Abstract
For better or for worse, we live in a branded world. We are at a time in history when brands go beyond being business platforms to becoming symbols of our times. Brands like McDonald's, Sony and Budweiser often reflect the changing values of our society. Brands are more than just advertising, they are part of our culture. Andy Warhol and Campbell's? Soup. Norman Rockwell and Coca-Cola? (Lomsky-Feder & Rapoport, 32). One of the most enduring popular culture symbols and common household item is the PEZ dispenser. Invented in 1927, this unique form of candy is associated with popular icons of nearly every generation, multiple companies world wide and is the subject of thousands of web-pages devoted to the product, its nostalgic aspect, and the collecting of dispensers. PEZ dispensers and the consistent recipe of the candy itself, once designed simply as a smoker's breath mint, are now one of the most identifiable icons world-wide. It is the purpose of this paper to explore the history and importance in pop-culture of PEZ.

Abstract
This paper examines what makes a scientist a cultural icon, beginning with Sir Isaac Newton and highlighting Albert Einstein. The paper further analyzes why Einstein became a cultural icon, noting the historical situation at the time and the impact of World War I.

From the Paper
"In the late 17th Century, Sir Isaac Newton, one of the greatest geniuses of all time, ushered in the Age of Enlightenment with his scientific work and methods. People began to believe that human intelligence would enable endless progress, so that humanity could achieve perfection and happiness. As the years went on after that, humanity's hopes were dashed, as it became apparent that human intellect could not compensate for, or prevent, man's inhumanity to man. By the early 20th century, people were witnessing the first great world war, and many must have despaired. However, Albert Einstein, a man whose stature rivaled that of Newton,..."

Tags:einstein, history, icon

Abstract
The paper asserts that George W. Bush is a cultural icon who embodies the positive and negative aspects of American culture. The paper explains why political strategist Karl Rove crafted a public image of Bush as an icon and as a compassionate conservative, pro-life Christian who supports family values, is pro-military and is a tax cutter. The paper contends that this image has been shattered because of his criminal incompetence, reliance upon systematic deceit and abuses of power unparalleled in American political history. The paper includes source material.

From the Paper
"Initially, this strategy of presenting Bush to the American public as an icon was very successful, for conservative voters have always longed for an iconic leader who symbolizes positive American traits and characteristics. President Ronald Reagan fulfilled that longing a generation ago and has been deified ever since by conservatives as the ideal American president. For the same reason, George W. Bush was groomed and marketed to the public during his two terms as governor of Texas as the conservative heir of Ronald Reagan, and that effort continued throughout the early years of Bush's presidency."

Tags:religion, conservatives, symbol, stature

Abstract
The paper argues that George W. Bush is a cultural icon who embodies the positive and negative aspects of American culture. The paper asserts that his political strategist, Karl Rove, has always been very aware of the vital importance of cultural aspects of politics, and crafted a public image of Bush that conveyed a cultural iconic status as a compassionate conservative. The paper discusses how Bush was marketed to the public as a responsible, family values, born again Christian who was for small government.

From the Paper
"George W. Bush is a cultural icon who embodies the positive and negative aspects of American culture. His political strategist, Karl Rove, has always been very aware of the vital importance of cultural aspects of politics, and crafted a public image of Bush that conveyed a cultural iconic status as a compassionate conservative. Bush was marketed to the public as a responsible, family values, born again Christian who was..."

Tags:george, w, bush

Abstract
An examination of the effect of Elvis Presley's career and life had on American society and culture. It discusses how his music transformed rock n' roll not only in how it sounded but also in his appearance and sexuality. It further looks at his movie career and how he influenced musicians and entertainers including Madonna.

From the Paper
"Elvis Presley openly acknowledged that black musicians and their unique blend of soul and blues were a major influence in his career. He grew up in a poor household in the rural South. He understood the problems faced by the poor in the South, many of whom were Black. He listened to their music, visited their clubs and bars, and brought their musical form to the attention of the world when he blended it with his country blues."

Tags:Music, Rock n' Roll, Elvis, culture

Abstract
Moogunghwa (Rose of Sharon) is much loved as the national flower of Korea, because it symbolizes the strong and simple spirit of the Korean people which has endured the nations' long and often difficult history. Korea is known as the "Land of the Morning Calm". The beauty that can be found in Korea's culture can be seen in the people's attire and masks, religion and rites of passage and its arts, crafts and music.

Abstract
This paper discusses the message in Naomi Wolf's book, "The Beauty Myth", explaining that Wolf puts forward the provocative argument that the ideal of beauty in modern culture is nothing but the latest method of keeping women in a subservient role within the patriarchy. She sees the ubiquitous images of female beauty that pervade our culture as being part of a vicious backlash against the successes of feminism, arguing that this beauty myth functions to keep women convinced that they are worth less than men, and thus maintains the current economic system.

Tags:beauty, myth, women

Abstract
The paper looks at how young women in our culture are seemingly inundated with images that equate beauty and desirability with unnatural depictions of the ideal female physique. To start with, time is devoted to looking at some of these images and who it appears is the chief culprit in propagating them; surprisingly enough, it may not be the stereotypical male. Further, the paper looks at the paradox in modern America wherein people are told to constantly grow thinner at the same time as a "fast-food industrial complex" gives them ample opportunity to grow fatter. With that out of the way, the paper glances at how psycho-education can spare the lives of many young people (and certainly young women) by reminding them of the biological and physiological realities that keep them from staying at that "perfect" weight. Last of all, some criticism of Hesse-Biber's scholarship is in order insofar as her work may be - most likely unwittingly - diverting attention away from the real factor or factors prompting many young American women to starve themselves. The paper highlights how eating disorders are a serious American problem which demands a serious and non-ideological treatment and discussion.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at eating disorders within the context of western culture. Specifically, the paper will look at how young women in our culture are seemingly inundated with images that equate beauty and desirability with unnatural depictions of the ideal female physique. To start with, time will be devoted to looking at some of these images and who it appears is the chief culprit in propagating them; surprisingly enough, it may not be the stereotypical male. Further, the paper will look at the paradox in modern America wherein people are told to constantly..."

Tags:culture, thinness, cult

Abstract
This paper provides an explanation of the history behind the development of the Barbie doll. It discusses how, from the beginning, the doll was controversial and how it has been ever since. This paper argues that the Barbie culture is harmful not only to young women and girls, but also to young men. It states that women are not Barbie dolls, nor should they be.

From the Paper
"The year: 1991. The occasion: My eighth birthday. My house was full of giggling third grade girls, and the pile of gifts was looming high near the cake. My parents eyed the mountain warily, knowing full well what the majority of the rectangular 13-inch boxes contained. They were inevitable gifts at that age. In fact, they were expected gifts at that age. I tore into them one by one, the bright bubble gum pink flooding my senses, as Barbie reared her perfectly coiffed head. For a female child in America, or a female child, period, Barbie is an unavoidable influence on development, both physically and mentally. I was to become a statistic by the year 1996, it was reported that 99 percent of girls between ages eight and ten had at least one Barbie, while the average girl had eight (Rogers 13). Though the Barbie doll was created with good intentions, and though proponents today continue to fight for her rights, today Barbie does more harm than good for her followers."

Tags:body, image, doll, girl, controversial

Abstract
This paper describes Dadaism and Surrealism, and the integration of the two known as the Dada Surrealist Movement. The writer explains how these movements arose during the World Wars and that the combined movement effectively demonstrated in various media of the visual arts and writing the end of "civilization" as it was manifest until the World Wars. The writer also discusses what is meant by the concept of "chance" in art, and how chance was viewed by Dada artists as minimally controlled randomness, and by the surrealists as a way to access the unconscious and let it merge with the conscious in order to create the superior reality it so revered. The writer concludes that in both art movements, chance therefore played an integral role in the emergence of their respective philosophies.

Outline:
Introduction
Chance in Dadaism
Surrealism
The Element of Chance

From the Paper
"According to Harden, the Dada and Surrealist movements integrated to such an extent that they became known as the Dada Surrealist Movement. The initial aims of the Movement were far removed from the world of art, and were primarily political in nature. Being a response to the World Wars of the time, the Dada Surrealist Movement aimed to overthrow all that viewed itself as "civilized" . Indeed, this aim was focused primarily on art and the role its interpretation played in the civilized world. Ironically then, first Dada and then Surrealism sought a complete separation of art and its influences as it existed at the time. This can be seen as ironic, as both Dada and Surrealism are seen as recognized art forms today, with its influences and trappings for the contemporary artist; the very paradigm Dada Surrealism wished to overthrow."

Tags:beauty reality culture icon ideal freedom, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, paradigm political