Digitized Theses and Dissertations

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Freedom, domination and the liberal art of government: advanced liberal technologies in Fraser Institute discourse
(2000) Shaw, Murray; Carroll, William K.
This thesis approaches the discourse of the Fraser Institute, a free-market think-tank based in Canada, from the perspective of governmentality, a body of literature that draws on the work of Michel Foucault. While the Fraser Institute is commonly regarded as disseminating the classical liberal tenets of the minimal state and market freedom, this thesis draws on Nikolas Rose's (1999) notion of' advanced liberalism' to demonstrate that the Institute is articulating themes of contemporary governance that do not fit neatly under the heading of classical liberalism. The dismantling of the welfare state is explained from the governmentality perspective, and then this perspective is applied to an analysis of Fraser Institute discourse across several areas of public service provision, and in relation to the concept of 'community'. It is found that while a governmentality analysis offers productive insights into Fraser Institute discourse, this analysis misses important aspects of both contemporary political rationality and Fraser Institute discourse. Strengths and weaknesses of the approach are discussed, and suggestions offered as to how the governmentality perspective could be reoriented to offer a more satisfactory account of free market discourses such as that of the Fraser Institute.
Midlife passage: reflections on a journey
(1999) Robertson, Lorene Ann; Oberg, Antoinette A.
This qualitative study is an autobiographical reflection on midlife passage. The text is presented as a metaphoric journey through the internal and external landscapes of midlife. The text travels the ground between fact and fiction, reality and imagination. The topic and methodology of this work are inextricably entwined. The writer both lives and writes the topic of midlife, becoming both the subject and the object of the study. Autobiographical narration is the means by which the writer both uncovers and creates the life-stories and mythic structures that inform her journey. The text explores some of the theoretical literature on midlife, with the writer situating herself within the social and cultural context of her time and place. The text then moves toward an exploration of the creative and spiritual potential of the midlife passage. The form of the text reflects the writer's process as she seeks to define her experience of the midlife passage.
The cerata of Melibe leonina (Gould, 1859) (Mollusca; Nudibranchia): morphogenesis, neurogenesis, autotomy, and repugnatorial glands
(1988) Page, Louise Roberta; Mackie, George O.
Larval and metamorphic development of Melibe leonina. as determined from histological sections, is similar to that of other planktotrophic nudibranch larvae except that the rudiments of the postmetamorphic cerata appear during the larval stage. Using semi-serial thin sections, I examined ceratal development from the larval mantle fold and neurogenesis of the pleural/ceratal (PC) nerve. The proximal segment of the PC nerve is established initially by outgrowing axons of central motoneurons. Morphological evidence suggests outgrowing axons are guided by a supporting cell and by the basal lamina of the mantle fold epithelium. The distal portion of the PC nerve is pioneered by ingrowing axons from peripheral sensory cells. Ceratal autotomy, which allows escape from crab predators, requires breakage of the epidermis, longitudinal muscle bands. ceratal nerve and digestive gland. Ultrastructural observations show that two circular nerves, originating from the ceratal nerve, lie within the autotomy plane; one runs beneath the epidermis, the other surrounds the ceratal branch of the digestive gland. Innervated granule-filled cells (GC) lie within the perineurium of these nerves and extend processes to the basal laminae and associated connective tissue of the four structures that cross the autotomy plane. Degranulation of GC and disruption of basal laminae accompany autotomy. I suggest that autotomizing stimuli (pinching the ceras) elicit neurally-mediated release of GC granules, which disrupts basal laminae and connective tissue structures within the autotomy plane. Tissue separation is assisted by strong muscular contractions. Each ceras of M. leonina contains a peripheral nervous system consisting of several small ganglia that give rise to distal nerves. Efferent neurons within the ganglia are recruited by strong afferent stimuli and fire semisynchronously to produce a train of large amplitude spike bursts in extracellular recordings from all nerves emanating from the ganglia. The spike bursts precede ceratal autotomy. I argue that these neurons are presynaptic to ceratal muscles that help accomplish ceratal autotomy. The repugnatorial glands of the cerata are composed of two types of secretory cells invested with muscle cells. Glandular secretion requires direct touch to ciliated sensory cells adjacent to the secretory pore and sea star tube feet reduce the stimulus threshold for secretion.
Impossible escape from capture: a journey toward an indigenous political entity
(2003) Leslie, Bruce Lloyd Heimbecker; Corntassel, Jeff
This thesis examines the circumstances and options of indigenous individuals dispossessed of their connection to the cultural and political institutions of indigenous communities. Addressed specifically is the question of alternatives to political assimilation into the dominant society. A secondary research question addresses the process by which an indigenous political identity could be realized to counter political dispossession and assimilation. This study provides a critical examination of four theories of indigenous identity formation: emergent behaviours/properties, life stages, self definition/Recognition of Being, and self-conscious traditionalism. The analysis adopts an aspectival perspective and employs an aboriginal canoe methodology. This thesis argues for a move away from definitional and essentialist approaches to indigenous identity and toward deliberate political identity formation along the trajectories of agency, alliance, and identity. A theoretical model is proposed that links an individual pedagogical approach to practical political alliances with indigenous political and cultural communities for self-determination, survival, and resistance.
Becoming Feminists/ Doing Feminism(s)
(2000) Kmech, Lori-Anne; McMahon, Martha
This thesis describes ten feminist graduate students' pathways to feminist self identity and their experiences of doing feminism in the social sciences. I draw from symbolic interactionist theory which conceptualizes individuals as actively interpreting their lived experiences. Symbolic interactionism theorizes self and identity as social processes that emerge in interaction. A contemporary interactionist model of generic social processes is used to understand how graduate school organizes graduate students' experiences of becoming professionals in the social sciences. Narrative theory is used to re-read feminist models of self and identity especially those feminist models that theorize women as cast in the role of "Other" which leads them to develop negative or contradictory evaluations of self in comparison to masculine models of self and identity. Feminism is read as a narrative which provides women with strategies for resisting constructions of self and identity as organized in late modern capitalist society. The participants' stories of constructing feminist self-identity and doing feminist social science are presented as resistance narratives. Using interpretivism and feminism as a methodological approach, I interviewed ten feminist graduate students about their self transformations in the processes of becoming feminists and becoming feminist social scientists.
Bobbe mysehs and other truths: life stories and stereotypes of two Jewish women
(2000) Geirholm, Sara Marcie; Wilson, Margot
Who is the Jewish woman? There exist very predominate images of Jewish women. The first is found in traditional historical narratives. Here Jewish women are represented as the Other to the male norm, their stories told through the eyes of their male counterparts. The second image is the Jewish Mother stereotype. This representation has evolved throughout the past century to the point where she has become a pop icon. As with the former image, this one is created and formed by others. The question is, do these definitions of Jewish women capture the reality of Jewish women’s lives today, and in the past? In order to answer this I look at the life stories of two Jewish women from the Canadian Prairies. Examining, comparing and contrasting these external representations with the self-representations. reveals the necessity to collect Jewish women’s oral histories in order to fully understand what it means to be a Jewish woman.
Coming of age in Rome: the history and social significance of assuming the Toga Virilis
(1999) Dolansky, Fanny Lyn; Bradley, Keith R.
The purpose of this thesis is to collect and analyze evidence for the assumption of the toga virilis in Roman society. Though the study of Roman childhood, and to a lesser extent, Roman adolescence, have recently attracted considerable scholarly attention, the celebration of donning the toga virilis, the rite of passage that marked the transition from childhood to adulthood for freeborn Roman boys, has largely been overlooked by Roman family historians. The present work seeks to redress the balance by treating the coming of age ceremony in a comprehensive and comparative study in an effort to enrich knowledge of Roman family life in general, and Roman childhood and adolescence in particular. Chapter One begins by summarizing the major trends in scholarship related to the Roman family, childhood, and adolescence, in order to provide the requisite background to the study of the toga virilis ceremony. The latter third of the chapter discusses the sources of evidence for a rite de passage that is widely attested in the Roman world, both chronologically and geographically. Chapter Two opens with a discussion of the relationship between puberty and the coming of age ceremony, and then examines the role of the paterfamilias in the celebration. The object of this chapter is to describe the distinct elements of the rite -- including what and who were involved and where different stages of the ritual took place -- and to draw together the fragments of evidence to form a composite picture of what can be seen to be a defining moment in a young boy's life. Chapters Three and Four examine the political, legal, social and religious implications Ill for the Roman boy who has assumed the toga virilis. They also explore the issues of independence and ambiguity. The toga virilis conferred important rights and privileges on the Roman youth and was a necessary step towards full inclusion in aspects of public life. Receipt of the toga was also associated with education and the study of philosophy, as well as certain social activities and sexual pursuits. Chapter Five employs modem anthropological theory and comparative evidence to understand more fully the toga virilis ceremony as a rite of passage, and to appreciate its significance both practically and symbolically. A discussion of the demographic implications of donning the toga and Roman views of childhood and its hazards follows. Finally, the assumption of the toga is examined as a type of public display that satisfies various criteria for a spectacle. A short appendix is included in which Latin and Greek sources that refer to the distinct elements and stages of the rite are listed.
Atypical sexual experiences in male children and youth: a retrospective study
(2000) Croft, Andrew John; Hett, Geoffrey; Hill, Jennifer
Survey data was collected toward examining atypical sexual experiences of male children and youth. The Sexual Experiences and Perceptions Questionnaire (SEP-Q) and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) were administered to a sample of 279 male students from a university population in British Columbia, Canada. Subjects were recruited from a first year psychology course and through advertisements placed on campus. Childhood and adolescent sexual experiences information provided by subjects was differentiated using five categories of age or authority based definition criteria. Self-reported perceptions and measures of trauma were compared using descriptive cross tabulations toward answering several questions about symptomology and perceptions of males reporting these experiences. The results for the different age and sexual behavior categories were represented within tables. Comparisons were noted regarding the affective perceptions of subjects to childhood sexual experiences with significantly older or authority positioned partners in relation to the gender of the sexual partner, the age difference between the subject and partner, the level of manipulation involved in the sexual encounter, whether or not the subject previously disclosed the sexual encounter, the subject's perception of abuse, and assessment of traumatic symptoms.
Promissory issues in common and canon law in the high and later middle ages in England
(1999) Caldwell, Chelsea C.; Haskett, Timothy Shaw
This study compares the secular and ecclesiastical treatment of promissory matters in the High and Later Middle Ages in England. The theology of marriage written by St Thomas Aquinas and St Raymund de Penafort is examined, and its relevance to the actions of the ecclesiastical courts of England is evaluated. The ecclesiastical treatment of promissory issues is viewed through the canon law's response to the issues of nonfeasance and misfeasance in the marriage contract. As well, evidentiary issues in marriage litigation are discussed. The secular treatment of promissory matters is examined through the development of the Common law of contract in England. The secular legal response to the issues of nonfeasance and misfeasance is evaluated and contrasted with the ecclesiastical response to the same issues. The difference between the manner and time in which the Common law developed its law of contract is contrasted with the development of the canon law in response to the same sort of evidentiary and theoretical problems. The comparison of the two responses to promissory issues indicates a greater facility on the part of the canon law to respond speedily to specific problems and to formulate legal and philosophical theory governing promissory issues.
Age-discrepant unions in Canada
(2000) Burch, Karli Halling; Wu, Zheng
While there appears to be a trend toward age-homogamous unions in both Canada and the United States, research on age-discrepant unions remains important. Unfortunately, over the past 10 years or so, very little research on age-heterogamous unions has been conducted. This thesis is an attempt to address this lack of research. I test five hypotheses based upon the economic and sociological theories of marriage. Recognizing its growing importance in Canadian union life, I also include a consideration of cohabitation. The data for my analysis were drawn from the 1995 General Social Survey, and although I provide some descriptive statistics, my core analysis utilizes logit and multinomial logit modelling techniques. While most Canadian unions can be characterized as age-homogamous, I do find that cohabitors are more likely than their married counterparts to experience an age discrepant union. The risk of age-heterogamy also increases with age, and those born outside of Canada are generally also more likely to enter an age-discrepant union. Finally, age-heterogamous unions are more likely to occur with those born into the "1939 and earlier" cohort.
Ideals and realities of death and dying in the twelfth century
(2001) Braakman, Michelle Lynne; Dutton, Paul E.
The twelfth century developed a particular conception of what an ideal death was that came to serve as the standard against which different types of deaths were measured. For the benefit of both monastic and lay communities monks and other writers stressed the importance of achieving a good death. Images and attitudes toward death are to be found in various sources, including monastic customaries and constitutions, paintings, lay instructional texts, and histories and chronicles. The idealization of death and the way it was accepted and developed, and how it corresponded to actual deaths, suggest that the expectations of a good death varied among different groups in twelfth-century Christian society. There remained throughout, however, the hope of personal salvation for all who led good, Christian lives, and who faced death constant in their faith in God and in keeping with the expectations of how one was supposed to die.
Movements of power and acts of resistance: Falun Gong and the politics of everyday life
(2000) Blackburn, Michael Lewis; Walker, R. B. J.
Any attempt to appreciate the complex reality of the Falun Gong from a political perspective is immediately challenged by the limitations of available discourse to evaluate the political character of the silent performance of morning exercises in Chinese parks by individuals belonging to widely contrasting social, educational and economic backgrounds. Three possible analyses of the Falun Gong's resistance are offered: as an example of a Human Security concern featuring a necessary tension between an unstable State and its members; as an example of a New Social Movement, through which the foundation and organization of the group can be seen to reflect similar movements worldwide; and as an expression of a type of non-discursive political resistance which is located in the bricolage of everyday activities. These discussions allow consideration of various locations where the political in the Falun Gong may be (simultaneously) located, while also allowing further meditation upon the strategic possibilities implied by such non-violent, trans-societal activism for dominated communities worldwide.
Family structure and support among older adults
(1998) Anderson, Catherine; Penning, M.
As demographic influences, experiences and attitudes change regarding marriage, divorce, single parenthood and female employment, greater diversity in family forms is becoming increasingly prevalent. With increases in the number of childless couples and in the number of divorces and remarriages, relationships and support systems within the family are also changing. Using data drawn from the 5th cycle of the 1990 Canadian General Social Survey - Family and Friends. this study examined the relationship between family structure and the provision of support for elderly individuals. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine whether there were differences in types, levels and sources of support for individuals aged 60 years and over embedded within three different types of family structure - first-time married couples with children, remarried couples with children, and first-time married couples without children. The findings revealed few significant differences in patterns of support. However, further research examining support within a broader range of family forms is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Structured journal writing for recovery from romantic relationship loss
(2000) Altrows, Kim Jessica; Hett, Geoffrey
This study investigated the effects of a structured journal writing intervention on 20 university students ( 18 females and 2 males, ages 20 to 30 years) who had experienced a breakup within the preceding 12 months. Writing occurred for six sessions over a period of 3 weeks. Experimental group participants (n = l 0) responded to questions aimed at eliciting an account of the breakup, with emphasis on emotional expression and cognitive re-appraisal of the loss. Control group participants (n = I 0) wrote about neutral topics. Pre- and post-test measures of self-esteem, self-concept, time orientation, inner-directedness, and capacity for intimacy were taken using the Self Description Questionnaire III and the Personal Orientation Inventory. Contrary to the hypotheses, no significant differences were found between groups at post-test. Post-hoc analyses revealed significant improvements in the experimental group in self-esteem, inner-directedness, Emotional Stability self concept, and Opposite Sex Peer Relations self-concept, while the control group improved in Opposite Sex Peer Relations self-concept only. Possible explanations for the findings are discussed and implications for future research are presented.
Looking for spirits in all the right places: an examination of native and non-native substance abuse recovery strategies in British Columbia
(2001) Evans, Susan Elizabeth; Donald, Leland H.
Canadian Native peoples are taking back control of community social and health programs through the Federal Health Transfer process. Questions of program efficacy need to be addressed to assist in the planning and implementation of effective alcohol and substance abuse recovery strategies. Culturally-relevant treatment is recommended for Native peoples to reclaim their cultural/spiritual identity and to heal from the spiritual bankruptcy of addiction. Using content analysis and qualitative evaluation of documentation and ethnographic interviews, this study examines the values embedded in the symbolic healing strategies of Native and non-Native outpatient and residential treatment centres across British Columbia. Considerable difference in the value placed on spirituality is found between Native and non-Native healing philosophies. Regionally distinct, syncretic healing models are utilized in Native urban and reserve programs which combine local traditions with practices adopted from Plains peoples. These syncretic models are creating controversy in coastal reserve communities.
Analysis of spatial patterns at a prehistoric settlement in the lower Fraser Canyon, B. C.
(1980) Archer, David J. W.; Mitchell, Donald
In 1975 and 1976 archaeological salvage excavations were carried out at the Silverhope Creek site, a small prehistoric settlement in the lower Fraser Canyon, British Columbia. The excavations yielded a large assemblage of lithic artifacts and other cultural materials, dating to the Skamel Phase in the lower canyon sequence. These remains provide the basis for an investigation of spatial patterning within the site. The two objectives of the study are to identify and describe the spatial arrangement of activities at the site, and to test the applicability of the ring model formulated by Yellen (1977). The data categories included in the analysis are tools and ornamental items, manufacturing waste, calcined faunal remains, fire-cracked rock, and cultural features. The tools and ornamental items, which are the major focus, have been organized into functional groups on the basis of use-wear analysis and ethnographic analogy. The spatial analysis begins with a test for randomness in the data. Observed distributions for various classes of remains are compared to a theoretically random or Poisson distribution, and most are found to display a pattern which is significantly different from random. The second part of the analysis involves visual assessment of four density iii maps representing the major categories of data from the site. The observed arrangement corresponds in part to the Yellen ring model. The principal activity zones within the study area are identified by means of an average linkage clustering of the excavation units. As predicted by the model, the various individual assemblages are classified into two groups and their spatial disposition coincides with the density zones. A percentage frequency graph is constructed to determine which particular classes are responsible for the observed pattern. In agreement with the model the "inner" high density zone is characterized by relative abundance of fine manufacturing and food processing implements and the "outer" l ow density zone by a range of heavy duty implements. Although the data tend to support the Yellen ring model the size of the sample from the low density areas of the site is not sufficient for an unqualified acceptance.
Athapaskan-Tlingit trade relations: the case for balanced reciprocity
(1980) Decosse, Simonne Sigthora; Donald, Leland H.
This thesis presents an analysis of 19th century Athapaskan Tlingit trade relations. Using Sahlins' theory of primitive exchange, an alternative to the current hypothesis of Tlingit domination and exploitation of the Athapaskans is proposed. The approach differs from previous ones in that trade transactions are viewed in terms of a system of interactions and it is the relationship rather than the simple exchange of goods which is the focal point of interest. The underlying assumption is that as the majority of Athapaskan-Tlingit interactions occurred in the context of trade, it is the nature of their exchanges which established the posit ion of one group vis-a-vis the other and which therefore defines their relationship as a whole. In conformity to the nature of the data, the thesis employs ethno-historical techniques of data analysis. The examination of trade practices highlights the crucial role of trade partners and demonstrates the conformity of Athapaskan Tlingit exchanges to Sahlins' model of balanced reciprocity. It is argued that the trade partner and kinship relation set the framework for Athapaskan-Tlingit interactions by placing the traders within a specified social relationship for which there were clearly defined rules of behavior and by imposing mutual obligations and restrictions upon them. The classification of Athapaskan-Tlingit trade as balanced ii. reciprocity which rests upon a principle of equality is in stark contrast to the prevalent view of Tlingit domination and exploitation of the Athapaskans. It is argued, however, that the assumption of Tlingit exploitation has been based upon inadequate measures of the "profits" they are alleged to have gleaned from the trade. When approached from the native perspective, the trade may well have consisted of a series of fair exchanges and may not have involved "profit" in the western sense. A re-examination of the evidence most frequently cited in support of Tlingit domination demonstrates that the behavior of both groups can be interpreted as in conformity to the mutual obligations imposed upon them by their trade partnership agreement. Thus, Athapaskan-Tlingit relations can be seen as con forming to the general pattern of balanced reciprocity as expressed in the formalities and bartering techniques employed in their exchanges. This thesis is presented as a contribution to our understanding of Athapaskan-Tlingit trade relationships and as a demonstration of the usefulness of Sahlins' theory of primitive exchange.
An historical comparison of urban and reserve coast Salish Indian with non-Indian employment in Victoria, B.C.: a test of two models of Indian underdevelopment
(1988) English, Cindy Lou Ehrhart; Berthiaume, Kathleen
The continuing problem of Indian poverty is examined using tests of two explanations of Indian underdevelopment: an acculturation model and a dependency model. Against an historical backdrop, the study examines the development of underdevelopment for the Victoria, British Columbia area Coast Salish Indians, relative to non-Indians living in similar geographic areas from 1972-1984. The thesis follows Mooney (1976), who looks at years 1952-1971. Both studies utilize employment information from the Victoria city directory as a data base for testing of these two explanations of Indian underdevelopment. As in Mooney's study, an acculturation model fails as an explanation of Indian underdevelopment, while dependency theory appears to be the stronger explanation.
Social constructionism in psychology: the road to solipsism and an alternative
(2000) Kenwood, Christine Jessica; Tolman, Charles W.; Bavelas, Janet Beavin
Theories of social construction ism developed in psychology bear little resemblance to the original theory of construction ism proposed by Berger and Luckmann (1967). Some differences, most importantly those concerning how language is conceived, are at the root of problems suffered by the theories proposed by psychologists Kenneth J. Gergen and John Shotter. The critical literature suggests that psychological constructionism suffers from problems associated with relativism. It is argued, however, that the problem is more serious in that the theories of language proposed by Gergen and Shott er lead to solipsistic rather than relativistic consequences. The solution to the problematic aspects of their theories lies in returning to the use of action rather than language as a starting point for theory development. Berger and Luckmann (1967) avoid the problems suffered by their psychological counterparts by beginning with action. How problems are avoided by the use of action and how a viable theory becomes possible are discussed.
The value sieve: a decision system for complex environments
(2000) Corbett, John Christopher; Protti, D. J.; Cutt, Jim
The Value Sieve is a framework for making resource allocation decisions in complex environments. The theory and research methodologies employed in its development are founded in the social sciences. Given the social psychological nature of organizational problems, an open systems approach is taken. This approach requires that the target system be considered in the context of its operating environment and that the design includes the ways in which each subsystem interacts with others through inputs and outputs. This approach is intended to avoid the problems created when analysts treat organizations as closed systems and so invest their efforts in determining a detailed internal structure without considering the external environmental forces and the --natural'' features demonstrated by open systems. The Value Sieve is an optimization methodology and gets its name from the perspective that optimization in a complex environment requires accountable decision-makers to accept that there will be a series of tradeoffs that are ultimately determined by which outputs and outcomes they value most. This decision framework assists decision-makers in distilling their choices to achieve maximum expected utility for the scarce resources available for allocation. The framework is particularly useful where choices must be made among alternatives with incommensurable output or outcome performance measures. The Value Sieve framework is developed theoretically and conceptually in the first half of the thesis. In the second half. the framework is applied to a set of complex decisions in health and childcare in the public sector and human services in the private non-profit sector.

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