In this thesis research has been conducted regarding the following question: is it possible to translate the long Qur’anic surah sūrat al-Raḥmān into Dutch, whereby the following three criteria are...Show moreIn this thesis research has been conducted regarding the following question: is it possible to translate the long Qur’anic surah sūrat al-Raḥmān into Dutch, whereby the following three criteria are met: 1. the meaning is preserved 2. the oral and aural aspect is conveyed 3. the translation is presented in natural and accessible Dutch. To meet the criterion of aurality and orality the translation must meet the testible criteria of rhyme, metre, parallelism, lexical echoes, conciseness, the relation between the sound of words and the atmosphere of a verse or surah, and repetition, which are the most important linguistic structures underlying orality and aurality. Recognizability for Muslims is part of the criterion of meaning. A translation method according to these criteria has been used in the testcase and the translation process has been described. The above resulted in a translation that met the criteria of the research question.Show less
The Eurozone crisis is an example of how democratic regimes can be threatened under emergencies, and it revealed two contributing phenomena – the state of exception and technocracy. This thesis...Show moreThe Eurozone crisis is an example of how democratic regimes can be threatened under emergencies, and it revealed two contributing phenomena – the state of exception and technocracy. This thesis aims to understand the link between the two in the context of emergency politics, through the paradox of politics. This paradox, which can be traced back to Rousseau, brings to light an aporia in democratic politics, where we need good citizens to make good laws and good laws to make good citizens. This thesis starts by analysing each phenomenon individually and the way they threaten democracy. It then interprets them through the paradox of politics as arrangements meant to resolve that paradox, but infringing upon the ideal of democracy it subscribes to (inspired by the analysis of political theorist Bonnie Honig). Finally, it analyses the link between them and the potentials for the democratization of emergency politics. The main conclusions are 1) in emergency politics, technocracy and exception display a link of mutual reinforcement that infringes upon democratic politics (empirically and conceptually), and 2) the democratization of emergency politics requires not only a deexceptionalization of emergency (as suggested by Honig), but also a process of detechnocratization of democracy.Show less
This thesis explores the framing of the burqa ban in the Dutch media over the past decade, focusing on the divergence between left-wing (Volkskrant) and right-wing (Telegraaf) newspapers, potential...Show moreThis thesis explores the framing of the burqa ban in the Dutch media over the past decade, focusing on the divergence between left-wing (Volkskrant) and right-wing (Telegraaf) newspapers, potential polarizing frames, and the shifts in media narratives pre and post-implementation of the ban. The analysis is guided by framing theory, which shows the dominant frames visible in the newspapers and explores the dynamic interplay between media, public opinion, and politics. A framework of five frames, guided by Semetko and Valkenburg’s frames, has been constructed for this research. These are the Moral, Political, Societal Impact, Policy Conflict, and Security frames. The Volkskrant is characterized as progressive and socially oriented. The dominant frame between 2012 and 2022 has been the Societal Impact frame, emphasizing the ban’s consequences for society. In contrast, the Telegraaf, known for its activist and critical stance, used the Political Conflict frame the most often, focusing on discussions around implementing the ban. Contrary to expectations, the study has not identified a polarizing trend over time in the analysis. Moreover, it was concluded that the newspapers are growing convergent with their opinions concerning the burqa ban. When looking at the impact the implementation of the burqa ban has had on the dominant frames, a shift is visible post-implementation. Both newspapers have increased the use of the Societal Impact frame, increasing attention to the law’s implications. Looking forward, this thesis suggests additional research, including an exploration of the beginning of the debate in 2005, the recent victory of Wilders’ PVV, and other newspapers.Show less
In de afgelopen jaren is er steeds meer aandacht voor verschillende vormen van diversiteit binnen de jeugdliteratuur, zoals gender, seksuele, etnische en culturele diversiteit. In dat rijtje...Show moreIn de afgelopen jaren is er steeds meer aandacht voor verschillende vormen van diversiteit binnen de jeugdliteratuur, zoals gender, seksuele, etnische en culturele diversiteit. In dat rijtje ontbreekt neurodivergentie; aandacht voor groepen van wie het brein anders werkt. Hoewel daarbij meestal wordt gedacht aan ASS of ADHD, valt ook hoogbegaafdheid onder deze noemer. Daarom staat in deze scriptie de representatie van hoogbegaafdheid in recente jeugdliteratuur centraal. Aan de hand van een brede definitie van hoogbegaafdheid, waarin intellectuele en creatief-productieve vaardigheden gecombineerd worden met ondersteuning uit de sociale omgeving, analyseer ik zes jeugdboeken. Daarbij heb ik oog voor de werking tussen gender en intelligentie. Uit mijn onderzoek is gebleken dat deze zes boeken een beeld van een succesvolle hoogbegaafde neerzetten. De protagonisten zijn bijna zonder uitzondering sterk intrinsiek gemotiveerd en hebben weinig last van perfectionisme of faalangst. Daarnaast komt de combinatie van uitzonderlijk talent op het gebied van muziek, wiskunde en taal meermaals voor. Dit roept het beeld op dat hoogbegaafden op alle terreinen uitblinken. De onderzochte boeken schenken minder aandacht aan creatief-productieve capaciteiten. De hoogbegaafde protagonisten passen op sociaal gebied in twee narratieven. Het eerste narratief veronderstelt de protagonist als een autonome Einzelgänger, die weinig vriendschappen heeft en daar ook niet actief naar op zoek is. In het tweede narratief heeft de protagonist meer vrienden, maar wordt tegelijkertijd ook gepest. De vrouwelijke protagonisten passen niet binnen de perceptie van vrouwelijke hoogbegaafdheid die Reis (2005) presenteert, waarbij vrouwelijke hoogbegaafden meer twijfelen aan hun toekomst en minder succes behalen. Het (accuraat) weergeven van neurodivergentie in jeugdliteratuur draagt bij aan zelfherkenning voor hoogbegaafde kinderen en erkenning door hun sociale omgeving. Met deze masterscriptie hoop ik de urgentie van de representatie van neurodivergentie in jeugdliteratuur te benadrukken.Show less
Een van de dingen die bijdraagt aan een goed functionerende democratie is het volgen van het nieuws. Een deel van onze samenleving zegt daarentegen ontevreden te zijn over de veelal negatieve...Show moreEen van de dingen die bijdraagt aan een goed functionerende democratie is het volgen van het nieuws. Een deel van onze samenleving zegt daarentegen ontevreden te zijn over de veelal negatieve berichtgeving in de media, omdat ze zich er somber, depressief en hopeloos door voelen. Sommigen kiezen er daarvoor zelfs voor om het nieuws te mijden. Constructieve journalistiek is stroming die iets wil doen aan die focus op negativiteit in de media. Eerder onderzoek laat veelbelovende resultaten zien op de effecten van constructieve journalistiek op de emoties van het publiek en op de betrokkenheid. Met een experiment is in dit onderzoek onderzocht of die resultaten opnieuw werden gevonden. Een groep volwassen respondenten (N = 96) tussen de 19 en 62 jaar las hiervoor nieuwsverhalen gemaakt door Omroep West. Het bleek dat de constructieve nieuwsverhalen zorgde voor meer positieve emoties, maar niet voor meer betrokkenheid. Dit onderzoek draagt bij aan de kennis over de effecten van constructieve journalistiek. Het biedt handvatten voor mediaorganisaties als Omroep West. Door als journalist constructieve elementen in nieuwsverhalen te gebruiken, zoals meer aandacht voor nuance, oplossingen en hoop, voelt het publiek zich positiever. Die positiviteit zou er uiteindelijk voor kunnen zorgen dat meer mensen het nieuws wel willen blijven volgen.Show less
This thesis examines a collection of drawings by Abraham Delfos (1731-1820), an eighteenth-century engraver and draftsman from Leiden. Housed in the Print Room of Leiden University Libraries, these...Show moreThis thesis examines a collection of drawings by Abraham Delfos (1731-1820), an eighteenth-century engraver and draftsman from Leiden. Housed in the Print Room of Leiden University Libraries, these drawings predominantly consist of reproductions made after seventeenth-century paintings. Despite the fact that reproductions were a common practice and a typical eighteenth-century phenomenon, they have received limited attention from researchers. By examining Delfos' drawings within the broader context of his time, including his role as a director and his involvement in the establishment of drawing academy Ars Aemula Naturae, as well as his art dealership, this research uncovers the historical significance of these artworks. The study explores the factors that influenced changing attitudes towards reproductions and their growing popularity in the eighteenth century. Through a comprehensive analysis of Delfos' drawings, insights are gained into the influences shaping his artistic approach, the role of art education, and the perception of reproductions. These drawings serve as valuable windows into the past, offering a unique perspective on the interplay between art, education, societal development, and the evolving status of reproductions in the eighteenth century. The exploration not only highlights Delfos as an artist but also enriches our understanding of the artistic and cultural landscape of the time.Show less
This thesis is an investigation into the ontological basis of pessimism. I develop a Nietzschean interpretive framework of pessimism, based on a distinction Nietzsche makes between two types of...Show moreThis thesis is an investigation into the ontological basis of pessimism. I develop a Nietzschean interpretive framework of pessimism, based on a distinction Nietzsche makes between two types of pessimism in The Gay Science 370: romantic and Dionysian pessimism. According to Nietzsche, this distinction is based on a dynamic articulated using the language of physiology. This dynamic is either expanding or degenerating. The thesis relates this distinction to Schopenhauer's and Nietzsche's notions of a 'world of appearance' to test if their ontology testifies to a romantic or Dionysian pessimism. Their ontologies are interpreted as either a transfiguration of romantic or Dionysian pessimism. I then develop a reading of Schopenhauer’s pessimistic philosophy. I argue that Schopenhauer’s notion of representation or appearance is central to his metaphysics. I then interpret his punctum pruriens of philosophy as a priori pessimism permeating the whole of Schopenhauer’s philosophy resulting in an ethics of renunciation. I then lay out Nietzsche’s critique of Schopenhauer in the Genealogy, based on the aforementioned physiological dynamic. In the last chapter, I investigate Nietzsche’s world of appearance, characterized as semblance or ‘Schein’. I relate this to Nietzsche’s aesthetics and art as a transfiguration of Dionysian pessimism. However, the question is whether Nietzsche’s philosophy itself is the transfiguration of Dionysian pessimism. I then explain how Nietzsche does this by means of a project of life affirmation through the notions of perspectivism and the will to power.Show less
This thesis examines the relationship between Austro-German nationalism and the Bosnian Annexation Crisis. By comparing narrative constructions of the self and the other in three Viennese German...Show moreThis thesis examines the relationship between Austro-German nationalism and the Bosnian Annexation Crisis. By comparing narrative constructions of the self and the other in three Viennese German-language newspapers, it aims to analyse the role of nationalism in (de)legitimising the Habsburg State in the early twentieth century, and provide an explanation for the different views on its legacy.Show less
