Theses and Dissertations
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Item A comparison of ethical models for conflict resolution in the African context(University of Fort Hare, 2008) Muyingu, MbanguRemarkably little research has been done about the potential of ethical models for violent conflict resolution in the African context. I will argue here that ethical models such as Utilitarianism, Deontologism, Virtue ethics, and African ethics can exert influence to help resolve conflict situations peacefully for the sake of African civilians generally and the DRC civilians in particular. This influence firstly becomes visible in the fact that ethical models can guide conflict resolution attempts to bring about conditions of peace, ' justice and freedom among African civilians in whichever nations state they find themselves. Secondly, ethical models can be established in the resolution of conflict for a lasting peace in the African context, and lastly, ethical models can be proposed as a guideline for all African leaders to lead their countries in peaceItem A study of classroom interaction in an English second language class in five selected schools in the Libode education district: South Africa.(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Ncube, ChristopherThis study investigated the classroom interaction types used by teachers in their ESL classrooms in five selected schools in the Libode District of Education. The study was premised on the constructivist principles propounded by Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner. The constructivist theory upholds that learners should be responsible for their own learning by being actively involved in their own learning, and the teacher’s role is that of being a facilitator. The study employed a qualitative approach where ten teachers were interviewed. The researcher also made classroom observations in order to establish the interaction types used by the teachers furthermore, the researcher analysed the lesson plan of each teacher to find out how teachers prepared for classroom interaction. The results showed that the teachers were using both the traditional and the modern classroom interaction types when teaching ESL. Another aspect that the results revealed was that the teachers were the only ones who posed questions to the learners. The study established that the classrooms were made of big numbers rendering ineffective interaction between the teachers and the learners. Furthermore, the study revealed that teachers were not reflecting on their practices in order to improve their interaction skills. The researcher recommended that the teachers should espouse the constructivist approach in their classes so as to allow the learners to explore knowledge and discover content with the teachers’ guidance. The researcher also recommended that more classes should be built by the Department of Education so as to ease congestion in the classroom. The involvement of learners in the classroom was deemed necessary and the study recommended that the teachers should encourage the learners to ask and answer questions during classroom interaction.Item Dreams, sexuality and fantasy: a psychoanalytic reading of K. Sello Duiker’s novel(University of Fort Hare, 2013) Kirton-Els, TeneilleThe primary aim of this thesis is to provide a text-based literary study exploring the characters and themes created by K. Sello Duiker in the three novels, Thirteen Cents, The Quiet Violence of Dreams and The Hidden Star. Duiker’s work is significant because it highlights prominent societal challenges prevalent in post-apartheid society. By analysing Duiker’s novels one acquires a better understanding of this author, an understanding of the world that contributed to the creation of his texts and his contribution to South African literature. Insight into Duiker’s fictional world allows for a careful investigation of the prominent societal issues prevalent in Duiker’s work - a world riddled with violence, issues of sexuality and psychological distress. For this purpose this thesis is premised on the notion that underpinning K. Sello Duiker’s oeuvre is a central focus on dreams, sexuality and fantasy. Logically, therefore, the main focus of the study is specifically on the inner working of the characters’ minds and how they deal/ or are unable to cope with contemporary social concerns, often resulting in psychological turmoil and dysfunctionality. For this reason, prominent themes examined in this study are the interpretation of dreams, an exploration of sexuality and an examination of fantasy in the three novels. Psychoanalytic literary theory, with the main focus being specifically on the theories presented by Sigmund Freud is used as an analytic tool to read Duiker’s texts. Psychoanalytic theory is arguably the most appropriate for analysing Duiker’s novels as it allows one to investigate the characters’ psyches and the psychological effect of societal influences on these characters. In addition, one is also able to examine how the characters are able/ unable to deal with the trauma caused by the contemporary issues in society – issues of violence, sexuality and psychological distress. Thus, one is able to grasp an overall understanding of the characters’ behaviour and actions. Furthermore, the characters’ experiences are based on the behaviour and incidents of real people, people suffering from psychological dysfunctionality, sexuality issues and identity crisis. The first chapter discusses post-apartheid literature, and provides a brief background on Duiker, his works and his conception as a writer. Chapter two provides an overview of psychoanalytic theory and on the relevant theories of Sigmund Freud. Chapter three offers a reading of Thirteen Cents, a novel that pays particular attention to the lives of children living on the streets of Cape Town. In the next chapter The Quiet Violence of Dreams is examined with a special focus on Duiker’s experimentation with form in the construction of this novel. Aspects pertaining to sexuality and dreams are also examined. Chapter five pays particular attention to magical realism and fantasy in The Hidden Star.