On September 2nd, 2021, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) announced new regulations around banning ‘effeminate men’ from Chinese media. This was a new step in the crackdown on...Show moreOn September 2nd, 2021, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) announced new regulations around banning ‘effeminate men’ from Chinese media. This was a new step in the crackdown on the Chinese entertainment industry. Two weeks later, on September 16th, the NRTA announced that danmei dramas, also known as dangai, would be boycotted from that moment on. Danmei is a genre mostly written by and for women, and it depicts a romantic relationship between men. Dangai is a drama or film adaptation of danmei novels. This thesis will be about the Chinese government’s recently changing views on gender roles due to the tightening of censorship policies on gender roles in Chinese historical dramas. The thesis will focus specifically on historical dramas since this is a genre with growing interest from a large audience all over the world that is now targeted by censorship.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 this thesis, I have found that while China claims to remain neutral between Ukraine and Russia, China’s news media, "Xinhua News Agency" and "China Daily", seem to present a clear antagonist...Show moreIn this thesis, I have found that while China claims to remain neutral between Ukraine and Russia, China’s news media, "Xinhua News Agency" and "China Daily", seem to present a clear antagonist between the countries, namely the U.S. Through several discursive techniques, the two news organizations present the U.S. as a cunning actor that drags others into a ‘proxy war’.Show less
In recent years, China has thoroughly changed its position on climate justice and climate governance. They have went from advocating for climate justice and for their right to industrialize to...Show moreIn recent years, China has thoroughly changed its position on climate justice and climate governance. They have went from advocating for climate justice and for their right to industrialize to making global climate governance a key part of their national and international identity. The Green Belt and Road Initiative has been a key factor in how China now profiles itself. In this paper, I argue how the Green Belt and Road Initiative can play a role in China’s global climate leadership ambitions, but also highlight some of its flaws that could hinder it instead.Show less
This paper will try to answer why Iran is attempting to dominate the Iraqi political, military, and economic sphere in spite of international sanctions and isolation. The majority of scholars on...Show moreThis paper will try to answer why Iran is attempting to dominate the Iraqi political, military, and economic sphere in spite of international sanctions and isolation. The majority of scholars on the subject use defensive realist reasoning as their primary explanation for Iran’s behavior in the region. But this paper will prove that the real answer is much more complicated than that, and that the defensive camp is oversimplifying Iranian actions in Iraq. We need to take historical, cultural and religious aspects into the equation as well in order to produce a more holistic explanation for Iran’s behavior vis-à-vis Iraq. Once we do so, we will arrive at a conclusion that will shatter the perceived innocence of the consensus of the scholarly majority. Namely, Iran is not acting defensively. Instead, it is acting in line with constructivist theory, as it wants to export its revolutionary ideology abroad through the support of pro-Iran actors in the region. This means, as we will argue, that Iran is still ideologically committed to the spread of revolutionary Islam in the region, with the ultimate goal being the unification of the Muslim world. As we will prove later, this unification can and must be achieved by forming a pan-Islamic alliance to annihilate Israel under the guardianship of the Iranian Supreme Leader, as Khomeinist thinking goes. This will then supposedly lead to a strong, powerful, and independent Muslim world, free of Western influence.Show less
Deze scriptie gaat over het huwelijk en zijn invloeden op het leven van vrouwen in De Droom van de Rode Kamer. Het kijkt naar vier specifieke personages in de roman en vergelijkt dit met de...Show moreDeze scriptie gaat over het huwelijk en zijn invloeden op het leven van vrouwen in De Droom van de Rode Kamer. Het kijkt naar vier specifieke personages in de roman en vergelijkt dit met de werkelijkheid van vrouwen die in die tijd leefden.Show less
This paper examines the lived experiences of the sense of belonging of Dutch students with a migration background at Leiden University, next to the effects this perceived sense of belonging has on...Show moreThis paper examines the lived experiences of the sense of belonging of Dutch students with a migration background at Leiden University, next to the effects this perceived sense of belonging has on their well-being. Currently, the high immigration in the recent century has resulted in a significant part of the Dutch population having a migration background. In addition, this significant group has shown a trend in application to universities. This trend is met with numerous peculiarities, showing additional economic and social obstacles these students go through during their university time, influencing their sense of belonging. Where the sense of belonging has shown to greatly influence well-being and college success rates. By using a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative research design, focused on lived experiences using interviews, next to thorough revision of Leiden University policy, this study gives insight into the perception of a sense of belonging in Dutch students, next to showcasing the positive effects this has on the subjects. Through showing the potential positive effects on a sense of belonging, this study stresses the importance of active institutional policy in addressing marginalized groups. This finding is particularly evident in the case of adequate mentoring, offering guidance for students with a migration background has been found to improve their senses of belonging. Where the effects of this better sense of belonging have shown to improve students’ motivation, grades, and overall college success.Show less
