‘Becoming Animal’: Motifs of Hybridity and Liminality in Fairy Tales and Selected Contemporary Artworks serves as a theoretical examination of the concept of the hybrid. My research unpacks the liminal aspect of hybridity, locating the hybrid in the imaginative world of popular fairy tales, folk lore and mythology. In my accompanying MFA exhibition, Becoming(s), I explore these motifs through an installation of mixed-media sculptures which are based on the hybrid creatures that populated the fantasy world of my childhood. The written component of my MFA submission will relate directly to my professional art practise, developing it further and situating it within a relevant context. In my mini-thesis I will consider the liminal in relation to the ‘animal turn’ in contemporary art, with a particular focus on relevant artists working with the motifs of hybridity, such as Nandipha Mntambo, Jane Alexander and Kiki Smith. The ‘animal turn’ is a term used by Kari Weil (2010: 3) to describe a contemporary interest in issues of the nonhuman, and in the ways that the relationship between humans and nonhumans is marked by “difference, otherness and power”. Of key concern to my research will be Giles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s concept of ‘becoming animal’. Rather than describing a transition from one stable state to another, ‘becoming animal’ suggests a radical dissolution of boundaries – not just between species (such as ‘human’ and ‘animal’) but between any essentialising binaries. As such, ‘becoming animal’ suggests a conception of identity as being fluid and mutable, rather than stable and fixed.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reading problems have become a worldwide phenomenon, even in a first world country like America. Literacy figures in South Africa are even worse. Results of the PIRLS study indicated that the reading skills of 80% of South African children are not fully developed by the time they reach grade 5. In recent literacy tests South African children did worse than children from African countries like Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland and Tanzania. Despite everything that is being done to improve literacy and numeracy, South African children do not reach their potential. Many South African schools are labeled as being „dysfunctional‟ and 79% of schools do not have libraries. This is a complex matter with multiple causes. Reading programs may contribute to addressing this issue. There are different types of reading programs and it can take place at different levels. One type of program includes the use of pets. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an animal-assisted reading program on the reading skills of grade 3 children in an Afrikaans medium primary school in the Western Cape. The secondary aim was to determine whether this type of reading program could also have an influence on other factors related to reading, like reading self-concept, self-efficacy, anxiety and school attendance of grade 3 children. All the grade 3 children were assessed with a series of tests. Those who were identified by the ESSI Reading Test as unskilled readers (N=102) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups and one control group. The Dog Group (n=27) read to a dog with a facilitator present, the Facilitator Group (n=24) read to a facilitator while the Teddy Bear Group (n=26) read to a teddy bear with a facilitator present. The Control Group (n=25) continued with their normal school activities. Collection of the data took place before the start of the reading program (Time 1) and directly after completion of the program (Time 2) with a follow-up measurement eight weeks later (Time 3). Once a week during the 10 week animal-assisted reading program all the children read for approximately 20 minutes from grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 level reading books which they chose themselves. The children were called from their classrooms, individually, to another room where they could read calmly and peacefully to either a dog and a facilitator, or to a facilitator, or to a teddy bear and facilitator, depending on the group they were in. During Time 2 and Time 3 the Dog Group performed significantly better in the ESSI Reading Test than the other three groups. The reading comprehension of the Dog Group, as measured by the Neale Individual Reading Test, also improved significantly compared to that of the other three groups. Mixed results were found regarding reading self-concept, self-efficacy and anxiety. The shortcomings of the present study and recommendations for further research are also discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Leesprobleme is ʼn wêreldwye probleem, selfs in eerstewêreldlande soos Amerika. In Suid-Afrika is die geletterdheidsyfers selfs baie swakker. Die resultate van die PIRLS-studie dui daarop dat 80% van Suid-Afrikaanse kinders se leesvaardighede nie ten volle ontwikkel is wanneer hulle graad 5 bereik nie. Suid-Afrikaanse kinders het ook swakker gevaar in ʼn geletterdheidtoets as kinders van lande soos Mosambiek, Botswana, Swaziland en Tanzanië. Ten spyte van alles wat gedoen word om geletterdheid en syfervaardigheid te verbeter, vaar Suid-Afrikaanse kinders baie swakker as hul potensiaal. Baie Suid-Afrikaanse skole word geëtiketteer as „disfunksioneel‟ en 79% van skole het geen biblioteke nie. Hierdie saak is kompleks en die oorsake veelvuldig. Leesprogramme mag moontlik ʼn bydrae lewer om hierdie kwessie aan te spreek. Dit kan verskeie vorms aanneem en kan op verskillende vlakke plaasvind. Een tipe program behels die gebruik van troeteldiere. Die doel van die huidige studie was om die effek van ʼn troeteldier-ondersteunde leesprogram (TOL) op die leesvaardighede van graad 3-kinders in ʼn Afrikaansmedium laerskool in die Wes-Kaap te bepaal. Verdere doelstellings was om te bepaal of hierdie tipe leesprogram ook ʼn invloed kon hê op ander leesverwante faktore soos leesselfkonsep, self-effektiwiteit, angs en ook die skoolbywoning van graad 3-kinders. Al die graad 3-kinders is getoets met ʼn reeks instrumente en dié wat deur die ESSI Leestoets geïdentifiseer is as nievaardige lesers (N=102) is verder ewekansig toegewys aan drie eksperimentele en een kontrolegroep. Die Leeshondgroep (n=27) het vir ʼn leeshond en leesfasiliteerder gelees, die Leesfasiliteerdergroep (n=24) het vir ʼn leesfasiliteerder alleen gelees terwyl die Teddiebeergroep (n=26) vir ʼn teddiebeer en ʼn leesfasiliteerder gelees het. Die Kontrolegroep (n=25) het voortgegaan met hul normale skoolaktiwiteite. Data-insameling het plaasgevind voor die aanvang van die leesprogram (Tyd 1), direk ná voltooiing van die leesprogram (Tyd 2) en ʼn opvolgmeting het ag weke later (Tyd 3) plaasgevind. Tydens die 10-weke-troeteldier-ondersteunde leesprogram (TOL) het die kinders in elk van die groepe vir ongeveer 20 min. gelees uit graad 1-, 2- en 3-vlak boekies wat hulle self gekies het. Die kinders is individueel uit die klas geneem na ʼn ander lokaal in die skool waar hulle rustig vir óf die leeshond en ʼn leesfasiliteerder, óf die leesfasiliteerder alleen óf ʼn teddiebeer met ʼn leesfasiliteerder gelees het, afhangende van die groep waarin hulle was. Kinders in die Leeshondgroep het beduidend beter gevaar in die ESSI Leestoets tydens Tyd 2 en Tyd 3 as die kinders in die ander drie groepe. Die leesbegrip van die Leeshondgroep, soos gemeet deur die Neale Individuele Leestoets, het ook beduidend verbeter in vergelyking met dié van die ander drie groepe. Gemengde resultate is gevind met leesselfkonsep, self-effektiwiteit en angs. Die tekortkominge en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word ook bespreek.

Since before the Neolithic Revolution, when human civilisation first emerged, humans and canines have lived, and died, together. This Scottish study is conducted in the field of animal-human interaction and, using qualitative methods, applies established insights from the sociology of health (born of human-to-human interaction) to a human-animal relationship. Specifically, this thesis explores death and dying in relations between the companion canines, and the human members, of ten families. Nonhuman illness narratives are found in profusion in this study, and it was also found to be possible to apply biographical disruption to nonhumans, when conceptualised as biographical disruption-by-proxy. Unexpectedly, there emerged from the data support for a four-fold model of canine selfhood, as forged within the family. This is, as far as I am aware, the first modelling of a specific nonhuman consciousness, within the discipline. Suffering was found to exist in both physical and non-physical forms for the companions, and a mutual vulnerability to loneliness, and desire for companionship, appears to be a powerful point of connection between the humans and the canines. Being together emerged as both a practice, and as an ideal, that moulded the human-canine relations, and it was regarded as unfitting for a canine to die alone. Companion canine dying comes forth as a negotiated process, shaped by a divide between gradual and sudden death. This work encountered developed narratives of departure, that seem to structure the experience of losing a companion. In particular the role of the expert is a privileged voice in the negotiations of dying, and the biomedical view is treated as being definitive. The role of the expert is not simply submitted to however, but a range of stances to veterinary authority are displayed, being; acquiescence, resistance and invalidation of the veterinary voice. Ultimately, whilst interplays of wellbeing are present, they are less biophysically grounded, than they are rooted in the everyday routines of life, in the rituals of eating, sleeping, walking, and playing together, that compose the shared world of the human and companion canine.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This study endeavours to understand the psychosocial functioning of primary school children involved in a therapeutic horse-riding program. A qualitative study was done using an exploratory research design. Much research has been documented regarding the physical benefits of equineassisted therapy. Little research has however been done regarding the psychosocial functioning of children involved in such projects, and in the field of social work, not much research has been conducted to the knowledge of the researcher. This study was thus motivated by the current lack of research in this area and by the desire to discover whether this form of therapy has a place within the social work field. The literature study firstly explored the various physical disabilities that are most commonly encountered in the therapeutic riding world, namely cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy. The developmental milestones of the primary school child were explored with a view to how these physical disabilities may effect the reaching of these developmental milestones. The concept of rehabilitation psychology was then explored, comparing it with various social work methods, popular theories and perspectives and it was found that there were many overlaps in the two fields. Lastly, the literature study looked at equine-assisted therapy and research that has already been done on this topic. The empirical investigation consisted of case studies on five primary school children from Astra School for the Physically Disabled. A qualitative investigation was done, by means of a focus group held with various key team players in the therapy such as the physiotherapists and riding instructors. Individual interviews were then held with each of the five children. An interview guide was used for both the focus group and the individual interviews. The findings of the investigation were in line with what was found in the literature study, namely that these physically disabled children struggled in reaching their psychosocial developmental milestones. The riding however was shown to have made a significant contribution in the areas of social participation, confidence, selfimage, emotional control, discipline and cognitive and educational stimulation in each of the five children concerned. Rehabilitation philosophy and psychology were found to be in line with much of what social work aims to achieve. In light of the fact that equine-assisted therapy was shown to be a viable means of rehabilitation, and therefore a viable means of reaching social work goals with physically disabled clients, recommendations were made in terms of social work practice, social work theory, social work training, social work research and social work policy regarding the physically disabled client.

The increasing rate of human population growth has expanded the human-primate interface, with more conversion of natural primate habitat to agricultural land. Elevated levels of crop-raiding by primates are a by-product of natural resources becoming less available, and the nutritional riches of agricultural production becoming increasingly known to the primates. It was the aim of this thesis to focus on the Bossou chimpanzees’ (Pan troglodytes verus) perspective of their habitat in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa, the risks and opportunities presented by a human-dominated landscape, and to detail their day-to-day coexistence with humans. I combined a variety of data collection techniques, from focal, scan and ad libitum behavioural sampling of the chimpanzees’ daily activities, to broad ecological and habitat surveys. The chimpanzees rely on cultivated foods, and thus are forced to respond to humans. However, significant variation in the importance of various cultivars in the chimpanzees’ diet exists; certain cultivars are mostly fallback foods, while others are preferred food items and taken according to their availability in orchards and fields. The usage patterns of wild and cultivated foods by the chimpanzees of Bossou are thus inextricably connected. Whilst engaged in crop-raiding the chimpanzees exhibit several behavioural adaptations, namely a decrease in vocalisation levels, and increases in the transportation of food and specific vigilance behaviour. Adult males and adult male-only parties crop-raid more than other age- and sex-classes/compositions, and are more likely to take risks by raiding in exposed environments with increased risk of human confrontation. The use of human cultivars also affects the socio-sexual behaviour of the chimpanzees: chimpanzees appear to share the fruits of their risky labours (crop-raiding) as a food-for-sex strategy, which allow adult males to advertise prowess and enhance affiliative relationships with reproductively valuable females (Hockings et al., in prep). In addition, behavioural adaptations to other anthropogenic high-risk situations such as road-crossing were found, with the chimpanzees exhibiting impressive levels of socio-spatial flexibility and cooperation (Hockings et al., 2006). The chimpanzees’ level of anxiety (as measured by rough self-directed scratching) increases when dealing with some of the challenges posed by their physical and social environment. The chimpanzees of Bossou have been forced to adapt ecologically and behaviourally to the various costs and benefits of living in a human-dominated environment.

L’amélioration du bien-être des vaches laitières est un réel enjeu face aux attentes sociétales. Cette thèse a pour objectifs d’identifier (i) les aspects les plus dégradés du bien-être des vaches, (ii)les indicateurs de risque et (iii) les facteurs associés à l’atteinte de la relation homme-animal. Ce projet repose sur une étude épidémiologique utilisant la méthode Welfare Quality R pour évaluer le bien-être des vaches. En général, les boiteries étaient peu fréquentes et les animaux avaient une bonne liberté de mouvement. L’absence de faim et de soif et l’expression des comportements étaient bien respectés mais variables entre élevages. Le confort de couchage, l’absence de blessures et de maladies, le comportement social, l’état émotionnel et la relation homme-animal étaient dégradés et variables. L’écornage était souvent réalisé sans antidouleurs. Les principaux indicateurs de risque pour le bien-être des vaches sont la localisation géographique (pour la soif), la race (faim,comportement social), le logement (confort de couchage, blessures), l’interaction logement-race (état émotionnel) et localisation géographique-système de traite (expression des comportements propres à l’espèce). La mise en place de plan d’actions doit donc tenir compte du type d’élevage. Aucune association entre le système d’élevage et la relation homme animal n’a été trouvée. Les conditions de vêlage, les représentations des éleveurs et le comportement social des vaches étaient par contre associés à ce critère. De plus, de fortes variations entre vaches ont été relevées, suggérant que le tempérament des animaux joue un rôle important. / Improving dairy cows’ welfare is a major challenge in response to citizen concerns. The present thesis aimed to identify (i) major welfare problems, (ii) which farm characteristics are associated with the impairment of welfare and (iii) which factors are associated with the impairment of human-animal relationships. We conducted an epidemiological survey and used the Welfare Quality R protocol to assess dairy cows’ welfare. In general, prevalence of lameness was low and cows had opportunities to walk. The absence of hunger and thirst and the expression of species-specific behaviors were achieved but variable between farms. Resting comfort, skin injuries, health, social behavior, cows’ emotional state and human-animal relationships were affected and variable. Disbudding was often performed without pain relief. The main risk indicators of poor cow welfare were farm location (for thirst), breed (hunger, social behavior), housing (resting comfort and skin injuries), the interaction housing-breed (emotional state) and location-milking system (expression of species-specific behaviors). Action plans should be designed according to farm types. The quality of the human-animal relationship was not associated with farm main characteristics, but to calving conditions, farmers’ attitudes and cows’ social behavior. In addition, we observed large variations between-cows in their responses to humans, suggesting that individual behavioral traits of cows play a major role.

Esta dissertação reflete acerca das relações mantidas na cidade de São Paulo entre seres humanos e cães de estimação cujo alicerce consiste na afetividade. Discute-se a concepção desses donos de cães acerca da espécie canina e aponta-se as características reconhecidas em tais animais, que contrariam a ideia de exclusividade humana das capacidades cognitivas, de comunicação, sentimento, sensciência, consciência e moralidade. Detentores de características antropomórficas, os cães são entendidos a partir de identidades caninas individuais, com personalidades próprias. Suas especificidades da espécie também os permitem ser valorados frente aos humanos, pois a sinceridade de afetos e a pureza moral que lhes é atribuída ultrapassa a da nossa espécie. O estudo etnográfico mostrou que esses pets possuem extrema importância na vida de seus donos e são entendidos como membros da família, em papéis que podem não ser substituíveis por humanos. Este trabalho revisita a produção brasileira antropológica acerca das relações entre seres humanos e animais não humanos e apresenta dois eixos da relação entre cães e humanos: as distintas esferas da relação estabelecida entre cães e pessoas e o mercado pet voltado para cães e seus donos e sua influência nessa relação. / This dissertation reflects on the relationships maintained between humans and pet dogs in the city of São Paulo, which foundation consists of affectivity. It discusses the conception of these owners about the canine species and the characteristics recognized in these animals, which contradicts the idea of human exclusivity of the cognitive, communicative, feeling, sentience, and morality capacities. Holders of anthropomorphic characteristics, pet dogs are understood from an individual canine identity, with their own personality. Their specificities of the species also allow them to be valued when compared to humans, since the sincerity of affections and the moral purity attributed to them surpasses those of our species. The ethnographic study showed that these pets are extremely important in their owners lives and they are considered as members of the family, in some cases playing roles irreplaceable by humans. This work revisits the Brazilian anthropological production about the relationship between human beings and nonhuman animals; it addresses the different spheres of the relationship between dogs and people; and studies the pet market aimed at dogs and their owners, as well as their influence in this relationship.

This thesis challenges dualistic human and animal ontologies by interpreting science fiction (sf) literature, and argues that whereas words can equivocate and obscure meaning, bodies do not lie. Linguistics and semiology extend the definition of "language" to include human and nonhuman gestures and movement, and posthumanist theory expands definitions of "human" and "animal" to explore species boundaries. Scrutinizing opposing dualisms ultimately questions Western epistemology and authority, allowing for an exploration of embodied animal communications within the larger discourse on species and speciesism. This perspective results in a more comprehensive understanding of the interdependence of all species: human, animal, and "other." Although the fictional texts I employ use fantastic elements to posit hypothetical realities, current scientific research reveals that communication with nonhuman animals is indeed possible. / by Jennifer K. Cox. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Esta dissertação reflete acerca das relações mantidas na cidade de São Paulo entre seres humanos e cães de estimação cujo alicerce consiste na afetividade. Discute-se a concepção desses donos de cães acerca da espécie canina e aponta-se as características reconhecidas em tais animais, que contrariam a ideia de exclusividade humana das capacidades cognitivas, de comunicação, sentimento, sensciência, consciência e moralidade. Detentores de características antropomórficas, os cães são entendidos a partir de identidades caninas individuais, com personalidades próprias. Suas especificidades da espécie também os permitem ser valorados frente aos humanos, pois a sinceridade de afetos e a pureza moral que lhes é atribuída ultrapassa a da nossa espécie. O estudo etnográfico mostrou que esses pets possuem extrema importância na vida de seus donos e são entendidos como membros da família, em papéis que podem não ser substituíveis por humanos. Este trabalho revisita a produção brasileira antropológica acerca das relações entre seres humanos e animais não humanos e apresenta dois eixos da relação entre cães e humanos: as distintas esferas da relação estabelecida entre cães e pessoas e o mercado pet voltado para cães e seus donos e sua influência nessa relação. / This dissertation reflects on the relationships maintained between humans and pet dogs in the city of São Paulo, which foundation consists of affectivity. It discusses the conception of these owners about the canine species and the characteristics recognized in these animals, which contradicts the idea of human exclusivity of the cognitive, communicative, feeling, sentience, and morality capacities. Holders of anthropomorphic characteristics, pet dogs are understood from an individual canine identity, with their own personality. Their specificities of the species also allow them to be valued when compared to humans, since the sincerity of affections and the moral purity attributed to them surpasses those of our species. The ethnographic study showed that these pets are extremely important in their owners lives and they are considered as members of the family, in some cases playing roles irreplaceable by humans. This work revisits the Brazilian anthropological production about the relationship between human beings and nonhuman animals; it addresses the different spheres of the relationship between dogs and people; and studies the pet market aimed at dogs and their owners, as well as their influence in this relationship.

Most philosophical discussions of moral consideration for animals focus on animals as a single category, neglecting to differentiate them by type or role (such as wild, domestic, laboratory, or companion). Moreover, the importance of the individual animal in terms of relationship to humans is de-emphasised. Animals should not be discussed as a monolithic group. In this thesis the dog is utilized as the paradigmatic animal to demonstrate that philosophical discourse on the ethics of consideration for animals must reflect the diversity present within the group labeled "animals". The major philosophical theories advocating moral consideration of animals are summarized, noting that all animals are discussed as one category. Anthropological evidence is provided to demonstrate the historical nature of the human-dog bond. The ethics of care provides the foundation for the claim that dogs have relational value and thus persons have the moral obligation to care for them. / Graduation date: 2004