Abstract This paper offers an in-depth examination of the Olmec civilization, which existed in Central America. This paper discusses the lifestyle and way of life. It looks at the architectural methods, as well as the hunting and food preparation manners. It also discusses how Olmecs were influenced by other civilizations of the time and how, in turn, they impacted other cultures.
From the Paper "Long before the Maya, Aztec or Toltec flourished in Central America, there lived the Olmecs, a civilization that has come to continue to intrigue and amaze the world. They were the most prevalent group in Mesoamerica and a highly developed and well organized society with a complex calendar and hieroglyphic writing system. The Olmecs were the mother civilization in Mesoamerica. The Olmec lived around the areas of La Venta in Tabasco, San Lorenza Tenochtitlan, and Laguna de los Cerros in Veracruz during the pre-classic period. They built their cities around a central raised mound. These mounds, used for religious ceremonies, were replaced with pyramid-shaped structures around 900 B.C. The Olmecs used basalt, found in the Tuxtla Mountains, to construct plazas and religious pyramid structures."
Abstract This paper looks at the lives and roles of women in colonial Latin America and discusses how the class and race of the women helped determined their roles and position in society.
From the Paper "Evidence also suggests that some variability existed regarding the roles of women in different Latin American countries. In late colonial Brazil for example, women married early, generally by age twenty or twenty one; also many of the households were headed by women in colonial Brazil. This may have resulted from the need for men to be mobile, frequently traveling to find mines or off on exploratory adventures. Though illegitimacy was an area of concern and a threat to honor, as described above in greater detail, in Brazil there were high levels of illegitimacy among all people; Lockhart and Schwartz (1983) suggest that in some areas more than 40 percent of children born were illegitimate."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the geography, natural resources, history, cultural aspects, environmental issues, economy, and politics of the United States and Venezuela.
From the Paper "Venezuela sits on the northern part of eastern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Its area, about 912,000 sq km, makes it about twice the size of California (CIA, 2004a). Within that area. Venezuela has mountains (the Andes), lowlands, plains, and highlands, with its highest point the mountain Pico Bolivar, about 5,000 meters high. Its climate is almost entirely tropical although the highlands have more moderate temperatures. The country's natural resources include petroleum and natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, and diamonds (CIA, 2004a). Venezuela has some hydro-electric power."
Abstract This paper examines how both dependency theory and Marxist theory suggest reasons why Latin America and similar areas in the world have not achieved the same level of economic development as the developed world and how each theory has then been used as a reason for making changes to effect greater levels of development. It considers the history and political and social structures in Latin America and looks at how the way these theories have affected Latin American economies and their citizens.
From the Paper "Development and underdevelopment are seen in terms of dependency theory as part of the same process and not as separate entities. Dependency theory was fashioned to explain the patterns of development in Latin America and held that this development had been conditioned by the incorporation of the region into the capitalist mode of production. The dependency of the Third World on the developed capitalist nations involves an interaction that explains the economic and social-class formations that have emerged in places like Latin America and also the structure of trade, technology, and investment between the developed and the developing world (Topik, 1987, pp. 554-555)."
Abstract This paper discusses the book, "The House of the Spirits" written by Isabelle Allende. The writer points out that, although the book is a novel and is set in a nameless magical reality of the author's imagination rather than a specific place and time, the heavily symbolic nature of Allende's prose renders the book almost like a philosophical, as opposed to an analytical, critique of Chilean politics and society.
From the Paper "The book tells the story of the coming of age, of the boyhood and manhood of the patriarch of the Trueba family during the political upheaval that cumulates in the rise of a dictatorial era. It also stresses the struggles of the patriarch's wife to come to terms with her own gifts of prognostication and the impact of the sins and hopes of the fathers and mothers of the Trueba family upon their offspring's lives in a larger political context. Ultimately, Estaban Trueba lives in frustration at his inability to control the women in his life or the politics of the world in which he dwells logic and masculine power are futile in the arbitrary world of the novel. The man's first love, his fiance dies. He cannot fully possess his wife Clara on an emotional level, as she becomes involved with a relationship with another woman. His daughter becomes pregnant by a lower class man. His granddaughter is raped."
Abstract This paper provides several basic facts about Cuba today. It looks at the country's history, geography, demography, and economic situation. The diverse culture is also mentioned and discussed.
From the Paper "Cuba is part of a limestone platform related to the limestone areas of the Yucatan, Florida and the Bahamas. The Central American Antillean System, the main mountain system of the West Indies, crosses south eastern Cuba, where it is known as the Sierra Maestra. Although most of Cuba is low, there are several upland and mountain areas that increase in height from west to east. In the extreme west along the coast is a beautiful and unusual area of eroded limestone, the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. Just west of Havana is the narrow Sierra de los Organos, which has elevations of 150 to 750 m. Many of the hills resemble isolated haystacks and border magnificent valleys, rich in vegetation and endowed with a great variety of beautiful and exotic orchids."
Abstract Modern teachers have much to reflect on when designing their classroom plan. Our multicultural world has changed the needs of the students and thus changed what goes into classroom planning. This paper shows that all teachers must start with a new look at themselves so that they may make plans for the students and not for themselves. The paper shows that the teachers also need to make adjustments for the various types of students they will be teaching, for every student deserves a chance at success.
Paper Outline:
Abstract
The Awareness' Necessary to Teach in a Multicultural Environment
Self-Knowledge
Other Viewpoints
Discourse
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "There is so much that goes into creating a successful environment in any classroom, much less one that is multicultural. Teachers today have many things to consider for the good of their students and many obstacles to overcome because of political restraints. The best things a teacher can do to get the best environment possible is to first take a look at self-knowledge, analyzing their own identity as well as asking the students to look at who they are; making students aware of the multiple points of view to be learned; and to alter their classroom discourse style so as to allow every student to participate."
Abstract This paper explains that minorities often do not receive adequate health care because they lack the economic resources to pay for it and do not have the political influence to generate reform. The author points out that Hispanic babies suffer from a lack of prenatal care in much greater numbers and Hispanic adults are dying in larger numbers than Caucasians. The paper relates that many Hispanics do not have equal access to diagnosis or treatment because often they are uninsured or because they live in areas where medical facilities are unavailable, poorly staffed or lack necessary medicines.
From the Paper I"n examining and explaining Hispanic views of health and health care providers, it is evident that they are troubled by the fact that minorities often do not receive adequate health care because they lack the economic resources to pay for it and do not have the political influence to generate reform. According to Smoak (2005) Hispanic babies suffer from a lack of prenatal care in much greater numbers, and Hispanic adults are dying in larger numbers than Caucasians afflicted the same illnesses and diseases because many Hispanics do not have equal access to diagnosis or treatment, often because they are uninsured or because they live in areas where medical facilities are unavailable, poorly staffed, or lack necessary medicines."
Abstract This persuasive essay argues that immigration is a positive step for both immigrants and the United States in many ways. The paper suggests that many immigrants often bring new knowledge and skills while others come to the United States to get away from suppression. The paper points out that, when a person stops to think about it, most people living in the United States are immigrants.
From the Paper "Everyone in the U.S. is an immigrant, except for Native Indians. If the first group of immigrants who arrived here can build something so enviable, why not give the subsequent lots a chance too?" (Latour). If all the first immigrants were told to go back home, where would the United States be today? Immigration is important for many reasons including giving the suppressed an opportunity to better their lives, for bringing specialists into the country, and knowledge needed fora global world. Many people believe that immigration is to benefit the person immigrating into the country and that the United States does not need to have more immigrants into the country. However, this simply is not true."
An analysis of Phillipe Bourgois' representation of gendered identity in his anthropological field study, "In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio".
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, 2006, $ 62.95
Abstract While Phillippe Bourgois' anthropological field study "In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio" is heavily focused on issues of class, culture and economics in East Harlem, the issue of gender relations and gender construction within this cultural frame is also a prominent theme. This paper critically examines Bourgois' representation of gendered identity and how gender is constructed in El Barrio through public displays of forms of masculinity and femininity. It is argued that as traditional Puerto Rican patriarchal authority appears to be collapsing in El Barrio, the residents are improvising new gendered identities.
Abstract This paper reviews the story "Pocho" written by Jose Antonio Villarreal, in which he discusses the life of a young American born Mexican and his struggle to assimilate into the culture in which he is being raised, as compared to the culture in which he actively participates throughout his life. It discusses the struggles that he encounters in trying to deal with these two cultures. The paper concludes by presenting the writer's personal opinion about the book.
From the Paper " It is not just Richard, his father or his mother that have difficulty in becoming acclimatized to a new culture, it is all the main characters in the book as well. The book's tone is such that what could be depressing in its view, actually just turns out to be interesting. Philosophically speaking, anyone who would try to completely change the culture that they live in, or attempt to change themselves to fit into the culture in which they have the most interaction would find it difficult. That these characters had such a hard time is not surprising in the least. That they were as successful as they were in their attempts is what is surprising, especially when the reader considers that they were in a new country, with no friends, very little money and the only substantial thing they could offer society was the fact that they would work hard both in the manual labors which they performed, and in the classroom to better themselves."
Abstract The paper labels Hugo Chavez as both the most admired and feared leader in Latin America. The paper discusses how Chavez's populist ideals and agenda easily won him respect and trust within the poorest Venezuelan communities. The paper looks at his critics, however, who include the Colombian government, the United States, some of the European Union and many middle and upper class Venezuelans. The paper describes how he has developed programs, policies and legislation that have brought the unemployment rate down, the economy up and the people of Venezuela to a whole new standard of living.
From the Paper "December 6, 1998, Venezuela elected a socialist democrat, the charismatic Hugo Chavez, as its new president, replacing the previous government of Rafael Caldera Rodriguez. As President, Chavez immediately proceeded to implement his Bolivarian Revolution policies of aiding the poor and disenfranchised as well as promoting unification in Latin America. This revolution compounded with his distrust of liberalist nations, such as the United States, has made Hugo Chavez both the most admired and feared leader in Latin America."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the historical and political patterns of Latin America. Specifically, patterns associated with centralization, militarism, corruption, religion, and economics as they have exist within Latin America will be addressed. It is suggested that the combined impact of these patterns have contributed significantly to the ongoing struggles experienced within this region of the world.
Abstract This papers deals with the effect of dollarization on the South American country of Ecuador. The author looks at issues such as economics, politics and society and how dollarization may impact these.
From the Paper "Ecuador, the "Republic of the Equator" was one of the three countries that emerged from Simon Bolivar's Gran Colombia in 1830. It is located in western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru. It is a very small country, measuring out to be slightly smaller than the State of Nevada. Being as small as it is, Ecuador has the economic and political troubles of a giant."
Abstract This essay lists the questionable labor practices of a leading fruit company called Dole in the U.S. The author argues for the unfair labor practices of this world-leading fruit company and examines the reasons behind them. Includes suggestions for improvements.
From the Paper "Dole Food Company, with its headquarters in Westlake Village, California, is one of the few multinational corporations that control the worldwide trade of bananas with 25% of the market. Dole bananas are produced in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Philippines and the Canary Islands. Bananas grown in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Honduras are for markets in North America, Europe, Russia, the Mediterranean and selected Asian markets. Bananas from the Philippines are transported to Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Europe imports bananas from Latin America, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Guadalupe, Martinique, Jamaica and the Canary Islands."
