This thesis, a qualitative study, examined the literacy practices of nine workers who self-report literacy difficulties. Through a series of interviews it specifically investigated how, in the course of their daily work, their mediated behaviour resulted in development of literacy competence. Through analysis of the workers’ experiences this thesis explored sociocultural themes deriving from Vygotskian traditions such as the central mediational role of psychological tools and signs and the importance of activity taking place in social settings. It took the theoretical position that literacy is an increasingly complex construct that extends beyond functional connotations such as reading, writing and spelling. It focused on the kinds of literacy skills that individuals require in a world characterised by rapid and frequent changes. In doing so this thesis recognised the diverse modalities in literacy performance that emphasise ways of knowing and ways of doing or designing as well as reading, writing, listening, thinking, speaking and comprehending across a range of modalities. This thesis argues that sociocultural concepts are applicable to adult learners. In particular it concludes that adult learners in the course of their jobs demonstrate a repertoire of literacy competence through engagement in meaningful literacy practices. This thesis reports that a significant indicator of the reported broadening in literacy competence is the support structures available in the workplace and in particular the specific characteristics of mentors / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Notre étude s’intéresse au concept d’empathie d’un point de vue communicationnel, c’est-à-dire dans la perspective relationnelle entre un récepteur et des contenus médiatisés. En prenant appui sur les énoncés théoriques relatifs au concept psychologique d’empathie, nous proposons une définition conceptuelle et opérationnelle spécifique à l’empathie, qualifiée ici de virtuelle, et au terrain de son étude. Nous évaluons également les conditions d’optimisation de cette variable eu égard à diverses formes de contenus médiatisés en vérifiant si le réalisme et le type de mise en forme des contenus engendrent des niveaux d’empathie virtuelle différents, tels que mesurés par l’échelle que nous avons développée et utilisée dans un questionnaire autoadministré. Les analyses n’ont pas permis de dégager de résultats significatifs, les sujets (n=96) ne sont pas plus empathiques envers les contenus réalistes que fictifs, de même qu’ils ne sont pas plus empathiques envers les contenus audiovisuels qu’audio ou imprimés.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and social processes of regular physical exercise use by women who consider themselves "exercisers." In using grounded theory method, the primary objective of this study was to generate a substantive theory that described (a) the experiences of women who self-identified as exercisers and engaged in regular physical exercise, (b) the contextual factors that influenced their participation, and (c) explained the experience of participating in regular exercise, considering both the positive and negative effects of exercising, and the process of change through its use. Twenty-two women (age range, 21 to 60 years) were interviewed about their exercise experience. Twenty participants self-identified as exercisers. Two other participants, a former exerciser, and a nonexerciser, were interviewed in order to explore theory limits. A middle-range theory of "shaping self through exercise" was identified as the basic process of these women's experience of regular physical exercise. The process involved the reciprocal connection between two intrapersonal phases: "shaping up" and "experiencing self as shaped." Through interactions among the subprocesses of shaping up ("talking to self," "experiencing exercise," "diverting from self" and "feeling good about self") exercisers in this study experienced self as shaped through "growing into self," "grounding self in exercise," and "expressing self through exercise." Influenced by personal meaning and contextual conditions (one's personal exercise background, current life context, and socialcultural environment), exercisers frequently re-experienced both phases. Aspects of each conceptual element of the theoretical model are identified and illustrated by narrative data. This grounded theory provides insight into the complexity of women's physical exercise experience. To appreciate this experience it is necessary to view the social-psychological process from an interactionist perspective. Findings suggest that women's exercise may be more than physical movement in reaction to environmental and personal influences, but may also be an intrinsically motivated endeavour towards self-growth, self-care, and selfexpression. Awareness of the complexity of this process, including personal and contextual influences, may provide guidance towards more successful adoption and maintenance of exercise. Implications include future research directions to extend theoretical boundaries and specificity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and social processes of regular physical exercise use by women who consider themselves "exercisers." In using grounded theory method, the primary objective of this study was to generate a substantive theory that described (a) the experiences of women who self-identified as exercisers and engaged in regular physical exercise, (b) the contextual factors that influenced their participation, and (c) explained the experience of participating in regular exercise, considering both the positive and negative effects of exercising, and the process of change through its use. Twenty-two women (age range, 21 to 60 years) were interviewed about their exercise experience. Twenty participants self-identified as exercisers. Two other participants, a former exerciser, and a nonexerciser, were interviewed in order to explore theory limits. A middle-range theory of "shaping self through exercise" was identified as the basic process of these women's experience of regular physical exercise. The process involved the reciprocal connection between two intrapersonal phases: "shaping up" and "experiencing self as shaped." Through interactions among the subprocesses of shaping up ("talking to self," "experiencing exercise," "diverting from self" and "feeling good about self") exercisers in this study experienced self as shaped through "growing into self," "grounding self in exercise," and "expressing self through exercise." Influenced by personal meaning and contextual conditions (one's personal exercise background, current life context, and socialcultural environment), exercisers frequently re-experienced both phases. Aspects of each conceptual element of the theoretical model are identified and illustrated by narrative data. This grounded theory provides insight into the complexity of women's physical exercise experience. To appreciate this experience it is necessary to view the social-psychological process from an interactionist perspective. Findings suggest that women's exercise may be more than physical movement in reaction to environmental and personal influences, but may also be an intrinsically motivated endeavour towards self-growth, self-care, and selfexpression. Awareness of the complexity of this process, including personal and contextual influences, may provide guidance towards more successful adoption and maintenance of exercise. Implications include future research directions to extend theoretical boundaries and specificity. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Achieving the balance between the three sustainability aspects i.e., environmental, social, and economic has been a problem for many companies, where many of them still prioritize the economic aspect over the environmental and social aspects. Currently, many companies and energy utilities are going through major changes in their energy systems, and to be able to stay in the market and be competitive, they need to have clear and effective policies and a clear purpose. To examine the challenges that energy utilities are going through and are restraining them from balancing between the three pillars, a qualitative method has been used. Additionally, the solutions to these challenges and which organizations can help were also examined by interviewing two Swedish companies. The findings revealed that the challenges energy utilities were going through were related to knowledge (e.g., customer acceptance, cost, waste reduction, and consuming energy without exhausting the earth's resources). On the other hand, the solutions were knowledge, educating customers, citizens, and companies, getting help from the governments and politicians, such as encouraging the implementation of CSR, laws, and financial incentives. Knowledge has been perceived as the biggest challenge and solution for almost all companies, where increasing awareness and education campaigns would play a big role in solving the problems that companies are going through.

The final thesis deals with the issues of alternative punishments, the development of penal policy during the last twenty years, the identification of social factors related to inflicting alternative punishments, and with findings regarding different views on the effectiveness of alternative sanctions as one of the main tools of our sanctions policy. The theoretical part of the thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter provides a historical excursion in the punishment issues; the second chapter presents the basic theoretical concepts which form a base for current punishments. The following chapters deal with the criminal policy development in the Czech Republic taking the existing legal regulations into consideration, with the current forms of alternative punishments used in the Czech republic, with defining the term 'social aspect' and 'efficiency', as well as with assessing the positive and the negative aspects of using such punishments. The practical part of the thesis is dedicated to interpreting and evaluating the data gathered by interviewing different professionals working in this field.

Cette thèse a pour objet la philosophie du Travail Social, ses paradigmes et ses valeurs contradictoires. La mise en perspective des prémisses souvent implicites des praticiens avec les défis éthiques et les contraintes organisationnelles auxquels ils se disent confrontés ouvre un champ important de réflexion sur la définition même du Travail Social. Peut-on reconnaître un sens (une intelligence de la situation) aux contradictions et paradoxes contenus dans les valeurs, les définitions et les pratiques du Travail Social? Ou doit-on se contenter de les déplorer ou de les assumer comme le lot quotidien de la mission des travailleurs sociaux? Un constat: le Travail Social, comme profession et comme discipline, est en déficit d'une lecture permettant de faire des liens entre ses praxis, ses discours éthiques et ses paradigmes. Une éthique désincarnée, un éclectisme des cadres théoriques, une instrumentalisation des pratiques font partie des manifestations de ce déficit. La praxis locale, nationale et internationale explore de nombreuses directions sans réussir jusqu'ici à cerner un paradigme commun susceptible d'opérer une synthèse des pratiques et des valeurs. Notre présomption: la théorie de la complexité offre une épistémologie permettant la compréhension, l'intégration et le dépassement des contradictions et paradoxes éthiques et paradigmatiques du Travail Social. À partir de la proposition de définition de Richard Ramsay, la théorie de la complexité est mise à l'épreuve dans la compréhension, l'intégration et le dépassement des paradoxes en Travail Social. Dans une discussion trialectique entre les types de praxis, les discours éthiques et les paradigmes évoqués en Travail Social, la théorie de la complexité transfigure les paradoxes du Travail Social en en faisant une de ses forces essentielles plutôt qu'une de ses limites. Cette proposition contribuera au débat sur la formulation de la définition du Travail Social. Mots-clés: Travail social, paradoxes, complexité, définition, éthique, cadres théoriques, paradigme. / The object of this thesis is to examine the philosophy of Social Work, its paradigms and contradictory values. Shedding new light on the premises put forth by practitioners, often too implicitly, along with the day-to-day ethical struggles and organisational constraints which they face has allowed for a new dimension of thought on the very definition of Social Work. Do the contradictions and paradoxes reflected in the values, practices, and definitions of Social Work make any sense? Are there any other options than to denounce or even assume such double-binds as the expected load of social workers? Our observation: Social Work as a profession and as a discipline lacks a framework that would allow interactions to take place between interventions, ethics, and paradigms. Disembodied ethics, theoretical frameworks lost in the shuffle as well as an instrumentation of practices are but a few of the examples showing how such deficit manifests. Local, national, and international definitions and praxis have made several unsuccessful attempts to establish a common paradigm that would be conducive to the full integration of practices and values. We submit that the Complexity Theory offers an epistemology that allows understanding, integrating, and going beyond the ethical and practical contradictions and paradoxes specific to Social Work. In light of the definition put forward by Richard Ramsay, the Complexity Theory is further tested in understanding, integrating, and transcending the paradoxes arising from Social Work practices and praxis. In a discussion involving the various types of practices, ethical discourses, and paradigms addressed in Social Work, the Complexity Theory takes paradoxes that could limit the scope of Social Work and transforms them into an essential professional force. This is our contribution to the debate on the definition of Social Work. Keywords: Social Work, paradoxes, Complexity, definition, ethics, paradigms, theoretical frameworks.

A l'aube du XXe siècle, une partie de l'élite montréalaise a reconnu au nom d'un intérêt général que la croissance urbaine pouvait être mieux conduite sous la direction du planning ou, terme apparu plus récemment, de l'urbanisme. Cette thèse retrace la contribution de nouveaux spécialistes de l'urbain et de leurs alliés pour préparer l'avènement d'une métropole moderne et prospère. Alors que plusieurs travaux ont privilégié l'étude des formes d'intervention durant les trente glorieuses ou dénoncé les conséquences d'une absence de volonté politique pour combattre les désordres de la grande ville industrielle, cette étude porte sur les formes sociales d'appartenance et propose de considérer les relations complexes qui se nouent autour de l'urbanisme naissant pour faire l'histoire d'acteurs collectifs. Elle recourt au concept de milieu afin de construire avec les outils de l'histoire le récit d'un champ d'expérience. Dès le début du XX· siècle, l'urbanisme se caractérise par une combinaison inédite: quête d'un statut professionnel, constitution d'une discipline appliquée par le développement des « études urbaines » et élargissement d'un domaine d'intervention publique. À travers l'incidence déterminante de deux grands enjeux - la planification urbaine et le logement populaire - qui participent de la formation d'un débat urbanistique, la recherche dégage les étapes de la construction de ce milieu ainsi que du discours et des pistes d'action. Le récit qui s'étale de la fin du XIXe siècle jusqu'à la création du Service d'urbanisme de la Ville de Montréal, en 1941, révèle aussi la présence d'une dynamique collective nourrie de quelques idées-forces : la défense d'un intérêt général, l'optimum de l'intervention, le rapport entre le spatial et le social, et l'impératif de la prévision. Ce récit conduit ainsi à une meilleure compréhension des facteurs d'émergence de la nouvelle spécialité et à relativiser l'effet d'entraînement des politiques publiques. / At the onset of the 20th century, part of Montréal's elite, in the name of the common interest, acknowledged that urban growth could be better achieved through planning or, resorting to a recent term, urbanism. This thesis recounts the contribution of these new experts and their allies in preparing the upcoming of a modern and thriving metropolis. While several research have promoted the study of intervention modalities during the thirty glorious years or denounced the aftermath of a non-existent politic al willpower to counteract the pandemonium of the large industrial city, this study focuses on the social forms of belonging and proposes to consider the complex relationships that intertwined around the emerging urbanism to construct the story of collective actors. It resorts to the concept of milieu and uses the tools of history in order to write the story of a field of experience. As of the beginning of the 20th century, urban planning is characterized by a new combination: the quest for a profession al status, the constitution of an applied discipline through the development of "urban studies," and the expansion of a public intervention sphere. Based on the deciding impact of two major constituents-urban planning and public housing-that relate to the development of an urbanistic debate, this research highlights the phases in building this milieu as well as the discourse and possible avenues of action. The story, which spans from the end of the 19th century to the creation of the city of Montréal's urban planning service, in 1941, also uncovers the presence of a collective dynamics nurtured by a number of key ideas: the protection of the general interest, the optimization of interventions, the relationship between the spatial and social dimensions, and the prediction imperative. This story thus leads to a better understanding of the factors underlying this new specialty and to keep in perspective the ripple effect of public policies.

The following master's thesis is devoted to the studies of social aspect affecting genre peculiarities of Herbert G. Wells's novels “The Time Machine”, “The War of the Worlds” and “The First Men in the Moon”. Chapter 1 represents a research of Herbert Wells’s biography and creative work, of his influence on the world literature and it also contains overlook of possible factors that made the author work in the field of “science fiction”. Chapter 2 is a review of contradictions and main problems connected with science fiction and studies of its social focus and features. Chapter 3 is a full poetological and compositional analysis of the stated science fiction novels “The Time Machine” (1895), “The War Of The Worlds” (1898) and “The First Men in The Moon” (1901). / Данная магистерская диссертация посвящена изучению влияния социального аспекта на жанровые особенности романов Герберта Дж. Уэллса «Машина времени», «Война миров» и «Первые люди на Луне». В главе № 1 представлено исследование биографии и творческого пути Герберта Уэллса, его влияния на мировую литературу, а также обзор возможных предпосылок выбора английским писателем такого вида литературы, как научная фантастика. В главе № 2 представлено освещение вопросов и противоречий, связанных с изучением научной фантастики и социального аспекта данного вида литературы. Глава № 3 является практической: содержит поэтологический и композиционный анализ трех научно-фантастических романов Герберта Уэллса «Машина времени» (1895), «Война миров» (1898) и «Первые люди на Луне» (1901).