Abstract This paper discusses how "Six Feet Under is unique among American television shows in its depiction of sex and gender. It examines how, because it is an HBO cable series, the writers are offered considerable leeway in the use of partial nudity and coarse language, and how, ironically, Alan Ball, the writer/executive producer/creator of "Six Feet Under", keeps the show relatively free of gender bias or stereotypes. It also looks at how depictions of sexuality in the series are realistic and tasteful, not nearly as sensationalized as they are often shown on network television. In particular, it shows how Episode 13, entitled "Knock, Knock" reflects the mores, folkways, and values in American culture, including those that have to do with sexuality and gender.
From the Paper "In the opening scene, a female executive is shown on a golf course, the casual business arena usually reserved for men. Yet she berates and taunts one of her managers, thus taking on the role of the man both in her body language on the course and in her speech. She shouts, ?Growth is the only thing that's acceptable!? and later belches, both gestures that in American culture are considered to be masculine. Unfortunately, a woman in power is shown not to exhibit positive character traits. Rather, she has taken on the negativity, insensitivity, and immorality of her typical male counterparts. This scene is more a critique of corporate culture than it is of gender roles, but it remains unique in that depicts a total gender role reversal."
Abstract This paper examines the life of a fictional tale of a country gentleman by the name of Alonso Quixano, who goes mad and decides that he is actually a knight-errant, Don Quixote de la Mancha. It looks at how the events in the book demonstrate the lifestyle of all segments of Spanish society. Quixote is an educated man; Panza a simple peasant; and many of the people they meet along the way live hard and coarse lives. The mule drivers are uncouth and make lewd jokes. The gentry women, such as Quixano's niece, lived lives of refinement, while the life of Panza's wife was one of work from dawn to dark, and Aldonza Lorenzo's one of real danger and hardship. It discusses how the book is a window into Spanish society.
From the Paper "The author states in the opening of the novel that he intends his book to be a parody of romantic chivalric tales, which were very popular at the time. Central to Quixano's delusion is the idea that he must have a lady whom he honors with his battles. Early in the book he meets Aldonza Lorenzo, a peasant girl of low breeding. In Quixote's delusion, however, she becomes the Lady Dulcinea. He imagines her to be many things she is not: high born, of great virtue, petite and beautiful. Quixote astounds everyone with his reaction to Lorenzo, announcing, "Let everyone in the world halt, unless the entire world acknowledges that nowhere on earth is there a damsel more beautiful than the Empress of La Mancha, she who has no equal, Dulcinea Del Toboso." "
This paper discusses the bio-invasion of a noxious seaweed caulerpa taxifolia, "killer algae", continuing to spread along the coasts of Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Croatia and Tunisia.
Abstract This paper explains that caulerpa taxifolia, which had been grown as an aquarium strain of caulerpa taxifolia bred for its pleasant appearance, rapid growth and tolerance for cold conditions, now is an accidentally introduced, invasive specie of algae, which has taken over the Mediterranean Sea. The author reports that the dense mono-cultures of the weed are smothering native plant and animal species, drastically reducing biodiversity, and, because of the toxic effects of the weed's caulerpenyne compounds, are making surviving fish, unsuitable for human consumption. The paper relates that some effective methods of eradication of caulerpa taxifolia are (1) covering and sealing by PVC tarpaulins, which were injected with chlorine, (2) applying coarse sea, (3) removing manually or using a sump-pump and (4) bio-control, which is the introduction of yet another non-native species that can combat caulerpa taxifolia.
From the Paper "Efforts have been made in attempt to eradicate Caulerpa taxifolia at high costs. Six million United States dollars have been spent in Southern California (another location of C. taxifolia invasion) as of 2004 to kill the weed. And in South Australia, yet another place the invasive algae have been introduced, six to eight million Australian dollars have been spent on killer algae extermination. The elimination of Caulerpa taxifolia, while very costly, is necessary."
Abstract This paper explores canine hypothyroidism and its impact on canine behavior. The author examines research about canine hypothyroidism and its causes, symptoms and how these things ultimately impact the behavior of the dog.
From the Paper "Pet owners often love their pets as much as if they were human. When the pet begins to act like he or she is not feeling up to par it warrants an immediate trip to the veterinarian to see what the problem is. Many dog illnesses are obvious, such as bites, infection, fever or flu, but there are also disorders or illnesses that are less obvious at first. One such disorder is canine hypothyroidism. Canine hypothyroidism is similar to human hypothyroidism in many ways. It impacts the adrenal system, it affects weight, mind and behavior in the canine just like it can in humans. One of the problems with canine hypothyroidism is that the animal cannot tell the owner what is wrong. The symptoms can go on for quite some time before anyone in the family figures out that something is wrong. Usually the first indicator is the behavior of the animal because the earlier symptoms are not something the dog can express."
Abstract This paper discusses the problem of alcohol and drug abuse and its influence on criminals. It claims that a high percentage of criminals either use or abuse drugs. The paper addresses the need for drug and alcohol treatment in correctional facilities and offers four solutions and their implementation. A schematic representation is included in order to quantify points made.
Table of Contents:
Abstract Problem/Objective Background of Problem Proposed
Alternatives
Decision Criteria Research Matrix Analysis Optimal Coarse of Action Implementation of Plan
Program Evaluation Bibliography Additional Resources
From the Paper "The optimal coarse of action, according to the matrix analysis would be option 3, (Utilize known effective preventative drug and alcohol abuse programs...). As a long range goal prevention is clearly the best and most cost effective plan of action to combat the incidence of criminal activity in association with drug and alcohol abuse. Treatment is clearly an important factor but early prevention, especially is the most long-term of the solutions offered in this plan. The prevention of individuals from ever becoming drug addicted and therefore entering the penal system is a global answer to the social problem that this poses in our culture and worldwide."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that the seemingly foundational aspects of universal suffrage, based on age, race and gender is often something many people in the United States take for granted as something that if not an innate semblance of the original Constitution, at least one that was worked out as a matter of coarse rather quickly in the history of the nation. The writer notes that this is clearly not the case as all the suffrage amendments to the Constitution were hard fought and hard won by the different groups that helped make them permanent additions to the laws of this land. In this work the 26th amendment is discussed, as the amendment that provided for universal suffrage based on the age of 18 it is often one that is ignored in the history books and among the people of the US.
From the Paper "This amendment was actually the fourth to the constitution that enlarged the voting pool, as the 15th amendment (1869) gave blacks the right to vote at least in a legal sense, the 19th (1920) gave the vote to women and the 23rd (1960) gave the right for District of Colombian citizens to vote for presidential candidates. It would seem strange that such a change took so long, as it was clear much earlier that legal issues of responsibility, such as the age of consent and other responsibility for actions issues were, on a state and federal level clearly leaning in the direction of 18 as the key age. Yet, prior to this time states independently determined the legal age to vote, as barring a constitutional statement to the contrary this was within the rights of the state."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the city of Pittsburgh has long been known as a 'steel' tough city filled with a variety of individuals who are as rough and coarse as the city itself. The writer points out that this perception of Pittsburgh and its inhabitants began to change in the early 1980s with the decline of the steel production for which the city was famous. Pittsburgh, from the time of the Civil War until those early 1980s, was a city filled with steel mills and other factories whose sole purpose was to provide America and the world with the steel it needed to fuel unprecedented growth. The writer then looks at the dialect that developed in Pittsburgh. The writer discusses that with competition and a decline in the need for steel, Pittsburgh had to transform itself from a city of steel mills to a city that provides (primarily) services such as healthcare and medical expertise.
From the Paper "Another important factor in this continued use of Pittsburghese is the media's use of the same words and pronunciations. Many of the immigrants were poor and uneducated and easily fell into the same patterns of language usage as those around them, both at work and at home. Many of them were unable to read, but importantly, they wanted more for their children and because of the available work, they were able to provide the children with the opportunity to become educated. Because the media continued to use the same phrases as they had used earlier, even the now educated offspring spoke in the same manner."
Abstract The paper explores why, from its first publication in 1885 to today, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" has been scorned with immense disapproval by critics who demand the banishment of America's most evocative yet accurate narrative ever written. The paper discusses the disagreement about whether it was a suitable book for children based on concerns of immoral conduct and coarse dialect. The paper also discusses the racial slurs and stereotypes that offended students and scholars. The paper posits that the conflict whether to ban the narrative from public academies and institutions still exists, and will exist as long as social and racial inequality survives within America.
From the Paper "Novels have been banned throughout history because of the public's outcry for censorship. Generally caused by religious controversy, misinterpretations of the text and insularity, great novels are sometimes banned in academics and institutions. Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was condemned by critics who called Twain a racist and an advocate of immorality. Throughout this masterpiece, Twain created multi-dimensional characters that embodied the vernacular and belief system common to the early to mid-1800s. Because of this, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been banned in schools, libraries, and establishments due to the extensive misinterpretations of Twain's genius narrative depicting life in the Antebellum United States."
