Bram C Barnes | Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva (original) (raw)

Papers by Bram C Barnes

This thesis uses a transnational historical approach to trace the publication and expanding influ... more This thesis uses a transnational historical approach to trace the publication and expanding influence of Paulo Freire’s formative book on education theory, Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1968), from his early life until the mid-1970’s. This research identifies the existence of networks, consisting of activists and intellectuals that make up an epistemic community of liberation. These networks facilitated personal opportunities for Freire to travel across America, Europe, and Africa, engaging this community of liberation. These networks facilitated the spread and adaptation of Freire’s pedagogical theories on an international scale. Examining Freire’s life through his years of exile, this research demonstrates the impact of transnational networks in the development and internationalization of his work and shows how these networks connected his materials to the early decolonization movement in East Timor during the mid-70’s.

Claiming to be Dionysius the Areopagite, Pseudo-Dionysius produced several theological works duri... more Claiming to be Dionysius the Areopagite, Pseudo-Dionysius produced several theological works during the late 5th or early 6th centuries that played varying roles of influence in Church theology over the following centuries. Although some his theological methods were teetering off the edge of orthodoxy in the early church, he remained prevalent due to a combination of perceived authenticity, historical conditions and certain salient threads in his theology. Despite the infamy of his pseudonym, his influence has remained through to today.

Filmed during a period of transition in an industrial community in modern China, "City 24" bring... more Filmed during a period of transition in an industrial community in modern China, "City 24" brings to light the deep rooted connection between China's past and its future by exploring emotions of optimism and nostalgia. This review of the film "City 24" places it within its historical context and analyzes its artistic and intellectual content so as to draw out the films symbolism and meaning.

This literary review and analysis looks Nikolai Gogol's The Nose, placing it in Gogol's historica... more This literary review and analysis looks Nikolai Gogol's The Nose, placing it in Gogol's historical context so as to fully understand the conditions under which he wrote this short story. Knowing these conditions allows us to asses other interpretations of The Nose and hopefully come to a clearer understanding of the stories purpose.

Through historical analysis of the motivations for the Civil War and the treatment of post-war re... more Through historical analysis of the motivations for the Civil War and the treatment of post-war reconstruction, it becomes clear that healing the racial divide in America was not its primary goal. Understanding this, it's possible to better analyze the origins of today's racial-socio-economic divisions and tensions, recognize where such efforts have fallen short and work towards a more just and equitable future.

The early interactions between North American settlers and the Native Americans developed into a ... more The early interactions between North American settlers and the Native Americans developed into a relationship of interdependence. This relationship, primarily driven by European economic interests in trade, conflicted with the native cultural values which were inherently tied to their economic interactions. Continuous pressure from the colonists would eventually force the natives to adopt new forms of economic and social interactions that were profitable to the young and growing North American colony.

Geographic, environmental and historical factors converge at the Island of São Tomé making it the... more Geographic, environmental and historical factors converge at the Island of São Tomé making it the first African slave-reliant, large scale sugar plantation colony for Portugal, as well as the principle port for the early West African slave trade to America. At the crossroads of this slave plantation colony and Portugal’s global trade routes, we see the initiation of a particular, racially stratified and exploitative system of labor that would come to dominate the economies of the western hemisphere until the late 19th century. Word Count (sans citation and bibliography): 2,884

This thesis uses a transnational historical approach to trace the publication and expanding influ... more This thesis uses a transnational historical approach to trace the publication and expanding influence of Paulo Freire’s formative book on education theory, Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1968), from his early life until the mid-1970’s. This research identifies the existence of networks, consisting of activists and intellectuals that make up an epistemic community of liberation. These networks facilitated personal opportunities for Freire to travel across America, Europe, and Africa, engaging this community of liberation. These networks facilitated the spread and adaptation of Freire’s pedagogical theories on an international scale. Examining Freire’s life through his years of exile, this research demonstrates the impact of transnational networks in the development and internationalization of his work and shows how these networks connected his materials to the early decolonization movement in East Timor during the mid-70’s.

Claiming to be Dionysius the Areopagite, Pseudo-Dionysius produced several theological works duri... more Claiming to be Dionysius the Areopagite, Pseudo-Dionysius produced several theological works during the late 5th or early 6th centuries that played varying roles of influence in Church theology over the following centuries. Although some his theological methods were teetering off the edge of orthodoxy in the early church, he remained prevalent due to a combination of perceived authenticity, historical conditions and certain salient threads in his theology. Despite the infamy of his pseudonym, his influence has remained through to today.

Filmed during a period of transition in an industrial community in modern China, "City 24" bring... more Filmed during a period of transition in an industrial community in modern China, "City 24" brings to light the deep rooted connection between China's past and its future by exploring emotions of optimism and nostalgia. This review of the film "City 24" places it within its historical context and analyzes its artistic and intellectual content so as to draw out the films symbolism and meaning.

This literary review and analysis looks Nikolai Gogol's The Nose, placing it in Gogol's historica... more This literary review and analysis looks Nikolai Gogol's The Nose, placing it in Gogol's historical context so as to fully understand the conditions under which he wrote this short story. Knowing these conditions allows us to asses other interpretations of The Nose and hopefully come to a clearer understanding of the stories purpose.

Through historical analysis of the motivations for the Civil War and the treatment of post-war re... more Through historical analysis of the motivations for the Civil War and the treatment of post-war reconstruction, it becomes clear that healing the racial divide in America was not its primary goal. Understanding this, it's possible to better analyze the origins of today's racial-socio-economic divisions and tensions, recognize where such efforts have fallen short and work towards a more just and equitable future.

The early interactions between North American settlers and the Native Americans developed into a ... more The early interactions between North American settlers and the Native Americans developed into a relationship of interdependence. This relationship, primarily driven by European economic interests in trade, conflicted with the native cultural values which were inherently tied to their economic interactions. Continuous pressure from the colonists would eventually force the natives to adopt new forms of economic and social interactions that were profitable to the young and growing North American colony.

Geographic, environmental and historical factors converge at the Island of São Tomé making it the... more Geographic, environmental and historical factors converge at the Island of São Tomé making it the first African slave-reliant, large scale sugar plantation colony for Portugal, as well as the principle port for the early West African slave trade to America. At the crossroads of this slave plantation colony and Portugal’s global trade routes, we see the initiation of a particular, racially stratified and exploitative system of labor that would come to dominate the economies of the western hemisphere until the late 19th century. Word Count (sans citation and bibliography): 2,884