House Resolution 109 (H. Res. 109), legislation presented in 2019 by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachucettes Senator Ed Markey, proposes for the creation of a Green New Deal (GND). This proposal is a set of principles that defines problems that must be addressed to reach a more sustainable U.S., effectively creating a conversation around pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges. The revolutionary nature of this legislation is commonly analyzed with regards to urban spaces in America. Rural and impoverished communities in America are often ignored in the climate conversation, making it necessary to address the needs of such communities in future policies. This thesis explores the potential of implementing Green New Deal policies in the Adirondack Park while attempting to understand how to address social and ecological issues in an equitable manner. It does so by looking at the history of political consciousness in the region through a combination of archival and ethnographic methodologies. Specifically, the thesis reconstructs the tensions that have pitted local residents and environmental activism against one another in struggles to determine the future of the Adirondack Park. The research has the potential to address larger questions of how to bridge common gaps in environmental justice and how politics and economics shape human interaction with nature.
“ … and the Rise of Andrés Manuel López Obrador Advisors: Robert Samet and Guillermina Seri Andrés Manuel López … to be an Immigrant. Special Thanks to Thesis Advisors: Robert Samet … ”
Abstract
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, commonly referred to as AMLO, has become Mexico's first leftist president in over seven decades. He has promised to get rid of Mexico's problems through a peaceful but radical transformation, while placing the needs of the people first. For the past three decades, the nation's political and economic systems have failed to create positive results. Mexico currently faces mass inequality and poverty, corruption and impunity, and insecurity and organized crime. Through his political activism and most importantly, his political narrative, AMLO has become a popular actor and is seen as the president who will implement lasting changes.
This thesis interrogates the significance of the rise of AMLO by examining the conditions leading to his election as the new President of Mexico. The analysis proceeds, on the one hand, by analyzing the terms of AMLO's political discourse, including his call to return to the roots of the Mexican Revolution, as his rejection of the old political system, and his rejection of the neoliberal economic model. On the other hand, the assessment of AMLO's political significance requires revisiting modern Mexican history, from the Porfiriato to the present day, and contrasting them to the way in which they are portrayed in AMLO's narrative.For example, the damaging consequences of neoliberalism on the fabric of the Mexican society and their grievances will be examined as societal conditions for political victory. By looking into Mexican history and contemporary news, this thesis will also analyze the individual and societal conditions that allowed AMLO to win the presidential election.
FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a modern social expression used in reference to an individual emotional experience generally associated with social media. This anthropological dissertation aims to explore the emotional expression of FoMO in relation to society and the self. The study begins with an analysis of academic literatures on emotions the self and cultures such as social media. Social media culture enables the self to be created and maintained in accordance to the societies interpretation of the ideal self. This ideal self perpetuates emotional reactions such as FoMO. Based on guided interviews with advertisers this thesis examines the ways in which social media allows the corporate world to market and brand objects in a seeming human self. Further interviews at Union College with social media users as well as 'Instagrammers' help to examine the real life understanding and application of FoMO. The additional examination of Instagrammers displays the ways that individual selves are created and promoted to others. Social media users perceive FoMO to originate from the pressures of appearing and maintaining a self that is the perceived ideal. This study ultimately contributes to the understanding of FoMO as an emotional experience generated by society and the self.
“ … March 2016. ADVISORS: Professor Stacie Raucci, Professor Robert Samet This thesis looks at the Roman military and how … Roman military … , Colo.: L. Rienner Publishers. Sherk, Robert K. 1988. The Roman Empire: Augustus to Hadrian. … ”
Abstract
This thesis looks at the Roman military and how it was the driving force which spread Roman culture. The Roman military stabilized regions, providing protection and security for regions to develop culturally and economically. Roman soldiers brought with them their native cultures, languages, and religions, which spread through their interactions and connections with local peoples and the communities in which they were stationed. This thesis looks at that impact on the Halmyris Fortress and at the great province of Dacia. The effects this "Romanization" of the region influenced the culture, language, and heritage of the later Romanian state.
Within this paper I look at the circumstances of the Roman occupation of Dacia, how it affected the portrayal of heritage, and its affects in politics throughout the history of Romania. I spent four weeks participating in the excavation of the Halmyris Fortress. It is through the lens of archaeology that I look at the broader view of heritage and how excavations such as that at Halmyris affected those views. I also look at the portrayal of Roman influence on the country and how it has affected the larger political view of Romania and on a more localized area in the town of Murighiol. The Roman military was the driving force behind the spread of Roman culture, and it has affected the larger political and social history of Romania through ideas of heritage and identity.
“ … iii Abstract: ADVISORS: Dr. Janet Grigsby and Dr. Robert Samet Environmental injustice has exacerbated in the … involved with the St. Bernard Project … research. Dr. RobertSamet, an anthropology professor at Union, is my other … ”
Abstract
Environmental injustice has exacerbated in the Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina. Eleven years after Katrina and the Lower Ninth community is struggling to fully recover, regardless the amount of aid it has received from different types of charitable organizations. An understanding of how residents and organizations within the Lower Ninth Ward view environmental justice issues may help explain why this community's revival is so delayed. Through the application of the snowball method, I obtained three case studies within this research that each present three dissimilar interpretations of the environmental justice issues and state of Lower Ninth. These views differ from each other and were represented as cynical, realistic, or optimistic. These perspectives addressed the community and organizations' efforts towards bringing the Lower Ninth back to its vibrant nature before Katina. This research may further answer the question-what should be done next for the Lower Ninth Ward?
