The paper offers an analysis of three primary resources. The three Jewish Chronicles recount the persecution of German Jewish communities during the First Crusade.
628 words (approx. 2.5 pages), 1 source, 2001, $ 22.95
Abstract This paper looks at the Jews' behavior during the Crusades as seen through their own actual writings. Quotes are given and numerous examples of how the Jews reacted to the crusading Christians are provided.
From the Paper "The three chronicles in this book are of historic value because they represent some of the few existing primary sources regarding the events of the first and second Crusades. More importantly, it is a rare occurrence that the victims of war would chronicle the events. Generally, accounts are relayed by the victors, those who feel that their acts of bravery and heroics should be recorded for posterity. Unfortunately, victors and victims alike suffer a great temptation to embellish written accounts to sway public opinion in their favor. This type of sympathy bias, coupled with a strong religious bias is easily discernable throughout the text."
A look at three films "The Piano", "Once Were Warriors"; and "Broken English" which offer insight into the social plights of New Zealand and its frequent manifestation of domestic violence.
1,415 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 5 sources, 2001, $ 47.95
Abstract A look at the release of domestic violence in New Zealand cinema. The author investigates the nature of conflict and gender bias that viewers are exposed to and how this reflects the social history and how it has impacted past and modern culture in New Zealand.
From the Paper "The three films, "The Piano" (1993), "Once Were Warriors" (1995) and "Broken English" (1996) all offer insight into the social plights of postcolonial New Zealand and its frequent manifestation in domestic violence. The films are set in societies where gender conflict is rampant as a result of the country's colonial history. The film, "The Piano" assumes a euro centric approach to colonialist New Zealand, dealing with the abusive relationship that results from an arranged marriage between a young Scottish woman named Ada and a European settler, Stewart, in the mid-nineteenth century. This film scrutinizes the subjugation of women during colonial times, but also correlates it with the conquest and oppression of the Maori aboriginals. "Once Were Warriors" centers on the life of Jake Heke, a member of the indigenous Maoris who, living a life of urban poverty, finds refuge and solace in the only thing over which he retains control ? his physical strength. A failure in most respects, Jake is only able to derive a sense of dignity through his physical power and masculinity, and therefore uses it as his only weapon. "Broken English" is a film which broaches domestic violence by examining a separate social reality of modern New Zealand; the strife of Croatian immigrants residing in the multi-ethnic, ghettoized urban outskirts of Auckland. This film elucidates the fundamental nature of conflict and gender bias within immigrant cultures."
Abstract Since the recent bombings the image of Arabs in America has changed. The media leads us to feel the way we feel. This paper shows how the media affects our views of Arabs after the Sept 11 bombing.
From the Paper "Through the above examples, I have been conditioned to develop an unconscious hatred towards Arabs. After examining the different forms of media and the feelings they provoke in me, I realized my biased attitude towards specific ethnic groups. Although I do not disagree with the message of the media, especially after the tragedies we have experienced in the past weeks, I do feel that I have been conditioned since I was a child to develop feelings of hate towards certain ethnic groups."
Abstract Using well-known Marxist philosophers including Foucault and Althusser, this paper discusses the way in which the culture of power in the United States attempted to keep the Japanese Nisei, second generation in the United States, from prospering in their new home.The author analyses the laws and state apparatuses involved in keeping the Nisei from rising and thriving in society.
From the Paper "In the chapter "The Means of Correct Training" of Michel Foucault's book Discipline and Punish, Foucault states, ?The chief function of the disciplinary power is to ?train,? rather than to select or to very, or no doubt, to train in order to levy and select all the more? (188). It is the attempt of the disciplines of "imprisonment" and "schooling" to create docile bodies to maximize economic production. According to Marxist theory, as applied by Louis Althusser in his essay "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses", in a capitalistic state, the economy is the basis for society, and all apparatuses and disciplines focus around the capitalists and the accumulation of wealth. Althusser states, ?. . . Marx conceived the structure of every society as constituted by "levels" or "instances" articulated by a specific determination: the infrastructure, or economic base and the super structure? (134). However, in the capitalists attempt to train individuals to become docile bodies for the economic base to use as a means of reproduction of the conditions of production, those who do not conform to the rules, do not measure up to standards of intellect, or those that do not have the same racial background as the ruling class, are manufactured as delinquents or useless people. The ruling class uses the "imprisonment" and "schooling" disciplines to create a sense of uselessness in the people who are of no use or pose a threat to the ruling class. By encouraging delinquency in its enemies, the ruling class is able to control people they feel are of no use to them."
Abstract A look at changes in architectural design. The author focuses on the way architecture reflects culture with focus on the Horyuji temple in Japan which expresses the culture of the time in which it was built.
From the Paper "Throughout history, architectural design has undergone progressive changes in style based on a variety of factors. One of the most significant transitional phases in Japan includes the Asuka period in which Buddhism dramatically influenced the essence of the dialectic between form and function. A prime example of this profound style is the Horyuji Temple. Although the relationship between Buddhist philosophy and architectural design is unquestioned throughout this period, the origins of this relationship are intriguing. What factors led to the development of the Buddhist influenced structures? How significant are the features of the Horyuji in creating allusions to Buddhist ideology? To what extent is the Horyuji Temple "Japanese" versus Buddhist?"
Abstract To understand a present-day culture one must look to its past, its formation and foundation. In the case of modern day Russia, the author contends that the domination and repression imposed by the Mongol Horde forever changed the course of the Slavic people. Specifically, he believes that there was a great impact upon the cultural makeup, the arts and architecture, and the development of science and technology. An examination of Proto-Rus and its evolution is essential in understanding the formation of modern Russia.
From the Paper "From 862 -1237 AD, the first proto-Russian political entity was founded by Rurik in the vicinity of Novgorod in 862 AD, when the Varangians had controlled many of the trade routes leading from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea by way of lakes and river. All Russian leaders for the next 700 years would descend from Rurik. In 880-882 AD, another Varangian named Oleg assumed rule of Kiev, which quickly became the political center of the territory known as Kievan Rus (Lawrence 1993). The city of Kiev rose in importance in an era known as "the Golden Age of Kiev" until the 13th century, when Kiev's stature as the political center of the Russian Empire declined rapidly owing to variety of factors, such as familial infighting and the Mongol invasion. The lasting achievements of the Kievan Rus era were the Christianization of Russia following the Eastern Orthodox faith and the formulation and acceptance of the Cyrillic alphabet (Ragsdale 1996)."
Abstract An examination of Indian arts with emphasis on the images and symbolism in the Indian notions of art and religion. The author examines the influences of the Western world on Indian expression of art.
From the Paper "For thousands of years the arts have thrived on the Indian sub-continent, with the advent of western influence and occupation taking place only within the last few hundred years. The impact of western influence upon India is unmistakable, especially in regards to her arts and religion, serving not so much as a contributor, but as a critic. To even begin to comprehend and appreciate the incredible diversity and complexity of Indian arts, we must undergo a paradigm shift of our most basic western beliefs and notions of art and religion. Therefore, an understanding of the historical interpretations of Indian art is essential. Going beyond this, we must construct a rudimentary primer on seeing Indian images, also known as dar?an, and trying to understand, at least at a basic level, the symbolism involved in such religiously rich imagery."
Abstract An analytical paper which discusses how Toni Morrison creates a detailed character with the city of Medallion, and its significance throughout "Sula". The author's thesis statement: ?When examining Sula's Ohio town of Medallion, it can be concluded that the town does, indeed, act as a character in the story, acting as both protagonist and antagonist as Nel and Sula evolve.?
From the Paper " In any given piece of literature, there are characters that drive the story. These characters, these people, each have distinct personalities and each lend their own charisma to the piece. They interact with one another, and can have great effect on each others? lives throughout the plot. They also have their own internal struggles and their own histories. The action of the characters is the lifeblood of any play, novel, or short story. Yet the setting can also be extremely significant, leading us to the question, what defines a character? Can a place, an entity other than an individual person, act as a character in a story? When examining Sula's Ohio town of Medallion, it can be concluded that the town does, indeed, act as a character in the story, acting as both protagonist and antagonist as Nel and Sula evolve."
Tags: analytical, bottom, english, literary, medallion, morrison, nel, sula, toni
Abstract This paper traces the history of the political machine. The author shows how Irish immigrants who were attempting to ascend economically initially built the machines and then follows their development up to the present day.
From the Paper "Political machines have an extremely complex history, involving great prosperity, a period of stability, a decline, and a revival. Political machines are defined as a party organization with one leader, and the main objective is to win. The machines reached their peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s after a decline during the depression during the 1890s. They experienced a minor resuscitation after the 1950's and are still sparsely present today."
Abstract This essay analyzes the social and cultural differences between Americans and Canadians. The author explains the reasons for the widespread assumption that Canadians and Americans are the same, the historical causes for these cultural differences and what these differences bring to Canadian society.
From the Paper "There have been many debates, books, and media articles over the vast differences between Canadians and Americans. Surprisingly, this topic has never lost its popularity, and still continues to be current among the sociologists, anthropologists and the statisticians particularly in Canada. The 49th Parallel divides the North American continent, Canada in the north and the United States in the south. These two countries of the New World share the world's longest undefended border, which ranges 6379 kilometers long."
Tags: americans, canada, melting, pluralistic, pot, society, acculturation, soxiety, social
Abstract This paper examines the definition of race by reviewing scientific and non-scientific concepts. The author gives examples of how this definition is often misinterpreted by society.
From the Paper "Postmodernism allows us to see race not as an essentialist category that determines character but rather more as a title or description that may sometimes be summoned by a people to describe themselves but more often is determined by one people in reference to another, and so often an attempt of a group in power to designate the proper position in relationship to themselves of another group. And it allows us to see ethnicity as a more "native" category ? but one that like so many others may well be subject to subversion by hegemonic forces."
Abstract This essay examines the experiences of the Chinese people who immigrated to America between the years 1850 and 1930. The author looks at the events that these people experienced such as the hardships and the culture barriers as well as the series of laws and events that occurred during this immigration to the United States.
From the Paper "As with many other people groups who left their homelands for America during this 80-year period, Asians experienced a great number of positive and negative ordeals in their attempts to join the great melting pot of the new world. Chinese immigration during this time is filled with countless stories of hardship, rejection, persecution, opportunity, and success. A significant language barrier compounded the Chinese immigration experience. Beginning in the mid- 19th Century when young, single men were recruited as contract laborers from Southern China (particularly from the Kuangtung Province), Asian immigrants have played a vital role in the development of the United States. Several factors contributed to the influx of Chinese to the wild American West around 1850. "
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of the methodological strengths and drawbacks of participation observation. The writer uses examples to introduce the link between ethnography and participant observation. In addition, several practical issues including gaining access to and being accepted by the group are highlighted.
From the Paper "Many of the things we now know about life were derived from research that was done to discover the answers. The things we like, the products we purchase, the way therapy is handled, and thousands of other decisions are made in part because research determined what would be best or what we want most. Research is the cornerstone of civilized society and there are many approaches that can be used."
Abstract In this paper the author examines James Baldwin?s, "The Fire Next Time", which looks at the explosion or revolution that will result if freedom for African Americans is not achieved. The author identifies and examines, in depth, various thematic threads throughout the novel and also makes reference to the story of Hamlet when comparing the African-American search for their identity in America.
From the paper:
?Baldwin's talent for running words excitingly across a page, crying thoughts to heights of perception, rarely falters. When he discusses the African American's need to fight back against white oppression, he recognizes that the African American although sometimes deluded by promises is actually less deluded than whites that believe that they are giving freedom to blacks.?
Tags: James, Baldwin, The, Fire, Next, Time, African, Americans, Whites
Abstract In this paper the author takes an in-depth look at British Colonialism and its rise and fall. The author also examines the effect that Colonialism has had on the countries that were previously part of the Empire, in particular Africa, and how there countries are dealing with this even today.
From the paper:
?The newly drawn map of the continent of Africa was then superimposed over the one thousand nations of indigenous people living in the various regions of Africa. In some instances, the new borders divided groups and nations of people that had formerly been united, and at other times the borders merged groups and nations that had no wish to be merged.?
