Abstract This paper takes a look at racism-- what it is and what is the root of its power.
From the Paper "Racism is leftover baggage from the slave trade and slavery. In the year 2002 there are people who believe that there is no longer any racism and there is only one race, the human race. Many of the people that accept these views as true, that it is only the human race, are a part of the majority group in the United States, which are white people. The majority group of people uses the ideology of racism to justify the injustices that are set upon the minority groups. A few of the injustices that they try to justify are how people differentiate between the Black community, versus the White community, in terms of the job opportunities and the types of training that are received. Therefore, racism is based on ideology or belief systems."
Discusses the construction and formation of sexuality in the past and present and how it is produced, molded and affected by political, social and economic forces.
1,405 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 46.95
Abstract This paper discusses the ways in which heterosexuality and homosexuality have been formed as direct and indirect results of political, social, and economic forces. Includes historical meanings of sexuality: colonial America and classical Greece as well as a comparison of different critics' views.
From the Paper "In Is There a History of Sexuality, David Halperin defines sexuality as a cultural effect with lots of history and an "appropriation of the human body and of its physical capacities" (416). For the purposes of this essay, sexuality can be thought of as the sum total of a person's sexual thoughts, feelings, desires and behaviors, whether expressed or hidden. It is an aspect of a person's individuality and identity that is produced, molded, and affected by political, social, and economic forces in our society. In this essay I hope to cover each of these topics that are important in the development of sexuality and to explain why it is that they are such key elements."
Abstract A look at the current switch from analog television to digital television. The author discusses the way television has progressed today and the type of quality, sound and picture it offers and compares it to the past. An examination of digital transmission and progressions into the future.
From the Paper "Once upon a time ? right after our parents got home from walking sixteen miles to school, uphill each way, in the snow, with people throwing rocks at them ? they sat down with their milk and cookies to watch black-and-white television. And while television has obviously acquired color in the years since the first generation of sets began to be commonplace in American households, they have otherwise in many ways remained remarkably similar to those first sets. But now the world of digital television is almost upon us, promising at least a technical revolution, and possibly a social one as well. For television is so deeply embedded into our national consciousness that any dramatic change in the technology that delivers the pictures on the small screen into our lives is almost guaranteed to have a substantial effect on American culture as we take the first major step in television redesign since the introduction of electronic television two generations ago."
Abstract This paper discusses the theory of "self-presentation" offered by the famous sociologist Erving Goffman. This theory concerns the behavior of a person in day-to-day interactions. The author provides examples in order to illustrate how the theory applies to real-life situations.
From the Paper "Erving Goffman offers a unique theory of interaction, which has been both highly acclaimed and criticized by other sociologists. While some believe that Goffman has been absolutely accurate in his assumptions that a man usually presents his self in a certain way to others which is often not the real him, there are others who feel that this may offer at some times especially when we met someone new but with our old associates we let go of the fa?ade because they know us well and we do not to pretend in front of them. But the fact remains that a man does often presents himself in a different light when meeting others and often the performance is so convincing that it does not leave any room for doubt or suspicion."
Tags: faח, ade real actor role physical interactions performance impression
Abstract This paper examines the direct effects that the media have on voter preference. The author focuses on the media coverage and political campaigning strategies in Great Britain and Germany, evaluating media coverage of the previous two national elections in both states, and examining press media coverage of campaigning and the overall effect it plays in the election process.
From the Paper "Once voter interest is obtained, appealing political media images are a good and often successful means of influencing the popular vote. As one-third of voters know nothing about particular politicians yet still hold strong emotions toward them, the voter attitude toward candidates and political parties is a good predictor of voter decisions. Various studies establish the ability of the political advertisements to lodge in viewer minds elements by which politicians can be judged, furthermore; political advertising can provide voters with specific image characteristics of candidates that relate to voter choice. Cwalina, Falkowski, & Kaid concluded political advertising can possibly affect voters in three ways: 1) Advertisements can strengthen already existing voter preferences; 2) Advertisements can weaken existing preferences of uncertain voters and may cause change of such preferences; 3) Advertisements can re-create the image of the candidate."
Tags: election, engineering, political, politics, science, press, germany, united, kingdom
This paper traces the history of the development of the study of Sociology and examines the works of its founders , including Marx, Durkheim and Weber.
1,450 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 6 sources, 2001, $ 48.95
Abstract This paper provides a complete overview of the development of the science of sociology. It focuses on three major players - Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber and their influence on the early stages of the science. It shows how they they helped form the basis for the three general perspectives in sociology: conflict theory, functionalism, and interactionism.
From the paper:
"It was Auguste Comte (1789-1857) who coined the term ?sociology.? He believed this new science should study the question of "how is society possible"? (Bartek/Mullin14) He based his own science on the idea that society is composed of individuals in the same way as a line is composed of points. The focus must be on observations of society and the collections of those individuals. Because of Comte's work, other sociologists began to study the changes in society."
Tags: conflict, theory, functionalism, interactionism, development, history
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines Max Weber?s, "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism". The paper goes on to discuss Weber's views concerning bureaucracy and finally examines how capitalism, charisma, and Protestantism affect bureaucracy.
From the paper:
?Although Weber believed that bureaucracy has several advantages, the main one being efficiency in attaining goals, Weber also noted the dysfunctions of bureaucracy in terms of the impact that it had on individuals. For example, while impersonality is important to attaining and maintaining the efficiency of an organization, it is dehumanizing because it views individuals as just another cog in the machine.?
Abstract The following paper critically analyzes the concept of "Melting Pot" which is a term that supposedly defines America as a land of the free and home to all cultures, races, and ancestries. The author makes reference to two journal articles which claim that "Americanness" is an idea that has always been linked with "Whiteness" and that "whiteness" can not exist, without something against which to define itself - "blackness".
From the paper:
?But in the 1960s and '70s, a more inclusive ideology was suggested -- "a stew" or "mixed salad" term was beginning to emerge as the American label. This term recognized that immigrants to America might maintain their distinct cultures, languages and traditions, their ethnicity or ancestry, while at the same time recognizing their ?Americanness.? (Chideya, 1999) While this term equally recognizes the presence of many different cultures, in my opinion, it doesn?t quite articulate the mixture and combing and cultures as it is in America.?
Tags: cultures, races, and ancestries assimilation ideology white black individual development
Abstract This paper deals with the concept of early childhood development. It provides a history of the research in the field and explains what technological advancement have recently been made. It examines topics such as world view's of early childhood, cognitive development, technology and learning, alternative learning and national curriculum.
From the paper:
"Children in the developmental stage of early childhood (ages 3 through 8) are concrete learners. They are exceptionally sensory; they learn best by touching, tasting, hearing, smelling, and moving their bodies. Children in this age range are active learners. They are interested in experiments, trial and error, representing what they are learning through construction and play, and finding answers in picture books. They like to find things out on their own. As they gradually become more focused on other people and the outside world, children become aware that there are many adult skills that they do not have. In environments where they are encouraged to try out these skills (such as writing) at their own appropriate level, they enthusiastically embrace learning. "
Abstract This paper looks at the sociological concept of group dynamics. It claims that many theories have been written about the topic, but the best way to experience this phenomena is to watch students on campus. This paper is the personal account and observations of a student studying group dynamics.
From the paper:
"Group dynamics is the term given to the scientific study of group behavior, and it is of crucial sociological importance if we wish to advance our knowledge and understanding of the nature of groups, their development and the relationships that exist within and between them. The majority of social scientists examine the concepts of group dynamics through the collation of empirical research and the development of scientific theories. This paper, however, will focus on the application of these theories and issues in relation to specific aspects of everyday life on campus."
Abstract This paper looks at rituals and how they structure society. The author discusses how rituals effect communication mediums between people as well as how they impact cooperation and understanding. The author examines different types of rituals in different cultures.
From the paper:
"Regardless of who we are, or where we live, rituals form a basic part of our lives. We participate in them ourselves, we see them being performed by others, we notice them in the actions of animals. Rituals are physical actions that mean something to us: we do them because they serve a purpose and help us achieve what we need to in order to move on to the next step in our daily lives."
Tags: tradition, culture, religion, religious, god, ritual, bond
Abstract This paper examines how the presence of others affects our performance and behaviour. The author argues that the presence of others effects simple/practiced tasks and complex ones differently. Included is an anlysis of group consensus and conformity, social impact theory, and a look at possible outcomes such as: diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance.
From the paper:
"Our behaviour is influenced in many ways by the actions, views and mere presence of those around us. Many studies in Social Psychology have been carried out on how this influence effects us and how much. It seems that the presence of an audience is beneficial only when the task at hand is simple or well practised. If not, the audience causes performance to get worse. When acting as part of a group, individuals tend to conform to a common group consensus. This is especially the case when such a consensus in unanimous. However, minorities do have the ability to change group norms or perceptions. Individuals are less likely to help those who maybe in trouble when there are other potential helpers around. This is mainly due to pluralistic ignorance and diffusion of responsibility. Social impact theory states that the level of influence on an individual depends on the number, status and proximity of the observers as well as on whether he is acting alone or with others."
Abstract The author of this paper discusses what leadership is, various theories of leadership, the differences between effective and ineffective leaders, how leaders come about and the future requirements of leaders in the 21st century.
Table of Contents:
What is Leadership?
Theories of leadership
Purpose of Leadership
Effective Leadership
Why Leaders are Important
Understanding the Basics
Are Leaders Born or Made?
Differences between Managers and Leaders
Male and Female Managers - How Different Are They?
Forging the Future- New Definitions for Leaders in the 21st Century
From the paper:
"In this society, leadership is dispersed through out all segments of the society ?government, business, organized labor, professions, the minority communities, the universities, social agencies, and so on. Most leadership today is an attempt to accomplish purpose through large, intricately organized systems. Individuals in all segments and at all levels must be prepared to exercise leadership taking initiatives and responsibility using their knowledge to solve problems at their level. (R.G. Lord, 1991)."
Abstract The following paper critically analyzes whether divorce is a devastating act that reverberates down the decades, inflicting permanent harm on adults and children or whether it is a healing act for the family torn by conflicts that are far worse than any divorce might be.
From the paper:
? Wallerstein's research is anecdotal, limited to a homogeneous, affluent, Caucasian sample, and was not contrasted with a control group. She did not track similar families torn by conflicts who nonetheless stayed together. Her work's most serious flaw, however, is her skewed sample: every family came to her because they were already experiencing serious problems. And thus her work has been criticized by some colleagues, because it does not take into account the complex tangle of emotions and difficulties that dysfunctional families suffer, whether they divorce or not.?
Abstract This essay reflects on the way in which the the war on drugs is a losing battle in the United States. It suggests a strategy that focuses on the adverse medical affects of drugs on the body, rather than a militaristic one.
From the paper:
?The lawful government of Panama gave its permission for the United States to invade their country to achieve military objectives that were in the interest of the U.S. government. Once the U.S. armed forces invaded Panama, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Noreiga and extradited him to the U.S. for trial.?
