Representations of culture in EIL : Cultural representation in Swedish EFL textbooks

The English language has become an international language and is globally used as a lingua franca. Therefore, there has been a shift in English-language education toward teaching English as an interna-tional language (EIL). Teaching from the EIL paradigm means that English is seen as an international language used in communication by people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. As the approach to English-language education changes from the traditional native-speaker, target country context, so does the role of culture within English-language teaching. The aim of this thesis is to in-vestigate and analyse cultural representations in two Swedish EFL textbooks used in upper-secondary school to see how they correspond with the EIL paradigm. This is done by focusing on the geograph-ical origin of the cultural content as well as looking at what kinds of culture are represented in the textbooks. A content analysis of the textbooks is conducted, using Kachru’s Concentric Circles of English as the model for the analysis of the geographical origin. Horibe’s model of the three different kinds of culture in EIL is the model used for coding the second part of the analysis. The results of the analysis show that culture of target countries and "Culture as social custom" dominate the cultural content of the textbook. Thus, although there are some indications that the EIL paradigm has influ-enced the textbooks, the traditional approach to culture in language teaching still prevails in the ana-lysed textbooks. Because of the relatively small sample included in the thesis, further studies need to be conducted in order to make conclusions regarding the Swedish context as a whole.

The hand of God is over their hands (Q. 48:10) : on the notion of covenant in al-Ṭabarī’s account of Karbalāʾ

This article is an analysis of the story of the killing of Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī at Karbalāʾ in 61/680, as it is presented by Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad b. Jarīr al-Ṭabarī (d. 310/923). The main argument is that the notion of the divine covenant, which permeates the Qur’an, constitutes a framework through which al-Ṭabarī views this event. The Qur’anic idea of the covenant is read in structural/thematic continuity with the Hebrew Bible account of the covenant between Yahweh and the Hebrew people, which has, in turn, been traced back in its basic form to Late Bronze Era treaties between rulers and their vassals.   The present study focusses on four speeches ascribed to Ḥusayn during the encounter he and his group had with the vanguard of the Kūfan army led by al-Ḥurr. These are analysed in accordance with their use of Qur’anic covenant vocabulary. They are also categorised within the broader framework of the eight standard characteristics of Ancient West Asian and Biblical covenants, as presented by George Mendenhall and Gary Herion, which have recently been developed in a Qur’anic context by Rosalind Ward Gwynne. This article argues that al-Ṭabarī’s Karbalāʾ narrative presents the pact of loyalty to Ḥusayn as a clear extension of the divine covenant.

Two sources of Michael Polanyi`s prototypal notion of incommensurability: Evans-Pritchard on Azande witchcraft and St Augustine on conversion

Michael Polanyi argues in Personal Knowledge (1958) that conceptual frameworks involved in major scientific controversies are separated by a `logical gap'. Such frameworks, according to Polanyi (1958: 151), are logically disconnected: their protagonists think differently, use different languages and occupy different worlds. Relinquishing one framework and adopting another, Polanyi's scientist undergoes a `conversion' to a new `faith'. Polanyi, in other words, presaged Kuhn and Feyerabend's concept of incommensurability. To what influences was Polanyi subject as he developed his concept of the logical gap? The answer, as unfolded in this article, is twofold: Evans-Pritchard's Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande and the Confessions of St Augustine.

An aspect of mathematical understanding: the notion of 'connected knowing'

Much advice about teaching for understanding implies that teacher should help children to develop connections between aspects of their experience, knowledge, and skills. This paper outlines points from the literature about different types of connections and describes relevant points from four case study teachers said and did.

On the pathogenicity of culture : questioning the rationality of "development" programs for perpetually dysfunctional aboriginal groups

All Australian Aborigines have experienced the impact of Western culture to some extent which has resulted in the traditional cultures being irrevocably decimated. The reaction to the disintegration of traditional culture has been marked by a variety of outcomes. While some Aborigines have either accepted or reached a level of accommodation to the new order, others have responded in maladaptive ways. For some Aborigines, the disintegration of traditional culture and society has generated conflict, confusion and the disintegration of personality, which is conducive to the evolution of a dysfunctional group. It is the circumstances of and policy responses to dysfunctional Aboriginal groups, therefore, that is the concern of this article.

Trophic classification of non-perennial reservoirs utilized for the development of culture-based fisheries, Sri Lanka

The aim of this study was to check the suitability of some trophic models developed for temperate regions to classify the non-perennial reservoirs of Sri Lanka in order to manage culture-based fisheries of those reservoirs. A limnological study was carried out in 45 non-perennial reservoirs, which have been randomly selected for stocking of fish fingerlings for the development of culture-based fisheries. High total phosphorous (TP) content in relation to algal biomass indicates high non-algal turbidity in all reservoirs. Carlson's trophic state indices (TSI) measured on the basis of Secchi disc depth [TSI (SDD)], TP [TSI (TP)] and chlorophyll a [TSI (Chl-a)] show that the 45 reservoirs studied are characterized by TSI (TP) = TSI (SDD) > TSI (Chl-a), indicating that non-algal particulate matter or colour dominates underwater light attenuation. As TSI (Chl-a) is positively correlated to culture-based fisheries yield, it is useful for planning culture-based fisheries development strategies in non-perennial reservoirs of Sri Lanka, and has the potential to be used elsewhere in the tropics for comparable developments.

Notion of impaired practice in nursing : a radical feminist perspective

In this radical feminist investigation of impaired practice in nursing it is argued that prejudicial and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours deriving from racism, ageism and lesbian phobia constitute impaired practice in nursing. The author's vision is that society, of which nursing would be a part, would truly care for all, regardless of race, age or sexuality.

The philosophical notion of property

This thesis reveals the Being of man through the conditions which man creates for his own existence as the result of his level of apprehension of himself embodied in the social structure of society.

The decline of the notion of soul and the rise of the concept of self

This thesis examines the ethics of genetic engineering from the frame of reference of the human individual.

Societal constructions of the psycho-legal notion of mental impairment in Victoria

This thesis explored the factors relevant to decision-making when the defence of mental impairment is raised in Victoria. Findings indicate that disorder type, crime outcome, and the relationship between victim and offender were significantly associated with verdict decisions, while offender gender did not play a significant role in responsibility decisions. The portfolio discusses the role of co-morbid psychopathology in the assessment and treatment of veterans with chronic PTSD by presenting four case histories.

Study of culture and organisational change at a TAFE Institute

Barton Institute of Technical and Further Education, a metropolitan Victorian TAFE institute was chosen for the case study. The research methodology included designing and administering a survey and selecting a number of performance indicators.

Dies of culture and religion : India and Australia, from settlement to post/modern times

In historical sketches of India-Australia or Australia-India relations, the important dimensions of the cultural and religious connections from the shared colonial period and Gandhi's nationalist voice echoing in all corners of the Empire, through to the diasporic migration, settlement and temple culture, is largely overlooked. This essay intends the redress that absence in current research and contribute toward a critical appraisal of that rather 'esoteric' part of history, arguably still in its infancy. The story begins close to the early white settlement period to the aftermath of the events of 9/11 (2001 in New York) and Bali (2002). The focus will be on Hindus with some reference to Sikhs, Muslims, Sri Lankan Tamils, and migrants from the subcontinent, as the conduits for the particular Indian-Australian diasporic connection and 'spiritual diplomacy' being explored.