Gianni Zappalà | University of Technology Sydney (original) (raw)
Papers by Gianni Zappalà
Eureka street, Nov 1, 2003
This research reports several findings: First, the results of this study show that corporate resp... more This research reports several findings: First, the results of this study show that corporate responsibility is on the whole well integrated into the way that leading companies in Australia and New Zealand are doing business. This is evidenced by the companies’ approach to leadership and governance and a range of management practices in risk management, strategic decision making, stakeholder engagement, training and development, performance management and reporting. Nevertheless, several areas where companies could improve their performance with respect to CR integration are identified and include: ensuring that CR training and CR criteria are part of the incentive structures at Board level, improving the extent and quality of stakeholder engagement, extending CR reporting to incorporate a comprehensive measurement framework and undertaking higher levels of external assurance of CR activities, systems and reports. While this paper gives a good insight into the extent and type of CR integration, the small sample size did not enable the use of sophisticated statistical techniques, so the analysis is restricted to simple descriptive statistics. The sample is not representative of the broader population of firms in Australia and NZ, rather an atypical sample comprised of companies that have chosen to participate in the CRI. By implication, these are usually companies that have accepted the merits and necessity of CR and have a strong commitment to its successful implementation within their organisation. This paper therefore enables insights into the practice of CR integration among a group of leading firms in terms of Corporate Responsibility.
The Journal of Corporate Citizenship, Dec 1, 2003
This paper presents the results of a survey on the extent and nature of corporate community invol... more This paper presents the results of a survey on the extent and nature of corporate community involvement (CCI) activities among Australia's top companies, and suggests that CCI has come of age. The survey finds that, while traditional aspects of CCI are strong, such as the universal financial support given to non-profit organisations, newer practices are also emerging. Across all sectors, companies in Australia are developing new methods of CCI that break away from philanthropic and sponsorship traditions in favour of partnerships with non-profits. The findings also show, however, that there is still far to go before these partnerships and practices become truly strategic and innovative, particularly in the area of employee involvement. • Corporate community involvement • Corporate social responsibility • Cross-sector partnerships • Corporate philanthropy • Employee volunteer programmes • Stakeholders
First Monday, Nov 4, 2002
Despite figures suggesting that Australia is a high consumer of information and communication tec... more Despite figures suggesting that Australia is a high consumer of information and communication technologies (ICT), it is well documented that the pattern of this consumption is not spread evenly across the population; a 'digital divide' exists. In general, research suggests that people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have greater access to ICT compared to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. A less well-researched area is the factors that may influence ICT access and usage within certain demographic and socioeconomic groups. This paper presents new data on the access and usage of ICT (computers and the Internet) by 3,404 households and 6,874 children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Fifty-nine per cent of the sample had a home computer and just under one-third had the Internet connected at home. The most common location for accessing the Internet was at school. A striking finding was the strong association between the level of parental education and ICT access and use. Schools are important in closing or levelling the access gap, as most students use computers and the Internet at school. However, considering the importance of having home Internet access for children's educational performance, the fact that almost three-quarters of students in this study did not use the Internet at home is of concern, particularly given that almost half of a comparable Australian population have home Internet access. Finding ways to increase the home access of low-income families to the Internet should therefore remain a policy priority for all sectors aiming to bridge the digital divide. Policies aimed at bridging the digital divide should also ensure that programs provide appropriate parenting support and emphasise the educational importance of having home access to computers and the Internet.
Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, Aug 1, 2004
This paper examines the relationship between the social dimension of corporate citizenship (Corpo... more This paper examines the relationship between the social dimension of corporate citizenship (Corporate Community Involvement) and Human Resource Management. It begins by briefly reviewing the positive effects that corporate community involvement can have on Human Resource Management outcomes such as employee motivation, morale, commitment, recruitment, retention, development and teamwork. Despite the potential employee related benefits and importance of employees to corporate community involvement, it presents findings that the Human Resource Management function is not playing a significant role with respect to decision-making and implementation of corporate community involvement among top companies in Australia. The paper outlines four possible reasons that may help explain this apparent inconsistency as well as stimulate further research on the relationship between corporate citizenship and Human Resource Management. It concludes by suggesting that the limited role of Human Resource Management in corporate citizenship has potentially adverse implications for the Human Resource profession as well as the overall effectiveness of corporate community involvement for all stakeholders.
Journal of Industrial Relations, Dec 1, 1990
This note is concerned with two main criticisms. First, it is argued that Littler et al. misrepre... more This note is concerned with two main criticisms. First, it is argued that Littler et al. misrepresent the so-called ’bargaining model’ and ignore several important contributions within this tradition. Second, when positing their own model of workplace industrial relations in Australia, the authors merely achieve in arriving at another bargaining model-indeed, what can be described as a bargaining model that is narrower in focus than the one initially criticized. With respect to the first criticism, the authors present a flawed and contlated picture of what constitutes the so-called Oxford School. Given the authors’ view that the ’one major barrier to developing such a model [of workplace industrial relations] at present is the over-dominance of the Oxford School bargaining model’ (page 500), it is quite an important error. Although the supposed members of this school shared certain frameworks and ideologies (Clegg 1990), this lumping together fails to bring out some of the unique contributions of scholars such as Flanders to conceptualizing workplace industrial relations. Aspects of Flanders’ contribution are outlined briefly below. Indeed, the reader is left wondering to whom in fact the authors are referring when they speak of the Oxford School. With the exception of one reference to Flanders (page 503) (used ironically in support of their control/ resistance model), not qne reference to an author from this school is made.
Australian Journal of Social Issues, Jun 1, 2006
Australian Journal of Political Science, Nov 1, 1998
Page 1. Australian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 381±397 Clientelism, Politic... more Page 1. Australian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 381±397 Clientelism, Political Culture and Ethnic Politics in Australia GIANNI ZAPPALAÁ* University of Wollongong The discussion of political culture in Australia ...
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, 1999
The paper examines aspects of outsourcing which can be defines as the situation where an external... more The paper examines aspects of outsourcing which can be defines as the situation where an external vendor provides, on a recurring basis, a service that would normally be performed within the organisation. ... To our knowledge, this item is not available for download. To find ...
There has been an increasing recognition that many government and non-government programs that ha... more There has been an increasing recognition that many government and non-government programs that have sought to ameliorate the effects of disadvantage and poverty have been inadequate. A recent report on the distribution of social disadvantage in NSW and ...
Labour and industry: A journal of the social and economic relations of work, Jun 1, 1990
An academic directory and search engine.
Journal of Industrial Relations, Mar 1, 1992
This paper reviews and up-dates previous work on the extent of compulsory unionism, or the closed... more This paper reviews and up-dates previous work on the extent of compulsory unionism, or the closed shop, in Australia. It uses data from a secondary analysis of the Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey to estimate the extent, factors and sources of the closed shop in Australia. Four main conclusions are reached. First, the closed shop is a widespread phenomenon. Second, the main sources of variation in the closed shop are mainly sectoral, occupational and industrial. Third, the main sources of the closed shop are union-management agreements, custom and practice, and preference provisions in awards. Fourth, it is tentatively concluded that stability has characterized the closed shop at an aggregate level over the last decade, with changes being specific to certain industries.
The National Education and Employment Forum (NEEF), a project of the World Education Fellowship (... more The National Education and Employment Forum (NEEF), a project of the World Education Fellowship (WEF) Australia, consisted of five forums in five states in 2000 and 2001 (Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Sydney and Western Australia), followed by a National Forum in 2001. Participant were a diverse group of Australian business people, public administrators, educators, students, welfare executives and workers, Indigenous Australians, people from many ethnic backgrounds and politicians from the major parties. The project examined the progress being made in Australia to provide the necessary supports, infrastructure, networks, technological support and flexibly delivered curriculum at all levels of education and training to ensure that all Australians have what they need to access an appropriate education. The report reinforces the many initiatives already in place at Federal and State levels while stating that more needs to be done as a matter of urgency. The report focuses on the actions that need to be taken to assist those most disadvantaged in the community but asserts that education alone is not enough. What is also required is the need to integrate these educational actions with a set of actions based on employment policy and welfare, family and community development policy. The report contains a brief summary of the main recommendations of the project. The extent and patterns of disadvantage in Australia are examined followed by a discussion of the need for consensus and political will in terms of funding. Expanded educational pathways are detailed and the need for early intervention and parental support is emphasised. The usefulness of the new technology is looked at. The revaluing of the teaching profession and support for teachers in meeting new demands is suggested. Finally, initiatives for Indigenous education are described.
Journal of Sociology, Jun 1, 2002
The relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and the academic performance of childr... more The relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and the academic performance of children is well established in sociological research. Another important dimension is the factors that may influence educational outcomes within low SES families. This paper presents new data from a sample of over 3000 students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to estimate the extent of socioeconomic, family, individual and contextual factors on school educational performance. Results obtained using binomial logistic regression techniques indicate that gender, unexplained absences, parental educational attainment, housing type, ethnicity and student age are all statistically significant variables and predictors of academic performance. In contrast, family structure, the main source of family income and geographical location do not significantly predict outcomes in school performance once other factors are controlled for. The findings support the notion that the ‘social’ and the ‘economic’ components of the socioeconomic status equation have distinct and separate influences on educational outcomes. While financial assistance to schools and families in need is important, policies and programmes that also assist low-income parents in providing appropriate psychological and educational support for their children should also be promoted.
Essays on the History and Culture of the Unknown Calabria, 2023
Terra matta is one of the most extraordinary cases of so-called semi-literate autobiographical wr... more Terra matta is one of the most extraordinary cases of so-called semi-literate autobiographical writing of the 20th century, in which the protagonist, Vincenzo Rabito (1899 – 1981), a Sicilian peasant and worker, sees himself ceaselessly pitted against fate yet retains an uncanny understanding of his own agency to shape and determine his life. Published posthumously in 2007 by Einaudi, Terra matta has been compared to other Italian literary masterpieces such as Il Gattopardo, and to the works of Luigi Pirandello, Giovanni Verga, and Andrea Camillerri. While Vincenzo Rabito is from the small town of Chiaramonte Gulfi in the eblei region of Sicily, it is also the story of 20th century Italy, especially the meridione which of course includes Calabria. The memories and events depicted in Terra matta provides a collective history of 20th century Italian life seen ‘from below’ – a ‘true autobiography of the nation’, through two world wars, the attempt to colonise parts of North-eastern Africa, poverty, and emigration, as well as the key political, socio-cultural inflection points of the post-war period through to the unrest of the 1960s.
It is widely acknowledged that Terra matta’s success and impact is due to many factors, not least its sociohistorical contribution, as well as its literary brilliance and uniqueness. These contributions notwithstanding, I have also argued that its success can be found in its archetypal nature, its evoking of core universal patterns that resonate with the human psyche. Rabito’s account bears witness to those powerful, mysterious, and often numinous forces which Jung re-introduced to the world through his analytical psychology – archetypes – those basic powers of nature as they are experienced through the human psyche, powers that are conveyed in the core themes present within all myths and have universal meanings in all cultures.
This chapter illustrates an important aspect of this archetypal nature by showing how the story unfolds according to the well-known archetypal pattern of the Hero’s Journey or monomyth developed and popularised by Joseph Campbell in his seminal The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The Hero’s journey narrative comprises a tripartite structure which contains a series of episodes, beginning with the ‘hero’ departing or being separated from his ordinary world by a call to adventure, then crossing a threshold into a different and often challenging and traumatic environment (the initiation phase) where, with the help of a mentor they are tested, challenged, learn new skills and knowledge, before returning ‘home’ to share their ‘gift/elixir’ or skills and insights with their wider family and community.
Through the lens of this narrative structure, this chapter highlights Terra matta’s archetypal nature, especially where they inflect with Calabrian themes, from Rabito’s meeting with his Calabrian mentor, travels through Reggio, to the wider themes of poverty, marginalisation, trials and suffering together with healing and transformation, and social mobility through education. In the best tradition of the Campbellian ‘hero’s journey’, Rabito goes from ‘illiterate peasant’ to ‘self-educated’ writer, with the ‘gift’ of his typewritten ‘punctuated life’ shining a light on the rich and titanic cultural legacy the diversamente colti from Italy’s meridione have contributed to the world.
Worldviews matter as they provide the context for understanding and interpreting the key question... more Worldviews matter as they provide the context for understanding and interpreting the key questions of life. They are a way of understanding and conceiving the world and contain the assumptions that we hold to be true about reality. At the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, we stand somewhat bewildered and disoriented between worldviews. Richard Tarnas has described our time as a "transitional era when the old cultural vision no longer holds and the new has not yet constellated." Similarly, Charles Taylor said we are living in a time of "cross pressures" between the narratives of science-based materialism and an emerging type of spirituality.
Springer International Publishing eBooks, 2022
Journal of Philosophy in Schools, Aug 17, 2021
Despite the growth of philosophy for/with children (P4C) over the last five decades, its legitima... more Despite the growth of philosophy for/with children (P4C) over the last five decades, its legitimacy remains contested. Key themes within the P4C literature are the potential learning outcomes for children as well as possible personal and professional development benefits for those that teach it. The literature on the former, while extensive, presents a mixed picture and highlights the challenges inherent in determining the impact of P4C on learning outcomes. The literature on the latter, while little explored, may provide valuable insights for teacher professional development. Unlike much of the literature, this paper examines the impact of P4C from the P4C educators' perspective. The paper presents the findings from a pilot study of volunteer teachers with the Primary Ethics program in Sydney, Australia. Two key findings emerged. First, ethics teachers felt they were making a material and positive difference to the children they taught, which included: the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills; increased confidence to express themselves; and enjoyment derived from class discussions. Second, teachers that use a philosophical and a community of inquiry approach with their students may themselves become more reflective and engage in critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
Eureka street, Nov 1, 2003
This research reports several findings: First, the results of this study show that corporate resp... more This research reports several findings: First, the results of this study show that corporate responsibility is on the whole well integrated into the way that leading companies in Australia and New Zealand are doing business. This is evidenced by the companies’ approach to leadership and governance and a range of management practices in risk management, strategic decision making, stakeholder engagement, training and development, performance management and reporting. Nevertheless, several areas where companies could improve their performance with respect to CR integration are identified and include: ensuring that CR training and CR criteria are part of the incentive structures at Board level, improving the extent and quality of stakeholder engagement, extending CR reporting to incorporate a comprehensive measurement framework and undertaking higher levels of external assurance of CR activities, systems and reports. While this paper gives a good insight into the extent and type of CR integration, the small sample size did not enable the use of sophisticated statistical techniques, so the analysis is restricted to simple descriptive statistics. The sample is not representative of the broader population of firms in Australia and NZ, rather an atypical sample comprised of companies that have chosen to participate in the CRI. By implication, these are usually companies that have accepted the merits and necessity of CR and have a strong commitment to its successful implementation within their organisation. This paper therefore enables insights into the practice of CR integration among a group of leading firms in terms of Corporate Responsibility.
The Journal of Corporate Citizenship, Dec 1, 2003
This paper presents the results of a survey on the extent and nature of corporate community invol... more This paper presents the results of a survey on the extent and nature of corporate community involvement (CCI) activities among Australia's top companies, and suggests that CCI has come of age. The survey finds that, while traditional aspects of CCI are strong, such as the universal financial support given to non-profit organisations, newer practices are also emerging. Across all sectors, companies in Australia are developing new methods of CCI that break away from philanthropic and sponsorship traditions in favour of partnerships with non-profits. The findings also show, however, that there is still far to go before these partnerships and practices become truly strategic and innovative, particularly in the area of employee involvement. • Corporate community involvement • Corporate social responsibility • Cross-sector partnerships • Corporate philanthropy • Employee volunteer programmes • Stakeholders
First Monday, Nov 4, 2002
Despite figures suggesting that Australia is a high consumer of information and communication tec... more Despite figures suggesting that Australia is a high consumer of information and communication technologies (ICT), it is well documented that the pattern of this consumption is not spread evenly across the population; a 'digital divide' exists. In general, research suggests that people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have greater access to ICT compared to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. A less well-researched area is the factors that may influence ICT access and usage within certain demographic and socioeconomic groups. This paper presents new data on the access and usage of ICT (computers and the Internet) by 3,404 households and 6,874 children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Fifty-nine per cent of the sample had a home computer and just under one-third had the Internet connected at home. The most common location for accessing the Internet was at school. A striking finding was the strong association between the level of parental education and ICT access and use. Schools are important in closing or levelling the access gap, as most students use computers and the Internet at school. However, considering the importance of having home Internet access for children's educational performance, the fact that almost three-quarters of students in this study did not use the Internet at home is of concern, particularly given that almost half of a comparable Australian population have home Internet access. Finding ways to increase the home access of low-income families to the Internet should therefore remain a policy priority for all sectors aiming to bridge the digital divide. Policies aimed at bridging the digital divide should also ensure that programs provide appropriate parenting support and emphasise the educational importance of having home access to computers and the Internet.
Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, Aug 1, 2004
This paper examines the relationship between the social dimension of corporate citizenship (Corpo... more This paper examines the relationship between the social dimension of corporate citizenship (Corporate Community Involvement) and Human Resource Management. It begins by briefly reviewing the positive effects that corporate community involvement can have on Human Resource Management outcomes such as employee motivation, morale, commitment, recruitment, retention, development and teamwork. Despite the potential employee related benefits and importance of employees to corporate community involvement, it presents findings that the Human Resource Management function is not playing a significant role with respect to decision-making and implementation of corporate community involvement among top companies in Australia. The paper outlines four possible reasons that may help explain this apparent inconsistency as well as stimulate further research on the relationship between corporate citizenship and Human Resource Management. It concludes by suggesting that the limited role of Human Resource Management in corporate citizenship has potentially adverse implications for the Human Resource profession as well as the overall effectiveness of corporate community involvement for all stakeholders.
Journal of Industrial Relations, Dec 1, 1990
This note is concerned with two main criticisms. First, it is argued that Littler et al. misrepre... more This note is concerned with two main criticisms. First, it is argued that Littler et al. misrepresent the so-called ’bargaining model’ and ignore several important contributions within this tradition. Second, when positing their own model of workplace industrial relations in Australia, the authors merely achieve in arriving at another bargaining model-indeed, what can be described as a bargaining model that is narrower in focus than the one initially criticized. With respect to the first criticism, the authors present a flawed and contlated picture of what constitutes the so-called Oxford School. Given the authors’ view that the ’one major barrier to developing such a model [of workplace industrial relations] at present is the over-dominance of the Oxford School bargaining model’ (page 500), it is quite an important error. Although the supposed members of this school shared certain frameworks and ideologies (Clegg 1990), this lumping together fails to bring out some of the unique contributions of scholars such as Flanders to conceptualizing workplace industrial relations. Aspects of Flanders’ contribution are outlined briefly below. Indeed, the reader is left wondering to whom in fact the authors are referring when they speak of the Oxford School. With the exception of one reference to Flanders (page 503) (used ironically in support of their control/ resistance model), not qne reference to an author from this school is made.
Australian Journal of Social Issues, Jun 1, 2006
Australian Journal of Political Science, Nov 1, 1998
Page 1. Australian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 381±397 Clientelism, Politic... more Page 1. Australian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 381±397 Clientelism, Political Culture and Ethnic Politics in Australia GIANNI ZAPPALAÁ* University of Wollongong The discussion of political culture in Australia ...
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, 1999
The paper examines aspects of outsourcing which can be defines as the situation where an external... more The paper examines aspects of outsourcing which can be defines as the situation where an external vendor provides, on a recurring basis, a service that would normally be performed within the organisation. ... To our knowledge, this item is not available for download. To find ...
There has been an increasing recognition that many government and non-government programs that ha... more There has been an increasing recognition that many government and non-government programs that have sought to ameliorate the effects of disadvantage and poverty have been inadequate. A recent report on the distribution of social disadvantage in NSW and ...
Labour and industry: A journal of the social and economic relations of work, Jun 1, 1990
An academic directory and search engine.
Journal of Industrial Relations, Mar 1, 1992
This paper reviews and up-dates previous work on the extent of compulsory unionism, or the closed... more This paper reviews and up-dates previous work on the extent of compulsory unionism, or the closed shop, in Australia. It uses data from a secondary analysis of the Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey to estimate the extent, factors and sources of the closed shop in Australia. Four main conclusions are reached. First, the closed shop is a widespread phenomenon. Second, the main sources of variation in the closed shop are mainly sectoral, occupational and industrial. Third, the main sources of the closed shop are union-management agreements, custom and practice, and preference provisions in awards. Fourth, it is tentatively concluded that stability has characterized the closed shop at an aggregate level over the last decade, with changes being specific to certain industries.
The National Education and Employment Forum (NEEF), a project of the World Education Fellowship (... more The National Education and Employment Forum (NEEF), a project of the World Education Fellowship (WEF) Australia, consisted of five forums in five states in 2000 and 2001 (Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Sydney and Western Australia), followed by a National Forum in 2001. Participant were a diverse group of Australian business people, public administrators, educators, students, welfare executives and workers, Indigenous Australians, people from many ethnic backgrounds and politicians from the major parties. The project examined the progress being made in Australia to provide the necessary supports, infrastructure, networks, technological support and flexibly delivered curriculum at all levels of education and training to ensure that all Australians have what they need to access an appropriate education. The report reinforces the many initiatives already in place at Federal and State levels while stating that more needs to be done as a matter of urgency. The report focuses on the actions that need to be taken to assist those most disadvantaged in the community but asserts that education alone is not enough. What is also required is the need to integrate these educational actions with a set of actions based on employment policy and welfare, family and community development policy. The report contains a brief summary of the main recommendations of the project. The extent and patterns of disadvantage in Australia are examined followed by a discussion of the need for consensus and political will in terms of funding. Expanded educational pathways are detailed and the need for early intervention and parental support is emphasised. The usefulness of the new technology is looked at. The revaluing of the teaching profession and support for teachers in meeting new demands is suggested. Finally, initiatives for Indigenous education are described.
Journal of Sociology, Jun 1, 2002
The relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and the academic performance of childr... more The relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and the academic performance of children is well established in sociological research. Another important dimension is the factors that may influence educational outcomes within low SES families. This paper presents new data from a sample of over 3000 students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to estimate the extent of socioeconomic, family, individual and contextual factors on school educational performance. Results obtained using binomial logistic regression techniques indicate that gender, unexplained absences, parental educational attainment, housing type, ethnicity and student age are all statistically significant variables and predictors of academic performance. In contrast, family structure, the main source of family income and geographical location do not significantly predict outcomes in school performance once other factors are controlled for. The findings support the notion that the ‘social’ and the ‘economic’ components of the socioeconomic status equation have distinct and separate influences on educational outcomes. While financial assistance to schools and families in need is important, policies and programmes that also assist low-income parents in providing appropriate psychological and educational support for their children should also be promoted.
Essays on the History and Culture of the Unknown Calabria, 2023
Terra matta is one of the most extraordinary cases of so-called semi-literate autobiographical wr... more Terra matta is one of the most extraordinary cases of so-called semi-literate autobiographical writing of the 20th century, in which the protagonist, Vincenzo Rabito (1899 – 1981), a Sicilian peasant and worker, sees himself ceaselessly pitted against fate yet retains an uncanny understanding of his own agency to shape and determine his life. Published posthumously in 2007 by Einaudi, Terra matta has been compared to other Italian literary masterpieces such as Il Gattopardo, and to the works of Luigi Pirandello, Giovanni Verga, and Andrea Camillerri. While Vincenzo Rabito is from the small town of Chiaramonte Gulfi in the eblei region of Sicily, it is also the story of 20th century Italy, especially the meridione which of course includes Calabria. The memories and events depicted in Terra matta provides a collective history of 20th century Italian life seen ‘from below’ – a ‘true autobiography of the nation’, through two world wars, the attempt to colonise parts of North-eastern Africa, poverty, and emigration, as well as the key political, socio-cultural inflection points of the post-war period through to the unrest of the 1960s.
It is widely acknowledged that Terra matta’s success and impact is due to many factors, not least its sociohistorical contribution, as well as its literary brilliance and uniqueness. These contributions notwithstanding, I have also argued that its success can be found in its archetypal nature, its evoking of core universal patterns that resonate with the human psyche. Rabito’s account bears witness to those powerful, mysterious, and often numinous forces which Jung re-introduced to the world through his analytical psychology – archetypes – those basic powers of nature as they are experienced through the human psyche, powers that are conveyed in the core themes present within all myths and have universal meanings in all cultures.
This chapter illustrates an important aspect of this archetypal nature by showing how the story unfolds according to the well-known archetypal pattern of the Hero’s Journey or monomyth developed and popularised by Joseph Campbell in his seminal The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The Hero’s journey narrative comprises a tripartite structure which contains a series of episodes, beginning with the ‘hero’ departing or being separated from his ordinary world by a call to adventure, then crossing a threshold into a different and often challenging and traumatic environment (the initiation phase) where, with the help of a mentor they are tested, challenged, learn new skills and knowledge, before returning ‘home’ to share their ‘gift/elixir’ or skills and insights with their wider family and community.
Through the lens of this narrative structure, this chapter highlights Terra matta’s archetypal nature, especially where they inflect with Calabrian themes, from Rabito’s meeting with his Calabrian mentor, travels through Reggio, to the wider themes of poverty, marginalisation, trials and suffering together with healing and transformation, and social mobility through education. In the best tradition of the Campbellian ‘hero’s journey’, Rabito goes from ‘illiterate peasant’ to ‘self-educated’ writer, with the ‘gift’ of his typewritten ‘punctuated life’ shining a light on the rich and titanic cultural legacy the diversamente colti from Italy’s meridione have contributed to the world.
Worldviews matter as they provide the context for understanding and interpreting the key question... more Worldviews matter as they provide the context for understanding and interpreting the key questions of life. They are a way of understanding and conceiving the world and contain the assumptions that we hold to be true about reality. At the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, we stand somewhat bewildered and disoriented between worldviews. Richard Tarnas has described our time as a "transitional era when the old cultural vision no longer holds and the new has not yet constellated." Similarly, Charles Taylor said we are living in a time of "cross pressures" between the narratives of science-based materialism and an emerging type of spirituality.
Springer International Publishing eBooks, 2022
Journal of Philosophy in Schools, Aug 17, 2021
Despite the growth of philosophy for/with children (P4C) over the last five decades, its legitima... more Despite the growth of philosophy for/with children (P4C) over the last five decades, its legitimacy remains contested. Key themes within the P4C literature are the potential learning outcomes for children as well as possible personal and professional development benefits for those that teach it. The literature on the former, while extensive, presents a mixed picture and highlights the challenges inherent in determining the impact of P4C on learning outcomes. The literature on the latter, while little explored, may provide valuable insights for teacher professional development. Unlike much of the literature, this paper examines the impact of P4C from the P4C educators' perspective. The paper presents the findings from a pilot study of volunteer teachers with the Primary Ethics program in Sydney, Australia. Two key findings emerged. First, ethics teachers felt they were making a material and positive difference to the children they taught, which included: the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills; increased confidence to express themselves; and enjoyment derived from class discussions. Second, teachers that use a philosophical and a community of inquiry approach with their students may themselves become more reflective and engage in critical thinking and ethical reasoning.