Abstract
This paper examines how, in August of 1789, the National Assembly, in response to peasant revolts, abolished the feudal system and created a declaration of rights. It looks at how the parish cahiers and the actions of the peasants suggest they were more concerned with subsistence than feudal issues, with anti-feudal riots being the result. It also looks at how the bourgeois class, in contrast, were more concerned with social mobility and the protection of property. It attempts to show how the decrees of August, 1789, while benefiting the peasants in some real ways, were essentially designed to promote the interests of the moneyed classes.

From the Paper
"Less concerned with subsistence, the Third Estate was able to voice its grievances in the cahiers much more effectively than the peasantry. While the leaders of the Third Estate shared many demands with the peasants, particularly taxation, the frequency and emphasis of other specific concerns stands in contrast to the parish lists. It is often noted that the bourgeoisie of the Eighteenth Century generally aspired to join the nobility. This desire was fostered largely by a lack of social mobility available to the Third Estate16 and was a frequent issue in the cahiers. The Third Estate of Carcassonne, for example, suggested that "the general or particular regulations which exclude members of the Third Estate from certain positions, offices, and ranks which have hitherto been bestowed on nobles either for life or hereditarily [should be abolished]."17 Another major concern of the Third Estate was the payment of the franc-fief, a tax on land passing from a nobleman to a commoner. This tax, argued the bourgeoisie, interfered with the sale of property."

Tags:cahiers, citizen, declaration, feudalism, french, revolution, rights

From the Paper
"Family Law and the Conflict of Laws: Great Britain and California


This paper will examine the development of the conflict of laws as it pertains to Family Law in England and California. The first part of the paper will give a brief discussion of the history of the subject in England and the United States, including the problem of federalism and foreign country law in the United States. The second part of the paper will examine the current state of the law in England, concentrating on the jurisdiction of English courts to issue decrees in matters involving parties not necessarily domiciled or resident in England and the recognition of foreign decrees in England. The third part of the paper will provide the same treatment for California law. Particular attention will be paid in both parts to divorce, maintenance or support, and child custody decrees."

Abstract
This study will examine the moral decision of Antigone, in Sophocles' play Antigone, to bury her dead brother against the legal decree of Creon, the King of Thebes. Antigone grants that her brother Polyneices has indeed broken the law by trying to take over Thebes (the reason that Creon wants to disallow his burial), but Antigone argues that there is a higher law than the legal code, a higher law which is based on the sacred tie of blood relations. She argues that the gods support her in her effort to bury her brother.

From the Paper
"This study will examine the moral decision of Antigone, in Sophocles' play Antigone, to bury her dead brother against the legal decree of Creon, the King of Thebes. Antigone grants that her brother Polyneices has indeed broken the law by trying to take over Thebes (the reason that Creon wants to disallow his burial), but Antigone argues that there is a higher law than the legal code, a higher law which is based on the sacred tie of blood relations. She argues that the gods support her in her effort to bury her brother. The decision may cost her her life, but she is determined to do everything she can to follow and abide by what she sees as a higher moral calling. After an examination of the decision itself, this study will apply the ethical theories of Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham to that decision."

Abstract
This paper is concerned with the impact of the Norman Invasion that took place in England in 1066. It provides some historical background as to the state of the country before the invasion and sets out the decrees that William the Conqueror put into place once he became King. The author also gives some historically background to the church's conversion in the 7th century and finally the paper outlines the changes that took place in England after 1066.

Outline:
Introduction
Norman Invasion of England 1066
Decrees of William the Conqueror
England Prior to the Norman Invasion
Settling the Land & Establishing Livelihoods
Church Undergoes Conversion in Seventh Century
Social and Community Work & Organizations
Changes in England Following 1066
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"Harold's army advanced with great speed and surprised the army of Hardrada and a fierce battle ensued with hand to hand combat. Both Hardrada and Tostig fell and the Viking army withdrew quickly to their ships and in fact the defeat of the Vikings was so severe that a mere 10 percent of their ships numbering 240 returned home. Meanwhile the Norman invasion fleet was unable to gain a north wind and was stuck for six weeks on the Norman shore until the 27th day of September when the wind became favorable and the fleet set sail. Landfall on the English coast was made by the Normans and they marched to Hastings. The English and Normans fought heatedly all day however, finally in the evening the English were rushed by the Normans and King Harold fell along with the largest part of the Saxon aristocracy and William's victory was declared. Williams was crowed the King of England on December 25, 1066 in Westminster Abbey.''

Tags:descended, Danes, campaigns, feudalism

Abstract
The paper examines how the use of dialogue and the metaphorical use of characters in Dante's "Inferno" reflect an attack on the customs, traditions, and decrees set forth by the Roman Catholic Church. The paper discusses how Dante often uses satire and humor to counter the hypocritical and illogical traditions put forth by the Catholic Church, which disrespect and demean those that choose to follow traditions based on exclusivity and illogical values.

Tags:dante, religion, hell

Abstract
This paper examines Book XII of Virgil's "Aeneid" and its appropriateness to the rest of the work. While the first eleven books of Virgil's work seem to focus on Aeneas's pious nature, Book XII shows readers a different side to his character and appears to be completely contradictory to the earlier books. However, the thesis of this paper argues that Book XII is appropriate to the rest of the "Aeneid" and forces readers to understand that Virgil uses this last book of his work to dispel the belief that Aeneas relies only on the decrees of fate from the gods to make his decisions.

From the Paper
"Although I understand that Book XII of Virgil's Aeneid has been the subject of much scholarly debate throughout history, I believe that the ending of the poem is quite appropriate, especially when considering the events that unfold throughout the first eleven books. While some may argue that Book XII is simply a culmination of Aeneas" pious submission to the decrees of fate, I will attempt to demonstrate that, on the contrary, Aeneas" faith in his mission to found a new city for his people leads to a defining choice that demonstrates his leadership abilities to those whom he intends to rule."

Tags:greek, history, homeric, literature, poetry, roman

Abstract
The paper describes the treatment of Jews in Rome and Venice following the ascension of the Christian Church of Rome to civil territorial power, namely, the papal decrees.

From the Paper
"The Jewish people have had a long, troubled, yet undeniably rich history in Europe. History finds Jews in the cities of Venice and Rome in particular, as early as the second century BC or CE. As a result, there can be no question that Jews have made many contributions to European history. This paper, however, examines the treatment of Jews in Rome and Venice following the ascension to civil territorial power of the Christian Church of Rome."

Tags:jews, ghettos

Abstract
This paper asks the philosophical question of whether one can abide by the law and make it weaker by doing so. In Plato's "Crito," Socrates does not avoid his punishment of death, as decreed by law, by fleeing from Athens. Instead, he chooses to stay and confront the punishment. This bold action leads one to the question of whether Socrates' refusal to flee Athens and the laws that govern it caused the laws to become stronger or weaker. In answering this question, this paper shows that one may further understand the ancient Athenian viewpoint of how a citizen's actions reflect on the state. It is shown that Socrates' decision to stay within the walls of Athens reinforces the laws and, therefore, makes them stronger.

From the Paper
"One may argue that when Socrates decides not to flee from Athens, but rather chooses to stay in the city and be executed, he is making the laws of the city weaker. In doing what is a righteous action in his mind, Socrates is actually hurting what he will die defending. The many citizens of Athens will see that their laws have put to death not only one of the greatest minds the city has to offer, but, more importantly, an innocent man. How can one live in peace knowing that at any minute, he may be put in jail or even killed without doing anything wrong? This fear will make the laws of Athens look weak and flawed because they have failed to provide justice (Overton). One wants to live in a place where he/she can live comfortably and ensure a comfortable life for their children. By being executed, Socrates is giving in to the state, and thus validating the harsh reality of the wrongful punishment. If Socrates flees, he at least shows that one can avoid punishment if the laws give it to him unjustly."

Tags:court, martyr

Abstract
The writer gives a brief history of female genital mutilation (FGM) including the different types, the reasons behind this occurrence and why it continues today. The paper looks at FGM in Egypt and Kenya and the policies in each of these countries are outlined in detail. The author explains that in Egypt FGM began for religious reasons and despite many challenges to the validity of the Fatwa, or religious decree, continues to this day. According to the paper, the rate is smaller than in previous generations, but it still continues to pose a threat to the lives of young girls in the country. In the case of Kenya, it began as a rite of passage, which largely went unnoticed by the rest of the world until the early 1960s when Kenya wanted independence and suddenly found this practice under scrutiny by the rest of the western world. The paper also discusses the United Nations and World Agency positions on FGM in order to help understand what attempts are being made by the world community to try to stop this practice on the grounds that it is a violation of human rights.

From the Paper
"Data from the Adolescence and Social Change in Egypt survey suggest significant recent change in both the prevalence and practices surrounding female circumcision. After apparently remaining constant and nearly universal for several decades, prevalence among contemporary teenage girls is predicted to be more than 10 percent less than for their mothers. Still, the level of circumcision among Egyptian girls is high. Our data do not allow us to pinpoint the onset of the decline, but they do suggest an increased momentum in the years following 1994. Without further measurement at later time points, we cannot be certain that uncircumcised girls in the ASCE sample will avoid circumcision in the future. However, analysis of girls' own attitudes toward the practice hint that increasing age brings greater independence of thought and diminished support for circumcision (Nawal, 1980)."

Tags:fgm, kenya, egypt, african, clitoris, labia, religion, muslim, resarch, sexuality, scholars, circumcision, islam, health, risks, passage, rite, culture, ethnic, women, organizations, status, social, health, child, family

Abstract
This paper provides strong opinion for the death penalty for Andrea Yates. A detailed background to the trial is presented and discussed. The writer then lays out arguments from both sides of the spectrum - lawyers, journalists and public opinion, as to why the death penalty should or should not have been decreed. The writer then expresses his own personal opinion regarding the trial and the outcome.

From the Paper
"It was on June 20, 2001 that a mother named Andrea Yates killed her five children, which she confessed as an act of insanity. However, a panel of eight women and four men juts took half an hour to decide the fate of Andrea Yates. This was a Texas jury who secured the life of her, on purpose, 40 minutes before sentencing her to life in prison rather than giving her the death penalty (ABCNEWS.com).
However, according to the sentence life imprisonment, she has been made entitled for parole in 40 years. She beseeched not guilty by giving an excuse of insanity to two counts of capital murder in the deaths of her three children: namely; Noah who was seven years old, John, five years and Mary just six months old. However, she was not on trial for the drowning of her other two kids; Luke, three years old and Paul two years (ABCNEWS.com)."

Tags:legislation, suicide, depression, drowning, jury, post-partum, life