Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / The purpose of this study was, first, to develop an occupational therapy curriculum theory to serve as a guideline for South African occupational therapy educators wishing to expand their insight into their work. This was done and is presented on the basis of a critical review of key sources from the literature about curriculum. The occupational therapy curriculum arrived at in this manner was intended to serve as a basis for the development of a set of criteria in terms of which the ongoing viability of the existing written occupational therapy curriculum of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) could be evaluated. The set of criteria thus arrived at was then applied to three documents: the written Minimum Standards for the training of Occupational Therapists of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), the written Minimum Standards for the training of Occupational Therapy students of the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMOC), and the written Occupational Therapy curriculum of the University of the Western Cape. The purpose was to identify the curricular assumptions underpinning these documents, and also to evaluate their ongoing viability as guidelines (in the case of the WFOT and SAMOC documents) or as curricula (in the case of UWC). It was found that the Minimum Standards of WFOT are essentially informed by a rationalistic philosophy, and that its ongoing viability (as a guideline for minimum standards) appears to be limited. The evaluation of the Minimum Standards of the SAMOC produced similar findings. The UWC document proved to be more eclectic, but again with academic rationalism as the dominant curriculum paradigm. However adequate it might be for the present, the longer-term viability of the document appeared questionable. After adaptation had been made to the UWC document on the basis of the developed set of criteria, its immediate viability seemed to have been enhanced, but with little effect on its longer-term viability. The excercise suggested that the process of curriculum planning, evaluation and modification can be facilitated by the application of such a set of criteria, presenting as it does a "nutshell" overview of an existing or amended curriculum. This study confirms that written occupational therapy curricula and standards provide no guarantee that curriculum intentions will be realized. Such documents merely provide the parameters within which curriculum debates can occur and in terms of which curriculum planning. implementation and evaluation can take place. As intentions have to be manifested in practice. the creation of an occupational therapy curriculum that is viable in an enduring way will require a study similar to this one but which addresses the operational curriculum.

Magister Artium - MA / The purpose of this investigation is to determine how a group of selected institutionalized alcoholics react to a broad-spectrum model in regard to their perception of treatment, re-integration into community life and general rehabilitation. The method that was employed to achieve this goal is fivefold. Firstly alcoholics were placed within a theoretical perspective by focusing on the etiology, nature, extent and consequences thereof. Secondly the existing methods of treatment and the existing facilities available in South Africa were investigated. These two objectives were realized by means of a comprehensive literature study. Thirdly an empirical investigation was carried out of the policy and philosophical approach as well as the application of the multi-disciplinary methods of treatment at the Avalon Treatment Centre. Information in this regard was gained during visits to the Centre by means of personal interviews with the team applying the treatment as well as the respondents reacted to the treatment model by means of case studies. Data was obtained by conducting unstructured in-depth interviews with the respondents. By this means respondents were identified in terms of their personality configuration, marital, scholastic, professional, religious and socio-economic status. The respondents' drinking behaviour is focused on in order to determine patterns and tendencies in the development of the respondents' drinking problem. The researcher also followed up the respondents' behaviour over a period of two years to determine their re-integration within the community as well as their total rehabilitation. Valuable information about the respondents was gained during group therapy sessions and also meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous by means of participant observation. As member of Alcoholics Anonymous the researcher was part of the group and on an equal footing with the respondents. The advantage this held was that the researcher was accepted by the group and information was passed on without inhibitions. Fifthly the findings, conclusions and recommendations resulting from the whole investigation are set out. From the investigation it would appear that the problem of alcoholism, especially in South Africa is serious and escalating. In the light of this, there is a growing need for effective treatment. In spite of intensive treatment with complete abstinence general, degenerate as the aim of the treatment, the respondents, in because of denial, resistance to treatment, personality and social configuration and also poor re-integration, reacted poorly to treatment. The present specifically be sharpened establishment study shows that institutional treatment and as applied by the Avalon Treatment Centre can in order to be more effective. The of a more realistic perception of alcoholism among alcoholics per se is foremost. A more "enlightened" view of alcoholism is pleaded in terms of which alcoholism would be viewed as a non-stigmatised illness responding to treatment. The possibility that there will be a greater willingness on the part of alcoholics to submit to treatment is visualised. A more positive image of treatment centres should be created while the problem of alcoholism must be approached with a greater measure of sensitivity. Treatment should be of such a nature that it should emphasize and reinforce a positive self-image, pride in oneself and dignity. A more extensive programme of treatment that would include an exploratory project and longitudinal research is pleaded. The desirability of involving other key figures, important persons in the alcoholics life, and institutions as well as community organizations proposed with The traditional emphasis should helping fall services is re-orientation and education in order on sensitising, to achieve a more positive perception and understanding of alcoholism within the community. This study will hopefully stimulate further research in this direction. / South Africa

The problem statement mainly deals with the curtailment of the high function status of Afrikaans in South Africa since 1994 as this has a negative impact on the six million mother tongue speakers of Afrikaans as well as on non-mother tongue speakers for whom the language has an instrumental value. The question is raised as to whether myth making around Afrikaans can be held partly responsible for this loss in status. The term “myth” and the impact of myths are looked into. “Myth” is not used in this thesis as a “story without ground” (as in the dictionary definition), but, according to the work of Jung, Campbell, Leroux, Malan and others, as a story/narrative that gives voice to man’s search for meaning and significance. The main points of departure are: · The viewpoint of the well-known twentieth-century mythologist, Joseph Campbell, who states: “Myths are stories of our search through the ages for truth, for meaning, for significance (Campbell in Flowers 1988:5); and · The statement of Malan (1978:39) namely that myth has always been the way in which man has tried to explain the sense, significance and purpose of the cosmos by means of a simple narrative. Myth making within groups (Anderson 1991: “imagined communities”) is viewed and the role of of political myth making explicitly stated. In this regard the statement of Leonard Thompson is relevant. Thompson (1985:3) points to two kinds of myths, namely: 1) “conservative myths” (for example about the origins of a group); and 2) “radical myths” (that aim to discredit the regime of “the other”). In the discourse about myths around Afrikaans the point of departure is that the specific myth is regarded as positive or negative in terms of its impact on the status and position of Afrikaans in South Africa. The two “main” myths around Afrikaans are discussed by exemplification and by means of anecdotes and the impact of the said myths on Afrikaans is evaluated. The two myths are: · Afrikaans as mythical binding force in Afrikaner nationalism in (mainly) the first fifty years of the twentieth century; and · Afrikaans as metaphorical language of the oppressor, especially in the period of institutionalized apartheid. The impact of the above myths within various Afrikaans systems (among others the historiography and literature of Afrikaans and the school syllabi) is furthermore exemplified with the purpose of indicating how great this impact has been. Finally the question is asked: ”And now, Afrikaans?” (with acknowledgement to the title of a publication by Hans du Plessis, 1992: “En nou, Afrikaans?”). The conclusion is that the status of Afrikaans in the so-called high language functions is daily under more pressure as a result of the hegemony of English in the country. There should be rational and firm negotiations about this unconstitutional curtailment of the rights of Afrikaans. The speakers of Afrikaans can, however, help to preserve the language by: 1. Living with the myths around Afrikaans in the sense that they develop and demonstrate understanding and empathy for the myths of other groups; 2. Using Afrikaans daily for all functions, especially seeing that Afrikaans is indeed suitably developed to meet any need; and 3. Working towards new myth making around Afrikaans, by – among other things – pointing to the fact that Afrikaans, as a language of Africa, has a greater claim to national language status in South Africa than the international language, English. / Thesis (DLitt (Afrikaans))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Afrikaans / unrestricted