From the Paper "African music sounds primitive to Western listeners because it functions, not primarily for entertainment as in the West, but as a vital part of African community life and culture. As one sociologist puts it: "Music follows the African through his entire day from early in the morning till late at night, and through all the changes of his life, from the time he came into this world until after he has left it". Africa is a continent in which almost 800 different languages are spoken; however, the one common thread among all the inhabitants of this huge continent is their love for music and their deep involvement with it .
Africa can be divided into two parts: North Africa and Black Africa (south of the Sahara Desert). Because North Africa is largely influenced by Arabic music, this survey will focus on ... "
Abstract This paper uses three articles, "Parental Divorce and the Well Being of Children: A Meta Analysis" (Amato & Keith, 1991), ?Children's Adjustment to Divorce (Amato, 1993), and ?Effects of family Structure, Family SES, and Adulthood Experiences on Life Satisfaction (Louis & Zhao, 2002) to demonstrate the effect of divorce on children, from their adjustment to the divorce, to their well-being after the divorce, to the effects that divorce have on the children of divorce when they are grown.
From the Paper "The first article, ?Parental Divorce and the Well Being of Children: A Meta Analysis(Amato and Keith, 1991). s the name of the study indicates, the Meta analysis involved 92 studies. These studies, according to the article, ?compared children living in divorced single-parent families with children living in continuously intact families on measures of well being.? In this study, the Independent variable was whether or not the child's parents were divorced or not, and the child's well being was the dependent variable. The study wanted to look at whether or not the well-being of children suffers as a result of divorce. Therefore, the null hypothesis of this study was, "If children do not suffer, in terms of well being, from the divorce of their parents, then there will be no difference between the well being scores of children with married parents and the scores of children with divorced parents" (Amato & Keith, 1991)."
Abstract The paper discusses man's fascination for knowledge on the origin of the human species. Until the seventeenth century, nobody questioned the belief that God created Man; but from that time on, philosophers began musing that perhaps there was a different explanation. The controversial debate regarding the truth in Charles Darwins' theory on evolution continues to this day. The paper discusses theories of different experts in the field on both side of the evolution argument, such as followers of the Teleology and Intelligent Design movements. In conclusion, the author of the paper argues in favour of the evolution theory.
From the Paper "Teleology is the belief that, in the beginning, everything was created so that life could exist. Life itself was not created, but everything else was created so that life could come about. A well-known believer of teleology is Gerald Schroeder. In his book, The Science of God, he compares scientific creationist's to Darwinian evolutionist's belief of the chronology of time using Einstein's Law of Relativity. Both scientific creationists and Darwinian evolutionists believe in the same order of time. They both believe that first the universe was created, followed by the arrival of water, land and first life, then the visibility of the stars, sun and moon, then the arrival of the first multi-cellular animals and winged insects, and ending with the first animals, mammals and humans."
Abstract This paper provides a detailed history of Native American families and the way they functioned. It traces these units from before the Americas were settled by the Europeans and their adaption to reservation life. The paper also examines the revival of Native American culture and family appreciation in modern America.
From the Paper "Native American girls are taught all they need to know to be a good Indian wife. They were taught to make clay pots, weave baskets, mend clothes, and scrape skins, set snare traps, cook and other chores. Some tribal women even constructed the homes and furniture for the homes. Young girls had much more responsibility in learning than young boys. Young girls reached adulthood when they experienced their first menstrual period. She was whisked off by the older tribal women to a isolated hut to spend at least four days. Many tribes performed rituals when a girl reached womanhood. Some were painful and isolation was common, but public celebrations would follow the rituals."
Abstract Discusses the book that studies two rigid, conservative, insular cultures in conflict with each other, and the author's personal involvement. Two cultures under scrutiny are the long-time Lutheran residents of a small farming town in the Midwest, and the ultraorthodox Hassidic Lubavitchers Jewish Americans from Brooklyn, New York. Religious conflict in relation to cultural values.
From the Paper "Journalist Stephen G. Bloom's Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America is a study of two rigid, conservative, insular cultures in conflict with each other. The story of the conflict unfolds in context of Bloom's personal journey into his own cultural and religious beliefs, and this structure gives the book a novelistic flavor which makes it a "good read" for a sociological study.
The two cultures are the white, Lutheran long time residents of the small farming town of Postville, Iowa and the ultra orthodox Hassidic Lubavitchers Jewish Americans from Brooklyn, New York. As Bloom notes, "As in all of Iowa, Christianity has always been at the heart of Postville" (89).
When the Jews began arriving in the mid-1980s, Postville, as it had always been, was a closed..."
Abstract Discussion of the concept of Shamanism in contemporary times. Definitions. Beliefs and pracitces. Rituals. Mass hypnosis. Meditation. Psychotropic herbs. An alternate reality. Carlos Castaneda's book "A SEPARATE REALITY." Shamanism and the healing process as alternative medicine. Importance of specific rituals and their repetitive behaviors to produce altered states of consciousness.
From the Paper "Until recently, Western medical tradition had developed a limited vision of what was proper medical practice. This vision has so influenced the perception the public has had of other healing traditions that this alternative version of healing has often been portrayed as superstitious at best and "satanic" at worst. During the latter part of the 20th century, however, many people seeking alternative routes to be healed or to become healers have turned to the "medicine man", or shamanism, as a viable option. This paper will explore the concept of Shamanism as it is understood and sometimes practiced today.
The term "shamanism" turns up many definitions. Some who have studied shamanism believe it to be the practice of mass hypnosis induced by the rituals of an accepted psychopomp in a certain tribe or group of people (McClenon, 1997). Others ..."
Abstract Review of book on the nature and evolution of Jewish culture and religion in the United States from the 1800s through 1950. Describes how the Jewish culture maintained its historical roots and heritage despite assimilation. Flexibility of the culture. Role of conservative branch of Judaiism. Conflict between the Conservative and Liberal elements.
From the Paper "Jenna Weissman Joselit's The Wonders of America is significant because it effectively accomplishes two important goals. First, it depicts in rich detail the nature and evolution of the Jewish culture and religion in the United States from the 1800s through the first half of the twentieth century. Second, it shows how that culture maintained its historical roots and heritage despite the fact that much cultural mixing and assimilation were taking place in those seventy dynamic years of change for the nation and for the Jewish culture as a unique part of that culture.
Joselit summarizes her book in the conclusion when she notes that the conservative members of the Jewish community, "The community's cultural custodians," have regularly tried to rein in the tendency of the Jewish culture to create an original mix with ..."
Abstract Discusses the role of language, symbols and religion. Defines the words and terms. Personal or institutionalized system of religion found in almost every culture. Link of culture and language. Language development of children. Role of ethnicity in language development. Their symbolic thinking and learning process. Cultural value reinforcement. Symbolism of sub-cultures.
From the Paper "In order to understand the role language, symbols and religion play in shaping cultural influences, we must first understand the nature or definition of the words - language, symbol and religion. Language is words, their pronunciation, and even the methods of combining them as utilized and understood by a particular community. Even more directly, language is a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of items known as signs, sounds, gestures, or marks, each having its own understood meanings as suggested by objects, actions, or conditions of associated ideas or feelings. A symbol then, is something that represents or suggests something else by reason of its very relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance. It may also be an act, a sound, or ..."
Abstract This paper explains the term "dreamtime" as it relates to the Aboriginal religion and belief system. According to the Dreamtime belief, all life, including humans, animals, and plants, are all apart of an organized network which can be traced back to the original spirits of Dreamtime. This paper briefly explains how Dreamtime dictates the spiritual, religious, and social aspects of almost all Aboriginal culture, directly reflecting these people's beliefs, values, and ideas.
From the Paper "The tie to Dreamtime is so strong and unique in the everyday lives of the tribes, that the creation of earth is enacted during rituals of dance and celebration. As the name may suggest, Dreamtime is practiced personally through revelations, visions, and actual dreams each Aborigine have (aboriginalart.com). For the Aborigines, these personal religious practices are what explain the meaning of life and answer the question of why they are on this earth."
Abstract This paper describes the general overall differences in the ways in which Japanese and American society vary in their acceptance of personal ambition. The writer provides a definition of the concept of personal ambition and examines why it is easier to define this concept in the context of Japanese society than American society. It examines the relativity of this concept to these societies.
From the Paper "The question of how ambition as a personality is expressed in two different cultures ? for example, in the United States and in Japan ? is a complex one for a number of reasons. The first is that any cultural entity as large as Japan or especially the United States is bound to have a tremendous amount of intracultural variation amongst people, so much so that the concept of the existence of a single dominant style of expressing a trait such as ambition must be called into question. This is especially true for a culture as diverse as is the United States; it is relatively easier to describe the expression of such a trait in a more homogeneous society like Japan ? or perhaps it only seems so from the perspective of the United States, for surely it is true that cultures always look simpler when seen from afar."
Abstract This paper discusses that, for many years, paleontologists held that the evolution of horses, as evident in the fossil record, was anagenetic, or progressing in a virtually straight, single line of evolution; but more recently paleontologists have found evidence supporting a cladogenetic evolutionary pattern in the Miocene, which created a multiplicity of horse species or "branches" on the evolutionary trunk. The author points out that, as the fossil record yields more and more of its "secrets" to paleontologists through new investigative technologies, the established theories require revision.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Discussion
Anagenesis and Cladogenesis
The Emergence of Speciated Branching
Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "The fossil record of horses (family Equidae) over the past 55 million years is a classic example of macroevolution. North America is the ancestral home of horses and many fossil sites across the continent have been identified as containing abundant remains of ancient members of the family. ... states that any given fossil locality in North America from about 50-55 to 20-25 million years ago, it is usually possible to find 2-4 species of horses that seem to have lived side-by-side. However, from about 20-10 million years ago, the fossil record suggests that horses evolved rapidly, adapting to various environments and ways of life."
Abstract This paper examines how the cultures of different ethnic groups in various countries play a large part in influencing the moral development of the children of the respective societies. It discusses how children from different cultures possess different values and beliefs and how, as they grow up and attend school, they are exposed to other belief systems in their environment from peers and teachers. It looks at the concept of moral development and provides a comparative analysis of the effect of culture in Asian countries and in the U.S (including minority groups).
Outline
Concept of Moral Development
American Culture
Asian Culture
Culture of Minorities in the U.S.
Interactive Cultural Effects on Individuals from the U.S. and Asia
Directions for Future Research
From the Paper "Ironically, it is the celebration of the American freedom of and individuality that has allowed popular culture to take over the moral upbringing that was once the responsibility of families and local churches. Another characteristic of American culture that has sabotaged the moral development of the children is the promotion of change, progress and innovation in American society. Within this context, popular culture has established a powerful position with its plethora of offerings that titillate the imagination and seemingly extends the limits of what is permissible. Popular culture offers the very concepts that challenge the idea of cultural traditions that were once used to shape the moral development of American children (Myers, 2000). "
Abstract This paper discusses how, over the years, U.S. culture has managed to integrate bits and pieces of itself into the languages, music, movies, television and the traditional values of foreign cultures, thus changing them. It evaluates how the amount of integration has become an increasing problem as more and more U.S. culture becomes prevalent in foreign cultures and how foreigners may be in jeopardy of losing their cultural identity to U.S. cultures. The paper also includes the effects of influences such as individualism and feminism.
From the Paper "Another section of U.S. culture that squirms its way into other cultures and influences that culture is music. Many great U.S. bands have started their careers in other countries. Jimi Hendrix got his big break by touring the United Kingdom, and most U.S. citizens will never forget that, for some reason, Germans love David Hasselhoff. The big artists in the U.S. today play a large role in foreign cultures. Many bands such as N"Sync, Marylin Manson, and Weezer depend on foreign markets as a major part of their income. The 2002 MTV Asia Awards are a prime example of this kind of influence. There are six international categories for music artists to compete in, and the winners were picked by viewers that called in their votes (Morris). In each of these categories no Asian artists were nominated, and these nominations were mainly of U.S. artists such as Britney Spears, N"Sync, the Backstreet Boys, Linkin Park and Bon Jovi("The Nominees")."
This essay talks about society before, during and after the Black Plague that swept through Europe in 1348. It covers a broad range of cultural aspects affected from class structure to medical theories to religion to city planning.
Abstract This paper discusses society in medieval Europe and the effects the Black Plague of 1348 had on it. The writer discusses society beforehand, noting the population explosion shortly before it hit. The writer briefly talks about the pathology of the disease and discusses some theories as to what the Black Plague was actually caused by (recent theories rule out the bubonic plague alone). The paper also discusses the impact the plague had on medical theories and also the method used by doctors and surgeons. The paper then analyzes the ways in which people of different classes reacted to the plague and the precautions everyday people took to prevent the disease from afflicting them. Noted are also the the religious shifts in dogma, the religious groups that emerged out of the plague and the class system before and after the plague. Lastly the writer discusses the changes in the arts because of the plague, and how it ultimately affected medieval Europe to the point of it stirring the beginnings of the Renaissance almost 200 years later.
From the Paper "To truly understand the devastation caused by the Black Death in the mid-fourteenth century, one need only look at the writing of Agnolo di Tura, a Tuscan chronicler of the time: I do not know where to begin to tell of the cruelty and the pitiless ways. It seemed that almost everyone became stupefied by seeing the pain. And it is impossible for the human tongue to recount the awful truth.... [T]he victims died almost immediately. They would swell beneath the armpits and in their groins and fall over while talking. Father abandoned child, wife husband, one brother another; for this illness seemed to strike through breath and sight?. [T]hey died by the hundreds, both day and night, and all were thrown in those ditches and covered with earth. And as soon as those ditches were filled, more were dug. And I, Agnolo di Tura"buried my five children with my own hands"And so many died that all believed it was the end of the world (qtd. Gottfried 45). This horrific pestilence, wiping out an estimated third of the entire population of Europe, has been claimed by many scholars to mark a transition in medieval society, affecting everything from art to wages to religious thought. The point of this essay is to try and highlight the more obvious trends that arose in post-plague society and to demonstrate how, at the very least, these trends may be direct effects of arguably the worst natural disaster in recorded history. "
Abstract In his book "You Gotta Have Wa", journalist Robert Whiting considers the differences between Japan and the United States in terms of how they play baseball, a game originating in the U.S., adopted by Japan and today a highly popular form of entertainment in Japan. This paper examines Japanese and American culture and society, the differences between the two countries and how these differences are reflected through the way both nationalities play the game of baseball.
From the Paper "In Japanese society, there are certain signs and symbols differentiating between private and public space. Every society makes some distinction between these two spheres, but the underlying meaning of this difference and the ways in which the difference is enforced differ from one society to another. The Japanese view of public and private spheres is bound with ideas about religion, historical developments, and attitudes toward the place of the individual in society. The Japanese view also contrasts sharply with that of the Anglo-American tradition, indicating a number of differences in the way the two types of society are constructed and the ways in which the individual relates to those societies."
