Wednesday, April 21, 2010

blog #15 abstract

now that i have changed my topic, my abstract would basically be:
Fraternities and sororities are popular student based organizations and known for building their members as well as pledges' charcater and personality. But the hazing practices that the pledges are forced upon during their pledge process is ridiculous and brutal. This brutality has often physically and mentally affected the pledges sometimes even risking death. one of the main reasons behind these rituals is often found to be the cycles of revenge that goes through each line over generations. All the members take out their anger with their pledge process on the new upcoming lines and this feeling of revenge continues making the pledging process harder than the last line which sometimes lead to severe consequences. One of the ways that probably could stop this cycle would be to properly educate the members about the limits and cautions in the pledge process.
Works Cited
Drout, Cheryl E., and Christie L. Corsoro. "Attitudes Toward Fraternity Hazing among Fraternity Members, Sorority Members, and Non-Greek Students." Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal 31.6 (2003): 535. Print.
GRANDILLO, MICHAEL A. Encyclopedia of Education; Social Fraternities and Sororities. Ed. James W. Guthrie. 2nd ed. 6 Vol. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2003. Print.
KIMBROUGH, WALTER. "Black Greek Deathwatch." Diverse: Issues in Higher Education 26.26 (2010): 21-. Print.
Nuwer, Hank. Broken Pledges : The Deadly Rite of Hazing. Atlanta, Ga: Longstreet Press, 1990. Print.
Wrongs of Passage : Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999. Print.
O'Donnell, Ben. "What's Right with Fraternities." Chronicle of Higher Education 56.16 (2009): A76-. Print.
WILLIAM, CELIS 3d. "Hazing's Forbidden Rites are Moving 'Underground'." New York Times (1993): 19. Print.

Monday, April 12, 2010

blog # 14

My project has gotten much more specific over time but its not anywhere near to be considered a good research paper. At first when i was told to pick a topic for my research paper i didnt hesitate or reevaluated once what i want to reserach into. it came instantly to my mind i want to write about hazing. Being a part of a sorority myself i know what pledging is like and also carious hazing practices carried on throughout the process. it was a topic i could relate to the most. At this point of time i have most of my sources laid out. all i need to do is get my primary source with an OFSA worker and also put some pictures and use more of Nuwere Hank as he has written two detailed books on hazing with good interviews and pictures. i also need to edit some of the propoganda type of stuff and replace it with eveidences to bavck up my claims. my thought about the topic has changed not a lot but to a limited extent as my initial view on hazing was it is required and its has a meaning to it and i was confused between what should be done to prevent it and who is responsible. but now my ideas about the topic has changed a lot and has become specific as the only thing now that i focus on solely is the reasons behind hazing and how the urge to belong of the pledges make them bear and tolerate through all the ridiculous hazing rituals.the interviews of the pledges and their families given in Nuwer 's books gave me the best understanding of the topic. my own personal experiences, resent story of six sigma gamma rho sisters getting arrested has inspired me the most to write about this issue . i have learned that blogs do help it helpds you be more organized and not leave stuff till last minute. I have also learned that drafts even though rough and not actually graded should be taken seriously and handed in on time. I have learned to proofread the paper more than once after gettign my grade on analytic essay. i have learned how to give better titles and start the rsearch paper right on topic instead of writing out a broad propoganda about the topic.me as a writer sucks but i did like writing about this topic it was interesting.i can write good papers if i have good quotes, i just need a better vocab. and not repeat words.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Visual aids



This picture would be very helpful in showing how hardcore the hazing is not only in fraternities but sororities. From the picture it can be seen , a sorority pledge is wrapped up in duck tape all naked in the woods and probably got bullied and harrassed verbally and physically. It matches my thesis as whoever who sees this picture would say : why do pledges agree to being hazed if it entails this and also whats the value in it and what do greek lettered society get out of this?
This picture portrays the very known and popular hazing ritual of making the pledges drink, especially in fraternities. In my research paper i have provided stories of pledges who died because of extensive drinking and hence this picture is significant as it backs it up.
also the videos
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs4Z6ekVlJ4: this video portrays a news story of pledging caught on tape and brutal beating of the pledges is going on in the fraternities.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJdHpnvmZTw : its a documentary on how a innocent pledge was killed and interview of his mom and sister is also given. In addition it is a very influential documentary and gives out a very important message revealing the dangers of hazing