Abstract This paper reviews Douglas H. Erwin's book "Extinction," which addresses one of several mass extinctions that have been found in the history of life on earth. The author describes the books format, as well as some of Erwin's theories behind the end-Permian mass extinction. The reviewer concludes by describing how Erwin's book can be applied to today's climatic changes. The book can thus be a warning as well as an informative discussion of the past.
From the Paper "The author also begins by considering some of the other mass extinctions that took place at a much earlier date, in part to see what caused those extinctions in order to see if the same causes applied to the Permian extinction. The evidence from the extinction at the K-T boundary (between the Cretaceous and the Triassic) has been much analyzed because of the discovery of higher deposits of iridium from that period. Iridium is found primarily in meteors or in some volcanic explosions, and so the higher levels have caused many to see the extinction of the dinosaurs as caused by a large meteor crashing into the earth and depositing iridium around the world on the same geologic level. Another substance found at the site of extinctions has been fullerenes, which can be produced by lightning strikes, forest fires, and meteorite impacts. Some evidence exists for an impact around the time of the Permian extinction, but the author says this is inconclusive at this time."
This paper reviews the book "A Respectable Army" by James Kirby Martin and Mark Edward Lender. The author looks at the America's armed forces around the time of the War of Independence.
Abstract The author looks at the America's armed forces around the time of the War of Independence, as detailed in James Kirby Martin and Mark Edward Lender's book, "A Respectable Army." This book review examines whether or not the authors were true to the details of history from the period of the American Revolution. The reviewer looks at the author's sources, and examines the makeup of the army at the time in order to determine whether or not republicanism was the overwhelming motivator in many of these men joining the fight.
From the Paper "When I first read this quote, I knew this is exactly what I was taught in school and always knew of the militia and the role of citizen soldiers. To my dismay this was totally not accurate and the authors did a good job proving this. Now with their first supporting point, they only stated the myths of the war. Now another supporting point later in their historical research proved that the common thought of militia filling the ranks of the army was not true. The Continental Army was hurting badly because of the defeats in Long Island in 1776 and in the Philadelphia Campaign in 1777. So in their third chapter of the book, they looked at how the American army got their manpower to sustain British attacks and wait out until the French arrived. For one the Continental Army started to be the direct opposite of what Americans were fighting for, republicanism."
Abstract A film review of the movie ?Bataan,? and a comparison of its reality with the experiences of E.L. Sledge, in his book ?With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa.? The paper starts with a critical review of the movie and proceeds to provide the writer's own opinions.
From the Paper "We?ll stay as long as we can stand up.? The first man to die in the group thirteen men who are thrown together to defend a dying island, sums up the pervading force in the MGM film ?Bataan,? released in 1943. With his death, the squad is effectively without a leader, and they plunge into the jungle, determined to hold off the entire Japanese army, so General MacArthur can make his escape from the doomed island.
Starring Robert Taylor, George Murphy, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Nolan, Desi Arnaz, Robert Walker, and several others, this film, directed by Tay Garnett, attempts to show the realities of war, while showing American's how her fighting men were strong and brave, down to the last man."
Abstract The paper examines and reviews several websites which offer varying opinions on the death penalty. It discusses several articles which give factual information on the Ted Bundy case and the U.S. constitution. Other examples of websites reviewed are Bedau & Radelet's article "Miscarriages of Justice in Potentially Capital Cases" and Morrison's article "Death Penalty: an Ineffective Deterrent" which appears on a Massachusetts Institute of Technology newspaper website.
From the Paper "The FBI's information on Theodore Robert Bundy is also an authoritative and objective source. The material given is a matter-of-fact accounting of the Ted Bundy case, from his initial escape from a Colorado courthouse to his execution. The material has intrinsic value as an accurate source. Ernest van den Haag's defense of capital punishment is an excellent example of authoritative and accurate Internet content. The root webpage is at PBS, a highly respected source. Further, the article is taken from the Harvard Law Review, another highly respected source. The article backs up its arguments with extensive statistics and includes an impressive 30-item notes section that clarifies important concepts and provides material for further reference."
Abstract The objective of this paper is to evaluate what type of impact judicial review has had on Canada's representative democracy by tracing its evolution. Although it is tempting to focus closely on the more controversial and obvious relationship between judicial review and the Charter, this paper will endeavor to highlight the implications of binding adjudication on issues dealing with the distribution of legislative power since 1867.
Abstract The paper studies the concept of an urbanization of religions that is suggested by Waghorne and Orsi in their critiques on the changing landscape of religion in the contemporary setting; "A Review of the Readings". The paper reviews and critiques their positions on sacred spaces in urban settings, with special reference to the Hindu religion.
From the Paper "The concept of an "urbanization" of religions - perhaps better described as the mainstreaming or the popularization of same - is offered by Waghorne and Orsi in their critiques on the changing landscape of religion in the contemporary setting. Waghorne proposes that the popularization of religions distorts their significance and does so through examining modern Hinduism, particularly in regions that have thus far not traditionally been associated with the Hindu religious practices. He notes that "a consideration and awareness of the interplay between economic change and new cultural formations on a global scale ought to center studies of institutional forms of modern Hinduism" and thus it is impossible to reduce the study of Hinduism to "an intellectual proposition" that is somehow shut away from the forces of the modern world (Waghorne, 328)."
This paper is a literature review concerning the testimonies of John the Baptist in the fourth Gospel as an influential history of Christian theology. Specifically the paper looks at Chapter 6 within the Book of Signs.
Abstract The New Testament contains many witnesses to Jesus Christ, but the testimonies of John in the Fourth Gospel have been among the most influential in the history of Christian theology. In the more than eighteen centuries since its compilation, the Fourth Gospel has been the source of intense interest on the part of those who would better understand how the followers of Jesus came to believe that he was the true Son of God and how and why Jesus accomplished his mission on earth. This study provides a review of the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature concerning the gospel of John, including a survey of the academic literature on the subject since 1948, a description of emerging themes and an assessment of how John 6 is situated within the Gospel. A discussion of Chapter 6 within the Book of Signs and the literary structure of John 6 is followed by a structural analysis of John 6 as a general unit and an analysis of John 6:69 in particular. Finally, a discussion of the context of John 6:69 within the Bread of Life Discourse is followed by a grammatical analysis, a colometric presentation and an interpretation of John 6:69 in the concluding chapter.
Outline:
"The Holy One of God" (John 6:69)
A Survey of the Academic Literature since 1948
Emerging Themes
Situating John 6 within the Gospel
Chapter 6 within the Book of Signs
Literary Structure of John 6
Structural Analysis of John 6 as a Unit
Analysis of John 6:69
John 6:69 Context within the Bread of Life Discourse
John 6:69 Grammatical Analysis Colometric Presentation and Interpretation
From the Paper "Conversely, those who believe in Jesus believe in the one who sent him (12:44). The christological claim of the Fourth Gospel, then, has become so identified with its theological claim that it is no longer possible to speak of Jesus apart from the one who sent him, and it is no longer possible to speak of God apart from the Son whom the Father sent into the world. In a footnote, Matera also notes that, "This establishment of Jesus as Son of God does not mean that he became the Son of God at the Resurrection. Rather, it signifies his messianic enthronement as the Son of God, as the phrase en dynamei ("in power") indicates. Previous to his resurrection, Jesus was, as the Markan Gospel insists, the hidden Messiah. But once raised from the dead, he is enthroned as God's royal Messiah, the Son of God, so that who he was is now apparent."
Abstract This paper is a historical film review of the John Irvin movie, ?Hamburger Hill.? It examines the movie for content, historical accuracy and context.
From the Paper "John Irvin's film, ?Hamburger Hill,? details the events of the battle in the A Shau Valley to gain control of Dong Ap Bia (a small mountain) during the Vietnam War. It was a ten-day battle, fought up hill, from May 10, 1969 though May 20. Most of the film takes place on Dong Ap Bia (Hill 937), nicknamed "Hamburger Hill" by the soldiers who fought there because of the high amount of casualties. The casualty rate of this battle was 70%, (Larson 1). It consisted of several battalions attacking and retreating for ten days up the hill. Scenes in the movie that show the men scrambling up and sliding down the hill in rain and mud being bombarded by grenades and machine gun fire are horrifically graphic and, unfortunately, accurate, (Larson 1)."
Abstract This paper provides an overview and review of a professional web site administered and sponsored by the National Organization for the Advancement of Colored People. The paper looks at the objective of the site, the source of its funding, its discussion of criminal issues, its links to other sites (if such do in fact exist) and its user friendliness. The paper ultimately concludes that, while the official web site could perhaps be bolstered by links to other organizations offering comparable or complementary services to the black community, it nonetheless is easily navigable and delivers its message effectively.
From the Paper "The following three-page paper will briefly review the official web site of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The paper will look at the purpose/objective of the site as well as at the source of funding for the site (at least to the extent possible). The paper will likewise discuss the criminal justice issues given "play" on the web site in addition to discussing the navigability of the site. Not to be overlooked, some time will be devoted to looking at the relevant links found on the site (assuming, of course, that such links are actually present). "
Abstract This paper takes a look at the Permian and Cretaceous-Tertiary periods of life on Earth - pre-historic forms of life from sea creatures to land and air creatures. During both of these periods, mass extinction occurred and a comparison of these two extinctions is documented in this paper.
From the paper:
"From the perspective of daily human life, we often think of tragedy on the level of individual death and destruction, and the concept of mass extinction as being confined to a species or at worst, an ecosystem. However, over the course of the existence of the earth, the planet has weathered many greater catastrophes. Geologists must take a much longer-term perspective of catastrophe when studying extinction. This paper will compare and contrast the Permian and Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinctions."
Abstract The paper discusses that fact that the ability of a species to survive the extinction of another, depends on its ability to adapt. The paper continues and states that omnivores fair better than those with a limited range of food because if a single food source disappears from the environment, it can more easily find another suitable food source. More highly specialized members of the ecosystem will not be able to substitute food as those that can eat a variety of food. The paper details that the extinction of a single food species will quickly follow the elimination of their major food source. The paper supports the thesis that non-random species loss will have a more devastating effect on the community and than random species loss.
Outline:
Research Methods and Extinction The Example of Plants and Avian Species
Conclusions
From the Paper " In order to understand the extent and severity of the current crisis that we are facing regarding the rapid decline in bird species, we must look to past extinction events. Geochemical analysis is often used in conjunction with paleontological data in order to examine past extinctions more closely (Martin, 2007). Fossil evidence analyzed in this manner demonstrates that increasing oxygen levels increases the number of species as well. As oxygen levels decrease, the number of species in the fossil record decreases as well."
Abstract This paper explains that the fossil records tell us that, through out the geological history of earth, mass extinctions have been the norm rather than the exception. This paper states that a better understanding of the role extinction plays in evolution is essential. The author concludes that human beings are uniquely adaptable; they invent procedures as medicine that give them extended control over their environments.
From the Paper "Of course, the most famous extinction event is that of the dinosaurs, about 65 million years ago. Such events appear in the fossil record as far back as Precambrian time when it is believed that life first began. Ideas of mass extinction has been an issue of controversy between many geologists towards the idea that it is related to intermittent catastrophes such as the striking of the earth's surface by a large asteroid or comet. Many paleontologists and evolutionary theorists reject such ideas and believe them to be unjustified."
Abstract This paper discusses the course of extinction and endangered species and makes the argument that we should not try to save endangered species, as extinction is one of the most natural of all evolutionary processes.
Abstract This paper looks at the extinction of the dinosaurs and assesses the validity of the arguments put forward by creationists in favor of a biblical explanation for their demise. In particular, the paper discusses whether or not it is plausible to believe that the extinction of the great beasts was occasioned by the flood of the story of Noah's Ark. The paper looks at the biblical time-frame and explores whether or not dinosaurs and humans could possibly have existed contemporaneously. Finally, the paper looks at the plausibility of a great Ark existing and at whether the biblical flood could have ever taken place. The paper concludes that there is just enough evidence available for it to be unwise to dismiss the biblical explanation for the demise of the dinosaurs.
From the Paper "For one thing, critics of the Ark thesis state that supporters of its existence - such as John Woodmorappe - fail to consider how some creatures ostensibly not on the life-saving vessel (terrestrial snails, to cite one example) could have survived the relentless deluge. Further, critics charge that animals and other living beings which managed to survive the Flood could not possibly have been cared for adequately in any Ark - no matter how big. For instance, those who favor an evolutionary explanation for the earth's past (which necessarily means dismissing biblical accounts of why some creatures persisted into the modern age while others died out) point to the apparent logical improbability of being able to house, feed and sustain thousands of different species in a cramped, confined area; as far the critics are concerned, the example of modern industrial farming simply does not suffice as an explanation for how such an enormous task could have been undertaken (Morton, para.4-5)."
Abstract This paper defines what is meant by mass extinction and discusses a few that have occurred on our planet and some of the theories that have attempted to explain them. The writer explains that while some believe in meteorites or comet showers, and others in volcanism, variations in sea level, global climate changes and changes in ocean levels of oxygen, still a third group of scientists believe it was likely a combination of two or more of these events. The paper concludes that it is still unclear exactly what caused mass extinctions, and because of the elapsed time it is doubtful that we will ever know for sure.
From the Paper "Most of us are, of course most familiar with the extinction of the dinosaurs. Practically every child is fascinated by these huge beasts that roamed our planet at one time and now do not exist at all. In 1979 Berkeley scientists discovered a piece of pink and white limestone which contained evidence of what the scientists called "the great dying." (Rogers 1). The rock was found near Gubbio, Italy, and was at one time under the sea. To make an involved story short, the Cretaceous limestone has many fossils of tiny crustaceans while these little crustacean fossils are entirely absent from the clay layer, reappearing again in the Tertiary limestone. The scientist measured the presence of iridium, and found a substantial increase in the clay--twenty five times more than normal."
