The present study investigated the construct of characterising societies as being either individualistic or collectivist as topics of research in the field of cross cultural tolerance. Using scenarios to describe behaviours typically encountered in New Zealand society, participants from individualist and collectivist cultures were asked to rate behaviours as to how much they understood and accepted the actions described. The participants’ responses were also analysed using attitude measures to seek if similarity in attitudes was a more informative approach to determine why one individual does or does not accept certain behaviours. The study found that although there were general cultural differences between the two groups, individual attitudes went further in explaining possible reasons why acceptance and tolerance of other's behaviours may occur. The findings were then discussed in terms of how they were relevant to both biculturalism and multiculturalism in New Zealand.

Acculturation is a phenomenon which results when groups of individuals with different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact with each other, with subsequent changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups. What an individual does when he or she comes into contact with a second culture is assumed to have an effect on his or her sense of emotional well-being. It has been hypothesized that how one copes with that contact will affect such socio-emotional factors such as self-esteem, social adjustment and academic performance and mental health. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that the strategies an individual uses to cope with second culture contact will have an effect on that individual's academic or job performance, sense of social competence, and psychological well-being. From the available literature, various models are used in acculturation studies, namely the Unidimensional model, Bidimensional model and Interactive Acculturation Model. It is from the latter models that three groups of variables were addressed in this study: at the group level, acculturation context variables include characteristics of the society of settlement (work) and characteristics of the society of origin, at the individual level, acculturation conditions include characteristics or factors that act as moderators prior to acculturation and during acculturation and acculturation outcomes refers to the consequences of the frequent contact between people from different cultural backgrounds in terms of how well they function (do) and feel. The general objective of this research is to analyse the acculturation process and to determine the impact of acculturation context and individual variables on acculturation outcomes of members of the SAPS. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 153) was taken of members of the SAPS in the Pretora Arca. Instruments used in previous acculturation research were adapted to measure Mainstream Domain, Ethnocultural Domain, Individual variable and Socio Cultural Acculturation Outcomes. The results indicated that acculturation context and individual coping styles of members of the SAPS did impact on acculturation outcomes variables explaining 29% and 35% of the variance in physical and psychological (ill) health respectively and 26% and 33% of the variance in perceived (work success) effectiveness and efficiency at work and perceived status and recognition that you receive at work (for being successful) respectively. Although 14% and 13% of the variance in perceived commitment from the organisation to its employees and perceived commitment of the individual to its organisation, only one of the models used in the hierurchicul regressions were found to be statistically significant, with none of the predictors being statistically significant contributors. Limitation for the present study and recommendations for the organisation and future research are also provided. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This project analyses the acculturation process in a specific context, in order to predict the perceived work success and health (both psychological and physical) of mineworkers in a mine in the North-West Province.1 Success is evaluated in terms of meeting deadlines at work, reputation and respect at work, and training and development opportunities at work. Employees' success and health is considered from an acculturation perspective and thus viewed as a result of the acculturation process. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the affect of the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, which are translated into variables, on perceived work success and health (acculturation outcomes). A random convenience sample of participants from the mine under investigated was taken (n = 288 the majority of the participants are male, married, Black, and Afrikaans-speaking). English questionnaires using a cross-sectional survey design were administered to these participants. The questions were derived from adapted measuring scales and scales developed for the project, which follow a five-point Likert format ('strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'). Four categories of instruments were used: those examining the mainstream domain (multiculturalism, tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream, multicultural practices, relationships with host culture members at work), individual intervening factors (individual integration acculturation strategy and perceived self-efficacy), acculturation outcomes (health and work success), and the ethnocultural domain (ethnic integration demands, ethnic solidarity and social support, relationship with co-ethnics, and ethnic vitality at work). The data was captured in a spreadsheet, quality controlled, and statistically analysed using multivariate analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, and T-tests in SAS, SPSS, and AMOS (regression using structural equation modelling). Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were examined. Effect sizes were used to determine the practical significance of the findings. Perceived self-efficacy is a statistically significant predictor of work success in terms of meeting deadlines. Multicultural practices, ethnic integration demands at work, relationship with co-ethnics individual integration acculturation strategy, and perceived self-efficacy statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of reputation and respect at work. Multicultural practices and ethnic solidarity and social support are statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of training and development opportunities at work. Relationships with host culture members at work, ethnic solidarity and social support, ethnic vitality at work, and individual integration acculturation strategy are statistically significant predictors of psychological health. Multiculturalism, multicultural practices, and tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream are statistically significant predictors of physical health. This project concludes that success and health can be considered from an acculturation perspective and these acculturation outcomes can be predicted based on the acculturation context and individual intervening factors. / Thesis (M.Com. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The liberal tradition has borne great fruits since the dawn of the modern era by emphasizing the value of equality and personal liberty, and by developing a theory of rights. Despite its incredible success, many authors have been pointing to fissures in the liberal structure, including practical and theoretical problems with state neutrality, with the state’s stance vis-à-vis different cultures, and with liberalism’s purported radical individualism. It is my belief that the gains of liberalism can be reconciled within a new theory that better answers to such critiques. Citizenship Beyond Liberal Neutrality begins with an analysis of contemporary debate between liberalism and its critics. This leads to a discussion of the state’s relationship toward cultural identities, and to a discussion of the meaning of citizenship within a liberal-democratic state. What we need, I argue, is a civic identity that is both capable of judging cultural practices, and capacious enough for a citizenry characterized by reasonable pluralism. This common identity, moreover, provides a locus for attachment that is often found wanting in contemporary liberal theory. I draw on relevant insights from virtue theories, constitutional patriotism, and an ‘analogical’ understanding of public reason to inform a new, liberal-like conception of citizenship. In order to exemplify this conception, and to bolster the case for it, I consider how such a philosophy could play out with respect to two public policy areas that are central to citizenship, namely education and immigration. Distilled to its simplest, I argue for a theory of citizenship that admits a conception of the good, that can promote virtue while respecting autonomy, and that can provide a basis for civic unity.

This project analyses the acculturation process in a specific context, in order to predict the perceived work success and health (both psychological and physical) of mineworkers in a mine in the North-West Province.1 Success is evaluated in terms of meeting deadlines at work, reputation and respect at work, and training and development opportunities at work. Employees' success and health is considered from an acculturation perspective and thus viewed as a result of the acculturation process. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the affect of the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, which are translated into variables, on perceived work success and health (acculturation outcomes). A random convenience sample of participants from the mine under investigated was taken (n = 288 the majority of the participants are male, married, Black, and Afrikaans-speaking). English questionnaires using a cross-sectional survey design were administered to these participants. The questions were derived from adapted measuring scales and scales developed for the project, which follow a five-point Likert format ('strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'). Four categories of instruments were used: those examining the mainstream domain (multiculturalism, tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream, multicultural practices, relationships with host culture members at work), individual intervening factors (individual integration acculturation strategy and perceived self-efficacy), acculturation outcomes (health and work success), and the ethnocultural domain (ethnic integration demands, ethnic solidarity and social support, relationship with co-ethnics, and ethnic vitality at work). The data was captured in a spreadsheet, quality controlled, and statistically analysed using multivariate analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, and T-tests in SAS, SPSS, and AMOS (regression using structural equation modelling). Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were examined. Effect sizes were used to determine the practical significance of the findings. Perceived self-efficacy is a statistically significant predictor of work success in terms of meeting deadlines. Multicultural practices, ethnic integration demands at work, relationship with co-ethnics individual integration acculturation strategy, and perceived self-efficacy statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of reputation and respect at work. Multicultural practices and ethnic solidarity and social support are statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of training and development opportunities at work. Relationships with host culture members at work, ethnic solidarity and social support, ethnic vitality at work, and individual integration acculturation strategy are statistically significant predictors of psychological health. Multiculturalism, multicultural practices, and tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream are statistically significant predictors of physical health. This project concludes that success and health can be considered from an acculturation perspective and these acculturation outcomes can be predicted based on the acculturation context and individual intervening factors. / Thesis (M.Com. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The aim of my study is to see how teachers in the early primary school are working to teach all their pupils based on how different ethnicities, cultures and multilingual differences reflect on their work places – the classrooms. I've also contacted the county, were the schools are located in, so I could see what system they are using and how it affects the society. The Swedish society is influenced by different cultures, multilingualism and ethnicities the more time passes, which means that teachers all around need to integrate their pupils in the system so they can better adjust to how the Swedish school system works and be prepared for adult life. Teachers need to concentrate intensely on how they should guide the pupils in their specific class so they can reach their full learning potential and reach the knowledge criteria set by the Swedish school system. I contacted the board of education and to set up a meeting so we could discuss my project. During the meeting I asked the representative how they believe this matter should be handled. After the meeting with the board of education I’ve contacted several teachers in the area. Four teachers participated and contributed information for this study.   The result of my study is that the teachers I’ve been in contact with have pupils that often speak more than one language and the hardest job is to guide them to become viable society citizens in Sweden and still have their culture, language and ethnicities with them.

This M.A. thesis is a narrative inquiry into a westerner’s personal stories of teaching and living in Thailand. It narrates the experiences of becoming an ajarn (a teacher), but moreover an ajarn farang (a white teacher) in a Thai university. As International Education programs are largely supplemented with western-developed curricula and teachers, what are the implications for a western teacher when material and pedagogy fails in a new cultural situation? How can a teacher reconcile feelings of power (as a perceived education authority) and powerlessness (as a cultural foreigner)? This narrative inquiry explores the role of story to make meaning out of otherwise uncertain situations. The stories are about experiences deemed emblematic of tensions and ideas employed by multiculturalism, postcolonialism, phenomenology, and transformative education. These discussions aim to expose and exploit borders of experience that exist for reasons of culture, colonialism, location, and race. The transformative exercise of exploring spaces between borders recognizes that people are characters inside one another’s stories, which thereby expands boundaries of identity to anticipate and embrace moments of uncertainty that can inspire innovative pedagogy because of cultural difference, and not in spite of it.

My reading of the figure of Adele, a woman with dementia, in David Chariandy’s novel Soucouyant: A Novel of Forgetting (2007), brings Giorgio Agamben’s biopolitical concept of “bare life” together with the notion of the subject in diaspora to theorize a new mentality that I call “bare mind.” The notion of “bare mind” addresses how cognitive imperialism creates a biopolitical state of exception both under forms of sovereign power and within a liberal regime of multicultural governmentality, while acknowledging the ways in which dementia, portrayed as the ‘forgetting’ of dominant knowledge regimes, reveals resistance to cognitive imperialism. / Graduate / 0352 / rebekah.ludolph@gmail.com

After the change of their country’s political and international statuses, post-colonial and respectively post-communist individuals and collectives develop feelings of alienation and estrangement that do not involve physical dislocation. Eventually, they start imagining their national community as a collective of individuals who share this state. Paraphrasing Benedict Anderson’s definition of the nation as an “imagined community,” this study identifies this process as “imagined exile,” an act that temporarily compensates for the absence of a metanarrative of the nation during the post-colonial and post-communist transitions. This dissertation analyzes and compares ten English Canadian and Romanian plays, written between 1976 and 2004, and argues that they function as expressions and agents of post-colonial and respectively post-communist imagined exile, helping their readers and audiences overcome the identity crisis and regain the feeling of belonging to a national community. Chapter 1 explores the development of major theoretical concepts, such as nation, national identity, national identity crisis, post-colonialism, and post-communism. Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 analyze dramatic rewritings of historical events, in “1837: The Farmers’ Revolt” by the theatre Passe Muraille with Rick Salutin as dramaturge, and “A Cold” by Marin Sorescu, and of past political leaders, in “Sir John, Eh!” by Jim Garrard and “A Day from the Life of Nicolae Ceausescu” by Denis Dinulescu. Chapter 4 examines the expression of the individual and collective identity crises in “Sled” by Judith Thompson and “The Future Is Rubbish” by Vlad Zografi. Chapter 5 explores the treatment of physical and cultural borders and borderlands in Kelly Rebar’s “Bordertown Café”, Guillermo Verdecchia’s “Fronteras Americanas”, Petre Barbu’s “God Bless America”, and Saviana Stanescu’s “Waxing West”. The concluding chapter briefly discusses the concept of imagined exile in relation to other investigations of post-colonial and post-communist dramas and reviews some of the latest perspectives of national identity, reassessing this study from a diachronic perspective.

Will Kymlicka a formulé une théorie libérale du droit des minorités en arguant que l'on doit protéger les cultures minoritaires des influences extérieures, car, selon lui, ces cultures fournissent aux individus un contexte de choix significatif qui permet la prise de décision autonome. Il limite donc la portée de sa théorie aux minorités « culturelles », c'est-à-dire les minorités nationales et immigrantes, qui peuvent fournir ce contexte de choix significatif aux individus. Évidemment, les injustices vécues par ces deux types de minorités, aussi sévères soient-elles, n'épuisent pas les expériences d'injustices vécues par les membres de groupes minoritaires et minorisés (i.e. minorités sexuelles, femmes, Afro-Américains, etc.). On pourrait donc être tenté d'élargir la portée de la théorie du droit des minorités pour rendre compte de toutes les injustices vécues en tant que minorité. Toutefois, je défends la thèse selon laquelle cette extension est impossible dans le cadre d'une théorie libérale, car une de ses méthodes typiques, la « théorie idéale », limite la portée critique des thèses de Kymlicka et parce que l'autonomie individuelle a un caractère si fondamental pour les libéraux, qu'ils ne peuvent rendre compte du fait que certaines décisions individuelles autonomes peuvent contribuer à perpétuer des systèmes et des normes injustes. / Will Kymlicka defends a liberal theory of minority rights, arguing that we must protect minority cultures from outside influences, as these cultures provide individuals with a meaningful context of choice that allows autonomous decision-making. This defence of minority rights limits the scope of his theory by focusing on 'cultural' minorities, that is to say, national minorities and immigrants, which can provide individuals with this meaningful context of choice. Obviously, the injustices experienced by these two types of minorities, however severe they are, do not exhaust the injustices experienced by members of minority groups and minoritized groups (i.e. sexual minorities, women, African Americans, etc.). One might be tempted to expand the scope of the theory of minority rights to account for all the injustices experienced as a minority. However, I argue that this extension is not possible within a liberal theorical framework where 'ideal theory' limits the critical force of Kymlicka’s thesis and in which the centrality of individual autonomy prevents liberals to realize that certain individual decisions contribute to the perpetuation of unjust systems, values and norms.