- Table View
- List View
The Renaissance in Italy
by Guido RuggieroThis book offers a rich and exciting new way of thinking about the Italian Renaissance as both a historical period and a historical movement. Guido Ruggiero's work is based on archival research and new insights of social and cultural history and literary criticism, with a special emphasis on everyday culture, gender, violence, and sexuality. The book offers a vibrant and relevant critical study of a period too long burdened by anachronistic and outdated ways of thinking about the past. Familiar, yet alien; pre-modern, but suggestively post-modern; attractive and troubling, this book returns the Italian Renaissance to center stage in our past and in our historical analysis.
The Representation of Workers in the Digital Era: Organizing a Heterogeneous Workforce (Dynamics of Virtual Work)
by Raquel Rego Hermes Augusto CostaThis book compiles empirical evidence on both the challenges raised by neo-liberal policies and the internet to trade unions, and the development of more flexible forms of worker organisation and collective representation. The relationship with digital devices seems inevitably to contribute to differentiating trends, simultaneously acting as an internal and external constraint on organisation. Gathering academics and experts from European and Brazilian universities, this book is recommended for researchers and students in the fields of sociology of work, labour studies and collective action, as well as practitioners and others interested in worker interest organisations and collective representation in the early 21st Century.
The Reproductive Body at Work: The South African Bioeconomy of Egg Donation (Routledge Advances in Feminist Studies and Intersectionality)
by Verena NambergerThe transnational industry surrounding assisted reproductive technology and regenerative medicine is based on the unacknowledged labour of gamete providers, surrogates and research subjects, and benefits from low labour costs in ‘enabling’ sectors such as logistics and transport. This finding calls for a comprehensive analysis of how the contemporary intersection of neoliberal capitalism and the life sciences - in short, the bioeconomy - capitalises on the body and its (re)productive capacities. The Reproductive Body at Work uptakes this challenge as it explores the relations between value production, labour and the body in one particular realm of the global bioeconomy: the South African bioeconomy of ‘egg donation’. It highlights different forms and dimensions of unacknowledged or precarious human labour that are constitutive for the procurement, brokering and circulation of oocytes as valuable resources. The analysis illustrates that the respective organisation of value and labour renegotiate what ‘the’ (re)productive body can do, which status and roles it is ascribed, which cultural and economic values it signifies and how it is experienced and enacted within a matrix of intersectional power relations. A theoretically profound contribution to the interdisciplinary debate on ‘New materialism’, The Reproductive Body at Work will appeal to students and researchers interested in fields such as gender studies, medical anthropology, cultural studies, sociology, political economy and science and technology studies.
The Research Act: A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods
by Norman K. DenzinAt once a unique textbook for methods courses and a major contribution to sociological theory, this book teaches students the principles of research and how to construct and test theories. It brings coherence to the study of methods by presenting four major approaches to experimentation: survey research, participant observation, life histories, and unobtrusive measures from a single theoretical point of view, symbolic interaction. It demonstrates the need for a synthesis between theory and methods, and shows how different methods limit and aff ect research results.Denzin's argues that no single method, theory, or observer can capture all that is relevant or important in reality. He argues for the use of triangulation and for a view of theory and methods as "concept sensitizers." His approach enables sociologists to acquire specifi c facts about a particular situation while simultaneously elevating these to the level of shared meaning.The author shows students how to proceed with research, bringing sharply into focus the possibilities and their limitations. Since his view is integrated rather than eclectic, this is much more than a "how to do it" manual. Denzin points out aspects of research that fall outside the scope of a given method yet aff ect results, and emphasizes the need to employ several methods to cross-check each other. The Research Act covers all the content of conventional methods courses. The presentation is exciting and imaginative, and provides a thorough review of major sociological methods, a cogent statement about approaches to sociological inquiry, and a source from which a understanding of the problems of research can be derived.
The Research Event: Towards Prospective Methodologies in Sociology
by Mike MichaelHow can we research the not-as-yet? The Research Event is concerned with enabling and nurturing an empirical and analytic sensibility that can address – that is speculate on – the emergent and the prospective in social life. A distinctive and novel contribution, this book introduces and expands on the notion of the ‘research event’, equipping the researcher with the speculative means to connect with the changing landscape of social scientific research. As such the research event is understood as a fluid, unfolding process that encompasses a multitude of heterogeneous ingredients, ranging from the formulation of research questions, through the vagaries of participant engagement, to the practices of writing and dissemination. The book aims to provide social science researchers with practical and conceptual heuristics for the ‘opening up’ of research practice so that it better engages with, but also better provokes, the possibilities that are entailed in the doing of social research. Inventively and entertainingly, the book draws on many of the author's own empirical examples to illustrate critically the use and value of these heuristics. As a research event in itself, this book is a speculation on prospective methodologies and an invitation to explore the possibilities of social research. This book will appeal to a broad range of social science researchers, from advanced undergraduates to established scholars. It will be a key reading in advanced BA and MA courses on alternative research methodologies, or a supplementary reading on more traditional courses aiming to include emerging methods.
The Research Process in Educational Settings: Ten Case Studies (Routledge Library Editions: Education)
by Robert G. BurgessThis book presents a series of research biographies based on research experiences in the study of educational settings. The main aim is to provide a set of first person accounts on doing research that combine analysis with description. The contributors have been drawn from the disciplines of sociology and educational studies and have all conducted ethnographic work or case studies in a variety of educational settings.
The Research Process in Sport, Exercise and Health: Case Studies of Active Researchers
by Sheldon Hanton Rich Neil Scott Fleming Kylie WilsonWhat are the challenges and potential pitfalls of real research? <P><P> What decision-making process is followed by successful researchers? <P><P> The Research Process in Sport, Exercise and Health fills an important gap in the research methods literature. Conventional research methods textbooks focus on theory and descriptions of hypothetical techniques, while the peer-reviewed research literature is mainly concerned with discussion of data and the significance of results. In this book, a team of successful researchers from across the full range of sub-disciplines in sport, exercise and health discuss real pieces of research, describing the processes they went through, the decisions that they made, the problems they encountered and the things they would have done differently. As a result, the book goes further than any other in bringing the research process to life, helping students identify potential issues and problems with their own research right at the beginning of the process.<P><P> The book covers the whole span of the research process, including: identifying the research problem justifying the research question choosing an appropriate method data collection and analysis identifying a study’s contribution to knowledge and/or applied practice disseminating results. <P><P> Featuring real-world studies from sport psychology, biomechanics, sports coaching, ethics in sport, sports marketing, health studies, sport sociology, performance analysis, and strength and conditioning, the book is an essential companion for research methods courses or dissertations on any sport or exercise degree programme.
The Research Relationship: Practice and Politics in Social Policy Research (Routledge Revivals)
by G. Clare WengerOriginally published in 1987, it seemed likely that by the end of that decade, if current trends continued, the majority of social researchers would be working under contract to government and other agencies which commissioned policy-relevant investigations. This shift towards contracted and commissioned research threw into heightened relief the importance of greater understanding of the often problematic relationship between researchers on the one hand, and funding agencies and policy-making bodies on the other. This book was directed at both social scientists who were or would in the future be involved in social policy research, and at administrators, planners and policy makers who often had responsibility for funding such research and who were also its potential users. The authors provide accounts of research in a wide variety of settings, conducted on behalf of a diverse range of sponsors, in order to confront, describe and try to understand the tensions which develop between the two sides of the policy research relationship. While there is, of course, no suggestion here that there are tailor-made solutions that can eradicate difficulties, the feeling is expressed that improvements in the research relationship are possible and highly desirable. The primary objective of the book was to provide an impetus for greater understanding and collaboration that could lead to such improvements.
The Research Toolkit: Problem-Solving Processes for the Social Sciences (ThirdEdition)
by Bruce FriedmanMany practitioners of social science shy away from research, concerned that it is too much like doing arithmetic. In contrast, The Research Toolkit: Problem-Solving Processes for the Social Sciences presents research as a scientific art form. The book takes readers through a step-by-step process to help them arrive at a research protocol that aligns with their unique problem-solving styles. It shows how to organize problems into manageable steps and tap into the creativity involved in developing solutions. Readers learn how to construct a researchable question. They become familiar with samples and the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics. They study measurement, psychometrics, experimental research, and research design. They learn about various forms of research including causal comparative research, community-based participatory research, and participatory action research. They enhance their understanding of correlations and correlational research. Designed to serve as a primary text in foundational research courses, The Research Toolkit features universal, adaptable content that allows each student to develop a personalized approach. The book can be used in a wide variety of social science disciplines at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level. Bruce D. Friedman holds a Ph. D. from Case Western Reserve University's Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and an M. S. W. from Washington University's George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Dr. Friedman is a professor in the social work program and co-director of the Center for Social Justice at California State University, Bakersfield, as well as a core faculty member for the Ed. D. program also at the California State University, Bakersfield. A mixed methods researcher, he has studied issues of homelessness and the roles of shelters in addressing the needs of the homeless population, obesity problems in South Texas, and school disciplinary practices in California. He has written extensively in the field, including his authorship of the Ecological Perspectives Cookbook: Recipes for Social Workers and co-editorship of Public Health, Social Work, and Health Inequalities.
The Research-Practice Gap on Accounting in the Public Services: An International Analysis (Public Sector Financial Management)
by Laurence Ferry Ileana Steccolini Iris Saliterer Basil TuckerThis book considers how the practical and public policy relevance of research might be increased, and academics and practitioners can better engage to define research agendas and deliver findings relevant to accounting and accountability in the public services. To do so, an international comparative analysis of the research-practice gap in public sector accounting has been undertaken. This involved academic perspectives from over twenty countries, and practitioner perspectives from leading international professional accounting bodies actively involved in the public services arena. It was found that research is valued for informing practice, but engaging at a high level of policy engagement has been primarily by a small group of experienced researchers. For other researchers the impact accomplished may not always be valued highly in the academic community relative to other, more scholarly, activities. The book therefore looks at how engagement and impact between academics and practitioners can be increased.
The Resegregation of Schools: Education and Race in the Twenty-First Century (Routledge Research in Education)
by Jamel K. Donnor Adrienne D. DixsonAccess to a quality education remains the primary mechanism for improving one’s life chances in the United States, and for children of color, a “good education” is particularly linked to their individual and collective well-being. Despite the popular perception that America is in a “post-racial” epoch, opportunities to access quality learning environments and human development resources remain determined according to race, class, gender, and ability. Taking a more nuanced approach to race and the resegregation of the American school system, this volume examines how and why the education quality for the majority of students of color in America remains fundamentally unequal.
The Resegregation of Suburban Schools: A Hidden Crisis in American Education
by Erica Frankenberg Gary Orfield"The United States today is a suburban nation that thinks of race as an urban issue, and often assumes that it has been largely solved," write the editors of this groundbreaking and passionately argued book. They show that the locus of racial and ethnic transformation is now clearly suburban and illustrate patterns of demographic change in the suburbs with a series of rich case studies. The book concludes by considering what kinds of strategies school officials and community leaders can pursue at all levels to improve opportunities for suburban low-income students and students of color, and what ways address the challenges associated with demographic change.
The Resegregation of Suburban Schools: A Hidden Crisis in American Education
by Erica Frankenberg"The United States today is a suburban nation that thinks of race as an urban issue, and often assumes that it has been largely solved,&” write the editors of this groundbreaking and passionately argued book. They show that the locus of racial and ethnic transformation is now clearly suburban and illustrate patterns of demographic change in the suburbs with a series of rich case studies. The book concludes by considering what kinds of strategies school officials and community leaders can pursue at all levels to improve opportunities for suburban low-income students and students of color, and what ways address the challenges associated with demographic change.
The Reset: Ideas to Change How We Work and Live
by Elizabeth Uviebinené Elizabeth UviebinenéSome people seek purpose in work. Others see work as a tool to live with purpose outside of work. Where do you sit on this scale?'An exciting, refreshing, curious read which addresses not just the future of work but how to fundamentally rethink the way we live' -EMMA GANNON, author of The Sunday Times bestseller The Multi-Hyphen Method"At a time when many of us are reconsidering our work/life balance in the long-term, it's an illuminating read." - Cosmopolitan"The Reset is a provocative guide to how we fit into an ecosystem' - The Financial Times"This book made me stop and rethink my relationship with work. Elizabeth challenges us all to create a new social contract with trust, purpose and community at its heart. Where we work by design and not by default and in doing so, create a world of work that is more balanced, inclusive and better for everyone." - Helen Tupper, CEO of Amazing If and co-author of The Squiggly Careers________________Being busy isn't an IdentityPerks aren't office CultureProfit isn't all we want from BusinessLoneliness shouldn't happen in a CommunityInequality isn't inevitable in a CityWe can all shape SocietyFrom the award-winning author and Financial Times columnist Elizabeth Uviebinené, a fundamental rethink of how we work and live. Because if we're going to really benefit from the radical shift of 2020, we have to rethink how we fit into an ecosystem. Elizabeth started with a simple desire to explore our relationship with work, and how it was impacting our lives. It became clear if we want to reset how we work as individuals, we're going to need to reset the work culture we exist in, the businesses we work for, the communities we're a part of, the cities we live in and the society we can shape. We can't just rethink one strand of society; we need to rethink everything together. It's time for a Reset. The Reset is a short, digestible book for people who want to work better, and live better. Elizabeth addresses our urge to work differently, to work in a way that suits more parts of our lives. It's optimistic, positive and provocative, offering fresh perspectives on the way we live now, and a punchy idea for how we might live in the future. So what's possible now that would have seemed impossible before? The Reset features interviews from:Sadiq Khan, Mayor of LondonAlex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4Ete Davies, CEO of Engine GroupRachel Botsman, Oxford University's first Trust fellowSereena Abassi, Worldwide Head of Culture and Inclusion, M&C SaatchiAnna Whitehouse (Mother Pukka), flexible working campaignerCassandra Stavrou, Founder of ProperIndy Johar, Founder of think tank Dark Matter LabsNadia Whittome, Labour MP for NottinghamPip Jameson, Founder of the DotsKaren Rosenkranz, trend forecaster and consultantJoanna Lyall, UK CEO of Brainlabs
The Reset: Ideas to Change How We Work and Live
by Elizabeth UviebinenéSome people seek purpose in work. Others see work as a tool to live with purpose outside of work. Where do you sit on this scale?'An exciting, refreshing, curious read which addresses not just the future of work but how to fundamentally rethink the way we live' -EMMA GANNON, author of The Sunday Times bestseller The Multi-Hyphen Method"At a time when many of us are reconsidering our work/life balance in the long-term, it's an illuminating read." - Cosmopolitan"The Reset is a provocative guide to how we fit into an ecosystem' - The Financial Times"Uviebinené's passion about resetting how we live and work is infectious and eye-opening." - Marie Claire"This book made me stop and rethink my relationship with work. Elizabeth challenges us all to create a new social contract with trust, purpose and community at its heart. Where we work by design and not by default and in doing so, create a world of work that is more balanced, inclusive and better for everyone." - Helen Tupper, CEO of Amazing If and co-author of The Squiggly Careers________________Being busy isn't an IdentityPerks aren't office CultureProfit isn't all we want from BusinessLoneliness shouldn't happen in a CommunityInequality isn't inevitable in a CityWe can all shape Society From the award-winning author and Financial Times columnist Elizabeth Uviebinené, a fundamental rethink of how we work and live. Because if we're going to really benefit from the radical shift of 2020, we have to rethink how we fit into an ecosystem. Elizabeth started with a simple desire to explore our relationship with work, and how it was impacting our lives. It became clear if we want to reset how we work as individuals, we're going to need to reset the work culture we exist in, the businesses we work for, the communities we're a part of, the cities we live in and the society we can shape. We can't just rethink one strand of society; we need to rethink everything together. It's time for a Reset. The Reset is a short, digestible book for people who want to work better, and live better. Elizabeth addresses our urge to work differently, to work in a way that suits more parts of our lives. It's optimistic, positive and provocative, offering fresh perspectives on the way we live now, and a punchy idea for how we might live in the future. So what's possible now that would have seemed impossible before? The Reset features interviews from:Sadiq Khan, Mayor of LondonAlex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4Ete Davies, CEO of Engine GroupRachel Botsman, Oxford University's first Trust fellowSereena Abassi, Worldwide Head of Culture and Inclusion, M&C SaatchiAnna Whitehouse (Mother Pukka), flexible working campaignerCassandra Stavrou, Founder of ProperIndy Johar, Founder of think tank Dark Matter LabsNadia Whittome, Labour MP for NottinghamPip Jameson, Founder of the DotsKaren Rosenkranz, trend forecaster and consultantJoanna Lyall, UK CEO of Brainlabs
The Reset: Ideas to Change How We Work and Live
by Elizabeth UviebinenéBeing busy isn't an IdentityPerks aren't office CultureProfit isn't all we want from BusinessLoneliness shouldn't happen in a CommunityInequality isn't inevitable in a CityWe can all shape Society From the award-winning author and Financial Times columnist Elizabeth Uviebinené, a fundamental rethink of how we work and live. Because if we're going to really benefit from the radical shift of 2020, we have to rethink how we fit into an ecosystem. Elizabeth started with a simple desire to explore our relationship with work, and how it was impacting our lives. It became clear if we want to reset how we work as individuals, we're going to need to reset the work culture we exist in, the businesses we work for, the communities we're a part of, the cities we live in and the society we can shape. We can't just rethink one strand of society; we need to rethink everything together. It's time for a Reset. The Reset is a short, digestible book for people who want to work better, and live better. Elizabeth addresses our urge to work differently, to work in a way that suits more parts of our lives. It's optimistic, positive and provocative, offering fresh perspectives on the way we live now, and a punchy idea for how we might live in the future. So what's possible now that would have seemed impossible before? The Reset features interviews from:Sadiq Khan, Mayor of LondonAlex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4Ete Davies, CEO of Engine GroupRachel Botsman, Oxford University's first Trust fellowSereena Abassi, Worldwide Head of Culture and Inclusion, M&C SaatchiAnna Whitehouse (Mother Pukka), flexible working campaignerCassandra Stavrou, Founder of ProperIndy Johar, Founder of think tank Dark Matter LabsNadia Whittome, Labour MP for NottinghamPip Jameson, Founder of the DotsKaren Rosenkranz, trend forecaster and consultantJoanna Lyall, UK CEO of Brainlabs(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Resilience Of Southern Identity: Why The South Still Matters In The Minds Of Its People
by Christopher A. Cooper H. Gibbs KnottsThe American South has experienced remarkable change over the past half century. Black voter registration has increased, the region's politics have shifted from one-party Democratic to the near-domination of the Republican Party, and in-migration has increased its population manyfold. At the same time, many outward signs of regional distinctiveness have faded--chain restaurants have replaced mom-and-pop diners, and the interstate highway system connects the region to the rest of the country. Given all of these changes, many have argued that southern identity is fading. But here, Christopher A. Cooper and H. Gibbs Knotts show how these changes have allowed for new types of southern identity to emerge. For some, identification with the South has become more about a connection to the region's folkways or to place than about policy or ideology. For others, the contemporary South is all of those things at once--a place where many modern-day southerners navigate the region's confusing and omnipresent history. <p><p> Regardless of how individuals see the South, this study argues that the region's drastic political, racial, and cultural changes have not lessened the importance of southern identity but have played a key role in keeping regional identification relevant in the twenty-first century.
The Resilience of Indigenous Religion: A Struggle for Survival of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak in Manipur
by Kamei SamsonThis book is a sociological study of the resilience of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak – one of the indigenous religions of the Rongmei people of Manipur. It examines the underlying factors contributing towards the ability of the adherents of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak to continue with their religion despite stigmatisation, conversion and persecution by sections of Christians. This book reflects the contemporary relevance of the legacies of the religious movements under Jadonang Malangmei and Rani Gaidinliu. Thus, the book also examines the continuity between the past and the present religious movements with complex underlying factors contributing to the resilience of an indigenous religion. The Rongmei people following Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak, a reformed religion, are seen to be not shying away from changes in their religious beliefs and practices. Interestingly, however, despite all the reformations consciously heralded the idea of primordiality in the sense of unchanging is a sincere atavism among the adherents of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak. Methodologically speaking, the emphasis of the book is on theoretical and methodological triangulation. Both social change theory and social identity theory are used to understand the resilience of the indigenous faith of the Rongmei people amidst dominant Hindus and tribal Christians. It is observed that the idea of change is indispensable in understanding the resilience of an indigenous faith despite the commonly held belief in the essentiality of primordiality in a religion. The book is intended to serve the academic interests of researchers working on indigenous religions. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the print version of this book in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The Resilience of Traditional Knowledge Systems for a Sustainable Future: A Focus on Agriculture and Food Practices in the Himalayas (Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research)
by Pardeep Singh Anwesha BorthakurThis book is an effort to draw attention to the resilience of traditional knowledge systems for a sustainable future in the Himalayas with a particular focus on agriculture and food practices. Through examples from the region, it underscores the importance of these practices in navigating contemporary global environmental challenges. The Himalayan region, known for its socio-cultural diversity and unique agricultural ecology, emerges as a major hotspot of climate change. Therefore, acknowledging and recognizing the lived experiences of the locals along with their traditional knowledge associated with agriculture and food systems becomes imperative for devising adaptation and mitigation strategies amidst the unfolding environmental and climate crisis. Drawing upon insights from local communities and experts deeply rooted in the Himalayan context, this book not only documents traditional agricultural and food systems but also sheds light on the pressing anthropogenic challenges threatening their sustainability. We believe that research and documentation of traditional knowledge practices of the local and indigenous communities are essential for tackling the current and projected global environmental challenges.This book advocates for a holistic approach to addressing both current and future global environmental challenges. It serves as a timely call to action for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike.
The Resilient Clinician
by Robert J. WicksThis immensely readable book also includes one of the most current selective bibliographies of relevant research and clinical and theoretical publications in the subject area, from common stressors and vicarious post-traumatic stress disorders to burnout and compassion fatigue.
The Resilient Culture: How Collective Resilience Leads to Business Success
by Liane Stephan Silke Rupprecht Chris Tamdjidi Michael Mackay RichardsThe ideal business is productive, collaborative and innovative. But how can you bring these qualities into your organization? The solution is to build a resilient culture.This is a groundbreaking guide to lasting success through practical and original frameworks for building resilience at work. It draws upon the authors' experiences of working with leading organizations such as HSBC, Ikea and a leading F1 team to demonstrate the impact of resilient cultures.Featuring insights on resilient habits, team dynamics and workplace wellbeing, The Resilient Culture draws upon decades of corporate and academic expertise to offer the insights you need to reach new heights of business performance.
The Resilient Manager
by Adrian FurnhamResilient people are happier, healthier, and more productive. Psychologist and business writer Adrian Furnham takes a sideways and entertaining look at the challenges of being a leader, demonstrating how resilience can be honed, developed, and used as a personal life raft to keep afloat in the face of adversity.
The Resilient Self: Gender, Immigration, and Taiwanese Americans
by Chien-Juh GuThe Resilient Self explores how international migration re-shapes women’s senses of themselves. Chien-Juh Gu uses life-history interviews and ethnographic observations to illustrate how immigration creates gendered work and family contexts for middle-class Taiwanese American women, who, in turn, negotiate and resist the social and psychological effects of the processes of immigration and settlement. Most of the women immigrated as dependents when their U.S.-educated husbands found professional jobs upon graduation. Constrained by their dependent visas, these women could not work outside of the home during the initial phase of their settlement. The significant contrast of their lives before and after immigration—changing from successful professionals to foreign housewives—generated feelings of boredom, loneliness, and depression. Mourning their lost careers and lacking fulfillment in homemaking, these highly educated immigrant women were forced to redefine the meaning of work and housework, which in time shaped their perceptions of themselves and others in the family, at work, and in the larger community.
The Resources of the Past in Early Medieval Europe
by Rosamond Mckitterick Clemens Gantner Rosamond McKitterick Sven Meeder Clemens GantnerThis volume analyses the importance of history, the textual resources of the past and the integration of Christian and imperial Rome into the cultural memory of early medieval Europe within the wider question of identity formation. The case studies in this book shed new light on the process of codification and modification of cultural heritage in the light of the transmission of texts and the extant manuscript evidence from the early middle ages. The authors demonstrate how particular texts and their early medieval manuscript representatives in Italy, Francia, Saxony and Bavaria not only reflect ethnic, social and cultural identities but themselves contributed to the creation of identities, gave meaning to social practice, and were often intended to inspire, guide, change, or prevent action, directly or indirectly. These texts are shown to be part of a cultural effort to shape the present by restructuring the past.