Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Old Testament Studies / unrestricted

Social networks like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn offer the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with friends and family in our personal life through the social technology without seeing each other on daily bases. This different approach is already common to be used for the majority of people and brings new benefits to now-a-day global environment. The same users of these external social networks are working in companies with various internal collaboration and communication tools. This fact has become stimulus for the theory of using social network technologies inside of the organization called Social Business. Social Business brings multiple new benefits for the organization, which were not possible to be gain through the previous approaches of communication and collaboration. In the present work we study the process of transforming organization into Social Business.

The presented dissertation examines the potential of using the sentiment score extracted from textual data with historical stock index data to improve the performance of stock market prediction through the created model of the expert system. Given the large number of financial-related text documents published by both professional and amateur investors, not only on online social networks that could have an impact on real stock markets, but it is also crucial to analyze and in particular extract financial texts published by different users. investor sentiment. In this work, investor sentiment is obtained from online financial reports and contributions published on the financial social platform StockTwits. Sentiment scores are determined using a hybrid approach combining machine learning models with the teacher and neural networks, with multiple lexicons of positive and negative words used to classify sentiment polarity. The influence of sentiment score on the stock market through causality, cointegration and coherence is analyzed. The dissertation proposes a model of an expert system based on fuzzy logic methods. Fuzzy logic provides remarkable features when working with vague, inaccurate or unclear data and is able to deal with the chaotic environment of stock markets. In recent scientific studies, it has gained in popularity a higher level of fuzzy logic, which is referred to as type-2 fuzzy logic. Unlike the classic type-1 fuzzy logic, this higher type is able to integrate a certain level of uncertainty between the dual membership functions. However, this type of expert system is considerably neglected in the subject issue of stock market prediction using the extracted investor sentiment. For this reason, the dissertation examines the potential to use and the performance of type-2 fuzzy logic. Specifically, several type-2 fuzzy models are created. which are trained on historical stock index data and sentiment scores extracted from text data for the period 2018-2020. The created models are assessed to measure the prediction performance without sentiment and with the integration of investor sentiment. Subsequently, based on the created expert model, the investment strategy is determined, and its profitability is monitored. The prediction performance of fuzzy models is compared with the performance of several comparison models, including SVM, KNN, naive Bayes and others. It has been observed from experiments that fuzzy logic models are able to improve prediction by appropriate setting of membership and uncertainty functions contained in them and are able to compete with classical expert prediction models, which are standardly used in research studies. The created model should serve as a tool to support investment decisions for individual investors.

This diploma thesis will focus on the Griko dialect, which is still spoken in some areas of Apulia and which is characterized by its ambiguity between the Greek and Italian language. It thus bears the remnants of Greek culture in southern Italy. The diploma thesis will consist of a theoretical and practical part: In the first part, the cultural-historical reality that defines the dialect will be described. This will be followed by a practical analysis of selected texts, their subsequent description and analysis by a comparative method. Lastly, the work will deal with the current socio-cultural situation of the dialect and its use. Key words: griko, Southern Italy, Salento, Apulia, Greece, language, dialect, culture, text analysis, national traditions, identity, Greek, Italian, prestige, origin

This study aims to survey and compare Swedish newspaper coverage relating to convicted terrorists Anders Behring Breivik and Rakhmat Akilov. The pivotal question of the study is whether this coverage differs depending on factors such as each perpetrator’s ethnicity and political beliefs. The source material has been gathered from Swedish national newspapers Aftonbladet and Svenska Dagbladet. This study has utilised a mixed research methodology consisting of a quantitative digital text analysis combined with a qualitative frame analysis. The theoretical framework of this study mainly consists of media theories such as framing (as defined by Goffman 1974, Van Gorp 2010, Shehata 2012 and more), construction of crime news and crime waves (Jewkes 2004, Fishman 1978) and news values (Häger 2014). Additionally, theories about orientalism, stereotyping, and ethnicity are applied (Dyer 1997:2006, Said 1978). Other research on the aforementioned topics is also touched upon.The quantitative part of this study has been conducted through the use of text analysis tool Textometrica. A total of 460 newspaper articles mentioning either perpetrator have been analysed. This has highlighted the framing, wording, and phraseology of said articles. The qualitative part of the study consists of an in-depth survey of frames found in a select number of these articles. It draws inspiration from frame research conducted by, among others, journalism professor Baldwin Van Gorp (2010).The results of this study show a noticeable difference in the portrayals of both perpetrators. While Aftonbladet tends to simplify stories, Svenska Dagbladet leans towards a more comprehensive coverage. In general, a certain degree of attention is given to elaborations on Behring Breivik’s personal life and youth to explain his wrongdoings. Akilov, on the other hand, is mostly just described through his foreign appearance and is more clearly conceptualised as a terrorist and as part of a larger network (the Islamic State). / Syftet med denna studie är att jämföra svensk nyhetsrapportering om de dömda terroristerna Anders Behring Breivik och Rakhmat Akilov. Studiens centrala frågeställning är huruvida denna rapportering skiljer sig på grundval av faktorer såsom respektive gärningsmans etnicitet och politiska tillhörighet. Källmaterialet har samlats in från de svenska nationella dagstidningarna Aftonbladet och Svenska Dagbladet. Det metodologiska ramverket består av en kvantitativ digital textanalys i kombination med en kvalitativ framinganalys. Studiens teoretiska ramverk består främst av medieteorier, däribland gestaltningsteorin (definierad av Goffman 1974, Van Gorp 2010, Shehata 2012 med flera) och konstruktionen av brottsnyheter och brottsvågor (Jewkes 2004, Fishman 1978). Dessutom appliceras teorier om orientalism, stereotypisering och etnicitet (Dyer 1997:2006, Said 1978). Tidigare forskning om ovan nämnda teorier inkluderas också.Den kvantitativa delen av studien genomfördes med hjälp av textanalysverktyget Textometrica. Totalt 460 nyhetsartiklar som nämner endera av gärningsmännen har analyserats. Detta har tydliggjort artiklarnas inramning, formuleringar och språkbruk. Den kvalitativa delen av studien består av en mer djupgående analys av gestaltningar identifierade i ett antal av artiklarna. Denna kvalitativa analys hämtar inspiration från gestaltningsforskning genomförd av, bland andra, journalistikprofessor Baldwin Van Gorp (2010).Studien visar en anmärkningsvärd skillnad i porträtteringarna av respektive gärningsman. Aftonbladet tenderar att förenkla skeenden medan Svenska Dagbladets rapportering är mer omfattande. Båda tidningarna uppmärksammar Behring Breiviks privatliv och uppväxt för att förklara hans ogärningar. Akilov å andra sidan beskrivs främst genom sitt utländska utseende och framställs tydligare som terrorist och del av ett större nätverk (den islamiska staten).

<p>How does collective action operate in digital space, particularly for those social movements at the cutting edge of technologically innovative contentious politics? This dissertation analyzes activist (and hacktivist) groups engaged in what I call <i>digital contention</i> with state and corporate institutions over the future of Internet policy and governance, or what they see as “the freedom of the Internet.” Based on case studies of the Digital Rights movement and the Anonymous hacktivist collective, I use a combination of computational and qualitative analyses of online texts, along with participant-observation at meetings and protest events, to explore how certain collective action dynamics are changing in digital space. Specifically, these include how movements internally perceive political opportunities and threats, as well as how they construct frames to communicate to external audiences. I find that: 1) Political opportunity is less important than threat for activists in digital contention, which is likely due to the lower costs of collective action; and 2) The digital divide and technological knowledge gap create a barrier to frame resonance which digital activists address either through “strategic inclusiveness” or “communities of anonymity,” both of which encourage diversity among participants while also reifying other inequalities in different ways. These findings have significance for the study of social movements, communication and technology studies, and Internet policy. I argue that they portend changing dynamics that may ultimately affect all forms of collective action, and indeed the balance of power in whole societies, in the future as digital technology continues to spread into every facet of our lives.</p>

Text in Afrikaans / This study investigates the opportunities provided in outcomes-based language textbooks to develop learners' full potential. This is done by looking at how learners' multiple intelligences can flourish. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, which is used as a framework in the current study, claims that learners have different combinations of intelligences, and that the various intelligences can be developed. By doing so, learners are developed in their totality as knowledgeable, skilful and balanced adults. By giving learners a variety of activities which accommodate the different intelligences, they have the opportunity to use their strong intelligences in the language classroom. At the same time, learners are given the opportunity to expand their less developed intelligences. In this study, selected Afrikaans and English language textbooks are analysed to determine how the different intelligences are covered. Outcomes-based language textbooks are used because outcomes-based education deals with the development of learners' full potential. The assumption can be made that this approach to teaching and learning enables learners to develop their multiple intelligences. The study brings to light that only some intelligences receive attention in language textbooks, namely the linguistic, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and spatial intelligences. On the other hand, other intelligences get little or even no attention in the textbooks that were analysed, namely the bodily-kinesthetic, naturalistic and musical intelligences. In spite of the important role that music plays in language teaching, it appears that the musical intelligence is afforded the least attention of all the intelligences in seven of the eight textbooks that were analysed. As a result, learners' uniqueness in this regard is not respected, and their total development as knowledgeable, skilful and balanced human beings can therefore be hindered. Recommendations are made regarding the curriculum, teaching practice and teacher training, and are directed to stakeholders in the writing of textbooks. The recommendations make it clear that different aspects of all the intelligences should be taken into consideration in the development of textbooks and other learning materials for language teaching and, by implication, teaching in general. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

The aim of this study is to analyze whiteness in textbooks for civics. The study is executed through a text analysis of two textbooks in civics for upper primary school in Sweden. In this approach a postcolonial theoretical framework is used which is thoroughly presented, after which resulted in two analytical models. One model was used to identify binary dichotomies, while the other consisted of five questions that aimed to highlight patterns regarding whiteness in the textbooks. One of the most important contributions of the postcolonial theory was the visualization of the links between historical colonialism and contemporary societal problems such as various forms of racism and discrimination. On these grounds, the theory was chosen. The result showed a partly problematic presentation in the textbooks.

The purpose of this paper is to study how vegetarian and vegan food brands use visualcommunication on their packages and website to present themselves to consumers. Theincreasing/growing interest in eating vegetarian and vegan food amongst the Swedishpopulation has led to a growing market in this area. The most significant reason to thisincreasing interest is the climate change. In 2019, the European Union presented a proposal toprohibit these replacement products to refer to familiar non-vegetarian/vegan food by name toavoid misleading marketing. This debated topic evoked the interest to investigate how socalled vego-brands adapt their visual communication in this societal context. To reach aconclusion on the issue three different brands are examined: Anamma, Quorn and Planti. Themethod used to analyze the material is a visual text analysis combined with concepts fromrhetorical analysis and semiotics. Social representation, Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) and greenwashing make up the primary theoretical framework in this study. The analysis of this paper identified recurring patterns that can be discerned from the brandcommunication. They all express a vision to get more people to choose plant-based food bymaking it easy and tasty. All three brands use naming and other visual components on theirpackaging to make them familiar to customers so they understand what they are buying.Overall, the brands also use the current climate change issue to convince people to eat moreplant-based food. The conclusion of this study is that these three brands adapt their visualcommunication to the current societal context and reproduce public attitudes and values totheir advantage

The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was ended in 1995 with the signing of the Dayton Agreement. However, despite almost 25 years passing since its implementation Bosnia and Herzegovina is still a troubled state with deep internal divisions. This study seeks to analyzethe Dayton Agreement using an English School framework together with an examination of the most prevalent approach to peace within it. In Particular, it uses recent English School theoretical developments that place the concepts of order and justice on a spectrum where an ideal mix is sought. The focus is on discovering whether there is a focus on order to the detriment of justice. To accomplish this the thesis uses a combination of qualitative text analysis and the ADICO grammatical syntax which seeks to analyze statements by breaking them down into their constituent parts. The results of the analysis showed that the initial hypothesis was faulty, and order was in fact the least coded part of the Dayton Agreement. However, it also uncovereda number of problems, and contradictions within the Agreement, most of whom were to the detriment of the parts dedicated to justice and peacebuilding. Findings indicate that the parts of the Dayton Agreement focusing on justice and long-term peacebuilding have been negatively affected by inconsistencies and problems within it as well as the sheer variety of goals that the Agreement seeks to fulfill. This in turn has had implications for the long-term success and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.