This study explores how gay Christian men in the pentecostal/charismatic movement reinterpret their spirituality as a reaction to the discourse about homosexuality in this movement. The spiritual experience of gay men is contextualized within the particular emphasis on individual experience found in pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Practical theological research is conducted within a postmodern discourse set in context of a Participatory Action Research project. A narrative therapeutical approach served to identify harmful discourses and encourage the continuing deconstruction of such discourses. The extent to which power/knowledge relationships affect gay Christians' spiritual relationships became apparent. Conflict between the church's discourse about homosexuality and the gay Christian appears to start a process of deconstruction of fundamentalist pentecostal/charismatic hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. The research process facilitated a process of reconstruction of gay spirituality and created opportunities for spiritual and social growth. This research may inspire gay Christian voices in pentecostal/charismatic circles to become heard. / Practical Theology / M.Th.

The research on "The healing touch of Nature in the context of pastoral therapy" illustrated the role of Nature in bringing healing to individual people in an urban context in South Africa. The role Nature plays in connecting the participants with God and how this positively affects their daily lives, has been central in the research. Through their interaction with Nature, the participants lead richer, more meaningful lives and experience a greater sense of well-being. Nature stimulates and elicits response as the digital world is set against the calm energy and "warmth of the earth". Through connection with God in Nature, the participants translate the healing metaphor into more tangible "language" – the "beautifying effect" of Nature. It is not the words that captivate, but the thoughts which the words carry. Mostly the research tells the story of the experiential knowledge of living in the intimate presence of God and the healing power of God‘s presence. This narrative is about a kind of knowing that can only come through Nature. The research offers a way of seeing Nature that could influence pastoral care today. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))—University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This study has two purposes which are complementary: Firstly, an alternative prevention intervention was developed in order to introduce narrative group therapy as a therapeutical practice within preventative interventions in South Africa. Secondly, a training protocol was developed which can be used to train psychologists, counsellors, social workers, teachers and relevant persons to apply narrative group therapy as an alternative preventative intervention in their communities. In the context of this study, the personal stories of the adolescents who took part in this study reflect the problem stories of the Jamestown and Cloetesville community near Stellenbosch. After identifying 20 adolescents who experience problem stories with high-risk themes at two secondary schools in the respective communities, ten narrative group sessions were held, with social constructionism as philosophical approach. The training protocol was primarily of an experiential nature, consisting of 40 hours of training and 12 hours of supervision, with special focus on the personal stories of the four master’s degree psychology students who underwent training and facilitated the group therapy with the adolescents. For the purpose of this study qualitative research was done. During the development of the alternative preventative intervention, a qualitative description was given of the content of the personal stories of the adolescents within the interactional space of narrative group therapy and personal stories. The focus during this qualitative description was the following: • to establish whether the therapeutic process facilitated change, • to develop a new understanding of the therapeutic process by specifically focusing on applying narrative therapy in a group, and • to train and empower narrative-group-therapy facilitators to facilitate the narrative- group-therapy process. In this study two narrative-analytical research methods were used. Firstly, a qualitative narrative-analysis method was used to evaluate the psychotherapeutical transcripts. A part of these sessions was dedicated to this purpose and is presented in transcribed format. Secondly, the content-analysis method was applied: session data was examined, categories of the adolescents’ and students’ narratives were defined and thematic statements were extracted from the text, classified and sorted into categories or groups. This study provides supportive evidence that narrative group therapy as an alternative preventative intervention can be introduced as a therapeutic practice in South Africa. In addition, an effective training protocol was developed which can be used to train psychologists, counsellors, social workers, teachers and other relevant individuals to use narrative group therapy as an alternative preventative intervention in their communities.

Uppsatsen tar sig – med utgångspunkt i en analys av spelet Tomb Raider (2013) – an frågan om hur karakterisering genomförs inom interaktiva dataspel. Wahlsten väljer att använda sig dels av Sonja K Foss metod för narrativ analys, dels av Ian Bogosts procedurala retorik för att visa hur karaktären Lara Croft konstrueras under loppet av spelet. Dessa två metoder används för att kartlägga verktygen med vilka spelets narrativ presenteras, såväl de interaktiva som de icke-interaktiva. Uppsatsen visar tydligt och med många exempel att det finns en spänning mellan narrativets krav och spelarens intressen som ifrågasätter idén om att interaktiva spel i första hand påverkar genom immersion - tvärt om är spelen uppbyggda på så sätt att spelaren förutsätts dels identifiera sig med huvudkaraktären, dels ta avstånd från och använda denna som ’en virtuell leksak’ under loppet av spelet. Därmed pekar också Wahlsten ut ett tämligen okänt men mycket intressant forskningsområde för retorikvetenskapen. Wahlsten är medveten om att hans val av studieobjekt inte är självklart inom retoriken, men argumenterar väl för behovet av att studier av spel/Virtual Reality är och i synnerhet i framtiden bör vara, ett centralt område inom retorikforskningen / The essay asks the question how characterization in video games is accomplished, with the subject of analysis being the video game Tomb Raider (2013). Wahlsten chooses to use the methodology of Sonja K Foss for the narrative analysis, in addition to Procedural Rhetoric coined by Ian Bogost. These two methodologies are used to map out the tools used to construct the narrative of the game, which includes interactive one as well as non-interactive ones.   The essay clearly shows that there is a definite tension between the demands of the narrative on the player that puts into question the idea of interactive games mainly influencing through immersion. On the contrary, the game is constructed in such a way that the player is expected to identify with the playable character, while also motivating the player to distance itself from the character and use it as a sort of “virtual plaything”. Wahlsten thus highlights a fairly obscure but also highly interesting field of study within the Rhetorical sciences. Wahlsten is aware the object of study is not an obvious one within the field Rhetoric, but argues for the need of studies of games and Virtual Reality, and the importance of them for Rhetorical sciences in the future.

Master thesis "Discursive approach to natural science in Czech media in 2013" is focused on natural science and its presentation in Czech media in 2013. Main objectives of this master thesis are an interpretation of media picture of natural science and presentation of current communication trends which are typical for this topic. Moreover the master thesis is written for purpose to interpret the main discourse of natural science, narrative frames and structures which are used by media. Another part of the study aims to determine an existence of metanarrative of natural science, the big story of natural science. The master thesis is based on complex approach to analyzed theme - natural science. For purpose to achieve the objectives this master thesis analyses natural science from perspective of quantitative and qualitative research. First of all is made a pilot study and second of all quantitative content analysis. The topic is analyzed from perspective of discourse analysis and narrative analysis in qualitative part. Finally, there are presented some recommendations, how to improve science communication. Recommendations are proposed on a base of research results. This master thesis provides a complex research study, which enables me to interpret a media picture of natural science in Czech Republic...

Films and series with criminal themes are very popular among audience. They also have quite a long tradition in the Czech (Czechoslovak) cinematography. Specifically in the 60's a lot of quality films with detective plots were made and they are appreciated among the audience until today. They are also repeated in television frequently. These films demonstrate both crime and further investigation, focused on the police activity. This representation is frequently portrayed as a reality and the audience tend to view it as such. Therefore, it is interesting to observe if this representation corresponds to real forensic practice. This diploma thesis deals with the given matter. It analyses five Czechoslovak crime films from the 60's and its goal is to determine if the forensic methods correspond to then reality. It also focuses on the figure of the investigator as the representative of the law and as the main character. The first part of the thesis is comprised of the theoretical background. It describes the principles of film narrathology and mainly the principles of forensic methodology and practice. The second part of the thesis is practical. The theoretical background is applied here to analyse each of the chosen films. The summary responds to the research question and summarizes results of the analysis.

The aim of this paper is to deepen the understanding of the school debate in Sweden by focusing on one of the key topics of the debate, namely the allegedly threatened equality and equity of the education system. This debate circles around two aspects: (1) The quality of the education is to be the same at all schools, independent of geographical location or provider. (2) A fair grading process of the pupil’s achievements that follows the rule of law.The source material for the study consists of the web-based magazine Skolvärlden which is run by the teacher union Lärarnas Riksförbund. The magazine was chosen as the teacher union has developed a political program to tackle the equality and equity problems in the Swedish school. The research questions for the empirical examination are the following: (1) How is the debate about equality and equity in education described and constructed during 2018 in Skolvärlden? (2) What needs are to be fulfilled and what solutions are proposed by Skolvärlden to ensure an increase of the equity and equality in the Swedish school?The questions are inspired by framing theory which is used as a theoretical framework to explain the correlation between the answers to each question. To achieve this, the study uses a content analysis combined with a narrative analysis. Based on the analysis, the study answers a third question: (3) In which manners can the debate about equity and equality in Skolvärlden be an expression of ideas about justice, the governing of the school system and the school’s role in society? To reveal ideas about justice, John Rawls’ A theory of justice is applied to the public debate about equity and equality in education and the Swedish curriculum to create a theoretical framework.The study shows that the debate is constructed and described in a way that the political program proposed by Lärarnas Riksförbund appears as a perfect solution. The shaped narrative consists of decisionmakers who remain passive while teachers decry conditions for teaching and demand better terms to provide every pupil with quality education. While arguments about the situation for teachers appear, the emphasis lays on the consequences for the pupils. It is them, the articles claim, who are affected by the dreadful working conditions and lousy leadership. The proposed solution is a reformed school system which is governed and financed by the state instead of the current decentralized model.

Syftet med denna uppsats var att utveckla kunskap om integrationsproblematiken för nyanlända ungdomar på språkintroduktion i Sverige. Kvalitativa intervjuer med en narrativ utgångspunkt användes som metod för datainsamling, där fem stycken nyanlända elever på språkintroduktion intervjuades. Det centrala teoretiska begreppet vilken tillämpades som analysverktyg i denna studie, har av oss tolkats utifrån Riessman, Johansson och Ricoeurs teorier om narrativ identitet. Studien utgick ifrån frågeställningar om hur eleverna framställer språkintroduktion, språk och gemenskap, samt hur deras identiteter framträder i deras narrativ. Följande frågeställningar låg därmed till grund för uppsatsen: hur framställs elevernas relation till språkintroduktion i deras berättelser, hur framträder elevernas identiteter i berättelserna, samt vilken funktion har språk och gemenskap i elevernas berättelser? Det övergripande narrativet präglades av elevernas förväntningar, besvikelser, ambivalens och slutligen lösningar. Resultatet visade att elevernas modersmål huvudsakligen framställdes i negativa termer, då ett användande av modersmålet framför det svenska språket hämmar språkfärdigheter i svenska och skapar svårigheter att integreras i den sociala gemenskapen i samhället. Oavsett grad av social gemenskap, framkom det i denna studie att elevernas identitet som invandrare blir bestående även efter språkintroduktion. Slutligen synliggjordes en ambivalent inställning kring hur eleverna framställer språk, skola och gemenskap, vilket illustrerade fenomenens mångsidiga inverkan på elevernas tillvaro. / The purpose of this essay was to develop knowledge about integration problems for newly arrived adolescents in a language introduction program in Sweden. Qualitative interviews with a focus on narrative aspects was used as a method for data collection. Five newly arrived pupils at language introduction program were interviewed. The central theoretical concept, which has been used as a tool for analysing in this study, has been understood through theories surrounding narrative identity by Riessman, Johansson and Ricoeur. This study was based on questions regarding how students present language introduction program, language and community, and how their identities appear in their narratives. Therefore, the following questions made the foundation of this essay; how is the students’ relation to language introduction program presented in their narratives, hur does the students’ identities appear in their narratives, and what function does language and community have in their narratives? The overarching narrative was characterized by the students’ expectations, disappointments, ambivalence, and finally, solutions. The results of this study showed that the students’ mother tongue was mainly presented in negative terms. Using the mother tongue, rather than the swedish language, inhibits language skills in swedish, and thus create difficulties concerning the integration into the social community. Regardless of the level of social inclusion, this study showed that the students’ identity as immigrants remain permanent even after language introduction. Finally, an ambivalent attitude was highlighted regarding how the students describe language, school and community. This illustrates the diverse effects of the phenomena on the students’ situation.

[pt] Os bezerros de Arão e Jeroboão: Uma verificação da relação intertextual entre Ex 32,1-6 e 1 Rs 12,26-33 tem por objetivo tanto verificar a existência das várias relações intertextuais entre as passagens de Ex 32,1-6 e 1 Rs 12,26-33 quanto apresentar e demonstrar como se manifesta essa intertextualidade. Esta tese faz uso do método sincrônico da análise narrativa. A necessidade de trabalhar com o método sincrônico da análise narrativa existe porque a verificação, a apresentação e a demonstração das relações intertextuais precisam considerar o texto na sua forma final. Este trabalho visar contribuir para o estudo das relações intertextuais aplicadas aos textos bíblicos tanto propondo uma clara conceituação de intertextualidade quanto apresentando os critérios de classificação de suas manifestações, bem como deseja verificar que existem relações intertextuais específicas entre Ex 32,1-6 e 1 Rs 12,26-33 e ampliar o horizonte dessas relações intertextuais a todos os versos dos textos de Ex 32,1-6 e 1 Rs 12,26-33. / [en] Aaron s and Jeroboam s Calves: An Intertextuality Verification Analyzing Exodus 32,1-6 and I Kings 12,26-33 has the purpose not only to verify the existence of a broad intertextuality relations between Exodus 32,1-6 and I Kings 12,26-33 but also to present and demonstrate how this intertextuality relation occurs. This thesis is based using the synchronic method of narrative analysis. The reason to use narrative analysis is because the verification in how the text is presented and demonstrated has to consider the text itself in its final form. This work is focused to shad light in the study of intertextuality relations to or deriving meaning applied to the biblical texts not only proposing a clear concept and thesis but also to present the criteria of classification and manifestation as well. Verifying that there are interrelationships in both texts between Exodus 32,1-6 and I Kings 12,26-33 and to broaden the perspective in these intertextuality to every single verses in Exodus 32,1-6 and I Kings 12,26-33. / [it] I vitelli di Aronne e Geroboamo: Una verifica del rapporto intertestuale tra Es 32, 1-6 e 1 Re 12,26-33 ha come oggetto tanto verificare l esistenza dei vari rapporti intertestuali tra i passaggi di Es 32,1-6 e 1 Re 12,26-33 quanto presentare e dimostrare come si manisfesta questa intertestualità. Questa tesi usa il metodo sincronico dell analise narrativa. La necessità di lavorare con il metodo sincronico dell analise esiste perché la verifica, la presentazione e la dimostrazione dei rapporti intertestuali hanno bisogno di considerare il testo nella sua forma finale. Questo lavoro si rivolge a contribuire con lo studio dei rapporti intertestuali applicati ai testi biblichi tanto al proporre un chiaro concetto di intertestualità quanto al presentare i criteri di classificazione delle sue manifestazioni cosí come desidera verificare che ci sono rapporti intertestuali specifichi tra Es 32, 1-6 e Re 12,26-33 e ampliare l orizzonte di questi rapporti intertestuali a tutti i versi dei testi di Es 32,1-6 e 1 Re 12,26-33.

This study highlights the stereotypical depictions of journalists in film using a narrative analysis of four major Hollywood productions, starting with All the President’s Men from 1976 through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo from 2011. Its purpose is to highlight traits given to journalists in the movies and re-occuring themes in the portrayal of the media and the journalistic occupation. Differences and commonalities between the films are concluded in a discussion of ethics, personalities and the media’s self image. The paper can be seen as a contribution to the paradigm in which journalism in the movies is perceived at the moment. It offers a wide explanation to how the image of the journalist is conveyed to the public, an image that differs from how real life journalists go about in daily work life. This is essential, since most people never get to experience journalistic work in reality – but solely from popular culture – which distorts the perception of the media as the fourth estate.