Abstract This paper reviews the novel "Looking Backward", which was written in 1888 and predicts a utopian-like life in the city of Boston at the turn of the 21st century. While the author finds some of his anecdotes about life in what is now modern times interesting, he is critical of the overall body of work and does not understand its popularity -- either with readers at the time or with critics today.
From the Paper "There is no doubt that this is an escapist book, hardly tinged with sadness or frustration. And, this is why it was so popular. It was what people wanted to believe about the future. It was the way dreamers saw America a hundreds years later. They did not want to see unions or strikes or further exploitation or monopolies or greed. They did not really want to see some sort of Marxist class struggle. Somehow, those who pulled society's coach and those who sat comfortably inside shared a common goal: to get somewhere without delay and with a minimum of pain and discomfort. Still, Bellamy's hidden agenda seems to imply that science, not human kindness and love for one's fellow man will create that perfect, idea, Utopian society."
Abstract This paper explains that "Understanding by Design" (UbD), developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay Mc Tighe, is an academic framework for designing curriculum units, performance assessments and instruction, which advances a deeper and better understanding among the learners by beginning with the end goals in mind. The author points out that the 'Backward Design' model, which is an outcome of the concept of "Understanding by Design", centers on the idea that the learning process should commence after having identified the desired results and then works backwards to evolve most suitable methodology instead of adopting a routine approach of learning. The paper states that the advantages of this model are that it (1) helps design instruction that promotes understanding and student engagement, (2) provides design tools and templates in addition to the design standards and (3) enables "results" orientation, which focuses on assessment first and relevant instructional activities last.
Table of Contents
Understanding by Design - The Backward Design
Stage 1. Identify Desired Results.
Stage 2. Determine What Constitutes Acceptable Evidence of Competency in the Outcomes and Results (Assessment)
Stage 3. Plan Learning Experience and Instruction.
Pros and Cons of the Model
Recommendations
The Unit or Course Design
The Teacher
The Learner
The Classroom Environment
Conclusion
Table 1. Big Idea in the Backward Design Approach
From the Paper "The learners or the students are another important component of this design and should therefore be able to describe the goals and performance requirements of the unit or course. In addition, the learners should be able to explain what they are doing and why. It is recommended that the learners should be engaged in activities that help them to learn the big ideas and answer the essential questions. These activities should also promote explanation, interpretation, application, perspective taking, empathy, and self-assessment. The students should avail all opportunities that are provided to them to demonstrate what they are learning. The students should also be involved in self- or peer-assessment based on established criteria and performance standards."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the question of the backwardness of economic development in Canada's maritime region has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars and researchers. This debate has produced many possible causes for this problem, among which academics from a range of disciplines argue heatedly for this or that primary cause. This essay argues the thesis that there is no single causal explanation for the relative backwardness of maritime economic development. Instead, the writer maintains that as is seen with particular reference to the manufacturing sector, the reasons for the comparative underdevelopment of the Canadian maritime lies in the convergence of a number of factors: dependency and staple economy; the lack of local financing and control; and geography and railway freight rates.
Outline:
Introduction
The Issues in the Debate
Dependency Theory and the Staple Economy
Maritime Industries and the National Policy
The Railway and the Decline of Maritime Manufacturers
Conclusion
From the Paper "The advantage of this perspective is that it situates the problem of maritime underdevelopment within a larger historical continuum that addresses the region's economic performance and relationships not only after Confederation but before it as well. In addition, it should be noted that this approach incorporated elements of the dependency theory model with aspects of the staple theory.
"However, it should be noted that dependency theory possesses clear problems, primary among which is the fact of how empirical data seems to contradict the view inherent in dependency theory that the economic development of one area can only be achieved through the economic exploitation of another. The maritime underdevelopment problem is more complex, however, in that the data appears to contradict the simplistic application of this template.."
Tags: manufacturing, underdevelopment, export, dependency, theory
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts three areas of Bellamy's utopian future with the realities of late-nineteenth century life. It explains how Bellamy's work represents the belief in "Progress" so prevalent in the late nineteenth century. The writer shows how Bellamy predicts that the future utopian society will depend on rational organization rather than technical innovation, to succeed and grow. Yet is shows that by the year 2000, exactly the opposite occurred, and our society is far from utopian.
From the Paper "When Bellamy wrote "Looking Backward" "was the most popular book at the turn of the century, printed in many millions of copies in the United States, translated into over twenty languages" (Bellamy v). The future seemed a long way away, and yet here it is. "The impact of Looking Backward is, to a large extent, due to the remarkable vision of the book, its poignant criticism of nineteenth-century society, and its attractive style?" (Bellamy vi). He writes the story as if he is looking back at the 19th century from the year 2000, making a distinct commentary on the past, while praising what has occurred in the future. Incredibly, he has "slept" one hundred and thirteen years, and is now in the year 2000, looking back at his own antiquated society and ahead at the city of Boston as he sees it in 2000."
Abstract "Looking Backward: 2000-1887" revolves around the author's portrayal of a society formed after a revolution that liberated the people from the terrors of capitalism. In this idealized version of the future, individuals and nations had abandoned the separate groupings and wishes of the former frenzied era in order to establish a communitarian utopia characterized by a singular party for the nation. This paper examines how some of Bellamy's pre-assumptions on human nature, history and social relationships shaped his novel.
From the Paper "Nevertheless, Edward Bellamy's presumptions fell short of a thoughtful analysis. In his liberation of individuals and safeguarding of human rights, Bellamy lost his grip on the basic element of collectivism in his utopian collectivist community. It is apparent that Bellamy's fabricated society rests upon an institution of isolated individuals, since less is told on the practical working and functioning of the society. An example of this is the telecommunication system setup in Bellamy's world that destabilized and weakened social interaction. Seemingly, hardly any one used to go to concerts and very few people went to churches as the purpose was served through telephonic, counseling, sermons and entertainment (Abrash, 1991)."
A look at how Harriet Beecher's Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" criticized the institution of slavery and sought to abolish it and how the utopian "Looking Backwards: 2000-1887", by Edward Bellamy, criticized the rapidly emerging capitalists of the time.
Abstract How literature not only reflects the time it is written in, but criticizes it and tries to remedy its ills. A discussion of "Uncle Tom's Cabin", by Harriet Beecher Stowe, on how the sale of Tom by Mr. Shelby reflects the attitudes of the slave trade held in the American South prior to the Civil War and how Stowe denounces the practice as not being Christian. Furthermore, it discusses such points as the role of Tom Looker and how he serves as a criticism of the Fugitive Slave Act and of Mr. Bird and the inaction of the U.S. government on the abolition of slavery. "Looking Backwards: 2000-1887", by Edward Bellamy, is also discussed, pointing out the deeds of the "robber barons" of Bellamy's time, such as Rockefeller and Morgan, criticizing these men and their greed. Includes a discussion on how the author sought to remedy the rapidly growing gap in American between the rich and poor with a socialist state.
From the Paper "Great literature is able to reflect upon its surrounding times. Truly great literature, however, is able to do that and more. Its is able to reflect upon it and criticize its? wrongs. Two classic American novels have done this. Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin or: Life among the lowly and Edward Bellamy's Looking Backwards:2000-1887 were both works on American literature that reflected upon common notions and practices of their time and sought to criticize them."
Abstract This paper explains that David Gauntlett in his book "Moving Experiences: Understanding Television's Influences and Effects" dismisses all the models collectively known as the "effects model" in which real life violence is shown to be the effect of televised violence. The author points out Gauntlett's claim that the effects model works backwards because adherents of the effects model blame violence not on real factors, such as poverty and unemployment, but on television. The paper relates Gauntlett's statement that the effects model also insults the judgment and intelligence of children; he compares this treatment of children as inadequate because of the habitual portrayal in psychology of children as 'non-adults' thus using adult values to measure children.
From the Paper "Furthermore, Gauntlett claims that the effects model is selective in how it is applied to violence. For example, while fictional violence is lambasted, actual portrayals of violence on the news are mysteriously permitted as having no negative effect on children. While NYPD Blue or Homicide may negatively affect young viewers and encourage them to commit crimes, other programs, such as the on-air suicide assisted by Dr.Jack Kevorkian on "60 Minutes", will not affect children at all. Similarly, news stories of violence in Northern Ireland and Bosnia will not incite children to pick up guns to become snipers, but the same scenes on a made-for-television movie will have devastating results."
Abstract Edward Bellamy's novel, "Looking Backward: 200-1887", addresses the issue of industrialization in his time and his dream of a Utopian society. The novel follows a young Bostonian man through his journey from a time of social horrors to the perfect, or what seems to be perfect, future of a Utopia. The paper shows how the novel addresses the yearnings of a society stricken by economic panics and social collapse by proposing an Eden-like community in which war, hunger, greed and malice were eliminated from society.
From the Paper "As stated earlier, Bellamy used this novel as a way to convey his thoughts on a Utopia to the public. In a time when his society was in shambles, he thought this a perfect and simple solution to the many problems faced in the economy such as labor, education, and human equality. He believed that by granting the government complete control, complete harmony would be achieved. However, he neglected to see that the possibility of human behavior to change so drastically so as to not have greed, lust for money, or animosity toward those less fortunate, was near impossible."
Abstract There are three major theories, namely Abramovitz, Peter and Soete and Gerschenkron, which try to explain the differences of early and late industrialization. However, this essay only focuses on Gerschenkron's theory as it is his theory which concentrates on the attempt to explain the origins of critical institutional differences between major economies. Furthermore, with the help of this explanation, this essay shows in what ways it might account for variations in national performance. First, this essay presents Gerschenkron's theory. It then shows how his theory can be applied to the practical example of South Korea - which, with major institutional involvement, achieved within only 30 years a giant step from an agricultural country devastated by wars, to one of the major industrial countries in today's world.
1. Introduction
2. Gerschenkron's Theory of Late Industrialization
2.1 A Differentiated System
2.2 Backwardness 2.3 Prerequisites for Late Industrialization
2.4 Realisation Through Institutions
3. South Korea's Late Industrialization
3.1 South Korea's Backwardness 3.2 The Role of the State
3.3 Chaebols
3.4 Variations in National Performance
4. Conclusion
5. Reference List
From the Paper "Starting in the late 18th century, Britain was the first country which experienced the process of industrialisation, i.e. the development from an agricultural into a manufacturing based economy (wissen.de, 2003). Britain is therefore referred to as the forerunner and embodiment of 'early industrialisation'. All countries, which started the process of industrialisation after Britain such as Germany, other European countries, Russia and Japan in the 19th century as well as in the 20th century countries from the developing world such as South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore underwent 'late industrialisation' and are referred to as latecomers."
Abstract The paper examines whether Russia, which had made significant progress towards democracy under Gorbachev, is slowly being led back to an authoritarian-like rule by Putin or whether Putin is hamstrung by his predecessor, Yeltsin. The author believes that Gorbachev made exemplary strides in taking Russia on the path of democracy. His successors' policies, however, caused Russia to take serious steps backwards in this process. The paper is especially critical of Yeltsin and Putin, citing their backgrounds and personalities as leading to the current backward trends in Russian attempts at democracy.
From the Paper "Over the past century, the Russian Federation has undergone numerous changes in government. From a Tsarist regime in the early 1900s to a totalitarian state under brutal dictator Joseph Stalin, to its present, semi-democracy under ex-KGB leader Vladimir Putin, it's a wonder that Russia has been able to sustain its position as a world power for all these years. In the past decade, Russia had been making an effort to rid themselves of their totalitarian (and communist) past, by moving the government towards democracy, thanks to progressive leaders such as Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. However, in recent years, Putin has strayed from the democratic path. By taking such measures as jailing his main Presidential opposition, and with the Duma, Russia's parliament, practically controlled by his party, Putin has given himself more power than his predecessors ever had. This, combined with what many call an "anti-democratic culture", has outsiders questioning whether Russia is again veering off course. The main question is whether it's solely Putin's fault for the present state of the Russian government, or if his predecessors left him with little room to maneuver."
Abstract This paper reviews an article about overcoming technological difficulties in the field of hot-air ballooning. The solution hit upon by designers and had its roots in the world's first air disaster ? a good idea poorly executed. The implication for the future is that we should look backwards as well as forward when solving difficult problems.
From the Paper "People are flying around the world for the fun of it. They are described as sportsmen and adventurers, but at least in one way they have also been visionaries. Perhaps in other endeavors we should continue to look forward as well as back, and examine ideas that didn?t work and were perhaps discarded. There may be some excellent ideas that when reworked can move modern technology ahead. What we think of as a "bad idea" may have some useful ideas within it. "
This paper compares "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros and "No Matter What" by Mary Saracino and depicts how the characters all find themselves in a social class marginalized from mainstream society.
1,550 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 5 sources, 2001, $ 50.95
Abstract This paper focuses on the characters of these three works and how they epitomize the typical member of society in which they live. The writer analyzes their names as an example of how much this reflects the social class to which they belong and shows how these characters have managed to be marginalized by society despite their best efforts.
From the paper:
Esperanza lives in the impoverished Hispanic community; the only luxury she ever experiences is a ride around the block in a stolen Cadillac. Peanut is part of a working class Catholic family, at a time when Catholics were considered little more than backward cultists, subservient to hundreds of arcane rules and the whims of the pope.
Although no ethnic background is ever specified for him, Willy Loman is a member of a social class that is considered to be most unseemly by mainstream America, the salesman. Worse yet, as the play begins, he is a failed salesman".
"
From the Paper Esperanza lives in the impoverished Hispanic community; the only luxury she ever experiences is a ride around the block in a stolen Cadillac. Peanut is part of a working class Catholic family, at a time when Catholics were considered little more than backward cultists, subservient to hundreds of arcane rules and the whims of the pope. Although no ethnic background is ever specified for him, Willy Loman is a member of a social class that is considered to be most unseemly by mainstream America, the salesman. Worse yet, as the play begins, he is a failed salesman.
Abstract This paper examines the development of the German economy between 1870 and 1914. The author looks at the different factors that led to the transformation of Germany from an economically backwards country, to a major economic superpower, which even began to threaten Great Britain's supremacy in world trade. The paper examines several different events that were factors in this economic turnaround, including the Wars of German Unification, the economic reforms enacted after the 1873 depression, the growth of the railway systems, and the eventual expansion of the coal industry.
The paper includes an extensive bibliography, but has no footnotes, or endnotes.
From the Paper "In the 18th century, Germany was a collection of 39 economically backward states governed by a social and political structure closer to Russia's autocratic system, rather than those of the west. The "Junkas" ? the land owning class ? cultivated their lands with the forced labour of serfs. Later, the peasants were released from their obligations but any surplus income earned above subsistence level was paid to landowners and social superiors, seriously reducing the possibility of investment in the land and new methods of farming. Progress towards industrialisation was hampered by the absence of economic unity. Each state controlled its own tariffs, currency, communications, manufacturing industries and banking. Yet by the end of the 19th century, Germany was to become a major economic power, by continental standards, and a serious threat to Great Britain's supremacy in the world of trade and economic growth. This essay will seek to outline the developments of the German economy in the period 1870-1914 and explain what caused such changes."
Abstract This paper discusses that even though Westerners consider Saudi Arabia to be a backwards and uncivilized country, the writer claims that their national pride is just as strong as Americans. It shows that the citizens will do just as much to protect their country and heritage as any one else.
From the Paper "There are many different beliefs, ideas, and customs that come from different people in the world. And, people from different countries such as Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia feel the same way about their countries as Americans feel about America. They honor the traditions, believe in their country as a whole, and fight anyone who wants to attack it. And, they will also obey the old and new customs of their land. So, when they have visitors they expect them to respect their old fashion customs when entering the country. "
Tags: Saudi, Arabia, country, pride, national, heritage, culture, America
Abstract A humorous and entertaining essay on home plant care. The author touches on several ways one can ensure the death of plants.
From the Paper "As most everyone knows, the death of a house plant is a common occurrence. Many of us have experienced this loss, although some more often than others. While ignorance can be claimed in most cases, there are some of us who purchase houseplants with the soul intention of killing them."
