problematic. As it stands, consumer culture, measured by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, demonstrably tends to inhibit human flourishing on personal, social, and global levels. There is a need to transform consumer culture in order to support human flourishing more robustly, and this barrenness of imagination impedes that transformation. This dissertation assumes that it is a task of teachers in faith to educate toward cultural alternatives that better support human flourishing. This task requires engaging in and developing what Scripture scholar Walter Brueggemann calls "prophetic imagination." The prophetic imagination involves both deconstructing the taken-for-granted dominant culture and entering into a community whose practices, values, and ideals effect an alternative culture. While here focused on consumer culture, this model of educating for prophetic imagination has broader applicability; it can also be used, for example, to challenge cultures of racism, sexism, and militarism. This education in imagination develops in what scholars of management Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger call "communities of practice." Jesus and his disciples model for Christians a community of practice that imagines and acts prophetically. Communities of practice that educate for prophetic imagination ought to measure their own imagination against Jesus's prophetic imagination, shaped by his understanding of the Reign of God. This portrait of communities of prophetic practice is fleshed out in an exploration of empirical studies of communities that engage learners and draw them into an imagination that re-shapes not only how they see what the world is but also how they envision what the world can be. Communities of practice that educate for prophetic imagination can foster the transformation of consumer culture into a culture that better supports human flourishing. In order to do so, however, they must start with an anthropology that adequately understands what flourishing entails. These communities ought to be attentive to three aspects of the human person that tend to be given short shrift in consumer culture: the person's role as a creative producer, the person's inherent relationality, and the person's need embrace finitude, the limitations of human capability. The Church should be utilizing communities of practice to overcome the sterility of imagination and contribute to a culture of what might be called humanizing plenitude. This culture supports the fullness of human thriving by re-imagining what that thriving entails and engaging in practices to facilitate it. The Church as teacher can be involved in this education for the purpose of cultural transformation to enhance human flourishing in various arenas. Finally, this dissertation particularly proposes that this education can happen in higher education, in parishes, and in collaboration with the wider community. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry.

Thesis advisor: Elizabeth Twomey / This case study evaluated the impact of implementing a Professional Learning Community (PLC) model on the role of teacher-leaders in a suburban school district. The study seeks to understand how the role of teacher-leader has traditionally been viewed by teachers and administrators and what, if any, changes have occurred in that role since PLCs were first implemented. Finally the study looks for signs that the initiative may be sustainable over the long-term by examining the changes that the PLC initiative had on the attitudes of both principals and teacher-leaders. This qualitative case study was conducted by a senior administrator in the school district, acting as participant-observer. Data collection instruments included pre- and post-study interviews, document review, researcher-observation of relevant events and the results of several surveys conducted by others during the implementation of the initiative. The study concludes that the role of teacher-leaders changed during the course of the PLC implementation with teacher-leaders becoming more active in school improvement efforts. The study also found that Principals were more willing to distribute leadership to teachers and teacher-leaders after the Professional Learning Community initiative and teachers and teacher-leaders became more committed to working on school improvement efforts as well. Using current research into the topic of sustainable change, the study suggests that these three findings are indicators the Professional Learning Communities may represent a sustainable concept to drive educational improvement efforts over the long-term. / Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education.

Orientador: Nelson Russo de Moraes / Coorientador: Rodrigo Lilla Manzione / Coorientador: Raúl Andres Martinez Uribe / Resumo: Em um contexto planetário marcado pela crescente degradação do meio ambiente e pelo surgimento de novos modelos de relações sociais, especialmente tangidas pelos fenômenos da globalização e da internet, as comunidades tradicionais se diferenciam no estabelecimento de relações sociais que possam trazer a sustentação econômica e manutenção de seu território, contudo existem elementos que precisam ser melhor elucidados nessa convergência de interesses entre sociedade urbana de consumo e comunidades rurais produtoras, mas que por suas características tradicionais trazem ainda o condicionante cultural à complexidade dessas relações. Esta pesquisa de mestrado contribui com uma seara teórica em estruturação e que trata sobre o desenvolvimento de comunidades tradicionais, neste sentido delimita como problema de pesquisa "quais os impactos sociais da transição de modelos agrícolas em comunidades tradicionais?". É uma pesquisa do tipo descritiva com abordagem qualitativa, que centrando-se à dialética complexa do desenvolvimento de comunidades adota o estudo de caso como estratégia de investigação. Foram realizadas ampla exploração bibliográfica e documental, visitas in loco para observação sistemática e entrevistas com moradores da comunidade, utilizando-se de questionário com pautas semiestruturadas. A técnica de interpretação de dados foi a triangulação de métodos utilizados e de informações coletadas. A comunidade tradicional de geraizeiros do Povoado Matinha, município tocantinense... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In a global context characterized by the increasing degradation of the environment and the appearance of new models of social relations, especially touched by the phenomena of globalization and the internet, traditional communities are differentiated in the establishment of social relations that can bring economic sustenance and maintenance of its territory. However, there are elements that need to be better elucidated in this convergence of interests between urban consumption society and producing rural communities, but by their traditional characteristics still bring the cultural conditioning to the complexity of these relationships. This research contributes with a theoretical aspect in structuring and that deals with the development of traditional communities, in this sense delimits as a research problem "what are the social impacts of the transition of agricultural models in to traditional communities?". It is a descriptive research with a qualitative approach, which focuses on the complex dialectic of community development adopts the case study as a research strategy. There were realized extensive bibliographical and documentary explorations, on-site visits for systematic observation and interviews with residents of the community, using a questionnaire with semi-structured guidelines. The technique of data interpretation was the combination of methods used and information collected. The traditional community of "geraizeiros do Povoado Matinha", a municipality of Guaraí ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

This research project aims to explore trans people’s experience of healthcare and psychological services in the UK, with a view to helping further inform counselling psychologists and other healthcare providers of the specific needs of this client group, with implications for improving future treatment and support in this area. In the past, trans people have frequently reported experiencing difficulties when accessing healthcare and psychological support. Much of the research carried out in the UK has involved large-scale studies conducted online. Consequently, there is a need for a project using a qualitative design to explore in depth the lived experiences of this population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 participants, and the data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The sample comprised 4 trans men and 5 trans women between the ages of 18 and 62 years old. Three master themes emerged from the data: “Challenges of Living”, “Negotiating Care”, and “Survival”. A further 10 sub-themes were also identified. These results represent my personal interpretation of the participants’ subjective experiences. The findings were explored in relation to existing theory and literature. Implications for clinical practice and considerations for working therapeutically with trans people were considered. Specifically, recommendations aimed at helping trans people feel more visible and empowered were presented. The importance of helping trans clients build resilience and develop coping strategies was also discussed.

The effect of field margin management on crop yield and weed biomass in the crop edge (headland) was investigated. Treatment did not have any significant effect on cereal yields, and taking a one metre strip out of crop production to establish a sterile, natural regeneration or sown strip, did not significantly reduce yields compared to cropping to the field edge. Conservation headlands generally contained greater amounts of weed biomass than fully sprayed headlands, but grain yields were not significantly reduced. Soil compaction affected yield in one of the field experiments, but not the other, where soil density values were fairly uniform. No relationship was found between fertiliser application and yield. In a survey of cereal headlands, distance from the field boundary was the most important factor affecting yield. Where yield increased with distance from the field boundary, there was a strong linear relationship with log distance (P < 0.001). Weed dry matter was related to distance, and there was a significant relationship between weed dry matter and grain yield in the first year of the survey (p < 0.001), but not in the second. Communities of herbaceous field margin species were established, and the effects of nitrogen fertiliser and sublethal glyphosate application were examined over two years. Cover abundance of grasses was greater than that of dicotyledonous species throughout. Bromus sterilis was the most abundant species in 1995, but by 1996 it had been replaced by Arrhenatherum elatius. Increasing fertiliser rate had a negative effect on total vegetation cover in 1995, due to individual plants lodging. During 1996, fertiliser application increased the cover abundance of the dominant perennial species A. e/atius (p < 0.001), and also the annuals B. sterilis and Galium aparine (p < 0.05). Sublethal doses of glyphosate significantly reduced total cover abundance (P < 0.001), and had a greater effect on grasses compared to dicotyledonous species. Measurement of spray drift into a hedgerow showed that positioning the end of the tractormounted spray boom 2m or 6m away from the crop edge reduced drift into the hedgebottom compared with spraying up to the crop edge (P < 0.001).

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how taste is constructed at the micro-social level of a community of practice and to investigate the dynamics that underlie the process of taste-making. An ethnographic research was conducted in the context of an arts cooperative focusing on how members maintain status boundaries from dissimilar others (inter-group dynamics) and how they negotiate intra-group taste heterogeneity (internal dynamics). The findings indicate that the community symbolically demarcates itself from outgroups in an “us versus them” fashion by continuously juxtaposing its practices to those of competitive actors through “sayings” as well as “doings”. They also begin to mark out the appropriation processes through which members employ distaste to resignify and internalise meaning to their practices (a) by exhibiting tastes of outsiders if they can successfully negotiate their intent (recontextualising exo-cultural elements), (b) by negating tastes that are prevalent in the field in order to criticise subtly outgroup practices (appropriating practice through conspicuous absence) and (c) by negotiating the ‘tastefulness’ of objects that are not valued for their aesthetics by outsiders in order to provoke (resignifying prevailing aesthetics). Finally, the study conceptualises taste-making within the community as an ongoing dialogical process amongst members with heterogeneous views about “tastefulness”. Depending on their status, members employ strategies that help them either to actualise tastes that they favour in the context of the community or to deal with the exhibition of tastes that they are not in accordance with. The thesis makes a theoretical contribution to three areas; First, to literature on taste formation by accounting for the holistic outlook of community-based taste-making practices; Second, to our understanding of negative symbolic consumption by exhibiting the appropriation processes through which distaste endows meaning to practices; Third, to the stream of works on marketplace cultures by proposing a new conceptualisation of intra-group heterogeneity.

In Volume I two papers are presented which focus on the practice of Assertive Outreach Teams (AOT) in the United Kingdom. In chapter 1 of this volume a review of the literature on Assertive Outreach Teams in the UK is presented. This review focuses on studies from the UK as it is argued that generalizations cannot be made from USA based studies. This is followed in Chapter 2 by an empirical study on the relationship between the factors of shame, stigma, engagement and ethnicity in AOTs in Birmingham. This study investigated whether black clients and white clients differed with respect to how engaged they were with services, and what role the factors of shame and stigma play in his. In Volume II five clinical practice reports (CPR) are presented. In CPR 1 the case of a client from secondary care is formulated from two theoretical perspectives. The perspectives are compared and contrasted and references are made to clinical implications. CPR 2 outlines a qualitative service evaluation into the use of interpreting services by those carrying out psychological therapies. The outcomes of this evaluation are linked to policy and legislation and the report makes recommendations with regard to future practice. In CPR 3 a single case experimental study is presented. The case presented is that of a 7 year old with Aspergers syndrome. A Cogntive Behavioral Intervention was utilised and its effectiveness is examined. CPR 4 outlines a case study of a man with learning disabilities who engages in cigarette pica. The behavioral intervention used in this case is outlined and assessed. Finally in CPR 5 a précis of a Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) intervention is presented. A case study approach is taken and reflections are made on all aspects of the work carried out (assessment, formulation, intervention and outcome).

This thesis is concerned with understanding and describing the nature of 'community' within digital domains. A literature review indicates multiple media use within communities. The increasing range of personal and organisational technologies available suggests digital communities are more than just online communities. As such they require a new method of assessment. The design of digital communities should be based on an understanding of 'community' in digital domains. Previous assessments, often focusing exclusively on the Internet, failed to recognise the ways in which technologies are integrated within communities. A new assessment method should allow the examination of integrated technology effects on communities through an analysis of important community features. To assess digital communities a framework consisting of five headings was developed. The framework allows the effects of technologies to be examined across a range of communities. Taking a convergent methodologies approach five studies were undertaken covering a range of technologies and media integration issues. The results suggest that digital communities are groups of people using technology to support their social interaction needs. Media use within digital communities is heavily integrated and the social needs of community members drive technology use. Designers should provide communities with flexible technology that permits integration and member adaptation.

The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) amongst South Asians (SAs) is unclear. This thesis examined potential biomarkers to address this. Cross-sectional data on SAs from community (n=1304) and hospital (n=148) populations was collected. Biomarkers were analysed by genotyping, mass spectrometry, automated-immuno-colourimetric-assays, ELISAs, and a new in-house assay for a novel marker, ferritin bound to apolipoprotein B. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating curves, logistic and linear regression models. C-reactive protein (CRP) was a comprehensive marker of CVD risk, where a range of 1.43-2.30 mg/L maximised sensitivity and specificity. CRP SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) -390C>T/A contributed minimally to variation in CRP levels. Non-fasting triglycerides discriminated SAs at increased CVD risk, where APOA5 SNP -1131T>C was an independent predictor of triglycerides but APOC3 SNP -455T>C and -482C>T were not associated with triglycerides. The performance of IL-6, vWF, D-dimer and P-selectin were poor in comparison to CRP and triglycerides. BNP discriminated SAs with systolic heart failure with a cut off value of 36.4 pmol/l. Of the newly investigated biomarkers, a link between haemoglobin abnormalities and CVD was observed potentially through a mechanism involving iron transportation on lipoproteins. CRP and triglycerides should be considered in the routine CVD risk assessment of SAs.

Black radical politics are comprehensively defined and the aim is to understand how such a political ideology can be used to overcome racial inequalities in contemporary Britain. A Black radical challenge to mainstream racial theory within the academy is outlined, along with an interrogation of the principle limitation of Black radical thought, that of essentialism and cultural authenticity. To illustrate how a Black radical approach can be understood, the position was applied to inequalities in schooling. Black radicalism argues for a Black independent education. Black supplementary schools are spaces organised by concerned members of the Black community and offer extra teaching of mainstream curricula and also Black studies. These are presented as potential spaces for Black radical independent education. A Black supplementary school was selected as a case study, where a critical participatory ethnography was undertaken. The researcher spent 7 months working as a teacher in the supplementary school, collecting extensive fieldnotes. Experiences in the programme revealed strengths in the relationships, diverse curriculum and empowering nature of the environment for students. A number of challenges also arose including structure, coordination and decline in attendance. Overall, the potential for a Black radical independent education exists within Black supplementary school movement.