Abstract This paper explores how normalcy and disability are constructed, with particular reference to the field of education. It argues that the construction of the "normative" is a manifestation of social and cultural power "written" upon the bodies of people with and without disabilities by medical authority. It explores issues of discrimination, as well as concepts of the medical and social models of disability to better understand how disability construction has historically occurred and continues to define disability in an inequitable way today.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The "Normative" as a Discriminatory CulturalConstruct Assessment of Disability and the Medical Model of Disability
Analysis
From the Paper "As the above discussion indicates, there is considerable reason to be concerned at one's being assessed as possessing a disability. First, it is necessary to recognize that while such assessments are often arbitrary, they nonetheless produce considerable cultural meaning that has historically been applied in a discriminatory fashion. Second, it must be acknowledged that this discriminatory process has - in its implied construction of a "normative" or standard of normalcy - clear analogues to discriminatory practices that have historically reinforced sex, race and gender discrimination."
Abstract To answer this question the paper uses two films; "Babette's Feast", and "The Draughtsman's Contract." It suggests that all manners are culturallyconstructed, although some systems of social mores allow for more change than others. It also uses Oliver Sac's work with brain damaged patients as a reference point, to explicate how the rituals of the table and of even a draughtsman's pictorial world of representation are highly specific to a particular place and times.
From the Paper "Eating is a natural urge, of course. Watching a film, however much film buffs may protest, is not. Yet food and film seem to go hand-in-hand today, as the popularity of Like Water for Chocolate, Eat, Drink, Man, Woman, Big Night, and Chocolat all attest. Why is this so? Perhaps, because more than any other artistic medium, film is able to render the sensual experience of consuming food more accurately than virtually any other form of representation. It is interesting to observe that although they began as texts, the film Babette's Feast and Like Water for Chocolate both began as novels, in the former case, a short story by the writer Isak Dinesen. But the film of Babette's Feast has become far more famous, and it renders, very powerfully, the unique ways that food and the manners and morals that surround them are both quite particular to a specific period, place and time."
An in-depth discussion on the responsibilities of leaders in creating and maintaining a healthy organizational culture in a general construction company.
Abstract The paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of organizational culture. Specifically, it examines the role and responsibilities of leaders in creating and maintaining a healthy organizational culture in a general construction company. The paper states that management and leadership are often far different aspects of an organization, and true leadership is often lacking in many general construction companies due to constraints within the organization, size, structure, and the nature of contracting.
From the Paper "In a general construction organization, most projects must be completed on time, and so, time is one of the key issues managers must address. A true leader has the ability to establish completion timeframes that meet the needs of the organization and the sub-contractors, and then establishes a workplace environment that assures these goals will be met. There are certainly obstructions to this timeframe, from weather to subs who do not show up or complete their work on time, inspectors who do not inspect items in a timely fashion, and suppliers who do not deliver necessary supplies on time. A true leader anticipates these obstructions, builds some time into the timeline for them, and learns how to work around them while still motivating his crew to complete the project on time. Indeed, in effect the project manager is creating a "vision" of the completed project, and sharing that vision with all those working on the project. Thus, in some organizations, project managers can indeed be leaders, while in others, those in top management may function as leaders while project managers take on more management roles. In addition, new construction techniques and challenges, such as building at night, in foreign countries, and with a more diversified workforce, are also challenges the modern construction leader must face, both in the office and in the field."
Abstract This paper explains that video games represent a site for role-playing in ways that violate both the corporate-constructed gender roles of game worlds, as well as the norms of masculine and feminine in our society. The writer discusses how this analysis applies to a range of levels in video game culture: the design level with its sub-culture of game patch design where users patch existing video games to fundamentally re-design game worlds that reflect distinct constructions of masculinity and femininity and the game play level where both female and male users play games in ways that challenge normative gender roles. The writer's main focus is on female game designers and players, whose interactions with video game culture critically undermines common conceptions of female gender identity.
Outline:
Introduction
Gender Bias as a Methodological Problem
Women Coding Women: The New Gaming Female
Conclusion
From the Paper "In reviewing the scholarly literature upon gender roles and video game culture, it is important to recognize the operation of gender bias as a methodological problem. Before one can address the subject of video game and gender role transgression among females, one must note the profound degree to which traditional gender biases appear to impact scholarship on the subject of video game culture. Consider, for example, the question of the popularity of video games among males versus females, as well as the view that males prefer "violent" games while female players tend to reject these games for games that better reflect "feminine" qualities. There is a substantial body of research literature that has argued since the late 1980s that video games are a predominantly male cultural preoccupation. Surveys tended to reveal an extraordinary disproportion both in terms of numbers of players and the lengths of time devoted to gameplay. For example, adolescent boys have been shown to be as much as three times more likely to play video games as adolescent girls."
Abstract The paper discusses African-American culture 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."
This paper examines how theories, constructs and processes of strategic planning can be effectively used by strategists in the built environment sector.
Abstract The paper attempts to define strategic planning and illustrate how its key constructs and frameworks can be used effectively by built management organizations to increase their firms' competitive advantage while also increasing the potential for long-term growth and differentiation. The paper shows how, for a strategic plan to be effective, it needs to be based on an insightful analysis of the external environment of an organization, while at the same time defining future growth opportunities that capitalize on the organizations' strengths.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Challenges of Strategic Planning in the Built Environment Sector
Analysis of Strategic Planning Constructs, Frameworks and Models
Conclusion and Recommendations
From the Paper "Critical to the development of a sustainable and scalable strategic planning practice in any organization is the defining of processes that provide useful information from both inside and outside the organization, in conjunction with more advanced processes for sensing and responding to market dynamics. In conjunction with the need to use a variety of analytical constructs and frameworks for continually monitoring market and competitive dynamics externally while augmenting and increasing competitive strengths internally, organizations often rely on strategic plans as the foundation for every functional area of their organizations' budget and growth. Setting strategic goals and objectives directly impacts how the Information Technologies (IT) plans are defined, how many project planners, foremen and specialty workers Human Resources will hire to support strategic projects, definition of how supply chain practices will be completed, and ultimately define the financial objectives for the entire organization."
Abstract This paper explains that the perceived differences and similarities among human beings are linked to their social setting. The author points out that human beings over the course of their lives become accustomed to the company, appearance and behavior of those people around them; therefore, when people encounter atypical individuals or groups, they immediately identify these differences and react to them. The paper suggests that, within the U.S. society of increasing cultural diversity as well as human biodiversity, accepting and appreciating differences may well be more beneficial to the whole than seeking widespread conformity.
From the Paper "Thus, conceiving of man as "everyman" would be to categorically ignore what binds him to other human beings--his culture. In anthropology, there is no single term to blanket all of humanity under a single cultural norm, moral maxim, or physical characteristic. Differences in human beings may be nearly continuous--forming a spectrum of what it is to be human--so biological or purely mental divisions between people along the lines of race, or animals along the lines of species, must be arbitrary."
Tags: atypical capitalism everyman spectrum, cultural heritage
Abstract This paper describes commercial construction as "building projects exclusive of residential construction," and discusses commercial construction from both an economic point of view and from the point of view of the community. The paper discusses why commercial construction is a boon to the construction business, providing stable work even when residential construction is at a lull. The paper also discusses the complexities of managing commercial construction.
From the Paper "Commercial construction is defined as "building projects exclusive of residential [single- or two-family home] construction". It is one of the biggest segments of the entire construction industry and is believed to have strengthened the industry in recent years due to rapid and steady growth. The commercial sector has been growing steady for some time now as is evident from market research and reports. Back in 2000, Sinderman wrote: "...the state of the commercial real estate market is strong. The demand for office, industrial and retail buildings remains high, and, as Internet-based companies continue to grow, specialized facilities have become more popular than ever." In 2005, a construction report by McGraw-Hill supported that claim: "The commercial and infrastructure construction segments are providing a lift to the overall construction industry, marking a role reversal from most of the past two or three years. According to October 2004 figures for future construction contracts calculated by McGraw-Hill Construction, Lexington, Mass., overall new construction starts increased 4 percent in October versus September (on a seasonally adjusted basis), with nonresidential and infrastructure construction gaining while the residential sector fell slightly." (Late Rebound)"
Tags: commercial, construction, residential, business, office, hotel
Abstract This paper studies the subtle cultural biases contained in standardized tests, including IQ tests. The paper asks whether this bias unfairly penalizes those who are not white and middle-class. The paper presents counter-arguments that while significant cultural differences might distort test findings in general, IQ tests are not biased in this way. The paper concludes that IQ tests in particular are constructed so that they can fairly assess intelligence of anyone who has grown up in the United States and can read English.
Abstract Federal contracts for construction, while similar in many respects to other types of federal contracts, have some unique aspects that have caused the federal government to create a system of rules within the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) specific to construction contracts. The federal government has been justified in creating these rules separate from those that apply specifically to supply and service contracts. This paper focuses on some of the unique rules and regulations that apply to federal construction contracts, including those related to contract types, labor laws, specifications, payments, delays, and differing site conditions.
Abstract
Overview
Contract Types
Federal Construction Contracting Laws
Contract Performance and Specifications
Payment Financing
Delays
Differing Site Conditions
References
From the Paper "The federal government is the largest owner of real property in the world (Bastianelli, et. al., 1998), so it stands to reason that they spend an enormous amount of money on construction and maintenance of that property. It is difficult to gauge exactly how much the federal government spends on construction annually, but it is noteworthy that the Department of Defense alone planned to award over $10 billion on construction contracts in 2002 (Bush, 2001). Because of this significant amount of construction outsourcing, and the intricacies that go along with construction contracting, the federal government has been justified in developing unique regulations and rules for construction contracts. The federal government, in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), defines construction as, ?"construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, structures, or other real property"? (FAR 2.101). Determining whether or not something is considered a building or a structure is general straightforward, although there are always exceptions. However, the line defining whether or not something is real property can, at times, be somewhat unclear. The FAR does not provide a definition for real property, but in federal contracts the common legal definition is used, that real property is, ?"land and all things that are attached to it"? (Lectric Law Library, 2003). Though many of the clauses, terms and conditions, and rules applicable to federal construction contracts are the same, or similar, to those that are used on federal contracts for supplies, there are a number of differences in the nature of contracting for construction that have caused the federal government to create separate laws that deal specifically with federal construction contracts. One of the major differences is that construction contracts are performed on Government property. Because of this, construction contractors are subject to a great deal more in the area of inspections and general surveillance on their contracts (Abernathy and Kelleher, 1976). Construction contracts typically have much more paperwork than federal supply contracts. On construction contracts, a contractor is required to file daily reports showing that they complied with all the unique construction regulations, including safety, schedules, and submittals of material samples (Arnavas, 2001, ?? 27.4.a.). Construction contracts are subject to much greater scrutiny on performance than supply contracts, as detailed analysis and explanation of any deficiencies are reported to contractors and contractors have the right to respond. Past performance information is also kept on construction contracts for six years, where the norm on supply contracts is three years (Arnavas, 2001, ?? 27.4.a). Other differences that will be the focus of this paper include contract types, labor laws, specifications, payments, delays, and differing site conditions."
Abstract This paper discusses green building construction and points out that this design saves energy as well as money. The paper explains that green building construction is vital and is a determinative of project success. The paper also explains that the individual needs to take the initiative in addressing construction design and development and associated costs as well as funding, marketing and sales. In addition, the paper tells us that green building construction holds great financial promise for the future. A graph of taxes by state is included with the paper.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Significance of study
Methodology
Literature Review
Findings and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Andrew Meyerson (2005) entitled: "The Dollars and Cents of Green Construction" states that green construction and design can not only save energy but also can result in monetary savings in the areas of: (1) Tax breaks and rebates; (2) Lower construction costs; (3) Reduction or elimination of the need for heating and air-conditioning equipment and the associated costs of purchase, maintenance and electricity; (4) Reduction in energy and water bills by as much as fifty-percent; (5) Increase in labor productivity, retail customer sales and apartment rental prices; and (6) Protection of operating budgets from increases in energy prices. (Meyerson, 2005, p. 2) Meyerson relates that practically all states offer incentives in the form of reduction of taxes for construction that is friendly to the environment. (2005, p. 4) Additionally in green construction projects where a pre-existing structure is on the construction site, cost savings may be realized through reuse of as much of the existing structure as possible. Additionally, is it necessary to be aware of the attitudes that serve as drivers of the choice of clients to use the firm and added to this is the fact "that commercial 'green buildings' outperform their conventional counterparts across a wide variety of metrics, including energy savings, occupancy rates, sale price and rental rates, another very practical and often times overlooked data for improving the cash flow of the client is the "energy efficient commercial building tax deductions.""
Tags: green, building, construction, funding, marketing, save, money, energy
Abstract This paper examines the theories of Anna Wierzbicka and her use of a "metalanguage" in order to solve the ambiguities and culture-contextual problems inherent in language. The paper argues the absurdity of Wierzbicka's theory.
From the Paper "In her piece, "Speech Acts and Speech Genres Across Languages and Cultures", Anna Wierzbicka attempts to construct a 'metalanguage' for linguists to define foreign terms and concepts. (1992) This metalanguage, as it was proposed, would eliminate the ambiguity of using culturally loaded words when attempting to define speech acts, genres, and events in other languages. While her initial premise concerning culturally loaded text was intriguing; the attempted creation of a pseudo-scientific 'metalanguage' was not only absurd, but also defied her own initial discussion on the specific cultural context of speech acts."
Tags: language, linguistics, proto, speech, wierzbicka, anna, matalanguage, culture
Abstract This article serves as a defense of the claim that race is a social construct, rather than a biological fact. The writer discusses the view that genetic inequalities are not inborn, but rather created by society. In this paper, the writer looks at inequality in society caused by differences in race that appear to have been constructed by society.
From the Paper "The argument that race is a genetic predisposition is an old one and certainly an important one as it has been practiced among governments and other such institutions for centuries. This argument however leads to unwanted implications of genetic inequality between the races that we have learned is simply not the case. There are no inherent differences between individual races that are not arbitrarily constructed by society. In fact, it seems apparent that there are more variations in appearance and personality within a single race ... "
Abstract This paper describes the history of race as a distinctly Western idea. Through this process, the writer shows how and when the concept of "race" was invented or socially constructed. It then emphasizes the point that race has no biological reality by focusing on genetics and human variation, among other factors that repudiate the notion that race is biologically real. Finally, it looks at how the concept of race is, indeed, as Hacking states, "quite bad as it is," and puts forth a new archetype, one that does away with the concept of race altogether and focuses on the uniqueness of individual human beings.
From the Paper "What does it mean to say that race is "socially constructed"? In fact, what do we mean when we say that anything is socially constructed? Ian Hacking, after researching many books on social construction, stated that in order for something - he called it "X" - to be socially constructed, it must adhere to the following two premises: (0) In the present state of affairs, X is taken for granted; X appears to be inevitable. (1) X need not have existed, or need not be at all as it is. X, or X as it is at present, is not determined by the nature of things; it is not inevitable. Hacking goes on to state that these next two claims are also usually, though not always, implied by the use of the phrase "social construction": (2) X is quite bad as it is. (3) We would be much better off if X were done away with, or at least radically transformed."
