International and Area Studies Commons^™

African Water: An Experience With Project Management In Bulima, Tanzania, Robert Sharp

Honors Theses

Details the author's experiences researching, designing, and implementing a water system for a boarding school in Africa.

Victor Xiong, Julia Valentine

International Faculty Researchers

Dr. Victor Cunrui Xiong, Western Michigan University professor of Chinese and East Asian history, is a Chinese medievalist by training recognized internationally for his research and publications focused on Early Imperial China, especially the Sui-Tang period.

Victor Xiong's website

Wmu International News Fall 2010, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

• China scholar to speak at opening of WMU's Timothy Light center
• On the ground in Iraq: WMU professor introduces local governments to democratic rule
• Fall orientation ends with a day at the beach
• Global education translates into international career
• 2011 Study and Intern Abroad Fair
• Reference experience put to good use for new CELCIS activities coordinator

Improving Higher Education In Africa: Lessons From Universities In Ethiopia And Egypt, Frank H. Witt

Distinguished Lectures on Africa

Flyer for public lecture includes biographical information about the speaker.

The Perceived Impacts Of The 14-Year (1989-2003) Civil War On Higher Education In Liberia: An Analysis Of The Case For The University Of Liberia And Cuttington University, Manjerngie Cecelia Ndebe

Dissertations

Civil wars affect the social systems of a nation, including higher education. The purpose of this study was to do an in-depth concurrent mixed method analysis of the perceived impacts of the 14-year (1989–2003) civil war on higher education institutions in Liberia during the civil war years and from the end of the civil war in 2003 to the point of data collection in 2007. The literature is replete with expert opinions on the impacts of the Liberian civil war, but only limited evidence for quantitative and qualitative studies on war impacts in general exists.

No study on the context …

Jim Butterfield, Nate Coe

International Faculty Researchers

Post-Cold War Russia has provided WMU political science professor Dr. Jim Butterfield with an exceptional model for conducting research on transition environments and the role civic initiative plays in defining the public agenda and addressing collective action dilemmas.

Jim Butterfield's website

Wmu International News Summer 2010, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

Confucius Institute brings new Chinese Instruction and Research Collection to Waldo Library

Haenicke Institute announces new website section: About Dr. Haenicke

Russian politics a “moving target” for WMU Fulbright scholar

Two WMU global studies alumni receive awards study international policy at Monterey Institute

Alternative spring break: D.C. draws international students

Food, fashion and culture featured at 2010 International Festival

Hollywood in the limelight at the 2010 International Ball

Chinese language skills net career opportunities for study abroad alumna

WMU music professor discovers database of rare Russian viola sonatas

Women's Rights=Human Rights: Pakistani Women Against Gender Violence, Filomena M. Critelli

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Gender-based violence constitutes a major public health risk and is a serious violation of basic human rights throughout the world. Counter to many Western images of Muslim women as passive victims, women's groups in Pakistan have begun to organize to respond to these conditions. This study is based upon in-depth interviews conducted with the founders and senior staff of Dastak (Knock on the Door), a shelter for women in Lahore, Pakistan that uses a human rights framework to provide services and advocate for public support for women's rights to safety and security. The study explores how Pakistani women are taking …

Curriculum Coherence: A Comparative Analysis Of Elementary Science Content Standards In People's Republic Of China And The Usa, Fang Huang

Dissertations

This study examines elementary science content standards curriculum coherence between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America. Three aspects of curriculum coherence are examined in this study: topic inclusion, topic duration, and curriculum structure. Specifically this study centers on the following research questions: 1) What science knowledge is intended for elementary students in each country? 2) How long each topic stays in the curriculum? 3) How these topics sequence and connect with each other? 4) And finally, what is the implication for elementary science curriculum development?

Four intended science curriculum frameworks were selected respectively for each …

Wmu International News Spring 2010, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

Confucius Institute opening ceremony dazzles campus and community

Japanese alumni reunion celebrates successful fundraising campaign

Former Dominican Republic swimmer head recruiter for WMU

Childhood experiences overseas spark interest in global studies

Baltic National Bibliographies Without The Book Chambers, Maira Bundza

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

The responsibilities of the Soviet era book chambers in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have almost all been incorporated into the national libraries of the three Baltic States, since they regained independence in 1991. This article will summarize the work with legal deposit copies, current and retrospective national bibliographies, indexes, publishing statistics, ISSN, ISBN and ISMN agencies, and online databases in each country. All three Baltic States have made tremendous progress in making their materials available to researchers worldwide, though full text access is still very limited.

The Ethnic Identity Of Returning Immigrants To A Pueblo In Yucatan, David Piacenti

Dissertations

This study seeks to understand: 1) motivations for leaving and, if applicable, racialized, segregated environment, which is represented by the returned cholo, whose "urban gangbanger" mentality confronts the traditional, rural ethnic identity. San Francisco also affects the overall perception of immigration and desire for permanent U.S. residence. Of the San Francisco cohort, 42% say immigration is "positive overall." Conversely, 62% of the Kalamazoo cohort says that immigration is "positive overall." Only 29% of the San Francisco cohort desire permanent residence in the U.S. while 54% of the Kalamazoo cohort desire permanent U.S. residence. Therefore, the suburban context of Kalamazoo may …

A Multidisciplinary Conference On The Challenges & Opportunities For Sustainable Development In Ethiopia & The Greater Horn Of Africa

International Conference on African Development Archives

No abstract provided.

Ethnosymbolism And The Dismemberment Of The State In The Horn Of Africa: The Ethiopian Case Of Ethnic Federalism, Assefa Mehretu

International Conference on African Development Archives

The paper has three major objectives. The first is to do a critical review of the current largely antagonistic narratives of ethnic instrumentalism in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa that have ultimately led to the balkanization of the state and caused serious political instability and fratricidal conflicts with traumatic and costly consequences in the region. The second is to do a critical review of the policy of the current Ethiopian government to implement ethno-territorial formations under the rubric of killils (Amharic for territorial enclosures), and to demonstrate how this may seriously vitiate national integration along compatible cultural and economic …

Wmu International News Fall 2009, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

WMU's Confucius Institute offers educational/business links to China

Chinese linguist named director of WMU’s Confucius Institute

Kim and crew on task planning cultural, recreational entertaining events

Fashion learning in London takes the runway in Kalamazoo

French immersion points Michigan native to ESL career

A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Social Capital Of Liberian Refugee Women In Ghana, Alice Boateng

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article reports on a mixed methods study of Liberian refugee women at the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana. The study examined the role and impact of social capital on the women's well-being. Three types of social capital - bonding, bridging, and linking - were examined. The study's findings revealed that although the women had some bonding social capital, they possessed very little bridging social capital, and linking social capital was non-existent. These findings suggest that the refugee women may benefit from national and internationalp olicies andp rograms that seek to both strengthen existing and create new sources of social …

Science Education Policy For Emergency, Conflict, And Post-Conflict: An Analysis Of Trends And Implications For The Science Education Program In Uganda, Betty Pacutho Udongo

Dissertations

This study analyzes the impact of armed conflicts on the development of education policy and particularly science education program in Uganda. Since independence from the British colonial rule, Uganda has experienced a series of armed conflicts, with the most devastating being the 21 years of conflict in Northern Uganda.

The research study was guided by the following questions: (1) What is the level of government funding towards improving science education program in Uganda? (2) Have recent initiatives, such as free Primary and Secondary education, compulsory science, and 75% sponsorship for science-based courses, had a measurable impact on the proportion of …

Degrees Of Institutionalization: Family Planning Policies And Programs In Senegal, 1980-2005, Yazmine Michelle Watts

Dissertations

Senegal's population growth rate of 2.7% is greater than double that of the world average of 1.16%. The Government of Senegal acknowledges the population problem and has made efforts to address this issue. For over the past two decades the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has served as the predominant donor in Senegal's health sector and has been a strong supporter of Senegal's family planning program. The evolution of family planning in Senegal cannot be understood without considering the roles of culture, religion, decentralization and funding in the institutionalization process. This research addresses important questions concerning factors that …

Todd Barkman, Julia Valentine

International Faculty Researchers

Dr. Todd Barkman grew up in Pinckney, Mich. and admits growing up in a rural area is what first inspired his interest in plants. While studying at Michigan State University, he had the opportunity to grow orchids for the botany department. "I fell in love with orchids," Barkman said. "I decided I wanted to work with and study orchids for the rest of my life."

Todd Barkman's website

Wmu International News May 2009, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

New brown‐bag series links campus international scholars and researchers

WMU to host 18 faculty‐led summer short‐term study abroad programs

WMU hosted 20th International Festival in March

Large, smelly tropical plant attracts WMU researcher

Biomed bachelor’s leads to stem cell and spinal cord research for WMU alumna

Joan Conway's classroom: Where business and English intersect

Masoud Al Ajmi

Prevalence And Correlates Of Adolescent Dating Violence In Bangkok, Thailand, Penchan Pradubmook-Sherer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study explored the incidence and severity of violence in dating relationships, and identified variables that explain dating violence perpetration by Thai youths. The sample consisted of 1,296 adolescents from high schools, vocational schools, and out-of-school adolescents, between the ages of 14 and 19. Findings indicate that Thai youths maintain very intensive dating relationships. The out-of-school adolescents hold the highest dating violent behaviors. While males' dating violence scores were higher, the females were involved in all types of dating violence, exceeding the males on verbal/emotional violence. The results provide useful information about cultural influences on dating violence, and have practical …

Wmu International News February 2009, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

Community celebration honors life of former president Haenicke

Universidad de Burgos and WMU celebrate a decade of study abroad

Funny Hats Ice Capades

WMU international researcher out to double the number of women in physics

Report from Shanghai

WMU CELCIS hosts writing class at University of Tokyo

Jared Edward Siang’ani spotlight

Wmu International News November 2008, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

WMU joins Internationalization Laboratory of the American Council on Education

Japan university awards honorary doctorate to WMU emeritus physics professor

Fall activities feature flags, apples, Halloween and Chicago

Quenching the Middle East’s thirst for water is desired outcome for WMU geoscience researchers

New innovative summer program in Egypt

International lady Broncos share tips for succeeding on the field and in the classroom

Love of linguistics leads to ESL career for Ila Baker

Wmu International News September 2008, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

Greek alumnus of paper science to receive Distinguished Alumni Award

WMU international student enrollment jumps 15 percent

Former WMU engineering dean takes the provost’s reins

WMU promotes internships abroad for academic credit

ISORP welcomes 350-plus overseas students to campus

Study and Work Abroad Fair Today

Multi-lingual, multi-tasker Melanie coordinates CELCIS activities

WMU transnational education and exchange programs draws 85 new students

Michigan’s fall harvest offers good things to eat and drink

Islamism, State Control Over Religion And Social Identity: Turkey And Egypt, Alper Y. Dede

Dissertations

In post Cold War politics, as a powerful alternative to the authoritarian "status-quo" regimes of the Muslim World, Islamism has become among the most critical political issues as various Islamist movements increasingly challenge governments for more political reforms, democratization, and greater participation and in the political process.

The current debates on Islamism, though useful, often emphasize the issues of security, democracy, or stability. However, they seem to overlook the importance of processes and the mechanisms of Islamism as well as how Islamists' concerns for preserving their Islamic social identity (Muslimness) and government control over religion contribute to their politicization. Thus, …

Gregory Veeck, Margaret Von Steinen

International Faculty Researchers

Dr. Gregory Veeck, professor of geography, has completed extensive international research specializing in economic geography, agriculture, rural development and rural environmental/ecological issues in the United States, China, Japan, and Korea. Veeck has been conducting field research for 29 years.

Gregory Veeck's website

Wmu International News June 2008, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

Jordan university turns to WMU to build its faculty

Masquerading was a ball

Digging into the archaeology of New France

Major National Security Exchange Program awards for two WMU students

Study abroad experience translates into a career

Canadian Bronco footballer and teammates preparing for 2008 season

Family Foster Care For Abandoned Children In Egypt, Hamido A. Megahead

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The profile of Egyptian foster children has changed tremendously since the establishment of Egyptian family foster care in 1959. This is a result of changes in foster family practice and changes in the profile of foster families. The changes in family foster care practice included terminating the use of wet nurses and replacing them with Childhood and Motherhood Care Centers and by determining a specific age that foster children would leave the foster care system. The changes in the foster family profile included the educational qualifications offoster mothers, the jobs offoster mothers and foster fathers, the motivation to be a …

Wmu International News April 2008, Haenicke Institute For Global Education

WMU International News

In this issue:

International Festival draws thousands

43rd International Congress on Medieval Studies in May

Three languages not enough for double-major freshman

Russian motherland enriches study abroad work

WMU and Haenicke Institute representatives land in Middle East and India

Succeeding globally theme of 2012 International Education Week

International Aid Evaluation: An Analysis And Policy Proposals, Thomaz Kauark Chianca

Dissertations

Evaluation has been intertwined with international aid work since its inception in the late 40's-early 50's, but it is still an area with considerable room for improvement. If, as is often alleged, evaluations of international development efforts are methodologically weak they are misleading international agencies about the real impact of the sizable amount of resources being spent. A recent study by Chianca, described in this thesis, with a sample of 50 US-based international non-profit organizations (INGOs) illustrates the serious situation of the structure and practice of evaluation in those agencies.

A number of efforts to improve this situation have been …