An analysis of digital photojournalistic practices: a study of the Sowetan's photographic department
- Authors: Allan, Christopher
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003071 , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: Photojournalism in South Africa is in the process of undergoing a shift from an analogue past to a fully digital future. This shift to digital has already been completed by many of the newspapers in the United States of America and Europe, and the new technology is seen to have made fundamental differences in the way that journalists do their job. This thesis attempts to explore the differences brought about, as well as the problems experienced by the photographic department at the Sowetan newspaper as a result of the shift to digital. How the development of technology has affected the photojournalist throughout is focused upon in a brief history of photojournalism and examples of how technology has shaped different aspects of journalism in both a positive and negative manner is considered. Exactly what digital photography is, how it has been integrated into American Photographic departments and the changes that the new technology has prompted are also explained. The manipulation of images in the past as well as the relative ease of digital manipulation are covered and concerns are raised about the future implications of digital manipulation. By conductlng participant observation and holding interviews, research data was compiled which allowed conclusions to be drawn about the impact that the shift to digital had had on the Sowetan photographic department. Intentional and unintentional consequences were expected and revealed in the research. The job of the photojournalist and photographic editor was found to have changed but perhaps not as dramatically as expected. Third world factors such as crime, poverty and lack of education were discovered to have resulted in problems that differed noticeably from those experienced by American and European photographic departments. Some expected difficulties were not experienced at all, while other major obstacles, specifically the repairs that must constantly be made to the digital cameras, continue to hamper the operations of the new digital department. Some understanding of the problems that might be encountered by future photojournalism departments that are considering making the shift to digital are arrived at, in the hope that they may be foreseen and overcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
An analysis of digital photojournalistic practices: a study of the Sowetan's photographic department
- Authors: Allan, Christopher
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003071 , Sowetan (Johannesburg, South Africa) , Photojournalism -- South Africa , Photography -- Digital techniques , Photojournalists -- South Africa , Photojournalism -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: Photojournalism in South Africa is in the process of undergoing a shift from an analogue past to a fully digital future. This shift to digital has already been completed by many of the newspapers in the United States of America and Europe, and the new technology is seen to have made fundamental differences in the way that journalists do their job. This thesis attempts to explore the differences brought about, as well as the problems experienced by the photographic department at the Sowetan newspaper as a result of the shift to digital. How the development of technology has affected the photojournalist throughout is focused upon in a brief history of photojournalism and examples of how technology has shaped different aspects of journalism in both a positive and negative manner is considered. Exactly what digital photography is, how it has been integrated into American Photographic departments and the changes that the new technology has prompted are also explained. The manipulation of images in the past as well as the relative ease of digital manipulation are covered and concerns are raised about the future implications of digital manipulation. By conductlng participant observation and holding interviews, research data was compiled which allowed conclusions to be drawn about the impact that the shift to digital had had on the Sowetan photographic department. Intentional and unintentional consequences were expected and revealed in the research. The job of the photojournalist and photographic editor was found to have changed but perhaps not as dramatically as expected. Third world factors such as crime, poverty and lack of education were discovered to have resulted in problems that differed noticeably from those experienced by American and European photographic departments. Some expected difficulties were not experienced at all, while other major obstacles, specifically the repairs that must constantly be made to the digital cameras, continue to hamper the operations of the new digital department. Some understanding of the problems that might be encountered by future photojournalism departments that are considering making the shift to digital are arrived at, in the hope that they may be foreseen and overcome.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
The impact of diversity training on employee attitudes and behaviour with regard to diversity in work organisations: an analysis of a diversity-training programme in a Namibian work organisation
- Authors: Amuenje, Florentia
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- Namibia , Diversity in the workplace , Employees -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002433 , Employees -- Training of -- Namibia , Diversity in the workplace , Employees -- Attitudes
- Description: Diversity training programmes are formal efforts to prepare the workforce to work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and to improve organisational effectiveness. Although many studies have described diversity training programmes in the workplace, only a few have been evaluated to assess their effectiveness and impact on job outcomes. This thesis describes a study that assessed the impact of a diversity management-training programme on employee attitudes and behaviour towards diversity in a manufacturing company in Namibia. Kirkpatrick’s (1959) four-level model, which examines the trainees’ reactions to the training, the learning acquired, the behaviour change and improvement in organisational results, was used to measure the impact of the training programme. Data was collected through pre-and post-assessment semi-structured individual interviews and a focus group was conducted two months after the training. Data analysis indicates that the first two levels of the evaluation model showed an impact. The participants had positive reactions towards the course and said that they had learnt from the course. The data also showed that the training did not have any impact on the behaviour of the participants and on organisational outcomes. The research also revealed that lack of improved productivity and organisational results might have been influenced by unrealistic expectations, past political conditions, job insecurity and unemployment and the training context. Some recommendations for both the diversity training programme administrators as well as the management of the company are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Amuenje, Florentia
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- Namibia , Diversity in the workplace , Employees -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002433 , Employees -- Training of -- Namibia , Diversity in the workplace , Employees -- Attitudes
- Description: Diversity training programmes are formal efforts to prepare the workforce to work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and to improve organisational effectiveness. Although many studies have described diversity training programmes in the workplace, only a few have been evaluated to assess their effectiveness and impact on job outcomes. This thesis describes a study that assessed the impact of a diversity management-training programme on employee attitudes and behaviour towards diversity in a manufacturing company in Namibia. Kirkpatrick’s (1959) four-level model, which examines the trainees’ reactions to the training, the learning acquired, the behaviour change and improvement in organisational results, was used to measure the impact of the training programme. Data was collected through pre-and post-assessment semi-structured individual interviews and a focus group was conducted two months after the training. Data analysis indicates that the first two levels of the evaluation model showed an impact. The participants had positive reactions towards the course and said that they had learnt from the course. The data also showed that the training did not have any impact on the behaviour of the participants and on organisational outcomes. The research also revealed that lack of improved productivity and organisational results might have been influenced by unrealistic expectations, past political conditions, job insecurity and unemployment and the training context. Some recommendations for both the diversity training programme administrators as well as the management of the company are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
An exploration into the reasons for the resignation of ex-employees from the University of Port Elizabeth against international indicators in employee retention
- Authors: Anderson, Amber Cristal
- Date: 2003
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:11000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/289
- Description: South African organisations have not been left untouched by the impact of globalisation on their business practices. In a bid to maintain and improve on their competitive advantage, they have had to embark on initiatives to secure a place in the global economy. Entwined herein is the challenge to embrace a whole new definition of equality and develop their human capital as described in various legislative interventions of the South African Government. This study reflects the outcomes of an exploratory study into the reasons for the resignation of ex-employees from the University of Port Elizabeth, against international indicators in employee retention. The research was based on the premise that an effective and efficient transformation strategy should originate from a tangible understanding of all the socio-behavioural and influencing aspects of employee retention. The results suggest the development of an employee-retention strategy which could facilitate the realisation of the Employment Equity Plan. The objectives of the study were: to provide critical insight into why employees are resigning from the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), to determine the social and developmental expectations of ex-UPE employees while in a transforming organisation, to identify and analyse ex-employees’ perceptions of the implementation of UPE’s Employment Equity Plan, to analyse ex-employees’ perceptions of existing retention practices at UPE, to provide recommendations towards an employee-retention strategy for UPE. The study is exploratory and descriptive in nature, and is quantitatively analysed with limited qualitative inferences. The population consisted of ex-UPE employees who had left the service of the university, from 01 January 2000 to 31 October 2002, by resignation. The period coincided with the implementation phase of the UPE Employment Equity Plan. For the purpose of this study, N=69. Twenty-eight ex-employees were untraceable, therefore n=41. Thirty ex-employees took part in the survey, thus making the sample return 73%. Eight of the respondents were dispersed across three continents other than Africa. The survey instrument, administered as an e-mailed and mailed questionnaire, was selected as the most suitable quantitative research method, because respondents were globally dispersed. Content analysis was selected as the most appropriate technique to produce findings in the qualitative aspect of the research. Where appropriate, descriptive statistics (univariate and bivariate analyses) were applied to describe the variables, the results of which were exhibited as tabular or graphical displays. Inferential statistical analyses (Pearson Chi-square and M-L Chisquare tests) were also conducted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Anderson, Amber Cristal
- Date: 2003
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:11000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/289
- Description: South African organisations have not been left untouched by the impact of globalisation on their business practices. In a bid to maintain and improve on their competitive advantage, they have had to embark on initiatives to secure a place in the global economy. Entwined herein is the challenge to embrace a whole new definition of equality and develop their human capital as described in various legislative interventions of the South African Government. This study reflects the outcomes of an exploratory study into the reasons for the resignation of ex-employees from the University of Port Elizabeth, against international indicators in employee retention. The research was based on the premise that an effective and efficient transformation strategy should originate from a tangible understanding of all the socio-behavioural and influencing aspects of employee retention. The results suggest the development of an employee-retention strategy which could facilitate the realisation of the Employment Equity Plan. The objectives of the study were: to provide critical insight into why employees are resigning from the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), to determine the social and developmental expectations of ex-UPE employees while in a transforming organisation, to identify and analyse ex-employees’ perceptions of the implementation of UPE’s Employment Equity Plan, to analyse ex-employees’ perceptions of existing retention practices at UPE, to provide recommendations towards an employee-retention strategy for UPE. The study is exploratory and descriptive in nature, and is quantitatively analysed with limited qualitative inferences. The population consisted of ex-UPE employees who had left the service of the university, from 01 January 2000 to 31 October 2002, by resignation. The period coincided with the implementation phase of the UPE Employment Equity Plan. For the purpose of this study, N=69. Twenty-eight ex-employees were untraceable, therefore n=41. Thirty ex-employees took part in the survey, thus making the sample return 73%. Eight of the respondents were dispersed across three continents other than Africa. The survey instrument, administered as an e-mailed and mailed questionnaire, was selected as the most suitable quantitative research method, because respondents were globally dispersed. Content analysis was selected as the most appropriate technique to produce findings in the qualitative aspect of the research. Where appropriate, descriptive statistics (univariate and bivariate analyses) were applied to describe the variables, the results of which were exhibited as tabular or graphical displays. Inferential statistical analyses (Pearson Chi-square and M-L Chisquare tests) were also conducted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Exploring differences between organisational cultures in a company undergoing change
- Authors: Bowa, Mabvuto
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Africa , Corporate culture -- Africa , Management -- Africa , Organizational behavior -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006287 , Organizational change -- Africa , Corporate culture -- Africa , Management -- Africa , Organizational behavior -- Africa
- Description: Change is a common phenomena in business organisations today. The turbulent environment is exerting a significant influence on organisations to make continuous changes in their internal environment in an attempt to improve performance and achieve competitiveness in the marketplace. The human factors which confront organisations undergoing change have not been thoroughly investigated in Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study aimed at investigating human issues affecting the performance ofan organisation located in an Afiican country. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Twenty interviews were conducted with employees randomly selected from all the levels of the company, namely attendant, operator, supervisory, middle and top management. Five focus groups were carried out with employees from different employee categories. Both sets of data were analysed using grounded theory. The findings showed that there were several problems in the company including insecurity, lack of opportunities for employee development, autocratic management style, lack of participation in decision making, substandard performance, ineffective human resources systems and lack of adaptation to technology. It was suggested that the problems resulted from the clash between organisational cultures in the company. At one level, there was a clash between the local workers' socialist organisational culture and the expatriates' capitalistic organisational culture. At a more deeper level, the clash appeared to be between the local employees' collectivistic sociocultural values and the expatriates' individualistic value system. These findings have significant implications for managing change in organisations with diverse cultures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Bowa, Mabvuto
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Organizational change -- Africa , Corporate culture -- Africa , Management -- Africa , Organizational behavior -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006287 , Organizational change -- Africa , Corporate culture -- Africa , Management -- Africa , Organizational behavior -- Africa
- Description: Change is a common phenomena in business organisations today. The turbulent environment is exerting a significant influence on organisations to make continuous changes in their internal environment in an attempt to improve performance and achieve competitiveness in the marketplace. The human factors which confront organisations undergoing change have not been thoroughly investigated in Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study aimed at investigating human issues affecting the performance ofan organisation located in an Afiican country. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Twenty interviews were conducted with employees randomly selected from all the levels of the company, namely attendant, operator, supervisory, middle and top management. Five focus groups were carried out with employees from different employee categories. Both sets of data were analysed using grounded theory. The findings showed that there were several problems in the company including insecurity, lack of opportunities for employee development, autocratic management style, lack of participation in decision making, substandard performance, ineffective human resources systems and lack of adaptation to technology. It was suggested that the problems resulted from the clash between organisational cultures in the company. At one level, there was a clash between the local workers' socialist organisational culture and the expatriates' capitalistic organisational culture. At a more deeper level, the clash appeared to be between the local employees' collectivistic sociocultural values and the expatriates' individualistic value system. These findings have significant implications for managing change in organisations with diverse cultures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
The phenomenology of psychiatric diagnosis: an exploration of the experience of intersubjectivity
- Bradfield, Bruce Christopher
- Authors: Bradfield, Bruce Christopher
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Mental illness -- Diagnosis , Intersubjectivity , Stereotypes (Social psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002450 , Mental illness -- Diagnosis , Intersubjectivity , Stereotypes (Social psychology)
- Description: This work is born out of previous research, conducted by this researcher, into the effects of psychiatric labelling on individuals thus differentiated. Informed by the investigative thrust of phenomenological inquiry, it is the aim herein to provide an illumination of the dramatic confrontation of the labelled individual with the classificatory branding that is his or her label. The question asked is: What is the experience of the labelled individual, and how does the label function as a ‘scientific fact’ (Kiesler, 2000) suffused within his being? In answering these questions, the researcher aims to abandon his own expectations, as is fitting with the phenomenological method, and to devote his sympathies entirely to the subjective disclosures which, it is hoped, the participants will offer. On this point, an obvious tension exists insofar as expectation and hypothesis necessarily constitute the inception of any research endeavour; and so, the notion of a complete bracketing of assumption and anticipation seems methodologically vague. The explorative impetus within this dissertation aims towards an elucidation of the effect of psychiatric diagnosis on the labelled individual, in terms of the individual’s experience of being-with-others. The impact of the offering of the label upon the individual’s interpersonal and intersubjective presence will be explored so as to establish whether psychiatric labelling unfolds as a disconnection of the individual from his co-existence with others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Bradfield, Bruce Christopher
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Mental illness -- Diagnosis , Intersubjectivity , Stereotypes (Social psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2941 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002450 , Mental illness -- Diagnosis , Intersubjectivity , Stereotypes (Social psychology)
- Description: This work is born out of previous research, conducted by this researcher, into the effects of psychiatric labelling on individuals thus differentiated. Informed by the investigative thrust of phenomenological inquiry, it is the aim herein to provide an illumination of the dramatic confrontation of the labelled individual with the classificatory branding that is his or her label. The question asked is: What is the experience of the labelled individual, and how does the label function as a ‘scientific fact’ (Kiesler, 2000) suffused within his being? In answering these questions, the researcher aims to abandon his own expectations, as is fitting with the phenomenological method, and to devote his sympathies entirely to the subjective disclosures which, it is hoped, the participants will offer. On this point, an obvious tension exists insofar as expectation and hypothesis necessarily constitute the inception of any research endeavour; and so, the notion of a complete bracketing of assumption and anticipation seems methodologically vague. The explorative impetus within this dissertation aims towards an elucidation of the effect of psychiatric diagnosis on the labelled individual, in terms of the individual’s experience of being-with-others. The impact of the offering of the label upon the individual’s interpersonal and intersubjective presence will be explored so as to establish whether psychiatric labelling unfolds as a disconnection of the individual from his co-existence with others.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Nursing in transition: negotiating the experience: an exploration of the impact of the aids pandemic on the subjective work experiences of peri-urban nurses
- Authors: Brown, Lisa Joy
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Psychological aspects , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3252 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015962
- Description: A substantial amount of international research exists examining the impact of HIV/AIDS on health care workers. However, the impact of HIV/AIDS on nursing staff in South Africa has been relatively neglected. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of the AIDS pandemic on the subjective work experiences of peri-urban nurses in South Africa. The study explored the relationship between external changes in the nurses' working environment and their internal psychological responses for negotiating this change. A focus group of eight nurses was conducted, followed by indepth individual interviews with three group members. A grounded theory method was utilised to process and analyse the data. The research showed that nurses experience two forms of change. It was suggested that nurses respond to external changes in a manner designed to maximise their control and sense of meaning in an unpredictable environment. This accommodation involves the restoration of an internal psychological equilibrium through a process of balancing positive and negative experiences. The attainment of such an acceptable equilibrium may allow for diminished stress, increased satisfaction or fulfilment and the validation of personal and professional significance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Brown, Lisa Joy
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Psychological aspects , Nurses -- Job stress -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3252 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015962
- Description: A substantial amount of international research exists examining the impact of HIV/AIDS on health care workers. However, the impact of HIV/AIDS on nursing staff in South Africa has been relatively neglected. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of the AIDS pandemic on the subjective work experiences of peri-urban nurses in South Africa. The study explored the relationship between external changes in the nurses' working environment and their internal psychological responses for negotiating this change. A focus group of eight nurses was conducted, followed by indepth individual interviews with three group members. A grounded theory method was utilised to process and analyse the data. The research showed that nurses experience two forms of change. It was suggested that nurses respond to external changes in a manner designed to maximise their control and sense of meaning in an unpredictable environment. This accommodation involves the restoration of an internal psychological equilibrium through a process of balancing positive and negative experiences. The attainment of such an acceptable equilibrium may allow for diminished stress, increased satisfaction or fulfilment and the validation of personal and professional significance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Patents, pills, poverty and pandemic: the ethical issues
- Authors: Brown, Walter
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 -- Ethics , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- Moral and ethical aspects , HIV infections -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , Social responsibility of business , Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002835 , Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 -- Ethics , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- Moral and ethical aspects , HIV infections -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , Social responsibility of business , Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: This thesis argues that corporations qua corporations are moral agents sui generis and hence capable of being held morally responsible. I argue that corporations qua corporations are responsible for the actual and foreseen consequences of their actions. I analyse normative theories and the different proscriptive responsibilities they place on moral agents and hence corporations. I examine Kantianism, utilitarianism and virtue ethics. I argue for a unique normative ethical theory that incorporates reasoning from all three of the normative theories. I argue for a broad range of reasons to factor into deciding whether an act is ethical or not. One of the claims of this thesis is that ethical theories must incorporate an agent’s motivation, intention and character traits as relevant to deciding on whether an action is ethical or not. My thesis argues for an indispensable role for the virtues while at the same time incorporating impartial beneficence and universal rationality from utilitarianism and Kantianism. This position I, following the literature, refer to as moderate virtue theory. Having established corporate qua corporate responsibility I question the pharmaceutical corporation’s practice of patenting life saving medication during a state of pandemic in poor countries. The moderate virtue theory position prioritises contexts and the actual human condition and criticises normative theories that attempt to give universal, abstracted answers to ethical problems. It is for this reason and the current (2003) HIV/AIDS pandemic that I focus on a particular context. I examine the practice of patenting life saving medication within South Africa and argue, applying moderate virtue theory, that this act cannot be justified. I argue that a pharmaceutical corporation that patents life saving medication in South Africa cannot justify that action and thus is morally responsible for that action. I also argue that corporations patenting HIV/AIDS medication in South Africa have unethical motivations and intentions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Brown, Walter
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 -- Ethics , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- Moral and ethical aspects , HIV infections -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , Social responsibility of business , Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002835 , Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 -- Ethics , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- Moral and ethical aspects , HIV infections -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects , Social responsibility of business , Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: This thesis argues that corporations qua corporations are moral agents sui generis and hence capable of being held morally responsible. I argue that corporations qua corporations are responsible for the actual and foreseen consequences of their actions. I analyse normative theories and the different proscriptive responsibilities they place on moral agents and hence corporations. I examine Kantianism, utilitarianism and virtue ethics. I argue for a unique normative ethical theory that incorporates reasoning from all three of the normative theories. I argue for a broad range of reasons to factor into deciding whether an act is ethical or not. One of the claims of this thesis is that ethical theories must incorporate an agent’s motivation, intention and character traits as relevant to deciding on whether an action is ethical or not. My thesis argues for an indispensable role for the virtues while at the same time incorporating impartial beneficence and universal rationality from utilitarianism and Kantianism. This position I, following the literature, refer to as moderate virtue theory. Having established corporate qua corporate responsibility I question the pharmaceutical corporation’s practice of patenting life saving medication during a state of pandemic in poor countries. The moderate virtue theory position prioritises contexts and the actual human condition and criticises normative theories that attempt to give universal, abstracted answers to ethical problems. It is for this reason and the current (2003) HIV/AIDS pandemic that I focus on a particular context. I examine the practice of patenting life saving medication within South Africa and argue, applying moderate virtue theory, that this act cannot be justified. I argue that a pharmaceutical corporation that patents life saving medication in South Africa cannot justify that action and thus is morally responsible for that action. I also argue that corporations patenting HIV/AIDS medication in South Africa have unethical motivations and intentions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
The suspension of mastery and the desire for imaginary : applying Jacques Lacan's theory of the imaginary to the beholder/image dialectic as realised in selected paintings by Lucy Cobern and Gerhard Richter
- Authors: Cobern, Lucy Rebecca
- Date: 2013-05-21
- Subjects: Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 -- Criticism and interpretation Richter, Gerhard, 1932- -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007806
- Description: This dissertation seeks to explore the nature of the self/other, subject/object dialectic that can be found in Jacques Lacan's theory of the Minor Stage and his notion of Imaginary mastery, and how this relationship can be re-read in terms of a beholder/image relationship. What I seek to demonstrate in exploring the relationship between the beholder and the image is the staging of two opposing emotions, aggression and desire and the consequential tussle for mastery that arises from the self/other, and hence the beholder/image, dichotomy. I seek to explore the reasons why such a beholder/image relationship becomes ambivalent, due to veiled, obscured and fragmented images. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cobern, Lucy Rebecca
- Date: 2013-05-21
- Subjects: Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 -- Criticism and interpretation Richter, Gerhard, 1932- -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007806
- Description: This dissertation seeks to explore the nature of the self/other, subject/object dialectic that can be found in Jacques Lacan's theory of the Minor Stage and his notion of Imaginary mastery, and how this relationship can be re-read in terms of a beholder/image relationship. What I seek to demonstrate in exploring the relationship between the beholder and the image is the staging of two opposing emotions, aggression and desire and the consequential tussle for mastery that arises from the self/other, and hence the beholder/image, dichotomy. I seek to explore the reasons why such a beholder/image relationship becomes ambivalent, due to veiled, obscured and fragmented images. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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Paranoid metaphors: an examination of the discursive, theoretical and sometimes personal, interaction between the psychoanalyst, Jacques Lacan, the surrealist, Salvador Dali, and the English poet, David Gascoyne
- Authors: De Klerk, Eugene
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Paranoia , Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 , Dali, Salvador, 1904-1989 , Gascoyne, David, 1916-2001
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002234 , Paranoia , Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 , Dali, Salvador, 1904-1989 , Gascoyne, David, 1916-2001
- Description: This thesis examines the historical interaction of the psychoanalyst, Jacques Lacan, the surrealist, Salvador Dali, and the English poet, David Gascoyne. It traces the discursive, and sometimes personal, relationship between these figures which led to a psychoanalytic-based conception of paranoia that impacted on both surrealism and the surrealist-inspired poetry and theory of David Gascoyne. Furthermore it seeks to identify the potential ramifications of this conception of paranoia, and the artistic practice it engendered, for literary, Marxist and psychoanalytic theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: De Klerk, Eugene
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Paranoia , Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 , Dali, Salvador, 1904-1989 , Gascoyne, David, 1916-2001
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002234 , Paranoia , Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981 , Dali, Salvador, 1904-1989 , Gascoyne, David, 1916-2001
- Description: This thesis examines the historical interaction of the psychoanalyst, Jacques Lacan, the surrealist, Salvador Dali, and the English poet, David Gascoyne. It traces the discursive, and sometimes personal, relationship between these figures which led to a psychoanalytic-based conception of paranoia that impacted on both surrealism and the surrealist-inspired poetry and theory of David Gascoyne. Furthermore it seeks to identify the potential ramifications of this conception of paranoia, and the artistic practice it engendered, for literary, Marxist and psychoanalytic theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Religious nationalism and negotiation : Islamic identity and the resolution of the Israel/Palestine conflic
- Authors: De Villiers, Shirley
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Arab-Israeli conflict Palestinian Arabs -- Civil rights -- Israel Nationalism -- Middle East Religion and politics -- Middle East Jewish-Arab relations Nationalism -- Religious aspects -- Islam -- History -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2873 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007815
- Description: The use of violence in the Israel/Palestine conflict has been justified and legitimised by an appeal to religion. Militant Islamist organisations like Ramas have become central players in the Palestinian political landscape as a result of the popular support that they enjoy. This thesis aims to investigate the reasons for this support by analysing the Israel/Palestine conflict in terms of Ruman Needs Theory. According to this Theory, humans have essential needs that need to be fulfilled in order to ensure survival and development. Among these needs, the need for identity and recognition of identity is of vital importance. This thesis thus explores the concept of identity as a need, and investigates this need as it relates to inter-group conflict. In situating this theory in the Israel/Palestine conflict, the study exammes how organisations like Ramas have Islamised Palestinian national identity in order to garner political support. The central contention, then, is that the primary identity group of the Palestinian population is no longer nationalist, but Islamic/nationalist. In Islamising the conflict with Israel as well as Palestinian identity, Ramas has been able to justify its often indiscriminate use of violence by appealing to religion. The conflict is thus perceived to be one between two absolutes - that of Islam versus Judaism. In considering the conflict as one of identities struggling for survival in a climate of perceived threat, any attempt at resolution of the conflict needs to include a focus on needs-based issues. The problem-solving approach to negotiation allows for parties to consider issues of identity, recognition and security needs, and thus ensures that the root causes of conflicts are addressed, The contention is that this approach is vital to any conflict resolution strategy where identity needs are at stake, and it provides the grounding for the success of more traditional zero-sum bargaining methods. A recognition of Islamic identity in negotiation processes in Israel/Palestine may thus make for a more comprehensive conflict resolution strategy, and make the outcomes of negotiations more acceptable to the people of Palestine, thus undermining the acceptance of violence that exists at present.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: De Villiers, Shirley
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Arab-Israeli conflict Palestinian Arabs -- Civil rights -- Israel Nationalism -- Middle East Religion and politics -- Middle East Jewish-Arab relations Nationalism -- Religious aspects -- Islam -- History -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2873 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007815
- Description: The use of violence in the Israel/Palestine conflict has been justified and legitimised by an appeal to religion. Militant Islamist organisations like Ramas have become central players in the Palestinian political landscape as a result of the popular support that they enjoy. This thesis aims to investigate the reasons for this support by analysing the Israel/Palestine conflict in terms of Ruman Needs Theory. According to this Theory, humans have essential needs that need to be fulfilled in order to ensure survival and development. Among these needs, the need for identity and recognition of identity is of vital importance. This thesis thus explores the concept of identity as a need, and investigates this need as it relates to inter-group conflict. In situating this theory in the Israel/Palestine conflict, the study exammes how organisations like Ramas have Islamised Palestinian national identity in order to garner political support. The central contention, then, is that the primary identity group of the Palestinian population is no longer nationalist, but Islamic/nationalist. In Islamising the conflict with Israel as well as Palestinian identity, Ramas has been able to justify its often indiscriminate use of violence by appealing to religion. The conflict is thus perceived to be one between two absolutes - that of Islam versus Judaism. In considering the conflict as one of identities struggling for survival in a climate of perceived threat, any attempt at resolution of the conflict needs to include a focus on needs-based issues. The problem-solving approach to negotiation allows for parties to consider issues of identity, recognition and security needs, and thus ensures that the root causes of conflicts are addressed, The contention is that this approach is vital to any conflict resolution strategy where identity needs are at stake, and it provides the grounding for the success of more traditional zero-sum bargaining methods. A recognition of Islamic identity in negotiation processes in Israel/Palestine may thus make for a more comprehensive conflict resolution strategy, and make the outcomes of negotiations more acceptable to the people of Palestine, thus undermining the acceptance of violence that exists at present.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
The emergence and growth of dial-up internet service providers (ISPs) as a means of access to the internet in South Africa: a case study of M-Web and World Online
- De Vos Belgraver, Cecilia Susan
- Authors: De Vos Belgraver, Cecilia Susan
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007811 , Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Description: The desire amongst media scholars for the fulfilment of the ideal of a universally accessible public sphere by the media is such that virtually every new communications technology that has emerged over the past 1 ~O-odd years such as radio, television or the Internet has been welcomed with enthusiasm - by some - at the prospect of the newest communications innovation bringing about universal access to information. However, the history of communications media tells of the commercialisation of each new medium, from radio to television, and the imposition of barriers to access, based on cost. Access to communications media is open to those people who can afford to pay for them. 111e emergence of the Internet spawned renewed hoped that the public sphere ideal would be realised. 111is new technology seemed more powerful than anything that had come before it. The Internet offered the means whereby one could access a global repository of information, stored on a worldwide network of computer networks, and available 24 hours a day. With the Internet, it was also possible to communicate with people on the other side of the world within seconds, using electronic mail (e-mail). Here was a medium that permitted one to send text and pictures to colleagues and friends within a fraction of the time taken by traditional means such as fax, telephone or post. To enjoy the convenience of the Internet though, one had to have a means of access. In South Africa, access could be gained through a personal computer linked to the Internet either through a network in the workplace or an academic or research institution, or via a telephone link to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). What were the names of the first ISPs to emerge in South Africa? When did they emerge and how did they develop? Did the number of ISPs grow or decline? What do ISPs give access to, at what cost and to whom? Do they provide universal access to information? This study addresses these questions by examining South Africa's leading providers of home dial-up internet access, M-Web and World Online, and by exploring the histories of their emergence and development, within the context of current media trends of concentration, diversification and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: De Vos Belgraver, Cecilia Susan
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007811 , Internet service providers -- South Africa , Internet service providers -- South Africa -- Case studies , M-Web , World Online
- Description: The desire amongst media scholars for the fulfilment of the ideal of a universally accessible public sphere by the media is such that virtually every new communications technology that has emerged over the past 1 ~O-odd years such as radio, television or the Internet has been welcomed with enthusiasm - by some - at the prospect of the newest communications innovation bringing about universal access to information. However, the history of communications media tells of the commercialisation of each new medium, from radio to television, and the imposition of barriers to access, based on cost. Access to communications media is open to those people who can afford to pay for them. 111e emergence of the Internet spawned renewed hoped that the public sphere ideal would be realised. 111is new technology seemed more powerful than anything that had come before it. The Internet offered the means whereby one could access a global repository of information, stored on a worldwide network of computer networks, and available 24 hours a day. With the Internet, it was also possible to communicate with people on the other side of the world within seconds, using electronic mail (e-mail). Here was a medium that permitted one to send text and pictures to colleagues and friends within a fraction of the time taken by traditional means such as fax, telephone or post. To enjoy the convenience of the Internet though, one had to have a means of access. In South Africa, access could be gained through a personal computer linked to the Internet either through a network in the workplace or an academic or research institution, or via a telephone link to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). What were the names of the first ISPs to emerge in South Africa? When did they emerge and how did they develop? Did the number of ISPs grow or decline? What do ISPs give access to, at what cost and to whom? Do they provide universal access to information? This study addresses these questions by examining South Africa's leading providers of home dial-up internet access, M-Web and World Online, and by exploring the histories of their emergence and development, within the context of current media trends of concentration, diversification and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
An exploration of adolescent risk-taking behaviour : a case study analysis
- Authors: Dietrich, Valerie
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Teenagers -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Risk-taking (psychology) in adolescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/312 , Teenagers -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Risk-taking (psychology) in adolescence
- Description: Do adolescents of colour really engage in risk-taking behaviours as often generalised by the public? Are they in fact the alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence generation? This study attempts to investigate the conditions influencing the choices adolescents make prior to their engaging in risk-taking behaviours. In the social sciences, concerns over adolescents’ recklessly irresponsible behaviours have deep roots. In 1904 G. Stanley Hall depicted adolescence as misbehaving because of the storms and stresses of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Subsequently, social scientists produced substantial evidence that the storminess of adolescence is largely an over generalisation, which has not been empirically substantiated. In corroboration of this interpretation, this study also indicates that not all adolescents engage in risk-taking behaviour, and those risky individuals do not necessarily engage in all spheres of risk-taking. The majority of the target group only experimented with certain risk behaviours by engaging in them on one occasion only. The specific high school was selected because the researcher knew the learners, as she was an educator there at the time. She was thus reasonably aware of the frequency, the nature and the severity of the risk-taking behaviours of the target group. In general, the most important findings of the study signified a moderate level of participation in risk-taking activities. However, in certain spheres such as cigarette smoking, alcohol usage and sexual intercourse, an extreme participation level was reported. Certain factors such as gender, age, socio-economic conditions, parental (one or both) absence, and the respondents’ attitude towards the specific behaviour, were discovered to have played an influential role in the target group taking risks. Based on the reasons advanced for engaging in risk-taking behaviour, the researcher concluded that the following theories were applicable in explaining the behaviour of the respondents. These theories are the social learning theory, symbolic interactionist theory, social identity, the theory of reasoned action, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The researcher trusts that this study will assist the reader to understand the complex contributing circumstances that the target group has to contend with in making decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Dietrich, Valerie
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Teenagers -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Risk-taking (psychology) in adolescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/312 , Teenagers -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Risk-taking (psychology) in adolescence
- Description: Do adolescents of colour really engage in risk-taking behaviours as often generalised by the public? Are they in fact the alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence generation? This study attempts to investigate the conditions influencing the choices adolescents make prior to their engaging in risk-taking behaviours. In the social sciences, concerns over adolescents’ recklessly irresponsible behaviours have deep roots. In 1904 G. Stanley Hall depicted adolescence as misbehaving because of the storms and stresses of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Subsequently, social scientists produced substantial evidence that the storminess of adolescence is largely an over generalisation, which has not been empirically substantiated. In corroboration of this interpretation, this study also indicates that not all adolescents engage in risk-taking behaviour, and those risky individuals do not necessarily engage in all spheres of risk-taking. The majority of the target group only experimented with certain risk behaviours by engaging in them on one occasion only. The specific high school was selected because the researcher knew the learners, as she was an educator there at the time. She was thus reasonably aware of the frequency, the nature and the severity of the risk-taking behaviours of the target group. In general, the most important findings of the study signified a moderate level of participation in risk-taking activities. However, in certain spheres such as cigarette smoking, alcohol usage and sexual intercourse, an extreme participation level was reported. Certain factors such as gender, age, socio-economic conditions, parental (one or both) absence, and the respondents’ attitude towards the specific behaviour, were discovered to have played an influential role in the target group taking risks. Based on the reasons advanced for engaging in risk-taking behaviour, the researcher concluded that the following theories were applicable in explaining the behaviour of the respondents. These theories are the social learning theory, symbolic interactionist theory, social identity, the theory of reasoned action, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The researcher trusts that this study will assist the reader to understand the complex contributing circumstances that the target group has to contend with in making decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Media and parliament in the Third Republic: a study of newspaper coverage of parliament by the Times of Zambia and the Post from January to November 2001
- Authors: Djokotoe-Gliguie, Edem K
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Zambia Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zambia Zambia -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007796
- Description: The press is credited with playing a central role in the consolidation of democracy by informing citizens, engaging them in the process of public decision making and governance and stimulating wide and inclusive debate on public matters. In emergent democracies like Zambia, the extent of the media's role as a public sphere, not to mention its impact, is not known. The study set out to investigate the extent of the press' public sphere role, particularly how Zambian newspapers report Parliament and how such coverage informs public opinion. It found that though the press covers Parliament, the nature of coverage does not empower newspaper readers with the kind of context, background and interpretation they would otherwise need to engage in public discourses on matters that affect them from an informed perspective. In the main, the role of the press in informing citizens is not fully realised, not only because uninformative character of coverage, but partly because of low literacy levels and the limited reach of local newspapers. It was against this background that the study recommended ways in which the Zambian press could re-focus its approach to parliamentary news coverage to make it more informational and more inclined towards playing a public sphere role, at least to the newspaper-reading public. Making parliamentary coverage an integrated newsroom function was the main recommendation. It provided the basis for suggesting a practical editorial option for the coverage of the legislature that accommodates the integration of context, background and interpretation into parliamentary news.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Djokotoe-Gliguie, Edem K
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Zambia Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zambia Zambia -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007796
- Description: The press is credited with playing a central role in the consolidation of democracy by informing citizens, engaging them in the process of public decision making and governance and stimulating wide and inclusive debate on public matters. In emergent democracies like Zambia, the extent of the media's role as a public sphere, not to mention its impact, is not known. The study set out to investigate the extent of the press' public sphere role, particularly how Zambian newspapers report Parliament and how such coverage informs public opinion. It found that though the press covers Parliament, the nature of coverage does not empower newspaper readers with the kind of context, background and interpretation they would otherwise need to engage in public discourses on matters that affect them from an informed perspective. In the main, the role of the press in informing citizens is not fully realised, not only because uninformative character of coverage, but partly because of low literacy levels and the limited reach of local newspapers. It was against this background that the study recommended ways in which the Zambian press could re-focus its approach to parliamentary news coverage to make it more informational and more inclined towards playing a public sphere role, at least to the newspaper-reading public. Making parliamentary coverage an integrated newsroom function was the main recommendation. It provided the basis for suggesting a practical editorial option for the coverage of the legislature that accommodates the integration of context, background and interpretation into parliamentary news.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
An assessment of selected non-water benefits of the Working for Water Programme in the Eastern and Southern Cape
- Authors: Du Plessis, Lily Lozelle
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/340 , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape
- Description: 1.1 Background to, and motivation for, the study: The Working for Water programme (WfW) is a public works programme designed to clear South Africa of water-consuming invasive alien tree and plants, and to replace them with low water consuming indigenous species. This would prevent a loss of more than 4000 million cubic metres water per annum from the hydrological cycle (DWAF, 1998). The economic viability of the programme has been established in the Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal (van Wilgen, Little, Chapman, Görgens, Willems and Marais, 1997; Gilham and Haynes, 2001), but questioned in the Eastern and Southern Cape (Hosking, du Preez, Campbell, Wooldridge and du Plessis, 2002). Hosking et al. (2002) investigated the economic case for the programme by performing a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), based on increased water yield and livestock potential, on six selected sites in the Eastern and Southern Cape, viz. Albany, Kat River, Pot River, Tsitsikamma, Kouga and Port Elizabeth Driftsands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Du Plessis, Lily Lozelle
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/340 , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Water conservation projects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Southern Cape
- Description: 1.1 Background to, and motivation for, the study: The Working for Water programme (WfW) is a public works programme designed to clear South Africa of water-consuming invasive alien tree and plants, and to replace them with low water consuming indigenous species. This would prevent a loss of more than 4000 million cubic metres water per annum from the hydrological cycle (DWAF, 1998). The economic viability of the programme has been established in the Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal (van Wilgen, Little, Chapman, Görgens, Willems and Marais, 1997; Gilham and Haynes, 2001), but questioned in the Eastern and Southern Cape (Hosking, du Preez, Campbell, Wooldridge and du Plessis, 2002). Hosking et al. (2002) investigated the economic case for the programme by performing a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), based on increased water yield and livestock potential, on six selected sites in the Eastern and Southern Cape, viz. Albany, Kat River, Pot River, Tsitsikamma, Kouga and Port Elizabeth Driftsands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Versions of virginity : an exploration of university students' narrative accounts of first sexual experience
- Authors: Ebden, Tiffany
- Date: 2013-05-21
- Subjects: College students -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior Sexual intercourse -- Psychological aspects Virginity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007797
- Description: The research assumes a narrative constructionist and feminist perspective in order to explore stories concerning men and women's first sexual experience. Such a metatheoretical stance is concerned with the ways that lives are constructed and storied through language. There is a concern for the myriad voices, both personal and social, that speaks through individuals' stories and for the manner in which these voices are represented. Three men and three women were interviewed to elicit narratives of first sexual experience. The analysis of interview transcripts tells first sexual experience as a rite of passage described in terms of certain mythic elements. That is, the experience of first sex concerns three stages. Firstly the individual is detached from the experience of sex while still a virgin. Secondly the experience itself is one that is ineffable and diffuse. Thirdly the individual must make sense of the experience. Participants' experience could be characterised as containing elements of demonic, heavenly or earthly myths about sexual relationships: demonic elements concerned the base , physical and painful experiences of first sex; the myth of heavenly love emphasises the mental and emotional connection between partners; an earthly myth tells sex as a predestined meeting of two partners. The manner in which stories were constructed was different for male and for female participants, and these differences have implications for the power dynamics at play between genders in the context of sexual interaction, especially first sex. Further the research's storied and ritualised approach to these gender differences suggests the performative aspect of gender. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ebden, Tiffany
- Date: 2013-05-21
- Subjects: College students -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior Sexual intercourse -- Psychological aspects Virginity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007797
- Description: The research assumes a narrative constructionist and feminist perspective in order to explore stories concerning men and women's first sexual experience. Such a metatheoretical stance is concerned with the ways that lives are constructed and storied through language. There is a concern for the myriad voices, both personal and social, that speaks through individuals' stories and for the manner in which these voices are represented. Three men and three women were interviewed to elicit narratives of first sexual experience. The analysis of interview transcripts tells first sexual experience as a rite of passage described in terms of certain mythic elements. That is, the experience of first sex concerns three stages. Firstly the individual is detached from the experience of sex while still a virgin. Secondly the experience itself is one that is ineffable and diffuse. Thirdly the individual must make sense of the experience. Participants' experience could be characterised as containing elements of demonic, heavenly or earthly myths about sexual relationships: demonic elements concerned the base , physical and painful experiences of first sex; the myth of heavenly love emphasises the mental and emotional connection between partners; an earthly myth tells sex as a predestined meeting of two partners. The manner in which stories were constructed was different for male and for female participants, and these differences have implications for the power dynamics at play between genders in the context of sexual interaction, especially first sex. Further the research's storied and ritualised approach to these gender differences suggests the performative aspect of gender. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
The social construction of "sexual knowledge": exploring the narratives of southern African youth of Indian descent in the context of HIV/AIDS
- Authors: Esat, Fazila
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: East Indians -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Youth -- South Africa -- Attitudes , East Indians -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , Youth -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002479 , East Indians -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Youth -- South Africa -- Attitudes , East Indians -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , Youth -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Description: This study pays attention to youth of Indian-descent within the context of sexuality and identity and their role in HIV/AIDS. By gaining an understanding of this interaction between identity and sexuality, it adds to our knowledge of the social dynamics that contribute to the prevalence or lack of prevalence of HIV/AIDS within population groups. This study uses a social constructionist discourse analytic framework and aims to explore the construction of sexual knowledge by Southern African youth of Indian-descent. The findings indicate that the construction of sex is primarily one of risk and ambiguity. Additionally, the construction of sexual knowledge highlights the significance of gender differentials and the importance of agency and responsibility for sexual education. These constructions reinforce traditional educational roles that contribute to the construction of sex as risky and ambiguous. In addition, a social identity of Indian-ness and othering is used as a strategy to give meaning to the lack of parental responsibility with regard to sexual education. The use of social identity is seen as highlighting the importance of acknowledging the sexual values within which youth are embedded. This study concludes with possible ways to shift these constructions. For example, one of the conclusions suggests the implementation of an alternative school-based sexual education that acknowledges the sexual values in which youth are embedded. Furthermore, this acknowledgement of sexual values should take place within a holistic sex education programme that is positive about sexuality. Additionally, a reframing of youth as capable and active decision-makers in their sexual education is necessitated in order to see youth as a potential resource in HIV/AIDS prevention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Esat, Fazila
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: East Indians -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Youth -- South Africa -- Attitudes , East Indians -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , Youth -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002479 , East Indians -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Youth -- South Africa -- Attitudes , East Indians -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , Youth -- South Africa -- Sexual behavior , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Description: This study pays attention to youth of Indian-descent within the context of sexuality and identity and their role in HIV/AIDS. By gaining an understanding of this interaction between identity and sexuality, it adds to our knowledge of the social dynamics that contribute to the prevalence or lack of prevalence of HIV/AIDS within population groups. This study uses a social constructionist discourse analytic framework and aims to explore the construction of sexual knowledge by Southern African youth of Indian-descent. The findings indicate that the construction of sex is primarily one of risk and ambiguity. Additionally, the construction of sexual knowledge highlights the significance of gender differentials and the importance of agency and responsibility for sexual education. These constructions reinforce traditional educational roles that contribute to the construction of sex as risky and ambiguous. In addition, a social identity of Indian-ness and othering is used as a strategy to give meaning to the lack of parental responsibility with regard to sexual education. The use of social identity is seen as highlighting the importance of acknowledging the sexual values within which youth are embedded. This study concludes with possible ways to shift these constructions. For example, one of the conclusions suggests the implementation of an alternative school-based sexual education that acknowledges the sexual values in which youth are embedded. Furthermore, this acknowledgement of sexual values should take place within a holistic sex education programme that is positive about sexuality. Additionally, a reframing of youth as capable and active decision-makers in their sexual education is necessitated in order to see youth as a potential resource in HIV/AIDS prevention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
The subjective well-being and experience of life roles of white employed married mothers: a multiple case study
- Authors: Evans, Amelia
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Married women -- Employment -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Self-Actualization (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:11019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/290 , Married women -- Employment -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Self-Actualization (Psychology)
- Description: The number of women who choose to combine careers and traditional roles as mothers has been increasing steadily over the last number of years. As a result, the subjective wellbeing of these women has been the focus of many research projects over the last number of years. Subjective well-being has been defined in various ways by different authors. One definition describes subjective well-being as people's evaluations of their lives, which includes happiness, pleasant emotions, life satisfaction, and a relative absence of unpleasant moods and emotions. The current study, which took the form of a multiple case study, attempted to explore and describe White employed married mothers’ subjective experience of their well-being. The study also explored these women's experiences of combining the roles of employee and motherhood. The sample was obtained through the snowballing technique, and both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative techniques (two questionnaires - the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory) were utilized. The analysis of the data that was gathered was done by means of thematic and content analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Evans, Amelia
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Married women -- Employment -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Self-Actualization (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:11019 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/290 , Married women -- Employment -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Self-Actualization (Psychology)
- Description: The number of women who choose to combine careers and traditional roles as mothers has been increasing steadily over the last number of years. As a result, the subjective wellbeing of these women has been the focus of many research projects over the last number of years. Subjective well-being has been defined in various ways by different authors. One definition describes subjective well-being as people's evaluations of their lives, which includes happiness, pleasant emotions, life satisfaction, and a relative absence of unpleasant moods and emotions. The current study, which took the form of a multiple case study, attempted to explore and describe White employed married mothers’ subjective experience of their well-being. The study also explored these women's experiences of combining the roles of employee and motherhood. The sample was obtained through the snowballing technique, and both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative techniques (two questionnaires - the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory) were utilized. The analysis of the data that was gathered was done by means of thematic and content analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
South African women's literature and the ecofeminist perspective
- Authors: Ewing, Maureen Colleen
- Date: 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Ecofeminism in literature Ecology in literature Nature in literature South African fiction -- History and criticism Smith, Pauline, 1883-1959 Schreiner, Olive, 1855-1920 Matthee, Dalene, 1938-2005 Poland, Marguerite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2287 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007808
- Description: A social-constructionist ecofeminist perspective argues that patriarchal society separates the human (or culture) from nature, which causes a false assumption that humanity possesses the right, as a superior species, to dominate nature. This perspective integrates the domination of nature with social conflicts, including but not limited to racial discrimination, gender oppression, and class hierarchies. Understanding how these various forms of oppression interrelate forms the main goal of an ecofeminist perspective. Since the nature-culture, female-male, and whitenonwhite conflicts resonate and interlock throughout South Africa's history, socialconstructionist ecofeminism is an indispensable perspective for analysing South African literature. This thesis takes a social-constructionist ecofeminist approach and applies it to four women authors that write about South African society between the years 1860-1900. This thesis includes the following authors and their works: Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) and two of her novels, The Story of an African Farm (1883) and From Man to Man (published posthumously in 1927); Pauline Smith (1882-1959) and her novel The Beadle (1926); Dalene Matthee (1938- ) and three of her novels, Circles in a Forest (1984), Fiela's Child (1986), and The Mulberry Forest (1987); and Marguerite Poland (1950- ) and one of her novels, Shades (1993). This thesis investigates two women from the time period (Schreiner and Smith) and two women from a late twentieth century perspective (Matthee and Poland) and compares how they depict the natural environment, how they construct gender, and how they interpret class and race power struggles. This thesis concludes that the social-constructionist perspective offers unique insights into these four authors. Schreiner's novels reveal her concerns about gender and racial conflicts in South Africa and her understanding of the nature-culture dichotomy as sustained by Social Darwinism. Smith offers insights into the complex power structures in a rural Afrikaans society that keep women and nonwhite races silent. Matthee writes nature as an active participant in her novels; the social and ecological conflicts emphasise the transformation of the Knysna area. Poland explores the racial tensions, gender conflicts, and environmental concerns that preceded the South African War. Schreiner, Smith, Matthee, and Poland make up a small cross-section of South African literature, but they provide a basis for further discussing the ecofeminist perspective within a South African context. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Ewing, Maureen Colleen
- Date: 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Ecofeminism in literature Ecology in literature Nature in literature South African fiction -- History and criticism Smith, Pauline, 1883-1959 Schreiner, Olive, 1855-1920 Matthee, Dalene, 1938-2005 Poland, Marguerite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2287 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007808
- Description: A social-constructionist ecofeminist perspective argues that patriarchal society separates the human (or culture) from nature, which causes a false assumption that humanity possesses the right, as a superior species, to dominate nature. This perspective integrates the domination of nature with social conflicts, including but not limited to racial discrimination, gender oppression, and class hierarchies. Understanding how these various forms of oppression interrelate forms the main goal of an ecofeminist perspective. Since the nature-culture, female-male, and whitenonwhite conflicts resonate and interlock throughout South Africa's history, socialconstructionist ecofeminism is an indispensable perspective for analysing South African literature. This thesis takes a social-constructionist ecofeminist approach and applies it to four women authors that write about South African society between the years 1860-1900. This thesis includes the following authors and their works: Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) and two of her novels, The Story of an African Farm (1883) and From Man to Man (published posthumously in 1927); Pauline Smith (1882-1959) and her novel The Beadle (1926); Dalene Matthee (1938- ) and three of her novels, Circles in a Forest (1984), Fiela's Child (1986), and The Mulberry Forest (1987); and Marguerite Poland (1950- ) and one of her novels, Shades (1993). This thesis investigates two women from the time period (Schreiner and Smith) and two women from a late twentieth century perspective (Matthee and Poland) and compares how they depict the natural environment, how they construct gender, and how they interpret class and race power struggles. This thesis concludes that the social-constructionist perspective offers unique insights into these four authors. Schreiner's novels reveal her concerns about gender and racial conflicts in South Africa and her understanding of the nature-culture dichotomy as sustained by Social Darwinism. Smith offers insights into the complex power structures in a rural Afrikaans society that keep women and nonwhite races silent. Matthee writes nature as an active participant in her novels; the social and ecological conflicts emphasise the transformation of the Knysna area. Poland explores the racial tensions, gender conflicts, and environmental concerns that preceded the South African War. Schreiner, Smith, Matthee, and Poland make up a small cross-section of South African literature, but they provide a basis for further discussing the ecofeminist perspective within a South African context. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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Involuntary consent
- Authors: Futter, Dylan Brian
- Date: 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Ignorance (Theory of knowledge) Responsiblity Free will and determinism Theory (Philosophy) Social ethics Blame
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007846
- Description: In this dissertation I take exception with a widely held philosophical doctrine, according to which agents are only blameworthy for the bad actions they have chosen to bring about. My argument strategy is to present cases in which agents are blamed for involuntary actions that are not in any way connected to their culpable and voluntary choices. These failures correspond, I suggest, to occasions of culpable ignorance where agents have been negligent or careless. More specifically, I claim that violations of natural duties of respect and consideration, and certain acquired role-type duties, are blamed without any voluntary consent. If my examples are persuasive, then the point is reached where a normative principle of 'voluntary consent' does not in fact coincide with people's actual practices and 'considered judgements'. In the final sections of the dissertation, I argue against the plausibility of keeping the principle and revising our judgements. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Futter, Dylan Brian
- Date: 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Ignorance (Theory of knowledge) Responsiblity Free will and determinism Theory (Philosophy) Social ethics Blame
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007846
- Description: In this dissertation I take exception with a widely held philosophical doctrine, according to which agents are only blameworthy for the bad actions they have chosen to bring about. My argument strategy is to present cases in which agents are blamed for involuntary actions that are not in any way connected to their culpable and voluntary choices. These failures correspond, I suggest, to occasions of culpable ignorance where agents have been negligent or careless. More specifically, I claim that violations of natural duties of respect and consideration, and certain acquired role-type duties, are blamed without any voluntary consent. If my examples are persuasive, then the point is reached where a normative principle of 'voluntary consent' does not in fact coincide with people's actual practices and 'considered judgements'. In the final sections of the dissertation, I argue against the plausibility of keeping the principle and revising our judgements. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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Rugby : more than just a game : a study of the cumulative effects of mild head injuries on high school rugby players
- Authors: Giai-Coletti, Cristina
- Date: 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications Rugby football injuries Brain -- Concussion -- Complications Neuropsychological tests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007809
- Description: The present study comprises part of an ongoing research study investigating the effects 0 f cumulative mild head injuries 0 n Rugby Union p layers. The aim 0 f t he study was to ascertain whether there are neuropsychological effects of cumulative mild head injuries sustained during the rugby-playing careers of senior schoolboy rugby players. Participants were top-level rugby players from high schools in Grahamstown and Cape Town (n = 79) and non-contact sport controls of top-level field hockey players from the same schools (n = 58). Group mean comparisons across a battery of neuropsychological tests were carried out between the Total Rugby versus the Total Field Hockey group, and the Rugby Forwards versus the Rugby Backs group. Comparisons between Total Rugby versus Total Field Hockey revealed impaired performance by the rugby players on two tests of visuoperceptual tracking, namely Digit Symbol Substitution and Trail Making Test (Part A). For Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs, there were no consistent differences to support the expectation that forwards would perform worse than backs. Forwards performed more poorly than backs on WMS Associate Learning Subtest - Hard (Delayed Recall), whereas backs performed more poorly than forwards on Digits Backwards. This suggests that some individuals in the cohort were starting to exhibit verbal memory deficit, albeit not clearly in association with forward positional play. Overall, results of the present study provide tentative support for the hypothesis that school level rugby players are more susceptible to the effects of cumulative concussive and sub-concussive head injuries than are non-contact sport controls. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Giai-Coletti, Cristina
- Date: 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications Rugby football injuries Brain -- Concussion -- Complications Neuropsychological tests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007809
- Description: The present study comprises part of an ongoing research study investigating the effects 0 f cumulative mild head injuries 0 n Rugby Union p layers. The aim 0 f t he study was to ascertain whether there are neuropsychological effects of cumulative mild head injuries sustained during the rugby-playing careers of senior schoolboy rugby players. Participants were top-level rugby players from high schools in Grahamstown and Cape Town (n = 79) and non-contact sport controls of top-level field hockey players from the same schools (n = 58). Group mean comparisons across a battery of neuropsychological tests were carried out between the Total Rugby versus the Total Field Hockey group, and the Rugby Forwards versus the Rugby Backs group. Comparisons between Total Rugby versus Total Field Hockey revealed impaired performance by the rugby players on two tests of visuoperceptual tracking, namely Digit Symbol Substitution and Trail Making Test (Part A). For Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs, there were no consistent differences to support the expectation that forwards would perform worse than backs. Forwards performed more poorly than backs on WMS Associate Learning Subtest - Hard (Delayed Recall), whereas backs performed more poorly than forwards on Digits Backwards. This suggests that some individuals in the cohort were starting to exhibit verbal memory deficit, albeit not clearly in association with forward positional play. Overall, results of the present study provide tentative support for the hypothesis that school level rugby players are more susceptible to the effects of cumulative concussive and sub-concussive head injuries than are non-contact sport controls. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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