Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
Birthday cafés in Seoul consist of a multi-layered circulation of goods that is mediated through a fascinating type of gift economy in which there are varying types of distributer-recipient...Show moreBirthday cafés in Seoul consist of a multi-layered circulation of goods that is mediated through a fascinating type of gift economy in which there are varying types of distributer-recipient relations. Within these economies I focus on value in the sociological sense and value in the economic sense, as I explore to what extent the sociological understanding of value informs the economic sense of value and vice versa. Furthermore, I discuss the prominent role that the value of creativity plays and how this interacts with both the sociological understanding of value as well as the economic one. With this focus, I aim to tease out the tangled network of values that make up the economy of a birthday café in Seoul.Show less
This thesis addresses the main question: why do we value the experience of engaging with fiction, through the sub-question: how can we avoid functionalism in answering the main question? First, the...Show moreThis thesis addresses the main question: why do we value the experience of engaging with fiction, through the sub-question: how can we avoid functionalism in answering the main question? First, the thesis introduces the distinction between functionalist and non-functionalist accounts. Secondly, it discusses an account – that of John Gibson’s – that comes very close to providing a non-functionalist account. Thirdly, it is argued that Gibson’s account still falls short of being non-functionalist. Lastly, the thesis proposes a positive view that relies on interpretation in explaining the value of our experience of fiction in non-functionalist terms.Show less
The focus of the thesis is to research what kind of influence the debate on the value of pottery versus metal from the 1980s has had on our current view of Greek archaeology, its material culture...Show moreThe focus of the thesis is to research what kind of influence the debate on the value of pottery versus metal from the 1980s has had on our current view of Greek archaeology, its material culture and how this is presented to the public in museums. By reviewing literature from the last three decades, an overview is given of what different scholars’ opinions are and where this debate is standing now. A summary of the thesis of Vladimir Stissi will provide answers and arguments for most of the statements used in the discussion. He offers a possible solutions for the problem of the value of pottery, calling figure decorated wares a semi-luxury. Finally, a small research is done, analyzing the Greek collections of six museums to find out how ceramic vases are displayed. Most objects are arranged chronologically and themes being told by depictions on vases. Metal or plain examples are absent in most museum, due to the fact that these items were difficult to collect in the earlier days or were not considered valuable or pretty. Museums play a large part in how the public sees the ancient Greek culture. Displaying different sorts of material, connecting them and making more use of texts, will change the way how ancient times were considered by the present public.Show less
