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Dans la dernière décennie, la profonde mutation de l’industrie musicale québécoise impose aux artistes le renouvellement de l’offre à travers de nouveaux lieux virtuels désormais fréquentés par les consommateurs. Longtemps tenus à l’écart de la culture de masse, les artisans du rap québécois développent cependant depuis déjà plusieurs années des stratégies maximisant ces nouvelles possibilités offertes par le Web. La présente recherche met donc en lumière le rôle structurant joué par le numérique dans le développement du rap québécois alors que ses artistes n’ont eu d’autres choix que d’optimiser les outils de promotion et de diffusion alternatifs. En posant d’abord un regard sociohistorique sur l’articulation autonome du mouvement hip-hop dans la province, nous identifierons les raisons de sa marginalisation et le rôle qu’y ont joué les dispositifs virtuels. Nous nous pencherons ensuite sur la forte croissance des pratiques de consommation numériques des publics québécois depuis 2000, encore plus marquée chez les publics ayant démontré un goût pour le rap. Puis, nous étudierons les dynamiques communicationnelles qui se développent entre les rappeurs et leurs publics au sein des communautés Web. Ainsi, nous retracerons la construction d’activités alternatives au sein du réseau qui permet au rap de s’implanter au Québec. Nous serons alors en mesure de mieux comprendre les comportements novateurs qui permettent au genre de faire face aux défis actuels de l’industrie musicale de la province. / In the past decade, profound transformations of Quebec’s music industry forced artists to channel their service offer through new virtual spaces henceforth frequented by their audiences. For a long time, Quebec’s rap artists were excluded from mainstream culture and had no other choice but to work apart from the industry’s principal broadcasting channels. This resulted in the articulation of an autonomous network developed since the early 2000s in the virtual environment. This research therefore highlights the structuring role played by digital technology in the development of Quebec’s rap scene, while its artists have had no choice but to optimize alternative promotional and distribution tools. Going back on Quebec’s history of the hip-hop movement through its social dynamics, we will identify the reasons for its marginalization and the role that virtual apparatus have played in it. We will then study the strong growth of digital consumption practices by Quebec audiences since 2000, which has been even more marked among audiences who have demonstrated a taste for rap. In the end, we will look at the communicational dynamics developed between rappers and audiences within Web communities. Thus, we will trace the elaboration of alternative activities within the network that allowed rap to take root in Quebec. We will then be able to better understand the innovative digital behaviours that helped the genre to meet the current challenges of the province’s music industry.

No description available.

In the United States of America (U.S.), institutional marginalization and racial discrimination remains an arguably difficult subject to understand, both conceptually and pragmatically. Regarding governmental sectors, U.S. Armed Forces are institutions where discrimination must be critically explored in an attempt to provide an understanding of the reality faced by those who actually serve. This study involved the examination into racism within a specific elite governmental sector that emphasizes a philosophy of a unified oneness of all its members. Using a phenomenological approach, the study delved into the actual impact of racism within the Marine Corps, on the lives of individual members of a historically marginalized populace, African American/Black. The research explored and analyzed the life stories of three male members of the aforementioned population group, hence seeking to answer the research question: How has Integrated Racial Diversity in the Armed Forces Impacted Experiences of Discrimination Antagonistic to Male African American/Black Marine Corps Officers as Members of a Population Historically Marginalized and Discriminated against in the United States of America? Theories incorporated in the research offered meaning to the experiences of the individual participants. Discoveries illustrated the necessity of adaptation by the individual in coping with the impact of racially charged hostilities in an environment supposedly operating with an objective of oneness of its members. Through the findings, a theory of socio-psycho-bio dissonance was developed by the researcher. This research provides recommendations on practical ways to transformatively address and seek probable resolution in conflict – institutionally.

This thesis examines the representation of the lives and performances of tawa'if and rudali in South Asian cinema to understand their marginalization as performers, and their significance in the collective consciousness of the producers and consumers of Indian cultural artifacts. The critical textual analysis of six South Asian films reveals these women as caste-amorphous within the system of social stratification in India, and therefore captivating in the potential they present to achieve a complex and multi-faceted definition of culture. Qualitative interviews with 4 Indian classical dance instructors in Portland, Oregon and performative observations of dance events indicate the importance of these performers in perpetuating and developing Indian cultural artifacts, and illustrate the value of a multi-layered, performative methodological approach. These findings suggest that marginality in performance is a useful and dynamic site from which to investigate the processes of cultural communication, producing findings that augment sole textual analysis.

This thesis addresses the gender-specific game access inequalities that exist between male and non-male children. To do this, it proposes a conceptual workshop design named SpielRaum, which aims to offer teens of marginalized genders a safe space to access games. By curating games for free play and combining it with guided discussions and self-reflection exercises, the workshop hopes to facilitate game literacy in a play-centric way. This sets it apart from other game-related workshops for non-male teens, which are also examined. It is found that they tend to be development-centric. Leading up to the workshop design, the game access disparities are put into context. It is found that implicit and explicit exclusion of non-male people in the games domain leads to a vicious circle of non-participation and non-representation. This in turn contributes to the socialized perception of games as a male medium and disadvantages non-male players in the context of gaming. Further, game literacy is determined as an important game access condition and way of self-defense against marginalizing game content. This is why SpielRaum aims to raise non-male participants’ awareness for their own marginalization and show them that they can unapologetically claim gaming for themselves. / Detta arbete tittar på könsspecifika ojämlikheter vad gäller tillgång till videospel som finns mellan manliga och icke-manliga ungdomar. I undersökningen föreslås en konceptuell workshop som heter SpielRaum, som siktar på att ge tonåringar som tillhör marginaliserade könsgrupper en säker miljö för att därmed göra videospel mer tillgängliga. Genom att samla spel för fritt spelande och kombinera guidade diskussioner med självreflekterande övningar, hoppas workshopen kunna ge ökad kunskap om spel på ett spelfokuserat sätt. Detta gör att den skiljer sig från andra workshop-miljöer för icke-manliga tonåringar, vilket även behandlas i arbetet. Vad som upptäcktes var att de tenderar att varautvecklingsorienterade. Under arbetet med workshop-designen sattes skillnaderna runt speltillgänglighet i fokus: det fastställdes att implicit och explicit uteslutning av icke-manliga spelare leder till en ond cirkel av icke-deltagande och icke-representation. Detta bidrar sedan till den sociala uppfattningen att spel är ett medium för män och att icke-män är missgynnade vad gäller spel. Dessutom är kunskap om spel nödvändigt om man ska kunna delta i spel, och kan användas som ett sätt att försvara sig själv mot marginaliserande innehåll i spel. Detta är anledningen till att SpielRaum siktar på att öka icke-mäns medvetenhet för sin egen marginalisering och för att visa att de kan delta i spelvärlden utan att be om lov först.

Abstract Background: There has been minimal research conducted on the unique experiences of Black youth who transition out of the child welfare system, and as well as the factors that contribute to their success or failure to accessing housing. Purpose: The purpose of study is to explore the needs and experiences of Black youth using Critical Race theory, BlackCrit and Social Capital theory to better understand their experience accessing safe, affordable housing within the Greater Toronto Area after transitioning out of child welfare. Methods: Five Black youth were recruited using site sampling and snow-ball sampling to participate in an arts-based and narrative study. The data was then analyzed in a constant comparative method. Findings: The findings from this study suggest the following things: The emotional roller coaster of being in care, the importance of community and sense of family, youth voices in decision-making process, unpreparedness for independent living, the unawareness of housing options, youth definition of good housing, more resources are needed prior to departure of child welfare. Implications and Recommendations for Change: In light of the findings in this study, a number of recommendations are proposed for improving outcomes for Black youth leaving care and their access to housing. Below is a summary of recommendations: A. To focus on building and providing genuine relationships through a caring adult and permanency for Black youth in care B. Centralize and value the voices of Black youth in care throughout their post-care planning, policy development and research C. To address and respond to the unique experiences that Black youth with disabilities face within the housing market when preparing them for independence outside of the CWS D. To apply a Housing first Youth approach It is my hope that this information will be used to support policy changes and program development in child welfare and the rental housing market that can result in more successful outcomes for Black youth. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

Denna kandidatuppsats har målet att skapa förståelse och ge inblick till äldres behov relaterade till inkludering i användandet av nya teknologier. Tidigare forskning visade att vissa äldre inte är vana vid att använda nya teknologier eller inte har de medel som behövs för att inkluderas i det ‘digitala samhället’ och riskerar att hamna i digitalt utanförskap. BankID är ett exempel på en ny teknologi som används i det digitala samhället. Risken för att äldre blir exkluderade kan begränsa förmågan att komma i kontakt med svenska myndigheter och andra aktörer som allt oftare kräver identifiering med BankID för tillgång till viktiga tjänster. Därav är syftet med studien att utforska vilka faktorer i användningen av teknologi som utmanar äldre med målet att designa användarvänliga gränssnitt för denna population. Gränssnittet från Mobilt BankID används som ett exempel på ett sådant gränssnitt för denna studie. För detta ändamål utfördes individuella intervjuer och observationer ansikte-mot-ansikte med sex äldre. Den insamlade datan analyserades tematiskt och resulterade i fyra teman. Undersökningsresultaten diskuterades i relation till studiens syfte och forskningsfrågor och det teoretiska ramverket.Forskningsresultaten visade tre faktorer som påverkade äldres upplevelse när de använde teknologi, som blev utmanande: kunskapsbrist, osäkerhet och tillgänglighet. Resultaten insinuerar att äldre fann det påfrestande och svårt att lära in användningen av teknologi. De kände också osäkerhet kring att försöka när de stötte på svårigheter under användandet av teknologi. Mer förklarande, men simpel, och kontinuerlig information för att guida äldres användande genomgående genom systemet anses alltså vara avgörande komponenter i en gränssnittsdesign för äldre. Således bidrar utfallet av denna kandidatuppsats till teorin genom att ge en inblick in till upplevelserna och utmaningarna som äldre möter i användning av teknologi och genom att tillhandahålla designförslag för ett mer inkluderande digitalt samhälle. Det bidrar också praktiskt genom att ge en inblick i äldres behov i relation till användning av teknologi och, således, informera designers, utvecklare, teknologiföretag och andra engagerade intressenter om hur ett gränssnitt bättre kan designas för att bli mer användarvänligt för alla potentiella användare, inklusive äldre. / The bachelor’s thesis study aims to create understanding and give insight into the needs of elderly regarding their inclusion in the use of new technologies. Previous research showed that some elderly are not used to the usage of new technologies, or do not have the necessary means to be included in our ‘digital society’ with the risk of ending up in digital exclusion. BankID is an example of the new technologies used in our digital society. The risk of elderly being excluded can limit their ability to get in contact with the Swedish authorities and other actors that increasingly require identification through BankID for access to important services. Hence, the purpose of this research is to explore the factors that challenge the elderly to use technology with the aim of designing user-friendly interfaces for this population. The interface from Mobile BankID is used as an example of such an interface in the study. For this, data was collected through face-to-face individual interviews and observations with six elderly. The collected data was analyzed thematically to conclude four findings. The findings were discussed in the context of the research aim and research questions and the theoretical framework.The research findings showed three factors that affected the elderly’s experience when using technology, which caused them challenges: lack of knowledge, insecurity, and accessibility. The findings insinuate that the elderly find it laborious and difficult to learn how to use technology. They also feel insecure and hesitant in trying when they face difficulties in their usage of technology. More explanatory, but simple, and continuous information to guide the elderly’s usage throughout the system were found to be crucial components of an interface design for the elderly. Thus, the outcome of this bachelor’s thesis contributes theoretically by providing insight into the experiences and challenges faced by the elderly in their use of technology and by providing design suggestions for a more inclusive digital society. It also contributes practically by giving insight into the needs of the elderly concerning their usage of technology and, thus, informing designers, developers, technology companies and other interested stakeholders how to better design an interface that is user-friendly for all potential users, including elderly.

La présente étude vise à mieux comprendre les trajectoires de vie de travailleuses du sexe indépendantes en s’intéressant au processus d’initiation à l’industrie du sexe, aux variations des pratiques, ainsi qu’aux risques de victimisation et aux stratégies mises en place pour limiter ces risques. Pour ce faire, une méthodologie qualitative a été mobilisée où treize travailleuses du sexe indépendantes ont été amenées à élaborer sur leur trajectoire de vie, de leur enfance jusqu’au moment de l’entretien. Les résultats illustrent des points d’entrée variés et de multiples motivations à offrir des services sexuels rémunérés. Certaines ont commencé en tant que danseuse érotique ou en tant que masseuse érotique, alors que d’autres ont commencé directement en tant qu’escorte indépendante. Si les besoins financiers s’avèrent être un élément influençant leur entrée dans l’industrie du sexe, on remarque qu’il ne permet pas, à lui seul, de maintenir les travailleuses du sexe dans l’industrie. Il y a donc une évolution des motivations au cours de leur trajectoire. Enfin, les risques de victimisation encourus découlent directement de leur relation avec les clients, mais la manière de les filtrer semble limiter considérablement les actes de victimisation. En parallèle, ce mémoire illustre l’amplification de la vulnérabilité des travailleuses du sexe indépendantes en raison de la marginalisation et des mesures législatives qui entourent l’industrie du sexe. / This study aims to better understand the life trajectories of independent sex workers by focusing on the process of initiation into the sex industry, the variations in practices, as well as the risks of victimization and the strategies implemented. to limit these risks. To do so, a qualitative methodology was mobilized where thirteen independent sex workers were led to elaborate on their life trajectory, from their childhood until the moment of the interview. The results illustrate varied entry points and multiple motivations for offering paid sexual services. Some started as an erotic dancer or as an erotic masseuse, while others started directly as an independent escort If financial needs prove to be an element influencing their entry into the sex industry, we note that it does not, on its own, allow sex workers to remain in the industry. We therefore observe an evolution of motivations during their trajectory. Finally, the risks of victimization incurred stem directly from their relationship with the clients, but the way of filtering them seems to considerably limit the acts of victimization. In parallel, this thesis illustrates the amplification of the vulnerability of independent sex workers due to the marginalization and legislative measures surrounding the sex industry.

No description available.