Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of the role that La Malinche played in Mexican history and culture. The author gives the reader an historical overview, including the fact that she was an actual person, whose actions caused her to lose favor in society. This is done through the review and analysis of two pieces of works by historians, one male and one female, Casillo and Paz. The author also points out that La Malinche is not a well-known personality outside of Mexican culture, but her history dates back to the mid-sixteenth century. According to the paper, La Malinche's role in history has been revived by feminists who feel that her tainted past is the result of the chauvinistic nature of Mexican society which has begun to evolve over the years. For many Mexican women she is a symbol of independence and endurance of the Mexican people, and she should be accorded respect and proper recognition in history.
From the Paper "These many complications and elaborations of this essential and essentializing dichotomy about the true nature of woman can be seen to come together in the character of La Malinche, a figure not well known outside of Mexico (except to those whose families originally came from Mexico). This paper explores the figure of La Malinche, a figure who representations have over the years become at least in general more positive as Mexicans have regained a sense of themselves as a people worthy of self-respect ? and as Mexican women have refused to see themselves as meriting only the role of a traitor condemned to silence."
Abstract This paper examines the attempts of Native-American Tribes to retain their cultural heritage despite many years of repression and attempts by the colonial majority to force its culture on them. The paper looks at the major means whereby Native Americans are trying to preserve and even spread their culture amongst the various groupings and tribes living today in the United State of America. The author then goes on to examine the historical background to the American Indian's cultural repression. He examines, in some depth, the rebirth of Native-American literature and oral history and its impact on the Native-American population and attempts to evaluate its success.
From the Paper "Individual Indians seek to define who they are through culture in varied ways, and are frequently challenged by distance. The revival of culture is centered around reservation life. Reservations schools attempt to transmit the traditions of the past, along with language through native reservation schools that teach language through a bilingual system or through submersion programs and yet many Native Americans live far from home and family, as a result of the pressures of modernization and the fact that economic and higher education opportunities are limited on many reservations. To many Indians it is a challenge to meet the goals of a highly connected social network of family and nation as distance creates change that challenges their ability to meld their historical culture with the white culture they frequently live within. Yet, it is also clear that individual definitions of self are strongly associated with family and cultural connections and traditions. It is for this reason that Native American creativity is expressed in novel ways through many avenues and medias as well as the reason why individual and collective vision become a constant recurring theme in many of these interpretations."
Abstract This paper explains that things believed to be rational and normal in life today have not always been that way; throughout history, culture, conditioning and science have been the leading influences in this change. The author points out that today, sociology is considered a science of examining society through actions, trends and projections based on observable evidence; thereby, in this type of scientific study, science, technology and the influence of society can be placed into a working relationship. The paper reflects that today many individuals are no longer willing to conform to a paradigm, which can not answer the question of "where we came from, why we are here and where are we going". 9 annotated bibliographies.
Table of Contents
What do we Know about Reality?
1. Creation and birth
2. Death
Science in Sociological Perspective
1. The Science of Life
2. Consciousness and the Perception of Reality
The Big Picture
1. Perspective Reality
2. From Microbes to the Universe
Conclusion
From the Paper "As we look up at the stars at night and see the vastness of our universe, we can see how small we really are in the big picture. We can imagine that at one time, all of these stars must have been created by something, but we have insufficient information to positively prove any of the current concepts developed by scientists. The same is true with human life. We understand how eggs and sperm unite, how meiosis in humans continues to reproduce DNA that after nine months produces a new human baby. The thing that we do not understand is how all of these intricate and complex events produce a life that will grow and develop into a cognitive and productive individual."
Abstract The paper discusses the conception of 'new history" or 'history from below' and states that it has its foundations in a wide range of connected disciplines and contemporary theoretical trajectories and stances. The paper comments that the foundation of 'history from below' lies in the questioning of the hegemony of old and more elitist views of history and the context of historical reality The paper concludes that the writing of 'history from below' provides a much-needed and important part of historical research and discourse in contemporary scholarship.
Outline:
Introduction and Overview
British Multiculturalism
Conclusion
From the Paper " In conclusion it should be noted that the "new history" and the stance that takes its point of departure from 'below" in Britain owes much to the earlier Marxist historians. These historians are in fact seen as the "progenitors" of contemporary "history from below." (Kaye 182) Given this legacy in the British context it is not surprising that much of the historical research has been focused on the marginalized and disenfranchised cultures and sections of the population.
"For example there has been a great deal of research on the Asian and Pakistan immigration to the country. After the Second World War there was a large scale immigration of Muslims from various counties including North Africa to Britain. The central reason for this was the need in Britain for cheap industrial labor and they "...turned towards their former colonies in South Asia and North Africa to fill labour shortages... (What perspectives for Islam and Muslims in Europe?) Research into this area has produced numerous studies dealing with the prejudice and the alienation that these immigrants experienced. This type of research clearly shows the link and the connection between 'history from below' and multiculturalism and also suggests that these two concepts are inextricably intertwinwed in this new approach to history. While there are many detractors and critics of this new historical approach, there are also many who see 'new history' as advancing the aims of the discipline."
This paper addresses issues in collective bargaining theory, particularly the impact of aspects of American culture (individualism, self-determination) on the efficacy of collective bargaining, particularly the positional model.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper addresses issues in collective bargaining theory, particularly the impact of aspects of American culture (individualism, self-determination) on the efficacy of collective bargaining, particularly the positional model. It also proposes alternative models, such as consensus and mediation.
Tags: AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / CULTURE AND SOCIETY, culture cooperative tactics
Abstract This paper addresses many of the issues that are currently foremost among ensuring standards of cultural equality in the United States. Issues that are examined are those of education and in public businesses, both of which are subject to limited federal and state regulation.
Tags: AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / CULTURE AND SOCIETY, cultural diversity workplace
Abstract This paper explains that there are several issues that need to be taken into account when providing health care for different cultural groups. Issues such as different beliefs, social structure, and attitude towards death and dying are important components in providing health care. These concepts are discussed in relation to the Jamaican-American population.
From the Paper "Cultural differences among patient populations can present significant challenges to the medical profession. Differences in beliefs concerning general health issues, disease, pain, communication and presentation, as well as differences in lifestyle?diet, family structure, relationship to health-care, and social structure of the culture in question can not only cause miscommunication between healthcare workers, but can more importantly result in insufficient levels of care. Although the cultural component can affect all levels of interaction between patient and healthcare providers, it is often the nursing professionals that have the greatest exposure to these challenges. Further, because the nurse is often the best link between the patient and access to appropriate care, it is crucial for him or her to be aware of any cultural factors that might impact the level and appropriateness of care for a particular patient."
Abstract The writer of this paper defines the term Orientalism, which comes from the Latin word oriens, as the rising sun, which generally implies, 'the East.' This paper focuses on the culture, religion, art and history of Orientalism. This paper explores the European view of Islam throughout history. The writer explains that during the birth of Christianity and Islam there was a distinct difference between European Christian cultures and those of East and North Africa, which are detailed at length in this paper. During the Middle Ages the European Christians denounced the Islamic people as the enemies of Christendom, due to their lack of knowledge of Eastern culture. This paper discusses how the Enlightenment thinkers of the 18th century viewed the Eastern culture as being superior to that of the Christian west. This paper illustrates that Islamic societies were praised for their religious tolerance when compared with Christian west. This paper also delves into those who opposed the Orientalist culture, such as James Mill, who believed that Eastern civilizations were stagnant and corrupt and Karl Marx who believed that Eastern methods of production were static. Christian evangelists further maligned Eastern traditions as superstitious nonsense. This paper also examines the rich artistic history of the Oriental culture. Depictions of Islamic Moors were found in Medieval and Renaissance art, but it wasn't until the 19th century that Orientalism became recognized in the arts. This paper also details the outspoken views and opinions of political activist and author Edward Said.
Table of Contents:
Definition of Orientalism
History of Orientalism
Orientalism in the Arts
History of Orientalism in the Arts
Edward Said and Orientalism
References
From the Paper "Photography was still in its infancy and did not allow for the capture of the sunlight, the colors and the mood in which a painter could. With the iconoclastic nature of Islam, and the forbidding of the depiction of the prophet Muhammad, there was little representational art in Islam. Most of their artwork was centered on pattern and design. For this reason, the Muslim world had very little visual record of their history, including the people and the cities that existed prior to modern photography. Today, still, the best visual record of exotic cities like Cairo or Damascus, prior to the advent of modern photography, exists in 19th century paintings by Europeans and Americans. In the mid to late 19th century, painters from every country in Europe and from across the oceans in America, came to the East."
Abstract This paper is an examination of the recent field culturalhistory that Robert Darnton used to examine the study of 18th-century France. The author breaks down Darnton's work, "The Great Cat Massacre," by chapter in order to illustrate how his theory was designed to work. Each chapter is discussed in detail, examining both the strengths and weaknesses of the materials discussed. The author looks at methodology, and the inherent flaws that present themselves to the reader. The author looks at the problem of using narration and biography when looking at culturalhistory, which in their view, contradicts the goal that Darnton set out to accomplish. The author feels that this type of approach is best suited to the investigation of past events in history that are not fresh in our minds.
From the Paper \\\"Understanding a narration poses an entirely distinct set of problems to understanding an event; for one thing, it introduces the problem of reader expectations, which are determined by the previous development of the genre in which the narration is embedded. For this reason, Darnton's analysis seems less compelling than the nature of the bizarre events he would have us believe really took place. Strangely enough, though, his anthropological method is most impressively applied in a chapter, which deals with what would seem to be far more ordinary events.\\\"
Abstract This paper explains that the history of multi-cultural children's literature is inextricably tied to the social history of America. This history is examined and the writer points out that the incorporation of multicultural children's literature into the popular American library has been a story of civil rights, historical trends, and individual agency. Some books examined for their contribution to this trend are Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book", the French "Tin Tin" series by Herge Moulinsart among others.
From the Paper "The history of Hispanic-Americans, though not as brutal as that of the African-Americans, is equally grueling in its disregard for native culture. Enslaved in South and Latin America, this demographic faced the same cultural history that the African-Americans did, but without the same causal cry for acknowledgement and involvement into the common knowledge base as witnessed by African-Americans. Many of these groups also have roots in the Native Americans (First Nations' Peoples) of the United States, and as such, have received a historically inaccurate and unflattering history though children's literature in America as the demographic with whom the brave American settler's battled and, later, the heartless killers who ravaged the west of the idolized American Cowboy."
Abstract The paper discusses how the modern history of Vietnam's society and culture is a complex narrative that covers not only the Vietnamese war against the French and later the Americans, but also deep cultural divisions within Vietnam itself and, more recently, between Vietnamese in Southeast Asia and the many Vietnamese immigrants who have settled abroad. The paper examines how the complexity of this history can be seen in the challenge of answering the fundamental question of Vietnamese identity: "What does it mean to be Vietnamese?". The paper analyzes whether Vietnamese identity is limited to those occupying a geographic space at the southeast portion of the Asian continent, or whether it can be considered a broader social and cultural identity.
This paper examines the rich history, economy and culture of China as depicted in John Bryan Starr's "Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History and Political Structure."
Abstract This paper reviews "Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History and Political Structure" by John Bryan Starr. This paper discusses China's ancient culture and its emergence as one of the foremost powers in the modern world. This paper focuses on China's recent admission to the World Trade Organization and as well as its economy which is set to become the largest in the world within the next few years. The writer of this paper examines China's political history and contends that in spite of the country's numerous transformations, the structure of the government is today fundamentally identical with what it was under the later imperial dynasties. Today, there is no emperor at the top, but instead a small committee of the leading members of various political parties who hold much the same position. Although there had been significant changes in China's economy, few political changes transpired. The communists still hold a monopoly of power and although its economic policies scarcely seem to be communist anymore, it does not intend to relax its political grip.
From the Paper "Starr contends that China remains one of the most self-contained and hence inscrutable countries in the world. It has an ancient culture of major historical importance, and has been emerging as one of the foremost powers of the modern world. It is the third largest country in the world and certainly the most populous, with about one-fifth of the world's total population. Modern communications make it as easy to reach Beijing from London or New York as it is to get to Singapore or Nairobi. Yet China remains little known and poorly understood; few foreigners learn its language or study its history and culture. Although foreign trade and tourism have increased dramatically in the last decade, they are only very slowly leading to any changes in foreign perceptions of China."
Abstract This essay briefly explores three areas of Hong Kong culture and history and includes the unique culture of the Hong Kong people and how it developed. The paper discusses how the efforts to stamp out the mui tsai practice illustrates the problems encountered in attempting to enforce British morality on the Hong Kong population and includes how and why Beijing attempted to influence the course of democratization in post 1997 Hong Kong.
From the Paper "Both Lau Siu-kai and Benjamin Leung agree that the Chinese people of Hong Kong have a unique culture and describe this culture as adventurous, individualistic, self-reliant and less encumbered by traditional inhibitions and having a degree of artificiality. A culture where an individual is free to be upwardly mobile and where personal success is based on economic success. Leung is more critical and to the point and adds that the Hong Kong citizen has a shaky moral status, no sense of cultural or moral mission and is characterized by crass materialism and utilitarianism due to the lack of moralizing elite and dominance of economic elite."
Abstract This paper examines the ethnography of the Japanese Geisha. Additionally, it highlights many subtopics of the Geisha culture such as history and training, customers and skills, fashion, and modern-day and western influences. The paper includes an annotated bibliography with descriptions of sources used.
History of the Geisha Culture Becoming a Geisha
Geisha Talents and Those Who Enjoy Them
Geisha Appearance
Modern-Day Geisha and Western Influence
Conclusion
From the Paper "Geisha hair, Geisha makeup, Geisha grace: Geisha is a pleasing profession envied by women and adored by men. She is a living work of art; a doll adorned in satins and silks. Her entrance anywhere has movie star status and everyone wishes to be a part of her world: the flower and willow world. The Geisha profession is a time-honored tradition that has gradually changed into its own intricate culture. In this essay, I will explore the various complexities and mysteries of the Geisha culture by addressing the following areas: Geisha history, training, talents and customers, traditional dress, and Geisha in the modern world. I will clarify any misconceptions one may have about this beautiful and mysterious culture."
Tags: ancient, culture, ethnographic, ethnography, geisha, japan, japanese
Abstract This paper assesses the issue of political culture and whether its varying nature in different countries affects the establishment and maintenance of democracy. The paper achieves this by first offering a definitional explanation of political culture and how its characteristics alter depending on the country in question. The paper then examines the manner in which democratic processes are affected by national political culture. Two countries ae used as examples in exemplifying the inherent links between the two concepts; Pakistan and Slovakia. The paper contends that political culture is a vital component in the democratic process. Therefore, if a respective political culture fails to either understand or believe in the underlying principles of democratic thought, it becomes very difficult to instil a culture based on democratic principles. The paper further contends that further factors such as; national history; religious beliefs and the role of the military have a large part to play. Indeed, the two example countries provide us with prove of this fact.
From the Paper "Let us look at out first example country, Pakistan. Since independence from Britain in 1947, much of the political culture of Pakistan has been formed on the same theoretical basis as that of the British Raj. When the British left what is know known as Pakistan, the democratic forces they attempted to instil were often contradictory in their nature. On the one hand, democratic representative government was established, but underpinning it lay the same subject based culture that had endured during British rule."
Tags: independence authoritarian, national history, religious beliefs, military role
