Paradigm shifts,feminist phase theory,and the missing variable in women's studies curriculum transformation projects

Feminist phase theory describes the process of integrating women's studies scholarship as a series of identifiable stages, for both individuals and disciplines. Literature on the revolutionary and paradigm-shift potential of women's studies scholarship suggests important disciplinary differences in its construction, adoption, and diffusion. We reformulate feminist phase theory in paradigm shift terms, then operationalize and contrast two versions of it. Our analysis and review indicate that the missing variable in women's studies transformation projects is the participants' discipline. Data from our integration project show faculty in interpretive disciplines scoring higher on degree of integration of women's studies scholarship but not changing as a result of the project itself, while those in positivist disciplines do change but have lower absolute scores. These findings indicate a need for different integration strategies based on discipline. Empirical support for one sequential ordering in feminist phase theory argues for the importance and centrality of women-focused scholarship.An earlier version was presented at the 84th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, California, August 1989.     

Verbal understanding: Integrating the conceptual analyses of Skinner,Ryle, and Wittgenstein

The Analysis of Verbal Behavior - Gilbert Ryle’s (1949) and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s (1953; 1958; 1974/78) conceptual analyses of verbal understanding are presented. For Ryle, the term...     

Weber's analysis of legal rationalization: A critique and constructive modification

Max Weber's identification of increased rationalization as a master process of change included extensive discussion of legal systems. A cross-classification of rational/irrational and formal/substantive rationality makes some valid analytical distinctions, but neglects a source of legitimate authority for a formally-rational legal system and thus a determination of the goals and values toward which rules are oriented. It also neglects instrumental rationality, which Weber recognized in other contexts. A modification of Weber's analytical scheme is proposed, not merely to improve the accuracy of classification of legal orders but more importantly to permit empirical analysis of their dynamics.     

Recommended Reference Values for Risk Assessment of Oral Exposure to Copper

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, the authoritative source of U.S. risk assessment toxicity factors, currently lacks an oral reference dose (RfD) for copper. In the absence of such a value, various health-based reference values for copper are available for use in risk assessment. We summarize the scientific bases and differences in assumptions among key reference values for ingested copper to guide selection of appropriate values for risk assessment. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature best supports the oral RfD of 0.04 mg/kg body weight/day derived by EPA from their Drinking Water Action Level. This value is based on acute gastrointestinal effects but is further supported by broader analysis of copper deficiency and toxicity.     

The Event: An Underexamined Risk Concept

Some of the terms used in risk assessment and management are poorly and even contradictorily defined. One such term is “event,” which arguably describes the most basic of all risk‐related concepts. The author cites two contemporary textbook interpretations of “event” that he contends are incorrect and misleading. He then examines the concept of an event in A. N. Kolmogorov's probability axioms and in several more‐current textbooks. Those concepts are found to be too narrow for risk assessments and inconsistent with the actual usage of “event” by risk analysts. The author goes on to define and advocate linguistic definitions of events (as opposed to mathematical definitions)—definitions constructed from natural language. He argues that they should be recognized for what they are: the de facto primary method of defining events.     

The experience of smoking in recovery settings: an ecological momentary assessment pilot study

ABSTRACT

Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and people with substance use disorders (SUD) smoke at higher rates compared to their non-using counterparts. Individuals with SUDs may have different emotional experiences and expectancies than those without. The current study explored the relationship between smoking and emotional experiences among residents in recovery homes, a population that little is known about regarding their tobacco addiction. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), significant emotional differences were found between nicotine users and nonusers. Implications of these findings could help in the development of interventions directed toward reducing smoking cessation.     

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正我在澳大利亚北部旅行时,途经一个土著人居留地,在一家小餐馆歇脚吃饭。收银员是一个土著女孩,正与一个老年人聊天。他们聊得热火朝天,顾客越积越多,开始形成了一个队伍。女孩聊兴正浓,似乎忘掉了客人,于是,队伍排得更长了。