Fate of the middle classes,

Mode of access: Internet.

An enquiry into the duties of men in the higher and middle classes of society in Great Britain,

Mode of access: Internet.

A practical view of the prevailing religious system of professed Christians in the higher and middle classes in this country contrasted with real Christians /

Mode of access: Internet.

The Mount Vernon reader : a course of reading lessons selected with reference to their moral influence on the hearts and lives of the young, designed for middle classes /

Mode of access: Internet.

Massive inclusion of digital technologies in schools : Argentinian young adolescents? appropriation of computers and the Internet in popular and middle classes

Since the implementation of the Programa Conectar Igualdad (PCI) (Connecting Equality Program) in 2010 in Argentina, numerous Social Science specialists started to research how massive ICT introduction in schools would radically affect teaching and learning processes, knowledge building and youth behaviour. Nevertheless, there is still not much empirical evidence showing the ways in which these technologies are appropriated. This situation discloses the need of placing research questions locally situated with regard to those potential changes. What existing access methods does PCI encounter? And how does its implementation participate in the design of personal and family heterogeneous trajectories of ICTs appropriation? How do the students themselves perceive the infl uence of PCI on their own technologic abilities and competence? How do knowledge and aptitudes associated to new digital media articulate with the knowledge manners promoted by the school format and institutionalism? How does the massive introduction of netbooks affect the interaction among different school actors (students-teachers)? What happens in other sociability and socialization spaces, such as the house and cybercafé?

Global booms and busts: how is Brazil's middle class faring?

Brazil's Post War economic history has been marked by inflationary booms and busts, which kept large parts of the population poor, as income distribution remained highly skewed, and most governments failed to put enough efforts and resources into education and health. That seems to have changed recently, as an increasing number of studies have shown considerable advances in the incomes of the lower and the middle classes. This essay examines those findings and puts them into a historical perspective, discussing earlier attempts and hopes of Brazilian policy makers to advance the welfare of the population. It concludes that while the last fifteen years have been remarkable for the country to achieve macroeconomic stability and while the increasing efforts of supporting the poor seemed to have been moving income distribution slowly towards a more equal level, there is still a long way to go. The 2008 world financial crisis also hit Brazil hard, but the recovery has been smoother and faster than in any OECD country. The impact of the current crisis may provide a good test as to the robustness of the previous trends to further the wellbeing of the poor and the middle class

Neurasthénie sous influence? : l'appropriation d'une maladie «moderne» par les classes moyennes du Viêt Nam colonial (1925-1945)

Au tournant du XXe siècle, la neurasthénie – ou épuisement nerveux – est devenue une maladie populaire en Occident et jusqu’au Japon en raison de son association avec la modernité. De nombreux rapprochements ont été faits entre ce diagnostic introduit en 1869 aux États-Unis et certaines maladies contemporaines comme la dépression, le syndrome de fatigue chronique, l’épuisement professionnel et toute la panoplie des maladies causées par le stress. Les transformations socioculturelles qu’a connues le Viêt Nam sous colonisation, principalement au cours des décennies 1920 et 1930, ont été propices à la dissémination du langage des nerfs et à l’appropriation du diagnostic de neurasthénie. Ce mémoire de maîtrise en histoire se penche sur les transformations sociales survenues sous le gouvernement colonial français, dont l’urbanisation et l’instruction publique, au milieu desquelles ont émergé les nouvelles classes moyennes urbaines qui ont adopté le diagnostic de neurasthénie. À partir de la presse vietnamienne de la période, ce travail met l’accent sur l’appropriation, les causes et les traitements de la maladie. Utilisant une approche comparant la neurasthénie en Occident, au Japon et en Chine, pour ensuite présenter son entrée au Viêt Nam, il montre que la domination et donc la subalternité ont compliqué l’accès des colonisés au diagnostic de la maladie moderne neurasthénie, de même qu’à la modernité. Il fournit toutefois un éclairage sur les débuts de l’histoire du diagnostic, encore utilisé de nos jours au Viêt Nam, d’une maladie appelée « la maladie de l’époque ».

The urban middle class in the instability of new democracies

The recent revolts of the middle class in the national capitals of the Philippines and Thailand have raised a new question about democratic consolidation. Why would the urban middle class, which is expected to stabilize democracy, expel the democratically elected leaders through extra-constitutional action? This article seeks to explain such middle class deviation from democratic institutions through an examination of urban primacy and the change in the winning coalition. The authoritarian regime previously in power tended to give considerable favor to the primate city to prevent it revolting against the ruler, because it could have become a menace to his power. But after democratization the new administration shifts policy orientation from an urban to rural bias because it needs to garner support from rural voters to win elections. Such a shift dissatisfies the middle class in the primate city. In this article I take up the Philippines as a case study to examine this theory.

Estratégias de enfrentamento do cotidiano conjugal

Este estudo analisa estratégias de enfrentamento para a manutenção do casamento, utilizadas por mulheres casadas há mais de 15 anos e pertencentes a estratos econômicos médio e alto, para superação ou minimização de conflitos do cotidiano conjugal. Foram entrevistadas 20 mulheres utilizando roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturada. As entrevistas, gravadas e transcritas, foram analisadas utilizando-se a análise do discurso. Neste artigo analisaram-se as estratégias de ação referida pelas entrevistadas. Entre as mulheres prevaleceu o uso de estratégias diretas (oito), indiretas (quatro mulheres) ou o uso combinado de estratégias diretas e indiretas (oito mulheres). Entre seus maridos, as entrevistadas indicaram o uso de estratégias diretas (treze homens) ou uso combinado de estratégias diretas e indiretas (duas). Em cinco casos enfatizou-se o uso de estratégia indireta, principalmente o silêncio ou o adiamento da busca de solução dos problemas. A estratégia caracterizou-se como uma esperança projectual dessas mulheres de atingirem a superação da condição distópica na direção utópica. A desistência desse jogo implica a adoção de estratégias que assegurem um padrão de comunicação paradoxal no qual os cônjuges ao mesmo tempo que comunicam, evitam comunicar.

Problemas no casamento : uma análise qualitativa

O presente trabalho objetiva identificar e analisar os tipos de problemas vividos no casamento referidos por mulheres casadas há mais de 15 anos e pertencentes a estrato econômico médio e alto residentes na Grande Vitória, Espírito Santo. Foram entrevistadas 20 mulheres utilizando roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturada. As entrevistas, gravadas e transcritas, foram analisadas utilizando-se a análise do discurso. Foram relacionados dois grupos de problemas: os problemas referidos pelas entrevistadas e os problemas identificados pelas pesquisadoras. Os problemas refletem as mudanças ocorridas no cenário social que, ao incidirem sobre o casamento, resultam em alterações nas expectativas sociais quanto ao projeto de relação afetivo-sexual. De um projeto marcado por sua durabilidade assegurada mesmo antes do casamento, as novas formas de conjugalidade apontam para o caráter distópico das relações na qual a premissa de sua durabilidade é contestada mesmo antes do início do relacionamento.

Frequency of dermatophytes in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

In order to evaluate the distribution of dermatophytes in Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, they were isolated from the skin, hairs and nails samples and retrospectively analyzed from June 1981 to June 1995, in two different institutions in the city of Porto Alegre: (i) the Serviço de Micologia do Instituto de Pesquisas Biológicas Jandyr Maya Faillace, da Secretaria de Saúde e Meio Ambiente do Rio Grande do Sul which attends the low income population (low and middle classes) and, (ii) Laboratório Weinmann, a clinical pathology laboratory which attends predominantly the higher income population (middle and upper classes), both which attend in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre. The dermatophyte predominance of Trichophyton rubrum was confirmed (55.33%) followed by T. mentagrophytes (21.46%). The data obtained were compared with the existing prevalence data which were collected in the interior of the state over a period of 32 years (1960-1992). T. verrucosum, T. simii, Microsporum persicolor, T. schöenleinii, M. nanum and M. cookei were isolated in the interior and have not been found in the capital so far. On the other side, T. violaceum was, isolated in the capital and has not been found in the interior so far.

Prácticas festivas y formas de sociabilidad de y entre varones homosexuales (ciudad de córdoba, 1976-1986) Parties and Forms of Sociability between and among Male Homossexuals (City of Córdoba AR, 1976-1986)

El presente proyecto de investigación está interesado en explorar y describir determinadas formas de sociabilidad de varones de clase media auto definidos como homosexuales entre el inicio de la última dictadura (1976) y la formación de un circuito de discos y pubs gays en la ciudad de Córdoba durante el llamado “destape alfonsinista” (1986). La investigación contempla la descripción densa de dos series de prácticas de sociabilidad. Por una parte, se analizará la sociabilidad de varones homosexuales, especialmente de un conjunto de sujetos que desempeñaban determinadas profesiones como “decoradores”, “modistos”, “cocineros”, “anticuarios” y organizadores de fiestas, contratados por las elites locales y clases medias acomodadas para diseñar sus formas de diversión durante el período. ¿Cómo estos sujetos se relacionaban con quienes no forman parte del “ambiente” homosexual y cómo gestionaban el “secreto público” de su identidad erótico-sexual en sus relaciones con las elites cordobesas? El estudio de estas formas de sociabilidad homosexual escasamente trabajadas por la literatura internacional se relacionará con un análisis de las formas de sociabilidad entre varones homosexuales y la formación de un “ambiente”. Para ello se estudiarán espacios colectivos de socialización como baños públicos, plazas, calles, fiestas privadas, bares, boliches y saunas. Los códigos de comunicación verbal y gestual utilizados en esos espacios, y la caracterización de las redes de personas que componían el “ambiente” también serán objeto de análisis. Dado el carácter inicial de esta investigación, ya que no se cuenta con estudios previos para Córdoba, proponemos la siguiente hipótesis de tipo exploratorio en relación a las formas de sociabilidad de determinados varones homosexuales: Estos sujetos habrían asegurado su reproducción social tanto como la posesión de ciertos salvoconductos para el ejercicio de su identidad sociosexual produciendo fiestas de las elites locales. A partir de erigirse en árbitros del “buen gusto” dichos sujetos habrían asegurado ciertos privilegios, entre ellos “feminizar” sus gustos y producirse como “locas”. Dada las nuevas condiciones impuestas por la recuperación democrática, los salvoconductos se hicieron cada vez menos valiosos al mismo tiempo que se formaba una identidad “gay” que, aunque buscó distanciarse del modelo negativo de “la loca”, continuó reclamando su dominio sobre el “buen gusto”. De esta manera, el cultivo experto del “buen gusto” sería parte de las prácticas que organizaban las formas de sociabilidad de varones homosexuales con sujetos heterosexuales de las elites. En relación a las formas de sociabilidad entre homosexuales proponemos que durante la dictadura, “el ambiente” se habría organizado en torno a un circuito callejero y una territorialidad de eventos privados (fiestas negras). Las diferentes performances sociales desarrolladas en tales espacios formaron parte de prácticas que desafiaron el estado de sitio impuesto. Reprimidas por la dictadura, estas prácticas no podían formar parte de un consumo cultural mercantilizado. La recuperación democrática y los cambios en las políticas del Estado con relación a los derechos y los reclamos de las minorías articulados con la expansión de un mercado gay global, habrían producido un cambio en las formas de sociabilidad homosexual. El ejercicio de esta sociabilidad supuso cada vez más el consumo de ciertas mercancías culturales asociadas con “la noche”. Así, la formación de una identidad “gay”, como opuesta al modelo “loca/chongo” dominante hasta los años ´80, aparecería fuertemente relacionada con la formación y segmentarización de un mercado del entretenimiento nocturno. Para la recolección de datos se recurrirá a entrevistas focalizadas e historias de vida de sujetos que trabajaron dando forma a las prácticas de divertimento nocturno de las elites locales y participaron en las redes de personas que componían el “ambiente”. This research project aims at exploring and describing determined forms of sociability among middle class self-identified as homossexual males betwwen the beginning of the last dictatorial period (1976) and the establishment of a network of disco and gay pubs in Cordoba, AR, during the so called “destape alfonsinista” (1986). This research will deal with the thick description of two series of sociability practices. On the one hand, it will analyze male homossexuals sociability practices themselves, barely studied in international literature, mainly those of a set of subjects whose professional careers were those of interior decorators, dressmakers, kitchen chefs, antiquarians and party promoters hired by the local elites and upper middle classes to design their forms of leisure durign that period. On the other, we will deal with the forms of sociability between male homossexuals and the the set of a social environment. This rearch will study collective spaces of socialization such as restrooms, squares, streets, private parties, pubs, discos and saunas. The communication codes in those spaces, both verbal and gestural, as well as the description of the social networks componing that enviroment will also be considered. Focused interviews with and life histories of those who worked structuring night leisure local elite practices and were part of that environment social networks will be the main techniques used in data collection.

Review of Ireland's International Education Strategy 2013 - consultation Paper

Investing in Global Relationships: Ireland’s International Education Strategy 2010 – 2015 was published in September 2010. Significant progress has been made in implementing this strategy, to complement and support the work undertaken at institutional level: - A strong national brand is now in place: Education in Ireland, managed by Enterprise Ireland. - There is much closer alignment between education and immigration policies. - A new Government of Ireland Scholarship has been established, managed by the Higher Education Authority. - An International Education Marketing Fund has been developed which allows institutions to collaborate in Enterprise Ireland- led national marketing initiatives. - Promotional efforts are taking place in the priority markets of the USA, Brazil, China, India, SE Asia and the Gulf. Ministers have visited each of the priority markets in the last two years. - Ireland is participating at national level in major international scholarship schemes such as Science Without Borders (Brazil) and the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme (Saudi Arabia). - Statutory provision is now in place for an international education mark and code of practice, which will be rolled out in 2014 by Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQI). - International student numbers have risen in priority sectors: 14% growth in the English language sector and 9% growth in higher education since 2010. - Ireland’s international education offering has also diversified, including with increasingly significant levels of cross- border provision. However, global demand for education continues to change rapidly. There continues to be a massive expansion in demand for education around the world, particularly in emerging markets with growing middle classes.

IRELAND AND LATIN AMERICA: A CULTURAL HISTORY

According to Declan Kiberd, “postcolonial writing does not begin only when the occupier withdraws: rather it is initiated at that very moment when a native writer formulates a text committed to cultural resistance.” The Irish in Latin America – a continent emerging from indigenous cultures, colonisation, and migrations – may be regarded as colonised in Ireland and as colonisers in their new home. They are a counterexample to the standard pattern of identities in the major English-speaking destinations of the Irish Diaspora. Using literary sources, the press, correspondence, music, sports, and other cultural representations, in this thesis I search the attitudes and shared values signifying identities among the immigrants and their families. Their fragmentary and wide-ranging cultures provide a rich context to study the protean process of adaptation to, or rejection of, the new countries. Evolving from oppressed to oppressors, the Irish in Latin America swiftly became ingleses. Subsequently, in order to join the local middle classes they became vaqueros, llaneros, huasos, and gauchos so they could show signs of their effective integration to the native culture, as seen by the Latin American elites. Eventually, some Irish groups separated from the English mainstream culture and shaped their own community negotiating among Irishness, Englishness, and local identities in Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Cuba, and other places in the region. These identities were not only unmoored in the emigrants’ minds but also manoeuvred by the political needs of community and religious leaders. After reviewing the major steps and patterns of Irish migration to Latin America, the thesis analyses texts from selected works, offers a version of how the settlers became Latin Americans or not, and elucidates the processes by which a new Irish-Latin American hybrid was created.

Vulgariser les sciences sans l'appui des savants. Jean Lanteires et le Journal de Lausanne (1786-1792)

Popularizing science without the support of scholars. Jean Lanteires and the Journal de Lausanne (1786-1792). - Founded in 1786 by Jean Lanteires, the Journal de Lausanne is a widespread, weekly journal with the express aim of disseminating scientific knowledge among the lower and middle classes. Its articles are easily comprehensible and cover a wide range of topics from literature to agriculture, from natural sciences to charity. Considerable space is given to reader's questions and comments. The journal can be situated somewhere between an almanac and a scientific journal. Lanteires' attempt to solicit contributions from scholars of medicine and natural sciences received a dismissive response. Of the few articles written by specialists, the majority deal with agriculture and charity. Lanteires' difficult relationship with the scholarly community is reflected in the journal's content. This makes the Journal de Lausanne a privileged observatory for studying the social context of the vulgarization process in late-eighteenth-century Switzerland and Europe.