This thesis consists of a comparative analysis of the media coverage on the Crimean crisis between 27 February and 25 March by the Russian news agencies Interfax and Tass. The thesis argues that...Show moreThis thesis consists of a comparative analysis of the media coverage on the Crimean crisis between 27 February and 25 March by the Russian news agencies Interfax and Tass. The thesis argues that the respective news coverage of this event does not differ in significant ways, despite Tass being stateowned and Interfax being a private cooperation.Show less
While Western countries are facing a phenomenon of De-Christianization, Russian Orthodoxy, after almost a century of partial extinction, seems to be reviving with the Russian population on the path...Show moreWhile Western countries are facing a phenomenon of De-Christianization, Russian Orthodoxy, after almost a century of partial extinction, seems to be reviving with the Russian population on the path to Re-Christianization. The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is playing an active role to claim its privileged and historically-rooted position in Russian society. After the collapse of the USSR and consequently the end of a communist ideology, the Russian population suffered from an identity vacuum. The ROC seized the opportunity to help Russians find their national and cultural identity within Orthodoxy. Thus, introducing religious education in the curriculum appears like a suitable way to inculcate Orthodox traditional values in young elementary students. In 2012, a new program incorporating six modules on ethics and religion was introduced in primary schools in the whole Russia. The parents can choose between the different modules and the second most popular and widespread module is the one dealing with the Russian Orthodox culture. In this thesis, I compare two primary sources, one is a textbook for 4th grade student on the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture written by Andrei Kuraev (an Orthodox theologian) and the other one is an alphabet called “the polite alphabet” taught to students in primary schools in the Irkutsk region (Siberia). I explore how these two school materials construct a national and cultural identity rooted in Orthodox values by using a multimodal discourse analysis.Show less
In my thesis, I discuss how Comfort Town, a neighbourhood in Kyiv, Ukraine, reflects the identity of the Ukrainian generation Y. I start my thesis with a contextual framework in which I elaborate...Show moreIn my thesis, I discuss how Comfort Town, a neighbourhood in Kyiv, Ukraine, reflects the identity of the Ukrainian generation Y. I start my thesis with a contextual framework in which I elaborate on the topic of the Ukrainian generation Y and Soviet and post-Soviet urban planning. Thereafter, I conduct two analyses to explain how Comfort Town symbolises a break with the Soviet past, and a move towards a progressive future. The analyses are multidimensional; I use discourse analysis to analyse the presentation of Comfort Town online, but also involve inhabitants' perspectives through a survey and interviews of previous research. The thesis is grounded in theory about space and place, and about nostalgia and progress.Show less
This Thesis looked at the impact of Russian language policy on the titular languages Tatar and Evenki from 1991-2010. Language policy in Russia has been inconsistent over this time period. With...Show moreThis Thesis looked at the impact of Russian language policy on the titular languages Tatar and Evenki from 1991-2010. Language policy in Russia has been inconsistent over this time period. With Putin's rise to power came a centralization of language policy and the amount of speakers of both languages has decreased over time.Show less
This thesis explores how the American media outlets, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) News and The New York Times, have reported on Ukraine’s Orange Revolution. It specifically seeks to answer...Show moreThis thesis explores how the American media outlets, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) News and The New York Times, have reported on Ukraine’s Orange Revolution. It specifically seeks to answer the research question: How have the CBS News and the New York Times media outlets represented the Orange Revolution to American readers between 2004 and 2006? The thesis argues that while these two American news outlets have introduced issues within Ukraine’s political system to their audience, both have mainly emphasized the Western position and perspective on the Orange Revolution. The US’ media perspectives of the Orange Revolution have been under-researched, which has decreased scholars’ understanding of Colour Revolutions as a whole. This is important to take into account because such post-Soviet demonstrations continue to take place, such as Kyrgyzstan’s Tulip Revolution. Hence, analysing and understanding the previous ones can help better predict when and where they can occur again in the future. Moreover, the US has attempted to represent itself as a peaceful, democratic country, which implies that countries which have Colour Revolutions would likely receive financial or political assistance from the former. The media can also construct narratives which could prompt other Western nations to assist in situations of political upheaval.Show less
The research question of this thesis will focus on the MH17 trial, which started in March 2020. To achieve a better understanding of Russian and Dutch media coverage of this topic, this thesis will...Show moreThe research question of this thesis will focus on the MH17 trial, which started in March 2020. To achieve a better understanding of Russian and Dutch media coverage of this topic, this thesis will aim to answer the following research question: “Did Russian and Dutch online news media portray the Flight MH17 incident differently In March 2020, and if yes, to what extent?”. From this starting point, this thesis will aim to achieve insight in the spread of (dis)information by Russian and Dutch online news media on the topic of the MH17. In addition, it will explore any possible differences between aforementioned news media in reporting on the MH17 trial.Show less
