Special Issue, Number 01, Fall 2010
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/5151
2024-03-28T11:17:48ZFacebook : utopia, dystopia or heterotopia
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/5174
Facebook : utopia, dystopia or heterotopia
Zaman, Tabassum
Social networking sites (SNSs) like Facebook, Friendster, Orkut, Hi5, and MySpace have accelerated and changed the meaning of communication for millions of computer users around the world. The growing number of people joining these SNSs and the ascending rate of their usage hours make this rather somatically taxing experience qualify semiotically as quite a potent field of research. This paper investigates the time-space defying locus provided by one particular SNS, Facebook and its multilateral usage pattern with all its complex dynamics, to bring to light the mechanisms that are vital for its successful functioning. Over the years, the space provided by the SNS or the Internet in general has been considered under different hypothetical frames – as a public sphere, democratic space, private space, virtual community, discursive space, transformative site, or even a non-space. The paper, however, posits that it is not one particular frame, but a fusion of all these frames, forming one alternative space, heterotopic in nature, which can explain why SNSs, particularly Facebook have such escalating popularity among its members from all age groups.
Includes bibliographical references (page 178-179).
2010-01-01T00:00:00ZFrom "Now-here" to "Nowhere" : the spatial aesthetics of postmodernism
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/5173
From "Now-here" to "Nowhere" : the spatial aesthetics of postmodernism
Islam, Syed Manzoorul
With the waning of the age of modernism, time has ceased to have a primary role in shaping people’s psychological and cultural expressions. Time has given way to space and a new understanding of spatiality, which has been described as the “spatial turn.” Space is now seen as fluid and shifting without any locational coordinates just as time is viewed as fragmented, misaligned and imaginary. This new realization of space rejects the modernist concern for rationality and order, which has allowed various power groups to have domination and control over space. The opposing modernist and postmodernist views of space can be summarized under the categories of “now-here” and “nowhere.” These two categories clash over questions of order, control, identity, subjectivity and representation but there is an eventual rejection of hierarchical and gendered spaces, and other historically determined attributes of space. While “now-here” is considered predominantly male, white and rooted in history and time, “nowhere” is seen to be supportive of women and ethnic groups. “Nowhere” is characterized by a postmodern ambivalence, playfulness and virtuality; it is also the hyperreal cyberspace. However, in spite of the predominance of postmodern “nowhere” in our time, the paper posits that “now-here” is not a spent or inactive site either, but that it makes and remakes itself according to historical or political exigencies.
Includes bibliographical references (page 167).
2010-01-01T00:00:00ZBetween garrulity and utility - the impact of talk shows
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/5172
Between garrulity and utility - the impact of talk shows
Huda, Roohi Andalib
This paper seeks to highlight the increasingly meaningful role that the television talk shows have acquired over the last few decades. In the West where the talk show featured first, it created a profound effect on the empowerment of women, amongst others. The shows provided women the opportunity to talk about their lives and their problems in public view. Another significant development of the process worth noting was the globalization of social issues like women and child rights, breast cancer, abortion, ill effects of narcotic drugs, human trafficking etc. This was possible on account of the highly presentational format of the talk shows that were telecast in several countries across many continents. Though not intended deliberately, such globalization helped facilitate networking of rights and advocacy groups of different cultures and countries. In order to delve into the different dimensions of the subject, two very popular media personalities and a top media executive of Bangladesh were interviewed. Their observations have facilitated the understanding of the progression of talk shows over the years. The talk shows are believed to provide what has been described as “infotainment” in the media lexicon. Efforts have been made in this article to gain insights by studying the different dimensions of such “infotainment” both locally and globally.
Includes bibliographical references (page 157).
2010-01-01T00:00:00ZDifferent strokes for little folks - the need for a different methodology for primary English education in Bangladesh
http://hdl.handle.net/10361/5171
Different strokes for little folks - the need for a different methodology for primary English education in Bangladesh
Ara, Shaheen
Bangladesh‟s need to be a part of the global community has manifested itself in the government‟s implementing compulsory English learning at various levels of education. However, writing samples of tertiary level Bangladeshi students show that even after twelve years of English learning, students‟ proficiency of English is far below the required standards to study abroad or in English medium universities in the country. Local experts believe that the main reason for the students‟ low proficiency lies in the wrong method of teaching English at the primary level. The fact is, although theoretically, children learn a language quicker than adults, wrong methods of teaching can bring in an opposite result. In Bangladesh, students are not getting benefited from compulsory primary English education as the effects of wrong learning at this level are preventing their English language development even at the later stages. Therefore, it is high time to change the existing methodology for teaching English at the primary level. This paper focuses on the problems in the existing method of teaching English at the primary level, shows some effective ways of teaching English at this level and finally suggests some policy level changes to make English education really fruitful in Bangladesh.
Includes bibliographical references (page 147-148).
2010-01-01T00:00:00Z