Abstract Compares Alain Locke's and Carolyn F. Gerald's proposals for a pseudo-militant black arts movement. Looks at how both authors view the self-image of the average black person as one that has been forced upon them by the white majority. The paper goes on to discuss how both authors see the need to change and recreate the black self-image, and their differing views on how to approach the task of creating this new image.
From the Paper "The main difference between Locke and Gerald is the way in which they approach the new image-making task at hand. For Locke, it is entirely a creative process. He seeks to find whatever meaning in white culture that ought to be (for black culture has, after all, left parts of its meanings floating about in white space, such as musical influences). He additionally seeks to create new meanings that can interact healthily with white culture, to create a new American culture. Gerald is far more nihilistic. Her focus is more on destruction and the (justifiable) wrath of her people. Attempted culture creation in the presence of the white discourse has only led to failure and frustration. The white discourse must be destroyed."
Tags: black, artists/writers, global, race-identification, black, people, black, literature
Abstract This paper presents a section-by-section review of the anthropology textbook, "Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspectives," compiled by Caroline B. Brettell and Carolyn F. Sargent. The paper provides examples from each chapter of the book. Each section of the book deals with the myriad and diverse studies of gender.
From the Paper "One very interesting angle on the study of man and woman in prehistory is provided by Lila Leibowitz ("Perspectives on the Evolution of Sex Differences"), who provided a detailed account of primates? male-female roles. In the end, after writing an intriguing article, Leibowitz concludes that there is currently a "distorted" collection of evidence as to the gender roles in primates. Her hypothesis is very compelling, and she does not seem to be elitist in the least (which sometimes happens with scholars whose knowledge far surpasses the lay person). She explains that her hypothesis is presented in response ?to a spate of evolutionary theories which stress that our sex-role destiny along with our sexual anatomy was settled a long time ago.? Clearly she does not espouse a rigid view of the evolution of physical differences between men and women, and how sex roles came about. She calls for more study of the existing data."
Abstract The paper discusses this volume of the series about the character Nancy Drew. In fact, the paper points out that the author is as fictional as the character, for this series is one of a number of series written by a group called the Strathmeyer Syndicate. This was a publishing group that employed anonymous writers to produce books then published under the imprint of fictional authors like Carolyn Keene for series based on characters like Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift and the Bobbsey Twins. The book is a relatively simple mystery with a number of plot twists that keep the main character moving from place to place in pursuit of an answer to certain questions about an Old Man and his legacy.
Abstract This paper examines the structures of narrative through which violence is represented in the books "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad and "A Different Kind of War Story" by Carolyn Nordstrom. The writer explains that for Nordstrom's subjects as well as Conrad, the explicit descriptions of violence are secondary, while the larger implications of the violence for the social fabric and the identities of those subjected to it are what is fundamentally important. The writer looks at how Nordstrom argues that the relationship between the "self and the world" is key in understanding both the effects of violence upon its civilian victims as well as the processes through which these civilian victims may reconstitute this relationship and their sense of social order. The writer concludes that the relationship between "the self and the world" is particularly important in Nordstrom's understanding of the impact of violence upon the civilian victims of violence in that, in most of the non-western cultural contexts she has studied, the victims of violence do not register its impact in the same way as it would register in the west.
From the Paper "Although the narrative told by Marlow in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a fiction, much of Conrad's work was based upon his intimate knowledge of the impact of imperialism upon the parts of the world, such as the Belgian Congo, that had been forcibly colonized by European powers. In representing the violence that was an integral element of this European conquest and domination, perhaps the predominant image is one of ambiguity and indeterminacy."
Tags: imperialism, colonialism, social, order, self, and, the, world
Abstract This paper examines the current status of divorce in Canada. This paper views divorce as a positive self-realization opportunity rather than a deviant or pathological end of marriage. It identifies the tremendous advances in women's rights relating to divorce in the past fifty years and the tremendous inequalities and social constraints that still exist. It also focuses on the impact of divorce on children.
Abstract This paper discusses how "White Noise" by Don DeLillo and "American Beauty" directed by Sam Mendes are excellent examples of why we no longer believe in the American Dream. It examines how they skillfully shatter the myth that surrounds it and prove that it is indeed an elusive entity, which has only left us feeling incomplete, unloved, worthless, and simply, failures, despite our apparent successes. It also looks at how the women in these works are depicted as victims of media-propagated images of beauty, happiness, satisfaction, and American life on the whole. They are victims of what they see on television and in magazines and are, thus, unable to enjoy their present lives and achievements.
From the Paper "In the White Noise by DeLillo, readers come across similar unhappy and dissatisfied characters. Babette, wife of Jack Gladney, is suffering from the same problem of dissatisfaction with life and American way of living as her counterparts in American Beauty. But she exhibits this dissatisfaction in a slightly different manner. Apart from Babette, there are several other female characters in the novel. However they are not properly developed or are too insignificant to comment upon. Steffie, the young daughter of Babette appears to be as immensely affected by media as her mother. She lives in constant fear and sympathizes with people on screen. She is also a victim of what comes on television as she ?becomes upset when something shameful or humiliating seems about to happen to someone on the screen'."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the conception of teenage life presented in Keenan's "Nancy Drew" series and Pascal's "Sweet Valley High". More specifically, the paper considers the sibling relationship, as well as the relationship between parent and child.
From the Paper "Between the time that Carolyn Keene penned the "Nancy Drew" series and Francine Pascal wrote her "Sweet Valley High" books, our society underwent many changes, including a rethinking of the family unit and increasing pressure on adolescents. More importantly the young adult readers that both Keene and Pascal intended as their audience changed significantly. As a result of their different social contexts, the two series present distinct views of adolescent life. Yet, both Keene and Pascal aim to teach young adult readers about life and relationships within their respective worlds..."
Tags: pascal, keenen, drew, sweet valley, sibling, parent, lesson
Abstract This paper explains the research done by Schulz, Cowan, Cowan, and Brennan as presented in their article "Coming Home Upset". The authors clearly set forth their research questions, explaining the scope of their four main areas of study. Their research was intended to investigate 1) changes in daily workday pace and mood based on angry marital behavior, 2) gender differences in coping, 3) workday stress effects on marital behavior, and 4) marital quality and behaviors under stress.
From the Paper "Schulz et al (2004) states that little is known about these factors. The research being discussed in this article studies these factors through exploring angry and withdrawn behavior through several sex-based perspectives. The previous research cited in the authors' literature review reveals very few surprises. The literature review describes research that is frequently directly on point with their own research. Several limitations exist with this..."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the book 'Sociology: The Core' and notes that it deals with many sociological issues that affect people today. The writer maintains that if people are going to live good lives and happy lives, in the rapidly changing global economy that is seen today, they must be able to understand many of the basic concepts of sociology, which is what this book provides for them. The writer concludes that the book is easy to read, complete, concise and significant in that it helps everyone that reads it to understand that change and growth are vital to the continuation of society today and in the future.
From the Paper "As society continues to change and grow, however, there are some aspects of it that stay the same. Rebellion, the attempt to find individuality among the masses, and the independence of the people as being separate from the whole of the group are some of the things that have remained static for decades. Durkheim, Comte, and Spencer all shared in common the view that sociology is an "instrumental science" and that is helps to provide knowledge about the relationship between cause and effect. This understanding of cause and effect can help people to adapt to and understand a social system that is external and coercive for individuals. What is meant by this is that people see things that happen in the society and they react to them. This causes other people to react, and so on. Eventually, everyone will have been affected by something that might really not have much significance for most people. Other people have been 'coerced' into taking a stand or forming an opinion when the issue at hand really does not have anything to do with them. One of the main purposes of this book is to understand this and explore the reasons as to why this is so."
A critique of the theory of self-care management for vulnerable populations and its practical application for those afflicted with sickle cell disease.
Abstract This paper examines Coretta Dorsey and Carolyn Murdaugh's theory of self-care management for vulnerable populations, in particular those afflicted with sickle cell disease. It begins by reviewing sickle cell disease. It then explores the five intra-personal factors to empower the less privileged of society with the personal tools to combat the adverse symptoms of the affliction. The paper compares the practical application of the theory to similar theories and finally provides a critical judgment on the theory.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Critique of the Theory of Self-Care Management for Vulnerable Populations
From the Paper "The theory that Self-Care Management will increase health status and quality of life while reducing the urgent need for crisis episode intervention appears to be superficially self-evident. The basic concept of a good positive mental outlook, coupled together with increased self-esteem, armed with knowledge and a supportive social network is the recipe for success in most self-help seminars. This is generally accepted as true, and the authors of the theory provide of their theory through extensive research references, not the anecdotal testimonies associated with the above referenced seminars. Further, comparison to these self-help gurus is not meant to diminish the theory, or bring disrepute, the parallels are draw because, by a large part, those that properly practice these self-help techniques are successful in their endeavors. These intra-personal factors can be applied to any adverse personal circumstance, health related or other. The research is as sound as it is extensive, however the practical application of the theory is where the proponents made what may be fatal errors."
