Cultural Interests Research Articles

The Rise and Fall of the Notables Paradigm? Why it Has Taken so Long

ABSTRACT For more than six decades, Albert Hourani’s Notables Paradigm has dominated the writing about the history of the Arabic-speaking world in late Ottoman times. It stressed the role of local leaders in shaping that history and assigned to Ottoman rule a marginal place. Although Hourani himself has revised his thesis early on, the original explanation he provided took a hold on the historiography, pushing aside the alternative narrative put together by Ottomanists working on the Arab domains of the Empire. The Ottomanist narrative has grounded mostly urban history in the rise of Ottoman-Local elites across the region, showing how notables were part and parcel of the Ottoman system of government, working from within, shaping it to serve their economic, social, political, legal, and even cultural interests. The household networks and coalitions those notables formed were directly connected to Istanbul and survived the demise of the Ottoman Empire well into the rise of European domination in the Post-Ottoman Mandates period. This essay attempts to explain the strong attachment of Arab and Western historians to the Notables Paradigm, and their resistance to the Ottoman-Arab alternative.

Literacy Practices for the Preservation and Transmission of Chinese Liuqin Opera

This study investigates the literacy practices of preserving and transmitting Liuqin Opera in Suining County, Jiangsu Province, China. Liuqin Opera, a traditional Chinese drama originating in the mid-Qing Dynasty, faces challenges in modern society due to shifting cultural interests and digital entertainment advancements. This research highlights the significance of historical and educational literacy in understanding and maintaining Liuqin Opera’s cultural heritage. By integrating Liuqin Opera into school curricula and community programs, we can foster a deeper appreciation and participation among younger generations. The study employs qualitative research methods, including ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, archival research, and thematic analysis, to explore the experiences and strategies of four key informants involved in Liuqin Opera. Findings underscore the importance of master-apprentice relationships, rehearsal techniques, and digital literacy in preserving and promoting Liuqin Opera. Digital tools and social media are identified as crucial for engaging younger audiences and expanding the opera’s reach. This study suggests that a balanced approach combining traditional and modern methods, along with collaboration with government agencies and cultural institutions, is essential for the sustainability of Liuqin Opera. The insights could inform strategies for other traditional art forms facing similar challenges.

“To Make Chicago Wake Up to Its Duty”: Fortnightly Clubwomen, Patronage, and Operatic Boosterism in 1920s Chicago

ABSTRACT This article highlights the ways in which the operatic boosterism of Chicago’s Fortnightly clubwomen constituted a web of social and organizational relationships that extended beyond official club activities. Using the club’s archived records as well as extant papers of select members, it makes a case for recognizing the local and national efforts undertaken by these clubwomen as examples of individual agency and organizational leadership. The Fortnightly clubwomen involved in this article, as well as their colleagues from adjacent women’s organizations, cultivated an environment in which they staked claims to their cultural interests, magnifying the social influence of women’s operatic advocacy.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE FORMATION OF INFORMATION

This article analyzes the political, social, commercial or cultural interests of information transmitters in the context of the formation, critical reception and creation of Information Culture to students in the higher education system,identification of information sources.

Status of implementation of priority thematic directions of scientific research and scientific and technical developments according to the monitoring results

The most important conditions for ensuring the effective scientific and technological development of the country are the concentration of scientific potential, financial and material resources and a rational choice of priorities, which should be determined by taking into account global trends in the development of science and technology, the needs of innovative development of the national economy, as well as the socio-political and cultural interests of Ukrainian society. The article is devoted to the results of the author’s study of the state of implementation of priority thematic directions of scientific research and scientific and technical developments in Ukraine in 2023, which was conducted in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Priority Directions of Development of Science and Technology” (which approved six priority areas for the period until 2023 and provided for in Article 6 for monitoring the implementation of priority areas), Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated January 11, 2018 No. 13; On Approval of the Procedure for Forming the Subjects of Scientific Research and Scientific and Technical (Experimental) Developments Financed from the State Budget and Recognizing Certain Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as Invalid; and dated May 9, 2023 No. 463 ; On Amendments to Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated September 7, 2011 No. 942 and dated August 22, 2018 No. 64. Detailed information is provided on the results of monitoring and analysis of the implementation of priority thematic areas of scientific research and scientific and technical developments in Ukraine in 2023 regarding financial support and results obtained according to the main administrators of budget funds. The results of such monitoring are an information base for determining and forming a new list of priority thematic areas, taking into account the orientation of the results of relevant research and development for implementation in industries belonging to the high-tech production sector, in particular, in the field of weapons and military equipment production, which is extremely important given the continued military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

PARTNER CITIES: HISTORICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

The article is devoted to the study of the historical context of the cities’ development as subjects of international relations, their evolutionary transformation from political and security unions, through political and religious unions to large agglomerations capable of conducting independent international activities, taking into account their own socio-economic, cultural and educational interests of their residents. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines historical, legal, political science, and management disciplines, the author has revealed the multifaceted use of such concepts as «partner cities», «twin cities», «municipal cooperation», «decentralized cooperation of cities» etc., which proves that their use as synonymous definitions indicating a non-governmental, horizontal international level of cooperation between individual local actors is not sufficiently regulated.The study outlined the criteria for selecting a partner city. The historical way of the formation of global and regional international organizations and associations of municipalities, which developed recommendations for in-depth cooperation between cities of different political systems to exchange experience, deepening of cooperation in the environment of modern management in the context of urbanization, is highlighted. It is proved that such initiatives are based on intercultural cooperation, the foundations of the international and national law, which strengthens the reputation and foreign policy integration strategies of the state as a whole. It has been found that often in the process of decentralization, localization, and manifestation of their own subjectivity, cities are more effective and faster in making decisions, establishing international forms of cooperation, and implementing the most important projects.

Per una filologia del copione: Adelaide Ristori e ‘Lady Macbeth’

Adelaide Ristori’s Macbeth is an interesting object for a study in the field of theatrical philology. In Ristori’s Archive at Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore in Genoa there are in fact many unpublished and little-valued materials which can be profitably used for the reconstructions of the metamorphosis of Ristori’s Macbeth over the 30 years that elapse between its complex (and still obscure) creation and its last performance. In fact, among the more than five hundred different dramaturgical writings kept in the Ristori Archive there is a vast section dedicated to Macbeth and its rewritings that meticulously documents the various phases of the work’s life. These materials, usually accompanied by epistolary, autobiographical, critical and iconographic documents, are here placed at the centre of the investigation, organised and interrogated with the tools of textual philology. The study of the literary materials relating to Macbeth provides a solid basis for the reconstruction of the scenic writing of the play and thus of Ristori’s work on the script, her cultural interests, the organisational system of her company and the network of international relations that sustained the editorial and compositional dynamics of her performances.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE FORMATION OF INFORMATION CULTURE IN HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

This article analyzes the political, social, commercial or cultural interests of information transmitters in the context of the formation, critical reception and creation of Information Culture to students in the higher education system, identification of information sources.

Going with the Grain of the Landscape: rethinking our approach to environmental policy

There are doubts about whether the current approach to regulating the impacts of land use in rural Aotearoa is making a difference. This article starts by outlining four challenges policymakers face when designing policies to protect the environment while balancing social, cultural and economic interests. We then discuss some of the barriers landowners encounter when contemplating land use change to address environmental degradation. Finally, we sketch out an adaptive approach to rethinking how we do environmental policy, including by devolving some decision making to communities, providing better environmental information, being explicit about the costs and trade-offs, and reforming the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

Investigating Korean Language Learning Motivations: Trend and Implications

ABSTRACT Due in part to the influence of Hallyu, student enrollment in Korean language courses at universities across America has skyrocketed. This study examines the various motivations college students have for studying the Korean language, paying particular attention to three variables. Six hundred and fifty-three responses collected for over 5 years in Korean language courses at an American university were categorized via an original framework for language learning motivations and analyzed using descriptive statistics to see a trend. The results demonstrated that the popularity of the various motivation categories differed noticeably by course level, gender, and heritage/nonheritage learner background. The desire to become a global citizen through travel and consume Korean popular culture drove many beginners to learn Korean, whereas students in the higher-level courses tended to be motivated either by a desire to connect with their families (for heritage learners) or by career prospects associated with Korean language proficiency (for nonheritage learners). Familial connections were also an important motivation for male students, whereas female students tended to note interests in Korean popular culture as most important. The study suggests that similar data at other universities could be useful in developing and utilizing effective curricular resources to motivate and retain Korean language learners.

You make me feel like dancing: the effects of dance exposure on children’s cultural interests and social-emotional development

Stratification by race and socioeconomic status generates disparities in cultural exposure and consumption. Though public education can serve as a mechanism for addressing social inequalities, schools with high concentrations of low-income and minority students often lack the resources to provide enriching cultural experiences. Efforts to make cultural exposure and consumption more equitable remain stymied by school and neighborhood stratification, as well as by lingering questions about the value of cultural consumption for students. Employing a randomized research design, we analyze the effects of elementary students in under-resourced schools participating in a collaborative dance program provided by a major ballet company. We find that participation increases students’ enthusiasm for dance and sense of self-efficacy. Students with prior lower levels of arts and culture exposure demonstrate the largest gains in self-efficacy and experience an increase in their sense of school connectedness. Male students, who were less enthusiastic about dance prior to the program, show the largest increase in dance enthusiasm. These findings demonstrate that targeted efforts by schools and arts organizations can play a meaningful role in students’ cultural capital acquisition, which in turn leads to higher student self-efficacy and sense of belonging, particularly for students with lower levels of arts and cultural learning experience.

Navigating the Cultural Paradox: The Dual Role of Globalisation in Propagating Cultural Hybridisation and Nationalism

Abstract: This paper engages in a comprehensive exploration of the cultural paradox that is manifested by globalization's dual role in disseminating cultural hybridization and nationalism.Globalization not only promotes the fusion of different cultural elements, resulting in cultural hybridization phenomena. For example, the global success of South Korean pop music K-Pop, which combines Western and Korean musical elements, embodies a cultural product that is a harmonious blend of global and local cultures generated by globalization. At the same time, globalization also triggers cultural nationalism. Represented by the ideology of "America First", in the face of threats brought by globalization, it emphasizes protecting national culture and economic interests. Nationalism is a counter-reaction to globalization. The paradox of globalization lies in its role as a catalyst for both cultural hybridization and nationalism. Its complex dynamics affect the development of culture and people's perception of identity. In the future, as cultural exchanges continue to be intensified by technology and globalization, elements of hybridization and nationalism will continue to shape our world. They will influence individual and collective assertions of identity and manifest in various fields from arts and media to politics and economics. In this balancing act lies the potential to create a world that honors and appreciates the multiplicity of cultures while preserving diversity, comprising the riveting mosaic of global culture.

Nepal-India Relations: Exploring the Dichotomy between 'Big Brother' and 'Brotherhood'

The historical relationship between Nepal and India is deeply rooted in their geographic proximity and shared elements such as religion, culture, language, and socio-economic interests. While Nepal borders both China and India, its closeness with India is accentuated by these shared attributes and mutual opportunities. The two countries share an open border of around 1,780 kilometers along Nepal's eastern, western, and southern regions. Despite India's larger size, population, and more advanced economic development, Nepal maintains its sovereignty and equal status as an independent nation. However, India's role is often perceived as that of a "big brother" to Nepal, reflecting the disparity in size and influence. Nonetheless, all sovereign nations, regardless of their geographic or economic differences, are regarded as equals in status. In an era defined by globalization, scientific advancements, and technological progress, Nepal aspires to build a strong relationship with India based on mutual friendship and economic cooperation, particularly through foreign investment and the exchange of technology. While occasional tensions arise, usually from the Indian side, they have not escalated into major conflicts and are unlikely to do so. It is widely understood that while friendships may fluctuate, the bond between neighbors remains constant. This article examines the various aspects and dynamics of Nepal-India relations within this context.

Adsorption and Morphology Analysis of Bovine Serum Albumin on a Micropillar-Enhanced Quartz Crystal Microbalance.

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a widely used blood plasma protein, onto poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface is a fundamental phenomenon attracting increasing interests in molecular biology, cell culture, immunology, diagnostics, and vaccinology. The nanostructured PMMA surfaces have shown a considerable effect on the BSA adsorption process. However, the effect of microstructures (e.g., micropillars) on BSA adsorption has seldom been studied. This research reports on the development of an acoustic resonance based method to explore the adsorption of BSA proteins on PMMA micropillars in terms of surface coverage, apparent binding constants, and pH-induced morphology variation. A theoretical model is developed to understand the frequency changes of QCM induced by BSA adsorption by taking into consideration the effects of the hydrodynamic force and an equivalent BSA/liquid layer formed on the micropillar surface. In addition, it was found that the resonance of micropillars with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) substrate significantly influenced BSA adsorption on micropillar surfaces.

Multiliteracies for multilingual learners: the MultiSemiotic Architecture Framework

ABSTRACT Creativity in the classroom should inspire teaching and learning that maximizes the students’ abilities and language competency. Humanity in education is based on respect, dignity, transparency, and compassion. It should be the foundation for the classroom environment before implementing any framework. Offering compassion for all learners is a strength. This conceptual paper invites educators to consider bilingual and multilingual learners’ literacies by proposing a new framework for moving culture forward in the classroom, the ‘MultiSemiotic Architecture Framework.’ I explore the tenets of the framework which are critical literacy, multiliteracies, transmultiliteracies sustaining pedagogy, new literacies, and translanguaging that facilitate justice in the classroom using semiotics. This framework aims to empower teachers, parents, communities, and schools with alternate approaches to consider their students’ literacy assets and cultural interests through a lens of opportunity. This framework has been tested with in service teachers, and a concrete example is provided that shows how the constructs in the framework could be applied in a lesson.

“If I started to identify as a bird, would I stop being human?” Networked transphobia in lesbian popular culture spaces

ABSTRACT Transphobic discourses have become prominent even as media representations of gender non-conformity have increased, demonstrating the paradoxes of media visibility for the status of minority groups. Illustrating this phenomenon, transphobic commentary proliferates on two iterations of The L Chat (TLC), online forums centered on popular culture topics of particular interest to lesbians. Presenting a critical qualitative analysis of TLC discussion threads about actor Elliot Page, and transgender and nonbinary identities, activism, and politics, this article identifies how these contribute to what is theorized as a broader global phenomenon of networked transphobia. While some of the themes identified overlap with those found in other research on transphobia, the TLC threads reflect complexities arising from the posters’ political positionalities, and suggest that the circulation of regressive discourses on sex and gender attain distinct specificities at particular online spaces, including discussions filtered through interests in popular culture.

Cooperation of the Lublin Triangle in the context of security threats in the region of Central and Eastern Europe

The purpose of this article is to outline the new multidimensional format of cooperation between Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. The Lublin Triangle is a trilateral regional alliance between Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine established in Lublin on 28 July 2020. The initiative relates to cooperation across the power, infrastructure, security and cultural sectors with an aim to strengthen dialogue between the states and reinforce efforts to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity and support its integration into the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Some of the factors driving this new format of cooperation include the growing migrant crisis; increasing importance of the internal and external security in the EU states; Ukraine’s pursuit of EU integration, especially after the Ukraine war outbreak; and strengthening of national states within the EU. The states concerned have turned back to their legacy capital which is and has been the same regional affiliation and, thus, the geographical proximity, shared past, culture, and common interests.

Research on the Types and Influencing Factors of English Learning Motivation among English Major Undergraduates: A Case Study of Third-Year Students at a University in East China

English learning motivation significantly impacts learning efficiency. This study empirically investigates the learning motivations of 41 third-year English major students through a questionnaire survey conducted at a university in East China. The findings reveal that the learning motivations of English major undergraduates can be categorized into four types: personal interests, future development, experiential background, and social responsibility. Core factors influencing the types of learning motivation include students' personal cultural interests and their academic and career planning. Additionally, learning motivation is influenced by learning experiences, family environments, and social contexts. This research suggests that university English teachers should adopt a student-centered approach to tailor their teaching methods, thereby assisting students in establishing long-term, profound learning motivations. Furthermore, it encourages universities to implement social practice activities aimed at promoting intercultural communication.

“It’s a bit like pick and choose”: How young media users assign authority to cultural mediators

As the boundaries between producers and consumers in both journalism and cultural industries continue to blur, questions arise about the changing gatekeeping and interpretational roles. The study examines how young adults assign authority to cultural mediators, ranging from traditional cultural journalists to social media personalities, when selecting and evaluating cultural goods. The aim is to understand how journalistic and non-journalistic voices intertwine in young adults’ cultural news consumption. The study builds on 31 in-depth interviews with young Belgian adults (age 18–28) focussing on participants’ social media use in relation to their cultural interests. Paradoxically, in an era of information overload where professional selection and interpretation could prove beneficial, the study identified various reasons why young media users favor non-journalistic mediators, such as their search for similarity. The findings also show how young adults resist journalistic curation to secure their own autonomy and uniqueness as cultural consumers. Nevertheless, journalistic mediators still gain credibility when evaluating cultural goods. The results highlight how young adults assign varying levels of authority to different guides at different stages in cultural consumption. The paper reflects on the implications for cultural journalism, emphasizing the evaluative rather than agenda-setting role of journalists.

Religiosity Among ARMY Fans: Examining the Intersection of Islamic Values and K-Pop Fandom

This study examines the religiosity of ARMY community members in Tasikmalaya, focusing on how they navigate Islamic values within the cultural framework of K-Pop fandom. The purpose is to understand how fandom engagement influences their religious beliefs, practices, and identity. The study employs a qualitative descriptive method with a sociological approach. Data was gathered through interviews, observations, and document analysis, capturing personal experiences and perspectives on balancing religious identity and fandom. The findings reveal that ARMY members actively maintain their belief in God and participate in religious practices. However, their engagement with fandom presents both challenges and opportunities for expressing religiosity. The study identifies a blend of personal belief and social influences shaping members’ approach to faith, revealing a dynamic space where cultural and religious identities coexist. The results highlight the need for religious and community programs that integrate cultural interests, like fandom, with religious education, aiming to reinforce faith relevance among youth. This study contributes to understanding how youth integrate religious values into secular subcultures, providing a unique insight into the adaptability of Islamic identity within contemporary fandoms.