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Despair and Disillusionment in Post-Negritude African Literature
Sunday Tasen Okune,
Alexander Essien Timothy
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, September 2017
Pages:
45-51
Received:
11 November 2016
Accepted:
23 December 2016
Published:
3 October 2017
Abstract: In their spirited and desperate bid to correct the distorted notion of Africa held by some European ethnologists, Negritudian writers such as Leopold Senghor, Leon Damas, Aime Cessaire, Gilbert Gratiant, Leonard Sainville, etc tended to portray Africa and the black world in rather glowing terms of beauty and idealism. Despite the robust hope and idealism echoed in Negritude literature about Africa, the reality of life in post-Negritude paints a dismal picture of despair and disillusionment. This paper explores how some African writers of the post-Negritude era have committed their art to the exploration of such related themes of despair, disillusionment, corruption, brutality, conflicts, etc, that are quite contrary to the idyllic picture painted by the founding fathers of Negritude.
Abstract: In their spirited and desperate bid to correct the distorted notion of Africa held by some European ethnologists, Negritudian writers such as Leopold Senghor, Leon Damas, Aime Cessaire, Gilbert Gratiant, Leonard Sainville, etc tended to portray Africa and the black world in rather glowing terms of beauty and idealism. Despite the robust hope and id...
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From “Two Basics” to “Four Basics” in Chinese Mathematics Curriculum Standards: Development, Reflection and Prospects
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, September 2017
Pages:
52-56
Received:
4 January 2017
Accepted:
17 January 2017
Published:
23 October 2017
Abstract: This paper is an attempt to trace the route of changes from the “Two Basics” to the “Four Basics” in the Chinese context of mathematics curriculum reform. These obvious changes in the new curriculum standards orient the development of mathematics education in a new era. “Four Basics” contain very rich connotations and it reflects the “top-to-bottom” model of the national concern about what is the value of education and mathematics as a very important subject. These changes also relate to the methods to be used to fulfill the educational purpose; that is, how to foster the development of students in this globalized and knowledge-based society.
Abstract: This paper is an attempt to trace the route of changes from the “Two Basics” to the “Four Basics” in the Chinese context of mathematics curriculum reform. These obvious changes in the new curriculum standards orient the development of mathematics education in a new era. “Four Basics” contain very rich connotations and it reflects the “top-to-bottom...
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The Role of Age and Gender Differences in Language Learning: A Case Study on Kurdish EFL Learners
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, September 2017
Pages:
74-84
Received:
11 April 2017
Accepted:
27 April 2017
Published:
23 October 2017
Abstract: Learning another language, apart from your mother tongue, becomes an influential part of life; however, it will be affected by many non-linguistic factors. Moreover, there is no doubt that language acquisition is a complex process which involves several factors, and that this process is highly influenced due to the plasticity of the brain. Furthermore, the types of memory systems involved in females and males also have a pivotal role that makes the genders distinct. Additionally, age and gender are among the factors that run in parallel with other factors and deeply influence language acquisition process. The study aims to investigate the role of age and gender problems and their influences, as it tries to differentiate between all ages and genders, in learning English as a foreign language. The participants in this research are students at different basic and secondary schools, and English department students at the University of Sulaimani; besides, several teachers were asked too. Mixed methods of data collection were used in this study (questionnaire and interview). The questionnaire section consists of ten questions and five for background information, which all were about age and gender. Moreover, twenty-eight students participated in the questionnaire section; and two teachers and one student participated in the interview section, which was consisted of five questions. The results of this research show the problems according to different ages and genders, and difficulties that faced Kurdish students through learning English; in which, it helps instructors to select their instructional strategies more effectively related to gender and age of students.
Abstract: Learning another language, apart from your mother tongue, becomes an influential part of life; however, it will be affected by many non-linguistic factors. Moreover, there is no doubt that language acquisition is a complex process which involves several factors, and that this process is highly influenced due to the plasticity of the brain. Furtherm...
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Consanguinity and Charity: A Cultural Study on the Different Fates Between Lanzhi and Ruth
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, September 2017
Pages:
85-93
Received:
11 March 2017
Accepted:
27 March 2017
Published:
24 October 2017
Abstract: Both The Bride of Jiao Zhongqing and Ruth share the same literary theme: a woman’s fate in ancient societies. Both of them have the same relationship, daughter-in-law and mother. However, the fates of these two daughters-in-law are quite contrary. Their fates have been determined by their societies with different cultural structures. Consanguinity, a preference of a feudal, patriarchal culture, is reflected through Lanzhi’s tragedy while charity, a preference of a Judeo-Christian culture, is reflected through Ruth’s happy end. A social preference relies on the culture: whether the saint or God is regarded as the final determinant of this world.
Abstract: Both The Bride of Jiao Zhongqing and Ruth share the same literary theme: a woman’s fate in ancient societies. Both of them have the same relationship, daughter-in-law and mother. However, the fates of these two daughters-in-law are quite contrary. Their fates have been determined by their societies with different cultural structures. Consanguinity,...
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