Zombies: Fact or Fiction?

The legend of zombies and their existence has been argued by many. Like UFOs, extra-terrestrial creatures, and famous monsters such as Big Foot, there have been many documented sitings of these legendary creatures. So too have various experts and magazines reported on such sitings as well as given documented evidence to back up their arguments. Putting aside their own peresonal convictions and beliefs, most people will agree on one thing- that zombies have influenced our society in more ways than one. Harvard Botanist E. Wade Davis, who has published a paper on his findings in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, has reached a startling conclusion: "Zombiism exists and is a societal phenomenon that can be explained logically." (Diederich and Wallis)

Lately, zombies have made their way into popular culture. The common question raised by most is whether or not we should be frightened or intimidated by these creatures. It is easily forgotten that there are more pertinent dangers that should preoccupy our time. But what is the fun in that? Zombiism has long been a popular topic, and why? Because it is easily arguable and interesting. What documented proof do we have that these zombies are not harmful to our society? "Other monsters may threaten individual humans, but the living dead threaten the entire human race," says Max Brooks, author of the 2003 best seller The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From the Living Dead, of the undead's popularity. "Zombies are slate wipers." (Wilson)

Construction a Research Log

Possible topic ideas: Rehabilitation of prisoners, socialized medicine, hazing in Greek life (fraternities and sororities), music and crime. Narrowed down to Hazing..in Greek Life and other organizations, such as the military.

Possible stances: How does this effect the organization's motive? How is this viewed by outsiders? Does this give some sort of fraternization to the organization that makes it vital to the definition of their purpose. What are alternatives to hazing in these organizations? I want to address the different view points of this issue and discuss the pros/cons of each side. I think there are two equally important view points that deserve attention in this paper. I think most readers will be able to identify with hazing in some part of their life, be it sports teams, military, school, Greek Life. What are the origins of hazing? How have ideas evolved?

-Los Angeles Times reports in 2002 "a fraternity member at nearby Butte Community College died after drinking so much that his blood-alcohol level rose to 0.496% -- more than six times the amount at which a person is considered legally drunk. The university does not consider the death its responsibility, but many students and scholars who study hazing tie the incident to Chico because the young man's fraternity was affiliated with a house recognized at the university."
-Stophazing.org
-National Study of Student Hazing with 50 pages of doctoral research. "Hazing in View"
-http://hazing.hanknuwer.com/hazingreadersorority.html