Socio-cultural Reality Research Articles

African biblical hermeneutics in a state of flux – towards refocusing its trajectory

This study attempts to critically re-examine certain key hermeneutical concerns of a representative group of African biblical and religious studies scholars, who ground African theological reflection on traditional African values, cultures and social realities. Most of the scholars examined are united by a focus on the past and by an attempt to interpret the present and future on the basis of it. The article critiques the backward-looking hermeneutic implicit in the work of the scholars, especially Jesse Mugambi’s backward-looking metaphor of reconstruction. It proposes a hermeneutic based on the metaphor of liberation, as employed, for example, by African women theologians or by Gerald West or Emmanuel Katongole, who focus on building the present and future on the basis of a new liberative transformative narrative and praxis that prioritises the sacredness and inviolability of human life in the context of the web of life, and in particular foregrounds the dignity of African lives, as well as all others.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article engages exposition and understanding of biblical texts by African scholars. Aspects of NT Christology or Ecclesiology are connected to theologies of traditional African socio-cultural realities. The relevance for an African theology of liberation and African theology of women is defended as necessitated by a new liberative transformative hermeneutic.

Ukrainian musical theater in the age of changes in art values

The purpose of the article is due to the need to study modern directing approaches to solve the production of opera performances in terms of the values of the XXI century. The research methodology is based on the basic principles of modern historical and theoretical musicology with the use of intonation-dramaturgical, comparative methods, and the method of theoretical generalization, which allow comprehension of the trends of the work of the modern opera director. The scientific novelty consists in the fact that this is the first analytical study of the state of the Ukrainian musical opera theater in terms of changes in values in art. Conclusions. Changes in the repertoire policy of today's Ukrainian musical theater under the influence of world globalization and integration processes are considered. The content of directorial interpretations of musical and theatrical works as an artistic product is comprehended. The ways of optimization of cognitive and entertaining aspects of musical performances in the conditions of modern socio-cultural realities are revealed and substantiated. New opera productions of recent years, which are representatives of general trends in the development of musical theater, are analyzed. It is proved that the Ukrainian musical theater is actively developing in the opera genre, accumulating both the heritage of the past and applying new experimental techniques.
 Key words: Ukrainian musical theater, modern values, modern opera, art product, director 's interpretation.

PERFORMANCE IS A PHENOMENON OF CONTEMPORARY ART

The growing popularity of performance art makes it a striking phenomenon of international socio-cultural reality. Bright, protest form of artistic expression of the 1960s – 1970s in the late twentieth – early twentieth century. acquires the status of one of the most popular genres of contemporary art. Today, performances take place in many major museums around the world, elements of the genre are borrowed from modern mass and protest culture, and the transliterated term itself acquires new meanings and is used in different contexts. Existing and developing within the “field of art” (international institutions, the professional community, criticism, etc.), performance affects all aspects of human life without exception, and is a modern phenomenon of human life. The performance has a huge communicative potential, as it is designed to actively influence the audience or interact with the audience. It illustrates one of the trends in contemporary art: shifting the emphasis from the artist to the viewer. The high degree of significance of the recipient in the process of perception of art and increasing the role of context inevitably change the boundaries of art, having a significant impact on the relationship between art and society. This article is devoted to the consideration of philosophical views on performance, the basic principles of modern art, the characteristics of performance in everyday life, as well as analyzes the philosophical and ideological ideas underlying minimalism as a way of life.

Jordanian women expatriates: additional challenges for global equality

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to address the main reasons that limit Jordanian women from undertaking expatriation, based on the assumption that Arab women’s opportunities for international engagement may be compromised by local cultural and institutional issues.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectoral survey with 60 Jordanian expatriates (30 women and 20 men) located in EU countries and the UK is used to better explore Eastern women perceptions.FindingsCompany’s resistance, a lack of support mechanisms, safety in the destination country and family commitments play a major role in hindering Jordanian women opportunities to be assigned abroad, echoing the commonly recognized barriers identified in previous research. Additionally, the culture of the home country and prejudice toward foreigners act as an additional barrier for women professional development.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study lies in the data collection instrument, that is, the survey. Larger samples are needed to extend these results. The second limitation is that the potential effects of gender differences cannot be examined because the number of men in the sample was small.Practical implicationsThe findings bring evidence that could be used by organizations to understand the barriers Jordanian expatriate women face and take informed action to tackle them. Meanwhile, more research on Middle Eastern female roles and views is needed to reduce stereotyping against them. Similarly, regional studies can be an opportunity for future development to identify the impact of the regional context.Social implicationsThis research highlights the intertwining of religious and cultural values in influencing Arabic women’s experience in international assignments and thus, would enhance readers’ understanding of women’s career progression in a new context.Originality/valueThis research shows that socio-cultural and political realities need more space in discussions about expatriation. Specifically, the expatriation literature needs more scrutiny and problematizing of the lived experiences of women expatriates from the Global South.

The Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts of Pentahelix Synergy in Tourism Empowerment: Insight from the Tourist Village of Rigis Jaya Coffee Village

Collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the Pentahelix concept as predictors can minimize negative impacts on tourism development. This article aims to describe socio-cultural, economic, and environmental realities in the development of Rigis Jaya Coffee Village tourism in developing tourism. The methodology of this research is qualitative using observation data, interviews, and documentation studies through FGDs. This research shows that the stakeholder's existence in Pentahelix collaboration is not only able to encourage economic growth, but also to preserve culture by presenting traditional dances and music and to increase environmental literacy so that good relations between humans and nature can be established. The synergy between ABCGM in the development of local tourism can be felt by the local community. This article is still limited to the scale of research in West Lampung, so it is still very possible to be completed by studies in other places with different scales and approaches.

Faceless power and voiceless resistance: How a Chinese context challenges a western theory of power

This article examines the applicability to the Chinese context of a western power typology by Fleming and Spicer. In particular, we extend this power framework to exploring the relationship between language policies and organizational power. Drawing from 30 interviews in addition to 6-months of participant observation in a multinational corporation’s subsidiary in China, we question the separability of the different faces of power, and observe the absence of certain corresponding forms of resistance – most notably that of voice. We found Fleming and Spicer’s faces of power to prioritize individualistic and active as opposed to more collectivist and passive dynamics, potentially indicating cultural bias. Drawing on defaced account of the structures of power, we highlight the absence of an adequate emphasis on sociocultural and historical context in power discourse and expand the traditional conceptualization of power to a more multifactorial understanding of the interaction between faced and defaced structures of power as influenced by the historical, economic, socio-cultural and organizational reality of our lived experiences.

Функционален подход при конструиране на система от упражнения по български език в средното училище (с оглед на обучението по българ- ски език в страната и в чужбина)

This article provides an overview of existing in the scientific space theses, ideas and classifications (from the general didactic, linguistic and methodical point of view) of the types of exercises constructing the technology of the Bulgarian learning process. It is suggested a systematization of the exercises from a functional point of view corresponding to the contemporary sociocultural and educational realities – exercises for realization of cognitive educational goals, exercises for realization of functional educational goals, exercises for realization of axiological educational goals. The system is an effective instrument for achieving the goals of Bulgarian language training organized in the country and abroad.

SOCIAL ACTOR DOMINATION IN TAGAR.ID’S MINANGKABAU LANGUAGE GOSPEL APPLICATION NEWS

This study aims to describe the dominance of social actor contained in the Tagar. Id's Minangkabau language Gospel application news. The researcher uses van Dijk's view in showing the relationship between social cognition and social actor in mass media's news. The researcher also uses Fairclough's socio-cultural approach in offering the relationship of discourse observed and socio-cultural perspective in the report. Thus, the researcher applies a qualitative approach with van Dijk's socio-cognitive and Fairclough's socio-cultural approach as an analytical knife. The study result indicates the person scheme and event scheme domination in the Tagar. Id's Minangkabau language Gospel application news. The two schemes play an essential role in describing Irwan Prayitno's figure as West Sumatera Governor through the Minangkabau socio-cultural reality. In van Dijk's point of view, social cognition is a form of effort in examining an event or events based on the characters' involvement in the news text. The figure of Irwan Prayitno as the governor of West Sumatra becomes a particular interpretation process for Tagar. Id journalist in producing news by analyzing the leadership form of Irwan Prayitno and the event that happened in Minangkabau community as details of Irwan Prayitno's profile, the socio-cultural reality of the Minangkabau community, and the reasons for rejecting the Minangkabau language Gospel application.

A Contrastive Lexicology of Greeting and Food Terms of English and Ogu Language: Its Pedagogical Implications

This paper is a contrastive study of two semantic fields of English and Ogu language namely greeting terms and food terms with the aim of identifying how lexical variations in the two semantic fields affect the learning of English by Ogu second language (L2) learner. The paper observed that the internal differentiation of human societies is reflected in the two languages, and responsible for some learning difficulties of Ogu English learner, especially in the lexis, which is considered as more culturally generated. The theoretical framework for the study is anchored on structural semantics, Sapir-whorf hypothesis and contrastive analysis principles. Twenty (20) subjects, who are Ogu/English bilinguals were purposively selected and interviewed with specific questions from the two semantic fields under study. The findings revealed that the socio-cultural and geographical realities of each speech community accounts for their vocabulary and naming of words. The paper thus recommended proper understanding of the learner’s culture for proper translation of texts, design appropriate module for teaching and learning English, and a practical classroom approach to learning of second language vocabulary as some of the ways of resolving the learning problems confronted by Ogu learners of English.

Editorial

In today’s world, there are strong pressures to dehumanize education. Educative institutions tend to use vocabulary that is more related to the industrialized world. Concepts such as methods, standards, effectiveness, competences, models are being naturalized. It seems to be that in education, day by day, institutions accept the criteria of efficiency without a question. In spite of this, teachers echo their voices to show that what educative institutions should focus on is increased humanism. In this volume of the Enletawa Journal, we acknowledge the voices of those teachers who want to understand their students' lives and their socio cultural realities. In other words, our authors in this volume are more interested in the who of teaching instead of the what of teaching.

Educational and scientific potential: humanitarian challenges of the XX

The article reflects the key problems of humanitarian-scientific discourse characteristic of the modern educational environment. Sociocultural realities dictate new rules and conditions for the development of all spheres of social activity. The educational and scientific sphere is no exception, as a rule, which is rather vulnerable to various types of transformations. Globalization of the current civilizational progress as a strategic constant and a short-term, but significant impact on the values of society associated with the pandemic COVID-19 - had a direct impact on the processes in education and science. At present, the issues of transforming certain attitudes that will allow not to lose the educational-scientific potential, but to continue its development already in the new conditions are actualized. Among the fundamental shifts in the humanitarian sphere of modernity, we note increasing dynamism of educational process and scientific research (linear thinking demonstrates an inability to respond quickly to changes), the actualization of interdisciplinary discourse (challenges facing society are complex in their essence and to solve them. based on the integration of scientific knowledge), the influence of informatization of education and science on humanitarian and moral standards of these branches (application of new information and computer technologies.The article aims to develop a clear system of methodologically axiological settings in modern humanitarian-scientific discourse. The general scientific methodology was used to achieve the set tasks. Using the method of analysis, the main criteria for the proposed attitudes have been achieved. The philosophical-scientific methods of synergetics and dialectics allow evaluating the results and problem aspects of the implementation of value orientations to the humanitarian discourse of today.Practical elements of the obtained results of the article can be used as methodological recommendations for the working curricula at all educational levels and value components of scientific research. Consequently, dynamism, interdisciplinarity, integration, informatization, and humanization are the attitudes that contribute to the functioning of an effective system of education and science both in the global-civilization dimension and in the national-identity dimension.

Current Practices in Translation and L2 Learning in Higher Education: Lessons Learned

This paper examines current practices that embrace the union between foreign language (L2) teaching and translation in higher education (HE). The rejection of monolingualism and prescriptive principles in favour of bi-, multi-, or plurilingualism; a diversified interdisciplinarity; new sociocultural realities characterised by greater international mobility; different needs and challenges in foreign language teaching; and an openness of translation studies, are only some of the reasons why the link between both areas remains pertinent. However, while the advocacy of integrating the use of translation in language teaching seems to be gaining steady ground in the last decade, specific ways of introducing translation into the L2 curriculum are not always clear. This paper discusses issues related to the design and implementation of a module that would tackle L2 learning while serving as an exploratory course on translation within a degree in languages in HE. The discussion aims to add to the debate on practical issues by explaining the rationale of the module, as well as any difficulties prior to designing the module, and those encountered in the implementation phase. 

Re-interpreting Yoruba incantation: an example of Fryean apocalyptic and demonic imagery

Yoruba incantation is an oral poetic genre known to Yoruba people. Incantations can make things magically materialise and mostly follow the logic of observational truisms. Scholars have examined Yoruba incantation from different perspectives ranging from its poetics, aesthetics, potency, therapeutic value, contextual realisations, and typology. However, none of the available literature employs a particular theory to analyse Yoruba incantation. This study re-interprets Yoruba incantation using Fryean imagery vis-à-vis the incantation’s relevance in modern times. To this effect, a number of incantatory chants were collected from skilled chanters and translated by the researchers. The researchers adopted descriptive and content analysis research methods. The study employed Northrop Frye’s archetypal model, particularly his theoretical tenets of apocalyptic and demonic imagery, to analyse the data used in the article. The study then establishes that Yoruba incantation is not only rife with apocalyptic and demonic images, but that it also appeals to contemporary socio-cultural realities.

Beyond Algorithmic Bias: A Socio-Computational Interrogation of the Google Search by Image Algorithm

We perform a socio-computational interrogation of the google search by image algorithm, a main component of the google search engine. We audit the algorithm by presenting it with more than 40 thousands faces of all ages and more than four races and collecting and analyzing the assigned labels with the appropriate statistical tools. We find that the algorithm reproduces white male patriarchal structures, often simplifying, stereotyping and discriminating females and non-white individuals, while providing more positive descriptions of white men. By drawing from Bourdieu’s theory of cultural reproduction, we link these results to the attitudes of the algorithm’s designers, owners, and the dataset the algorithm was trained on. We further underpin the problematic nature of the algorithm by using the ethnographic practice of studying-up: We show how the algorithm places individuals at the top of the tech industry within the socio-cultural reality that they shaped, many times creating biased representations of them. We claim that the use of social-theoretic frameworks such as the above are able to contribute to improved algorithmic accountability, algorithmic impact assessment and provide additional and more critical depth in algorithmic bias and auditing studies. Based on the analysis, we discuss the scientific and design implications and provide suggestions for alternative ways to design just socio-algorithmic systems.

The social relations of gold: How a gendered asset serves social reproduction and finance in Pakistan

AbstractWomen's gold jewelry, particularly in the context of the Indian subcontinent, has been referred to as a barbaric relic, an uncivilized obsession, and a leakage from the economy. Yet women in the region continue to save almost exclusively in gold. In dismissing these savings as a leakage and a waste, we miss a critical opportunity to understand the social relations of gold, where both gold and land are gendered assets. Using the lens of transnational feminism, I draw upon two empirical studies from Pakistan to show that gold is for the most part the only investment women own and control. In the era of liberalization and fiscal discipline, as economic vulnerabilities deepen and Southern states are forced to cut back on welfare, impoverished women's meager gold stocks play a critical role in supporting social reproduction. Attracted by the nonfiat nature of gold, commercial and microfinance banks exploit these sociocultural and economic realities in the pawn market for women's gold. This has critical implications for women's agency, which is relational and fluid in the present context, resulting in its subversion by the gendered regimes of finance capitalism.

An Integrated Model to Tackle the Non-Appropriation of Agricultural Storage Facilities by Project Target Communities in Senegal

The storage facilities of agricultural projects are not fully used by Senegalese producers. To appraise the non-appropriation, we used a mixed approach. First, we interviewed fifteen (15) officials and eight (08) farmers’ representatives. We identified five (05) clusters of factors: the low production, the project shortcomings, the unfavorable environment, the socio-cultural realities and the storage facility construction. Secondly, we surveyed a sample of seventy five (75) farmers. We found that stores are mainly used for inputs (48%) and cereals (22.7%). Low usage over time (below 6 months for 81.4% of farmers) and space (below 1/3 of the facility for 60% of farmers) derived from the low agricultural production (36%) and cultural habits (28%). We recommend an integrated PASTE solutions (Partnership, Administrative, Socio-cultural, Technical and Economic) model to overcome the non-appropriation of the storage facilities.

Gender differences in gross national happiness: Analysis of the first nationwide wellbeing survey in Bhutan

• By viewing gender differences through GNH’s multidimensional domains and indicators understandings of gender equality in Bhutan are advanced. • The GNH survey indicates that men are happier than women with wellbeing gaps widest in work, leisure time, literacy, and political participation. • The GNH survey indicates gender wellbeing is strongest in assets and land tenure, but gender-biased perceptions that disadvantage women exist. • GNH can benefit from gender analysis by expanding to include qualitative methods that explore gendered socio-cultural attitudes and stigmas. • Gender analysis of practical and strategic needs can benefit from GNH by adding a third dimension of wellbeing needs as an outcome of development. At a moment when market-oriented, techno-centric and consumption-led approaches prevail in response to otherwise complex socio-cultural and political-economic realities, innovative concepts from Bhutan present an alternative bearing on equitable, sustainable and holistic development. Elaborated in the 1970 s by the 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, GNH is encoded in Bhutan’s constitution, the driving philosophy of its development process, and is gaining momentum as an alternative development approach globally. While GNH has been studied from various angles, the survey findings have not been analyzed from a gender perspective. Recognizing this as a critical gap, this study seeks to better understand gender differences in Bhutan. It does so through the disaggregation and analysis of the first GNH nationwide survey data, domains and indicators by gender, triangulation of the findings against secondary literature, and contextualization within contemporary debates about gender in the context of development. Such an exercise is critical, given the disconnects that exist between perceptions of gender ‘neutrality’ and ‘equality’ based on women’s relatively strong position in certain areas, and the GNH data, which demonstrates gender differences in wellbeing in Bhutan. Our study finds that overall men are happier than women. Men fair better in GNH domains such as education, psychological wellbeing, time use, governance, community vitality, whereas women do better in the domains of living standards and ecological diversity and resilience. Several gender barriers exists, including social stigmas and attitudes that disadvantage women in terms of political participation, decision-making and status. Such an analysis is timely, given the Royal Government of Bhutan’s efforts to pro-actively address gender issues that crosscut the GNH domains and shape gender relations, culture and society. The study reflects on Bhutan as a unique context for the study of gender and development, and highlights novel contributions that advance the field of development by studying GNH from a gender lens, and vice versa.

The Philosophy of Design in the Innovation Space of the Postmodern World: Consciousness of Cultural Practices

The design ideas of the postmodern era reflect the general trends of socio-cultural reality, namely the loss of traditional moral guidelines, disharmony and destructiveness combined with absurdity, a sense of crisis, abyss and uncertainty conveyed in signs and in spatial coordinates. Design products become installations in which the viewer is a direct participant, sometimes even the creator. Postmodern design denies finitude, noting the plurality, uncertainty and fluidity of the world. The paradox of postmodern design culture is expressed in a combination of diametrically opposite things, sometimes even mutually exclusive. The era of postmodern design culture has recorded the fusion of "high" and "low" art, the emergence of new trends - neo-conceptual art, art installation, lowbrow art, performance art, digital art, telematic art - has affected. It should be noted the immersion in virtual reality in particular, as a result of the perception of the concept of postmodernism. After all, the purpose of designer items and their perception has already been changed in accordance with the needs of a person in the postmodern world. A striking example is the coronavirus epidemic, which has become the central theme of successful design projects. After all, a protective mask as a medical device becomes the object of design solutions that transform it into a means of self-expression (fabric masks, masks with pictures), or the manifestation of social characteristics (inscriptions about social distancing, calls for certain actions), or the result of digital achievements. (the ability to measure temperature and monitor body indicators).

Application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Study of Natural Disciplines

Socio-cultural reality of the present time is marked by quite significant events. First, the active penetration into society of the latest information and communication technologies (ICT), which arose as a result of the rapid development of electronics. And secondly, the formation and spread of a special type of worldview under the general name of "postmodernism". It is the need for a philosophical understanding of these two events and determined the main idea of this article. The article also shows the role of information technology in the transformation of the cultural reality of postmodernism. Also the main directions of application of information systems and innovative technologies in the field of education and science in general, and at studying of disciplines of a natural cycle in particular are covered. Peculiarities of studying natural sciences by students are revealed, didactic potential of ICT and its realization in the process of studying natural disciplines is considered, methodical analysis of the problem of application of information technologies in natural education is carried out. The principle of integration, multimedia clarity, interactive interaction of participants of educational process at application of new information technologies at studying of natural disciplines is allocated. It is determined that ICT in the teaching of natural sciences can intensify the educational process, accelerate the transfer of knowledge and experience, as well as improve the quality of teaching and education.

The proxy dilemma: Informed consent in paediatric clinical research - a case study of Thailand.

Informed consent is an essential requirement for the ethical conduct of research. It is also a necessary requirement for the lawful conduct of research. Informed consent provides a legal basis to enrol human subjects in clinical research. In paediatric research, where children do not generally enjoy a presumption of competence, a legal representative must authorise a child's enrolment. Determining who should act on behalf of the child is a matter of law, rather than ethical principle. But, if national laws are lacking or do not reflect socio-cultural realities, legal uncertainty can arise, which can have implications for children's enrolment in clinical research. Using Thailand as its case study, this paper contemplates how international legal frameworks, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, could be leveraged to navigate legal uncertainty in the informed consent process, enabling more children to access and participate in paediatric clinical research.