Sociology Commons^™

The Search For A New Islamic Identity: Middle Aged Elite Women, Noha Ali Abou Gazia

Archived Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the construction of a new Islamic identity by middle aged elite women in Egypt. I argue that the search for a new Islamic identity by elite women should be viewed as a redefinition of identity fully autonomous from the current codes imposed by the media. For them, the search for meaning takes place in the reconstruction of defensive identities informed by Islamic notions. The construction of a new Islamic identity by elite women should be viewed in terms the conflicts they face in society. The conflict arises from the society's endeavor to impose certain codes and the …

Models Of Cosmic Order: Physical Expression Of Sacred Space Among The Ancient Maya, Jennifer P. Mathews, J. F. Garber

Sociology & Anthropology Faculty Research

The archaeological record, as well as written texts, oral traditions, and iconographic representations, express the Maya perception of cosmic order, including the concepts of quadripartite division and layered cosmos. The ritual act of portioning and layering created spatial order and was used to organize everything from the heavens to the layout of altars. These acts were also metaphors for world creation, world order, and establishing the center as a position of power and authority. This article examines the articulations of these concepts from the level of caches to the level of regions from the past and present in an attempt …

The "Many Mouths" Of Community Gossip And Social Interaction Among The Kelabit Of Borneo, Matthew H. Amster

Anthropology Faculty Publications

This paper considers the role of gossip and social interaction among the Kelabit of Sarawak, Malaysia Focusing on gossip in everyday life, the paper explores the tension between desires for individual privacy, concerns for group cohesion and, more broadly, desires to adopt a more modern style of living and social interaction. These tensions are vividly manifested in discourses about the problematic nature of gossip in the Kelabit community. Critical to this is a discussion of Kelabit styles of interpersonal interaction and conflict management, including the role of meditation. Offering a range of examples illustrating the social contexts of Kelabit gossip, …

Kimberley Women : Their Experiences Of Making A Remote Locality Home, Elaine Rabbitt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In previous histories of Western Australia, pre-dominantly written from a male Eurocentric viewpoint, scant attention has been drawn to the everyday lives of country women. The study described in this dissertation explores the responses of women to the challenges of relocation and settlement within a remote locality in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The Social Effects Of Psychism: Spiritual Experience And The Construction Of Privatized Religion, Marty Laubach

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Research

What is the relationship between spiritual experiences and privatized religion? This study defines spiritual experiences in terms of “psychism,” or psychic intrusions in the stream of consciousness that are not perceived by the actor as originating within the “self.” Intrusions interpreted as psychism are regarded by the actor as having the same facticity as empirical experience and are regarded as “proof” of an esoteric belief system. Psychism originated beliefs are therefore resistant to refutation or change, and support spiritual autonomy. Psychism theory is tested using 1988 GSS data on religious beliefs, where psychism is measured using GSS questions on “paranormal” …

The Anunnaki, The Vampire, And The Structure Of Dissent, Marcus Librizzi

Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture

[First paragraph]

The latest incarnation of the vampire - in the conspiracy theories of David Icke - reveals the critical, revolutionary heart of the vampire legend. Discourse on the vampire appears above all to provide a structure of dissent, a metaphorical means of representing and soliciting critiques of the social order. The Anunnaki form of the vampire - in its immersion in the constellation of contemporary conspiracy theories, in its reflection on global capitalism, and in its blurring of historical and fictional narratives - has moved this structure of dissent from the cloak of darkness to the light of day.

Young Childrens' Understanding Of Superstitions, Kara Yeckering

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The aim of this study was to examine young children's understanding of superstitions—specifically bad luck superstitions. Children between the ages of 4 and 9 received a set of interview questions concerning their experiences with superstitions, their beliefs about the efficacy of superstitions, and their knowledge of the mental and physical components of superstitions. Participants also completed a belief task designed to assess the relative importance of belief and action in superstitions. The findings indicate developmental patterns in children's awareness of superstitions and beliefs in efficacy of superstitions. With age, children demonstrated a significantly greater awareness of superstitions. In contrast, children …

Megalithic Architecture At The Site Of Victoria, Quintana Roo, Jennifer P. Mathews

Sociology & Anthropology Faculty Research

Megalithische Architektur in der archäologischen Stätte Victoria in Quintana Roo, Mexiko. Das "Yalahau Regional Human Ecology Project" der University of California, Riverside und der Trinity University, San Antonio erforscht seit 1993 die archäologischen Stätten in der Region von Tumben-Naranjal im nördlichen Quintana Roo. Im Jahr 1997 wurde der zuvor nicht bekannte Fundort Victoria im Munizip von Leona Vicario dokumentiert und vermessen. Neben einer kolonialzeitlichen Kirche ließen sich verschiedene Strukturen nachweisen, deren Architektur im megalithischen Stil ausgeführt ist. Die megalithische Bauweise ist charakteristisch für die Zeit der späten Präklassik und frühen Klassik auf der Halbinsel Yukatan.

Arquitectura megalítica en el sitio …

Barbarous Magnificence: The Decline And Continuity Of Akan Traditional Religious Practices, Kwasi Bempong

Archived Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses archaeological, anthropological, and historical evidence along with indigenous texts as the determining factors to address two major problems in the literature: the widely held belief that Akan culture developed in the forests of modem Ghana and that their supreme deity, Onyame, is a 'withdrawn deity', with whom they did not share an intimate relationship. Although these problems may seem unrelated the former is used to support the latter by ignoring the historical antecedents of Northern Akan culture that blossomed in the savanna-forest transition zone and the subsequent movement of well-developed religious practices and beliefs from the north …

Social Orientalism, Daniel P Reany

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Evangelical Movement In Ecuador, Steve Grosz

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Incorporating Local Knowledge Into Population And Habitat Viability Assessments: Landowners And Tree Kangaroos In Papua New Guinea, Philip J. Nyhus, J Williams, J Borovansky, O Byers, P Miller

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Companion Animal Demographics In The United States: A Historical Perspective, Elizabeth A. Clancy, Andrew N. Rowan

State of the Animals 2003

Modern American society recognizes the crucial role of data and information in evaluating and effectively addressing societal problems. Americans are bombarded with information on the economy, public health, social and psychological attitude trends, and other matters that are considered important. For example, no self-respecting politician would think of launching a political campaign or initiative without some sense of what the public might be worrying about. Addressing pet population issues should be no different. Data are needed in order to define the nature and scope of the dog and cat demographic challenge. Data can help people to understand the impact of …

The State Of Wild Animals In The Minds And Households Of A Neotropical Society: The Costa Rican Case Study, Carlos Drews

State of the Animals 2003

The study of attitudes in a society provides insight into variables that may be pertinent to people’s everyday decisions and practices involving animals. This essay addresses the relationship between attitudes, knowledge, and behavior in the context of the protection of wild animals in the Neotropics and ventures to draw some conclusions about the state of wild animals from this perspective. The Neotropics, a biogeographical region that extends from the Yucatan peninsula to the southern tip of South America, includes some of the most biodiverse countries of the world. Its nations share a common history of Iberian colonization but are nonetheless …

Reverse Migration And Nonmetropolitan Employment In Four Great Plains States, 1970-1980, A. Olu Oyinlade

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

During the rural renaissance of the 1970s, the United States experienced a reverse migration pattern in which the flow of migration was predominantly urban to rural, unlike the traditional rural to urban flows. This migration phenomenon was equally experienced in the North Central Region, which includes the Great Plains states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.

This study investigated the impact of the reverse migration phenomenon on employment in eight industry categories in three categories of counties in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Findings show that net migration had differential impacts on employment by industry category …

Cache Countycommunity Survey Of Future Landfill Alternatives, Douglas B. Jackson-Smith, A. Caplan, T. Jones, T. Grijalva

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

State University in the spring of 2003. The purpose of this survey was to gather scientific information regarding the concerns, perceptions, and preferences of Cache County adults related to various future landfill siting options. The survey was conducted at the request of local officials, the Countywide Service District, and various advisory committees established to make recommendations on a future Cache County landfill site.

Cache County, Utah Agricultural Landevaluation And Site Assessment Handbook, Douglas B. Jackson-Smith, G. Busch

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

Urban encroachment on farmland has serious implications for the farm sector. As the county’s economic base and population has grown, important agricultural lands have been converted to urban uses. Since 1986, Cache County has lost 8,884 acres of prime and statewide important farmland - nearly 14 square miles - to urban development. The current rate of development is consuming over 600 acres of prime and statewide important farmland each year. As we plan for the future and the most cost efficient means for housing this population growth, it is important to note two things: 1) Housing is most affordable in …

Hispanic Citizenship, Registration, And Voting Patterns In Comparative Perspective During The 2000 Presidential Elections, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This study examines citizenship, registration, and voting patterns of Latinos during the 2000 presidential elections.

Methods: Data on Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, reorganized for public use by the Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, IPUMSusa. Cases in the dataset were weighted and analyzed to produce population estimates.

Results: The participation rates among potential Hispanic voters who were citizens of the U.S. 18 years of age and older were the lowest of any of the major racial/ethnic groups in the nation during the 2000 presidential elections as well as …

Tari Melayu Malaysia : Satu Kajian Berdasarkan Festival Tari Kebangsaan, Mohd Nefi Imran Djamaan

Student Works (2000-2009)

Tesis ini rnernbincangkan tarian Melayu di Malaysia clengan memberi fokus kepada bagaimana kedudukan fungsi tari Melayu dalam konteks masyarakat negara Malaysia yang berbilang kaum. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan analisis kritikal dengan penulisan deskriptif. Prinsip asas sumber data ialah merujuk kepacla Festival Tari Kebangsaan (FTK) daripada tahun 1992 hingga 1999. Data FTK tahun 2000 dan tahun 2001 turut dikaji sebagai tambahan. Di samping itu, kajian ini membicarakan perkcmbangan Larian Melayu pada peringkat kebnngsaan melalui tahap-tahap pertandingan peringkut negeri di seluruh Malaysia. Kajian juga mrninjau peranan masyarakat, serta para pendukung, penyelenggara, karyawan seni, penari dan kereografer. Perkembangan sebelum clan hingga diadakan FTK, …

Census 2000: The Latino Population And The Transformation Of Metropolitan New York, Laird W. Bergad

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This study examines demographic and socioeconomic aspects of the Latino population of the New York City area according to the 2000 census.

Methods: Data on Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, reorganized for public use by the Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, IPUMSusa. Cases in the dataset were weighted and analyzed to produce population estimates.

Results: New York City’s Latino population increased from 23.7% of all New Yorkers in 1990 to 27% in 2000. If growth rates between 1990 and 2000 continue for the remainder of the decade, Latinos …

At The Crossroads Commercial Music And Community Experience The Quonset Auditorium - A Roadhouse On The Dixie Highway, Amber Ridington

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study of the Quonset Auditorium, one roadhouse among many on the regular tour route of R&B, gospel and country musicians in the post-World War II era (1947- 1959), illustrates the important role of roadhouses during a time of growth and change in popular music. It situates memories and experiences from the Quonset Auditorium in relation to regional and national movements of the day such as highway development, commercial and popular music, and the civil rights movement. With hindsight, we can see that the Quonset Auditorium stood at a crossroads as regards these social and technological movements of the post-WW …

Whole-Farmphosphorus Management, Dairy Update, J. M. Powell, Douglas B. Jackson-Smith, L. D. Satter, L. G. Bundy

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Planning For Agriculture In Wisconsin: A Guide Forcommunities, Douglas B. Jackson-Smith

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with basic information to help Wisconsin’s rural communities prepare to plan for agriculture. The guide was developed in response to the Comprehensive Planning Law passed under the 1999-2001 Wisconsin State Biennial Budget. This law requires that by January 1, 2010, all programs, actions, and decisions affecting land use must be consistent with the locally adopted comprehensive plan in order for the community to continue making land use related decisions. The law applies to cities, villages, towns, counties, and regional planning commissions.

Perdebatan Kaum Tua Dan Kaum Muda Di Minangkabau Dalam Beberapa Masalah Pemikiran Islam, Saidul Amin

Student Works (2000-2009)

This dissertation studies the debate between "Kaum Tua" ( traditionalist moslem group) and "Kaum Muda" (modernist moslem movement) in Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Indonesia in the early decades of twentieth century. Some Islamic thought problems are discussed, such as tariqah, tawassul and wasilah, rabitah, ijtihad and modernization of Islamic thought. Kaum Tua was known to be very tolerant in practicing their Islamic beliefs and was able to combine it with original Minangkabau's culture and customs which were influenced by some teachings of animism, dynamism and hinduism. They also accepted and practiced sufism doctrines and rejected the ijtihad and modernization of Islamic …

Hikayat Bahram Syah : Transliterasi Dan Analisis Teks, Zahariah Zainuddin

Student Works (2000-2009)

This dissertation is based on the textual study of Hikayat Bahram Syah. It has six chapters which discuss certain aspects that attempt to signify Hikayat Bahram Syah as an important literary work rich with universal humanistic values. Chapter I presents the identification of the research problem. the summary of the problem. the rationale of the study, the limitation of this study, previous research related 10 this study, the position of Hikayat Bahram Syah in Malay literature, the theoretical framework, methodology, concept and conclusion in order to initiate a more elaborate discussion towards other aspects of this research. Chapter ll focuses …

Pemakaian Asas Astronomi Dalam Menentukan Arah Qiblat Di Malaysia : Suatu Pendekatan Hukum, Mohamad Amin Abu Bakar

Student Works (2000-2009)

This research is about the belief of native of Kelantan Society towards Nur Muhammad doctrine which is well-accepted doctrine amongst those who practice Islamic mysticism (Sufism) particularly in the Malay Archipelago. The purpose of this research is to see how far the impact of this doctrine on the religious belief of the native of the stated It is also aimed at seeing how much other philosophies, teachings and religious beliefs have absorbed into the Islamic belief resulting in the birth of various polemics in the religious practise among the native of Kelantan in particular. This research is divided into five …

Adat Dalam Masyarakat Bidayuh : Peranan Dan Sumbangan Dalam Mencorakkan Tamadun Pribumi Sarawak, Siang Prede

Student Works (2000-2009)

Civilization in indigenous society were either created from philosophy ideology or strong belief based on [adat] that has been practiced in their daily lives. Adat on the other hand was reflected through the act of individual behaviour or society, which they practiced it in every aspect of their lives. Adat would be meaningless if it does not have intensity and integrity. Therefore society, which lives without adat, is like lives without identity and cultures. ln this context, Civilization in indigenous society was reflected through their demeanour behaviour or action that does not deviate from their norms and values. For the …

Broad Are Nebraska's Rolling Plains: The Early Writings Of George Bird Grinnell, Richard Vaughan

Articles by Maurer Faculty

Profiles the life of writer George Bird Grinnell (1849-1938) and the influence his first trip to Nebraska had in shaping his early writings about the American West. Among the works he published were several groundbreaking books about the Plains Indians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Not only did this 1870 trip to Nebraska, as a member of O. C. Marsh’s first Yale Paleontological Expedition, influence Grinnell's scholarly endeavors, but his deep interest in the state also influenced his lifelong devotion to environmental preservation and established him as an important advocate for the protection and welfare of Native …

Review Of: Pierre Clastres, Chronicle Of The Guayaki Indians (Paul Auster, Translator), Sophie Sparrow

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Review of the book: Pierre Clastres, Chronicle of the Guayaki Indians (Paul Auster, trans., Zone Books 2001). Translator's Note and Forward. ISBN 0-942299-78-7 [352 pp. $15.00. Paperback, 5 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142-1493].

Change Among Bedouins: An Exploratory Study In El-Hammam, Egypt, Neveen Gorgy Dawoud Azmy

Archived Theses and Dissertations

This research was triggered by an interest in examining the changes that took place in Bedouin communities, especially when it comes in the framework of a development process. The existing writings on this topic are divided into two camps: one maintains that change within Bedouin communities was very minimal, and to a great extent inconsequential, whereas, the other argues that changes therein were quite considerable. This thesis, through examining the local Awlad 'Ali community of el­Hammam, holds the latter view. Thus, the research traces the recent changes in their area and compares and contrasts the changes that their society has …