College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences - Masters by Research Theses

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    "I'm gonna be free": listening to expressions of queer identity and cultural Catholicism in the music of contemporary Irish artists
    (University College Cork, 2024) Fleming, Laura; Marshall, Melanie L; Gale, Emily; Rollefson, J. Griffith
    This project is the culmination of my research into the relationship between Irish cultural Catholicism and queer Irish identity as revealed and complicated through music. For many, queer identity and Irish identity are polarised, situated at a point of tension as a result of the homophobic teachings of the Catholic church, an institution which has historically held immense power in Ireland. I will explore this contentious relationship, drawing from personal experience as well as those of other queer Irish people to examine what it means to be a queer person in Ireland today. With this as the contextual background for my case studies, I will examine the use of religious images, language and symbols by contemporary Irish queer musicians. Finally, I will explore the impact of this for queer listeners, and the participation of these musicians in the imagining of a queer Irish utopia through music.
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    Normal hero(ine)s and deviant villains: musical representation of moral archetypes in a selection of Disney films
    (University College Cork, 2023) Lozano Velasquez, Camilo Andrés; Gale, Emily; Rollefson, J. Griffith; Fundación para el futuro de Colombia
    In this dissertation, I examine the musical representation of hero(ine)s and villains in selected Disney animated films: The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994). While existing scholarship extensively scrutinizes Disney characters, this study provides a musicological approach to elucidate how music complements and underscores insights into the representation of the characters’ particular dimensions. Specifically, this research reveals connections between well-established traits associated with character portrayals, such as morality, gender, and sexuality, and the musical-performative elements within their musical numbers. Notably, the scenes featuring love ballads and villain songs provide intriguing opportunities to identify and assess these aspects, shedding light on the depiction and perception of the hero(ine)s as normal and the villains as deviant. The analytical framework of this research centers on musical elements related to lyrical content, musical performance, and contextual considerations such as genre and style. These musical components play a pivotal role in shaping the processes of representation, supporting and advancing conventionally used musical codes of character portrayal. Throughout this dissertation, I delineate the perceived normality of the protagonists, characterized by virtues, gender conformity, and heterosexuality, in stark contrast to the deviance embodied by the villains, depicted as evil and queer-coded. This dichotomy is musically reinforced by elements that resonate with Western cultural ideals of identity and alterity. Specifically, I discern dualities pertaining to the musical representation of the natural and the artificial, the familiar and the exotic, as well as the conventional and the unconventional. This study, then, provides a comprehensive examination of the intricate relationship between music and character representation in Disney animated films. However, this research goes beyond character analysis to unveil cultural intersections between beauty, gender, and sexuality, which serve as markers of morality in popular culture, and elements related to the musical texture of the songs.
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    A systematic review of the literature on mass murder and its sub-types: an evolutionary perspective
    (University College Cork, 2023) Minihane, Keith; Dempsey, Maria; King, Robert
    Background: Research on mass murder commonly focuses on specific sub-types of perpetrators (such as school shooters) or sub-styles (such as mass shootings), or focuses on specific countries, most commonly the United States. To identify the recurring proximate triggers and stressors suffered by perpetrators of mass murder, a systematic review was carried out on the empirical literature pertaining to mass murder, and its various sub-types, with an inclusive criterion which encompassed research worldwide. Behaviours may be thought of as having proximate (e.g., conscious) motives and ultimate (e.g., fitness enhancing) causes. This evolutionarily informed framework was used to explore how we can understand mass murderer's motivations at an ultimate level by identifying recurring proximate stressors and triggers. Method: For this systematic review, four search engines (Web of Science, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO) were used to identify empirical literature on mass murder. Searches were carried out between April 8th, 2022, and April 12th, 2022. Hand searching was also utilised, and this was carried out throughout April 2022. Findings: Of the 634 articles identified, 20 were eligible for data extraction, six of which were quantitative and 14 were qualitative. Study quality ranged from high to low. A narrative approach was used to synthesise the data. Three primary themes were identified. These were: precursors to mass murder, which showed most mass murderers had identifiable stressors, triggers, or motivations. Few ''snapped'' suddenly for no reason. The second theme was identified stressors, which took the form of chronic stressors (most commonly rejection suffered by younger perpetrators) and acute stressors (such as a relationship breakdown, suffered mostly by older perpetrators). A third theme was ''age and sex differences''. Significant differences emerged between younger and older offenders, in motive, victim choice, fame seeking behaviours, leakage, and end result of the crime for the perpetrator. Interpretation: An ultimate perspective on these findings indicate that these violent outbursts are functional in nature, with instrumental and fitness enhancing advantages evident for both younger and older perpetrators, though the aetiologies for their crime differ. Status is an important indicator of mate value for males and status losses were evident for older offenders who often victimised family members, or those who had damaged their reputation (such as employers who had fired them). Younger offenders had little to show in terms of status and prestige. Their crime may act as an extreme form of status grab, to finally garner attention from those who have rejected them. This is why they are more commonly ''fame'' seekers, and often leak their plans. Both types of mass murderer may be explored using evolutionary theory, but their differences are non-trivial. Future research should focus on the writings left behind by mass murderers. It is theorised that there should be significant difference in the writings left behind by older offenders compared to those left behind by younger offenders. It is probable that attempted mass murderers are theoretically relevant and further discussion should be had as to if these offenders would strengthen data sets. Terrorism may be included in further research, considering incels recently being termed terrorists by the Canadian high court. Evolutionary theory can add to the understanding of mass murderers and should be used to supplement other theories which commonly focus solely on proximate motivations.
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    Exploring Cork City's tourist scene: sites, facilities and mobility
    (University College Cork, 2023) Ikani, Lucky Sunday; Holloway, Paul; Coakley, Liam
    Tourism is a significant contributor to the global economy and a vital source of revenue for many countries. As a multifaceted industry, it encompasses components such as tourist sites, hospitality facilities, and mobility, which all play a crucial role in shaping a destination's appeal and success. This study was aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the tourist scene in Cork city, with a focus on tourist sites, hospitality facilities and mobility. The factors that influence tourists' experiences in the city was examined by a conducting field survey. The spatial pattern and density of tourist sites and hospitality facilities in area, as well as the accessibility of the sites and facilities were investigated using spatial techniques such as nearest neighbor analysis, kernel density estimation, Origin-Destination matrix, and least cost path analysis. The research offered valuable insights on the current state of tourism in Cork city and potential avenues for improvement. The findings from the study revealed a random distribution of tourist sites, while the majority of hospitality facilities, such as bars, cafés, and restaurants, exhibited a clustered pattern, particularly around the city centre. The study also highlighted the importance of public transportation and wayfinding information in facilitating tourist mobility. This is especially true for the tourist sites located on the outskirts of the city centre, where most of the facilities were found. The study recommended improving public transportation options to the sites located outside the city centre, enhancing wayfinding alongside directional information, and investing in the quality of services provided by the hospitality facilities to enhance the tourist experience, improve accessibility to tourist sites, and promote tourism development in the study area.
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    Performative feedback filmmaking: participatory documentary and creative self-representation in the community
    (University College Cork, 2023) Holly, Michael; Rascaroli, Laura; Irish Research Council
    Between 2019 and 2022 I documented and observed various activities at a rural Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club using video and sound as part of my PhD in Film and Screen Media through Creative Practice at University College Cork. The result of this long- term fieldwork became an exhibition of video, sound, installation and discussion at Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre in 2022. My method, which I call “Performative Feedback Filmmaking”, developed a unique, creative, socially-engaged form of nonfiction filmmaking by drawing from a combination of specific disciplines and techniques, including participatory art, ethnographic filmmaking, sensory ethnography, and video installation. The development of this methodology was informed by extended research into historical and contemporary overlaps between ethnographic filmmaking and contemporary art practices. The subjects of my creative film project are also participants, whose input was vital to the development of the methodology and the final creative work. After three years of participatory filmmaking with the GAA community, I assembled the results as an exhibition of video, sound and installation at a regional public art gallery. This exhibition became a space for dialogue, discussion and talks for four weeks between April and May of 2022, revealing the possibility for this innovative combination of documentary filmmaking, participatory art and video installation as a toolbox for reflexivity and inter-community mediation.