International Journal of Criminology and Sociological Theory (IJCST - York University)
Not a member yet
143 research outputs found
Sort by
Determinist Inquiries: Debates on the Foundation of Language
Full text linkoai:ijcst.journals.yorku.ca:article/16147The present article intends to discuss the important determinist traditions in linguistic thought and theorizing. It will show that (1) there is a significant language-internal approach to determinism and relativity introduced by Saussure and ignored by almost all language scholars; (2) the recent trend introduced by Chomsky within the generative enterprise known as the Minimalist Program has opened a new front which makes possible an attempt to be made with the aim to reconcile, yet not to fuse, the apparently conflicting and contradictory relativist and universalist approaches to language; (3) both the Saussurean and Chomskyan conceptions of ‘sentence,’ ‘creativity,’ and hence ‘language’ are misguided and misleading; and (4) we may suggest a minimalist version of Universal Grammar, called Unified Theory of Parameters (UTP) which on the one hand in pursuit of minimalist aims sets as its objective to dispense with ‘principles’ altogether and on the other hand allows no/bi-valuation possibilities for parameters. Such a version will accommodate a perspective from which nature—genetic/innate foundation of language is complementary to nurture—environmental forces of change and adaptation
Metacognitive Learning Strategies and Academic Success of TEFL M.A. Students in Distance Education
Full text linkAppropriate use of metacognitive learning strategies (MLS can contribute to the development of autonomy in distance learners, which is of paramount importance to their educational success. This paper reports on the frequency of MLS used by M.A. distance students of TEFL and it is intended to find out whether this particular set of strategies has any effect on these learners’ academic success The academic success rate of the subjects is determined based on their university average scores. The subjects consisted of 36 M.A. TEFL distance learners who were asked to fill out Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaires. For the purpose of analysis, the students were classified as high and low achievers based on their average scores. The results indicate that with α set at 0.05, there is no statistically significant correlation between the use of MLS and academic success of the participants
The Indentured contract and its Impact on Labor Relationship and Community Reconstruction in British Guiana
Full text linkThis paper focuses on the indenture contract1 as a legal instrument that inspired the reconstruction of social institutions and community within a specific labor relationship in British Guiana. The signing of the indenture ruptured age old traditions that were fragmentarily transplanted to a hostile social space for reconstruction. That social space characterized by a labor repressive system was the sugar plantations of post-emancipated British Guiana. This paper analyzes the reconstruction of social institutions and community not only as inducements to divide and control the labor market, but as modes of relations existing in relations of production. It begins with an introduction to the postemancipated labor market realities of British Guiana that birthed the indentured movement from Asia to the Caribbean. It continues with a critical exploration of how the indenture contract impacted the reconstruction of social institutions and community