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Post-Genocide Cultures and Modes of Justice, 2008.
A review of three articles that discuss issues regarding post-genocide cultures and modes of justice and reconciliation.
1,162 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, APA, £ 23.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the experiences of post-genocide societies and how they achieve justice and reconciliation. It discusses three articles that develop broad lessons for societies transitioning from authoritarian cultures of impunity, to cultures of accountability and democracy. The paper looks at "The Case of the Lord's Resistance Army Insurgents in Northern Uganda" by Phillip Kasaija, "Conclusion: A Common Objective, a Universe of Alternatives" by Eric Stover and Harvey Weinstein and "After Arusha: Gacaca Justice in Post-Genocide Rwanda" by Alana Tiemessen.
From the Paper
"The relationship between legal responses to the state's past repression and the legal approaches chosen to effectuate political change to transform the society into a democracy are important. A society's perceptions of the role of law in the previous authoritarian regime may well influence the willingness of the new regime to utilize legal institutions to attain accountability and justice in the transition to democracy. If the previous legal order was subservient to the political machinery of the dictatorial regime, then its potential for transforming the society into a democracy might be limited. To prevent this from happening, the new democratic regime should emphasize the rule of law in rebuilding its society. Although the legal machinery might not be immediately available to deal with the egregious behavior of the previous regime, the development of a new legal order should be a priority of the democratic regime in order to create respect for the rule of law which will ultimately lead to a greater respect for human life."
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"Song of Solomon", 2008.
A review of Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon".
1,229 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 24.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how in her novel "Song of Solomon", Toni Morrison uses the history of one black family and covers the period from the end of the Civil War to the time of the Civil Rights Movement. It looks at how the women of the family are witnesses to the disintegration of the black male and so of the black family and how, even as the family disintegrates, these women achieve a form of regeneration as they gain wisdom.
From the Paper
"In Chapter 6, the idea of truth is seen to be based not on simple facts but on a broader and more encompassing truth involving history and patterns. Some of the patterns are revealed in the foreshadowing, as when Milkman says Hagar has been trying to kill him for months, and such allusions are numerous in the text to set the idea of violence and murder to come. The mention of the white robe is also one of many, with a repeated and vivid connotation to any object or person described as "white" in this novel--with little or no positive implications at the time. This particular example not only suggests the white robes of an angel with a halo, but also the white robes of the Klu Klux Klan."
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Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried", 2008.
This paper discusses Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" about the reality of combat in Vietnam.
825 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 1 source, APA, £ 17.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, in his National Book Award winning novel "The Things They Carried", Vietnam veteran Tim O'Brien conveyed the reality of the war by telling his readers in plainspoken language what it feels like to be afraid, to kill and to see friends die in a useless war ten-thousand miles away from home. The author points outs that O'Brien's literary approach of conveying the realism of violent death in combat through emotion is very effective. The paper relates that this style has far more power and meaning than simply describing battles. The author underscores that O'Brien's use of fear, the trauma killing inflicts and the grief soldiers feel for lost comrades are the three primary reasons why this book has been acclaimed as one of the most realistic novels about the Vietnam War ever written.
From the Paper
"This passage conveys much more about the pervasive weight of fear and the awful finality of death than many war novelists have communicated in entire chapters, or even in entire novels. O'Brien (1999) describes his friend's sudden death on a warm, sunny April morning with compassionate finality and an authoritative essence that is eloquent in its very simplicity. "He was dead weight," O'Brien writes of Ted Lavender, a scared young soldier gone from this world in the twinkling of an eye."
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"The St. Lawrence and the Saguenay", 2008.
An examination of Charles Sangster's poem "The St. Lawrence and the Saguenay".
1,012 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 20.95
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Abstract
The paper analyzes how Charles Sangster in "The St. Lawrence and the Saguenay" portrays the relationship of nineteenth century Canadians to the natural world. The paper examines Sangster's vivid rhetoric and shows how it captures the sublime aspects of the St Lawrence region. The paper also points out Sangster's determination to impress upon the reader the might and majesty of the area that reflected the fears and insecurities of a time wherein the natural world often seemed to be winning its battle against humanity.
From the Paper
"In general, Sangster's poem discusses a journey from Lake Ontario down the St. Lawrence and up the Saguenay River to a location called Trinity Rock. The poem is 110 Spenserian stanzas in length and seems to emphasize the spiritual aspects of traveling through the stunning and unforgettable wilderness of nineteenth century Canada. For instance, when Sangster is called upon by the muses to describe the lightning that sometimes lights up the Canadian skies, he writes, "The finite man falls down to pray/For mercy at his Maker's feet/How vast art thou!/how minute he!/A human tissue which a breath/Can hurl from quickest life to death/An atom to immensity" (Sangster, lines 211-216)."
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Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken", 2008.
This paper discusses one of Robert Frost's earliest poems "The Road Not Taken"
1,055 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 0 sources, £ 21.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the theme of making choices in Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken" and looks at how this theme applied to the choices and decisions Frost had to make in his own life.
From the Paper
"Would the world have been fundamentally different if Frost had decided that "The Road Not Taken" should be published in regular type instead of italics? Probably not. Would the world have been fundamentally different if Frost had opened "Mountain Interval" with another one of his poems? But what if Frost had decided that he did not want to finish this poem, although he had written the first stanza? What is Frost had not gone to England where he met the walking companion who agonized over ever fork in the path? What if he did decided that writing poetry and teaching about writing was simply not lucrative enough for him to support himself, his wife, and their children?
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"When Affirmative Action was White", 2008.
A critical review of Ira Katznelson's, "When Affirmative Action was White".
1,447 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 28.95
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Abstract
The paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of Ira Katznelson's book, "When Affirmative Action was White". The paper looks at the main idea of the book, some key supporting ideas or themes and the perspective the author assumes with regards to the historical record. The paper shows how although Katznelson presents a credible argument, his ideas are clearly biased.
From the Paper
"The primary focus of Katznelson's book is to argue that affirmative action is not something that emerged substantively in the 1960s but, rather, has its roots in the policy decisions of the 1930s and 1940s. Specifically, policies crafted in that seemingly long-ago time dealt with issues like welfare and work in ways that marginalized the overwhelming majority of African-Americans - and this marginalization is still be felt even today. Furthermore, the inequalities that ostensibly found their expression in the legislation of the period were largely the product of trying to please Southern Democrats; to put it another way, Democratic representatives of the American south bristled at any attempt to elevate the condition of the "negro" and many of their Northern colleagues (on both sides of the aisle, apparently) ably assisted them in efforts to thwart meaningful reform (Katznelson, X). In a real sense, Katznelson wants to emphasize how the struggles of the past remain very much the struggles of the present - and how affirmative action today is only incompletely dealing with the issue of racial inequality."
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The Living-Wage Debate, 2008.
An analysis and evaluation of two opposing viewpoints on the living-wage laws debate.
1,891 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 35.95
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Abstract
The paper examines M. Hurd's support for living-wage legislation and R. Berman's arguments against living-wage laws in "Do Living-wage Laws Help Poor Workers?". The paper analyzes both viewpoints and concludes that Berman is more convincing in his arguments against living-wage laws. The paper explains that Berman uses facts to reinforce his claims while Hurd relies mainly on anecdotal accounts. The paper therefore takes the position that the well-intentioned efforts to increase the income of a few poor workers has an overall negative effect upon this class of low-skilled employees.
Outline:
Analysis
Evaluation
Rebuttal
Polemic
From the Paper
"The adoption of living-wage laws by nearly one hundred cities and counties is a benefit to the local economies, thus is the conclusion of Maude Hurd, President of Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), when she states, "When workers earn enough to support themselves, taxpayers spend less on food stamps, housing assistance, Earned Income Tax Credits, on other handouts" (Hurd, "Do Living-wage Laws Help Poor Workers?".). Beyond the economic benefits, there is a general community wide enhancement when, as Hurd claims, "Communities benefit from less crime, more homeownership and increased time to parents to spend with their kids" (Hurd, n.p.). The direct and indirect benefits of living wage regulation are realized by the local economy, local and federal governments, employers and families, these are the conclusions made by Hurd in urging additional jurisdictions to embrace this concept and enact legislation mandating the payment of a living wage to all low income workers."
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"Niagara Falls", 2008.
This paper analyzes a nineteenth century poem, "Niagara Falls," by James K. Liston.
895 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 18.95
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Abstract
The paper examines what Liston's poem "Niagara Falls" tells us about the preoccupations and concerns of nineteenth century Canadians vis-a-vis the natural world. The paper attempts to convey the changing attitudes of the general public towards the falls as the tough climate of Upper Canada gradually fell under the control of humanity. The paper presents a copy of the poem as an appendix to the paper.
From the Paper
"To begin with, there are many ideas expressed in Liston's nineteenth-century work - ideas that suggest the sublime nature of the falls, the overwhelming grandeur and scale of the Canadian wilderness, and the exoticism of the New World. For instance, the poem opens with a stirring apostrophe to Niagara Falls that portrays it as a metaphor for nature's power over man: "Enduring monument of Power Divine!/Thou Stand'st alone - unmatch'd, unrival'd Falls" (Liston, lines 2 and 16-17). At the same time, there is a deliberate attempt on the part of the poet to associate the falls with military imagery: "Those vapors dense, which rise unceasingly,/With the rude noise, like man's artillery/Proclaim the watery conflict, and point out,/ to distant travelers, 'Niagara Falls'" (Liston, lines 19-22)."
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Themes in the Works of Susan Wyle and Paula Rothenberg, 2008.
This paper discusses major themes in Susan Wyle's "Revisiting America: Readings in Race, Culture and Conflict" and in Paula Rothenberg's "Race, Class and Gender in the United States".
1,135 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 0 sources, APA, £ 22.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Susan Wyle and Paula Rothenberg take a sociologist perspective to their work. The paper then compares the two perspectives, noting that Susan Wyle, in her book, "Revisiting America", provides a rhetorical perspective on American History, while Rothenberg's approach, in his book, "Race, Class, and Gender in the United States", focuses on power in relation to gender, race and class.
The paper concludes that each author reaches the student in such a way that she can't help but identify with the commonalities of the culture she are studying. The paper includes color illustrations.
From the Paper
"Wyle and Rothenberg take on a great challenge in their methodology. Wyle provokes thought in her students by providing a rhetorical experience to the learning of the successes and blunders in American History. She lets her students explore their own experience and transfer these experiences on to the interpretation of the audience exploring a particular piece of history at a particular time. In the next lecture because her audience is different the conclusions that are reached from studying history could be completely different. Rothenberg takes a more individualist approach to teaching gender, race and class."
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Television Series: "Ugly Betty", 2008.
This paper analyzes the gender roles presented in the television series "Ugly Betty" as seen in the 'Petra-gate' episode.
860 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 0 sources, MLA, £ 17.95
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Abstract
This paper argues that the originators of "Ugly Betty" try desperately to prove that a soap opera can actually offer profound criticism of society's ills; however, the show fails miserably. The paper then defends this criticism by embarking on an analysis of the April 27 "Petra-gate" episode. The main argument presented by the paper is that the producers' (or more accurately, the writers') attempt to challenge gender and sexual roles by relying on extreme stereotypes fails to send a sophisticated message, as the stereotypes (being, of course, stereotypes) are downright crude and offensive.
From the Paper
"The character of Daniel, Bradford's foolishly impetuous son, also succeeds in reinforcing tedious gender roles, Betty, fittingly, cares a great deal about her boyish-faced boss, and she (also fittingly) manages to provide him with release by filling the role of the caretaker or strict mother: "You're using [women] like a drug". Betty is ideal for this role (she lacks good looks or sexual appeal), and does a superb job of being the self-deprecating friend, the listener, and, when the behavior of her uncouth boss demands it, the scolding mother and savior (it is she, after all, that saves him from certain ruin)."
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Superman v. Spiderman, 2008.
A comparative analysis of the superheroes Superman and Spiderman.
943 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 0 sources, £ 19.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the comic characters Superman v. Spiderman and outlines some of the things that draws the author to both. In particular, it focuses on the alienation and heart-ache both characters often encountered.
From the Paper
"One other area that is useful for comparing and contrasting the pair is how the powers of one (Superman) has been reigned in on occasion while the powers of the other (Spiderman) have been amplified. As I recall from my many readings of the Spiderman comic books, Spiderman's strength, speed and flexibility/agility have all grown more impressive over time - perhaps because there was a need to do so in order to capture the attention of an evermore cynical and demanding public. Conversely, I recall how Superman's powers - at their height in the "Silver Age" they were virtually unfathomable - were curtailed by writers in light of the fact that finding credible adversaries and story-lines for a God-like being was proving an almost-impossible task. "
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Charles Lambert's "Social Theory", 2008.
A comparison and contrast of social theory and classical theory.
1,185 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 23.95
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Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts social theory with classical theory, noting that a comparison of the two brings together a modern view that man is his surrounding with the classical view that man makes his own surroundings. The paper outlines the differences between the two theories but also points out that both theories are connected in their basic need for understanding man's relationship with himself and within society and that both theories observe the interactions of man.
From the Paper
"American social theory varies from European social theory in that Americans are self reliant in the observations of their surroundings. We do not look far beyond the obvious. We study our surrounding and base our perceptions on the immediate rather than the past. European social theory takes into account the ramifications of our past colliding with our present. This collision develops into the social theories that govern our actions. In European social theory, there is still a certain about of classical rhetoric that is used to permeate the observances of the present."
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Max Weber, 2008.
This paper reviews Max Weber's classic "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism".
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 22.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Max Weber's "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism", just 150 pages, has been his most influential words. The author points out that, in this breakthrough study, Weber analyzed the relationship between the spirit of abstinence and self-denial that was at the core of ascetic Protestantism and emergent spirit of industrial capitalism. The paper relates that Weber argued that the modern capitalistic spirit was drawn in large part from the intellectual and cultural background of religious creeds, particularly Calvinism. The author underscores that Weber thought that Calvinism produced a mindset suited for involvement and success in business ventures.
From the Paper
"Weber observed that capitalism imposed the "calling" on the modern worker, while Protestantism induced it form the medieval worshiper. Asceticism helped to create the "tremendous cosmos of the modern economic order." Today, this mechanistic capitalist order dictates the lives that people live. Their attachment to material goods has become "an iron cage." Goods control the individual. At the same time, the spirit of religious asceticism has been lost. It "has escaped from the cage." Whether this was a final escape or not Weber cold not say."
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Mandatory School Uniform Policies in California, 2008.
A comparison of the arguments presented in Darlene Williams' article and David Brunsma and K. Rockquemore's article that discuss the debate over mandatory school uniform policies in the state of California.
1,152 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 22.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the debate over mandatory school uniform policies in the state of California. It compares and contrasts two articles that deal with the issue - Darlene Williams' article, "School Uniforms: The Raging Debate" and David Brunsma and K. Rockquemore's article, "Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Abuse, and Academic Achievement." The paper also analyzes the pros and cons of mandatory school uniform polices. The paper includes appended source material.
From the Paper
"Comparing and contrasting these articles indicates that the authors agree that school uniform policies are steadily gaining public support. Williams emphasizes that in spite of potential lengthy court fights, mandatory school uniform policies are gaining ever-increasing favor in many public school systems in California, particularly in light the violent episodes which have taken place in the last several years, such as the tragic multiple shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado, the recent shooting rampage in San Diego, numerous bomb threats, and continuing controversy over zero-tolerance policies. (Williams)"
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