Global Village Essay

Abstract: The process of creating and sharing information with one another is called communication. The world is becoming a small-intersected community for the rapid changes in technology, expansion of multinational business or activities, transportation and immigration. The sustainability of global economy largely depends on the multinational business or other activities. Therefore, it is essential to communicate effectively among the people from different cultures, nations and groups. But cultural differences stand as barrier for effective communication. Informal understandings among the people, parties from different cultures make the base of effective communication. Proper intercultural communication is the way to make the overall communication more efficient and effective. The emerging use of social media networks also making base of effective intercultural communication. Interactions among different cultural people are making them more familiar to the other cultures and resulting common and shared cultural activities. It is also making the informal understanding among different cultural people. Intercultural communication is also making people much more communicative than previous. People are improving their communication skills, competences by the grace of intercultural communication. Intercultural communications has also impacts on the social, political and cultural values. People are sharing common cultures day by day and society also holding similar values gradually. The political issues are no more for a particular group as people from different places of the world reacting simultaneously. Every major political issue is becoming a global concern. Finally each and every type of communication form has impact on intercultural communication. Verbal, non-verbal, written, visual these all types of communication are influencing intercultural communication. Contents Abstract:2 Introduction:4 The importance of Intercultural Communication in the global view of the world:5 The role of social media such as, Facebook in Intercultural  Communication6 The impact of Intercultural communication on the Communication competence7 The effect of Intercultural Communication on social, political and cultural values8 The effect of various types of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written and visual) on Intercultural Communication9 Conclusion:10 References:11 Introduction: Today the world we live in is â€Å"a global village† where no nation, group or culture can remain anonymous (Samovar & Porter, 1991). One part of the world clearly impacts on the other part of the world. And the impact is growing day by day. By the blessings of the modern technology we can easily communicate with the people from anywhere, any nations any cultures of the world. So, if we do not know that particular cultures it may be a critical task to deal with the people. Intercultural communication is a form communication among different groups of people from different cultures of the world. It is also widely known as cross-cultural communication. Some people say that intercultural communication is only communications among the people from different nations. But some disagree and say, it encompasses broader area including inter-ethnic, inter-religious, and even inter-regional communication Even they include communication among individuals of different sexual orientations are as intercultural communication. This assignment encompasses the importance of intercultural communication and the impacts of social media on it. It also covers the impacts of intercultural communication on communication competences of an individual. The impacts on various social, cultural and political aspects are also described in this assignment. Finally, it has critical assessment of the impacts of different communication types like verbal nonverbal written or visual. The importance of Intercultural Communication in the global view of the world: Intercultural Communication has great importance in the global economy, culture and politics as well. Intercultural Communication is most essential for business purpose. When a company runs its business to  different parts of the world it is necessary important to have better understanding about the cultures of different targeting groups. They have to communicate to different segments of people like the suppliers, customers, workers from totally different cultures from the different part of the world. To increase the productivity intercultural communication is also important. As an example, an apparel company produces clothing. If their production plant is located in Europe, it will take very high cost for per unit of production. Then overall productivity will go down. If they have the factory in southern Asia then it can be produced more from the same cost of production as they have low workers cost. Furthermore, in a factory there may have different people from different cultures, if they have a good interactions among them, it will also increase the overall productivity. It opens the door of innovation by teamwork. We all know that, talents are scattered to each and every corner of the world. We also know that, no big outcome is come by a single effort. Each and every radical success so far, is brought by a team work. If the team comprises of talent people from different parts of the world, it would be the best to bring a good result. But the most important issue is that, good interactions and communications among them. Intercultural communication is also important to practice team work for better result. Immigration is another important issue largely depend on intercultural communication. People from the low income country, are selling their labour to the economically stronger county. Here, both parties are getting benefited, as the stronger country is getting low paid worker, where the workers are also getting work opportunity. But, here intercultural communication is also important. We also well concerned about the internet based business in the world. Freelancing is also an emerging issue by the grace of technology. People from one part of the world are getting their jobs done from an expert from a thousand kilometres away. This business is certainly brings a positive some game for the both worker and provider. Modern organizations are composed of diverse people and managers from different culture s to operate multinational business. Intercultural communication also fosters the management skill and leadership skills. Intercultural communication has also importance on global political issues. People are becoming a community with the concern of every trivial political issue. The role of social media such as, Facebook in Intercultural Communication There is a critical role of social media in intercultural communication. Facebook, twitter, MySpace are being used by billions of people across the world. They are interacting in same platform. They are becoming friend from one part of the world to another, from one culture to another culture. Moreover, any news and updates are spreading each and every part of the world just with in a second. These interactions are making a strong base of intercultural communication. As an example, people from china may have different cultural activities and festivals which are very unfamiliar to a person from Europe. But a Chinese is spreading his festivity through the facebook to t person of Europe. Therefore, the person of Europe is getting familiar with the festivals, norms and other cultural activities of the Chinese people. Same to the Chinese one he/she is also getting familiar to the cultures of Europe. Therefore, a strong base is being built by sharing those social media networks. People are getting familiar to the cultural activities to the different parts of the world and intercultural communication is getting improved day by day. People are participating all the cultural activities beyond their own borders and cultures. Moreover, these networks are opening window of interacting informally with one another. Therese informal communication is most important for the better understanding among the people. It helps to clarify all the cultural factors and give an inner insight about a totally different culture. These social media are also helping to communicate with all forms of communication like verbal, non-verbal, written and visual as they are giving opportunity of video conversation. Therefore a strong understanding is growing up and effective intercultural communication is built. The impact of Intercultural communication on the Communication competence Communication competence is the ability to interact well with others (Spitzberg, 1988).To maximize the achievement of communication and to generate adaptive communication performances by using knowledge of self, other, context a situational ability to set realistic and appropriate goals is needed. This ability is communication competence. (Friedrich 1994). Intercultural communication has great impact on the communication  competences of an individual. These are describes as follows. Adaptability: Intercultural communication increases a person’s adaptability by opening new window of social experience, social confirmation, wit and social composure. Empathy: It also helps to increase the ability to demonstrate understanding and share emotional reactions to the situation. It creates the sense of helping each other, parallel emotions and cognitive understanding. Communication ability: It also to increase overall communication and interaction ability among the people. It also increases the flexibility, sensibility, tolerance among the people. It also makes the people to become more broad and open-minded. Interactions among different people increase the confidence in the mind and create sympathy and respect to the other cultural people as well. Therefore, this respect and make people more interactive and their competences of communication increases. People are getting motivated to work with the other cultural people more comfortably. Hence, their sense of interpersonal understanding is growing. People get concepts all informal issues of a culture and communication elements of a particular culture through intercultural communication. The effect of Intercultural Communication on social, political and cultural values Intercultural Communication has impacts on the social, political and cultural values of the people. If we see there is a social change for intercultural communication. The societies of each and different parts of the earth are becoming almost similar. Even in a nation, societies are trying to hold certain standards by following the other society. These are becoming only for the blessings of intercultural communication. Intercultural communication has also impact on the cultural values. As the people are getting familiar with the other cultures day by day it has impacts on his own culture. One example is described as follows. In Europe, Valentine’s Day is observed with a great festivity or New Year celebration is also observed in a great festivity. But by the grace of the modern world and most importantly for intermural communication these festivals are no more for Europe only. People from every part of the world, like Bangladesh is observing these festivals with a great festivity. So, it is clear that one culture is influencing to another culture and new cross-cultural activities are emerging. Popular festivals are no more for a group of  people, people are appreciating cultural activities from different cultures and including to their culture and new cultures are emerging. Cultures are becoming global as well. Finally, the political aspects are also being influenced by the intercultural communications. World politicians are not only concerned about their country only; they have to think a lot about the other parts as well. It will be clear, if we see the very recent incident of Syria. The tragic incident, made an allegation across the world. This is now becoming very common scenario now. Any national incident is no more for a group of people only. It is a concern of the whole world. The world is reacting spontaneously and simultaneously. So, there are also some radical changes for intercultural communications. The effect of various types of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written and visual) on Intercultural Communication There are different forms of communication. People communicate verbally, non-verbally, in a written way or visually. These all type of communication has impacts on interpersonal communication. Few examples will make it clear. Firstly, ‘Good Morning / evening’ are widely used in western culture. These greeting words are the part of their culture. But gradually it is growing global greetings. If we see social network page in a morning, this will be very clear. We can find lots of greetings form different cultural people of the world. What is their culture, their language do not matter actually. Even sometime words have different meaning in different languages, which may create complexity. But gradually these complexities are overcome by the grace of globalization and effective intercultural communication. Another example regarding non-verbal communication form will make the topic clearer. Thumbs up is sign of alright in particular culture but this sign has an opposite meaning in another culture. It is used as an insulting sign in particular cultural group. So, it may be problem when two persons are communicating non-verbally. But, now frequent and massive communications among different cultural groups of people are making these issues more clear. Gradually non- verbal communications are also growing with universal meaning. Similarly, in written communication, certain cultural people have some norms but while communicating to another cultural people it may create some noise. Massive intercultural communications are also reducing these problems. Visual  elements can also be a form of communication. Many pictures, colours have different meaning to different cultural groups of people. People are communicating with video conversation, sharing visual elements in social media in massive scales and these issues are also becoming identical. Conclusion: Message transmission is the main problem in intercultural communication. One person can easily encode or interpret the message from a person of similar culture as they have common values, beliefs and norms. But in cross cultural communication, messages can be encoded different way even sometimes can be interpreted with an opposite meaning. Effective intercultural communications are making these issues more issues and creating a good platform for a good communication base. And these are being built by the grace of modern technology, social media. Intercultural communication is also playing a vital role to the success of multinational organization. Practicing intercultural communication increases the communication competencies of an individual. He or she also gets motivated, confident and efficient than before while communicating proficiently to the co-workers from different cultures. All the forms of communication have also impacts on the intercultural communication. The global village will soon hold very similar culture, values and languages. Intercultural communications are making the base to make globe a borderless village. References: 1. Allwood, J., & Schroeder, R. (2000). Intercultural communication in a virtual environment. Intercultural Communication, 4, 1-15. 2. BeerE.Jennifer. (2003). High and Low Context. Communicating Across Cultures. Retrieved December 01, 2013, from http://www.culture-at-work.com/highlow.html 3. Bomadan, (2010), Importance of Intercultural Communication Retrieved January 07, 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/join.php?redirectUrl=%2Fessays%2FImportance-Of-Intercultural-Communication-To-Ist-297367.html&from=essay 4. Castells, M. (2000). Materials for an exploratory theory of the network society. British Journal of Sociology. 5. Elisabeth Harper , (2013), Interactive, Social Media Retrieved January 02 from, http://www.omnistudio.com/category/interactive/

Issues Concerning Islam Essay

Muslims have been accused of mutilating women. This practice, however, is denied by the followers of Islam. According to them, â€Å"Female Genital Mutilation† (FGM), which is actually a surgical procedure performed on girls before they reach the age of puberty for the purpose of terminating or reducing their sexual feelings, is not an Islamic practice. They explain that FGM is a tradition of â€Å"Animists, Christians, and [some] Muslims in those countries where FGM is common. † Women are given equal rights under Islam. In fact, the Qur’an decreed that when it comes to public life, men and women should have equal rights and participation. During the time of Muhammad, women were allowed to participate actively in their baya which is the equivalent of today’s practice of political endorsements. Evidence of this Muslim women’s status is the voting rights granted to women in the predominantly Muslim countries like Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. The women in Kuwait followed suit by earning their right to vote and get elected sometime in 2005. In fact, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Prime Minister, divulged a plan to appoint a woman minister in Kuwait soon (Robinson, 2007). Muslims as terrorists and pro-violence Yusuf (n. d. ) said that majority of the Muslims are convinced that while the U. S. government has been blaming terrorism on Islam for years, it was the 9/11 incident which dealt the most telling blow on the credibility and reputation of their religion. This was because the international media was able to depict that many Muslims around the world rejoiced after that incident. The truth is, however, that majority of the Muslim world was saddened by that incident and the repercussions it caused. They would like to tell the world that terrorism is not an official policy of Islam and that, in fact, Muslims also consider terrorists as enemies of their religion. He laments the fact that When a crazy Christian does something terrible, everyone in the West knows it is the actions of a mad man because they have some knowledge of the core beliefs and ethics of Christianity. When a mad Muslim does something evil or foolish they assume it is from the religion of Islam, not because they hate us but because they have never been told by a Muslim what the teachings of Islam are all about. Yusuf blames this lack of Islamic knowledge among Christians to the fact that there is a dearth of credible spokespersons who could defend Islam from its attackers. As a matter of fact, Yusuf stressed that â€Å"Islam is the middle way between excess and neglect† and that terrorism is the preoccupation of zealots and extremists who are, in fact, a plaque of Islam. According to him, there are two types of Muslim extremists whose acts destroy Islam. The first he calls â€Å"reactionary extremists. † This group rejects any form of religious pluralism. According to these reactionary extremists, the world consists of good and evil with nothing in between. Good, according to them, means the reactionary extremists and all those who oppose their actions are evil. Yusuf further explains that these kind of extremists are in the habit of â€Å"excommunicating† other Muslims who reject the way they interpret the Qur’an. However, this kind does not usually resort to violent acts to achieve their goals. Instead, they employ character assassination or takfir to ward their critics (Yusuf, n. d. ). The second type is the â€Å"radical extremist. † These Muslims extremists, according to Yusuf, are the ones who resort to violent acts and tactics to further their objectives. Yusuf stressed that these Muslims act as if they belong to some secret, wicked society whose members believe in the dictum that â€Å"the end justifies the means. † In other words, any method, even the most violent method, is acceptable as long as their â€Å"cause† is advanced. According to Yusuf, this is destroying Islam because the methods employed by Islam should be reflecting the noble ends of the religion. Secondly, Islam is not a â€Å"secret society of conspirators† – rather, it is open with its objectives and traditions which have already been accepted and recognized by people from other religious denominations (Yusuf, n. d. ). Muslims confused with Arabs Muslims object to their being confused with Arabs because it would never be accurate to equate Islam, a religious denomination, with Arab, which is an ethnic grouping. According to Muslims, the reason for this erroneous identification could be the fact that Islam emerged from the culture and society of Arab Bedouins of the 8th century. Another reason might be the fact that the Qur’an was written in Arabic. However, beyond these facts, Muslims should not be identified as Arabs, and vice versa because, according to statistics, â€Å"there are many non-Muslim Arabs, and far, far more non-Arab Muslims in the world. In fact, out of the estimated one billion Muslims worldwide, only about 200 million are Arabs (DHinMl, 2006). Looking at the table below of the top ten countries with the highest Muslim population, only Egypt (at number seven) is an Arab country (Aneki. com, n. d. ). References Aneki.com. (n.d.). Largest Muslim Population in the World. Retrieved November 26, 2007 from http://www.aneki.com/muslim.html Fisher, M.P. (2005). Living Religions, Sixth Edition. Prentice-Hall. Philips, A.A.B. (n.d.). The True Religion. Retrieved November 26, 2007 from http://www.islamworld.net/

Who is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?

Essay topic: Who is most to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? The tragic death of Romeo and Juliet can be amounted to the many factors and influences, however, it can be condensed to the feuding households of Capulets and Montagues, the good-hearted Friar Lawrence and the actions of the ‘star-cross’d lovers’. The ill-fated death of the young lovers is a consequence of the unfortunate events and circumstances created by these characters mentioned. The ‘ancient grudge’ between the Capulets and Montagues sets the foundation for unfortunate events that catapults their offspring to their ultimate demise.The ‘pernicious rage’ between both households ‘alike in dignity’ has significant impact on the course of Romeo and Juliet’s lamentable love story. Most importantly, the existence of the quarrel presents a considerable impediment for Romeo and Juliet to ultimately ‘be together’ and enjoy their courtship. The ‘canker’d hate’ between old Capulet and Montague has being so saturated in Romeo and Juliet that from the get go, both conceal their relationship and take the‘faithful vow’ in surreptitiously. The quarrel has resulted in violence as an accepted part of life for the two and an acceptable way to resolve problems.Romeo is forced to defend his family’s honour and his own by avenging the death of Mercutio resulting in the death of Tybalt although Romeo had indeed attempted to avoid any violence with the cousin of this dear wife leading to the banishment of Romeo to Mantua. The authoritative parenting causes Romeo and Juliet to irrational decisions as a means to solving their problems as they see no other way. Old Capulet and Lady Capulet in particular are much more forceful of their opinions on Juliet and expect her to uphold their wishes.After the death of Tybalt, OId Capulet hastens his preparations for the marriage between the count and Juli et pushing Juliet over the edge leading her to disastrous and dangerous decisions to be with her ‘true love’. The actions of the Capulets and Montagues are accountable for the many events that lead to the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet. The benevolent Friar Lawrence creates many complications in the tale of Romeo and Juliet although his intentions are good-hearted. Although the Friar is ary of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, he immediately agrees to be Romeos ‘assistant’ in hopes of turning their ‘household’s rancour to pure love’ and unites the lovers with a ‘faithful vow’. The friar not only disregards his ‘misgivings’ but also plays privy to the relationship and marriage of the ‘star-cross’d lovers’. The priest inadvertently feeds Romeo and Juliet irresponsible and extreme ideas and devises to ensure that their love will live on. When Juliet came to him with ‘wild looksâ₠¬â„¢, Friar Lawrence suggests that Juliet take a sleeping potion before her ‘marriage’ to Count Paris and feign death until the arrival of her lord, Romeo.This again necessitates the use of dishonesty for Juliet to her parents. When Romeo receives news the ‘death’ of his ‘true love’ he jumps to conclusions and purchases a vial of poison to take his own life with. Friar Lawrence was not prepared for this turn of events though he devised a plan that Romeo should ‘know our drift’ things did not occur so and Romeo takes his life. When Juliet awakens to find poison be Romeo’s ‘timeless end’ she too takes her life after the friar had unintentionally promoted and encouraged the hasty decisions of the two lovers.Although the friar had kind-hearted intentions he was ‘miscarried’ and consequently was responsible for the bereavement of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet’s own hasty and naive decisions c ontribute largely to their ‘untimely death’. Both Romeo and Juliet recognise the danger in their courtship when the come to the realisation that their love is ‘sprung from†¦only hate’ but continue to court each other in clandestine and still believe that they can associate with each other.The resolution of marriage for Romeo and Juliet was one of hastiness and impulsiveness; the couple had known each other for but a few hours! Although Juliet feels that that their love was ‘too rash†¦too like lightening’ she still mentions marriage.. Romeo heeds no avail of the friar’s wise words to be ‘wisely and slow’ and agrees to exchange the ‘faithful vow’. The pair are an ‘hour but married’ and Romeo is ‘banish’d’ for slewing Tybalt, once again the young lovers rush to consummate their marriage before Romeo escapes to Mantua.When Balthasar brings tidings of Juliet’s ‘ death’, he also advises Romeo to ‘have patience’ but Romeo inflicted with desperation and self-pity, yet again pays no attention and hastens to the Capulets monument where he proceeds in taking his life swiftly although he had noticed that Juliet’s lips were ‘crimson’ still. The couple in their passionate throws and young naivety held no respect to the wise advice they were given by the friar nor did they take notice of their own suspicions of warning and ultimately their ‘untimely’ death can be attributed by their own actions and behaviours.In conclusion, the grievous death of Romeo and Juliet is consequently the responsibility of not one lone character but various characters and events that took place. The ‘fury’ of the Capulets and Montagues, the naive Friar Lawrence and Romeo and Juliet themselves play key roles in the misfortunes that led to the fatality of not only Romeo and Juliet but Tybalt and Mercutio as wel l, ‘all are punish’d’.

Training and Development on Employee Job Performance in Tesco Dissertation

Training and Development on Employee Job Performance in Tesco - Dissertation Example In order to serve a wider market, the company requires flexible, well trained workforce which can identify the needs of its customers. This project looks at the various programs undertaken by the company and aims to provide training and development opportunities for its employees and also managers. The project aims to take into consideration the training provided in Tesco to its employees. The project aim is to identify the needs of training and development in Tesco and whether it has a positive impact on the working condition of the employees in Tesco. For further research, some research questions have been formulated which has helped in the formulation of the literature review. A time frame has been given supported with a Gantt chart showing the plan and approach of the project. A case on Tesco has been considered and a detail analyses on the information collected have been conducted and also supported with a discussion on the training and development sessions at Tesco. Finally a c onclusion has been provided which states that training and development has been an essential part of the company and it is trough the programs that Tesco has been able to reach he stage where it is today and continuous to grow in the future. Contents Executive Summary 2 Project Aims and Objectives 5 Objectives of the study 5 Research Questions 6 Project Plan and Approach 6 Literature Review 8 Training and Development in Organizations 8 ... Aims and Objectives The objectivity of training and development and the learning process has been a leverage with respect to industries and today it has become arching trend of social needs which emphasis that organisation should inculcate learning culture as social responsibility. Training has played a distinct role in the achievement of organisational goal by way of incorporating the interest of the organisation and the employees. The performance of employees depends on various factors but one of the most important factors is training. Training is essential in order to enhance the capabilities of the employees. Training and Development increase the performance of the employee and in return it enhances the performance of the overall organisation. Employee performance depends on factors such as job satisfaction, knowledge and management. Thus it can be inferred that employee performance is important for the organisation and training and development is essential and beneficial for emp loyees to improve their performance (Khan, et.al 2011). Therefore the purpose of the study is to determine the impact of training and development on the employee at Tesco. Objectives of the study The objectives of the study are to: Identify the major purpose of training and development Ascertain the training and development policies in Tesco Explain and outline the training and development practise and processes, outline of the training methods and the process of monitoring and evaluating the plan. Whether training and development have a positive effect on the performance of workers and productivity. Research Questions How did the training and development practice developed in Tesco? What are the training and development practice and policies in Tesco? What are the major purpose of training

Safe Haven by Nicholas Spark Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Safe Haven by Nicholas Spark - Essay Example ie ending up in a small North Carolina town, a grief stricken hero in his thirties, leading a dedicated and restrained life until he is bewitched by a cute damsel, a series of miss happenings amply interspersed with love and romance, a mature confidant bent on making the two lovers cherish each other and strike a romantic bond. However, the good thing about Safe Haven is that these similarities end up only here. Over all Spark has managed to contrive an interesting plot, dexterously placing the events and actions in a tactical way, to yield the expected, yet, engaging emotional and artistic effects. The character of Katie initiates a line of action that depends for its fulfillment on the ignorance of the characters, with whom she is designed to interact during the course of the narrative, leading to imaginable yet ingratiating happenings. In that sense the book does manage to grasp the reader interest and attention. One other thing that makes the book a must read is the element of surprise and risk introduced into it by the writer. In that context, the characterization of Kevin, Katie’s husband is indeed praise worthy and complex. It is only when Kevin enters the plot that it makes the readers’ expectations and apprehensions augment to a peak level, leaving them engaged and interested in knowing about the future course of events, and as to how the two central characters that are Katie and Alex will respond to them. In that sense, Spark does manages to build up a sense of uncertainty amongst the readers, making them establish a kind of bond and commitment with Katie and Alex. This ploy gives way to a sense of suspense and apprehension in the novel, irrespective of the readers being able to decipher as to how the story will or should end. Spark does succeed in giving way to a structure that is predictable, yet, replete with a paradoxical tension, ensuing from diverse situations and possibilities, thereby allowing the writer to play with a willing suspension of

The Impacts of Sequestration on the Department of Defense Research Paper

The Impacts of Sequestration on the Department of Defense - Research Paper Example Reductions of federal funding across the boards, also known as sequestrations have had a considerable impact on the fiscal years prior to, and during 2014. It not only reduced optional operations, but also cut down on the direct spending of the federal budget (Epstein, 2013). This has led to widespread concerns about the Department of Defense’s personnel, reallocation budget, customer’s service and other such details. The federal budget cuts affected the Department of Defense Human Resources Management in several important ways. The former level of readiness, although sustained, has experienced an irrecoverable deficit due to a decade of counterinsurgency operations (Roulo, 2014). According to the Department of Defense website, the current President Budget promises to restore the equilibrium between readiness and planned force structure. The Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 encumbers this shift to the mission of Department of Defense. This is due to the fact that the reduced funding levels have decreased not only the number of trained personnel, but also hampered the maintenance of ground vehicle and aviation. Furthermore, the flying hours of Navy and Marine Corps are to be decreased, which would also result in decreasing the levels of their readiness (Estimated Impacts of Sequestration-Level Funding, 2014). Such are the impacts of sequestration that there has been a radical expected drawdown to 450,000 active soldiers, 335,000 in the Army National Guard and 202,000 reservists by the end of 2015 fiscal year. (Roulo,2014) These reductions will further lead to the Department of Defense relying more on National Guard. The Army personnel and readiness are perhaps facing the greatest drawback as almost 70 percent of the total cut-downs are facing in its direction. The Army, for instance cancelled seven combat training sessions and skilled personnel was lost due to frozen salaries (Roulo, 2014). This reiterates the Department of Defense concern about

Affirmative action of law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Affirmative action of law - Research Paper Example Affirmative action as framed up by the law had lots of confusions. In the American employment law framework affirmative action grew through a series of governmental announcements. Policies taking race into account to break the effects of long term unfairness were not simply endured but often necessitated by courts and civil rights agencies. Affirmative action policies were enforced on by the bodies approving them if they were voluntary, while on the other hand affirmative action policies obliged by the government mandates could be enforced through the legal system (Crosby & Iyer, Clayton, Drowning, 2003, pp. 94-95). The affirmative action of law laid its root during 1960’s. Since then it had been growing with constant development. The affirmative actions by law were multi faced. As the background check we can refer to the following instances. School unification remedies by the late 1960s had explicit racial goals and required punctual reassignment of students and teachers on a racial basis to fabricate truly desegregated schools. In connection to that the Voting Rights Act’s powers were elicited. Statistic showed a history of prohibiting and conditions were to be expected to be responsible for those differences in a state or community. Trial to prove biasness against each and every minority voters in every community had proved out to be inadequate. Affirmation action in college admissions were a part of these problem too. The peak of the movement for diversity on campuses came in the mid 1970s. As a result the Supreme Court gave decision. The decision limited the affirmative action and opened up campuses which suits by the whites. This move was highly criticized by the academic leader. During 1996 Texas decision made some amendments in the law. It stated that no harmony existed on the benefits of diversity. The higher education and the civil rights communities also followed the same pathway in the limelight of affirmative action enforced by law. A s an outcome of these efforts judgments were passed against the negative impact on the diversity was made in the court premises. The issues sharpened by legal consideration personified in the most important judicial proclamations on the major issue of diversity and related civil right issues. This witnessed the first positive move made by the law on affirmative actions. The declaration by the Court made exerted a strong positive impact on diversity issues which was resolved to a great extend. The problems of indifferences in the society were resolved to a great extend. The affirmative action boosted the morals of many living in the society (Orfeild & Kurlaender, 2001, pp. 1-10). Affirmative action was also observed its implication in the field of employment. In this arena, an organization was required to supervise its workforce statistics, keeping vigilance on the underrepresented gender and ethic group. Goals delineated in the action plan of affirmative action did not constitute un fair favored treatment. But in certain issues the affirmative action on employment was hugely criticized. The opponents depicted the policy as a simple matter of preferential treatment (Crosby & Iyer, Clayton, Drowning, 2003, pp. 95). The federal affirmative action policy may be sculpted as a tax on white male employment in contractor firms. As a cascading effect it could be analyzed in the standard two sector models applied to taxation. During the maturation period of affirmative action, enforcement of it did become more antagonistic. The employment data showed that black male and female employment shares amplified momentously faster in the contractor establishment than

Adam Smith Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Adam Smith - Term Paper Example The behaviour of the economy and its interaction with the agents and actors of the economic system of a particular country has been noted and studied by various economists. This paper shall discuss one of the most noted and prominent economists, along with his contribution, background, and school of thought for the subject. Adam Smith Adam Smith has been one of the most prominent and noted economists of his time. He was born in Kirkcaldy Scotland in 1723, and, later, went to Oxford at the age of 17. In the year 1951, Smith was appointed at Glasgow as a professor of Logic, and within one year, he was made the Chair of Moral Philosophy. Besides being a Scottish social philosopher, Smith was also the founder of the political economy. He had proven to be one of the chief personalities of the Scottish Enlightenment, and had also authored some major academic works including An Inquiry into the Nature, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, 1759, and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, 1776. His spec ial achievement, The Wealth of Nations, is generally regarded as the very first of the modern works in the contemporary economic society these days (Butler, Eamonn, 2007). Through this work, Adam Smith has attained huge respect and reputation, this works has been ranked the most prominent, and significant works ever published in the field of economics. Smith is broadly known as the father of capitalism and modern economics. Later, in the year 2009, the Scottish television channel (STV) ran votes and the economist and writer, Adam Smith, was ranked as the 'Greatest Scots' of all time. School of Thought There are various challenging and competing schools of thoughts commanding different opinions and viewpoints of the economic philosophies. The chief division in the classes of schools of thoughts includes the Classical and Neoclassical schools. Adam Smith was the pioneer of the Classical school of thought, which fundamentally stressed upon the notion of creating economic value and dist ributing the wealth of the economy between various classes including the capitalists, landlords, and the workers. One of the prominent branches of the Classical school is the Marxist school of thought. Economic Theories Just like all other economists, Adam Smith also held his own viewpoints and perceptions regarding the economic cycle that moves the world around. Due to his emerging thoughts on the subject of economic, he introduced the economic theories which included one of the significant economic theories, the Invisible hand theory. The Invisible Hand Theory Adam Smith believed that there was an â€Å"invisible hand’ in the marketplace which has always operated in order to make the markets of a self-regulating nature. This metaphor stated that all the consumers have a free will to select what to purchase and each manufacturer is free to decide what to produce and sell. Such a marketplace sets the distribution of the products and the prices which are of benefit to the ind ividuals in the community and to the community in a collective manner. This is the involvement of self-interest which forces the actors to behave in a beneficial way. The profits are maximized using efficient methods of production. Revenues are maximized through charging lower prices and the returns are maximized by investing in the urgently required industries. Thus, all the effects in the markets occur automatically and dynamically, and this occurrence, Adam Smith has mentioned, exists due to the ‘benevolent invisible hand’. All these effects take place dynamically and automatically (Helen, 2001). Contribution to Economics Adam Smith gave major contributions in the field of economics through

Ideology in Branding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ideology in Branding - Essay Example Good ideologies make a business enterprise to prosper despite the strong wave of competition in the world of business today. Thos paper highlights how ideology helps in branding in Apple and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Ideology in Apple Apple Company is among the best performing companies in the world. Its brands such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones continue to dominate the market. There is an increase in usage of the Apple’s products in the world. The Company enjoys a continued flow of loyal customers from all over the globe. Mobile phones such as iphone, ipad, and ipod touch users have a wide range of applications. The secret behind the big leaps of success in Apple lies in its branding strategy (O’Grady, 2008:5). The sound ideology in branding has propelled the Apple Company to enjoy enduring success in the competitive business environment. Apple business strategies and practices adapts to the ever-changing world. The branding ideologies in Apple Company p reserve the core values while stimulating its progress to achieve superior long-term performance. To keep them strong in the market, Apple manufactures products that suits customer demands and preferences. The branding ideologies constantly changes to fit the people’s lifestyles. The branding ideologists have developed a glossy product with a simple advertisement that captures the attention across all ages (O’Grady, 2008:23). ... This has helped the company to monitor and respond to the customers’ demands. Apple Company considers and cares its consumers. The company demonstrates this through taking the product beyond the basic function. It has transformed its products into a status symbol that accommodates the requirement of the customers (O’Grady, 2008:35). Ideology in Understanding Brand and Methods The branding ideology helps the Apple Company to compete in very competitive and vibrant markets. The participants in the electronic markets include personal computer industries and software, the consumer electronic industry that sells ipod. Other players comprise of digital music distribution through the iTunes, smart phone market with the Apple iphone, and ipad tablet-computing device. Apple Company is in the process of establishing an advertising tool in the presence to its competitor Google in the advertising markets through its Appications business and iAd network. Apple has concentrated in cr eating innovative products and services that are in line with technological advancement for a long time. The Apple Macintosh computer products functions as digital for hub for digital services. These include the Apple ipod, cellular phones, digital video, and cameras. The company has advanced and has incorporate customer experience in their strategies. The company offers harmonised, synchronised, and integrated user experience across all its principal products. It uses iCloud as the hub. This is in line with their competence to deliver exceptional experience through quality user interfaces. The company bases its strategy around this goal with the iTunes, the iPhone with touch screen re-used on iPad. The Apple Apps

John F. Kennedy's Presidency And How His Family Influenced Him as Research Paper

John F. Kennedy's Presidency And How His Family Influenced Him as Person And President - Research Paper Example Kennedy’s family was a businessman of great success. As a successful businessman, Joseph sponsored many political office holders, including President Roosevelt who appointed him the chairman of the American Security Exchange as well as the Ambassador to Great Britain from 1937 – 1940. It was during his political career that he prepared his children to take over the American political terrain (J. F. Kennedy). Kennedy attended the prestigious Harvard University, America, and graduated with a degree in science. He later published a work which he titled â€Å"why England Slept†, a book he published in 1940. The theme of the book was about foreign policy. He later joined the American Navy in 1941, and rose to the rank of an intelligence officer. He suffered from series of set backs and sicknesses among which was the acute pains he suffered on his back. This led to the operation of the back, and he was elevated in the military to the rank of a lieutenant general. He la ter resigned from the army and joined the civilian life. As a civilian, he practiced various professions. He was once a journalist, and within the confine of this noble profession, he covered the British election of 1945 as well as the United Nations conference held in San Francisco. His journalistic profession really shaped him for his political career. He later made up his mind and decided to shape history rather than reporting those who shape history (Dallek). His journey to politics: John Kennedy’s political career was shaped by his father who prepared his children for the political office. His father was preparing Joseph Kennedy Jnr to take over the political dynasty of the Kennedys. His unfortunate death as a result of the Second World War bomb... John Kennedy was morally inept, and as a result, he delved into many sexual activities with his numerous mistresses. From all the analysis gathered through the research, certain deductions could be made about the life of John Kennedy, both before his ascendency to the presidential throne as well as his life as the president of America; that his entire life cannot be fully separated from the entire family. This could be seen as a result of the strong family cult which the father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy built; a cult that saw to the political rise of the Kennedys. Even though the scope of this assignment is limited to John Kennedy and how his family influenced his life both as an individual person as well as the president of the United States of America, it could be recalled that such an influence was not felt by him alone. Rather, his entire siblings experienced such a powerful influence, which saw to the emergence of three senators from the family, namely; John Kennedy, Robert Kenned y, and Edward Kennedy. Both were senators, both only John Kennedy, the eldest surviving son of his parents made it to the presidency. This paper makes a conclusion that the role which their father played cannot be forgotten in a hurry. Hence, it is very important to point out that the success of John Kennedy cannot come to the limelight without the political and financial strength of his father, who used every connection within his power to secure a seat for his son in the American presidency.

Emergent Multimedia Technology (Cloud Streaming Technology) Essay

Emergent Multimedia Technology (Cloud Streaming Technology) - Essay Example The paper tells that the world of technology is a dynamic one with scientists and technicians coming up with high-tech gadgets by the day. This has not always been the case. Technology has come a long way off. From the time of the dark ages where the only form of data storage was the primitive human mind not to mention the ancient writings preserved in stone. The short comings of these methods of storage called for better ways of data preservation hence the discovery of paper and later secret safes that were used to store classified information. Decades later, the world enjoys an unlimited number of technological options to choose from. Modern technology too has continued to grow in leaps and bounds with incremental and disruptive developments being made daily. Incremental development is whereby a development in one sector is so as to improve on a previous development that had already been made. These inventions come in with highly sophisticated and efficient apparatus. Machines that more than double human output, this means that production is taken to a higher level thus the supply to consumers is made easier and available thanks to these inventions. A good example can be drawn from the development of play stations which was a follow up of the traditional brick games. Other examples of incremental development are the use of tractors in agriculture as an improvement on the traditional hoe used to plough, use of modern processing and storage facilities instead of the previous versions of the same and the use of electric trains is also an improvement on the locomotive.... Modern technology has converged together for a common goal. This can be explained by equating technology to an abstract entity. The entity slowly moves towards other entities in the same field with similar goals. At the end, they form one big entity that is more efficient. This simple yet complex technological advancement is the reason why today, we are able to easily access audio, video and even application data more efficiently than before. This convergence of technology has been made possible by massive funds that have been channeled into research by both private and commercial developers. The end result is that the new development from this mergence is more progressive and has competitive advantage over the redundant ones. There has been a number of emerging technologies in various fields ranging from information technology to medicine, agriculture, robotics and even biotechnology. Emerging technologies in the field of medicine include new surgical equipment and procedures and th e development of new drugs to combat emerging diseases. Development in the field of medicine has seen the mastery of new procedures such as artificial insemination and the use of test tube babies, a fete that was once thought impossible. Furthermore, vaccines against diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and even HIV/AIDS have been developed. Doctors are now able to treat and sometimes cure diseases like cancer which were previously unmanageable. This has consequently improved the life expectancy in the country. Child mortality rates have also decreased significantly (Hung, D & Khine, M. S., 2006, p 567). In the fields of agriculture, emerging technology such as genetic engineering has made

A Latin Christmas Essay Example for Free

A Latin Christmas Essay In Martin Espadas Latin Night at the Pawnshop, the poet examines the Latin culture during Christmas time in a young, but still growing community of Latino immigrants. The poem proposes that during some time in America, people of Latino descent could not enjoy themselves during the holidays as they would if they were in their own country. Therefore, the theme of the poem is heavily influenced by the demise of Latin culture in America. Espada augments his poem to make the theme clear by using the following elements of poetry: diction and tone, symbols, and imagery. Diction and tone play a critical role in Espadas poem. In the first line, Espada uses what I think to be the most important word in the whole poem, apparition, to bring about a vision he has of a salsa band through the window of a pawnshop. The word apparition means a ghostlike image. By evaluating this word and its context, the poem itself has created a tone right away. We can say that the mood of this poem is very gloomy and depressing when all one can see is a ghost and nothing else. The poem then continues with descriptive words to describe other aspects. For instance, the word gleaming is introduced. The word gleaming means to shine brightly. By introducing this word, the poet draws emphasis on how important this salsa band is to him during Christmas. However, locked in the shop are gleaming instruments that cant play no more and Christmas to him is left in utter silence. Moreover, Espada mentions two distinct colors, a golden trumpet (line 4) and a silver trombone (line 5). Both silver and gold help represent the time of Christmas. Almost all Christmas trees use silver and gold ornaments as a decorative feature. Also, the poem ends with another word worth noting, morgue. A morgue is a place where dead bodies are kept. Ironically, during Christmas, we dont associate death with such a joyful time. However, in this poem, a connotation for the word morgue could include death. Now, putting all these elements together, we can conclude that Espada is revealing a very dark Christmas he had gone through. A Christmas where there was no trumpet blowing, no trombone playing, no congas drumming, no maracas swinging, no tambourines shaking, and that all present was just the thought of it-no real Christmas. Espada also uses symbols to further develop his point. The three major symbols in this poem are indeed the pawnshop, the instruments, and the price tags. First, the essence of the pawnshop itself is important because it tells a story, beyond itself. Sometimes money gets in the way of a persons happiness. As a result, we pawn the stuff we really cherish for a quick buck. Espada is trying to explain that on top of the struggles Latinos face, they also must sacrifice the things they love. Second, the instruments tell us a great deal about the demise of Latin culture in America. Instead of being played and making great music during the holidays, they sit there unused. Espada in his poem creates an unwanted feeling. Lastly, the price tags that resemble that of a dead mans toe are equally important. The tickets symbolize the presence of death where there should be life. The Latin culture in the town of Chelsea is completely dead. Latinos have given up on their culture in place where its not truly accepted. These elements create the point Espada is trying to express. Imagery is also an important aspect to this poem. The poet creates imagery that attacks several senses and by doing so, it also helps pinpoint the importance of different ideas. Espada writes, gleaming in the Liberty loan pawnshop window, (line 2). As one reads, you cant help but imagine seeing this bright light coming out through a window and showing you a salsa band. Furthermore, Espada mentions several instruments. With this inclusion, one can imagine hearing the sounds of these lovely instruments playing coherently and in sync together. However, Espada also writes, all the price tags dangling like the city morgue ticket on a dead mans toe, (lines 7,8,9). This image develops a kind of chilly and nervous feeling about whats actually going on in the poem. All in all, by putting these sources of imagery together, you notice what the poet is trying convey. Espada is drawing our attention to a salsa band and all of its instruments, but in the end things arent always what we want or expect. The Latino culture is nothing more than an illusion, in a land that does not treat its immigrants well. Thus, in Latin Night at the Pawnshop, Espada creates a poem that expresses  his concerns about Latin culture in Massachusetts in the late 1980s by using different elements of poetry. The power of diction and tone, symbols, and imagery, enrich the central theme the poet wants to make. Espada does a great job converting one simple moment, into a thousand words and ideas.

Immigration and Cultural Identity

Immigration and Cultural Identity This research paper focus on the many concerns about adult immigrants perceptions of their own pronunciation problems and the many challenges faces at times speaking with a accent. People are pushed and sometime forced to learn English as a common language in the United States. However, what should adult immigrants attitude towards English as Second Language (ESL) be? And in what ways should we as immigrants learn it? Immigrants from different nation converge upon the United States in searching for a better life for family or simple to fulfill a long life dream. Jamaican group is no exception with a combination of dialect, such as Patios/Creole languages. Many if not all adult immigrants learner perceive that pronunciation of Standard American English played a role in their communication breakdown that lead to consequences of speaking with a foreign accent. As I will show shortly, the combination of Patios/Creole language is so thick and distinctive, it separate from the dominant English language or we should say, the universal language (English). A couple of months ago, my uncle who is only a few months old here in the United States, was unfortunately suffer a stroke that affected his left arm and left foot and was placed in a nursing home for rehabilitation. When visited him at lunch or dinner time, the nurses always appear transparently and confused when they serve my uncle his food, because he would always reply me noh like this yah food, it nuh have noh tase. I can also relate to recently arrive Jamaican immigrants having a communication breakdown with their American associate. In the case of Jamaican Patios/Creole, specific language difficulties were identified as accents and the social effects along with interaction help played a role in how immigrants assimilate in the United States. Immigrant learner like myself also tends to produce a target-like variant (e.g., me noh nuh nutten) in one context and a non-target like variant (e.g., I dont know nothing). According to University of Toronto Press Incorporated (Tracey M. Derwing), This study concerns adult immigrants perceptions of their own pronunciation problems and the consequences of speaking with a foreign accent. Interviews were conducted with 100 intermediate proficiency ESL students (58 of whom belonged to a visible minority). Over half the respondents felt that pronunciation played a role in their communication problems. Jamaican immigrants leave behind a country where they are the majority to one where they are the minority. Their language and settlement in the United States are compounded by discrimination based on cultural differences and are often stereotyped as having poor language and communication skills if a dialect being defined by its pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. Tracey M. Derwing (Journal article by University of Toronto Press Incorporated) further states that When asked whether they had been discriminated against because of accent, two thirds said no, but when asked if people would respect them more if they pronounced English well, the majority agreed. English continue proven to be very challenging, it is not easy learned, especially for adults. It is proven to be most difficult languages because it is so irregular. For example, base infinitive [broadcast], past simple [broadcast] and past participle [broadcast]. Immigrants find it difficult to learn Standard American English especially when pushed and sometime forced to learn English as a Second language (ESL). Example, our immigration system, Bloomberg-Businessweek listed, PRO: LANGUAGE SKILLS EQUAL SUCCESS (by Havovi Cooper). One of the few immigration laws that makes any sense to me is the one requiring immigrants to learn and speak English before they can attain citizenship. Concerning adult immigrants attitude towards English as Second Language (ESL), the U.S. is a country that has been built on immigration and immigrants bring their own culture and belief systems into a new society. I must say, people are most comfortable with what they already know and believe in. People instinctively defend and embrace what is theirs, whether it is a tangible piece of dress code or an intangible cultural belief, people are not ready or willing to open-up to invasion of their culture by another. Laurie Olsen, (jstor.org) wrote, learning English is not just a matter of coding an alphabet, learning vocabulary, and hearing subtleties of accent. For immigrants students, the seemingly straightforward task students in a classroom with a teacher helping them understand and learn to use English is imbued with the weight of social and political complexity that goes far beyond simple the matter of acquiring a second language. Learning English is at the center of a national debate over what it means to be a diverse society and to incorporate immigrants from around the world (Crawford, 1992). The intensity of this polarized political debate reverberates throughout the classrooms of this nation where immigrants try to discover and understand their place in their new land. Most immigrants would like to mastery of the Standard English language in hope of finding employment and will also serve as a stepping-stone that will enhance their life. The question is; in what ways should we as immigrants learn it? Speaking for myself, as immigrant it takes determination and courage, but there are many avenues to learn English language besides a teacher-led program in a classroom. You have to learn as you go (self-teach), meaning you can learn from friends, families, conversation heard on the street, community centers, playground or in your community church. According to website, literacy.uconn.edu, within these pages, youll find easy access to a wide assortment of literacy ideas customized for classroom teachers of students who are learning English as a second language (ESL) or English as a foreign language (EFL). (Roger Reed) states that, The National Institute for Literacy (n.d.) stated that English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are the fastest growing area of state-administered adult education programs. Demands for ESL instruction continue to increase while federal expenditures for ESL and bilingual education have decreased (Board on Children and Families, 1995). This contradictory response has created years-long waiting lists for ESL programs across the country. There are other programs that allow individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) skills an opportunity to acquire the English language. Immigrants may ask, what the one social consequence? When reflect on what my uncle says to the nurses each time they serve him food, they did not correct him, they may not understand his language, some may find humor or they find it embarrassing, If the situation is clear, the meaning and use of the vocabulary pronunciation and grammar item also becomes clear. In conclusion, whether English is turning into a global language, immigrants accent and pronunciation of words will continue to be undesirable things for both learning and teaching. It may continue to be the focus of many debates and controversies among immigrants and educators if a dialect continue being defined by its pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, as well as its accent.

The Black Panther Party Essay -- essays research papers fc

"There is nothing more dangerous than a large segment of people in society that feel that they have no place or stake in it, who feel they have nothing to lose. People who have stake in the society perpetuate that society, when they don't have it, they unconsciously want to destroy it." Unknown As a culture, we are told how to act, think, and speak among other things. We are taught to do what is considered "right" and if we choose not to, we are punished, ridiculed, and considered a menace to society. We are considered thuggish and belittled and put down for living in an alternative way. Don't get me wrong, there is some good in having a controlled society because it brings some order and stability within our society. However, the questions at hand are, could there be a way for those who do realize that we're being controlled to free themselves from the power and control that causes them to become oppressed? Could it be that we are bound and constrained and unable to have some type of agency in order to be free? If we can free ourselves, what type of agency is used? These questions are the basis for my paper. I plan to present examples of control and oppression through the film Panther that shows the struggle of the Black Panther Party of Self-Defense. The film takes place in the 1960's and it shows the struggles that the members had to go through in order to form some type of agency to free themselves from the control and oppression that the government had over their lives and their community. Huey Newton and Bobby Seale were two African-American men growing up in the ghetto of California where they saw and experienced racism and police brutality. There voices weren't heard when it came to their communities and it took three young children to die by car crashes, and a peaceful candlelight vigil that turned into a fight between a neighborhood and the police (In which the police covered up their badges so that no one could report them to the police department) for them to want to make... ...oes have a place in society because without it, there would be no stability within our society and everything would be chaotic and confusing. However, for those who don't want to be controlled, and do have a form of agency which they feel will free them really don't seem to be free anyway. It seems to me that no matter what you do, say, or learn you are always controlled. I thought that the fact that the Panther Party becoming knowledgeable would have worked very well but soon some laws were changed such as the one concerning being able to carry firearms as long as they were in clear view. After all they went through they still weren't free. Many of the Panthers were either killed while fighting for the cause or are now political prisoners. So, from my observation, the only agency available to free oneself from oppression is, to become knowledgeable and that only works to a certain extent. I guess there is no plain yes or no answer to my question about whether we can free ourselves from oppression. It's as if you think you've won when you really haven't. Works Cited Panther. Dir. Mario Van Peebles. Polygram Video. 1995.

Ecopsychology Essay -- Religion Ecology Papers

Ecopsychology You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes no. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting- over and over announcing your place in the family of things. "Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver Mary Oliver's (Clinebell, 1996, p.188) poem has a lot to say about the relatively new approach to conservation called ecopsychology. Ecopsychology combines the human element from psychology, with the study of how biological systems work together from ecology. A more in depth explanation of ecopsychology is that it seeks to help humans experience themselves as an integral part of nature (Strubbe 1997). When this is accomplished, humans can proceed to commit to "helping heal the earth, as well as healing ourselves" (Strubbe 1997, p. 293). In the past, environmental action has consisted of scaring and shaming those who over consume or do not recycle, which proved to be quite ineffective. Ecopsychology, in contrast, attempts to create positive and affirming motivations, derived from a bond of love and loyalty to nature (Bayland, 1995). Before tackling the principles, religious aspects, therapy, actions and education included in ecopsychology, it is essential to unde... ...ting a more earth-friendly human nature. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press. Mander, Jerry. (1991). In the Absence of the Sacred. San Francisco: Sierra Book Club. Miller, D. Patrick. (1994). The Voice of the Earth. The Sun, 220, 6-10. Roszak, Theodore (1995). Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind. New York: Sierra Press. "My Shrink, My Sequoia" Self, September 1994. Spilner, Maggie. (1997). Connecting with Nature. Walker's World, 128-132. Strubbe, Bill. (1997). The World as Self, The Self as World. World & I. [Online], 12 (6), 12 pages. Available: http//insite.palni.edu/WebZ/FETCH:fulltext.html [1998, September 10]. Tarkan, Laurie. (1997). Nurtured by Nature. Shape, 16 (7), 32. White, Jonathan (1994). The Unreturning Arrow. In Talking on Water: Conversations about Nature and Creativity. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

Chaucer and the Humor of the Canterbury Tales :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My presentation is based an article titled The Inhibited and the Uninhibited: Ironic Structure in the Miller’s Tale it s written by Earle Birney. The literary theme that Birney is discussing in his essay is structural irony. Structural irony is basically a series of ironic events and instances that finally build up to create a climax. The events and the climax the Birney chooses to focus his essay on are the events that lead towards the end when almost each character suffers an ironic event: Absolon: kisses Alisoun’s backside Nicholas: gets his backside burned John: falls from the tub and breaks his arm Ironic events and play on words were used to lead to this ironic climax. First Event Birney writes that the description of each character as sweet or using the word sweet to describe them on Chaucer’s part is ironic. Nicholas: sweet singer, sweet smelling of herbs all day & Being uninhibited. l. 97, l. 99., l. 107 Birney p. 76 middle Alisoun: naturally sweet as well as Nicholas, her mouth is described as sweet. l. 153 Birney p. 78 top. Absolon: is a contrast, he is artificially sweet, he chews spices an herbs to try to be sweet. Birney p. 79 lower. These three descriptions are the first things in Birney’s article that are beginning the ironic structure that Chaucer has carefully built. Second Event   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Next, Birney examines the irony between the rivalry of Nicholas and Absolon in order to gain Alisoun’s kiss, affection, or to have an affair with her. Nicholas: has no rivals in a way he just becomes forceful and persistant he offers himself in an aggressive manner and he gains her permission to do what he pleases to her body. l. 165-186, Birney p. 78 (before the quote).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Absolon: approaches her by going to her window at night and serenading her mind you he does not have a sweet voice (sqeaky, feminine) his approach is the most pathetic and apologetic Then he tries to woo her by giving her gifts such as waffles and sweet wine Birney argues that he should not have tried to give sweet gifts to someone who is naturally sweet. l. 245- 259, l. 270 – 272, Birney p. 79 lower –80 top & 80 middle. Third Event: The Climax Finnaly, the third event has been unraveled and anticipated, through The two first events. The greatly anticipated climax begins to unravel. Absolon: kisses Alisoun’s rear end and the vengefully burns Nicholas instead of Alisoun (he dosen’t really care).

Statement Of The Problem

The analyses presented here are based on data representing a diverse group of mainly 18- and 19-year-old college students. The study was conducted in February and March of 2007 at the University of Illinois, Chicago, which is a U. S. urban public research university. 1U. S. News and World Report (2006) ranked this campus among the top 10 national universities as regards campus ethnic diversity, suggesting that this school offers an ideal location for studies of how different kinds of people use online sites and services.The project had the support of the First-Year Writing Program at the university, ensuring that a representative sample of the school’s undergraduate student body would participate. The writing course offered through this program is the only course on campus that is required of all students; thus, enrollment in it does not pose any selection bias. Out of the 87 sections offered as part of this course, 85 took part in the study, constituting a 98% participation r ate on the part of course sections.Overall, there was a final response rate of 82% based on all of the students enrolled in the course. In order to control for time in the program, this article focuses on students in the first-year class. The survey was administered on paper instead of online. Relying on an online questionnaire when studying Internet uses could create a bias toward people who spend more time online, given that they may be more inclined to fill out the questionnaire and also, perhaps, more inclined toward higher rates of participation on the sites of research interest.The average survey completion time was approximately 30 minutes. The survey included detailed questions about respondents’ Internet uses (e. g. , experience, types of sites visited, and online activities) and their demographic background. Basic demographic information was measured using standard modes of operationalization. Students were asked their year of birth, and this information was used to calculate their age, which is included in the models as a continuous variable.Male is the base gender category (male = 0, female = 1). Information about race and ethnicity was collected using the U. S. Census Bureau (2000) questionnaire format, and dummy variables are used in the statistical model, with White as the omitted category. Consistent with work by others, parental education was used as a measure of socioeconomic status (e. g. , Carlson, Uppal, & Prosser, 2000; Lamborn, Mounts, Steinberg, & Dornbusch, 1991; Stice, Cameron, Hayward, Taylor, & Killen, 1999).Since asking about household income has limited utility with such an age group (both because students do not know their parents’ income and because those who live in dorms may not know how to interpret â€Å"household†), and since educational level is constant in this group (every respondent is in the first year of college), parental schooling is a helpful measure. This information is included in the model a s dummy variables, with some college education (but no college degree) as the base.Both the question about living at home with parents and the question about having access to the Internet at a friend’s or family member’s house is included as a dummy variable, where 1 signals yes to that question, and 0 stands for no. Finally, figures for both hours spent online per week and number of years a respondent has been an Internet user are logged in the analyses, given that an additional hour or year, respectively, likely has diminishing returns as the values increase. The analyses first consider only the core background characteristics of the user (age, gender, race and ethnicity, parental education).Then, a second model includes information about context and experience with use supplementing the core demographic variables. The 1,060 first-year students included in these analyses represent a diverse group of people. 2 Fifty-six percent of the respondents are female, 44% are m ale. Almost all are 18 or 19 years old, with a mean age of 18. 4 and a median of 18. Fewer than half are White and non-Hispanic. Slightly less than 8% claim African or African-American descent, almost 30% are of Asian or Asian American ancestry, and just under one-fifth are of Hispanic origin.These students come from varied family backgrounds. Over a quarter of respondents have parents whose highest level of education is high school, with an additional 20% whose parents do not have a college degree. While it may seem that sampling from a college population assumes a highly educated group, 25% of first-years at this university drop out of college by their second year (Ardinger et al. , 2004) and fewer than half (43. 6%) will graduate within six years of enrollment (University of Illinois-Chicago, 2004).Unlike many U. S.  colleges, over half of the students at this university commute from home and live with their parents (53. 1%). Baseline access and use statistics (Table 1) for the sample suggest that the Internet is not a novel concept in most of these students’ lives. On average, participants have access to the Internet at over six locations and have been users for over six years. When asked how often they go online, the vast majority report doing so several times a day. They estimate spending 15. 5 hours visiting Web sites weekly (excluding email, chat, and VoIP).While there is certainly some amount of variation in access and use, there are no basic barriers standing in the way of these young adults accessing the Internet. Limits may be put on their uses due to other factors (e. g. , the need to share resources at home, limited hours of access due to employment), but they all have basic access. This suggests that traditional concerns about the so-called digital divide do not apply to these students as regards basic availability of the Internet. Thus looking at such a wired group of users allows us to hold basic access to digital media constant and f ocus on differences in details of use instead.

The genesis of secrecy by Frank Kermode

Biblical scholarship and the gospels can be useful examples for Kermode because these provide scholarly quality and discipline of the best biblical study and can set a high enough standard that can be exemplary to all. An indispensable instrument of survival in this world is the power to make interpretations. According to Kermode, in all the works of interpretation, there are insiders and outsiders, the former having or professing to have, immediate access to the mystery, the latter randomly scattered across space and time and excluded from the elect who mistrust or despise their unauthorized divinations, which may indeed, for all the delight they give, without absolute value. From my understanding, he deems this important since much of what is written is susceptible to many interpretations. Thus the power to make interpretations has been dubbed by the author as an indispensable instrument of survival. Hermes is the patron of thieves, merchants and travelers, of heralds and their kerygma. He has been described as cunning and occasionally violent. He is also the patron of interpreters and since Kermode is an interpreter himself, Hermes is important in his profession. Hermes is, after all, considered as the god of going between –between the dead and the living, between the latent and the manifest. Hermeneutics is thus described as the rules of the art of interpretation and its philosophy. It has been thought by some as the most serious of philosophical inquiry; as a means whereby they effect a necessary subversion of the old metaphysics. It covers a range of activity from plain proclamation of sense to oracular intimations. The biblical passage quoted by the author is from the Gospel of Mark (4:11-12) to wit: Jesus said, â€Å"To you has been given the secret of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but no perceive, and may indeed hear but no understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.† This passage was included by the author because he needed to point out that a written work is susceptible to various interpretations. He wanted to point out that it is only those who already know the mysteries – what the stories really mean – can discover what the stories really mean. Carnal reading is that which is based on simple primary senses. These are readers who try to take the literary piece in their literal concept. In the story of Party going, the author wanted to stress the need to rely more on spiritual reading rather than carnal reading. He wanted to emphasize that we need to perceive and understand the story before us to achieve full comprehension. Hina was used by Mark to refer to â€Å"so that† while hoti was used by Matthew as â€Å"because†. The change by Matthew involved a different grammar where Matthew replaces Marks’ subjective into an indicative. The parable of the Good Samaritan has been interpreted in many ways –the most common of which is to showcase who or what a real neighbor is. And by the standards of the parable, it is that person who helps those in need. It was also referred to the fall of man whereby Adam is the traveler who has decided to leave Paradise and the Good Samaritan is Christ who saved him. Narratives are obscure because it allows us to interpret these in a manner we see fit. The parables are a perfect example in the sense that they allow us to learn something based on our own understanding or perception of a story vis-à  -vis the real interpretation of the text.

Alice Walker: The Welcome Table Essay

Through literature we are able to learn about different meanings and other human experiences. â€Å"Literature influences each individual differently† (Clugston, 2010). In Alice Walker’s short story The Welcome Table, it allowed the readers to read and learn about how, and what life was like for an elderly black lady during the 1960s. During these times blacks were discriminated against and the cruel treatment that they endured as human beings was unnatural and unheard of to us in this day and time. In this short story by Ms. Walker, it portrays to the readers how during this time period the African Americans were treated. The reason that this story caught my attention was due to the fact that the elderly lady that is portrayed in the story was so cruelly discriminated against for entering a white church. As you read this story, one cannot help but be intrigued by how the story speaks about the elderly lady and how she has lived her life and had been treated her whole life. Alice Walker starts the story off with the woman getting ready to attend church and the clothes that she is dressed in, you knew she had no money. â€Å"The old woman stood with eyes uplifted in her Sunday~GO~TO~ meeting clothes: high shoes polished about the tops and toes, a long rusty dress adorned with an old corsage, long corsage, long withered, and the remnants of an elegant silk scarf as headrag stained with grease from the any oily ponytails underneath.† (Walker,1967) This poor lady had lived a hard life and it showed on her face and body, so you could tell she knew suffering. The story tells us that this old lady stumbles into an all white church from the freezing cold. The poor white people just stared at her in pure disbelief as though she had committed a crime for entering their church. In the reading it stated â€Å"And so they gazed nakedly upon their own fear transferred; a fear of the black and the old, a terror of the unknown as well as of the deeply known.† (Clugston, 2010) This shows from the sentence, the way the congregation looked at the elderly lady, they were afraid of African-Americans at this time period for no reason that they could even fully understand. They meaning the white community did not like blacks and they were treated unjustly at all times and any cost. The way that the black people were treated back in the 1960s and even before the 1960s, the African-American people were not treated or respected like the white people. To read a story like this, helps me to understand the struggle and pain that the woman endured, as it was told by the narrator or persona of the reading. Some of the people felt as if the beginning of the end of worshipping of the Holy Church and as an invasion of their privacy. Many felt also as if they had lost their privacy now that she had entered their place of Holy Worship. As, I bring this to a close we have to remember that no matter whom or where we are in the world today, we should not pass judgment on another person just because of how they dress, their ethnic background, or where they may live. The story portrayed an elderly black lady who was forgetful and showed her struggle through her eyes and body still walked down the road about a half mile to this church to worship the lord. Even though she was thrown from the church, she did not stop singing and talking to her God. To me, this shows us that no matter our struggle we should never stop believing in what we believe just because someone else does not want us to. Reference Clugston, R.W. (2010). Journey in literature. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu Walker, Alice, (1967). The Welcome Table. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/ehost/delivery?isd=72e76da8-5292-49 Retrieved 1/16/2013 Walker, Alice, (1967). The Welcome Table. Literary Cavalcade; Feb 2003;55-5; Proquest Central, Retrieved 1/16/2013

Est Task 2 – Ethics Program

Midwest Non Profit Consulting Group Ethics Program A. Develop an appropriate standards and procedures section, such as a code of ethics. PREAMBLE Midwest Non Profit Consulting Group (MNPCG) will  provide management consulting services to nonprofit organizations with a strong commitment to providing a public service. Our client base works hard to improve the quality of life for all people in communities across the state of Minnesota.As a nation leader in non-profit organization groups, Minnesota and it's people have high standards we must adhere to. We must serve these organizations with honesty, and maintain the integrity of each organization providing them with impartiality, fairness, and remain dedicated to their welfare as they are providing safety and welfare to the people they serve. Our service to each organization is a direct reflection of their values and goals and these are tied very closely with public perception of each group.As we help increase awareness for causes that we are associated with, we must acknowledge that each organization is under the direct support of the government in the form of grants, contracts and tax laws, foundations, corporations, small businesses, individual gifts and donations as well as the general public. This high level approach to servicing our clients will ensure solid integrity and accountability for the work we do. CODEAll MNPCG Leadership, Managers, Certified Professionals, Legal, Staff and Contract Personel (referred in the code as â€Å"member†) are required to adhere to this entire code for both the betterment of everyone in this organization as well as our clients and the people they serve. – Every MNPCG member will at all times follow these principles: integrity, objectivity, commitment – Regard for the safety and welfare of the general public is our number one goal, and all consulting must hold this in regard when revealing methods to client. Members will secure confidentiality of the cli ent by keeping all information acquired through credible data collection practices, on secured storage devices. – Professional skill level must be taken into account on each and every task you will perform. If your are given a task beyond the scope of your knowledge it is required that you consult with MNPCG management to delegate such task. – Members with work daily to better this organization and uphold it's integrity – Every member will display confidence in the work they do and hold high, the credibility of MNPCG without dispute. Will hold professional certification and display such certification – Shall carry themselves with dignity and good character, with high reputable standard – A member must acquire all documentation in a legal manner, as to be able to produce such documentation upon audit. – Under no circumstance will member provide false or incomplete documentation to requesting parties as to reduce the credibility of MNPCG †“ Honesty in reporting is a fundamental value to all members working for and associated with MNPCG.Under no circumstance shall members act in ways in which false information is transferred or implied by an associated party. – Any act that is illegal under any terms will never be justified as a way in which MNPCG should act. Passion over legal matters will not be acceptable behaviors. – All members are required to report any questionable circumstances which job capacity doesn't provide the appropriate action or response. MNPCG has staff legal experts for these situations, use them.All of the above mentioned principles or rules apply not only to MNPCG employees but also applies to any transactions, or actions through which a partner, director, staff, or any other acting stakeholder performs under direction of MNPCG. COMPLIANCE AND EDUCATION MNPCG management supports all efforts of members to apply the principles of the CODE through training and technical assistance pro vided by MNPCG. Support of members also applies to those who self-regulate and offer modification requests based on continuos improvement efforts which may amend previous statements of CODE.Adherance to CODE and training are both one in the same in relation to compliance and education, or training: – All new members of MNPCG will be given formal training on this CODE during their first week of employment. – Training will be given in the form of two total training sessions of 2 hours each. – Management will give the first training session of 2 hours, to go through the document and visit situations where non-compliance has happened in the past and how to work through such circumstances. The employee is encouraged to discuss and concerns with management as to allow for training where needed. After the 2 hour session with management within 2 days Human Resources will meet and train to the â€Å"big picure† of what the CODE means. This will include describing disciplinary actions due to non-compliance of the CODE as well as other human resource materials. – Upon completing both 2 hour sessions, the employee will be required to apply their signature to a copy of the MNPCG code of ethics, stating they will comply to all principles included above. This will get filed with all other employee documentation and become record. COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING MNPCG management is required to formally review this CODE of ethics annually. – MNPCG management will submit any request for changes to CODE no later than 10 days after one year annual review was last completed. This gives time for any inquires to be presented and responded to is conflict of interest or societal changes have occurred and need to be amended to the CODE. – All submissions of amendment requires must be sent to both MNPCG Leadership and Directors for review. No later than 10 days will the request be approved or denied. This organization is strengthened from conti nuous education and should annually revisit the codes in the form of auditing. This is to determine whether compliance is feasible and should be required. The changing climate which the world of non-profits resides in, may allow for additional codes or modifications based on societal changes. – During annual evaluation and audit of the MNPCG code of ethics Leadership will make sure that all members are given the required skills and experience for carrying out all duty that are required of them.By audit, each organization MNPCG serves will be stronger that all member comply. – Possible conflict of interest can surface and be resolved before damage is done with regards to client relationships. – Provides revised and updated policies on an annual basis from which Human Resource can pull information from during hiring, terminating and performance evaluation periods. – Provides a â€Å"source-of-truth† for all ethical standards of MNPCG. – After each audit, Leadership is required to provide any updates to Human Resources so that the CODE can be updated and posted to the company website for publication.COMPLIANCE AND REVIEW -MNPCG belongs to the National Institute of Non-Profit Consulting Firms which in accordance with government regulations, requires a formal review of ethics programs for all it's members on a rotating 3 year cycle based on member enrollment. – 3 year rotating cycle means that as membership allows, ethics programs reviews are done by sharing the responsibility of review with the members. NINPCF will review each member every 3 years and each member will in-turn review every year one member's ethic program. Non-profit organizations must comply with federal regulations on such a strict basis that this schedule reflects the integrity of the association. – Each member is bound to serving society by being committed to delivering 100% Honesty, Integrity and Compliance to the organizations they serve. This review process allows for strict monitoring of values set forth. – Upon completion of all reviews, NINPCF delivers a comprehensive report to all members as well as government non-profit oversight committees as a proactive approach to future requirements of these committees and the agencies they direct.

Aquinas vs. Augustine on Their Varying Views of Women

St Thomas Aquinas and St Augustine of Hippo are considered to be two of the greatest Christian theologians in the history of Christianity. Both of these men are apart of the same organization, the Church. Just by this fact it would be easy to assume that they agree on all major issues of the day but this is not the case. They have completely differing views with respect to women in secular and religious life corresponding with the idea of original sin, human sexuality, and social roles. Even in the modern Catholic Church they are still regarded as two of the most important doctors of the church despite their different teachings on key important aspects of leading a Christian life. This shows the variability within the institution of the Catholic Church and some degrees of disagreement within a major faith organization. St Augustine of Hippo termed the idea of original sin. Nowhere in the history of the church had any such concept been taught. He was a man who lived a life of sin and promiscuity until he had an extreme conversion. After this conversion he needed a way to justify all his bad decisions. He did so by terming original sin as the first sin made by Eve that doomed all of mankind for the rest of days. Augustine blames Eve for all the bad experiences in his life, even for all the bad decisions that he has made. He uses original sin and reveals the idea in such a way that no one has to take responsibility for his or her actions because it is innate in us to be bad. Original sin gives people an ‘easy out’ to excuse all previous bad behavior. Never before had the term ‘original sin’ been placed on the sin’s of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Augustine’s example of an ideal woman, his mother, is even faulted by this original sin caused by Eve. â€Å"†¦the torments which she suffered were proof that she had inherited the legacy of Eve, seeking in sorrow what with sorrow she had brought into the world† (Confessions, 101). It is as if woman cannot help but be lesser than man. Even his mother, who he has a high regard for, is as good as she can be—for a woman, â€Å"It is not of her gifts that I shall speak, but of the gifts you gave to her† (Confessions, 192). Original sin is possessed by all humankind and cannot be avoided, this makes it easy for people to remain blameless for sins they have committed. St Thomas Aquinas did not believe in the idea of original sin. He believed that you make choices in life and that original sin was a way to get out of taking responsibility for all the actions that you make, â€Å"†¦so original sin is not the sin of this person except insofar as this person receives his nature from his first parent† (The Summa, 44). He notices that in Genesis that man and woman are created by God before sin and by this interpretation it would be impossible for original sin to exist if it is inherent in mankind. â€Å"What is natural to man was neither taken away nor added to him by sin† (The Summa, 40). Inadvertently by stating this, he is not blaming women for the fall of man. He didn’t believe that woman should be blamed for every evil thing in the world. In fact, he agues that woman was made to perfect man and that without her he would not be whole and able to procreate. †¦it was necessary for woman to be made as a ‘helpmate’ to man† (The Summa, 37). Woman is not condemned to be below man. Aquinas does not explicitly state this however; he does omit mentioning woman as separate from man in his section of the order among man and other things. He states, â€Å"Those of superior intellect are the natural rulers while those who are less intelligent but have stronger bodies s eem to be made by nature to serve†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (The Summa, 11). He is not gender specific. In fact, one could read into this that most men are to be the servants because they have a stronger physique for working. Aquinas is much more for the idea of actual sin where †¦Ã¢â‚¬ the sin that is the result of [the action of] the soul upon the parts of the body†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (The Summa, 44). This means that each person’s sin is based upon the choices that they make in their life, not from something that is passed down from the original man. In a different aspect, Augustine believes that human sexuality is dirty. His writing is in favor of rejecting his own sexual nature to live a life away from woman altogether. In his writing he always uses negative language to talk about sexuality. He writes about a dream. He sees Continence and she says to him a quote from the Psalms â€Å"Close your ears to the unclean whispers of your body, so that it may be mortified. It tells you of things that delight you, but not such things as the law of the Lord your God has to tell† (Confessions, 176). These sexual temptations are impure, and disordered. He has to turn away from all things sexual. Through all his giving in to temptation in life he pulls a 180-degree turn once he converts and believes that he should never be with another woman again. He runs away from the general population and hides away in a monastery for the rest of his life. He changes from not being able to wait two years for a wife to have sex, to giving up sex forever. He feels like he had been greedy in the first part of his life and that the latter part should be given up to God. â€Å"†¦no bodily pleasure, however great it might be and whatever earthly light might shed luster upon it, was worthy of comparison†¦beside the happiness of the life of the saints† (Confessions, 197). Aquinas believes that human sexuality is innocent. He argues against the popular belief that woman is a ‘ misbegotten man’ by stating that â€Å"†¦woman is not something misbegotten but intended by nature to be directed to the work of procreation† (The Summa, 38). He goes on to say in that paragraph that because God is the creator of all things, and he created male and female, it is obvious that God intended for man and woman to exist with each other equally in nature. Human sexuality is necessary for procreation. Sin does not define whether or not human nature would procreate. â€Å"What is natural to man was neither taken away nor added to him by sin† (The Summa, 40). Sex is not a dirty act, quite the contrary; it is a perfection of God’s creation. â€Å"†¦by nature there is a union of the male and female for the purpose of procreation† (The Summa, 40). If the human race had never sinned and the world was in complete innocence we would still have the need to procreate and sex would be the necessary means to such. â€Å"In the state of innocence, however, reproduction would have taken place without lust† (The Summa, 40). Augustine had ideas for woman’s social roles as well. He had his mother as an example of an ideal woman and described how the ideal woman would be. Woman should behave a certain way. There is no circumstance where a woman would be over a man in any situation. He uses the example of his mother who he praises as possessing â€Å"†¦modesty and temperance†¦obey[ing] her parents†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Confessions, 194) as well as serving her husband as her lord (Confessions, 194). With her husband she â€Å"†¦knew better than to say or do anything to resist him when he was angry (Confessions, 195) and encouraged other women to â€Å"†¦not defy their masters† (Confessions, 195), in speaking about spousal relationships. In other words, woman should know their place and serve their husband without regard for self. He believed that the man was always to be placed first in every situation and that all women should be like his mother. Service should be a woman’s strong suit and it seems that Augustine believed that in this woman would be fulfilled. Aquinas believed that woman had worth and uses reason to prove this. Throughout his writings he uses non-gendered terms to describe most things, which is a sign to the reader that he believes in equality amongst men and women. He does say that woman was not made to be subjective to man in that she is a slave to him. He points out the two different meanings of subjection. The one kind is a product of the result of sin. The other kind is â€Å"†¦that of the household or the citizen in which the superior makes us of his subjects for their benefit or good† (The Summa, 38). He further specifies this to women when he says â€Å"woman is naturally subject to man in this kind of subjection because by nature man possesses more discernment of the reason† (The Summa, 38). In this, he is stating that there is a natural order to things. Not that woman is below the man in equality, but that there is simply a difference. This introduces the idea, separate but equal in a way. Man and woman are different, but also man and man are different. There are many cases in existence where a leader is needed to take charge. This is not because the one man is highly superior to all other men or that all other men should be slaves to the one, but that someone is needed to be a leader; â€Å"†¦someone can have dominion over another person as a free man, when he directs him to his own good or to the good of the community† (The Summa, 39). He also introduces an idea that if a woman is raped, she has committed no sin. Previously, when a woman was raped she was unworthy of marriage and was termed ‘dirty’. Aquinas finds worth in woman, and introduces the voice of reason in non-gendered terms in order to have his philosophies available to both man and woman. In their writings, St. Thomas Aquinas and St Augustine of Hippo have presented significantly differing views on women and the roles that they should have in the world. These three areas are some of the most important aspects of leading a good Christian life. Even today, these two men are regarded as doctors of the church and their ideals and philosophies are taught, with little regard for the fact that some of the things they teach are completely opposite of each other. Through these varying ideas about original sin, human sexuality, and social roles of man and woman they have set the stage for diversity within the Catholic Church.