Abstract
This paper examines the arguments over how one can formulate a cross-cultural definition of marriage. Through a literature review, it looks at some some definitions of marriage as well as some of the ethnographies that subvert and call into question how we actually conceptualise marriage. These include the Na of Lijang, the Nayar of central Kerala, the debate over the Virgin Birth and Bourdieu?s work on marriage with a parallel patrilateral cousin. It attempts to show how these case studies call into question some of the basic understandings of kinship and marriage as formulated by both descent and alliance theorists. It concludes by looking at some of the more recent developments in kinship theory and how they can help us work towards a definition of marriage.

From the Paper
"The economic and social factors involved in marriage have tended to be reified by many kinship theorists. One can trace some of the origin for why marriage definitions and kinship studies of marriage have been reified and abstracted in an attempt to produce harmonious wholes in the Virgin Birth debate. Dogma and ritual, Leach (1968) points out, to not necessarily correspond to internal states. One could equally argue that the reified systems of kinship studies show little relationship to how marriage actually works in all of its ambiguities."

Tags:anthropology, endogamy, exogamy, family, kinship

Abstract
This paper explains that culture shock is often an inevitable roadblock that is faced by individuals relocating or studying in a foreign country. Next, the paper describes the six distinct stages most people go through when dealing with cultural shock and discusses strategies for coping with the feelings associated with culture shock.

What is Culture Shock?
Various Stages of Cultural Shock
First Stage - Honeymoon Period or "Look, They Serve Fish and Chips
Here. Lovely!"
Second Stage - Culture Shock or "Ugh...I Hate Fish and Chips!"
Third Stage - Recovery, or "I Don't Mind Fish and Chips So Much"
Fourth Stage - Renewed Culture Shock, or "I Take It Back, Fish and
Chips Stink"
Fifth Stage - Breakthrough, or "I Still Don't Like Fish and Chips, But I
Can See Why You Like Them"
Sixth Stage - Re-integration, or "Where Can I Buy Fish and Chips Around
Here?"
Factors Crucial to Intercultural Adjustments
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Culture can be defined in a number of different ways and through a myriad of various examples. It is a fluid concept; one that is constantly evolving due to factors such as globalization and the media. Neither every person one encounters nor every country one visits is going to hold fast to the stereotypes typically associated with them. Each person will display their own unique behavior or way of viewing things. However, it is important to understand that culture, as a concept, is something that a person or groups of people are born into. It is a set of norms, values and beliefs that one learns through the process of socialization. Culture, therefore, forms a conceptual lens, through which groups of people see themselves, their country, and the rest of the world."

Tags:condition, confusion, anxiety, exposed, alien, milieu, oberg, strain, loss, deprivation

Abstract
This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages in communication across cultures in light of a globalizing world. Three areas in particular are focused upon: News and internet, film and documentaries and trade and business.

From the Paper
"Globalization is the quintessential 'buzzword' of the times. Politicians speak at length about it, academic journals are filled with material on it, and it seems as though a new book is published daily dealing with its subject matter. Terms such as the 'global village,' 'global governance' and 'global transformations' have all been coined in the past few decades in an attempt to make sense of and to further explain the phenomenon of globalization. With the proliferation of capitalism since the Cold War, an influx of multi-national corporations and their products into areas never before reached, and technological advancements increasing at a breakneck speed, there is not a single corner of the world that is left untouched or uninfluenced by the 'Western' world."

Tags:email, new, york, nairobi, expedient, efficient, boundaries, geographical, spaces, gaps

Abstract
This paper is a review of Daniel Defoe's novels "Robinson Crusoe" and "Moll Flanders". The paper specifically discusses to what extent these novels represent a microcosm of the world of Defoe. The paper follows a tendency toward the poststructuralist method of deconstruction, which seeks to unlock a reflection of the text by exposing its counter side, and therefore showing what the work of Defoe, can tell us about the past.

From the Paper
"Before an attempt can be made to construct any critical theory regarding Defoe's vision of society and civilisation, it is necessary to put into context the corridors of thought which may lead to its interpretation. The idea that a response to a work is the same as its meaning demands the question: Can a work can have as many meanings as we have responses?"

Tags:christianity, class, colonialist, imperialistic

Abstract
The historical and intellectual background of inter-war Europe is mentioned and the formation of the Vienna Circle explained. The main aims and philosophies of the Circle are discussed - the main philosophy being logical positivism which is explained that any conclusive or meaningful statement must be based on observation and experimental evidence. Any assertion that is impossible to prove or disprove is scientifically useless. Problems with this are mentioned and the nature of scientific knowledge discussed.

From the Paper
"In order to properly discuss the Vienna Circle I must first briefly describe the social, scientific and philosophical situations that led to its formation and greatly influenced the views of its supporters. I will then outline the reasons for its formation, its general philosophy (one of empiricism and logical positivism) and some of the ideas put forward by its members regarding the nature of scientific knowledge. Many problems (both practical and semantic) arose from new ideas of what constituted "scientific knowledge" and I shall try and discuss these before concluding."

Tags:empiricism, experimental, feigl, frank, godel, moritz, schlick, theory, wittgenstein

Abstract
An examination of Indian arts with emphasis on the images and symbolism in the Indian notions of art and religion. The author examines the influences of the Western world on Indian expression of art.

From the Paper
"For thousands of years the arts have thrived on the Indian sub-continent, with the advent of western influence and occupation taking place only within the last few hundred years. The impact of western influence upon India is unmistakable, especially in regards to her arts and religion, serving not so much as a contributor, but as a critic. To even begin to comprehend and appreciate the incredible diversity and complexity of Indian arts, we must undergo a paradigm shift of our most basic western beliefs and notions of art and religion. Therefore, an understanding of the historical interpretations of Indian art is essential. Going beyond this, we must construct a rudimentary primer on seeing Indian images, also known as daran, and trying to understand, at least at a basic level, the symbolism involved in such religiously rich imagery."

Tags:art, continent, images, india, sub

Abstract
This essay applies the thoughts of critical theorists such as Barthes and Eagleton to the concept of music and it?s cultural roots and present day entity.

Tags:barthes, eagleton, elton, john, lennon, tempest

Abstract
By exploring the idea of a nation state as an 'imagined community' this study tackles the difficult issue of national identity. It explores the cultural characteristics that contribute to the boundary construction of collective ideologies - territory, race, language and others. Drawing from a wide range of sources, the paper considers how crucial the feelings and perceptions of nationalism are to the objective existence of the state.

From the Paper
"Anyone can declare a nation into existence." (Beissinger 1988: 173). There are many different definitions of a "nation". This essay aims to weigh up Benedict Anderson's definition of a nation as an "imagined community" and explore its claims. Criticisms of subjective definitions are investigated, in a brave attempt to consider other perspectives. A "nation-state" is separate from the "nation" under discussion; it refers to a political set-up with appropriate institutions involved in governance over a spatially bounded territory and the policing of it.

Tags:anderson, benedict, gellner, nationalism, state

Abstract
This paper examines how feminist anthropology emerged in the latter half of the twentieth century and attempted to combat the representation (or lack of it) of women in anthropological writing. It looks at how in doing so, it moved through several stages, from trying to redress the imbalance in ethnographic knowledge, through a critique of the theoretical praxis of anthropology to the uncertain place that it has at present. It examines the background to the feminist movement in anthropology and attempts to see it in historical perspective. It then analyses each of the stages of feminist anthropology and assesses their contribution to the broader subject.

From the Paper
"Feminist anthropology has allowed two great ethnocentric divides to be broken down. The first is that between nature/culture. Running through all the work of feminist anthropology is the rejection of the place women have been assigned as somehow preordained or organic. Fatima Mernissi shows that the passive role of the women in some Muslim societies, who is seen as potentially more sexually aggressive than the male, is a cultural construct: ?what is feared in Muslim marriage is the growth of the involvement between a man and a woman into the all-encompassing love, satisfying the sexual, emotional and intellectual needs of both partners.? Such as involvement would be seen as a direct threat to man's relationship with Allah."

Tags:economy, foucault, culture, kinship, political

Abstract
This essay looks at purpose of the pre-colonial economy in Latin America and the methods employed by the Spaniards to control the natives and production under colonization. It examines the diverse population the Spaniards found upon arrival, and how the Spaniards simply superimposed themselves upon existing structures. The four main labor systems used by the Spanish are outlined. The exploitation based on the economic systems implemented by the Spaniards is explored.

From the Paper
"The process of colonization within any one country or group of countries was conditioned by the pre-existing historical circumstances and the attractiveness of its resources to the colonizers. In turn, these affected the degree of exploitation and the nature of the developments that took place and consequently the level of marginalization that occurred within the economy and society. The conquest of Latin America was carried out by the Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch and British. But it was Spain who secured the largest, richest and most diverse territory, and did so with great rapidity. Within 70 years of Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean, Spain had overthrown the Aztec and Inca empires and occupied most of middle and western South America."

Tags:indians, slavery, exploit, colonial, Encomienda, Repartimiento