School of Global Studies / Institutionen för globala studier

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://gupea-staging.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/28932

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 634

Vargens värde. Upplevelsevärden av vargen och vargjakten i media under licensjakten 2010
(2012) Andersson Ulfsdotter, Linnea; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This thesis examines the experience value of the wolf and wolf hunting presented in media during December 17, 2009-Feruary 15, 2010. I analyze news articles, editorials and letters to the editor in three newspapers. In order to investigate the experience value of the wolf and the wolf hunt, I have with inspiration from a model employed in the assessment of experience value of tangible cultural heritage, developed a model which I use to analyze the media material according to the criteria of aesthetic value, identity value, value of tradition and symbolic value. In order to analyze the results of the analyze, I employ experimental and sociocultural theory and method, which means that I assume the experiences of the wolf and the wolf hunt as related to a social and cultural perspective that partly depends on how we identify ourselves and what kind of experiences and understandings we have of the landscape and large carnivores. Since media affects how we perceive our surroundings and the wolf hunting attracted much attention in media, I found it interesting to examine how the wolf and the wolf hunt were displayed in news articles and letters to the editor. The results of my study suggests that the wolf and the wolf hunt have symbolic and aesthetic values. Identity values were also present as well as the understanding that it is important to maintain traditions. The wolf hunt was also found to have a social value.
Samhällets meningsfulla form: En analys av metaforiskt språkbruk
(2012-03-22) Malmeling, Pontus; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Asalet el Hara: (Originality of the Alley) Ecomuseums as a Model for Community Regeneration and Heritage Preservation in Cairo
(2012-05-09) Ruggles, Angela; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Egypt has world famous heritage that is coveted and protected internationally; however, much of the local ʻdistinctivenessʼ is deteriorating and the communities living amongst this heritage are impoverished. This dissertation discusses the potential for ecomuseums in Cairo to utilize local ʻdistinctivenessʼ as a tool for social and economic development, heritage preservation and community empowerment. In this paper, I review the definition of ecomuseums and its deeper theoretical concepts in landscape, heritage, place and memory, and community empowerment. I then focus on social and economic development, which is one of the practical applications of ecomuseums. I provide definitions for social and economic development in heritage projects and show evidence of the successful integration of heritage and development from fieldwork conducted in Italy where some of the most successful ecomuseums of this nature can be found. After reviewing these concepts, I return the focus to Cairo to develop an appropriate model for an ecomuseum in the Egyptian cultural and political context. Through a case study, I show the impact that a restoration project in Darb el Asfar, one of Cairoʼs historic districts, had on the local community to illustrate the value of linking heritage preservation and development. Furthermore, in order to formulate the best methods for approaching a future ecomuseum, I look deeper in to the history, structure and legislation of the cultural sector, which would impact a project in its development, organization and funding sources. In conclusion, I visualize a Cairean ecomuseum project, show the challenges but argue its potential benefits in sustainable social and economic development in Egypt.
The Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child – A study of 3 municipalities in Sweden: Örebro – Strängnäs – Borås
(2012-05-10) Sheikholeslamzadeh, Sanaz; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This research aims at discovering how the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is being implemented within three municipalities in Sweden. By doing so, the research will unthread obstacles as well as possibilities in the process of realising the CRC on a local level. The study takes its ground in the criticism from The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, pointing at the disparities between the Swedish municipalities as to the implementation of the CRC. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to scrutinize: 1. The evidence of implementation of policy and practice in political decisions taken in Örebro, Strängnäs and Borås concerning children’s rights. 2. The disparities regarding the effects in policy and practice of the implementation. 3. The evidence of children’s participation (art. 12 in the CRC) in the implementation process. The latter is related to research pointing at the significance of children’s participation in the realisation of the CRC. The findings of this research have been compiled through interviews and text analysis. Theories related to implementation and implementation process, perspectives on children, and as mentioned, children’s rights to participate have been examined and applied as theoretical framework. Some of the main findings have been that the CRC seem rather complex to apply since there is a huge lack of knowledge amongst decision-makers and officials. Furthermore, evidence show that children are not often included in political decision making in a systematic way, rather on occasion which is often adult initiated. Throughout the study there is also a discussion with a broader human rights perspective. As I believe that children’s rights based work should not be separated from human rights as such seeing that there is much to gain if the perspectives are broadened.
A conversion of nature’s value?: A critical analysis of the TEEB as an appropriate tool to valuate ecosystems and biodiversity with an empirical analysis of a Climate Change adaptation project in Falsterbo-Skanör Vellinge
(2012-05-10) Riechers, Maraja; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This thesis critically analyzes the appropriateness of The Economics of Ecosystems and Bio-diversity (TEEB) in terms of theoretical and practical implications and limitations. Separated into two parts, this thesis firstly examines the theoretical background and flaws of the frame-work in terms of it stated goal to enhance sustainability. In their regard, nature‟s value is de-fined as benefits to society and is assessed through forms of economic valuation. TEEB uses the intuitive and convincing language of the world‟s dominant economic-political system of capitalism to guide decision-makers and aims to mainstream economic valuation. Among the theoretical problems within the approach, commensurability and silencing of other values are the most striking. The theoretical background of TEEB is assessed critically, and I show that economic valuation could only in some terms be helpful and should be seen as a small part of a broader multi-criteria analysis. To test TEEB‟s practicability, the unique attempt to merge an economic valuation with the topic of local climate change adaptation in Falsterbo-Skanör Vellinge. For this, I dissected the TEEB down to the level of actual valuation and analyzed its practical problems. Statements from regional and local decision-makers on their view upon the impact of economic valuation round the empirical part off.
Sweden’s Policy for Global Development: A paper product or a powerful tool?
(2012-05-10) Stråle, Malin; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
In 2003, the Swedish Policy for Global Development (PGD) was adopted. Through the PGD, Sweden has made a very strong, ambitious and quite unique commitment that all policy areas should comply with the goal of an equitable and sustainable global development. To achieve this, a poor peoples’ perspective on development and a rights perspective should permeate the actions by all actors involved in the fulfillment of the PGD. The aim of this study is to further contribute with empirical data to the field of research regarding the relevance and impact of the PGD on Swedish policies and its implementation. In order to narrow down the field of investigation, the focus has been on trade and migration, as they are two policy areas identified by the Swedish government as crucial for combating poverty and areas in which Swedish policies can have an impact on global development. The research has been realized through interviews with administrative officials at the Government Offices working with the PGD, in general as well as in the areas of trade and migration. To complement these discussions, interviews with experts from civil society have also been conducted. Together with secondary material in the form of reports on Swedish and EU performance, the interviews form the base of the study. The research takes it standpoint in a theoretical framework of policy coherence for development. The results indicate that there are positive progresses in terms of greater institutionalization of the PGD and an increased awareness on the importance of development issues across the areas of migration and trade as well as on a general basis. However, great challenges still remain in strengthening the institutional structures, political commitment and analytical capacity in order for the PGD to truly achieve its value as a guiding principle across all Swedish policy areas. A continuous dialogue on what constitutes development and how to best achieve it is furthermore required.
Neglecting the public and focusing on the private: "The situation of education in Nigeria"
(2012-05-10) Akuaka, Meshiack Uche; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This research looks into the problem of public education funding in Nigeria. Immediately after independence, great strides were made in the area of mass education. The government’s efforts towards education recorded huge successes across the country. This period witnessed the establishment of great number of educational institutions, to complement what the country inherited from the pre - independent (colonial) administration. The major universities within the country today were established during that period, which introduced academic programmes that were relevant in preparing the foundation for growth and development of a newly independent nation. The attention towards education lasted for a period of time, before reversal of fortunes setin. The downturn could be traced firstly to the civil war that engulfed the newly independent nation just seven years after self rule, which created distrust among the various ethnic groups. The incursion of the military into government could be another reason for the neglect of the public educational institutions. The military at that moment was preoccupied with keeping the country together, rather than focusing on the provision of education and other social services. The lack of proper attention towards the education sector cuts across the different levels - from primary to tertiary. These two factors coupled with the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) led to the collapse of the education sector of the country. With the collapse of public schools, the need for private schools became necessary and agitation for the approval of private schools started in earnest. Selection process into private schools are centered firstly on financial ability before other factors like academic ability are considered (a common practice in most parts of the globe), because they are first and foremost commercial ventures. With the level of poverty in Nigeria astronomically high, approximately 80% of the population relied on public schools for their educational needs as a result of the subsidized cost. The trend seems to have changed greatly, with a near total collapse of standard in public schools as a 3 result of government neglect over time. While at the same time, the private educational institutions have continued to spring up at every nooks and crannies in the country. This thesis is going look into how the above scenario is going to affect the achievement of the MDG goal 2, and also how the deterioration of public education in Nigeria is going to affect the quality of life of the majority of the populace that depends on it for their intellectual needs.
European Partnership with Africa: A Partnership of Values
(2012-05-24) Poulsen, Mattias; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This thesis set out to understand how European rhetoric legitimises European intervention in development and coerces African leaders into the Eurocentric world order. This through analysing the discourse in four Africa-policies from Europe and comparing them The aim of this thesis is to test the power relations within development cooperation. Partnership has become a keyword in these relations and it is both the framework for interaction as for development. But what does this partnership really consist of? The methodology is based on a discourse analysis on how Sweden and EU use rhetoric to construct frameworks for their understanding of Africa as well as how they apply their ideologies in development discourse. Political argumentation is all about saying something to gain something. Policy documents can sometimes be perceived as simple documents that only holds general modalities and simple explanations of frameworks. But development is loaded with ideological convictions and so are policy documents. The documents are analysed in three perspectives, the political, the economical and the cultural. Two key terms are also objects for study, partnership and governance. The rhetorical analysis is derived from the four arguments that Europe has used to legitimise intervention abroad since the colonial days; The barbarity of others, Ending practices that violate the universal values, The defence of the innocent among the cruel others, Making it possible to spread universal values. Together, they form a framework for hegemonic and structural power with a web of values, intentions, punishments and ulterior motive to control Africa.
Understanding Peace & Violence from the Perspective of Street-Living Adolescents in Cusco, Peru
(2012-06-20) Schweder, Anja; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Young people often tend to be depicted either as a risk factor or passive victim. Few youth have the possibilities to actively take part in decision-making processes affecting their lives. However, researchers increasingly criticize this oversimplified view of young people and stress the significance of involving them in social transformation processes. A first step to do so is to consider young people’s interpretation and assessment of the world. Thus, the present research project aims at giving voice to a certain group of young people we hardly hear, namely street-living adolescents in Cusco, Peru, regarding two particular social issues: peace and violence. How do these adolescents conceptualize ‘peace’ and ‘violence’? To find answers to this proposition, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted in combination with the creation of drawings. The empirical findings revealed a three-folded peace concept, which can be systemized as ‘Three Dimensions of Peace.’ The street adolescents regard peace not just as the opposite of war or other types of overt violence. Their understanding combines elements that might be ascribed to either ‘typically’ occidental or oriental ideas about peace. As a result, the ‘Three Dimensions of Peace’ as understood by the youths complement existing peace theories. Previous research regarding young people’s conception of violence and peace frequently made use of the cognitive-developmental approach. This study’s interest, however, is chiefly centered on the individual’s relation with the sociocultural environment and its affect on ideas about peace and violence. In accordance with the socialization and ecological perspectives, it can be argued that the youth’s understanding of these concepts is influenced by their interactions with the immediate surroundings and by the wider sociocultural setting. Therefore, this research project additionally explores the street youths’ conceptualizations in relation to their specific cultural background and social reality. So as to collect information about their socialcultural context, supplementary interviews were carried out with adults who are experienced in working directly with the street adolescents. Due to the relation between the youths’ social knowledge and their particular social experiences and interactions with their immediate and wider surroundings, the three-folded peace concept gives an idea about the Cusquenian adolescents’ perspective of changes that have to be undertaken in their environment in order to improve their own lives but also to achieve a greater level of peacefulness for the whole Peruvian society.
Large Scale Foreign Land Acquisitions: Neoliberal Opportunities or Neocolonial Challenges?
(2012-06-20) Adbib, Readeat; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Over the last decade, a dramatic rise in commercial agricultural investment has taken place the world over at a rate much higher than previous times. Some of the causes that spurred this whole business happen to be mainly the food security concerns of food poor countries as in the case of the Gulf states, a shift of focus by western based investment banks, hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds towards less volatile assets such as land in the aftermath of the 2007/08 global financial crises, drought induced food export restrictions by major food exporting countries such as India and Russia, only to mention some of them. Huge private companies, government sponsored firms and even highly reputed US universities such as Harvard and Vanderbilt, among others, then took an aggressive move in acquiring large tracts of land across Africa, Latin America, Asia and to some degree in Europe, and massively invested on them. Latest reports indicate that an amount of land well over 80 million hectares have been put up to the global market, much of which has already been effectively leased by investors. Even though this practice of large scale foreign land acquisitions is fairly a matter of global reach, a staggering 75 percent of this whole business has so far taken place in Africa alone. This simply made the continent a spotlight case and lured attention into questioning as to how these investments are taking place and what sort of ramifications may be born out in result. Departing from neoliberal and neocolonial discourses from whose perspective the recent expansion of the practice has been analyzed, this thesis has made an attempt to analyze how the stake of Africa in the growing practice of large scale land acquisitions can be looked up on and explained. Seeking to narrow down focus and do a practical analysis, three sub- Saharan African countries that are actively engaged on leasing of land to foreign investors- Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda- have been selected as case studies. The entire analysis of these cases is centered on answering whether the practice leads to the social development of local populations as often claimed by proponents or if it rather leads to the detriment and impoverishment of host populations. It is observed throughout this research that to draw sheer conclusions in black and white is not an easy matter. However, the thesis argues that the number of social and environmental challenges that have been taken account of as a result of the ongoing acquisition of large tracts of land in poor countries necessitates a serious political responsibility and accountability which is currently lacking should the business amount to any win win benefits.
Becoming Diversity: Critical perspectives on an anti-racist discourse in contemporary Swedish media
(2012-06-20) Karlsson Blom, Lisa; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This thesis focuses the Swedish anti-racist campaign ”Vi gillar olika” that was launched in relation to the Swedish election 2010, where the anti-immigration party Sverigedemokraterna gained parliamentary representation. “Vi gillar olika” is pronounced as a “call to the silent majority to take a stand against xenophobia” and “for diversity”. This thesis analyses the discourse with the aim of problematising the idea of “diversity” as well as the idea of “xenophobia”. In a broader sense it seeks to problematise a popular understanding of “antiracism” and questions the inherent “goodness” in seemingly “good deeds”. It posits the questions: How is difference and diversity understood in the discourse? How is racism and anti-racism understood? How does “Vi gillar olika” communicate its society? The thesis explores how, by projecting racism to the margins of the Swedish society and celebrating difference as a social good, the majority society as represented by “Vi gillar olika”, is brought forth as both anti-racist and diverse. Applying critical theory, mainly as formulated by Sara Ahmed, the thesis discusses how “Vi gillar olika” as a (re)negotiation of the space Sweden can be seen as a (re)negotiation of the space of whiteness, and how violence can be seen to structure the project.
The sugarcoat factory: A comparative approach to national history museums
(2012-06-25) Kreibich, Stefanie; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This Master thesis deals with the depiction of national history in national history museums. In order to contribute to comparative studies of national museums, the author pursues to create an approach to compare the narration at these museums. This attempt is based on the assumption that certain common patterns of narratives (topoi) are incorporated into the narration at national history museums. The aim of the thesis is to nd and de ne these topoi and to ascertain whether they are part of the historiography at three national museums in Europe (Scotland, Czech Republic and Germany) and one national museum in North America (United States of America). By applying a discursive analysis to the main labels and particular objects at the museums, the topoi shall be located. With the help of Formal Concept Analysis, a method deriving from Mathematical Sciences, the results of the discursive analysis are prepared for evaluation and conclusion. This method serves to answer, amongst others, the question: To which extend are the exhibitions at the four national museums driven by underlying nationalistic ways of thinking? The inquiry will demonstrate that similar patterns of narrating national history do exist in the four museums, especially in regard to the three European museums. At two museums, an intrinsic nationalistic sentiment in the way of narrating can be shown on the basis of an ad hoc elaborated de nition of the term nationalism.
The Intangible Museum: Common Threads
(2012-06-27) Beck, Steven C.; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
An exhibition can be more or less effective; however, museums today have to use other channels to address their communities and create other opportunities to activate the participation of their audiences. A successful museum will solicit the visitor’s participation and engulf them in the experience. If museums are to meet their responsibility as places of learning then museums need to incorporate different ways of teaching their audience. They should also find new ways to incorporate creativity and human forms into the museum experience. One way to do this is through the use of storytelling and oral histories, which offer a personalized and very individualistic perspective by participants of events, like no other branch of science can. There are innumerable museums across the globe, all with a different history, mission and story. One common trait; however, is that the museum itself is in the field of storytelling. The objects they select to display tell a particular story, individually or societal. More interesting is that, just as there is a new mathematics, new science, new biology, and new physics – there is a new museology that exists today. Museums everywhere face the challenge of presenting these objects to an audience in an interesting and educational way. Storytelling provides a type of medium to achieve success in this process. Below I will examine and defend storytelling as a learning opportunity and explore the impact they may have as a pedagogy tool in museums, by creating relevance and learning through shared, personal experience. Second, I’ll look at why museums should use storytelling to reach learning objectives. Here I’ll discuss the general reasons for choosing storytelling as a pedagogy tool and the impact it may have on learning in museums. Following this discussion, I contrast the question of museum space with the pedagogy tool of storytelling in an effort to understand how storytelling can be envisioned to better educate the museum visitor and provide a more memorable experience. Third, I combine the strengths and difficulties of utilizing storytelling in a case study of the MythStories Museum in Shropshire, England. I’ll examine just how an “Intangible Museum” functions and the benefits which storytelling provide. To support this case study and the preceding information I’ll look at how storytelling has been used in and around Museums the past 20 or 30 years. I’ll explore shared ideas and museum works with varying storytellers. I’ll conclude my paper by arguing that storytelling should play a fundamental part of education in museums across the globe and how they can be packaged to raise awareness and ensure audience learning.
A Series of Firsts: Australian & Dutch Representations of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)
(2012-07-02) Ariese, Csilla; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Museums are often seen as objective providers of the truth. In this thesis, that notion is contested and, instead, the idea is explored that museums actively construct representations. These representations are steered by politics and discourses. Nonetheless, most visitors to historical museums are unaware that they are being confronted with representations of the past, that they are shown only specific histories and that these representations are displayed towards certain ends. The thesis focuses on the history of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and its representations in the Netherlands and in Australia. In both countries, this history is seen with a certain amount of pride. Literature and museum exhibitions have been investigated to see how these countries represent the VOC and analyzed to understand why these representations are used. Discourses and political movements such as nationalism, colonialism and post-colonial theory are revealed behind some of these representations of the VOC. The representations in each country are very different, due to the different reigning discourses which have influenced museums and literature. In the Netherlands, these representations have altered over time along with changes in the dominant discourses. In Australia, the discourses have changed but the representations have not yet followed suit. Therefore, a suggestion is made for the use of reflexive representation, through which museums, in their exhibitions, uncover representations and the political powers behind them. Visitors will then be confronted with the subjective and interpretative work of museums and will no longer accept a museum’s representation of history as an objective fact. History is revealed for what it is: merely one version of the past.
Community Gardens in Gothenburg: Local Counter-actions in the Age of Globalization? - A Qualitative Study on Motives behind Urban Agriculture in Gothenburg
(2012-07-02) Rosengren, Lisa Sofie; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Urban Agriculture in Community Gardens is an increasing phenomenon around the world. Gothenburg is following this trend. Extensive research on Community Gardens globally, shows that there are various objectives behind cultivating in cities. For poor people, Urban Agriculture may be a strategy of survival. Some Community Gardens around the world are described as community projects, others are analysed to work as spaces of resistance in urban landscapes. However, there is little research done on Community Gardens in Gothenburg. Accordingly, by conducting a qualitative study, interviewing six urban farmers, this thesis attempts to paint a picture of motives behind Community Gardens in Gothenburg. The theoretical lens of the thesis is that globalization is transforming cities and the people that live in them. Moreover, it is believed that globalization leads to counter-actions on the local level. These processes are assumed to be observed, also in Gothenburg. Thus, the main intent of this thesis is to explore motives behind Urban Agriculture in Community Gardens in Gothenburg, and how Urban Agriculture in Community Gardens may be described as counter-acts to globalization.
Social Responsible Business and Development: A study of how a social responsible business can be perceived as legitimate in a development context
(2012-07-03) Hågeby, Elin; Rönmark, Ulrika; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This bachelor thesis is based on the empirical result of a Minor Field Study that was conducted in the small village of Paje, East coast Zanzibar, Tanzania during April-May 2012. The object of the research is Seaweed Center, a foreign initiated social responsible business, and the group of local seaweed farming women that are part owners and working for the company. With qualitative methods such as interviews and participatory observations this study sought to find out how a social responsible business with the aim to create development can be perceived legitimate in a development context. Taking off in the employees point of view we discuss the perspective and expectations of social responsible business and development and analyze it in relation to how legitimacy can be understood using the theoretical tools from organizational theory. To further understand the social responsible business’s legitimacy in its wider development context we are also relating our empirical data to, from the development discourse borrowed concept of local ownership. Applying these two corresponding but still different perspectives on the employees view and expectations of social responsible business, we have found that the legitimacy is high, even though the employees’ do not relate to the concept of social responsible business. Moreover, that the employees do not perceive themselves as part of the business development objective but instead as being the development actors, which we argue indicates that the local ownership is high. With this paper we hope to contribute to a wider understanding of what makes it possible and legitimate for an initiative coming from outside to operate in a complex development context.
Exploring the Middle Ground between the Traditional and the Reformed Museum: A Study of the Re-Profiling Project at Vänersborg‟s Museum
(2012-07-06) Ardin, Jennie; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
The main focus of this dissertation is discussions regarding change in museums. Here, I examine and problematize attitudinal shifts present in discussions regarding for instance, definitions of museums and their function in society; audiences, perceptions of museum collections and objects; accessibility and perceptions of knowledge production. The debate tends to become polarized and thus, inefficient. In this thesis, I argue for a balance and a perspective which involves opening up for and accepting variety as well as the specific in museums. This is discussed in relation to Vänersborg‟s Museum, a unique museum which recently underwent a re-profiling process and which is currently implementing the new approaches and ways of thinking as a result of this. I have reviewed the result of this project and examined it in the light of the current discussions regarding change and furthermore, attempted to demonstrate that characteristics of the traditional museum can be combined and coexist with characteristics of the reformed museum. Graham Black‟s „model‟ for a holistic museum in the 21st century involves ideas appropriate to the situation of Vänersborg‟s Museum. This approach focuses on keeping the core products, site, collections and associated expertise of the museum uncompromised whilst keeping the tangible and intangible elements of the museum dynamic and flexible.
Revealing the Silent Message of the Museum: The Legacies of Institutional Critique
(2012-07-06) King, Alexandra; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
Joining reflections examining the legacies of institutional critique, this thesis focuses on the transforming roles of its producers, consumers and targets. A theoretical thesis emerging from desk-based research, it uses Pierre Bourdieu’s Field Theory to examine agents in the cultural field. It argues that the public enactment of institutional critique contributed to the expansion of the roles of artist, visitor and the institutions themselves. Examples of the practice are provided, ranging from the contemporary artworks of Fred Wilson and Andrea Fraser, acts by the Guerrilla Girls to internal, institutionally-produced critiques in the form of exhibitions and display methods. By examining the forms it takes, it maps the reception and transformation of the practice itself in the context of the changing museal landscape from the 1960’s to today. Expanding from its original, largely external methods, contemporary institutional theory now internalises institutional critique. This thesis argues that by drawing the public’s attention to the museum’s framings (or ‘silent messages’), they can critically - and more independently - consider the narratives they receive. In this sense, institutional critique is internalised once again with the potential for use by visitor-agents. In doing so – and by holding museums accountable to their ideologies - it offers a valuable tool for the benefit of agents within the museal field.
Steps toward sustainability in higher education institutions: Management practices on focus.
(2012-08-07) Gómez Vecchio, Tomás Agustín; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
The purpose of this research is to assess the state of management efforts towards sustainability in higher education institutions. The analysis is based on two main sources of data. On the one hand an analysis of the performance level of one institution using single case study. On the other hand a secondary analysis of case-studies from around the globe. Sustainability its being integrated into management objectives in higher education institutions. The analysis shows that sustainability-oriented practices are being developed in complex ways due to its variety of contexts of application. This research provides a state of the art regarding sustainability in higher education institutions. It has the potential to aid any organization to better reflect, incorporate and institutionalise sustainability related concepts. However, this research is limited by the time and funding to be able to analyse a global phenomenon.
Archiving Artistic Processes in Evolving Relationships
(2012-08-08) Chen, Xueyin; University of Gothenburg/School of Global Studies; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för globala studier
This thesis is concerned with the institutionalization of artistic processes, particularly in the forms of the archive and the art museum. It is argued that artistic processes are complex, varied, and involves many factors. The archive and the museum, armed with the task to preserve valuable records for society, are also participants of artistic processes, while at the same time contributing to the symbolic value of the objects they hold as they feed their interpretations to a passive audience. Yet as artistic processes enter the archive and the museum, the role of the institution is downplayed and recorded separately from the work of the artist, with the artist being a common organizational principle of artistic processes. The material aspects of works are privileged in the archive and the museum, while processes, especially those that didn’t result in material productions, are seldom discussed. It is argued that the emphasis on the role the artist rather than that of the institution; and the focus on the materialized works rather than immaterial processes, benefit the institution as it excludes the institution’s role and what it marginalizes. This thesis then discusses the recent development of conceptual art, information society, as well as changes of the art museum’s role from a bourgeoisie enlightenment project to a site of reflexivity and criticism, which is now expected to provide the service of artistic critique for productivity in a Post-Fordist society. It is argued that these developments force the art institution to adapt to immaterial aspects of artistic processes; at the same time, the art museum must also renegotiates its relationship to the artist and the audience. The artist and the audience can now push existing institutional boundaries, yet at the same time can be institutionalized themselves, functioning as infinite extensions of the museum. In this instance, artistic processes provides an opportunity to connecting different realities, given that the art institution goes beyond a site of aesthetic discussion and serves instead as a node with its role rooted in reflexivity and criticality. The act of documentation and archiving, must not become a tool to cut off the vitality of operationality of the artistic process, but rather provide a site where official narratives are connected with other realities.

Browse

Browsing School of Global Studies / Institutionen för globala studier by Issue Date