Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/10
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Item Restricted Toward a Resuscitation of Postcolonial Theory: Reshaping Homi Bhabha's Colonial Discourse Within an Arabic Context(University of Sussex, 2024) Althobaiti, Hissah; Masterson, JohnThis thesis explores the colonial/postcolonial discourse articulated by Homi Bhabha, with a specific emphasis on the concept of mimicry as it is performed in Arabic contexts. Departing from the conventional method of applying theory to literary texts, I utilise fiction to both challenge and augment Bhabha’s notion of colonial mimicry within the Arab world in light of his totalising tendency to broaden the scope of his study (both spatially and temporally) without adequate consideration or contextualisation. To achieve this, four writers and texts are selected: Ali Bader’s The Tobacco Keeper (2008; trans. 2011), Yasmina Khadra’s What the Day Owes the Night (2008; trans. 2010), Sahar Khalifeh’s The End of Spring (2004; trans. 2008), and Sayed Kashua’s Dancing Arabs (2002; trans. 2004). These emerge from diverse geo-political locations such as Iraq, Algeria and Palestine, with distinctive histories of colonialism and its afterlives. I investigate the extent to which Bhabha’s conceptualisations of ‘transitive’ and ‘intransitive’ resistance materially translate into effective forms of opposition for the colonised. In this, I seek to expose, what I, along with other critics, see as Bhabha’s mythologisation of some excessively abstract concepts. I do so by foregrounding and analysing the concrete hurdles that confront the mimic men featured in my chosen novels as they are performing and/or existing in various interstitial positions/locations. The thesis proposes that these writers and their work demonstrate some inherent complexities and/or risks when it comes to applying Bhabha’s resistance tool/s. They encompass, but are not limited to, the emergence of degrees of mimicry ranging from resistance to complicity, the conditions of mimicry, the act of authorisation, the distinction between mimicry and camouflage, and self-hatred as an aftermath of mimicry. These are all core preoccupations of this study. This thesis identifies the performance of mimicry within Arabic contexts as ensnared by hindering factors that directly impede its efficacy. It asserts that this process commences with the imposition of prerequisites, progresses through stages of exclusion and estrangement, and ultimately concludes with experiences of rejection and self-revulsion.11 0Item Restricted Arab satirical digital activists target English speakers; Bassem Youssef with Piers Morgan(University of Sheffield, 2024-09) Assouli, Mohammed; Ozduzen, OzgeThis study evaluates Arab satirical digital activism targeting English-speaking audiences. It assesses the performance of Arab satirical activist Bassem Youssef in his interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on his YouTube show, where they discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The study focuses on the most widely circulated clips from this interview on Twitter/X and uses discourse analysis methodology to contextualise and analyse Bassem Youssef's satirical discourse. The findings suggest that Arab satirical discourse has been successful in engaging with English-speaking audiences, although there is still a need for further improvement to make it more effective.12 0Item Restricted Challenging Behaviour in Arab Individuals with an Intellectual Disability(University of Warwick, 2024-04) Alarifi, Shahad; Denne, Louise; Hastings, RichardArab individuals with an intellectual disability have a likelihood of exhibiting challenging behaviours that deviate significantly from socially acceptable behaviours, such as aggression and self-injurious behaviour. These behaviours have broader impacts on individuals and society at large. This thesis thoroughly examines challenging behaviour in Arab individuals with an intellectual disability, employing various research methodologies. Chapter 1 introduces the research topic and outlines the thesis’s structure. In Chapter 2, a systematic review research method is used to narratively synthesise 79 intervention studies addressing challenging behaviour in the Arab population with an intellectual disability and/or autism. This review also critically appraised the studies’ design and reporting of these interventions. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted to explore challenging behaviour in preschool-aged children with an intellectual disability in Saudi Arabia, assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of challenging behaviour among 120 children of this population (Chapter 3) and evaluating the preschool staff’s experiences regarding managing challenging behaviour and the self-efficacy and training needs of 139 special education teachers (Chapter 4). Chapter 5 reports findings from a feasibility study incorporating a non-randomised, waitlist-controlled trial and a mixed-methods process evaluation approach. This study investigates the practical aspects of implementing caregiver training to understand and manage challenging behaviour. Positive behaviour support training was provided to 27 Arab caregivers of children with an intellectual disability who exhibit challenging behaviour. Chapter 6 discusses the implications of the research findings and offers directions for future research in this field. Research findings reveal a significant prevalence of challenging behaviour among Arabs with an intellectual disability, highlighting the significance of a comprehensive understanding of challenging behaviour to provide effective support and tailored interventions within this cultural context. This research provides valuable insights into understanding challenging behaviour and its management in Arab individuals with an intellectual disability.43 0Item Restricted ARAB STEREOTYPE IN AMERICAN MOVIES(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-17) Almansour, Abdulaziz Ibrahim; Wallach, Jeremy; Rudisill, KristenThis thesis explores the stereotypical image of Arabs in Hollywood films from the era of silent films to contemporary productions. It investigates the reasons, circumstances, and reactions that have shaped the stereotypical portrayal of Arabs in these films. This thesis focuses on three specific films: The Sheik (1921), from the silent movies era; Rules of Engagement (2000), prior to the events of September 11; and Syriana (2005), produced after silent movies and September 11 events. Several other films are also occasionally examined to understand the stereotypical representations of Arabs in each time period, covering the 1920s through the 2010s. This thesis uses textual and visual analysis to analyze the films and understand what the movie directors perceive as Arab culture in these movies. Therefore, the first chapter analyzes old movies, from the beginnings of the Arab characters in Hollywood to movies before the Gulf War 1990-1991. The second chapter explores the movies covering the post-Gulf War to recent times. The third chapter presents the results of academic studies and the opinions of notable American and Arab scholars and authors regarding the stereotypical image of Arabs in American cinema. The thesis shows that historical events have had the most significant impact on the portrayal of a negative stereotype of Arabs in Hollywood films. Additionally, the ignorance of Arab culture and the perception of European superiority over other nations and races created factors to this stereotype. Moreover, the absence of Arabs from the Hollywood film industry has played a significant role in the distorted and unnatural portrayal of Arabs in American cinema.26 0Item Restricted A Public Library as A ‘Third Place’ In A Diverse Society: The Arab Community and Public Libraries in Sheffield - A Case Study(2023-07-14) Sahhari, Khulud; Birdi, Briony; Mayblin, LucyThe present study responds to the dearth of library and information science empirical studies on the demographic of Arabs in the UK. It aims to examine the public library experience and related behaviour of members of Arab ethnic minorities in Sheffield; it also considers their needs in relation to inclusion and integration and the public libraries’ role in addressing those needs. Oldenburg’s (1989) third places theory was chosen to guide this research to fill those gaps. Namely, three of the third place's characteristics were selected: levellers, conversational and home-away-from-home. Using a primary survey tool within an explanatory single case study design, web surveys were conducted with 221 members of the Arab community, and 20 library staff and volunteers to provide the descriptive ground for designing the qualitative method (i.e. semi-structured interviews). Following the survey stage, to answer the research questions fully, eight virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Arab community's members and leaders, and four interviews with the library leadership team. The empirical findings show that the Arab community had positive experiences when describing their use of the English library collection or the library's general public services or communicating and interacting with the library staff or volunteers. Yet, a frequent criticism was the relevance and accessibility of the multicultural and multilingual (namely Arabic) stock and services, and the homogeneity of library staff and volunteers in some public libraries in Sheffield. Thus, there is much that could be done to libraries to make them into what could be conceptualised as third places. To the Arab participants, third places are safe, convenient and welcoming places, where everyone can enrich and celebrate their identities irrespective of their background. Oldenburg's (1989) third places are yet to meet all those expectations. Although this study faced limitations due to COVID-19 and the scarcity of detailed and accurate statistical data about the Arab community in Sheffield or studies about their access to public libraries in the United Kingdom, this study fulfilled its aim and made various contributions. A key contribution of this thesis is to provide a new reading of the integration and inclusion needs and public library experience of the Arab community in the UK and to shed light on themes and problems to be considered when studying Arabs. This study also makes a vital theoretical contribution to Oldenburg's (1989) third places theory. It reconstructs and develops Oldenburg's (1989) theory and adds diversity to its characteristics. As a result, it provides public libraries with a conceptual model to define and advocate their role in fostering a coherent society and addressing cultural divide, equality and library engagement issues.59 0