Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 355-408). Available also in an electronic version.

Thesis (M.A. in anthropology)--Washington State University, May 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 29, 2009). "Department of Anthropology." Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-114).

Pan Africanism is strategy that emerges through a history of surviving oppression, methodology to understand thought and action, and theory that tests findings against sociopolitical context. History, methodology and theory are used to develop the historical trajectory that responds to invasion, slavery, colonization and neocolonialism in Belize. As such, three manuscripts are offered to outline the historical narrative of Belizean Pan Africanism, autoethnographic insights for the study of Pan Africanism, and the sociopolitical context that contemporary Pan Africanism in Belize rises out of. Kurt Young defines Pan-Africanism as: "a fusing of affirmations of African identity with libratory efforts at the level of the masses (2009:7). The study and practice of Pan Africanism should therefore aligned in objectives and strategy to interrupt oppressive conditions that impact communities within the African Diaspora. This project, therefore, operationalizes scholar-activism in history, method and theory to outline strategic action and collective subversion as Pan Africanist Praxis in Belize. / Doctor of Philosophy / White Colonizers invaded the shores of Africa, dislocating a people from their legacy and heritage. However, a strategy was formed to create a new legacy and heritage that broke the bondage of White supremacy that trapped Black bodies. From the enslaved that ran to forge a new path for their people, to those that shed blood for freedom, Pan Africanism has been a strategy that has incorporated thoughts of freedom into escape plans. This study builds a historical timeline for Pan Africanism in Belize, methodology for the study of Pan Africanism and an academic exploration of contemporary Pan Africanism in Belize. Pan Africanism as history, method and contemporary theory add to the body of knowledge by inserting Belize at the center of Pan Africanist theory and practice. The study and practice of Pan Africanism is aligned in objectives and strategy to interrupt historical and contemporary conditions that impact communities within the African Diaspora. This project, therefore, operationalizes scholar-activism in history, method and theory to outline strategic action and collective subversion as Pan-Africanist Praxis in Belize.

The purpose of the study was to determine Belizean secondary school teachers' judgments of the seriousness of discipline problems and Belizean secondary school students' attitudes toward education. Based on the Secondary School Teacher Questionnaire, the study identified 1) the ten discipline problems that Belizean secondary school teachers judged as occurring most frequently and 2) the ten discipline problems that Belizean secondary teachers judged as "Demands Immediate Major Attention." Based on the Student Questionnaire, the study identified 1) the characteristics of secondary schools with which students agree, 2) the characteristics of secondary schools with which students disagree, 3) the characteristics of secondary teachers with which students agree, and 4) the characteristics of secondary teachers with which students disagree.The population for the study consisted of 272 secondary school teachers and 974 secondary school students. Data from teachers and students were secured by questionnaires designed and validated for the study. The Teacher Questionnaire consisted of twenty judgmental items directed at identifying problem behaviors of students. The Student Questionnaire consisted of fifteen items on the characteristics of school and teachers.Data of teachers' judgments of discipline problems and students' attitudes toward education were treated descriptively. The research hypotheses based on the proportions of female and male teachers were tested by computing proportions and by using the .05 alpha level. The research hypotheses based on the mean scores of female and male students were tested by using t statistics with an alpha level of .05.Data relating to teachers' judgments of discipline problems in Belizean secondary schools indicated that the ten most frequently occurring discipline problems were 1) students creating a disturbance in class (giggling, whispering, talking, etc.), 2) students responding slowly to calls for silence in a classroom, 3) students consistently daydreaming or sleeping in class until it seriously reduces study time, 4) students consistently failing to come properly equipped to classes, 5) students regularly missing homework assignment, 6) students consistently being tardy for classes, 7) students completing classroom work of a quality that is less than the student's capability, 8) students making frequent complaints about assignments, 9) students withdrawing from classroom activities and are unresponsive to invitations to participate, and 10) students taking something such as pen or exercise book from other students.The ten behaviors teachers judged as "Demands Immediate Major Attention" were 1) students fighting physically on school grounds, 2) students found cheating during a test, 3) students smoking cigarettes on school grounds, 4) students regularly missing homework assignment, 5) students telling deliberate lies, 6) students consistently daydreaming or sleeping in class until it seriously reduces study time, 7) students using an obscenity that can easily be heard by a teacher, 8) students damaging school property by writing or carving on the desk, 9) students disrupting class by passing an obscene note or drawing, and 10) students consistently failing to come properly equipped to classes.Some of the findings showed that students agreed with the following statements: 1) Getting an education is helping me to prepare for a good job in the future, 2) The rules in this school are for the good of the students, and 3) The best way to do well in school is to do exactly as you are told.Review of the data led to the following conclusions: 1) The frequently occurring discipline problems as reported by teachers were those related to maintaining order in the classroom and those that interfered with the learning environment and 2) Students appeared to have positive attitudes toward school.

Chultuns have served as a source of curious debate for most Maya archaeological projects. Although there is great speculation about the function(s) served by the chultuns, few theories are concrete. This study attempted to determine the specific use of chultuns as relevant to this particular site. During the 1989 field season at Caracol excavations were carried out in six chultuns. A team composed of one student and several workman were assigned to investigate each group. At least one test pit was placed within each group to search for other diagnostic material to compare with the artifacts recovered from the chultun. The data collected indicates that the chultuns of Caracol were primarily related to a burial function. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out that a different function was intended for these features and that they were only used as burial chambers when they were about to be abandoned. / Department of Anthropology

Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-129). / Microfiche. / x, 129 leaves, bound 29 cm

Diploma thesis concerns with business environment in Belize, with analysis of particular components of the environment and with specification of business particularities. Chapters are divided according to the PEST analysis and they deal with economic, political, legal, social and cultural environment in Beize. Corporate environments in Belize and in Czech Republic are also confronted in diploma thesis and in the end, the mutal relation of these two countries is mentioned.

The need for a broader geographical and functional perspective in managing natural resources of the Belize barrier reef system was examined. The small country of Belize in Central America is struggling to increase its economic development and growth. It has an excellent natural resource base, the most dramatic component being the extensive barrier reef system just offshore. The research identified key economic and environmental issues relative to Belize’s reef complex, and analyzed resource management policies and actions taken to date. Development and conservation needs suggest a multiple use strategy aimed at economic and environmental sustainability. Due to areal extent and ecological complexity, the present reactive, small-scale and piecemeal approach is not adequate to realize sustainable utilization of the area’s resources. This research shows the need for a broad spatial and interdisciplinary “coastal zone" perspective, leading to a comprehensive and integrated strategy upon which to base resource planning and management. A strategy for the reef system must be accomplished within the broader context of a national resource management strategy, integrating concerns of economic development and environmental protection. As a component of this national policy, the proposed strategy for the barrier reef system is based on principles of multiple use of resources, coastal zone scope, and sustainability. The research supports a reef system-wide protected area, using a biosphere reserve framework and a customized model planning process to implement the strategy. / Master of Science

The ancient Maya had strong ties to the sea. The trade, transportation and use of marine resources were important not only to coastal Maya communities, but also to the heavily populated cities that lay many miles inland. A review of zooarchaeological evidence recovered from excavations at the inland site of Caracol, Belize suggests that the inhabitants imported marine fish for food, marine shell for working into trade items, and sharks teeth and stingray spines for ritual use. This thesis examines the manner in which fish and other marine resources were used, procured and transported from the coast to the site of Caracol. The possibility that certain marine fish might have been transported alive to the site is explored. An examination of present day fishing and animal husbandry practices suggests that many species could have survived an inland trip in ancient times if transported under conditions that allowed for water exchanges and minimized stress. Marine resources had important economic and ritual significance to the people of Caracol. Understanding the methods by which these valuable items were transported and traded ultimately facilitates a greater understanding of the economic and socio-political relationships among these ancient polities.

This study’s objectives were to identify, describe, and provide guidelines on using indigenous-western antihypertensive therapies in Belize to examine indigenous therapies’ efficacy in lowering blood pressure. The researcher utilized an explanatory sequential mixed method research design to examine indigenous-western therapies. Data were collected quantitatively from the general public (n=422) and qualitatively from hypertensive patients (n=24) using indigenous therapies and vendors (n=19) of indigenous therapies. The study results identified 47 different medicinal plants used in the management of hypertension in Belize, as reported by participants. Besides, leaves were the most reported plant part used to manage hypertension, while boiling (decoction) was the most common preparation method. The common route of administration was the oral route, and ½ to 1 cup 2 to 3 times daily was the dose and frequency of administration, respectively. The majority of participants using indigenous therapies did not report side effects. Conversely, orally administered hydrochlorothiazide and captopril were the most common western therapies reported by most respondents in the study. The majority of the respondents did not report concomitant use of indigenous-western therapies to manage their hypertension; however, those who used indigenous therapies reported that medicinal plants were efficacious in lowering their blood pressure. Some of the claims by participants are verified by Western science, thereby authenticating indigenous therapy claims. The researcher developed guidelines on the use of indigenous-western therapies from the results of the study. Collaboration between indigenous healers and Western medical practitioners to provide holistic healthcare approaches was recommended since both sciences have identical foundations and can learn from each other. The government should incorporate indigenous knowledge systems into school curricula. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Public Health)