ABSTRACT The textual representation of an instance of violence involves three principle considerations: a notion of representation, a conception of violence, and an inter-relationship between ethical and aesthetic evaluations. By investigating these considerations within the context of postmodern thought, a more sensitive perception of textual representations of violence becomes possible. Any representation, prior to being read and interpreted, has no predetermined meaning, and therefore no inherent value. It is only through a process of reading that verifiability, the principles of appraisal and personal cognition become actualised. As any text is necessarily iterable – subject to infinite (re)interpretation within an infinite number of future contexts – any interpretation is determined by the intersection of the iterable text and the historically situated reader. Violence, which is defined as an act of direct or indirect intentional harm against a person’s body or mind or property, may be experienced either as an event, or as a representation of an event. In instances of the representation of violence, the ethical perspective of the reader is influenced to a large extent by expectations of the text’s verifiability, the linguistic register of the text, and the inter-subjective ethical framework at the moment of reading the text. The aesthetic evaluation of the narrative, which is closely associated with its linguistic features, is also closely related to this ethical perspective. However, normative systems of ethics are often inadequate in the face of the plurality of meaning and possibilities inherent in representations of violence, and therefore a postmodern conception of ethical thought seems most appropriate. Textual instances of violence therefore have the potential for representing a multiplicity of experiences and ethical responses, without necessarily having to rely upon problematic normative obligations of systemisation or duty. A recognition of postmodern ethical ambiguity, combined with a flexibility of moral outlook, allows the reader to develop a more nuanced approach to the ethical predicaments suggested by the representation of violence.

Cette thèse se propose d'étudier l'œuvre littéraire d'Emilio Tadini (1927-2002). Peintre unanimement reconnu, Tadini a été de même protagoniste d'un parcours littéraire de grand valeur mais encore très peu étudié : il existe un certain nombre de critiques, qui se sont concentrés sur son œuvre et qui en ont certifié la valeur et l'intérêt, mais sans étendre leur analyse au-delà de quelques essais.Cette thèse se fixe l'objectif de formuler une cohérente et intégrale interprétation de la poétique d'Emilio Tadini, approfondie par la relation évidemment très étroite avec sa production artistique et les différentes déclinaisons de son inspiration littéraire, la poésie et le théâtre. La tenue de l'originale formule du« realismo integrale» à une nouvelle disposition romanesque de l'auteur; l'évolution des formes du roman allégorique, au niveau de structure et du contenu des œuvres ; les divers résultats de la confrontation représentation­ réalité; un emploi très originel de l'ironie et des techniques du comique; l'expérimentation d'une écriture qui met en scène la voix et le geste : ce seront alors les éléments à partir desquels considérer l'hypothèse d'une collocation de l'œuvre de Tadini dans un canon «expérimental», qui se fonde sur une proposition avancée en 1999 par le critique Gianni Turchetta.A travers l'analyse de ses romans -Le armi 1'amore (1963), L'Opera (1980), La lunga notte (1987), La tempesta (1993) et Eccetera (2002)- on suit l'évolution d'une production narrative qui se fonde sur une réflexion poétique et philosophique très cohérente et originelle, qui révèle Emilio Tadini comme un des artistes-intellectuels plus intéressant du XXème siècle italien. / This study aims to analyze the literary work of Emilio Tadini (1927-2002). He has been a celebrated painter, but he also realized a remarkable literary course, which had not been studied at ali, any more. There's a small circle of critics who have focused Tadini's works, recognizing their value, but always in the form of the short essay.This dissertation would like to elaborate a coherent and integral interpretation ofTadini's poetics, which had to be linked to his artistic production and to the different elaborations of his literary inspiration (poetry and theatre). The effectiveness of the "realismo integrale" throughout different literary author's inclinations; the evolution of the allegorie novel scheme, from the structure to the content of his works; the different results of the agonistic confrontation between reality and representation; the original use of irony and comic formulas; the experimentation of a type of writing which tries to speak like a voice : these are the main elements of this study, which propose to place Emilio Tadini's work inside the experimental canon of contemporary ltalian literature suggested by Gianni Turchetta in 1999.Across the analysis of his novels- Le armi 1 'amore (1963), L'Opera (1980), La lunga natte (1987) , La tempesta (1993) and Eccetera (2002) -, the study follows the evolution of a narrative production founded on an original poetical and philosophical reflection, which shows Emilio Tadini as one ofthe most interesting artists and intellectuals of the ltalian XXth century.

Ce travail s’attache à étudier les éventuels féminismes de Desperate Housewives. La peinture que la série propose de femmes et mères au foyer américaines désespérées est a priori le lieu d’une dénonciation de leur vie et de leur condition qui n’est pas sans rappeler celle de Betty Friedan dans The Feminine Mystique au début des années soixante. De plus, de nombreuses contradictions du féminisme américain (en fait constitué de nombreuses sous-catégories et sensibilités) y trouvent un écho. Cette multiplicité des interprétations possibles de Desperate Housewives, ainsi que sa composante postmoderne et camp, en font le lieu privilégié d’un féminisme queer propre à la série. / This study investigates the feminist messages conveyed by Desperate Housewives. The depiction of desperate American housewives and stay-at-home mothers seems at first to be a scathing indictment of their plight, not unlike that of Betty Friedan in The Feminine Mystique.Furthermore many inner dissensions of American feminism (a term far more pluralistic than one might think) are voiced in the television series. The different ways Desperate Housewives can be interpreted, along with its postmodern and camp components, make it possible for an idiosyncratic brand of queer feminism to emerge.

Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / As most of the attentions as well as criticisms to Radical Orthodoxy are focused on the theology of John Milbank, the possible existence of alternative voice(s) within the school of Radical Orthodoxy has been ignored. This thesis attempts to suggest that the theology of Graham Ward, though sharing similar theological sensibility with Milbank and other theologians identified as advocates of Radical Orthodoxy, is different from Milbank's theology in various ways. In order to have a better understanding of the varieties within Radical Orthodoxy as a theological program or school, and for its future development in postmodern context, Ward's theology deserves to be further explored. / Through contrasting the theologies of Ward and Milbank, this thesis argues that Ward's theology can avoid most of the criticisms of Milbank's theology and offers a better alternative within the framework of Radical Orthodoxy. Furthermore, in terms of future development of Radical Orthodoxy, as Ward's theology is more open and compatible with other disciplines, including particularly Cultural Studies, and other religious worldviews, it may be able to provide as a more persuasive and competitive Christian narrative than that of Milbank when engaging in public discourses in a pluralistic society and non-western context. In comparison with the theology of John Milbank, the theology of Graham Ward is arguably a more promising alternative way for the better development of Radical Orthodoxy. / 本論文主要指出，對於激進正统的關注與評論，大部分皆集中於米爾班的激進正统神學，這明顯是無視於在激進正统的神學運動內，成員間在有著共同的感識下、也是有著多元的聲音。在這理解下，本文提倡以沃德的神學作為理解這神學運動內的多元聲音的起點，更重要是以此作為這神學運動在後現代處境中可進一步發展的方向。沃德的神學作為激進正统的殊途，不單提出一種非米爾班式的激進正统神學，更能避免種種對於米爾班式的激進正统神學的批判。 / 再者，就激進正统神學的未來發展而言，沃德的神學對於其他理論及宗教都較為開放並予以對話的空間，這尤令其作為一套走向公共領域，尤其在多元社會及非西方的文化處境中的故事，比米爾班式神學更有說服及競爭力。總結而言，本文討論並主張，作為激進正统神學內的殊途，沃德的神學是比米爾班式的激進正统神學會有更理想的發展。 / 李天鈞. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-181). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Li Tianjun. / 導論 --- p.1-11 / 論文的結構 / Chapter 第一章 --- 走出第三條路的後現代神學：「激進正統」的概論 --- p.12-49 / Chapter 1. --- 「激進正統」的發展背景及對其研究的進路 / Chapter 2. --- 「激進正統」神學所建構的宏大敘事 / Chapter 3. --- 學界對「激進正統」的評論 / 小結 / Chapter 第二章 --- 激進正統的殊途：沃德的神學 --- p.50-90 / Chapter 1. --- 沃德神學的發展 / Chapter 2. --- 沃德神學中的兩個主要關心的問題及當中相關的神學討論 / Chapter 3. --- 沃德的「激進正统」神學：以城市作起點 / Chapter 3.1 --- 從《上帝的諸城》作開始 / Chapter 3.2 --- 城市對神學研究的重要性 / Chapter 3.3 --- 沃德對城市的閱讀 / Chapter 3.4 --- 沃德對城市作出的回應 / Chapter 3.5 --- 沃德的城市神學對「激進正统」神學議程的論述 / Chapter 3.6 --- 沃德在《上帝的諸城》之後的神學發展 / 小結 / Chapter 第三章 --- 對沃德「激進正統」神學的延伸與發展的研究 --- p.91-135 / Chapter 1. --- 結合文化研究之路 / Chapter 1.1 --- 文化研究對文化理解的新觀點 / Chapter 1.2 --- 神學與文化研究結合發展的概況 / Chapter 1.3 --- 文化研究對神學研究的意義 / Chapter 1.4 --- 神學研究對文化研究的意義 / Chapter 2. --- 對處境神學的啟廸 / Chapter 2.1 --- 史卓德的本土神學 / Chapter 2.2 --- 史卓德本土神學中的處境分析 / Chapter 2.3 --- 沃德理論中可作補足的研究成果 / Chapter 3. --- 沃德神學發展中應考慮的方向：聖靈論 / Chapter 3.1 --- 文化視界中的聖靈 / Chapter 3.2 --- 聖靈的課題對神學與文化的互動上有何啟迪 / 小結 / Chapter 第四章 --- 沃德與米爾班作為「激進正统」神學上的殊途 --- p.136-160 / 小結 / 總結 --- p.161-163 / 參考書目 --- p.164-181

The aims of this research are to identify the elements of leader sensemaking which both promote and hinder mindset change. I Use a qualitative, ethnographic active participant research approach in three organisations and semi-structured interviews with leaders from other organisations. My research identifies the inter-related elements of leader sensemaking of an organisational change methodology which is influenced in its approach by postmodern thinking and which challenges current mindsets about leadership and organisation. By identifying and establishing the interrelationship between nine key elements of leader sensemaking my research provides academics and practitioners with a basis for facilitating leader mindset change. I also identify further research opportunities around issues of sustaining individual mindset change and embedding this in organisational culture, which I have identified as a result of my research. Nine key elements of sensemaking are identified and used to understand the sensemaking process of leaders. I identify the relationship between the elements and the impact they can have in both promoting and inhibiting mindset change. My research finds that current leader thinking about organisations, leadership and organisational change is largely modernist in perspective. When presented with a methodology that is influenced by a postmodern perspective all the elements shape and influence the sense the leaders make of the challenge to their mindset and their decision on whether or not to engage with the methodology. These elements are inter-related, each is essential but insufficient in isolation, and each influences, and is influenced by, all the others. My research explores the relationship between the sensemaking elements in a range of practical organisational settings. In so doing it provides insight into how those wishing to influence the mindsets of others can understand and recognise the dynamic of sensemaking, whilst highlighting that changing leader mindsets is not something that has easy ‘how to’ answers or which can be achieved by following simplistic cause and effect step models that are prevalent in the current literature which many practitioners are familiar with.

Today’s postmodern consumer culture is embedded with consumption and products are now used for their symbolic properties. Possessions have become so important for us that they have become a part of our extended selves and forms of differentiation between individuals and groups of people. The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the role of fashion brands in the identity construction of adults. The objectives of the research focused on how an individual’s identity of self is constructed with the help of fashion brands, especially in social environments, and how an individual’s social identity is formed through fashion brands and in- and out-groups. The topic is discussed while uncovering brand symbolism and relationships. Consumer Culture Theory (CCT) was used as a theoretical framework in this research. Focus group studies were chosen as a research method and total of three focus group discussions with participants aged between 19 to 32 years were held in Helsinki, Finland. The consumption of fashion brands was found to have a relevant role in the construction of an adult’s identity. Consumption of particular fashion brands was used to communicate personalities and identities, and relationships with fashion brands were found to become especially important in social situations. Fashion brands also stand central in the formation of in- and out-groups and friends were found to have the biggest influence over consumption choices. In-groups were found to form between people with interests towards the same fashion brands and unfavourable fashion brands were associated with members of out-groups. Adults were found to categorise people into groups based on the brands they wear and prevailing stereotypical mental images. Individual self-expression through fashion brands was found high, although given the concept of a salient identity, individuals were often found to conform to the expectations of the in-group. Most importantly, individuals and in-groups stated differentiation from out-groups to be a priority. / Program: Master programme in Fashion Management

Este trabalho objetiva estabelecer relações entre os romances Levantado do chão (1980) e A caverna (2000), narrativas pertencentes a momentos distintos da escrita saramaguiana, mas que retratam, de diferentes maneiras, o homem (o trabalhador), suas relações com o trabalho e, principalmente com a sociedade à sua volta. O primeiro retrata a vida dos camponeses da região do Alentejo em Portugal desde o começo do século XX até logo após o 25 de abril de 1974. Em A caverna vemos o empenho do oleiro que tenta fazer sobreviver a sua tradicional profissão num universo dominado pela produção industrializada. Nesse ambiente, Saramago retrata a transição entre o campo e o mundo marcado pela produção em escala industrial. A análise dos valores éticos e da condição social das personagens decorrentes do sistema em que vivem, das injunções da situação familiar e dos conflitos produzidos por essa situação de interdependência é um dos objetivos deste trabalho. Para tanto, traçamos uma linha comparativa entre os dois romances em questão, cujo fio condutor é a questão do trabalho na sociedade capitalista, num eixo histórico que vai do Portugal salazarista do século XX ao mundo globalizado do século XXI e seus desdobramentos na constituição da narrativa saramaguiana. / This work aims to establish relationships between the novels Picked up from the Ground (1980) and The Cave (2000), narratives belonging to different moments of Saramagos writing, which describe, in different ways, the men (the workers), their relationships with work and especially with the society. The first one depicts the life of farmers in Alentejos region in Portugal since early XX century until shortly after April 25, 1974. In The Cave we can observe the commitment of the potter who try to maintain his traditional profession in a universe dominated by industrialized production. In this environment Saramago shows the transition between the countryside and the world marked by industrial-scale production. The objectives of this thesis are the analysis of the ethical values, the social condition and the interrelationship with the space in the constitution of the characters; their paths established by the social system, the injunctions of family situation and the conflicts produced by this interdependence. For this, we draw a comparison between the two-refereed novels, whose main subject is the labor in a capitalist society, in a historical perspective that runs from Portugal under Salazar govern in XX century to the globalized world of the XXI century and its repercussions in the constitution of Saramagos narrative.

nÃo hà / Esta pesquisa debruÃa-se sobre a temÃtica Budismo e EducaÃÃo no contexto da sociedade pÃs-moderna. Delimitou-se como objetivo principal investigar a contribuiÃÃo da educaÃÃo budista para a transformaÃÃo dos sujeitos. A abordagem do estudo à de carÃter qualitativo e utilizamos como procedimento metodolÃgico de investigaÃÃo uma revisÃo de literatura. Nossos interlocutores para o campo do Budismo foram, em especial, HUMPHREYS (1969), CONZE (1973) e NINA (2004); na Ãrea da educaÃÃo, ancoramos nosso trabalho nas ideias de ROHDEN (2005) e, no que se refere à pÃs-modernidade, fundamentamos teoricamente nosso estudo em BAUMAN (2001) e BERMAN (2007). Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciam a possibilidade de a educaÃÃo budista tornar-se uma resposta alternativa aos desafios da sociedade pÃs-moderna, considerando que esta doutrina oriental tem um carÃter compassivo, tolerante e pacifista. Conclui-se, atravÃs desta pesquisa, que a educaÃÃo budista à capaz de contribuir para a transformaÃÃo dos sujeitos, tornando-os agentes multiplicadores de uma Cultura de Paz. / This research focuses on the theme of Buddhism and Education in the context of postmodern society. The main objective was to investigate the contribution of Buddhist education to the transformation of subjects. The approach of the study is qualitative and we used as a methodological investigation procedure a literature review. Our interlocutors for the field of Buddhism were in particular HUMPHREYS (1969), CONZE (1973) and NINA (2004); in the area of education we anchored our work in the ideas of ROHDEN (2005) and with regard to postmodernity we theoretically based our study on BAUMAN (2001) and BERMAN (2007). The results of the research evidence the possibility that Buddhist education becomes an alternative response to the challenges of postmodern society, considering that this eastern doctrine has a compassionate, tolerant and pacifist character. It is concluded through this research that Buddhist education is capable of contributing to the transformation of subjects, making them multiplier agents of a Culture of Peace.

Avsikten med studien är att undersöka om användningen av psykedeliska droger i syfte av att nå religiösa mål ökar i Sverige. Studien utgår ifrån ett religionssociologiskt perspektiv för att besvara varför alternativa livsåskådningar uppstår i samband med användandet av psykedeliska droger. Studien utgår ifrån en kvalitativ forskningsmetod och har genomförts med hjälp av intervjuer. Syftet har varit att undersöka om de intervjuade personerna fått en förändrad existentiell livsåskådning efter att de brukat psykedeliska preparat samt om de tror att dessa typer av sökande ökar i Sverige och vad det kan bero på. Informanterna i studien berättar om sina liv före och efter sitt religiösa uppvaknande via psykedeliska substanser. Studiens resultat påvisar varför personer väljer att använda sig av psykedeliska droger och om de tror att användningen av dessa ökar i Sverige idag. Den data som samlats in består av tidigare forskning samt empiri från de genomförda intervjuerna. Materialet har kategoriserats och diskuterats utifrån ett religionshistoriskt- och religionssociologiskt perspektiv.

Plus connue pour le foisonnement et la richesse de ses thèmes, pour la densité de son contenu historique, socioéconomique, et pour la technicité avec laquelle elle manipule divers domaines scientifiques, l’œuvre de Powers laisse pourtant également une très large place à ses personnages. Jouant le double rôle de reflets de la société et de piliers narratifs organisant le récit, ces personnages expriment en effet la vision de Powers de l’Amérique contemporaine et constituent un lieu d’expérimentation littéraire. Ces romans s’intéressent aux façons dont les êtres entrent en lutte pour préserver et réinventer leur identité propre au sein d’un monde en perpétuelle mutation sociale et politique, et saturé de moyens technologiques nouveaux. Powers fait le choix d’une approche à la fois sociologique et philosophique en partageant le regard qu’il porte sur la société contemporaine américaine et en mettant au cœur de son œuvre la notion de relation à soi et aux autres. Les implications narratives de cet intérêt pour la complexité accrue d’un statut ontologique de la personne sont multiples et aboutissent à la construction de personnages mouvants et discontinus, réfractant plus qu’ils ne concentrent une énergie remise en circulation au triple niveau de la fiction, de la lecture et de l’écriture. Les modalités d’écriture des personnages, qui rendent compte de l’éclatement de l’unité de la personne dans le monde contemporain américain, font alors déborder la conception individualisante et personnelle qui leur est le plus souvent associée et lui substituent une vision fragmentaire, paradoxalement fédératrice, et en définitive impersonnelle, des êtres. / Richard Powers’ novels are best known for the diverse and rich quality of their themes, for the density of their historic and socio-economic contents, as well as for the level of technicality with which they handle a variety of scientific themes, yet they also leave a place of choice to the characters. Their role consists in both mirroring a social reality and holding the paramount function of organizing the course of the narrative, as they express Powers’ vision of contemporary America and constitute a space of literary experimentation. These novels focus on the ways human beings who are caught in a world saturated with new technological means and struggling through constant social and political mutations, can fight to preserve and reinvent their personal identity. The author chooses both a sociological and philosophical approach by expressing his vision of the contemporary American society and by putting at the very center of his works the notion of relationship to oneself and to others. The narrative implications of such interests in the increasing complexity of the ontological status of the individual are multiple and lead to the construction of changing and discontinuous characters who refract more than they absorb an energy that can be recirculated at the triple level of the fiction, the readers, and the act of writing. Accounting for the destruction of the unity of the individual in the contemporary American world, the modalities of Powers’ character writing push back the boundaries of the traditional individualistic and personal concept of literary character and substitute to it a paradoxically welcoming, fragmentary and impersonal vision of the human nature.