Abstract This paper examines John C. Condon's book, "With Respect to the Japanese", which is devoted to an overview and discussion of international relations between the Japanese and Westerners, particularly Americans involved in business contacts with the Japanese. The paper discusses how Condon believes that truly understanding another culture requires a special effort to see the people of the other culture as they see themselves. The paper summarizes the contents of Condon's book and asserts that it is a valuable contribution to the literature of popular cultural studies of modern Japan, written for a Western audience.
From the Paper "Condon begins with the somewhat facetious statement that Japan and America make up an "odd couple," that is to say, two nations that are very different from each other, possessing what seem to be mutually alien ways of living and thinking, and yet which are tightly tied together in a relationship of mutual dependence, ironically facilitated by Japan's defeat in World War II. At that time, the almost total destruction of Japan's economy and industry and the occupation of the country by United States forces and interests created a unique situation in which the rebuilding of the former enemy would bring it into much closer contact with the victors than would otherwise ever be possible."
Tags: culture, international, relations, decision-making, process, hierarchy, social, control
Abstract An analysis of this book which is a study of the Inuit people of Holman Island, a community in the Northwest Territories of Arctic Canada. It discusses how Condon analyzes their community, family life, relations with friends and peers, gender and sex issues, school and work situations, and prospects for the future.
From the Paper "Intuit, or Eskimos, live in small, isolated villages, usually in groups of only 10 to 50 people, though the exception could be as large a group as 800. Most villages would have perhaps six dwellings. The Eskimo world is small and self-contained not only in terms of the size of the village and the size of the home but also in terms of the circle familiar to a single Eskimo. Relatives constitute the primary world of the Eskimo. The Eskimo family consists of the conjugal unit, a husband, wife, and their children. At the time of first European contact, most women had only two or three children, though Eskimo couples wanted to have as many children as possible. There were two reasons for this fact: 1) there was a high rate of infant mortality; and 2) there was a low effective fertility rate. In this century, however, after Eskimos became relatively sedentary and started weaning their children at a much earlier age, the birth rate exploded to some of the highest levels ever recorded for a human population."
Analysis of Jon Lewis' account of blacklisting in Hollywood in "We Do Not Ask You To Condone This" and his theme that blacklisting actually saved Hollywood.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 53.95
Abstract The author's central thesis is that the blacklist "saved" the Hollywood film industry in that it allowed corporate restructuring of an inefficient, largely entrepreneurial enterprise at a time when the film industry faced a variety of challenges in the marketplace and from government regulators.
Abstract A discussion of the truth behind claims of diminishing gender inequalities. The author looks at why despite their increasing participation within the labor force, many women in today's world are still subject to unfair treatment in regard to pay, prospects and power. The findings are that society still condones a situation whereby women's pay remains lower than that of men; where women are disproportionately represented in managerial and senior positions; and where women's double burden of employment and child rearing results in the erosion of their employment rights and conditions.
From the Paper "The primary reason for writing a paper on the topic of Women in the Workplace is to establish the level of truth, or fallacy, that lies behind the increasingly widespread claims of diminishing gender inequalities. Few topics continue to provoke such a wealth of academic research, political discussion and controversial debate, as the lengthy battle for sexual equality and the ending of gender discrimination, yet there exists, within many areas of the public, a general misconception that the fight is now over. It is true that, during the last twenty-five years or so, a combination of government legislation and changing social attitudes, have contributed towards reducing the gulf of disparity that existed between men and women."
Abstract This paper discusses the film, "The Craft", and explores the argument that the quest for knowledge beyond what is natural, inevitably leads to disaster. Arguments to disprove this theory are introduced, showing that modern thought may be more likely to condone our pushing the boundaries of knowledge than older, more conservative schools of belief. The paper examines the religious, sexual, natural, psychological and political aspects of searching for forbidden knowledge or power, as it relates to the film's Gothic tradition.
From the Paper "Certainly, the first part of Bonac's statement is an accurate depiction of the four girls? decision to attempt to invoke Manon. Sarah, the newcomer, is ignorant of her inherent powers; the others understand their potential for witchcraft but lack the necessary power (the "fourth" corner). Their wishes are innocent and harmless enough: the bullied Rachelle wants Laura to leave her alone, scarred Bonnie wishes for beauty, and Sarah hopes for Chris's love. Nancy wishes initially for "a smaller butt", and Sarah is told by Bonnie that Nancy really wishes she were not "white trash" (this latter wish being understandable when we see her home situation). However, finally she wishes for Manon to possess her, to "fill" her."
Abstract This paper discusses the controversy surrounding Kate Chopin's works whereby for example she condoned the immoral behavior of the protagonist in "The Awakening". The author examines Chopin's life works and identifies ways in which her characters and stories reflect Chopin's own life. The writer focuses on how Chopin often speaks in a truly feminist voice.
From the Paper "Chopin herself wrote from the perspective of a married woman. In June, 1870, one Kate O?Flaherty married Oscar Chopin of New Orleans, a Creole cotton broker. Soon after the marriage, the couple moved to New Orleans. Louisiana, where Kate Chopin gave birth to her first son, Jean, in May, 1871. As a happy Creole wife, she ultimately "fulfilled the social responsibilities and obligations of a prominent young wife, and bore five more children" (Ker 2). According to Harriet Magruder, a contemporary observer of Creole culture, in the Creole family, the father's will dominated his wife's desire, and the entire life of the young girl was focused around her marriage plans. This parallels Edna's own early equation of her husband's value with her own value as a human being."
Abstract This paper discusses the Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism views of the Holocaust which the author points out affected not only the Jews but also many other groups of people. The author states that many Nazi activities were sadistic torment which Christianity views as sinful; Islam does not condone torture and Buddhism vehemently opposes. The author believes that of the three religions, the reaction of Christians in Germany may be the most troublesome.
From the Paper "Given that the Holocaust was a multicultural and multi-religious event, it is interesting to consider how some major religions might view the events. Christianity teaches that all murder is against the law of God. However, most Christian religions allow the execution of criminals by state governments. This is why we have individuals who protest executions but rarely hear about entire denominations protesting such events. So then, would Christian religions condone the events of the Holocaust because it was an event sponsored by the German government?"
Abstract This paper takes the position that RU-486 should not be distributed freely to women. Though RU-486 is touted as a miracle pill that allows women to terminate early pregnancies, the procedure is actually more complicated and involves at least three visits to the clinics. The paper shows that apart from the slim possibility that the RU-486 may not be effective, there are short-term side-effects that endanger the women's lives, such as excessive bleeding and pain. Furthermore, there are long-term medical complications that may affect future pregnancies. The paper shows that with the availability of RU-486 that can be offered by family practitioners in all medical facilities, the number of abortions will increase. The paper argues that, ultimately, one has to consider the effects RU-486 on the morality of a society that condones the elimination of potential life.
From the Paper "In the United States, amidst opposition by anti-abortion politicians and the lack of support from big pharmaceutical companies, RU-486 was not even provisionally approved by the FDA for almost a decade (Talbot 40). In spite of the fervent attempts of feminists who organized protests outside Hoechst (the parent company of Roussel) factories and sent representatives to Paris, Hoechst was unwilling to jeopardize the business of their other products by entering the fiery abortion debate raging in the United States (Talbot 40). Finally, Roussel offered the U.S. rights for manufacturing the drug to the Population Council, a non-profit organization based in New York (Talbot 41). In addition, the Danco group, a small pharmaceutical company, has claimed that it has the financial backing of investors to manufacture the drug within the next 6 months (Talbot 40)."
Abstract This paper looks at the Knights Templar, a military and religious order, founded in the early 12 century, for the purposes of protecting Christian pilgrims who were traveling to holy places after the Catholic conquest of the Holy Land. In particular it analyzes whether the Knights Templar, condoned by the Catholic Church, represents a religious order committed to the seemingly opposing principles and ideas of Christian peace and brotherhood of man while remaining dedicated to war and death. It also attempts to document the manner in which the Catholic Church has justified this order in spite of its? allegiance to opposing principles.
Outline
Historical Overview
Criticisms of the Knights Templar
Persecution and Destruction of the Templars
Conclusions
From the Paper "When considering the history and traditions of the Knights Templar, it is important to note that these men virtually left no written record by which their own thoughts and actual behavior could be examined. The recorded history of others has suggested that the members' lifestyle was much like that of ordinary monks, with the order's rule having laid down a strict regime on clothing, diet, charitable giving and other living arrangements. While the Knights Templar was the first military order, the order was soon followed by others including the Hospitallers and the Teutonics."
Tags: christianity, pilgrims, holy, land, crusaders, military
Abstract Capital punishment has been part of the legal actions of societies since the dawn of primitive culture. Each society has made its own decisions regarding what crimes, if any; warrant the death of he or she who committed them. These decisions have never been taken lightly and not without their share of debate. The issue of ending a person's life has been universally considered a social negative. One cannot feel truly safe in a community that condones murder. But, different communities have attached different standards to ending life. The United States government, as well as the state governments themselves, has made determinations of what conditions a person or institution may legally kill another. Some of these conditions include: killing in self-defense, while in combat, while performing police duty and in the termination of a criminal's life that has received the death penalty. With relatively few instances in which killing is socially acceptable (or at least tolerated) the ways in which killing is illegal are innumerable. Our society has subdivided murder into different classifications based upon the circumstances and the intent of the person who has done the killing. But, murder is not the only crime that can lead to the death penalty. Rape, kidnapping that ends in death, treason, have also been crimes, which lead to a death sentence. The crux of the debate over the legitimacy of this method of punishment centers around the moral responsibility at stake in the action. When distilled to it's most fundamental state, the argument is this: Does killing a killer make us killers, or does it make us saviors?
Abstract Since independence, Australia has attempted to maintain standards typical of a Western, liberal democracy that values the quality of life of its work force. The issue of hiring discrimination has become an issue because lifetime employment is becoming more and more rare, and many of Australia's neighbours implicitly condone the mass employment of children in the textiles industry. This paper shows that, according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, there are no federal laws in Australia prohibiting forced labor, setting a minimum age for employment, or prohibiting forced or bonded labor by children as exist in the United States, Britain, and Canada. Humanitarian organizations fear that increased trade with these countries will lead to a devolution of Australia's treatment of workers, young and old. It is for these reasons that the current unregulated system should be audited according to its effects on the population in terms of employment and income levels by age. This study focuses on the nature of publicly-available, quantitative data reflecting the age and salary of Australia's workers.
From the Paper "Australia maintains wage and income restrictions that are more typical of Europe than North America, which may help to explain its young workforce. 20-24 year olds make an average of between 300 and 700 a week, whereas the range increases for 25-29 year olds, who typically make between 400 and 1500 a week. As salary is often more driven by tenure than by educational attainment in Australia, this provides incentives for workers to get into the workforce early. This is not the case in countries like Germany and the United States, where educational attainment is highly valued."
Abstract This paper looks at how the Mormon Church will probably always be identified with the practice of plural marriages, even though it has not condoned the practice since 1890. It looks at how it was accepted by the church and the political, economic, and other factors in the decision to allow plural marriages. It discusses how the future promises to systematically separate the automatic assumption that Mormonism equals multiple wives and how the church will continue to denounce the practice and how the government will continue to place those who practice it in violation of state laws and Mormon doctrine.
From the Paper "?Many of the early figures in the Bible had more than one wife, and in the beginning Mormons looked to the Bible as a source of inspiration for their belief in the practice of polygamy (Nearly, 2000). But Mormons banned polygamy in the 1890s, and it is against the law in Utah, a state founded by Mormons(Nearly, 2000). Despite that, polygamy still persists there and in some other states(Nearly, 2000). Utah has not aggressively prosecuted polygamists, in part because polygamy is so much a part of Mormon history. Now, a case pending in a Utah court is bringing renewed attention to an old tradition(Nearly, 2000). Last week, Tom Green, who considers himself to be a fundamentalist Mormon, was ordered to stand trial on four counts of bigamy(Nearly, 2000)."
Abstract This paper argues that, while the United States has always claimed to be different, a "melting pot" of religion, founded on freedom of speech, and the freedom of religious choice. While it may be based on the idea of these freedoms, American society chiefly condones, promotes, and practices Christianity.
From the Paper "Another example of the United States commitment to Christianity can be seen within the currency. On April 22, 1864, the United States currency format was altered to include the phrase "In God We Trust" (Fisher, 674). This decision was made based on the resounding public support offered to Reverend Henry Boardman, after his sermon stating "We claim to be a Christian nation" {we should} vindicate our character by honoring the God of Nations?? (Fisher, 673). "In God We Trust" became the official United States motto in 1956 (?Origin of the United States National Motto,? 540). This motto completely ignores those not practicing a Christian faith."
Abstract This paper, while emphasizing that most religions preach peace and brotherhood, takes a look at why, ironically, so many wars are fought in the name of religion. The paper explores the reasons for this irony and suggests that the violence and bloodshed in the name of various religions is a result of the religious leaders and their followers and not because religions promote or condone violence. Finally, the paper points out how violence in the name of religion can sully a religion's reputation.
From the Paper "For many years people all over the world have fought in the name of belief, faith or religion. The question that still remains to be unanswered is that when all religions of the world preach peace and brotherhood then why does its followers engage themselves in such violent activities? Violence in the name of religion has been one of the major causes of destruction in many countries today. An important point to ponder upon here is that religions are not violent, it is its followers that commit wrong acts in the name of faith and as a result destroy their religion's reputation and respect. It is not the religion but its preachers that associate religion with outrage."
Tags: dogmatism, racism, bigotry, multicultural, societies, terrorism, power, just, war, religious
Abstract This paper examines how facts and documentation all point to the genocide of the American Indians and indigenous culture, as opposed to a mere clash of cultures, and how arguing against this by using facile sociological theories of cultural change and adaptation is simply to mask the reality of history. It looks at how the reality of the genocide of the American Indians is a part of a history that should be examined and exposed, as it provides important lessons in intolerance and understanding. If these historical realities are ignored or transmuted by false theories and perceptions, the danger exists that these tragic events may be condoned and even repeated in other forms and histories in the future.
From the Paper "While documented evidence of genocide is a historical fact, some still view the genocide of American Indians simply as a minor, inevitable tension between different cultures, which forms a part of history. Supporting this belief is Vice-President Dick Cheney who is of the opinion that the history of the American Indian is the result of a clash of cultures rather than genocide. Addressing students Cheney told the audience he did not believe the mass extermination of the American Indian population that took place from 1492 until the late 1800s could be considered genocide. It was merely a clash of cultures that occurred for a brief period and was perpetuated by Europeans . (Grim R.) The theory of the clash of cultures implies a fusion and integration of cultures and a more benign sense of social and historical development."
