This dissertation thesis is focused on the research of role of symbols, especially graphic symbols (emblems, logos), in the process of region formation and in the process of shap- ing of regional identities. These aspects are studied in the context of Anssi Paasi's theory of institutionalization of region. The thesis discusses the use of symbols in the develop- ment of regions of different scales. The theoretical background of symbol research in the process of a region formation, as based on literature research, is later verified on an example of the analysis of symbols of the Liberec Region and the way they are used by various regional institutions. The Liberec Region is a suitable model area since it both represents a newly constituted region (after 2000), as well as it is already fully institution- alized. This region is also very heterogeneous from the point of view of the natural and cultural heritage. Regarding the settlement perspective, there are both areas inhabited continuously (traditional, "Czech" areas) and areas resettled after the WWII. In its first part, the thesis is devoted to evolution of regional geography. It briefly pre- sents how regional geography responded to paradigmatic changes, and how it gradually evolved into a "new" regional geography. Next, it discusses the concept...

The thesis deals with the market orientation of high-tech companies based in the city of Brno. It measures the effects of market orientation on business performance, analyzes the relations between market orientation and business performance for chosen companies and evaluates logical structure of the questionnaire used for marketing research. Based on the results of the research the thesis contains solution proposals addressed to the given companies, points out their weaknesses and follows with the proposals for the structure of the questionnaire and its future application for researching market orientation of the companies.

The Christian church has been an inherent part of human continuity for more than thousand years. The external appearance of the Christian church has always reflected societal transformations as well as turning points in history. Moreover, it has become an integral part of our existence both in space and time. Nowadays, we frequently hear that the crisis of European society is in effect an identity crisis, an inability to ask about where we are heading and what the meaning of life is. The reduction of time givenness to the already limited scope of our own physical existence destroys the ability in a man to ask questions and find answers to them, or even enquire about the meaning and essence of things. The carefree, dispersed husk blown by the wind may seem to be free and independent; however, it has also stopped trying to actively find paths for future generations. One of the fundamental attributes of an architect should be a strong aptitude for synthetic thinking, which includes multiple knowledge of social cognition, i.e. in the currentness of present experience as well as in time. This knowledge should ideally help to identify the core of problem, and to define the general rules applicable, regardless of changes in social demand, trends or taste. This dissertation, concerned with the “change” of the Christian church, ought to provide a compact, effective platform based on a synthesis of all analytical findings in the areas of architecture, liturgy, history, and theology. This platform can be applied in architectural practice, education (both architectural and theological), pastorage, and other wide, well-researched social discourses on the current form of the Christian sacred space, its basis and likely future development. The emphasis should be put on individual interpretation of a target group rather than dogmatic interpretation of dramatic revelations. Therefore, the first half of the dissertation will analyse the theological and symbolic basis, and historic transformations. Whilst, the second half will depict the current approach to the creation of sacred space in both newly built churches and the ongoing conversions of existing spaces. In conclusion, the dissertation will debate the future direction of sacred space in post-Christian Europe.

Cette thèse se propose de montrer, à partir d’exemples concrets de textes anti-Šu‘ūbiyya tirés des œuvres d’al-Ğāḥiẓ (m. 255/869) et d’Ibn Qutayba (m. 276/889), la prégnance de la période préislamique sur l’adab du IIIe/IXe siècle. La méthode retenue est la confrontation critique notamment de la version numérisée de ces textes. Cette approche permet d’alimenter l’hypothèse d’une représentation magnifiée de l’Arabie préislamique : une image qui a fondé une part non négligeable des symboles identitaires de la culture arabo-musulmane, nourrie d’un passé mythique dans lequel peuvent se retrouver tous les musulmans sans préjuger de leurs ascendances.En effet, entendant par « mythe » les récits des origines qui cherchent à expliquer des données de la réalité en les inscrivant dans une dimension transcendée et surnaturelle, le symbolisme de l’adab situe l’essence des valeurs qu’il défend dans l’héritage des anciens Arabes. Cherchant à expliquer le monde, les udabā’ feront de la ğāhiliyya la source des vertus et le berceau de la langue arabe la plus pure. Inventant de nouvelles généalogies « fédératrices », ils s’attacheront à mettre en avant la maîtrise des traditions arabes préislamiques. Ainsi, nos deux auteurs situent la naissance de la civilisation arabo-musulmane dans des récits hors du temps et en rupture avec le présent. Les musulmans non-arabes peuvent donc ne plus se réclamer de leurs passé « réaliste » et prendre plutôt racine dans un passé qui favorise une culture commune inscrite dans un temps autre que le temps historique. Nos auteurs inventent une manière de culture vierge qui, seule, peut permettre à leurs yeux le commencement absolu. Par conséquent, les référents à la supériorité devraient être bouleversés par « l’effet anti-Šu‘ūbiyya » puisque l’origine ethnique ou la réalité historique ne sont plus le seul sens de l’existence. / Based on concrete examples from anti-Šu‘ūbiyya texts pulled from works of al-Ğāḥiẓ (d. 255/869) and Ibn Qutayba (d. 276/889), this thesis aims to demonstrate the pre eminence of the pre-Islamic period on the adab of the IIIe/IXe century. From a methodology which consists in a critical confrontation between these texts (especially the digitalized version of the texts), our point is to fuel the hypothesis of an adorned representation of pre-Islamic Arabia : This image produced a very important part of identical symbols of the Arab-Muslim culture, based on a mythical past in which all the Muslims without prejudice to their ancestries can find themselves."Myth" meaning the narratives of the origins created to explain data of the reality by registering them in a transcent and supernatural dimension, the symbolism of the adab places the essence of the values it is based on in the inheritance of the former Arabs. Trying to explain the world, the udabā’ made of the ğāhiliyya the source of the virtues and the cradle of the purest Arabic language. They devised new common genealogies to put forward the knowledge of the pre-Islamic Arabic traditions. Our two authors stand out the birth of the Arab-Muslim civilization in timeless narratives and in breach with the present time. Thus the non-Arabic Muslims can not refer anymore to their "historical" past and to take rather roots in a past which supports a common culture registered in a not historical time. Only this kind of blank culture, invented by our two authors, could allow the absolute beginning. Consequently, the markers of the supposed superiority could be shaken by the "anti-Šu‘ūbiyya effect" since the ethnical origin or the historical reality are not the only sense of the existence anymore.

Makala haya yanachanganua ishara na uashiriaji kama mbinu ya kimtindo ya kuwasilisha maana na kukuza uhusika na maudhui katika riwaya ya Nyuso za Mwanamke (2010) ya Said Ahmed Mohamed. Nimechanganua aina tatu za ishara ambazo ni ishara bia, ishara za kaida na ishara za kifasihi kama zinavyoainishwa na Frye na wenzake (1985). Lengo kuu ni kuchanganua na kubainisha jinsi ishara zinavyowasilisha maana na itikadi za jamii katika matini husika. Ishara hizi pia husaidia kukuza maudhui, ploti na kuongeza ujumi katika matini za kifasihi. / This article analyses symbols and symbolism as stylistic devices of communicating meaning and as a technique of characterisation and theme development in Nyuso za Mwanamke (The Faces of a Woman, 2010) written by Said Ahmed Mohamed. I analysed three types of symbols which are natural symbols, conventional symbols and literary symbols following Frye et al. (1985). This study aims at showing how symbols are used in literary works to communicate meaning and the ideology of the society depicted in the text. Symbols also help to build the theme, the plot and adding aesthetic value in literary texts.

This dissertation thesis is focused on the research of role of symbols, especially graphic symbols (emblems, logos), in the process of region formation and in the process of shap- ing of regional identities. These aspects are studied in the context of Anssi Paasi's theory of institutionalization of region. The thesis discusses the use of symbols in the develop- ment of regions of different scales. The theoretical background of symbol research in the process of a region formation, as based on literature research, is later verified on an example of the analysis of symbols of the Liberec Region and the way they are used by various regional institutions. The Liberec Region is a suitable model area since it both represents a newly constituted region (after 2000), as well as it is already fully institution- alized. This region is also very heterogeneous from the point of view of the natural and cultural heritage. Regarding the settlement perspective, there are both areas inhabited continuously (traditional, "Czech" areas) and areas resettled after the WWII. In its first part, the thesis is devoted to evolution of regional geography. It briefly pre- sents how regional geography responded to paradigmatic changes, and how it gradually evolved into a "new" regional geography. Next, it discusses the concept...

Mulberry and Peach is a novel written in the 1970s by a Chinese American writer named Nie Hualing (1925- ). It contains overlapping letters and diaries with flashbacks and flashforwards in first-person narration. Taohong is the new identity after Sangqing’s schizophrenia in the USA in 1969-1970. The book starts with Taohong’s letter, which introduces the main female character Sangqing´s life stories, told through her diaries between 1945-the 1970s in four places of her diasporic lives from mainland China to Taiwan, then the USA. The aim of this thesis is to explore the title of the book, the prologue and the epilogue, Sangqing’s first Dairy on Qutang Gorge (1945), and the four letters from Taohong, using the close reading method and combining the theories and concepts of characterization and symbolism, impressionistic, female aesthetic, intertextuality in literature and the cultural symbols for a deep and detailed text reading analysis.

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The thesis describes the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling with orphans and vulnerable children (future: OVC) affected by HIV and AIDS in Mbeya.. It is a narrative approach study which examines and explores stories and other metaphors for the children’s resilience. A narrative approach helps pastoral counselors to use stories and metaphors such as life stories, proverbs, biblical narratives, plays, art, songs, riddles, poems, symbols and images for the healing and coping mechanism with OVC. The OVC in the midst of challenges of HIV and AIDS crisis can find a healing and coping mechanism in Mbeya. A narrative approach with the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling and in practical theology can be used and applied in responding to issues surrounding the OVC. It is an approach that can help the OVC find their resilience and grow into a more meaningful life, the life of wholeness. Methodologically, case studies, focus groups and interviews have been used to collect the data which was analyzed and interpreted in detail to reach the objectives of the study. I explored and discussed in detail the use of narratives, stories, and metaphors in case studies and focus groups with OVC in Mbeya. Finally, an integrative narrative model was established to build up a practical method for practical theology and counseling in dealing with the challenges which the OVC are facing. The model came as a result of the analysis and interpretation of the case studies, focus groups and interviews conducted in the field research. It describes a life cycle of a person, the events and experiences one passes through, which will ultimately help a person to grow and mature to become whole or an integrative being. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology, Specialisation Pastoral Therapy)

The thesis describes the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling with orphans and vulnerable children (future: OVC) affected by HIV and AIDS in Mbeya.. It is a narrative approach study which examines and explores stories and other metaphors for the children’s resilience. A narrative approach helps pastoral counselors to use stories and metaphors such as life stories, proverbs, biblical narratives, plays, art, songs, riddles, poems, symbols and images for the healing and coping mechanism with OVC. The OVC in the midst of challenges of HIV and AIDS crisis can find a healing and coping mechanism in Mbeya. A narrative approach with the use of stories and metaphors in pastoral counseling and in practical theology can be used and applied in responding to issues surrounding the OVC. It is an approach that can help the OVC find their resilience and grow into a more meaningful life, the life of wholeness. Methodologically, case studies, focus groups and interviews have been used to collect the data which was analyzed and interpreted in detail to reach the objectives of the study. I explored and discussed in detail the use of narratives, stories, and metaphors in case studies and focus groups with OVC in Mbeya. Finally, an integrative narrative model was established to build up a practical method for practical theology and counseling in dealing with the challenges which the OVC are facing. The model came as a result of the analysis and interpretation of the case studies, focus groups and interviews conducted in the field research. It describes a life cycle of a person, the events and experiences one passes through, which will ultimately help a person to grow and mature to become whole or an integrative being. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology, Specialisation Pastoral Therapy)