It’s (Not) in His Kiss: Gay Kisses and Camera Angles in Contemporary US Network Television Comedy

Although the number of gay male representations on American situation comedies has increased, an examination of the ways same-sex intimacy operates within sitcoms is of paramount importance. This article traces a brief history of same-sex intimacy in sitcoms, then uses film and television stylistic analysis of the contemporary sitcoms Modern Family, Happy Endings, and The New Normal to argue that the positioning of the camera and the spatial relationship between actors is deliberate and conveys critical information. The article argues that sitcoms in the 21st century obscure same-sex kisses through camera angles, particularly the over-the-shoulder shot, and that the public/private dichotomy factors prominently into the spaces where same-sex intimacy is permissible and how such intimacy is filmed within the televisual home. Ultimately, gay representation in American network television comedy retains a conservative approach to same-sex intimacy even as it continues to include gay male characters in greater numbers.     

School Counsellor Preparation in Nigeria and the USA

This paper compares and contrasts school counsellor training programmes in two institutions from different cultures: The University of Ilorin, Nigeria and The Pennsylvania State University. While the USA is an industrialised Western nation, Nigeria is a developing African nation. A comparative inquiry of this nature is likely to provide a comprehensive and contemporary view of the national conditions from which guidance and counselling concerns emerge in the two countries. The areas covered include course content, method of training, programme emphasis, and accreditation. The implication of these issues for the development and improvement of counsellor education programmes are discussed.     

‘Education at our school is not free’: the hidden costs of fee-free schooling in Rwanda

As primary school enrolment rates in Rwanda near ubiquity, completion rates remain low and repetition rates remain high. This study investigates the impact of the ‘hidden costs’ of schooling in the context of Rwanda’s fee-free education policy. Using a social-science case study, focus groups and interviews were undertaken with 200 participants, including local leaders, school administrators, children and caregivers. Findings suggest children continue to contend with a range of school-related costs that impact attendance, performance and completion. Examination fees, after-school coaching and ‘voluntary’ parent-teacher association dues were found to have serious consequences for children’s educational experience. Findings illustrate how these ‘hidden costs’ may be a key factor explaining why children do not complete their schooling once enrolled. A series of policy recommendations are offered and broader implications for children’s rights and Education For All are discussed. Further in-depth and comparative study is required.     

Bewegungsverhältnisse in der Gesundheitsförderung

Improving environments for physical activity is a fundamental goal of health sports. Both considerations in sport science as well as practical guidelines by sport associations and sickness funds build upon that. However, currently there is neither a theory-based concept nor a systematic operationalisation of that concept. In the first part, this article therefore aims to define and conceptualise the term “environments for physical activity”. It refers to the term “setting” to underline the multidimensionality of environments with regard to physical activity as part of health promotion. The article indicates potential links of the concept to theories of sociology and political science by looking at the interdependency of structure (Verhältnisse) and agency (Verhalten). The second part of the article analyses a case study from physical activity promotion to demonstrate the explanatory power of the concept to intervention practice. The focus of the analysis is on an approach to structural change, i.e. the potential of changing environments for physical activity.     

Sportwissenschaft,Bewegungsförderung und Public Health

This article aims at balancing chances and risks of a stronger public health focus of sport science. It addresses current opportunities and challenges for sport science research and consultation. In order to highlight both the specific potential of sport science for public health and the particular opportunities of public health for sport science, three central aspects are analyzed: (1) the concept of movement, (2) the health promotion approach, and (3) the constitution of sport science as science of practice. In the concluding section, potential consequences of a more systematic public health orientation in sport science are discussed. Both external evaluation criteria (e.?g. consultation services, third party funding) as well as aspects primarily internal to science (e.?g. theory development, scientific publications) are considered.