List of Titles

"Morality and authority in existential praxis"

Authors: Praeg, Leonhard
Date: 2006
Subjects: Hooks, Bell Teacher-student relationships Education, Higher Knowledge, Sociology of Universities and colleges Educational change College teaching|xPhilosophy
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
Identifier: vital:1928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007593
Description: In this study I am concerned with understanding how the emergence of participatory or, broadly understood, existential approaches to education has shifted the nature of the student/lecturer relationship. Historically, the difference was represented through the in loco parentis trope which contains implicit understandings as to the nature of the lecturer's authority and the ethical parameters of the relationship. With the emergence of more participatory approaches this relationship and its constitutive elements have to be re-imagined. In the first chapter I place this enquiry in the contemporary context in which the very identity of the university is changing as a result of massification and the accountability regime. In the second chapter I look at bell hooks' pedagogy as an example of such a participatory approach to education at higher education institutions. I describe her practice as a deconstructive pedagogy that is as powerful as it is because of the operation of a difference constitutive of it. In the third chapter I ask whether representing this difference in terms of the pre-modern master/apprentice offers a useful response to the questions raised by an existential praxis.
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Date Issued: 2006

A longitudinal study of the occupational aspirations and perceptions of nine to thirteen year-old South African children

- Hargreaves, Robyn Leigh

Authors: Hargreaves, Robyn Leigh
Date: 2006
Subjects: Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Children aspirations , Personality and occupation
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:9935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/520 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011709 , Vocational interests -- Research -- South Africa , Children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Children aspirations , Personality and occupation
Description: While the field of career psychology has shifted its attention to the study of career development, the developmental stage of childhood has often been neglected. Similarly, there is an absence of career research of a longitudinal nature, despite consistent calls to focus more on longitudinal methods when studying career development. The present study forms part of an existing longitudinal project which investigates the career development of South African children. This study, initiated in 1998, attempts to explore the occupational aspirations and gender stereotypes of a group of 39 children in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The results from this study will provide much needed baseline information on how South African children become aware of careers, as well as provide useful suggestions on how to develop career education syllabi, particularly within the Life Orientation curriculum. The present study aims to explore and describe the changes that may occur in the participants’ occupational aspiration interest typology, status levels, and gender stereotypes over a five year period. Both developmental and career developmental theories were used to provide a theoretical context from which the participants’ career development could be explored. The study is quantitative in nature as it made use of semi-structured interviews and a biographical questionnaire in order to quantitatively transcribe the data. The questionnaire consisted of four broad questions which asked for information regarding the participants’ occupational aspirations, how much information the participants had about the chosen occupation, the number of occupations the participants knew about, and the extent to which the participants held gender stereotypes regarding fourteen different occupations. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the findings of the data which had been coded according to Holland’s typology of occupations. In addition, content analysis was performed to elicit themes regarding the participants’ own reflections on their career development. Results from the data analysis revealed that the majority of participants aspired to Social type occupations throughout the five years under study. Furthermore, most participants consistently aspired to high status occupations throughout the five years. Similar results were found for girls and boys. The results also demonstrated that the participants’ gender stereotypes tended to decrease over time, particularly as their occupational information increased. Lastly, most children were able to reflect on their career development and attributed changes in their occupational aspirations to changes in their interests. The results from this study offer insight into the development of occupational aspirations and perceptions of South African children which can be used as a foundation for future research and which should be valuable in the development of relevant career education programmes for South African schools.
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Date Issued: 2006

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"The wife of Lucifer" : women and evil in Charles Dickens

- Ebelthite, Candice Axell

Authors: Ebelthite, Candice Axell
Date: 2002
Subjects: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 -- Characters -- Women Evil in literature Women in literature
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
Identifier: vital:2189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002231
Description: This thesis examines Dickens's presentation of evil women. In the course of my reading I discovered that most of the evil women in his novels are mothers, or mother-figures, a finding which altered the nature of my interpretation and led to closer examination of these characters, rather than the prostitutes and criminals who may have been viewed negatively by Nineteenth century society and thereby condemned as evil. Among the many unsympathetically portrayed mothers and mother-figures in Dickens's works, the three that are most interesting are Lady Dedlock, Miss Havisham, and Mrs Skewton. Madame Defarge initiates the discussion, however, as a seminal figure among the many evil women in the novels. Psychoanalytical and socio-historic readings grounded in Nineteenth century conceptions of womanhood provide background material for this thesis. Though useful and informative, however, these areas of study are not sufficient in themselves. The theory that shapes the arguments of this thesis is defined by Steven Cohan, who argues strongly that the demand for psychological coherence as a requisite of character obscures the imaginative power of character as textual construct, and who both refutes and develops character theory as it is argued by Baruch Hochman. Cohan's theory is also finally closer to that outlined by Thomas Docherty, who provides a complex reading of character as ultimately "unknowable".
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Date Issued: 2002

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Effects of sustained elevated CO₂ concentration on two cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

- Siphugu, Mashudu Victor

Authors: Siphugu, Mashudu Victor
Date: 1997
Subjects: Barley Barley -- Growth Photosynthesis -- Research Plants -- Effect of carbon dioxide on
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
Identifier: vital:4226 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003795
Description: The enormous burning of fossil fuel and deforestation have caused an increase in the atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) during the last century. This will invariably have profound direct and indirect effects on plant carbon metabolism. The majority of research on the effects of CO₂ enrichment on plants are short-term and are done on other crops, but very little have been done on barley. This project aimed to determine the effects of long-term CO₂ enrichment on photosynthesis, growth and grain yield on barley. Hordeum vulgare L. cvs Stirling and Schooner plants were grown from seeds in controlled environment chambers at ambient (350) and elevated (600) μmol molˉ¹ [CO₂]. Measurements of net assimilation rate (NAR), photosynthetic pigments content and growth parameters were started 7 days after germination (DAG) and continued until senescence. The anatomy of matured fully developed leaves was also monitored. Elevated [CO₂l resulted in an increase in NAR in the two cultivars from days 7 until 14, after which the stimulation of NAR of CO₂-enriched plants started to decrease. At the onset of senescence, NAR was almost equal in plants grown under both ambient and elevated [CO₂]. The response of assimilation as a function of internal [CO₂l (C₁) at the end of the experimental period showed a significant decrease in both the initial slope of the A/C₁ curves and the CO₂-saturated photosynthetic rates in the two cultivars. Stirling showed no significant changes in the content of chlorophyll α,chlorophyll б or in total carotenoids. However, Schooner showed a stimulation in chlorophyll α content at day 7, but decreased at day 28. Chlorophyll б and total carotenoids content were not affected by CO₂ enrichment. While total above-ground biomass was not affected by elevated [CO₂] in the two cultivars, total plant height decreased significantly after 14 days in Stirling whereas no significant change occurred in Schooner throughout the experimental period. Leaf area was not significantly affected by CO₂ enrichment in the two cultivars although the leaves in CO₂ enriched plants were slightly shorter. Anatomical studies reveal that leaf thickness was significantly increased by CO₂ enrichment in Stirling, but the increase was not significant in Schooner. Both cultivars did not show any significant effect on chloroplast morphology and ultrastructure as a consequence of elevated CO₂ exposure. No signs of starch accumulation were evident in variety Schooner, but Stirling showed some form of starch accumulation, under increased atmospheric [CO₂]. Elevated CO₂ resulted in a significant reduction by more than 50 % in the number of grain yield per plant in both Stirling and Schooner. Results from this study therefore indicate that CO₂ enrichment will not be beneficial in terms of growth and yield in this important crop.
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Date Issued: 1997

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The role of student writing in learning in zoology

- Moore, Robin Stanley

Authors: Moore, Robin Stanley
Date: 1996
Subjects: Zoology -- Study and teaching Communication in science -- Study and teaching Science -- Study and teaching
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
Identifier: vital:1752 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003636
Description: In this study I attempt to develop a rationale for the role of student writing in advancing learning in Zoology. To this end, I use the informed and insightful voices of five academics from the University of Cape Town's Department of Zoology to present a picture of the goals of the discipline, how they view the role that student writing plays in advan~ing these goals, a sense of the tensions they face in dealing with student diversity, and the promise and challenges of innovative approaches. My interest in how staff view student writing stems from a belief that staff make use of student writing in different ways, depending on their assumptions about writing. I explore these assumptions by means of interviews with members of staff, in which I ask about how they understand the pursuit of science, the qualities a scientist needs to develop, the best ways to develop these qualities in students, and the part that student writing plays in this development. What emerges in this study is the understanding that the kinds of writing we ask students to do reflect the forms of educational practice that we sustain. On the one hand, certain forms of writing may support forms of transmission pedagogy that are viewed as being at odds with progressive science education. On the other hand, if we are to develop alternative teaching approaches which are in keeping with contemporary views of science and learning, then we need to develop new genres of student writing that give expression to these goals and methods. The study concludes with suggested avenues into curriculum review that would operationalise the insights developed by this study.
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Date Issued: 1996

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A cost-benefit analysis of electricity supply in a developing country, with reference to Venda

- Themeli, Tshimangadzo Booi

Authors: Themeli, Tshimangadzo Booi
Date: 1992
Subjects: Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Venda , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Venda , Cost effectiveness , Electrification -- Cost effectiveness
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
Identifier: vital:1022 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002757 , Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Venda , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Venda , Cost effectiveness , Electrification -- Cost effectiveness
Description: This study concentrates specificaUy on assessing those elements of private and external costs and benefits which need to be accounted for in analyzing the role of electricity supply in a developing region. To facilitate this aim, three interrelated questions are addressed. The first question examines the reasons why a critical need for electrification in developing areas exists. In this regard, a selective review of the literature on development economics is offered, illuminating the previous neglect of the rural dimension in development and the associated problems of poverty and inequality, a lack of infrastructure and the general inability to fulfill basic needs. The second question is devoted exclusively to an economic analysis of the supply of electricity in developing areas. A broad theoretical review on whether an unregulated or regulated (private or public) sector should be responsible for the provision of electrification is presented. This evaluation highlights the various welfare implications and efficiency considerations that appear to be relevant in the present context. The final question, which constitutes the central proposition of the thesis, establishes how electrification should be supplied in developing areas. To this end, the conditions specific to a region in Venda are discussed. An attempt is made to identify the private and external costs and benefits relating to electricity supply and the corresponding costs and benefits pertaining to alternative sources of energy. Since the incidence and nature of these costs and benefits could only be ascertained from individual households, it was deemed necessary to undertake a questionnaire study of residents in Makwarela township and its periurban settlement of Lufule-Tshisele. A number of basic trends were evident from the research results. As far as the various benefits are concerned, respondents tended to place a much higher value on both the private and external benefits associated with electricity than its alternatives. At the same time, the survey found that although the private (or monetary) cost of electricity far exceeded the corresponding cost of alternative energy sources, the external costs were significant in the case of alternative energy sources, but virtually non-existent in the case of electricity. On the whole, the Venda survey seems to suggest that an economic case can be made for involving the broader community in subsidising the supply of electricity in Makwarela, Lufule-Tshisele and other areas. While such a subsidy can perhaps be justified on distribution grounds alone, and more specifically in terms of the rapid and pronounced effect it is likely to have on the quality of life in the region, its real worth lies in the fact that it may confer certain external benefits on the community.
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Date Issued: 1992

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The attitudes and perceptions of secondary school pupils in Transkei towards geography: a case study of the Butterworth district

- Sarpong, Emmanuel

Authors: Sarpong, Emmanuel
Date: 1992
Subjects: Students, Black -- South Africa -- Attitudes Geography -- South Africa -- Transkei -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
Identifier: vital:1425 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003306
Description: Considerable attention has in recent times been given to the attitudes of secondary school pupils towards Geography among black schools in South Africa. Many reasons account for this. It is partly because of the poor results and falling numbers of pupils in the discipline. Concern has also been expressed on the relevance of the Geography syllabus to the black pupils. Evidence suggests that these problems are evident in Transkei. The need therefore exists to assess pupils' attitudes towards Geography in Transkei. Arising from this background, this study sets out to assess the attitudes of secondary school pupils in Transkei towards Geography. Two hundred and thirty four pupils from eight urban and rural secondary schools in the Butterworth District of the Republic of Transkei were used in the study. Attitudes were measured in terms of "interest in Geography", "desire to study the discipline", "commitment to Geography" and the perceived relevance of the discipline. Through the use of techniques such as percentages, chi-square and principal component analysis - among others - for the analysis of the data, the following information emerged from the study: (1) Geography is generally perceived as being worthy of study; (2) Differences in responses were noted to result from a complex of factors which were grouped into home environmental factors and school environmental ones. (3) The major factor influencing attitudes towards Geography was noted to be home environmental conditions.In general pupils from lower income families expressed more positive views about the worth of Geography than those from the upper income families. From the above findings, it has been proposed that teachers and educational planners need to be made aware of these findings as they are important for classroom practice. It has also been recommended that there is a need to improve certain school practices such as taking pupils on Geography excursions more often as factors such as this were shown to improve pupils' attitudes towards the discipline.
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Date Issued: 1992

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The theory of economic underdevelopment and its applicability to the Rhodesian economy

- Clarke, Duncan G, 1948-

Authors: Clarke, Duncan G, 1948-
Date: 1969
Subjects: Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Honours , BCom
Identifier: vital:1114 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014691
Description: According to the canons of conventional economic philosophy the process of economic interpretation should be value neutral and strictly fall within the bounds of normative science. This approach is concerned not with goal setting but only with the technical possibilities of alternative means of successful tactics in a given overall strategy. It is the author's thesis that such premises patently ignore the fundamental truths of development problems, and that there exists a genuine need to bridge the gap that demarcates theory from practicality and truth from illusion. To seek "development" implies a challenge to the "status quo" of menial existence and perpetual servitude to the inhospitable forces of ones own environment. This attitude is in itself a value judgement, and in underdeveloped societies it is more than a mere academic quibble. Accordingly, this paper not only implicitly assumes "development" to be a desirable goal but also that it is necessary, and the objective of this study of an underdeveloped community shall be to examine the theoretical relevance, or otherwise, of general and partial theories of underdevelopment against the quantitative and qualitative evidence of the course of events that have in the past, and are likely in the future, to influence the development of the "Rhodesian economy".
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Date Issued: 1969

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The meaning and connotation of the root [Hebrew characters] in the Old Testament

- Craig, Glen Stuart

Authors: Craig, Glen Stuart
Date: 1964
Subjects: Hebrew language -- Roots , Bible -- Criticism, Textual
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
Identifier: vital:1292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014717
Description: In Chapter One, mention is made of certain features of Old Testament study which should be kept in view in any study such as this. e.g. The Old Testament is a book about God and His relation to man. It is essentially practical in its thought. The conception of Corporate Personality was very fully developed in Israel, and needs to be borne in mind, particularly for an understanding of pre-exilic Israel. Then, too, the Old Testament Is not homogenous in thought, but is virtually a library of books by different authors, written at different times, and in different circumstances. Chapter Two begins with a brlef survey of the relation of the Hebrew root [Hebrew characters] to other Semitic languages with basic connotations. ThIs is followed by a long and detailed analysis of the use of the root [Hebrew characters] in the Old Testament. In this section, the use of the various grammatical forms - the Verb (Qal, Pi'ēl and Riph'îl), Adjective and Noun, are examined with reference to men and animals, in their metaphorical use and in certain set phrases. Throughout an attempt is made, according the context, to differentiate between its use with the following connotations: being animated, purely physical existence, activity, revival from ill- health, revival from death, and general prosperIty and welfare. The section is concluded with a brief analysis of some words used as parallels to the root [Hebrew characters]. Bearing in mind that the main purpose of this thesis is to try to discover whether, as used in the Old Testament, the root has any deeper significance, an examination is made in Chapter Three of its use in the context of various relationships. After touching briefly on relationships of animals, a detailed study is made of relationships entered into by man; first in a general sense and then more specifically in the context of Election, Covenant, Cultus and Holy Places, as governed by the Torah and finally, as enjoined by Wisdom teachlng. Although relationships between men and other men, and between men and animals, are discussed, the main emphasis is always on the relationship between man and God. The conclusion drawn is that the root [Hebrew characters] is used to denote an intimate relationship between God and man - a relationship though, in which God is by far the more senior partner. Chapter Four is a brief study of the development of a belief in an After-Life in the Old Testament, emphasizing only those aspects which are relevant to the purpose of this Thesis. A brief description of early beliefs in an After-Life is followed by a discussion of tho Prophetic influence and the resistance to any such belief until after the Exile. Post-exilic developments, which took the Hebrews almost to the point of belief in a life after death, are discussed under the headings: "The Problem of Reward and Retribution" and "The Religious need for God". Finally a brief examination is made of the two late passages in the Old Testament where definite reference is made to a life after death. The Root, [Hebrew characters], it is concluded, is used to describe the deepest of all experiences of men - everlasting fellowship with God.
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Date Issued: 1964

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