Abstract The paper asserts that the main theme of the novel is cross-cultural barriers and problems faced by immigrants in America. The paper discusses the psychological causes underlying the difficulties that immigrants, especially from Eastern countries, experience in integrating into a new society. The paper explains that while Western immigrants accept their new culture and assimilate relatively easily, Eastern immigrants resist assimilation. The paper summarizes the book and analyzes the cross-cultural miscommunication demonstrated by the family disagreeing with the established medical community as to the true nature of their child's illness and its causes.
From the Paper ""The Spirit Catches you and you fall down" is an extraordinary piece of writing in which various issues have been woven together in the style of investigative journalism by the editor of the "American Scholar", Anne Fadiman. The story revolves around issues of cross-cultural medical practices and miscommunication that often leads to tragic circumstances."
From the Paper "Anne Fadiman's book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1998) is an intelligent and moving ? and unsettling story ? about the costs that individuals must sometimes have to pay for living in a multicultural society and the challenges that immigrants face in the United States, even after they think that they have made it to the promised land. Fadiman also shows how the American mainstream cultural establishment ? in this case represented mostly by the doctors and other medical personnel that work with one particular immigrant family ? sometimes finds itself unable to help newcomers to make the leap into the often perilous new world of their dreams.
Lia Lee was born in 1981 to a family of recent Hmong immigrants to California, and soon developed symptoms of .."
Abstract A research about the violence in America, and a comparison to violence in Japan.The author examines social class issues, gun control, homicide rates and motivational factors that lead to violence.
From the Paper ?A question that seems to appear more and more in our society is: "Are Americans more likely than others to seek violent solutions to their problems"? Facts indicate that the United States is the most violent industrialized country in the world. Within this research paper, I will evaluate the homicide rates of the United States compared to Japan.?
Abstract This paper details the roots and causes of the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 90's. The author discusses some of the economic conditions responsible for the crisis and the various countries involved.
From the Paper "Some economic analysts have described the Asian financial crisis as one of the worst financial disasters to occur in history. These same economists argue that the Asian financial crisis was far worse than the Latin American debt crisis and could be likened to the great depression of the 1930?s. While not any one specific cause can attempt to explain the reason for the crisis, a number of factors during this time frame existed that helped to facilitate the collapse of the Asian economy. Each country affected by the crisis had different impending circumstances for being vulnerable to this predicament during that time period. The crisis began in a few concentrated countries in southeastern Asia and by the end had propagated throughout many of the countries located in Asia bringing devastating affects."
Abstract This paper claims that symbolic representation has been lost or forgotten through translations of the story to English. The paper therefore explores the symbolic imagery and shows how it adds to the plot of the story. The analysis also includes historical background, a summary of the novel, and a discussion of the theme of unfulfilled love in the novel.
From the Paper "?It was such a beautiful voice that it struck one as sad.? The comparison with beauty and sorrow is made often, evoking a sense of hollowness and pity. In the end Komako is left alone to take care of Yoko with her scarred face and herself with the wounds of rejection and despair. The women are symbols of beauty crushed and disfigured by their circumstances that are ugly despite the magnificence of their environment. The novel revels in contrasts of appearance and fact and how both are changed in time. It describes potential that does not reach its promise and is presented using picturesque language instead of simple narration."
Abstract This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the trend to outsource programming jobs to India. It looks at how this move affects both the American and Indian economies and how this also affects their work ethics.
From the Paper "According to global research agency Gartner Inc, one out of every ten jobs in American software industry by the end of 2004 will completely move to low-cost emerging markets like India, China, Russia since United States companies have moved to cut costs. However, till now India has captured the major proportion of white-collar jobs exported from the U.S. and has proved to be the leading gainer amongst all other developing countries (Jeff). A media report highlighted by the global research has estimated that approximately even 500,000 white-collar American jobs already have found their way offshore to the countries like China, Philippines and Malaysia; yet none has been able to capture more American jobs than India (Jeff)."
From the Paper "This paper will discuss one expansion situation of McDonald's, the world's largest international restaurant chain. The time was 1996, and the place was India. McDonald's wanted to go into that nation and serve its millions of potential customers its menu. The one critical problem was that India, basically a Hindu nation, does not eat beef. This paper will begin with a brief discussion of McDonald's history. This will be followed by a brief cultural snapshot of India, and how the McDonald's situation came to a head.
"An Overview of McDonald?s
"McDonald's has more than 15,000 locations in 79 countries and a new McDonald's restaurant opens every 13 hours. 85% of the restaurants are independently owned and operated, with company-run stores making..."
Abstract This paper is about three sculptures of the Buddha image and how they have changed throughout different cultures and time periods. The paper begins with a discussion of a standing Buddha from India, which was where Buddhism began. It then moves on to two other countries, Tibet and Thailand, where Buddhism is still popular. The paper then explains how the people of these countries took what the Indians had done in their portrayal of the Buddha and made it their own, adding parts of their culture to the image. In regards to Thailand, there is a discussion about the Sukhothai walking Buddha, which was probably the most important image from that period. Then, the gold image from Tibet is discussed, which was very interested in the cosmic or Tantric form of Buddhism. The paper concludes by pointing out that the image has changed over time and cultures, but still enables us to know it's a Buddha image through the consistent characteristics given to the Buddha in sculpture.
Abstract This paper discusses the struggling relationship between India and Pakistan, primarily over the region of Kashmir. It details the history of the problem including the nuclear aspect, briefly discusses other possible solutions, and formulates a unique multi-faceted solution.
From the Paper "Ever since 1947, India and Pakistan have waged fierce war over a variety of issues. When India completed nuclear testing in May of 1998, and Pakistan shortly after, the issue was given unique attention. "Because it's spread alongside India, Pakistan has a lack of strategic depth. The danger is that this means that any war would rapidly lead to the possibility of nuclear escalation. As a result, the task of avoiding conventional warfare between the neighbors assumes increased importance (Swarts 10)." Strain between the two States is the effect of a diverse range of problems, including economic conditions, leadership clashes, and primarily religious diversity and territorial contention. The territorial dissension is based principally over the region of Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim full possession of. There are allegations that as many as one half of a million Indian troops and as many as a fourth of a million Pakistani troops are stationed in Kashmir. What can be done to prevent a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan? This is a question that has absorbed more unbroken attention than almost any other news subject."
Tags: conflict, india, kashmir, pakistan, war, nuclear, energy, history, tribal, ethnic, border
Abstract This paper reviews how the Chinese government implemented a strict one-child policy decades ago in order to control its drastic population explosion. The author indicates that although the policy was enforced with reward and punishment, it has been largely successful. However, this policy, against natural process of reproduction, is creating serious social issues such as gender imbalance and orphans. The policy is very controversial due to its inhumane approach including mass sterilizations and forced abortions, and the policy also violates a human right of reproduction. This paper examines whether China can supply enough food, jobs and places to live for its people despite this policy and what problems China will face in the future.
From the Paper "More than a fifth of the world's population lives in China today. Even though Chinese government had implemented a fairly successful One-child policy, Chinese population will continue to grow until it is estimated to level off sometime before 2100. Chinese government was successful in making people believe that having more than one child is not good for China's future. On the other hand, strict and inhumane policy had raised some issues in terms of basic human rights in reproduction and also damage to traditional values. However controversial the policy was, it helped to control China's population growth. The question China must answer is; Can China support itself today, and in the future?"
This paper analyzes the impact of 'globalization' on labor conditions in third world countries in reference to the work of the World Bank, the International Labor Organization and 'anti-sweatshop' campaigners.
Abstract This paper examines how global economic forces enable sections of third world society to be more easily exploited. It investigates how the first world does not play on a level playing field by using the Multi-Fibre Agreement. The views of protesters, the World Bank, and others are reviewed. The paper ends by touching upon future developments, such as the impact of China becoming a full member of the World Trade Organization.
From the Paper "During the past three decades, remarkable internationalisation of the world economy has taken place. This process has become known as globalisation. Globalisation can be defined as "The increasing integration of national economies into expanding international markets" (Todaro: 1997). Neo-liberal authors and institutions, such as the IMF, state that globalisation is driven by four main factors; free market ideology; technological breakthroughs in communication; the shifting of economic activity to the developing world; and the opening up of previously closed borders. These factors of globalisation have inevitably led to changes in conditions of labour in third world employment. Here we will look at what the changes have been. We will then examine the views taken on these conditions by 'anti-sweatshop' campaigners, and the response of the International Labour Organisation and the World Bank."
Abstract Analysis of American-born writer's experiences and those of her Chinese-born mother. Differing customs, traditions and outlooks. Issues of gender. Family expectations for female children. Author's attempt to balance herself between two cultures. Difficulties faced by women in Chinese and American societies. Sense of loss and empowerment. Impact of Chinese woman warrior stories.
From the Paper "Gender issues are culturally defined, and gender can be one of the elements of culture shock occurring when a person moves from one culture to another. Maxine Hong Kingston's book The Woman Warrior is one of many stories by children of immigrants showing contrasts and tensions between the dual role the children assume, that of traditional child (a role imposed and expected by the parents) and that of American child (a role adopted by the children as they face the realities of their new culture). Her story takes a particular tack in that it also involves issues of gender, which have a special meaning in her culture and which bring about particular tensions given that the nature of gender roles in Chinese society are quite different from that in American society today. These tensions are evident in differences between her own experience in America and her ..."
Abstract This paper looks at the effects of immigration upon America. The paper examines the issue from a number of aspects including social, economic, political, religious, and cultural. The writer believes that immigration is ultimately a good thing, beneficial to the American people and country as a whole. Rather than looking at the history of immigration, the paper focuses on the modern day issues and how these immigrants have benefited the U.S.A.
From the Paper "The world of technology also has reaped the benefits of many immigrants. Silicon Valley and other high-tech sectors would cease to function if the borders were ever closed to skilled and educated immigrants. These immigrants represent human capital that can make our entire economy more productive. Immigrants have developed new products, such as the Java computer language, that have created employment opportunities for millions of Americans."
Abstract This paper discusses how stereotyping is a reality of society and how it tends to go hand in hand with ethnic diversity. It shows that because stereotyping most often exaggerates differences in an unflattering profile, it may lead to bigotry and prejudice. In particular it looks at the Asian American community and examines how it copes with being known as the "model minority" stereotype.
From the Paper "A 1996 study reported that high and low achieving Asian students experienced anxiety to uphold the expectations of the model minority stereotypes. Students who could not perform well academically became depressed and were too embarrassed to seek help. Asian American students are stereotyped as overachievers, geniuses, nerdy, competitive, and obedient. Stereotyping has led to neglect of student services and support for the many Asian American students who are undereducated and have low socioeconomic status (http://ericcass.uncg.edu/virtuallib/diversity/1077.html)."
Abstract This paper explores primarily the economic affect of the SARS disease on the tourism industry in Southeast Asia. The paper argues that the magnitude of the affect SARS had on the tourism industry is attributable to three factors: the nature of the virus, the reaction by World Health Organization officials and finally, the inadequacy in which local governments (specifically the Chinese) handled the epidemic. Finally, the paper touches on the affects SARS has had on the tourism industry thus far, and its future implications.
From the Paper "Similar to other coronaviruses, SARS was spread primarily by close contact (particularly involving breathing) between individuals (1). Scientists have not eliminated the possibility that the virus can be spread in other ways, such as contact with an infected object or bodily fluids (1). Scientists studying a May outbreak in Hong Kong admit there may be other means of spreading the virus other than close contact."
