A Divine Round Trip: the Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John

The thesis of this dissertation is that the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif, which includes the language of not only descending and ascending, but also going, coming, and being sent, performs a significant literary and christological function in the Gospel of John. The Evangelist's Descent/Ascent Leitmotif becomes the Gospel's organizing principal, drawing together a constellation of verbs and a number of themes, including Jesus-Son's origin, identity, relationship to God, authority, signs and works, life, and glory. In the introductory chapter, after providing a layout of the dissertation, the discussion turns to the spacial dimensions and christological importance of the vertical and horizontal depictions of the descending, ascending, coming, going, and being sent verbs. The focus of chapter two is to explain and illustrate, using a version of the Cinderella story, a method that serves to identify the Leitmotif and the verbs, motifs, and themes the Leitmotif draws within its constellation. This approach, titled a thematic structural method, integrates works from thematic scholars Horst Daemmrich and Eugene Falk with works from literary structural scholars A. J Greimas and Roland Barthes, and is a tool to analyze the influence of the Leitmotif as the Gospel's organizing principal on the relationships between the Leitmotif and numerous themes from which John's Christology emerges. The task of chapter three is to explain the rationale for the selection of the Leitmotif's verbs of descending, ascending, coming, going, and being sent. Chapters four and five investigate how the Evangelist, with the repetition of the Leitmotif, constructs his narrative to tell the story of the historical Jesus and shape the Evangelist's Christology. Additionally, the focus is to analyze the transforming influences of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif on the themes of Jesus-Son's origin, identity, relationship to the Father, and authority, through his signs and works, life, and glory. The Descent/Ascent Leitmotif depicts a divine round trip, and the emphasis of chapter six is to examine the role of the Leitmotif in Jesus-Son's departure from the world and return to God. The Evangelist's use of the Leitmotif in Jesus' prayer to the Father (John 17) and the promise of the Paraclete are included in this chapter. Due to the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif's inherent spatial overtones, elements related to Jesus' return, including heaven, world, the hour, and his form after his resurrection, are explored from a cosmological and ontological perspective.

Contradicciones del significado de la actividad físico-deportiva en las identidades corporales de las chicas adolescentes

Dentro de la estructura de género que impone la construcción social del cuerpo femenino, el sentimiento de inadecuación del propio cuerpo parece caracterizar la configuración de las identidades corporales femeninas en la adolescencia, motivando que la relación que establecen muchas chicas jóvenes con la actividad físico-deportiva sea compleja y a menudo problemática. Siguiendo un enfoque feminista post-estructuralista, este trabajo se centra en tres conflictos: 1) La actividad física para perder peso, instrumentalizada dentro de los discursos para alcanzar el ideal de belleza o luchar contra la obesidad; 2) El límite socialmente construido para las chicas deportistas entre lo que se considera un tono muscular atractivo y un cuerpo excesivamente musculoso; 3) Los procesos de sexualización y ansiedad física social debido a la exposición del cuerpo a una mirada masculina no deseada en diferentes contextos de práctica físico-deportiva.

The European Court of Justice and process-oriented review. Research Paper in Law, 01/2012

Structuralism is a theory of U.S. constitutional adjudication according to which courts should seek to improve the decision-making process of the political branches of government so as to render it more democratic.1 In words of John Hart Ely, courts should exercise their judicial-review powers as a ‘representation-reinforcing’ mechanism.2 Structuralism advocates that courts must eliminate the elements of the political decision-making process that are at odds with the structure set out by the authors of the U.S. Constitution. The advantage of this approach, U.S. scholars posit, lies in the fact that it does not require courts to second-guess the policy decisions adopted by the political branches of government. Instead, they limit themselves to enforcing the constitutional structure within which those decisions must be adopted. Of course, this theory of constitutional adjudication, like all theories, has its shortcomings. For example, detractors of structuralism argue that it is difficult, if not impossible, to draw the dividing line between ‘substantive’ and ‘structural’ matters.3 In particular, they claim that, when identifying the ‘structure’ set out by the authors of the U.S. Constitution, courts necessarily base their determinations not on purely structural principles, but on a set of substantive values, evaluating concepts such as democracy, liberty and equality. 4 Without claiming that structuralism should be embraced by the ECJ as the leading theory of judicial review, the purpose of my contribution is to explore how recent case-law reveals that the ECJ has also striven to develop guiding principles which aim to improve the way in which the political institutions of the EU adopt their decisions. In those cases, the ECJ decided not to second-guess the appropriateness of the policy choices made by the EU legislator. Instead, it preferred to examine whether, in reaching an outcome, the EU political institutions had followed the procedural steps mandated by the authors of the Treaties. Stated simply, I argue that judicial deference in relation to ‘substantive outcomes’ has been counterbalanced by a strict ‘process review’. To that effect, I would like to discuss three recent rulings of the ECJ, delivered after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, where an EU policy measure was challenged indirectly, i.e. via the preliminary reference procedure, namely Vodafone, Volker und Markus Schecke and Test-Achats.5 Whilst in the former case the ECJ ruled that the questions raised by the referring court disclosed no factor of such a kind as to affect the validity of the challenged act, in the latter cases the challenged provisions of an EU act were declared invalid.

Pensar las ciencias sociales desde América Latina ante el cambio de época

Herederas de propuestas disciplinarias originales, como la teoría de la dependencia -y sus posteriores críticas desde el marxismo-, o del pensamiento socioeconómico de la CEPAL, las ciencias sociales latinoamericanas toman distancia de enfoques anglo-euro-céntricos, para avanzar en una línea crítica del pensamiento y de las prácticas neocolonialistas. El desafío para el pensamiento es ser cosmopolita y simultáneamente latinoamericano. En este proceso, el pensamiento social latinoamericano está logrando recuperar su originalidad y vigor, gracias a un rico diálogo Sur-Sur que no pierde de vista el carácter global de sus reflexiones y de sus referentes universales. Aunque ni el marxismo clásico ni el occidental son hegemónicos dentro de la teoría crítica, el (neo)marxismo enriquecido con la crítica a la colonialidad del poder, la teoría del Sistema-mundo, la geopolítica crítica y la ecología política recuperan el campo de la teoría crítica en clave fundadora de un pensamiento de época. Sus debates epistemológicos con el post-estructuralismo y diversos enfoques posmodernos configuran los desarrollos recientes de la teoría crítica.

Ring Out Your Dead : Distribution, form, and function of iron amulets in the late Iron Age grave fields of Lovö

The purpose of this study is to analyze the distribution, forms, and function(s) of iron amulets deposited in the late Iron Age gravefields of Lovö, with the goal of ascertaining how (and so far as possible why) these objects were utilized in rituals carried out during and after burials. Particular emphasis is given to re-interpreting the largest group of iron amulets, the iron amulet rings, in a more relational and practice-focused way than has heretofore been attempted. By framing burial analyses, questions of typology, and evidence of ritualized actions in comparison with what is known of other cult sites in Mälardalen specifically– and theorized about the cognitive landscape(s) of late Iron Age Scandinavia generally– a picture of iron amulets as inscribed objects made to act as catalytic, protective, and mediating agents is brought to light.

HERMENÊUTICA DA SEXTA LANÇA: DARCY RIBEIRO E A IDENTIDADE RELIGIOSA DOS BRASILEIROS

A busca pela identidade religiosa dos brasileiros a partir do olhar de Darcy Ribeiro constitui o desafio que empreendemos neste trabalho. Trata-se de perceber o sentido de ser humano no mundo tempo e espaço do ponto de vista do religioso e do obscuro, mediante as narrativas de Darcy. Embora uma investigação como essa pudesse ocorrer pelos múltiplos caminhos das ciências e seus fundamentos, decidimos pela via das Ciências da Religião. A partir dos escritos de Darcy, vamos oferecer informações novas quanto à perspectiva religiosa no Brasil conforme se deu e ainda ocorre. Paradoxalmente, este antropólogo que sempre se afirmou ateu nos oferece algumas novas intuições que ampliam nossas conceituações no domínio das Ciências da Religião. Por não encontrarmos uma sistematização sobre a linguagem religiosa no pensamento de Darcy, buscamos estabelecer uma aproximação com a filosofia hermenêutica de Paul Ric ur. A noção de identidade narrativa, segundo Ricoeur, foi o elemento metodológico fundamental na articulação hermenêutica das intuições sobre o religioso em Darcy. Esta identidade narrativa encontra no trabalho da memória e na polissemia do símbolo outras formas de diálogo e enriquecimento da discussão. A articulação heurística, fruto de nossa intuição, nos permitirá revelar a identidade religiosa dos brasileiros pelo viés hermenêutico. A presente tarefa é efetuada com o olhar nas confissões de Darcy, no panorama histórico-religioso eivado de entrecruzamentos espirituais das diversas matrizes e do ambiente atual, particularmente complexo, existente no Brasil. Para nós, a obra de Darcy Ribeiro contribui de maneira coerente à expansão dos estudos em Ciências da Religião e sugere, de igual modo, a identidade religiosa dos brasileiros em fazimento. Darcy Ribeiro parte da antropologia, mas não se restringe à perspectiva do puro estruturalismo, desenvolvendo uma espécie de antropologia dialética em discussão com a filosofia. Esta pesquisa procura situar também a identidade religiosa dos brasileiros, apesar da cegueira que afeta o tecido religioso, marcado pelo radicalismo, pelo fundamentalismo e o conservadorismo. Para evidenciar melhor essa identidade, utilizamos duas metáforas: sexta lança e bricolagem, ambas alinhadas com o olhar de Darcy. A inusitada interpretação e busca da identidade religiosa dos brasileiros segundo Darcy Ribeiro somente foi possível pelas lentes hermenêuticas oferecidas por Paul Ric ur. Na perspectiva da noção de identidade narrativa, segundo Paul Ric ur, nos deparamos com as bases que nos ajudam a considerar esta identidade religiosa, seus limites e possibilidades, seus encontros e desencontros, seu fazimento e inacabamento.

La contingence des faits linguistiques:réflexions sur la variation et le changement

This paper is a reflection on the role of contingent facts for the general understanding of language. Such facts are illustrated by the lacks of proportionality in the paradigm of French indefinites and the irregular correlations between the Null Subject Parameter and other hypothesised parameters. Such contingencies clearly go against the expectation raised by at least some versions of structuralism and the current chomskyan Minimalist Program. As demonstrated by alternative views being developed in various natural and social sciences, and as shown by recent research on formulaic language, contingency may be understood as the result of the expedient character of a medium geared towards action. A view of language as action may thus offer a perspective able to account both for the general default rules shaping a grammar and for the contingencies that entrench them in use, as both are integral and complementary aspects of language.

Motivation and the gift relationship

This thesis proposes a theory of Motivation to Work, as a particular condition of general motivation, using the Maussian concept of the Gift to explain the operation of Lacanian Desire. Specifically, it argues that de-motivation stems from Gift rejection. However, as the arguments are not paradigmatically commensurable with managerialist theories, it has been necessary to establish the epistemological tradition of which this work is representative, namely, Critical Theory and Post-Structuralism/Post- Modernism. In distinction to the managerialist explanations of motivation, management and work, behaviourist theories of motivation are characterised as more properly a concern with psychological incentives, management in its current socio-historic institutionalised form as a process of social domination and work as a social experience of domination, but also as a forum for social life generally. However, as such a view receives little theoretical or empirical confirmation from managerialist literature, it is argued that it is necessary to broaden the catchment area of relevant writing, and that the literary arts have more insight than orthodox science. This is supported by reference to modern literary theory in terms of the Form/Content distinction. Central to this argument is the ontological concept of Difference and its `political' use in maintaining social domination by privileging certain forms over others. Having established the basis on which to articulate this theory of motivation, the Lacanian concept of Desire is explored, together with its relevance to motivation and management/organisation theory. The theory of the Gift Relationship is then explicated and developed, together with some of its popular sociological conceptualisations, and an argument made for an understanding in terms of its psychological signficance in explaining the operationalisation of Lacanian Desire. This is related to the work situation and to its relevance for organisational management. In conclusion, its utility is considered, as are some potential criticisms of the arguments put forward.

Articulating discursive and materialist conceptions of practice in the logics approach to critical policy analysis

In this article it is argued that while Glynos and Howarth’s logics of critical explanation (LCE) offers an important and promising contribution to critical policy analysis, it, along with other approaches that focus on the meaning of social action, faces a growing challenge in the form of a so-called new materialist turn in social and political theory. The article argues that there is much to be gained for the logics approach in paying closer attention to the materiality of practices in terms not only of lending greater clarity to the conception and role of social practices in the logics approach but also in enabling it fully to deliver on its critical ambition. The article explores an alternative materialist approach to the study of social practices, which hails from the post-actor–networktheory tradition and which has ontological affinities with post-structuralism. The article begins with a brief analysis of the new materialist turn in its various guises. It then critically examines the logics approach, and, in particular its conception of practice. It then explores an alternative materialist and ethnographic reading of practice, focusing on medical and care practices. It concludes with an examination of the implications for a more materialist conception of practices for the LCE’s broad deconstructive, psychoanalytic and onto-political ambitions.

Teoría y práctica del neobarroco en Severo Sarduy

This dissertation analyzes the theory and practice of the Cuban postmodern writer Severo Sarduy (1937–1993) from his early adult years in Cuba to his exile period in Paris, France, where he lived until his death. By studying his narrative through the light of his theoretical essays, this paper demonstrates that the author created his own type of reading model—from and for Sarduy. His literary work is influenced by three major elements: (post)structuralism, psychoanalysis, and Buddhism, which combined form what Sarduy himself called the Neobarroque style. The Sarduyan writing is a transgressive exercise expressed through his concept of simulación. This style breaks with the traditional art concept of mimesis (the representation of reality in the western world), and therefore with the correspondence between the signifier and the signified. Sarduy does not intend to represent reality but to go beyond it, achieving by his technique of signifying exhaustion to represent absence itself. The Neobarroque of Severo Sarduy is an aesthetic of the empty signifier based on the reckless expenditure, and ultimately exhaustion, of the artifices of language that precipitates in a signifier chain towards the infinite. His language does not transmit a message but it signifies itself, that is, a means without an end. Paradoxically, this signifier chain produces an excess of metaphors beyond the material limits of language and its support, the page. The space beyond language is the hipertelic technique inherited by Sarduy from his literary master, José Lezama Lima. This is also the empty space of no signification or nonsense in which occurs the depersonalization of the speaking subject; in Buddhist terminology this becomes the dissolution of the ego. The Sarduyan language is determined by a Lacanian psychoanalytic erotic drive (pulsion) known as the Barroquean desire, a death drive which directly relates to the exile condition of the author. But the genesis of this desire lies in a primordial desire of encounter with his origin: mother, maternal language, paradise, God. That is the reason why Sarduy not only poses an aesthetic question but also an ontological one. This other dimension of the Sarduyan writing is based on a liberating drive that permeates all his work—an ontological liberation expressed through language. The empty space created in the text provides the subject with the possibility of fusion with the all. Ultimately, Sarduy strives for a language that goes beyond the symbolic limits towards a place of constant dissolution, evanesce, and death-horror vacui. This corroborates the Sarduyan statement: “la simulación enuncia el vacío y la muerte.”

Nota sobre la teoría del discurso

El presente texto es una respuesta al texto inédito de Althusser hoy conocido como "Tres notas sobre la teoría de los discursos". Este texto ha sido publicado póstumamente como "Trois notes sur la théorie des discours" en Écrits sur la psychanalyse. Freud et Lacan, textos reunidos y presentados por Oliver Corpet y François Matheron, Paris, Stock/IMEC, 1993. Hay edición castellana como: Escritos sobre psicoanálisis. Freud y Lacan, México, Siglo XXI, 2010, trad. de Eliana Cazenave-Tapie. El texto de Althusser fue redactado para su discusión en un "grupo de trabajo teórico" conformado además por Balibar, Pierre Macherey, Alain Badiou, e Yves Duroux. La metodología de trabajo consistía en entregar notas de investigación sobre un objeto teórico determinado, que los otros integrantes se comprometían a comentar por escrito. Para más datos sobre las circunstancias en las que fue producido remitimos a los lectores a la nota introductoria de dicho texto de François Matheron, pp. 99-103 de la edición castellana

Pensar las ciencias sociales desde América Latina ante el cambio de época

Herederas de propuestas disciplinarias originales, como la teoría de la dependencia -y sus posteriores críticas desde el marxismo-, o del pensamiento socioeconómico de la CEPAL, las ciencias sociales latinoamericanas toman distancia de enfoques anglo-euro-céntricos, para avanzar en una línea crítica del pensamiento y de las prácticas neocolonialistas. El desafío para el pensamiento es ser cosmopolita y simultáneamente latinoamericano. En este proceso, el pensamiento social latinoamericano está logrando recuperar su originalidad y vigor, gracias a un rico diálogo Sur-Sur que no pierde de vista el carácter global de sus reflexiones y de sus referentes universales. Aunque ni el marxismo clásico ni el occidental son hegemónicos dentro de la teoría crítica, el (neo)marxismo enriquecido con la crítica a la colonialidad del poder, la teoría del Sistema-mundo, la geopolítica crítica y la ecología política recuperan el campo de la teoría crítica en clave fundadora de un pensamiento de época. Sus debates epistemológicos con el post-estructuralismo y diversos enfoques posmodernos configuran los desarrollos recientes de la teoría crítica.

Nota sobre la teoría del discurso

El presente texto es una respuesta al texto inédito de Althusser hoy conocido como "Tres notas sobre la teoría de los discursos". Este texto ha sido publicado póstumamente como "Trois notes sur la théorie des discours" en Écrits sur la psychanalyse. Freud et Lacan, textos reunidos y presentados por Oliver Corpet y François Matheron, Paris, Stock/IMEC, 1993. Hay edición castellana como: Escritos sobre psicoanálisis. Freud y Lacan, México, Siglo XXI, 2010, trad. de Eliana Cazenave-Tapie. El texto de Althusser fue redactado para su discusión en un "grupo de trabajo teórico" conformado además por Balibar, Pierre Macherey, Alain Badiou, e Yves Duroux. La metodología de trabajo consistía en entregar notas de investigación sobre un objeto teórico determinado, que los otros integrantes se comprometían a comentar por escrito. Para más datos sobre las circunstancias en las que fue producido remitimos a los lectores a la nota introductoria de dicho texto de François Matheron, pp. 99-103 de la edición castellana

Einige Erwägungen zur juristischen Untersuchung in Mexiko

Die neuen Paradigmen der Rechtswissenschaft nötigen uns beim Erwerb juristischen Wissens dazu, uns in eine kreativere und problemorientiertere Dynamik des Lehrens-Lernens einzugliedern. Die neuen Generationen der Rechtsgelehrten sollten darum bemüht sein, die verschiedenen theoretisch-methodologischen Strömungen des Rechts, z.B. des juristischen Realismus, den juristischen Strukturalismus sowie die angewandte juristische Soziologie zu studieren und zu analysieren. Andererseits sollten sie nicht dogmatisch und ausschliesslich den juristischen Positivismus des 19. Jahrhunderts vertreten. Die juristischen Fakultäten und Schulen der Republik Mexiko zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass sie die traditionelle juristische Lehre bewahren. Darin liegt der Grund, dass es nur wenige Juristen gibt, die sich der juristischen Forschung und der wissenschaftlichen Praxis widmen.

Bland byggtjejer och småbarn : - En genusstudie om pedagogers förhållningssätt och normer i förskolan

I denna studie har vi undersökt fyra förskolepedagogers förhållningssätt, normer och tankar kring genus samt om deras uppfattning stämmer överens med deras agerande i den praktiska verksamheten. Syftet med denna studie var att få mer kunskap om hur genusmedvetenheten kan se ut på förskolan idag samt att ta reda på om alla barn ges samma förutsättningar i vår studerade leksituation; bygg och konstruktionsleken. En framträdande frågeställning har varit att få fatt vilka normer som råder bland pedagogerna och hur de tar sig uttryck i verksamheten. Som teoretisk ansats har vi använt oss utav feministisk poststrukturalism och data har vi samlat in genom observationer av verksamheten samt intervjuer med pedagogerna. Resultatet visar på att det finns en motsättning mellan pedagogernas egna uppfattningar om sitt förhållningssätt och deras agerande i det praktiska arbetet. I resultatet framkom även att pedagogerna såg sig själva som genusneutrala, trots detta framträdde en viss könstraditionell syn på föreställningen kring barns agerande och fysiska uttryck. Gällande alla barns likvärdiga förutsättningar visar ett av våra huvudresultat på en tydlig diskriminering gentemot de yngsta barnen på förskolan.