Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
This paper critically examines European biometric border infrastructures, by shining light on the agency of illegalized migrants. Specifically, 'how do illegalized migrants exercise agency in...Show moreThis paper critically examines European biometric border infrastructures, by shining light on the agency of illegalized migrants. Specifically, 'how do illegalized migrants exercise agency in encounters with the biometric border control in Europe?'. In doing so, this study relies predominantly on secondary sources from migration-, security- and border studies. This paper shows that the biometric infrastructure implemented at European borders is no watertight control apparatus, as illegalized migrants appropriate the border through their performances at border crossings (e.g. appearance, dress, language) and subversion of the biometric technology (e.g. documentation fraud and spoofing). These findings humble the digital turn as they illuminate human ability to negotiate a digital interface built to instrumentalize the human body.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
In today's world, the approximate screen time on digital devices is around 7 hours a day. One hundred years ago, this was zero. This thesis questions this behavioral change, embracing the progress...Show moreIn today's world, the approximate screen time on digital devices is around 7 hours a day. One hundred years ago, this was zero. This thesis questions this behavioral change, embracing the progress of digitalization and questioning people's relationship with digital technology. Besides analyzing the 'attention economy', the profit-based digital market, and infrastructures behind 'the digital', it finally focuses on the supposed benefits of 'Digital Minimalism'. The latter encompasses choosing more intentionality in how individuals use digital technology as a means to an end as opposed to using it distractingly.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
This these takes a criticial look at how the population of Bangladesh is affected by climate chnage. In doing so it questions vulnerability theory and especially gendered vulnerability. And how the...Show moreThis these takes a criticial look at how the population of Bangladesh is affected by climate chnage. In doing so it questions vulnerability theory and especially gendered vulnerability. And how the the view of Bangladesh and escpecially Bangladeshi women is shaped. Moreover it discusses how NGO and other aid organizations play a role in this.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
After discussing the racial discrimination in the United States throughout history to provide historical and societal context, I turn my attention to the people central in this thesis, i.e. African...Show moreAfter discussing the racial discrimination in the United States throughout history to provide historical and societal context, I turn my attention to the people central in this thesis, i.e. African-American women. By highlighting the intersectional discrimination faced by black women, I have shown that their unique experiences offer additional and worthwhile information for understanding African-American experiences in general. After this, I turn my attention to the topic of resilience. By contrasting general African-American resilience and the unique features of African-American female resilience, I show again how female African-American experiences are important to consider when one wants to represent African-Americans. In this thesis, I stress the value of considering specific subgroups of a particular group of people to create more complete representations, because they offer information that would otherwise be ignored.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
A global narrative has emerged in which the West are selfless, compassionate givers in times of crisis for their poor, "third-world" neighbours. This thesis critically examines the aid response in...Show moreA global narrative has emerged in which the West are selfless, compassionate givers in times of crisis for their poor, "third-world" neighbours. This thesis critically examines the aid response in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to assess how much of its ensuing consequences were not exceptions to the rule, but in fact, direct and predictable results of the aid policies themselves that call this narrative into question.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
closed access
This paper explores the cultural relevance of hip-hop music in understanding and analyzing the complex social, political, and cultural issues affecting African American men in America. Focusing on...Show moreThis paper explores the cultural relevance of hip-hop music in understanding and analyzing the complex social, political, and cultural issues affecting African American men in America. Focusing on the recognition of hip-hop as a legitimate form of culture, it investigates how this art form prioritizes the voices of the oppressed, providing a window for outsiders to grasp the lived experiences of black life. By examining the concepts of double consciousness and structural violence, as theorized by W.E.B. Du Bois and Fanon, the paper delves into the personal and individual complexities experienced by African American men. It further explores the role of the mass incarceration of African American men as a result of the War on Drugs, emphasizing how this perpetuates a forced criminal narrative. Finally, it addresses the role of racial discourse in the critique of violent rap music and its impact on the perpetuation of the criminal narrative.Show less
