https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/339 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:10:22 GMT 2026-06-24T18:10:22Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136934 Title: Posthuman conceptualisations of young people’s sexualities Authors: Cassar, Joanne Abstract: Posthumanism holds a direct focus on materiality and centralises the role of nonhuman, agents in the understanding of phenomena. The aim of this paper is to locate the understanding of young people's sexualities within posthuman perspectives. Specifically, the paper refers mainly to Karen Barad’s work to conceptualise the understanding of young people's sexual selves. The presence of numerous sexuality discourses that surround their lives is acknowledged as a starting point in the understanding of their sexual relations. The recognition that matter and discursive formations in language are intertwined has led to a conceptual shift that is influencing conceptualisations of young people’s sexualities, and how research on young people's sexual selves is framed and conducted. The paper argues that the posthuman turn provides a productive framework for understanding the multi-faceted complexities surrounding the sexualities of young people. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136934 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131479 Title: Academic oration : Il-politika tat-tama. Delivered on 24 March 2022 at the congregation for the conferment of postgraduate degrees at the University of Malta Abstract: Gradwati u professjonisti godda, nixtieq nifirhilkom kemm tas-success misthoqq taghkom, kif ukoll nixtieq nifrah lill-qraba u lill-gheziez taghkom Ii qasmu maghkom dan il-vjagg tal-istudji taghkom matul dawn l-ahhar snin. Ghal hafna minnkom kienu snin ta' taghlim, ta' zvilupp personali, u ta' esplorazzjoni fil-hsieb f'dixxiplini diversi. Kien hemm ukoll waqtiet ta' sagrificcju. Dan kollu wassalkom sal-gurnata specjali tal-lum. [excerpt] Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/131479 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129130 Title: Stories of domestic violence and coercion from a Maltese village during the sixteenth century : implications for the present Authors: Cassar, Joanne; Cassar, Mario Abstract: The paper traces two historical narratives that took place within the space of two years in the village of Ħal Luqa in sixteenth-century Malta. The first presents an account of thirteen-year-old Imperia Mallia, who sought refuge in a nunnery in 1533 because of a man who chased her incessantly, in order to marry her. The second story is about Agata Briffa, who in 1535 took legal action against her husband because of domestic violence. Both stories, based on court proceedings, are documented by Micallef (1975). The study of the two narratives reveals the association of gender with the legal procedure of court trials. It examines women’s representations that demonstrate acts of defiance towards the social limits imposed on womanhood. The study discusses the relevance of the two stories in the context of a wider dialogue on gender-based coercion and domestic violence by providing insights into gender relations that resonate with contemporary situations. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129130 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/127781 Title: Aħna pajjiż mgħerreq fis-solitudni : 100 idea ta’ kif nistgħu nibdew negħlbu din l-epidemija Abstract: Is-solitudni, fost oħrajn, iġġib żieda fil-problemi ta’ saħħa fil-bniedem, fosthom problemi ta’ saħħa mentali, problemi ta’ mard relatat mal-qalb, diffikultajiet fil-pressjoni, ansjetà u użu aktar frekwenti ta’ sustanzi b’mod illegali. Id-definizzjoni tas-solitudni li hija l-aktar rappreżentattiva għal ma’ dawn il-proposti: ‘a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It happens when we have a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships that we have, and those that we want.’ Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/127781 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z