986 words

Funeral rituals and psychological closure in grief recovery

Human societies represent myriad different cultures and social rituals but the degree to which they rely on those types of shared organized behaviors is much more consistent.

~5 min read

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716 words

A personal review of The King's Speech film

I saw the King's Speech because of the positive 'buzz' it had generated in the press. Like many film buffs I enjoy seeing the likely Oscar-winners in the theater. I was expecting a rather staid, well-acted British drama but many aspects of the film resonated with me on a much deeper level.

~4 min read

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604 words

Portfolio assessment as an instrument for measuring student learning progress

Do you think portfolios are a good medium to assess learning? Why or why not? Portfolios allow teachers to grade student progress over a period of time, rather than focusing on one, specific cumulative assignment. Almost all classes contain students with mixed skill levels.

~4 min read

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756 words

Gender differences in male and female communication styles

The idea that men and women communicate in different ways is not a new one. In fact, a successful series of books about inter-gender communication goes so far as to posit that men and women differ so significantly in their communication styles that it is as if they are from different planets.

~4 min read

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704 words

Bertie and Lionel's relationship in "The King's Speech"

Bertie was undeniably the more 'humbled' of the two characters. He is a member of the British royal family, and according to what he has been taught from birth he is supposed to be 'above' ordinary commoners. Now he must ask a commoner for assistance because of his speech defect.

~4 min read

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349 words

Economic analysis of cell phone restrictions while driving

This review and analysis was published in the peer-reviewed professional journal Risk Analysis in connection with the issue of legislative restrictions on cell phone use by drivers.

~2 min read

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999 words

Spanish explorers' genocide and enslavement of Native Americans

Contemporary history books regard the European explorers as courageous men who risked life and limb on the vast oceans searching for lands to expand European society. Every October, the United States celebrates Columbus Day, and thousands of American streets are named in his honor.

~5 min read

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575 words

Brookfield's framework for understanding adult learning advantages and strategies

Adult Learning: An Overview (Brookfield, 1995) provides an outline of the major concepts in adult education. The most general issue is the notion that "adult learning" is somehow different from learning.

~3 min read

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618 words

Fordism and the postwar American economy's rise and decline

Lipietz, Alain. (1987). Mirages and miracles. London: Verso, (Chapter 2): 29-46. During the postwar era, one of the dominant strains of thought to emerge supporting the capitalist ideology was that of 'Fordism,' named after the founder of the Ford Motor company, Henry Ford.

~4 min read

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615 words

Lifestyle factors and longevity in Nicoya's Blue Zone

This particular Blue Zone video documented the value of various lifestyle elements in connection with longevity and long-term fulfillment in life.

~4 min read

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