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Social Meanings of Male Beards
Dubová, Diana ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Hrůzová, Andrea (referee)
Social meanings of male beards Abstract The study focuses on male beard modification, primarily on the significance of beard in the society and beard's ability of social communication. The study is based on the theory of first impression and categorization; male beards are regarded as source of conflictual and cooperative action. Theoretical part draws on previous research about attributed characteristics of beard, fashion and social communication of beard in the past, especially on the European continent, where beards communicated ethnicity, social status, gender and generational distances, sympathy and antipathy to the current events and values. Furthermore, the thesis concentrates on social communication of beard in the present and its perception in the society. Empirical part is based on a questionnaire survey and answers to the question which characteristics are currently attributed to male beard modification in the Czech Republic. Final findings confirm that beards are perceived as symbol of masculinity, dominance and social maturity, clean shaved face and face with mustache or goatee, taken as signs of conformity, are generally well-received, while faces with stubble receive negative ratings.
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Genetic engineering as a source of moral dilemmas a comparison of argumentation of Christians and atheists
Rybová, Michaela ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Volek, Martin (referee)
The aim of this bachelor thesis is to answer the question whether there is a difference between the moral decisions of Christians and atheists in the Czech society. To find the answer, the autor uses moral dilemmas regarding genetic engineering. The author assumes that the contemporary society is secularized and religion is loosing it's influence to people. This fact also means a threat to the traditional moral order in the society and disputes between religion and science. Corresponding question is what keeps the moral order in society. Using qualitative research, it was explored if the moral decisions of Christians are based on the Christian Ethics, what role does the God, as the moral authority, play in their moral decisions making and if a similar authority in the moral decisions of atheists can be found. This paper also applies to the research already processed about the moral decisions making and about the morals, religion and science link. These research had become the basis for the data analysis after. To collect the data, the autor had used the focus group method. Two focus groups had been assembled - the first one was made up of Christians, the second one (reference group) was made up by atheists. The basis of both discussions were six moral dilemmas. The general finding is that the moral...
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Transnational Identity of Viennese Czechs
Hájková, Anna ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Spalová, Barbora (referee)
This thesis focuses on different forms of national identity of the first generation Czech migrants in Vienna from the perspective of transnational theory. It is based on analysis of thematically oriented biographical interviews with the group of 15 immigrants. The data come from research conducted in spring 2015 in Vienna. Firstly, the thesis summarizes the history of migration from Czechoslovakia to Austria. Secondly, the concepts of transnationalism, identity and transnational identity are explained as they serve as theoretical basis for the research methodology and analysis of data. First part of analysis explores topics important for decision, whether it is possible to designate the migrants as transnationals. These topics and practices include language, relation toward Czech Republic, political participation, interest in culture, traditions, gastronomy, social contacts, discrimination and loyalty, feelings of pride and shame and citizenship. The second part of analysis introduces the different forms of national identity based on self-understanding of migrants. Following this, the examples of respondents and organisations show the transnational identity of some of them which is based on their lived identity and everyday practices.
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Gleaning, trash picking, scavenging: Dumpster diving and symbolic boundaries between clean and unclean
Kubatová, Marie ; Čada, Karel (advisor) ; Hájek, Martin (referee)
The author deals with the phenomenon of dumpster diving. Being focused on those divers who are used to dumpster dive not being pressed to it by their financial situation, she concentrates on their definition of purity and their way of dealing with symbolic boundaries of clean and unclean. After summarising social-environmental and social scientific background of the phenomenon in context of the theoretical frame based on Mary Douglas and her book about purity and danger the author presents a qualitative analysis of participant observation and in- depth interviews with informants who dumpster dive voluntarily. Based on quantitatively and representatively tested public opinion on dumpster diving she points both the colourful composition of dumpster divers' motives and ideological believes and their reflection and norm- based boundaries categorization that is connected to food they are used to eat. In connection with informants' conception of food value the author argues that through inspiring power of the first dumpster diving experience informants' understanding and dealing with those boundaries have changed. Nevertheless, she stresses that despite being convinced their way of consumption is right and thus pure the informants tend to apply and present themselves by pattern of conduct that...
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Helena Třeštíková's time-collecting documentary films in the context of sociology
Dobešová, Petra ; Balon, Jan (advisor) ; Hájek, Martin (referee)
Beyond reviewing Helena Třeštíková's most known movies and an outline of history of documentary film on a global scale and in Czech context1 , thesis deals with a style of time- collecting method in documentary films by Helena Třeštíková, with specifics of her method and requirements of her films. The aim is to comprehensively cover this topic, with the large space provided, due to the sociological potential, to theme in the social sciences still current - the questions of "truth", objective approach and reflections from various authors, theorists and filmmakers. Through the compilation of books and articles by film theorists, reviews and countless articles and interviews in the film and non-film press provides a discussion of the time-collecting document, its roots, traits and contexts, which continues in describing the specifics of Třeštíková's methods and finally, as the already mentioned, most famous works. Based on primary, secondary and tertiary sources, analysis and interpretation of visual and printed material, the thesis is a combination of review (provides a guide to understanding for those who meet the time-collecting topic for the first time) and critical approach (contributes to the existing theoretical discourse). 1 Both of these sections are inserted in the annex in order to not...
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Disciplining science : the impacts of shifting governmentality regimes on academic research in the natural sciences in the Czech Republic
Linková, Marcela ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Kostlán, Antonín (referee) ; Smith, Simon (referee)
Charles University in Prague Faculty of Social Sciences Institute of Sociological Studies Sociology Marcela Linková Doctoral dissertation Disciplining science: The impacts of shifting governmentality regimes on academic research in the natural sciences in the Czech Republic English abstract The dissertation Disciplining science: The impacts of shifting governmentality regimes on academic research in the natural sciences in the Czech Republic is a contribution to the study of institutional changes of the academic environment. I examine changes occurring in the last two decades in academic knowledge-making, and specifically in the natural sciences. Concretely, I focus on research assessment as an increasingly dominant practice of quality control. Previous analyses of the research assessment system in the Czech Republic argue that the system has been designed to suit primarily the practices of the natural sciences (Linkova and Stockelova 2012; Stockelova 2012). In this dissertation I am therefore interested in what forms research assessment takes in the natural sciences and what impacts it is having in terms of knowledge making practices, formation of researchers' subjectivities and, lastly, in terms of the future of research in the natural sciences. With this study I contribute to research into institutional...
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The reasons for force feeding prisoners at Guantanamo in the context of Foucault's theory of Power
Polák, Michal ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Maršálek, Jan (referee)
Aim of this paper is to explain used forced feeding of hunger strikers at the U.S. Prison at Guantanamo, when this technique is prohibited in international law. I used the sociology of Michel Foucault, who devoted himself to the topic of imprisonment. His work is often used in the interpretation of what is happening at Guantanamo. With the help of these interpretations were generated two hypotheses. I tested compiled hypotheses in study of literature including news articles, research papers, reports of human rights organizations, legislation, interviews with former camp detainees or camp staff etc. We conclude that the prisoners at Guantanamo are not fed to be kept alive, but rather to be punished for a hunger strike protest. The conclusions highlight a new form of relationship between state and its citizens, which calls for more comprehensive analysis of current form of government, which we are not able to cover in this work.
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Discourses of Birth Management in Czech web articles
Tichá, Kristýna ; Kabele, Jiří (advisor) ; Hájek, Martin (referee)
I focus on the nature of the discourses of the birth themselves and on the form of their controversies, which are tied to their confrontations in Czech web articles. I examine the discourses and their strife in the articles of active participants of the dispute and on the most popular website in the articles dedicated to (future) parents. The discourse of the actively medically controlled delivery, perceives a birth as an inscrutable risky phenomenon which is medically necessary to keep always in a hospital with a staffing and material background to deal with possible complications. This discourse criticizes the births that are led outside hospitals. The discourse of the natural birth sees a birth as a natural part of life, during which usually no complications occur, if there is present a trained expert, who does not interfere in the natural process of labor, except any required medical reasons. A natural birth can be taken place in home. The reader are warned by this discourse on the improper routine care in Czech hospitals, which is inconsistent with the needs of the mother and the child, and on complications of a birth caused by the active medical leading of labor. The articles on the popular website are mainly influenced by the discourse of the actively medically controlled birth. These...
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The Experience of Gender Stereotypes at Technical Universities - Case of Selected Faculties of Czech Technical University in Prague
Truong, Phuong Thi ; Hájek, Martin (advisor) ; Cidlinská, Kateřina (referee)
This thesis deals with gender stereotypes occurring at technical universities. These are the fields of study that are traditionally associated with men. Female students in technical fields form a minority of these schools and may encounter during their studies prejudiced behaviour of male students and teachers because of their gender. It is surveyed by qualitative methods which specific gender-stereotyped patterns occur on the faculties of Czech Technical University which was chosen as the representative technical university. Furthermore, this thesis deals with attitude of female students to these stereotypes and majority male group in these fields. It was found that although male students and teachers treat girls mostly helpful and positive, stereotypical opinions about women as less technically capable still persist. Some students or teachers show prejudice in their behaviour. Female students do not consider these prejudices as a problem. During studies, they met with prejudicial behaviour, but do not consider it as a barrier that could not be overcome. Often these young women are those who are more compatible with young men, they respect that men dominate in technical field and they act accordingly. This thesis describes in detail the students' experiences with gender stereotypes at technical...
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