138 research outputs found
Austin also must be remembered. The Augustinian legacy in Milton's work
No full textWhen I started working on this project, with a limited knowledge of Augustine, but determined to spot his presence in Miltonâs poetry, I was little aware of the intricacy of the relationship between the two authors. At this stage of my research, I do subscribe to Savoyeâs opinion, that this relationship is pervasive. However, one could safely add, it is as pervasive as it is hidden, primarily because of changed cultural paradigms, so that Miltonâs references are no longer familiar to the reader.
As I have pointed out in my presentation of the state of the art, these articulations are hardly made explicit in Miltonâs Oeuvre and also in critical literature they are hardly brought to the surface. My objective has been to make them a little more visible.
I have started my own process of discovery from the works where Milton more openly (but not completely) acknowledges his Augustinian sources, although arguably mediated. As concerns Samson Agonistes, I have presented a reading through Augustinian lenses. I am by no means claiming that mine is the best of all possible readings, but through those lenses I have been able to see a coherence, in Miltonâs dramatic poem, that is not generally recognized.
On the other hand, I thoroughly agree that âone cannot simply take any English poet and turn the post-structuralist critical machine loose on him or her in good faithâ. In particular, I am aware that I have read Miltonâs works against the current critical grain which, with a powerful turn impressed by Empsonâs Miltonâs God, is continually surfacing Miltonâs idiosyncrasies in order to cancel the received picture of a Christian author. Rather, I agree with Cirillo that Miltonâs perspective is that of âa professed Christian poet whose Christian consciousness, no matter how heterodox, colored virtually everything he wrote.â.We may ask, echoing Febvre on Rabelais, âMais de quel christianisme? In accordance with very traditional, even traditionalist Milton Criticism, I think it can safely be stated that Milton is a post-Reformation religious author, and one whose endeavour to âjustify the ways of God to menâ had to come to terms with the difficult task to find signs of providential history in the aftermath of a civil war and in the adverse context of the Restoration. His last published poems deal with this problem in different terms. As readers, we can come to different conclusions as to the texts. Behind them there is the man, âest abyssus humanae conscientiae,â in front of which, after Augustine, I can only say: "nescio"
Social Policy Isn't What it Used to Be: The Social Construction of Social Policy in the 1980s and 1990s
No full textEconomic utopia of the Torah. Economic concepts of the Hebrew Bible interpreted according to the Rabbinical Literature
No full textHebrew Bible offers alternative Economic utopia for building Theocratic society. In this paper, various economic concepts and themes are presented, as found in the Hebrew Bible. These economic concepts include taxation, property rights, labor market, social policy, banking, years of Sabbath and Jubilee, and business cycles. Most economic issues of the Bible are found in the texts of Torah, also known as five Books of Moses. These texts are analyzed by using classical Rabbinical commentaries for better insight. Contrary to the modern Economic theory which is based on the assumptions of scarcity of resources and unlimited needs of consumers, Economics of the Torah is based on God’s resources which are enough for all true needs of His people.Hebrew Bible, History of Economics, History of Economic Thought, Ancient Israel, Judaism
INFLUENCE OF EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS ON UPTAKE OF AVOCADO IMPROVED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES: CASE OF KISII AND NYAMIRA COUNTIES REGION, KENYA
No full textThe study was carried out to evaluate influence of social and educational factors on uptake of improved production technologies in avocado smallholder farming. The study was done in Kisii and Nyamira counties region, Kenya.The general objective is to improve avocado production. The specific objective is to assess influence of farmer’s social factors; gender roles, age and level of formal education on upake of improved production technologies in Avocado smallholder farming. Low avocado production in the study region is attributed to low uptake of improved production technologies by small scale farmers, among other factors. The study hypothesised that the low uptake could be due to chance and there is no significant influence of the farmer’s social factors; gender roles,age and level of formal education on the uptake hence the study. Descriptive survey research design was used.Stratified and purposive sampling procedures and Morgan’s table of sample size determination were applied in obtaining respondents. There was one sub county purposively sampled from each of the 4 agroecological zones in the region.Thus from 4 sub counties with 1,211 house holds, a sample of 291 respondents was accessed using Morgan’s table. Reliable structured questionnaires with Cronbach Alpha, α=0.724 were used to collect field data from 291 small scale avocado farmers.The data was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software. Descriptive, analysis of variance, least significant difference and regression outputs were obtained. Results show that where male farmers control family resources more than females, influence of the gender roles has more significant mean difference and positive correlation with uptake of avocado improved production technologies hence better for the uptake. Although influence of farmer’s age of over 70 years has more significant difference on uptake of the technologies, their correlation is not significant. Thus, farmers’ uptake of the technologies non-significantly decreases with both decrease and increase in age. Influence of farmer’s secondary level of formal education has more significant difference and positive correlation on uptake of avocado improved production technologies hence better for the uptake. Gender inclusivity should be encouraged and there is room for offering extension services even to the aged farmers involved in production of improved production technologies such as avocado. Secondary level of formal education should be prioritized for the citicenry for increased uptake of avocado improved production technologies
OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH REFLECTION ON PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME
No full textSecondary school agriculture is meant among other benefits to prepare the out of school youth in attaining self-reliance using vocational skills gained, in the post-schooling period as they transition to adulthood. A study was done to determine the reflection of out of school youth on participation in decision-making on the implementation of the programme in an effort to establish measures to improve its outcomes. In the feedback, the out-of-school youth rated their level of participation in decision making on implementation at a mean score of 6 out of 10 indicating that there is still room for improvement. There was a non-significant difference between male and female out-of-school youth (t = 1.970, p > 0.05) in decision making on implementation. There were significant differences (F = 6.486, p < 0.01) amongst out-of-school youth on the level of participation in decision making on implementation as a result of the diversity of school category attended and background of parents’ land size (F = 7.527, p < 0.01). Youth participation in decision-making on implementation increased with parents’ land size in the range 0 to 4 acres, with those from 10 acres and more not conforming to the trend. The out-of-school youth rated as very important the five strategies proposed to enhance their engagement in decision making on implementation. The strategies 4 and 6 were ranked more significantly very important thereby standing out from the rest. Strategy 4, states that if school administration could listen to the voices of youth it will build confidence for free discussions on the challenges faced in implementation. Strategy 6 advocates for the inclusion of youth in decision-making on the use of the school farm to enable them air their views on its proper utilization as a training facility rather than being used to administer punishment to errant students. There was a strong positive correlation between the level of participation in decision-making and the level of implementation of the school agriculture curriculum. The high rating of strategies proposed suggests the need to address the pertinent issues in them so as to enhance the participation of youth in decision-making on implementation for improved outcomes. Thus, the inclusion of feedback from the out-of-school youth and elements of the strategies developed in the review and implementation of the school agriculture programme would improve its effectiveness in attaining intended objectives
PARTICIPATION OF IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH IN DECISION-MAKING ON SHOWCASING SUCCESS STORIES BY YOUNG AGRI-PRENEURS FOR MOTIVATION TO IMPLEMENT AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMES
No full textThe study was carried out to evaluate influence of participation of in and out of school youth in decision-making on showcasing success stories by young agri-preneurs for motivation of adolescents in rural areas to implement agricultural programmes for self-reliance. The first objective evaluated influence of the level of exposure to showcasing success stories on the level of implementation using a likert scale coded 1 to 10. The second objective determined how youth in and out of school rated strategies proposed to increase their participation in decision making on showcasing success stories using a 5 point rating scale. The study was carried out in Kisii and Nyamira counties region, Kenya in 2019-2021. Survey research design was used. Stratified, purposive and simple random procedures were applied in sampling of respondents. The in-school youth comprised of fourth forms enrolled in school agriculture for the Kenya certificate of secondary education examination (KCSE). There were 361 youth sampled from 36 secondary schools of 3 different categories. The out of school youth consisted of 161 young people out of 280, that had similarly studied agriculture in their schooling days and are registered with 75 youth groups promoting agricultural activities for livelihood. The schools and youth groups are spread in 5 differrent farm types typical of Kenyan farming systems. The farm types were used as sampling points to provide varied segments of youth in exposure to farming activities, opportunities for livelihood and challenges in the application of vocational skills acquired in school agriculture for self-reliance. Results show that gender of youth in and out of school does not have a significant difference in the level of participation in decision making on showcasing success stories in agripreneurship. School youth were significantly more exposed to success stories than out of school. Youth in and out of school were in concurrence that strategies 5, 6, 4 and 3 were more significantly very important than the rest in increasing their participation in decision making in showcasing events. Strategy 5 on decision making is rated as outstanding by both in-and-out of school youth. The strategy 5 prioritizes formation of agribusiness clubs at community level in rural areas where successful agri-preneurs could mentor the out of school youth, share ideas, and experiences to motivate them and acquire more and specialized agricultural vocational skills for livelihood. There is a positive significant and linear correlation between the level of participation in decision making on showcasing success stories in agripreneurship and the level of implementation of agricultural programmes by youth in (R = 0.30, p < 0.01) and out (R = 0.438762, p < 0.01) of school. So, showcasing success stories could considerably contribute to learning experiences, acquisition of more and specialized skills, and motivate implementation of the programmes for self-reliance.
Keywords: youth participation, decision-making, showcasing agripreneur
Student youth participation in decision making on implementation of school agriculture programme: Implementation of school agriculture programme
No full textThe idea of ‘‘student voice’’ in decision making and change efforts of schools, has emerged as a potential strategy for improving learners’ outcomes. It is expected in its participatory curriculum implementation of secondary school agriculture programme could transfer scientific knowledge through classroom teaching thus attain its academic objective, Also, impart vocational skills in student youth through demonstration of best practices and implementation of agricultural projects in the school farm. However, past studies show that youth that have gone through school agriculture curriculum are inadequately equipped with vocational agricultural skills necessary for self-reliance hence the need for improvement. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of participation of student youth in decision making on implementation of school agriculture programme and to suggest measures to improve its impact on the vocational objective. Student youth are school form fours studying agriculture subject and implementing projects for the Kenya certificate of secondary school examination (KCSE) 2019 which is a national test. Student youth were selected from three categories of schools offering agriculture subject, spread in five typical of Kenyan farm types found in Kisii and Nyamira counties region, Kenya. Cross-sectional survey design was used. Proportionate, stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling procedures were used to select a sample of 361 student youth as respondents for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics at significance level of 0.05 using SPSS version 21. Results show that student youth rate their level of participation in decision making on implementation of school agriculture programme at a mean score of 6 out of 10 indicating that there is still room for improvement on the same. Student youth rated as very important the five strategies proposed to enhance their engagement in decision making on implementation of school agriculture programme with some plans being ranked more significantly very important. There is a strong positive correlation between the level of participation in decision making and the level of implementation of the agriculture programme. The high rating of strategies proposed indicates the need to address the pertinent issues in them to enhance the quality of participation of student youth in decision making on implementation of the programmes. The strategies ranked as more significantly very important are 5, 4 and 2. These findings will be useful to improve the transfer of knowledge, skills and thus attain the vocational objective. Also to enhance learning and developmental outcomes in young people for self-reliance.
Keywords: Student-youth, decision-making, school agriculture programme, strategie
Influence of Selected Socio-Economic Factors on Crop Productivity under Irrigated Agriculture among Kimira-Oluch Smallholder Farmers of Homa Bay County, Kenya
No full textIrrigation technology plays a critical role in enhancing agricultural productivity globally. For the last ten years, the availability of water for irrigation has been rapidly declining yet the demand for water for irrigation has been on arise. The introduction of irrigation technologies as immediate interventions for crop productivity has proved to be effective in many countries and most likely has changed the phenomenon to a more reliable and sustainable agricultural production. Despite many efforts by the Kenyan government to improve the country’s agricultural sector, still there is low crop productivity due to the continued practice of rainfed agriculture. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of selected socio-economic factors that is the attitude towards the introduction of irrigation intervention, Irrigation technologies, Gender participation, Age of the participant, Household income, and Level of education on crop productivity among Kimira-Oluch smallholder farmers in Homa Bay County, Kenya. A survey methodology with an Ex-post facto research design was used with a sampling frame consisting of 340 smallholders. Data were collected through interview schedules administered to participants in irrigated agriculture and Non-participants (rainfed agriculture). Inferential statistics used involves multiple regression analysis and two-way ANOVA. The hypothesis was tested at a 5% level of significance and the results revealed an absolute value of correlation coefficient of 0.823 which indicates that there is a high correlation between the crop productivity and selected socio-economic factors that is (ATT, IRT, GP, HI, AR and ELR). The findings further revealed that R2= 0.714 of the proportionate variation of the model an indication that, the selected socio-economic factors can predict 71.4% of crop productivity and the other variables not included in the model can only predict 29.6% of productivity. By using analysis of variance (ANOVA) the findings revealed that the regression model predicts that there is a significant improvement in crop productivity and the farming system as well. This was revealed by the F-ratio of 71.83 indicating a significant relationship at a p-value of= 0 .000. The model will be of greater use in determining the influence of socio-economic factors on crop productivity in other regions without necessary undergoing the full research processes thus reducing the research expenses by almost half
Megaliths, monuments and materiality
No full textStones, and especially the arrangement of large stones in relation to one another, have long been the focus of attention in megalith studies, a concern reflected in the name itself. It is, however, a blinkered view. Many so-called megalithic monuments embody other carefully selected materials in their construction, including turf, soil, rubble, and timber. In considering long barrows, Paul Ashbee noted that it was a false distinction to separate earthen long barrows from stone-chambered long barrows as the builders of long barrows inevitably used materials available within their local environments. Alternatively, writing mainly about the Irish material, Arthur ApSimon suggested a development from timber to stone implying an onological progression in the preferred use of materials. Whether environmental or evolutionary, it is certain that many monuments interchangeably combine stone and wood in their construction in a way that forces us to consider what these and other materials meant to the megalith builders. Was it simply about what was available? Or what was fashionable? Or were there deeper sets of meanings relating to how different materials were perceived and understood within the cosmological systems that lie behind the design, construction,and use of long barrows, passage graves, dolmens and other related monuments? Focusing upon wood and stone, it is argued here that both were components of a cyclical world view of life and death that was embedded in the fabric and structure of monuments
“Adieu, Dear Name”: The thing about names in the works and lives of Frances Sheridan, Frances Burney, Mary Darby Robinson, and Jane Cave Winscom
No full textBritish women in the eighteenth century did not have control over their names in the marriage market because of laws of coverture that rendered them male possessions; consequently, surnames are stamped to them as if they are objects of circulation rather than owners of the names themselves, and this causes problems, from madness to an inability to function as individuals separate from their patriarchal owners. However, the literary marketplace provided these women writers with a space to (1) expose problems of naming systems in their works and 2) modify or alter their own names as they became equivalents of their literary brands. By studying the ways that women writers struggle against, reclaim, reject, modify, and seek to preserve names (either their own or that of their fictional characters), I argue that names are entities that signify identity and social value while simultaneously existing as things separate from a woman’s genuine identity and character. I expose names as the real antagonists in Frances Sheridan’s and Frances Burney’s novels; I argue that Mary Robinson’s purpose for writing her memoir during her final years is to cleanse her name from “Perdita” and re-establish her domestic persona as “Mrs. Robinson"; I prove that even lesser-known and more localized writers like Jane Cave Winscom uses the literary marketplace to modify and preserve her names in ways that are not allowed in a legally acknowledged patrilineal marriage system.Embargo status: Restricted until 09/2022. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left
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