Društvene i humanističke studije DHS (Social Sciences and Humanities Studies) is an international open access double blind peer-reviewed interdisciplinary scientific journal published by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina). We publish refereed original scientific research and review articles on both the fields of social sciences and the humanities. The call for papers is permanently open. There is no deadline for manuscript submission. If the manuscript successfully passes the review process, it will be published in the first upcoming issues. Authors will receive a peer review report no later than one month after receiving the manuscript. ISSN: 2490-3604 (print) ● ISSN: 2490-3647 (online) DOI: 10.51558/2490-3647.2025.10.2
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tuzla
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Ideological and Political Thought of Alija Izetbegović
Alija Izetbegović’s ideological preferences and political ideas can be detected through a critical analysis of his published books, studies, letters, interviews, and published political speeches and memories. At the level of ideological worldview, his political thought corresponds with crucial ideas and elements of paternalistic conservatism, defensive and moderate Islamic revivalism, and anti-colonial and post-colonial nationalism, which reveals his substantial political aspiration that seeks to build a functional state, as a solidary and just political community in which the equality, equality and freedom of all individuals will be ensured, without which a sustainable and healthy society inspired by the spirit cannot live multiculturalism. The sketched conceptual framework, which is largely contextually and thematically focused on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Islamic worldview and the status of Bosniak Muslims, represents his political landmark in the understanding of politics, state, government, society, community, family, religion, nation, class, freedom, equality, solidarity, justice, peace, cooperation and tolerance. Based on his understanding and definition of the aforementioned political science phenomena and ethical-political ideals, it can be concluded that Alija Izetbegović, without any dilemma, anticipates a libertarian, egalitarian and emancipatory interpretation of primary political science concepts, concepts and theories, which forms the constructive basis of his political thought.
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From the Conception of Man to the Critique of Collectivism: The Structure of Alija Izetbegović’s Socio-Political Thought
The socio-political thought of Alija Izetbegović occupies a distinctive place within contemporary Islamic philosophy, where it bridges theological anthropology and the political theory of modernity. His conception of man, culture, and civilization develops in dialogue with modern ideologies such as socialism, liberalism, and nationalism, seeking to affirm moral and religious principles as the foundations of political order. Although often studied as a political figure, Izetbegović’s intellectual system has not been adequately analyzed as a philosophical project offering a theoretical alternative to secular models of society. This study addresses that gap by presenting Izetbegović as a thinker who grounds his social theory in a metaphysical conception of the human being. The central thesis argues that his thought constitutes an original response to the crisis of modern collectivism through a model of a “sacralized civilization,” in which the spiritual dimension becomes the measure of social order. The analysis highlights his distinction between culture and civilization and demonstrates that the salvation of civilization depends on its sacralization. In conclusion, the paper establishes Izetbegović as a thinker who proposes a spiritually grounded pluralism of values and the possibility of an ethical renewal of modern society.
Overcoming the Dualism of Spirit and Matter in the Work of Alija Izetbegović
The problem of the relationship between spirit and matter has been one of the fundamental problems of philosophical thought since its beginnings. From Plato and Aristotle, through Cartesian dualism, to contemporary attempts within the philosophy of reason, to integrate man’s spiritual and material aspects of existence. This relationship remains a key place for reflection on the nature of man and the meaning of existence. In this context, the philosophical and political thought of Alija Izetbegović represents a special contribution because it starts from a specific Bosnian and Islamic worldview, while using the conceptual apparatus of the Western philosophical tradition. Izetbegović’s thought system grows out of the belief that man is a being who carries both spirit and matter within himself, and that life is a constant struggle and an attempt to reconcile these two dimensions. His works, primarily Islam between East and West, offer a philosophical interpretation of man and the world that seeks to overcome one-sided materialistic and spiritualistic concepts. For Izetbegović, the meaning of existence lies precisely in the dynamics between these two poles – in man’s constant striving for unity that is never fully realized, but which gives meaning to human freedom and responsibility. In this sense, this paper aims to analyze Izetbegović’s attempt to overcome the dualism of spirit and matter through three interrelated aspects: philosophical, existential, and political. The first chapter examines the historical-philosophical framework of the problem of dualism. The second chapter analyzes Izetbegović’s integrative vision of man and the world as the center of his thought. The third chapter examines how his philosophical standpoint translates into ethical and political practice, and to what extent his attempt to synthesize spirit and matter is consistent and achievable in this sense.
The Idea of the Mediatory Nation in the Works of Alija Izetbegović and Its Relevance for the Contemporary World
This paper attempts to shed light on Izetbegović’s general conceptual concept of man, society and state. In particular, it aims to show the train of thought that led Izetbegović to the conclusions about the establishment of his own ontological-epistemological discourse within Muslim geography and then its consequent positioning as a mediator in the then bipolar, and today polycentric world. Based on the written traces that remained after Izetbegović, this paper attempts to reconstruct his thought and place it in the context of contemporary social theory, which is increasingly gaining importance in the area of Muslim geography and beyond. In this sense, Izetbegović’s thought should be viewed in the context of reformist leadership and positioned alongside globally significant thinkers of the 20th century. In addition, issues such as the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in the recent Zionist genocidal attacks on Gaza, accelerated the process of global ruination of linear hegemony and opened the door to different ideas about political systems, cooperation and the future.
The Prison Days of Alija Izetbegović, 1946–1949
In 1946, the military court of the Yugoslav Army sentenced Alija Izetbegović to three years in prison. He was punished for belonging to the Young Muslims organization, a secret organization that sought to spread its influence among Muslims. He was also accused of helping his friend Nedžib Šaćirbegović to escape from the Army, as well as of being hostile towards the new regime. They have no basis for the construction that Izetbegović was a member of the Handžar division during the Second World War. Izetbegović spent his prison days in Zenica, Stolac and Beli Manastir, and also stayed at construction sites in Sarajevo. According to the recorded characteristics, Izetbegović was a good worker in prison, but remained committed to his Islamic beliefs. Using the method of logical induction, this paper draws the most convincing possible conclusions about Izetebegović’s actions and attitudes that are important in the biographical presentation of his life path, based on the knowledge gained, and in the absence of primary sources that unequivocally confirm this.
Fragments of the Past: The Islamic Community, Alija Izetbegović, and Selective Politics of Remembrance
This paper explores the evolving institutional, intellectual, and political dynamics surrounding the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1970s, reflecting upon the present condition, with particular attention to the mechanisms of memory and recognition within its official commemorative practices. Drawing on a combination of archival sources - including documents of the Islamic Community, records of state-religious interactions, and transcripts from other organizational bodies - as well as relevant scholarly literature, the study critically examines the roles and posthumous positioning of figures such as Grand Mufti Sulejman Kemura, Husein Đozo, and Alija Izetbegović. Their divergent trajectories and the selective inclusion, positioning or omission (in the case of other individuals) of their legacies in documents like the Tezkiretnama of 2021 reveal underlying tensions in the criteria used to define institutional significance. The analysis highlights how political context, ideological shifts, and historiographical reinterpretation have shaped the construction of memory, particularly in the transition from socialist to post-socialist frameworks. By interrogating these processes, the paper contributes to broader debates on the intersection of religion, politics, and collective memory in post-Yugoslav societies, offering a nuanced understanding of how institutional narratives are formed, contested, and sustained.
Alija Izetbegović and the Markale Massacre: Media, Responsibility, and Public Reaction
This article investigates the Markale market massacres in Sarajevo (1994 and 1995) as defining moments of the Bosnian War, focusing on the central role of Alija Izetbegović, President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It argues that the massacres were not only episodes of mass civilian suffering but also pivotal sites where Izetbegović’s leadership intersected with contested media discourses and international diplomacy. His statements, symbolic gestures, and political positioning became crucial in framing the massacres as evidence of aggression and in mobilizing both domestic resilience and international sympathy. Drawing on media reports, political documents, and secondary scholarship, the article analyzes how narratives of victimhood, responsibility, and legitimacy were constructed around Izetbegović’s role, and how these narratives influenced public perception, shaped Bosnia’s international standing, and contributed to NATO’s eventual intervention. By highlighting the interplay between wartime leadership, discourse, and power, the study underscores the importance of Izetbegović’s agency in both the immediate crisis and its longer-term historical memory.
On Some Aspects of Andrić’s Autobiographical Writing During His Diplomatic Mission in Spain and France – Travelogues, Letters, and Diaries
Although Andrić’s work has been analyzed from various scholarly perspectives across different epochs and socio-historical contexts, a specific segment of his oeuvre remains insufficiently explored. This segment pertains to Andrić’s literary work and influences during his diplomatic mission, particularly his time in Spain and later in France. Consequently, the number of academic studies directly addressing this aspect of Andrić’s output is relatively limited. This is especially true when it comes to his autobiographical documentary prose—travelogues, letters, and diaries—which address the Iberian and Gallic regions within a distinct socio-historical context. The objective of this paper, therefore, is to employ discourse-analytic methods and procedures to examine what the travel writer, within the framework of the imagological reference system, pays particular attention to, how he perceives specific details or events, what axiological judgments he makes regarding his observations and experiences, and, in turn, the kind of imagological information he seeks to convey to readers about Spanish and French territories and cultures. The research will focus on a corpus comprising two of Andrić’s travelogues: “Spanish Reality and the First Steps in It” and “Portugal, the Green Land.” The paper will also examine Andrić’s epistolary discourse and private diaries that he kept throughout his literary career, particularly during his diplomatic mission in France in the 1920s. The intimate reflections of this writer, diplomat, and, above all, chronicler of human destiny during times of turbulent historical events, will be explored through his private correspondence, particularly the collection “Letters.” Drawing on his personal diaries, the originality of his epistolary prose structure will be uncovered, characterized by a fragmented, collage-like composition. Such an approach will provide insight into Andrić’s personal reflections and attitudes toward socio-historical events on the one hand, and the aesthetic and poetic framework underpinning the creation of his major literary works on the other. Finally, the study will reveal the extent to which Andrić’s aesthetic and thematic originality, artistic attitudes, and literary creation were influenced by his professional diplomatic service in Spain and France.
Against Exoticism and Folklore: The Designation “Muslims in Our Literature” in Literary Criticism Between the Two World Wars
Three different concepts of Muslim identity were formed in interwar Yugoslavia. The integration model (Bjelevac) views Muslims as “non-national” and therefore suitable for fitting into a supranational Yugoslavism based on a class or ideological platform. The synthetic model (Mitrinović) bases Yugoslav identity on the cultural-religious synthesis of Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Islam. The national model (Salihagić), on the other hand, insists on the affirmation of Bosniak identity (Bosniak) as a separate national category, emphasizing that the primary goal is the preservation of existential survival within the framework of the Yugoslav community. The process of defining the identity of Muslims in the interwar period took place through different stages and conceptual definitions - from Yugoslavianism, through Serbs and Croats, to Bosniaks - where the term “Muslim” was most often subordinated to superior categories. Different historical and political contexts conditioned constant changes in its interpretation, so Muslims could simultaneously be covered by a regional, national or state-political identity. In literary-historical discourse, this was manifested through a multitude of definitions that, in addition to confirming the instability of the concept, also emphasized its complexity in the state-political framework of the interwar period. In interwar periodicals, the term Muslim literature functioned as an indicator whose meaning depended on the ideological and critical viewpoint of the author, and it was understood to have different, often contradictory meanings. This was followed up in the second half of the 20th century by the discussions of Muhsin Rizvić and Staniša Tutnjević: while Rizvić insisted on the continuity and specificity of Muslim literature in the interwar period, Tutnjević disputed these theses, believing that it was an ideological projection and retroactive reading. The discussions from the 1980s and 1990s showed how unstable and burdened with ideological interpretations the concept remained, although in more recent scholarship the term Bosniak literature has emerged as a relatively stable designation.
Perception of War Trauma and Deconstruction of Social Myths in the Dramas If This Were a Play and If This Were a Film by Almir Imširević
The paper analyzes two war-themed plays by Almir Imširević. The aim of the paper is to show how war trauma has been transposed into dramatic literature. During the research, the problem of the lack of appropriate studies on recent Bosnian and Herzegovinian dramatic literature and theater emerged. The methodological starting point of the paper is based on the theoretical and analytical acquisitions (new kind of critical practice) of the American theorist Kali Tal, who investigates the dramatic effects of war trauma, namely its reflection on dramatic authors who, in their texts, problematize their own dramatic tradition and the prevailing myths on which their societies were based before the experience of trauma. The analysis of the selected dramatic texts If This Were a Play and If This Were a Film also attempted to point out their significance in the context of contemporary Bosnian and Herzegovinian dramatic literature. Imširović’s plays confirm the usable potential of the artistic text in overcoming the problem of the ineffability of trauma, and the deconstruction of social myths and taboos in them is uncompromising and thorough. In this sense, the analyzed dramatic texts represent a corpus exceptionally amenable to opening up issues of literary ethics that are crucial in the context of war writing, war trauma drama, and trauma literature in general.
The Literature of Memorialization — Wartime Rape, Gender Violence, and Trauma in the Novel the Screeching of Skin by Amila Kahrović Posavljak
This paper analyzes the novel The Screeching of Skin (2023) by Amile Kahrović Posavljak from the perspective of the theory of trauma, gender-based violence and war rape and classifies it primarily as a memorial novel or a novel of memorialization literature, with the pretension of turning it into a textual and artistic monument to the victims of suffering and persecution in the collective memory. The novel follows a twenty-year-old girl, a second-year violin student at the Academy of Music, who finds herself in her apartment in the Sarajevo neighborhood of Grbavica at the beginning of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and immediately after the neighborhood was cut off from the rest of Sarajevo, she falls into the hands of Serbian soldiers who subject her to multiple rapes and other forms of violence. The paper establishes a theoretical framework within which the novel will be analyzed, offers an overview of important aspects of trauma theory, an insight into the issue of rape in the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995, after which it focuses on a careful reading and analysis of the content, but also on the literary techniques of portraying trauma used in the novel, such as the narration, the narrator, the shaping of music motifs in the novel and the significant ending of the novel.
Fantastic Elements in the Construction of Characters in Fairy Tales of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić
The paper deals with elements of the fantastic in the corpus of fifteen fairy tales of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić gathered in the Collected Works edition (2011, vol. 3), and their interpretation on several levels. The fantastic elements help the writer construct characters that are related to pre-Christian Slavic mythology, as well as those characters in the shaping of which we can recognize the influence of the astro-mythological interpretation of the world where they are assigned the role of prophets or witnesses of fantastic events or transformations. These elements are particularly significant in creating marvellous, supernatural, imaginary characters that reflect the inner imaginative life of the writer. It is possible to interpret these unique characters through the prism of dreams and the subconscious, when they become witnesses of two closely interwoven inner worlds of the author: the public one, which derives from her cultural background and archetypal reflections of her education, and the intimate one, as an echo of her memories, anxieties, allusions and ideals.
The Power of Metaphor and Metonymy in the Rhetoric of Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
This paper offers a linguistic analysis of conceptual metaphors and metonymies in the political speeches of Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, with the aim of determining how these linguistic mechanisms shape political discourse. The study is grounded in the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics, which views metaphor and metonymy as key tools for conceptualizing and structuring reality through language. The analysis is based on a selected corpus of public speeches and employs qualitative methods for identifying and classifying conceptual figures. Particular attention is given to the roles played by metaphors in constructing collective identity and reinforcing political authority. Metonymic structures, such as the substitution of institutions for individuals or symbols for abstract entities, are examined as devices of linguistic economy and emotional resonance. The introductory section outlines key concepts and presents the theoretical background, while the main part of the paper provides analysis of the metaphors. The conclusion highlights the systematic use of metaphor and metonymy in articulating the ideas of unity and stability.
Assessing Pragmatic Competence in Bosnian Learners of English
In the field of pragmatics, a considerable amount of research has been conducted on the development of pragmatic competence in non-native speakers. While Chomsky (1980) distinguished between linguistic competence and broader aspects of language use, defining the latter as “knowledge of conditions and manner of appropriate use, in conformity with various purposes” (1980: 224), the concept of pragmatic competence has fully developed in subsequent frameworks. In the field of second language (L2) acquisition, there has been growing interest in how non-native speakers develop pragmatic competence (He & Yan 1986; Blum-Kulka, House, & Kasper 1989; Oxford 1990; Bardovi-Harlig 1999; Kasper & Rose 2002). This study was prompted by numerous examples of spoken pragmatic failure observed during English lectures at the beginning of the 2017/2018 academic year, involving non-native speakers of English. In addition, due to the limited availability of empirical data on pragmatic competence and failure in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this study aims to examine the overall L2 pragmatic competence of Bosnian learners of English at the University of Tuzla. Specifically, it explores the relationship between learners’ pragmatic competence and sociolinguistic parameters, including gender, age, and duration of English language study. Together relevant data, a modified version of He’s Pragmatic Competence Questionnaire (1988) was administered. The instrument, comprising multiple-choice questions and various interactive scenarios, was distributed to undergraduate students of Journalism, Technology, and English at the University of Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina). This study offers insight into the general level of pragmatic competence of Bosnian speakers of English. Furthermore, it identifies notable differences in sociopragmatic and pragmalinguistic performance across gender and academic discipline.
The Modal Particle „ja“ and Its Serbian Equivalents
The subject of this paper is the German modal particle ja and its possible equivalents in Serbian. The German language is characterized by a differentiated and extensive inventory of modal particles, which cannot be found in comparable form in many other languages. Helbig (1994) refers to this as a particularly dense and differentiated system of modal particles, which does not exist in this form in many other languages, while Thurmair (1989) describes German modal particles as a phenomenon that is largely language-specific in terms of both density and systematicity. The aim of this study is, based on a literary corpus ((Der Zauberberg I; Der Zauberberg II von Thomas Mann und Professor Unrat oder Das Ende eines Tyrannen; Der Untertan von Heinrich Mann) and their translations into Serbian or Serbo-Croatian, to examine how the German particle ja is realized in Serbian, with a focus on those examples that express irony in the German original using ja. In Serbian, the translation requires the use of various Serbian particles, as well as other word classes and lexical adjustments.
German-Language Advertisements from 19th- and 20th-century Osijek as Sociocultural Markers of an Era
The paper examines the sociocultural function of German-language advertisements in the Osijek newspapers Slavonische Presse and Die Drau from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since German at the time functioned both as a “prestige language” among the upper social classes and as a means of everyday communication — serving as a link between various ethnic groups in Osijek —German-language advertisements can be considered reliable and relevant markers of social life in Osijek during that period. They offer valuable insights into the sociocultural characteristics of the time: advertisements reveal information about the purchasing and travel habits of Osijek’s citizens, the gastronomic life of the city and its surroundings, as well as Sunday and holiday offerings. As some advertisements were bilingual — published in both German and Croatian — the extracted corpus is examined through a combination of quantitative and qualitative semiotic and text analysis, and is linguistically analyzed using a comparative method. The collected corpus comes from the online portal essekiana.eindigo.net, which is the result of a collaboration between the German Studies departments of the Justus Liebig University in Giessen and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities in Osijek, and is freely accessible.
Errors in Argumentative Texts Written by Croatian GFL Learners
Writing skills are one of the four fundamental skills of communicative competence. The written production of a text often presents a challenge for foreign language learners because various types of errors can occur during writing, which in turn can hinder the flow of communication. A targeted examination of frequently occurring errors is therefore necessary in foreign language teaching. Previous studies (e.g., Häusler 2003; Veijonen 2008; Svoboda 2013; Mlakar Gračner 2018; Tanir 2023; and Rexhepi 2025) in the field of German as a foreign language have shown that orthographic and morphosyntactic errors occur in German as a foreign language learners at all learning levels. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the most common orthographic and morphosyntactic errors in argumentative texts of Croatian German as a foreign language students at the beginning of their bachelor’s degree program and to analyze the frequency and most common error types. The results show that orthographic errors occur almost twice as frequently as morphosyntactic errors. The most frequent errors were observed at the orthographic level in the area of spelling and at the morphosyntactic level in relation to the use of prepositions. The possible causes for the results of this empirical study are also examined, compared with studies of German as a foreign language students, and pedagogical implications are suggested.
The Image of Bosnian Franciscans in Travnička Hronika and Its Transfer to French Culture
Ivo Andrić’s Travnička hronika is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural landscape of Bosnia, which is shaped by the permanent presence of the Franciscan tradition. In his novel, Andrić enters into an intertextual dialogue with Franciscan chronicles from the monastery of Bosna Srebrena, and additionally presents the image of a Bosnian Franciscan through culture-specific elements and the specific manner of speech and behavior of Bosnian “uncles” in a multi-ethnic and historically turbulent environment. Such a culturally and historically colored picture represents a special challenge for translators. This paper investigates how much of that image has actually been preserved and how much has been lost in the transfer to French culture. The research seeks to identify the translation strategies used to convey these elements and to assess the extent to which the target text preserves this layered historical discourse of the novel. Using the methods of contrastive linguistic analysis, we compared the original text with two translations of the novel into French. The results can contribute to broader discussions about literary translation, especially regarding the challenges of presenting intertextuality and culturally embedded narratives to a foreign readership.
Opposing Characters and Strong Positions of Literary Texts in Andrić’s Novels (Contrasting the Original Text and Its Italian Translation)
This paper analyzes opposing characters and strong textual positions in the novels The Damned Yard and Omer Pasha Latas. Through antithetical dynamics, Andrić presents one of his fundamental motifs—the (un)bridgeable gap between power and intellectuals—which, in the case of Ćamil in The Damned Yard, leads to a tragic outcome and a significant loss for both the community and the ruler. In contrast, Omer Pasha Latas suggests the possibility of overcoming this conflict through the relationship between Omer Pasha and the artist Karas. The analysis focuses on narrative techniques, text organization, and plot dynamics, with an emphasis on universal values and recurring patterns of human destinies in Andrić’s work. In addition to examining characters and literary techniques in The Damned Yard, the paper also explores the effectiveness of conveying cultural and linguistic specificities in the Italian translation. The subject of interest is the analysis of the formal, semantic and functional values of strong textual positions in the original text (the novel’s title and several comparative and phraseological constructions) as well as theircontrastwiththeir Italian equivalents. Since Omer Pasha Latas has not been translated into Italian, this novel will be used exclusively in its original form to provide a more comprehensive contextualization of the universal themes that Andrić addresses in his works.
Sikter/Via/Piantala: Comparative Analysis of Traditional (Im)Politeness Strategies in the Original and in the Italian Translations of the Novel the Bridge on the Drina
The focus of this paper is on pragmatic aspects of translation, specifically the possibility of transferring politeness norms from one language and culture to another. For the research corpus, we have chosen Andrić’s novel Na Drini ćuprija (eng. The Bridge on the Drina) and translations in the Italian language by Bruno Meriggi (1960) and Dunja Badnjević (2001). Using this selected corpus, we aim to investigate he translation strategies employed for politeness. The process itself is complex, as politeness, politeness norms, and strategies for the modulation of speech acts differ from one culture to another, meaning that a linguistic phenomenon considered (im)polite in the source text may not have the same effect in the target language. Therefore, if a translator does not want to lose the essence of the text, they must take into account the cultural and social norms of the language. To determine the translation strategies used, we analyzed a convenience sample of passages from the original and the two translations containing speech acts of orders, insults, and threats. The modulation of these acts is analyzed within the framework of traditional politeness theory (Brown & Levinson 1987). The research shows that politeness norms are most often translated literally, and rarely adapted. Such procedures lead to a loss of intensity in the illocutionary force of speech acts in cases where culturally marked strategies of (im)politeness are used.
Gastronomic Culturemes in Andrić’s Works: Challenges of Translation into Italian
The language of Ivo Andrić is characterized by a distinctive style that combines archaic, literary, and folk elements, contributing to the recognizable expressiveness and rhythm of his works. Within this stylistic framework, gastronomic references hold a significant place, not only as a means of character depiction but also as a reflection of the broader social and cultural context. The translation of gastronomic culturemes – which include names of food, beverages, and traditional meals – represents both a linguistic and cultural challenge. The aim of this study is to examine how gastronomic culturemes from Andrić’s novels and short stories have been rendered in Italian translations. These lexical elements, deeply rooted in a specific sociocultural environment, rarely have direct equivalents in Italian, necessitating the application of various translation adaptation strategies. The research corpus comprises selected works by Ivo Andrić in which terms related to food, dishes, and beverages were first identified and subsequently subjected to a contrastive analysis with their Italian translations. The study also focuses on the issue of functional equivalence, balancing fidelity to the source text with adaptation to the target audience. The findings highlight diverse translation strategies and provide insights into the challenges of translating gastronomic culturemes in the context of intercultural communication.
Andrić's View of Sarajevo in the Thematic Issue of Europe Magazine on Bosnian Culture
In October 1979, the French magazine Europe published a thematic issue of Bosnie-Herzégovine, littérature et arts. It comprehensively presented Bosnian-Herzegovinian history, art and literature, from ancient times (Butmir) to contemporary artists and writers from the SFRY era (Samokovlija, Selimović, Ćopić, Sijarić, Ibrišimović, Dizdar, Kulenović, Sekulić, Sarajlić, Vuletić, Koroman, Trifunović, Krnjević and Stojić, among others). However, at the very beginning of the thematic file, as a kind of introduction, is an abridged translated text by Ivo Andrić, “A View of Sarajevo” (translated by Mauricette Begić). The aim of this paper is not so much to offer new insight into Andrić’s vision of Sarajevo, or to address Andrić’s reception in France in the 1970s, but rather to consider the way in which Bosnian and Herzegovinian culture was then presented in France and the French-speaking world, and to try to explain why this entire thematic issue opened with that text, through an analysis of Andrić’s image of the city of Sarajevo, but also through the topos of the crossroads in Midhat Begić, who, like Andrić himself, had a great influence on the editors of this thematic issue.
The Subjugation of Water As a Literary Motif
For classical mythology, the act of creation is always the shaping and subjugation of chaos, which is represented as water. In contrast to cosmogonic myths, eschatological myths present the end of the world as a flood, a return to primordial disorder and formlessness. Therefore, fears associated with water represent a general civilizational fear that is overcome by subduing water – an act that the work presents as a literary motif. The works analyzed in the paper are Henderson, The Rain King by Saul Bellow, The Rain Maker by Herman Hesse, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, and The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić. Through a comparative and critical analysis of these examples, chosen either because they consciously refer to the tradition of the motif, or represent prominent examples in different genres, and referring to literature from the fields of sociology, anthropology and literary studies, the paper concludes that the subjugation of water does indeed emerge as a significant and persistent literary motif – it is expressed through individual mastery of the forces of nature through magic or technology and through the collective acts, such as the builders’ sacrifice that subdues the mythical space and becomes the new, sacred navel of the world.
Villains, Victims, or Voices Unheard: Angela Carter’s and Emma Donoghue’s Retellings of Fairy Tales
This paper sets out to explore female protagonists in a selection of fairy tale retellings from Angela Carter’s 1995 collection, Burning Your Boats: The Collected Short Stories and 1979 he Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, and Emma Donoghue’s 1997 Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins in light of Victorian concepts of womanhood such as the Angel in the House and the Fallen Woman. These concepts tended to define and control women’s behaviour, positioning them as either kind and docile or wicked, with the latter resulting in their exile from society. By radically rewriting well-known traditional fairy tales, the paper argues that both Carter and Donoghue often create a new type of heroine, the New Woman, who unapologetically challenges firmly established social and cultural stereotypes and thus subverts traditional gender norms. The paper demonstrates that both Carter and Donoghue portray female characters who are not confined to specific roles, whether passive or transgressive, and that they are fully capable of making their own choices.
(Un)Told Stories and Women Coming into Their Own: Women’s Experience in Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other
Frustrated by the lack of visibility of black and mixed-race female protagonists in contemporary British literature, Bernardine Evaristo, a British author of Nigerian, Irish, and German descent, set out to write Girl, Woman, Other (2019), a polyphonic novel centred on twelve female protagonists. The narratives of women from diverse backgrounds, including age, origin, sexuality, and class, are intricately interwoven throughout the novel. The paper examines how Evaristo portrays female experience in contemporary Britain and recent British history, emphasising the intersections of public and private spheres while specifically addressing issues related to the mixed-race and hybrid identities of her female protagonists. It is argued that Evaristo voices stories and histories of women that have been traditionally marginalised and makes them part of national/British history. Older protagonists are here analysed against the backdrop of racism and the migration processes and their influence on twentieth-century British society, whereas younger generations are perceived in the context of multi-ethnic Britain and multiple facets of contemporary urban multiculturalism.
Othermothering as a Site of Power in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The aim of this paper is to explore and analyse the theme of othermothering as a site of power crucial for the proper care, upbringing, and guidance of children (particularly girls) in the absence of a biological mother. In African American culture, there is the practice of othermothering as a strategy of survival in that it ensured that all children regardless of whether the biological mother was present or available, would receive the mothering that delivers psychological and physical well-being and makes children’s empowerment possible. The paper also deals with the research of the role and significance of “othermothering” in the African American family and community. The method of working on the text through the lens of Black feminist studies along with analytical-interpretative method, generalization and inductionare used in the analysis of Maya Angelou’s fictionalized autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this paper, special attention is paid to emphasizing the importance of the role of othermother in raising children and guiding them to grow into strong persons of African American identity, prepared to resist various types of violence, discrimination and pressure. The discussion demonstrates that the main preoccupation of othermothering, along with caring for the children’s well-being, is their (children’s) empowerment, and with it, also that of the Black community as a whole.
The Ancient Hero and the Apollonian Measure
The paper analyzes the connection between Homer’s heroes from the Iliad and the Apollonian measure. Heroes embody celebratory love and courage; thus Achilles chooses to die young on the battlefield in order to gain immortality. It is sometimes more important for a hero to die young than to have his body decay in old age. In addition to courage, the hero also carries a tragic fate, because almost all Homer’s heroes suffer and are aware of their mortality. It is thanks to the awareness of transience that they perform “immortal deeds” on the battlefield, facing their own tragic fate. Although the heroes are beautiful and strong, and thus fit into the Apollonian measure, they still express fragility, suffering and mortality. Through hubris – excessive self-confidence and overpowering – they exceed the Apollonian measure, violate it, which is why they are often punished by the gods. However, it is precisely through punishment and tragic fate, at the moment when the Apollonian measure is violated, that the cosmic balance is reestablished. The paper applies the intermedial comparative method to highlight the similarities and differences between the plastic arts – sculpture and the temporal arts – poetry, in order to illuminate the principles of the Apollonian measure that are reflected both in the content and in the form of the work of art.
Tempora Anni, Tempora Hominis: The Seasons as an Ethical-Cosmic Code in Roman Literature
This paper explores the role of the seasons (tempora anni) in Roman literature as a symbolic framework for reflecting on ethical, philosophical, and political values. Through an analysis of the works of Virgil, Ovid, Horace, and Lucretius, it is shown how the seasonal cycle becomes a metonym for human time (tempora hominis), where the natural succession of the seasons mirrors moral and social transformations. The seasons are presented as more than mere descriptions of natural reality; they function as literary codes for identity, responsibility, and the spiritual state of the Roman individual. The seasonal rhythm becomes a means by which Roman authors articulate a cosmological and social order, linking agrarian practice with Stoicism, political renewal, and religious festivals. In this symbolic framework, spring signifies the renewal of virtues and imperial order, summer the fruits of labor and political stability, autumn wisdom and prudence, and winter contemplation and preparation for a new beginning. Through hermeneutic, philological, and ideological analysis, the paper demonstrates how Roman authors rework Hellenic models in accordance with Roman worldview and political context, particularly within the framework of Augustan restoration. The aim is to show that the seasonal cycle in the Roman imaginary is not a mere meteorological constant, but an ethical-cosmological structure that connects the natural, human, and political order. The seasons are not simply a temporal backdrop to literary action, but a symbolic matrix in which the foundational values of Roman civilization are reflected and legitimized.
The Representation of Childhood in Children’s Partisan Films
The title of the paper simultaneously poses the central research question: in what ways can we speak of a children’s partisan film? This study seeks to examine, within an appropriate theoretical-analytical framework, the boundaries and possibilities of applying the concept of “children’s film” to the corpus of Yugoslav partisan feature films in which children appear as protagonists. The first section outlines the fundamental theoretical foundations of children’s film, both in the domestic context — primarily through the definition provided in the Film Encyclopedia (1986), edited by Ante Peterlić — and through contemporary international approaches, with particular reference to the works of Noel Brown (2017) and André Nebe (2023). Building on these theoretical premises, the paper analyzes selected case studies: Eagles Fly Early (1966), Mirko and Slavko (1973), Captain Mikula the Young (1974), Wintering in Jakobsfeld (1975), The Farm in the Small Marsh (1976), and Boško Buha (1978). The analysis focuses on the application of Brown’s constitutive elements of children’s film — community, coming-of-age and childhood narrative, pedagogical function, absence of explicitly forbidden content, and a positively resolved ending — alongside an additional consideration of focalization, namely, the child’s point of view. The conclusion argues that these films are more accurately categorized as “films of childhood” rather than children’s films in the strict sense. Although they depict specific processes of children’s growing up, these films are not necessarily intended for child audiences but rather operate within an ideological discourse — primarily through the construction of Yugoslav national and heroic identity, in line with the contemporary models of culture and memory politics.
Narcissistic Culture: Genesis, Consequences and Challenges
Narcissistic culture represents a special social configuration that creates conditions for the birth of individuals whose character traits resemble narcissistic personalities. In an age of major socio-political crises, globalization, secularization, and serious ecological threats and risks, and due to inadequate political intervention, individuals have difficulty finding the means to cope with them, and they reactively withdraw into themselves in order to find a stronghold of security within themselves. By redirecting the gaze from problematic social movements to themselves – their own bodies – the perception of social crisis is blurred by creating the illusion that a “settled” self means a settled world. However, this only perpetuates all those forces that led to this unbridled egocentrism. Modern capitalist society in a fluid post-Fordist economy imposes a competitive modus vivendi, and by individualizing social, collective responsibility, a state of ontological insecurity and psychological tension. In this atmosphere, it is expected that the individual will seek refuge in what he has the most control over – his own self, his body. The consequences of narcissistic withdrawal call into question the strength of social solidarity and empathy. Political apathy, which is a logical consequence of a narcissistic culture, enables the conditions for the construction of a totalitarian government that promotes indifferent citizens, due to their own preoccupation with themselves. That is why the basic challenge of narcissistic culture is how to divert egocentric thoughts and utilize them in the social domain. Also, the erosion of the community further exacerbates the atomization and alienation of people. Without an adequate foundation of community and a representation of collectivity, it is difficult to expect a meaningful progression of society. That is why narcissistic culture is an extremely relevant and urgent issue today. The paper tries to synthesize the insights of the key authors who have considered this problem.
Adolescents and Sexual Violence: Qualitative Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour
Sexual violence is a social problem that is still insufficiently discussed in society. Considering that many people will experience some form of sexual violence by the age of 18, and that the period of adolescence is a time of creating attitudes and beliefs about interpersonal relationships, as well as a period of risky behavior, this research was conducted on a convenient sample of adolescents, male and female, at the age of eighteen. Qualitative methodology was used, specifically the semi-structured interview method, and the research focus in this work is sexual violence from the perspective of adolescents, ie knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of adolescents related to sexual violence. Four interviews were conducted with adult adolescents attending high school in the city of Zagreb through open-ended questions and two vignettes – one showing a situation in which naked photos of classmates were shared, and the other inappropriate touching of the buttocks “stabbing”. The obtained results indicate the rejection of existing myths and prejudices about sexual violence in society. Adolescents show a basic level of knowledge of sexual violence with the need for a deeper understanding of the issue of sexual violence in the area of forms of sexual violence and the consequences of sexual violence. In terms of behavior, it is shown that adolescents assume the role of observers more when witnessing sexual violence than active in reporting sexual violence. Through research, we discovered that it is necessary to work on the education of adolescents and to introduce consistent measures to stop sexual violence in schools.
Bridges of Intercultural Understanding: The Role of Japanese Cultural Sensitivity in Global Dialogue
In the modern world, cultural pluralism is becoming increasingly important for advancing global dialogue. This paper explores the role of Japanese cultural sensitivity as a bridge for intercultural understanding and defines the concept of cultural sensitivity. Through an analysis of Japanese tradition and philosophy, it defines Japanese cultural identity and emphasizes that building capacities for cultural sensitivity fosters better understanding between societies. Traditional Japanese values, such as respect, harmony, and balance, can serve as a foundation for developing deeper international ties. Through examples from political life, culture, and philosophy, the paper shows how Japan’s cultural heritage contributes to the development of global dialogue. By embracing diversity, societies can better cooperate, reducing misunderstandings, and strengthening relationships. The Japanese perspective provides valuable insights into the importance of preserving cultural identity while adapting to contemporary challenges. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes how cultural sensitivity and interculturalism can play a key role in building a harmonious and connected world. By embracing these values, the global community can collectively respond to challenges, promoting peace and understanding.
Bosniak Cultural and Artistic Societies in Istria
Istria, as a Croatian and Adriatic peninsula, has been a blend of various ethnic communities for years. For centuries, the coexistence of Croats, Slovenes, Italians, and numerous minorities in Istria has been well-known. Today, Croatians make up 75% of the population, while minorities constitute 25%. These 25% consist of Italian, Serbian, Bosniak, Albanian, Slovenian, Roma and others. The total number of Bosniaks in Istria, according to the 2021 census, was 4,838. Currently, there are 7 cultural and artistic associations active in Istria: KUD Bosna (Pula), Bosanski behar (Pula), BKUD Vodnjan (Vodnjan), KUD Đulistan (Labin), BKUD Kršanski ljiljani (Kršan), FS Buzetski biseri (Buzet) and NZBI Istarske gondže (Pula). The oldest, the National Bosniak Community of Istria, has been operating in the Istrian region for 25 years. This review paper presents the Bosniak cultural associations in the Istrian Region. The methods of classification, fieldwork, interviews, heuristics and synthesis will be used in writing this paper. Their cultural activities, particularly music (singing, playing instruments, dancing), repertoire nurturing their culture, and customs, will be classified. The aim of this paper is to document the current state as a foundation for future research.
Autocratization within Ethnic-Power Sharing: Bosnia and Herzegovina between Formal Democracy and Authoritarian Practices
Nearly three decades after the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continues to experience democratic stagnation, institutional dysfunction, and deepening autocratization. This paper examines how the post-war institutional design of BiH, anchored in rigid ethnic power sharing, has enabled authoritarian practices within a formally democratic framework. The aim is to trace the interplay between consociational arrangement, state weakness, and the strategies of ethnonational elites in fostering autocratization. Methodologically, the study combines theoretical insights from literature on autocratization and competitive authoritarianism with a qualitative within-case analysis of BiH, drawing on institutionalist perspectives, democracy indices (V-Dem, Freedom House, BTI), and empirical examples from 2006 onward. The findings show that mechanisms originally intended as safeguards for ethnic groups (such as extensive veto rights, decentralized authority, and segmented electoral arenas) have been systematically instrumentalized for patronage, obstruction, and the erosion of democratic norms. Consequently, autocratization in BiH does not manifest as a centralized authoritarian regime but rather as parallel subnational competitive authoritarianisms embedded within the consociational framework. These dynamics demonstrate that in weak post-conflict states, corporate power-sharing and ethno-territorial autonomy can invert their intended purpose, transforming safeguards into drivers of authoritarian entrenchment and thereby undermining both institutional functionality and democratic legitimacy.
Challenges for International Peace and Security During Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency of the UN Security Council
On October 15, 2009, Bosnia and Herzegovina was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2010–2011 term, which represented a significant opportunity for its foreign policy positioning. A particularly important moment came in January 2011, when Bosnia and Herzegovina held the presidency of the Security Council, that is, when it coordinated the work of the United Nations’ most important body. The aim of this paper is to determine how Bosnia and Herzegovina acted and what positions it took regarding the challenges to international peace and security during its presidency. During Bosnia and Herzegovina’s presidency, the Security Council held 8 consultations in full composition and 10 formal meetings, adopted one resolution, two presidential statements, and issued seven press statements. The greatest threats to international peace and security in January 2011 were in Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, Somalia, Nepal, Haiti, and the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. At the initiative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a thematic debate was also organized on “Post-conflict peacebuilding: institution-building.” Various methods were used in the research: historical-legal, normative-dogmatic, comparative method, content analysis, case study method, inductive and deductive method, as well as synthesis. In addition to analyzing the existing literature in this field, special attention was also devoted to the analysis of numerous UN documents from this period. The results of the research show that Bosnia and Herzegovina played a constructive role and adopted an affirmative stance in addressing the challenges to international peace and security during its presidency of the UN Security Council.
Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and Global Governance in the Age of Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities – Reshaping Power Dynamics
This study critically examines the evolving role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the global political economy, challenging traditional state-centric views of sovereignty and governance. It argues that globalization has elevated MNCs from mere economic actors to influential political agents, capable of reshaping regulatory landscapes, public policy, and even democratic processes. Drawing on comparative case studies — including Meta’s impact on political discourse, Glencore’s extractive practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chinese state-owned enterprises’ vaccine diplomacy — the analysis demonstrates that corporate power is highly context-dependent. While firms such as Glencore often exploit weak governance structures in the Global South, Chinese enterprises illustrate how MNCs may reinforce, rather than erode, state sovereignty when harnessed as instruments of geopolitical strategy. The findings underscore a dual dynamic: MNCs simultaneously erode state authority by exploiting regulatory gaps and extend sovereign power when aligned with strong states. This ambivalent role complicates the “erosion thesis” of globalization, revealing instead a fluid interplay between corporate and state interests. Ultimately, the article calls for adaptive governance frameworks that balance corporate power with accountability, reimagining sovereignty as a flexible principle embedded within an interconnected and asymmetrical global order.
Turkey and Russia: Dynamics of Relations in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis
This research analyzes Turkey’s dynamic relations with Russia in context of the war in Ukraine, with a particular emphasis on how Ankara finds a balance between its strategic and economic interests in keeping relations with Moscow and its NATO obligations. It illustrates Turkey’s balancing act between Russia and the West by analyzing its involvement in the Black Sea Grain Deal, alongside other key cases such as the procurement of the S-400 missile system, energy diplomacy with Russia, and the supply of drones to Ukraine. Hence, this research revolves around the main question of why Turkey has deviated from other NATO partners in completely isolating and sanctioning Russia following its strategic autonomy approach and regional dynamics. Our main focus is on the period from 2014 to 2025, beginning with Russia’s annexation of Crimea up until the full-scale invasion in February 2022, covering key turning points in Turkey-Russia relations, such as the downing of a Russian jet, the procurement of S-400 systems, cooperation in Syria, and Turkey’s evolving position in the geopolitics of the region. This broader timeframe allows for a comparative analysis of foreign policy trends across different phases of the crisis. The findings might serve as a platform for future study into Turkey’s position in multipolar international relations and crisis diplomacy.
The Concept of State Sovereignty in the Context of the Modern International Law System: The Influence of Kelsen’s Thinking
State sovereignty is one of the most important institutes in the field of state and international (public) law. Often problematic, the concept of state sovereignty is a conditio sine qua non for any serious scientific discussion on the role of the state as the primary subject of international law. The aim of this paper is to try to explain the essence and most important determinants of the concept of state sovereignty in relation to the system of international law, primarily through the analysis of the thinking of Hans Kelsen as one of the most credible legal theorists and experts in the field of international law. In this paper, the author problematizes the role of external sovereignty, and especially points to the importance of the principle of sovereign equality of states as one of the key principles on which the modern system of international law is based. In this context, the author also presents and briefly analyzes the fundamental characteristics of the system of international law in the period that began with the end of World War II and the formation of the United Nations in 1945 and continues to this day, with the primary goal of recognizing the most important aspects of the protection of state sovereignty within the framework of the United Nations. As a result of the analysis of Kelsen’s thinking and other relevant facts, the author comes to the conclusion that Kelsen’s ideas greatly influenced the understanding of the concept of state sovereignty, which over time experienced a significant transformation, especially in the period after the formation of the United Nations until today. In the end, the author concludes that contemporary international relations also significantly influenced the change in the understanding of the concept of state sovereignty in the 21st century.
Between Insights and Grades: The Development of Assessment in Education in the Republic of Croatia
Assessment is an indispensable and integral part of the modern educational process, and is integrated into all its phases – from planning and implementing teaching to analyzing student achievement. Its primary function is to provide quality feedback to all stakeholders in the education system – students, teachers, parents and professional associates – which enables continuous improvement of the teaching process and the achievement of better educational outcomes. The basic forms of evaluation include formative assessment, which takes place during the teaching process and is aimed at improving learning, and summative assessment, which is carried out at the end of a certain period to assess the achieved results. The elements of assessment include monitoring, checking and grading, and in the context of the approach they are: assessment as learning, assessment for learning, and assessment of learning. These elements form interconnected components that together enable the collection and analysis of data on learning and teaching. The paper analyzes the legal frameworks that regulate assessment in the Republic of Croatia, as well as relevant scientific and professional literature. It is concluded that assessment is systematically regulated, and that the scientific community continuously reflects on and researches its application and effectiveness in practice. The paper provides an overview of basic concepts and emphasizes the importance of evaluation as a key factor in improving the quality of education through in-depth examination and interpretation of relevant written sources.
Pedagogical Aspects of the Organization, Evaluation, and Effectiveness of Outdoor Education
Field classes as a form of learning and teaching in the original reality represents an important educational potential of the contemporary school. The relevance and importance of this form of teaching process implies a thorough approach and requires constant questioning and analysis. In this research, the goal was to examine various aspects of organization, evaluation and effectiveness of field teaching in primary schools in Tuzla Canton. The research sample consisted of 140 teachers, and a survey questionnaire for teachers and an evaluation sheet were used to collect data. The obtained results point to the fact that in the elementary schools of the Tuzla Canton, in varying proportions, all types of field classes (one-hour, half-day, full-day and multi-day) are represented, and that the evaluation of the implementation of field teaching is carried out at sessions of professional councils. In addition, it was determined that parents are involved in the organization of field lessons predominantly through activities at parent meetings, while they participate in the evaluation through information through the school’s website. These results shed light on existing practices when field classes is conducted in primary schools in the Tuzla Canton, and open up other issues that require special attention in further research.
Preparing Students to Teach about Democracy and Civil Society in Early School Age: Civic Education as a Model
This paper examines the views of various authors and the relevant educational legislation, highlighting the importance of education in fostering democracy and civil society. This should help young people to face the many social challenges they will encounter. Serbian educational policies are geared towards equipping students with the skills necessary for participating actively in a democratically organised society. Consequently, this paper explores how faculties that educate future primary school teachers in Serbia address this objective. The aim is to present a model for introducing theoretical and practical content related to democracy and civic values through the subject of Civic Education at the Faculty of Education in Sombor. A syllabus analysis reveals that the course is grounded in a pertinent theoretical framework and compares recent research findings on the state of democracy and participation in education. It also identifies a variety of practical student activities within the course. The model is improved by the inclusion of content related to children’s rights, particularly their participation in school, and by the systemic strengthening of the democratic teaching and practical skills of the instructors involved in the course. The paper concludes that the democratic development of societies requires civic education to be continuously and comprehensively included across all levels of schooling.
Routines and rituals of preschool children represent a significant yet insufficiently explored aspect of the institutional framework. While most existing research focuses on these phenomena within the family environment, the aim of this study is to examine routines and rituals within the context of preschool institutions, with an emphasis on their identification and descriptive analysis in everyday kindergarten life. The research was conducted in 50 educational groups of various age levels in 12 kindergartens in Novi Sad. A descriptive method was used, with systematic observation as the primary technique, and data were collected using a semi-structured observation protocol, specifically designed for the purposes of this study. Analysis of the collected data resulted in the identification of seven categories of activities: self-care, maintenance of space, celebrations and holidays, play, social interactions, learning, and outdoor activities. A greater number of distinct rituals were observed compared to routines. The most common routine activities pertain to cultural-hygienic habits and mealtimes, while rituals most frequently occur during children’s arrival and departure, as well as during birthday celebrations. Children’s participation was prominent, with significant support from preschool teachers. It was noted that certain routines take on elements of rituals, indicating the need for a clearer distinction between these two concepts. The results align with the principles of the Years of Ascent framework, and show affinity with the pedagogy of relationships and the Reggio Emilia approach, reaffirming the importance of routines and rituals for emotional security, social connectedness, and the development of participatory learning. Based on the findings, further research is needed on a larger and more representative sample, with additional analysis of the roles of all actors - preschool teachers, children, and families - as well as a comparative analysis of routines and rituals in family and institutional contexts.
The Role of ChatGPT in the Educational Process: The Perspective of Sociology Students
This paper examines the role of ChatGPT within higher education by integrating two theoretical frameworks: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT). Through a quantitative survey conducted among 155 sociology students across five Croatian universities, the study explores perceptions of ChatGPT’s usefulness, ease of use, trustworthiness, and adoption intentions. TAM provides a quantitative foundation for understanding students’ attitudes toward ChatGPT, while ANT enables the interpretation of ChatGPT as an active participant within educational networks. The results indicate that although students recognize ChatGPT’s potential to enhance learning efficiency (79% agreed that ChatGPT speeds up academic task completion – 49.4% strongly; 29.6% somewhat), concerns about trust (mean trust in the reliability of supporting technologies = 2.91 on a 1–5 scale), cognitive load, and limited social influence moderate its adoption.Findings highlight the importance of AI literacy, the need for institutional guidelines on ethical AI use, and the role of educational institutions in supporting responsible integration of AI technologies into academic practice. The study concludes by offering recommendations for strengthening AI adoption strategies in higher education and outlines directions for future research.
Perceived Parental Acceptance-rejection and Self-esteem in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Peer Attachment Quality
The aim of the research is to examine the potential mediating role of peer attachment quality in the relationship between perceived maternal and paternal acceptance-rejection and self-esteem among younger, middle, and older adolescents, with statistical control for the adolescent’s gender. The study included 305 elementary school students, 324 high school students, and 281 university students. The following measurement instruments were used: General Data Questionnaire, Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire, Inventory of Peer Attachment-Revised, and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. The results of the mediation analyses show that the quality of peer attachment acts as a mediator in the relationship between perceived maternal acceptance-rejection and self-esteem in younger and older adolescents, that is, this predictor variable exerts its effect on self-esteem both directly and indirectly through the proposed mediator. However, in middle adolescents, only the direct effect of the predictor variable on the outcome was found to be significant. Regarding perceived paternal acceptance-rejection, peer attachment quality was found to be a significant mediator in all three adolescent groups. Furthermore, the findings revealed that among younger and middle adolescents, perceived paternal acceptance-rejection exerts its effect on self-esteem exclusively indirectly, through the proposed mediator, whereas among older adolescents, it has both direct and indirect effects. The obtained results suggest that when exploring the potential mediating role of peer interaction quality in the relationship between parent-child relationship quality and adolescents’ self-esteem, it is important to examine the relationships with mother and father separately, as well as to take into account the developmental specificities of different periods of adolescence.
Work Motivation as Predictor of Organization Commitment
The aim of this research was to examine the role of work motivation as a predictor of employee organizational commitment. Organizational commitment was operationalized based on Meyer’s and Allen’s model (1991), which distinguishes three interrelated components of commitment: affective, continuance, and normative commitment. Work motivation was defined using self-determination theory, which categorizes motivation into two broader factors: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The sample consisted of 218 participants, employees from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, of whom 61.5% were female, with ages ranging from 22 to 66 years. A series of linear regressions were conducted to test the hypotheses, with the two types of work motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) as predictor variables, and the three components of organizational commitment (affective, continuance, and normative) as criterion variables. All three regression models were statistically significant. Results indicate that intrinsic motivation significantly predicts affective (β = .51), continuance (β = .28) and normative commitment (β = .20), while extrinsic motivation significantly predicts continuance ( β = .34) and normative commitment (β = .45). The findings underscore the importance of both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation in the development of employee organizational commitment.
Researching Psychometric Properties of Igd-20 Scale in Bosnia-herzegovina Speech Area
The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the IGD-20 scale, developed by Pontes et al. (2014) for the assessment of Internet gaming disorder, which was translated in this study using the back-translation method and administered to a sample of gamers and eSports players in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sample consisted of 278 participants (82% gamers and 18% eSports players), predominantly male, with an average age of 27 years. Item analysis demonstrated satisfactory discriminative power and high item-total correlations for all items. The overall reliability of the IGD- 20 scale was exceptionally high (α = 0.965). Exploratory factor analysis initially suggested a three-factor solution; however, this solution was neither interpretable nor consistent with the original structure of the instrument. A unidimensional solution, which has also been supported in recent research, proved to be the most interpretable and accounted for over 61% of the variance. In conclusion, the IGD-20 scale demonstrates excellent psychometric properties in terms of reliability and discriminative validity, but its factor structure requires further investigation on larger and more heterogeneous samples, as well as examination of shorter versions of the instrument. The results of this study provide a foundation for further validation of the IGD-20 scale in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.
Risky Behavior in Adolescence: Neurobiological Mechanisms and Developmental Context
Adolescence represents a developmentally sensitive period marked by profound neurobiological, cognitive, and social changes, which collectively contribute to an increased propensity for risky behaviors. This paper explores the underlying mechanisms of such behaviors, with particular focus on the maturation of brain structures — most notably the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex — whose asynchronous development fosters impulsivity, reward-seeking, and reduced self-regulation. Contemporary findings on grey and white matter development, the functions of the prefrontal cortex, risk perception, and the role of peer influence in decision-making are presented. The discussion further addresses the impact of environmental factors and individual differences that modulate neurobiological vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of the interaction between biological predispositions and social experiences. In conclusion, the paper highlights the need for an integrative approach to understanding adolescent risk-taking, wherein neurobiological, psychological, and sociocultural factors are regarded as interdependent components of development, with the goal of improving prevention and intervention strategies targeting youth.
Work Engagement in the It Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Psychometric Evaluation of the Shortened Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9)
The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the shortened version of the Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) on a sample of employees in the IT sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a pilot study was carried out on a sample of 116 participants, where item analysis, reliability analysis, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were applied. All items demonstrated adequate psychometric characteristics, with item-total correlations ranging from .586 to .830. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was .92, indicating high internal consistency of the scale. The results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed a single dominant factor that explained 61.37% of the total variance, supporting the unidimensional structure of the scale.In the second phase of the study, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on a sample of 334 participants (excluding those from the pilot study). The CFA confirmed a good fit of the one-factor model (CMIN/df = 1.647; CFI = .986; TLI = .980; RMSEA = .063), and all items showed statistically significant and high standardized factor loadings (β = .53 to .94).The findings confirm that the shortened version of the Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) is a reliable and valid measure of work engagement in the context of the IT sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Consistent with the previous findings of Schaufeli and Bakker (2004), the results support the use of UWES-9 as a unidimensional measure of work engagement, which further contributes to its practical application in organizational psychology.
Assessment of Locus of Control and Resilience as Predictors of Psychological Well-being Among Selected Civil Servants in Alausa, Lagos State
Researchers have identified a range of factors that can contribute to poor psychological wellbeing, including environmental stressors, health issues, history of trauma, and genetic predisposition. Psychological well-being in the study is considered as a positive state of mental and emotional health that help individuals live with a sense of purpose and meaning. This study examined locus of control and resilience as predictors of psychological well-being among civil servants in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State. This study was based on a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The research involved 251 selected civil servants harnessed from various ministries, departments, and agencies within the Alausa Secretariat of the Lagos State Government as the sample for the study. Findings from the linear regression analysis of research result identified that locus of control (β = .374; t = 5.987; p < .05) and resilience (β = .062; t = 3.870; p < .05) had independent influence on the psychological well-being of the selected respondents. The multiple regression analysis of result showed that locus of control (β = .356; t = 5.805; p < .05) and resilience (β = .055; t = 3.612; p < .05) have joint significant influence on psychological well-being. The study concluded that locus of control and resilience to be independent and joint predictors of psychological well-being among civil servants in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos state. The study recommended that organizations aiming to improve employee mental health and performance through improvement in their psychological well-being should prioritize strategies that cultivate both resilience and internal locus of control, such as fostering supportive work environments and providing skill-building resources.
Life Satisfaction Among Students in Relation to Gender and Self-assessed Creativity
The paper presents the results of a study conducted on a sample of 392 students, with the aim of examining differences in life satisfaction among students across groups formed by combining the criteria of gender and self-assessed creativity. Differences in life satisfaction based on gender were also analyzed, as well as the interaction between gender and self-assessments of creativity in relation to life satisfaction. The results indicate no significant differences in life satisfaction between male and female respondents, and higher life satisfaction among participants who rated their creativity more positively in the self/everyday domain. People who are more creative in building harmonious social relationships and enriching their lives with diverse activities show greater life satisfaction. Differences in self-assessments of creativity in other domains did not prove to be significant for life satisfaction. Additionally, no interaction was found between respondents’ gender and their self-assessments of creativity regarding life satisfaction. Among both male and female respondents, the same pattern of relationship was observed between self-assessments of creativity in the self/everyday domain and life satisfaction: both male and female participants who rated their creativity more positively also reported higher life satisfaction.
Shaping Power Through Perception: The Role of Public Relations in Constructing the Image of a Cantonal Prime Minister
In contemporary political systems, strategic communication is a key mechanism for shaping leadership perception and public trust in government institutions. This paper explores the role of public relations in the Office of the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, focusing on instruments of strategic communication and the construction of political leadership perception, while comparing these practices with those of the Istrian County in Croatia. The research pursues two main objectives: a scientific one – to contribute to the debate on the professionalization of political PR, and a social one – to provide recommendations for improving communication strategies of local and regional governments. A qualitative framework was applied, combining case study analysis, semi-structured interviews, and comparative review. The hypotheses assume that Sarajevo Canton relies predominantly on reactive communication (H1), employs fewer proactive narratives and storytelling compared to Istria (H2), that digital presence plays a crucial role in shaping leadership perception (H3), and that PR professionalization depends more on the leader’s personal capacities than on institutional strategy (H4). Findings confirm the importance of a strategic approach while highlighting institutional instability and political fragmentation as major obstacles in Sarajevo Canton.
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work: A Comparative Analysis of Practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro
In contemporary social work practice, ethics are the foundation of professional practice, while a responsible approach to ethical challenges is essential for preserving the integrity of the profession and protecting vulnerable user groups. This research, based on a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with social workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (N=10), sheds light on the everyday ethical dilemmas that these professionals face in their professional practice. The most common ethical dilemmas relate to balancing the rights of users and the interests of the family, respecting their autonomy, and ensuring the safety and well-being of users. Respondents emphasize the importance of transparent communication and consistent application of ethical and legal standards. The findings indicate marked differences in institutional support: social workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina have access to structured forms of assistance, including team meetings, training, and legal support. In contrast, their colleagues from Montenegro rely more on personal resources and informal peer support, which leads to higher levels of stress and professional insecurity. Respondents emphasize the need to improve institutional mechanisms through continuous education, supervision, mentoring support and the establishment of clear ethical guidelines, in order to enable consistent and responsible resolution of ethical dilemmas in everyday work.
Project Activities in the Function of Developing the Social Welfare System of the Republika Srpska
The projects that were implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the end of the war in the field of social, family and child protection, and which were implemented with financial support by nongovernmental organizations in cooperation with social work centers, were one of the key mechanisms for the development of a mixed model of social protection. One of them is the project “Early Detection of Children with Special Needs and Their Developmental Problems”. The results of this project, which we present in this paper, have become an integral part of the systemic solutions that have improved the field of social, family and child protection in the Republika Srpska. The project was jointly implemented by the non-governmental organization “Korak dalje” (Srbac) and social work centers, and it affirmed a new approach in working with children with disabilities and their families. Favoring field work, affirming the social instead of the medical model of disability assessment, introducing analytical and research activities in social work centers, maintaining local databases on children with disabilities, establishing a multisectoral approach in providing support to families, are just some of the results of this project that have become part of the systemic solutions in social protection in the Republika Srpska. Concrete results have also been achieved in the field of greater social inclusion of children with disabilities: the number of children included in support systems has increased, the number of children who have not passed the commission assessments has decreased, the number of families that have started to continuously use the rights and services of the social and child protection system has increased, new services appropriate to the developmental needs of children have been introduced, daycare centers have been opened, municipal parents’ associations have been formed, etc. The project has also reduced the stigmatization of children and families through increased visibility of their problems in the community.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Foreign Language Learning – Barriers and Prospects for Equal Language Learning Opportunities
Autism spectrum disorders manifest differently and includes difficulties at the communication and social interaction levels, as well as atypical patterns of behaviour and activities (difficulties changing activities, focusing on details, and unusual reactions to stimuli). Persons with ASD have different needs and abilities that do not have a permanent character and at the same time, affect their capacity for acquiring knowledge and skills. Based on an analysis of recent literature, the paper provides an overview of research on the topic of multilingualism, foreign language teaching to people with autism spectrum disorder, and the way in which people with autism spectrum disorder learn/acquire a foreign language. The aim of the paper is to provide insight into the main findings in the field of foreign language teaching and instruction for persons with ASD, to outline the most common teaching methods, existing interpretations, and theoretical frameworks. The results of the analysis highlight areas that require further investigation and suggest new research questions related to teaching English as a foreign language to persons with ASD.
KA REINTERPRETACIJI ETIČKIH POSTULATA DJEČJE KNJIŽEVNOSTI (Mirzana Pašić Kodrić i Vildana Pečenković, Etička kritika i književnost za djecu, Lijepa riječ, Tuzla, 2020)
Mediji kao ključni akteri u procesu popularizacije znanosti [Ivana Sivrić (ur.) Aktualizacija i popularizacija znanosti kroz medije, Federalno ministarstvo obrazovanja i znanosti/nauke – Sveučilište u Mostaru, Mostar, 2023]
Jedinstven doprinos proučavanju bosanskohercegovačke rodne historije [Historical Searches / Historijska traganja, Br. 23, Sabina Veladžić (ur.), Univerzitet u Sarajevu – Institut za historiju, Sarajevo, 2024]
Historijski pregled socijalnih mjera i politika u Bosni i Hercegovini (Ljubo Lepir, Nastanak i razvoj socijalne politike u Bosni i Hercegovini, Univerzitet u Banjoj Luci – Fakultet političkih nauka, Banja Luka, 2024)
Višestruko koristan zbornik novinarskih tekstova visokih profesionalnih standarda(Poticanje novinarske izvrsnosti u 2023. Zbornik izabranih radova, Agencija za elektroničke medije, Zagreb, 2024)
Antipolitika – simptom krize ili rekuperacije savremene politike? (Dušan Spasojević, Antipolitika, Akademska knjiga, Novi Sad,2025)
Vrijedan udžbenički prilog za unapređene edukacije i prakse u radu sa djecom s višestrukim teškoćama [Alma Huremović, Milena Nikolić, Admira Beha, Edina Šarić, Dženana Radžo Alibegović, Dženana, Senad Mehmedinović (ur.),Višestruke teškoće,OFF-SET, Tuzla, 2025]
Bolesnik na Rajni (Wolfgang Münchau, Kaputt: kraj njemačkog čuda, Dialogos, Tuzla, 2025)
Interdisciplinarni pogled na izazove i perspektive obrazovne metodike(Edina Murtić, Larisa Kasumagić-Kafedžić, Amina Isanović Hadžiomerović, Emir Šišić, Dženana Hajdarpašić, Adriana Katavić, Anes Osmić (ur.), Status i modeli izučavanja metodike u nauci i obrazovanju, Filozofski fakultet Univerziteta u Sarajevu, Sarajevo 2025)
Nečujni glasovi: rodne dimenzije ratnog nasilja i zločini bez kazne (Meldijana Arnaut-Haseljić, Žene i rat. Kršenje pravila ratovanja: zločini protiv čovječnosti i ratni zločini nad braniteljkama⁄pripadnicama Armije Republike Bosne i Hercegovine, Memorijalni centar Sarajevo, Sarajevo, 2025)
O procesu profesionalizacije zanimanja u IT sektoru: sociološka perspektiva(Branka Matijević, Na putu ka profesiji:Sociološki modeli i sektor informacionih tehnologija u Srbiji, Institut društvenih nauka, Beograd, 2025
Negotiating Language Boundaries: Generational Perspectives on Taboo Word Usage in English (Jelena Ilić Plauc, The Attitudes of Newer Generation of English Students Towards Taboo Word Usage, OFF-SET, Tuzla, 2025)
Prvi integralan pogled na jednu milenijsku književnu tradiciju (Sead Šemsović, Historija bošnjačke književnosti, Nacionalna koordinacija Bošnjaka u Hrvatskoj, Zagreb, 2025)
Simile in diverso: poetike divanskog i baroknog pjesništva (Ali Hasanović, Naj i lira: Tipološke veze divanskog pjesništva Bošnjaka i poezije hrvatskog baroka: komparativna analiza, Fondacija “Baština duhovnosti”, Mostar, 2025)