Café magazine is a Swedish men’s lifestyle magazine aimed at men between the ages of 18 and 35. The magazine writes about what men should wear, what they should drink, which new gadgets they should buy and a lot more. They aim to teach men about how to live their lives. This study focuses on how the magazine writes about men, and how they portray masculinities. The questions this study has tried to answer are -How are the men portrayed in the lifestyle magazine Café? And - Which images of masculinities are being distributed to the readers?   What we found was that the normative images of masculinities are being distributed to the readers, but also that the magazine was trying to break the existing normative by talking about deeper feelings and therapy with the men being interviewed for the magazine. It seems the magazine are trying to keep up with the fast-changing world but not quite being able to keep up. According to Giddens and Sutton (2014) it would be helpful for the readers of magazines to be exposed to normative breaking material. That way they could start breaking normatives as well as the magazine.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the narratives of five formerly enslaved men and women in order to understand how they used this literary form to insert their voices into the anti-slavery discourse. These slave narratives were important for the advancement of the anti-slavery movement, both because they provided glimpse into the realities of the system of slavery from individuals who experienced it, and because these texts questioned the very ideologies they were meant to uphold by highlighting their inherent racial prejudices. Ultimately, the slave narrative allowed these formerly enslaved authors to demonstrate their autonomy through the act of authorship.

The topic chain is an important concept used in narratives. However, its content is not very clear. This thesis mainly investigates a kind of topic chain in which the topic is introduced by Locative-Verb-Noun Phrase (LVNP) sentences. LVNP sentences have a locative phrase as the surface subject, followed by the main verb with the suffix zhe (the duration marker, DUR) or le (the perfect tense marker, PRT), and then the subject or the object. Following structural analysis and by surveying actual data--a novel, we examined and based on the distributions of ZA, PA, and NA which occur in topic chains to generalize three basic patterns and one derived pattern to explain their inner structures. The findings show that topic chains can be categorized according to the patterns they show. Besides, different types of topic chains show different inner structures. By describing the inner structures, the topic chain is not just a concept at all and we learn its actual content more clearly.

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Background and aims: The experiences of primary caregivers of adults with learning disabilities who have committed an offence is a largely neglected area within current literature. However, primary caregivers have an integral role in the provision of care of adults with learning disabilities and this has implications for service provision and rehabilitation. Our understanding of both learning disability and offending behaviour is affected by societal, cultural and political narratives and these have impact on a primary caregivers meaning making. Having identified a gap in our current understanding, this study aims to develop an understanding as to the storied experience of primary caregivers in order to inform clinical practise and raise awareness of the challenges faced. Methodology: A qualitative approach was selected for this research. A purposive sample of five primary caregivers (three females and two males) was recruited through two NHS services and one community based contact. Field interviews were conducted with each participant, audio-recorded and transcribed. Narrative analysis was used to analyse the transcripts, focusing upon the content of information shared, the way in which the narratives were performed and the contextual factors which may influence story co-construction. Analysis and findings: The narratives shared by participants are presented on a group level. Results are divided into two areas. Firstly the primary caregivers stories are presented chronologically in order to orientate the reader to the context in which primary caregivers were operating. The stories refer to ‘life before the offence’, ‘the offence’, ‘life since the offence’ and ‘future stories’. Secondly attention is given to the underlying emotional content of the storied experience, with four predominant emotions identified; Frustration, Anger, Grief and Fear. This gives an emotional underpinning through which we can interpret the emerging plots and subplots, with consideration of the similarities and differences within these. Four plots were identified: ‘Understanding’, ‘Proximity to offspring’, ‘Relationship with self and others’ and ‘Commitment to care giving role’. These narratives highlight both the temporal nature of the caregiving role and how it may be affected by service responses to the individual with learning disabilities and their families. The findings are considered in regards to their clinical relevance and implications for service provision. The strengths and limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are presented along with personal reflections.

An evil spiritual being, often called the devil, is an antagonist in several religious traditions. The religious ideology among enslaved Africans in America allowed for the devil to play an important, and sometimes ambiguous, role in their lives. Through the examination of conversion narratives, this research intends to argue that their conversion experiences are heavily impacted by and mirrored the reality of slavery. Therefore, the enslaved people’s accounts of the devil are influenced by the power and honor attributed to the institution of slavery. The data from gathered from the narratives will be interpreted through a poststructuralist lens of power and honor. Poststructuralist theories of power and honor will reveal the significance of the devil in conversion narratives and unearth an African American understanding of the devil that is created and sustained by the systems of power and honor in American slavery.

Esta pesquisa, vinculada à concessão da bolsa CNPq e intitulada \"Modelos e Explicações: a apropriação de entidades científicas e o uso que os alunos fazem delas\", assume a importância dos modelos tanto na ciência quanto no ensino, destaca que a produção de explicações se dá por meio dos modelos e propõe investigar a relação entre a construção de modelos na ciência e no ensino de ciências por meio das entidades. Enquanto representações eficazes do mundo físico, os modelos científicos precisam passar pela transposição didática para constituírem-se como objetos de ensino. Deste modo este trabalho tem também como objetivo compreender quais aspectos da construção de modelos na ciência pode/deve ser transposto para o contexto escolar. Avançaremos em relação à ideia de que uma adequada definição de modelo, tanto na ciência quanto em seu ensino, se relaciona com a necessidade de explicar e permite uma descrição satisfatória dos procedimentos empregados por pessoas em busca de uma explicação de um sistema físico. Assim, a esta pesquisa, são adicionadas duas questões importantes à investigação: como os alunos usam os modelos da ciência para a produção de explicações e como as entidades presentes no mundo cotidiano e no mundo da ciência participam da construção dessas explicações? Esta investigação encontra apoio no filósofo Mario Bunge (1974; 1985) e justifica discussão sobre modelos e modelagem em sua perspectiva pelo fato dele considerar que o papel fundamental da ciência é a construção de modelos e seu principal objetivo é produzir explicações para os fatos reais. O processo de construção de modelos e explicações pressupõe que as explicações produzidas pela ciência pertençam a um cenário pré-definido, no qual cada entidade desempenhe papéis que atendam as expectativas e exigências delimitadas pelo contexto. Sendo assim, continua por procurar uma aproximação entre a ideia de entidades e de objetos-modelo definido por Bunge. Para isso, são apresentadas duas estratégias metodológicas que se concentram em elaborar, implementar e analisar atividades de ensino-aprendizagem sobre duas entidades físicas escolhidas: carga e campo. / This research, linked to the granting of the CNPQ scholarship and entitled \"Models and explanations: the appropriation of scientific entities and students\' use of it\", assumes the importance of models in both science and education, highlights that the production of explanations is given by models and proposes to investigate the relationship between the construction of models in science and science education through entities. While effective representations of the physical world, the scientific models need to pass the didactics transposition in order to constitute itselves as teaching objects. Thereby this research has also as a target to comprehend which aspects of models\' construction in science may/must be transposed to the educational context. We will proceed the idea that a suitable model definition, both in science as in its teaching, is related with the need to explain and permits a satisfactory description of the procedures applied by people searching an explanation of a physical system. Therefore, to this research, we add two important questions to the investigation: how do students use the models of science in producing explanations and how do the entities present in the everyday world and in the world of science participate in the construction of these explanations? This investigation is supported by the philosopher Mario Bunge (1974; 1985) and justifies the discussion of models and modeling in his perspective by the fact that he considers that the fundamental role of science is the construction of models and its main objective is to produce explanations to real facts. The process of construction of models and explanations presuppose that explanations produced by science belong to a predefined scenario, in which each entity perform roles that attend the expectation and the demands delimited by its context. Therefore, it continues to look for an approximation between the idea of entities and model-objects defined by Bunge. To do so, we present two methodological strategies that concentrates in elaborate, implement and analyze activities of teaching-learning about two Physical entities chosen: charge and field.

I have chosen to begin with an analysis of Megillat/Book of Esther because of its chronological placement as well as its status in Jewish tradition as the prototype of diasporic auto/biography. Briefly, it relates the story of a covertly Jewish queen who makes the decision to risk her life in order to save her people from genocide. (Professor Patricia K. Tull takes credit for the expression, the “Esther moment” to describe Esther’s choice to commit to her life-changing Jewish self-identification, with all its inherent risks.) Determination and recognition of the danger she faces are reflected in Esther’s comment, “If I perish, I perish.” Postcolonial theory is a prism through which to view the ancient story and ultimately relate its elements, particularly “the Esther moment,” to the diasporic auto/biographical narratives included in the dissertation. Robin Cohen’s explanation of the concept of victim diaspora will be contrasted with the Kabbalistic interpretation of diaspora as the divinely orchestrated means to mend the world. The teachings of the Ari, 16th century Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria, as well as 20th and 21st century essays illuminate the discussion of the mystical myths and legends which offer a positive interpretation to several millennia of Jewish exile. A general overview of the genre of autobiography/life narrative includes 20th and 21st century theorists, i.e., Philippe Lejeune, Sidonie Smith, Julia Watson and others, who address specific issues related to modern technology’s role in creating life narratives. The journey extends from parchment scrolls through printing press book production to filmic representations. Though thousands of years separate Book of/Megillat Esther from the interviews, they are unified by significant commonalities. The dissertation will focus on some facsimile of an “Esther moment,” where a Jewish calling spoke to participants and altered the course of their lives. Accessible for viewing online, each narrative is informed by a review of the family’s earlier diasporic journey. Diasporic synergies for each narrative will demonstrate a confirmation of the hypothesis. Connecting to one’s Jewish roots can be viewed as reparation of a rupture, a cultural diasporic journey to reach, if not the physical point of origin, a spiritual homecoming. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A propagação da infecção pelo HIV vem sofrendo diversas modificações em seu perfil, sinalizando um processo de feminizacão da infecção, desnudando a condição da vulnerabilidade feminina frente ao HIV. A mulher em idade reprodutiva e infectada pelo HIV é confrontada, muitas vezes, com algumas situações difíceis e que a fragiliza. Assim, a maternidade que em nossa cultura parece ser um papel social esperado e valorizado pode se tornar ameaçada pela condição sorológica. Além disso, a infecção pelo HIV é algo que pode modificar toda a concepção de si mesma, já que a pessoa, sua identidade, é essencialmente definida pela forma como as coisas têm significado para ela e, neste sentido, o HIV pode dar um novo sentido a identidade. Este estudo busca conhecer como é o adoecimento pelo HIV nas narrativas de mulheres que são mães. Elas foram convidadas a narrar sobre suas vidas, em especial, sobre a condição de serem mães e infectadas pelo HIV. O estudo é de natureza qualitativa, realizado em um hospital escola do interior do estado de São Paulo com quinze mulheres mães que foram infectadas pelo HIV, no qual foram analisadas apenas dez entrevistas. A técnica utilizada para coleta de dados foi a entrevista narrativa e a análise foi feita com base nos estudos de Schütze (1977, 1983). Dentre os passos propostos por Schütze (1977, 1983), está a análise temática, na qual há categorias para cada entrevista narrativa, ordenadas em um sistema coerente de categorização geral para todas as entrevistas. Já na análise estruturalista, focalizam-se os elementos formais das narrativas. A análise opera via um sistema de combinações que inclui duas dimensões: uma é formada pelo repertório de possíveis histórias, do qual qualquer história acontecida é uma seleção, e a outra se refere às combinações particulares dos elementos da narrativa. No presente trabalho, utilizou-se a identificação dos elementos estruturais das narrativas e as categorias relativas à redução do conteúdo do trecho da narrativa transcrita. (adaptado de MISHLER, 1986; WELLER, 2007; GERMANO; SERPA, 2008). As entrevistas foram transcritas e delas foram extraídos os elementos que compunham uma história com começo, meio e fim, buscando compreender o sentido que cada participante atribuía a sua história enquanto mães e infectadas pelo HIV. Notou-se que a maternidade, tema principal de suas histórias, trouxe um novo significado para suas vidas e repercussões para suas identidades. Os relatos são permeados por momentos de tristeza, dificuldades e alegrias. Os resultados revelam esta ambivalência de sentimentos, mas também um movimento positivo com a vida, principalmente no que se refere aos cuidados com os filhos. A oportunidade de elaborar esses sentimentos, na narrativa, pode auxiliar a mulher a fazer uma reorganização da própria vida e oferecer sinalizações aos profissionais do tipo de atendimento que ela precisa receber / The spread of HIV infection has been suffering several modifications in its profile, signaling a process to feminize of the infection, denuding the condition of female vulnerability to HIV. Women with reproductive age and infected with HIV is confronted, often with some difficult situations and that weakens. So, motherhood that in our culture seems to be an expected and valued social role may become threatened by serological condition. In addition, the HIV infection is something that can change the whole design of herself, since the person, her identity it is essentially defined by how things have meaning to her and, in this sense, the HIV can give a new sense of identity. This study seeks to know how the HIV illness in narratives of women who are mothers is. They were invited to tell about their lives, specially, on the condition to be mothers and infected by the HIV. The study is qualitative in nature, carried out in a teaching hospital in the interior of São Paulo state with fifteen women mothers infected by HIV, in which only ten interviews were analyzed. The technique used for collecting data was the narrative interview and analysis was made on the basis of studies of Schütze (1977, 1983). Among the steps proposed by Schütze (1977, 1983), is a thematic analysis, in which there are categories for each narrative interview, ordered in a coherent general categorization system for all interviews. In the structuralist analysis, it was focused the formal elements of narrative. The analysis operates via a system of combinations that includes two dimensions: one in formed by the repertoire of possible stories, from which any story happened is a selection, and the other refers to the particular combinations of the elements of the narrative. In this study, we used the identification of structural elements of narratives and categories concerning the reaction of the content of the narrative excerpt transcribed. (adapted from MISHLER, 1986; WELLER, 2007; GERMANO; SERPA, 2008). The interviews were transcribed and were extracted the elements that made up a story with beginning, middle and end, seeking to understand the meaning that each participant attached to their story while mothers and infected with HIV. It was noticed that motherhood, the main theme of their stories, brought a new meaning to their lives and repercussions to their identities. The reports are permeated by moments of sadness, difficulties and joys. The result reveals this ambivalence of feelings, but also a positive movement to life, especially with regard to child care. The opportunity to develop these feelings, in the narrative, can help the woman doing a reorganization of life itself and provide signs to the professional of the service type that she needs to receive

Cette thèse vise à fournir aux entrepreneurs une meilleure compréhension de la façon d'améliorer leur performance lors de la collecte de fonds auprès d’investisseurs. Les entrepreneurs ont des difficultés notoires à accéder aux ressources financières et au capital parce qu'ils souffrent d'un aléa de la nouveauté. Cette condition inhérente est due à leur manque de légitimité dans leur marché cible et conduit les investisseurs à les considérer comme intrinsèquement risqués. Les moyens de financement des entrepreneurs ont traditionnellement été l'épargne personnelle, la famille et les amis, les banques ou les investisseurs professionnels. Le financement participatif est apparu comme une alternative à ceux-ci et les chercheurs dans le domaine de la gestion et de l'entrepreneuriat ont pris un grand intérêt à comprendre ses facettes multiples. La majorité de la recherche sur le financement participatif s’est concentrée sur des éléments quantifiables que les investisseurs utilisent pour déterminer la qualité de la startup. Plus la qualité perçue est élevée, plus les investisseurs ont des chances d'investir. Cependant, en complément de ces éléments de qualité, et non abordés par la recherche jusqu’à présent, sont les éléments qualitatifs qui permettent aux projets d’être plus clairs aux yeux des bailleurs de fonds potentiels tout en transmettant des informations en accord avec les attentes de ces mêmes investisseurs. Cette thèse vise à explorer les stratégies que les entrepreneurs peuvent utiliser pour augmenter leur performance dans le financement participatif en comprenant comment les investisseurs donnent du sens aux projets et comment ils les évaluent étant donné la nature de la plateforme utilisée par l'entrepreneur. Cette thèse contribue aux littératures du crowdfunding, de la catégorisation et des plateformes. La thèse explore d'abord comment les entrepreneurs peuvent utiliser les catégories et les stratégies narratives comme des leviers stratégiques pour améliorer leur performance en abaissant le niveau d'ambiguïté de leur offre tout en alignant leurs stratégies narratives aux attentes de la plateforme qu'ils utilisent. Deuxièmement, cette dissertation empreinte un chemin relativement inexploré en fournissant une critique de la relation qui existe entre l’utilisation de plusieurs catégories, l'ambiguïté et la créativité. De plus, la théorie de la catégorisation est enrichie par une analyse approfondie de l'importance des réseaux sémantiques et des images dans le processus de création de sens (« sense
making ») en utilisant une approche empirique nouvelle. Les images sont d'un intérêt particulier étant donné qu'elles ont leur importance à l’origine de la théorie de la catégorisation. Elles sont également traitées par des moyens cognitifs différents de ceux des mots et sont d'une importance vitale dans le monde d'aujourd'hui. Enfin, cette thèse explore la relation entre les plateformes et les récits en théorisant que les premiers sont des types particuliers d'organisations dont l'identité est forgée par leurs parties prenantes internes et externes. L’identité d’une plateforme est vulnérable aux changements tels que les chocs exogènes. Les entrepreneurs doivent apprendre à identifier ces identités ainsi que les changements potentiels afin d'adapter leurs stratégies narratives dans l’espoir d’augmenter leur performance. / This dissertation aims to provide entrepreneurs with a better understanding of how to improve their performance when raising funds from investors. Entrepreneurs have difficulty accessing financial resources and capital because they suffer from a liability of newness. This inherent condition is due to their lack of legitimacy in their target market and leads investors to see them as inherently risky. The traditional means of financing new venture ideas have been through personal savings, family and friends, banks, or professional investors. Crowdfunding has emerged as an alternative to these and scholars in the field of management and entrepreneurship have taken great interest in understanding its multiple facets. Most research in crowdfunding has focused on quantifiable elements that investors use in order to determine the quality of an entrepreneur’s venture. The higher the perceived quality, the higher the likelihood investors have of investing in it. However, orthogonal to these elements of quality, and not addressed in current research, are those qualitative elements that allow projects to become clearer in the eyes of potential funders and transmit valuable information about the venture in a coherent fashion regarding the medium they are raising funds from. This dissertation aims to explore strategies entrepreneurs can use to increase their performance in crowdfunding by understanding how investors make sense of projects and how they evaluate them given the nature of the platform used by the entrepreneur. This thesis contributes to the literature on crowdfunding, categorization, and platforms. The thesis first explores how entrepreneurs can use categories and narrative strategies as strategic levers to improve their performance by lowering the level of ambiguity of their offer while aligning their narrative strategies to the expectations of the platform they use. On a second level, the dissertation provides a deeper understanding of the relation that exists between category spanning, ambiguity, and creativity by addressing this relatively unexplored path. Categorization theory is further enriched through a closer examination of the importance of semantic networks and visuals in the sense making process by using a novel empirical approach. Visuals are of particular interest given they were of seminal importance at the foundation of categorization theory, are processed by different cognitive means than words, and are of vital importance in today’s world. Finally, the dissertation explores the relation between platforms and narratives by theorizing that the former are particular types of organizations whose identity is forged by their internal and external stakeholders. Platform identities are vulnerable to change such as exogenous shocks. Entrepreneurs need to learn how to identify these identities and potential changes in order to tailor their narrative strategies in the hopes of increasing their performance.