This thesis will evaluate cycling policies implemented by the City of San Francisco. It will provide insight into the question: “How does the City of San Francisco encourage its citizens to cycle?”...Show moreThis thesis will evaluate cycling policies implemented by the City of San Francisco. It will provide insight into the question: “How does the City of San Francisco encourage its citizens to cycle?”. The research method employed is a critical analysis of policy documents and complementary documentation, involving information on the websites of local governments, online newspaper articles and blogs about cycling policies in San Francisco. Moreover, the topic will be placed in a broader context: a literature review on successful European models will be conducted to identify best practices that can be incorporated in San Francisco’s bicycling strategy to further encourage cycling. Possible obstacles that may hinder the application of European models will also be discussed briefly. Currently, San Francisco is mainly focusing on the provision of cycling infrastructure, but neglects the importance of a multi-faceted approach including measures that reduce the attractiveness of car usage, as implemented in successful European models.Show less
This thesis discusses the question as to how Yoshiwara was envisioned as a virtual place of escape in prints of the Edo-period (1603-1867). This is done through visual analysis of woodblock prints...Show moreThis thesis discusses the question as to how Yoshiwara was envisioned as a virtual place of escape in prints of the Edo-period (1603-1867). This is done through visual analysis of woodblock prints as primary sources, and information and arguments of academic literature as secondary sources. Overwhelmed by the strict Tokugawa society and the many calamities ravaging the city, the people of Edo could find a place of escape in the concept of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters depicted in print. The practice of gayū (travelling whilst laying down) and the concepts of tsū (refinement) and iki (an urban aesthetic), are essential to this understanding.Show less
This paper sheds light on the discrepancy between the presentation of Ikumen, a popularized Japanese buzzword used for fathers who are involved with childrearing, in government-backed media and the...Show moreThis paper sheds light on the discrepancy between the presentation of Ikumen, a popularized Japanese buzzword used for fathers who are involved with childrearing, in government-backed media and the way it is perceived mostly in a negative light by the target audience. An analysis of survey data of an online survey conducted by the Asahi Shinbun revealed five major reasons as to why respondents take issue with the buzzword. An analysis of ‘Family Harmony’, the Ikumen Project’s Official song, revealed that most, however not all, of these gripes are in fact being reflected in pieces of government-backed media.Show less
Today, mainland China makes up a large part of the videogame industry, with successful titles not only catering the Chinese gaming audience, the largest in the world, but also gaining international...Show moreToday, mainland China makes up a large part of the videogame industry, with successful titles not only catering the Chinese gaming audience, the largest in the world, but also gaining international popularity (Yong and Downing 2008, 515–29). However, former research has shown that inequal gender dynamics in the videogame industry lead to a predominantly male environment, that portrays women in sexist stereotypes (Vysotsky and Allaway 2018, 101). Chinese videogames are no exception to this; in a South China Morning Post (SCMP) interview with a female game concept artist based in Chengdu, there was a strong belief there is “a tacit agreement that female characters in games are supposed to be ‘pretty’ and ‘sexy’ (Shen 2020).” For instance, when designing a new character, the instructions read: “It needs to give people an urge to masturbate (Shen 2020).” This research aims to find the link between gender representations in videogames and traditional Chinese cultural values, comparing and analysing mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, and Chinese diaspora games, which are Chinese games made in a different environment than the homeland. The choice for analysing both mainland Chinese, Taiwanese and diaspora games, based on the respective differences between both societies which makes a comparison possible, requires an explanation that has historical roots.Show less
This thesis studies the factors that have influenced Taiwanese cyberse- curity governance, starting with the conception of cybersecurity. The theo- retical frameworks of securitization and threat...Show moreThis thesis studies the factors that have influenced Taiwanese cyberse- curity governance, starting with the conception of cybersecurity. The theo- retical frameworks of securitization and threat politics are employed for this purpose. A collection of 66 policy papers, government reports, and speeches by Taiwanese officials on cybersecurity was compiled for this purpose. Dis- course analysis was done through several rounds of coding, leading to the creation of two frames that represent Taiwanese policy makers’ conception of cybersecurity: the Digital Development Frame and the National Defense Frame. The Digital Development Frame views cybersecurity as an oppor- tunity for innovation and growth in Taiwan, with cybersecurity serving as its foundation. The National Defense Frame emphasizes the security threat posed by cyberattacks to Taiwanese society. These two frameworks high- light how the conception of cybersecurity by policy makers change which factors are relevant, and what policies are implemented. Relevant external factors were found to be: the threat landscape, local political and economic context, and the positioning of the state towards the private sector.Show less
Based on an extensive and critical literature review, this paper conducts a "horizontal" comparison of the image of the legendary Chinese poet Qu Yuan in the works of two significant modern Chinese...Show moreBased on an extensive and critical literature review, this paper conducts a "horizontal" comparison of the image of the legendary Chinese poet Qu Yuan in the works of two significant modern Chinese poets, Wen Yiduo and Guo Moruo. It re-examines how Qu Yuan was regarded as a "people's poet" by the public in the twentieth century and explores the different purposes behind Wen Yiduo's and Guo Moruo's praise of Qu Yuan. The article also highlights that their respective studies on Qu Yuan remain relevant today.Show less
The semiconductor sector is extremely interdependent and globalized. Despite this China aims to achieve more self-sufficiency and technological development. This study aims to explain the instances...Show moreThe semiconductor sector is extremely interdependent and globalized. Despite this China aims to achieve more self-sufficiency and technological development. This study aims to explain the instances in which the Chinese state is successful in achieving its objectives in the semiconductor sector. Through the following research question: How can Chinese economic statecraft explain whether the Chinese State is able to control the semiconductor industry successfully ? By applying the theory of Chinese economic statecraft, this thesis incorporates the role and agency of firms in the analysis. Through case studies of Hisilicon and SMIC , the thesis explores the variables which explains whether the state is successful in achieving its objectives by incentivizing firms to align their operations with state objectives despite initial incompatible goals. Additionally, an unintentionality factor is added to account for external shocks faced by firms in the Chinese semiconductor sector.Show less
