Lambda Alpha Journal, v.23, 1992

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The Lambda Alpha Journal is published by the Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society at The Wichita State University. The Lambda Alpha Journal is partially funded by the Wichita State University Student Government Association.

Editor-in_Chief Dr. Lowell D. Holmes
Editor Dr. Peer H. Moore-Jansen

Student Editor A. T. Freeman
Production Editor Richard H. Plouch

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    Lambda Alpha Journal, v.23 (complete version)
    (Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society at Wichita State University, 1992) Lambda Alpha National Collegiate Honors Society for Anthropology
    This issue of LAJ consists of four articles: The evolution of the Nation of Islam by Albert Mistrano; An analysis of the chimpanzees of the Sedgwick County Zoo by Susan Hascall, Carolyn Johnson, and Becky Cooper; The discourse of gangs: Angelville graffiti by D.M. Anderson; and Evaluation of frequency of use by orangutans of structures and locations within a captive environment by Linda McGuire-Rook.
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    The Evolution of the Nation of Islam
    (Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society at Wichita State University, 1992) Mistrano, Albert
    The change from Elijah Poole to Elijah Muhammad began a long and intricate development of a socioeconomic and religious movement that proved to fully transform radical Black Nationalism from a mere aggregate of para-militarists to an internationally recognized organization of liberation. By observing the four main leaders of the Nation of Islam: Elijah Muhammad; Malcolm X; Wallace Muhammad; and Louis Farrakhan, it can be seen that a definite agenda is put forward by each leader's particular 'revelation'. From the four leaders arise two distinct groups of ideals, as exhibited in their messages and programs, with Louis on the right hand of Elijah, and Wallace beside Malcolm. From theology and political philosophy to basic economic and social policies, the movements of Elijah and Farrakhan greatly differ from those of Malcolm and Wallace. These differences are attributable to sociological realties of the congregants, as well as the social and religious milieu from which the leaders speak.
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    An analysis of the chimpanzees of the Sedgwick County Zoo
    (Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society at Wichita State University, 1992) Hascall, Susan; Johnson, Carolyn; Cooper, Becky
    In recent decades, much attention has been devoted to the study of primates in the wild. There has, however, been little research done on primates in captivity. This study focuses on a captive chimpanzee troop in the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas which was studied as part of a physical anthropology class project for the Wichita State University under the direction of Dr. Peer Moore-Jansen. A research method was developed in which four behaviors were observed for the entire troop simultaneously. Behaviors were chosen which may be indicators of social status and organization as they are for chimpanzees in the wild. The results of our study indicate that troop behavior in captivity may be quite different than in the wild.
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    The discourse of gangs: Angelville graffiti
    (Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society at Wichita State University, 1992) Anderson, D.M.
    The graffiti of Angelville has been placed on the walls by gang members to at once signify their existence to passersby and also to communicate with other gangs. The signs in which the message is expressed, or coded, is a direct or metaphorical reflection of the sociopolitical, cultural, and aesthetic make-up of an audience. The aim of this paper is to understand how graffiti functions. What are its rules? Author suggests it functions in an indexical mode pointing to gangs and their territory as well as making statements against other gangs. In many ways it is like a language, however, it is not a language, but code which needs language to mediate the signs since the graffiti signs cannot operate on a meta-, self-referential, level.
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    Evaluation of frequency of use by orangutans of structures and locations within a captive environment
    (Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors Society at Wichita State University, 1992) McGuire-Rook, Linda
    An orangutan exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo is studied for the purpose of examining the social behavior of orangutans in a captive environment. Specific reference is made to the patterns of use of various movable and immovable structures and specific locations displayed by the occupants of the exhibit. Patterns of individual preferences and utilization of the exhibit are also discussed, illustrating the spatial and structural needs of individual orangutans. The results are hoped to further our understanding of the need for improved facilities for captive orangutans as social groups and as individuals.