In this thesis, First Nations popular music is examined as a polysemic sign (or symbolic form) whose meaning is mediated both socially and politically. Native popular music is a locus for the action of different social forces which interact in negotiating the nature and the meaning of the music. Music is socially meaningful in that it provides a means by which people construct and recognize social and cultural identities. As such, First Nations popular music functions as an emblem of symbolic differentiation between Canadian natives and non-natives. Native pop music plays host to a number of political meanings embedded in this syncretic musical form. Struggle over meaning is mediated within the music itself: in the lyrics, in the music, in the juxtaposition of musical styles, and between music and text. Mediation on all of these levels is further influenced by the mass media. Meaning on individual, local and national levels is dependent on the socio-political positioning of both the performers and the audience. Because socio-political positions are themselves fluid, political meanings are also in constant flux. As a polysemic sign vehicle, First Nations popular music is a locus for these various meanings and a site for the construction and deconstruction of political discourse. / Arts, Faculty of / Music, School of / Graduate

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Communication

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Communication

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Communication

This thesis explores, from a feminist perspective, some implications on the status of women in selected dance forms, and addresses the perceptions of women as 'inferior' and 'subordinate'. One of the intentions behind the work was, indeed, to challenge prevailing perceptions and create an awareness of sexism, capitalism and patriarchy, especially for the uncritical and uninformed who have become its victims. Part 1 offers an analysis of the premises upon which social, political and economic inequality are founded and consolidated, with specific reference to sexual inequality and sexual prejudice. Utilising a Marxist-feminist and semiotic approach, the machinations of the traditional mass media are linked to negative imaging of the female body in support of the sexist, patriarchal, capitalist male manipulator, who benefits from women's subordinate social status. Part 2 addresses the issue of sexual politics, and the implications for dance research and performance. The researcher offers a descriptive analysis of four specific dance forms, which serve to highlight the socialisation and educational processes that shape our perceptions and instruct our lives. A set of questionnaires was sent to fourteen autonomous dance institutions, including those attached to national performing arts councils. The thesis concludes with a summary of the results of the questionnaires that were distributed amongst female dancers, dance students and choreographers. The researcher questions our culture's preoccupation with the female body image, and posits the urgent need for an assessment of this situation, and an education which will create a better understanding and a more harmonious climate for development.

The consumption of media and television has changed dramatically over the past few years. Proliferation of content and devices means that viewers are no longer bound by traditional linear broadcasting and are making extensive use of time shifted content on their own terms. As a result there has been an in depth focus on the new forms of media consumption. The main objective of this research was to examine the consumer choice of devices to consume time-shifted content, more specifically video-on-demand content. This was examined from a consumer behaviour perspective to determine the choices that viewers make regarding which devices to use; together with an analysis of contextual situations. The research design was of a descriptive nature and ordinal quantitative data were collected through an electronic survey. 188 respondents who had access and made active use of video-on-demand platforms within a pay-tv operator completed the survey. Results revealed moderate statistical relationships for some of the individual values that had been identified from consumer behaviour theory. Descriptively, relationships were noted for certain devices and the widespread consumption of others The research concluded with recommendations for the management of the broadcasting industry based on the findings, as well as direction for further research opportunities. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / zkgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

This research focuses on the function of sport fan identity in seeking optimal psychological distinctiveness. The purpose of the study was to investigate the mechanisms through which sport fans balance the psychological needs for distinctiveness and assimilation through the expression of their team identity, thereby contributing to a stronger explanation of how these psychological needs function within the attachment process towards stronger fan loyalty. Although a growing body of knowledge has addressed the internalisation of a sport object into the self-concept, existing theoretical frameworks provide limited explanation of the mechanisms through which these needs are met. Literature on team identity and psychological distinctiveness was reviewed in order to derive a set of research questions to investigate the use of the structural reality mechanism and perceptual framing mechanism at an individual and group level for sport fans at different levels of psychological connection to their chosen team. A two-phase mixed method research design allowed a purposeful stage-based investigation of psychological distinctiveness. The findings provide evidence of the use of both the structural reality mechanism and the perceptual framing mechanism as fans use their team identity to balance their needs for belonging and distinctiveness. The results of the study found that the mechanisms were involved at both higher stages of iii psychological connection to their chosen team, as well as at both individual level and group level. The study contributes the optimal distinctiveness mechanisms of structural reality and perceptual framing to the revised Psychological Continuum Model theoretical framework, thus examining sport fan identity motives beyond selfesteem. The study also contributes to the limited research undertaken within the sport of rugby and in South Africa, while providing additional mixed method and qualitative analysis guidance for researching sport fandom. The findings of this research are relevant to sport marketers, sponsorship managers, and sport broadcasters who wish to facilitate stronger and more positive relationships between fans, as well as with the sport object. Marketers are able to use the mechanisms and strategies examined in this study to create additional opportunities for attached and allegiant fans to express their distinctiveness within the attachment process towards stronger fan loyalty. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / pagibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / PhD / Unrestricted

D.Litt.et Phil. (Social Work) / This study was conducted within the context of the Mining Industry. The empirical investigation involved 80 apprentice and three Lifestyle trainers based at the Goldfields Training Centre in Luipaardsvlei. The aim of this research was to: (i) Assess the applicability of R R Carkhuff's measurable model of human processing as a basis for a South African based Lifestyle programme. (ii) Research available material in respect of motivating the implementation of Wellness strategies within South African Corporations. (iii) Validate a Lifestyle programme and trainer material for the mining industry which is designed to positively impact apprentice productivity in respect of their living, learning and working life spheres. It was found that: (i) R R Carkhuff's human processing model of programme development and trainer training provided a solid foundation for an effective Lifestyle programme in the South African mining industry. (ii) The literature and research studies indicate that a preventative orientation in respect of employee development and pro-active measures are good financial investments.

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No description available.