Academic Articles

     Genetic diversity is the variation in the characteristics inherited from the parent organisms in a population of a specific species.  This diversity is extremely important for the survival of a species as it allows for the survival of certain members when a portion of the group is destroyed either through disease, changing environments, or other factors that are detrimental to their survival.  Genetic diversity can come about through a number of ways: mutations, sexual reproduction, migration, and population size.      Mutations are changes in the alleles that introduce new genetic information into a group.  While some mutations are readily visible (two-headed snakes, five-legged sheep, frogs with six-eyes, etc.), many other mutations are not so obvious.  An organism that is susceptible to a certain disease, for example.  While mutations will introduce new characteristics into a populatio...

     Being an avid reader, I have had the pleasure of enjoying many books over the years. Just as anyone else, I suppose, I have found many books to be exceptionally well written, some that could be considered good but not great, and a handful that were just downright horrible.  I often asked myself: what is it that makes a great writer?  Why is it that some authors put you to sleep after only one page, while others captivate you to the point where it seems you could never put the book down?  After taking this English composition course, I think I have finally figured out some of the great secrets that have contributed to the great success of many authors over the years.  I think that many writers just write; perhaps they should instead first prewrite, then write, then write again.     The first step in writing a good paragraph, essay, or book is to prewrite.  Don’t just begin writing. ...

     One of the biggest wastes of money is that spent on a lavish wedding that most people really cannot afford.  While it may seem like a good way to celebrate the marriage, it is in reality a display of pride and arrogance.  At a time when the emphasis should be on what the future husband and wife plan on doing for each other, it now becomes a ritualistic display of what they can do to impress others.  Since this gaudy display is put on for the benefit of the guests and not the couple, the audience becomes the focal point, and the bride and groom are relegated to the backseat.  When a couple spends an exorbitant amount of money on their wedding, they run the risk of starting their marriage out so far in debt that it is nearly impossible to dig themselves out.  This in turn leads to financial difficulties that can haunt them for many years.  Consequently, if the situation isn’t corrected early (which in most ca...

      When comparing the nativity scenes depicted by Giotto and Pisano, one cannot help but notice the striking differences between the two artists’ renderings.  Not only have they used different mediums-Giotto painted a fresco, Pisano sculpted a bas relief-but their use of space is glaringly different.  Spaced out over a wide area, Giotto’s painting shows two scenes: the annunciation to the shepherds and the nativity.  Pisano however crams four scenes (the nativity, along with the annunciations to Mary and the shepherds, and a scene of Mary bathing the infant Jesus) into a very limited space.  Whereas Mary dominates the central space in Pisano’s sculpture, and the infant Jesus is relegated to an unimportant position behind her, the mother and child in Giotto’s painting seem to equally hold positions of importance as they gaze lovingly at each other from the left side of the picture.  Regardless of the differences depicte...

      Even before you enter the Chartres Cathedral, its magnificence will undoubtedly overwhelm you.  Approaching the cathedral from the west, your gaze is immediately drawn heavenward. Even without the two gothic towers bordering the west façade of the cathedral with their conical tops pointing to the Heavens, the rose window decorating the upper middle portion of the front wall will undoubtedly capture your wandering eyes, locking them in its glorious brilliance.  But even its powerful grasp is not enough to hold you once the two towers grab ahold of you. Almost it seems, they have not only clasped onto your sight, but even your whole being.  So strong is this pull that you feel that you have been lifted so high, that if you raised your arm, and stretched forth your finger, you just might be able to touch the throne of God.        Lest your raptured soul takes its flight to Paradise, you mu...

Words of Wisdom      Most arguments start and end because both parties come to the table with a disagreement, and with absolutely no desire to change, even if they are proven wrong.  Settling an argument can best be settled if those involved begin the argument by first agreeing on a couple of aspects that will put them on the same page from the beginning.  Following is a basic outline which can be used to solve almost any argument. State what the problem is.  (In most cases, both parties involved will agree here.) State the desired result.  (Again, both parties should still be in agreement.) State your actions taken to resolve the issue.  (Here is where the disagreements will begin.  In this situation, both involved should state the actions they are taking to resolve the problem without insinuating superiority, and without condemning the other’s solution.  This isn’t the time to begin ...

     In order to fully understand the rise of apartheid (Afrikaans: apartness) and its ensuing polices, it is necessary that the history of South Africa prior to 1948 first be comprehended. For many years this area, once known as the Boer Republic, had long been ruled by whites who had come from Europe. Up until 1899, this area was ruled by Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers.  When the British Empire invaded in 1899, the Boer republic consisted of two independent states: the South African Republic, and the Orange Free State.       This Second Boer War, which lasted nearly three years, would end in a British victory.  Both Boer republics were annexed by the British Empire and were subsequently incorporated into the Union of South Africa in 1910.  In spite of the fact that they had once been enemies, Great Britain and the Union of South Africa became allies and joined forces against the German Em...

          In the study of sociology, we are presented three varying perspectives concerning our interactions with the world and those in it.  Although parts of all three contain some bits of truth, it is this author’s opinion that the structural-functionalism perspective is more in line with that held within the sphere of religion.  When discussing our roles in this life, the bible clearly states that there are “diversities of gifts…differences of administrations…and diversities of operations”. (I Corinthians 12:4-6, King James Version) It is unfortunate, however, that many people tend to focus on what others should be doing, and not on their own responsibility.  The problem with Karl Marx’s conflict theory is that it focuses solely on one aspect of a problematic situation.  In his view, all the rich are evil, and all the poor are good.  By his thinking, if you have nothing, it is because those w...