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Sojourn is a Leitwort (leading word) in the ancestral narratives of Genesis, appearing 17 times in its various forms: verbal, √דונ gûr; and nominal, rGE gēr and rAgm' māgôr. Sojourn is an indicator of alienation and estrangement from land and community, yet it is repeatedly accentuated as an important descriptor of the patriarchs’ identity and experience. What accounts for this counter-intuitive emphasis? This thesis makes the case that the narrative development of sojourn in Genesis contributes to a strong communal identity for biblical Israel. Detailed exegetical analysis of the texts shows sojourn to strengthen biblical Israel’s ethnic identity in ways that are varied and at times paradoxical. Its very complexity, however, makes it particularly useful as a resource for group identity at times when straightforward categories of territorial and social affiliation fail. This study draws upon the sociological theory of Anthony D. Smith to structure its investigation of sojourn as a contributor to ethnic identity. Smith’s understanding of ethnic myth emphasizes the central functions of an ethnoscape (a symbolically significant geography) and a myth of election (an account of chosenness) in constructing communal identity. Ethnic myth uses the history of a communal past, constructed around these dual elements, to create a vision with directive capacity for the future of the ethnie; that is, to shape the ethics of the community. Smith’s categories of ethnoscape, election, and ethics provide analytical tools that reveal a distinctive role for sojourn in strengthening Israel’s ethnic myth. The Genesis sojourn texts are divided into three groups according to literary form: itinerary notices, promise speeches, and narrative dialogues. The tri-part division corresponds with a focus upon each of Smith’s three categories above, respectively. Close readings of each text in its narrative context result in an overall portrait of sojourn as a significant contributor to the strength and durability of Israel’s ethnic identity.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / This thesis examines causes and contexts of conflict in the Papua province of Indonesia. The Papua conflict is categorized as an ethno-political conflict as groups of Papuan ethnics raise some incompatible issues about the government of Indonesia. They are expressing their political ideas with various actions from rebellion to non-violent political campaigns. The Indonesian government, at the same time, has chosen various policies from counter-insurgency to accommodation. The counter-insurgency policies, however, have escalated the conflict and regenerated more grievances to the Papuans that increase international concerns. Thus, this thesis argues for a peaceful resolution over the Papua conflict through negotiation and accommodation. The thesis also expects the active engagement of the civil society at the local, national, and international levels. / Civilian, Ministry of Education of Indonesia

that the rapid decline of popular support for the Coalition between April and August 2003 emanated from Coalition policies and tactics that did not emphasize security for the population. In turn, these security policies created and enabled opportunities and space in which opposition to the Coalition could mobilize with relative impunity. / Major, United States Air Force

This thesis examines the Navy Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer programs to determine the differences in characteristics. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis was developed for year groups 1990 through 2005 to analyze the differences in background characteristics and military characteristics of both programs. The study used a logistic regression analysis to examine the predictors of background and military characteristics of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers. The results of the study revealed the background characteristics age, education, race and ethnicity groups were significantly different between the Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Communities. The military characteristics rank, length of service and Armed Forces Qualification Test were significant among Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers. This study explains the results and provides recommendations to the Bureau of Naval Personnel and future research.

This thesis investigates whether perceptions of the working environment are related to a Marine Corps member's intentions to remain on active duty. The study further examines whether perceptions about intra-organizational mobility, inequity in the workplace, and organizational support vary by racial/ethnic group. The analysis focuses on Hispanics, the largest growing ethnic minority in the United States and draws upon data from the 2002 Status of the Armed Forces: Gender and Working Relations (WGR) Survey. Logistic regression models are developed for junior officers and enlisted personnel to determine the relationship between perceptions of the working environment in the Marine Corps and a Marine's intention to stay on active duty or complete a 20-year military career. The results of the quantitative analysis show that negative views about professional development, current assignment, and equity in the workplace are significant in both officer and enlisted models. Results also indicate that, among racial/ethnic groups, Hispanics are most strongly influenced by the effects of negative perceptions in the working environment on their plans to remain in the Marine Corps. It is recommended that further research look at the Hispanic military population by focusing on the various sub-groups within the ethnic category itself.

<p> The experience of depression and overall well-being for multi-ethnic individuals is influenced by numerous factors including immigration experience, acculturative stress, English language proficiency, perceived discrimination, and ethnic identity. Multi-ethnic individuals are at a heightened risk for mental health difficulties due to limited access to resources within the community and mental health stigma. Lack of social support and culturally appropriate services magnify this disparity for this population. This study evaluates the impact of the Multi-ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA) Outreach &amp; Engagement (O&amp;E) program, a community-based program that provides culturally-responsive services, support, and resources for marginalized ethnic specific communities. Services of the program include case management, life coaching, skill building classes and groups, and referrals to services within the community. Using a pre and posttest design, outcomes related to depression symptoms and overall well-being were assessed for participants in the program for 2 fiscal years. For the 1^st fiscal year, participants reported an improvement in well-being and no significant decrease in depression symptoms. For the 2^nd fiscal year, participants reported both a decrease in depression symptoms and in increase in overall well-being. These findings suggest that culturally responsive community-based interventions focused on increasing social support, providing resources, and addressing mental health stigma can be valuable in addressing depression and well-being in multi-ethnic communities. In addition, the results also suggest that ethnic-specific services conducted in an individual&rsquo;s native language may have a positive impact on depression and well-being.</p>