This study examines African American stereotypes in film. I studied six directors, Kathryn Bigelow, Spike Lee, the Russo Brothers, Ryan Coogler, Tate Taylor, and Dee Rees; and six films Detroit, BlacKkKlansman, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Help, and Mudbound. Using the framework of critical race theory and auteur theory, I compared the common themes between the films and directors. The main purpose of my study is to see if White or Black directors predominantly used African American stereotypes. I found that both races of directors rely on stereotypes for different purposes. With Black directors, the stereotype was explained further through character development, while the White directors used the stereotype at face value with no further explanation.

The purpose for this research journey was twofold: (1) to discover the power of certain discourses in the charismatic church context and (2) to challenge disrespectful discursive practices in order to co-operate respectful, ethical and caring ways of being. Seven leaders in charismatic churches committed themselves to this qualitative research project. The research process resulted in a confirmation by the participants that some charismatic discursive practices can be abusive and also to the acknowledgement that they too have at times fulfilled the role of abuser, even in unknowingly. This research journey ended in Hope. Hope for more transparency and trust between leaders and members, resulting in more respectful practices. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

Early modern English Catholic eschatology, the belief that the present was the last age and an associated concern with mankind’s destiny, has been overlooked in the historiography. Historians have established that early modern Protestants had an eschatological understanding of the present. This thesis seeks to balance the picture and the sources indicate that there was an early modern English Catholic counter narrative. This thesis suggests that the Catholic eschatological understanding of contemporary events affected political action. It investigates early modern English Catholic eschatology in the context of proscription and persecution of Catholicism between 1558 and 1603. Devotional eschatology was the corner stone of individual Catholic eschatology and placed earthly life in an apocalyptic time-frame. Catholic devotional works challenged the regime and questioned Protestantism. Devotional eschatology is suggestive of a worldview which expected an impending apocalypse but there was a reluctance to date the End. With an eschatological outlook normalised by daily devotional eschatology the Reformation and contemporary events were interpreted apocalyptically. An apocalyptic understanding of the break with Rome was not exclusively Protestant. Indeed, the identification of Antichrist was not just a Protestant concern but rather the linchpin of Reformation debates between Catholics and Protestants. Some identified Elizabeth as Jezebel, the Whore of Babylon. The Bull of Excommunication of 1570 and its language provided papal authority for identifications of Elizabeth as the Whore. The execution of Mary Queen of Scots was a flashpoint which enabled previously hidden ideas to burst into public discourse. This was dangerous as eschatology and apocalypticism was a language of political action. An eschatological understanding of contemporary events encouraged conspiracy. The divine plan required human agents. Catholic prophecy and conspiracy show that eschatology did not just affect how the future was thought about but also had implications for the present. This thesis raises questions about Catholic loyalism which other scholars have also begun to challenge. Yet attempts to depose or murder the monarch was not the only response which could be adopted. Belief that one was living in the End also supported what this thesis terms ‘militant passivity’. Martyrs understood their suffering as a form of eschatological agency which revealed and confirmed the identities of the Antichrist and the Whore. The Book of the Apocalypse promised that they would be rewarded at God’s approaching Judgement and the debates of the Reformation would be settled by the ultimate Judge. As martyrs came to symbolise the English Catholic community, it came to understand itself eschatologically. This thesis argues that acknowledging the eschatological dimensions of Catholic perception and action helps us to re-think the nature of early modern English Catholicism.

The purpose for this research journey was twofold: (1) to discover the power of certain discourses in the charismatic church context and (2) to challenge disrespectful discursive practices in order to co-operate respectful, ethical and caring ways of being. Seven leaders in charismatic churches committed themselves to this qualitative research project. The research process resulted in a confirmation by the participants that some charismatic discursive practices can be abusive and also to the acknowledgement that they too have at times fulfilled the role of abuser, even in unknowingly. This research journey ended in Hope. Hope for more transparency and trust between leaders and members, resulting in more respectful practices. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

Representación de la vida y rapto de Elías profeta est une comédie hagiographique en trois actes écrite par Matías de los Reyes (1575- c.1640), publiée pendant le Siècle d'or espagnol (XVIIe siècle). Basée sur les livres 1 et 2 des Rois de l'Ancien Testament, cette pièce a été imprimée par Pedro de la Cuesta à Jaén en 1629. La seule version connue est conservée à la Biblioteca Nacional de España (BNE), mais aucune édition moderne annotée n'a encore été réalisée. Le but de cette thèse repose sur deux objectifs principaux. Premièrement, faire la première édition annotée de Vida y Rapto de Elías Profeta, à partir de la version numérisée de la BNE du volume imprimé en 1629. Deuxièmement, offrir au lecteur moderne une étude préliminaire qui facilite la lecture et l'interprétation de la comédie en analysant ses éléments dramatiques, théologiques et psychologiques. Pour cette édition annotée, diverses sources critiques ont été consultées, dont la Bible et des œuvres de théologie catholique, des œuvres lexicographiques (comme le Diccionario de autoridades ou le Tesoro de Covarrubias), et d'autres textes pertinents afin de fournir un contexte historique adéquat. Les annotations ont pour but d’approfondir la compréhension des passages de la comédie où Matías de los Reyes réinterprète ou fait allusion à des textes bibliques, et se réfère à des personnages historiques, mythologiques ou à des lieux géographiques. Les annotations visent également à éclaircir les termes et expressions caractéristiques de l'espagnol classique du XVIIe siècle. Pour entreprendre une analyse contemporaine de Vida y Rapto de Elías Profeta, il est proposé d’adopter une méthode pluridisciplinaire qui associe trois perspectives complémentaires : la sémiotique théâtrale d'A. Ubersfeld, l'analyse et l'interprétation des comédies selon E. W. Hesse, et la psychocritique de Ch. Mauron. En outre, la méthode intègre des concepts de théologie morale catholique, telles que la Sainte Trinité, les vertus et les vices capitaux, ainsi que de la psychologie clinique, notamment le narcissisme aristocratique, le harcèlement moral ou psychologique, le mobbing et le harcèlement sexuel, tels qu'ils ont été définis par des experts contemporains de la psychologie clinique. Cette section de la thèse, dans une perspective aussi particulière, vise à démontrer l'universalité et l'actualité du théâtre de l'âge d'or, et son potentiel à illustrer des concepts associés à des phénomènes psychologiques et sociaux contemporains sérieux. La combinaison de disciplines aussi diverses confère à cette étude une approche novatrice et enrichissante du théâtre du Siècle d'or, soulignant sa pertinence pour les études littéraires et les contributions qu'il apporte à d'autres domaines de recherche. / Representación de la vida y rapto de Elías profeta is a hagiographic comedy in three acts written by Matías de los Reyes (1575- c. 1640), published during the Spanish Golden Age (17th century). Based on books 1 and 2 of Kings of the Old Testament, this play was printed by Pedro de la Cuesta in Jaén in 1629. The only known version is preserved at the Biblioteca Nacional de España (BNE), yet no modern annotated edition has been produced to date. The purpose of this thesis focuses on two main objectives. First, to produce the first annotated edition of Vida y rapto de Elías profeta, using the digitized version of the volume printed in 1629 from the BNE. Second, to provide the modern reader with a preliminary study that assists in reading and interpreting the comedy by analyzing its dramatic, theological and psychological elements. Various critical sources were consulted for this annotated edition, including the Bible and works of Catholic theology, lexicographical works (such as the Diccionario de autoridades or the Tesoro de Covarrubias), and other relevant texts to provide an adequate historical context. The annotations aim to deepen understanding of the passages in the comedy where Matías de los Reyes reworks or alludes to biblical texts, and refers to historical and mythological figures or geographical locations. The annotations also seek to clarify terms and expressions typical of 17th-century classical Spanish. To undertake a contemporary analysis of Vida y rapto de Elías profeta, a multidisciplinary approach is proposed that integrates three complementary perspectives: the theatrical semiotics of A. Ubersfeld, the analysis and interpretation of comedies according to E. W. Hesse, and the psychocriticism of Ch. Mauron. Additionally, this method incorporates concepts from Catholic moral theology, such as the Holy Trinity, virtues, and capital vices, as well as from clinical psychology, including aristocratic narcissism, moral or psychological harassment, mobbing, and sexual harassment, as defined by contemporary experts in clinical psychology. From such a particular perspective, this section of the thesis seeks to demonstrate the universality and timeliness of the Golden Age theater, and its potential to illustrate concepts associated with serious contemporary psychological and social phenomena. The combination of such diverse disciplines lends this study an innovative and enriching approach to Golden Age theater, underscoring its significance for literary studies and its contributions to other fields of research. / Representación de la vida y rapto de Elías profeta es una comedia hagiográfica en tres actos escrita por Matías de los Reyes (1575- c. 1640), publicada en pleno Siglo de Oro español (siglo XVII). Basada en los libros 1 y 2 de Reyes del Antiguo Testamento, esta obra fue impresa por Pedro de la Cuesta en Jaén en 1629. La única versión conocida está preservada en la Biblioteca Nacional de España (BNE), pero hasta ahora no se ha llevado a cabo una edición moderna anotada. El propósito de esta tesis se centra en dos objetivos principales. Primero, producir la primera edición anotada de Vida y rapto de Elías Profeta, a partir de la versión digitalizada de la BNE del volumen impreso en 1629. Segundo, ofrecer al lector moderno un estudio preliminar que facilite la lectura e interpretación de la comedia, mediante el análisis de sus elementos dramáticos, teológicos y psicológicos. Para esta edición anotada, se han consultado diversas fuentes críticas, incluidas la Biblia y obras de teología católica, obras lexicográficas (como el Diccionario de autoridades o el Tesoro de Covarrubias) y otros textos relevantes para proporcionar un contexto histórico adecuado. Las anotaciones pretenden profundizar en la comprensión de las partes de la comedia en las que Matías de los Reyes reelabora o alude a pasajes bíblicos y hace referencia a personajes históricos y mitológicos o a lugares geográficos; asimismo, dichas anotaciones buscan aclarar términos y expresiones propios del español clásico del siglo XVII. Para efectuar un análisis contemporáneo de Vida y rapto de Elías profeta, se propone un enfoque multidisciplinario que integra tres perspectivas complementarias: la semiótica teatral de A. Ubersfeld, el análisis e interpretación de comedias según E. W. Hesse, y la psicocrítica de Ch. Mauron. Además, este método incorpora varios conceptos de la teología moral católica, como la Santa Trinidad, la virtud y los vicios capitales, y de la psicología clínica, incluyendo el narcisismo aristocrático, el acoso moral o psicológico, el mobbing, y el acoso sexual, definidos por expertos contemporáneos en psicología clínica. Esta sección de la tesis, desde una perspectiva tan particular, tiene como finalidad demostrar la universalidad y actualidad del teatro del Siglo de Oro, y su potencial para ilustrar conceptos asociados con serios fenómenos psicológicos y sociales contemporáneos. La combinación de disciplinas tan diversas confiere a este estudio un enfoque innovador y enriquecedor del teatro del Siglo de Oro, subrayando su importancia para los estudios literarios y sus aportaciones a otros campos de investigación.