Strictly Ballroom Essay Example For Students

Strictly Ballroom Essay Teaching the prescribed text  · Explanation on background information (context, purpose and audience) Context The screenplay of Strictly Ballroom was written by Baz Luhrmann and Andrew Bovell. The film was directed by Baz Luhrmann, and was well received internationally when it was released in 1992. Since Strictly Ballroom, Baz Luhrmann has directed two other internationally successful films—Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge—and, at time of print, was directing Australia. He is known for his artistic and innovative cinematic styles which blend film techniques from Hollywood musicals and dance films with more traditional techniques. Explanation of key terms (see above)  · Analysis of how the text relates to belonging Rebellion, exclusion and true ‘belonging’ The film opens at the Waratah Championships for ballroom dancing where Scott Hastings dares to dance his own steps, dazzling the audience with his samba routine. Those who value tradition—mainly his mother, his dance coach Les Kendall, and Barry Fife—abhor his behaviour. They are united in their opposition to Scott’s rebellion and prevent him from exploring his individuality, because the traditional world of ballroom dancing gives them a sense of belonging, and they do not wish for this to change. We will write a custom essay on Strictly Ballroom specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Changing the established order is difficult, because people in power make the rules and are responsible for ensuring they are followed. Therefore when Scott dances his own steps he is disqualified and prevented from participating in the competition. He is excluded from the group and his sense of belonging is devastated.  · Students answer the question: How do you relate your prescribed text to belonging?  · Explanation of Text structure Text structure The film can be divided into four parts. Part 1 The traditional values of the ballroom dancing world are established though the opening scene at the Waratah Championships for ballroom dancing where Scott Hastings dances his own steps during the samba. His partner, Liz Holt, walks out on him and Fran, an unlikely candidate, offers to be his dance partner. The love story is thus established between the handsome, competent dance champion and the plain, professionally untrained daughter of a Spanish migrant. She entices Scott to dance with her because she understands how he dances. Explanation of Characters Scott Hastings: Scott is youthful, handsome and a champion dancer, and has many opportunities ahead of him. At first he is portrayed as arrogant, especially in his treatment of Fran. He is obviously a talented dancer, but is bored with the routine way he has been taught to dance. He challenges his mother and the Dance Federation when they insist he follows established conventions. He undergoes a transformation through his relations hips with Fran and her family, as he learns the value of family spirit and dancing from the heart. Character activity – analyzing what quotes tell the reader about the character and belonging Character quote What the quote tells you about the character and belonging Liz: I don’t think! I don’t give a shit about them, we lost! Liz represents the dominant values of those who belong to the ballroom dancing world – follow established rules in order to win. Winning is the priority not thinking for yourself or consideration of others.  · Explanation of Setting and modeled response Scene: The living room of Scott’s home Mood: This is a domestic setting which at first appears warm and inviting. Trophies are proudly displayed on the back wall. It becomes clear from Shirley’s outrage about her son’s unconventional steps at the Waratah Championships, however, that her priority is winning, not her son’s self-expression. This is further illustrated by the large number of trophies occupying the cabinet. Arguments take place in the living room, too, which shows that the family is not as close as the setting would suggest. Explanation and analysis of various language and visual techniques and modeled responses Symbolism: Dancing shoes How it relates to belonging: In the scene in which Rico challenges Scott to dance the paso doble, there are close-ups of Scott’s shoes while he dances. When Ya Ya asks him to show her where he feels the rhythm, the camera focuses on Scott’s shoes. The viewer becomes aware that Scott’s motivation to dance comes from learning the intricac ies of making the steps, which is what has made him belong in the rigid ballroom dancing world. .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 , .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .postImageUrl , .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 , .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:hover , .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:visited , .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:active { border:0!important; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:active , .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2 .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6bd4a09cf4ee05aa9d8729c8bbeaa0c2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Melting Pot Argumentative EssayWhen Ya Ya taps his chest to show him where the rhythm should come from, we understand that he has a lot to learn from Spanish culture. Dancing shoes are also shown in close-up when Scott dances, especially when he dances his own way, illustrating his freedom and individual expression, and his rebellion against a restrictive type of ‘belonging’.  · Key scene analysis To gain a better understanding of how language and visual techniques work together to create meaning, it is a good idea to analyse a few key scenes from the text. Activity Make notes about a key scene in Strictly Ballroom, taking into account: †¢ film techniques and dialogue †¢ examples of the techniques from the text †¢ analysis of how these examples relate to belonging. Then write a full analysis of the scene and its techniques, and their relation to belonging. Modeled response Many scenes in ‘Strictly Ballroom’ represent the ideas of the true spirit of love, family and belonging, in contrast to the false values and superficiality of belonging to the ballroom dancing world. One key scene is when Scott goes to the Toledo Milk Bar to ask Fran to dance with him at the Pan Pacific Grand Prix. Fran’s father challenges Scott to dance the paso doble, and they move to the backyard where chairs are askew, streamers are falling down and colourful lanterns hang from the roof. The lighting is low-key and the atmosphere is romantic, warm and inviting. In this environment, Scott is ridiculed for not dancing from the heart. Close-ups of people laughing are juxtaposed with long shots of Fran and Scott dancing, showing that the onlookers are laughing at the way he dances.

Costume Kyle Parham Punk Essays

Costume Kyle Parham Punk Essays Costume Kyle Parham Punk Essay Costume Kyle Parham Punk Essay Discovery Project History of Costume Kyle Parham Punk Began as a music based subculture in them mid 1970s in England and slowly started to be culturally excepted in America in the mid to late 70s, exactly which region originated punk has long debated and a major controversy within the punk movement. Within the subculture, there are many different factions, such as New Wave, 2 tone, Pop Punk, Hardcore Punk, No Wave, Street Punk, and 01. Many of the sub groups sought to get rid of the frivolous parts of being punk in the later years of the first movement. The Punk culture later dissipated and was dormant until a new version of began to spring up in the United states in the early 90s known as Grudge. Fashion for Punks has always been broken down in to five main areas, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, body modifications, and hairstyles. Many different sources have been gathered to form what is known as punk fashion such as Glam Rock, Greasers, Mods, and Skinheads to name a few. (Hebdige, 1981) Arguably the most well-known Punk fashion designer Vivenne Westwood, who created a line of fashions in her London punk boutique, was affordable to rich and poor alike. The typical male punk look was a black leather Jacket with long hair or a bald head, tight pants usually Jeans ana rlppea clotnlng. I ne punk Temale style was comprlsea In tne Tlowlng manner, dark makeup, fishnet stockings, tight miniskirts of mostly leather, corsets and shirts, and razor blades as Jewelry. Both men and women would rip there cloths on purpose, then proceed to patch them up with their own do it your self-attitude. Most ccessorys for a shirt were random spots of bright or subdue dyes, safety-pins, huge patches of other fabrics and long lengths of metal chains. (Young rebels of, 2013) I like punk fashion because it is something I feel I understand, it is easy for me to see why it holds such a big standard for some peoples lives. I love the punk aspect of life, from the music to the life style. It is not Just about dressing weird and lessening to weird music, to me, its about standing up for something greater than yourself and believing what you like is good. I feel like I identify with the loud make up, outrageous fashion and the way punks live there life. I speaks to me on a deep level. Due to my limited budget I chose to make one of my own personal shirts in to what I feel modern day punk is. I started with a pink shirt because its a bright color that will attract attention to the person warring it. Then I began to think like a punk and thus started to craft my t-shirt in to something a punk would be proud of. I first cut the collar off of the shirt then a strip down the spine of the shirt along with the sleeves ut slightly off. I then proceeded to replace the spine section with safety pins and wire. I also reattached the sleeves with paper clips with wire as well to give it patched up feel. To continue the Patched and DYI feel I began to work on the front of the shirt making tares and holes all the while patching them with random fabrics and newspaper to give a proper punk vibe. After a lot of trial and error with the newspaper I decided to cut the newspaper. I also used zip ties to bunch shoulders ogether; I used zip ties to give the allusion of spikes on the shoulders which, to me, are an iconic look for the punk youth. Sources: Hebdige, D. (1981). Subculture: The meaning of style. Middleton, Connecticut : Wesleyan University Press. Retrieved from princeton. edu/†achaney/tmve/ wiki100k/docs/Punk fashion. html Young rebels of the 70s. the history of punk style. (2013, March 22). Retrieved from http://mw. . reporte rsvintage. com/decade/70ts-the-look-and-what-happened/139- young-rebels-of-the-70-s-the-history-of-punk-style. html

Charter and private schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Charter and private schools - Essay Example On the other hand private schools are schools that do not lie under the jurisdiction of the local as well as the state government and are basically run on the funding based on the fees collected from the students (Haertal 1987). The charter and private schools have different methods of running their administration and have comparable differences in their working and student selection. Charter schools are basically schools that are run from the public funds and they may be started by parents or other groups in community. They have their own teaching standards and they are not liable to strict regulations of the state that imply for other public schools. These implications include the production of specific results during a particular time period. But another important feature of these schools is that if they fail to provide for certain set standards by the state, they may be closed. Charter schools are free and do not charge fees from the students. This has called for their importance amongst the poor groups and communities who would otherwise not be able to send their children to schools. Also the charter schools may be started in old buildings and they do not follow the structural norms of public schools. It is believed that the basic goal of these schools is to provide for education of those people who may otherwise not be able to attend public schools.

Evaluating potential international relations challenges Essay

Evaluating potential international relations challenges - Essay Example From time to time, different countries have similar state interests. For instance, two countries might all want to nurture peace and commercial processes. Similarly, countries with different interests will often try to solve the conflicts (Hay, 2002). This paper will assess the potential international relations challenges and apply them to foreign policy. One of the major concerns of international relations is to examine how country behaviors and this can be examined in different levels of analysis (Hay, 2002). The system level of analysis examines states behavior in relation to other countries by looking at the international system. At this point of analysis, the intercontinental system is the source of a state’s behavior is the consequence (Dornelles, 2010). Features of the system make countries act in a given way. Transformation in the system will instigate transformation in government behavior. The main variable in the intercontinental system is the influence of a country within the organization. Some countries are influential, and others are extremely feeble (Hay, 2002). For instance, during the cold war, some countries were powerful and influential. The main cause of cold was that the USSR and U.S. were two influential countries in the region. Currently, other states define the performance of all countries in the region (Dornelles, 2010). Therefore, this level of analysis may rationalize the US involvement in Iraq as a powerful government and only influential government, activating its strength to law enforcement agency of the domain against countries that intimidate them. The states preserve its dominance by destroying all its challenges (Hay, 2002). The state level of analysis looks at a countries’ behavior in relation to its foreign policy. For example, all democratic states have a certain manner of behaving towards other democratic states (Hay, 2002). Other researchers argue that the different conducts of strong or weak countries influence

The Plan for Growth and Stability of The Organization Essay - 12

The Plan for Growth and Stability of The Organization - Essay Example The approach allows for creativity. In turn, it leads to the efficient use of resources. This is necessary because there is not an endless supply of resources. In addition, resources have a cost component. The organization is well established in the economy. The organization has to face a reality. The reality has three components. They are unfreezing, changing and refreezing. The unfreezing has occurred. The organization has realized that the business world is different. This is evident by the engaging of MBA activity. This requires considering new leadership. Julius the leader holds an MBA. There is no indication that such a qualified person has been here before. This is a major step forward. It must have come with great anxiety. The anxiety has been hard to the top decision makers. They would of necessity have to be willing to give up control. This is true even if it is only a nominal act. The membership below will be aware of the wind of change whether real or apparent. This reality has obviously created some trauma or pain to the people who work in the organization. The pain will be in differing degrees. The degrees are affected by such factors as the ability to leave the organization. The decision to leave has to do with one's ability to do better if the leaving decision is made. In most cases, people would want to stay. They would like life to be better. This trauma and healing aspect is very real. It may be denied. Julius must pay attention to this reality. Julius must realize it also will impact his seniors. Changing is the aspect as to what needs to be done. There will be concepts. There is the plan as to the implementation of the concepts. There will be the measurement of the impact ahead of time. This should be a conditioning process. It is necessary to put in the required amount of time necessary. Refreezing will occur when the plans are in place.

Impact Of Christian Missionary Activity

Impact Of Christian Missionary Activity Colonialism in the nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries was part and parcel of the world history, whether one was part of the Colonial empires or countries under colonial rule. Colonialism was not simply a social and economical form of oppression but also cultural, mostly religious for those who lived under its grip. Indeed from the British Raj to the French rule around the world, religion acted as a backbone to infiltrate and convert en masse or divert locals or natives from what was believed to be erroneous religions. Christianity in this way became an important import for colonies around the world. India is such an example. Under British rule since the 18th century, India was subjugated for three centuries until its independence in 1947. This rule has obviously left a big impact on the Indian landscape namely on the cultural and political scene because of education and the counter reaction of Hinduism. This essay will thus attempt to gauge the extent of Christian Missi onary activity in India and its modernizing effect if any. The different ways in which Christian missions operated will be analysed as well as its impact on education and Hinduism. This will be undertaken by describing the concept of modernity from a western perspective and how it applies to the Indian case. The impact of Christian Missions on education will be accounted for as well as the debate over the Hindu Renaissance of the 19th century and whether it was indeed a renaissance. Moreover this essay will assess the impact of Christian activities as having been conducive to the Indian nationalist movement and how this subsequently led to Indias Independence from British Colonial Rule. MODERNITY AND WHAT CONSTITUTES MODERNITY. The concept of modernity is western and a term devised and applied in the West because of the shift from the medieval era to the modern since the Enlightenment. Thus to speak of modernity in the Indian context, one needs to define what modernity entails. Firstly modernity for Marx was to be associated with the rise of capitalist commodity production and for Weber, in the abstract principle of rationalization of the world (Kaviraj, 2000 p137). Modernity sees a state possess several features like a capitalist industrial economy, modern state institutions like the army and forms of democracy. Moreover the community of the traditional society tends to be replaced by the individual enterprise whilst religion tends to be overshadowed by secular values. (Kaviraj, 2000 p137) .Whilst all of the mentioned elements do not have to operate at the same time for a modern society to take shape, they are the prerequisites for one. Furthermore, it is believed that due to prerequisites like democracy, capitalist industrial economy ,etc ,that modernity tends to replicate itself around the globe as it supplants the traditional environment and replaces it with new set of practices altogether. However, this idea does not take into account the plurality and diversity of some places (Kaviraj, 2000 p138) India is such an example. Modernity does not operate on a tabula rasa but rather has to work along existing cultures and beliefs. Moreover, modernity in the Western perspective tends to suggest an image of homogeneity, where rationality prevails over economic, political and cultural spheres. This is rather far from the truth as one can see in Indias case, where plurality and diversity have always been present and in fact regions make up this vast country. Therefore, modernity cannot be applied to all cases in the same way and does not replicate itself around the globe through a common pattern. Even western countries had rather diverse trials and errors path towards modernity.India for i nstance is an extreme culturally fragmented case. The notion of being Indian did not take shape until British Colonial rule. Also, the social fragmentation of class and castes and royalties controlling parts of India made it hard to translate into a nation. However, British rule did contribute into putting perspective to the various religions and their differences. India first of all came under British rule due to the lack of a central state and lack of forms of democracy. Initially starting as a corporation enterprise, the East India enterprise very quickly saw itself acting as a state mostly by collecting revenues, production of statistics etc (Kaviraj, 2000 p143). In this way, British rule sought to transform the Indian colony into a western type state. However Indias diversity and class/caste ridden society could not follow into the Western tradition. India at that point was too embedded by religious and traditional beliefs to be turned into a modern state The modernity that beset the West socially, economically and culturally could thus not be repeated in India. The district of Bengal for instance saw a definite cultural revolution in the 19th century, where Western rationalization of thought seemed to have taken place. However the lack of infrastructures and material prospects could not emulate Western Counterparts so that Bengal could be termed as modern (Kopf, 1979 p9-11). Modernity in 19th century Bengal was allowed by the implementation of rising communication such as printing, education in the form of missionary schools. Moreover, the rise of Bhadraloks and the consolidation of intellectual elite as Ranmohun Roy witnessed a shift from the traditional to the modern. However this was concentrated mainly in urban areas and reserved for the privileged, mostly the middle class. Calcutta is such an example whereby the Bengali Renaissance found itself being the preserve of the few intellectual elite and not one to touch base with most people in general. The next chapters will thus determine whether India turned into a modern state under Christian Missionary activity or did it only see a cultural revival. It is essential to start with education as it became the first port of call for missionaries in India to use as weapon for conversions. THE IMPACT OF MISSIONARY SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION IN INDIA. The printing of ancient texts revived a spark of interest in Indian traditions and texts even from British scholars and missionaries. In effect comparative studies became a key tool into understanding the Indian tradition and values (Killingley, 2003 p509-14).A world completely different from the homogeneity of religion and languages of the Western world, understanding the Indian society and transforming it into a Western project as was the British agenda could be achieved only by instilling western values of religion namely Christianity. This was to be attempted by mission school and missionaries which were meant to bridge the religious gap between Christianity and Hinduism and also Islam. Although initially banned for fear on treading on local beliefs and traditions, missionary schools soon became more popular than anticipated and can be said to be conducive to Indian modernity through the revival of Hinduism (Bellenoit, 2007 p369). Missionary education would also be a catalyst for the Independence movement for it enabled men as Mahatma Gandhi to formulate their political discourse for Indian and Western audiences as well. Missionary education was set up by the British as means to be promote Western education, mainly the notions of rationalization but also to separate the false religions from the real. Indeed, Christianity in the late 19th and early 20th century had become the most widespread religion through colonies and in the Western World, the religion de facto in a sense. Western education in India was to thus boost Christian morality as opposed to the myriads of myths and ancient rites of Indian society. Practices like Sati, the Caste system with its unfair treatment of untouchables and the subordination of women in general became a cause for concern for some of the missionaries. Mission schools were thus intended to be centres of spiritual and religious dialogue as well as centres of academic learning but more importantly a way to impart Hindus the right Christian and moral ways ( Bellenoit,2007 p371) The colonial enterprise in India was a Christian enterprise above all. Missionary schools became increasingly popular, especially North India. They became synonymous to better life opportunities and social status. At the heart of these schools, lay religious debates and comparative lectures between Hinduism and Christianity. Through the comparative studies, missionaries wished to universalize Christianity by finding common things with Hinduism and help the pupils dispel traditions and mythical beliefs which went against the core values of Christianity. These schools moreover relied also on Indian agency and enterprise rather than British administration, which was thought to be conducive to Indians as being part of the Western modern family. However, these comparative studies only served to destabilize the imparted Western knowledge at these schools .Indeed, rather than concentrating on the religious curriculum these schools became centres of academic pursuits by most students. Conversions being the ultimate goal were viewed suspiciously by parents who s ometimes threatened to pull their children out of these schools. Protests were often made by parents who feared that their children would turn Christians and any Christian activities would be frowned upon, seen as a disregard to Hindu culture and values (Bellenoit, 2007 p372) The Christian education only appealed to Indians for it automatically secured better life opportunities and social status within Indian society. Students meanwhile seemed to develop dual allegiances, one to their rational westernized education and the other to the beliefs of their ancestors, seeped in myths and traditions. Mission schools thus were subject to protests and Indian agency from parents to administration and were not just a passive process where Indian pupils imbibed Christian lessons and forgot about their traditions. In Northern India for instance, missionary schools became a way for Indians to contest the so called superiority of Western knowledge and Christianity especially when it came to the i ssue of the dvaita (duality) nature of God which both Hindus and Christians believed in (Bellenoit, 2007 p373-374) The mastering of English language enabled students to forage into Western literature and philosophy. This allowed for Indians to seek and re read their own sacred texts as well as ancient writings which showed the richness of Indian culture and lost traditions of reason and logic which had predated the Italian Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Western notions of rationalization and education in effect helped shape the Indian enterprise for learning and by extension helped them revive or discover what would eventually shape Indian modernity and the process of Independence. However these mission schools were reserved to a few privileged. Moreover, the issues of caste and class still persisted. The interesting outcome of the missionary schools is that they were marked by interdependency and contestation between Europeans and Indians and that this was also a side of coloni al rule and that Indians did not allow themselves to be culturally subordinated (Bellenoit, 2007 p393) In this light, it can be said that Christian activity did bring some forms of modernity in India, mostly in the form of Western style schools and education. Indians, mainly the privileged classes saw the benefit of this system. Indias vast middle class would be formed by this Christian education. However, the outcome of mission schools also meant the revival of Hinduism pupils now armed with English language could compare the West and their own culture. A cultural modernity seems to have taken place with the activities of Missionary schools. REFORM IN HINDUISM DUE TO COLONIAL PRESENCE. It has been pointed out that missionary schools were set up to bridge the gap between Hinduism and Christianity. The presence of Christianity in India was subject to coexistence and conflict. This conflict/ coexistence relationship thus allows for individuals to stay within their religious boundaries or to try synthesising both. The presence of Colonial rule in nineteenth century India forced Hindus to reanalyse the fundamental structure of Hinduism. The threat of missionary schools and the en mass conversion of low caste groups became a turning point for the future of Hinduism which had until then been free from any pressures except for Islam through the Mughal empire. Christianity in India was present through the Church and it was a force to be reckoned with, for it had a clear structure and hierarchy unlike the multifaceted one of Hinduism This then encouraged Indians to congregate and to create a semblance of unity for political aspirations and discourses (Beckerlegge 2004 p145). The creation of the Brahmo Samaj by Ranmohun Roy and the Dharma Sabha and Swami Vivekananda Ramakrishna Math and Mission are such examples. Although these groups are western in form, they were effective in regrouping like minded men, although mostly from upper classes to find ways into counter attacking British policies and rules. Moreover it helped into bringing about changes within Hinduism. (Beckerlegge, 2004 p149). Missionary activity thus sparked a Hindu revival that would follow in the European traditions of rationality and intellectual thought. Faced with an ever present Christian force, Hinduism would face change from the inside as what is known as the Hindu Renaissance. The Hindu Renaissance. The Hindu Renaissance can be described as a time marked by the reformulation of Hindu thought, practice and organization. It started roughly in 1820s and lasted until India gained its independence from Britain( Beckerlegge,2004 p138) The Hindu Renaissance is extremely important as it shaped modernity in India and allowed for charismatic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sri Aurobindo to formulate their political discourses thereafter. The Hindu Renaissance promoted a different style of Hinduism ,namely a modern Hinduism , a neo Hinduism characterized by the relationship between religion and nationalism , the majority of its thinkers having been exposed to western thought , Christianity and education (Beckerlegge,2004 p 139)Placing greater importance on the individual similar to the Enlightenment rather than traditional authorities , the worship of idols and belief in old traditions became a burden. Moreover the traditional Hindu concepts such as dharma and yoga were reinterpreted, eve n gaining International recognition. This new style Hinduism also sought to be at the service of humanity and to its betterment (Beckerlegge, 2004 p 139) As Sarkar points out, the Hindu Renaissance appealed to the middle class for it was created by a middle class which saw the movement as a transitional shift from medieval times to a modern one (Sarkar in Beckerlegge,2004 p 140) The Hindu Renaissance saw the emergence of figures as Ranmohun Roy, Swami Vivekanda and the prominence of cities like Calcutta acting as intellectual hub. People like Roy and Vivekananda tried to incorporate the elements of Christianity and Hinduism into their discourses and writings believing it would not only educate Hindus but also Christians. The precepts of Jesus by Roy are such an example. The Hindu revival aimed into seeking the universality of religions, by finding their common link, a supra power. Roy saw in Christian teachings the universal truth found in all religions but that the greatest form was in Hinduism, namely the Advaita Vedanta. Similar to the traditions and practices that had beset Hinduism, he thought Christianity had been riddled with the Trinitarian theology and supernaturalism (Beckerlegge, 2004 p 151). Similarly Swami Vivekanandas attempt to an inclusive and dynamic Hinduism made him accept the person of Jesus and his teachings. He believed individuals and religions were aiming for the same destination albeit at different times and places. The truth of religions was found in their convergence rather than their historical differences. Figures like Roy and Vivekananda were referred to as Hindu Christians or tacit Christians. However this is a rather Eurocentric view. Hinduism was then reformulated by social and political context of the 19th century Calcutta and the clash of Indian and colonial rule. The Hindu Renaissance also posited a fundamental question, the relationship of the colonized versus the colonizer, a debate which made Indians question why they had been colonized in the first place and why Hinduism had been threatened by the advent of Christianity. The colonial project was an inherently Christian enterprise. The works of Roy and Swami Vivekananda aimed at answering this fundamental question by finding a common ground through the universality of religions. (Van der Veer, 2001 p44-8, 66-70,72-4). It is the western quality of these writings appealed to Western and Indian audiences alike. But these western type discourses were motivated by a Hindu spirituality not to be found in Christianity (Van der Veer, 2001 p44-8 ,66-70,72-4). However the Hindu Renaissance was not a fundamental break from its past. The issues of castes, namely the Untouchables was not abolished. This Bengali renaissance culture only spread in urban areas and amongst the upper middle class bhadraloks . Some of Hinduisms rigid lines when it came to castes and hierarchy were still very traditional and still pervade (Sarkar, 1990 p 95-105).Moreover it took a longer period from the Hindu Renaissance to the actual independence of India , meaning the Hindu Renaissance was not as planned but rather occurred on an ad hoc basis. The Hindu Renaissance did not transform Indian society in a modern one. Christian Missionary activity in India had a modernising tendency to the extent that it brought a western style education through mission schools and the Church. Missionary activity acted as a binding factor for India as it made Indians think of themselves as Indians for the first time. As seen above, modernity entails a notion of statehood as well as industrial and economic growth. The weak links of Hinduism were introspected as well as the clear lack of hierarchy and structure that Britain possessed. A major question was to ask why India had been allowed to be colonized in the first place and how different was it from the Wests state structure. This in turn brought about the Hindu Renaissance with clear western features but imbued with a Hindu spirituality and essence. Morever it allowed Hinduism to possess a more rational and intellectualized discourse through men like Ranmohun Roy and Swami Vivekananda. They wished to syncretise Hinduism and Christianity to prove the universality of religions and thus demonstrate that colonialism was a discriminate and unfair venture on the Wests behalf. Missionary schools as highlighted above allowed Indians agency and contestation as education gave a platform to voice out opinions about Christianity and the colonial rule. Hinduism was thus further reinforced by western educated voices rather than traditional and illiterate ones. Although not advanced infrastructurally by comparison to its western counterparts, India had entered a new era of political and cultural effervescence under the pressure of Christian missionaries and colonial rule. Those activities helped modernity trough key figures as Gandhi and Nehru who would eventually help India gain independence. It can be concluded that Christian mission activity helped India culturally modernize itself and think as a nation although marked by major regional differences.

The Importance of Education in Our Society Essay -- Education Society

The Importance of Education in Our Society In our culture today, there is a huge emphasis on education, especially higher education. Society basically says the more educated you are, the better off you are. That is pretty much true if you live by the means of society. The basic idea that education, especially a college education, is something that people should pursue even into their adult years is not by any means a new idea. Every society has specialized individuals who fulfill certain positions that require extended education. In some cases, these people are known as shamans, priests, or professors, or they may be doctors, mechanics, blacksmiths, or artists. In all these professions, some form of higher education is necessary. It could come from an apprentice or rigorous private study, or it could take the form of a formal higher education. Whatever the form, the meaning is the same, gain knowledge and use it. The idea of education has been a big part of each and every culture on earth. However, as we all know, there are many questions on what it means to be educated in the form of higher education: questions we, as students, must face sooner or later. Here I am, my junior year in college. In a couple of years, I will be either prolonging my education or out in the real world trying to make a living. I must ask myself these questions: What is the purpose of my higher education? What exactly am I learning? Is the education I am receiving here at the University of Arkansas going to be good enough for a future employer? If I am educated does that mean I am trained to do only one thing? Am I one-dimensional? First of all, what does it mean to be educated here at the University of Arkansas? In other w... ...rked fears of the return of the university system geared toward the wealthy. Society needs the higher educated, because the educated do serve a purpose. Not everyone is as blessed as the fortunate few to have obtained a higher education. Society needs professionals (doctors, lawyers, and engineers). It also needs artiest, essay writing professors, philosophers and politicians. In certain ways the educated owe it to the society they came from to make it a better, more diverse living environment, for everyone including themselves. Education is not just what your major is, it is also what you learn along the way. It's about learning about life and who you are. All the while becoming specialized so that you may contribute to yourself and society. It's a journey, and for those of us fortunate enough to embark on that journey I hope that we make the most of it.

E-Commerce Marketplace

BUSINESS Retail consumer E-commerce continues to grow up at double-digit rates. The online demographics of shoppers continue to broaden. Online website continues to reinforce profitability by refining their business models and leveraging the capabilities of the Internet. The first wave of E-Commerce transformed the business world of books, music, and air travel. In the second wave, eight new industries are facing a similar transformation: telephones, movies, television, jewelry, real estate, hotels, bill payments, and software. The breadth of E-Commerce offerings grow ups, especially each and every one in travel, information clearinghouses, entertainment, retail apparel, appliances, and home furnishings. Each and every one business and entrepreneurs continue to flood into the E-Commerce marketplace, often riding on the infrastructure craft by industry giants such as Amazon, eBay, and Overture. Brand extension each and every one the way through the Internet grow ups as large firms such as Sears, J.C. Penney, L.L. Bean, and Wal-Mart pursue integrated, multi –channel bricks-and-clicks strategies. B2Bsupply chain transactions and collaborative commerce continue to reinforce and grow up beyond the $1.5trillion mark. TECHNOLOGY: Wireless Internet connections (Wi-Fi, Max, and 3Gtelephone) grew up rapidly. Podcasting takes off as a new media format for distribution of radio and user-generated commentary. The Internet broadband foundation becomes stronger in households and businesses. Bandwidth prices of telecommunications companies re-capitalize their debts. RSS (Real Simple Syndication) grow ups to become a mayor new form of user- controlled information distribution that rivals e-mail in some applications. Computing and networking component prices continue to fall dramatically. New Internet-based models of computing such as. NET and Web services expand B2B opportunities. SECIETYSelf-publishing (user-generated content) and syndication in the form of blogs, wikis and social network grow up to form an entirely new self-publishing forum. Newspapers and other conventional, customary & traditional media adopt online, interactive models. Conflicts over copyright management and control grow up in significance. Over half the Internet user population (about 80 million adults) joins a social group on the Internet. Taxation of Internet sales becomes more widespread and accepted by large online merchants. Controversy over content regulation and controls amplify and rises. Surveillance of Internet communications grows ups in s significance. Concerns over commercial and governmental privacy invasion grow up. Internet fraud and abuse occurrences amplify and rise. First Amendment rights of free speech and association on the Internet are challenged. Spam grows ups despite new laws and promised technology fixes. Invasion of personal privacy on the Web expands as marketers discover and locate new ways to track users. BUSINESS APPLICATION OF E-COMMERCE Typical business organizations (or parts within a business organization) design, produce, market, deliver and support its product (s)/service(s).Each of these activities adds cost and value to the product/service that is eventually distributed to the customer. The value-chain consists of a series of activities designed to satisfy a business need by adding value (or cost) in each phase of the process. In addition to these primary activities that result in a final product/service, supporting activities in this process also should be included:Managing company infrastructure Managing human resources Obtaining various inputs for each primary activityDeveloping technology to keep the business competitive. For instance, in a furniture manufacturing company, the company buys wood (raw materials) from a logging company and then converts the wood into chair (finished product); chairs are shipped to retailers, distributors, or customers. The company markets and services these chairs products. Those are the primary activities (value-chain) that adds value and result in a final product/service for the company. Value-chain analysis may highlight the opportunity for the company to manufacture products directly. This means, for furniture manufacturer, it may enter in the logging business directly or through partnership with others. he value chain may continue after delivering chairs to the furniture store. The store, by offering other products/services and mixing and matching this product with other products, may add additional value to the chair. The Internet can increase the speed and accuracy of communications between suppliers, distributors, and customers. Furthermore, the Internet's low cost allows companies of any size to be able to take advantage of value-chain integration. E-commerce may improve value chain by identifying new opportunities for cost reduction. For instance, using e-mail to notify customers instead of using regular mail helps for reducing cost. Selling to distant customers using the company web site may allow revenue improvement or generation. These sales may not have been materialized otherwise or selling digital products such as songs or computer software or distributing software through the web. Offering online customer service or new sales channel identification helps for product/service improvement.Dell Computer generates a large portion of its revenue through the Web by eliminating the middleman. Cisco systems sell much of its networking hardware and software over the Web, improving revenue and reducing cost. United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express use the Internet to track packages that result in enhanced customer service.History of EcommerceOne of the most popular activities on the Web is shopping. It has much allure in it — you can shop at your leisure, anytime, and in your pajamas. Literally anyone can have their pages built to display their specific goods and services.History of ecommerce dates back to the invention of the very old notion of â€Å"sell and buy†, electricity, cables, computers, modems, and the Internet. Ecommerce became possible in 1991 when the Internet was opened to commercial use. Since that date thousands of businesses have taken up residence at web sites.At first, the term ecommerce meant the process of execution of commercial transactions electronically with the help of the leading technologies such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) which gave an opportunity for users to exchange business information and do electronic transactions. The ability to use these technologies appeared in the late 1970s and allowed business companies and organizations to send commercial documentation electronically.Although the Internet began to advance in popularity among the general public in 1994, it took approximately four years to develop the security protocols (for example, HTTP) and DSL which allowed rapid access and a persistent connection to the Internet. In 2000 a great number of business companies in the United States and Western Europe represented their services in the World Wide Web. At this time the meaning of the word ecommerce was changed. People began to define the term ecommerce as the process of purchasing of available goods and services over the Internet using secure connections and electronic payment services. Although the dot-com collapse in 2000 led to unfortunate results and many of ecommerce companies disappeared, the â€Å"brick and mortar† retailers recognized the advantages of electronic commerce and began to add such capabilities to their web sites (e.g., after the online grocery store Webvan came to ruin, two supermarket chains, Albertsons and Safeway, began to use ecommerce to enable their customers to buy groceries online). By the end of 2001, the largest form of ecommerce, Business-to-Business (B2B) model, had around $700 billion in transactions.According to all available data, ecommerce sales continued to grow in the next few years and, by the end of 2007, ecommerce sales accounted for 3.4 percent of total sales. Ecommerce has a great deal of advantages over â€Å"brick and mortar† stores and mail order catalogs. Consumers can easily search through a large database of products and services. They can see actual prices, build an order over several days and email it as a â€Å"wish list† hoping that someone will pay for their selected goods. Customers can compare prices with a click of the mouse and buy the selected product at best prices.Online vendors, in their turn, also get distinct advantages. The web and its search engines provide a way to be found by customers without expensive advertising campaign. Even small online shops can reach global markets. Web technology also allows to track customer preferences and to deliver individually-tailored marketing.History of ecommerce is unthinkable without Amazon and E-bay which were among the first Internet companies to allow electronic transactions. Thanks to their founders we now have a handsome ecommerce sector and enjoy the buying and selling advantages of the Internet. Currently there are 5 largest and most famous worldwide Internet retailers: Amazon, Dell, Staples, Office Depot and Hewlett Packard. According to statistics, the most popular categories of products sold in the World Wide Web are music, books, computers, office supplies and other consumer electronics. Amazon.com, Inc. is one of the most famous ecommerce companies and is located in Seattle, Washington (USA). It was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos and was one of the first American ecommerce companies to sell products over the Internet. After the dot-com collapse Amazon lost its position as a successful business model, however, in 2003 the company made its first annual profit which was the first step to the further development. At the outset Amazon.com was considered as an online bookstore, but in time it extended a variety of goods by adding electronics, software, DVDs, video games, music CDs, MP3s, apparel, footwear, health products, etc. The original name of the company was Cadabra.com, but shortly after it become popular in the Internet Bezos decided to rename his business â€Å"Amazon† after the world's most voluminous river. In 1999 Jeff Bezos was entitled as the Person of the Year by Time Magazine in recognition of the company's success. Although the company's main headquarters is located in the USA, WA, Amazon has set up separate websites in other economically developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and China. The company supports and operates retail web sites for many famous businesses, including Marks ; Spencer, Lacoste, the NBA, Bebe Stores, Target, etc.Amazon is one of the first ecommerce businesses to establish an affiliate marketing program, and nowadays the company gets about 40% of its sales from affiliates and third party sellers who list and sell goods on the web site. In 2008 Amazon penetrated into the cinema and is currently sponsoring the film â€Å"The Stolen Child† with 20th Century Fox.According to the research conducted in 2008, the domain Amazon.com attracted about 615 million customers every year. The most popular feature of the web site is the review system, i.e. the ability for visitors to submit their reviews and rate any product on a rating scale from one to five stars. Amazon.com is also well-known for its clear and user-friendly advanced search facility which enables visitors to search for keywords in the full text of many books in the database.One more company which has contributed much to the process of ecommerce development is Dell Inc., an American company located in Texas, which stands third in computer sales within the industry behind Hewlett-Packard and Acer. Launched in 1994 as a static page, Dell.com has made rapid strides, and by the end of 1997 was the first company to record a million dollars in online sales. The company's unique strategy of selling goods over the World Wide Web with no retail outlets and no middlemen has been admired by a lot of customers and imitated by a great number of ecommerce businesses. The key factor of Dell's success is that Dell.com enables customers to choose and to control, i.e. visitors can browse the site and assemble PCs piece by piece choosing each single component based on their budget and requirements. According to statistics, approximately half of the company's profit comes from the web site. In 2007, Fortune magazine ranked Dell as the 34th-largest company in the Fortune 500 list and 8th on its annual Top 20 list of the most successful and admired companies in the USA in recognition of the company's business model.History of ecommerce is a history of a new, virtual world which is evolving according to the customer advantage. It is a world which we are all building together brick by brick, laying a secure foundation for the future generations.

Humanities Today Essay

This paper discusses the definition of humanities and differentiate between the humanities and other modes of human inquiry and expression. It also includes examples that reflect current developments in politics, socioeconomics, and examples in the following types of humanities; art, music, architecture, philosophy, and literature. Defining Humanities The humanities can be defined as knowledge that investigates the human experience, and studies human culture, such as the arts, literature, philosophy, history, including other human endeavors. Gaining knowledge from others’ records of the human experience offers us the  opportunity to feel a connection to other cultures and to those from the past, as well as with our contemporaries (Stanford University, 2015). Modes of Human Inquiry and Expression The difference between the visualization of humanity and the practical application of humanity is the understanding of the critical observation of what humanity should be as opposed to what humanity is. In other words, they focus on ideas and values, not just the creation or outcome of an action. Other modes of human inquiry include the study of non-human subjects like in mathematics or natural sciences and do not have much to do with the creative human  endeavors. The humanities are committed to studying the aspects of the human condition using a qualitative approach that normally prevent a single paradigm from defining any discipline. Some studies included in humanities can also be regarded as social sciences in other studies that include; communications, cultural studies, archaeology, and history. Examples of the Humanities HUMANITIES TODAY 3 Humanities are the experiences of the human being that can be visual, audible, and even felt by touch. They can be expressed through art, music, architecture, philosophy, and literature.  Art Art include paintings, photography, sculptures, and architecture. The artist can express their emotions, cultural ideals, even political views through their work. There are many classic artists such as Michelangelo who are well renowned which will continue centuries after their time. Artists, like Michelangelo, were commissioned to produce for organizations such as the Roman Catholic Church (Drake, 2008). Michelangelo viewed himself as a sculptor and quite reluctantly took on the task of painting the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel. No doubt there was a  political agenda and at one point Michelangelo was accused of being a heretic because his work reflected disturbing, past events by the church. A contemporary example would be pop artist Andy Warhol. Beginning in the late 1970’s, Warhol created paintings that were abstract, which is an example of how humans have the ability to think conceptually. Now, art can be digitally mass-produced and distributed which creates a large market for sales and profits, although not necessarily for the artist. Music Music is a common form of expression used to communicate current trends, politics, technology and socioeconomics. The most common genre of music today that expresses all of these messages is hip-hop music. Specifically â€Å"Gangsta rap represents part of a larger focus on hip hop and politics that is popular within the media and among scholarly research and the prominence of gangsta rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s prompted the association between hip hop and violence that contemporary social scientists theorize† (Gilliam, 2007). Architecture HUMANITIES TODAY 4 There are several different methods within modernism style of architecture. The modernist style looks for function rather than trying to reproduce the natural environment. There are several forms within the modernism style they include: structuralism, formalism, Bauhaus, the international style, brutalism, and minimalism. The features of modernism includes the fact there is little embellishment or decoration, man-made supplies are used (metal and concrete). Architects in the 20th century include I. M. Pei. In the Early Twentieth-Century modern architects used materials such as ferroconcrete and structural steel in conjunction with the cantilever to build beautiful ensembles. Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959), was one of the first American architects of world significance. He introduced a new style. He combined the new technology of steel and glass with the aesthetic principles of Asian architecture [ (Fiero, 2006) ]. In 1909 Wright completed the Robie House in Chicago. This marked the beginning of a long career creating memorable masterpieces. Today most of these techniques have inspired many of the current styles enjoyed by millions. Philosophy Philosophy is defined as a â€Å"comprehensive system of ideas about human nature and the nature of the reality we live in and is a guide for living, because the issues it addresses are basic  and pervasive, determining the course we take in life and how we treat other people† (Thomas, 2005). Major philosophers of the 20th century include Carl Jung, Albert Camus, and Bertrand Russell. Literature Literature provides readers a written composition comprised of current or previous cultural issues. According to the Department of State’s website â€Å"Social and economic advances have enabled previously underrepresented groups to express themselves more fully, while HUMANITIES TODAY 5 technological innovations have created a fast-moving public forum† (U. S. Department of State, 2007). One example of a current piece of literature is the novel, The Kite Runner. The book was written by Khaled Hosseini and â€Å"tells of childhood friends in Kabul separated by the rule of the Taliban† (U. S. Department of State, 2007) Conclusion The study of humanities is an ever changing journey. Humanities will changes with the questions and expression about every generation to come. Humanities are unique in that a quest for the purpose and meaning of the human life is being sought. As time goes on, the study of humanities will be become broader, taking with it all the questions of yesterday. HUMANITIES TODAY 6 References Drake, C. (2008, November). Did Michelangelo have a hidden agenda? The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www. wsj. com/articles/SB122661765227326251 Fiero, G. K. (2011). The Humanistic Tradition Book 3: The European Renaissance, The Reformation, and Global Encounter. McGraw-Hill 6e Stanford University. (2015). Home of the Human Experience. Stanford University, Stanford, California. Retrieved from http://shc. stanford. edu/ Thomas, W. (2005). What is philosophy? Retrieved from http://objectivistcenter. org/cth–409- FAQ_Philosophy. aspx.

Ghostwriting A Lesser Known Career Path that Pays Big

Ghostwriting A Lesser Known Career Path that Pays Big Graduating with an engineering degree, I had no clue I would end up being a freelance writer. I chose to be one, as it best suited my life during the recession period back in 2009. Like many other writers who get stuck with low paying content mills like Elance (now Upwork), I started my career earning peanuts. That changed when I did research for a blog post in 2013 about how much ghostwriters earn. That research taught me that I was highly undercharging at $1 per page. The first eBook I ever ghostwrote for a client was over 50 pages long and paid only $50. And that included Elance’s and PayPal’s fees, too! Today, in 2018, I charge as much as $1-$2 per word. I charge more for creative work or fiction than for nonfiction. If the work requires extensive research, the rate runs higher. This means ghostwriting a 10k words novella would easily earn me $10,000. Now, imagine what a full-length novel of 60,000 to 100,000 pays. Ghostwriting is a lucrative niche that many writers don’t know much about. Why Ghostwrite? The truth is: I have tried self-publishing. This requires time to market and sell your books. Ghostwriting is a lot easier, less stressful, involves less marketing, and pays well. When I started my career as a freelance writer, I was trying to raise a family while still being a ‘good’ housewife. I needed, at this point in my life, to work from home. Ghostwriting seemed to fit my lifestyle perfectly. How I Land Ghostwriting Gigs Ghostwriting just fell into my lap, but logically it is a small leap from freelance writing. I was writing blogs and articles when one of my repeat clients asked if I’d be interested in ghostwriting ebooks. I ultimately wrote a large number of them for the same client. He was kind enough to spread the word to his peers which landed more work. As the owner of a writing business now, I acquire most of my work through my Facebook page. It’s not that my clients are too lazy or inept to write their own work. They are just too busy with careers or family to create the work they wish to market, which is the norm in today’s world. Networking helps me too. When I meet someone new and introduce myself as a ghostwriter, people are keen to share brilliant ideas or stories for their books and have me jot them down for them. So many people have a story, but not the skill nor time to bring them to fruition. Is Ghostwriting for You? If you are attached to your writing, probably ghostwriting isn’t a good fit for you. However, if you enjoy playing with others’ ideas and molding them into your own words, it might just be your niche. Does Ghostwriting Pay Better than Traditional writing?   It sure does, but you don’t get rich overnight. There are some freelance ghostwriters claiming six figures a year. They do earn that amount, but they didn’t right away. Build upon your portfolio and reputation first. Initially, ghostwriting will pay your bills; your ghostwriting money. I enjoyed my first holiday to the south of France and then in the States in 2015 and 2016 respectively. In 2017, my family went to Spain and Pakistan. For 2018, I’ve planned a special surprise as we will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in December. All thanks to ghostwriting, I am enjoying a life that many just dream of. Brief

Management and leadership devt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management and leadership devt - Essay Example Current paper focuses on the examination of the development of leadership, as a core element of modern organizations. At the same time, reference is made to the changes in the styles of leadership, following the changes in market conditions and the organizational potentials worldwide. The relationship between management and leadership is also explored, aiming to understand the power of leader to control organizational operations. It is proved that leadership tends to change continuously; however, the level of this process is not standardized. It is assumed that the potentials of leaders to act independently in each organization can vary, under the influence of the internal organizational environment and the local market ethics. 2. Leadership – description and development The characteristics and the role of leadership in modern organizations are likely to be differentiated in accordance with the conditions of the internal and the external organizational environment. Up to a lev el, such differentiation is justified taking into consideration the fact that the needs of each organization are not identical. However, similarities exist, which allow for assumptions in regard to the performance of leadership in different organizational and market conditions. The understanding of the process of change as occurring in leadership styles requires the reference to the definition of the specific concept. The characteristics of leadership should be also analytically described in order to identify the potentials of the specific concept to be further developed. 2.1 Definition of leadership In accordance with Van Velsor et al. (2010) the traditional definition of leadership as the establishment of shared goals that followers have to support, should be alternated in order to become more effective. It is suggested that leadership is considered as ‘the process of producing direction, alignment and commitment (DAC) in collectives’ (Van Velsor et al. 2010). 2.2 Mai n characteristics of leadership The leadership, as described above, is highly differentiated by management. Because both these concepts are related to modern business activities, their relationship should be further explained making sure that the role and the potentials of each one of them will be made clear. In accordance with Ryan (2007) the role of leader refers to the establishment of the organization’s vision and mission. On the contrary, the manager has to develop the measures necessary for the realization of organization’s vision and the achievement of organization’s targets (as set by the leader). Furthermore, the leader is likely to create inspiration to the employees urging them to develop their skills (Stimson et al. 2009). The manager has to support employees in their efforts to improve their capabilities and knowledge but he is not expected to inspire the employees, mostly because his power in the organization is limited. Moreover, the leader establ ishes the organizational culture; the manager needs to act in accordance with the organizational culture and values having the power to choose among the policies used for the promotion of organizational culture through the firm’s daily activities (Derr et al. 2002). At the same time, the leader needs to promote innovation, ensuring that the competitiveness of his organization is kept at high levels (Lussier et al. 2009).

Philosophy-The Good Life and the Right Action Essay

Philosophy-The Good Life and the Right Action - Essay Example When we are alive death is not there and when death comes we are not there so where is the good or bad feeling about death. It is not wise to teach young to live well while old to end well since in same lesson one teaches live well and die well (Epicurus pars. 2-4). Epicurus considers religious practices and beliefs harmful since these lead one to disturbing thought of death and uncertainty of life after death (Wilson 274). Epicurus defines pleasures to Menoeceus in his letter. He says that desires are necessary for pleasures of life. These give health to body and tranquility to mind (ataraxia) which is highest pleasure obtainable where all emotional disturbances are removed and only simple needs remain. He explains that pleasures are not in the costly things or sensual pleasures of body, it is absence of pain and trouble in soul. A plain meal gives as much pleasure as a rich spread. A bread and water to a hungry man is divine meal. (Epicurus pars 6-9). He concludes that ultimate evi l is pain. It may be fear of death, fear of not being able to attain material wealth. The ultimate good is pleasure. Wilson (274) presents Epicurus’ view that postpone immediate pleasures to attain higher pleasures. Epicurus thus advised self-discipline. Epictetus’ views on good life and right action: Epictetus and other stoics felt that nature is rational and orderly. Our individual natures are part of universe so living in agreement with nature (homologia) is good life (Long 163). Epictetus and other stoics stated that a morally good life with health, wealth and reputation is one’s choice because it suits to the nature more than the life equally moral but full of poverty, illness and exiles. For stoics the virtuous life is most important (Meyer 142). Happiness is not doing anything against the law of nature. Epictetus found god or actually demigod (daimon) and human being in partnership. His god is between human and fully divine (Long 163). For a good