The pursuit to acquire women’s rights in Morocco has been a decades long quest. Activists and advocates for broader civil rights have been very visible in the news, in different movements and wide...Show moreThe pursuit to acquire women’s rights in Morocco has been a decades long quest. Activists and advocates for broader civil rights have been very visible in the news, in different movements and wide spread protests. These efforts have taken place long before the death of a sixteen year-old girl, Amina Filali, who committed suicide after being forced to marry her rapist in March 2012. The desire for reform happened before the change in 2004 in the moudawana, the family legal code. Additional pressures for reform were exerted after this change in 2004. This activism has continued to take place between the implementation of the moudawana in 2004 and the death of Amina Filali, However, the suicide of Amina Filali was a singular and pivotal moment that brought the various activists groups together serving as an unrelenting catalyst for change. Amina Filali’s suicide united the protest voices as never before and with heightened scrutiny Article 475 of the Moroccan Penal Code was repealed. Amina Filali became the ‘poster child’ for the repeal of Article 475 after her suicide. It was circulated that Amina consumed rat poison in order to commit suicide. After her suicide, a narrative developed and became the widespread assumption that she had committed suicide because she had been forced to marry the man that raped her. Amina Filali was an individual with her own story, but in that moment in time her story was utilized by the coalition of women’s rights advocates. The story of Amina was proclaimed at protests and visible in the news, both within Morocco and internationally. Her tragedy was used to help push the groups’ certain agenda. The agenda was to repeal Article 475. The narrative of Amina’s death was a remarkable tool in gaining attention and unity for various voices including NGOs, human rights activists and political parties. The timeline between her death and the actual repeal demonstrates that she served as the instrument of change.Show less
Deze bachelorscriptie behandelt de popularisering van radicale wetenschappelijke denkbeelden over het vroege christendom in de periode 1950-2000. Centraal staat de prominente protestantse theoloog...Show moreDeze bachelorscriptie behandelt de popularisering van radicale wetenschappelijke denkbeelden over het vroege christendom in de periode 1950-2000. Centraal staat de prominente protestantse theoloog Gustaaf Adolf van den Bergh van Eysinga, een vooraanstaande representant van de zgn. ‘Hollandse Radicale School’, en de wijze waarop diens opvattingen door geestverwanten in ons land werden verbreid. Dit alles wordt geplaatst tegen de achtergrond van de geschiedenis van deze interessante richting met bijzondere aandacht voor Van den Bergh van Eysinga en vanuit een diachroon perspectief gecontextualiseerd naar de religieuze en wetenschappelijke achtergronden. Ten slotte wordt een oordeel geveld over de implicaties voor het huidige onderzoeksveld, bijv. wat de relevantie van de ‘Hollandse Radicale School’ is voor het huidige wetenschappelijke debat over het vroege christendom.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Afrikaanse talen en culturen (BA)
closed access
Analysis of witchcraft as literary motif in the novels: Ceux qui sortent dans la nuit by the Cameroonian writer Mutt-Lon and Elonga by the Gabonese writer Angèle Rawiri. Focussing on how witchcraft...Show moreAnalysis of witchcraft as literary motif in the novels: Ceux qui sortent dans la nuit by the Cameroonian writer Mutt-Lon and Elonga by the Gabonese writer Angèle Rawiri. Focussing on how witchcraft is described in the novels and to what extent this image is determined by the author's own interpretation of and view on witchcraft or by research.Show less
Research master thesis | African Studies (research) (MA)
open access
For many Malawians the concept of home is strongly associated with the rural areas and one’s (supposedly rural) place of birth. This ‘grand narrative about home’, though often reiterated, doesn’t...Show moreFor many Malawians the concept of home is strongly associated with the rural areas and one’s (supposedly rural) place of birth. This ‘grand narrative about home’, though often reiterated, doesn’t necessarily depict lived reality. Malawi’s history of movement and labor migration coupled with contemporary rapid urbanization makes that the amount of people whose lives do not fit this grand narrative, is increasing fast. In the current context of extreme poverty, destitution and devastation – the latter due to the flash floods of January 2015 – slum areas in Blantyre city are growing and so is the number of street children and youth. Some of them are taken in by organizations such as the Samaritan Trust; a street children shelter. This program aims at taking street youth home by ‘reintegrating’ them in their (rural) communities. When asked, the majority of (former) street youth adhere to the grand narrative and state their home to be in a rural village. Yet at the same time, this home is a place they intentionally left and do not wish to (currently) return to. Hence they are generally depicted as ‘homeless’. I wondered: how do (former) street youth in Blantyre, Malawi, engage with ‘the grand narrative about home’ in trying to imagine their ‘becoming at home’ in the city? My thesis departs from the idea that (the search for) home is an integral part of the human condition. During eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in Blantyre, Malawi, I used qualitative methods – mainly interviews and participant observation – to come to an understanding of the meaning of home for (former) street youth. Some of them, the street girls, currently reside at Samaritan Trust and the former street youth are boys who formerly resided there. Their home-making practices in relation to a marginalized socio-economic position in an overall challenging economic context point towards more fluid and diverse constructions of home that exist alongside the grand narrative without rendering it obsolete. Under pressure, (former) street youth paradoxically attempt to solidify home – even though home remains fluid in practice. These attempts assist in coping with life in liquid modernity while they are at the same time fraught with contradictions, especially when these solidifications are themselves solidified in policies. These policies subsequently hamper (former) street youth’s becoming at home in town by following the grand narrative and thus confining their homes to rural areas. I conclude that home can best be seen as a fluid field of tensions (re)created in the everyday, thus leaving space for both (former) street youth’s roots and routes. An alternative way in which (former) street youth try to become at home in the city is by searching for a romantic partner to co-construct this (future) home with.Show less
This thesis studies the emergence of the department store in 19th century Paris, as described by Zola's novel "Au Bonheur des Dames". This development appears to be a result of Paris'...Show moreThis thesis studies the emergence of the department store in 19th century Paris, as described by Zola's novel "Au Bonheur des Dames". This development appears to be a result of Paris' transformation implicated by Haussmann on the one hand, and the growing capitalism and consumerism on the other. Zola treats all this in his naturalist fashion, based on thorough research on the subject. Furthermore, dualisms, metaphors and imagery make up a large part of his novel.Show less
This edition elaborately discusses the story and language of the "Tretys of Goostely Batayle" (as found in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Parker Library, CCCC MS 142, ff. 111r–121r). It also...Show moreThis edition elaborately discusses the story and language of the "Tretys of Goostely Batayle" (as found in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Parker Library, CCCC MS 142, ff. 111r–121r). It also contains many notes explaining names, concepts, and quotations found in the text, as well as a glossary aiding the reader in understanding the text.Show less
Since the end of the 20th century, Brazil has emerged as a global power in the international community. It expanded its regional and global influence in its own way. To achieve its foreign policy...Show moreSince the end of the 20th century, Brazil has emerged as a global power in the international community. It expanded its regional and global influence in its own way. To achieve its foreign policy goals, Brazil employs a strategy which can be traced back to 1907 and which has been used increasingly in the 21st century: health diplomacy. This thesis analyses how health diplomacy is incorporated in foreign policies of the Brazilian government in the 21st century. Moreover, it analyses how the Brazilian government uses health diplomacy by embedding the concepts of soft power and cosmopolitanism. The analysis assesses South-South Cooperation and four health issues: controlling tobacco consumption, fighting HIV/AIDS, fighting tuberculosis and preventing dengue. The goal of this analysis is to demonstrate how the Brazilian government uses health diplomacy as a foreign policy instrument to achieve its main goal: to become and be recognized as a global player.Show less
By employing Latin –American strands of dependency theory – complemented by World Systems Theory and a neoliberal view on trade policies – the minutes of the PTPA negotiations are analysed. The...Show moreBy employing Latin –American strands of dependency theory – complemented by World Systems Theory and a neoliberal view on trade policies – the minutes of the PTPA negotiations are analysed. The negotiations were held in 2004 and 2005 between the U.S. and the Andean countries. This resarch focuses on Peru and an attempt is made to assess whether and to what extent the Peruvian government succeeded in balancing the demands of the U.S. government with those of Peruvian civil society and the Peruvian government’s desire to enter into a trade agreement with the U.S.. From examining Peruvian government reports on the agriculture, labour matters and textiles tables it was found that the government at times found its Andean partners to be delaying the negotiations and rather continued bilaterally. Furthermore, evidence was found that the Peruvian government, at least on paper, attempted to represent the interests of the large majority of the Peruvians. To what extent it has succeeded in doing so has been difficult to assess given that the present research is largely based on official government documents. Further research, employing non-governmental Peruvian sources and (official) U.S. documentation on the negotiations, is needed to come to a fuller understanding of the starting positions of both governments and how much each party had given in to the demands of the other.Show less
Research master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (research) (MA)
under embargo until 2026-01-01
2026-01-01T00:00:00Z
Cognitive science of religion studies how religious ideas and behavior are conceptualized and processed in the human brain. A Standard Model has been developed to unite and operationalize its major...Show moreCognitive science of religion studies how religious ideas and behavior are conceptualized and processed in the human brain. A Standard Model has been developed to unite and operationalize its major principles. However, this is still largely a theoretical model. As of yet, not much empirical testing “in the wild” has been carried out with it. This thesis particularly goes into one aspect of the Standard Model: the concept of counterintuitivity. This concept states that in order for a religious idea to be remembered and transmitted it should not be too common, but not too strange either. By applying the concept of counterintuitivity to the ancient author Artemidorus of Daldis, the aim of this thesis is twofold. On the one hand, it will establish whether this concept from the Standard Model in its current (mostly theoretical) form is indeed applicable to data outside empirically controlled environments. On the other hand, it will help us to get a clearer view on Artemidorus’ method for interpreting dreams.Show less
Joseph Nye's concept of soft power and it's universalist framework have been used in the past to analyse goverment strategies. This thesis compares Chinese and Japanese soft power strategies and to...Show moreJoseph Nye's concept of soft power and it's universalist framework have been used in the past to analyse goverment strategies. This thesis compares Chinese and Japanese soft power strategies and to what extent they follow Nye's soft power framework.Show less
In deze case study wordt onderzocht in hoeverre het uiterlijk van het model Jane Morris klopt in met name schilderijen van Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Hierbij worden foto's vergeleken met poëzie en...Show moreIn deze case study wordt onderzocht in hoeverre het uiterlijk van het model Jane Morris klopt in met name schilderijen van Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Hierbij worden foto's vergeleken met poëzie en schilderijen.Show less
The MA-thesis “Het Goede, de goedheid en het getuigenis” (“The Good, goodness and the witness”) investigates the relation between the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas and Vasili Grossman’s novel,...Show moreThe MA-thesis “Het Goede, de goedheid en het getuigenis” (“The Good, goodness and the witness”) investigates the relation between the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas and Vasili Grossman’s novel, Life and Fate. It includes an overview of Levinas’ published thoughts concerning the novel, the relationship between his philosophy and literature, and an interpretation of Levinas’ philosophical position centred on the concept of goodness. The relation between Levinas and Grossman is sought in an ethical position that relies on the an-archical goodness of the individual towards the other, rather than on an ideological interpretation of the absolute Good.Show less
Van zowel de Engelsen als de Nederlanders kan vermoed worden dat zij hebben geprobeerd de Japanse Tokugawa-regering te beïnvloeden om hun Portugese concurrenten te verbannen. De reden die achter...Show moreVan zowel de Engelsen als de Nederlanders kan vermoed worden dat zij hebben geprobeerd de Japanse Tokugawa-regering te beïnvloeden om hun Portugese concurrenten te verbannen. De reden die achter deze verbanning ligt heeft echter niet zoveel te maken met de Engelsen of de Nederlanders, maar heeft meer te maken met de interne Japanse politiek.Show less
The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is one of the largest global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and seeks to mainstream its universal CSR standards (the UNGC ten principles)...Show moreThe United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is one of the largest global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and seeks to mainstream its universal CSR standards (the UNGC ten principles) to promote responsible business worldwide. Following upon research on other global CSR initiatives, the author points out that these supposedly ‘universal’ standards are not necessarily shared by corporations in non-western countries. Relying on a qualitative case study of three corporations in South Africa, the results show that the conception of CSR amongst South African UNGC participants differs from the ten principles. The author argues that to facilitate responsible business on a global scale, the UNGC should not seek to impose its ‘universal’ standards but rather utilize its broad network to come to multiple CSR standards which are attentive to local contexts. The study contributes to the empirical evidence on UNGC participants as well as the theoretical discussion on local and global conceptions of CSR. Show less
This thesis analyzes transnational blogging network 'Generación Y' by Yoani Sánchez in authoritarian Cuba. The central claim of this thesis will be that by using the concept of the dictator’s...Show moreThis thesis analyzes transnational blogging network 'Generación Y' by Yoani Sánchez in authoritarian Cuba. The central claim of this thesis will be that by using the concept of the dictator’s dilemma, we can illuminate that the blog ‘Generación Y’ poses a dictator’s dilemma for the government, despite the trials to block access. Additionally, the notions of transnational advocacy networks and monitory democracy help us to understand that the blog ‘Generación Y’ poses the government for the dictator’s dilemma, because they provide the world a window on Cuba.Show less
Een introductie op de discussie over de rechtvaardigheid van een basisinkomen tussen Philippe van Parijs en Stuart White. Belangrijkste discussie punt de positie van wederkerigheid in een...Show moreEen introductie op de discussie over de rechtvaardigheid van een basisinkomen tussen Philippe van Parijs en Stuart White. Belangrijkste discussie punt de positie van wederkerigheid in een rechtvaardiging van redistributie van middelen.Show less
There is a significant number of young people residing with their parents as well as young couples choosing to continue the co-residence even after their marriage in Japan. The aim of this...Show moreThere is a significant number of young people residing with their parents as well as young couples choosing to continue the co-residence even after their marriage in Japan. The aim of this dissertation is to show that in many cohabitating households parents depend on their children rather than children on their parents. Since 1960 all industrialized countries have undergone various changes during the process of the so-called demographic transitions. These phenomena have been described by R. Lesthaeghe, who was the first one to argue that all industrialized countries have undergone two distinctive transitions (the First Demographic Transition and the Second Demographic Transition), which brought about contemporary social transformations. I discuss whether this contention is applicable to Asia and can explain current changes in living arrangements in Japan. Not long after researchers have become interested in explaining the new phenomenon a book by Masahiro Yamada entitled: “Parasaito shinguru no jidai” (“The age of the parasite single”), has been published. From this time young adults who continue living with their parents have become stigmatized and blamed for Japan’s problems. In order to point out the gap in the theoretical framework it is paramount to look at the problem from different point of views. Thus, I describe the parasite single theory as well as present the critique around the issue. The analysis of statistic data on living arrangements provided by European Commission (Eurostat) as well as Statistics Bureau of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan provides an insight into the changes in living arrangements in Japan since 1980s, especially pointing at the prevalence of family and cohabitation. Furthermore, my own empirical research (interview results) are presented. The case studies supplement the statistical data and provide the scope of the reality in which people have to operate and make choices. What I want to achieve is draw attention to the fact that the phenomenon of intergenerational households exists and ought to be looked upon from different perspective than it has been thought up until now.Show less
Taking the discourse of fan cuồng K-pop (K-pop fanatical fans) as departure point, this thesis draws on narratives collected in the online research to provide insights to the particular experiences...Show moreTaking the discourse of fan cuồng K-pop (K-pop fanatical fans) as departure point, this thesis draws on narratives collected in the online research to provide insights to the particular experiences of Vietnamese K-pop fans constituted by their interpretative formations and culturally constructed subjectivities as a result of actively consuming, internalizing and negotiating the K-pop/idol culture that they inhabit.Show less
