Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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Within the field of agriculture, significant global changes are underway, which have profound impact on various aspects on the local level. These global changes influence the local employment...Show moreWithin the field of agriculture, significant global changes are underway, which have profound impact on various aspects on the local level. These global changes influence the local employment structure, the landscape, nature, biodiversity and the overall perception of agriculture. More than one third of the land in Romania is dedicated to agriculture, and nearly a quarter of the population works within the agricultural sector, which makes it an ideal area to examine how these global changes take place on a local level. As farming is deeply embedded within the local culture and landscape, it becomes imperative to explore the social dimension of the challenges and transformations unfolding in the agricultural domain. This ethnographic research is specifically focused on understanding the livelihoods and households of farmers in Transylvania, Romania. To shed light on how the sociocultural aspects of the farmers livelihoods and households relate towards the decisions and pathways farmers take within their profession. By both exploring the micro-level of the thoughts and actions of the farmers and how their households react to change, it gives implications on changes within the macro-level of regional and global structural changes taking place. This is done through case studies of farmers living in rural Transylvania. Reflection on these case studies is done through implementing Van der Ploeg his theory of repeasantisation. Given the pivotal role of farmers within the local community, this research also includes the changes that have taken place and are taking place in the village community of Șoimeni, Romania.Show less
A closer look at three case studies in which genderfluidity within 2D animation is portrayed and drawn outside the conventional gender binary. Case studies include Steven Universe, Toph Beifong,...Show moreA closer look at three case studies in which genderfluidity within 2D animation is portrayed and drawn outside the conventional gender binary. Case studies include Steven Universe, Toph Beifong, and Jiro Ghianni's non-gendered shapes.Show less
Recent developments such as the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine conflict have put Russia and the U.S. at opposing sides just as Japan increasingly sought relations with Russia over the Northern...Show moreRecent developments such as the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine conflict have put Russia and the U.S. at opposing sides just as Japan increasingly sought relations with Russia over the Northern Territories. The influence of the U.S. on the Russia-Japan relationship and thereby the Northern Territories dispute has been insufficiently researched. Using the Syrian Civil war and the Ukraine crisis as two case studies, the influence of the U.S.on the Russia-Japan relationship will be analyzed in this thesis. The theoretical framework will reflect on prevalent models with which to study Japan in international relations, considering Japan being either a reactive or adaptive state. To analyze the U.S.’ influence on the Russia-Japan relations and by proxy, the Northern territories issue, discourse analysis will be used. The discourse analysis will be looking for uses of discursive power: the ability to pressure another actor by the dominant power through the use of discourse. What is meant by discursive power and its significance to this research will be discussed in the methodology. This research will specifically look for forms of pressure, either explicit or implicit, that pressure Japan in the Ukraine or Syria case studies to sanction or take actions against Russia despite Japan’s interests in good relations with Russia because of the Northern Territories issue. Lastly, changes in the U.S. administration will be discussed briefly. The change from President Obama to President Trump has already caused a stir in the media discourse about the relationship between the U.S. and Russia, and between the U.S. and Japan. A brief speculation about the implications the change in administration might have is therefore necessary, since it is then established that the United State-Russia relationship will have an effect on the Russia-Japan relationship.Show less
