Department of Social Sciences & Historical Studies
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Browsing Department of Social Sciences & Historical Studies by Author "Alexander, Jim"
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Item Anamnesis, myth, and the political in selected works of Murakami Haruki(2003-12) Geer, Ruthann Jones; Hoye, Timothy; Presnall, Barbara; Alexander, JimThis thesis analyzes two novels of the contemporary Japanese author Murakami Haruki. It seeks to dispel the premise advanced by Ōe Kenzaburo, a Nobel Laureate in Literature, which regards Murakami as an inferior writer. Murakami's fast paced style bears resemblance to Western authors and seemingly ignores the literary traditions of Japan. Through study of the development of the novel in Japan and its characteristic elements, this thesis demonstrates that Murakami utilizes many of these valued precepts in his works. Evidence further supports the contention that these novels serve an anamnestic purpose through archetypal patterns and imagery. Murakami raises political questions that proceed from being cast in shadows to a more candid dialogue concerning Japanese actions in Manchuria, the misplaced trust of Japanese citizens, and a distorted idealism of broad cross sections of the populace.Item Beyond orientalism: A study of three Arabic women writers(2007-05) Elhajibrahim, Samah Samih; Hoye, Timothy; Alexander, Jim; Travis, Paul D.In 1978, Edward Said, a Palestinian-American literary theorist, published his famous book, Orientalism. The book was an attack on the concepts of "Orient" and "Occident". Said described orientalism as a discourse that helped the West colonize the East. Recent events such as the illegal occupation of Iraq, the war on Afghanistan and U.S. interference in Lebanese affairs, all helped to bring orientalism to the fore. Today, some Arab scholars are questioning if orientalism actually ended. This study argues that orientalism did not vanish but has simply taken on a new form. The aim of this thesis is to study Edward Said's theory of orientalism and examine his notion that literary production provides the raw material of politics. To examine orientalism and colonialism in the Arab world, I use novels written by three Arab women writers (Fadia Faqir, Pillars of Salt; Yasmin Zahran, A Beggar at Damascus Gate; and Ahlam Mosteghanemi, Memory in the Flesh). The novels are used as tools with which to build the thesis that orientalism and colonialism continue, largely unchanged, and form the basis for the troubled relationship between the Western world and the Arab world. I argue that orientalist discourse still functions to justify and perpetuate the political, economic and military hegemony. This thesis also highlights the solutions introduced by Edward Said and the three novelists in order to move beyond orientalism and colonialism. By using novels to examine Edward Said's theory of orientalism, this thesis provides a twofold contribution to the field. First, it provides an example of how novels can be used to study social and political phenomena and how novelists are political thinkers who raise the consciousness of the society. Second, this thesis demonstrates how the study of the literature of other cultures can provide the reader with the opportunity to make a place in their mind for a foreign "other." Unlike the media which have the tendency to magnify the differences between cultures, novelists focus on the humanity of the characters, thus diminishing the differences between the reader and the character and providing the reader with light that illuminates, otherwise invisible problems.Item Beyond the apparatus: Karl Jaspers as political theorist(2012-05) Pierce, Phillip H.; Hoye, Timothy; Alexander, JimKarl Jaspers is considered a founder of existentialism and while this may be true such a characterization misses some of the fundamental aspects of his philosophy. Existentialism begins with a concept of the absurd. Jaspers' Existenz-philosophy begins with a concept of reason grounded in an experience of transcendence, similar to the teachings of a classical, philosophic tradition with roots in the works of Plato and Aristotle. The philosophy of Karl Jaspers, while modern, also continues in the classical tradition; Jaspers diagnoses the conditions of the modern world as a product of what he calls an Apparatus. Although written in 1930 to describe the political situation in the heart of Europe at the beginning of the National Socialist movement in Germany, the concept of an Apparatus exists in political conditions in nations around the world today, including within the United States. This thesis presents a conceptual analysis of "Existenz-philosphy" in selected works of Karl Jaspers and how his work contributes to an understanding of global political dynamics in today's world.Item The concepts of sovereignty at the American founding(2003-08) Butler, Alice A.; Hoye, Timothy; Belfiglio, Valentine; Alexander, JimThis thesis examines the importance and influences of the concepts of sovereignty throughout the establishment of the United States structure of government. It is an examination of the different aspects of sovereignty identified from the early days of colonization through the ratification of the Constitution. Five specific concepts of sovereignty are recognized. These are absolute sovereignty, state sovereignty, popular sovereignty, individual sovereignty and national sovereignty. Each of these concepts of sovereignty played a major role in the writing of the Constitution, and has contributed to the flexibility, balance, and strength of the American government. Sovereignty continues to play a key role in international politics as well as those in the United States. It continues to be an important aspect of government that needs to be studied and considered.Item Media as a catalyst for civic engagement and change in North Texas: The Barnett Shale case(2008-05) White, Pamela; Presnall, Barbara Ann; Keating, AnaLouise, 1961-; Alexander, JimStudies have indicated that the media no longer upholds its watchdog responsibilities by failing to report on issues within a timely manner. Preemptive notification would allow citizens to discuss and react before harm is done in order to prevent potential crisis. Because of its value in watchdog reporting, this paper challenges the assumption that the media fails to react in a timely manner, and also addresses whether or not civic engagement and/or change was inspired due to the media's actions. For this case study, the North Texas media's reactions to the Barnett Shale natural gas boom were examined. Because of the complexity involved within oil and gas operations and the industry's potential influence on media gatekeepers, the need to inform in a timely manner was crucial. The conclusion of this study revealed that the watchdog media did act within a timely manner and that they stimulated civic engagement and change.Item Municipal informatics: An analysis of female and male city manager survey responses pertaining to social demographics, preparation and social networks(1997-12) Kealer, Lisa N.; Presnall, Barbara; Alexander, JimCity managers are increasingly influential policy makers in a growing number of cities. While men have traditionally held the position, there is now an adequate cohort of female city managers to study. A questionnaire was sent to all female city managers in the United States, a set of female assistant city managers and a selected matched number of male city managers and assistant managers. The study compares social demographics, perceived adequacy of educational preparation and mentor relationships and perceived access to information and social networks. This study identifies several differences among male and female city managers. Women in city management are younger and better educated than the average man in the same job. They have been with their present employer a similar number of years as their male counterparts, but are being paid less. Women are dramatically more conscious of gender in job performance and confident of the positive traits they contribute, as females, to the position of city manager. Whether or not these traits, in fact, exist or are gender related is not explored by this study, but the findings do reveal a perception of gender differences and self worth. The women surveyed understand that it is connections and informal networks that fuel promotion and job performance, but do not perceive a women's network. Beyond the obvious academic interest in city government and gender studies, the findings may prove relevant to: municipalities as they attempt to improve organizational policies and communication processes; universities, who may enhance curriculum based on the research findings; and women who are interested in exploring the nature of their networks and considering the implications for social network enhancement.Item Regulating access to justice: The Arizona experience(2000-05) Hooper, Donna; Presnall, Barbara; Johnson, Avra; Alexander, JimThis study traces the development of the independent paralegal movement, summarizes the literature, uses Arizona as a case study to evaluate trends, and makes recommendations about incorporating paralegals into the legal services system to increase access to justice for all. The study is based on a review of printed sources, an investigation of case law and statutes, and a series of interviews with players in the Arizona controversy. The policy decision as to whether to allow nonlawyers to perform legal tasks must balance the public's right to choose with the potential for harm. While the Arizona case reveals a minimum of harm has resulted from allowing independent paralegal practice, the system functions without regulation and therefore affords little protection from incompetence. The Arizona case demonstrates that nonlawyers can perform routine legal tasks, it could be improved by implementing a more state regulation including a registration system.Item A review of the history surrounding the establishment and life of the Stonewall Saloon (historical museum) circa 1873(2001-08) Oliver-Muller, Reta; Travis, Paul D.; Hoye, Timothy; Alexander, JimAfter the Civil War many cattle trails crossed North Texas. Jesse Chisholm, for example, transformed a buffalo trail, one that extended from Texas to Kansas, into the Chisholm Trail. Over this trail millions of Texas cattle were driven to the railhead in Abilene, Kansas, for shipment to eastern markets. Most of the cattle crossed the Red River near Red River Station in Montague County, Texas, entering Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. While cattle were driven north over this trail, settlers and adventurers headed west on the California Trail to seek gold in the fields of California. These trails crossed at the settlement known as Head of Elm in what is now Montague County, Texas. This frontier settlement is the site where "Captain" Irby Holt Boggess settled after migrating from Tennessee. In 1873, he built the first permanent structure in Montague County, the Stonewall Saloon. He chose native stone construction because it was readily available. He served cowboys on the Chisholm Trail cattle drives, as well as pioneers traveling west seeking their bonanza in California. Of historical importance, this structure was only one of two surviving saloons in Texas that dated their existence from the cattle drive era. Now, the Stonewall Saloon Historical Museum is the only one still standing that dates its existence from the Chisholm Trail era. Interestingly, the residents of Head of Elm/Saint Jo knew Boggess as "Captain." Research, however, conducted at the National Archives in the Compiled Military Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, reveals him to be a Private, not a Captain. These records also note his absence without leave for over four months (December 10, 1862 through April 1863 roll-call) from military duty with a bounty of $50 posted for his return. The history of the saloon, and the legend of Boggess are linked to the temperance movement in parts of Texas, and specifically in Montague County. The saloon closed in 1897. It is unclear what, if any, business the building housed from 1897 until 1907. From 1907 until 1942, the building housed the Citizens National Bank. In 1942, the Citizens National Bank merged with the Saint Jo National Bank and moved into their building across the street. From 1942 until 1957, the building housed the Kingery Drilling and Production Company. Over the years, the former saloon/bank housed a variety of businesses on the second floor. The last known use of the second floor was as a doctor's office in the 1940s. H. D. Field, Jr. established a Saloon Museum in the building for the Montague County Centennial Celebration in 1958. In 1996, Johnny Muller purchased the building and its contents. His boyhood dream was to someday own the building and to retain its authenticity. Now, the museum is the passion of its present owners. Restoration continues on the second floor to accommodate the growing collection of western and frontier memorabilia typical of the late 1800s. Future plans include educational programs for the public along with the expansion of displays and reference materials on the history of the cowboy and the impact cattle drives have had on American culture. Future plans include applying for the Texas Historical Commission Building Marker and for National Register of Historic Places designation. Western lore shelves of libraries groan with the weight of"cowboy books" depicting their picturesque lifestyle and marvelous skill while driving herds of wild cattle across a great expanse of unsettled and untamed land. The intention of this writer is to review this information and use as appropriate while utilizing primary and secondary sources to compile a history of the saloon as well as the history of the "life and times" responsible for its creation.Item The Rwandan Genocide and how Belgian colonization ignited the flame of hatred(2014-05) Burns, Latoya Matthews; Belfiglio, Valentine; Alexander, Jim; Fanning, SaraThis thesis analyzes how racism was the underlying cause of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, and investigates how racism was possible in a country that consists of one race. This thesis studies how western colonizers implemented race relations which then manifested into fear and became the driving force for the genocide. This study chronologically covers Rwanda's political system, beginning with colonization, through the psychology explaining why genocides are undefined until their conclusion, and ends with an analysis of Rwandan's ongoing recovery.Item Serving each other: Formal and informal support systems of early twentieth century waitresses(2001-08) Taylor, Kimberly Kam; Travis, Paul D.; Alexander, Jim; Phillips, BrendaWage-earning women of the early twentieth century challenged the traditional model of womanhood. Many women seeking jobs as wage-laborers found employment opportunities by serving the public as waitresses. To survive urban living conditions, these women allied themselves with each other and middle class women to combat a negative perception of themselves, and to form support networks for living and childcare. Furthermore, waitresses became a vocal force in labor history; they sought to found unions to meet their professional needs. In March, 1900, waitresses began organizing exclusively female unions. Unionizing goals reflected their condition as women in a society that was openly hostile to women wage earners. This study will utilize an engendered social-cultural perspective model to understand why and how waitresses established formal and informal systems of sisterhood and solidarity.Item Understanding the politics of Hispanic American women: Attitudes and behaviors of an emerging elite(2002-08) Willis, Elmyra; Presnall, Barbara; Alexander, Jim; Hoye, TimothyIt is the purpose of this study to learn more about the political attitudes and behaviors of Hispanic women in the United States. A survey with questions taken from the National Election Study was completed by 101 Hispanic women and 106 Anglo women at Texas Woman's University. The questionnaire examined demographics, political activity, voting behavior, political beliefs, and political knowledge. When matched for age and education, the degree of political activity among Hispanic women was not significantly different from Anglo women. Both groups reported similar amounts of discussing politics with others, listening to political talk radio programs, visiting political interest sites, and being active in community organizations. The majority of both Hispanics and Anglos in this study were registered to vote; Hispanics identified themselves more often as Democrats and Anglos more often as Republicans. However, approximately one-third of the Hispanic sample was Protestant and these women were more likely to be Republicans.