Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Diarios Bajo Democracia: La Prensa Escrita En Chile, Hoy En Día, Jake Pearson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This investigation is focused on the written, printed press in Chile. The basic thesis question is this: how can it be that under democracy, there is such an anti-democratic printed press? Since Pinochet’s defeat by the ‘No’ vote in 1988 and the restoration of democracy, leftist, independent, critical publications have not been able to survive. The Chilean governments under La Concertación have been blatantly preferential, giving around 70% of $500 million dollars in state sponsored ads—each year—to two main printing companies and the papers they own: Edwards group and Copesa. The lack of a diverse printed press has obviously harmful …

El Royalty Ii Y La Búsqueda De La Renta Del Cobre Chileno: Un Análisis De La Política Económica Del Impuesto Específico, El Royalty Ii, Sobre Cobre, Paul Collett

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper employs a political economy approach to investigate Law No. 20.026 of June 2005, the so called Royalty II. The paper starts with an analysis of the economic theory that justifies royalties including an investigation of classical rent theory. The paper then analyses the impacts of the new law within that framework, concluding that the law has increased tax collection in Chile and has not significantly damaged the investment climate. In fact, it is probable that Chile could impose a more stringent royalty without damaging competitiveness. The paper then investigates prominent issues and actors that influenced the development of …

Tornar-Se Negro & Thinking Beautiful, Ayana Hosten

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In 1990, the census reported that Brazilian’s population was 55.3 percent branco, 39.3 percent parda, 4.9 percent negro, and 0.5 percent Indio. In response to complaints that these racial identities were not sufficient, the IBEG conducted a survey where they asked people “Qual é sua cor?” This survey resulted in a list of 134 different racial identities that reflect the complexities of race in Brazil due to a history of miscegenation. At the two extremes of this racial spectrum is branco and negro. These two extremes have cultural and historical significance that I examine through scholarly research. In the field, …

Radio Sawa In Jordan: Different Perceptions, Together?, Michael Turner

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study attempted to take the issue of Radio Sawa - a United Sates Congress funded endeavor that has enjoyed significant recent popularity in much of the Middle East - and expound upon issues of its perceived motivations, intentions, attractiveness, credibility and effectiveness in relation to the Jordanian public, primarily the younger generation that constitutes the station's target audience.

Fueling Samoa’S Growing Transport Sector: The Impact Of Rising Oil Prices And Imports On A Pacific Island Economy, Janis Mcdaid Ikeda

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The developed nations of the world are more concerned than ever with reducing their dependence on imported oil, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and developing alternative energy technologies. These issues are among the highest priorities for developing economies in the Pacific region as well. Samoa is a part of several regional initiatives that address petroleum and energy issues and is due to launch its own national energy policy in the coming months.

Petroleum prices in Samoa are low in comparison to other parts of the region because of the unique government/oil company partnership that administers its oil imports and pricing; however …

Crédito Y Confianza: Los Impactos Socioeconómicos De Fondo Esperanza En Temuco Y Padre Las Casas, Rebecca Berwick

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Microcredit is not a 21st century phenomenon, but it has gained remarkable momentum recently, with the awarding of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize to the founder of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh. Fondo Esperanza saw a need for such facilitated access to small loans around Chile. Though Chile is often viewed as a model for Latin American macroeconomic success, it maintains one of the worst distributions of wealth in the world. Much of Chile’s disadvantaged people attempt to make a living through the operation of micro-businesses. In my research, I explored Fondo Esperanza’s operations in Temuco: its organizational structure and …

Throne Names, Pen Names, Horse Names, And Field Names: A Look At The Significance Of Name Change In The Ethiopian Political Sphere, Krista Mehari

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines the motivations for name changes and the purposes the chosen names accomplish, specifically relating to the Ethiopian political sphere. Throne names and horse names were used solely by the emperors and the ruling class. Those name changes exalted the bearer by either stating his authority or connecting him to divine power. Pen names and field names were used by people not in power to hide their identity from people with the power to harm them. Although the purpose of those name changes was to disguise, the names that were chosen identified the bearer with another person or …

Beauty Ideals & Body Image: Suva, Fiji, Melissa Kong

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Fiji is a country rich with traditions and culture. For many decades, the two dominant ethnic groups in Fiji- Indo-Fijians and Indigenous Fijians- have maintained their distinct cultural values and practices. As a country that is currently experiencing westernization, technological advancement, and the influx of mass media, cultural traditions, lifestyles, and ideals are changing rapidly. One such change from the traditional past is the emergence of a new body ideal and different beauty standards. In this research project, connections will be made between the past and present in regards to body and beauty ideals in Fiji. The differences and commonalities …

Senegalese Family Values And Sos Village D’ Enfants, Shauna Davidson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

My research studies the concept of family in Senegalese culture by examining family values and their place within families in an orphanage setting. I studied two orphanages in Senegal both run by the international organization SOS Village d’Enfants, one in Dakar and one in Kaolack. I spent a week in each orphanage doing participant observation and conducting interviews with the mothers of the homes in the orphanage. I also conducted other interviews to find out how the orphanage is run and to better understand the concept of family in Senegal from a religious perspective. I found out the importance of …

How Do Women In Prek Toal Village (Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, Cambodia) Participate In And Benefit From Ecotourism?, Amy Dowley

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Abstract This study assesses how women in the floating village of Prek Toal in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, participate and benefit from the ecotourism activities in their area. The study also investigates women’s perspective on ecotourism within their community, how it affects their lives, and if they have expectations of current and future benefits or changes resulting from ecotourism. This study is conducted in the context of current studies on livelihoods in the Tonle Sap region, including the recent technical report, “Influence of Built Structures on Local Livelihoods: Case Studies of Road Development, Irrigation, and Fishing Lots,”(ADB, 2007a) identifying …

Aborto Legal Para No Morir: Un Análisis De Los Discursos De La Lucha Por Los Derechos Reproductivos En Argentina, Jessica Scruggs

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Industrial And Traditional Fishing In Sustainable Resource Management, Aime Schwartz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For decades, the notion of ‘sustainable development’ has been a source of international contention and debate. While the meanings and implications of sustainable development are widely disputed, it is interpreted by many as an ideal that encompasses social, environmental and economic spheres while promoting the value of human rights in development. Theoretically, this approach allows for the quality of life of current and future generations to be considered in environmental decision-making and formally recognized by national and international standards, dictated primarily by wealthy industrialized governments (Adebowale et al 138). Policy-makers in developing nations continuously face the struggle to balance the …

Priming The Printing Press: The Growing Print Media In Bhutan, Philippa Wood

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

No abstract provided.

A Critical Analysis Of The Current Status Of The Fijian Language, Stephanie Roberts

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the country of Fiji strives to keep up in the throws of modernity of the 21st century, it simultaneously attempts to grip onto its culture that distinguishes it from the rest of the world. Linguistically, Fiji is categorized into three general divisions (although each being greatly influenced since the 19th century). English, Fijian and Hindi serve as the three “official” languages of Fiji; as components of one country, they play significant roles in the formation of national identity. Language is a necessary element of culture, and was therefore studied in order to promote cultural identity for the people of …

Causes & Perceptions: An Exploratory Study Of Suicide In Indo-Fijian & Fijian Youth, Marcie L. Grambeau

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In a culture that is extremely religious, traditional and conservative, one may not first assume that suicide is one of Fiji’s leading causes of death amongst its youth population. However, the number of suicides today is one of the highest in the world and is rising at alarming rates. This study was designed to understand the underlying pressures that directly affect Indo-Fijian and indigenous Fijian youths, both the majority race in Fiji. The study focuses mainly on interviews conducted in the urban area of Suva but includes references to the rural areas, where a large number of suicides occur. The …

Between Bottom Up And Top Down: The Truth-Recovery Debate In Northern Ireland, Suzanne Brundage

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper is the final result of my Independent Study Project, a month long research period following three months of study and travel through the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For three weeks in April 2007 I interned in Belfast with Healing Through Remembering (HTR), a non-governmental organization exploring the question of how Northern Ireland should ‘deal with the past’ in attempts to build a more positive future. I first encountered HTR in early March on my first visit to Belfast. My fellow classmates and I were tasked with examining five options for truth-recovery for Northern Ireland and brainstorming …

Sectarianism And Social Capital: Community Development In Northern Ireland, Becky Alhadeff

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

There is a prevailing belief within the majority of the community sector and indeed, amongst many politicians and policy makers that there is a gap between Catholic and Protestant community development. However it is also argued that the Catholic community has more calculated social need than the Protestant community. It was not my desire, nor within my ability with my limited time frame to measure the capacities of the two communities and determine if there is presently a gap, but simply to look at the reasons put forth by community developers, politicians, and academics for the reason this gap exists. …

Power-Sharing, Stability And The May 8th Devolution Day, Christopher A, Walker

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

May 8th, 2007; a day which will be a monumental moment in history. It will be seen as an end of an era of fighting and lost lives. For others it is going to be a moment of relief and progress. And still others will feel dazed and confused. Yet no matter where one might stand on the spectrum, this day will forever remain a historic one. One which will be referred to in the history books and stories will be told of what lead to this extraordinary moment. May 8th 2007 will be the day which Nationalists and Unionists …

Les Actions Et Motivations Des Gens Qui Transmettent Et Maintiennent Encore La Langue D’Occitan, Rita Dainko

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Ce projet sur l’Occitan est conçu par hasard, à l’autre côté de l’océan. C’était à Miami University en Ohio où mon professeur de français et moi nous asseyions pour discuter mon application pour SIT, avant de l’envoyée. Étant vu qu’il fallait remplir les trois lignes désignées dans le dossier d’inscription pour l’ISP, nous essayions de trouver un sujet qui me plaisait et qui pouvait également remplir le critère d’un cours à mon université, pour que je puisse obtenir l’unité de valeur pour lui. Comme je veux être professeur de français, l’éducation bilingue m’intéresse beaucoup, et je suis passionnée des sujets …

Spectator To Actor To Multiplier: Edisca’S Humanizing Methodology, Hannah Mcdowell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Augusto Boal, a Brazilian theater theorist and practitioner, transferred the means of production of theater to the oppressed. The oppressed, formally passive spectators filled by the elites’ images of the world, became liberated participants in the creation of dramatic action. Through “people’s theater,” Boal encouraged participants to critically analyze their relationships with the world and in the world through onstage action. EDISCA (Escola de Dança e Integração Social para Criança e Adolescente [School of Dance and Social Integration for Children and Adolescents]), located in Fortaleza, Brazil, introduces artistic languages to children and adolescents from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The youth then …

Struggle, Revolution, And The Mst: Reflections On The Meaning Of Resistance, Andrew Cole

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The following is an ethnographic account of the motivations, attitudes, and ideology of several residents of Lenin Paz II, a Brazilian land-reform settlement in the northeastern state of Ceará. The particular focus of the study is on the reasons these individuals decided to get involved with the social movement (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra) that brought them to the settlement after a 2-3 year process of land occupation. Theoretically, the paper focuses on the development of a collective sense of social or class consciousness amongst the landless who were interviewed, drawing heavily on James Scott’s theory of resistance outlined …

A Caldron Of Militancy: Construction Of Feminine Consciousness In The Movimento Sem-Terra: A Community Study In Palmares Ii, Caroline Lamar Pihl

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The role of women in the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra is a unique discourse connected to agrarian reform movements and Brazilian machismo. Current literature on women in the MST reveals conflicting levels of participation. During occupations and the building of acampamentos women are remembered for their aggressive fighting and high levels of involvement. However, once acampamentos become established assentamentos history has shown levels of participation to dramatically drop, as women return to traditional roles. Sexism and machismo have both been identified historically as problems in the landless movement. The objective of this paper was to contribute to the debate …

“Sustainable Soy” In Santarém: Power Struggles For The Future Of Development, Jake Schoneker

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines the environmental and socio-economic effects of soy development in the city of Santarém, located in the western part of Pará state in the Brazilian Amazon. In the past decade the soybean has emerged as one of Santarém’s primary crops, largely as a result of Cargill Corporation’s construction of a fluvial port in the city that now exports one million tons of soy per year to European markets. The arrival of soy agribusiness in Santarém has transformed the agricultural scene and has had drastic impacts on both local communities and the forest. Surrounding the soy conflict are various …

Construyendo Un Nuevo Modelo: Un Estudio De La Relación Entre Los Piqueteros K Y El Gobierno, Daniel Lesser

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In the last ten years, the piquetero movement has emerged as the new representative of the popular class in Argentina. Rising from the disarticulation of the neoliberal reforms in 1990s, the movement positioned itself as the main canal for protest of the popular class. Between the years 1995 and 2003, the piqueteros were defined for their use of the road block (piquete) as a means to get government concessions. However, with the election of Néstor Kirchner, the relationship between the government and many of the piquetero groups has begun to be redefined, as the government has incorporated some of the …

La Identidad Colectiva Del Pueblo Mapuche: El Pasado, Presente Y Futuro De Su Lucha Territorial, Katherine A. Lawyer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As many native populations face cultural extinction, the question of indigenous land rights is a discussion of growing urgency and polarity. The Mapuche Pueblo, a population native to Chile and the south of Argentina, is an example of such a population battling to regain control of their original territories so as to insure the survival of their culture. The research of this study consisted of a two-week cultural investigation of the Mapuche communities in the south of Argentina so as to understand this collective cultural identity. The paper itself examines the life cycle of the social movement to recuperate these …

Living In The Margins: The Male Homosexual Experience In Salvador, Silvano Gonzalez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Gay men across the world suffer through a reality of discrimination, violence, and hate. Academic literature supports this to be the case in Brazil, considered among many to be the world champion in the number of gay, lesbian and transsexual murders each year. Looking at the specific community of Salvador, Bahia, I have found this same homosexual reality to be the case. Though not experienced as directly as in other locations throughout Brazil, due in large part to the cities vast population and political activism, the effects of homophobia and prejudice are clearly demonstrated in this community.

My goal in …

Democratic Control Of Armed Forces: An Analysis Of The Role Of The Parliamentary Assembly In The Defense Reform In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Elisabeth Hubbard

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The research beings with a discussion of the legal framework for defense reform in 2003 and in 2005 followed by an analysis of the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing the legislation for reform.

The analysis focuses on efforts to build the capacity of the Parliamentary Assembly and asks the question: have the efforts to build the capacity of parliamentary oversight of the defense reform implementation been successful in increasing democratic control of the Armed Forces of BiH?

I conclude that yes, the capacity-building efforts have been successful in increasing democratic control. However, the Parliamentary …

Voices From The Closet: Male Homosexuality And Dual Identity In The Republic Of Cyprus, Tasia Jelatis-Hoke

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

What is the relationship between semiotics and gay identities in the Republic of Cyprus? I initially planned to explore the complex relationship between language, and more specifically semiotics and gay male identity in Greek Cypriots. Early in my research, however, I realized that a lot of background research was required before I would be able to do this sort of in-depth analysis. In addition, after becoming aware of the deep colonial legacy left to homosexuals in Cyprus I was reluctant to use the work of European theorists to analyze a post-colonial space. I also came across a pertinent assertion of …

Feminist Justice In Practice: Witness Experiences Of Survivors Of Wartime Sexual Violence In The Sud Bih, Brett A. Smith-Hams

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Wartime sexual violence is currently being prosecuted in numerous legal institutions across the world. In order for survivors of this sexual violence to have the best possible experiences, many improvements in the care, protection, and support of those who come forward to testify in these institutions need to be made. This study looks at the practices of one particular legal institution, the National Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is currently in the midst of trying several war crimes cases, many of which involve incidents of mass, systematic sexual violence as part of a larger military campaign in the region …

Corruption In Montenegro Untangling The Knot, Anna Lipton Galbraith

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Corruption in Montenegro exists on various levels. The focus of this paper is high level corruption, particularly conflict of interest cases regarding privatization processes, spatial planning and the procurement of public contracts. The reason for this focus is that the abuse of power by the government is one of the largest obstacles to creating a democratic environment of trust and a society structured around the rule of law. These are the primary areas were the government of Montenegro continues to exert inappropriate influence. The first section of the paper will analyze the origins of corruption and attempt to simultaneously provide …