Abstract This paper discusses important historical events in the history of the Hamas movement. The author points out the motivation and ideology (Islamic covenant) of Hamas, its opposition to the Palestinian Authority and where it stands today. The paper outlines some counter-terrorism steps taken worldwide.
From the Paper "Harakat-al-muqawama al-Islamiyya known by the acronym Hamas is anIslamic resistance movement whose roots can be traced back to the ... extension of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization founded in the ... in Egypt, which was renewed and strengthened ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the increasing diversity of the American school population and how teachers can promote multiculturalism in the classroom. The paper further explains that promoting multiculturalism in the classroom necessitates adopting a new approach to teaching and then looks at the implications that multiculturalism and diversity have for issues of literacy.
Tags: Teaching, in, a, Multiculral, and, Diverse, Society
Abstract This paper defines qualitative methods and quantitative methods. The author differentiates their uses. The paper assesses their suitability for use in human relations studies.
From the Paper "Research data may be evaluated through the application of either quantitative or qualitative analytical procedures. Quantitative approaches are more easily defined than are qualitative procedures because qualitative research may refer to either the way data are measured or the way such data are evaluated. A quantitative variable is one than can be measured numerically such as annual income. Quantitative data are produced by ordinal interval and ratio scales; while qualitative data are produced by nominal scales. Quantitative data ..."
Abstract This paper presents an explanation of the conflict theory of social problems and social interaction, with examples of how conflict theory often marginalizes minority groups in U.S. society.
From the Paper "The conflict theory of social problems and social interaction presupposed the existence in any and all societies of dominant groups and institutions which employ coercive power to impose their values upon others. In light of such dominant-minority group relations, stability in society is brought about because of the needs of the dominant groups to maintain social arrangements that are in their best interest. In conflict theory, both conflict and change are defined as essential features of social life. Conflict theorists often expand on Marx's insights about struggle..."
Tags: social values, conflict, resource distribution, Marx, gay marriage, single-parent households, class stratification, minorities, elites
Abstract This paper offers suggestions of the major reasons of divorce based on sociological perspective theories, which are the changing meaning of marriage, reduction of family bonds, and changes of relationship between men and women. The paper uses three theoretical perspectives in sociology to analyze the social phenomenon of divorce and explain the causes of today's higher divorce rate compared with the past: Symbolic interaction, functional analysis and conflict theory. The paper concludes that changes of the meanings of marriage influence spousal communication, and thus reflect in the increasing divorce rate. As the family structure today is no longer one economic unit this means that marriage is more fragile. The relationship between men and women affect the status of marriage. All these changes are part of the development of industrialization and urbanization of the American society.
From the Paper "Along with the development of society, there have been dramatic changes in American marriages. Nowadays, we knew more about divorce cases from our friends, media, and movies. According to statistics, "more than 90 percent of Americans marry at some time during their lives" (Yalom, 2). However, "close to half of all American marriages end in divorce" (Yalom, 164). We may be curious of reasons of such a high divorce rate. Henslin is a sociologist, and he does lots of researches on the changes of social phenomenon. Based on Henslin's American marriage and divorce figure (attached on page 7), the rate of American divorce kept increasing rapidly from the year 1955 to 1980; nevertheless, the divorce rate almost kept on the same level after that. Furthermore, Henslin estimates that the divorce rate would go down a little bit from the year 2000 to 2010. Because of the changes of social structure, Americans have to accept high divorce rates as a fact of life. However, it is still necessary to figure out major reasons of divorce based on sociological perspective theories, which are the changing meaning of marriage, reduction of family bonds, and changes of relationship between men and women."
Abstract This paper relates that Stanley Milgram was a pioneer researcher on obedience to authority. The author points out that his ground-breaking and shocking studies conducted at Yale in the 1960s are still relevant today. The paper provides historical background on Professor Milgram, a full description of the obedience studies, their results and their applications to society and humanity.
From the Paper "Written in 1974, Stanley Milgram's Obedience to Authority revealed shocking truths about human nature--particularly with respect to how easily people could be manipulated to perform horrible acts on innocents when induced by a perceived legitimate authority figure. "...the most fundamental lesson of our study: ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process." (Stanley Milgram, 1974, as quoted in Blass, 2004, xvii). While his groundbreaking research was conducted in the 1960s, his findings are relevant today in the field of psychology and in many other fields. His work continues to be studied and applied (Blass, 2004). Just what were these experiments, and what did they find?"
Abstract This essay examines the importance of advertising in today's society and analyses the representation of gender, race and class in today's advertising. The essay argues that gender and racial inequality and stereotyping are very much present in today's advertising and furthermore that this serves advertising needs. It also argues that advertising, combined with technology is a powerful tool in maintaining consumerist culture and that many corporations depend heavily on advertising for profit. Advertising is sophisticated, very well thought through and everywhere. It directly impacts our choices and often mirrors society.
Abstract This paper discusses how historically the concept of the single parent family in the United States has led to the belief that when one individual attempts to raise a child there will be hardships and family failure. This is contended because of the reliance of the family on one income and the dual roles that many single parents are forced to play in raising their children. Single mothers act as caregiver disciplinarian financial head of household and housekeeper. The paper further discusses how in addition to these responsibilities most single moms have full-time jobs, and statistics indicate that the majority of single mothers in the country receive no financial support from fathers. Yet, despite the abundance of negative elements that may be possible in the world of the single parent, there is an absolute possibility of success for the single parent to raise a family in this country.
Abstract The paper explains that stereotyping is an attempt to claim that each individual in a certain group shares a set of common qualities. The paper shows the impossibility of this, since no two individuals are alike. The paper looks at stereotypes of politicians and discusses the belief that tattoos are related to gangs, drug heads and motorcycle groups. The paper examines stereotypes of feminists and of the elderly community. The paper shows just how cruel judgments are when they are made about groups of individuals that people know little about.
From the Paper "Beliefs and values play a large role in society today, and eventually they will evolve over time. There are many different expressions of beliefs and values directly associated with stereotypes. Euphemism and dysphemism are rhetorical terms that are widely used in conjunction with stereotypes. Stereotyping is a natural function of the human and social mind. Essentially, the natural functions of stereotypes are actual sketches of how a group of people is perceived and how they perceive themselves. The stereotypes within this paper are normally viewed as erroneous. These are attempts to claim that each individual in a certain group shares a set of common qualities. No two individuals are alike, so this would be logically impossible."
Abstract This paper explains that the development of a personal theory of counseling is an important aspect of becoming a helping professional. The author points out that a personal theory is in itself a process and a tool, which the counselor uses to evaluate the client and his needs and and assess his own effectiveness as a helping professional. The paper relates that the author's own personal philosophy is influenced greatly by the phenomenological and humanistic approaches espoused by Alfred Adler and the existentialists and by the cognitive influences, especially appraisal, choice and responsibility as described by A. Ellis and W. Glasser. The author underscores that the fundamental goal of therapy is not necessarily symptom relief but rather identifying and exploring mistaken goals and ineffective values so that clients can make choices that are more congruent with their true selves.
Table of Contents:
View of Human Nature
Key Concepts
Therapeutic Goals and Objectives
Therapeutic Process
Techniques/Procedures
Multicultural Issues
From the Paper "Although I believe that humans have strong biological determinants with regard to personality, behavior, thought, and affect, I feel that the complexities of the mind transcend our innate composition such that we can function as unique, healthy, and adaptive individuals in both our internal and external worlds. Unfortunately, we sometimes get side-tracked from living up to our human potential, and our biological determinants then become more dominant. To be human is to be complex."
Tags: professional effectiveness adler cognitive, client directed planning
How Native Americans can teach the maintenance of community in a splintered society about not excluding other groups and how they can teach about true diversity and what it means to have a group sense of pride.
1,130 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 2000, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Native Americans can teach all of us. They can teach about the maintenance of community in a splintered society and about not excluding other groups. At the same time, they can teach about true diversity and what it means to have a group sense of pride. They can teach about the flexibility it takes to survive this brave new world. A lot of horrible things have happened to Native Americans. If similar things had happened to other groups, those groups may not have been able to persevere. Other groups probably wouldn"t be willing to teach. But the Indians are. Is society ready to listen""
An examination of the difference between the worldview of Native Americans, who generally treat the earth with respect, and the capitalist worldview of Protestant Europeans, who have a different view of this world.
1,890 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 0 sources, 2000, $ 60.95
From the Paper "Worldview is one aspect of Native American society that contributes strongly to their conservatism; this contrasts Western society, which has what Weber describes as Protestant Calvinism. Weber argues that the doctrine of Calvinism provided cultural motivation for the rise of capitalism, and more generally, modernity, with its emphasis on change and process. This is contrary to the Native aspect of worldview, which contains hundreds of religions with different relations with the sacred. One aspect of Calvinism that fosters a strong tendency towards change, in contrast to the Native American heritage is the dualism between this-worldly and otherworldly orientations. Within Calvinism this earth is evil, tainted with sin and disease, the primary world is the other world, or heaven. This has enormous implications on the treatment of this earth, as Christians are given the task of transforming it into a more heaven like utopia. This is done through subjugation of raw materials, population of the world and conversion of its inhabitance to the Christian faith (Champagne, The Cultural and Institutional., p. 29). Also, since the other world, or heaven is the only sacred world, institutions on earth must always be in a process of change and improvement, adapting to the changing environment, and creating what Weber called, the "spirit of capitalism", and the emergence of modernity."
Abstract This essay applies the thoughts of critical theorists such as Barthes and Eagleton to the concept of music and it's cultural roots and present day entity.
Abstract This paper covers the issues of covert and overt racism, in particular with African- American vs. Caucasian studies in the United States. Several real life examples are offered and analyzed in terms of the advantages and disadvantages each side faces in normal society. Institutional racism is also discussed in relation to class and social status.
This essay seeks to shed light on the difficulties of women in a different country by focusing on the specialized obstacles and hurdles faced by the women of India.
2,656 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 9 sources, 2001, $ 79.95
From the Paper "Culture in India has a peculiar association with the religious traditions of India. The dominant and archaic "faith", Hinduism, acts upon the national culture, which in turn influences the various religions, including Hinduism itself. The Bactrian Greeks, the Moghuls, and the English have all come and gone, but none have been able to fundamentally alter the relationship and influence Hinduism has on Indian culture. The values and beliefs of ancient Hindus have existed in the subcontinent since the beginning of prehistory and have tempered all religions that have been borne in or transported to India. We find almost perfect equality of women in Buddhist philosophy....Why is there such hypocrisy within these religions? Why do they advocate one thing and exercise another? "
