A discourse of disconnect : young people from the Eastern Cape talk about the failure of adult communications to provide habitable sexual subject positions
- Jearey-Graham, Nicola, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Jearey-Graham, Nicola , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6308 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018864 , http://0-hdl.handle.net.wam.seals.ac.za/10520/EJC171669
- Description: Face-to-face adult communication with young people about sexuality is, for the most part, assigned to two main groups of people: educators tasked with teaching schoolbased sexuality education that is provided as part of the compulsory Life Orientation (LO) learning area, and parents. In this paper, we report on a study conducted with Further Education and Training College students in an Eastern Cape town. Using a discursive psychology lens, we analysed data from, first, a written question on what participants remember being taught about sexuality in LO classes and, second, focus group discussions held with mixed and same-sex groups. Discussions were structured around the sexualities of high school learners and the LO sexuality education that participants received at high school. We highlight participants’ common deployment of a ‘discourse of disconnect’ in their talk. In this discourse, the messages of ‘risk’ and ‘responsibility’ contained in adult face-to-face communications, by both parents and LO teachers, are depicted as being delivered through inadequate or nonrelational styles of communication, and as largely irrelevant to participants’ lives. Neither of these sources of communication was seen as understanding the realities of youth sexualities or as creating habitable or performable sexual subject positions. The dominance of this ‘discourse of disconnect’ has implications for how sexuality education and parent communication interventions are conducted.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jearey-Graham, Nicola , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6308 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018864 , http://0-hdl.handle.net.wam.seals.ac.za/10520/EJC171669
- Description: Face-to-face adult communication with young people about sexuality is, for the most part, assigned to two main groups of people: educators tasked with teaching schoolbased sexuality education that is provided as part of the compulsory Life Orientation (LO) learning area, and parents. In this paper, we report on a study conducted with Further Education and Training College students in an Eastern Cape town. Using a discursive psychology lens, we analysed data from, first, a written question on what participants remember being taught about sexuality in LO classes and, second, focus group discussions held with mixed and same-sex groups. Discussions were structured around the sexualities of high school learners and the LO sexuality education that participants received at high school. We highlight participants’ common deployment of a ‘discourse of disconnect’ in their talk. In this discourse, the messages of ‘risk’ and ‘responsibility’ contained in adult face-to-face communications, by both parents and LO teachers, are depicted as being delivered through inadequate or nonrelational styles of communication, and as largely irrelevant to participants’ lives. Neither of these sources of communication was seen as understanding the realities of youth sexualities or as creating habitable or performable sexual subject positions. The dominance of this ‘discourse of disconnect’ has implications for how sexuality education and parent communication interventions are conducted.
- Full Text:
Applications of social media and web 2.0 for research support in selected African academic institutions
- Owusu-Ansah, Christopher M, Gontshi, Vuyokazi, Mutibwa, Lois, Ukwoma, Scholarstica
- Authors: Owusu-Ansah, Christopher M , Gontshi, Vuyokazi , Mutibwa, Lois , Ukwoma, Scholarstica
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Social networks , Web 2.0. , Research -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6996 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018520
- Description: This study examined the use of Social Media/Web 2.0 for research support and it is guided by three objectives namely: a) to ascertain the uses of social media in academic institutions; b) to identify the challenges associated with social media use for research purposes and c) to provide experiences of social media application in selected African academic institutions. The study makes use of literature analysis in combination with personal and professional work experiences on the use of social media from librarians in four different countries. Institutional experiences of the four librarians showed that it is only Rhodes University Library that uses social media in its library, which is as a result of a formal social media strategy. For the other three universities, University of Education, Winneba Library in Ghana, Makerere University Library in Uganda and the University of Nigeria Library, the use of social media is not encouraging. They use it mostly for communication and interaction with colleagues. It was also discovered that there is no social media strategy available in these university libraries. Based on these findings, the study recommended the implementation of a social media strategy, appointment of social media librarians in these libraries, and continuing professional development of librarians to keep abreast with current trends. Web 2.0/Social Media is a new technology offering new options for African academic librarians in their research support role
- Full Text:
- Authors: Owusu-Ansah, Christopher M , Gontshi, Vuyokazi , Mutibwa, Lois , Ukwoma, Scholarstica
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Social networks , Web 2.0. , Research -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6996 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018520
- Description: This study examined the use of Social Media/Web 2.0 for research support and it is guided by three objectives namely: a) to ascertain the uses of social media in academic institutions; b) to identify the challenges associated with social media use for research purposes and c) to provide experiences of social media application in selected African academic institutions. The study makes use of literature analysis in combination with personal and professional work experiences on the use of social media from librarians in four different countries. Institutional experiences of the four librarians showed that it is only Rhodes University Library that uses social media in its library, which is as a result of a formal social media strategy. For the other three universities, University of Education, Winneba Library in Ghana, Makerere University Library in Uganda and the University of Nigeria Library, the use of social media is not encouraging. They use it mostly for communication and interaction with colleagues. It was also discovered that there is no social media strategy available in these university libraries. Based on these findings, the study recommended the implementation of a social media strategy, appointment of social media librarians in these libraries, and continuing professional development of librarians to keep abreast with current trends. Web 2.0/Social Media is a new technology offering new options for African academic librarians in their research support role
- Full Text:
Celebrating libraries in 20 years of democracy : an overview of library and information services in South Africa
- Authors: Satgoor, Ujala
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Libraries , Library administration -- South Africa , Information services -- South Africa , Public libraries -- South Africa , Library science -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019841 , ISSN ISSN: 0340-0352 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0340035215585100
- Description: Since the establishment of the first public library in 1818, the South African library and information services landscape has also been a reflection of the socio-political order and developments in the country. This article presents an historical perspective as well as an overview of libraries in South Africa since 1994, the context within which libraries function, library governance and legislative framework, government funding for redress, library technologies, library and information services education and the professional association. The article further highlights the importance of libraries in meeting the goals of the national development agenda towards entrenching a strong democracy and an educated and informed nation , Original publication is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0340035215585100
- Full Text:
- Authors: Satgoor, Ujala
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Libraries , Library administration -- South Africa , Information services -- South Africa , Public libraries -- South Africa , Library science -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6997 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019841 , ISSN ISSN: 0340-0352 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0340035215585100
- Description: Since the establishment of the first public library in 1818, the South African library and information services landscape has also been a reflection of the socio-political order and developments in the country. This article presents an historical perspective as well as an overview of libraries in South Africa since 1994, the context within which libraries function, library governance and legislative framework, government funding for redress, library technologies, library and information services education and the professional association. The article further highlights the importance of libraries in meeting the goals of the national development agenda towards entrenching a strong democracy and an educated and informed nation , Original publication is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0340035215585100
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Comparative photophysicochemical behavior of nanoconjugates of indium tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanines covalently linked to CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO quantum dots
- Oluwole, David O, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020357 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.07.009
- Description: This work reports on the photophysicochemical behavior of different nanoconjugates of core/shell/shell (GSH-CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO), core/shell (GSH-CdTe/ZnSe) and core (GSH-CdTe) (quantum dots QDs) with indium tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanines ((OH)InTCPPc) in dimethylsulfoxide. The fluorescence quantum yields (Φf) and lifetimes (τf, in brackets) of QDs ranged from 0.20 (13.9 ns) to 0.42 (25.6 ns). The highest Φf value was obtained for GSH-CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO (4.5) while the least was observed in GSH-CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO (7.6), the numbers in brackets refer to the sizes. For (OH)InTCPPc alone a Φf and τf values of 0.02 and 2.43 ns, respectively were obtained. In the nanoconjugates, pivotal decrease in the Φf and τf of the QDs were observed with increase in the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of (OH)InTCPPc. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.07.009
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7294 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020357 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.07.009
- Description: This work reports on the photophysicochemical behavior of different nanoconjugates of core/shell/shell (GSH-CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO), core/shell (GSH-CdTe/ZnSe) and core (GSH-CdTe) (quantum dots QDs) with indium tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanines ((OH)InTCPPc) in dimethylsulfoxide. The fluorescence quantum yields (Φf) and lifetimes (τf, in brackets) of QDs ranged from 0.20 (13.9 ns) to 0.42 (25.6 ns). The highest Φf value was obtained for GSH-CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO (4.5) while the least was observed in GSH-CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO (7.6), the numbers in brackets refer to the sizes. For (OH)InTCPPc alone a Φf and τf values of 0.02 and 2.43 ns, respectively were obtained. In the nanoconjugates, pivotal decrease in the Φf and τf of the QDs were observed with increase in the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of (OH)InTCPPc. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2015.07.009
- Full Text: false
Deconstructing developmental psychology twenty years on : reflections, implications and empirical work
- Callaghan, Jane, Andenæs, Agnes, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Callaghan, Jane , Andenæs, Agnes , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020934 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353515583702
- Description: Editorial
- Full Text:
- Authors: Callaghan, Jane , Andenæs, Agnes , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6315 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020934 , http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0959353515583702
- Description: Editorial
- Full Text:
Deposition of CdS, CdS/ZnSe and CdS/ZnSe/ZnS shells around CdSeTe alloyed core quantum dots: effects on optical properties
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Nyokong, Tebello, Forbes, Patricia B C
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello , Forbes, Patricia B C
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020342
- Description: In this work, we synthesized water-soluble L-cysteine-capped alloyed CdSeTe core quantum dots (QDs) and investigated the structural and optical properties of deposition of each of CdS, CdS/ZnSe and CdS/ZnSe/ZnS shell layers. Photophysical results showed that the overcoating of a CdS shell around the alloyed CdSeTe core [quantum yield (QY) = 8.4%] resulted in effective confinement of the radiative exciton with an improved QY value of 93.5%. Subsequent deposition of a ZnSe shell around the CdSeTe/CdS surface decreased the QY value to 24.7%, but an increase in the QY value of up to 49.5% was observed when a ZnS shell was overcoated around the CdSeTe/CdS/ZnSe surface. QDs with shell layers showed improved stability relative to the core. Data obtained from time-resolved fluorescence measurements provided useful insight into variations in the photophysical properties of the QDs upon the formation of each shell layer. Our study suggests that the formation of CdSeTe/CdS core/shell QDs meets the requirements of quality QDs in terms of high photoluminescence QY and stability, hence further deposition of additional shells are not necessary in improving the optical properties of the core/shell QDs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bio.3013
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello , Forbes, Patricia B C
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7289 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020342
- Description: In this work, we synthesized water-soluble L-cysteine-capped alloyed CdSeTe core quantum dots (QDs) and investigated the structural and optical properties of deposition of each of CdS, CdS/ZnSe and CdS/ZnSe/ZnS shell layers. Photophysical results showed that the overcoating of a CdS shell around the alloyed CdSeTe core [quantum yield (QY) = 8.4%] resulted in effective confinement of the radiative exciton with an improved QY value of 93.5%. Subsequent deposition of a ZnSe shell around the CdSeTe/CdS surface decreased the QY value to 24.7%, but an increase in the QY value of up to 49.5% was observed when a ZnS shell was overcoated around the CdSeTe/CdS/ZnSe surface. QDs with shell layers showed improved stability relative to the core. Data obtained from time-resolved fluorescence measurements provided useful insight into variations in the photophysical properties of the QDs upon the formation of each shell layer. Our study suggests that the formation of CdSeTe/CdS core/shell QDs meets the requirements of quality QDs in terms of high photoluminescence QY and stability, hence further deposition of additional shells are not necessary in improving the optical properties of the core/shell QDs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bio.3013
- Full Text: false
Life orientation sexuality education in South Africa: gendered norms, justice and transformation
- Shefer, Tamara, Macleod, Catriona I
- Authors: Shefer, Tamara , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018868
- Description: [From introduction] Research on sexual practices among young South Africans has proliferated in light of the national imperatives to challenge the spread of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence and unwanted early pregnancies. It has been widely acknowledged that, in order to respond to these social problems, we need to understand the enmeshment of gender, class, age and other forms of social inequality, and how these are played out in ‘normal’ heterosexual relationships. Life Orientation (LO) sexuality education programmes have been viewed as key locations for incorporating education to challenge negative assumptions in respect of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence and unwanted pregnancy and to promote safer, equitable and non-violent sexual practices. There is a paucity of work that interrogates the LO sexuality education programme in terms of gender norms, gender justice and gender transformation. In the handful of studies conducted on school-based sexuality education in South Africa, researchers have foregrounded a number of challenges, including the dominance of a guiding metaphor of danger and disease in the sexuality education component of LO manuals (Macleod, 2009); educators using a transmission mode of teaching to the exclusion of participation and experiential modes of learning (Rooth, 2005); educators understanding sexuality education as chiefly addressing the provision of information concerning, and prevention of, HIV/AIDS (Francis, 2011); teachers’ preference for abstinence-only education taught by means of a series of moral injunctions (Francis, 2011); and the avoidance of discussions of sexual diversity, and the endorsement of compulsory heterosexuality when same-sex relationships are mentioned (Francis, 2012). Recent research has also highlighted the variation in how teachers approach sexuality education. Francis and DePalma (2014) indicate that, while teachers may promote abstinence as the only appropriate choice for young people, they also recognise the value of teaching relationships and safe sex (aspects associated with comprehensive sexuality education). In their study, Helleve et al. (2009) report that Grades 8 and 9 LO teachers felt confident in teaching HIV and sexuality. This special issue of Perspectives in Education builds on this research by drawing together several papers that examine how LO or Life Skills sexuality programmes challenge and/or reproduce normative constructions of gender and gendered power relations. All the papers use qualitative research to locate these programmes within the complex contexts of their enactment, drawing attention to the multiple possibilities and limitations of such programmes. In the next section, we summarise the key problematics addressed in each of the papers. What curiosities drove the studies conducted by these researchers interested in gender dynamics in schools and LO or Life Skills sexuality education? Why are these curiosities important? We then highlight the key findings that emerged from these curiosities and the nuanced data collected. Finally, and most importantly in terms of the aims of this special issue, we address the ways in which a critical gender lens that facilitates gender transformation and gender justice could possibly be incorporated into LO or Life Skills sexuality programmes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shefer, Tamara , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018868
- Description: [From introduction] Research on sexual practices among young South Africans has proliferated in light of the national imperatives to challenge the spread of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence and unwanted early pregnancies. It has been widely acknowledged that, in order to respond to these social problems, we need to understand the enmeshment of gender, class, age and other forms of social inequality, and how these are played out in ‘normal’ heterosexual relationships. Life Orientation (LO) sexuality education programmes have been viewed as key locations for incorporating education to challenge negative assumptions in respect of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence and unwanted pregnancy and to promote safer, equitable and non-violent sexual practices. There is a paucity of work that interrogates the LO sexuality education programme in terms of gender norms, gender justice and gender transformation. In the handful of studies conducted on school-based sexuality education in South Africa, researchers have foregrounded a number of challenges, including the dominance of a guiding metaphor of danger and disease in the sexuality education component of LO manuals (Macleod, 2009); educators using a transmission mode of teaching to the exclusion of participation and experiential modes of learning (Rooth, 2005); educators understanding sexuality education as chiefly addressing the provision of information concerning, and prevention of, HIV/AIDS (Francis, 2011); teachers’ preference for abstinence-only education taught by means of a series of moral injunctions (Francis, 2011); and the avoidance of discussions of sexual diversity, and the endorsement of compulsory heterosexuality when same-sex relationships are mentioned (Francis, 2012). Recent research has also highlighted the variation in how teachers approach sexuality education. Francis and DePalma (2014) indicate that, while teachers may promote abstinence as the only appropriate choice for young people, they also recognise the value of teaching relationships and safe sex (aspects associated with comprehensive sexuality education). In their study, Helleve et al. (2009) report that Grades 8 and 9 LO teachers felt confident in teaching HIV and sexuality. This special issue of Perspectives in Education builds on this research by drawing together several papers that examine how LO or Life Skills sexuality programmes challenge and/or reproduce normative constructions of gender and gendered power relations. All the papers use qualitative research to locate these programmes within the complex contexts of their enactment, drawing attention to the multiple possibilities and limitations of such programmes. In the next section, we summarise the key problematics addressed in each of the papers. What curiosities drove the studies conducted by these researchers interested in gender dynamics in schools and LO or Life Skills sexuality education? Why are these curiosities important? We then highlight the key findings that emerged from these curiosities and the nuanced data collected. Finally, and most importantly in terms of the aims of this special issue, we address the ways in which a critical gender lens that facilitates gender transformation and gender justice could possibly be incorporated into LO or Life Skills sexuality programmes.
- Full Text:
Mercaptopyridine-substituted indium, zinc, and metal-free phthalocyanines: nonlinear optical studies in solution and on polymer matrices
- Bankole, Owolabi M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Bankole, Owolabi M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020313
- Description: In this article, the nonlinear optical characterizations and optical limiting properties of metal-free (2), zinc (3), and indium (4) tetra 4-(2-mercaptopyridine) phthalocyanines are discussed. Nonlinear optical properties of the samples were evaluated using Z-scan at 532 nm and 10 ns pulse in CHCl3, and doped on poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PBC) thin films. Thin films for 2, 3, and 4 are represented as 2-PBC, 3-PBC, and 4-PBC, respectively. We observed two-photon absorption (2PA) and strong reverse saturable absorption as the dominant mechanisms at nanosecond laser excitation in solution and thin films. By virtue of the magnitude of absorption coefficients and other nonlinear optical parameters estimated in this work, sample 4 was found to exhibit strongest nonlinear optical properties followed by 3, while 2 is the weakest nonlinear absorber of the studied samples. Large third-order susceptibility (1.46 × 10−9 esu and 7.74 × 10−10 esu) and hyperpolarizability (2.13 × 10−28 and 8.37 × 10−29 esu) were estimated for 4-PBC and 3-PBC, respectively. Our studies show that these molecules are suitable candidates for practical passive optical limiters. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2015.1077237
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Bankole, Owolabi M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020313
- Description: In this article, the nonlinear optical characterizations and optical limiting properties of metal-free (2), zinc (3), and indium (4) tetra 4-(2-mercaptopyridine) phthalocyanines are discussed. Nonlinear optical properties of the samples were evaluated using Z-scan at 532 nm and 10 ns pulse in CHCl3, and doped on poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PBC) thin films. Thin films for 2, 3, and 4 are represented as 2-PBC, 3-PBC, and 4-PBC, respectively. We observed two-photon absorption (2PA) and strong reverse saturable absorption as the dominant mechanisms at nanosecond laser excitation in solution and thin films. By virtue of the magnitude of absorption coefficients and other nonlinear optical parameters estimated in this work, sample 4 was found to exhibit strongest nonlinear optical properties followed by 3, while 2 is the weakest nonlinear absorber of the studied samples. Large third-order susceptibility (1.46 × 10−9 esu and 7.74 × 10−10 esu) and hyperpolarizability (2.13 × 10−28 and 8.37 × 10−29 esu) were estimated for 4-PBC and 3-PBC, respectively. Our studies show that these molecules are suitable candidates for practical passive optical limiters. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00958972.2015.1077237
- Full Text: false
Nonlinear optical properties of natural laccaic acid dye studied using Z-scan technique
- Zongo, S, Sanusi, Kayode, Britton, Jonathan, Mthunzi, P, Nyokong, Tebello, Maaza, M, Sahraoui, B
- Authors: Zongo, S , Sanusi, Kayode , Britton, Jonathan , Mthunzi, P , Nyokong, Tebello , Maaza, M , Sahraoui, B
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7261 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020270
- Description: We have investigated the nonlinear optical properties, including the optical limiting behaviour for five different concentrations of laccaic acid dye in solution and a thin film obtained through doping in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer. The experiments were performed by using single beam Z-scan technique at 532 nm with 10 ns, 10 Hz Nd:YAG laser pulses excitation. From the open-aperture Z-scan data, we derived that the laccaic dye samples exhibit strong two photon absorption (2PA). The nonlinear refractive index was determined through the closed aperture Z-scan data. The estimated absorption coefficient β2, nonlinear refractive index n2 and second order hyperpolarizability γ were found to be of the order of 10−10 m/W, 10−9 esu and 10−32 esu, respectively. The Z-scan study reveals that the natural laccaic acid dye emerges as a promising material for third order nonlinear optical devices application. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.04.031
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Zongo, S , Sanusi, Kayode , Britton, Jonathan , Mthunzi, P , Nyokong, Tebello , Maaza, M , Sahraoui, B
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7261 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020270
- Description: We have investigated the nonlinear optical properties, including the optical limiting behaviour for five different concentrations of laccaic acid dye in solution and a thin film obtained through doping in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer. The experiments were performed by using single beam Z-scan technique at 532 nm with 10 ns, 10 Hz Nd:YAG laser pulses excitation. From the open-aperture Z-scan data, we derived that the laccaic dye samples exhibit strong two photon absorption (2PA). The nonlinear refractive index was determined through the closed aperture Z-scan data. The estimated absorption coefficient β2, nonlinear refractive index n2 and second order hyperpolarizability γ were found to be of the order of 10−10 m/W, 10−9 esu and 10−32 esu, respectively. The Z-scan study reveals that the natural laccaic acid dye emerges as a promising material for third order nonlinear optical devices application. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.04.031
- Full Text: false
Nonlinear optical response of tetra and mono substituted zinc phthalocyanine complexes
- Fashina, Adedayo, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Fashina, Adedayo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7281 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020318 , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2015.06.003
- Description: The nonlinear absorption properties of 6 mono-substituted and 3 symmetric zinc phthalocyanine complexes have been studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) using 10 ns pulses at 532 nm. The non linear absorption of the complexes has been studied using the Z-scan technique. The study showed that both the singlet and triplet excited states contribute to the non linear absorption behavior. The nonlinear third-order susceptibility and second-order hyperpolarizability values of the complexes are reported. It was observed that two of the symmetric phthalocyanine complexes (5-α substituted with aminophenoxy and 9-β substituted with carboxyphenoxy) showed better and promising optical nonlinearity when compared to the other complexes studied.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Fashina, Adedayo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7281 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020318 , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2015.06.003
- Description: The nonlinear absorption properties of 6 mono-substituted and 3 symmetric zinc phthalocyanine complexes have been studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) using 10 ns pulses at 532 nm. The non linear absorption of the complexes has been studied using the Z-scan technique. The study showed that both the singlet and triplet excited states contribute to the non linear absorption behavior. The nonlinear third-order susceptibility and second-order hyperpolarizability values of the complexes are reported. It was observed that two of the symmetric phthalocyanine complexes (5-α substituted with aminophenoxy and 9-β substituted with carboxyphenoxy) showed better and promising optical nonlinearity when compared to the other complexes studied.
- Full Text: false
Optical limiting and singlet oxygen generation properties of phosphorus triazatetrabenzcorroles
- Mkhize, Colin, Britton, Jonathan, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mkhize, Colin , Britton, Jonathan , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020266
- Description: Novel phosphorus triazatetrabenzcorrole (TBC) tetrasubstituted at the α- and β-positions of the peripheral fused benzene rings with t-butylphenoxy substituents have been prepared and characterized. The effect of the substituents on the electronic structures and optical properties is investigated with TD-DFT calculations and MCD spectroscopy. The optical limiting properties have been investigated to examine whether the lower symmetry that results from the direct pyrrole–pyrrole bond and hence the permanent dipole moment that is introduced result in higher safety thresholds, relative to the values that have been reported for phthalocyanines. The suitability of the compounds for singlet oxygen applications has also been examined. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S1088424614501065
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Mkhize, Colin , Britton, Jonathan , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020266
- Description: Novel phosphorus triazatetrabenzcorrole (TBC) tetrasubstituted at the α- and β-positions of the peripheral fused benzene rings with t-butylphenoxy substituents have been prepared and characterized. The effect of the substituents on the electronic structures and optical properties is investigated with TD-DFT calculations and MCD spectroscopy. The optical limiting properties have been investigated to examine whether the lower symmetry that results from the direct pyrrole–pyrrole bond and hence the permanent dipole moment that is introduced result in higher safety thresholds, relative to the values that have been reported for phthalocyanines. The suitability of the compounds for singlet oxygen applications has also been examined. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S1088424614501065
- Full Text: false
Optical properties of water-soluble l-cysteine-capped alloyed CdSeS quantum dot passivated with ZnSeTe and ZnSeTe/ZnS shells
- Adegoke, Oluwasesan, Nyokong, Tebello, Forbes, Patricia B C
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello , Forbes, Patricia B C
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020269
- Description: Alloyed quantum dots (QDs) passivated with shell materials have valuable optical characteristics suitable for a wide array of applications. In this work, alloyed ternary CdSeS QDs passivated with ZnSeTe and ZnSeTe/ZnS shells have been synthesized via a hot-injection method and a ligand exchange reaction employing l-cysteine as a thiol ligand has been used to obtain these water-soluble nanocrystals for the first time. The photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) of alloyed l-cysteine-capped CdSeS was 71.2% but decreased significantly to 5.2% upon passivation with a ZnSeTe shell. The red shift in PL emission of the CdSeS/ZnSeTe QDs was attributed to be strain-induced whilst a lattice-induced process likely created defect states in the core/shell interface hence contributing to the decline in the PL QY. Nonetheless, the fluorescence stability of CdSeS/ZnSeTe QDs in aqueous solution was unperturbed. Further passivation with a ZnS shell (CdSeS/ZnSeTe/ZnS) improved the PL QY to a value of 58.7% and thus indicates that the defect state in the QDs core/shell/shell structure was reduced. PL lifetime exciton measurements indicated that the rates of decay of the QDs influenced their photophysical properties. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.05.024
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Adegoke, Oluwasesan , Nyokong, Tebello , Forbes, Patricia B C
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020269
- Description: Alloyed quantum dots (QDs) passivated with shell materials have valuable optical characteristics suitable for a wide array of applications. In this work, alloyed ternary CdSeS QDs passivated with ZnSeTe and ZnSeTe/ZnS shells have been synthesized via a hot-injection method and a ligand exchange reaction employing l-cysteine as a thiol ligand has been used to obtain these water-soluble nanocrystals for the first time. The photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) of alloyed l-cysteine-capped CdSeS was 71.2% but decreased significantly to 5.2% upon passivation with a ZnSeTe shell. The red shift in PL emission of the CdSeS/ZnSeTe QDs was attributed to be strain-induced whilst a lattice-induced process likely created defect states in the core/shell interface hence contributing to the decline in the PL QY. Nonetheless, the fluorescence stability of CdSeS/ZnSeTe QDs in aqueous solution was unperturbed. Further passivation with a ZnS shell (CdSeS/ZnSeTe/ZnS) improved the PL QY to a value of 58.7% and thus indicates that the defect state in the QDs core/shell/shell structure was reduced. PL lifetime exciton measurements indicated that the rates of decay of the QDs influenced their photophysical properties. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.05.024
- Full Text: false
Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activity of (5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-(4-carboxyphenycarbonoimidoyl)phenyl)porphyrinato) chloro gallium(III)
- Managa, Muthumuni, Amuhaya, Edith K, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Amuhaya, Edith K , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7296 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020359
- Description: (5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-(4-carboxyphenycarbonoimidoyl)phenyl)porphyrinato) chloro gallium(III) (complex 1) was conjugated to platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) (represented as 1-PtNPs). The resulting conjugate showed 18 nm red shift in the Soret band when compared to 1 alone. Complex 1 and 1-PtNPs showed promising photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in solution where the log reductions obtained were 4.92, 3.76, and 3.95, respectively for 1-PtNPs. The singlet oxygen quantum yields obtained were higher at 0.56 for 1-PtNPs in DMF while that of 1 was 0.52 in the same solvent. This resulted in improved PACT activity for 1-PtNPs compared to 1 alone. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2015.06.088
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Amuhaya, Edith K , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7296 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020359
- Description: (5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-(4-carboxyphenycarbonoimidoyl)phenyl)porphyrinato) chloro gallium(III) (complex 1) was conjugated to platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) (represented as 1-PtNPs). The resulting conjugate showed 18 nm red shift in the Soret band when compared to 1 alone. Complex 1 and 1-PtNPs showed promising photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in solution where the log reductions obtained were 4.92, 3.76, and 3.95, respectively for 1-PtNPs. The singlet oxygen quantum yields obtained were higher at 0.56 for 1-PtNPs in DMF while that of 1 was 0.52 in the same solvent. This resulted in improved PACT activity for 1-PtNPs compared to 1 alone. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2015.06.088
- Full Text: false
Photophysical studies of newly derivatized mono substituted phthalocyanines grafted onto silica nanoparticles via click chemistry
- Fashina, Adedayo, Amuhaya, Edith K, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Fashina, Adedayo , Amuhaya, Edith K , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020287 , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.12.070
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis, characterization and photophysical studies of newly derived phthalocyanine complexes and the phthalocyanine–silica nanoparticles conjugates. The derived phthalocyanine complexes have one terminal alkyne group. The derived phthalocyanine complexes showed improved photophysical properties (ФF, ФT, ΦΔ and τT) compared to the respective phthalocyanine complexes from which they were derived. The derived phthalocyanine complexes were conjugated to the surface of an azide functionalized silica nanoparticles via copper (1) catalyzed cyclo-addition reaction. All the conjugates showed lower triplet quantum yields ranging from 0.37 to 0.44 compared to the free phthalocyanine complexes. The triplet lifetimes ranged from 352 to 484 μs for the conjugates and from 341 to 366 μs for the free phthalocyanine complexes.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Fashina, Adedayo , Amuhaya, Edith K , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020287 , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.12.070
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis, characterization and photophysical studies of newly derived phthalocyanine complexes and the phthalocyanine–silica nanoparticles conjugates. The derived phthalocyanine complexes have one terminal alkyne group. The derived phthalocyanine complexes showed improved photophysical properties (ФF, ФT, ΦΔ and τT) compared to the respective phthalocyanine complexes from which they were derived. The derived phthalocyanine complexes were conjugated to the surface of an azide functionalized silica nanoparticles via copper (1) catalyzed cyclo-addition reaction. All the conjugates showed lower triplet quantum yields ranging from 0.37 to 0.44 compared to the free phthalocyanine complexes. The triplet lifetimes ranged from 352 to 484 μs for the conjugates and from 341 to 366 μs for the free phthalocyanine complexes.
- Full Text: false
Physicochemical and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy studies of mono- and tetra-pyridyloxy substituted indium(III) phthalocyanines
- Osifeko, Olawale L, Durmuş, Mahmut, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Osifeko, Olawale L , Durmuş, Mahmut , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020264 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.12.011
- Description: The synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of mono- and tetra-pyridyloxy substituted indium(III) phthalocyanines (InPcs) are presented in this study. General trends are described for quantum yields of fluorescence, triplet, singlet oxygen and photodegradation as well as lifetimes of fluorescence and triplet state of these compounds. The complexes exhibited high singlet oxygen quantum yields (ФΔ) ranging from 0.44 to 0.66 in DMF, and from 0.44 to 0.69 in DMSO and ФΔ = 0.31 for the quartenized tetra substituted InPc which is soluble in water. The triplet quantum yields (ФT) ranged from 0.77 to 0.95 in DMF and from 0.77 to 0.94) in DMSO. The tetra substituted photosensitizers do not differ in their inactivation of bacteria with over 8 log reduction of viable bacteria when compared with the mono substituted photosensitizer which could only manage a 1 log reduction. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.12.011
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Osifeko, Olawale L , Durmuş, Mahmut , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020264 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.12.011
- Description: The synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of mono- and tetra-pyridyloxy substituted indium(III) phthalocyanines (InPcs) are presented in this study. General trends are described for quantum yields of fluorescence, triplet, singlet oxygen and photodegradation as well as lifetimes of fluorescence and triplet state of these compounds. The complexes exhibited high singlet oxygen quantum yields (ФΔ) ranging from 0.44 to 0.66 in DMF, and from 0.44 to 0.69 in DMSO and ФΔ = 0.31 for the quartenized tetra substituted InPc which is soluble in water. The triplet quantum yields (ФT) ranged from 0.77 to 0.95 in DMF and from 0.77 to 0.94) in DMSO. The tetra substituted photosensitizers do not differ in their inactivation of bacteria with over 8 log reduction of viable bacteria when compared with the mono substituted photosensitizer which could only manage a 1 log reduction. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.12.011
- Full Text: false
Physicochemical behavior of nanohybrids of mono and tetra substituted carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine covalently linked to GSH–CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots
- Oluwole, David O, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7266 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020275 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.10.024
- Description: Zinc monocarboxyphenoxy and tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanines were covalently linked with three different sizes of glutathione capped core/shell/shell {CdTe/CdS/ZnS(4.2), CdTe/CdS/ZnS(5.1) and CdTe/CdS/ZnS(6.7)}; a core shell {CdTe/CdS(3.1)} and core {CdTe(2.4)} quantum dots. The physicochemical behavior and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) processes of the nanohybrids were investigated. The highest FRET efficiency was observed with CdTe/CdS/ZnS(6.7) nanohybrids with 98% and the least efficiency was observed with CdTe(2.4) nanohybrids with 85%. The CdTe/CdS/ZnS(6.7) also showed the best physicochemical behavior. These good physicochemical properties make the synthesized nanohybrids viable photosensitizers. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.10.024
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Oluwole, David O , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7266 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020275 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.10.024
- Description: Zinc monocarboxyphenoxy and tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanines were covalently linked with three different sizes of glutathione capped core/shell/shell {CdTe/CdS/ZnS(4.2), CdTe/CdS/ZnS(5.1) and CdTe/CdS/ZnS(6.7)}; a core shell {CdTe/CdS(3.1)} and core {CdTe(2.4)} quantum dots. The physicochemical behavior and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) processes of the nanohybrids were investigated. The highest FRET efficiency was observed with CdTe/CdS/ZnS(6.7) nanohybrids with 98% and the least efficiency was observed with CdTe(2.4) nanohybrids with 85%. The CdTe/CdS/ZnS(6.7) also showed the best physicochemical behavior. These good physicochemical properties make the synthesized nanohybrids viable photosensitizers. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.10.024
- Full Text: false
Public foetal images and the regulation of middle-class pregnancy in the online media : a view from South Africa
- Macleod, Catriona I, Howell, Simon
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Howell, Simon
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018803 , http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2015.1046138
- Description: Ultrasonography images and their derivatives have been taken up in a range of ‘public’ spaces, including medical textbooks, the media, anti-abortion material, advertising, the Internet and public health facilities. Feminists have critiqued the personification of the foetus, the bifurcation of the woman’s body and the reduction of the pregnant woman to a disembodied womb. What has received less attention is how these images frequently intersect with race, class, gender and heteronormativity in the creation of idealised and normative understandings of pregnancy. This paper focuses on the discursive positioning of pregnant women as ‘mothers’ and foetuses as ‘babies’ in online media targeted at a South African audience, where race and class continue to intersect in complex ways. We show how the ontologically specific understandings of ‘mummies’ and ‘babies’ emerge through the use of foetal images to construct specific understandings of the ‘ideal’ pregnancy. In the process, pregnant women are made responsible for ensuring that their pregnancy conforms to these ideals, which includes the purchasing of the various goods advertised by the websites. Not only does this point to a commodification of pregnancy, but also serves to reinforce a cultural understanding of White, middle-class pregnancy as constituting the normative ‘correct’ form of pregnancy. , Full text access on publisher website: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2015.1046138
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Howell, Simon
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018803 , http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2015.1046138
- Description: Ultrasonography images and their derivatives have been taken up in a range of ‘public’ spaces, including medical textbooks, the media, anti-abortion material, advertising, the Internet and public health facilities. Feminists have critiqued the personification of the foetus, the bifurcation of the woman’s body and the reduction of the pregnant woman to a disembodied womb. What has received less attention is how these images frequently intersect with race, class, gender and heteronormativity in the creation of idealised and normative understandings of pregnancy. This paper focuses on the discursive positioning of pregnant women as ‘mothers’ and foetuses as ‘babies’ in online media targeted at a South African audience, where race and class continue to intersect in complex ways. We show how the ontologically specific understandings of ‘mummies’ and ‘babies’ emerge through the use of foetal images to construct specific understandings of the ‘ideal’ pregnancy. In the process, pregnant women are made responsible for ensuring that their pregnancy conforms to these ideals, which includes the purchasing of the various goods advertised by the websites. Not only does this point to a commodification of pregnancy, but also serves to reinforce a cultural understanding of White, middle-class pregnancy as constituting the normative ‘correct’ form of pregnancy. , Full text access on publisher website: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2015.1046138
- Full Text: false
Public reproductive health and ‘unintended’ pregnancies: introducing the construct ‘supportability’
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019881 , https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdv123
- Description: In this Perspectives paper, I outline the limitations of the concept of ‘intentionality’ in public reproductive health understandings of pregnancy. ‘Intentionality’, ‘plannedness’, ‘wantedness’ and ‘timing’ place individual cognitions, psychology and/or behaviors at the center of public health conceptualizations of pregnancies, thereby leaving the underlying social and structural dynamics under-examined. I propose a model that places ‘supportability’ at the center of thinking about pregnancies and that allows for an analysis of the intersection of individual cognitions, emotions and behavior with micro-level interactive spaces and macro-level issues. , Full text access on Publisher website: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdv123
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019881 , https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdv123
- Description: In this Perspectives paper, I outline the limitations of the concept of ‘intentionality’ in public reproductive health understandings of pregnancy. ‘Intentionality’, ‘plannedness’, ‘wantedness’ and ‘timing’ place individual cognitions, psychology and/or behaviors at the center of public health conceptualizations of pregnancies, thereby leaving the underlying social and structural dynamics under-examined. I propose a model that places ‘supportability’ at the center of thinking about pregnancies and that allows for an analysis of the intersection of individual cognitions, emotions and behavior with micro-level interactive spaces and macro-level issues. , Full text access on Publisher website: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdv123
- Full Text: false
Sexual socialisation in Life Orientation manuals versus popular music: responsibilisation versus pleasure, tension and complexity
- Macleod, Catriona I, Moodley, Dale D, Saville Young, Lisa
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Moodley, Dale D , Saville Young, Lisa
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6309 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018866
- Description: This paper compares two forms of sexual socialisation to which learners are exposed: the sexuality education components of the Life Orientation (LO) manuals and the lyrical content and videos of popular songs. We performed a textual analysis of the sexual subject positions made available in, first, the LO manuals used in Grade 10 classes and, second, the two songs voted most popular by the Grade 10 learners of two diverse schools in the Eastern Cape. Of interest in this paper is whether and how these two forms of sexual socialisation – one representing state-sanctioned sexual socialisation and the other learners’ chosen cultural expression that represents informal sexual socialisation – dovetail or diverge. Against a backdrop of heterosexuality and an assumption of the ‘adolescent-in-transition’ discourse, the main sexual subject positions featured in the LO manuals are the responsible sexual subject and the sexual victim. A number of sexualised subject positions are portrayed in the songs, with these subject positions depicting sex as a site of pleasure, tension and complexity. Although these two modes of sexual socialisation use different genres of communication, we argue that learners’ choice of songs that depict fluid sexual subject positions can help to inform LO sexuality education in ways that takes learners’ preferred cultural expression seriously and that moves away from the imperative of responsibilisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Moodley, Dale D , Saville Young, Lisa
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6309 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018866
- Description: This paper compares two forms of sexual socialisation to which learners are exposed: the sexuality education components of the Life Orientation (LO) manuals and the lyrical content and videos of popular songs. We performed a textual analysis of the sexual subject positions made available in, first, the LO manuals used in Grade 10 classes and, second, the two songs voted most popular by the Grade 10 learners of two diverse schools in the Eastern Cape. Of interest in this paper is whether and how these two forms of sexual socialisation – one representing state-sanctioned sexual socialisation and the other learners’ chosen cultural expression that represents informal sexual socialisation – dovetail or diverge. Against a backdrop of heterosexuality and an assumption of the ‘adolescent-in-transition’ discourse, the main sexual subject positions featured in the LO manuals are the responsible sexual subject and the sexual victim. A number of sexualised subject positions are portrayed in the songs, with these subject positions depicting sex as a site of pleasure, tension and complexity. Although these two modes of sexual socialisation use different genres of communication, we argue that learners’ choice of songs that depict fluid sexual subject positions can help to inform LO sexuality education in ways that takes learners’ preferred cultural expression seriously and that moves away from the imperative of responsibilisation.
- Full Text:
South African crime fiction: sleuthing the State post-1994, African Identities
- Authors: Naidu, Samantha
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53912 , vital:26357 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14725843.2015.1009621 , https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9456-8657
- Description: In this essay we demonstrate how the burgeoning field of South African crime fiction has responded to the birth and development of a democratic, post-apartheid South African state. First, an overview of South African crime fiction in the last 20 years is presented. Then the essay presents an argument for South African crime fiction to be regarded as the ‘new political novel’, based on its capacity for socio-political analysis. We use Deon Meyer, arguably South Africa’s most popular and successful crime fiction author, as an exemplar for our argument. In the following section, the genresnob debate and the resurgence of such terms as ‘lowbrow’ and ‘highbrow’ are considered in relation to crime fiction and the role it plays in the socio-cultural arena of post-apartheid South Africa. We conclude with a comment on the significance of popular literary genres for democracy and critical discourses which underpin that democracy. The essay shows that crime fiction is a strong tool for socio-political analysis in a democratic South Africa, because it promotes critical discourse in society, despite being deemed lowbrow or ideologically ambiguous.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Naidu, Samantha
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53912 , vital:26357 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14725843.2015.1009621 , https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9456-8657
- Description: In this essay we demonstrate how the burgeoning field of South African crime fiction has responded to the birth and development of a democratic, post-apartheid South African state. First, an overview of South African crime fiction in the last 20 years is presented. Then the essay presents an argument for South African crime fiction to be regarded as the ‘new political novel’, based on its capacity for socio-political analysis. We use Deon Meyer, arguably South Africa’s most popular and successful crime fiction author, as an exemplar for our argument. In the following section, the genresnob debate and the resurgence of such terms as ‘lowbrow’ and ‘highbrow’ are considered in relation to crime fiction and the role it plays in the socio-cultural arena of post-apartheid South Africa. We conclude with a comment on the significance of popular literary genres for democracy and critical discourses which underpin that democracy. The essay shows that crime fiction is a strong tool for socio-political analysis in a democratic South Africa, because it promotes critical discourse in society, despite being deemed lowbrow or ideologically ambiguous.
- Full Text: false