Abstract
This paper focuses its analysis on the Roman Near East culture, aiming to provide an understanding of this culture, based on current knowledge of the region's history, so as to deepen comprehension of such a fascinating place. The paper explains that tradition can correspond to art and architectural traditions while also infer religious culture; an educational system does not need to be in the context of a formal institution but can include what language the people learned to speak and possibly read or write. The paper also notes that the concept of culture can refer to religion, political institutions, and societal organization to name a few of the larger concepts. Within this framework, the paper concludes, that it remains to discover whether the culture of the Roman Near East was intrinsically Greco-Roman or "Oriental."

From the Paper
"Thus far, the study has been primarily based on the urban centres of the Roman Near East. It is acutely necessary not to forget the villages and the countryside because it is in this context that the vast majority of the population resided. It is only not possible to make a more extensive study because, understandably, the vast majority of the evidence we have is focused on the urban centres. Dijkstra believes that there was only a superficial inclusion of Greek culture among the indigenous population outside the cities. However, this seems to ignore the blatant majority of Greek inscriptions in this area compared to Syriac ones. The small township of Goharia used Latin and Greek language and terms to celebrate the success of their court case. Villages from as far as the banks of the Euphrates used Greek for petitions and deed of sales. Indeed, the use of inscriptions as evidence should not be used to infer an entire political system, but they do represent a conscious use of Graeco-Roman culture. It should also be noted that a cultural exchange of Graeco-Roman traditions with the rural areas insinuates that there was a two-way process."

Tags:east, oriental, roman, empire

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the social group of Black women and argues that in spite of the achievements of the women's rights movement of the 1960s,many opportunities and pathways to self-actualization are not available to black women. The writer discusses that in a society in which Black women were slaves to whites and subservient to Black males, the struggles for equality that have existed in the world have not changed the social perception of Black females.

From the Paper
"In viewing the societal landscape it is evident that there are very few Black women that lead corporations, political entities or educational institutions. This is primarily because Black women as a social group have been overlooked and outcast by those outside of their culture, as well as those within it. It is often believed that the women's rights movement in the 1960s changed the existence of all women for the better, opening doors that created opportunity and a road toward self-actualization. Yet, for most Black women this was not the case."

Tags:black, women, development

Abstract
This study uses content analysis to examine adolescent television drama program behavior as compared to actual adolescent behavioral statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics. Issues of sexual behavior, alcohol usage and drug usage were analyzed. This work contributes to cultivation theory; the culmination of similar messages on fictional adolescent television drama programs re-enforces impressions that are not based on reality.

From the Paper
"Media can be described in many ways and forms. It is the dissemination of news, events, and information as well as a portrayal of America. It contains movies, sitcoms, dramas, comedies, news, and world events that all shape our reality of what the world is. Television more specifically is so popular because its function is to be a mirrored image of what America is, its beliefs, and ideas. Because it performs this function, it is considered entertainment. This industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that centers around two words: money and people. It does not necessarily have to be accurate for people to believe it. People will believe what they find to be interesting whether it is true or not, based upon no actual proof. This is why the media can get away with straying from the truth, because people do not care whether what they absorb is true. Truth is a very powerful concept that most people take too lightly. Most people will not admit that what they watch on television, hear on the radio, or read in the newspaper affects them. However, it has been proven through the cultivation theory that this effect is present, it does occur, and it subsequently affects the way a country perceives itself. This is how the media ultimately controls the power of thought."

Tags:cultivation, influence, media, research, study, teenager, theory

Abstract
The paper explores popular culture based on Steven Johnson's book "Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter", and how it is promoting the issue of environmentalism. The paper considers Al Gore's documentary and book, "An Inconvenient Truth", the role of television, and the impact of Internet and other technologies. The paper discusses the view of detractors of pop culture and reveals that while it may have made people more aware of environmental issues, it has not made enough people change to make a real difference to the environment. Finally, the paper discusses whether all this attention is actually harmful for the environment.

Outline:
An Inconvenient Truth
Television and the Environment
The Internet and the Environment
Repetition and the Media
Pop Culture Detractors
Change or Apathy?
Has Pop Culture Made a Difference?

From the Paper
"Everywhere you look today; advertisers and the media are touting green products, from solar Christmas lights to energy-saving appliances and automobiles. If you happen to catch a Sunday morning news show, you might think the only advertisers are energy companies trying to convince consumers how environmentally-conscience they really are. Saving the environment and going green have permeated the media and pop culture, and that indicates just how influential pop culture can be in today's world. It has made saving the environment trendy, and it has created a new generation of children who encourage their parents to recycle, save energy, and be more environmentally responsible, and that is a clear indication of how influential pop culture and the media can be in supporting issues like saving the environment."

Tags:television, mass, media, Internet, sustainability, awareness, climate, change

Abstract
This paper examines the theory that the two famous Greek tragedies, "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey", were not actually written by a real person named Homer, but rather that Homer was the collective pen name of all the bards who told these renditions of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey." The paper also summarizes both tragedies and concludes that, no matter who the author, these stories are wonderfully entertaining and greatly influenced the course of the literature, drama, and philosophy that followed.

From the Paper
"The Odyssey is a sequel to the Trojan War. Odysseus, a Greek war hero, has been lost at sea. For ten long years the gods play with his fate as he encounters powerful creatures and manages to survive many disasters at sea. He faces man-eating giants, seductive murderous sirens, Circe who turns his men into pork, and even the goddess Calypso who keeps him as a love slave for many years. When Odysseus returns home from his journey, he finds that his wife is still waiting for him. His house, however, is overrun with suitors trying to woo his wife and eat his food. Even his dog (who is now a homeless stray living on garbage and must be of a remarkably old age for a canine) dies as soon as Odysseus returns home. Together with his now adult son, Odysseus kills hundreds of his wife's suitors and all of his corrupted servants. He is finally reunited with his loving wife and evil blind father. (Homer, The Odyssey)"

Tags:mini-epic, batrachomyomachia, homeric, hymns, margites, blind, pisistratus, athens

Abstract
In the Seventh Book of Plato's "Republic", the famous cave allegory depicts the difference between illusion and knowledge. It is also a call to go beyond appearances and seek the light of reality. After closely looking at Plato's story, the paper seeks to understand this philosophical quest, including a detailed consideration of the film, "Rashomon". The paper argues that perhaps this philosophical project may actually not be understandable.

From the Paper
"But Plato's description of the cave allegory wants to do more. The story concerns notions of "virtue," "justice," "truth," and so forth. Plato asks us to deal with "ultimate" matters, in which appearances only obscure "reality" and that one needs to be "illuminated" to be able to adequately contemplate that ultimate reality. One must make this journey towards truth and return to my everyday world with this truth. Otherwise one will be lost in a fog of mere opinions in which an account of a particular shadow simply amounts to an interpretation that finds company with other people's interpretations, so none of us sees the actual reality that is the cause of the perceived world of shadows."

Tags:appearance, knowledge, reality

Abstract
This paper explains that arguments used to define cults can actually be used to define religions as well; but most of these definitions, unfortunately, have come from rumors and the negative portrayals of these cults through the media. The author relates that, because the word 'cult' deviates from the similarities between the two, a common phrase to describe cults used by scholars and theologians of religion is 'new religious movements'. The paper relates that, much like the Branch Davidian community of the 1990s, major contemporary religions, such a Catholicism and Mormonism, went through similar hardships of persecution within America based on stereotypes and rumors.

From the Paper
"The meaning of the word cult itself has changed over time. Once believed to be a form of worship or ritualistic and systemic religious belief, today many perceive cults as associated with groups such as Heavens Gate, Jonestown, and Branch Davidians. People tend to believe that cults in general have many connotations associated with them whether it is "from the images of slaughtered men, women and children at Jonestown, to the impression of a movie with a small but devoted following" ("New Religious"). But these connotations, be it good or bad have mislead the public to their understanding of what a cult actually is. Because both religions and cults have a basis of worship, the only difference is that of the size of the group, how the public sees the group, and of how orthodox or compatible it is with societal standards."

Tags:arguments, negative, new, movements, davidian

Abstract
Although Satan and God have alternatively been proposed to be the heroes of Milton's "Paradise Lost," this paper explores how Eve is actually the hero of the poem. While not your typical Homeric hero, Eve defines a new brand of heroism in this poem. This paper explores the various ways in which Eve's role in "Paradise Lost" fulfills this new definition.

Abstract
Could Shakespeare's works actually be Christopher Marlowe's? This is discussed with a comparison of Marlowe's works with Shakespeare's. Many have argued that Shakespeare's works have been fakes and believe that Marlowe could be the possible writer. How do they compare is a question that will be addressed in this paper.

Abstract
This paper relates that, with the proposed reforms of the Medicare system, most people will not be able to use it because it would actually cost them more to do so than it would to simply not have insurance at all. The author feels that one of the biggest problems is that seniors who have Medicare do not have any coverage for prescription drugs, and because of this, they have to pay a large amount of money out of pocket. The paper stresses that the study, designed to be more of a subjective rather than an objective study, is based on the review of the available literature and the opinions and beliefs of those that make up this literature group because it does not appear that statistical research would be helpful.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Overview of the Study
Significance of the Study
Rationale of the Study
Scope of the Study
Review of Related Literature
Description of Sources Used
Positive Aspects
Negative Aspects
Literature Review
Methodology
Research Design and Approach
Procedures Used and Data Analysis
Research Considerations and Limitations
Validity and Uniqueness of the Data
Summary

From the Paper
"The sources used for this particular literature review did not come from the expected peer reviewed journals and magazines. This is largely because the Medicare reforms have not officially been enacted, and therefore studies into how they are impacting individuals who use the Medicare system have not been conducted. Because of this, there are few sources that can actually be found that deal with the Medicare reforms and how they are going to affect the elderly. At least, this is true of professional journals and official sources."

Tags:prescription, drugs, seniors, levels, subjective