Abstract The paper begins with an outline of the four waves of Vietnamese refugees who have attempted to find asylum in the U.S. since the fall of Saigon in 1975. The writer traces the hardships these people have met along the way, looking specifically at the insensitivity many countries have shown towards the boat people, refugees who encountered tragic events while traveling towards a country of refuge.
From the Paper "The plight of the boat people lies at the heart of a political quandary that involves many countries. It illustrates the intricacies involved in the diplomatic negotiations that ensue when the international community comes together to deal with an extremely difficult problem. Since 1984, Western countries, such as the U.S., have lowered their quotas for receiving the refugees. However, by decreasing the number of refugees accepted in the Western countries, first asylum countries, such as Thailand and Hong Kong, are bearing the brunt of the problem. They are using their resources to sustain increasing numbers of refugees who are not being resettled elsewhere (Santoli 28)."
Abstract This paper looks at the nature and long duration of Ottoman rule in the Balkans. The writer reviews the deep and long lasting effects on the nations which today make up the Balkan Peninsula. The first part examines how during the first several centuries of Ottoman rule, its legacy was conducive to the maintenance of order, prosperity and ethnic and religious toleration. The second part explores how certain facets of Ottoman policy and practice, also contributed to the stunting of the area's political, economic and intellectual growth.
From the Paper "The term Balkans, which means in Turkish 'chain of wooded mountains,' refers to the southeastern peninsula of Europe, the largely mountainous lands which lie between the Adriatic Sea on the west, the plains of Central Europe to the north, the steppes of Russia/Ukraine to the east, the Black Sea and Asia Minor to the southeast and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It contains the modern nations of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania and all of the nations which have emerged from the breakup in the 1990s of the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia."
Abstract This paper examines how the Holocaust has been a central event in shaping identity for survivors and their children, as well as in some ways the identities of other 20th century and 21st century Jews, creating for some at least a sense of identity that is almost ethnocentric. It compares the identity of those Jews living in the "Diaspora" with those living in the State of Israel.
From the Paper "Much about Jewish identity has been changed forever as a result of the Holocaust. One of these fundamental changes has been the fact that Judaism has become a non-European religion; its three major centers (which together include more than three-fourths of world Jewry) are Israel, the Slavic region of the former Soviet Union, and the United States. (Although Jews constitute only a small fraction of the population of the United States, Judaism occupies a role far surpassing its numerical importance and is regarded with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism as one of the major American faiths.) To be Jew in the post-Holocaust world is thus to have to incorporate into one's sense of identity the sense of being part of a people scattered irrevocably far from one's homeland (Hartmen, 2000, p. 38). Thus, even for those who are secular in their beliefs and who have (for example) no idea of ever living anywhere but in California, there is the abiding sense of being part of a Diaspora, of being part of a people defined by the broken apart and sent in to exile."
Abstract Analytical essay which discusses and argues against the argument, by Samuel Huntington in "Clash of Civilizations", that a root cause of the conflicts between nations is differences in religious convictions. The essay also attempts to present the reasons why "Clash of Civilizations" received such severe rebuke by highlighting the loopholes in the author's reasoning.
From the Paper "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order is the masterpiece by Samuel Huntington which is based on the author's view that the clash of distinct cultures and civilizations world over is the potential root cause of the reinvigorated conflicts between nations differing in religious convictions. Huntington considers this clash of religious faith to be the bane of the global peace thereby imposing augmented threat of tumult. The same is the author's thesis, which raises thought provoking questions as well as arguments the role of the world superpowers and challenges the foreign policy makers of particularly the West (Huntington)."
Abstract As Western culture expands and attempts to become the global standard, many societies are forced to take upon themselves Western ideals and notions in order to adapt. This is true with ideas concerning religion and government. This paper discusses the main aspects of an Islamic society and how these aspects would fail or thrive if a democratic government was put into power.
From the Paper "After examining the theories of democracy and how they relate to Islam, one can see that there is no simple answer to the question: Is Islam compatible with Democracy? While many of the principles of democracy contradict Islam in it's purest form, different interpretations of Islamic doctrine have allowed the religion to adopt a more democratic worldview. Perhaps, as history has shown us, Islam can exist within a democracy and still hold true to its faith. But by conforming to varied forms of organized leadership, are Muslims actually holding true to their faith? This question has compelling answers on both sides of the argument, both with support from the Koran itself. Ultimately, one cannot say that Islam is compatible with democracy and be absolutely right or absolutely wrong."
Abstract The United States is currently going through a period of turmoil regarding whether English should be the only language spoken in the country. The rationale given for insisting that everyone speak English is that 'if people chose to come here, they should learn our language'. This paper examines the effects of this policy on smaller ethnic groups such as the Native American Navajo's who view speaking their native tongue as a kind of spiritual freedom. The paper also looks at the way Yiddish has almost disappeared from the Jewish culture due to this type of integration policy. Other cultures discussed include the Chinese and the Cajuns.
From the Paper "One other subculture demonstrates the relationship between culture and language. The Chinese have been coming to the United States since the early 1800?s, when they came here to work as agricultural workers or in railway construction. The Chinese come from an ancient and highly accomplished civilization, and their culture contained elements that helped them be successful in their new country. Industry and resourcefulness are highly prized traits in Chinese culture, behavioral traits that tended to aid success in their new land. In addition, they valued the extended family, and so were quick to support and help one another (Author not given). However, the dominant culture inadvertently encouraged the Chinese to maintain their language, and the maintenance of language and requirement that they live together encouraged the maintenance of their culture as well. The motivation for this was racial, but allowed the Chinese-American culture to hold on to cultural traditions and language for several generations while other immigration groups were tending to assimilate."
Abstract This paper examines how the Pol Pot regime maintained its stronghold over the Cambodian people, through a thorough understanding and manipulation of its peoples? psychological and sociological structures. The first part of the paper looks at how the regime laid the foundations for a successful propaganda machine. It explains that this was done through dismantling important social structures of traditional Cambodian society ? the family, Buddhist religion, urban cities, schools and universities. It then looks at how the regime successfully used its propaganda machine to both punish and discourage dissent. This was done through radio broadcasts, the use of artwork, the institution of "memory sickness" and through long-term strategies like the education of children. It concludes that in its quest for a spartan, collectivized and homogeneous society, the Pol Pot regime resulted instead in a devastated land and people.
From the Paper "Within a week of their assent into power, preying on people's fears of the US bombings in nearby Vietnam, Khmer Rouge soldiers drove the residents of Phnom Penh, Battambang out of the cities and into the countryside. Thousands of the evacuees, mostly the elderly and the very young, died in the mass exodus. Upon reaching the countryside, the city residents were forced to engage in agricultural labor. The new farmers were labeled ?new people.? The new people faced much resentment from the established farmers or "old people" who already tilled the fields and who were treated more favorably by the Khmer Rouge regime (Chandler 1999: 1)."
Abstract This paper examines how the divisions rooted in race, gender and sexuality are consistently used in our society to maintain a level of profitability and also to create obvious divisions among the social classes. It looks at how the American society is based on a form of patriarchy which means that a society is principally ruled or dominated by males throughout all levels of society and in our society's case -- white males. It evaluates how discrimination has become institutionalized in the United States and how in the eyes of minorities, social inequality equates to discrimination.
From the Paper "Negative stereotypes support these social inequalities? ?We learn the subtext of our culture's messages early. By five years of age, says Margo Monteith, Ph.D., many children have definite and entrenched stereotypes about blacks, women, and other social groups. Adds Monteith, professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky: "Children don't have a choice about accepting or rejecting these conceptions, since they're acquired well before they have the cognitive abilities or experiences to form their own beliefs." And no matter how progressive the parents, they must compete with all the forces that would promote and perpetuate these stereotypes: peer pressure, mass media, the actual balance of power in society."
Abstract This paper explains that bilinguals are not inferior to monolinguals in any way; however, there still exist various stereotypes against bilinguals, which range from the claim by professions, such as speech therapists and medical doctors, that hearing two or more languages in childhood causes language disorder and language delay to the idea that bilinguals are slow learners and are losers in life. The paper reports that in order to fit themselves into school and society, some young bilinguals begin to learn English and, as soon as they have learned barely enough to get by, use their home languages less and less until they gradually lose it totally: This phenomenon is first language loss. The author stresses that first language loss is not a "necessary or inevitable outcome" when children acquire a second language.
Table of Content
Introduction
Bilingualism
Types of Bilingualism
Studies on Bilingualism
First Language Loss
Process of First Language Loss
Consequences of First Language Loss
Fostering a Positive Linguistic Environment
Conclusion
From the Paper "From these accounts, it is apparent that two major consequences of first language loss lie on family relationship and the crises of self-image and cultural identity. As far as family relationship is concerned, there is a lot of "shame, anger, frustration, and embarrassment attached to the loss of a first language". To the individuals, a negative self-image was common, resulting either from coming from non-English speaking families or being an outsider of their own ethnic group. At the same time, these people are usually haunted by the uncertainty of their own identity, because they are unable to identify themselves with either their home language culture or the dominant English culture. Besides, along the process of growing up into monolinguals in English, they were all neglected, isolated, and despised in one way or another. Life has been a constant struggle to them simply because they happen to have been born into non-English speaking families."
Abstract A paper discussing the advantages and disadvantages of immigration in the United States, from the standpoint of constitutional, legal, cultural, and economic factors.
Abstract In this paper, 3 countries in Southeast Asia (Laos, Myanmar and Thailand) are described from the perspective of cultural geography. The role of Buddhism and ethnicity are evaluated in relation to these countries and the value of a cultural geography is discussed as a tool for enabling an understanding of cultural differences and the relevance of geography to culture.
Abstract This paper examines the theme of alienation in "Love Medicine". The causes, the manifestations, and the results of this alienation are analyzed. It explains that alienation is a way of life for native peoples.
Abstract This paper analyzes and explores the affect of a diverse classroom on the student experience and how multicultural education can help make the transition of a diverse classroom more successful.
