Abstract This paper claims that defining Americanculture is very difficult as America is a vast nation that encompasses a wide diversity of geographic, climatic and sub-cultural regions. Despite these difficulties, the paper describes some characteristics of Americanculture that are present throughout the nation and which are generally representative of the nation as a whole.
From the Paper "Defining American culture is no easy task. After all, the United States of America is a vast nation that encompasses a wide diversity of geographic, climatic, and sub-cultural regions. The heavy incidence of immigrants in the United States not to mention a relatively short history also contribute to difficulty that some individuals have in pinpointing what qualifies as American culture. Worse, we must remember that culture as a term includes all the "characteristic activities and interests of a people" (Spengler par. 2). This means that defining American culture could be a massively broad affair that consists of little more of a description of pop culture items. Despite these difficulties, it is nonetheless possible to describe some characteristics of American culture that are present throughout the nation and which are generally representative of the nation as a whole. There are a number of characteristics that we can superficially ..."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the Greek and Americancultures in terms of culture and lifestyle, vis a vis priorities, fellowship, entertainment, food and family. The paper contends that America is primarily a land of opportunity and material success, while Greece is primarily a land of camaraderie and familial connectedness.
From the Paper "America's freedom and opportunity have drawn immigrants from all over the world to her shores to join together in one of the largest melting pots in the world. In the streets of America Italians can live next door to Germans and Africans can live next door to Native Americans. Since immigrants bring elements of their culture with them to America, knowing someone of another ethnicity-or even growing up in an ethnic family-can convince us that we are acquainted with that culture."
Abstract This paper looks at Hispanic culture and how it has helped shape and mold Americanculture. The great extent to which Latin American dance, music, and food have become an intrinsic part of the overall Americanculture is cited as an example of this influence. The paper concludes by suggesting that Americanculture truly is a blend of cultures from all over the world.
From the Paper "America has often been referred to as the great melting pot, a smorgasbord of people with various racial, cultural and ethnic identities and traditions. Tied to this view is the idea that the culture of the American people should be defined as a cornucopia of different cultures melded into one to form a new, hybrid culture. Many different cultures have influenced the overall culture within the United States particularly that of the Latin American people with whom I associate."
Tags: melting, pot, ethnic, cultural, identities, traditions, united, states
Abstract This paper discusses how Americanculture highly regards individuality compared to many other cultures and for this reason, it is more difficult to distinguish the dominant values, beliefs and traditions of American life, because the lives of Americans differ so much, depending on their race, class and beliefs. It examines how the authors Tracy Ore, John Langston Gwaltney and Lillian Rubin in their three different articles each add a unique perspective to the values that dominate our culture. It also looks at how they provide valuable insight on the American dream and how different groups experience it, due to the cultural differences that America has labeled them with.
From the Paper "Ore makes an excellent point when she says that Americans categorize each other by race and culture. In many cases, race and culture work closely to create significant distinctions among groups within a larger society. Often, race plays a part in establishing separate cultural groups. In the United States, people are disturbed when they are unable to classify someone based on their race. If it is unclear what race someone is, they will ask one another, "What are you"? (Ore, p. 1)
According to Ore, ?the culturally defined classifications are significant in that they are structured as categories that are fundamentally different from one another. (p. 1). People expect to be able to tell is someone is black or white, for example, and are confused when someone is in between. However, while someone may be different, it is not a negative thing."
Abstract The paper discusses African-Americanculture and states that race is about a social construct rather than being biological, since society has a different set of rules for each racial group. Furthermore, the paper states that there is no alternative conceptualization of race that it would advocate, because it is a social construct. This is due to the fact that society has defined what is expected of each racial group, a factor that has nothing to do with biological aspects of being white or black . The paper concludes that despite the struggles, African Americans have contributed to the foundations of American events through culture and music.
Outline:
Introduction
Civil Rights
Music
Conclusion
From the Paper "African Americans are settled in the United States, however some do not receive the same education and treatment as white students due to the fact that they are viewed as a minority race Furthermore, because of their lack culture acknowledgement from teachers, sometimes African American students require educational intervention, which is actually lacking knowledge in their culture even though they have settled in the United States for hundreds of years. "The bar graphs below illustrate the divergent fortunes of America's minorities in terms of living in the best neighborhoods. Asian-American are over-represented (compared to their percentage of all Americans) in every category... particularly in wealthy urban neighborhoods. African-Americans are much less likely to be found in either central cities or suburbia. Hispanics have penetrated the nations best neighborhoods more broadly and deeply than Blacks, but are still woefully under represented in America's landscapes of wealth" (A Racial Summary: Great Info & Bar Graphs). Even though African Americans are still considered a minority group, they have made a historical reputation through culture and music."
Abstract This paper examines how the decades of the 50s and 60s are so influential on Americanculture today. It looks are the period of turbulent change and the icons of rebellion still visible today. It illustrates the classic television family as stable, happy and conformed to mores of the American family. The author demonstrates that both decades hold American ideals that are a result of the political reality of that time.
From the Paper "The 1950s and the 1960s had very distinct and indelible influences on present day America. The 1950's were the source of a great many classic American stereotypes. In contrast, the 1960's were a time of cultural upheaval and rebellion. Together, both of these decades helped to shape the music, culture, and political events of the 1990s and beyond."
Tags: 1950, 1960, usa, united, states, stereotype, cultural, upheaval, rebellion, music, culture, political, events
A discussion of the the black experience in Americanculture as percieved by the authors Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes and James Baldwin.
Abstract This paper examines how African-American authors have influenced Americanculture as they have come forward to present issues that the society would rather have forgotten. It shows how authors such as Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes and James Baldwin have come under fire as they have written about the racial and biased experiences throughout their lives and through their narratives they have forged a link between the past, the present (themselves) and their future (the unborn generation).
From the Paper "These literary works are an effort on their part to prove to their nations that regardless of the perceived realities their existence and lives have valuable. The slave past some of these authors have had created a void in their lives that at times left then feeling ashamed and wary of their life experiences. These works were then an effort to wipe out shame and abashment associated with a part of their life that they could not control. By presenting the true essence of their potentials as an industry, as folks with rich traditions and high values they made themselves a ?productive citizen.? Thus, it can be said that African-American culture has been dominated by the struggle from isolated individuals towards the creation of a self-confident social figure. [Okafur-Newsum, 1998]."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the French-Americanculture in relation to healthcare. The the paper describes the characteristics and components of the French-Americanculture fully, in order to inform the health impacts of this specific culture. The paper reviews literature that delves into the study of this culture that exists in many areas of the United States today.
Outline:
Objective
Statement of Problem
Questions of the Study
Introduction
Acadians & Quebecois (French-AmericanCultural Groups)
Recent Study Conducted in Maine Reports 'Key' Cultural Factors
Health Impacts Identified in this Study
Findings of the Research
Recommendations for Future Research Initiatives
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The research indicates that the intercultural communication hierarchy of the Acadian society is the 'key' factor to understand by healthcare professions due to the rare interaction in communication within this culture. The lifestyle of the French-American is one that is healthy due to the interconnectedness of the community, family, and lifestyle or healthcare practices established in the communities of this culture. While there is consumption of food that generally is not held to be healthy the natural and active lifestyle of the French -American culture groups does adhere to many aspects of healthy living protocol. "
Tags: healthcare, providers, hospital, nursing, staff, Acadian, society, cultural, groups
This paper analyzes the extent to which an understanding of any Americancultural form demands exploration of the economic, social and political context in which it has developed.
Abstract The paper examines four areas of Americanculture; the film industry, the American novel, popular music and sport. The paper shows how these four cultural forms are all related to the wider social and economic context of American life, having developed out of peculiarly American conditions. The paper concludes, therefore, that to a very large extent, our understanding of Americancultural forms demands an exploration of the economic, social and political context in which they have developed.
From the Paper "Ideas do not develop in a vacuum, but are fostered and shaped by the social, economic and political context in which they originate. The same is true of all human activity, both aesthetic and material. No matter how we define the term "culture", the particular form referred to is, to a very large extent, a reflection of the entire geographical, social and economic situation in which that culture is located. We may, for example, define "culture" as "thhe whole way of life" of a people, nation, or community, or we may opt for a narrower, perhaps elitist, definition, centring on the notion of "intellectual or aesthetic" pursuits. Whichever definition we choose, however, it seems absurd to suggest that any particular cultural form is wholly autonomous, that it could ever be studied independently of the social, economic and political context in which it has developed. This is not to fall into the 'trap' of suggesting that all human activity is completely socially or economically determined, but simply, as Karl Marx put it succinctly , to suggest that "people make their own history, but not in circumstances of their own choosing"."
Abstract This paper explains that, although American negotiation meetings often begin with some form of small talk designed to present an air of relaxation into the meeting, when the time arrives to get the meeting going, Americans are all business. The author points out that the Americancultural emphasis on achievement and authority instills a sense of power into the business world. The paper relates that, unlike other cultures, Americans live under monochromatic time; therefore, in their no-nonsense approach, Americans live by the deadline and being tardy is a great offense.
Table of Contents
Presentation
Power
Pressure
Product
From the Paper "Presenting oneself as knowledgeable and professional also cultivates an image of power in America. Remember, achievement (which is accomplished through knowledge) is crucial in the United States. In fact, much of the American business mindset rests on a "give-and-
take" system wherein two parties try and reach a compromise through demonstrating their mutually beneficial strengths to each other. In addition, directly approaching an important company executive (rather than blockers) also lends an impression of self-confidence and authority. Self-confidence is also evident through a firm handshake and steady eye contact."
This paper explains that, since the early 1600s, Hispanic Americans have influenced many aspects of today's Americanculture such as art, religion and education.
Abstract This paper relates that Hispanic Americans, also known as Latinos, are residents of the United States who can trace their ancestry to countries in the Western Hemisphere where the Spanish language is spoken. The author points out that the Hispanic American community is a mix of subgroups with roots in various countries of Latin America, such as Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama; many Hispanic Americans are uncomfortable with the term Hispanic American and prefer more specific designations, such as Cuban American or Mexican American, which more clearly reflect their community organization. The paper relates that almost every city in the United States has a Mexican, Cuban or other Spanish oriented restaurants from the corner "Taco Bells" to fancy sit-down cafes; Hispanics Americanculture has been greatly influenced the clothing industry with brightly colored skirts and dresses and all-cotton Mexican shirts popular style for golf-wear.
From the Paper "The Spaniards found exotic stories to be very real. They also fed on wild rumors, stories from the Indians and survivors of early expeditions, and the fervid imaginations of explorers on the edge of a strange New World. The possibility of finding cities of gold and gilded kings was given credibility by the conquering feats of Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro. In 1521, Cortes looted the fabulous treasure of the Aztec empire in central Mexico. In 1533, Pizarro vanquished the huge Inca Empire of western South America, centered in what today is Peru, exposing rooms full of gold and silver. These stories not only have become wonderful tales but also have found entry in the United States history books."
A discussion of the question as to whether reality TV brings out the worst in Americanculture or is it merely an example of what Americanculture is all about?
Abstract The author of this paper examines the phenomena of reality television programs that are a large part of American television programming. The author seeks to discover whether such television programs focus on and bring out the worst aspects of American society or if, they are a mirror reflecting Americanculture and society as they really are. The author examines these phenomena primarily from a psychological point of view and present arguments and examples from current research and literature.
From the Paper "However, psychologists and therapists feel that there is an aching psyche in the American culture that is using RTV as a cure, much in the way the Marx referred to religion as being the opiate of the people. Or as one writer updates it, "Is reality TV the crack cocaine of what critic Marie Winn calls the 'plug-in drug?'" (Breyer 100) RTV coupled with the massive bombardment of news, mostly bad, from around the nation and the world is numbing us to any emotional ties to reality. Javors compares RTV shows to the quick fix junk food restaurants and calls them "fast food programs" and states they are as bad for our minds as a constant diet of Double Whoppers with cheese and Chocolate Milk shakes would be to our bodies. She states that, "As a result, we are numbing ourselves to very real life challenges." (35)"
Abstract This essay discusses the growing popularity and influence of tattoos in Americanculture over the past century. It dates back to the tattoos debut in America through the military in the late 1800's and then becoming a part of our circuses in the 1900?s. This paper discusses how certain groups like feminists and sailors came to use tattoos and their variety of purposes from artistic impressions to story telling. It also discusses America's tolerance and acceptance for tattoos among the classes and genders throughout time and how this has changed. Tattooing is an art adopted by American society over 100 hundred years ago and is deeply rooted now in our culture as it has allowed us to examine and display portions of other cultures.
From the Paper "The reasons and motives behind getting a tattoo are as varied as the designs one can create. In days past, some of the reasons may have been to show one's patriotism to his country, to show love and respect for another person or organization, to remember past events or record the places one has visited, or even to rebel against something. Today, the reasons for tattooing still include the previously mentioned points, but have expanded to include exploring other cultures, expressing ones individuality, and simply for artistic reasons. Tattooing is an important part of the "American culture" because the designs many people create draw upon so many different cultures around the globe. The American tattoo, in a sense, is like a melting pot of designs, just like America is the melting pot for all of the different cultures."
Abstract This paper discusses the origin of African Americanculture. Any of the culture left of the African American has been through sheer determination after the way the African Americans have been treated through racism. They have had to fight for their survival through oppression and racial deprivation.
Abstract This paper will look at the field of cultural semiotics, and will examine how various bodily gestures and behavior varies across cultural boundaries. Attention will be focused on proxemic and tactile codes of behavior, with regard to the Americanculture.
