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Sisterhood, 2008.
A discussion on Bell Hooks' article "Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Among Women" and Linda Carty's article "The Discourse of Empire and the Social Construction of Gender."
1,280 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Bell Hooks' article "Sisterhood: Political Solidarity Among Women." It then compares the concepts in her article to Linda Carty's article "The Discourse of Empire and the Social Construction of Gender." The paper argues that it is only through the construction of a multi-dimensional perspective on the realities of women's experience that we can hope to achieve a sisterhood based upon our common strengths and achievements.
From the Paper
"It is perhaps understandable that only someone who knows the lack of empowerment could understand the critical importance of the littlest piece of agency and strength in one's life. Hooks' perception of the fundamental divisions that fragment the potential Sisterhood - divisions fostered and reinforced by the structures of class and race that are deeply intertwined with white patriarchy - one recognizes the extent of the struggle that remains for women. Consider, for example, the unpleasant fact that many young women today would not identify themselves as "feminists" despite their lives being built upon the advantages won by decades of feminist struggle. When hooks writes of how the focus on shared victimhood led many "white women activists to abandon feminist movement when they no longer embraced the victim identity" (hooks 107) the weaknesses engendered in the women's movement by this wallowing in "victimhood" become apparent. I have sometimes wondered why so many women find the terms feminist and feminism disturbing and alien to them. Hooks' contention that they are operating from the illusion of power serves to explain this otherwise inexplicable aspect of social identification."
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Male and Female Relationships in Literature, 2008.
An analysis of the relationship between the male and female characters in the ancient text, "The Medea" by Euripides and the modern text, "A Doll House" by H. Ibsen.
1,025 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper examines two texts, one ancient, "The Medea" by Euripides and the other modern, "A Doll House" by H. Ibsen. It looks at the roles of the two female characters - Medea in " The Medea" and Nora in "A Doll House" and discusses how the relationships between the male and the female characters reflect the relationship of the colonizer and the colonized. The paper examines what such a relationship entails and argues that this relationship can be changed only under extreme circumstances, which require a drastic action on the part of the colonized.
From the Paper
"Both Medea and Nora have challenged the concept of the passive feminine and the gender roles assigned to men and women within our society. The relationships between the male and the female often resemble the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized. The male/colonizer is active, the female/colonized is passive. The balance of power tips sharply towards the male/colonizer. The female/colonized are often the 'Others'; they are weak, simple creatures that need protection and guardianship, provided by the 'naturally' stronger, dominant male/colonizer. Nora and Medea refused to stay in the roles of the colonized and succeeded in freeing themselves from oppression by taking drastic action. Both however, were punished for it, shunned by the society in which they lived and both lost their children."
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Suicide, 2008.
A comparison of the arguments of Immanuel Kant in "Suicide and Duty" and David Hume in "Of Suicide."
1,578 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper presents David Hume's argument against suicide as described in "Of Suicide." It discusses his arguments based on God's plan for human beings and the establishment of immutable laws that cannot be transgressed, although he does defend suicide in certain scenarios. It then discusses Immanuel Kant's argument against suicide in "Suicide and Duty" and his position that suicide can never be justified.
From the Paper
"Kant (1930) provides the strongest position on the immorality of suicide. Although Hume (1874) defends suicide in certain cases, he based his entire argument in God's plan for human beings and the establishment of immutable laws that cannot be transgressed. Those laws are, in fact, providence, designed to protect human beings and guide them. The problem with Hume's (1874) argument is that in a universe that is completely controlled and determined by God, there is no choice for the human being. All that anyone can do is to accept and observe the laws. The whole argument depends on whether has faith in God. Kant's (1930) argument focuses on the human being as having a great deal of worth and as a person who is a moral agent. The person can commit suicide but the choice is made on the basis of a higher purpose which is that person's own purpose."
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Heloise and Abelard, 2008.
An analysis of the correspondence of Heloise and Abelard, as seen in "The Letters of Heloise and Abelard" by Betty Radice.
776 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 27.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes "The Letters of Heloise and Abelard" by Betty Radice. It looks at the wide range of issues that the correspondence of Heloise and Abelard touch on, such as love and marriage, monasticism, scholarship and the consequences of family feuds. The paper also looks briefly at the characteristics of each lover as can be seen through their writing.
From the Paper
"The second letter, in which Heloise writes to Abelard asking why he has not written to her in ten years, is especially interesting in that it reveals that Heloise had little choice but to enter a convent in obedience to Abelard. (Radice 53) His advice to her about running the convent reflected the prevailing consensus that shipping women off to a convent if they got into any sort of trouble was the best way to deal with scandals, for it was commonly believed that life in a convent would eliminate the temptation to sin, instill piety and provide a religious environment conducive to repentance."
"Monasteries served the same purpose for men, and Abelard entered one for the same reasons he advised Heloise to enter a convent. But entering a monastery was voluntary for men and was not a coercive sanction imposed by society on men for sexual indiscretions. A pervasive double standard existed in medieval times, for men were not held by society to the same sexual standards as women. This double standard even extended to the clergy, who were not officially permitted to marry and were expected to be celibate. But many members of the clergy married anyway, and had mistresses, without suffering any consequences in the form of social ostracism or punitive action from the Vatican."
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The Family and its Relation to Politics, 2008.
A comparison of the views on family and politics expressed by John Locke in "Second Treatise of Government" and by Confucius in "The Analects."
2,696 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 80.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the family unit and its relationship with politics. It looks at John Locke's views, in his "Second Treatise of Government" of the place and nature of the family as a social unit in its contribution to what we today know as political science. It also looks at the viewed expressed in "The Analects" of Confucius. The paper compares and contrasts the two authors' views on family and politics.
Outline:
Introduction
Second Treatise of Government
The Analects and the Ideal Family
Reflection and Conclusion
From the Paper
"As approaches to the family in relation to the greater forces of politic science and social order, both Locke and Confucius are intriguing to investigate, again, referring to the present, given that both began in reactions to observed and experienced political turbulence and situations of social disorder. For instance, what does it mean when conservative Americans and others proclaim the need for what are called Family Values, or why is it that members of non-Western societies so denounce what they perceive of Western individualism and non-existent family life? Put differently, what implications can be expected in societies to very much emphasis individualism, personal agency and competition, as part of how children are prepared for adult life? In the case of what is referred to as the Sinic World of cultures shaped by Chinese civilization, why might authoritarian governments of one kind or another be expected, or accepted?"
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Article Reviews: Teaching Literacy, 2008.
This paper reviews two articles about teaching literacy: Duke et al's 'Authentic Literacy Activities for Developing Comprehension and Writing' and Mary F. Heller's 'Telling Stories and Talking Facts'.
2,170 words (approx. 8.7 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 67.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that authentic literacy is broadly thought of as reading and writing in a personal narrative format. The author relates that Duke et al in their article 'Authentic Literacy Activities for Developing Comprehension and Writing' reported on their study involving 26 second and third grade teachers to investigate the development of students' ability to comprehend and compose informational and procedural texts in science. The author points out that this research confirmed that language skills acquisition improves in an authentic context rather than through de-contextualized or abstract learning. The paper also tells about a study by Mary F. Heller reported in her article 'Telling Stories and Talking Facts: First Graders' Engagements in a Nonfiction Book Club', which investigated the nature of responses of a small group of girls to see if these responses were grounded in facts learned from the readings or were narrative in nature.
Table of Contents:
Authentic Literacy Activities
Nonfiction Book Club
From the Paper
"Authentic literacy activities as described in this article offer many advantages to a classroom teacher. We all wish to make our classes as interesting and relevant to our students as we possibly can. This definition of authentic writing and reading gives us a way to do this. Most all of us can recall how boring it seemed to mindlessly do worksheets or endless lists of practice exercises. By adding a "real" audience and a "real" purpose can make a writing assignment more meaningful or fun. Whether in graduate school or second grade, most of us would rather understand "why" we have to do an activity." Authentic literacy activities, as defined in this article, help students to understand that "why. Children can see how the skills they are learning are used by adults. In an age where students are subject to a great deal of test-preparation activities, doing something "real" might also be a welcomed break for teachers and students.
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Environmental Literature, 2008.
This paper compares the writings of Neil Evernden in "The Natural Alien" and William Leiss in "Under Technology's Thumb".
1,925 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Neil Evernden in "The Natural Alien" impressively sweeps over the course of human history and the evolution of human thought demonstrating that reality consists in what one sees, and that one only sees what is important to one. The author points out that Evernden seems to be so obsessed with the "how" of how we talk about the environment that he seems to lose sight of the real issue. The paper then relates that William Leiss's chief focus in "Under Technology's Thumb" is to urge humankind to move away from domination of the earth and instead to move towards caring and respect for the earth. The author stresses that the sheer scholarship of both books is impressive. The paper concludes that neither writer had anything concrete or useful to say about the key issue that faces us today: sustainability.
From the Paper
"Indeed, if we could bring the social and other effects of our technologies into line with the fundamental value of sustainability, then we might have a hope of surviving to the next millennium and beyond. However, when we come to examine what practical help Leiss offers us with this ambition, he too falls short. True, he offers us his interesting and well-argued philosophy of "caring," and a compelling argument, in this context, against consumerism. It may well be true, as Leiss argues, that most people derive more satisfaction from caring for others than from consumerism."
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Carver's "Cathedral", 2008.
A review of Raymond Carver's short story "Cathedral".
1,074 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Raymond Carver's short story "Cathedral" from 1983 features an unnamed central character who narrates the entire story in the first person. It discusses how the husband is the 1st-person narrator and how he sets the tone and form of the story. It also describes the three-character organization and priority of the narrator's viewpoint and how background information establishes the nature and importance of the central character.
From the Paper
"There are only three characters in the story: the narrator, his wife, and Robert (the blind visitor) and we only know what we know of the last two through the eyes or mind of the narrator, so we have no independent way to make sure his narrative is totally reliable. We take his narrative for what it is, however, as the story is primarily about him rather than the other two people. The story is about his own experience of and reaction to the newcomer, and through that experience and reaction how he comes to a newfound piece of self knowledge."
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Bush's Power and Non-Binding Resolutions, 2008.
A passionate discussion regarding non-binding resolution issues in light of the troop surge in Iraq.
3,143 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 91.95
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Abstract
The paper asserts that representative democracy in the United States has been seriously undermined by a President who violates the Constitution and federal laws whenever he feels like it. The paper discusses the non-binding resolution against the troop surge passed by the House of Representatives that had no chance of preventing the surge. The paper argues that unless the current president is impeached and removed from office by the Senate, no other resolution or bill passed by Congress will prevent him from implementing any policy he chooses.
From the Paper
"The non-binding resolution passed by the House on February 16 did not prevent the troop surge, and if the past seven years are any indication, no other resolution or bill passed by Congress will prevent the current president from implementing any policy he chooses, for he has and will continue to invoke what he calls "unitary executive" powers in order to authorize and justify his actions. At some point, Democrats in Congress may finally figure out that Impeaching this president is the only way to restore responsibility to the White House, will do so, and will call upon the Senate to convict him for multiple Impeachable offenses."
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Japanese Industrial Finance: An Article Review, 2008.
This paper reviews the article "Japanese Industrial Finance at the Close of the 19th Century: Trade Credit and Financial Intermediation" by Y. Miwa and M. Ramseyer.
1,188 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 5 sources, APA, $ 40.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses Japan's economic development at the turn of the 19th century with respect to an article published by Miwa and Ramseyer entitled, "Japanese Industrial Finance at the Close of the 19th Century: Trade Credit and Financial Intermediation." The paper is of the opinion that the article is useful and largely successful at supporting the authors' points. The paper points out, however, that the article is prefaced with an over abundance of historical data that is, at best, only partially relevant from a historical perspective.
From the Paper
"This article discusses several issues relevant to the Japanese economic experience during the late 19th century as it relates to financial revolutions that anticipate rapid economic growth. The observation is made that Japan did experience such a financial upheaval but that it was not artificially inspired but rather the natural by-product of private investor demands for greater financial infrastructures. Additionally, the authors observe that while securities existed in tandem with traditional bank credit structures, trade credit was largely relied upon in order to raise capital for ongoing industrial expansion."
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"Globalization Unplugged", 2008.
A review of "Globalization Unplugged" by Peter Urmetzer.
1,828 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
The paper examines Peter Urmetzer's "Globalization Unplugged", which presents an analysis of the concept and reality of globalization. The paper discusses how this book attempts to strip the debate about globalization of its myths, agendas and rhetoric to get to the essence of what globalization truly is in the modern 21st century world. The paper argues that Urmetzer's analysis is sound and well-argued, with a realistic depiction of globalization as a basis for further discussion and policy analysis.
From the Paper
"One of the key strengths of Globalization Unplugged lies in its well-structured presentation of the debate over globalization. The first chapter - "The Life and Times of Globalization: An Unauthorized Biography" - explores the complicated levels of rhetoric and differing political and scholarly agendas with regard to the definition of the concept of globalization, while the second chapter - "Marx, Globalization, and Modernity: What is Old Becomes New Again" - reveals the historical basis of the phenomenon. These two chapters represent the sound foundation upon which the author builds the superstructure of his argument, addressing the key issues in the debate over globalization today in successive chapters: "The World Economy"; "Trade"; "Foreign Direct Investment"; "The Financial Economy"; "The Retreat of the Nation-state"; "The Postwar Economy". Finally, in his Conclusion, the author attempts to bring together the various threads of his argument into one cohesive model of the reality of globalization, with a particular focus on its relevance to the Canadian context."
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"Penelopiad", 2008.
An analysis of Margaret Atwood's "Penelopiad" and how it represents the revisionist features of modern mythology.
1,237 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at Margaret Atwood's text "Penelopiad" and discusses how the Canadian author uses her revision of the ancient tale of Odysseus and Penelope to offer a feminist counter-narrative to Homer's legendary myth. In particular, it discusses the double-standards, hypocrisies, and hierarchies which relegated the maids to second-class status (and also to death) and forced Penelope to wait almost interminably for a faithless husband. Finally, in addition to looking at the sexual violence that Atwood feels pervades the original narrative, the paper discusses the author's emphasis upon how women in the antique world of Homer were treated as reproductive vessels and little more.
From the Paper
"Another element of the new narrative, a narrative told exclusively from the perspective of women, is the manner in which sexual violence is addressed in Atwood's tale. It is not entirely clear if the suitors raped the maids and if these unlucky women are being killed simply because they are the victims of the wrong men. However, there is a point in the story when the Chorus exclaims, "If our owners or the sons of our owners or a visiting nobleman or the sons of a visiting nobleman wanted to sleep with us, we could not refuse. It did us no good to weep, it did us no good to say we were in pain" (Atwood, 13-14). When the "sins" of the maids are examined against this backdrop, it may be said that the new myth concocted by Atwood attacks the sexual violence that, for a whole host of reasons, Homer never finds the time to denounce (or even much care about) in his original work from roughly 2500 years ago. "
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Female Friendships in Literature, 2008.
This paper contrasts the importance of female friendships as described in J. Bauman's "Winter into Spring" and despaired of in "The Existential Paralysis of Women" by Simone de Beauvoir.
1,365 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, although male dominated society excludes and exploits women, as portrayed in Ibsen's "A Doll House", the importance of friendship between women can overcome their marginality and restore women to the center of a husbanding society. The author compares Bauman's work to Beauvoir's and points out that Beauvoir writes about the exploitation of women in Western bourgeois society; whereas, Bauman recounts the trials of women in the void of that society smashed to pieces by the Nazis. The paper relates that Beauvoir sees the "eternal feminine" nature of a woman as shaped by the male dominated, patriarchal social structure even if women join together to off set the "masculine universe". The author thenstates that, in contrast, in Bauman's existential account of WWII, the friendship of five women who do "band together" to establish a "counter-universe" and survive is not only important but also vital.
From the Paper
"The women in Mrs. Pietrzyk's room joined their common longings for life and love to link themselves back into the woman's world of hope, mystery, the sway of her body moving through the ebbs and tides, and the attainment of woman's wisdom. They did this with nothing but their hearts in a time of death. The rejected martyrdom and the paralysis mold. De Beauvoir says the lot of woman's life is passive waiting, but in truth nothing is more powerful: "I've been thinking now about this glorious future that I dreamed up last night. Will it come true? Shall I ever live a free, useful, happy life with someone I love and who loves me? "
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Books about Customer Service, 2008.
This paper compare two books "The Myth of Excellence" by F. Crawford and R. Mathews and "Branded Customer Service" by J. Barlow and P. Stewart, which address the complex customer service issues.
1,550 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 2 sources, APA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper states that Barlow and Stewart's "Branded Customer Service" does an adequate job of exploring the relationship between customer service and branding; however, Crawford and Mathews' "The Myth of Excellence" is a much more insightful and provocative study of advanced service management today. The author points out that Barlow and Stewart state that, in order to add value to a brand, the modern business enterprise must focus first and foremost upon customer service. The paper relates that Crawford and Mathews study the importance of customer service from not only a business perspective but also a cultural, social and psychological context. The author stresses that the central concepts of Crawford and Mathews are the values, which they argue, consumers are seeking in their relationships with modern businesses: clarity, ease, certainty and trust.
From the Paper
"Consider, for example, the common business practice of "high-low" pricing to sell new inventory at a higher price, and they radically discount it at sale prices later. The authors note that consumers began to become "suspicious" of this pricing strategy in the 1960s so that today: "The real problem with the traditional high-low method of pricing is that consumers simply don't trust it. They don't feel they're being rewarded at the lower sale price but, rather, that they're screwed at the higher regular price." The authors use this insight to explain the extraordinary popularity of the Every Day Low Price philosophy of the most successful retailer on the planet: Wal-mart."
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"Code of the Street", 2008.
This paper provides a sociological analysis of "Code of the Street" by Elijah Anderson.
1,211 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
The paper examines "Code of the Street" where Elijah Anderson researches the lives of people in Philadelphia's inner city neighborhoods, in order to identify how prevailing conditions caused by poverty combine to produce pervasive drug or alcohol abuse, violence and broken families. The paper discusses Anderson's sociological approach and his evidence that living in poverty and being subjected to racism produce a vicious, recurring cycle of cause and effect. The paper is of the opinion that this book provides important and conclusive insights into the flawed and destructive culture of America's inner cities.
From the Paper
"Reading Chapters 3 and 4 of Code of the Street confirms that Anderson's sociological methodology was based upon extensive personal observations and interviews, which provide convincing evidence that living in poverty and being subjected to racism produce a vicious, recurring cycle of cause and effect. Using the ethnographical research he conducted in Philadelphia during the 1990's, which entailed studying African Americans in poverty-stricken areas of the city, Anderson reflected upon the information he obtained from informants and from his own observations, and concluded that a fundamental cause and consequence of crime in inner cities is the code of the street that prevails in these neighborhoods. (Anderson 107-110)"
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