Grupės ir aplinkos
Groups and Environments
Publishing House: Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Frequency: irregular and other
Print ISSN: 2029-4182
Online-ISSN: 2335-8726
Status: Ceased Publication
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
- 2015
- Issue No. 1
- Issue No. 2
- Issue No. 3
- Issue No. 4
- Year: 2015
- Volume:
- Number: 4
Tęstinis mokslo darbų leidinys „Grupės ir aplinkos“ skirtas aktualiai socialinių tyrimų sferai – mažųjų visuomenės grupių tyrinėjimams, apimantiems jaunimo subkultūrines grupes, kurių nariai kuria savo vertybes, skirtingas nuo aplinkos, jas išreikšdami jiems būdingu elgesiu; taip pat naująsias religines filosofines grupes, migrantų ir kt. grupes.
Articles list
Opozicinių kultūrinių grupių tyrimo koncepcija
Opozicinių kultūrinių grupių tyrimo koncepcija
(A Conceptual Framework for Research on Oppositional Cultural Groups)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Aušra Kairaitytė, Egidija Ramanauskaitė, Minija Tamošiūnaitė, J. Rimas Vaišnys, Daiva Vitkutė-Adžgauskienė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: English
- Subject(s): Anthropology
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 9-25
- No. of Pages: 17
- Keywords: Cultural groups; Anti-Soviet resistance; Oral history; System theory; Modelling; Data mining
- Summary/Abstract: This paper presents a conceptual framework for research on cultural groups which existed in recent Soviet societies but were opposed to the regime. The framework is designed to fa¬cilitate research on social processes related to the behaviour of individuals and groups through cooperation between social researchers and IT scientists. The proposed methodology helps not only acquire knowledge about processes that took place in the societies in the recent past but can also be adapted for exploration of current processes in various other cultural groups and communities. The methodology adapts the techniques of several disciplines to the study of social problems by integrating simultaneous technical adjustments in these disciplines under a systems approach.Straipsnyje pateikiamas konceptualus sprendimas, kaip tyrinėti kultūrines grupes, kurios veikė pastarojo laikotarpio sovietinėse visuomenėse, tačiau buvo priešiškos režimui. Tyrimų progra¬ma, kurią kuriant bendradarbiauja socialiniai tyrėjai ir IT mokslininkai, prisideda prie sociali¬nių procesų (ypač tų, kurie turi įtakos asmenų bei grupių elgesiui) tyrimų palengvinimo. Pateik¬ta metodologija ne tik padeda susipažinti su sovietinio laikotarpio visuomenių procesais, bet ir gali būti pritaikoma tyrinėjant įvairius dabarties procesus įvairiose kitose kultūrinėse grupė-se ir bendruomenėse. Sisteminė prieiga suteikia galimybę techniškai patikslinti kitų disciplinų metodus, taikomus tiriant socialines problemas.
Depresyviojo metalo subkultūra: kultūrinė raiška bei socialinės organizacijos principai
Depresyviojo metalo subkultūra: kultūrinė raiška bei socialinės organizacijos principai
(Depressive Metal Subculture: Cultural Expression and Principles of Social Organisation)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Eglė Jurčiutė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: Lithuanian
- Subject(s): Anthropology
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 27-47
- No. of Pages: 21
- Keywords: Youth culture; Alternative youth culture; Subculture; Metal culture
- Summary/Abstract: Straipsnyje pristatomas Švedijos depresyviojo metalo muzikos kūrėjų ir gerbėjų neformalios organizacijos tyrimas, atliktas 2012 m. įvairiose Švedijos vietovėse. Analizuojamos dvi pagrin¬dinės depresyviojo metalo subkultūros meninės raiškos priemonės – muzika ir tapyba; atsklei¬džiami psichologiniai subkultūros dalyvių bruožai ir jų subkultūrinio identiteto konstravimas per santykį su kitais metalo muzikos subkultūros nariais bei visuomene, pažymint gilią depre¬syviojo metalo subkultūros dalyvių socialinę ir kultūrinę atskirtį. Atskleidžiant neformalią sub¬kultūros organizaciją, analizuojami internetiniai ir realūs ryšiai tinkle, kuriais subkultūros nariai perduoda vieni kitiems informaciją, idėjas ir palaiko emociškai. Depresyviojo metalo subkul¬tūros tyrimai padeda suprasti nelengvai prieinamas visuomenės grupes, susiskaidymą, dalies dabarties žmonių egzistencinę krizę.The article aims to analyse the main features of the depressive metal subculture and to consider what cultural elements and social relations influence contemporary depressive metal subcul¬ture. A related goal is to discuss how this phenomenon can be conceptualised. The discussion, based on fieldwork and other research data, focuses on the construction and expression of cul¬tural identity by musicians and fans of depressive metal. The analysis of the depressive metal subculture looks at the principles of followers’ worldview, artistic creativity and the creation of cultural surroundings. These aspects are addressed using the emic approach. The context of the subculture’s activities, the informal forms of social organisation and the relations between musi¬cians and fans in the context of globalisation are also considered. This is related to the analysis of identity construction by members of the depressive metal subculture via their relations with other metal forms of music fans and contemporary society at large. The research methodology includes participant observation, semi-structured interviews and informal conversations with informants. These were conducted as part of the fieldwork in Sweden between June 7, 2012, and September 7, 2012. The depressive metal subculture includes features that are typical to modern subcultures: the emphasis on values and beliefs, negative ap¬proach to official Medias and emphasis on authenticity in self-perception, among others. The research demonstrated that fans and musicians of depressive metal tend to identify with depressive metal subculture as part of global metal culture. They regard themselves as belong¬ing to the parent metal culture, though they also recognise some cultural and social differences. The paper argues that fans and creators of the depressive metal music differ from the rest of the metal community in the expression of emotions and the treatment of themes like suicide, psychological disorder and despair, to mention but a few. The treatment of the latter aspects dif¬ferentiates fans and musicians of depressive metal from the rigidly exoteric and macho attitude held by representatives of traditional heavy metal music. The main form of cultural expression of the depressive metal subculture is music and paint¬ing. Music, produced and performed by depressive metal groups, differs from music created within other trends of metal culture because of the introspective nature of the depressive metal subculture. The differences are manifested in lyrics of the songs and in the way of performance. The singing includes frequent cries and shrieks, which express the despair and torment felt by the performer. In painting, like in music, the representatives of the depressive metal subculture use artistic devices such as contrasts and ambiance to convey their deepest inner states. Depressive metal as a subculture is attracting a growing number of followers, mainly young and intelligent outcasts seeking de-identification with their societies and the imposed moral or ‘ethical’ conventions intended to restrain base desires. In this sense, depressive metal is a counter reaction to pre-imposed cultural dogmas and a celebration of free will as well as social anarchism. Depressive metalheads give new meaning to self-destructive behaviour. Self-mutilation and drugs are regarded as a pathway to self-discovery through transcendence of personal limita¬tions. Such modes of behaviour are considered as a form of meditation whereas scarring the body is treated as a form of subcultural capital that breaks the taboos of society and symbol¬ises stamina and the will to challenge oneself. The subculture opposes norms of society and constraints of state institutions. Depressive metal groups do not depend on outside material resources for support. Rather, they support themselves; their members live in definable commu¬nities. Real-life and virtual networks are important in maintaining relations among musicians, supporters and fans. Depressive metal fans and musicians can be regarded as socially awkward, and their behav¬iour can be associated with psychological problems regarded as both causes and results of seclu¬sion from society. It remains our conviction that a more in-depth research on this subculture needs to be done, and that medical anthropology and cross-cultural psychiatry would have an important place in this inquiry.
Subalterno autonomiškumo analizė: dalitų studentų identiteto politika Indijoje
Subalterno autonomiškumo analizė: dalitų studentų identiteto politika Indijoje
(Subaltern Autonomy: Dalit Students’ Identity Politics in India)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Kristina Garalytė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: English
- Subject(s): Anthropology
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 49-76
- No. of Pages: 28
- Keywords: Subaltern; Untouchability; Dalits; Caste; Social movements; Identity politics; Hindu nationalism
- Summary/Abstract: Based on the fieldwork yielding 24 unstructured in-depth interviews at universities of Hyder¬abad, India, the present paper analyses Dalit, known as the ex-untouchable, students’ identity politics from the perspective of Subaltern Studies. The focus on Dalit students’ cultural festivals provides a framework for the analysis and the conceptualisation of the subaltern’s autonomy. Dalit students venture to reconstruct their identity in cultural and historical terms by creat¬ing an ideological framework for the establishment of an alternative “counter culture” which is infused and fused with negative anti-Brahmanical, anti-Hindu and anti-nationalist connota¬tions, as well as claims for cultural difference. On the other hand, the desired cultural differ¬ence is achieved through re-interpretation of the dominant Hindu culture. Paradoxically, Dalits achieve the aim of cultural differentiation through becoming part of the dominant discourse paradigm. Otherwise stated, the Dalit “counter culture” is directed against Hindu nationalist discourse, but the “counter culture” manifests and represents itself through symbols of the dom¬inant discourse. This paradox evokes the dichotomous view posited by the Subaltern School. The dichotomy is posed as a question: whether the subaltern embodies autonomous culture and politics (Guha, 1988) or whether the subaltern is inevitably an effect of the logic of the dominant discourse. The latter relates to Gayatri Spivak’s question “Can the Subaltern Speak?” (Spivak, 2006). By illustrating the reciprocal relationship between the dominant and the dominated, and the inevitable entanglement with each other, this article assumes a reciprocal understanding of social relations between subalternity and domination as continuously constituting each other (Chatterjee, 1993; Prakash, 1994; O’Hanlon, 1988).Straipsnyje, grindžiamame Haiderabado (Indija) universitetuose atlikto lauko tyrimo duome¬nimis, analizuojama dalitų (neliečiamųjų) studentų identiteto politika per subalterno studijų teorinę paradigmą. Dalitų studentų rengtos šventės yra parankus atvejis atliekant subalterno au¬tonomiškumo analizę, nes atskleidžia prieštaringą studentų pasirinktą strategiją. Dalitai studen¬tai, pasitelkdami įvairius kultūrinius, istorinius ir politinius išteklius, rekonstruoja savo išskirti¬nę kultūrinę tapatybę, formuodami ideologinę paradigmą, persmelktą „neigiamų“ sentimentų, nukreiptų prieš brahmanišką hindų nacionalizmo diskursą. Kartu šis kultūrinio savitumo siekis įgyvendinamas „teigiamai“ perinterpretavus dominuojančią hinduizmo kultūrą, kas savaime įtraukia dalitus į tą patį dominuojančio diskurso įtakos lauką. Šis dvilypis prieštaringas požiūris į įsivaizduojamąjį „kitą“ leidžia sieti empirinio tyrimo medžiagą su vienu esminiu subalterno studijų klausimu – ar subalternas įkūnija nepriklausomą kultūrinį ir politinį diskursą (Guha), ar visgi savaime yra neišvengiama dominuojančio diskurso dalis (Spivak). Atskleidžiant abipusį dominuojančiojo ir pavaldžiojo santykį ir neišvengiamą jų susisaistymą, remiamasi nuolat vie¬nas nuo kito priklausančių socialinių dominavimo ir pavaldumo santykių samprata (Chatterjee, Prakash, O’Hanlon).
XVIII a. didikių saviraiška Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje
XVIII a. didikių saviraiška Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje
(Noble Women’s Self-Expression in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 18th Century)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Vika Veličkaitė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: Lithuanian
- Subject(s): Anthropology
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 77-99
- No. of Pages: 23
- Keywords: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania; Noble women; Literary and theatrical activities
- Summary/Abstract: XVIII a. smarkiai kito ne tik amžininkų požiūris į moterų vietą ir tikslus vyrų pasaulyje, bet ir faktinė moterų padėtis. Straipsnyje, remiantis istoriografija ir šaltiniais, analizuojama XVIII a. kilmingų pasauliečių (dažniausiai didikių) moterų, gyvenusių arba kilusių iš Lietuvos Didžio¬sios Kunigaikštystės, veikla LDK arba už jos ribų. Pristatoma šių moterų literatūrinė ir teatrinė veikla. Tyrimas atliktas naudojant aprašomąjį analitinį ir lyginamąjį metodus. Kalbant apie mo¬terų tyrinėjimus, Lietuvos istoriografijoje tebėra daug spragų, todėl šis tyrimas yra aktualus.The article discusses written sources which represent literary expression by women of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Another focus of the analysis is women’s activities in the theatre as revealed with reference to historiography and other sources. The study is based on descriptive-analytical and comparative methods. These particular aspects are under-researched in Lithuanian histori¬ography, a fact which heightens the importance of the present research. The 18th century is frequently labelled as women’s century not only because discussions started on women’s place and aims in the masculine world but also because women started to perform on stage. Such discussions in the context of the ideas of the Enlightenment started in France and reached the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (PLC) and the Grand Duchy of Lithu¬ania. Possibilities for women’s spheres of activity were influenced by discussions on women’s sta¬tus in society. Women were also dependent on the new cultural and geopolitical circumstances. Although women’s legal status was different from that of men, their position in the public sphere depended on woman’s self-determination and her status in her own family. The first partition of 1772 affected changes in the meanings of women’s roles in society. Women started to be treated as citizens and educators of public-spirited children. Furthermore, women in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were interested in different literary activities. It is a time when women wrote diverse forms of literature such as diaries and memoirs. Women also translated different texts into the Polish language. In the Grand Duchy of Lithu¬ania, women’s theatrical activities are of special importance. Women were actors and directors of plays. They also translated plays into the Polish language. The theatre was the field which witnessed the emergence of first professional creative women. The present paper is based on the master’s thesis “Spheres of Activities of Active Women in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 18th Century.” The thesis was written at the Department of History, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania, 2013.
Lietuvybės ugdymas užsienyje: Rygos lietuvių vidurinės mokyklos atvejis
Lietuvybės ugdymas užsienyje: Rygos lietuvių vidurinės mokyklos atvejis
(Fostering Lithuanian Culture and Traditions Abroad: A Case of Riga Lithuanian Secondary School)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Justė Vasilionytė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: Lithuanian
- Subject(s): Social Sciences
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 101-116
- No. of Pages: 16
- Keywords: School; Ethnicity; Invented tradition; Celebrations; Identity; Communion
- Summary/Abstract: Straipsnyje pristatomas autorės tyrimas, atliktas 2014 m. kovo mėn. Rygos lietuvių vidurinė¬je mokykloje. Ši mokykla ne tik suteikia moksleiviams išsilavinimą, bet ir puoselėja lietuvių kalbą bei tradicijas. Pastebėta, kad mokyklos bendruomenės tapatybė mokyklos švenčių metu konstruojama pasitelkiant „išrastas tradicijas“; analizuojami simboliai, rodantys priklausomybę tiriamai bendruomenei. Taip pat aptariamas mokyklos ir Rygos lietuvių bendruomenės bendra¬vimas. Atliekant tyrimą taikyti dalyvaujamojo stebėjimo, anketavimo ir interviu metodai. Buvo panaudoti 60 respondentų duomenys.The article presents research, conducted by the author in Riga Lithuanian Secondary School in March, 2014. The study included a total of 60 respondents, 43% male and 57% female, respec¬tively. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire developed by the author. Participant observation method was used. Riga Lithuanian Secondary School not only provides education but also places great em¬phasis on fostering the Lithuanian language and national traditions. The study revealed that cel¬ebrations help build a community, experience a sense of solidarity and discover new meanings of communality. Every school community has symbols embodying their uniqueness in regard to communities of other schools. The most common symbols are the coat of arms, the school anthem and flags which symbolise belonging to a particular school community. The school com¬munity has numerous invented traditions such as the celebration of one hundred days before the examinations or the ‘Žetonu vakars.’ The festivity merges Lithuanian and Latvian school celebration traditions. Other dates, important not only to members of Riga Lithuanian Secondary School but also to the Lithuanian community in Riga, include state holidays such as Lithuania’s Independence Day on February 16 and the Restoration of Statehood Day on March 11. The school maintains close cooperation with Lithuanians residing in Latvia and Lithuania and strives to promote Lithuanian culture and traditions. It has been observed that not only Lithuanians and Latvians but also students of other eth¬nicities choose to study in Riga Lithuanian Secondary School. The choice is determined by high school ratings and good study conditions. Although Lithuanians residing in Latvia and students from other countries have different motives for choosing to study in Riga Lithuanian Second¬ary School, the school realises its goal to disseminate Lithuanian cultural heritage and to instil a sense of community among Lithuanian students and students of other ethnic backgrounds who study at the school. This allows upholding Lithuanian customs and traditions at the school where the present research was conducted.
Arsenijaus ir Andrejaus Tarkovskių kūrybos pristatymo dienos Nacionaliniame Kauno dramos teatre
Arsenijaus ir Andrejaus Tarkovskių kūrybos pristatymo dienos Nacionaliniame Kauno dramos teatre
(Creative Legacies of Arsenij and Andrei Tarkovsky: Presentation at Kaunas National Drama Theatre)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Rugilė Pukštytė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: Lithuanian
- Subject(s): Anthropology
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 117-121
- No. of Pages: 5
- Keywords:
- Summary/Abstract: From October 23 to 25, 2015, Kaunas National Drama Theatre hosted a presentation of creative legacies by the poet Arsenij Tarkovsky and Andrei Tarkovsky, a world renowned film director associated with elite cinema. The event included viewing of documentary and feature films and poetry reading. It also provided with an opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues and film practitioners. Among the many highlights was a display of exhibits: articles, film posters, scripts and photographs, brought from Moscow for the occasion. Stages across the theatre were used for display of documentary and feature films: the documentary The Student Andrei Tarkovsky (2003) and the uncensored versions of the famous feature films Andrei Rublev (1966) and So¬liaris (1972). Participants viewed excerpts of The Mirror and Nostalghia and the documentary Malyutka-zhizn (2004). Film displays were followed by meetings and discussions with the art¬ists’ circle of friends and colleagues and famous film practitioners from Russia.
Tarpdisciplininių visuomenės grupių tyrimų konferencija
Tarpdisciplininių visuomenės grupių tyrimų konferencija
(Interdisciplinary Social Group Research Conference)
- Publication: (4/2015)
- Author(s): Agnė Kalėdienė
- Contributor(s):
- Language: Lithuanian
- Subject(s): Anthropology
- Issue: 4/2015
- Page Range: 123-129
- No. of Pages: 7
- Keywords:
- Summary/Abstract: In November 2014, Centre for Cultural Studies, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania, held a conference “Interdisciplinary Social Group Research.” Presentation topics focused on subcultural groups, communities and social movements within diverse social environments. The conference aimed to gain understanding on how isolated alternative, innovative small social groups arise, function and disappear. Central in the conference was the question of social and cultural role of small groups. Situated within the framework of sociology, anthropology, arts and political sciences, the conference generated huge interest. 41 speakers from various universities and research institu¬tions of Lithuania took part in the conference. It included presentations in 7 sections, a poster session and a round table of young scholars. The topics covered by the participants included “start-up” subculture, graffiti artists, sararīman, swaggers, skinheads, neo-pagans, historical re-enactors, prisoners, communal artists and Dalits, among others. The presentations promoted discussions and involvement of the audience: students, scho¬lars and representatives of the municipality. Interest in the topics of the conference and the high turnout testify to the topicality of the conference and the need for the development of social group research.
Short Description
"Groups and Environments", a series of academic works, is designated for investigations of subcultural groups. The research encompasses 'taste' (lifestyle) subcultural youth groups, groups ascribed to New religious movements, ethnic minorities and their subgroups and numerous others, all having members who create an authentic/ individual lifestyles for their groups by interacting with one another and with the environment. The issues involved are relevant for Lithuania and the entire post- Soviet region, where such research traditions have not yet formed. The objective for this series is to activate joint work by researchers who are studying the behaviours of different groups in different social environments as well as interdisciplinary studies that integrate methods used in the social sciences, humanities and the hard sciences. "Groups and Environments": Interdisciplinary Research Studies publishes annually or bi-annually since 2009.
