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Social and Environmental Mobilization in the Arctic: Exploring the Discursive Strategies of the Gwich'in People
Jurčová, Alžběta ; Císař, Ondřej (advisor) ; Uherek, Zdeněk (referee)
This thesis explores the discursive practices of the Gwich'in tribe in Alaska, specifically in the context of the environmental conflict over the proposed oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, an area they have inhabited for generations. Over the years, the tribe has been actively engaged in political activism to protect the Refuge from oil development, with a specific focus on safeguarding the Porcupine Caribou herd that inhabits the area. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of political ecology, the thesis posits that the core of this conflict lies in differing ontologies of nature rather than divergent interests. To address this research problem, the thesis investigates the discursive strategies employed by the Gwich'in and their evolution, utilizing critical discourse analysis guided by Van Dijk's sociocognitive approach. By analyzing testimonies given by Gwich'in speakers before the US Congress between 2003 and 2019, the research identifies four key discursive strategies utilized by the Gwich'in. The empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that ontological differences underpin the tribe's discursive repertoire. Through an exploration of the Gwich'in tribe's discursive practices, the thesis seeks to gain deeper insights into how their discursive practices contribute to...
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Conditions and factors for the admission of a new state into the Union - comparison of Puerto Rico with Hawaii and Alaska.
Chvála, Václav ; Kotábová, Věra (advisor) ; Dopieralla, Jakub (referee)
The bachelor's thesis Conditions and factors for the admission of a new state into the Union - comparison of Puerto Rico with Hawaii and Alaska deals with the development of these three territories. Although all three territories gained territory status at the same time, subsequent developments differed. While Hawaii and Alaska were admitted to the Union as the 49th and 50th states in the late 1950s Puerto Rico remains a commonwealth territory to this day. The thesis analyses several areas chosen by the author. In the common section for all three territories, it focuses on the history before joining the US; the demography and culture of the territory; development after gaining the status of the territory until the acquisition of the status of a state or commonwealth. In the case of Puerto Rico the thesis also analyses the development from gaining commonwealth status up to the present. The author searches for the key factors influencing a development of the territory. The identified influences and conditions are subsequently analysed and decided whether necessary for the territory to be accepted into the Union. The four identified conditions for adoption are the creation of a statehood movement, societal transformation, evolution of the local political system, and consensus at the federal level. The...
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A cultural studies perspective on the evolution of visual and audiovisual representations of indigeneous cultures.
Porybná, Tereza ; Matějů, Martin (advisor) ; Soukup, Václav (referee) ; Štoll, Martin (referee)
English Summary This dissertation primarily aims to synoptically place the theme of audiovisual representations of indigenous cultures within the context of cultural studies. With its interdisciplinary overlapping, the cultural studies approach is well suited to understanding the complex significance of visual representations of culture, which are both cultural artefacts and cultural interpretations and have an impact that is as artistic as it is scientific and political. The first part of the work describes the manner in which native cultures are audio-visually represented, especially in ethnographic photographs and films which emerged in the North American and European context. The mapping of "exotic others" intensified with the first modern overseas discoveries, first by means of exhibitions of living natives, illustrations and figurines, later through photographs, films and videos. These representations were significantly influenced by the socio-cultural conditions in which they arose. As late as the turn of the 20th century, there was a dominating conviction about the capability of photographs to present an objective record of reality. This technology was therefore used as an instrument for recording and classifying physical and cultural differences. The widespread acceptance of the doctrine of...
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Shell on Alaska: Road to sustainable development?
Křístek, Matěj ; Kucer, Maxim (advisor) ; Kozák, Kryštof (referee)
With ongoing climate change due to global warming the Arctic is opening up to oil companies. They have an unique opportunity to grow their proven oil reserves. In spite of rapid technological advancements in drilling techniques operating in the Arctic Ocean pose significant challenges. The aftermath of potential disastre would have in this pristine environment devastating consequences. Locals - native people of the Arctic - would be the first ones, who would be affected. This bachelor thesis is focusing on the activities of oil company Royal Dutch Shell on Alaskan outer continental shelf, and is analysing intertwining relationship of Shell and natives by multilevel approach to the theory of corporate social responsibility. The main question of this thesis is whether could Shell's activity in the region be considered as "socially responsible" and to what extend. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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The Geopolitical Significance of the Bering Strait Region in the 21st Century
Raková, Alena ; Sehnálková, Jana (advisor) ; Bečka, Jan (referee)
As Arctic warms twice as fast as the rest of the world and the polar ice-cap melts, the strategic importance and geopolitical significance of the Bering Strait as the only maritime gateway between the world's fastest-developing and dynamic regions, the Asia Pacific and the Arctic region, will steadily grow. The climate change triggered the reduction of the Arctic ice-cap, which results in increased maritime traffic activity as new shipping routes are becoming more viable and mineral resources more accessible. This has a tremendous impact on the region as it opens it to economic development but at the same time it puts strain on its fragile environment. The goal of the paper is to affirm that the geopolitical significance of the Bering Strait is increasing and will increase in the near future. The work examines the causes of the Bering Strait region's rise, its characteristics, challenges and opportunities together with the assessment of major regional actors' interests and approaches towards the region. Next, paper focuses The emphasis is put especially on the role of the United States and on their attitude toward the Bering Strait region. It therefore pays attention namely on the US policy and goals in the region, and on the implications the Strait's growing global importance has for the United...
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Causes that led Russia to sell Alaska in 1867
Andrš, Vojtěch ; Pečenka, Marek (advisor) ; Svoboda, Karel (referee)
In 1867 Russia sold its only overseas colony on Alaska to United States of America for 7.2 million dollars. This event had been preceded by negotiations with the Americans as well as by debate in Russian politics which have led to the decision to sell. Development of this internal discussion has been influenced by several factors including long-term problems of the colonies, but also current political situation in Russia or in international sphere. In recent years some of the prominent scholars have considered one of those factors or one group of factors as more important than other causes. Aim of this study is to determine if it is really possible to consider one of the causes as the most important. For this purpose this study analyses great amount of various causes and factors, including geographical and demographical problems of the colonies, economic situation in the colonies, political situation in Russia and others. Study also describes development of the internal debate. After the analysis, study ends with consideration that there is no clear evidence that one cause had higher importance than the others. The main conclusion of the text is that whole complex of causes have been essential for the decision to sale and no cause can be certainly determined as the most important.
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Alaska - Culture and Nature in Audiovisual Representation
Moulis, Ladislav ; Štoll, Martin (advisor) ; Soukup, Martin (referee) ; Hádková, Jana (referee)
Alaska, which has been the 49th state of the USA since 1959, is a very unique locality according to many viewpoints. Although it is a part of the civilized Western world, it presents one of the last well- preserved wildlife on the Earth. Although Alaska is gradually settled by immigrants, native people have to deal with their dilemma connected with assimilation for many centuries. They did not create their own new culture - its cultural specifics are still defined by combination of original cultural patterns of Yup'ik and Inupiat Eskimos and natural tribes Tlingit, Haida, Athabaska, Aleut and imported cultures. My work is a study of clashes between civilization and nature resp. civilization and original ethnic groups and it goes throughout structural analysis of audiovisual artefacts, in this case visual records and films from fictional and non-fictional category. The subject of my analysis is a method and variability of possible approaches to Alaska presentation by audiovisual means and mainly examines formation and development of stereotypes in presentation of wildlife and human lifestyle in their specific conditions. The advantage of my research is a limited locality and relatively lowly explored area and also overview (even numerous) of audiovisual materials in its own way. Next to the...
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A cultural studies perspective on the evolution of visual and audiovisual representations of indigeneous cultures.
Porybná, Tereza ; Matějů, Martin (advisor) ; Soukup, Václav (referee) ; Štoll, Martin (referee)
English Summary This dissertation primarily aims to synoptically place the theme of audiovisual representations of indigenous cultures within the context of cultural studies. With its interdisciplinary overlapping, the cultural studies approach is well suited to understanding the complex significance of visual representations of culture, which are both cultural artefacts and cultural interpretations and have an impact that is as artistic as it is scientific and political. The first part of the work describes the manner in which native cultures are audio-visually represented, especially in ethnographic photographs and films which emerged in the North American and European context. The mapping of "exotic others" intensified with the first modern overseas discoveries, first by means of exhibitions of living natives, illustrations and figurines, later through photographs, films and videos. These representations were significantly influenced by the socio-cultural conditions in which they arose. As late as the turn of the 20th century, there was a dominating conviction about the capability of photographs to present an objective record of reality. This technology was therefore used as an instrument for recording and classifying physical and cultural differences. The widespread acceptance of the doctrine of...
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The economic specifics and the development of the economy of Alaska
Grusz, Peter ; Neumann, Pavel (advisor) ; Sankot, Ondřej (referee)
This bachelor´s thesis deals with the economic development of Alaska, specifically in the 2007 to 2015 period. The thesis tries to define the economy of Alaska as a resource-based economy. The thesis describes the changes within chosen economic sectors in context of such economy. Next, the thesis describes certain specifics of the economy of Alaska required to understand the topic. Finally, the thesis analyses the fiscal crisis of 2013 and onward in Alaska, including the causes, the consequences and the available solutions.
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Cultural, economic and business environment of Alaska
Šimková, Romana ; Gullová, Soňa (advisor) ; Klosová, Anna (referee)
The main goal of this bachelor thesis is to define, analyse and describe cultural, economic and business environment of Alaska. In the first capture I talk about cultural environment of Alaska. In the second capture I decsribe economic environment of Alaska. The thesis goes more deep in economic of Alaska. In the second part of this capture the thesis talk about industry in Alaska. There are two most important indrustries. In the third capture the thesis talk about business environment of Alaska. In the end of this capture I try to analyse business opportunities in Alaska
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