There have been few studies conducted on how children from other than Western populations perceive and learn different graphic symbol sets or systems, especially on how children from poverty contexts learn graphic alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) symbols. Multicultural research is necessary in order to advance and to ensure the quality of the service of AAC for culturally and linguistically diverse AAC users. In the present study the authors strive to describe the learnability of the Blissymbol system in a non-western culture using a semiotic theoretical framework. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the iconicity and learnability of the Blissymbol system for Kenyan children with two different language backgrounds, Swahili and English. This was done in an attempt to investigate potential cultural and linguistic influences of the interpretation and learnability of the Blissymbol. The design and test material was adopted from a previous study (Jennische & Zetterlund, 2012). In the present study, 127 typically developed children in the age six to seven in class one or two in primary school, both from private and public schools, participated. The children had never before encountered Bliss. The children were asked to interpret single Bliss-words and compound Bliss-words, first spontaneously through giving free proposals and then after being given an instructive explanation. The test results were analyzed on a group level and compared between the different groups (age, class and language background). The results show that there was a significant improvement between the pretest and the posttest for all children in the different groups. This indicates that the Blissymbols used in this study had a generally low transparency but a generally high translucency. The results also indicate a generally high learnability and that the children were aided by the instructive explanation. Furthermore, there were significant differences between the different groups, where the children from class two performed better than children from class one and where the English-speaking children performed better than the Swahili-speaking children overall. Age was not significant. The results also indicate that there were differences in how the children interpreted the symbols, but that there were similarities within the specific groups. Further, this indicates that the symbols were interpreted in a similar way by children that belonged to the same age, language and socioeconomic background.

The church is facing a season of challenge in Western Europe and America, areas where once the church was strong and influential. We find, however, that the affluent suburbs in Cape Town are themselves not exempt from the challenge western culture is bringing to the church. Though there are signs of growth in some Christian sectors to inspire hope, there remains a great responsibility on the leaders of the local church today to engage this challenge. A responsibility rests on church leaders to hold firmly to the timeless message of the scriptures, and lightly to the forms of church that no longer engage a culture increasingly unimpressed with the face of modern Christianity. Within this thesis, we will attempt to outline a tenet of the western church’s ecclesiology that has been diluted in many places; this weakness has impacted the church’s ability to engage its community, as well the form and shape of the activities of the local church. Through investigating Jesus’ intention for the local church, we will shown that the church is not defined by the form of its activities, but by people’s response to the demands of the kingdom. We will show that focusing on the church’s response to the demands of the kingdom is able to be a uniting and strengthening force in the church in this season of cultural challenge. The demands of the kingdom are, therefore, to set the agenda for local church leaders, and free those leaders to redesign the form of the church’s activities to engage the local community in culturally appropriate ways. Copyright / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The thesis deals with the transformation of perception of vampire in Western culture from early modern period to present. The vampire in modern Western culture is very popular and has an unwavering place. Vampires are now attractive and basically not dangerous. The subject of this work is question whether it was so in previous centuries. Work present the change in appearance and character, both fictional character and "real vampires." Based on the analysis of selected fictional works (literary and visual) from the late 18th century, when the vampire came to Western fiction, work shows how gradually transforms the image that this supernatural beings attributes in West. An essential part of how culture perceives certain phenomenon is a belief in it. Therefore I am interested in how the West over time explaining this phenomenon. Work also introduces the Norbert Elias's civilization theory. Analysis of transformation in the perception of a vampire in Western culture follows it's tracks and the results are compared with it with the goal to give answer on question whether this phenomenon is turning into the terms of this theory.

The two most prominent cultures that continue to have a defining influence on the socio-political developments in a multi-cutural South African society, are the Western and African cultures. Because of the differences between these two cultures and the respective roles members of each culture have played in the socio-political history of South Africa (especially with regard to the rise and fall of apartheid), conflict and alienation in most cases define the relationship between members of these cultures. Not only does it negatively impact on the multi-cultural society of South Africa as such, it also has far-reaching Implications for the continent as a whole, seeing that South Africa Is regarded as the economical and political powerhouse of Africa upon which are pinned the hopes of millions for a better life. As a result, the importance of reconciliation and unity in the multi-cultural South African society cannot be overemphasized. It is a Biblical imperative that all members of society should live together in peace and harmony. To this end, the church is commanded to serve the reconciliation of Christ to the world (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). One of the instruments to the dlsposal of the reformed churches in South Africa for the completion of this mission, is the liturgical song. The reformed liturgical song consists of poetry (text) and music (melody) which are woven together in such a way that the text of the song is carried directly into the heart of the singer or listener. The combined power of poetry and music provides the church with a powerful therapeutic and communicative instrument by which the truth of the gospel of Christ can effectively be proclaimed to the world. A closer look at the current situation in the multi-cultural South African society reveals that the reformed churches in South Africa (of both Western and African backgrounds) haven't as yet properly played their part in the attaining of reconciliation and unity in society. The central question for research in this study, therefore, is the following: In what way can the reformed liturgical song contribute to the attainment of the ideal of reconciliation and unity in the multi-cultural South African society? The research in this study is structured according to the model for Practical Theology that was developed by Zerfass (1974:164-177). This model entails that specific base theoretical principles are compared with meta-theoretical perspectives to eventually arrive at a theory of practice from which is derived a new set of practical guidelines. In Part 1 of this study, research centres around the base-theoretical principles with regard to culture, multi-culturality, reconciliation, unity, reformed worship and liturgical song, In Part 2 meta-theoretical perspectives are given with regard to culture and multi-culturality in South Africa, reconciliation and unity in the South African context, as well as reformed worship and the use of liturgical song in the multi-cultural South African society. In Part 3 a theory of practice is articulated in which a new set of practical guidelines for the use of the reformed liturgical song towards the attaining of reconciliation and unity in the multi-cultural South African society is given. Finally it is concluded that, with certain adjustments, the reformed liturgical song can effectively be used as an instrument for attaining reconciliation and unity in the multicultural South African society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

This thesis presents an interpretative study of an Australian offshore education program in educational leadership conducted at Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in China from 2002 to 2003. It is a study of the influence of international education on the conceptions of the participants in a particular context, where Chinese culture and Western cultures came into contact. The study is significant because it investigated a relatively new aspect of international education, offshore education, this time from the perspective of the participants. It explored the conceptions of learning and leadership brought by a group of Chinese educational leaders to the course and investigated the perceived influence of the course upon their conceptions and self-reported leadership practice. It employed a culturally sensitive approach which recognizes that a complex interaction between Chinese and Western cultures is occurring in the participants of this study. This interpretative study was inspired by the phenomenographic approach. Phenomenography is an approach to research that has been used to help understand the key aspects of the variations in the experiences of groups of people (Marton & Booth, 1997). The study examined the experiences and understandings about learning and leadership of Chinese leaders in an offshore program, a Master of Educational Leadership. The program was delivered in a flexible mode in three intensive teaching brackets of six subjects. The study employed a semi-structured and in-depth interview technique. Twenty participants were interviewed twice over a 12-month period. The study sought a better understanding of their conceptions by making a comparison between their perceptions prior to and after undertaking the course. Participants were from schools, universities and educational departments. Potential differences across the three sectors were also considered in the analysis. The findings showed that most participants developed more complex understandings of learning and leadership throughout the course. Comparison of conceptions prior to and after the course indicated an expanded range of conceptions. There was reportedly a movement towards more complex and diversified perspectives. Prior to the course, participants reported comparatively traditional conceptions of learning and leadership in quite a limited range. Learning experience and exposure to Western educational ideas and practices seems to have led participants to reflect on their inherited assumptions and to expand their conceptions. They generally increased their awareness of key aspects of variations in learning and leadership. This study identified a general shift from content/utilitarian-oriented learning conceptions to meaning/developmental-oriented conceptions after undertaking the course. There was also a shift from task/directiveorientated conceptions about leadership to motivation/collaborative-oriented leadership conceptions. Many participants reported that they expanded their leadership practice after the course. The findings also revealed some differences regarding conceptual and practice changes across the three sectors. The study contributes to understanding of learning and leadership in an international education context. The learning and leadership conceptions and self-reported practices are context and culture dependent. The study illustrates the tensions between different cultural forces in the process of teaching and learning. The methodology which explores the subjective understandings of participants renders more complex understandings of intercultural processes than cross-cultural comparisons which have been predominant in the educational leadership field in the past. The results highlight the need for appreciation of local contexts in designing international programs. The discussion questions the universal applicability and transferability of Western ideas, and also highlights the importance of critical reflection and adaptation on the part of educational practitioners from non-Western cultures. It highlights the potential for growth of change in both providers and recipients of international education as a result of very different cultures and traditions coming into contact. Intercultural dialogue and integration of educational ideas and practices are likely to come about when East meets West in an open and reflective dialogue.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This practicum focuses on end-of-life care for older adults in rural Canada. Specifically, it addresses links between domesticity and terminal illness amongst adults within the building typology of hospice. The objective of the practicum is the creation of a model for hospice design in rural Manitoba. The hospice will be supported in pre-fabricated housing. The practicum will address contemporary issues arising from publicly-funded healthcare, the aging Canadian population, and cultural issues surrounding dying, death, and grieving. The main goals to be achieved with this project were the creation of care facilities that encourage dialogue, education, and wellbeing for all users. Additionally, the facilities will be designed as multi-sensory environments where all human senses can be stimulated, expanding beyond typical visual stimuli.

The two most prominent cultures that continue to have a defining influence on the socio-political developments in a multi-cutural South African society, are the Western and African cultures. Because of the differences between these two cultures and the respective roles members of each culture have played in the socio-political history of South Africa (especially with regard to the rise and fall of apartheid), conflict and alienation in most cases define the relationship between members of these cultures. Not only does it negatively impact on the multi-cultural society of South Africa as such, it also has far-reaching Implications for the continent as a whole, seeing that South Africa Is regarded as the economical and political powerhouse of Africa upon which are pinned the hopes of millions for a better life. As a result, the importance of reconciliation and unity in the multi-cultural South African society cannot be overemphasized. It is a Biblical imperative that all members of society should live together in peace and harmony. To this end, the church is commanded to serve the reconciliation of Christ to the world (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). One of the instruments to the dlsposal of the reformed churches in South Africa for the completion of this mission, is the liturgical song. The reformed liturgical song consists of poetry (text) and music (melody) which are woven together in such a way that the text of the song is carried directly into the heart of the singer or listener. The combined power of poetry and music provides the church with a powerful therapeutic and communicative instrument by which the truth of the gospel of Christ can effectively be proclaimed to the world. A closer look at the current situation in the multi-cultural South African society reveals that the reformed churches in South Africa (of both Western and African backgrounds) haven't as yet properly played their part in the attaining of reconciliation and unity in society. The central question for research in this study, therefore, is the following: In what way can the reformed liturgical song contribute to the attainment of the ideal of reconciliation and unity in the multi-cultural South African society? The research in this study is structured according to the model for Practical Theology that was developed by Zerfass (1974:164-177). This model entails that specific base theoretical principles are compared with meta-theoretical perspectives to eventually arrive at a theory of practice from which is derived a new set of practical guidelines. In Part 1 of this study, research centres around the base-theoretical principles with regard to culture, multi-culturality, reconciliation, unity, reformed worship and liturgical song, In Part 2 meta-theoretical perspectives are given with regard to culture and multi-culturality in South Africa, reconciliation and unity in the South African context, as well as reformed worship and the use of liturgical song in the multi-cultural South African society. In Part 3 a theory of practice is articulated in which a new set of practical guidelines for the use of the reformed liturgical song towards the attaining of reconciliation and unity in the multi-cultural South African society is given. Finally it is concluded that, with certain adjustments, the reformed liturgical song can effectively be used as an instrument for attaining reconciliation and unity in the multicultural South African society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Liturgics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

This practicum focuses on end-of-life care for older adults in rural Canada. Specifically, it addresses links between domesticity and terminal illness amongst adults within the building typology of hospice. The objective of the practicum is the creation of a model for hospice design in rural Manitoba. The hospice will be supported in pre-fabricated housing. The practicum will address contemporary issues arising from publicly-funded healthcare, the aging Canadian population, and cultural issues surrounding dying, death, and grieving. The main goals to be achieved with this project were the creation of care facilities that encourage dialogue, education, and wellbeing for all users. Additionally, the facilities will be designed as multi-sensory environments where all human senses can be stimulated, expanding beyond typical visual stimuli.

Cette étude au croisement de l’histoire et des études visuelles porte sur le corps et l’iconographie du nu à Taïwan à deux périodes : la colonisation japonaise (1895-1945) et la période du GMD jusqu’à la levée de la Loi martiale (1945-1987). Elle examine le lien entre la représentation du corps, l’iconographie du nu et l’intervention du pouvoir (re)formé dans la transformation de la société taïwanaise dans les deux périodes. L’influence mutuelle entre ces trois éléments transforme les pratiques corporelles des habitants de l’île, leur perception vis-à-vis de leur propre corps, ainsi que leur regard sur l’iconographie du nu. De la manipulation du colonisateur japonais sur la production et la publication d’images de nu à la domination autoritaire du GMD sur la culture, influencé en même temps par la culture et les valeurs occidentales depuis le début du XXème siècle, le corps des habitants de Taïwan représenté dans l’iconographie est continuellement (re)habillé et (re)dénudé. Ce travail entend analyser à la fois l’intervention du pouvoir dans la représentation du corps nu dans l’iconographie et les facteurs qui changent constamment le regard sur cette iconographie dans le contexte historique, culturel, ethnique, économique et politique de Taïwan au cours du XXème siècle. / This study at the crossroads of history and visual studies focuses on the body and the iconography of nude in Taiwan in two periods: Japanese colonization (1895-1945) and the GMD regime up to the lifting of martial law (1945-1987). It examines the relationship between the representation of the body, the iconography of nude, and the intervention of (re)formed power in the transformation of Taiwanese society in the two periods. The mutual influence between these three elements transformed the bodily practices of the inhabitants of the island, their perception vis-à-vis their own bodies and their gaze on the iconography of the nude. From the manipulation of Japanese colonial in the production and publication of images of nude to the authoritarian domination of the GMD on culture, yet at the same time influenced by Western culture and values since the beginning of the twentieth century, the body of the inhabitants of Taiwan represented in the iconography is continually (re)dressed and (re)denuded. This work examines both the intervention of power in the representation of the nude body in the iconography and the factors that are constantly changing the gaze on this iconography in the economic and political, cultural, ethnic context of Taiwan during the twentieth century.