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Warfare and Violence, 2007.
An evaluation of warfare and violence from an anthropological perspective.
1,393 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the history of warfare and violence among humankind from an anthropological perspective. It further analyzes the differing theories about the origins of human violence. The outlooks of various schools of thought, including those of the naturalists, socio biologists, cultural determinists and structural functionalists are presented. The paper concludes by stating that by studying the many philosophies regarding violence and warfare, we begin to form a multi-layered, complex picture of the human condition.
From the Paper
"The history of aggression and warfare in the human species predates the actually established formation of what is recognized as Human. Indeed, even in the insect world we see organized struggles between two obvious groups within the same species. However, there is a great deal of speculation as to the nature of fighting and warfare amongst our own kind. Is this a behavior that is in-born, or is it a response to outside stimuli? Is it the evil tool of males, or is it an endeavor that is supported by the whole of society? Is war a necessary evil, or is it an activity that we may, one day, rise above? Many answers have been proposed over the span of our modern academic tradition, and we will be briefly discussing just a few here, perhaps shedding a bit of light on this dilemma."
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The Local Music Scene, 2006.
This paper is an ethnography of a local music scene.
3,585 words (approx. 14.3 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 100.95
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Abstract
This paper is original ethnographic research, which describes the music scene in Houston and relates it to sociological theories. The author points out that, by focusing on the similarities between people and their values and cultural expressions, a consensus theorist would find much to discuss when analyzing the urban dance club scene; however, interactionist theory applies even more readily to the club scene than consensus theory because of the more intense focus on small group populations and because the patrons of a club gather together for basically the same purpose. The paper relates that postmodernists are able to analyze club culture by studying the impact that diversity and globalization have had on the global spread of musical styles, the blurred distinction between media-informed images of youth behavior and the value system shared by club goers.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Ethnography
The Music
The Artists
The Fans
Sociological Observations and Analysis
Conclusion
Methodology
From the Paper
"Hip-hop is itself subdivided into numerous genres, each with its own flavor, style, and mood. At dance clubs like Crome, hip-hop tunes retain the warm, fun vibe of rap music while pumping out more regular beat patterns than some of the more soulful or underground artists use. Moreover, modern hip-hop is often infused with world beat samples, derived from Middle Eastern or Eastern European scales that add a distinct sound. When a live MC is in the house, the hip-hop comes alive, hearkening back to the heyday of the genre as a coalescing of looped samples, turntable mixing, scratching, and MC-ing."
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Korean Funerals, 2006.
This paper describes Korean funeral rites, which reflect the tremendous importance of the family.
880 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Confucian funeral tradition in Korea is complex and requires many stages as well as the participation of several degrees of the extended family. The author points out that the deceased, who becomes an ancestor-god at the moment of death, is honored for the next several years with several 'chesa' ceremonies or family ceremonies used to honor ancestor-gods. The paper relates that, often today, Koreans live in large cities where a truck is used to transport the body instead of a hand-carried platform or bier accompanied by chanting bearers.
From the Paper
"Burial usually takes place on the third day. The family mourners dress in special tan clothes made of hemp. The oldest son is the chief mourner, and he demonstrates his grief openly, crying out. Other family members join in the open displays of grief. Friends of the family express their sympathies and offer money to help pay for the funeral. They join the family for meals and to help make all the funeral arrangements. So, while the family has great responsibilities toward the new ancestral god, the funeral is a community affair."
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The Institution of Marriage, 2006.
A discussion on the decline of marriage as an institution.
1,916 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 14 sources, APA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper claims that marriage, as an institution, in Western and modern societies is on the decline. It explains that one of the central causes of this decline is the increase of secularization. The paper tries to assess the extent of this decline and to establish whether this trend is applicable to all or most modern societies and if this indicates the demise of marriage as an institution.
From the Paper
"Many studies on this topic suggest that the very ideals of marriage are being questioned by many young people today who believe that marriage no longer serves a necessary purpose in society. The institution of the family is also being affected by this questioning and by various arguments which indicate that the conventional structure of the family is socially or culturally relative and not a necessary ideal to strive for. "
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Mormonism, 2007.
A discussion of the history and religious identities of Mormonism since the death of its founder in 1844.
5,025 words (approx. 20.1 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 126.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Mormonism, particularly following the death of its founder Joseph Smith in 1844, as this created a struggle for succession which brought about a change of traditions. The paper, therefore, explores the ways in which Mormonism has changed since 1844. The paper then looks at a convoluted intersection of four competing, but closely related religious identities and two of the most contested places that are associated with these identities.
From the Paper
"There are just two important points that must be considered concerning the name that the church had before 1844. The first is that there were various changes made, principally in response to the revelations. One of the ways to interpret the changes is to think that the church was looking for an identity of its own within the larger religious setting of America. Second, precise details of the changes are contested (Olsen & Dallen, 2002). Critically and specifically, there is debate among the Mormon churches that concerns the precise name that was being used during the time that Smith was murdered (Raento & Watson, 2000). The issue of the name during 1844 is considered to be critical, because the different groups are attempting to lay claim to the idea that each one of them is the one true church (Shipps, 2000). When they do that, they see the use of the name that was used in 1844 as very desirable. It has also been noted that many of the groups that have survived into present day still maintain, for various reasons, that they are in fact the true successor to the church, or that they are a small fragment of the church, which has been seen to continue without any kind of interruption (Olsen & Dallen, 2002)."
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Social Capital Theory, 2007.
A critique of Robert Putnam's social capital theory, discussed in his book "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community."
2,059 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Robert Putnam's book "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community," in which he tracked the changes in the social fabric of the United States during the second half of the twentieth century. The paper discusses Putnam's hypotheses regarding the collapse of community life in the U.S. and its dire ramifications for society.
From the Paper
"What does all of this tell us about the validity of the Social Capital theory? The numbers alone are astounding proof of the idea that Bridging social bonds are decaying. Also, the rampant consumption of television rather than human company for comfort shows us a good deal about the collective stress imposed by this lack of cohesion. Americans, no longer having a common goal, no longer have anything in common with one another, and are too harried to try to forge new commonality. The fight for resources and moral superiority between regions in this country has degenerated to the point that there is extreme polarization between left and right political factions. Strong tides of Nationalism threaten to exclude rather than include large numbers of Americans who do not fit a specific mold--one of the major reasons for the initial breaking away from community life among Boomers. This is endemic of an imbalance between a severe lack of Bridging Social Capital and growing amounts of very fragmented Bonding Social Capital."
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Eskimos, 2007.
An analysis of the social and family structure of Eskimos.
2,300 words (approx. 9.2 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 70.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the history and life of Eskimos. The paper discusses the characteristics of the different groups of Eskimos, as well as their social and family structure. It discusses the hierarchical nature of Eskimo society and the differences between the status of men and women, as well as the roles of the children in their society.
From the Paper
"Eskimo life is difficult, often a subsistence living under burdensome conditions. The Eskimo has become more sedentary than in earlier times as the tribe now does not have to travel as it once did to find food. Western observers have long seen the social role of the woman as being less than that of the male in Eskimo society, and this view has been brought about by practices such as co-marriage; marriage itself, which usually beings with the need for the man to "take" the woman violently from her home even if she is willing to go as part of the ritual; the taboos associated with women; and the hierarchy of authority that prevails throughout the society, leaving women in a lesser role as far as most important decisions are concerned. The woman is the center of the family in many ways because she makes the home and produces the goods needed by the family, but the supplying of raw materials by the male is given more weight."
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Changing Families, 2007.
An examination into the ways that family life is changing around the world.
817 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the changes that have occurred to family life in various countries around the world. The paper discusses the characteristics of families in Cina, as well as in Japan, India, Indonesia, Micronesia, and the Marquesas Islands. It also compares these characteristics to family life in the United States. The paper then goes on to suggest reasons for these changes.
Table of Contents:
China versus India
China versus the United States today
Five Characteristics of the Japanese family
Families in Indonesia, Micronesia, and the Marquesas Islands
From the Paper
"Both genders are living with their parents longer than ever, as the age of first marriage for both men and women has increased, given the expansion of opportunities for employment outside of the home for young Japanese women, and the decreased attractiveness of marriage for many young career women. However, because of the lack of affordable housing in Japan, more young people chose to remain with their parents rather than find their own place to live. This is also traditional, given the less defined adolescent or rebellion period in Japan, and of the less stringent division between the values of the old and the young."
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Korean Health Care, 2007.
An overview of Korean healthcare, demographics and nursing.
799 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 28.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how healthcare issues facing Korean nurses are much the same as those facing nurses in the U.S., including addressing the needs of an aging population. The paper analyzes how both Korean and American officials are working on designing more quality-focused, community-based, cost-effective health care programs. The paper examines how nursing preparation in Korea concentrates on improving quality care and preparing nurses to deal with an increasingly technology based environment, much as is the case in the U.S.
Outline:
Overview
Nursing in US Vs. Korea
Insights Overview
References
From the Paper
"The role of nursing care staff within Korea is much the same as that in the U.S. with nursing programs dedicated toward addressing the continuing health care needs of a society that is consistently changing and growing. More and more nursing programs are preparing nurses for roles including caring for an elderly population; important components of nursing care programs in Korea include critical thinking, moral and ethical virtues instruction, theoretical excellence training, creativity and application of tools in the healthcare environment (Korea University, 2006). "
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Black Death, 2007.
A discussion on the Black Death and the Renaissance that followed.
1,819 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 13 sources, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the spread of the Black Death in Europe, during the Middle Ages. The paper examines how the disappearance of the plague, along with growing populations, caused the optimism that resulted in the European Renaissance. The paper examines other major diseases, like AIDS, and their impact on society.
From the Paper
"Along with this new way of thinking came a renaissance, a rebirth, of how to look at and characterize the world. New forms of architecture, painting, sculpture, and music were apparent across Europe. Overall, it was a renewed interest in life, after such a despondent proceeding century with the Middle Ages and then the plague. The rediscovery of humanism, combined with the interest in the secular helped to enhance the ability to conduct business and have a new outlook on culture and politics."
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"Year of the Elephant", 2007.
An analysis of the 1989 novella, "Year of the Elephant", by Leila Abouzied.
931 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
The paper analyzes the novella, "Year of the Elephant", written by the Moroccan feminist author Leila Abouzied, which takes place within the town of Meknes, Morocco in the later 1950's, following the successful Moroccan War of Independence against French colonialist power. The paper discusses how, as the story opens, Moroccan sovereignty and a strong national sense of independence, pride, and ethnic and religious identity have finally been restored. The paper further analyzes how the character of Zahra, who, alongside her freedom fighter husband of twenty years helped to bring all of this about, is sadder, more displaced, more disoriented, and less confident than she has ever been. The writer concludes that the major strength of Leila Abouzied's novella lies within the author's depiction of Zahra herself, and her painful, but ultimately triumphant, struggle for a new authenticity, self-confidence, and worth.
Outline:
Description
Interpretation
Evaluation
Work Cited
From the Paper
"Zahra's personal struggle, moreover, is juxtaposed against her vivid memories of the upheaval and chaos of civil war within a nation in which everyone, not just Zahra, seemed to have temporarily lost his or her sense of place. For Zahra herself, though, this personal sense of chaos and severe displacement lingers well beyond the revolution. Zahra's eventual epiphany is that it is what one recognizes lies within one's self, rather than anything external, that creates and maintains authentic feelings of worth. This novella, like the Algerian feminist author Assia Djebar's novel Children of the New World (1962), is clearly both a feminist and an anti-colonialist work."
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The Power Of The Dead In Ancient Egypt, 2007.
An analysis of the rituals and beliefs of Ancient Egypt, in terms of the power of the dead and immortality.
1,616 words (approx. 6.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses religious belief and practices in Ancient Egypt. It particularly focuses on the ancient Egyptian's belief in the power of the dead and their concerns for immortality. The paper discusses how their rituals revolved around this concept, such as the idea that worshipping the sun would lead to immortality and how ancient Egyptians firmly believed that when a person died, the deceased would take on new lifeforms.
From the Paper
"Understandably, Egyptian religion was replete with symbols which could be found on papyri, coffins, amulets and the walls of temples, palaces and especially tombs. These symbols were mostly designed to represent spiritual, religious and magical entities and the most common of these symbols, i.e. the key symbol of the Egyptians and their polytheistic religion, was the scarab beetle (Khepera) which stood "at the core of Egyptian religion and beliefs and incorporated the idea of the resurrection of the dead" (Budge, 231). The most influential of these beetles was the winged scarab which guaranteed the safe passage into the Underworld and were meant to ward off evil as the deceased stood before the Courts of Ausar. This scarab beetle also was often placed over the heart of a mummified person which was believed to guarantee rebirth and eternal life in the afterworld."
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Gender Roles, 2007.
An examination of gender roles in in Morocco and Algeria.
2,460 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 74.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how, over the past several decades, two neighboring Northern African states, Algeria and Morocco, have taken different paths in their views and treatment of families and genders. The paper examines how, as a result of the specific differences in the treatment of gender, the male and female genders have assumed different roles in each of these countries. In this paper, several books and films are discussed and analyzed in order to better describe the topic of gender roles in Morocco and Algeria.
Outline:
Introduction
Portrayal of the Gender Roles in Books
Common Threads of Gender Roles
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper
"There are deeper cultural clashes that are depicted in "Year of the Elephant", which is a collection of stories written and compiled by Leila Abouzeid. The "title story", if you will, shares the history of a woman who has been divorced and left with nothing to her name, essentially leaving her trapped within the confines of her village. She goes through a period of depression and recounts her life story, her involvement in the independence movement, her marriage to a young man who becomes seduced by materialism. Through all of these trials, she takes on the viewpoint that the colonization that held Morocco in a powerless position is not over, that it has simply been replaced by ambitious and greedy Moroccans wielding power over the disenfranchised--the poor and women. By presenting such a complex story, Abouzeid takes on several cultural issues- secular versus sacred, materialistic versus personal, the powerful overtaking the weak, and of course the classic struggle for the genders to attain equality and more specifically for women to achieve equal rights in a society that basically refuses to give them those rights."
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Marine Ecology, 2007.
This paper explores marine ecology with a focus on organisms' specialized adaptations.
787 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 28.95
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Abstract
The paper defines marine ecology as how plants and animals in a marine setting interact with the physical attributes of a water-dominated environment, such as in the major oceans of the world which are predominately saline. The paper shows how a great variety of animals and plants have managed to adapt themselves to this often harsh environment in order to survive and flourish. The paper relates that one particular adaptation is the application of camouflage, meaning that some marine animals are capable of disguising themselves in order to elude predators. The paper demonstrates how flounder, mussel, the sponge and barnacles have adapted themselves to their marine environment.
From the Paper
"One particular adaptation is the application of camouflage, meaning that some marine animals are capable of disguising themselves in order to elude predators. A specific type of camouflage is called disruptive coloration, best illustrated by certain types of fish that are striped or spotted or have external markings or colors that blend in with the environment, making it very hard to see them when set against a sandy or rocky bottom. A prime example is the flounder, a flatfish belonging to the families of Pleuronectidae or Bothidae and well-known for its ability to conceal itself on the ocean bottom to primarily escape detection by predatory fish."
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"A Different Mirror", 2007.
A review of multiculturalism and the need for tolerance as discussed in the book "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America," written by Ronald Takaki.
974 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the book "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America," written by Ronald Takaki. Specifically, it summarizes parts three and four of the book, which focus on "distances" between cultures and "crossings" and what the mirror may hold for the future. The paper concludes with Takaki's advice that we all came from different shores in the beginning and that our stories and history have many more commonalities than differences.
From the Paper
"Mexican migrant workers form another facet of this multicultural mirror in America. They too crossed the border into America hoping for opportunity and jobs. What they found, like so many others, was backbreaking work in the fields of the West. This section indicates how Chicano and American workers were paid far different wages, even doing the same jobs, and they, also like many others, created their own communities, the barrios, where they felt comfortable and secure. They also worked in a number of other low-paying professions, and often sent money home to their relatives to support them. The compelling issue among all these immigrants is their desire for a better life, and their need to retain at least some of their own culture. This seems to be the biggest problem with Americans, who expect immigrants to immediately become Americanized and forget their old lives and cultures. For many, this is simply not possible and desirable. The mirror is different for all, and that is one of the strongest points the author makes throughout this section of the book."
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Vodou, 2007.
A historical look at the origins of Vodou spirituality in Haiti.
1,007 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Vodou spirituality, particularly the Vodou that is practiced in Haiti. The paper traces the roots of Vodou to religious practices in Africa and describes how the practices were taken up in Haiti. The paper traces how the Haiti's view on Vodou has changed over time and how it is becoming more accepted by the clergy in Haiti.
From the Paper
"Since 1986, the Haitian clergy have been forced to acknowledge Vodou as a vital force in Haitian social and political life, and its priest and priestesses, oungans and mambos, as powerful and influential figures (Schaeffer). Cosentino describes Catholicism as "almost a sister religion" for Haitians who practice Vodou, saying "In the racist colonial world in which Vodou developed, Vodou is the black sister, Catholicism is the white sister. They are truly sisters, but the white sister won't acknowledge the black sister. The black sister truly KNOWS her white sister and LIKES that other world, but she also knows her place" (Schaeffer). There are no creeds, prescribed liturgies, membership rolls, formal organization or theology in Vodou, it is an ancestral religion and "a religion of healing, an aid to balancing life, to coping, to keeping things under control" (Schaeffer)."
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Female Genital Mutilation, 2007.
This paper examines the practice of female genital mutilation including its history and effects.
2,224 words (approx. 8.9 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 69.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer explains that female genital mutilation (FGM), still common in parts of Africa, is condemned by most people as a serious violation of human rights and gender discrimination. The writer notes that some communities consider it a harmless cultural rite whose dangers are needlessly exaggerated by outsiders. This essay discusses the topic of FGM in detail by tracing its background and explaining different types of FGM. The writer looks at where and why it is currently practiced and discusses its physical and psychological effects. The writer also examines the alternate point of view that dismisses concerns about FGM as exaggerated and cultural arrogance.
Outline:
Background
Origin
FGM during Prophet Muhammad's lifetime
FGM in the West
Current Prevalence
Numbers
Countries where FGM is practiced
Types of FGM
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Physical Effects of FGM
Pain, infection
Genealogical Problems
Reduced sexual enjoyment
Psychological Effects of FGM
Negative effects
Positive effects
Why is FGM Performed?
Tradition & Gender Identity
Psychosexual Reason
Hygiene and Aesthetics
Religious Reasons
The Alternative View about FGM
Conclusion
From the Paper
"The psychological effects of FGM are much more difficult to investigate scientifically than its physical effects. The negative psychological effects could include feelings of trauma, anxiety, terror, humiliation, and betrayal that may lead to long-term behavioral characteristics such as docility, feelings of incompleteness, anxiety and depression. However, not all psychological effects of FGM are negative, particularly in places where the practice is part of the ancient culture of the people. In fact, in such societies, women who have not undergone the essential 'rite of initiation' may suffer from psychological problems due to fear of rejection by the society and feelings of inferiority. Those women who have undergone FGM experience feelings of empowerment and fulfillment."
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Darwin and Boas, 2005.
A review of Charles Darwin and Franz Boas' regressive views of human racial progress.
1,447 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how, although Charles Darwin and Franz Boas were paradigm-shattering theorists within their respective disciplines of biology and anthropology, their analysis of race reflected the common assumptions of their era, namely that the Caucasian race was superior to races of darker complexions.
From the Paper
"Thus Darwin, to justify what he sees as self evident, namely the superiority of white, supposedly civilized human society over the society of individuals in Africa and India despite appearances to the contrary instead but argue from the suspect supposition that because humans are afflicted to different degrees by different external parasites (even though flies can afflict both horses and dogs and members of many different species) that this must justify the distinction of different species of humanity. Continually, Darwin falls into bad science when creating demarcations between the races. Darwin accepts the dominant racial paradigm of his day, begins with a self-evident thesis--that the races of humanity are different, even if this is against empirically observed evidence--and uses his science to justify society's assumption. With a lack of data regarding the sterility of interspecies relationships of the kind he used to apply to animals, he still insists on the existence of different races as inherently different because of color and perceived temperament and a few anecdotes. "
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