Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-06, Section: A, page: 2673. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 314-327).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisors: Laura Lein and Henry Selby. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Helena Woodard. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (June 27, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-05-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:54:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bruno_alp_me_arafcl.pdf: 470073 bytes, checksum: 4cc97142023016b27919e5a2f2cf6a8c (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Nossa pesquisa de mestrado tem como propósito analisar a representação da mulher negra na obra de Machado de Assis a partir da leitura de dois textos literários: o conto “Mariana”, publicado em 1871 e o poema Sabina, presente na coletânea de versos Americanas, publicada em 1875. O trabalho se pauta no paradigma de leitura proposto por críticos como Antonio Candido e Roberto Schwarz – que entendem a existência de um projeto machadiano e de uma estreita relação entre a literatura e o processo social. O intuito, deste modo, é rediscutir o suposto absenteísmo machadiano, no que toca à questão da escravidão e problematizar a relação escravidão/mulher negra a fim de propor uma leitura da representação da condição humana da mulher negra realizada por Machado de Assis / This research aims to analyze the representation of black woman in the work of Machado de Assis from the reading of two literary texts: the short story “Mariana” published in 1871 and the poem Sabina, from the collection Americanas, published in 1875. This work is based on the reading paradigm proposed by critics such as Antonio Candido and Roberto Schwarz - who understand the existence of a “Machado” project and a close relationship between literature and social process. Therefore, the aim is to revisit the alleged absenteeism of Machado de Assis regarding the issue of slavery, and to analyze the relation between slavery and black woman in order to propose a reading of the representation of the human condition of black women made by Machado de Assis

M.Ed. / The aim of this study was to explore, with the intention of providing a rich description, the experiences of black women enrolled at an historically white university. Limited studies in the South African context have revealed that many women have alienating and marginalising experiences in formal education from as early as primary schooling up to their learning experiences as adults. This often takes the form of disrespect from patriarchal teachers and institutions or androcentric content or information that excludes or undermines the efforts and experiences of women. Furthermore, the general position of women in broader society is filled with disparity and devaluation, as women are often the primary care givers, the lowest paid employees in formal employment, and unpaid workers within the family structure. For black women, who are often triply exploited through race, gender and economic disadvantage, the struggle to belong and even survive within higher ' education appears to be more challenging. As a result, black women sometimes view the university as alienating, androcentric and patriarchal which leads to descriptions of feeling restricted, silent, invisible or the 'other'. Traditional and cultural restrictions placed on black women often further exacerbate these experiences. Consequently, black women's stories are neither told nor heard within broader society or within texts in higher education institutions. The overarching perspective in which the study was grounded was that of socio constructivism, using qualitative research methods to explore the experiences of black women pursuing post graduate studies at an historically white university. Data for this study were collected via semi-structured, in-depth interviews with ten black women within the Education Faculty. I used the constant comparative method of data analysis to search for recurring themes and patterns. From the findings, it was clear that the prevailing perception of participants was that racial bias was present in almost every experience in higher education. In addition participants cited a number of constraints, which impacted negatively on their experiences. Many participants also reported a perceived lack of support from lecturers, which exacerbated an already challenging situation. As opposed to the many negative experiences, some positive experiences related to professional growth and learning opportunities were cited. Some participants also made observations about measures for the university to become more accessible to black women. The main implications arising out of the study are that management needs to endorse policy to deal with issues of both obvious and subtle racial bias. Staff development training, which incorporates methods for dealing appropriately with adult learners and practices that promote woman-positive and culturally responsive programmes, must compliment this. In addition, greater support should be afforded students, particularly part- time students, for increased opportunities to consult with lecturers and effective language tutoring. Accessible measures for part time students to raise their complaints via the SRC should also be created. Moreover, serious consideration needs to be given to the provision of adequate, affordable and efficient childcare facilities as a service for all students.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Arts in Fashion, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 2017. / The South African pear-shaped Black women’s jeans market has been confronted by fit dissatisfaction, although there is a growing demand for jeans. This study was approached from a viewpoint that jeans do not fit a large population of this consumer group and investigates the issues related to this problem. Local manufacturers and retailers currently use an adaptation of the British sizing system to suit their customer profile. Not much research however, has been carried out on developing a sizing system for the pear-shaped figure type, which makes up a sizeable portion of the population in the country. The intention of the study was to establish key variables for developing a jeans sizing system for Black South African pear-shaped indigenous women. A total of 60 Black women aged 18-35 years at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology were scanned for body measurements using a 3D body scanner. Body measurement differences were examined by using a quantitative research approach to establish the difference between waist and hip measurements. The findings revealed an average drop value of 39cm between waist and hip circumference for a Black pear-shaped figure, in comparison to a drop value of 24cm for a standardised sizing used by the clothing industry. It is recommended that the major stakeholders in South Africa conduct a national anthropometric study to update sizing systems, by using 3D body scanning technology, which provides accurate and consistent measurements of the human body. / M

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / This study explores the Western ideal of the thin body as experienced by Black female students. This research was motivated by the limited number of empirical studies that employ a qualitative method to investigate Black South African females’ perception of the thin ideal, or what they perceive an ideal body to be. Three Black female students were recruited from the University of Johannesburg’s campus, to participate in the interviews. On campus, interaction is encouraged through an initiation process where everyone is invited to take part, and where diversity is celebrated. This setting was appropriate because the students found themselves in a socio-cultural flux between traditional values and values instilled by modern western society. Data collection and the analysis were guided by a phenomenological research design, namely, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) because it explores the participants’ experience of the Western thin ideal from their perspective, and acknowledges the researcher’s enmeshed interpretation of the participants’ worldview. The study resulted in the identification of four master themes: 1) Physical presentation, 2) The environments influence on my body image, 3) Sense of worth, and 4) Admiration versus animosity, which were discussed in relation to relevant literature. In the concluding chapter, the key strengths and limitations of this study are reviewed, and the implications of the findings for further investigation are discussed...

The current study is a psychobiography. The subject was chosen through purposive sampling based on the researcher’s personal interest and the remarkable impact this woman had within her society. Ellen Kuzwayo also meets the requirements of a psychobiography in that she is historically well known, inspirational, and her life has been completed. The study applies a qualitative research method in the form of a psychobiography, which aimed to describe Ellen Kuzwayo`s life accordingto Daniel Levinson`s Life Structure Theory of Adult Development. Levinson`s theory divides the lifespan into four developmental eras, each with its own biopsychosocial character. Each era in turn is divided into shorter periods of development. Levinson`s theory was chosenbecause it is specifically relevant to the development of women. The findings of the study indicate that Kuzwayo’s life was consistent with the pattern of development which Levinson (1996) identified. Kuzwayo was relatively successful in resolving the life tasks and transitional periods proposed by Levinson. This research study has given a positive demonstration of the value of development theory to investigate a particular human life. Furthermore, it emphasized the uniqueness of individuals in coping with the challenges of life. As a result it has opened up the possibility of perceiving people and their actions in a different way. Consequently, recommendations are offered in order to extend psychobiographical research on the life of Ellen Kuzwayo.

M.A. (Sociology) / Traditionally, the husband has a higher status than his wife. When the wife improves her status however, this relationship can be changed into one that is unconventionally asymmetric. One important factor that can lead to such an unconventional asymmetry, is the furthering of the wife's educational status, a tendency found increasingly among Black women. Since many Black women who study at a university are married, it is important that they get the support of their husbands in coping with the heavy workload resulting from simultaneously studying and running a household. The aim of this study was to use qualitative research in an explorative way to collect in-depth information on how Black women, who are studying at a university, experience the way their husbands support them. Attention was paid to three main areas of support, namely moral support, support in doing the household tasks and support with looking after the children. Attention was also paid to the extent to which quarreling is caused by the wife's studies. The responses in personal interviews yielded four profiles of support experienced by the wives. The first pattern is one of high support experienced by the wife, characterized by high moral support, medium to medium-high support with the household, medium to high support with the children and little quarreling caused by the wife's studies. The second pattern is one of medium to high support experienced by the wife, characterized by medium moral support, medium-high support regarding the household, high support with the children and little quarreling that the wife experiences as being caused by her studies.