"This volume breaks down disciplinary walls in numerous ways. First, it combines information about the intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and societal levels of communication into a single resource. At the intrapersonal level, new issues are raised about communication between individuals and deity
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: Why is religious experience difficult to explain in rational terms? Why is silence more sacred than spoken prayer in some religious communities? What is the nature of “thought communication” in religious meditation? Why is the use of profanity justified in some religious circles? How does idolatry reinforce religious customs and values? Why was chanting one of the first forms of religious communication?
Religious information is also exchanged between individuals at the level of interpersonal communication. This volume identifies rituals that have not been adequately analyzed in terms of communication aspects: Why do some sects require public confession? Why is body decoration an acceptable form of worship in some religious groups, but not in others? How does dance communicate the sacred through metaphoric movement? What are the multiple forms of communication with the dead? Why are feasts a form of religious worship in all major religions? How does the study of organizational communication apply to religion?
This volume also aids study of mediated communication to larger groups both inside and outside religious denominations. Throughout history, technology has simultaneously aided and impeded communication processes; this also applies to religious culture: How did religion change during the historical transition from orality to literacy? How did printing contribute to the diffusion of religious values in the world? Why have religious novels grown in popularity? Is television considered a religious medium? How has the Internet affected religious congregations and communities? What is religious media literacy?
These are only a few of the questions addressed by this encyclopedia. Articles also deal with (1) concepts such as information, communication, and censorship, (2) denominations which exhibit different communication practices, and (3) the various media used in religious worship. Entries were contributed by scholars from various disciplines, including religious studies, communication, anthropology, sociology, ancient studies, religion and modern culture, theology, and many others." (Introduction, page xiii-xiv)
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"OECD-DAC’s previous efforts of information collection exercises had already shown that it is difficult, if not impossible, to come up with an overall figure of the investment DAC members have made in the field of ICT for development. The recent attempt has not proved different from the previous o
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nes. Its summary outcome on DAC members’ ICT4D programmes and expenditures is included in Annex 2 and detailed information in Annex 3. Because the financial data are not comprehensive and compatible, the aggregate figure of financing cannot be calculated. However, some reported figures (including some non-ODA) should be highlighted:
• Canada estimates a minimum expenditure of US$ 33 million per annum.
• European Commission has € 250 million commitment of multi-year ICT-specific programmes in addition to € 110 million from the European Development Fund and € 750 million from the European Investment Bank (1999-2003).
• France committed about € 40 million (2002-2005) to global programmes over and from above its country programmes and other facilities.
• Germany at present supports ICT applications with an amount of approximately € 180 million.
• Japan launched its Comprehensive Co-operation Package for bridging the digital divide which consists of non-ODA and ODA funding with a total of US$ 15 billion over 5 years (2000-2005).
• Sweden spent approximately US$ 18 million in 2003.
• The United Kingdom committed ICT-specific programmes and projects, amounting to approximately a total of US$ 83 million.
• The United States estimates its spending of ICT for development at more than US$ 200 million in 2003, and through leveraged or matching outside resources a further US$ 240 million was mobilised." (Page 5)
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"Neue Entwicklungen im Bereich der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) bieten die Möglichkeit, den freien Zugang (open access) zu Informationen physisch zu erleichtern und neue Systeme und Netzwerke wissenschaftlicher und technologischer Innovationen zu etablieren. Insbesondere im Be
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reich des wissenschaftlichen Publizierens können elektronische Vertriebswege helfen, Entwicklungsländer an das globale Informationsnetz besser einzubinden und deren wirtschaftliche Situation zu stärken. Folgende positive Wirkungen für Entwicklungsländer lassen sich beispielhaft benennen: Erhöhung der Sichtbarkeit der Forschungsaktivitäten; Förderung des Informationsaustauschs sowohl unter Wissenschaftlern in Entwicklungsländern als auch mit Wissenschaftlern in den westlichen Ländern; Erhöhung der Attraktivität wissenschaftlicher Standorte und damit Verringerung der Abwanderung von Wissenschaftlern; Erschließung neuer Einnahmequellen für universitäre Einrichtungen durch die Etablierung von neuen Geschäfts- und Finanzierungsmodellen im Bereich des elektronischen Publizierens auf Basis der wissenschaftsgestützten Informationsversorgung. Bislang gibt es nur wenige Initiativen, die Wissenschaftler oder wissenschaftliche Institutionen in Entwicklungsländern bei der strukturierten elektronischen Veröffentlichung eigener Publikationen unterstützen. Dies mag zum Teil noch an den schlechten infrastrukturellen Voraussetzungen liegen, entscheidend sind aber mangelnde Kenntnis der Potentiale sowie unzureichende institutionelle und rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen in den meisten Entwicklungsländern. Die Bundesregierung hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, durch wissenschaftlich-technologische Kooperation mit Entwicklungsländern deren Leistungsfähigkeit und damit die Entwicklung und den Wohlstand zu fördern. Die Wissenschaftlich technische Zusammenarbeit des BMBF ergänzt entwicklungspolitische Maßnahmen des BMZ in Partnerländern u.a. durch Auf- und Ausbau der wissenschaftlich-technologischen Infrastruktur. Zur Unterstützung wissenschaftsgestützter Publikationsprozesses im Rahmen der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit werden unterschiedliche Handlungsfelder dargestellt: Aufbau institutioneller Archive; Teilnahme an „Open Access Journals“; Entwicklung von Standards zum Austausch von Daten und für die Langzeitarchivierung, sowie Kompatibilität mit internationalen Standards; Aktivierung unterschiedlicher wirtschaftlicher und politischer Akteure auf allen Ebenen für die Unterstützung neuer Bibliotheken, fachspezifischer und regionaler Zugänge, neuer Mehrwertdienste und Geschäftsmodelle. Schlussendlich gibt die Studie zahlreiche Anregungen, wie Projekte im Bereich des elektronischen Publizierens konzipiert werden können." (Zusammenfassung)
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"The University for Peace is proud to publish, The Role of the Media in Conflict Prevention and Peace Building, a course description that includes syllabus, teacher's manual, detailed structure and suggested readings. The course described in this book is rich in ideas, theories, examples and case st
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udies, and analyzes the crucial issue of the media s role in conflict and peace. It neither blames the media for starting and fueling wars nor promotes them as potential peacemakers. It simply sees the press as a uniquely powerful echo chamber of competing realities." (Back cover)
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"Mobile communication has an increasing impact on people's lives and society. Ubiquitous media influence the way users relate to their surroundings, and data services like text and pictures lead to a culture shaped by thumbs. Representing several years of research into the social and cultural effect
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s of mobile phone use, this volume assembles the fascinating approaches and new insights of leading scientists and practitioners. The book contains the results of a first international survey on the social consequences of mobile phones. It provides a comprehensive inventory of today's issues and an outlook in mobile media, society and their future study." (Publisher description)
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"Das Mobiltelefon hat in den letzten Jahren quer durch alle gesellschaftlichen Bereiche an Bedeutung gewonnen. Sein Einfluss manifestiert sich etwa darin, wie sich Individuen zu ihren Umgebungen in Beziehung setzen: Die alltägliche Nutzung von mobilen Diensten der Text-, Sprach- und Bildübertragun
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g lässt eine »Daumenkultur« entstehen. Dieser Band präsentiert die Ergebnisse der ersten internationalen Studie über die weitreichenden sozialen Auswirkungen mobiler Kommunikation in verschiedenen Lebensbereichen. Er versammelt die Forschungen führender Wissenschaftler und Praktiker und leuchtet die Verbindung von mobilen Medien und Gesellschaft sowie Zukunftsperspektiven der Forschung aus." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"Eileen Blumenthal provides a comprehensive overview of the history and technique of puppetry and examines in depth and detail the unique nature and abilities of puppets and the countless roles they have played in human societies across the globe for thousands of years. Blumenthal draws examples fro
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m an astonishing array of puppeteers and performances, as well as works of art and historical artifacts to provide readers with a comprehensive view of the world of constructed actors and the eclectic, and often eccentric, artists who created them. From bunraku to Miss Piggy, from the shadow puppets of Java to Howdy Doody, from African marionettes with outsize genitalia to sweet and loveable Lamb Chop, from Senor Wences's famous hand (literally) puppet to the minimalism of Russian puppet master Sergei Obraztsov, whose puppets consisted of nothing more than two small balls, each stuck on the end of a finger - the spectacular range and variety of the world's puppets is explored through more than 300 illustrations and Blumenthal's lively, accessible prose." (Publsher)
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