Visual Representations of Norwegian Language Learners in Norwegian Second Language Textbooks.

Master's thesis in Literacy studiesThis thesis presents a study of how Norwegian language learners are visually represented in three Norwegian second language (NSL) textbooks produced for adult learners of Norwegian language. Using social actor analysis and critical visual literacy, the study investigates whether images presenting Norwegian language learners portray them as potential members of a culturally diverse Norway, or as “exotic” and “other”. The study focuses on aspects of otherizing, stereotyping and power relations between groups of people expressed through visual discourse in the NSL textbooks. The purpose of the study is to examine whether there are any patterns in the visual representation of Norwegian language learners in the textbooks. Drawing on the assumptions of critical discourse analysis that social processes influence the modes and content of visual representations, the study connects these patterns to the socio-political situation in present Norway. The Theory of Recognition is drawn upon to further the analysis with regard to whether the images represent Norwegian language learners with recognition of their agency and potential for Norwegian society. The study also investigates to what degree the images of the Norwegian language learners promote or contradict the primary aims of the Norwegian language program for adults stipulated in The Introduction Law. The results of the study indicate that there is a tendency in the three NSL textbooks examined to show Norwegian language learners and representatives of Norwegian society as social, cultural and biological strangers. Notably, the strategy of otherizing is apparent in the visual images of the representatives of Norwegian society, who are portrayed as separate from the Norwegian language learners viewing the textbook. Additionally, the comparative analysis between the image corpora of Norwegian language learners versus representatives of Norwegian society reveals a tendency to portray Norwegian language learners in less powerful positions than representatives of Norwegian society. Consequently, the study shows that images in the selected NSL textbooks may be indicative of social ideologies and can potentially transfer an unintended hidden curriculum to Norwegian language learners that they hold lower social status and are separate from the Norwegian mainstream

UNDERSTANDING THE THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF SELF-MANAGEMENT

In the article - "Understanding the theoretical and practical aspects of self-management" - this phenomenon is discussed in terms of its role in the self-improvement of a person. The article lists the limiting factors of self-management and ways to overcome them, sequentially names the functions (actions) of self-management and characterizes each of them, talks about human goals and the steps to be taken to achieve them, explains the issues of self-organization and self-control, etc. The article primarily focuses on research conducted in Georgia, analyzing the perceptions of employees working in various public and private sectors regarding the role and significance of self-management. It identifies factors that, according to respondents' opinions, are necessary for timely and effective task completion. Additionally, besides the aforementioned points, it emphasizes the possibility of obtaining correct and timely feedback from competent individuals, which assists individuals in achieving full potential and excellence in their self-management practices. The article pays attention to respondents' management of their own emotions and adaptation to changes, considering the issue of adaptation in connection with learning how to orient oneself and achieve self-fulfillment

Design and construction of new central and forward muon counters for CDF II

New scintillation counters have been designed and constructed for the CDF upgrade in order to complete the muon coverage of the central CDF detector, and to extend this coverage to larger pseudorapidity. A novel light collection technique using wavelength shifting fibers, together with high quality polystyrene-based scintillator resulted in compact counters with good and stable light collection efficiency over lengths extending up to 320 cm. Their design and construction is described and results of their initial performance are reported.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figure