The transcultural hero: a hermeneutic inquiry into the role of heroism in modern society

Woodbridge, Michael (2014) The transcultural hero: a hermeneutic inquiry into the role of heroism in modern society. Masters dissertation, University of Cumbria. Item availability may be restricted.

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Abstract

This work investigates the condition of heroism in the modern world. After setting the framework for research with an analysis of the cultural, place-specific origins and functions of heroism, the researcher establishes the premise that culturally distinct narratives for heroism can exist. Following this premise, the phenomena of globalisation is investigated, and a trend towards increased cultural integration is documented. With this trend in mind, it is proposed that challenges to cultural distinctiveness and authenticity, the erosion of the cultural connection to place, as well as developments in post-modernism and post-structuralism, have fundamentally altered the function and interpretation of heroism. The Transcultural European Outdoor Studies (TEOS) masters programme second cohort (2012-2014), which the researcher is a member of, is utilized as a case study to capture narratives of heroism in the modern world. The TEOS programme second cohort students represent five continents, and deal explicitly with the subject of heroism, and are thus well situated to comment on its cultural dimensions. Using a maximum variation sampling method, insights into heroism and culture are collected in a semi-structured interview format. Then, using a constructivist filter, narrative analysis is used to understand the meaning participants attribute to heroism. The results of the research are inconclusive. Analysis shows that culturally distinct interpretations of heroism are acted out by individuals, who are often connected to place, whereas cultural ideas are creative and fluid, with a tendency to pollinate.

Item Type:	Thesis/Dissertation (Masters)
Departments:	Academic Departments > Science, Natural Resources & Outdoor Studies (SNROS) > Outdoor Studies
Additional Information:	Dissertation presented in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Arts in Transcultural European Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, July 2014.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2018 11:27
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 12:46
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3906