C/E/254. Social Conflict and the City: New York and Los Angeles

The paper examines the urban landscape, population diversity and subcultures of New York and Los Angeles describing the history of both cities, the problems of housing and regeneration, the changes within the urban communities, the growth of the suburbs, the prospects for future development, etc.

E/S/25. Social impacts of football

The paper examines social impacts of football reviewing the history of the game, addressing the issue of social inequality in relation to ethnic minorities in London, discussing the efforts of FA and football clubs to combat racism in the game, the effects of football's popularity on young people's development, etc.

S/S/70. Racism and Xenophobia in the US, UK & Japan

This paper examines racism and xenophobia in the developed world, focusing on the case studies of the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. It takes a varied approach, looking at the issue historically (slavery of blacks in the U.S.), institutionally (the police forces in the U.S. and the UK) as well as culturally (Japan's internalized racial hierarchy pyramid and the UK's '2007 Celebrity Big Brother' television show). It finds that racism and xenophobia are not only present but are institutionalized and, often, insidious.

E/S/19. A relationship between social class and crime

The paper examines the social roots of crime in capitalistic society reviewing theories of social conflict, and discussing the concepts of crime and class, racial and ethnic differences in social behaviours, etc.

E/S/17. Is it still possible to speak of a distinctively 'American' national identity in today’s multicultural and multi-ethnic American society?

The paper seeks to identify the concept of American national identity arguing whether it exists in the multi-national culture of the USA. The make-up of the US population is discussed including the country’s indigenous inhabitants, European settlers, African slaves, immigrants, the communities of different states (e.g. Texas), etc.

P/S/132. Reflection on trans-cultural hybridity

The paper examines the portrayals of trans-cultural hybridity in characters of both Western and Eastern origin and stereotypical associations related to ‘a dual-persona’ including gender positions, bilinguism, etc.

S/S/50. Issues of minority cultures in multicultural citizenship

The paper addresses the issues of multicultural citizenship discussing the concepts of negative liberty, collective rights, minority cultures, etc. Academic opinions related to the topic are reviewed arguing whether there is a conflict of interest between individual rights and being part of a distinctive minority. Examples of recent riots in Birmingham and in Paris are discussed. The principles of multicultural citizenship are outlined.

P/MD/84. Changes in American culture: review of ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ by Arthur Penn

The paper reviews the changes in cultural identity and societal roles in the USA over the 1970s reviewing Arthur Penn's film ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ that challenged the genre of the Western based on the societal myths about the white American male.

P/S/123. Position of ethnic minorities in British society

The paper examines the effects of the UK education system on the position of ethnic minorities within the labour force and addressing the issues of equality and discrimination within the British society. Academic literature on the topic of race relations and employment is reviewed.

C/S/26. Armed Conflict and International Humanitarianism

The following work scrutinized concepts of genocide and mass killings. It includes comprehensive overview about the definitions, debates, process as well as origins and sources of genocide and mass killings. Later reasons for failure of preventing genocides along with suggestions to prevent them are also discussed. Assistance has been taken from case examples of Rwanda, Cambodia and Bosnia etc.

P/S/118. Biological and cultural approaches to racial differences

The paper examines theoretical approaches to the notion of superiority and inferiority between races tracing the origins and implications of ‘scientific racism’ and reviewing academic opinions on cultural identity, xenophobia, biological differences between the human races, Holocaust philosophy, etc.

P/H/64. British Patois in UK schools: ethnic minority problem

The paper examines the language of the West Indians’ settlement in Britain based on the Caribbean creole language called Patois. The features of the British Patois language variety are described; the position of British Patois children in UK schools is discussed with reference to the problem of ethnic minority pupils.

P/S/106. Over-achievement in black sport players: roots and implications

The paper deals with the sociology of sport examining the concept of stacking, or racial discrimination in US and British professional athletics where black sport athletes are assigned into central positions that require speed and strength. Common racial stereotypes in sports are reviewed; the implications of treating the black body as special and superior are discussed offering psychological and economic explanations to positioning segregation.

P/S/98. Do UK citizens need ID cards?

The paper examines the reasons for introducing the National Identity Card (ID) in the UK discussing its benefits for government institutions and society alongside with its claims on right to privacy. Concerns are expressed about the storage of personal data in huge databanks, the accuracy of biometric iris scans and fingerprinting tools, etc. The need for national referendum on ID cards introduction is argued.

P/H/47. Dissertation. Was there genocide during Indias partition?

The dissertation aims to define the nature of the violence between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims that accompanied the division of India in 1947. The socio-political situation around the countrys partition is described presenting a review of the scholarly opinions on violence, genocide, human rights and forced migration. The reasons behind political tension in India are outlined establishing the links between violence, partition, and the displacement of peoples. The forms of violence are discussed including massacre, rape, abduction, etc. and showing it as a case of genocide.

P/S/92. Understanding the options for choice: review of socio-political theories of development

The paper investigates social and political theories behind states development focusing on Martha Nussbaums view that state policy must aim to provide the understanding of options for individual choice. Other approaches are discussed touching upon the issues of pluralism, liberalism, democratic elections, international aid, intervention into foreign cultures, human rights, ‘basic humanness, laws of people, etc.

P/S/91. What is the link between sovereignty and human rights?

The paper discusses the concepts of ‘sovereignty and ‘human rights in the historical context covering the period from World War I to the post Cold War era. The evolution and correlation of both notions is shown; positive and negative aspects of the internalisation of human rights are argued and illustrated with examples.

P/E/282. Child labour: roots and concerns

The paper raises the problem of child labour relating the concerns about child bonded-labour in India and looking into the reasons for child labour, i.e. poverty, illiteracy, promotion of export industries, inefficient legislation on child labour, etc. International policies of the UNICEF and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are briefly reviewed; the possibility of global and national solutions to the problem is argued.

P/S/85. US students attitudes to Muslims after 9/11

The paper seeks to examine whether or not there was a shift in attitudes towards Muslims among current Seton Hall University students after 9/11 terrorist attack on New York. The study is based on direct research methods (questionnaire) covering the focus group of undergraduates; a review of websites devoted to 9/11 is provided.

P/S/84. Origins of Indian nationalism

The paper examines the origins of Indian nationalism along the lines of culture, religion, communalism, class distinction, etc. The role of the British influence in forming Indian national identity is argued mentioning the introduction of English as the lingua franca, common antagonism for the British, etc.

P/S/82. Korean class system: historical insight

The paper looks at the history of Korean aristocracy analyzing the countrys social make-up including the issues of marriage, inheritance, ruling styles, land allocation, taxes, etc. The impacts of Buddhist, Confucian and Neo-Confucian values on Korean class system are discussed.

P/S/64. Black female slaves in America

The paper looks at the gender differences in the experiences of male and female black slaves in the South of America outlining physical and psychological factors behind these differences and highlighting the so-called ‘slave-breeding, or the exploitation of the reproductive function in female slaves.

S/S/19. Black & Minority Peoples in the Countryside

This essay outlines the organisation, management and main findings from a Workshop topic. The question posed was: how far should rural planning authorities go to promote the government's social inclusion policies, given that the population of ethnic minorities in rural settings are extremely small and, the perception that many ethnic minority groups who live in metropolitan areas are culturally un-inclined to value and visit the countryside? The inherent presumption within the topic was challenged. Cultural stereotyping by service providers and lack of appropriate services is considered to be more of a bar to encouraging people from BMEs to enjoy the countryside, rather than the arrogation that BMEs are culturally un-inclined to value and visit the countryside. Some rural planning authorities were questioned to be falling short of legislative duty regarding social inclusion. Awareness and attitude vary, along with lack of knowledge in how to promote equal opportunities and to remove "institutional racism" from public services. Rather than being an "add on" it was considered that local planning authorities should put equality of opportunity at the heart of everything they do, including countryside services.

S/S/11. How useful is ideology in cultural analysis?

This essay looks at the meanings behind the concept of ideology, how it is transmitted in the real world. It draws on ideas from Karl Marx and other Marxist, it then goes on to outline how post modernity challenges the idea of ideology, and finally I investigate what role of any ideology has to play in contemporary society

P/S/19. Second World War and British Society

The essay discusses whether the Second World War had a radicalising or conservatising effect on British Society.

P/S/15. Racial Inequality in Brazil

The paper discusses that the problem with tackling racial inequality in Brazil is that it is omnipresent yet invisible.

P/P/26. Can poverty be eliminated in the Third World?

P/S/43. Sociology of health: marginalisation of race and ethnicity

The paper looks at the issue of racial and ethnic bias along the lines of medical sociology. Claiming that ethnic minorities traditionally occupy the lower positions in society, the author presents statistic evidence that show race related discrepancies in social health patterns. Consistent imbalance across ethnic groups is analysed in the context of contemporary British society.

P/S/42. Max Stirner and young Karl Marx: a debate of two centuries

The paper studies the philosophic legacy of Max Stirner often labelled as anarchist, nihilist, and a ´proto-NietzscheÎ, and claims that his influence on young Karl Marx and hence on all modern European philosophy is misinterpreted and grossly underestimated. The historiographical sketch of Max Stirner's life is presented covering his activity as a member the club áThe Free Ones (Die Freien) uniting a group of radical Berlin publicists, poets and philosophers in the middle of the XIX century. The history of the Hegelianism is reviewed with the focus on the radical Left Hegelian movement and the impact of its failure on Stirner. His book 'The Ego and Its Own' written in that period is compared to 'The German Ideology' by Karl Marx - a critical response to Stirnerian 'conscious egoism', yet showing similarities in the ideas and revealing the origins of historical meterialism. Friedrich Engelss essay áLudwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy is referred to as an attempt to minimise the importance of Stirner's ideas for the Marxist theory of communism and world revolution. The paper concludes that 'The Ego' highlighted the contradictions and problems inherent to any form of socialist or communist society and thus was a powerful attack on Marxism.

P/S/24. Social aspects of cross-cultural expatriate adjustment

The aim of the paper is to present a cross-cultural comparison of sociocultural and psychological adjustment amongst expatriates who have moved abroad to work, taking into consideration their level of preparation, age, language ability and culture of origin. The author's objective is to confirm the hypothesis suggesting that the culture of origin has an effect on sociocultural and psychological adjustment. A Literature review of the works by Searle & Ward (1990); Ward & Kennedy (1992); Waxin (2004), etc. showing how an individual copes with the new environment, as well as the works by Selmer (1999) and Ward & Kennedy (1993) devoted to their expatriate experiences provide a conceptual framework for researching into cross-cultural adjustment. The author uses the methods of measurements along sociocultural adjustment scale (SCAS) and the Zungs Self Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). Over a hundred questionnaires were distributed within Spain, to individuals from East Europe, West Europe, South America and Eastern countries such as India and Pakistan. The results indicated that, as predicted, the culture of origin played a vital role in adjustment, with individuals from the Eastern cultures displaying poorer forms of adjustment. The paper recommends that recruitment and selection routine should be improved in order to accommodate for expatriate employees and ensure that appropriate individuals were given overseas assignments.

P/S/25. Societal forms of meritocracy, Marxism and feminism: differences and similarities

The paper seeks to compare societies based on meritocracy, Marxism and feminism and find common features between them. Brief summaries of the three theories are provided: meritocracy is described as a system of government based on rule by ability where social position is determined by objective characteristics (e.g. a military ranking system; the independent city-state of Singapore); marxism is defined as a social theory explaining political changes by the economic processes with modes of production dividing society into antagonistic classes; feminism is opposed to a patriarchal system in which men are privileged over women, and focuses on gender politics, power relations and sexuality. The paper concludes that in spite of the obvious differences, all three societal forms are alike in that they can lead to social revolutions and overthrow of the oppressing class.

P/S/23. Causes and features of ethnic conflicts: manipulating relationships between communities

The paper looks at how generic social conflicts can in certain circumstances turn into ethnic conflicts. The first part of the paper deals with clarifying a number of key definitions, such as ethnic conflict, ethnic cleansing, ethnic war and genocide, all of which are forms of ethnic violence. The second part focuses on the features of ethnic conflict highlighting the so-called ámyth-symbol complex that creates identity between people in terms of ethnicity. All kinds of fear manipulated by political leaders and ethnic activists, may cause ethnic conflicts, i.e. the fear of losing ones myths and symbols; the fear of uneven distribution of goods, etc. Two types of manipulators are singled out, namely, elites and hostile masses. The paper concludes that the main cause of ethnic conflict, however, is the intent of the manipulators.

P/S/60. Dissertation. Modern Turkey: problems of national identity

The dissertation seeks to explore the notions of identity in relation to social, political and economic environment. The translation of "The Black Book" ("Kara Kitar") by the Turkish author Orhan Pamuk is analysed to provide philosophic, religious and psychological insights in the current historic climate in Istanbul and the problems of Turkish identity. Conclusions are made about the post-modern character of the book.

P/S/56. Ethnic identity

The paper takes a historic look at the concept of ethnic identity touching upon the notions of primordialism, instrumentalism, circumstantialism and nationalism. The main arguments of each approach to ethnicity are outlined; examples illustrating the impacts of these theories on various ethnic groups are given. The reasons why people seek for ethnic attachments are explained.

P/S/51. Demographic problems in developing countries

The paper addresses the problems of birth rate in developing countries. The relationship between fertility and various social factors is discussed within the framework of fertility models. The author provides statistical evidence related to female earned income, level of education, age of getting married, etc. Variations in the demand for children across cultures are discussed.

P/S/50. Dissertation. What do we learn about Islam from the media?

The paper aims to examine the recent images of Islam created after September 11th in Western culture. The author's objective is to analyse a selection of British newspapers covering various readership groups. The review of the literature and the newspapers survey reveal the limitations of the media when covering Islam and the impacts of the negative reporting on different sections of society. Statistical analysis of the data is presented showing a difference in attitudes towards Islam, Islamic leaders and concepts between readership groups. The conclusions are made about the extent of the media control over the views of general public.

P/S/49. Psychological roots of ethnic conflict

The paper looks at ethnic conflicts seeking to understand their psychological roots. The concepts of 'prejudice', 'nationalism' and 'ethnocentrism' are discussed drawing on the theoretical works by Allport, Adorno, Summer, etc. The results of opinion polls and other social investigations of the subject are analysed. The importance of stereotypes in maintaining ethnic conflict is highlighted.

Page 2>Page 3>Page 4>Page 5>