Florida State University Libraries

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Florida State University Libraries Florida State University Libraries Honors Theses The Division of Undergraduate Studies 2015 Rentention Rates in American Anabaptists Morgan Cairns Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERITY COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES BIOCULTURAL COMPONENTS INFLUENCING HIGH BIRTH AND RENTENTION RATES IN AMERICAN ANABAPTISTS By MORGAN CAIRNS A Thesis submitted to the Department of Anthropology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with Honors in the Major Bachelor of Science: Spring, 2015 2 The members of the Defense Committee approve the thesis of Morgan Cairns defended on April 6, 2015. Dr. Glen Doran Thesis Director Dr. Kimberly Hughes Outside Committee Member Dr. Geoffrey Thomas Committee Member 3 Table of Contents Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………4 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………5 History……………………………………………………………………………………6 “Little Community” and the “English”…………………………………………………..11 Why Not Mennonites?.......................................................................................................12 Differences Between the Hutterites and the Amish……………………………………...13 Reproductive Practices…………………………………………………………………...18 Biological Obstacles……………………………………………………………………..20 Member Empowerment and Low Social Tension……………………………………….24 Why Not Leave?................................................................................................................27 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….29 Citations………………………………………………………………………………….31 List of Figures Figure 1: Map shows Hutterite migrations through Europe and displays average population rates in each area……………………………………………………………..10 Figure 2: Abbreviated timeline of major Anabaptist events from their conception to their migration to North America……………………………………………………………...11 Figure 3: Map showing the general spread colonies from the three different Leuts over America and Canada in 2003……………………………………………….....................15 Figure 4: Map shows the spread and size of Amish districts across the United States….17 List of Tables Table 1: Summation of the differences between Hutterites and Amish………………....17 Table 2: Chart outlining some of the most common recessive disorders in the Amish.....21 4 Acknowledgements I would like to thank my honors thesis committee (Dr. Glen Doran, Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, and Dr. Kimberly Hughes) for supporting the direction and providing guidance throughout my research. Also, Dr. Carole Ober whose work on Hutterites genetics first inspired this topic. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Max E. Stanton and Dr. Rod Janzen for their ethnographic work on the Hutterites that was largely inspirational to the direction of this research. 5 INTRODUCTION The Anabaptists of America are a collection of religious groups that date back to sixteenth century Europe. Although, they have since branched into three distinct groups before migrating to North America, Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites, the religions still share many similarities because of their shared history and beliefs. When the Anabaptist groups came to America, they all had low founding populations, but over the past 200 years, they have grown exponentially. Biological research has repeatedly shown that because of the low founding populations of these groups and the low introduction of new members, the health risks associated with inbreeding are a constant struggle. These circumstances result in a higher chance of recessive diseases being expressed and higher rate of miscarriages compared to the average American family. Contrary to the biological expectations, the Anabaptists continue display exponential population growth. The Amish, with a population of over 30,000 migrating to America in the eighteenth century, are expected to reach near a million members by 2050 with a new community being built every 3.5 weeks (Donnermeyer, Anderson, and Cooksey 2013). The Hutterites have increased their population hundredfold, during their 140 years in North America, from 400 to 49,000. As humans, we have the unique advantage of not only using biology to overcome our obstacles but also culture. This study examines the cultural elements contributing to population growth and retention within the Hutterities and the Amish, including their shared history, beliefs, and social dynamics. Specifically, this discussion will focus on 6 their member empowerment and low social tension techniques, reproductive practices, as well as some of the challenges individuals face if they decide to leave their communities. HISTORY The term Anabaptist comes from the Greek word for re-baptizer. This was significant of the Anabaptists stance against infant baptism during the sixteenth century Reformation. In both Catholic and Protestant dominated areas of Europe, infant baptism was a legal requirement and symbolic of entrance into society. Anabaptists did not believe that children should be baptized into a faith without their consent and would often re-baptize their followers after they joined the church, called a “believer’s” baptism. Anabaptists shared some similarities with both Protestantism and Catholicism. Like Protestantism, the Anabaptists lessened the number of sacraments from seven to two and also did not acknowledge the hierarchy within the Catholic Church. But like Catholics, the Anabaptists believed that a person needed more than a relationship with God and recognized the importance of service. Catholics also acknowledge Jesus’ teachings of living without personal property though they only apply it to their leaders like priests and nuns that live in simple housing offered by the church they service. The communal way of life appealed to many, especially during the Reformation when the tension between Catholic and Protestant states was mounting. The three main areas with Anabaptist populations became Switzerland, Austria, and Moravia in today’s Czech Republic. As the Catholic Church and Martin Luther began to notice its spread, they instructed the state to take violent action against the group, which lead to persecution in the form of imprisonment, torture, and killings (Janzen and Stanton 2010). 7 An Austrian Anabaptist leader by the name of Jakob Hutter led groups in Moravia when persecution in the area became too extreme (Miller and Stephenson 1980). After seeing a vision of several suns, with one shining brighter than the others, he deemed that his group was the one chosen by God. He excommunicated the other competing groups of Anabaptists in Eastern Europe and deemed his people “Hutterites” (Packull 1995). Jakob Hutter believed that the End Times were near and a model community must be set up immediately to appease God. In 1536, while attempting to assist persecuted members in Austria escape to Moravia, Hutter was captured, tortured, and burned at the stake (Stayer 1991). Menno Simons was a Catholic priest who, in 1540 at the age of forty, left the church and joined the Anabaptist movement. He was largely influenced by his brother who was an Anabaptist that was killed when he was attacked by persecutors and refused to fight back due to the Anabaptists’ beliefs on pacifism. Simons worked with Dutch Anabaptists and became hugely influential in standardizing Anabaptist beliefs in many different areas. When a large debate about shunning arose between leaders of the movement, Simons took an extreme stance and, in the process, created his own branch called Mennonites (Urry 1983). At the end of the seventeenth century, one Swiss Mennonite group was headed by Jakob Ammann. Ammann began to believe that the Mennonites were not following Menno Simons teachings properly and began to forge a new path. His group began to be called Amish Mennonites. Characteristically, they were more conservative and believed in more rigid shunning of members. 8 Anabaptist groups took refuge in Moravia and Slovakia. The nobility there was Catholic but welcomed them when they saw their expert farming style and how it could benefit the economy. Soon, three separate communities of Anabaptists were created and thrived for a short while (Janzen and Stanton 2010). The three groups were persecuted throughout Europe, but from this time, the most important literature of the Anabaptist churches was written. The major hymnbook that is still used today in Amish services was completed in the sixteenth century. Books like The Bloody Theater and Martyrs Mirrors told first-hand accounts of violent crimes against the Amish including many deaths in the name of martyrdom (Nolt 1992). These stories became greatly influential in how the Amish view their own religion and are still told today. The Amish began migrating to Pennsylvania in the eighteenth century. In 1873, the first five hundred Amish migrated, but only two hundred members participated in communal living and developed a district. The Amish took advantage of the cheap, farmable land in Pennsylvania, buying enough land for themselves as well as their children. The early Hutterites experienced a period of great success the hundred years after their first leader was executed. Rising to 40,000 members in Moravia, communities held about 500 people from various social classes, including many different kinds of craftsman. John Hostetler wrote that the level of industry among these groups was “practically unknown before the Industrial Revolution” (Hostetler 1974). The Hutterites became models of economic success and created an educational system that both prepared children to apprentice
Recommended publications
  • Baptist Trail of Blood Theory)
    The Blood of Baptists “Losing the Trail” (Some Brief Comments on the Baptist Trail of Blood Theory) By Pastor Kelly Sensenig The Trail Theory The “Trail of Blood” was written by J. M. Carroll in 1931 and is published by Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington Kentucky. It is a small booklet of fifty-six pages containing a proposed timeline of Baptist churches back to the days of Jesus. By 1994 over 1,955,000 copies had been printed and it has gained great popularity among some Baptist Fundamentalist groups. The perpetuity view is often identified with this booklet called “The Trail of Blood,” which was a successionist pamphlet by J.M. Carrol that was published in 1931. In it the author contends that the Baptist brethren have a direct link back to the days of John the Baptist, Christ, the apostles, and the first churches. It’s alleged by some that John the Baptist was commissioned by Jesus to start the Baptist Church, that the true churches would eventually bear his name, and that John the Baptizer taught Baptist doctrine. The apostles and first churches followed in this same train and started a Baptist trail that independent Baptist churches have followed since the times of the apostles. In some Baptist books and colleges, it is taught that only independent Baptist churches are part of the true Bride of Christ. Other Baptist writers holding the perpetuity view are Thomas Crosby, G.H. Orchard, J.M. Cramp, William Cathcart, Adam Taylor and D.B. Ray. Some have suggested that this view was also held by English Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, by his statement in one sermon in the “New Park Street Pulpit,” page 225.
    [Show full text]
  • Anabaptists, Mennonites, Hutterites, Amish and Brethren
    Church History Literacy Anabaptists, Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish and Brethren Part 2 Lesson 57 Biblical-Literacy.com © Copyright 2007 by W. Mark Lanier. Permission hereby granted to reprint this document in its entirety without change, with reference given, and not for financial profit. Apostolic Catholic Coptic East/West Lutheran Anabaptists Mennonites/Hutterites Amish/Brethren ZurichZurich 15221522 Ulrich Zwingli Attacking “Tithes” JanuaryJanuary 15231523 ““DisputationDisputation”” JanuaryJanuary 15231523 ““DisputationDisputation”” • 600 of 5,000 attend JanuaryJanuary 15231523 ““DisputationDisputation”” • 600 of 5,000 attend • Zwingli treats as a meeting of the Zurich Church with City Council empowered to make binding decisions JanuaryJanuary 15231523 ““DisputationDisputation”” • 600 of 5,000 attend • Zwingli treats as a meeting of the Zurich Church with City Council empowered to make binding decisions • Zwingli moderates his tone OctoberOctober (1523)(1523) 2d2d ““DisputationDisputation”” OctoberOctober (1523)(1523) 2d2d ““DisputationDisputation”” • 900 of 5,000 attend OctoberOctober (1523)(1523) 2d2d ““DisputationDisputation”” • 900 of 5,000 attend • Images in churches OctoberOctober (1523)(1523) 2d2d ““DisputationDisputation”” • 900 of 5,000 attend • Images in churches • Catholic Mass OctoberOctober (1523)(1523) 2d2d ““DisputationDisputation”” • 900 of 5,000 attend • Removed in several • Images in churches months • Catholic Mass OctoberOctober (1523)(1523) 2d2d ““DisputationDisputation”” • 900 of 5,000 attend • Removed in several
    [Show full text]
  • Migration and Survival of the Hutterite Brethren in Central Europe
    Acta Ethnographica Hungarica, 60 (2), pp. 267–285 (2015) DOI: 10.1556/022.2015.60.2.2 MIGRATION AND SURVIVAL OF THE HUTTERITE BRETHREN IN CENTRAL EUROPE Emese BÁLINT European University Institute, Florence, Italy E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: While the Anabaptist movement was still fl uid in the early 1520s, it soon crystallized into factions with sharp differences. Although the Moravian Anabaptists never succeeded in creating common doctrines and practices, the Central and East European experience was not merely a marginal part of the great Anabaptist story. Out of these divergent tendencies grew a strong sect that survived exile through a radical social experiment. Hutterite colonies, settled in a hostile environment, fl ourished for a long period while other sects disappeared within a few years. The factors that determined the advance and survival of the Hutterites point beyond religious motives. This social experiment was dependent on the integrated social structure enabling them to cope with an aggressive environment without assimilating. Various epochs of the Hutterite history show that communal life was never a uniform and perfect experience, but variants of the structure persisted in the colonies as they evolved in their local circumstances. Keywords: Anabaptism, Hutterite, community of goods, Moravia, Hungary, Transylvania In January 1525, the three founders of the Swiss Brethren, Georg Blaurock, Conrad Grebel and Felix Mantz baptized one another in Zürich. With this act a movement came into being that could not be stopped in spite of the imposition of the death penalty for those who accepted baptism as adults. Persecution quickly ensued, yet Anabaptism spread rap- idly across Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • The Secret of the Strength What Would the Anabaptists Tell This Generation?
    The Secret of the Strength What Would the Anabaptists Tell This Generation? Peter Hoover This is the 2008 version of the text, with the original introduction, forward, cover picture, etc. The text has been revised, but is substantially the same as the original text, with the addition of pictures. Other inspiring books are available at: www.PrimitiveChristianity.org Introduction I well remember the first time I faced the stark realization that I was a Mennonite and different. My fourth-grade friend, Gregory, and I were riding home from public school on the bus. We were talking about our future, how we would always be friends and do things together when we grew up. Then he enthusiastically began to describe activities that from my upbringing I knew to be worldly. Desperate to save our lifelong friendship, I turned to Gregory and said, “You will have to leave your church and become a Mennonite when you grow up.” Thus, the inevitability of our way of life impressed itself on my eight-year-old mind. A year later I made my decision to follow Christ. Of course, Gregory never joined my church, and I do not even know his whereabouts today. The theme of separation from the world ran strong in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania where I grew up. But I wrongly assumed that, except for our plainness, we believed the same things that other Christians believed. Then one evening at the Chambersburg Mennonite Church, where I was a member, a visiting speaker jolted me with a graphic picture of my martyr heritage.
    [Show full text]
  • Frequently Asked Questions About the Amish
    Fall 2017 | vol 27, no 1 Frequently Asked Questions about the Amish Perspectives source: Amish Studies by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College by Susan Miller managing director Q: How many Amish live in North America? I had the privilege of taking A: About 318,500 adults and children. This is an part in a class last winter that increase of approximately 10,360 since 2016, a impacted my life like nothing growth rate of 3.36 percent. In most communities, ever has before. over half of the population is under 18 years of age. Perspectives of a World Thus, the number of baptized adult church members Christian Movement has truly is likely about 143,300. given me new perspective in world missions. Stories of Q: When did the how unreached people Amish begin? groups are being reached, A: They trace their roots and the methods of how this to the Anabaptist is being done, was movement in absolutely fascinating and exciting. Switzerland in 1525 at As usual, my sense of the time of the adventure was stirred and I Protestant Reformation. was ready to jump onto the The Anabaptists next plane going somewhere emphasized voluntary …..anywhere! However, I adult baptism and a usually don’t have the church that was free from state control. Because chance to do just that right most had been baptized as infants, they were away—which is good. I did, nicknamed rebaptizers or Anabaptists. The Amish however, feel a strong sense of the Holy Spirit leading me were part of this movement until 1693 when they to rethink what I am doing formed their own group in Switzerland and the with my life and ask myself, Alsatian region of present-day France.
    [Show full text]
  • Hymnody of Eastern Pennsylvania German Mennonite Communities: Notenbüchlein (Manuscript Songbooks) from 1780 to 1835
    HYMNODY OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN MENNONITE COMMUNITIES: NOTENBÜCHLEIN (MANUSCRIPT SONGBOOKS) FROM 1780 TO 1835 by Suzanne E. Gross Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Maryland in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 1994 Advisory Committee: Professor Howard Serwer, Chairman/Advisor Professor Carol Robertson Professor Richard Wexler Professor Laura Youens Professor Hasia Diner ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: HYMNODY OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN MENNONITE COMMUNITIES: NOTENBÜCHLEIN (MANUSCRIPT SONGBOOKS) FROM 1780 TO 1835 Suzanne E. Gross, Doctor of Philosophy, 1994 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Howard Serwer, Professor of Music, Musicology Department, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland As part of an effort to maintain their German culture, the late eighteenth-century Mennonites of Eastern Pennsylvania instituted hymn-singing instruction in the elementary community schoolhouse curriculum. Beginning in 1780 (or perhaps earlier), much of the hymn-tune repertoire, previously an oral tradition, was recorded in musical notation in manuscript songbooks (Notenbüchlein) compiled by local schoolmasters in Mennonite communities north of Philadelphia. The practice of giving manuscript songbooks to diligent singing students continued until 1835 or later. These manuscript songbooks are the only extant clue to the hymn repertoire and performance practice of these Mennonite communities at the turn of the nineteenth century. By identifying the tunes that recur most frequently, one can determine the core repertoire of the Franconia Mennonites at this time, a repertoire that, on balance, is strongly pietistic in nature. Musically, the Notenbüchlein document the shift that occured when these Mennonite communities incorporated written transmission into their oral tradition.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Early Anabaptism As Minority Religion in German Fiction
    Heresy or Ideal Society? A Study of Early Anabaptism as Minority Religion in German Fiction DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Ursula Berit Jany Graduate Program in Germanic Languages and Literatures The Ohio State University 2013 Dissertation Committee: Professor Barbara Becker-Cantarino, Advisor Professor Katra A. Byram Professor Anna Grotans Copyright by Ursula Berit Jany 2013 Abstract Anabaptism, a radical reform movement originating during the sixteenth-century European Reformation, sought to attain discipleship to Christ by a separation from the religious and worldly powers of early modern society. In my critical reading of the movement’s representations in German fiction dating from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, I explore how authors have fictionalized the religious minority, its commitment to particular theological and ethical aspects, its separation from society, and its experience of persecution. As part of my analysis, I trace the early historical development of the group and take inventory of its chief characteristics to observe which of these aspects are selected for portrayal in fictional texts. Within this research framework, my study investigates which social and religious principles drawn from historical accounts and sources influence the minority’s image as an ideal society, on the one hand, and its stigmatization as a heretical and seditious sect, on the other. As a result of this analysis, my study reveals authors’ underlying programmatic aims and ideological convictions cloaked by their literary articulations of conflict-laden encounters between society and the religious minority.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of Hutterite Breastfeeding Patterns
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2006 Analysis of Hutterite breastfeeding patterns Christine Smith The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Smith, Christine, "Analysis of Hutterite breastfeeding patterns" (2006). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 5556. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/5556 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission \f No, I do not grant permission______ Author's Signature: . Date: .^Q|/q (/> Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent. AN ANALYSIS OF HUTTERITE BREASTFEEDING PATTERNS by Christine Smith B.A. University of Montana, 1999 presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts The University of Montana May 2006 Approved by rperson Dean, Graduate School Date UMI Number: EP41020 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted.
    [Show full text]
  • A Recipe for Success in the 'English World': an Investigation of the Ex
    Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 12-2018 A Recipe for Success in the ‘English World’: An Investigation of the Ex-Amish in Mainstream Society Jessica R. Sullivan Western Michigan University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the Sociology of Culture Commons Recommended Citation Sullivan, Jessica R., "A Recipe for Success in the ‘English World’: An Investigation of the Ex-Amish in Mainstream Society" (2018). Dissertations. 3358. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/3358 This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN THE ‘ENGLISH WORLD’: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EX-AMISH IN MAINSTREAM SOCIETY by Jessica R. Sullivan A dissertation submitted to the Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Sociology Western Michigan University December 2018 Doctoral Committee: Angela Moe, Ph.D., Chair Whitney DeCamp, Ph.D. Jesse Smith, Ph.D. Cynthia Visscher, Ph.D. Copyright by Jessica R. Sullivan 2018 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My graduate work and dissertation would not have been possible without the help of my participants and the amazing support and love of those around me. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge their contributions (in no particular order of course). First of all, I would like to thank Angie Moe, my dissertation chair.
    [Show full text]
  • Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 18, No. 2 Robert C
    Ursinus College Digital Commons @ Ursinus College Pennsylvania Folklife Magazine Pennsylvania Folklife Society Collection Winter 1969 Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 18, No. 2 Robert C. Bucher Don Yoder Harry H. Hiller Henry Glassie Donald F. Durnbaugh Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/pafolklifemag Part of the American Art and Architecture Commons, American Material Culture Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Cultural History Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts Commons, Folklore Commons, Genealogy Commons, German Language and Literature Commons, Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons, History of Religion Commons, Linguistics Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Click here to let us know how access to this document benefits oy u. Recommended Citation Bucher, Robert C.; Yoder, Don; Hiller, Harry H.; Glassie, Henry; and Durnbaugh, Donald F., "Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 18, No. 2" (1969). Pennsylvania Folklife Magazine. 35. https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/pafolklifemag/35 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Pennsylvania Folklife Society Collection at Digital Commons @ Ursinus College. It has been accepted for inclusion in Pennsylvania Folklife Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Ursinus College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Contributors to This Issue ROBERT C. BUCHER, Schwe nksville, R.D., Pennsyl­ vania, whose long-time interest in Pennsylvani a's colonial architecture and its restoration involves him in both Gosch­ enhoppen Historians and HistOric chaefferstOwn, has con­ tributed several major articles to Pemzs')'lvania Folklife, on such varied subj ects as Grain in the Attic, Red Tile Roof­ ing, Irrigated Meadows, and the Continental Central-Chim­ ney Log H ouse.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pursuit of Art and Education
    Western University Scholarship@Western Digitized Theses Digitized Special Collections 2011 Cultural Transgression: The Pursuit of Art and Education Ann Langeman Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses Recommended Citation Langeman, Ann, "Cultural Transgression: The Pursuit of Art and Education" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3313. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3313 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Digitized Special Collections at Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Digitized Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Cultural Transgression: The Pursuit of Art and Education (Thesis format: Monograph) by Ann Lanqeman Graduate Program Education Curriculum Studies A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario i © Ann Langeman 2011 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION Supervisor Examiners Dr. Roger Clark Dr. Kathryn Hibbert Supervisory Committee Dr. Aniko Varpalotai Dr. Rachel Heydon Dr. Bridget Elliott The thesis by Ann Langeman entitled: Cultural Transgression: The Pursuit of Art and Education is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education Date: June 7, 2011 Dr. Susan Rodger ' : ____ Chair of the Thesis Examination Board u Abstract This thesis focuses on the transformational role art and education played in the life of a female learner and educator whose culture of origin sanctioned neither. This study uses autoethnography (self-study) as research method and postmodern theory as a framework to explore my struggle to obtain an education in Canada and develop visual art skills.
    [Show full text]
  • Mennonite Institutions
    -being the Magazine/Journal of the Hanover Steinbach Historical Society Inc. Preservings $10.00 No. 18, June, 2001 “A people who have not the pride to record their own history will not long have the virtues to make their history worth recording; and no people who are indifferent to their past need hope to make their future great.” — Jan Gleysteen Mennonite Institutions The Mennonite people have always been richly Friesen (1782-1849), Ohrloff, Aeltester Heinrich portant essay on the historical and cultural origins endowed with gifted thinkers and writers. The Wiens (1800-72), Gnadenheim, and theologian of Mennonite institutions. The personal reflections seminal leaders in Reformation-times compiled Heinrich Balzer (1800-42) of Tiege, Molotschna, of Ted Friesen, Altona, who worked closely with treatises, polemics and learned discourses while continued in their footsteps, leaving a rich literary Francis during his decade long study, add a per- the martyrs wrote hymns, poetic elegies and in- corpus. sonal perspective to this important contribution to spirational epistles. During the second half of the The tradition was brought along to Manitoba the Mennonite people. The B. J. Hamm housebarn in the village of Neu-Bergthal, four miles southeast of Altona, West Reserve, Manitoba, as reproduced on the cover of the second edition of E. K. Francis, In Search of Utopia, republished by Crossway Publications Inc., Box 1960, Steinbach, Manitoba, R0A 2A0. The house was built in 1891 by Bernhard Klippenstein (1836-1910), village Schulze, and the barn dates to the founding of the village in 1879, and perhaps even earlier to the village of Bergthal in the East Reserve.
    [Show full text]