Master Thesis

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Open Access
A Descriptive Analysis of EFL Learners' Levels and Practices of Visual Literacy Competence: The Case of Second-Year Pupils at Ahmed Chaouki Middle School M'sila
(كلية الاداب و اللغات, 2024-06) Fairouz RADAOUI Siham TOUATIT
ABSTRACT This study aims to assess the visual literacy competence of 90 second-year EFL pupils at Ahmed Chaouki Middle School in M'sila, focusing on interpretation skills, creation skills, and engagement with visual media. Classroom observations were conducted, and data was analysed using SPSS to determine overall visual literacy levels and examine differences based on gender and academic performance. The findings reveal that while overall visual literacy competence is moderate to high, female pupils exhibit higher competence across all dimensions compared to male pupils. Additionally, high-performing students demonstrate significantly better visual literacy skills than their average and low-performing peers. Significant positive correlations were found between interpretation skills, creation skills, and engagement with visual media, suggesting an interconnected development of these competencies. The study highlights the need for targeted instructional strategies to support visual literacy development, particularly for male and low-performing students. Recommendations include integrating more visual creation activities, providing professional development for teachers, and ensuring equitable access to visual literacy resources. This research contributes to the understanding of visual literacy in EFL contexts and informs educational practices to enhance students' visual literacy competence
Open Access
A Descriptive Study of Students and Teachers Attitudes About the Impact of Target Language Culture on ESP Students Reading Comprehension. Case Study: Third Year Students at Social Sciences Department.
(UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA, 2024-06) Ikram SEGHIOUR; Sara FATHI
This study aims to explore the impact of target language culture on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students' reading comprehension, focusing specifically on third-year students at the Social Sciences Department. Employing a descriptive research method, this investigation seeks to gauge both students' and teachers' perspectives and attitudes towards this phenomenon. To achieve this, questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 49 students and 5 teachers from the Social Sciences Department, chosen through a random sampling method. The questionnaires aimed to elicit insights into how target language culture influences students' reading comprehension and how teachers perceive its impact on instructional practices. The findings indicate that target language culture significantly influences ESP students' reading comprehension by providing contextual clues, enhancing vocabulary acquisition, and fostering deeper cultural understanding. However, challenges such as cultural barriers and linguistic complexities were identified by both students and teachers. In consideration of these findings, recommendations are proposed to assist students in overcoming these challenges, including integrating cultural content into ESP curriculum and providing explicit instruction on cultural nuances. Additionally, suggestions for teachers are offered to enhance their pedagogical approaches and incorporate cultural elements into reading comprehension tasks effectively. By addressing these recommendations, ESP students can better navigate and comprehend texts within the target language culture, ultimately enhancing their language proficiency and cultural competence
Open Access
A New Historicist Examination of the Conspiracy Theory in Dan Brown’s Inferno in the Light of Post Covid-19 Pandemic
(UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA, 2024-06) Moustafa MAROUF; BadrElboudour BENAMOR
This study examines the implications of the conspiracy theory portrayed in Dan Brown’s novel Inferno (2013). The study explores how Inferno’s conspiracy narrative resonates with post-truth sentiments and distrust of institutions in the pandemic’s aftermath, potentially perpetuating such attitudes. By contextualizing the text within the COVID-19 crisis, the study sheds light on the power relations and cultural anxieties underpinning conspiracy theories, and their potential implications in a post-pandemic world. Through the IV lens of New Historicism, the analysis investigates how the novel’s sinister plot to release a bioengineered depopulation virus is shaped by the power dynamics and cultural anxieties of its era. Additionally, Michel Foucault’s theories on biopolitics, governmentality, and power-knowledge relations are employed to unpack the portrayal of population control measures and the conspiracy’s motivations. Findings suggest that Inferno’s conspiracy theory validates radical solutions, fueling distrust in institutions and control over populations. This analysis contributes to the understanding of how contemporary fiction can both reflect and reinforce societal anxieties, potentially influencing public discourse and attitudes towards scientific institutions and global health initiatives in an era of increasing skepticism and misinformation.
Open Access
A Study of the Reliability and Validity of the Use of Open AI Chatbots to Assess EFL Learners Speech Acts Performance: A Focus on Apology Speech Act
(UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA, 2024-06) Mohamed DJERIDA; Nechoua ALLAOUA
This study aims to study the potential use of open AI Chatbots to fulfill assessment actions. Pragmatic competence and specifically speech acts pose a significant challenge to EFL language teachers, thus this study examines the use of AI chatbots in assessing the speech acts performance. Through the descriptive method and the use three questionnaires, AI-based and traditional assessment tools, this study research designed aimed to examine the reliability and validity of using the AI-based assessment tool developed in this study and labeled “ActSpeak”. The findings of the study revealed lack of moderate perceptions about the effectiveness of the use of AI-based assessment tools and limited use of these tools for assessment purposes. ActSpeak was found to be highly valid and reliable as an AI-based assessment tool to test, evaluate and enhance apology speech act performance. This study is the first initiative in the Algerian EFL context and in the field of the use of an open AI ChatBot programmed to assess speech acts. This study calls for further interest among EFL teachers in the effective use of automated assessment tools to asses EFL learners’ communicative competence.
Open Access
The Abortion Rights Controversy between Liberalism and Conservatism in the United States of America
(2017-06) CHENNI, Halima
Abstract The history of abortion in the United States of America is portrayed as controversial topic, and over the years many different attitudes have been taken around it with religious, moral, political, and cultural dimensions. The present work is an attempt to give an overview and history of abortion in the United States of America and to uncover the multi- voices attitudes that shaped the abortion rights controversy between pro-life and pro-choice positions. In addition to that, the objective of the current study is to provide a detailed investigation about the issue of abortion. To investigate our topic, we chose the psychoanalytical, feminist approaches, and descriptive method. Through our research, we came to the following conclusion that abortion is still a continuous controversial topic.
Open Access
Aboulela’s The Kindness of Enemies a Saga of Thematic and Moralistic Evocations- Faith, Fate, and Family Divisions
(2019-07-15) Chahinez MEZHOUD
Résumé : The Kindness of ennemies’ d’Aboulela dépeint l'image déformée que les occidentaux ont des musulmans. Cette recherche aborde donc les thèmes de la foi religieuse, des divisions familiales et du sort réservé aux musulmans vivant dans des pays étrangers, et les souffrances dont ils font l’expérience qui sont liées à cette représentation déformée. Afin de mener cette étude nous avons eu recours à l'historicisme ainsi qu’à une méthode qualitative pour répondre au pourquoi, au quoi et au comment des événements décrits dans le roman susmentionné. Le caractère récent du roman et le fait qu'il vise à rectifier et à corriger toutes les fausses représentations qui associées aux musulmans et le mot Jihad à Al-Qaida rendent cette étude très significative. Les recherches menées pour le compte de cette étude révèlent la souffrance dont sont victimes les musulmans et les différents problèmes liés à l'aliénation, à la discrimination et à l'insécurité dans les pays occidentaux. Enfin, la foi islamique joue un rôle central pour nourrir et éclairer la vie des musulmans dans ce roman.
Open Access
ABSURDISM AND MORAL DECAY IN DON DELILLO’S WHITE NOISE
(2020-06) Chaima FOUDIH, Maroua Rihab GUERROUDJ
The present study addresses moral decay and faith crisis in Don DeLillo’s White Noise. That is by the reference to the philosophies of Absurdism, Nihilism and Existentialism along with Jean Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacrum. These thoughts share common concerns such as the human morality, anxiety, death, alienation, absurdity, nothingness and denial. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore images of Absurdism and Nihilism, along with Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacrum in the novel. To achieve this aim, the study examines how White Noise portrays the meaninglessness and the moral decay in the postmodern era. In a nutshell, the research focuses on capitalism, media, materialism, and consumerism, along with fear of death as the promoters of meaning and spiritual vacuum.
Open Access
Adopting Partnership in Learning, Teaching, and Assessment as a Strategy to Foster the EFL Learning Process: The Case of Third Year English Language Learners, Mohammed Boudiaf University, M’sila
(2018-06) Imane ZIAM, Malika BELHADJ
iv ABSTRACT The present study investigates the effectiveness of partnership in learning, teaching, and assessment in improving the English language learning process of English department students at M'sila university. It also attempts to shed light on the importance of establishing a relaxed and friendly environment in reducing psychological problems and increasing the learners’ motivation. The study aims to raise the awareness of teachers and students about the importance of partnership in learning, teaching, and assessment in facilitating the learning process. This investigation was conducted among the third year students of English department of M'sila university. It was based on the use of the descriptive research where data were collected both qualitatively through classroom observation and quantitatively through questionnaire. The findings revealed that treating students as partners increases their sense of responsibility and their level of engagement; and hence, promoting their learning. It also revealed that teachers and students awareness of the importance of such relationship provides them with better learning and teaching experiences. This research tackled descriptively one area of partnership, so further research suggests the use of experimental research to prove the applicability of this strategy and widen it to other areas of partnership which are subject-based research and inquiry, scholarship of teaching and learning, curriculum design and pedagogical consultancy.
Open Access
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: THE TROJAN HORSE IN THE AMERICAN LEGISTLATIVE STRUCTURE
(UNIVERSITY OF MOHAMED BOUDIAF, 2021-06) Ali ZITOUNI, Omrane NOUIBAT
The following study aims to highlight and explore in greater depth the rationale behind the societal and legislative backlash against Affirmative Action in the United States. The very nature of the topic justifies the need for a blended approach: the descriptive as well as the analytical. The descriptive level in the study is used to provide a better understanding of the socio-historical context of Affirmative Action and also to highlight the underlying rational behind adopting a radical policy as such in order to ensue justice for minorities and women, whereas the analytical approach, in turn, is used to cross-examine the strengths and weaknesses of the policy vis-à-vis the various liberal theories and the rulings in some of the key ad hoc Supreme Court cases. The assessment of various pertinent studies and related literary works revealed that the application of Affirmative Action in the United States is facing an existential threat due to the fact that its popularity is declining among the new generation of Americans who apparently hold different perceptions of equality and justice, in addition to the fact that it has greatly lost the unconditional political and Judicial support that it previously had amid the 1960s.
Open Access
African Americans and Amerindians A history of struggle against discrimination
(2017-06) LATRECHE Fouad, SALAH Bilel
Abstract This dissertation provides an example of racism and slavery which both communities African Americans and Amerindians had long suffered from and struggled against. It depicts that racial discrimination and inequality has shaped the American history since its beginnings. This is achieved through following and tracing the circumstances toward the blacks‟ resistance for liberation to attain their dream of emancipation and exploring the nature of struggles of the Amerindians in their land. It also sheds light on the history of the African American self-determination, and how it becomes an inseparable part of American history. Likewise, it presents the Amerindians life in the West and their realistic objectives for preserving their legal rights and gaining independence from the whites‟ aristocracy. The study also shows that there were many common points where African Americans history of struggle met with that of the Amerindians, as well as some differences stemming from the specificity of each community and its conditions. As long as this study is exploratory in nature and deals with historical content, it makes use the most of the qualitative historical approach. To put together the two communities, the descriptive and comparative approach is also present. Finally, the findings of this study show the extent of the strength, resistance, confidence, and independence of both minorities, and the way they believe in themselves and fight for their dreams to be free and equal. Besides, they reveal that both minorities struggled with the whites to preserve their identity, and reach their prosperity in life in their journey of selfdetermination. The Findings, then, highlight the fact that both the African Americans and the Amerindians, to an extent, succeeded in raising their voice, in presenting their case and that there is no more punitive life than living under servitude and subjection.
Open Access
The African Americans and the Roosvelt’s New Deal
(2018-06) Ahlem Bendjoudi
ABSTRACT This dissertation endeavors to study the Roosevelt's New Deal of 1930's and its impacts on African Americans. This work studied the Blacks suffering in order to seek their equality as Whites before the deal. The results of this research have revealed that color determines one's position and life in America so white people gave themselves the opportunity to oppress blacks who did never accept this racial discrimination, instead, they tried over time to change this reality. Additionally, the study shows that Blacks calling for their rights lasting for long time which show the opposition between the American pretending of democracy and equality and the lived reality there. More else, the research confirms that Roosevelt was like all preceding American presidents who never look for African Americans or other minorities, but deepening the gap. From other view, the study investigates that the New Deal was little beneficial for them in the way that Roosevelt did not crackdown the Blacks organizations to demand their rights, instead he appointed many of them in high positions which back with a great acceptance for Roosevelt among Blacks in the elections of 1936, and the greatest result of the New Deal was the Civil Right Movement which took place mainly during the 1950s and 1960s. Key words:
Open Access
The AFRICAN TRAGEDY IN CHINUA ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART
(2017-06) Rima, BENNIA
ABSTRACT Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart marks a very important milestone in African literature. It has received global critical acclaim. The novel dramatizes precolonial and postcolonial Igbo life. Through Achebe’s narrative discourse, one can assume the distinction between the two cultures, the culture of the colonizer and the culture of the colonized, as well as the tragic events caused by the coming of the white man. Therefore, the aim of this research is to study African tragedy in Things Fall Apart. It examines Achebe’s postcolonial counter discourse to express the tragedy of a man and his people. Hence, the first chapter introduces the sociohistorical context of the novel. It sheds light on the different social, historical, and literary contexts that surrounded the writing of the novel. The second chapter involves the narrative discourse and stylistic techniques employed by the writer. The third chapter employs postcolonial literary criticism to approach the novel. Thus, we conclude that Things Fall Apart is one of the major literary and cultural works in the African canon. It explores the destructive aftermath of the advent of the white man, and the tragedy of the hero Okonkwo that implies the tragedy of the whole Umofian society in particular and the plight of Africa and Africans in general.
Open Access
AfricanAmericanWomenandtheCivilRightsMovementinthe1960s
(2019-07-15) BouguettayaLouiza, DebbihZineb
Abstract: AlthoughslaverywasabolishedintheUSaftertheendoftheCivilWar(1861-1865)andAfricanAmericansgainedsomelegalstatus,racialsegregationknownasJimCrowaroseintheSouth.Thetermmeant,generally,thatSouthernblackswouldcontinuetoliveinconditionsofpovertyandinequality,whilewhitesupremacistsdeniedtheirpoliticalrightsandfreedoms.African AmericanstruggleisbestknownintheUShistoryastheCivilRightMovementduringwhichAfricanAmericans,bothmenandwomen,determinedtoachievetherightsandprerogativesoffullcitizenship,emphasizingliberty,justice,andequality.InthehistoryofCivilRightMovement,menlikeDr.MartinLutherKingandMalcomXaregenerallyreferredtoasheroeswhofoughtracialsegregation.However,thefiguresofAfricanAmericanwomenactivistssuchasEllaBaker,DianeNash,FannieLouHamer,AnnieLeeCooper,andAngelaDavisstillarelessmentionedinthecivilrightsmovement;althoughtheyroseasbrilliantactivistsinthemovementandparticipatedheavilyinthestruggleforjusticeandequality.ThepresentresearchhighlightsAfricanAmericanwomen’sinvolvementintheCivilRightsMovementtofightfortheirrights,andwhatweretheirachievements.
Open Access
Against Anthropocentric: The Non-Human Other in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian
(UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA, 2024-06) Rahma BENZINE
Han Kang's The Vegetarian is a critically acclaimed literary masterpiece that delves into the intricacies of the relationship between humans and the non-human world. This dissertation employs post-humanist and ecofeminist theories to analyze the novel, offering a fresh and innovative perspective on the text. Through a detailed examination of the protagonist Yeong-hye's transformation and rebellion against societal norms, this study explores themes of identity and agency, revealing how the novel subverts traditional narratives that center on the assumed superiority of humans. The floral adornments and deep communion with nature represents a profound shift away from anthropocentric constraints, underscoring the interconnectivity and importance of all life forms. This work expands the discourse on the representation of the non-human in literature, contributing to a deeper comprehension of The Vegetarian's rich thematic depth. It offers insights into how the novel challenges preconceived notions of our relationship with the natural world and the urgency to rethink our anthropocentric views.
Open Access
The Algerian American Cooperation in the Transnational War on Terror
(2020-06) Nour El Houda DISSI
This dissertation tries to put flesh on the bones of questions concerning the nature of the war on terror; it investigates the Algerian American cooperation though they have different experiences and perspectives. This study explores terrorism with its different definitions, its sources and its results. It offers the reader an overview of the Algerian experience with terror since the revolution war until the black decade; moreover, how the attacks of 9/11 changed the political map of the American policy of dealing with external conflicts and internal issues of other countries. This dissertation tackles also the Algerian American relationship after the events of 9/11 and how these terrorist attacks changed the relationship between the two countries from misunderstanding into political and military cooperation. And finally, it investigates the different approaches of fighting terror in the Sahel region and how the Algerian government deal with conflicts and accompanying the extremist thoughts and do‘s with minimum risks.
Open Access
The Algerian Womanand the Burden of Representation in Mosteghanemi’sThe Bridges of Constantine
(2019-07-15) Asma YOUSFI
ABSTRACT The present study investigates the dilemma of the postcolonial cultural burden on the Algerian women as represented in AhlamMosteghanemi'sThe Bridges of Constantine, in light of colonial, national and patriarchal ideologies.It aims atexposing an authentic representation of the Algerian women, and uncovering Mosteghanemi's sense of the burden to represent these women and to restore their identity. This literary work is analysed through a Spivakian Postcolonial Feminism in order to unveil the doubly subalternized status of the Algerian women. Hence,the importance of this study lies in its ability to delve into the different issues that the female character suffers from within a colonial and a neo-colonial era. Moreover it broadens the analysis of Mosteghanemi's reaction to the burdened, metaphorical, and idealised representation of the Algerian voiceless woman. This research concludes that Mosteghanemi's work can be truly analyzed from a Spivakian Postcolonial Feminist perspective. In addition, the dilemma of the Algerian postcolonial women has been revealed and successfully represented through her creative literary voice and her authenticity of writing.
Open Access
Alienation and Identity Crisis in Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss
(2021-06) Amal HAOUACHE, Jihad GUIA
This dissertation attempts to study Kiran Desai‟s novel The Inheritance of Loss which is considered as a true representation of the postcolonial period. In particular, this study aims to analyze and investigate the way selected characters (the Judge, Jemubhai and the cook‟s son, Biju) move from a local to a global world suggesting displacement, which eventually results in alienation and identity crisis. Based on this, the research methodology that was applied is post-colonialism. The dissertation is divided into two chapters. The first chapter involves historical and theoretical background knowledge. While, the second chapter centers on the analysis of the novel focusing on the issues of alienation and identity crisis of the characters with accordance to Homi Bhabha conceptions of Mimicry, Hybridity and Ambivalence.
Open Access
Ambiguities of the Self in Zora Neale Hurston's Dust Tracks on a Road
(UNIVERSITY OF MOHAMED BOUDIAF, 2022-06) -Salima TABTI, Dr. Nassima AMIROUCHEManel KHELIFI
Abstract This project is about Zora Neale Hurston’s construction of multiple self and her stance from the racial issues in her ambiguous autobiography Dust Tracks on Road. It also sheds light on the reality of African Americans in the United States, and women’s sufferance in a racist society. Hurston's work is an imaginative and creative summary of her rise from the rural south to a prominent position among leading writers and intellectuals. Dust Tracks is considered a highly regarded work as well as controversial for its refusal to investigate the effects of racism or segregation. Throughout the autobiography, Hurston maintains a positive, invincible attitude. White readers seemed to appreciate her lack of commentary on racial issues; black critics, on the other hand, found this unconscionable and accused her of pandering to whites. In order to reveal the ambiguity of this work, Hurston's autobiography will be thoroughly examined and interpreted by relying on Black criticism. This thesis is divided into two main chapters׃the first is a discussion of the socio-historical context of the autobiography, which provides a better understanding of the issues discussed, and the second chapter is an analysis of issues such as identity and race, also to define the style that Zora employs when writing about issues that are extremely important to her and her race
Open Access
American Foreign Policy Through The Lens of Rawls's Theory of Justice: Revisiting the Liberal Attitude Towards the Israeli-Palestinian Issue Post Oslo
(جامعة محمد بوضياف المسيلة, 2024-10-01) Melouki Slimane- Dr. Bennaa Youcef -Zebda Noureddine
The subject of social justice was and still is a demand and obsession of human societies and the aspiration and dream of many philosophers and political theorists, who presented a comprehensive vision on this subject through his books on politics, in which he directed his harsh criticism of the utilitarian trend that only concerned By focusing on the public good without concern for the rights of minorities. Rawls ‘s principles of justice as assume an original situation in which complete equality prevails within the group that will agree on those principles. Complete equality in an original situation means a situation in which class divisions, exploitation or class privileges do not exist. The strength and persistence of civic activities, throughout the history of the United States, in pursuit of justice. However, our influence and moral authority to move forward in spreading and strengthening democracy around the world have weakened as a result especially towards the Palestinian people exerted by the American foreign policy. The United States became the first country to recognize Israel on May 14, 1948, when President Harry Truman issued a statement of recognition following Israel's declaration of independence. The United States participates with Israel in high-level mutual operations, including military exercises, and weapons development.
Open Access
American Foreign Policy Through The Lens of Rawls's Theory of Justice: Revisiting the Liberal Attitude Towards the Israeli-Palestinian Issue Post Oslo
(UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA, 2024-06) Melouki Slimane; Zebda Noureddine
The subject of social justice was and still is a demand and obsession of human societies and the aspiration and dream of many philosophers and political theorists, who presented a comprehensive vision on this subject through his books on politics, in which he directed his harsh criticism of the utilitarian trend that only concerned By focusing on the public good without concern for the rights of minorities. Rawls ‘s principles of justice as assume an original situation in which complete equality prevails within the group that will agree on those principles. Complete equality in an original situation means a situation in which class divisions, exploitation or class privileges do not exist. The strength and persistence of civic activities, throughout the history of the United States, in pursuit of justice. However, our influence and moral authority to move forward in spreading and strengthening democracy around the world have weakened as a result especially towards the Palestinian people exerted by the American foreign policy. The United States became the first country to recognize Israel on May 14, 1948, when President Harry Truman issued a statement of recognition following Israel's declaration of independence. The United States participates with Israel in high-level mutual operations, including military exercises, and weapons development.