Theatre as transformative practice : a heuristic exploration of the psychosomatic dynamics of self-expressive theatre practices

An exploration into the psychosomatic dynamics of theatre-based practices was undertaken using heuristic methodology (Moustakas, 1990). Twenty-two practitioners, some working independently, others working collaboratively, were interviewed about their approaches, focusing on their experiences of self-expressive performance as a way to work on the self and to induce healing and/or transformative growth. The heuristic approach also allowed for the researcher's direct involvement and participation in the practices under investigation, enabling her to explore firsthand the potential of theatre-based practice as a means to work on the self. Following heuristic methodology, the researcher created a Composite Depiction and a Creative Synthesis, juxtaposing the individual approaches of the research participants and highlighting the core elements of Theatre as a Transformative Practice. In doing so, she proposed that the practices explored facilitate an attunement of ego, some leading to deep, body-based introspection which in turn enables the practitioner to gain greater self-insight and internal balance through expressive engagement with felt senses and corresponding imagery. The researcher further suggested that Theatre as a Transformative Practice requires specific conditions under which the creative journey can lead to healing and personal growth. The chief condition identified was that the work be approached with mindful awareness of others and self in the performative relationship

Legends of South African Science

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2017). Legends of South African Science. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2016/0012Legends of South African Science introduces Academy Members who rank among the top achievers in the country. Legends profiles ASSAf Members who have received some of South Africa’s top awards, viz. the ASSAf Science-for-Society Gold Medal, National Orders of Mapungubwe and Baobab bestowed by the President, or the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship. Among the Members featured in the book are a biologist and Nobel Laureate who helped decode DNA; an epidemiologist recognised for groundbreaking research on HIV prevention in women; a social scientist who nudged and cajoled into place the campaign to understand and contain HIV/AIDS in South Africa; a leading mathematics education proponent; a human geneticist whose work helped to clarify the origins of indigenous groups in Africa; one of the world's leading theorists in cosmology; and a leading immunologist and physician who pioneered higher education transformation in South Africa, in sometimes controversial ways.Department of Science and Technolog

The development and significance of the core curriculum in archives, library and information studies

The main objective of this work is to try to identify the common grounds existing between archives, library and information studies from which a core curriculum could be derived for the professionals in the three fields. The underlying concept in building up such a core is that the above areas must be viewed as a whole within the information spectrum. The historical development of librarianship is taken into account as well as the early education provided for librarians in England, United States and Brazil up to modern times when technological and social innovations have brought about changes in the information services, practices and procedures which have obviously had a direct effect on the educational patterns of members of the profession. [Continues.

‘Many Other Things Worthy of Knowledge and Memory’: The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili and its Annotators, 1499-1700

Due to its elaborate woodcuts and artificial language, Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (Venice: Aldus Manutius, 1499, hereafter ‘HP’) has traditionally been presented as a fringe anomaly within the histories of the book and of Italian philology. Other studies have examined the influence of the HP in art and literature, but there has been little study of the role of readers in mediating that influence. This framing of the HP as unreadable visual marvel has impeded consideration of Aldus’ creation as a used text within the wider fabric of humanism. Liane Lefaivre’s conceptualisation of the HP as a creative dream-space for idea generation was a significant step towards foregrounding the text’s readers. This thesis set to testing this hypothesis against the experiences of actual readers as recorded in their marginalia. A world census of annotated copies of the HP located a number of examples of prolific annotation, showing readers making use of the HP for a variety of purposes. Benedetto and Paolo Giovio applied a Plinian model of extractive reading to two copies at Como and Modena, reading the HP in a manner analogous to the Natural History. Ben Jonson read his copy of the 1545 HP as a source for visual elements of stage design. An anonymous second hand in Jonson’s copy read the text as an alchemical allegory, as did the hands in a copy at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Pope Alexander VII (Fabio Chigi) combed the text for examples of verbal wit, or acutezze, while comparing Poliphilo’s journeys through an architectural dream with his own passages through Rome. Informed by analogy with modern educational media, I have reframed the HP as a ‘humanistic activity book’, in which readers cultivated their faculty of ingegno through ludic engagement with the text

Dynamic Conditioning: Preparation of actors for the delivery of dynamic performance

This thesis represents an attempt to establish, and develop, a methodology for the preparation of actors for delivery of a physically and vocally dynamic performance, informed by the fact of theatrical immediacy. Specifically, this can be understood as a systematised collection of exercises and principles that are conducive to such an intent. The effectiveness of the conditioning exercises engaged in were tested through the preparation and staging of The Best Thing!, a full-length play, for public audience. A structural division has been made in this document between theoretical research and practical elements. In Chapter 1 can be discovered the progression of theory that informed the development of exercises engaged in, as well as stylistic intentions. The paradigmatic state of the modern theatre is discussed, in relation to the new performative mediums of film and television, concluding that a formal shift is required in theatre if it is to continue to be justified as a relevant artistic medium in contemporary culture. This is formed with reference to the prior work of a range of theatrical practitioners and theorists of the past century. In Chapter 2 the successive stages of practical research undertaken are discussed. Beginning with the training investigations, continuing into a discussion of rehearsal processes, and culminating with an analysis of The Best Thing! in this specific staged form, with attention given to its success with respect to the performance Dynamics identified in the research previously enacted. Documentary material, regarding investigative processes and theoretical development may be found within the Appendices. This includes a detailed dramaturgical analysis, a narrative deconstruction of The Best Thing!, and a complete elaboration of the activities and exercises engaged in during the research process. Several videos are also included, providing practical demonstration of events discussed

Managing Intellectual Property to Foster Agricultural Development

Over the past decades, consideration of IPRs has become increasingly important in many areas of agricultural development, including foreign direct investment, technology transfer, trade, investment in innovation, access to genetic resources, and the protection of traditional knowledge. The widening role of IPRs in governing the ownership of—and access to—innovation, information, and knowledge makes them particularly critical in ensuring that developing countries benefit from the introduction of new technologies that could radically alter the welfare of the poor. Failing to improve IPR policies and practices to support the needs of developing countries will eliminate significant development opportunities. The discussion in this note moves away from policy prescriptions to focus on investments to improve how IPRs are used in practice in agricultural development. These investments must be seen as complementary to other investments in agricultural development. IPRs are woven into the context of innovation and R&D. They can enable entrepreneurship and allow the leveraging of private resources for resolving the problems of poverty. Conversely, IPRs issues can delay important scientific advancements, deter investment in products for the poor, and impose crippling transaction costs on organizations if the wrong tools are used or tools are badly applied. The central benefit of pursuing the investments outlined in this note is to build into the system a more robust capacity for strategic and flexible use of IPRs tailored to development goals

Styles of thinking

The way we experience, investigate and interact with reality changes drastically in the course of history. Do such changes occur gradually, or can we pinpoint radical turns, besides periods of relative stability? Building on Oswald Spengler, we zoom in on three styles in particular, namely Apollonian, Magian and Faustian thinking, guided by grounding ideas which can be summarised as follows: “Act in accordance with nature”, “Prepare yourself for the imminent dawn and “Existence equals will to power”. Finally, we reach the present. How to characterise the new era we entered round the year 2000

Niigani Miinigowiziiwin (we give these gifts to the future)

This dissertation is the ni di-bah-ji-mo-win (my personal story) of being an Anishinaabekwe (Ojibway woman) doctoral student, studying conventional systems thinking, complexity and transitions to sustainability discourse at a Canadian university. I problematize the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) paradigm in transformations to sustainability discourse and explore the foundations of an Indigenous standpoint theory (relational systems thinking) to transcend the binary mental model that limits conventional approaches to decolonization of Western theory. Relational systems thinking has spirituality at its core, it is naa-wi aki (middle ground). It offers protocols and processes for biin-di-go-daa-di-win (To enter one another’s lodge). Respecting Anishinabe i-zhi-chi-gay-win zhigo kayn-dah-so-win (Ways of doing and knowing) this research explores the pluralization of transformation discourse through Anishinabe bish-kayn-di-ji-gay-win (pedagogy). Offered protective space at the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience, I explore whether the standpoint theory of relational systems thinking is a pathbreaking innovation that supports the transition from systemic regimes of colonization to a systemic regime of Ojibway-Anishinaabe bish-kayn-di-ji-gay-win (pedagogy) at the niche or micro scale. What emerges is a realization that this work is land-based, language-and culture based and spiritual. The Spirits hear our distress and real systems change happens when we wake up the Spirits and they start to do their work. Yarning with Anishinaabe Knowledge Keepers, Language Speakers and Elders Eleanor Skead, Bert Landon, and Keith Boissoneau, I introduce readers to the beings/helpers I met on my journey, when I walked in the woods amongst the Ancestors. This dissertation recounts the living stories of my apprenticeship with complexity

Multilinguismo, CLIL e innovazione didattica. 7th AICLU conference, Brixen-Bressanone, 7-9 July 2011

The 7th conference of the Italian Association of University Language Centres (AICLU) took place in Bressanone- Brixen from 7 to 9 July 2011. The papers in Italian, English and Spanish cover various issues such as Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), multilingualism and internationalization, new tendencies in using new technologies in language learning at universities and give an insight into the state of the art of language teaching and learning in Italian and European institutions in higher education. (DIPF/Orig.)Die 7. Konferenz des AICLU (italienische Vereinigung der universitären Sprachzentren) fand vom 7. bis 9. Juli 2011 in Brixen statt. Die in Italienisch, Englisch und Spanisch verfassten Beiträge decken verschiedene Aspekte ab: das Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), die Mehrsprachigkeit sowie neue Trends im Umgang mit neuen Technologien zum Spracherwerb an Universitäten. Der Konferenzband gewährt einen Einblick in die Kunst des Sprachunterrichts und Spracherwerbs an den Sprachenzentren der italienischen und europäischen Hochschulen. (DIPF/Orig.