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For just a few seconds, I have put something sweet in someone’s mouth: On the materiality of Conceptual art
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History, Minor in Philosophy and Art and Design)--John Cabot University, Fall 2024.This thesis will attempt to question the definition of material in Conceptual (and Post-conceptual) art by analyzing Félix González-Torres’ candy spills from 1990 to 1993. Based on the fundamental differences between the “ready-made”, the use of found objects, and language-based Conceptual art (works like those of Joseph Kosuth), I plan to rethink the importance of material and materiality in these kinds of practices. Conceptual art has been defined by the predominant narrative of art history as a practice in which the material object produced is secondary to the idea that it represents. This has been accepted as its fundamental characteristic: what matters is neither the material nor object, but the idea. Radicalizing practices that come from rethinking Marcel Duchamp’s work, Conceptual art has questioned the relevance of materiality; not only considering its value as an institutional or social critique, but using it to examine the definition of art and of art-making altogether. Although there is much literature about these practices, it is all based on the underlying principle that the meaning of these works of art is not in the material choices of objects. There is no scholarship that deals with artists who are conceptual in process but who also depend on material to generate meaning, like, for example, Félix González-Torres. His work, which while operating under the “conceptual” lens, also permits further examining of this current in relation to how place or material function. This leads into an investigation of “site-specificity,” and site as crucial for the development of such works. In the practice of González-Torres these two issues sometimes go hand-in-hand; the candy spills sit in a paradoxical place with respect to the site-specific: they both are and are not. These issues construct a map that leads to a third inquiry: the role of the viewer as activator for the full realization of the artwork, both in relation to the material and the site. It is in the relation that the viewer has with the space, and the material through which they experience the artwork, that we can have a more complete understanding of artistic intent, and what the conceptual value of the work is through embodiment
The European Union as Democratizing Actor Through Conditionality: A Comparative Perspective on Hungary and Romania’s Accessions
No full textThesis (B.A. in International Affairs, Minor in Legal Studies)--John Cabot University, Fall 2024.From travel freedom to economic integration, the European Union has shaped the European way of life reinforcing democratic values. This dissertation will analyse the democratizing role of the European Union through political conditionality. In adhering to democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights, and good governance, conditionality acts as leverage through which the European Union acts as a democratising actor. In analysing the correlation between democracy and EU conditionality, this thesis will tackle the following research question: how does EU conditionality address the democratisation process in Europe? The thesis is developed on the idea that the EU exerted conditionality throughout the pre-accession and the negotiation process through which the countries examined. In this case, the Eastern European countries (EEC), in particular Romania and Hungary, strengthened the quality of their democratic institutions to qualify for EU membership, resulting in enhanced democracies between 1990s and 2000s. By analyzing this process, the thesis aims to contribute to the broader academic literature on the role of EU conditionality in fostering democratization, offering insights into the relationship between external incentives and domestic political reforms in transitioning democracies
Even more discouraged? The NEET generation at the age of COVID-19
No full textThe Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) status is a long-standing problem that occupies a priority role in the European policy agenda, even more during the post-COVID-19 outbreak. This paper investigates whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic and the quality of institutions affect the probability of being NEET in Italy. In treating the 15–34 unemployed and inactive cohort jointly, our hypothesis is that the COVID-19 exposure has increased the risk of being NEET during the second quarter of 2020 whereas the quality of institutions could mitigate it. Estimates on a unique dataset obtained by merging the Italian Labor Force Survey with the Institutional Quality Index dataset, confirms it. In addition, in dealing the 15–24 and 25–34 cohorts separately, our results show that individuals in the older age group are the most affected. Finally, “good deeds” implemented by institutions, such as active policies conducted at regional level, are a further educational investment that could protect from becoming NEET
Where Theodora Episcopa Rests: A Gendered Analysis of the Chapel of San Zeno at Santa Prassede in Rome
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History)--John Cabot University, Fall 2024.The chapel of San Zeno is one of the best-studied ninth-century monuments in Rome due to its remarkable state of preservation and gleaming mosaic program. Despite this, the present study attempts to fill a surprising gap in its centuries-long historiography. Although scholars generally acknowledge that the chapel serves as a mausoleum for Paschal I’s mother, Theodora, it has yet to be analyzed as her commemorative monument. The scholarly oversight may partially be due to the seemingly atypical nature of her representation in the northern niche of the chapel, where she is presented alongside Santa Prassede, Santa Pudenziana, and the Virgin Mary. A blue square nimbus surrounds her head, her hair is covered by a white headdress, and, most unusually, an inscription identifies her as Theodora Episcopa. As this titulus translates to a feminized version of the word “Bishop,” her portrayal ostensibly defies early medieval gender norms. This thesis re-centers the chapel’s narrative on Theodora Episcopa rather than focusing on the iconographic and geographical sources of the chapel’s imagery, as has often been the case. The iconography of the chapel’s mosaics will instead be analyzed through a gendered lens. The unique title Episcopa will be examined in the context of the titulature of imperial and highranking religious women. This methodology proposes a new link between Theodora Episcopa, Helena Augusta, and Galla Placidia Augusta to be made. This connection, in turn, generates novel insights into the relationship between mother and son, Theodora Episcopa and the Episcopus Paschal – that allow a gendered reassessment of the Virgin and Child imagery throughout the chapel and its basilica
Social media as a form of political communication: The case study of Meloni, Salvini and Conte
No full textThesis (B.A. in Political Science, Minor in History)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.Social media are not just used to connect online anymore but have become powerful weapons that trigger political storylines and public opinion. Politics is now shifting to social media and other virtual platforms, often marginalizing traditional public spaces. It appears sensitive and proactive to its existing electoral base and seeks to engage undecided voters. It is possible to notice this tendency in Italian politics, as figures like Giuseppe Conte, Matteo Salvini, and Giorgia Meloni effectively use these platforms. All these leaders have addressed the public through social media, avoiding traditional context filters and building their image. Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy, uses social media to reinvigorate nationalist feelings and mobilize conservatives. Salvini, a member of the League, attracts followers, and interacts directly with them, often sparking a buzz in public debate. Conversely, Giuseppe Conte, formerly identified with the Five Star Movement, uses social media to present a calmer more collaborative image, that appeals to a larger audience looking for unity. This research examines how these leaders’ use of social media reflects broader patterns of digital political communication. It raises questions about the authenticity of mediated political communication, the impact of direct digital interaction on traditional politics, and the potential of social media in Italy
Performing with Water: Voyage of the Viewer in Roman Water Gardens
No full textMaster of Arts in Art History -- John Cabot University, Spring 2024.As prominent villa spaces, the Sperlonga Grotto and the Canopus of Hadrian’s villa are compelling early Imperial sites known best for their (respectively) dramatic and perplexing sculptural collections. However, the arguably more curious aspect of the villa sites is their manipulation of water. The Sperlonga Grotto is a naturally occurring lagoon grotto fitted with sculptural scenes that highlight the tales of Odysseus and an island triclinium. The Canopus is an artificial river featuring a so-called “eclectic” assortment of statues. Within the two villa spaces, the curation of water itself as adornment is just as important and compelling as curated sculptural displays. This thesis, “Performing with Water: Voyage of the Viewer in Roman Water Gardens”, unpacks these water gardens as the multilayered experiences that they provided to the ancient visitor. Often framed as “theatrical” spaces, the Sperlogna Grotto and the Canopus are, in different ways, spaces deliberately constructed as products of cultural choices. Such cultural choices will be unraveled through an investigation of sculptural curation, the manipulation of water, and existence of similar experimental spaces in a cultural context. Thus, this thesis aims to highlight the Sperlonga Grotto and the Canopus of Hadrian’s Villa as spaces where performativity is woven into their visual, physical, and material experiences as reflections of the styled culture of the early Imperial period
The Ideology of Spolia in Early Christian Buildings
No full textThesis (B.A. in Art History)--John Cabot University, Spring 2024.This thesis analyzes the ideological use of architectural spolia in early Christian Roman churches of the fourth and sixth centuries and the ways in which this reflects the social, political, and religious transformations of the time. The use of spolia changed with the arrival of Christianity, which has led historians to question the motivations for its use, whether ideological or practical. The present analysis contributes to this discussion through an investigation of changes in the reuse of architectural elements. After a general introduction of the meaning of spolia in the first chapter, in the second chapter, the arch of Constantine will be examined as a model with an ideological reason. Its analysis will be an excellent model to highlight the ideological use of spolia as a method of political propaganda, trying to keep the panels in an elegant appearance. Instead, the spolia present in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Battistero Lateranense, and the Basilica of San Pietro in Vaticano, seems to be used and arranged differently from the example previously discussed. In this case, spolia was used on a large scale and was not hidden, as in the past; hence, it no longer respected the canons of the classical tradition. This change in the use of the spolia from imperial Roman commissions to ecclesiastic use led to different opinions on the part of historians. Some historians argued that the use of the spolia had a purely practical and economic purpose. Instead, according to other lines of thought, the reuse of architectural elements had an ideological purpose. The departure from traditional standards, the heterogeneous use of spolia, could represent the search for a new style that identified Christianity as a new aesthetic paradigm of romanitas. The investigation of continuity and discontinuity in the use of the spolia is the basis of the thesis. Incorporating elements from ancient buildings gave prestige and authority to the new building. Differently, immediately after the formalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire, iii spolia begins to be applied in a heterogeneous way, breaking the rules of tradition. Spolia use in early Christianity did not follow the order between capitals, the column shafts were not homogeneous, and the signs of architectural reuse were not hidden. This thesis explores the factors that motivated the use of spolia in the early Christian space, both practical and ideological. While the use of spolia may have, at times, depended on necessity because of limited resources available or economic decay, it also reveals a departure from polytheistic practices. Many buildings and pagan monuments were abandoned or destroyed, of which materials were reused in new Christian buildings. This thesis investigates the appropriation and transformation of the pre-existing cultural and religious heritage by exploring the spolia columns in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Battistero Lateranense, and the Basilica of San Pietro in Vaticano. Incorporating a body of columns from pagan temples into a new Christian church changed their original meaning and gave it a new spiritual dimension
Intergenerational (im)mobility in Pakistan: Is the social elevator broken?
No full textThere is a large literature on intergenerational social and educational mobility in developed countries, but the evidence in developing countries is still scant. In the current literature, household background has been predicted as a significant determinant of individuals' current and future social status because it influences almost every aspect of their lives. We examine various channels through which household socio-economic background and other household and individual characteristics affect individuals' educational and social opportunities in a developing economy, Pakistan. To accomplish the objectives, we have used a rich dataset: the Pakistan Standards of Living Measurement (PSLM) survey 2019-20, which contains information on individuals and their real parents. The empirical analysis highlights that the level of parents' education is more relevant than the level of parents' occupation skills in individuals' social and educational opportunities. In addition, household wealth, region and province of residence, migration status, and disabilities are also significant predictors of intergenerational mobilities in Pakistan. Our results narrate an unequal and dual labour market in Pakistan. Based on empirical outcomes, the study has offered suitable policy implications
for developing economies and Pakistan in particular
Ecomedia Literacy’s El Buen Vivir/Sumak Kawsay: The Practice of Care in Media Education in Latin America
No full textThe Andean concept of “sumak kawsay” (translated as el buen vivir in Spanish and the good life/good living in English) entails a form of relationality between humans and the other-than-human realms (land, water, minerals, air, spirits, etc.) based on care and reciprocity. Corresponding with the “eco-territorial turn” in Latin American social movements, el buen vivir/sumak kawsay informs an ecocentric and decolonial disposition that recognizes the need to confront the disproportionate ecological impacts of information and communication technology (ICTs) and global communications on marginalized populations. In this article, the authors explore how ecomedia literacy expands the notion of care to the other-than-human world in media education, and through the work of artists/activists in Ecuador who are using poetry and music in their unique expression of ecomedia literacy and eco-territorial media practices
Motherhood and Leadership: Exploring Employee Perceptions of Female Leaders in the Workplace
No full textA key challenge faced by female leaders, especially mothers, is the persistence of “maternity bias,” which reflects prejudices that arise from assumptions about a woman’s ability to lead due to her actual or anticipated
responsibilities as a mother. This bias often results in unjust treatment, such as reduced career opportunities and the assumption that mothers are less dedicated to their work. This paper investigates the impact of
motherhood on the perception of female leaders within organizations, addressing a gap in the literature on gender and leadership. While existing studies often focus on differences between male and female leadership styles, they overlook the specific challenges faced by female leaders who are mothers. This study aims to examine whether being a mother for a female leader affects employees' perceptions and their intention to remain with the organization and if this is mediated by their leadership style. Using a sample of companies belonging to various industries and from different countries, the study will investigate how employees perceive the competence and leadership of their female leaders based on their motherhood status. The results suggest that employees’ perceptions of ethical leadership play a key role in their intention to stay with the organization.
While the leader’s identity as a mother does not directly influence retention, it shapes employees' views of their ethical leadership, which in turn significantly impacts their decision to remain with the firm. This
highlights the importance of ethical leadership in fostering employee retention. Results can inform policies aimed at reducing gender-based discrimination and improving organizational diversity and leadership equity