Economic and bureaucratic reforms have shaped China's political economic framework since 1978. Although these reforms made long periods of economic growth possible, new challenges arose in the form...Show moreEconomic and bureaucratic reforms have shaped China's political economic framework since 1978. Although these reforms made long periods of economic growth possible, new challenges arose in the form of often collusive corruption. This dissertation will explore the relationship between economic and bureaucratic reforms and shifting types of corruption in China between 1992 - presentShow less
This thesis closely examines the North Korean film Hong Kildong, which is a film adaptation from 1986, based on the tale of Hong Kildong. It then compares the film version with a pre-modern...Show moreThis thesis closely examines the North Korean film Hong Kildong, which is a film adaptation from 1986, based on the tale of Hong Kildong. It then compares the film version with a pre-modern literary version of Hong Kildong Chŏn. The research field of North Korean cinema lacked a nuanced deconstruction of the ideological message conveyed in Hong Kildong. Consideration of the background motifs and themes was found to be generally overlooked. This thesis aims to provide for this lack. By analyzing the North Korean film version, while using the Confucian Five Moral Relationships and virtues as a yardstick, this thesis identified how close the story followed or deviated from the Confucian ethics. The comparison between Hong Kildong (film) and Hong Kildong Chŏn (pre-modern fiction) pointed out what (ideological) changes had been made, changes mostly found in the character traits and the development of the storyline towards the end of each story, and helped to identify Juche ideological elements. Through the hypothesis, “Hong Kildong reflects the same ideological changes as have been made to create the yunsaek type kodae sosŏl,” I was able to lend credit to the implications that come with the ideological changes I detected, since they then do not apply merely to this film. My research results confirmed that the hypothesis was indeed correct. Art theory in North Korea has taken on a unified form which is broadly applied to every artistic activity, including both film and literary adaptations of pre-modern works of fiction. The same ideological development can be discerned in both types of adaptation. The central theme, or “seed,” of Hong Kildong can be defined as the revolutionary transformation from the old, corrupt Chosŏn society to the new, liberated Chosŏn, which is promised to those who move towards the sun, which is symbolism for Kim Il-Sung and his Juche thought. Elements that suggest ideas contrary to Juche ideology were consistently found within the realm of Confucian thought. Confucian thought however was not condoned, nor completely condemned in the film, but rather improved to make a smooth transformation to Juche ideology possible. This suggests that Confucian thought remains, however limited, a component in the North Korean people’s belief system. However, hidden elements that reflect anti-Juche or anti-Party Line thoughts, which might have been an influence of Shin Sang-Ok’s own ideas, could not be found.Show less
This thesis focused on the long-running Japanese variety show named Shoten, figuring out the main factor that encourages its continuous popularity. To solve the research question, the show has been...Show moreThis thesis focused on the long-running Japanese variety show named Shoten, figuring out the main factor that encourages its continuous popularity. To solve the research question, the show has been analysed from its character and humour, especially political jokes, by using the video copy recorded by the author in Japan and its official DVD box. The thesis has reached the conclusion that it is the intimacy created by Shoten's character and humour that has made it a long-running show.Show less
This thesis is a sociolinguistic study of the phenomenon of 'fanspeak', the use of Japanese words by English-speaking fans of Japanese manga and anime, in computer mediated communication. The...Show moreThis thesis is a sociolinguistic study of the phenomenon of 'fanspeak', the use of Japanese words by English-speaking fans of Japanese manga and anime, in computer mediated communication. The internet has enabled fans from all over the world to communicate with each other and form an online subculture of sorts. The abundant use of loanwords from Japanese in this online discourse is striking. Using data collected from various manga and anime related websites and message boards, and interviews with the fans who use this kind of language, this thesis aims examine the characteristics of fanspeak from multiple angles. First its origins and social functions are discussed; why does fanspeak exist? Next, the semantics of fanspeak are analyzed; are the borrowed words used in the same meaning as in Japanese, or have their meanings and connotations shifted in the adaptation for use in English? Lastly, the morphological properties of fanspeak are addressed; what kind of grammatical transformations do Japanese words undergo in their adaptation? By addressing these issues I hope to clarify to what extent Japanese fanspeak has been incorporated into English internet discourse, and why and how this is diversifying the subcultural language of English speaking manga and anime fans.Show less
Korean society has made great strides forward in gender representation in the last decade, yet mainstream media often encourages stereotypes and binary gender roles. However, the genre conventions...Show moreKorean society has made great strides forward in gender representation in the last decade, yet mainstream media often encourages stereotypes and binary gender roles. However, the genre conventions of historical fusion and fantasy combine elements of imagination and otherness that can engage in discussion on gender and represent gender in an alternative, more open, way. It addresses a contemporary issue yet is not bounded by the restrictions of today’s society. To analyze the potential positive representation of the genres, this thesis analyzes the Korean historical fantasy fusion drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (hereafter Moon Lovers) (2016). In order to study the alternative representations within mainstream media, this thesis looks at how the series’ representation of gender is in line with gender normativity. The leading research question is: Does Moon Lovers break gender normativity? The study was conducted through film analysis and guided by gender theory. In conclusion, Moon Lovers does not break with gender normativity. However, the potential of the genres to represent gender in an alternative way still require further study.Show less
In this thesis I investigate the development of a supplementary design in Chinese ceramics, the plantain leaf design. I propose that the triangles on archaic bronzes do not represent (plantain)...Show moreIn this thesis I investigate the development of a supplementary design in Chinese ceramics, the plantain leaf design. I propose that the triangles on archaic bronzes do not represent (plantain) leaves and thus should not be referred to as jiāoyèwén ‘plantain leaf design’. During the Yuan dynasty, however, one specific type of banded leaf design is developed that can be consistently referred to as jiāoyèwén ‘plantain leaf design’. I map out the developments of the different banded leaf designs, and seek to show that the triangle design on archaic bronzes played an integral part in the development of the plantain leaf design of the Yuan dynasty. These developments are discussed in light of ‘the uses of the past’ initially described by David Lowenthal.Show less
This research investigates the use of translation techniques for figures of speech related to meaning: metaphor, simile, personification, metonymy, synecdoche, synaesthesia. Three direct...Show moreThis research investigates the use of translation techniques for figures of speech related to meaning: metaphor, simile, personification, metonymy, synecdoche, synaesthesia. Three direct translations from Italian to Chinese of "Inferno" are taken into consideration.Show less
This thesis researched how four large newspapers: People’s Daily（人民日报）and Southern Metropolis Daily （南方都市报）both from China, and Apple Daily （苹果日报）and Ta Kung Pao (大公报), based in Hong Kong, reported...Show moreThis thesis researched how four large newspapers: People’s Daily（人民日报）and Southern Metropolis Daily （南方都市报）both from China, and Apple Daily （苹果日报）and Ta Kung Pao (大公报), based in Hong Kong, reported on the massive demonstrations of mid-September 2014, following the decision of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee on August 31st to hold elections for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2017.Show less
China consists of an enormous geo-body, with different geographical, cultural, and linguistic differences. Hence, many differences exist within its population, which consists of fifty-five...Show moreChina consists of an enormous geo-body, with different geographical, cultural, and linguistic differences. Hence, many differences exist within its population, which consists of fifty-five minorities and the Han majority. Although the state creates space for the acknowledgement of internal differences, it also continuously emphasizes China’s unity. This has led to a paradox of unity in diversity. Prior research on cultural diversity within China has mainly focused on minority nationalities, giving less attention to the Han as they are often deemed ‘invisible’. This research will however focus on the Han as it aims to answer the question: “How do Han students identify themselves in the paradox of unity in diversity?” by examining what the sense of belonging of students from Shandong University is built on. The data will show that self-identification of the students is simultaneously vertically and horizontally related, depending on the role of the ‘Other’: identities exist in tandem with each other, while they can also gain preference. Furthermore, through the constant emphasis on ‘national’ and ‘hometown’ identities ―one representing unity, the other diversity― it becomes evident that the paradox of unity in diversity is an integral part of the students’ self-identification.Show less
This thesis studies the organizational principles of the Hàn dynasty text Shuō wén jiě zì 說⽂文解字, written by Xǔ Shèn 許慎. It presents a qualitative case study of three radical sections. In the...Show moreThis thesis studies the organizational principles of the Hàn dynasty text Shuō wén jiě zì 說⽂文解字, written by Xǔ Shèn 許慎. It presents a qualitative case study of three radical sections. In the analysis, special attention is paid to the sociopolitical context in which the text was produced, so as to understand the cultural factors that presumably informed Xǔ Shèn’s organization of the text. On the basis of the analysis, it also discusses Xǔ Shèn’s conception of writing. The analysis shows how the organization of characters was profoundly influenced by the ideologies of its time. It demonstrates how philosophical theories such as yīn–yáng and five phases (yīnyáng wǔxíng 陰陽五行), the doctrine of the unity of heaven and man (tiān rén hé yī 天人合一), and numerology of the Yì jīng 易經 (Book of Changes) all made their way into Xǔ Shèn’s lexicographic system. Furthermore, it shows how many characters are neatly organized in semantic series, which make up large parts of some radical sections. On the basis of the close connection between character organization and cosmological theories, it argues that Xǔ Shèn understood script mainly as a graphic representation of reality, which reflects the order of the cosmos. In linking the original text to the ideologies and customs of its time, this study offers an interpretation of how the organization of characters in three radical sections is best understood.Show less
Very few historical figures exerted such long-lasting and significant influence on the idea of tyranny as Jie of Xia dynasty (2207-1766 BCE) and Zhou of Shang Dynasty (1766-1122) did. Since their...Show moreVery few historical figures exerted such long-lasting and significant influence on the idea of tyranny as Jie of Xia dynasty (2207-1766 BCE) and Zhou of Shang Dynasty (1766-1122) did. Since their earliest mentioning in Chinese texts, they are identified as wicked rulers who, because of their lavish lifestyle and their ill-advised political conduct, brought about the demise of their dynasties. In this work, I tried to analyse the idea of tyranny as crafted on these two rulers. To what extent the figures of Jie and Zhou influenced the depiction of later Emperors; in other words, can we speak of a stereotypical representation of tyranny modelled on the two pre-imperial kings? These were my thesis’ main research questions. To investigate possible answers, I addressed the stereotypical depiction of Chinese rulers by analysing, as study cases, the figures of Emperor Qianfei (449–466) of Liu Song dynasty (420–579) within official historiography, and Emperor Yang (569–618) of Sui dynasty (581–618) in fiction. It turned out that the two emperors' depictions had clear allusions to and parallels with the two pre-imperial kings. In the cases presented, the aim of the historian, or of the fiction writer, to portray a tyrannical ruler adheres, quite precisely, to the figures of the Xia and Shang wicked rulers.Show less
The thesis identifies a research question based on a solid review of primarily English-language literature on national identity formation and history education. As noted in the literature review,...Show moreThe thesis identifies a research question based on a solid review of primarily English-language literature on national identity formation and history education. As noted in the literature review, scholars have trained their attention on the ways in which schools shaped national identity but not as much on the students’ experiences or reception. An investigation into students’ experiences enriches our understanding about history education in national identity formation.Show less
Over the last 25 years, the realm of education has undergone enormous transformations around the globe, and especially in China. Indeed, while many have acknowledged the country’s role in world...Show moreOver the last 25 years, the realm of education has undergone enormous transformations around the globe, and especially in China. Indeed, while many have acknowledged the country’s role in world economy, few have stressed its parallel achievements in the field of internationalization of Higher Education. Nonetheless, researchers debating the issue have often adopted top-down approaches or focused on similar sets of examples, overlooking the complexities of each case. Moreover, international students' own viewpoint and their importance as the main actors shaping and undergoing the process as has often been neglected. The main aim of this thesis then, which is based on a mixture of interviews with international students, ethnographic observations conducted by the author at Shandong University, PRC in 2019, together with the study of secondary sources, is to shed light and highlight the importance of under-analysed themes and actors in the field of Internationalization of Higher Education in China. The findings of my research show that: international students form different background seemed to hold a positive evaluation of their experience in China; cultural-specific notions like Mianzi play an important role in the trajectory of internationalization of Shandong University; in turn, this last consideration seem to pose a challenge to the mainstream, linear view of the field which considers Internationalization as a global, active force passively employed by Chinese universities to reach specific - and mainly national - goals.Show less
The author explores the motives of Chinese parents to send their children to Waldorf school and how those change over time. Through the grounded theory analysis of field work data, the author...Show moreThe author explores the motives of Chinese parents to send their children to Waldorf school and how those change over time. Through the grounded theory analysis of field work data, the author concludes that there is a multitude of motives to make the initial decision for Waldorf. Being a Waldorf parent, however, is characterized by worrying much about whether the decision is still right and how to improve the childrens' education.Show less
This thesis focuses on Nagai Kafū’s lighting representations (both natural and manmade light) in the first decade of twentieth century, exploring how Kafū manipulates light, as well as the light...Show moreThis thesis focuses on Nagai Kafū’s lighting representations (both natural and manmade light) in the first decade of twentieth century, exploring how Kafū manipulates light, as well as the light-shadow contrast in his urban-based texts selected from different time. The analysis follows a timeline divided in roughly three parts: debut years before his journey abroad (1900-1903), journey in America and France (1903-1908) and few years after returning to Japan (1908 and after). Given the technological gap between Japan and the West in modern period and thus reflected in Kafū’s writing, knowledge of the innovations in lighting technology will be mentioned when necessary. This thesis argues that the drastic transition of his lighting passion from manmade light to natural light after his returning to Japan in 1908 shall be examined as a significant message. As an urban writer, his transition in light preference not only reveals his critical thinking of Japan’s modernization after experiencing what had been completed in the West, but also gives his vision in terms of what contributes to a livable modern city in which the inhabitants are deeply resonated with the urban fabrics, especially in a spiritual sense. Last but not the least, to some extent, the transition in lighting representations could be considered as a presage of the writer’s stylistic reverse few years later.Show less
Comparative analyses of ethnic minority policies in Manchukuo and the Soviet Union during the inter war years. Rather than "ideas", it was mostly the need of the indigenous population for the...Show moreComparative analyses of ethnic minority policies in Manchukuo and the Soviet Union during the inter war years. Rather than "ideas", it was mostly the need of the indigenous population for the establishment of hegemony as well as domestic and international crisis that drove ethnic minority policies.Show less
This thesis explores one of the solutions to the problem of a declining labour force Japan is faced with: increasing women’s employment, also after marriage and/or childbirth. In Japan, women...Show moreThis thesis explores one of the solutions to the problem of a declining labour force Japan is faced with: increasing women’s employment, also after marriage and/or childbirth. In Japan, women generally occupy a significantly lower position than men in the workplace. Through in-depth interviews with Japanese women, I have found answers to the following questions: What do Japanese women think of this inequality? Are they demotivated by a lack of prospects? Additionally, I explore what they consider important in a job, taking both content and conditions of employment into account. I argue that when the elements women consider important in work are determined, future laws and regulations aimed at increasing women’s employment rate can take these elements into account. Consequently, such laws will be more efficient in drawing more women to the labour force.Show less
