Examines Michael Coe's book "The Maya" which pulls together the available data from many different fields of study to produce a comprehensive survey that sheds new light on the beginnings and eventual decline of the ancient Mayan civilization.
2,160 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 67.95
From the Paper "By using new and updated material from the archaeological field, combined with the recent studies done in the field of linguistics, Coe has been able to create a plausible 'history' of the Maya people, while at the same time creating a new model that portrays a very complex social and economic system not believed to have existed in earlier research. Coe's revised edition also dispels the notion that the complex centers were primarily used for religious or priestly functions. Coe instead sees these centers as also being the hub for politics, trade, and social functions. Added to this history are the artistic forms expressed in the Maya Murals, burial sites, architecture, ceramics, clothing and dated monumnts, all of which gives insight as well as documentation to the lives and movements of the humans that inhabited the many areas of Mesoamerica as early as eleven to fourteen thousand years ago. By tracing the various art forms displayed on these archaeological items along with the decipherable hieroglyphic writings, Coe has been able to offer a realistic progression of the Maya civilization through its Pre-Classic, Classic, and Post-Classic eras. Included in this progression is the outside influences of different languages and styles of artistic expression, whether these influences came through the process of trade, exchange, or war. But before Coe examines these three stages of Maya development, he first explores the possible human lifestyle prior to these stages, thus setting the stage for the development of the obvious and intricate architecture that is found in Mesoamerica today."
A look at the book as a triumph of the human spirit, as well as a personal narration that offers an insider's view of the social, political, economic, religious, and cultural life of an entire group of people.
1,910 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 5 sources, 1999, $ 60.95
From the Paper ?I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala" is a human story. In 1982, when this story was recorded, Rigoberta was only twentythree years old and had already witnessed and experienced a lifetime of unbelievable physical, psychological, and spiritual persecution. Her story is a testament to the strength and endurance of the human spirit under the most de-humanizing conditions imaginable. At the same time, this personal narration offers an insiders view of the social, political, economic, religious, and cultural life of an entire group of people. Through Rigoberta, a contemporary Maya community comes alive bringing with it the struggles that began with the Spanish Conquest and continue in the Guatemala of the twentieth century. "
Abstract This paper talks about the communal identity of the blacks that helped them become stronger and more powerful during the hardships of the 1930s. The picture of ?Mrs. Mary Willis,? by Jack Delano, represents a strong and determined black woman, not needing any type of help or support, and able to deal with the adversities of the economic crash and the natural disaster of the Dust Bowl. On the other hand, Richard Wright's article, ?Joe Louis Uncovers Dynamite,? represents the communal identity of the blacks, and how unstoppable and overpowering they can be once they come together as a collective group. The paper discusses how the blacks were represented differently by different people, why Delano portrayed blacks as powerful individuals, while Wright portrayed blacks as having a potential identity as a community that could have an impact in their social status during the 1930s.
Abstract This paper focuses on the Yanomami, the indigenous tribes of Brazil and Venezuela, whom have long been exploited by their own countries, and outside diplomatic interests. This research paper delivers a thorough, precise analysis of the history of the Yanomami, and their struggles for self-determination in an unfair world.
From the Paper 'Throughout the years, the Yanomami have been an indigenous tribe who have consistently fought society in order to live their lives in a peaceful domain, without interacting with the adversity and perplexity of the outside world. Unfortunately, the people of the outside world have become fascinated with the immaculate world of the Yanomami Indians of Brazil, and have relentlessly examined these people and their traditions and customs. Besides curious invaders, the Yanomami have been exploited by their own government and the institutions which hold interest not in the Yanomami people, but in the resource rich lands they inhabit. The Yanomami have suffered the inhumane treatment of their people, involving massacres that have resulted in the depopulation of a large percentage of their kinsmen..."
Abstract This paper looks at the anti-Semitism of the Medieval period. The way the Jewish people were treated is discussed, as well as reasons why people were so against them.
From the Paper "The Anti-Semitism of the medieval period is a powerful force, and found in almost every Christian country of Europe. The Jew was seen as a very different outsider to the medieval person. While the other outsiders, like Muslims and Lepers, were kept away from the medieval person, the Jews actually lived side by side with the Christians. As the only group distinctly different living in a persecuting society, the Jews were very often the victims of the community's aggression. One thing that is difficult to understand, however, is exactly why these Anti-Semitic feelings were so widespread in the medieval period. The answer is that the society, those people in control and those people working in the fields perpetuated the tradition of viewing the Jew as an outsider and therefore a target of aggression from the xenophobic society of Western Christendom."
Abstract This is an insightful essay dealing with the impact of World War Two on two communities, which contain Japanese Canadians and Americans. The two novels, "Obasan" and "Snow Falling on Cedars", show the prejudice and racism of the Second World War, as well as the paranoia of the white community. The essay describes the impacts of the war, and also contrasts how memories and emotions of war can be suppressed by silence or resurfaced in everyday life. This essay shows both effects using the two novels to show the various outcomes.
From the Paper "Many memorable events in people's lives have the power to affect their memories, emotions, and relationships later in life. These events may be positive or negative and are dealt with in various ways, such as silence, anger, denial or confrontation. In "Snow Falling on Cedars", by David Guterson, and "Obasan", by Joy Kogawa, the event of World War II creates lasting impressions on all the characters, which are evident even many years later in both plots. In "Snow Falling on Cedars", a man named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged for the murder of a well-liked fisherman. While he and others are on the stand, memories of World War II surface, revealing a complex plot containing separated lovers, a battle for land, and the island's always present, racism. In Kogawa's novel, a schoolteacher named Naomi Nakane visits her Aunt Obasan because her uncle has passed away. During the visit she remembers her family's separation and relocation during World War II through the reading of diaries, and eventually learns the details of her mother's demise after thirty years. Both novels deal with the prejudice toward the Japanese in North America during the Second World War, as well as show the lasting effects that war leaves on its survivor."
Abstract An in depth discussion of the idea of whiteness. The author argues that the idea of whiteness is an ideology which separates whites from their non-whites, and separates people of race and ethnicity. The author includes examples from Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man".
From the Paper "The meaning of ?Whiteness,? as embodied in America today, can be seen from many perspectives and vantage points. I have struggled all my life to define my place within the Caucasian race, within "Whiteness" and have always come to the same conclusion, I have none. "Whiteness" is a construction of ideology which separates White people from other non-whites and at the same time forces countless cultures, peoples and ethnic groups into one word and one race, White."
Tags: beat, ellison, invisible, kerouac, man, road, white
Abstract Reciprocity in societies, especially in tribal societies, holds a lot of significance. This paper focuses on the importance of mutual exchange. The author investigates this phenomenon in different societies and the significance it holds.
From the Paper "Gift giving is a classic example of reciprocity: gifts can cement relationships, confer prestige and obligate subordinates. Marcel Mauss called gift exchange a total social phenomenon because of its many dimensions: economic, legal, religious, spiritual and moral. Gifts are also a means of sustaining long distance relationships or connections and may be benevolent, aggressive or manipulative: they can unite, antagonize or subjugate. Whether we recognize and admit it or not, there are always strings attached to gift giving which affect the way people and groups relate to each other."
Abstract This paper discusses the country of Northern Ireland, and some of the strife present in this divided country. The author outlines the situation between Catholic and Protestant inhabitants. An in-depth look at the I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) and Sinn Fein is offered.
From the Paper "Northern Ireland is an administrative division of the United Kingdom, which is situated, in the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. The remaining portion of the island is part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland constitutes about 17 percent of the land area of Ireland and has 31 percent of the island's population. The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Northern Ireland's population is deeply divided along religious and political lines. The split between the Protestant majority and the Catholic minority extends deep into Northern Ireland's past and has strongly influenced the region's culture, settlement patterns, and politics."
Abstract This paper is on the Peter Brook production of the "Mahabharata", the Indian epic. The author contends that the process of de-contextualization of characters, plot elements and pieces of narration out of the Mahabharata's original context and into a Western mode of performance, plot construction and interpretation exhibits the latent Orientalism of the Brook production, and represents the profound and perverse commodification of the India classic. The author further explains how it was Brook's perspective and alteration of this epic that reached a broader Western audience.
From the Paper "As a world defined by over 200 nations, and thousands of cultures, an incredibly rich history and set of traditions exists. The last century has marked a turning point in our planet's history. As never before, the distance and separation of cultures is becoming ever smaller, due to better transportation and communications infrastructures, and a desire to conduct business on a global scale. There is also an interesting and concerning adoption and synthesis of cultural practices and traditions. One could debate rather academically the merits of cultural encounter and interaction, and to say that perhaps with a synthesis of different cultural practices, a new culture is born. That may be, however the focus of this essay is to critically investigate and discuss the adoption or representation of other cultural traditions, without comprehending their meaning or significance. This is demonstrated through the Western commodification of cultures, the notion of Orientalism, and specifically focusing on the Brooks/ Carri?re production of the Mahabharata."
Abstract This paper deals with how music is used symbolically in James Weldon Johnson's "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man", and the ways in which the narrator, consciously or unconsciously, involves music in his decision-making processes.
From the Paper "Probably one of the most integral elements to the story of James Weldon Johnson's Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man is music. At almost every point in the novel where there is emotional peak, music is involved in the decision-making process in some way. This is especially true in relation to the narrator's own emotions, which are seldom the focus of the story except when highlighted by talk of music. In fact, music could be argued to be the key to the narrator's personal fulfillment"a fulfillment which he is unable to realize by the end of the novel due to his own much glossed-over shortcomings.?
Abstract This paper chronicles the famous Scottsboro Boys trial. It's a story of racism in the 1930's that describes the events leading to the trial, the trial itself and the outcome. The paper describes what happened to the boys while they were in jail and the events and outcome of their second trial. Racism appears and reappears throughout the story of the Scottsboro Boys, as they were sentenced to death on several different occasions, despite obvious inconclusive or debatable evidence. Finally, the paper briefly describes the fate of all people involved in the case.
From the Paper ?When the train that they were riding on stopped in Stevenson, Alabama, the small group of black boys decided to walk along the tracks. A short while later they met up with some more black boys from another car. The boys decided that they would get back at the white boys who had been throwing rocks at them earlier. Once the train started again, the same group of white boys started throwing rocks at the blacks from a lower car. The now rather large group of blacks got in the car that the whites were riding in and started fighting them."
Abstract This research paper defines the aspects of a child's upbringing and environment towards understanding behavior, and attempts to determine means and types of intervention that would favorably impact that upbringing and environment to promote behavior leading to enculturation, and successful interaction with peers and adults. The paper examines factors contributing to those attitudes and their resulting effects on children and gives a special focus on African American mothers.
From the Paper "Traditionally, research on the behavior of children as a result of the parenting skills and attitudes of their parents has focused on optimal behavior as an outcome of environmental, attitudinal and societal factors. Points of view regarding the influential strength of these factors have varied as society and the orientation of the researchers have changed. Researchers adopting a more sociologically-centered view suggest that parenting itself is a function of socioeconomic and sociohistorical factors and that parameters for context must be figured into any assessment of the impact of parenting on subsequent child behavior."
Abstract This study investigated the effects of home-based counseling in improving the personal self-concept, overall social behavior and academic achievement of inner city at-risk African American adolescents, aged 12 to 21. It was hypothesized that if a counselor could be exposed to, and take into consideration, the at-risk adolescent's home and community environment, a holistic outlook might be beneficial in recommending effective, successful intervention tactics with both short and long term benefits.
From the Paper "The concept of home-based visits and counseling is not new: in recent decades, mental health professionals have been visiting their clients in their homes for a variety of reasons including the provision of services to those unlikely or unwilling to seek out and maintain regular contact in more traditional settings and to provide comprehensive, integrated treatment approaches for clients with multidimensional needs. Clinical observation and empirical research supports the potential effectiveness of home-based services. Appropriate intervention can help individual clients and families in crisis or at risk to be served, stabilized and supported in their own homes; research also supports the fact that clients, whether individuals or families, facing multiple problems of poverty, few social supports, severe psychosocial disturbance, social stigma and prejudice, and limited access to employment, housing and other resources often need ongoing support to sustain a successful environment from which a student may confidently base academic achievement .and crisis free living. (Newton, 30-31)."
Tags: learn, counsel, treatment, therapy, african, culture, students
Abstract This paper examines the minstrel show and its negative images of black Americans that enforced commonly held white prejudices or mistaken cultural characteristics.
From the Paper "The images of blacks as presented in the minstrel performances remained embedded in the minds of audiences after they left the show (Anderson, 24). Due to their lack of frequent contact, many whites had nothing else to base their perceptions off of. Minstrel shows were not only entertaining, but they presented a foreign culture. It did not matter whether the characters were accurate or not; the audiences looked at the singing and dancing black-faced actors and expected all blacks to be like this."
