This thesis delves into the documentary De Wereld van de Chinezen (2021) by Dutch photographer and filmmaker Ruben Terlou. The documentary explores the impact of Chinese investments on Chinese...Show moreThis thesis delves into the documentary De Wereld van de Chinezen (2021) by Dutch photographer and filmmaker Ruben Terlou. The documentary explores the impact of Chinese investments on Chinese migrants and local communities in Kenya and Cambodia, in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Terlou follows several Chinese migrants, documenting their motivations, opportunities, challenges, and the effects of their presence on local communities. Through literature review and theories such as dependency theory, cultural imperialism theory, and narrative and cognitive theory, this thesis examines Terlou's portrayal of three main themes: ideological reasons for Chinese migration, personal motivations for migrating, and the impact on local communities, including issues of Chinese superiority and discrimination. Terlou's documentary provides a platform for Dutch audiences to critically engage with China's global influence, offering a nuanced perspective that contrasts with prevalent Western media narratives. By highlighting personal stories, Terlou presents a balanced view of the achievements and struggles of Chinese migrants and the varied effects of their presence on local communities. Despite aiming for neutrality, Terlou's deep familiarity with China influences his portrayal, emphasizing the human side of Chinese investments and the migrants' drive to succeed.Show less
This study examines the most prevalent lexical errors committed by Dutch learners when they write in Korean. It also examines whether the proficiency levels of learners influence their tendency to...Show moreThis study examines the most prevalent lexical errors committed by Dutch learners when they write in Korean. It also examines whether the proficiency levels of learners influence their tendency to make language transfer errors, distinguishing between inter- or intralingual errors. Although error analysis studies are plentiful in the field of second language acquisition, both lexical errors and Dutch learners of Korean have been neglected as research subjects. By making use of error and statistical analysis, this study aims to fill that gap. This results demonstrate that the most prevalent lexical errors among Dutch learners of Korean of all proficiency levels is literal translation, followed by confusion with semantic similarity, paraphrasing or circumlocution, confusion with formal similarity, and omission or incompletion errors. The study further finds evidence for the claim that learners with high proficiency levels of Korean make more intralingual errors than learners with low proficiency levels, but it does not find evidence that learners with low proficiency levels make more interlingual errors than learners with high proficiency levels. These results suggest that instructors might need to focus on helping advanced learners in their understanding and use of complex Korean language structures and vocabulary, whilst not neglecting correction of language transfer errors in general.Show less
Since the reforms brought forward in the Meiji period, Japan has been experiencing secularization. As Durkheim argues, religion is what connects and controls society, the secularization has caused...Show moreSince the reforms brought forward in the Meiji period, Japan has been experiencing secularization. As Durkheim argues, religion is what connects and controls society, the secularization has caused people to feel anxious and disconnected with the world around them. Especially during the Corona pandemic, these feelings were strengthened. Contemporary Japanese spirituality has been trying to find a cure for this through self-care. Fans found their cure through participation in oshikatsu. According to research conducted by Harada et al., oshikatsu increases one’s well- being. In order to explain why this is the case, this thesis explorers the role of oshikatsu in today’s Japanese society. By applying Durkheim’s model of religion, which argues that religion is a mode of human communication and connectedness, on oshikatsu, one is able to understand the role oshikatsu plays as an alternative religion, connecting fans of the same oshi through religious practices as brought forward by the four pillars of: collecting, devotion, sharing and supporting.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
This thesis examines China’s cultural (foreign) policies. Taking a sample of three different case studies, this thesis aims to find an answer to the question of how China is using cultural heritage...Show moreThis thesis examines China’s cultural (foreign) policies. Taking a sample of three different case studies, this thesis aims to find an answer to the question of how China is using cultural heritage as a means to becoming a modern imperial power. A possible reason for the Chinese government to do this is that the current global power dynamic is shifting eastwards, away from the U.S., and towards China. Over the three case studies, which all fall into a different type of imperialism, it becomes clear that the cultural heritage policies China employs are not just soft power, but indeed are cultural imperialism.Show less
Within South Korean society, living alone has long been stigmatized due to the prevalence of normative beliefs about the family and the life course. However, after the IMF crisis of 1997, social...Show moreWithin South Korean society, living alone has long been stigmatized due to the prevalence of normative beliefs about the family and the life course. However, after the IMF crisis of 1997, social structural issues led to a rapid increase in young people living alone. Despite this social change, the stereotype that people living alone are abnormal or incomplete continues to persist. This thesis looks at representations of young single-person households in South Korean documentaries broadcasted between 2020-2023. The most notable findings are that documentaries by the broadcaster KBS reinforce traditional family ideology or only subtly challenge it, whereas documentaries by the broadcaster MBC actively and directly challenge traditional family ideology. The documentaries of both broadcasters are unbalanced: the documentaries focus either on negative experiences of living alone or on positive experiences of living alone. Documentaries that focus on the latter are more likely to challenge traditional family ideology. Moreover, young single-person households in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, low-income young single-person households in difficult circumstances and young single-person households who live in ‘special’ co-living or communal housing are overrepresented.Show less
