To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presuma...To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presumably cultural, components. The results demonstrate that, in the traditional patrilineal Chinese family, both genetic relatedness and the cultural factor of generation were important in determining kinship status for male agnates （genetically related relatives）. For female agnates, however, only genetic relatedness was important. Another surprising finding was that the influence of gender was not as important as genetic relatedness. The most interesting finding in this study, however, was that kin selection and culture （i.e., seniority in generation and age） played vastly different roles in different lineages in the Chinese family： for collateral （indirect） agnates, genetic relatedness was the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal （direct） agnates, its importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor. Several other bio-cultural factors also explained a considerable amount of variance in kinship status. Since kinship profoundly affected, and was often the foundation of, the legal and social systems in dynastic China, kin selection, while its strength may differ remarkably between lineal and collateral relatives, could act as a selective force in Chinese families展开更多
This paper traces the social limitations in the development of Asian American literature. The label ＂Asian American literature＂ is so instrumental in instituting the literature, can also regulate creativity. As a st...This paper traces the social limitations in the development of Asian American literature. The label ＂Asian American literature＂ is so instrumental in instituting the literature, can also regulate creativity. As a strategic term and group identification, ＂Asian American＂ lends itself to the illusion of unity and homogeneity. Scholars differ in the way they elect to demarcate Asian American literature. One of the fundamental barriers to understanding and appreciating Asian American literary expression has been the existence of race stereotypes about Asians in American popular culture. For many Asian American writers, ethnic authenticity is a necessary but weak choice Most early immigrant writers write to challenge the negative view of Asia in the West and see themselves as ambassadors of goodwill to the West. The purpose is to mark difference as exotica and appeal to the benign curiosity of the Western readers while appeal to notions of universal humanity. This type of strong ethnic quotient writing continues to exist in various guises even today. The trade publishers have a predilection for Asian American personal narratives that stress the ＂model minority＂ discourse, ＂good workers＂ image, and Asian Americans＇ ability to accommodate to the basic rules of American society. Asian American writers never stop attempting to build bridges. But we should remind ourselves that boundary crossing must not be merely an aesthetic and intellectual exercise .展开更多
Globally, women now play a key role in economic, political, and social cultural affairs, and Malaysia is no exception. Equitable representation by women in the political arena is viewed as crucial in the improvement o...Globally, women now play a key role in economic, political, and social cultural affairs, and Malaysia is no exception. Equitable representation by women in the political arena is viewed as crucial in the improvement of women＇s participation in the decision-making process. Nevertheless, though women have made and make great contributions in both the private and public spheres, a review of media＇s coverage of women in the public realm shows a strong tendency to relegate women to mainly domestic affairs. This is consistent with findings from studies on women political candidates＇ image during campaign issues that showed that though women candidates attempted to present themselves in decisive and assertive ways, gender stereotyping was dominant in the media agenda and persistent biases typical of traditional gender representations in the media prevailed. There is very little research in Malaysia on how the media frames women candidates during campaign periods, or what issues are aligned with women candidates. The construction of images of women political candidates, in particular, is often omitted in most research on the General Election. This study analyses how women candidates were covered in selected Malaysian newspapers in the 2008 General Election. The types of issues women political candidates are identified with in the newspapers are also analysed.展开更多
This paper explores the construction of the idea of ＂Humanity＂ in classical Jewish tradition and culture. The first half of the paper traces the history of the idea from the Biblical notion of human beings created ...This paper explores the construction of the idea of ＂Humanity＂ in classical Jewish tradition and culture. The first half of the paper traces the history of the idea from the Biblical notion of human beings created ＂in the image of God＂ through medieval interpretations of that phrase, and the implications of those traditions for conceptualizing Jewish-gentile relations, and in particular, the ＂humanity＂ of gentiles. The second half of the paper treats a very different construction of Jewish-gentile relations by looking at the phenomenon of inter-cultural adaptation and exchange as it has shaped Jewish diasporic culture; this discussion focuses upon one extreme case of Jewish-gentile syncretism, the medieval Kaifeng Jewish community in China.展开更多
文摘To examine the importance of kin selection in shaping human societies, this study analyzed the kinship system practiced in traditional China for two millennia and teased apart its underlying genetic and other, presumably cultural, components. The results demonstrate that, in the traditional patrilineal Chinese family, both genetic relatedness and the cultural factor of generation were important in determining kinship status for male agnates （genetically related relatives）. For female agnates, however, only genetic relatedness was important. Another surprising finding was that the influence of gender was not as important as genetic relatedness. The most interesting finding in this study, however, was that kin selection and culture （i.e., seniority in generation and age） played vastly different roles in different lineages in the Chinese family： for collateral （indirect） agnates, genetic relatedness was the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal （direct） agnates, its importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor. Several other bio-cultural factors also explained a considerable amount of variance in kinship status. Since kinship profoundly affected, and was often the foundation of, the legal and social systems in dynastic China, kin selection, while its strength may differ remarkably between lineal and collateral relatives, could act as a selective force in Chinese families
文摘This paper traces the social limitations in the development of Asian American literature. The label ＂Asian American literature＂ is so instrumental in instituting the literature, can also regulate creativity. As a strategic term and group identification, ＂Asian American＂ lends itself to the illusion of unity and homogeneity. Scholars differ in the way they elect to demarcate Asian American literature. One of the fundamental barriers to understanding and appreciating Asian American literary expression has been the existence of race stereotypes about Asians in American popular culture. For many Asian American writers, ethnic authenticity is a necessary but weak choice Most early immigrant writers write to challenge the negative view of Asia in the West and see themselves as ambassadors of goodwill to the West. The purpose is to mark difference as exotica and appeal to the benign curiosity of the Western readers while appeal to notions of universal humanity. This type of strong ethnic quotient writing continues to exist in various guises even today. The trade publishers have a predilection for Asian American personal narratives that stress the ＂model minority＂ discourse, ＂good workers＂ image, and Asian Americans＇ ability to accommodate to the basic rules of American society. Asian American writers never stop attempting to build bridges. But we should remind ourselves that boundary crossing must not be merely an aesthetic and intellectual exercise .
文摘Globally, women now play a key role in economic, political, and social cultural affairs, and Malaysia is no exception. Equitable representation by women in the political arena is viewed as crucial in the improvement of women＇s participation in the decision-making process. Nevertheless, though women have made and make great contributions in both the private and public spheres, a review of media＇s coverage of women in the public realm shows a strong tendency to relegate women to mainly domestic affairs. This is consistent with findings from studies on women political candidates＇ image during campaign issues that showed that though women candidates attempted to present themselves in decisive and assertive ways, gender stereotyping was dominant in the media agenda and persistent biases typical of traditional gender representations in the media prevailed. There is very little research in Malaysia on how the media frames women candidates during campaign periods, or what issues are aligned with women candidates. The construction of images of women political candidates, in particular, is often omitted in most research on the General Election. This study analyses how women candidates were covered in selected Malaysian newspapers in the 2008 General Election. The types of issues women political candidates are identified with in the newspapers are also analysed.
文摘This paper explores the construction of the idea of ＂Humanity＂ in classical Jewish tradition and culture. The first half of the paper traces the history of the idea from the Biblical notion of human beings created ＂in the image of God＂ through medieval interpretations of that phrase, and the implications of those traditions for conceptualizing Jewish-gentile relations, and in particular, the ＂humanity＂ of gentiles. The second half of the paper treats a very different construction of Jewish-gentile relations by looking at the phenomenon of inter-cultural adaptation and exchange as it has shaped Jewish diasporic culture; this discussion focuses upon one extreme case of Jewish-gentile syncretism, the medieval Kaifeng Jewish community in China.
