This thesis explores the literary theme of aliens in disguise, taking the sit-com 3rd Rock from the Sun as its main focus, yet drawing on various works of science fiction. The disguises used by the...Show moreThis thesis explores the literary theme of aliens in disguise, taking the sit-com 3rd Rock from the Sun as its main focus, yet drawing on various works of science fiction. The disguises used by the aliens in this TV-show are explored in relation to character roles and dramatic purposes, revealing set tropes as well as the ways in which the disguises are used to reflect on human practices such as emotions, gun control and gender. It is through the aliens' disguises that the audience learns about humanity, along with the aliens.Show less
Research master thesis | Literary Studies (research) (MA)
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In this research project, I aim to develop a framework for analysing contemporary theatre plays that deal with issues of memory on a meta-level. My claim is that a theatre of meta-memory often...Show moreIn this research project, I aim to develop a framework for analysing contemporary theatre plays that deal with issues of memory on a meta-level. My claim is that a theatre of meta-memory often takes place within a meta-theatre, meaning that a reflection on the role of memory goes hand in hand with a reflection on the medium of theatre itself. I will prove this by performing an in-depth performative analysis of three contemporary Dutch theatre plays: Als ik de liefde niet heb (Ro Theater), How to play Francesca Woodman (Toneelgroep Maastricht) and Kamp (Hotel Modern), which are all concerned with notions such as presence, the body, the use of media and the role of the spectator. In the end, I hope to show the importance and possibility of the theatre as a space of remembering, but mostly as a space in which new memory and meaning can be produced and contemplated.Show less
In Brazil, Afro-Brazilian Candomblé is one of the historically marginalized religions that recently became to attract many new devotees and took up a status as a national religion. The survival of...Show moreIn Brazil, Afro-Brazilian Candomblé is one of the historically marginalized religions that recently became to attract many new devotees and took up a status as a national religion. The survival of Candomblé is fascinating because, for much of its history, the white authorities in Brazil had done all they could in order to crush every aspect that kept the black people in Brazil connected to their African roots. The notion that Candomblé is nowadays a thriving religion in spite of its historical repression has motivated the main question of this thesis. This question asks how the Africans and their descendants managed to protect the Candomblé religion in a 19th century Brazil that was, on behalf of the authorities, marked by significant efforts to annihilate any other religion different from Catholicism. Based on a theory about social interaction, this thesis will argue that the African slaves were able to protect their Candomblé practices and rituals because they began to stage a single performance as a team, with the purpose of deceiving the white authorities. In addition, while the Africans and their descendants would collectively uphold a facade of conformity as soon as they interacted with their authorities, there was a continuation of Candomblé beliefs, practices, and rituals behind the scenes. This combination of a convincing façade of conformity on the one hand, and a secret continuation of Candomblé beliefs and practices on the other hand is what most clearly led to the protection of the religion in the 19th century.Show less
In Leiden heeft de nieuwe coalitie die ontstond na de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen van 2010 een kort coalitieakkoord in het leven geroepen, wat breekt met de geschiedenis van lange coalitieakkoorden...Show moreIn Leiden heeft de nieuwe coalitie die ontstond na de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen van 2010 een kort coalitieakkoord in het leven geroepen, wat breekt met de geschiedenis van lange coalitieakkoorden die de gemeenteraad van leiden heeft. Dit korte akkoord had als doel om de scheidslijn coalitie/oppositie te doen verminderen. Na het maken van een grote dataset met alle raadsbesluiten, moties en amendementen vanaf 2006, is het mogelijk om een wetenschappelijk oordeel te geven over deze poging. Dit onderzoek laat door kwantitatieve methoden, die meerdere aspecten van de coalitie-oppositiescheidslijn belichten, zien dat er inderdaad een correlatie bestaat tussen een kort coalitieakkoord en een vermindering van de scheidslijn van de coalitie. Op het spoor gezet door andere literatuur blijkt dat waarschijnlijk een andere factor ook veel effect heeft op de scheidslijn coalitie-oppositie: de ideologische diversiteit van de partijen in de coalitie.Show less
In this thesis the Classic Maya city of Aguateca is reconstructed using Unity3D. This city, which had a very short lifespan, was nevertheless the home to a royal family which came from the nearby...Show moreIn this thesis the Classic Maya city of Aguateca is reconstructed using Unity3D. This city, which had a very short lifespan, was nevertheless the home to a royal family which came from the nearby city of Dos Pilas when the situation for them appeared to have become more hostile. The walls that were later built in Aguateca and are also shown in the 3D model are evidence of the hostility in the area. The main features in the 3D model are the Main Plaza, the Palace Group and the Causeway that connects the two. The Main Plaza is separated from the Causeway and Palace Group by a deep chasm. This model was created to serve as a scene in which kingship ritual was probably performed to bind the populace of the city to the reigning king. This thesis follows the article on ritual performance by Inomata (2006) in regards to this theory. While the ritual itself is not given form in the scene, various preliminary conclusions based on the visibility in the scene indicate a high probability for such rituals to have taken place.Show less
