A constatação da necessidade da presença do Ensino Religioso na escola, como base para a formação integral do ser humano, nos provocou uma motivação para a construção desta pesquisa, que procura em uma perspectiva de investigação, através de um estudo bibliográfico, mostrar a importância da presença do Ensino Religioso, cujo objetivo principal é compreender a proposta atual do Ensino Religioso na escola e a sua importância na formação integral do ser humano. São observados os fundamentos históricos e legais do Ensino Religioso no Brasil, a partir de um breve panorama, fazendo uma leitura de textos de autores que abordam a evolução do tema na LDBEN e nas constituições brasileiras desde o início da República, onde se podem constatar as raízes históricas desse entrelaçar de interesses; logo em seguida procura entender a proposta atual para o Ensino Religioso, a partir da Constituição de 1988. A legislação comprova e apresenta na atualidade o Ensino Religioso no espaço público e laico, como disciplina facultativa. Nesta dissertação é apresentado também o resultado de uma pesquisa do mapa do Ensino Religioso no Estado da Bahia. É feita uma análise da construção do conhecimento religioso, a partir dos PCNER (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais do Ensino Religioso), fazendo um paralelo dos ciclos da vida com a educação por ciclos e, da convivência com a diversidade e novas tendências procurando mostrar que a escola e o Ensino Religioso podem ser um espaço de entendimento e respeito ao outro. Também são analisados os fundamentos pedagógicos e metodológicos do Ensino Religioso em termos de currículo, formação docente e práxis. / Observing the need for the presence of Religious Education in the school as a base for the holistic formation of the human being, provoked in us a motivation for the construction of this research which seeks, through a perspective of investigation through a bibliographic study, to show the importance of the presence of Religious Education. The main goal is to understand the current proposal of Religious Education in the school and its importance for the holistic formation of the human being. The historical and legal foundations of Religious Education in Brazil are observed based on a brief panorama of the reading of texts of authors who dealt with the evolution of the theme in the LDBEN and in the Brazilian constitutions from the beginning of the Republic, where one can perceive the historical roots of this intertwining of interests; after this we seek to understand the current proposal for Religious Education based on the 1988 Constitution. The legislation proves and presents the current situation of Religious Education in the public and lay space as an optional discipline. This thesis also presents the results of a research of the map of Religious Education in the State of Bahia. An analysis is made of the construction of religious knowledge based on the PCNER (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais do Ensino Religioso [National Curricular Parameters of Religious Education]), making a parallel of the life cycles with the cycles of education and, of the communal interaction with diversity and new tendencies seeking to show that the school and Religious Education can be a space of understanding and respect for the other. The pedagogical and methodological foundations of Religious Education are also analyzed in terms of curriculum, teacher training and praxis.

A qualitative, non-experimental, explorative and descriptive research design based on the phenomenological philosophical tradition by Heidegger to broaden hermeneutics was conducted. The study was conducted at Umkhanyakude District to investigate the perspectives of eligible nursing students relating to the provision of spiritual care to patients. A purposive sample of 9 participants was recruited and consent form obtained. An unstructured interview guide, with a grand tour question, was used to conduct face to face individual interviews. The Thematic analysis and interpretative phenomenological method of analysis were employed until three themes, six categories and eleven subcategories emerged from the data. Data analysis revealed that nurses had difficulty to differentiate spiritual care from religious care. Commonly cited methods of providing spiritual care were prayer, reading sacred text and singing spiritual songs. Nurses still felt inadequately prepared educationally on how to provide spiritual care in nursing practice. Most of the participants provided spiritual care out of their own interest and not as part of their professional responsibility. Recommendations proposed that the matter be taken up by nurse managers to conduct related in-service education and mentoring programs and nurse educators to guide curriculum planning which evidently include spiritual care. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The dissertation focuses on the possibilities of drama in English language teaching in the second stage of basic education. The objective was to contribute to the development of ELT methodology in the Czech environment and to try to critically define the possibilities of drama education as an approach to instruction in this field. The starting points of this dissertation are based on social constructivism, accent the principle of holistic learning, and stem from the demands for changes in education in connection with the curricular reform of the education system that is currently underway. Apart from a terminological analysis, the theoretical part of the dissertation also contains a detailed introduction to the teaching strategies of drama education and their application in English language teaching. The goal of the empirical part was to find the beliefs of a cohort of teachers from primary schools and of English Studies students at the Faculty of Education regarding the possibility of using drama in English language teaching. The research design was mixed and the research investigation was conducted at two levels, through a questionnaire-based survey and through experimental instruction. The methods of data collection and analysis included a questionnaire-based survey, a pre-test and a post-test,...

This study is an investigation of the congruence in methodology between out-comes based education and environmental education. EE and OBE advocate for an integration of educational approaches and methodology. The focus being the introduction of integrated cross-curricula approach to education. Questionnaires were administered to educators in the sampled schools in order to get the understanding and perceptions of educators about the compatibilty of EE and OBE methodologies. The hypothesis: OBE in South African Education allows for the implementation of EE methodologies. The finding is that common approaches i.e. interdisciplinary and cross-curricular approaches and similar methods are used in OBE and EE. Several proposals were made: There should be workshops, support and mentoring approaches to EE and OBE. Resources should be available to educators and learners and there should be research on OBE and EE methodologies should be made / This study is aimed at examining the compatibility in methodology and approaches of South African Out-comes Based Education and Environmental Education. Data collection was based on questionnaires administered to the primary school educators in the Rustenburg District. Extensive knowledge was gained concerning the nature, approaches and methodologies of Environmental Education and Out Comes Based Education. The educators' understanding of the compatibility or degree of agreement between OBE and EE methodologies, approaches and methods was examined. Problems related to the methodological incompatibility of EE and OBE are identified and solutions are proposed. The core of this study is to examine the compatibility between OBE and EE in terms of approaches and methodologies. It is noted by this study that compatibility between EE and OBE, is not without problems. This study will make valuable contributions to examine the extent of OBE as a curriculum policy for addressing methodological issues raised by EE. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.(Environmental Education)

This study was undertaken to establish whether the legal phenomenon known as a contract exist in indigenous legal systems and in particular, among the Swazi. As the underlying aims and consequences of indigenous contracts differ not only between indigenous peoples but is also affected by the degree of westernisation that has taken place, a micro study has been done in semi-rural areas in the Kingdom of Swaziland to establish if the existing value systems are altered or replaced when western legal institutions are introduced. Data was obtained by way of interviewing a panel of experts and compared with available literature. Through the process of gathering information, the legal principles were described and the functioning of social processes noted. Different indigenous contracts and general principles were identified. It must, however, be noted that a contract is more than a device for establishing the economic and legal implications of a transaction. Most contractual disputes are resolved outside the courts through negotiated settlements to restore harmony in the community. Although the Swazi law of contract is showing clear signs of adapting to new developments, there is proof that established legal principles and Swazi values are being retained. This study will not only be useful as a source of information for both Swazi courts and administration, but could also serve as a basis for codification intended by the Swazi Government. For that purpose, a memorandum has been compiled for consideration by the Swazi authorities. The compatibility of Swazi law and custom with a Bill of Rights was also evaluated and suggestions were made for possible law reform in the Kingdom of Swaziland. / Jurisprudence / LL.D.

This study focuses on the therapeutic interventions by mental health practitioners when faced with rebellious youths. Rebelliousness refers to the act of defying lawful authority or a resistant way of relating to authority or convention. It is manifested in, amongst others, withdrawal, deviance, delinquency, antisocial behaviour, and suicide. To date there are no interventions for rebellious youths per sé. Rebellious youths are often treated with traditional strategies which are often ineffective and show little promise for eliminating rebellious behaviour. Research has revealed that teen problem behaviours stem from "life-problems" such as psychosocial stressors. Therefore treating the adolescent for substance abuse, for example, is treating him/her for the wrong reasons. It is no surprise that many adolescents who have undergone intervention programmes for specific behaviour problems relapse soon after they are released from the programmes. The study focuses on integrating different strategies in order to combat rebelliousness in adolescence and beyond. This holistic approach argues that all treatments share certain curative processes. Therefore each treatment works best when it is combined with other aspects of treatment. For this reason, individual, family and group therapy were combined together with school strategies. The results of this study indicate that combining procedures that are designed to improve problematic behaviour in teenagers are viable forms of treatment. / Educational Studies / D.Ed.(Psychology of Education)

Historically the trend in health care has been the domain of health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and other professionals from the medical fraternity. This created the separation between the mind and body, due to the diagnostic and treatment origins being segregated. This thesis addresses the idea that psychological processes have significant impacts on our physical health {and visa versa). It establishes the notion that health care needs to be understood holistically, from a broader systemic perspective, expanding the working model of health. The second chapter of this thesis addresses the power of the mind and the connection between the mind and body. It establishes the importance of beliefs and perceptions and the huge effect this has on people and their lives. How we choose to perceive a situation will give that situation meaning. The meanings that we give to events usually depict how we will see and respond to that event, sometimes more than the actual event itself. It explains the importance of the mind (psychological issues) as well as the body (physiological issues) when understanding and dealing with health and wellbeing. The following chapter discusses the historical developments of physical and mental health; from Hippocrates and Descartes to a modern holistic approach and attitude. Behaviour Medicine6, explicitly recognises that mind and body are intimately interconnected and that an appreciation of these interconnections and their scientific study is an interdisciplinary field, uniting the behavioural sciences with the biomedical sciences; in the hope that the cross fertilization will yield a more comprehensive picture of health and illness. The 'biopsychosocial model'7 provides a theoretical framework, explaining how an awareness of biological, psychological and social process are all important in understanding disease and recovery, supported by systemic principles. The scientific research and practical implications of psychoneuroimmunology8 (PNI) takes this biopsychosocial model one-step further. It describes how thoughts, perceptions and emotions have interchangeable influences with brain chemistry, which in turn influences the body and neurological systems1 particularly immune system functioning. The concept that we all have an inner ability /intelligence to heal ourselves is also detailed. Miller (1997: 350) discusses this notion, stating that we all have "a healer within." He states that this inner healer can be awakened in order to participate in "our deep healing.11 He claims, "This vital essence has been with us since birth ... Its function is to maintain homeostasis (internal balance). As humans, we can1 through our ability to change our images and beliefs, enhance, or inhibit the power of this inner healer." The concepts discussed thus far in the thesis are then demonstrated practically. The relationship between stress and health is examined and practical ways to maintain a healthier lifestyle is detailed. The researcher then introduces a South African company that is currently working in the field with the concepts of mindbody medicine and psychoneuroimmunology. This led the researcher to find a philosophical container in which to hold the holistic mind body theories and concepts. Anderson & Carter (2003: 222) states, "Social work distinguishes itself by exploring the 'person-environment fit'. This is an area in social work where constructivism may prove supportive. Such an emphasis increases the likelihood that diverse voices and points of view are integrated in social work theory and practice." Therefore/ a constructive epistemology/ philosophy in which meaning is intimately connected with experience, is expanded upon. The mind/body theory and concepts are then linked to Constructivism and Personal Construct Theory (by George Kelly). Constructivism postulates that we all create and interpret our own meaning systems, which become our subjective realities. The link to mind body medicine is pertinent in that both constructivism and mind body medicine share similar ideologies about how realities are construed, and how this in turn effects treatment of disease and maintenance of wellbeing. Cybernetic complementarities then expand our understanding of the mind and body connection in a monolistic framework, where mind and body are recursive partial arcs of a holistic health care system. Constructivism therefore integrates eastern and western concepts, cementing all the concepts used in this thesis, in a holistic manner. It also helps us to understand how some of the mind body techniques may be working within the mind body realm. Given the unique needs of a changing and developing society, as found in South Africa, there is a need to be creative and find alternative ways to cope with our societal stresses and daily occurrences. This is where the researcher feels that the social work profession needs to be involved in working and contributing to our health care services. The development of medical social work is detailed and the latest social work definition discussed. It is reveals how contents of the definition of social work are relevant and are a pertinent fit with mind-body approaches to health and wellbeing. The researcher debates the role of social workers in this field of health care. It is then proposed, in the detailed discussion, that social workers practising in this field should be known as Health Care Social Workers. This field of holistic health care has many proposed strengths and implication, for both Health Care Social Workers and other health care professionals. It will naturally also present challenges that need to be considered and contemplated. The final chapter of this thesis examine these strengths and challenges and their therapeutic implications. The researcher concludes by demonstrating that the literature study on holistic mind and body approaches matches her objectives from the first chapter. / Social work / M.A. (Social Science with specialisation in Mental Health)

In this study we studied how holistic mission should be accomplished. May we speak about social and evangelical mandates? This search is done through the examination of a Christian relief organisation, the Hungarian Baptist Aid. Our main research question was: Is the work of this service holistic? Although we concluded in the light of David Bosch's mission interpretation that their mission is not yet holistic, the model of Hungarian Baptist Aid is encouraging how we could multiply our resources that are placed in God's hand. How we can see a commission that seemed impossible can become possible, and how we can find our way in God's mission. / Christian Spirituality, Curch History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

This dissertation explores the need to involve churches in mission according to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose mission was indeed holistic and comprehensive. To achieve this goal, the study calls upon churches to move from a “maintenance Christianity” status, which has been almost a way of life for churches, to a holistic and comprehensive approach to mission. Practically speaking, this is to be illustrated through a case study of churches in the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The churches in this part of the world present many challenges that sustain such an exploration, namely, misunderstanding regarding mission, lack of well-skilled and visionary church leaders, maintenance Christianity mentality, spirit of tribalism among Christians, and poverty. The study concludes with practical recommendations on how the issues raised through the dissertation can be applied to a broader field than the churches in the North Kivu Province. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology) / M. Th. (Missiology)

This study investigated the health needs of immigrant women from the African Great Lakes living in South Africa in the province of Gauteng, Tshwane Metropolitan city. It described their challenges and related factors compromising their holistic wellness, and identifies their context specific health needs as a gender group. A qualitative approach was utilised concurrently with participatory action research method. Data collection involved triangulation of instruments. A literature study was conducted to select relevant information usable as basis for this study. Data analysis and interpretation revealed factors that make it difficult for immigrant women from the African Great Lakes region to gain access to health care services in South Africa, identifying their specific women’s health needs. Recommendations proposed that policy makers and implementing professionals rendering women’s health care services should consider utilising a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to meet these basic needs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public health)