abstract: ABSTRACT The early desire for and the pursuit of literacy are often mentioned in the teeming volumes devoted to African-American history. However, stories, facts, and figures about the acquisition of numeracy by African Americans have not been equally documented. The focus of this study was to search for the third R, this is the numeracy and mathematics experiences of African Americans who were born in, and before, 1933. The investigation of this generational cadre was pursued in order to develop oral histories and narratives going back to the early 1900s. This study examined formal and informal education and other relevant mathematics-related, lived experiences of unacknowledged and unheralded African Americans, as opposed to the American anomalies of African descent who are most often acknowledged, such as the Benjamin Bannekers, the George Washington Carvers, and other notables. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through the use of a survey and interviews. Quantitative results and qualitative findings were blended to present a nuanced perspective of African Americans learning mathematics during a period of Jim Crow, segregation, and discrimination. Their hopes, their fears, their challenges, their aspirations, their successes, and their failures are all tangential to their overall goal of seeking education, including mathematics education, in the early twentieth century. Both formal and informal experiences revealed a picture of life during those times to further enhance the literature regarding the mathematics experiences of African Americans. Key words: Black students, historical, senior citizens, mathematics education, oral history, narrative, narrative inquiry, socio-cultural theory, Jim Crow / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Curriculum and Instruction 2014

Cette thèse a pour but de discuter de pénétration parmi les sociétés démocratiques contemporaines, les possibilités contenues dans l’utilisation des technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC), en particulier Internet. Dans un premier temps, montre les différentes significations de la démocratie, le traitement brièvement de leurs origines. Dans un deuxième temps, nous discutons sur les principaux modèles démocratiques contemporaines, se rapproche à la fin de chaque foyer, le lieu de la participation politique dans ces. Dans une troisième étape, est réfléchie sur l’interface entre la démocratie et de l’Internet à travers le thème de la démocratie numérique, présenter également les approches et les accents dans lequel l’idée est orienté. Ce scénario apportées par les technologies numériques, a encore plus de questions que de réponses, peut apporter une contribution importante aux pratiques démocratiques, telles que la mise en oeuvre de l’expérience e- gouvernement dans les localités municipales dans diverses parties du monde et aussi avec l’utilisation croissante nouveaux médias par divers mouvements sociaux existants dans la post-modernité. Empiriquement, la question de l’interface entre la démocratie et de l’Internet est examinée par l’analyse de l’impact de l’utilisation d’Internet et de ses effets possibles sur la relation entre les citoyens et la politique à Porto Alegre (RS). Dans cette étude, les dimensions qui pourraient influer sur cette relation sont examinées, comme c’est le cas de variables socio-économiques, et d'autres. Les résultats de la recherche ont montré que l’Internet, plutôt que d’un phénomène qui apporterait un nouvel élan à la participation politique des citoyens, est un milieu qui complète les pratiques démocratiques ont traditionnellement occupé par eux, donc, en exigeant la prudence dans concernant les effets et le potentiel de l’utilisation des outils numériques. / Esta tese possui o propósito de discutir a penetração, entre as sociedades democráticas contemporâneas, das possibilidades contidas na utilização das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TIC), em especial a Internet. Em um primeiro momento, são mostrados os diferentes significados de democracia, tratando brevemente a respeito de suas origens. Em um segundo momento, discute-se acerca dos principais modelos democráticos contemporâneos, abordando-se, ao final de cada enfoque, o lugar da participação política nestes. Em um terceiro momento, reflete-se sobre a interface entre democracia e Internet por meio do tema da democracia digital, apresentando-se, ainda, as abordagens e as ênfases nas quais a ideia se orienta. Este cenário propiciado pelas tecnologias digitais, no momento ainda com mais interrogações do que respostas, pode trazer importantes contribuições às práticas democráticas, a exemplo da implementação de experiências de governo eletrônico nas localidades municipais em diversas partes do mundo e, ainda, com o crescente uso de novas mídias pelos variados movimentos sociais existentes na pós-modernidade. Empiricamente, a questão da interface entre democracia e Internet é discutida mediante a análise do impacto do uso da Internet e seus possíveis reflexos na relação dos cidadãos com a política em Porto Alegre (RS). Assim, neste estudo, são analisadas dimensões que podem condicionar essa relação, tal é o caso das variáveis socioeconômicas, além de outras. As constatações da investigação permitem concluir que a Internet, mais do que um fenômeno que traria um novo alento à participação política dos cidadãos, é um meio que serve de complemento às práticas democráticas por eles já realizadas tradicionalmente, requerendo-se, portanto, cautela em relação aos efeitos e às potencialidades da utilização das ferramentas digitais. / This thesis has the purpose of discussing penetration among contemporary democratic societies, the possibilities contained in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly the Internet. At first, shows the different meanings of democracy, treating briefly about their origins. In a second step, we discuss about the major contemporary democratic models, is approaching it at the end of each focus, the place of political participation in these. In a third step, is reflected on the interface between democracy and Internet through the subject of digital democracy, presenting also the approaches and emphases in which the idea is oriented. This scenario brought about by digital technologies, currently still more questions than answers, can make important contributions to democratic practices, such as the implementation of e-government experience in municipal localities in various parts of the world and also with the increasing use new media by various existing social movements in post-modernity. Empirically, the question of the interface between democracy and the Internet is discussed by analyzing the impact of Internet use and its possible effects on the relationship between citizens and politic in Porto Alegre (RS). In this study, dimensions that might influence this relationship are examined, as is the case of socioeconomic variables, and others. The research findings showed that the Internet, rather than a phenomenon that would bring a new impetus to the political participation of citizens, is a medium that complements democratic practices have traditionally held by them, therefore, by requiring caution in regarding the effects and potential of using digital tools.

O estudo das percepções públicas acerca da polícia é importante por duas razões. Primeiramente porque dado a visibilidade da polícia e o poder de uso da força, sua atuação tem impacto sobre a política, sendo importante para qualificação do regime democrático. Além disso, a forma como a polícia atua e trata os cidadãos é uma das poucas variáveis que estão totalmente sob o controle dos gestores policiais, o que fundamentaria a necessidade de compreender melhor como os indivíduos julgam e percebem a polícia, uma vez que a colaboração dos cidadãos é fundamental efetividade da atividade policial. Essa dissertação visa investigar os determinantes da avaliação da polícia na cidade de São Paulo, na década de 2000. Para isso conta com os dados colhidos em cinco ondas da Pesquisa domiciliar sobre atitudes, normas culturais e valores em relação à violência e violação de direitos humanos, realizada pelo Núcleo de Estudos da Violência da Universidade de São Paulo, nos anos de 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008 e 2010. Como principal resultado tem-se que a percepção de eficiência e de educação na abordagem são as variáveis que melhor explicam a avaliação, consistentemente em todas as cinco ondas do survey analisadas. / The study of public perceptions of the police is important for two reasons. Primarily because given the visibility of the police and the power of using the force, its performance has an impact on politics, being important to qualify the democratic regime. Furthermore, the way the police operates and treats its citizens is one of the few variables that are totally under the control of the police chiefs, which would establish the need to better understand how individuals think and perceive the police, once the collaboration of citizens is fundamental to police activity. This thesis aims to investigate the determinants of the evaluation of police in the city of São Paulo in the 2000s. For this purpose it relies on the data collected in five waves of \"Household survey on attitudes, cultural norms and values in relation to violence and violation of human rights \" held by the Center for the Study of Violence at the University of São Paulo , in the years of 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010. As the main result it has that the perception of efficiency and education in approach are the variables that best explain the evaluation consistently in all five waves of the survey analyzed.

In the presence of challenges arise from ageing populations, increasing incidence of chronic diseases, high health care cost, rapid changes in technological equipment and medical knowledge, eHealth offers tremendous abilities to develop and deliver health care services to the end user that is both seamless and integrated according to the needs and requirements of individuals. Even though the prospective of eHealth is accepted in academia as well as among policy-makers, health care planners and health care practitioners, the implementation of its applications has appeared to be difficult then expectations. In order for successful implementation of eHealth, it is necessary to offer eHealth services according to the citizens and patients expectations. The purpose of this study was to investigate citizens‘ accessing the eHealth services in the county of Blekinge by identifying the accessible, currently accessed, projected and imagined eHealth services. The knowledge from this study would be supportive to the regional health authorities to understand the citizens‘ needs and requirements for a successful delivery of eHealth services in county of Blekinge. In the first phase through extensive review of the literature the eHealth services which are more in health care practices within European countries were identified. On the basis of findings of first phase interviews were conducted to know strategies plans regarding eHealth services. After analysis of interviews, questionnaire was conducted to know the citizens opinions about eHealth services. The authors find that, after understanding the success criteria of effectively running eHealth services within European countries, many eHealth services could be implemented successfully in the county of Blekinge. The rules of interoperability among Hospitals, GP‘s, Primary Cares and Dental Services would provide substantial benefits to citizens and they can access the eHealth services whenever and wherever they want. Moreover in future citizens would have eHealth services according to their expectation. / Farrukh Sahar - 0046 707267187, Muhammad Asim - 0046 737355716

Master's thesis describes the development and operations of The Party of Free Citizens. The thesis includes a series of terms, without which party is impossible to categorize. These terms include: liberalism, classical liberalism, libertarianism, capitalism, right-wing, euroscepticism. Thesis also includes analysis of the organizational structure, constitutional documents and political program of The Party of Free Citizens. Last but not least thesis includes summary of election results of The Party of Free Citizens. The aim of master's thesis is to describe the meaning and background of The Party of Free Citizens. To process master's thesis were used internet sources, primarily website of The Party of Free Citizens. In thesis were also used dictionaries, professional political science publications and essayistic literature type.

The implementation of public policies continues to be a serious challenge for the South African public service. Giving the overarching demands for quality public service delivery from the citizens, there is a serious need for the public sector to accelerate implementation of public policies which aimed at promoting the development of society. The primary objective of the research for this study is to critically analyse the policy implementation issues in the provincial government, the special reference is on the social assistance grant policies in the North West provincial government. Subservient to the primary objectives of the research is to highlight and emphasise the pivotal roles of the theory and practices of policy formulation, policy analysis and policy implementation to promote understanding on the factors which contribute towards the effective and efficient formulation and implementation of policies that are aimed at improving the lives of the people in general and those with special needs in particular. The complexities of policy development can be identified as one of the reasons for the delay and complete failure of policy implementation. Failure of policy can also largely be attributed to issues of poor implementation of policies. In addition, it has proven that sometimes policies are set out to achieve too ambitious targets which ultimately fall short of their desired outcome. Absence of policy analysis skills and practice in the provincial governments are also major impediments to the implementation of policies. The poor policy implementation in the North West provincial government is influenced by lack of reliable data and adequate information upon which to make decisions which is a consequence of an inadequate management information system. Moreover, poor policy implementation in the provincial government is as a result of and ascribed to a lack of financial resources, inadequate trained staff, poorly framed policies, target group opposition and underdeveloped bureaucracies which are unable to formulate and plan systematically. The other recurring criticism of poor policy implementation in the North West province is that policy implementation is the orientation towards centralisation. This means that most of the policies and plans are developed in the national government with little consultation with the final implementers. Policies often fail to capture the subtleties of initiatives at grassroots level. The distance of policy makers from practice not only causes problems for the managers of the policy but also creates a lack of harmony among the different elements of the same policy and among machinery of governments which are used to alleviate poverty such as Social Assistance Agency. The imposed national policies and directives to the provincial government without regards to their specific circumstances and without assessing the human and financial resource capacity of the provincial government led to waist of money and a complete failure of the implementation of policy in the province. So to ensure that policy is successfully implemented, there is a need for a guide to the implementation in the form of a public policy implementation variables and policy implementation model in the provincial governments in general and the North West province in particular. Proper policy implementation which include sufficient resources like finance and human resource and effective policy translation, management of policy implementation processes which include accountability and control and human capital development will all ensure a great deal of improvement and success in the policy implementation. Copyright / Dissertation (MAdmin)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

The South African local sphere of government has been mandated to provide a developmental and accountable local government and to ensure provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. As a key developmental agent, local government is obliged by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 to develop a culture of municipal governance that encourage and create conditions for the local community to participate in the affairs of the municipality. In this regard, ward committees have been introduced to municipalities as community structures to play a critical role in linking and informing the municipalities about the needs, aspirations and problems of their communities. In adherence to national legislation, such as the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 (Act117 of 1998) and the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) Nkonkobe Local Municipality established advisory structures in the form of ward committees throughout its area of jurisdiction to advise the municipal council on any matter within the council’s competence. As a representative structure of the community the ward committee is expected to serve as a link between the council and the community and for this purpose articulates community needs and aspirations to better the living standards of the community. Despite the stated objectives of ward committees, the Middledrift area has been identified by Nkonkobe Local Municipality IDP: 2007-2012 as the poorest area in Nkonkobe municipality with backlogs in infrastructure and service delivery. This study evaluates the extent at which the Middledrift ward committee (Ward 16) is enhancing service delivery in its area of jurisdiction.

Since the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which identified the three spheres of government as distinctive, interrelated and interdependent, the local government sphere has been perceived in many parts of the country to be failing to fulfil its mandate of delivering essential basic services to local communities. The mandate of the South African local sphere of government has been to provide a developmental and accountable local government and to ensure provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. As a key developmental agent, local government is obliged by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 to develop a culture of municipal governance that encourage and create conditions for the local community to participate in the affairs of the municipality. In this regard, ward committees have been introduced to municipalities as community structures to play a critical role in linking and informing the municipalities about the needs, aspirations and challenges of their communities. In adherence to national legislation, such as the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 (Act117 of 1998) and the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality established advisory structures in the form of ward committees throughout its area of jurisdiction to advise the municipal council on any matter within the council’s competence. As a representative structure of the community the ward committee is expected to serve as a link between the council and the community and for this purpose articulates community needs and aspirations to better the living standards of the community. Despite the stated objectives of ward committees, the Du Noon area has been identified by City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality IDP: 2012-2017 as the ward with backlogs in infrastructure and service delivery. This study evaluates the extent at which the Du Noon ward committee (Ward 104) is enhancing service delivery in its area of jurisdiction. A sequential use of mixed methods was preferred, since quantitative and qualitative research methods were found to be complementary rather than opposed approaches. Using both obtrusive and unobtrusive collection procedures, the methods employed proofed practically useful. To this end, the study sought to examine extent at which the Du Noon ward committee is enhancing service delivery in its area of jurisdiction. The study further attempted to suggest practical techniques of bringing a resolve to the challenges faced by the ward committee in as far as providing effective and efficient service delivery to the community without fail.

The thesis analyses the immigration policy of the Czech Republic through the prism of Europeanization theories. The first chapter provides a theoretical platform for the subsequent analysis. It deals with the concept of Europeanization and its possible interpretations. Special attention is given to the so-called downloading and to the specific features of this process in the states of Central and Eastern Europe. The second chapter offers an outline of the development of immigration policy in the European Union from the 1980s, when the first common measures in this area were taken, to the present day. The third chapter concentrates in a similar way on the immigration policy of the Czech Republic as it has been developing since the 1990s, when immigration started to appear as a new phenomenon in the country. The last chapter gives an analysis of the Czech immigration policy as compared with analogous trends in Europe. Coming out of the theoretical concepts stated in the first chapter it assesses the processes of Europeanization in this field.

Syftet med uppsatsen är att se vad som kännetecknar unga människors syn på politiskt engagemang och som en del i det vill jag undersöka om unga vuxna människor ser partier och organisationer som relevanta plattformar för att engagera sig. Uppsatsen är kvalitativ och en gruppintervju har genomförts där målgruppen är unga vuxna människor i åldern 18-29 boendes i Borlänge, syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva unga vuxna människors eventuella syn på politiskt engagemang. I uppsatsen redogör forskaren ett antal orsaker i resultatetsektionen som är tänkbara för att det politiska engagemanget skulle ha förändrats som politiska trender, samhällsengagemangets förändrade former, socialiseringens påverkan, skolans påverkan och ekonomiska faktorer. I uppsatsens slutsatser redogör forskaren att unga vuxna människor är i lika stor grad engagerade politiskt idag men det tar sig utryck i andra former än förut vilket gör att det går emot teorin om det politiska engagemanget minskar i samhället. Dock är inte politiska partier relevanta plattformar i lika stor omfattning som för några decennier sedan. / The purpose of this essay is to describe what characterizes young people´s vision on the subject of political engagement. As a part of that the author wants to investigate whether young adults regard political parties and organizations as relevant platforms to engage within. The essay conducts a quantitative group interview based on young adults between the ages of 18-29 as respondents, whom all are residents of the town Borlänge. In this essay the author describes a number of reasons as explanatory for the changes in political commitment regarding political trends, changes in community involvement, the effects of socialization, the effects of schools and economic factors. In the conclusions the author clarifies that young adults are as much part of political life today, but in other forms than before, which contradicts the theory on lack of political engagement in the society. Though, political parties are no longer as relevant platforms as they used to be a couple of decades ago.