[pt] A dissertação Mangue: uma ilustração da grande narrativa pósmoderna investiga o lugar da literatura nas arenas culturais contemporâneas, tomando como (anti) ilustração o Mangue, cooperativa cultural surgida no início da década de noventa na cidade do Recife. O trabalho discute temas relacionados à literatura e pós-modernidade, mostrando que a fragmentação dos discursos pós-modernos pode engendrar uma grande narrativa: a possível inclusão de grupos sociais e linguagens culturais que até então foram historicamente colocados à margem pelo ocidente. / [en] The thesis Mangue: an Ilustration of the great post-modern narrative investigates the place of literature in contemporary cultural arenas, taking as (non) ilustration the Mangue, a cultural cooperative inititated in the 90´s in the city of Recife. This work discusses themes related to literature and post-modernism, showing that the fragments of post-modern discourses can produce a great narrative: the inclusion of social groups and cultural languages that have been historically set aside by western cultures.

<p> The barrenness narratives of the Hebrew Bible are not only theological but also cultural in nature. A reading of these texts highlights the fact that in the Hebrew culture, and larger ancient Near Eastern context, childbirth was central to a woman's identity. Since beliefs regarding fertility and infertility are similar in the Akan culture, this dissertation proposes that an African (Akan) perspective may be the bridge needed between the Western readings, in which infertility is not viewed so tragically, and the original ANE context, in which infertility is a shameful and tragic condition for a woman. In addition to examining biological infertility this dissertation will also explore "social barrenness." "Social barrenness" is an original term in this dissertation that seeks to categorise other kinds of barrenness circumstances described within the Hebrew Bible. An awareness of the cultural reality, and varieties, of infertility further elucidates the desperation and lengths to which women in the biblical narratives will go in order to have children. Additionally, an appreciation for the cultural dynamics of the narratives will illuminate the theological message(s) of the story. Since this study employs a cultural-narrative approach, it is appropriate to coin the word "wom(b)an," to underscore the centrality of the womb to a woman's identity in the Hebrew and Akan cultures.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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This research was completed to deal with many unanswered questions regarding drug use, specifically drug use in areas of rural poverty. Look at any "Faces of Meth" billboard or listen to any corporate-news program and one might assume there is a drug epidemic in rural areas. Without research, this allows the viewer to assume that poverty is the fault of the drug user who happens to live in rural places. This study sought to take a qualitative and ethnographic methodology to "embed" the researcher in this setting to see for himself whether these views were valid or invalid. The questions of functional drug use were at the forefront of the study, as was the possible relationship between drug use and rural poverty. This study transformed into a serious analysis of a network of drug users in the town of Mulch Valley. While standard sociological (and policy issues) concerns are dealt with, this thesis moves beyond such concerns. Theoretical concerns are brought into questions as new concepts, such as: cultural narrative of addiction, master sociality, slave sociality, and Derridity." "Crushing. Cheating. Changing. Am I deaf or dead? Is this constricting construction or just streets with rusty signs of something violent coming?" (Manson, 2012)

In 1997 the University of Victoria began to develop a vision for a First Peoples House with the objective of constructing a welcoming Coast Salish home on the university campus. This vision was realized in 2009 when the First Peoples House opened to the university community and public. Goals stemming from early discussions of a First Peoples House included a house that would support Indigenous culture, community events, and showcase Indigenous art. The First Peoples House represents a case study of how Indigenous artists and their material culture intersect with new Indigenous architecture. This paper is a supporting document to accompany a documentary film showcasing Indigenous artists and key players who participated in the development of the First Peoples House. The purpose of this paper and film is to document developmental stages of the First Peoples House that includes material culture—“art”—embedded within the architecture of the house. Nine interviews include the artistic vision of six artists whose work is represented in the house, and three individuals who were involved in early developmental and current phases of the First Peoples House. The research is placed in a historical context respecting the relationship between Indigenous architecture, residential schools, space and place and material culture. Film adds another dimension to the scope of this paper. Together, the paper and film form a visual and critical analysis highlighting historical shifts along with contemporary understandings of cultural narratives, material culture, Indigenous culture and architecture as integrated within the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria. / Graduate