A critical analysis of school computer studies syllabuses in South Africa with reference to university computer science curricula
- Authors: Roets, Rina Annette
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Curricula -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003352
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing and proposed Computer Studies syllabuses in South African schools. Thereafter it compares the South African syllabuses with syllabuses in the United Kingdom. An attempt is made to assess the objectives of the design of the new S.A. syllabus. University Computer Science syllabuses are examined in order to gauge the purported overlap between what is taught at schools and universities. Opinions are obtained on the problems which apparently exist in offering or teaching the subject at schools and universities by conducting surveys on syllabus designers and university Computer Science departments. Finally recommendations are made for future Computer Studies syllabuses.
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- Date Issued: 1992
An exploratory field study into schoolgirl pregnancies, with emphasis on the role the school can play in their prevention
- Authors: Kooverjee, Ishwar
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa Sex instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003419
- Description: This piece of research explores the problem of schoolgirl pregnancies and suggests a role which the school might play in their prevention. Concern over the growing number of unplanned pregnancies under the age of eighteen years at the author's school, culminated in the .present study. Experts on the subject often perceive the problem to be self-defeating to the young girls, medically contra-indicated and socially disruptive. The purpose of this investigation was to determine attitudes towards the description of the problem, to identify causative factors predisposing to pregnancy, and to obtain views on how the school can reconcile efforts to address the problem. The relevant research data was obtained through a comprehensive 64 item attitudinal and knowledge-base questionnaire which was administered to a sample of 187 subjects. The sample comprised seven different occupational groups namely, senior schoolgirls, parents of senior schoolgirls, ex-schoolgirl primigravidae, parents of ex-schoolgirl primigravidae, school teachers, members of the clergy and various health care professionals. The appendices contain full statistical tables as well as full responses to the open-ended essay based on the research questionnaire so that the reader is free to check the reasonableness of the conclusions drawn. In the final chapter the author provides a brief summary of findings, offers justification why the teaching of sex education should be a priority in public schools, and makes recommendations, in the main, for the inclusion of school-based sex education as a component of Guidance in terms of rationale and implementation. In addition, suggestions are made with regard to school policy formulation and networking with parents and other community resources. Finally, a choice of four current model programmes for sex education are proposed in an effort to improve and build upon existing programmes in the present South African curriculum. It is the author's belief that this investigation may contribute to course design and perhaps provide hypotheses for more specific studies in the future.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Illness as intersubjectivity: a sociological perspective
- Authors: Pitfield, Doreen Jennie
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Humanism , Medical care -- Sociological aspects , Intersubjectivity , Medical ethics -- Sociological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3329 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003117 , Humanism , Medical care -- Sociological aspects , Intersubjectivity , Medical ethics -- Sociological aspects
- Description: This thesis explores the historical roots of scientific medicine in an effort to highlight the lack of humanist intersubjectivity within the contemporary medical model. The study notes that contemporary medicine is overtly scientific and that its scientific framework is upheld and furthered by a medical model which draws legitimation from the irrefutability of what is referred to variously within this work, as its scientific "regime". It is shown that in terms of the humanist tradition people, not science, constitute the epicentre of meaningful experiential participation in the defining of human social reality. This, it is argued, implies a radically different ontology from other sociological perspectives on medicine. The thesis suggests that the contemporary medical model loses sight of the patient's ability to cognitively participate in the defining of illness, diagnosis and treatment in terms of his/her experience thereof , and argues that contemporary medicine, by advancing the idea that it alone has the correct and only answer to such problems, has led to a situation which promotes an overmedicalisation of society . The study gives an indication of the way in which this overmedicalisation has led to areas of human life becoming conceived of only in relation to medical expertise. In this respect it is noted that medicine has so successfully infiltrated the human consciousness (involving areas as diverse as childbirth, genetic engineering, transplant surgery and death), that decisions on health are invariably taken from a foundation of scientific legitimation which seems to exclude the patient as subject. It is argued that this way of making decisions reinforces the requirement for a scientific medical model which as it negates the human element insidiously amplifies its power over human life; thereby devaluing the very people it seeks to serve. The thesis suggests that in terms of a humanist reading of the Oath of Hippocrates, medical decisions can only be taken within a framework of experiential involvement which includes both medical expertise and lay understanding. It is indicated that when this happens, social reality functions in terms of a symbolic participation which fosters a commitment to equalise the conditions of human existence, and promotes a dialogical negotiatory process which is both intersubjectively and ongoingly produced.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The geology and geochemistry of the north-western portion of the Usushwana Complex, South-Eastern Transvaal
- Authors: Riganti, Angela
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Geology -- South Africa -- Transvaal , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- Transvaal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4958 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005570 , Geology -- South Africa -- Transvaal , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- Transvaal
- Description: The 2.9 Ga old Usushwana Complex in the Piet Retief-Amsterdam area (south-eastern Transvaal) represents an exposed segment of a layered intrusion. It has the form of a dyke-like body elongated in a northwesterly direction, and extends to an estimated depth of 3000 -5500 m. Lithologically, the Complex consists of a cumulate succession of mafic rocks capped by granitoids and has intruded along the contact between the basement and the supracrustal sequences of the Kaapvaal Craton. Differentiation of an already contaminated gabbroic magma resulted in an ordered stratigraphic sequence comprising progressively more evolved lithotypes, with at least two imperfect cyclic units developed over a stratigraphic thickness of about 700 metres (Hlelo River Section). Meso- to orthocumulate textured gabbros and quartz gabbros grade upwards into magnetite- and apatite-bearing quartz gabbros, interlayered with discontinuous magnetitite horizons. The gabbros in turn grade into hornblende-rich, granophyric granodiorites. The differentiation process is regarded as having been considerably enhanced by the assimilation of acidic material, derived by partial melting of the felsic country rocks at the roof of the magma chamber. Recrystallisation of these rocks gave rise to the microgranites that locally overlie the granodiorites. Mineralogical, textural and geochemical features indicate a relatively advanced fractionation stage, suggesting that the exposed sequence of the Usushwana Complex in the study area represents the upper portion of the intrusion. No significant mineralised occurrences were identified. However, on the basis of similarities between the Usushwana Complex and other mafic layered intrusions which host significant ore deposits, it is suggested that economic concentrations of base metal(Cu-Ni) sulphides, PGE and chromitites are likely to be developed at lower stratigraphic levels.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Fuzzy uniform spaces
- Authors: Burton, Michael Howard
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Fuzzy sets -- Research Uniform spaces -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5408 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005222
- Description: For a fuzzy uniform space, the notion of a Cauchy prefilter, a precompact fuzzy set, a complete fuzzy set and a bounded fuzzy set are defined in such a way that these notions are good extensions of the corresponding notions for a uniform space. A theory of fuzzy uniform spaces is developed which generalises the theory of uniform spaces.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Up Beat Issue Number 3 1992
- Authors: SACHED
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: SACHED
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116201 , vital:34332
- Description: There are two sides to every story. You’ve surely heard that before. Well, it is true. Sometimes there are even three or four sides to a story. It depends how many people were there to tell the tale. Behind every story there is a writer. Behind a picture there is a photographer. And they are ordinary people, like you and me. They eat, sleep and play like the rest of us. Like us, they have their own ideas and feelings about the world. And these ideas show in their stories, books or photographs. So what you read is not the truth. It is someone’s version of it. Always read with an open mind. Be a detective when you read! Ask questions, think, search for clues and weigh up the facts. Then decide for yourself which story comes closest to the truth. You must have learnt about Christopher Columbus at school. Well there’s another side to that story in our article called ‘Who discovered America?’. Read it and decide what YOU think really happened. Upbeat writes a lot about young peoples’ experiences of growing up. There’s another side to being a teenager - being the mother of one. Nomasondo Hadebe openly shares with us the pain and joy of having teenage children. We don’t only learn from grown-ups or famous people (or both). Upbeat is full of stories about youth, their ideas and feelings about the world. By sharing experiences, problems and ideas we can learn from each other. So don’t miss our letters page, advice column and talkshop. Read what young people have to say. You can agree or disagree with their ideas. And when you close the magazine you may feel a little sadder, happier or angrier. But you will always be wiser
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- Date Issued: 1992
Dance and sexual politics some implications of the status of women in selected dance forms
- Authors: Poona, Sobhna Keshavelal
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Dance -- Social aspects , Sex discrimination against women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002377 , Dance -- Social aspects , Sex discrimination against women
- Description: This thesis explores, from a feminist perspective, some implications on the status of women in selected dance forms, and addresses the perceptions of women as 'inferior' and 'subordinate'. One of the intentions behind the work was, indeed, to challenge prevailing perceptions and create an awareness of sexism, capitalism and patriarchy, especially for the uncritical and uninformed who have become its victims. Part 1 offers an analysis of the premises upon which social, political and economic inequality are founded and consolidated, with specific reference to sexual inequality and sexual prejudice. Utilising a Marxist-feminist and semiotic approach, the machinations of the traditional mass media are linked to negative imaging of the female body in support of the sexist, patriarchal, capitalist male manipulator, who benefits from women's subordinate social status. Part 2 addresses the issue of sexual politics, and the implications for dance research and performance. The researcher offers a descriptive analysis of four specific dance forms, which serve to highlight the socialisation and educational processes that shape our perceptions and instruct our lives. A set of questionnaires was sent to fourteen autonomous dance institutions, including those attached to national performing arts councils. The thesis concludes with a summary of the results of the questionnaires that were distributed amongst female dancers, dance students and choreographers. The researcher questions our culture's preoccupation with the female body image, and posits the urgent need for an assessment of this situation, and an education which will create a better understanding and a more harmonious climate for development.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The status of the American bollworm, Heliothis armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae), on sunflower in the central Transvaal
- Authors: Von Maltitz, Emil Friedrich
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Helicoverpa armigera , Noctuidae -- South Africa -- Transvaal , Noctuidae , Sunflowers -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5773 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005461 , Helicoverpa armigera , Noctuidae -- South Africa -- Transvaal , Noctuidae , Sunflowers -- Diseases and pests
- Description: Sunflower production in South Africa has increased four fold since the 1970's. This study was done to elucidate the pest status of Heliothis armigera (Hiibner) on sunflower. Field studies were undertaken at Warmbaths, Brits and Delmas during the summer seasons of 1988/89 to 1990/91. The infestations at the latter two areas were negligible throughout the study period and their statistics have not been included in this thesis. Plant development and oviposition by natural H. armigera populations were found to be correlated as, regardless of planting date, oviposition started at six to seven weeks after planting; when the flowering stage began. A peak in egg numbers was reached by the tenth week with an average for the three seasons at two eggs per plant. The eggs were laid singly on the bracts and bases of the flower buds. A peak in larval numbers was reached at the thirteenth week after planting with the average for the three seasons of 0,4 larvae per plant. The preferred feeding sites were on, between and under the bracts from where the larvae burrow into the pithy tissue of the receptacle. Only six percent of the larvae were found feeding directly on the achenes. Eggs and larvae collected were reared to determine the degree of parasitism. Overall, 19% of the eggs were parasitised; 18% by Telenomus ullyetti Nixon (Scelionidae) and one percent by Trichogrammatoidea lutea (Trichogrammatidae). Larval parasitism at Warmbaths was 23% in 1988/89, 27% in 1989/90 and 34% in 1990/91. Of the parasitised larvae, 44% succumbed to Palexorista prob. laxa (Tachinidae). The remainder were unidentified Braconidae and Ichneumonidae. Predators, such as chrysopids, were observed during the study but their effect on egg and larvae numbers was not studied in detail. A polyhedral virus occurred late in the seasons and caused mortality of the larvae. The low numbers of H. armigera on sunflower, the slight damage to the crop and the reasonably high rate of parasitism, all seem to indicate that H. armigera is not an economica1ly important pest of sunflower and that additional control methods are not justified.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Pegmatite-hosted mineral deposits of central and southern Africa : regional geological settings and preliminary exploration target considerations
- Authors: Senzani, Freeman Elther David
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Pegmatites -- Africa, Southern , Mineralogy -- Africa, Southern , Pegmatites -- Africa, Central , Mineralogy -- Africa, Central
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006087
- Description: Review of literature shows that rocks of all ages from the Archaean to the early Phanerozoic host pegmatite-based mineralisation in the central and southern region of the African continent. The greatest concentrations occur in the Archaean and late Proterozoic orogenic belts, while early to middle Proterozoic granites do not, in general, host mineralisation. Pan-African mineralisation is present, but is not widespread. Some deposits previously considered to be of Pan-African have been shown to be of Proterozoic age. In common with occurrences of other regions, the deposits are closely associated with small, late- to post-tectonic granites. Therefore, preliminary assessment of the potential of granites as sources of pegmatite mineralisation should utilise satellite data or aerial photographs. The granites also tend to be alkaline and peraluminous. Thus, in the next stage, chemical analysis for selected major and trace elements should be conducted directly on granites if they occur as small plutons. For large granitic batholiths or terranes, preliminary stream-sediment surveys may be necessary to reduce the size of the target area. Subsequently, pegmatite zonation around suitable granites should be assessed as it allows attention to be focussed on areas likely to host the specific type of mineralisation being explored for.
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- Date Issued: 1992
An examination of the sonnets of E.E. Cummings
- Authors: Hughes, Jeremy Francis
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Cummings, E. E. (Edward Estlin), 1894-1962 -- Criticism and interpretation Sonnets, English -- Criticism and interpretation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2244 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002287
- Description: This dissertation examines E. E. Cummings's writings in the sonnet genre and in those genres to which the sonnet is related in various ways. Its fundamental point is that, despite the surface impression of poetic iconoclasm for which Cummings has a popular reputation, in choosing to write sonnets he engages in a traditional literary practice. He does this because his purpose is always to be an artist, as defined by the Aesthetic movement which influenced him. In order to argue his embracing of a traditional artistic role, the theory of genres espoused by Alastair Fowler in his book, Kinds of Literature, is used. Chapter 1 of the thesis comprises general introductory material, both to the range of Aesthetic ideas to which Cummings subscribed, and to Fowler's theory of genres. Several key generic kinds are also described. The second chapter makes use of two of these generic models, the sonnet sequence and the silva, as a way of examining Cummings's deployment of the sonnet within the larger context of his poetry collections. It is a survey of the structure of the anthologies he compiled from Tulips & Chimneys (1922) to 95 Poems (1958). The third chapter explores the three sonnet modes which Cummings first identifies and names when compiling the manuscript of Tulips & Chimneys, and continues to use in his collections up to and including is 5 (1926). Chapter 4 shows how certain themes and concerns from these early sonnets are altered and synthesised as Cummings matures from an aesthete to a Romantic poet. Sonnets from his later books are taken to be representative of three central kinds in all of his work after is 5. Chapters 3 and 4 proceed by means of relatively close readings of individual sonnets. This practice fulfils a double role: it penetrates the apparent obscurity of the more difficult poems, and it attempts to preserve the integrity of individual poems which exemplify different generic tendencies in Cummings's work. One of Cummings's reasons for writing sonnets is that the form favours the achievement of what Wordsworth calls "a feeling of intense unity". In undertaking close readings of a few sonnets I have attempted to preserve that feeling.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The effect of temperature and photoperiod on the digestive physiology of the South African abalone Haliotis midae
- Authors: Dixon, Mark Geoffrey
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Abalone culture , Gastropoda -- Physiology , Gastropoda -- Food , Abalones -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5276 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005120 , Abalone culture , Gastropoda -- Physiology , Gastropoda -- Food , Abalones -- South Africa
- Description: Inadequate information of the nutritive physiology and the dietary requirements of abalone are the principle factors that currently limit the development of a formulated feed for the commercial culture of Haliotis midae. The need to develop a method to determine apparent digestibility co-efficient's for abalone in order to facilitate further applied nutritional research was identified. Animals between 50 and 80 mm were collected from natural stocks along the east Cape coast of South Africa at Port Alfred and Great Fish point, and acclimated to laboratory conditions. Initial trials demonstrated that H. midae accepted and preferred a semi-purified diet to the seaweed Plocamium corallorhiza, one of the main components of it's natural diet. A technique of determining apparent digestibility co-efficient's (ADC) using the indirect method with chromic oxide as an inert marker was developed. Digestibility trials yielded higher dry matter (DMADC) and crude protein apparent digestibility co-efficient's (CPADC) for the semi-purified diet than for two species of algae, Gelidium amanzii and P. corallorhiza (83.7% and 95.6%, 70.7% and 80.0%, and 29.9% and 57.3% respectively). The ability of the animals to utilize terrestrial animal and plant ingredients efficiently makes it feasible to use conventional feed ingredients in formulated feeds for H. midae. Trials to determine the effect of different temperatures (15°C, 18°C and 22°C) on DMADC and CPADC of the semipurified diet showed that peak digestibility occurred at 18°C. There was also a positive relationship between temperature and consumption rate. Although no enzyme studies with H. midae have been conducted, the peak ADC's at 18°C is attributed to an increase in enzyme activity at this temperature. Transit time, an inverse function of temperature and consumption, is considered to be responsible for the decrease in the ADC' s at 22°C in conjunction with a possible decrease in enzyme activity at this temperature. A photoperiod trial to investigate the effect of darkness on DMADC and CPADC of the semi-purified diet revealed that digestive efficiency decreased with increasing hours of darkness. There was also a positive relationship between duration of darkness and the rate of consumption. The decrease in ADC's is attributed to decreased transit times as the duration of darkness increased . The contribution of this project to the understanding of abalone nutrition, the development of a formulated abalone feed and systems design for abalone farms is discussed.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Training in note making : the effects of a training scheme on first year teacher-training students
- Authors: Ferreira, Ignatius Leopold
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Note-taking Teachers -- Training of Study skills
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1803 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003688
- Description: This research work is based upon a training technique devised and recommended by J. Smith (1985) in a pamphlet published by The British Historical Association. The technique involves training school pupils in the making of notes from text books and references and then selecting appropriate points to answer specific questions. The technique was slightly adapted and used on a small Experimental Group drawn from Black first year College of Education students at an Eastern Cape College. A Control Group from the same College received conventional lectures on two topicS from the first year college syllabus - the San and Khoi peoples of Southern Africa. The Experimental Group was given a brief training period in Smith's technique and then worked independently on extended reading passages on the same topics. Both groups received a similar introduction of a video tape on the San and a slide presentation on the Khoi. Both groups wrote the same final test after their learning experiences were over and both groups completed questionnaires on the initial visual input and on their reactions to the learning experience. Comparisons are drawn between the results and the students' reaction to those learning experiences.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The effect of pineapple cultivation on factors influencing soil erodibility in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Boucher, Kim Gillian
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Soil erosion -- South Africa Pineapple industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4827 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005502
- Description: The study examines the effect of ridged pineapple cultivation on factors influencing the soil erodibility of Glenrosa and Oakleaf soil forms in the Bathurst district of South Africa. A number of physical and chemical variables influencing soil erodibility are investigated, namely soil moisture, bulk density, porosity, infiltration rate, aggregate stability, shear strength, soil texture, soil structure, penetrability, organic carbon, pH and cation exchange capacity. These soil characteristics are examined in undisturbed soils under natural vegetation and compared to those on adjacent traffic areas, pineapple ridges and pineapple furrows. The results of the analyses between the four sample sites indicate that ridged cultivation of pineapples has a negative effect on factors influencing soil erodibility on the areas studied. The results of the analysis within each of the sample sites do not illustrate any clear relationships and thus depict the complexity and multiplicity of the soil erodibility phenomenon. A further study, augmenting the soil erodibility data with actual soil loss data, is recommended
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- Date Issued: 1992
Observing and describing textual "reality": a critique of the claims to objective reality and authentication in new critical and structuralist literary theory, seen against a background of Feyerabend's ideas concerning paradigms, dominance and ideology
- Authors: Masters, Kenneth Andrew
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Feyerabend, Paul, 1924-1994 , Criticism , Structuralism (Literary analysis) , Science and the arts , Reality , Objectivity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002290 , Feyerabend, Paul, 1924-1994 , Criticism , Structuralism (Literary analysis) , Science and the arts , Reality , Objectivity
- Description: This thesis sets out to examine the claims to objective reality and authentication in New critical and Structuralist literary theories, concentrating on their claims to "objectivity" and "scientific validity." It examines the nature of these claims in the light of the original ideas proposed by some of the major New critics and structuralists in the development of their respective "sciences" of literary theory. Taking direction from the nature of reality and objectivity shown by the theorists, the thesis then attempts an assessment of the validity of some of the original perceptions and presuppositions concerning scientific objectivity and reality. It proposes that inconsistencies within the literary theories resulted from the theorists' inability to grasp the complexity and fluctuating nature of the borrowed terminology and principles that they were using. It does so by taking a closer look at the development of some of the more influential physical theories and the philosophical ideas raised by these developments. It then uses Feyerabend's work on paradigms, dominance and ideology to attempt an assessment of the reasons for the literary theorists' perceptions and presuppositions regarding objectivity and reality. This amounts to accounting for the specific scientific models chosen as bases, and also to accounting for the desire for the "scientific approach" at all. Its conclusions give an indication of the extent to which these original errors contributed to the theories' necessary adaptations of perspective and eventual loss of influence, and emphasises the need for the total understanding of concepts in one field by researchers in other fields, especially if those concepts are to be used by the researchers with any degree of precision.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Rhodes University Annual Report 1992
- Authors: Rhodes University
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- history Rhodes University -- employees Rhodes University -- students
- Language: English
- Identifier: vital:20040
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- Date Issued: 1992
A critical analysis of problems encountered by senior secondary school pupils in the reading and interpretation of 1:50,000 topographical maps and aerial photographs with special reference to black pupils in Transkei
- Authors: Ndlwana, Monica
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Maps -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Geography -- South Africa -- Transkei -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003351
- Description: Mapwork is an established part of the geography curriculum, and yet it poses particular problems for pupils and teachers. Maps participate in a complex system of graphic communication: the conceptual abstraction involved in the reading and interpretation of maps requires on the part of pupils a high degree of cognitive and perceptual development; teachers, too, often experience considerable difficulty in imparting the skills necessary for graphic literacy (graphicacy). The peculiar difficulties associated with map reading and the poor performance of pupils in this area have regrettably encouraged an attitude which dismisses mapwork as irrelevant or dispensable in geographical education. Yet graphicacy is essential not only in the learning of geography but in the overall cognitive development of the child, and therefore cannot be excluded from the curriculum. This study attempts to identify some of the specific difficulties experienced by pupils in their attempts to read and interpret maps, and to trace the origin of these difficulties. It argues that the complexity and sophistication of the skills necessary to interpret topographical maps and aerial photographs, for instance, should not be underestimated. Teachers need to be made aware of how pupils acquire map reading skills and of the problems they encounter during this process, so that teaching programmes commensurate with pupils' level of cognitive development can be formulated. It is also important that mapwork be taught in as practical a manner as possible. The findings and recommendations of this study have implications for geography teachers, textbook writers and educational authorities, especially those involved in curriculum and syllabus design.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The "Big E": the English (first language) endorsement on the teacher's bilingualism certificate: an investigation into the background to and origin of this requirement, an evaluation of past and current examining practices and standards and criteria, a needs assessment, and suggestions and recommendations for sound practice
- Authors: Spingies, Conrad
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Teachers -- Selection and appointment Teachers -- Language Teachers -- Certification -- South Africa Bilingualism -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003308
- Description: South African education authorities demand of teachers a high degree of competency in both official languages. In the Cape Province in particular, teachers are not considered eligible for promotion posts unless they possess the so-called Higher Bilingualism Certificate, signifying their command of both official languages at "First Language" level. In view of the fact that the overwhelming majority of schools nowadays are single-medium institutions; this requirement may strike the objective observer as an anomaly. An attempt was made, therefore, first of all to investigate the historical background to this requirement. The "language question", a problematic feature of South African education since the beginning of the nineteenth.century, was not resolved when legislators chose "bilingualism and language equality" for the Union of South Africa in 1910. The available evidence suggests, however, that bilingualism was actively pursued as an educational ideal at least until the end of the 1940s, and for this reason education authorities placed a high premium on teachers who were "fully bilingual". Nowadays the typical (White) school is a single-medium institution where the second language is rarely if ever heard outside the classroom where it is taught as a subject. The present policy, to demand a high degree of proficiency in both official languages of teachers occupying promotion posts at such a school, may then be described not only as an anomaly, but as an anachronism. A further problem is the fact that the various educational institutions (specifically teachers' colleges and universities) that set examinations leading to the Higher Bilingualism Certificate rarely communicate with one another, and are therefore unable to agree on uniform standards and criteria, or to ensure that such standards are maintained. That this is indeed the case, was confirmed by examination of "Big E" test papers set at three teachers' colleges, two Colleges for Continued Training, and four universities in the Cape Province. In an attempt to establish what assistance and support might be needed by a "second language" user of English in order for him to improve to the point where he resembled a "first language" user of English in his "terminal language behaviour", a comparison (by means of error analysis) of the responses of two groups (an Ll and an L2 group) to the same test paper was undertaken. The available evidence suggests that L2 users may need to be helped to acquire a more extensive vocabulary, but, above all, that they need to improve their ability to handle two crucially important aspects of usage: idiom and grammar. The final chapter attempts to establish pedagogic and linguistic bases for a course intended for "Big E" candidates, and makes recommendations with regard to (i) the content and the form of the course, and (ii) sound examination practice. The concluding thoughts offer the view that such a course could remain useful even in a future South Africa where the emphasis may shift from a demand for teachers who are "fully bilingual" to teachers who have a good command of English.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Phase equilibria in three component systems alcohol-hydrocarbon-water
- Authors: Siswana, Msimelelo Patrick
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Chemical equilibrium , Liquid-liquid equilibrium , Alcohol as fuel , Hydrocarbons , Water chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004988 , Chemical equilibrium , Liquid-liquid equilibrium , Alcohol as fuel , Hydrocarbons , Water chemistry
- Description: The fuel industry in many parts of the world is blending alcohols with motor fuel either to extend the fuel or to improve its octane rating or both. Unfortunately alcohols are hygroscopic and as a result, water becomes a component of the fuel. This can lead to phase separation and the formation of a water-rich layer which could have serious corrosion consequences. In an attempt to understand the phase-splitting in alcohol-petrol-water blends, phase equilibria in ternary systems (alcohol-hydrocarbon-water) have been determined by experiment. The phase equilibria in these ternary systems are also discussed in terms of modern theories of liquid mixtures and the UNIQUAC theory is applied to the "ethanol + benzene + water" ternary system. The alcohols are all the C₁, C₂, C₃ and C₄ alcohols, and the hydrocarbons include those typically found in petrol, e.g. cyclohexane, benzene and substituted benzenes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Industrial social work : an exploration and an assessment of the practice of social work in industry in South Africa
- Authors: Rankin, Pedro
- Date: 1992
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3279 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006474
- Description: Industries in South Africa have been employing social workers in increasing numbers during the last decade, and in several of the bigger industries social work seem to have succeeded in establishing itself over the course of time. Certain forces seem to be operating in both industry and social work which could facilitate the introduction and development of industrial social work as a specialised field of practice in South Africa. Very significant variables in this regard are a rapidly changing labour force, and certain socio-political developments in South Africa, that took place especially during the last decade, and in particular during the past two years. A lack of knowledge about the practice of social work in industry exists in South Africa, mainly as a result of a general lack of empirical research into this field. The main purpose of this research project was to add to the knowledge about the nature of industrial social work practice in South Africa, and to contribute to an understanding of the forces influencing its development. In order to achieve this overall purpose, an extensive review of the existing literature was done with the aim of identifying and describing the present trends and issues in industrial social work thinking. This was combined with an empirical investigation into the practice of social workers presently employed in industry in South Africa. In addition to this, the attitude of industries not employing social workers was established with a view of determining factors influencing the further development of industrial social work. A third component of the empirical investigation consisted of a survey of the attitudes and knowledge of community welfare organisations regarding industrial social work practice. This was done in an effort to establish the amount of support for industrial social work from the rest of the profession. The findings of the empirical investigation indicated an emphasis on the individual employee as far as the practice of industrial social work is concerned - an EAP model thus. Industries not employing social workers still seem to need more education as far as the true nature of social work practice is concerned, and there seem to be a reserved acceptance of industrial social work practice amongst community welfare organisations, as well as a lack of knowledge. In conclusion it can be stated that the social work fraternity in South Africa should take more serious notice of occupational social work practice in South Africa in general, and of industrial social work practice in particular, mainly because of its importance to the worker.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992
Small-scale gold mining in southern Africa
- Authors: Joubert, Barend Daniel
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Gold mines and mining -- South Africa , Abandoned mines , Abandoned mines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005615 , Gold mines and mining -- South Africa , Abandoned mines , Abandoned mines -- South Africa
- Description: The general characteristics of gold deposits are reviewed, and a classification of gold deposits based on mineability is proposed. Evaluation, mlnlng and beneficiation methods are briefly discussed. It is concluded that the most viable targets for small-scale companies comprise deposits that require the least pre-production time and expense. Great potential exists for the small-scale reclamation of gold from tailings dumps and abandoned mines in Southern Africa. There is also potential for developing new smallscale gold mines in the Archaean greenstone terranes of the Zimbabwean and Kaapvaal cratons.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1992