This thesis argues that the corpus of Old Norse-Icelandic literature which pertains to Iceland contains an intertextual narrative of the formation of Icelandic identity. An analysis of this narrative provides an opportunity to examine the relationship between literature and identity, as well as the potency of the artistic use of the idea of the past. The thesis identifies three salient narratives of communal action which inform the development of a discrete Icelandic identity, and which are examined in turn in the first three chapters of the thesis. The first is the landnám, the process of settlement itself; the second, the origin and evolution of the law; and the third, the assimilation and adaptation of Christianity. Although the roots of these narratives are doubtless historical, the thesis argues that their primary roles in the literature are as social myths, narratives whose literal truth- value is immaterial, but whose cultural symbolism is of overriding importance. The fourth chapter examines the depiction of the Icelander abroad, and uses the idiom of the relationship between þáttr (‘tale’) and surrounding text in the compilation of sagas of Norwegian kings Morkinskinna to consider the wider implications of the relationship between Icelandic and Norwegian identities. Finally, the thesis concludes with an analysis of the role of Sturlunga saga within this intertextual narrative, and its function as a set of narratives mediating between an identity grounded in social autonomy and one grounded in literature. The Íslendingasögur or ‘family sagas’ constitute the core of the thesis’s primary sources, for their subject-matter is focussed on the literary depiction of the Icelandic society under scrutiny. In order to demonstrate a continuity of engagement with ideas of identity across genres, a sample of other Icelandic texts are examined which depict Iceland or Icelanders, especially when in interaction with non-Icelandic characters or polities.

This thesis analyses the content, tone, form and authorship of the national newspaper gossip column 1918-1939, as a new means through which the qualities of the popular press in this period can be more closely defined. Often dismissed as an example of the sensational, Americanization of early twentieth-century popular culture, the celebrity gossip column has been loosely grouped with the friendly, informal language and bolder formatting of the ‘New Journalism’ of the late nineteenth century and the development of the dramatic ‘human-interest’ stories of ‘everyday life’ in the interwar period (LeMahieu, 1988; Wiener, 1988). Through a comparative study of six newspapers including the Daily Express, Daily Mail and News of the World, I analyse the changing representation of the celebrity subject, and, originally, the shifting character and persona of the gossip columnist. Whereas some historians have analysed the content of newspapers without considering the questions of the newspaper’s production, I analyse newspaper employment records, gossip columnists’ memoirs and their unpublished letters and diaries to define the specific economic, social and cultural circumstances which, I argue, influenced their public portrayal. Also, in examining the unpublished correspondence between editors, proprietors and columnists and the burgeoning print culture of journalistic training manuals and professional memoirs, I provide a history of the press’s professionalization in this period. The national popular press has often been used as a historical source to define national character and national identity in the interwar period (Bland, 2008; Kohn, 1992). By scrutinizing the content and production of the gossip column and particularly the class, behaviour, interactions and subject matter of the columnist, I argue that the gossip column presented a version of ‘Britishness’ that was not so inward-looking and domesticated as so many accounts of interwar Britain suggest.

This thesis is centred on exploring the identity options and orientations of young British Indians, from Sikh and Hindu backgrounds, who are British born and living in the London area. Recent socio-political debates have assumed a lack of Britishness amongst these young people, an assumption that is rooted in the belief that high bonding capital within ethnic minorities has led to a lack of bridging capital. This thesis argues that such statements are an essentialisation of the reality of these young people. In fact, their sources of belonging are far more complex, and far less threatening than we may be led to believe. Through the utilisation of eighty in-depth interviews, this thesis presents the intricate social worlds of these young people and the range of orientations (positive and negative) they feel towards component parts of their social worlds, as well as examining the strength and permeability of boundaries that demarcate these social worlds. The final substantive chapter deals with Britishness, and uncovers and presents the different perceptions and understandings that these young people have about British national identity and the ways in which it is accommodated (or not) alongside other important sources of belonging. It is found that a multi-dimensional approach to identity and belonging is best suited to understand the diverse and highly individualistic trajectories of these young people and that 'diverse-dual identities' are the most common pattern of belonging in this particular empirical case. This thesis make a significant contribution to the existing theoretical frameworks on identity and assimilation as well as the current socio-political debates on Britishness and the cultural integration of ethnic minorities in Britain, by presenting data on an under-researched group, British Indians, and highlighting the range of experiences within this group and the sources of this diversity.

L'objectif de cette thèse est d'identifier la nature des idées ou des messages politiques véhiculés dans les programmes scolaires, afin de déterminer si le processus de socialisation peut apporter des solutions aux dysfonctionnements des États africains et du Tchad en particulier. La recherche est centrée sur les aspects éducatifs de cette problématique, à travers plus précisément une analyse critique du contenu des manuels destinés aux élèves des écoles primaires de N'Djamena.Nous nous sommes focalisé sur trois points principaux. Le premier, de nature théorique, évoque les approches classiques et contemporaines ayant trait à la transmission des connaissances, aux mécanismes de pouvoir et à l'histoire coloniale. Le second consiste à décrypter, tant quantitativement que qualitativement, les thématiques ayant des significations politiques et figurant dans les manuels visés. Le troisième est de nature empirique : il s'appuie, d'une part, sur une échelle de politisation conçue sur la base des 90 vocables les plus représentatifs de ce champ et, d'autre part, sur des entretiens menés avec des acteurs de l'Éducation nationale et centrés sur des questions relatives à ce secteur telles que les problèmes entravant son développement, l'impact des décisions centrales et les alternatives susceptibles de dépasser les obstacles rencontrés.Cette contribution permet de confirmer notre hypothèse selon laquelle ce qui est inculqué aux élèves tchadiens n'incarne pas une culture garante de cohabitation, mais contribue à la dégradation de la situation politique du pays, le système de valeurs ainsi véhiculées ne favorisant pas la constitution d'une identité nationale commune. / The objective of this thesis is to identify the nature of political ideas or messages conveyed in the curriculum, to determine whether the socialization process can provide solutions to the failures of African states and Chad in particular. The research focuses on the educational aspects of this problem, specifically through a critical analysis of the content of textbooks for primary school children in N'Djamena.We focused on three main points. The first, theoretical in nature, evokes the classic and contemporary approaches to dealing with the transmission of knowledge, the mechanisms of power and colonial history. The second is to decipher, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the themes that have meanings and policies contained in the textbooks in question. The third is empirical: it is based on the one hand, on a scale of politicization designed based on the 90 most representative words of the field and on the other hand, on interviews with actors national Education and focused on issues related to this area such as problems hindering its development, the impact of central decisions and alternatives that could overcome the obstacles encountered.This contribution confirms our hypothesis that what is taught to students Chadian culture does not embody a guarantee of cohabitation, but contributes to the worsening political situation, the value system and conveyed does not favor the establishment of a common national identity.

This diploma thesis deals with the national presentation of the Czech Republic at EXPO 2010 in Shanghai in terms of mythology, symbols, signs and codes. It describes the history of the World Exhibitions, attempts to highlight Czechoslovak achievements and on the basis of that to define key points of successful communication for an international, predominately Chinese audience. By comparing information on traditional Chinese symbols and values with that of Czech explains correlations between Czech and Chinese culture. This can help visitors from China identify with the Czech Republic. A mythological analysis is executed examining the exterior of the Czech pavilion, the exhibition inside, and notes narrative structures of individual exhibits and how they work to provide the preferred interpretation. Part of the overall analysis includes an overview of supporting events, which also help to strengthen the perception of Czech Republic to visitors. The information gleaned is used to summarize learnings that could be useful for the upcoming EXPO in Milan in 2015.

This diploma thesis focuses on selected psychological aspects of Jewish identity, namely its content and meaning in contemporary Czech society. It reviews how the bearers of this identity understand and feel positive or negative aspects related to it in their lives. The theoretical part introduces the field of identity in psychology in general and subsequently focuses specifically on Jewish identity. The chosen theoretical model of identity, adjusted to the Czech environment, represents the basis for applied research of this identity. The empirical part is conducted as a qualitative study by means of interpretative phenomenological analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews. The results mapping contemporary Jewish identity in Czech society should be utilised to raise awareness about this frequently overlooked topic and perhaps also further utilised by professionals who encounter Jewish identity in their work. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Depuis toujours, les peuples ont éprouvé le besoin de se différencier les uns des autres et, en même temps de trouver ce qui leur était propre, c’est-à-dire leur identité (culturelle d’abord et puis nationale). Une première définition d’identité est faite grâce aux réflexions des savants du XVIIIe siècle même si cette définition répond essentiellement aux besoins des élites au sein desquelles elle est néé. Cette utilisation de la part des élites sera plus évidente au siècle suivant lors de la formation des Etats-nations. Dans ce contexte, ce qui auparavant était « identité culturelle » deviendra dans plusieurs cas « identité nationale ». En considérant l’identité nationale comme le résultat d’un processus de création plus que comme un sentiment inné à l’intérieur des communautés, nous pouvons entreprendre la comparaison de ce qui peut sembler à simple vue « incomparable ». Pour montrer que cette étude comparative est possible, voire intéressante, pour mieux comprendre la façon dans laquelle les Etats-nations ont créé le « mythe » de l’esprit national, nous avons choisi les exemples de la Grèce et du Japon parce que, malgré leurs différences et leur éloignement culturel et géographique, leur évolution est presque parallèle. Utilisant la langue, l’histoire, les croyances, la littérature et les « traditions » ainsi que des modèles extérieurs, les intellectuels grecs et japonais vont créer leurs propres réflexions sur l’identité culturelle au XVIIIe siècle ; une identité qui deviendra le fondement de leur identité nationale lorsque l’Etat-nation adviendra dans les deux territoires au XIXe siècle. Avec cette thèse notre objectif est de répondre à la question de la création identitaire en Grèce et au Japon en examinant les raisons, les auteurs, les éléments (aussi bien externes –éléments communs- qu’internes –éléments distinctifs-) et les résultats de ce processus. / Since Antiquity, people have felt the need to establish difference between them employing various elements. At the time, they try to discover the common elements between them: that is, their identity. Thanks to the reflexion made by 18th century savants, the first definition of cultural identity was accorded. But this definition was born until the elite class and was employed by these elite in reaching their political objectives. However, elite have employed the elements that were common with the lower classes people as well.If we see the national identity as the outcome of a process thus we can compared it is “incomparable”. To montred that this comparative study is possible, we have choised the examples of Greece and Japan because they have specially interesting. Despite of geographical and cultural distance and political and historical difference, these territories showed parallel developpments in their reflexiion of identity. Employing language, history, beliefs, literature and external models, Japanese and Greel intellectuals created in 18th century their own reflexion on cultural identity. This reflexion become the fundament of the national identity at the middle of 19th century whem Japan and Greece become Nation-Etat.With this study, we can try to answer the question of identity creation by examining reasons, actors, elements both internal (distinctives elements) and external (common elements) and outcome into the process.

anglicky: Title of the thesis: Today's France: Report on Colonial Heritage: New National Identity Keywords: colonization, decolonization, immigration, integration, the Law of February 23 2005, suburban social unrest in 2005, Great Debate on National Identity Abstract: The following study deals with history of colonization and its repercussions on the current situation in France and its demography from the sociological, cultural and political point of view. The study is divided into two parts: the history and the present. The first part is based on works of historians and analyses the colonial history of France and the process of decolonization. The second part focuses on legacy of the colonial adventure on the present, it follows the discussions in the French press, works on French immigration and integration and analyses of researchers studying repercussions of colonial past on the present. The second part also includes history and specificities of immigration and integration in France, the Law of February 23 2005 on the positive role of French presence abroad, the suburban unrest of 2005 and the Great Debate on National Identity.

La pédagogie muséale est une discipline portant sur l’introduction de l’art et du musée dans le système éducatif et sur l’utilisation particulière des ressources muséales lors des visites au musée par les enfants. L’expérience russe est à cet égard particulière et mérite une étude approfondie que propose cette thèse. En nous concentrant sur l’étude du Musée russe, musée pionnier et chantre de la pédagogie muséale, nous comprenons que le musée est en Russie une institution extrêmement dynamique et porteuse d’innovations originales. Ces avancées sont le fruit d’une forte tradition ancrée dans le monde muséal russe depuis la période soviétique, durant laquelle le musée était un lieu d’éducation majeur. Aujourd’hui, la pédagogie muséale russe a évolué et n’est plus teintée de propagande. Le Musée russe, un des plus grands musées de Russie, a théorisé et développé la pédagogie muséale à un niveau jusqu’à présent inégalé dans le monde. Le Musée russe travaille depuis plus de vingt ans à offrir à l’éducation russe une humanisation de l’enseignement au moyen de l’art. Son programme éducatif « Bonjour musée ! » appliqué dans les écoles, de la maternelle au lycée, donne aux enfants, par l’étude de l’art russe et mondial, les bases culturelles indispensables à une harmonieuse compréhension du monde environnant, alliée à l’éveil du sentiment national, un thème cher aux Russes. L’analyse de l’expérience du Musée russe dans le domaine de la pédagogie muséale vise à montrer d’une part l’impact bénéfique de l’art sur l’épanouissement de l’enfant et d’autre part les multiples applications de l’art pour l’enseignement, par le développement de l’interdisciplinarité : enseignement des mathématiques, chimie, physique et langues étrangères par le biais de l’art. / The museum pedagogy is a discipline on the introduction of art and museum resources in the education system. The Russian experience in this regard is particularliar and deserves further study as it is proposed in this thesis. By focusing on the study of the Russian Museum, museum pioneer of museum pedagogy, we find evidence that the museum is an institution in Russia extremely dynamic with original innovations. These advances are the result of a strong tradition rooted in the museum world since the Soviet period that the museum is a major place for education. Today, the Russian museum education has evolved and is no longer linked with propaganda. The Russian Museum, one of the largest museums in Russia, has theorized and developed museum pedagogy at a level far unequaled in the world. The Russian Museum has over twenty years offered the Russian education humanization of education through art. Its educational program "Hello museum! "applied in schools, from childrengarden to high school, gives children, trough the study of Russian and world art, cultural foundations necessary for a harmonious understanding of the surrounding world, coupled with the awakening of national consciousness, a beloved theme for Russians. The analysis of the experience of the Russian Museum in the field of museum pedagogy is to show, first the positive impact of art on the development of the child and secondly the multiple applications of art education for the development of interdisciplinarity: teaching of mathematics, chemistry, physics and foreign languages through the medium of art.

Cette thèse se propose d’explorer les modalités de constitution d’un domaine de production de savoirs dits académiques dépendant du pouvoir politique. La première partie examine la convergence de trajectoires individuelles vers une activité relativement nouvelle, située au carrefour de champ professionnels et centrée sur l’analyse de la politique étrangère turque menée depuis 2003 par le gouvernement du parti AKP. Partant de là, la seconde partie s’attache plus particulièrement aux liens des acteurs de l’espace identifié avec les responsables gouvernementaux. Il apparaît que ce domaine constitue un champ d’activité dont la structure concentrique découle de la proximité d’une communauté épistémique en son sein avec le champ politique. Par voie d’institutionnalisation et de cooptation du reste du champ, les membres de cette communauté parviennent à imposer une conception utilitaire des sciences sociales permettant de produire des savoirs convergent avec les priorités politiques du moment. La troisième partie examine donc le contenu de ces savoirs de sorte à démontrer le rôle de médiateur joué par le champ expert. Il se confirme alors que sa vocation est de convaincre diverses parties-prenantes, en Turquie et à l’étranger, de la légitimité et l’opportunité du projet hégémonique du gouvernement turc en direction du Moyen-Orient arabe. En définitive, par l’étude de cette configuration experte, a été aussi posé la question de la profondeur de la rupture créée par l’AKP dans le mode de gouvernement et les orientations géopolitique de la Turquie. L’analyse conclut à une rupture dans la continuité / This Ph. D. research offers an opportunity to explore the form of dependency to political power maintained by a self-labelled academic knowledge production domain. This study is based on the case study of Turkish Middle Eastern policy expertise. The first part examines the convergence of individual trajectories towards a relatively new activity in Turkey, located at the intersection of various professional fields and centered on the analysis of the AKP government foreign policy since 2003. The second part then focuses on the links that exist between the previously identified actors and statesmanship. It soon appears that this knowledge production forms a field of activity which concentric structure derives from the proximity of the epistemic community at its very center with the political arena. Through institutionalization and cooptation with the State’s material support, the epistemic community members manage to impose its utilitarian conception of social sciences to the whole expertise field, thereby bringing its actors to design knowledge convergent with the time’s policy priorities. The last part of this work consists of a study of this expertise’s content in order to demonstrate the go-between function played by experts. It appears ultimately that their mission is to convince foreign policy stakeholders in Turkey and abroad of the legitimacy and opportunity of Turkey’s hegemonic project towards the Arab Middle East (2003-2013). Finally, through the study of this expert configuration, it is the question of policy change and geopolitical shift that has been examined. The thesis concludes on the hypothesis of change within continuity