This study examines how hegemonic gender norms are reproduced and resisted in the seventh season of the Swedish reality show Gift vid första ögonkastet. Through the lens of Butler's theory of performativity, the study uses Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis to uncover the hidden ideologies in the language used in the show.  The show’s material consists of the contestants and their discussions, as well as a panel of experts who guide both the audience and the contestants in their relationship struggles. The language analyzed is that of both the contestants and the experts. With a selection of fourteen scenes, the study aims to analyze how the language used can establish and reproduce hegemonic gender norms as well as reject and resist said norms.  The results show that the reproduction of hegemonic gender norms is mainly achieved by differentially ascribing certain attributes to women and others to men. Resistance against hegemonic gender norms by contestants is almost exclusively enacted by the show’s women, mainly by pointing out to the men their use of heterosexist language and demanding them to participate in traditionally feminine behavior. This demand leads to a new masculine gender norm in the studied context, a norm which differs from the one the show’s men usually participate in. The results also show that the panel of experts have an amplifying function: As part of the production apparatus, they elevate certain subjects and disputes to create particular narratives.

The Diploma work explores and develops one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit, that Catholic Church has like a treasure, and it is charisma. Many times in the Church or outside the Church a man can encounter with a negative attitude when the concept of charismas is mentioned, because many people do not know the true meaning and purpose of these gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the Diploma work is to raise in a simplicity the main issues of the topic and to offer answers to certain questions connected with the exposing of authenticity of this gift, which the Saint Paul is writing about. In the first part the Diploma work deals with the main attitudes of the Catholic Church towards charismas from the perspective of what Holy Scripture and Catechism of the Catholic Church says on the charismas. The Diploma work efforts to develop a spiritual knowledge of charismas, their authenticity and also a danger of sliding out of the Church. It discusses the criteria for distinguishing and recognition of charismas. The work discusses the gifts, charismas and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The topic is focused on identifing of the gifts of Holy Spirit and their presence in the Church and in the life of individual. Finally, the Diploma work describes topics such as "baptism in the Holy Spirit", thus...

Video Absence reflects the findings of theoretical thesis named Boredom. The basic situation is described as lack of meaning, will, interest and feeling. Video is an attempt at poetic reflection of such situation, which is characterised as aimless searching without finding. The main tools are empty hands and different kinds of ground. The void has been overcome through the gesture related to problem of gift.

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The purpose of this essay is to examine the scientific relations between Sweden and America, later USA, through the letter correspondence between Nils Collin and his fellow “scientists” in Sweden and America between 1770–1830. By examining the letters though three different theoretical lenses: Scientific persona, gift exchange and the geography of knowledge with the concepts of centers and peripheries, the inquiry shows us how the scientific relations between the two countries developed and changed during the investigated time period, thus adapting themselves to the political developments that created an international scientific arena instead of the earlier nation neutrality. The letter correspondence reflects the increase in communication between Swedish scientists and American scientists as well as between Swedish institutions such as The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and The American Philosophical Society with Nils Collin as their main go-between. The letters indicate that Nils Collin’s role within the communication network changed with time and that he became an enabler of knowledge circulation between Sweden and the US though his position and many contacts. Lastly, by examining the letters, we can see how the increased communication as well as Nils Collin’s changing role plays part in the American scientific and national development that ultimately changed the earlier ideas of centers and peripheries of knowledge.

Gift exchange is at the heart of many social relationships and interactions. Various studies haveimplied that gift-giving is often based on the obligation to reciprocate, thus creating an economicexchange. The common components of gift-giving are the gift, the giver and the receiver, and theoccasion. Many studies have suggested various motives and functions for gift-giving. It is wellknown that the custom of gift-giving is an important part of Japanese culture. However, no researchis found regarding Finnish gift-giving behavior. In an effort to understand more about the diversegift exchange phenomenon, this study compares Japanese and Finnish gift-giving behavior. The aimis to examine the motivations and functions, and how the cultural values are reflected in gift-givingbehavior in both countries. For this purpose, two online surveys are conducted for both Japaneseand Finnish people. The findings are then compared with each other as well as with previousstudies. The results reveal that gift-giving behavior is relatively similar in both Japan and Finland inmany aspects, and the findings are mostly consistent with previous studies. It also seems thatwomen are a little more involved in gift-giving both in Japan and Finland.

<p>  </p> <p>The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of purchasing purposes and country of origin on consumer’s purchasing intentions for sparkling wine, considering the effect of consumer’s value perceptions on the product. Two study populations were investigated: general U.S. wine consumers and self-identified food and beverage practitioners. It was found that for the general U.S. wine consumers, buying wine for gift giving or self-gifting would result in different purchasing intention and perceived emotional-social value, but Country of Origin (e.g., French Champagne or U.S. Sparkling Wine) did not result in any differences in purchasing intentions or perceived values. The practitioner group did not note any significant differences  between scenarios given the purchasing purposes and country of origin on their purchasing intentions and perceived values. Correlations of perceived emotional-social value, perceived price value and purchasing intention were found. Several practical and theoretical implications were presented. </p>

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