This study aims to explore, describe and thus understand the phenomenon of two-year college program students’ persistence within the context of Taiwanese culture and tradition; and to develop and provide a framework or patterns for understanding working adult students’ persistence for educators. By using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach, the persistence in learning experiences of specific participants was explored based on semi-structured interviews in two exploratory studies linked by a comprehensive literature review. The researcher’s own experience of persistence was also included as part of the study. The data were analysed by using thematic analysis and narrative construction. Findings reveal that participants persist with the support of enabling factors and application of coping strategies despite barriers. The intertwined relationship between the value placed on qualifications, identity recognition and views of persistence contribute to the concept of persistence. This concept develops through schemas emerging from the data: historical effect, cultural reproduction and identity construction. Under the influence of Taiwanese tradition and culture, this concept of persistence immerses into the participants’ knowledge ground and standpoints to understand the world they live in. The concept is defined as ‘no pain, no gain’ and includes dimensions of insisting on the right to study, fulfilment of dreams, being a role model of good study habits, personal growth and enrichment. Participants construct both social identity as graduates and personal identity as progressive, competent and respected individuals. The findings of this study benefit both theory and practice. Theoretical implications and recommendations include providing insights into the concept of persistence through development of schema that underpin factors contributing to working adult students’ persistence in Taiwan. Practical implications and recommendations include insights drawn from the perspective of Taiwanese culture and tradition to understand the experience of two-year college program working adult students to persist in a high level learning environment, which informs educators to see themselves as important sources of support and information, and thus able to assist their students to cope with the barriers to their learning, or to extend persistence outside their formal educational settings and maintain their learning.

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-135).

Thesis (M.T.S.)--Catholic Theological Union, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-75).

Th. Etat--Ethnol.--Montpellier III--Université Paul Valéry, 2000. / Bibliogr. pp 512-538. Glossaire. Index.

Magister Legum - LLM / This thesis sets out to examine the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Somalia and its impact on women. The political instability in Somalia provides an opportunity for the increase of all forms of violations of human rights. The prevalence of FGM/C in Somalia has been declared as the highest in the World, but the Somali Government has not taken any steps to address the problem. This study was motivated by the dire situation of women in Somalia. Women suffer from gender inequality in the sense that societal practices – and norms dictate that women’s sexuality be controlled with a view to suppressing their sexual desires. In this way; their rights are violated. Infibulation and sunna performed on women come with immediate and late complications including death, infection, sexual dysfunction, and exposure to HIV infection. Somalia is one of the African countries where women’s rights are almost non-existent. As Dirie notes: ‘if genital mutilation were a problem affecting men, the matter would long be settled.’ International human rights instruments help this study to investigate whether customary practices such as FGM/C are harmful to Somali women and children and whether they constitute violence against women. This practice prevents women from enjoying fundamental rights as recognized by international human rights standards. It is universally known that FGM/C constitutes a violation against women and girls’ rights because they are forced to embrace the practice. Consequently, several rights are violated such as the right to equality, the rights to freedom from all forms of torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, the right to freedom from harmful customary practices, the rights of the child, and the right to health. The persistent practice of FGM/C is mainly a result of the absence of specific legislation proscribing it as well as the political instability that creates an environment conductive to the wanton violation of the rights of citizens. A recent Somali provisional constitution has recognised FGM/C as a violation of children’s rights but the law is not enforced.Infibulation and sunna are part of Somali culture. That is why attempts to eradicate the practice create a dilemma for the authorities. This has invariably placed Universalists and cultural relativists on a collision course. Ensuing government inaction has resulted in numerous reservations being made to stall the adoption of certain instruments of human rights law such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This is because cultural relativists do not consider FGM/C as a violation, but as an expression and fulfilment of Somalis’ culture as provided for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948. As argued by Packer, human dignity and life represent universal values for everyone; even if FGM/C is a part of culture, certain limitations must be implemented to preserve people’s fundamental rights. This thesis agrees with the stance that FGM/C violates women’s health. This is due to the absence of proper legislation in Somalia, inadequate literacy and the collapse of the political system. Recommendations include the proposal that legal strategies to eradicate FGM/C must be accompanied by broad policies and grassroots programmes such as educational activities to explain to people the risks of this practice and how communities can remedy it without affecting their cultural tenets.

Living in two worlds is an insider perspective of how indigenous Pacific Immigrant communities, in this specific case Fijian's living in New Zealand face the challenges of living two cultures in a developed country like New Zealand. The quest to hold on to one's indigenous culture while adapting to another, in order to survive the realities of everyday circumstances can be a complicated struggle. The main objective of this research was to collate and analyze information from Fijian families who migrated to New Zealand from 1970's to the mid 1980's with reference to the challenges they faced. In order to understand such constant struggles there are underlying questions and factors that should be considered. For example - why do people continue to be conservative about their cultural identities or how do they react to unfamiliar challenges in a multicultural society. Another could be - what influences have been seen in order for their children to recognize their indigenous identity. Comparable factors that will bring to other aspects of living in two worlds which would be considered were socio-economic issues, higher education, technological advancement, immigration policies, development constraints and quality of living standards. Fijians and other indigenous Pacific people have through the years gained the ultimate will to defend their cultural and traditional identity whilst living in a world of western values and culture. Coupled with this have been the complexities of holding on to the values of both worlds. As this project probed into these newly rediscovered stories about journeys to their new homeland filled with opportunities, capitalism or westernization had never withered their passion and dreams as Pacific people to better themselves. They also enjoyed the luxury of both worlds as conservators of Pacific cultures and exploiters of technological advancement filled with huge dreams, opportunities and better standards of living. Fijians have the smallest population of Pacific people in New Zealand when compared to Samoa, Tonga, and Cook Islanders. There were relatively small number of Fijians who arrived after the end of World War 2 and they were basically employed in farms, forestry work stations and industrial areas. Others were in New Zealand on government scholarships, training or internship and work experience programs. Most of these people returned home while a very small proportion stayed behind. In the early 1970's and 1980's there was also an influx of seasonal workers in the Central North Island areas including Hawkes Bay, Tokoroa and the Waikato region. Most people were recruited from the Pacific Islands including Fiji because of their hard working attitude and cheap labour margins. When their term was completed some decided to stay and work, eventually residing legally and permanently with their families. Another group of men came via Wellington by boat, destined to become maintenance and repair workers. (bound for maintenance and repair work and ) but were left stranded when the shipping company ownership changed. The dock and maritime workers union fought for the case stating the government on humanitarian grounds should provide them with employment and residency status. After an extensive legal struggle, which lasted almost seven years these early Fijian workers and their families were granted work and residency permits. The (remaining) other families came as visitors or through marriage links and were granted work and residency permits. The 1996 statistics (Statistics New Zealand, Census 1996) stated that Fijians were the most highly skilled and educated Pacific Island population in New Zealand. These statistics had been directly influenced by the latest influx of well educated and highly qualified Fijians who arrived in the late 1990's. The research will also highlight whether those who arrived before this latest influx faced the same challenges. These challenges will be compared to those faced by the generation of Fijians and Pacific people who were born and bred in New Zealand.

A tese apresenta o estudo de natureza exploratória do processo de produção partilhada de saberes e apropriação de dispositivo de informação desenvolvido com mestres e aprendizes da cultura de tradição oral. A travessia pelas -veredas da informação? neste território simbólico diferenciado foi delineada com base em três pilares: a) construção de trama conceitual, que contempla o desenvolvimento diacrônico dos processos mnemotécnicos, desde os primórdios até a contemporaneidade, demonstrando como determinados autores ao longo da história participam do jogo de forças sociais, disputando formas, possibilidades, arranjos e ordenamento do conhecimento; b) apresentação do contexto social de pesquisa e respectivo universo simbólico-cultural dos mestres Griôs da tradição oral, por meio de abordagem epistêmica que perpassa pelo reconhecimento ontológico das bibliotecas vivas; c) criação de rede sociotécnica para gestão de dispositivo, com base no conceito operacional de -produção partilhada de saberes? para solução de demandas por apropriação e circulação social de informações. A obra resulta de um diálogo na fronteira entre o legado das culturas de tradição oral e as novas tecnologias da escrita, em que experimentamos uma relação com o saber, voluntária e coletiva, da ciência como artesanato. A materialização da produção partilhada de saberes se deu no fazer prático (savoir-faire) por meio do qual os sujeitos do saber aprenderam a conhecer e a fazer juntos. Descreve o método empregado no processo de criação de um -dispositivo antropotécnico?, entendido como prótese virtual das bibliotecas vivas, lugar de memória, empoderamento e protagonismo social dos mestres e aprendizes da tradição oral, configurado de forma integrada e colaborativa, com abertura para a inovação social estratégica e as trocas simbólicas com os atores de outros pontos de cultura/memória, do Brasil e do mundo. / The thesis presents the exploratory study of the process of shared production of knowledge and appropriation of information device developed with masters and apprentices (teachers and learners) of the culture of oral tradition. The crossing of the -information paths? in this differentiated symbolic territory was based on three pillars: a) construction of a conceptual framework, which contemplates the diachronic development of mnemonic processes, from the earliest times to the present time, demonstrating how certain authors throughout (along) the history participate in the game of social forces, disputing forms, possibilities, arrangements and ordering of knowledge; b) presentation of the social context of research and the respective symbolic-cultural universe of the masters Griôs of oral tradition, through an epistemic approach that permeates the ontological recognition of living libraries; c) creation of a sociotechnical network for device management, based on the operational concept of -shared production of knowledge? to solve demands for appropriation and social circulation of information. The work results from a dialogue at the border between the legacy of cultures of oral tradition and the new technologies of writing, in which we experience a relationship with the voluntary and collective knowledge, of the science as craft. The materialization of the shared production of knowledge took place in the practical way (savoir-faire) through which the subjects of knowledge learned to know and to do together. Describes the method used in the process of creating an -anthropotechnical device?, understood as virtual prosthesis of living libraries, place of memory, empowerment and social protagonists, the masters and learners of oral tradition, configured in an integrated and collaborative\'s way, with openness to innovation social and symbolic exchanges with the actors of other points of culture / memory, of Brazil and of the world.

A tese apresenta o estudo de natureza exploratória do processo de produção partilhada de saberes e apropriação de dispositivo de informação desenvolvido com mestres e aprendizes da cultura de tradição oral. A travessia pelas -veredas da informação? neste território simbólico diferenciado foi delineada com base em três pilares: a) construção de trama conceitual, que contempla o desenvolvimento diacrônico dos processos mnemotécnicos, desde os primórdios até a contemporaneidade, demonstrando como determinados autores ao longo da história participam do jogo de forças sociais, disputando formas, possibilidades, arranjos e ordenamento do conhecimento; b) apresentação do contexto social de pesquisa e respectivo universo simbólico-cultural dos mestres Griôs da tradição oral, por meio de abordagem epistêmica que perpassa pelo reconhecimento ontológico das bibliotecas vivas; c) criação de rede sociotécnica para gestão de dispositivo, com base no conceito operacional de -produção partilhada de saberes? para solução de demandas por apropriação e circulação social de informações. A obra resulta de um diálogo na fronteira entre o legado das culturas de tradição oral e as novas tecnologias da escrita, em que experimentamos uma relação com o saber, voluntária e coletiva, da ciência como artesanato. A materialização da produção partilhada de saberes se deu no fazer prático (savoir-faire) por meio do qual os sujeitos do saber aprenderam a conhecer e a fazer juntos. Descreve o método empregado no processo de criação de um -dispositivo antropotécnico?, entendido como prótese virtual das bibliotecas vivas, lugar de memória, empoderamento e protagonismo social dos mestres e aprendizes da tradição oral, configurado de forma integrada e colaborativa, com abertura para a inovação social estratégica e as trocas simbólicas com os atores de outros pontos de cultura/memória, do Brasil e do mundo. / The thesis presents the exploratory study of the process of shared production of knowledge and appropriation of information device developed with masters and apprentices (teachers and learners) of the culture of oral tradition. The crossing of the -information paths? in this differentiated symbolic territory was based on three pillars: a) construction of a conceptual framework, which contemplates the diachronic development of mnemonic processes, from the earliest times to the present time, demonstrating how certain authors throughout (along) the history participate in the game of social forces, disputing forms, possibilities, arrangements and ordering of knowledge; b) presentation of the social context of research and the respective symbolic-cultural universe of the masters Griôs of oral tradition, through an epistemic approach that permeates the ontological recognition of living libraries; c) creation of a sociotechnical network for device management, based on the operational concept of -shared production of knowledge? to solve demands for appropriation and social circulation of information. The work results from a dialogue at the border between the legacy of cultures of oral tradition and the new technologies of writing, in which we experience a relationship with the voluntary and collective knowledge, of the science as craft. The materialization of the shared production of knowledge took place in the practical way (savoir-faire) through which the subjects of knowledge learned to know and to do together. Describes the method used in the process of creating an -anthropotechnical device?, understood as virtual prosthesis of living libraries, place of memory, empowerment and social protagonists, the masters and learners of oral tradition, configured in an integrated and collaborative\'s way, with openness to innovation social and symbolic exchanges with the actors of other points of culture / memory, of Brazil and of the world.

This thesis examines the theme of commerce in four magazines of literature and the arts, all published in New York between 1915 and 1922. The magazines are The Seven Arts (1916-1917), 291 (1915-1916), The Soil (1916-1917), and The Pagan (1916-1922). The division between art and commerce is addressed in the text of all four, in a variety of different ways, and the results of that supposed division are explored for each magazine. In addition ‘commerce’ is also used in this thesis in the sense of conversation or communication, and is used as a way to describe them in the body of their immediate cultural environment. In the case of The Seven Arts, as discussed in Chapter 1, the theme of commerce with the past, present, and future is examined: the way that the magazine incorporates the European classical past and rejects the more recent intellectual past; the way it examines the industrial present, and the projected future of American arts and letters. In the case of The Soil and 291 (the subjects of Chapters 2 and 3) there is extensive commerce between them in the sense of intercommunication, a rival dialogic demonstrating both ideological and economic rivalry. These two chapters comprise an extensive examination of the relationship between the magazines, and shows how much of this involves commerce in the financial sense. The fourth magazine, The Pagan, is concerned with a different sense of commerce, in the form of its rejection of the American capitalist system, and is critically examined here for the first time. The introduction is a survey of examples from the whole field of American periodicals of the time, particularly those immediately relevant to the magazines described here, and acts to delineate the field of scholarship and also to justify the particular approach used. The conclusion provides a summary of the foregoing chapters, and also suggests ways in which each magazine approaches the dissemination, or ‘sale’ of the idea of the new.

No description available.