Gangs exist as metaphors of the societies in which they are embedded and are powerful, hence the need is great for an ecologically powerful model and a collation of a picture about gangs and gang life as described by knowledgeable individuals. With so much literature and knowledgeable individuals at hand to provide insight into the problem, the rationale for this study comes forth in the form of taking all this knowledge and insight and creating a collation of a picture of gangs as it is understood by those who study them and by those who have been confronted with them. The theoretical framework is a social constructionist cybernetic epistemology. One-on-one interviews were conducted with knowledgeable sources and audio-visual material assisted in understanding the context of gangs better. A hermeneutic analysis was used. The interview transcripts from the participants were analysed and themed according to a thematic network analysis and linked with available literature. These themes were then used to represent a Time Cable of gangs. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Gangs exist as metaphors of the societies in which they are embedded and are powerful, hence the need is great for an ecologically powerful model and a collation of a picture about gangs and gang life as described by knowledgeable individuals. With so much literature and knowledgeable individuals at hand to provide insight into the problem, the rationale for this study comes forth in the form of taking all this knowledge and insight and creating a collation of a picture of gangs as it is understood by those who study them and by those who have been confronted with them. The theoretical framework is a social constructionist cybernetic epistemology. One-on-one interviews were conducted with knowledgeable sources and audio-visual material assisted in understanding the context of gangs better. A hermeneutic analysis was used. The interview transcripts from the participants were analysed and themed according to a thematic network analysis and linked with available literature. These themes were then used to represent a Time Cable of gangs. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This dissertation provides a theological and sociological examination of the moral crisis of the Korean church based on ethical paradigms from Stanley Hauerwas and H. Richard Niebuhr. The dissertation also explains and critically analyzes the ethical problems of the Korean church and the assimilation of narratives and unethical practices from Korean society into the Korean church. Besides analyzing the influence that this assimilation has had on the moral formation of the Korean church, the study also suggests theological resources for correcting this problem. The thesis of the dissertation is that an ethical framework based on the work of Stanley Hauerwas and H. Richard Niebuhr not only explains the assimilation of cultural and ecclesial narratives that has led to the moral crisis of the Korean church but also offers an effective approach for forming the character of the church in positive ways. The dissertation emphasizes the necessity of finding new narratives for the Korean church and Korean society. It shows how Hauerwas's approach and Niebuhr's ethical categories can benefit a community like the Korean church, which has experienced a moral crisis of corruption and a lack of public trust over the past several decades.