This thesis analysis how the Hong Kong identity is constructed in the film 'Ten Years', by means of a discourse analysis. Since the handover of sovereignty, Hong Kong is no longer part of the...Show moreThis thesis analysis how the Hong Kong identity is constructed in the film 'Ten Years', by means of a discourse analysis. Since the handover of sovereignty, Hong Kong is no longer part of the British Empire, but instead is part of China. Great Britain influenced Hong Kong during the colonial period, and the film depicts that as different from Mainland China.Show less
The thesis has sought to shed light into the relationship between the Jewish Diaspora and Israel through the lenses of the Brazilian Jewish community. Due to the fact that it holds the largest...Show moreThe thesis has sought to shed light into the relationship between the Jewish Diaspora and Israel through the lenses of the Brazilian Jewish community. Due to the fact that it holds the largest Jewish population of Brazil and hosts numerous prominent Jewish organisations, the state of São Paulo was chosen as the case study of the research. Based on the analysis of publications and websites of those institutions and, mainly, of interviews with the most important leaders of the Jewish organisations in São Paulo, the author has tried to bring to the fore their chief activities concerning Israel. Furthermore, the conduction of semi-structured interviews enabled the identification of attitudes and perceptions of the main Jewish Brazilian leaders towards Israel, as well as their role as members of a significant Jewish Diaspora. Central political issues that affect Israel, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, were also analysed by the leaders of the most prominent Jewish institutions. The relevance of the research lies in the fact that it touches upon issues of long-distance nationalism, collective identity and Diaspora politics from a standpoint that is not sufficiently explored by the contemporary academia.Show less
In present-day America, the issue of whether or not Arab immigrants and communities will assimilate into mainstream American culture is at the forefront of political discussions and media...Show moreIn present-day America, the issue of whether or not Arab immigrants and communities will assimilate into mainstream American culture is at the forefront of political discussions and media presentations. By using the school setting of Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan—where the student population consists of 95% Arabs of American descent (ArDs) and 90% Muslims—to analyze identity formation in terms of Americanism, ethnicity/race, gender, and religion, the answer to this encompassing question begins to be understood. Using interviews and participant observation, this study analyzes the complexity of an Arab-American identity within a post-9/11 America, drawing attention to the intricacies of how ArDs identify specific attributes, actions, and values and how the school communities shapes these in this post-9/11 era. From this information, I analyzed how Fordson acts both actively and passively to influence the identities of its students and staff.Show less
In this thesis the author examines the attitudes of the Singaporean government and societal groupings towards Singlish. By assessing the change in the predominant themes explicated in the...Show moreIn this thesis the author examines the attitudes of the Singaporean government and societal groupings towards Singlish. By assessing the change in the predominant themes explicated in the government’s stance towards Singlish, as well as the main themes present in the societal representation of Singlish amongst both the establishment leaning and non-establishment leaning sectors of society, the author attempts to ascertain whether Singaporean government policy regarding Singlish is at odds with the societal attitudes towards Singlish. Additionally, this thesis seeks to determine whether there is a divide within Singaporean society regarding Singlish. In order to do this the author uses thematic analysis of three main forms of sources, namely governmental speeches, letters to editor in the Straits Times online newspaper and user-generated content posted on YouTube. This thesis concludes that Singaporean government policy has changed regarding Singlish, becoming much less aggressive in its demotion of the dialect. The thesis also finds that there is a divide between the attitudes expressed in the traditional media and YouTube, with views on YouTube being decidedly more pro-Singlish in outlook. Indeed, this thesis also finds that young Singaporeans view Singlish as integral to identity construction and government attempts to demote the use of Singlish as misguided. These findings have implications more generally for the traditionally invasive style of governance adopted by the Singaporean government.Show less
This research analyzes the experiences of transnational identity formation by Cuban-American migrant generations, cohorts and waves living in Miami, as well their cultural behaviours in Miami. The...Show moreThis research analyzes the experiences of transnational identity formation by Cuban-American migrant generations, cohorts and waves living in Miami, as well their cultural behaviours in Miami. The research is framed with reference to historical and contemporary contexts of the bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States.Show less
This thesis explores the relation between radio and identity politics in the Dutch East Indies (1927-1942). Although Indies radio in this early period is often dismissed as somewhat inconsequential...Show moreThis thesis explores the relation between radio and identity politics in the Dutch East Indies (1927-1942). Although Indies radio in this early period is often dismissed as somewhat inconsequential or apolitical, this study argues that a better look at its cultural registers and the motives behind its development betray a significant relation between Indies radio stations and colonial identity politics. Whether it was the PHOHI, which was developed to strengthen Dutch identity and authority, the NIROM, which strongly segmented between eastern and western audiences, or the eastern stations, founded in reaction to the severe underrepresentation of eastern cultures, almost all stations were involved in the segmentation of Indies society. Although such segmentation might have affirmed the ‘rule of colonial difference’ and thereby strengthened colonial rule, this study argues that any such effect would have been weakened by the increasing number of audiences with hybrid identities, as these undermined the categories of colonial hierarchy. Meanwhile radio continued to catalyse the polarization of eastern and western identities, weakening the cohesion and stability of Indies society.Show less
The author researches the extensive and fast moving changes in Taiwan politics and society in the period 2004 – 2013, the period that he lived and worked as an expatriate in Taipei. This through a...Show moreThe author researches the extensive and fast moving changes in Taiwan politics and society in the period 2004 – 2013, the period that he lived and worked as an expatriate in Taipei. This through a critical approach to Taiwan’s heritage. At the start of the period under review, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was in power for the first time since its founding in 1986 at the end of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) led marshal law period. In 2008 the KMT regained the government, providing for a unique insight in the practical implications of their ideological differences. Two interrelated issues dominate Taiwan’s politics, and with this Taiwan’s society. Externally this is the standoff between Taiwan and the PRC, internally it is the sharp divide within Taiwan’s society on many issues, explicit in the rivalry between the two main political parties. At the heart of these issues lies defining the Taiwanese identity. The PRC’s claim is based on Taiwan’s Chineseness, on Taiwan being an integrated part of China’s history and culture. Internally, the KMT and DPP carry the discussion on Chineseness or Taiwaneseness through to the extent that the public debate is immersed in the issue of identity. The ultimate question however is whether history and cultural heritage is the right approach to determine sameness or otherness. The author concludes this is not the case.Show less
One of the most important actors in Middle Eastern politics today is the Islamic Republic of Iran. This country has been the subject of much controversy over the past years, partly due to the fact...Show moreOne of the most important actors in Middle Eastern politics today is the Islamic Republic of Iran. This country has been the subject of much controversy over the past years, partly due to the fact that it is the only state in the world that officially bases its domestic policy and legal system on Shi’a Islam. However, the extent to which Shi’ism influences Iran’s foreign policy has been disputed. It has been argued by some that Iran’s behaviour on the international arena has more to do with political and economic interests than with defending their religion; others have claimed that, on the contrary, some of the country’s actions cannot be explained without taking into account the influence of the Shi’a identity. One situation that has been explained from both perspectives is Iran’s decision to support Armenia, rather than their Shi’ite neighbour Azerbaijan, in the Nagorno-Karabakh war of 1988-1994. This conflict presents an interesting case study in the question of the influence of Shi’ism on Iran’s foreign policy. Some have claimed that Iran’s support of Armenia aligned perfectly with the Shi’a ideology of supporting and uplifting the oppressed, viewing Azerbaijan as the aggressor in the situation, rather than a fellow Shi’ite ally. At the same time, it is undeniable that Iran’s partnership with Armenia has provided and continues to provide economic benefits to both states. As such, the question arises: to what extent did the Iranian regime’s Shia identity influence the country’s decision to support Armenia, rather than Azerbaijan, in the Nagorno-Karabakh war?Show less
For centuries, Japan has shown its aptitude in selecting and accumulating certain preferential and beneficial aspects of foreign cultures and influences, with the purpose of enriching Japanese...Show moreFor centuries, Japan has shown its aptitude in selecting and accumulating certain preferential and beneficial aspects of foreign cultures and influences, with the purpose of enriching Japanese society. A big number of foreign cultural artefacts have managed to establish themselves as an inherent part of Japanese identity. One of the most intrinsic foreign influences on the Japanese culture is the introduction of the English language, which has found its place in many of the cultural domains, to the point of becoming an inherent part of them. As such, this thesis was able to analyse a brief selection of these. Firstly, the Japanese language is analysed to show how English has become a part of it, through loanwords and breaking taboos. Second, this paper examines the influence and usage of the English language in Japanese commercial media, with a focus on ornamentalism and storefronts. Lastly, Japanese cultural identity is researched through the case studies of both mixed race Japanese and Japanese subcultures. In the end, this paper is able to prove an inherentness of the English language in the Japanese language, Japanese commercial media and Japanese identity.Show less
