Abstract
This paper studies the definition of marriage in today's society. It looks at the history of marriage in order to show that the most accepted definition for marriage is between a man and a woman. The paper begins by defining and analyzing the four definitions of marriages. It then goes on to discuss which of the definitions is the best one in terms of society and acceptability.

Table of Contents:
Four Types of Marriages
Marriages Defined as Contracts
Social Definition of Marriage
Four Definitions of Marriage

From the Paper
"Studying the four types of marriages plays an important role in defining marriage. Four types of marriages are monogamy, polygyny, polyandry, and group marriage. The most recognized marriage type is monogamy. Monogamy marriage is "an institution created by societies of various cultures to publicly announce a concrete union between two people" (Forms and Meanings). Polygyny means having one husband with many wives, while polyandry is having one wife and several husbands (Forms and Meanings). The fourth type of marriage is group marriages, which means having several husbands and several wives. All four types of marriages have existed in society without regard to technology or economics (Forms and Meanings). Looking back through history shows that group marriages and polygyny have existed in few cultures or societies. History does not discuss the meaning of marriage as two couples married to two couples nor does it say any where in history that marriage is between two people of the same sex. Homosexuality has been a problem in history, but it has never been recorded as marriage. Different rules for society or countries have existed when it comes to marriage, but most countries and cultures recognize that marriage is between one man and one woman even when families select the mates. In many countries including the United States, marriage is a binding contract."

Tags:polygyny, monogamy, polyandry, husband, wife, contract

Abstract
This paper examines the definitions of the meaning of the word theology according to three theological dictionaries: "The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought," edited by Adrian Hastings, "A New Dictionary of Christian Theology," edited by A. Richardson and J. Bowden, and "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology," edited by Walter A. Elwell. The writer presents an analysis through providing summaries for the definition given by each of the three dictionaries, and explains where the three definitions overlap, as well as their major differences. The paper concludes with the writer's personal definition of the word "theology," based on the three examined definitions.

From the Paper
"This particular dictionary makes a distinction between theology and religious studies. Theology as opposed to religious studies is all embracing of the secular and the sacred including disparate disciplines such as geology, psychology and biology. Another key feature of this dictionary's definition is the five principle types of theology including: liturgical and pastoral, scriptural commentary, thematic, experiential, and allegorical all of which have their own distinguishable language, methodology and purpose."

Tags:discipline, sociology, integration, faith, Jesus, rational, canon

Abstract
This paper discusses science and its many and varied definitions. The author defines science as mainly man's unique ability to reason in a manner that is at least limitedly influenced by emotion but concedes that the term 'science' can mean different things to different people. The paper discusses terminology such as scientific inquiry, scientific law and theory, inductive and deductive reasoning. The author also looks at variables, controls and correlation in understanding science. In closing, the paper also describes a topic in biology; the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccination MMR connection to autism, which often gives the public difficulty because of the nature of scientific definitions and ideas, which differ from the public's understanding of them.

From the Paper
"Science is a varied and dynamic issue and term, within it there is a sense of many definitions and variations on a theme of mans' unique ability to reason in a manner that is at least limitedly influenced by emotion. The term "science" means many things to many people and different things to nearly everyone, with the general undercurrent that "science" is a respectable inquiry based process of human discovery. The history of science is relatively infinite, beginning with the very first human question about how things, the world, the universe and society works yet what we think of as Science today is directly associated with the development of naturalism and its emphasis on observational standards for the discovery of the truths about nature and life."

Tags:concepts, discovery, naturalism, data, biology

Abstract
The paper discusses how when parents and other family members discover that their child has a serious illness, they often react with denial. The paper explains that denial is very complicated and can come across as acceptance or even as joy; denial protects us and we can deny what the doctors and nurses tell us. However, the paper notes that we can prevent doctors and nurses from knowing that we are in denial, and, denial only succeeds if we do not allow ourselves to know we are denying the truth. The paper asserts that this is because denial is a psychological defense mechanism (Cohen & Block, 2004). That is just one definition, and this paper discusses other definitions to show how denial operates among parents and other family members when a child is sick.

From the Paper
"When parents and other family members discover that their child has a serious illness, they often react with denial. Denial is very complicated and can come across as acceptance or even as joy. Denial protects us and we can deny what the doctors and nurses tell us. However, we can prevent doctors and nurses from knowing that we are in denial. Most of all, denial only succeeds if we do not allow ourselves to know we are denying the truth. That is because denial is a psychological defense mechanism (Cohen & Block, 2004). That is just one definition, and this paper will discuss..."

Tags:denial, child, family

Abstract
The paper discusses how Edward Said in "The Clash of Definitions" counters the conclusions of Samuel P. Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" that cultural and religious ideologies and differences will serve as the major source of conflict in the 21st century. The paper explains Said's perspective that the true problem lies with religious nationalism, ranging from Christianity in the West to Islam in the Middle East and the problems linked to cultural identity. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper
"Overall, Huntington puts forth the suggestion that all future conflicts, whether based on political, social or economic differences and attitudes, will revolve around the "clash" of various cultures with each attempting to come out on top of the other, resulting in one culture being subdued by another. As Huntington sees it, the main source of conflict within what some call the "New World Order" with the United States as the dominating power will occur between various national states and systems and those who control these states and systems, whether as a governmental body, a conglomerate of powers or as a single powerful group, such as Al Qaeda, Hamas and other Islamic militant groups spread out across the Middle East and other world "civilizations.""

Tags:Islam, religion, nationalism, lifestyle

Abstract
This paper examines the concept of curriculum and provides the writer's definition of it. In so doing, the paper outlines why conceptions of curriculum which focus predominantly upon describing it as course syllabi and learning modules are inadequate in large measure because they fail to take into account the sociological and ideological aspects of the concept. The paper also discusses E.A. Todd's definition of curriculum in "Curriculum Approaches and Definitions" and argues that it is overly broad and insufficiently descriptive.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
What is Curriculum?

From the Paper
"In closing, the preceding several pages have outlined this writer's conception of what the term "curriculum" really means. In so doing, what it is hoped has been revealed is just how enormous in scope the term really is and how merely confining one's understanding of it to course outlines, course modules and to technical competencies taught (and hopefully learned) is to really overlook many of the ideological and sociological aspects of curriculum. In the end, the concept "curriculum" is really an enormous and enormously important one."

Tags:module, outline, learning

Abstract
As the women's movement has grown in recent decades, the debates it has pushed forward have changed the ways in which society views certain problems. Specifically, sexual assault during armed conflict is something which is a much more high-profile issue today than it would have been even a couple of generations ago. This paper examines whether or not rape during armed hostilities should be explicitly subsumed within the definitions of torture detailed in the United Nations' Convention against Torture. In a closely related vein, the paper also explores whether or not rape during the aforementioned type of conflict should be subject to the same international norms and procedures as those laid out in the preceding Convention.

Tags:rape, international, law

Abstract
The paper discusses how systems thinking takes different forms according to the type of system involved--open systems, social systems, process systems, living systems, and system dynamics. The paper explains that systems thinking refers to the ability to see the whole and not just the parts and to see and understand the different relationships among the parts. The paper defines a number of terms that are used within this approach.

From the Paper
"Systems thinking takes different forms according to the type of system involved--open systems, social systems, process systems, living systems, and system dynamics. Systems thinking refers to the ability to see the whole and not just the parts and to see and understand the different relationships among the parts. Within this approach, there are a number of terms that are used, as follow: --Accumulator: An accumulator is anything that builds up or dwindles down over time, so that it either accumulates or loses whatever it collects over time. This can refer to any element of the system that gathers or loses data during operation."

Tags:systems, thinking, terms

Abstract
This paper provides definitions and explanations of the terms network, telecommunications, information security, EMR, project management, explaining what setting each is used in.

From the Paper
"Five important terms to the health care community are network, telecommunications, information security, electronic medical record and project management. A network in the medical community refers to a collaborative healthcare environment that connects members of the healthcare community that provides healthcare services across a region. (Medical Network Overview) MedNet is an example of a medical network and it unites providers patients insurance companies and employers in an alliance that balances the diverse needs of all participants in an intelligent and mutually supportive manner."

Tags:definitions, settings, network, telecommunications, information security, EMR, project management

Abstract
The paper explains that according to Cohen, the purpose of a conceptual definition is 'to formulate sharp definitions of vague phenomena'. The paper discusses how conceptual definitions clarify and define in a precise manner, thus enabling one to differentiate between objects or activities that have vague similarities. The paper explains that Cohen's definition of a tourist fits this purpose by clarifying the specific characteristics and motivations of a tourist.

From the Paper
"According to Cohen, the purpose of a conceptual definition is `to formulate sharp definitions of vague phenomena' (in Cohen, 1974, p. 528). Conceptual definitions clarify and define in a precise manner, thus enabling one to differentiate between objects or activities that have vague similarities. Cohen's definition of a tourist fits this purpose by clarifying the specific characteristics and motivations of a tourist. Cohen describes a tourist as a voluntary traveler because, `he goes on a trip of his own free will, is able to terminate his trip whenever it pleases him and is free to return to his permanent place of abode'..."

Tags:tourism, definition, issues