From the Paper "INTRODUCTION
Civilizations developing in different parts of the world show similar features and pass through the same series of stages extending form the Neolithic to the modern period. These stages are differentiated according to technological gains, economic structure, and artistic expression. An examination of four civilizations in different parts of the world extending from the period of approximately 4000 B.C. to 1500 B.C. will show some of the similarities and some of the differences that can be discerned among them.
CHINA
The geographical features of China determined the development of its first civilizations, and indeed geography plays a role in all of the ancient civilizations and how they.."
This paper is a cross-cultural and historical analysis of expected roles for males and females in Western & non-Western societies (New Guinea, Ancient Greece, Africa).
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 7 sources, 1994, $ 55.95
From the Paper "Gender roles in Western societies have been changing rapidly in recent years, with the changes created both by evolutionary changes in society, including economic shifts which have altered the way people work and indeed which people work as more and more women enter the workforce, and by pressure brought to make changes because of the perception that the traditional social structure was inequitable. Gender relations are part of the socialization process, the initiation given the young by society, teaching them certain values and creating in them certain behavior patterns acceptable to their social roles. Anthropologists find certain common patterns in the division of labor which help shape gender roles in different social settings. Over time, these roles become set and are accepted as if they were part of the natural order rather than the result of specific ... "
Abstract A discussion of the Yanomami Indians who are shielded by forests, live in almost complete seclusion and are believed to be the last culture to have come into contact with the modern world. This paper examines their family and kinship, food gathering, religion, and their uncertain future. The author also looks at how modernization has already changed much of their traditional lifestyle.
From the Paper "The Yanomami have nuclear families, with what anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon calls a ?male supremacist culture.? Despite the fact that there are more males than females, they prefer sons to daughters, especially as firstborn children. In fact, a firstborn girl may be killed, while a son is usually allowed to live. Furthermore, even though there are not even enough women for each man, 25 percent of the men practice polygyny (Kottak 201).
The Yanomami live in small, concentrated villages, where several nuclear or extended families live under circular shelters called shabono. There could be as much as 65 people living in a shingle shabono, relatives by consanguinity or alliance (Chagnon 1997: 56)."
Abstract This paper attempts to define the nature of an individualist or collectivist culture or society and what are the advantages and disadvantages of adopting one of these culture values to individuals and other people. It examines how individualist cultures tend to be self-dependent, while collectivist ones are group-dependent and how these two culture dichotomies affect a wide range of activities and interactions among people, such as family relations and social interactions, education, work and personal achievement.
From the Paper "Collectivists are less competitive, but are more cooperative in the education and work environment. These traits are important if the primary aim is to prevent any tensions among other people, which is of primary importance to collectivist cultures. Although individualist and collectivist cultures are different from each other, performance and achievement between these two cultures tend to balance out because being a high achiever (an individualist trait) or a cooperative (a collectivist trait) individual helps in the positive achievement of an activity and goal."
This paper discusses that the work of Jane Goodall and others are discovering that primates have a higher degree of intelligence than previously known.
1,235 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 42.95
Abstract This paper discusses recent primate studies that suggest there are more degrees of intelligence and more kinds of intelligence in the animal kingdom than was thought possible. The paper stresses that observing chimpanzees in the wild affords more opportunities to see intelligent behavior than observing them in zoos or other captive environments. The author points out that having learned that chimpanzees in the wild medicate themselves as needed, humans are learning about medications from these chimpanzees.
From the Paper "Jane Goodall has been a key figure in primate studies and helped initiate the ChimpanZoo project to compare behaviors in the wild with behaviors in captivity. Such interdisciplinary studies help researchers understand observed behaviors in both settings. Research in the wild serves to counter many of the stereotypical views of primates that people have developed form only seeing these animals in the zoo, an artificial environment which distorts some behavior."
Abstract During the fifties, America experienced tremendous growth in many aspects of society. As a result, technological advancements led to sophisticated aspects of American life. Media and advertising became mass media and the invention of the television paved the way to a new generation of communication. The paper shows that a result of this growth, which continues to have an impact on society, was the rise of the "popular" or mass culture - a movement that utilizes the imagery and techniques of consumerism?. This paper focuses on the negative aspects of popular culture on high culture (and therefore, on society), pointing out more than anything, that it devalues all the finer aspects of society.
From the Paper "Architecture has also been influenced by what is considered to be modern or pop movements. Buildings constructed in geometric forms "sheathed in glass and steel" startled people in the fifties. However, the most striking buildings earned ?a well-deserved reputation for innovation and beauty, such as the United Nations complex in New York City. Jackson Polluck, a painter who initially rejected the idea of abstract pop art, became famous for dripping and spattering paint on buildings as opposed to brushing them on. Examples of the outlandish types of buildings created in the name of popular art in the early fifties is a restaurant built in the shape of a hamburger and gas stations built to look like they were flying in the wind (Davidson 1150)."
Tags: Abstract, Expressionism, Edouard, M?trailler, MTV, A, Clockwork, Orange.
Abstract This paper examines the "father-creator" God, a "trickster" God, and a "love" Goddess of Greek, Norse and Egyptian cultures. The author believes that the "father-creator" Gods have the most in common: Greek God, Zeus, the Norse God Odin and the Egyptian God Amen-Re. The paper introduces the "trickster Gods": Norse God Loki, the Egyptian God Seth, and the Greek God Prometheus. The paper also describes the "love goddesses": Egyptian Goddess Hathor, Greek Goddess Aphrodite and Norse Goddess Freya.
From the Paper "The myths of these gods also referred to the sky. Both Zeus and Odin had palaces high above the mortal world, known as Mt. Olympus and Asgard. These palaces served as meeting places for the gods, and as observation decks. Zeus is often depicted as looking down from Mt. Olympus into the mortal world. Odin also gazed at mortals and gods similarly, from Hlidskialf, his throne in Asgard. Though he did not have a palace in the sky, Amen-Re was referred to as the "Sun" god. "
Abstract Although the primary function of a culture is to help a society deal with its problems and thus ensure survival, cultural success does not necessarily yield biological success. The paper shows that one of the fundamental principles in anthropology is the holistic perspective. An ethnographer uses this viewpoint to understand a cultural system through all of its ?cultural institutions- social, political, economic, etc.? The paper shows that by analyzing various cultural factors in America, one can discern that the growing prevalence of obesity among Americans is due largely to their culture. In other words, we live in a society that discourages obesity, yet all of our cultural institutions support it. By comparing American culture to that of other countries the world over and by using the holistic perspective, the paper shows that the rise of obesity in America over the past twenty years is due to the media, lifestyle and productive economy in the U.S. today.
From the Paper "The effects of American culture on eating habits and obesity are more obviously noted by studying immigrants in the United States. For example, numerous studies conducted by anthropologists at the University of Michigan have found that "Asian American and Hispanic adolescents are over twice as likely to be obese as first-generation immigrants" to America (Smith 994). Moreover, an in depth ethnography of Maya-American children, assesses that immigration to America increases the likelihood that children will develop obesity. By comparing the average BMI across samples of Maya-American children and Mayan Children, anthropologists were able to determine that the Maya-American children have higher average BMI than do Maya children living in Guatemala. This is a reflection of the fact that the Maya-American children's diet and physical activities changed dramatically under Western influence. Most notably, the Maya-American children reported TV and video games as their favorite leisure activities and claimed to eat unhealthy American fast-food regularly (Smith 999). By studying the effects that American culture has on the lifestyle of U.S immigrants, anthropologists have been able to confirm that U.S. culture does, indeed, cause obesity and have gone further to pinpoint what the major contributing factors of American culture are."
Abstract The writer examines the causes underlying Colombian immigration to New York City. The paper the explores the experience of Colombians upon arrival in this foreign land. The writer looks at the various obstacles that immigrants faced in New York. Finally, the paper illuminates the contribution of Colombian immigrants to the multi-faceted character of New York City.
From the Paper "The primary period of Colombian immigration to New York City can be deduced from official statistics. According to the U.S. Census, the peak period of South American immigration to the U.S. occurred from 1971 to 1980 (Kraly, 1987, p. 43). In this new wave of immigrants, Colombians constituted half of the immigrants coming from South America. Within that period, 25,800 Colombian immigrants immigrated to the region of New York City and New Jersey (Kraly, 1987, pp. 57-9)."
Abstract The debate over the phenomenon of globalization with respect to culture is comprised of a number of different arguments and perspectives. This paper will examine three of these arguments: (1) globalization of culture as technological imperialism; (2) globalization represents the "Americanization" of local cultures; and (3) globalization is inevitable.
Abstract The objective of this paper is to further explore the concept of human rights. A particular focus will be placed on the question of whether or not the imposition of western human rights values on non-western traditions constitutes a form of imperialism. At the root of the issue, it seems is the issue of what should weigh more, human rights or state sovereignty. In the end, of course, there is no definitive answer to this question. What it can, and will, do, however, is look at the dynamics of human rights in the international arena and comment on whether western rhetoric on human rights is in the sphere of imperialism, or neo-imperialism.
Abstract This paper relates that Diamond discusses what he found upon his visit to the tropical island of New Guinea several years ago. The author points out that he argues that environmental factors shape civilization.
Abstract This paper will argue, through an examination of the role of human sacrifice in the religious practices of the Aztec civilization, that human sacrifice should be interpreted primarily as a cultural activity that is firmly integrated into the signification and value system of the community as a whole.
Abstract This paper briefly explores the cultural differences between the Cherokee and the Blackfoot in relation to sex and gender. It looks at their attitudes towards a woman's role in the family, education, the duty of the husband and wife to reproduce, and discusses how their cultures were also affected by exterior forces.
From the Paper "Many Native American Indians maintained a gender division of labor and social roles ?long before the arrival of Europeans on the North American continent (Hill, 1995).? These tribes varied in how they viewed the importance of women. Most tribes, such as the Cherokee, kept a division of labor and social roles, while encouraging ?each person to value the opposite gender as an integral part of the whole-the family, clan and tribe (Hill, 1995).? Most women were valued for their ability to reproduce and their ritualistic knowledge. As the woman aged, her status in the tribe increased. The elders of the tribe, both men and women, were mainly responsible for educating the youth. Women were held in high regard by the Cherokee and tribal law stated ?the penalty for killing a woman was double that for killing a man because of the children she might have borne (unknown, 1998).? "
