Author: chris

Unwrapping the Technology Standards

Part I: Graphic organizer

NETS for teachers	Master Technology Teacher Standards(MTTS)
Teachers utilize their knowledge on teaching and learning technological experience to advance students’ learning skills	MTTS models and related classroom teaching techniques and curriculum models can be incorporated with technology to support student’s active learning
Teachers design and assess proper learning experiences using current technological tools and resources	MTTS choose appropriate technology to design and assess proper technological instructions
Teachers advance their professional practice continuously to add value on learning system	MTTS facilitate continuous research based on technology to provide the staff with various opportunities for professional development
Teachers demonstrate skills that represent innovative ideas essential in learning environment	MTTS practice their knowledge to bring about innovative competence in digital learning

 

NB: The resources for the information above can be accessed from ISTE. Org. 2008 and Taskstream.com page one.

Part II: Essay

One of the major components of the NETS programs is to give guidelines and specify key points that are essential in learning and teaching process with the aim of developing proper technological literate students. PK-2^nd Grade guidelines developed by NETS are meant to guide teachers and are indicators for primary stage of learning. They are based on the assumption that children will be accessed regularly to various technological tools. They require all children to develop technological skills that will support their learning. In addition, they require personal productivity, decision making and lifelong learners who will make informed decisions.

The technologies that are widely available to teachers in K-12 education to facilitate teaching, learning and communications include software, which is simple such as PowerPoint and Auto CAD that is available in all classrooms. Hardware such as digital cameras, scanners and flash disks are available. Consequently, various methods of computing technologies that helps students to generate data easily are available. Lastly, there are technological tools such as smart phones and other mobile computers that provide immediate mobility. The website technology enables teachers to make easy communications with parents, students and teachers.

The requirements for PK-2^nd Grade guidelines that are right on target and will be easily implemented include the use of content specific tools, software and replications for instance environmental probes, graphing calculators and electronic tools. These are the requirements that can support their learning and proper teaching methods. According to ISTE, various technology and digital resources used in learning activities are used by PK-2^nd Grade level (Taskstream.com., n.d.). However, those mentioned are right on target because they are required to help students in learning multiple cultures through e-mails and other electronic activities that are simple.

Technology can be used in the typical K-12 classroom to enhance teaching and learning through providing a comprehensive strategy in a classroom that identifies clear goals. This comprehensive model can demonstrate valid approaches to learning system and it specifies an appropriate period for carrying out certain projects. In addition, it can be evaluated through exploring the development of validated tools that can be used by all students. Supportive efforts in developing these shared instruments can be enacted by teachers. This is crucial because they will help students to adapt with the proper method of using technology.

The requirements for PK-2^nd Grade that will be difficult to support from those recommended include use of content specific tools such as CAD (ISTE.org, 2008). Teachers struggle hard to teach students through relying on highly popular video games. It will not be hard to create a story but it will be difficult to support it using this kind of the technology tool. Younger students understand how to copy and paste information from the website but it will be difficult for the teacher to address the issue of copyright laws. This is because they will not understand what intellectual property of ownership means.

The specific skills that I feel missing from the selected grade level include sustainable standards that can act as guidelines for teachers towards improvement in technology in the 21^st century. Teachers should be given sustainable guidelines that can help students in future when they move to higher levels of learning. This can be essential because teachers will enable students to grow up with essential literature skills on the technology.

References

ISTE.org (2008). ISTE/NETS for Teachers. Retrieved on May 24, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm

Taskstream.com (n.d.). Master Technology Teaching Standards. Retrieved on May 24, 2011from

http://www.taskstream.com/Main/main_frame.asp

 

 

 

How the book “Foreign Babes in Beijing” by Rachel DeWoskin is connected to post ethnicity

Rachel DeWoskin was an American citizen who arrived in Beijing in 1994 and had to go through several mediocre jobs before getting a chance to work with a certain international PR firm. However, she was introduced to the film studio with the duty of developing a drama series including several girls from foreign countries, and their boyfriend from Chinese, and the other families that they are to be connected together. Rachel was playing the role of a scarlet character under the name of Jiexi as the main character. Later, she fell in love with a married man from the Chinese community and they decided to move away together to start a new life in America. Rachel DeWoskin is a reliable narrator of another culture and this is seen in the way she demonstrates this complex story of friendship, honor, family, and differences in culture deeply. For instance, she is well versed with the Chinese culture, their language, and their traditions, as well as life in the United States of America, and her behaviors live and breathe (DeWoskin 69).

DeWoskin`s identity as an American evolve to include her experiences in China in various ways including being from a small society in Beijing believing them to be culturally insensitive jerks. However, she grows closer to the Chinese society, establishing more relationships with Chinese men. For instance, there are moments when she thought about the relationships that she used to have in America with her local boyfriends and what they were like in bed.

A cosmopolitan is a life of fun, fearless woman or a lady who desires to be among the best they can in all aspects of their lives. In this story, DeWoskin is a cosmopolitan woman who was after making ends meet. However, some of her Chinese friends such as her married counterpart, Li Tianming may not represent the cosmopolitan model. Another instance that does not represent or fall under the cosmopolitan model includes the female emancipation due to affluence, divorce rates, and the increasing number of women living outside matrimony. All these aspects lower people’s standards and dignity in life, thus making them not to work hard towards achieving their dreams.

There are a number of the cultural misunderstandings to come about near the end of foreign babes of Beijing. For instance, the language itself is difficult for the Chinese group; the entire drama is capitalized on misunderstandings. In the story, we are shown a certain foreigner presenting a clock to an elderly Chinese man. The man’s reaction was terrifying since to them, clocks represent impending death. According to the ending of the book, nationalism and culture-bund identity will one day become outdated. This is because the story was a manifestation of fundamental change. For instance, if the Chinese never had democracy, then they were free to seize its material trappings.

As China fights for global dominance, its culture has remained to be closed for most people. The story illustrates foreign women as open-minded and DeWoskin represents these women especially when she finds her married co-star primed to develop their fictional relationship into reality. DeWoskin`s character was far taken from day-to-day life. For instance, it demonstrated how the state continues to micromanage various aspects of the lives of its citizens. This can be seen when the lights in the lift in her apartment block put-off intentionally to make her trudge about eighteen flights of stairs. The locals were against her practice of diary keeping because they feared that their recollections might be used against them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

DeWoskin, Rachel. Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China. New York,       NY: W. W. Norton & Company, 2006. Print.

Human Resource Management and the Law

Human resource department is one of the departments in a company that deals with the issues related to the different employees. It covers all the problems that are associated with the different employees. One of the main issues that have been affecting the department is the different health conditions. The company must follow some required set of laws in relation to the working environment of the employees and the different health covers that they must provide to its employees. There are environmental and other issues, which affect the human resources in the process of providing their duties.

One of the issues is a healthy working environment for the employees to work in. The government stipulates the employees be provided with a safe place to perform their duties. This means that the different human resource departments of different companies should ensure that the place in which the employees are working is safe in terms of health (United States Department of Labor, 2011). Additionally, it is the work of this human resource department to ensure that there is medical insurance cover incase an employee was injured while in the work place. In relation to this, the human resource department must ensure that there are safety gadgets like the first aid and the fire extinguisher in the places of work to help in dealing in first and emergencies. Therefore, for the health department of the human resource, they must ensure that this environmental health issues are checked and implemented immediately.

Another issue that many companies lack in their health department for the employees is the insurance policy for employees. Many companies do not consider it serious and when the employees are affected by a disease, they end-up losing a lot of money due to this problem. For example, when an employee becomes sick may be with a chronic disease and the employer had not insured him or her; the employer might end up losing a lot of money in court due to the different court cases, which might follow (United States Department of Labor, 2011). Additionally, most employees ensure that they try to evade this health policy for its employees, which leads them to hiring non-qualified employees. This leads to the human resource department having unskilled employees to work in the company leading to the loss of profits, which they could have simply enjoyed if they hired skilled work force. Therefore, the human resource department should care for the personal well being of their employees so that the can motivate them and get the best employees in the market.

Another issue, which the human resource department is faced with, is sick leave for the sick employees. Many companies try to avoid this by issuing a no pay for those employees who go on sick leave. However, the government has been tracking these employers so that they could provide justice for the employees (United States Department of Labor, 2011). For example, when the employees have gone on a sick leave, the human resource department is faced with the problem of low members. This means that either the other workers will be overworked or the work, which was being done by the said employees, will have to be stopped so that the employees could heal and resume work as normal. Therefore, the human resource department should try to come up with a plan if this ever happened.

In conclusion, the issue of health may be assumed by every human resources department of various companies. When they do this, they might lose more money than they could have saved. Some of these issues might even lead to the business being closed by the government like the issue of environmental health. Incase the business does not meet the standards, it might be forced to close down by the government. Additionally, people might be afraid of working with a company that does not provide insurance. This might lead to the hiring of unqualified employees. Lastly, the companies might lose a lot if the human resource department does not have strategy on how to cope with sick leave incase there was disease break out. Therefore, the human resource department should ensure that the different health issues are dealt with to ensure safe running of the business.

 

References

United States Department of Labor (2011). Occupation Safety & Health Administration. United States Department of Labor. Retrieved From: http://www.osha.gov/

 

Expansion into Global Market

Introduction

In the recent past, many companies have been going global by selling their products globally. This has led to high profits and the brand recognition of the company. However, some have not been able to do so due to some various factors like the organization culture. For example, there is a company, which has been making shoes for the last fifteen years. The company only expanded it markets to the whole country ten years. The company has been making some substantial amount of profits. However, it has been stagnant in making efforts to expand their markets globally. Due to this, the company’s stakeholders need some serious persuasion so that they could act on expanding their markets.

Who are the stakeholders and what plan should be followed in empowering them?

The best companies’ stakeholders who might be addressed in order to empower themselves in acting towards the changes are the employees of the company. The other stakeholders who are to be motivated are the investors of the company. The best plan to motivate them would be to educate them on the advantages of globalization that will accrue if they decided to take action and expand. Additionally, they need to be educated the disadvantages which the company is having and what they are missing out when they do not take this initiative of expansion. However, it will be best note that they need to be told that they are the only ones that can take the company into the next level. In order to do this successfully, a three-phase plan will be needed (Gilbert, 2011).

The first phase the employees and the investors need to be made aware of the recommended change. This will be done where the different employees and investors will be called for a meeting and be educated on the change. The reasons for doing this are to show the urgency of the matter. Additionally, try to show them the positive things about the change (Gilbert, 2011). This will eradicate the negative notion the employees might form after the being informed of the change. Lastly, it should be noted that employees need to be told notified that they are not going to loose their jobs.

In the second phase, the employees need to be involved ion the process of how to implement the new change. The employees need to be shown the powers and the different investors need to be shown the power they have in the companies (Gilbert, 2011). Therefore, they need to be shown that their different suggestions are been put into practice. This will motivate completely since they can be able to empower themselves in improving the welfare of the company not only locally but also even globally.

The third and final stage is when the change should be implemented. This will be the last motivating factor and the most crucial point. When the employees and the investors have been informed, educated and they have been involved in the implementation they need now to be shown how to put their power into action (Gilbert, 2011). The new global change should be put into action where the investors and the employees would be put as the leaders of the new change. This will motivate them to enact and improve the new change.

What problems/hindrances may stand in the way of action?

However, in the plan above their might be some several hindrances, which can lead to the failure in implementing the new change. One of the hindrances is the organization culture (McGuire & Rhodes, 2009). Since the country was started fifteen years ago the only major change that was made in relation to the expansion of its market was ten years ago. Due to this, the organization has formed cultures, which might as disadvantages. This cultures need to be reviewed so that those that might affect or be affected by the change be identified. To some extent, they might be advantageous if the employees are ready to work with the new idea. For instance, if the company has a culture where the management empowers the employees in every decision making, its vice versa could be disadvantageous.

Another issue that might be a hindrance is the organization structure. In order to accommodate for the global markets the company structure must be changed. The employees and the investor of the company might not be happy with this change (McGuire & Rhodes, 2009). This is because most of them believe that they might loose their powers while others think that they might loose their jobs incase their position is faced out. Therefore, the change to global markets through the enactment of these stakeholders might fail due to the organization culture.

Lastly, the resistance to change by both the investors and the employees might lead to the implementation failing. There are very many reasons that cause the resistances to change for example, the fear of the unknown especially by the employees. The employees do not know of what will become of them once the change is effected. They might loose some of their benefits or even the job itself. On the other hand, the investors might be afraid of loosing their investments when they make this change. Therefore, this might make the change of globalization fail completely.

What is the importance of the elected stakeholders?

The stakeholders who have been selected in this empowerment are very important to the company and the empowerment itself. For example, the employees are very important to the empowerment because they are the ones who are going to perform the actual change. When the company adopts the policy of globalization, the people to be affected are the employees because of they are the ones who makes the different products in the company. In other words, they are the ones who are responsible in keeping the business running. Therefore, if they are not empowered they will be very rebellious and this can lead to the failure of the company.

Another good example is the investors of the company. These are usually the owners of the business. They are generally the financial backbone of the company. For instance, they helped initiating the company to where it is by providing the company with any financial support that the company might need. Therefore, if they are not empowered they might be compelled to keep their money because they might think that they will loose their money if they make that change.

A contrast of what will happen if this fails

If this persuasion of empowerment of both the employees and the stakeholders fail, several things would be expected to happen. The employees will be very resistance to every decision that is going to be introduced. This might be very dangerous because it might lead to the downfall of the company. On the other hand, the investor will not accept any changed in future and some of them might decide to pull out leading to the downfall of the company. Therefore, if this persuasion of empowerment of the employees and the stakeholders fail, the company will never make any changes and they might start losing the competitive advantage over the other companies leading to it collapsing (McGuire & Rhodes, 2009).

What are the forms of communication to be used?

The main forms of communication to be used are the pamphlets, the employees’ team building and the difference conferences. This will show the seriousness of the matter and it is the best time to educate the employees about the different implementation that are to be expected. Additionally, the positive impact of the change will be impacted to the different stakeholders especially in the team building exercise. Therefore, these modes of communication will be very effective and efficient.

Conclusion

It is important to note that convincing people about something is every easy but convincing them to do something is very hard. Therefore, the different leadership skills must be used to persuade the different stakeholders on how to enact themselves in performing the changes, which might be very productive to them. Lastly, one should put into consideration the different problems that he/she might encounter with so that he/she can try to cope with them as they come.

 

References

Gilbert, J. (2011). Nothing Stays The Same: Leadership Techniques To Empower The People During Change Initiative. Project Smart. Retrieved From: http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/nothing-stays-the-same-leadership-techniques-to-empower-people-during-change-initiatives.html

McGuire, J. B & Rhodes, G. (2009). Transforming your Leadership Culture. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons.

Clubs and Phases of Personal Change

California Country Club

1. One item that I was not aware about this golf course

            One of the items that I was not aware about this golf club is that it is a non-equity club. This means that the management of the club is not interfered with by the different private members of the club.

2. Could I work in a property such this when I graduate?

Yes, because it has a big membership/customer base. This means there are no chances of the club collapsing; therefore, the employment would be secure.

3. Two positive impressions of this property

• The staff of the club are very professional
• The club is well organized

4. Two negative impressions of this property

• It is discriminatory in terms of class
• It is for those people who have ego

Western Hills Country Club

1. One item that I was not aware about this golf course

            One thing that I was not aware of about the club is that it has a golf scholarship to its different members who are professional players.

2. Could I work in a property such this when I graduate?

Yes, because of the professionalism that it is involved in the job. This means that it is the best to start my career in, since it will offer me with the best experience.

3. Two positive impressions of this property

• People especially the staff members are very friendly
• The staff members are very efficient

4. Two negative impression of this property

• It does not give that much priority to non-members
• It is discriminative especially the different social classes

Strategies that can be used in case of a change in jobs

            Changes are inevitable and when they occur, we try to work with them. For example, a change can occur when I have moved from one job to another. When this happens very many things are affected. Usually, you have to make new friends in the new job, which sometimes can be very hard if you are not liked. There is usually a lot of curiosity of how the new job will be and whether you will be able to like the new job. Additionally, there is a lot of anticipation of how the different duties are and whether you will be able to perform them well. Lastly, there are those thoughts, which cross the mind of whether I will be able to perform the job in accordance to the expectations.

In order to be able to fulfill the feelings that I have, I usually employ several strategies, which will help me to cope with the different changes. First, I ensure that my mind is free from prejudice or biasness that I have. This usually helps me to create new friends in the new job (Pries, 2001). When my mind is free, it means that I am not there to judge people but to work. For this reason, I believe that I am not there to make friends but to work.

In order to catch up quickly with the different cultures of the job, I am always ready to learn and listen. This usually helps me because I do not know the different policies that are in the new job. Therefore, I have to listen and wait to be taught what happens. Additionally, I try to perform the job, as it is my own job. This makes me more efficient since nobody can ever perform poorly if the job is his own. Lastly, I try to follow the rules to the letter because I want to make a good impression on the boss. This helps me so that I cannot be blacklisted or I can cross on the wrong path of the boss (Pries, 2009). After following these strategies, I find myself to be very efficient. Additionally, I blend in the new job faster without crossing paths with anybody.

 

Works Cited

Pries, Ludger. The Disruption of Social and Geographical Space. International sociology. March 2001. Web. May 21, 2011.

The Effect of Group Influence on the Self

Introduction

Many factors influence behavior. Some of these factors include personality, culture, religion and group influence. People’s conformity can be influenced by informational or normative influences. Informational influence occurs “when people rely on others for information because they trust their judgment” (Breckler et al., 2006). Normative influence occurs when a person wants to gain a reward or when he or she wants to avoid punishment. Several factors such as the need for acceptance and appreciation, self-esteem and confidence determine the lengths at which people are likely to conform. Confident people with high self-esteem are less likely to conform than those who are doubtful about their abilities and those who suffer from low self-esteem (Breckler et al., 2007; Cox, 2001).

Conformity and Behavior

Conformity is defined as the change of behavior caused by other people. Conformity is also based on acting like others, especially those whose behavior one seeks to emulate. A person who conforms will make choices that are pleasing and acceptable to the influential individual or group. Factors that influence conformity include the size and unity of the group. A person is more likely to conform to a larger and more unified group than to a smaller group lacking unity.

Obedience can be defined as doing something as a direct order from an individual or community. Obedience to authority is commonly seen as the right thing to do. This is especially the case in the home, school, or even at the work place. However, this is not always the case and some people will choose to disregard authority when they perceive that what is being requested of them is the wrong thing. Experiences can lead to disobedience regardless of who is giving the order (Cox, 2001). People who have faced difficult situations in the past because of past mistakes will refuse to follow an order if they perceive that the order will make them suffer again.

The major difference between obedience and conformity therefore is that obedience is a requirement while conformity is a choice, since a person can decide not to conform. Conformity is doing what other people are doing while obedience is compliance to authority. Obedience involves orders given by a person in a higher status while conformity is influence from one’s peers. It is possible for a person to obey one person in authority but conformity comes from group norms. A person usually conforms to the will of a particular group of an equal or almost equal status. In most cases, it is unlikely that one will conform to small group, or will be influenced by one person.

Obedience and conformity occur because of social pressure. One similarity between conformity and behavior is that both can happen for the wrong reasons. Milgram’s study shows that people obey even when they know that they are doing the wrong thing (Milgram, 1974). Another similarity between conformity and obedience involves the complexity of the task. Tasks that appear to be difficult and ambiguous produce more conformity since the individual members in a particular group are not sure of their answer (Breckler et al., 2006). Obedience requires one to perform the task irrespective of the level of difficulty.

Study on the Effect of Group Influence

Asch (1951) conducted the experiment on the effects of group pressure upon the modification and distortion of judgment in 1951. The aim of the experiment was to discover if group pressure had any influence on the self. He used one participant and seven confederates in the experiment. The experiment involved different line measurements and the individuals were supposed to say aloud, which line was equal to the test line. In some cases, the confederates gave the wrong answer. The participant was the last one to give his response. The results of the experiment were then compared to the results of the control group, which did not have any confederates. He purposed to find if the participant would change his opinion based on the answers given by the majority.

The results showed that some participants’ answers were contrary to the group while others went along with what the group said. In the cases where the confederates gave the wrong response, thirty-seven percent of the participants also gave the wrong response. Only 0.7% of the participants gave the wrong response in the control group (Essence, 2005). Asch’s experiment demonstrates the effects that the majority can have on the minority. The participants who had given the wrong answer were influenced by the responses given by the confederates because they did not want to stand out. Some chose to give the wrong answer even when they were aware that it was wrong. Those who responded correctly stated that they were confident of their answers and were only concerned with completing the task successfully. Although group influence was influential in making individual decisions, a large proportion of the participants gave the right response.

Several factors may have influenced the results of this experiment and had these factors been considered, the results of the experiment may have been different. Individuals are more likely to conform when they are assured of a reward. Rewards can be in the form of acceptance into a group or approval from an influential person. They will therefore do and behave in a manner that is more pleasing to their peers so that they can gain their approval. The participants used in the experiment were strangers. This means that the participants did not feel as if they had anything to lose or gain by going ahead with the experiment. Had the experiment included a particular group, which seemed popular in the view of the participant, the results would have been different. The participants did not face any threat then and there was no fear of punishment. For instance, participants would have felt the need to fit in and would have feared disapproval among their peers, and so many participants would probably have answered in a way that pleased the other participants (Eysenck, 2005).

People are likely to change their responses if they are aware that they are taking part in an experiment and this may compromise the results. The participants were college students and they probably knew they were taking part in an experiment (Cox, 2001). All the participants in the experiment were male students. The experiment might have produced different results if there was a combination of both male and female students. Political situations provide an avenue for most people to influence their opinions and values among others. Most politicians and political campaigners try to make others see their point of view.

Deviance from Dominant Group Norms

Studies and research on conformity have concluded without doubt that people conform to gain approval. Despite this however, some people will deviate from dominant group norms. Some people act and behave differently from what is expected. Krueger and Funder (2004) posit that people become deviant through conformity with false majority judgment and destructive obedience. Deviance can then be defined as the behavior that violates social norms. Social norms are the acceptable practices as defined in a particular society or group. Individual and societal influences can lead to a person having deviant behavior.

Different theories help in defining defiance. These theories enable a person to understand why someone will deviate from dominant group norms. A person who is considered by the society as being deviant will act in a defiant manner (Rohall et al., 2007). This person will therefore feel that they have to live up to their identity. According to Durkheim (1951), great social changes come with changes in norms and values. Because of this, individuals develop anomie whereby it becomes difficult to distinguish right from wrong. This individual perception may cause a person to act in a manner that seems defiant. Merton viewed deviance as the “natural outcome of social conditions, in which socially acceptable goals cannot be obtained through legitimate means” (Rohall et al., 2007). This is the basis of social strain theory as described by Merton in 1957. Prostitution is seen as deviant behavior in most societies. A number of women who choose to engage in this behavior do so because it is the only way they can get income. Jobs may be hard to come by especially if the person does not have the required qualifications.

Hirschi developed the social control theory in 1969. He asserts that deviance comes about because of weakened bonds between an individual and the society. According to this theory, individuals are bonded to the society by attachment, commitment, involvement and belief. When individuals feel that these bonds are being threatened, they are more likely to act in a defiant manner (Rohall et al., 2007).

According to the differential association theory, the society can be a cause of defiance through interaction. A person becomes defiant when he or she interacts and communicates with defiant groups. This is in line with the interactionist approach, which views deviance as an expression of social interactions (Rohall et al., 2007). As individuals interact, they form habits and rules, which are to be followed by everybody in the society. Breaking these rules amounts to being defiant.

Conclusion

Conformity influences people’s behavior greatly. A person is more likely to conform as a way of gaining approval from his or her peers. Unlike obedience, conformity is a choice. Obedience involves the commands given by a person with more authority. Conformity and obedience can have dire consequences. Although obedience is a requirement and there are usually limited options, one can choose to disobey the given orders especially if they are harmful. Societal influences can lead to deviant behavior. Someone might feel the need to gain acceptance and he or she will act in a manner that is contrary to the social norms of the larger society.

 

References

Breckler, J. S., Olson, M. J., & Wiggins, C. E. (2006). Social psychology alive. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.

Cox, E. (2001). Psychology for A-Level. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Eysenck, W. M. (2005). Psychology for AS level. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.

Krueger, I. J., & Funder, C. D. (2004). Towards a balanced social psychology: Causes, consequences, and cures for the problem-seeking approach to social behavior and cognition. Cambridge University Press, 27 (3), 313-378

Milgram, S. (1974). Obedience to authority: An experimental view. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis

Rohall, E. D., Milkie, A. M., & Lucas, W. J. (2007). Social psychology: Sociological perspectives. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

 

Anthropology/ Photographic Analysis

Photography is used everywhere, as a way of preserving memories in people’s mind, of the events and important moments of life, as well as for use by future generations. However, photographs can illustrate a lot about a community in which it was taken, such as culture and gender, which can be conveyed in different ways. Best ethnographic pictures are taken during normal events of day, without the awareness of the people, to take them in their activities, which amount to the different ways of conveying aspects in pictures, which can be referred to as visual anthropology. According to Leeuwen and Jewitt (2001), “Visual anthropology is concerned with the use of visual records for the description of the present and past ways of life of specific communities.” In this essay, I compare and contrast how gender and culture have been conveyed in the two photographs, which are from different communities. It is important to note that no photograph can be specifically ethnographic, but it depends on how one looks at the content to derive a meaning (Jean, 2011).

In the first photo, we see women wearing bright casual clothes, farm produces such as fruits and vegetables, baskets, and money being held, and canvas roofing. The event in the photo is selling and buying of agricultural goods in the market. In the second photograph, we see a woman wearing a veil, holding a kettle on a tray, a man standing holding a plate and walking, and another sited, roofing from rags and old simple structures such as a bench and a table. The event seen from this photo is a woman serving tea, in a structure looking like a little open café. The two photos look very different; however, in terms of conveying meaning, there are similarities that can be drawn as well as contrasts (galenfrysinger.com, n.d.).

In many photographs, gender is conveyed through different roles that are played by men and women, where in most cases, women engage in domestic chores or activities that are associated with domestic roles (Jackson, 2010). In the first photograph, we see women in the market place, where they have displayed agricultural goods, and one, standing, is looking at them to buy. In this photo, we do not see any man around, which suggests that the men in this community do not take part in domestic issues such as visiting the market, which suggests division of roles. In the second photo from Rissani, we see a woman engaging in a domestic activity, where she is serving tea to men, a domestic role that is associated with women. In both photos, gender has been conveyed using roles played by women. This assumption is true to most photographs but currently, due to changing roles in gender due to equality, one will see women engaged in the same activities as men, professional, in the same places, and also, noticing the difference from clothes may not be applicable in some situations, except for physical features.

While in the first picture wee see women dressed in modern casual clothes in the market as vendors of their goods, and another woman is buying from them. In the second picture, the woman is wearing a veil to cover her body in front of men, which is expected of women in the Islam religion, is serving tea to men, which shows gender and how women should present themselves in front of men in this community. More so, the difference between the way of dressing between the woman serving tea and the other characters, men, show the difference between the two genders, where men are free to wear casual cloths designed for them while women are not, and can only wear veils. Different communities have a different ways of gender representation, such as in the two photos (Rowe, 2010). In looking at the two pictures, one make out the gender represented, however, in the second photo, one has to assume the religion of the place since there are no other women around, while in the first photo, men are not shown, to make out a clear difference between the two genders

Culture of a community can be recognized from a photograph, such as economic activities, social class, and beliefs (Crews, 2008). This can be achieved through the activities that people are seen engaging in, at the time the photograph was taken, and the objects around, and the background of the place can serve to illustrate the economy of the place. When taking an ethnographic photo, ones needs to be careful about conveying their culture in a distorted way, such as posing for a photo with the people of a community who preserve their culture, but instead, should be taken in normal events and ensure that the meaning is as it is in the real place (Cummins, 2008). In the two pictures, there is quite a difference in cultures, and a similarity in terms of changing economic times today. In the first photo, women are displaying their goods in the market freely, and they are the vendors, selling their goods, without men around them, which illustrates that the culture of this place allows women to take part in economic activities, such as agriculture. In the second photo, the woman is selling tea to men, which illustrates the same role of involvement it national building of women in this community too. From the pictures, there can be many meaning since they are taken under normal events without the awareness of the people, and give accurate information.

However, there are differences when it comes to the culture conveyed by different objects in the   photos, such as the two that look very different in terms of background and objects, and many meanings from these photos can be derived, depending on the individual perspective (Avrutin, 2009). Starting with the first one, the fruits convey that the economic activity of this community, which is farming or agriculturalists, since everything in this market is from the farm, and there is a formal exchange place, market, due to the number of people in the photo. On the other hand, the Muslim woman in the second picture is selling tea in an informal open place, where we do not see other vendors around, but rather, she is selling tea under a roof of rags, which also illustrates the economic status of the place to be lower than the other picture. In the second picture, economic activity has not been illustrated, since tea cannot go as an indicator of agriculture for this community as it is found everywhere.

In the two pictures, one can easily learn about the communities from which they were taken, since they taken during day-to-day activities of those communities, and they are accurate. According to Mlauzi (2003), ethnographic photos would be easier to analyze if the photographers involved took time to study the community or their field, which would help them develop the pictures with the right meaning. In the two pictures, one can easily analyze them due to the people and the events taking place. In terms of demonstrating the culture, the photographs have achieved this through events shown, as well as in conveying gender.

 

References

Avrutin, E. (2009). Photographing the Jewish nation: pictures from S. An-sky’s ethnographic expeditions. Lebanon, NH: UPNE.

Crews, A. (2008). Communicating Through Photography. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/communication/meta-iscourses/Papers/App_Papers/Crews.html

Cummins, B. (2008). Faces of the north: the ethnographic photography of John Honigmann. Toronto, Canada: Dundurn Press.

Galenrysinger com. (n.d.). Ethnographic photography. Retrieved from http://www.galenfrysinger.com/ethnography.htm

Haviland, W., Prins, L. & Walrath, D. (2007). Cultural anthropology: The human challenge. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning

Jackson, R. (2010). Encyclopedia of Identity. Berlin, Germany: SAGE

Jean, O. (2011). Anthropological Photography. Retrieved from http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/1110/Anthropological-Photography.html

Leeuwen, V. and Jewitt, C. (2001). Handbook of visual analysis. Berlin, Germany:  Sage

Mlauzi, L. (2003). Reading Modern Ethnographic Photography. Durban, South Africa: University of Natal.

Peres, M. (2007). Focal encyclopedia of photography: digital imaging, theory and applications, history, and science. Burlington, MA: Focal Press

Rowe, W. (2010). Zen and the Magic of Photography: Learning to See and to Be Through Photography. Malden, MA: Rocky Nook.

Virginia.edu. n.d. Ethnographic photography. Retrieved from http://people.virginia.edu/~ds8s/ethno.html

‘Miracles of the Loaves and Fish’ compared with ‘Virgin and Child with Angles’

The artwork that has been presented in the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’ and that of the ‘Virgin and Child with Angles’ have both similarities and differences. In this case, the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’ by Sant’Apollinare is an art that has been presented to show the compassion and care that was shown by Jesus as he was ministering the gospel of truth and reconciliation. On the other side, the ‘Virgin and Child with Angles’ is a highly recognized paint among Paris’ believers. In the artwork, there is display of vestments and gold items, as well as crowns. Exhibited is a cross, offered to Haile the former Ethiopian emperor and a reliquary given by Napoleon. Notre-Dame is particularly arrogant of its remnants of the correct Cross, and the Crown. The two artworks have been presented to show the act of compassion since both have the theme of care and generosity. In addition, the art works presented by the two artists brings an ultimate conception about kindness and care for the people within our environs.

The first recognizable similarity comes where the two pictures lack the element of realism in them. For instance, in the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’, Jesus wears the majestic purple dressing gown; the measurement is more superficial; the gold environment appears as a screen such that there are fewer orientations to the physical world. On the other hand, the virgin is in a unique posture while holding the baby. It is with direct composition of the divine Virgin, whose appeal is altogether mortal and deceives nothing about the virgin’s nature. She is detached, self-possessed and aware, with the baby’s charisma on her lap fading away somewhere amid hesitation and burden. Thus, this gives her poor relation with the physical world.

There is irony that has been presented in the two art works whereby, the artwork meaning does not relate to the point of view. The first object we become aware of is how easy the masterpiece is, and how tiny stuff seems to be occurring. Two of the apostles seem to be holding the fish and loaves, but there is no implication of movement, of receiving or giving. Jesus’ signal gives the impression of blessing, but he is without a doubt not paying concentration to both the apostles and the food. From a clear perspective, Jesus and his disciples are looking at us. In as much as the artist wants us to see the point of generosity that is being portrayed in the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’, there is lack of happiness in the picture. There is the element of pity and worry that is seen in the faces of disciples.

However, as viewers we may conclude that the disciples were worried about how Jesus would feed the five thousand people with five loaves and fish. However, there is another depiction of their worry, and this concerns the dissatisfaction that people have even when there is proof that their needs will be fulfilled. As the name suggests, the virgin and the child gives us an ironical understanding of how the holiness of things might result to the opposite if there is confession. This is because it would be ironical to associate a virgin with children for she has not yet been involved in sexual affairs. In other words, there is evolution of the theme of hypocrisy among the church believers during those times. Therefore, the two artworks have displayed the two similarities in the way they have contrasted both their perspective and the viewer’s perspective.

The other similarity comes with the royal presentation of the artworks whereby gold has been used to show the wealthy status of the era. In the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’, the dressing of Jesus and the four apostles is not of the way we would expect people of the first century to wear. This is because Jesus wears the majestic purple dressing gown; the measurement is shallower with the gold surroundings. In addition, they are dressed as aristocrats in the seventh century Byzantine royally court. There was little consideration of division of Cathedral and State of which it is a concept that has been realized very recently in the history. Despite the fact that it is correct that the Emperor and the elders of the Church frequently craved for supremacy and power, it is also apparent that both were perceived to represent Christ, and mutually they were obligated with nourishing, governing and protecting all their natives by training them. However, it is conspicuous that there was no effort to portray Christ and this occasion as something in the history. Furthermore, the influence of Christ at a certain instant in the past has been presented in authentic nature presently, and in the entire time.

With the dressing code of the virgin and the child, the attire is extravagant and smartly designed to show her structural feminized shape. She is shining, unblemished and almost transparent. Her light glow is a stylish distinction with the vibrant, fleshy angelic multitude at her side. This Christian cryptogram of Heaven, of course, had conventional early development as signs of adoration. The painting of the Virgin is thought to be reproduction of Sorel, a preferential mistress of Charles. Sorel’s brainpower and astonishing gorgeousness is perceived to have been counterbalanced by, in the estimation of her adversaries, extravagance and unwarranted power on the emperor. She died suddenly, perhaps having been disillusioned. Therefore, “the similarity that exist in both the painting comes with the royal character of dressing and the environment” (Siegel 132).

The contrast in the paintings comes with the issue of the author’s intention. The actual view and the intention of the author in the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’ are clear. This is because it possesses a clear theme of sharing for the items to be apportioned are present. This phenomenon brings predictions about the Eucharist, and it facilitates the understanding that the presence of Christ’s blood and corpse. It is ought to nourish the people and make them be like what they were receiving: by letting Jesus give to them, they are thereby given the power to give to other people. In a situation where a whole church looks altogether at this painting as they celebrate this feast, it cannot probably be perceived to be individual empowerment, but also universal nourishment. Hence, this painting of ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’ gives a biblical meaning in contrast to that of ‘Virgin and Child with Angles’. In addition, the virgin painting brings unclear issues that surround the motion that is presented by the picture. The subject about a virgin having a baby presents an ironical scene, which gives the viewer an argumentative perspective about the painting.

Symbolism has been used to contrast these two paints because they elude different perspectives in the viewer’s mind. The image created that is brought about by the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fish’ creates just the same image in the bible about the character of generosity and care. The painting has also a clear distinction of Jesus as the leader of the disciples hence the submission and obedience of the disciples to Jesus is seen in the paint. However, the image created in the mind by the ‘Virgin and Child with Angles’ is dishonesty and hypocrisy. For instance, ever since the Byzantine era, the reputable theme requires her stare to articulate the wonder and passion for her child. However, she draws concentration to that completely rendered outline above the child. This brings the question “whether it is an important basis of religious sustenance or a worldly wise basis of appeal?” (Gardner, Richard and Fred 56). Hence, it does not bring forth the actual meaning presented by the images in the painting.

Therefore that art woks presented by the two artists brings a concluding notion about compassion and care for the people within our vicinity. This has been done through the action of the Virgin offering love and care to a child in whom she has not given birth to. In addition, the action of Jesus and his disciples also show compassion that has been portrayed in the picture through offering loaves and bread to the hungry crowd. Therefore, the issue of care for the needy has been presented in both paintings correctly.

Works Cited

Gardner, Helen, Richard Tansey, and Fred Kleiner. Gardner‘s Art through the Ages. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1996. Print.

Siegel, Jonah. “The Public Art Museum in Nineteenth Century Britain: the Development of the National Gallery (review).” Victorian Studies. 49.1 (2007): 132-133. Print.

 

 

US and World History Applications

A1b. The factual basis of both United States historical events must be strengthened

2. The events that sparked the Watergate scandal and investigation in 1972 include the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the year 1974. Nixon left the office leading to his replacement by President Richard Nixon because of great damages caused by his role on the infamous Watergate scandal. The negative aspects of the bureaucratic structure of the United States of America led to a heated debate. Some of the things that led to his resignation include his guiltiness of using state machinery to spy on the activities performed by the opposition and his perceived political rival. He was covertly overtaken by the development of a private network within his administrative structure to hold conversations of his opposition and his perceived personality rivals politically. This event brought the world into the reality that democratic systems were as much prone to abuse just like the non-democratic system of governance.

3.The other government officials who were implicated besides Nixon includes President Richard Nixon and the opposing parties.

4. Acronym IBM stands for International Business Machines; it is known to be the largest company dealing with computers in the entire world today. It is main purpose is to take responsibility in the inventions concerning the computers.
5. The company has been in business since 1981 when it was officially launched. The launching of IBM was made in a historical manner in which it revolutionized the place of work in the conventional office settings.

The chain of events that led to the end of the cold war includes the event that was performed with an intention of launching the IBM computers in 1981. This event led to a sudden change from the use of traditional technology in the official circles that resulted in raised effectiveness in firms and industries. The launching of international business machines left a landmark in the history of the United States of America since it changed her status as a leader in technological inventions. The event also marked the end of the cold war hence an important historical development that recognized the peace of the world and gaining of political stability. Some of the key leaders in the cold war include Joseph Stalin who led the October revolution by Lenin side. Another one is Franklin Delano Roosevelt; he was a proclaimed anti-communist, John Foster Dulles, Dwight D. Eisenhower among others.

The communist states of Eastern Europe because of the ending of the cold war decided to declare its end since they had been defeated. There was dissolving of the Soviet Union, which led to Russia and about 14 other countries to declare their independence.

The year 1998 was a very significant year because especially in the social scene because introduction of the use of the internet was established. It was later confirmed that about 45 million people all over the world were able to use the internet and some of them were even connected to it. The revolution of internet created a link that connected different people, societies, cultures countries and institutions worldwide. Changes in communication systems in the world led solving of major logistical issues that had pinned down the progress of various systems.

 References

Rai, R. (2006). Themes in World History. USA: FK Publications.

Psychology, Common Sense and Beliefs

There are some beliefs that are held by many to be true and everyone is expected to live by these beliefs. Contrary to these, one is regarded as not using his or her common sense. To some people common sense may prove to be hard to know and live by and so the whole aspect of common sense becomes contradictory because it is not common to them. People hold these beliefs without a second thought of whether or not they are proven true. Common sense comes because of commonly held beliefs, which people find hard to change. People’s beliefs affect the way people think, feel and act, which in turn affects their behavior. Common sense does not need to be measured and controlled. People hold these beliefs to be true and they are usually not willing to believe otherwise. This is commonly known as belief perseverance.

On the other hand, science often leaves no place for doubt. Scientists usually engage in research, tests and examinations in controlled environments until they conclude their research. This means that unlike common sense, science cannot be manipulated or distorted easily. Science makes room for change as new theories and hypotheses are developed. These changes have brought about technology, which in turn has forced people to change the way they live. Science accepts inaccurate and incorrect information and the main aim is to look for the right solutions and answers.

Belief perseverance interferes with critical thinking because people hold their beliefs in such a way that they are not willing to change them despite science showing that these beliefs may not be true or that they are not beneficial to them. Gambrill (2005) points out that people cling to old beliefs because they seem good and they have used these beliefs successfully. These beliefs are familiar and people feel that they are in control. Belief perseverance can come because of the commonly held stereotypical views and perceptions that people hold. Issues of race and religion are especially common and many people have strong feelings where the two issues are concerned. It would be hard for instance to convince a Muslim to convert to Christianity and vice versa. Some extremely racist whites still believe that they are superior compared to blacks and other races. Convincing these groups of people to change their perceptions is extremely difficult.

Belief perseverance does not allow people to apply critical thinking. People ignore new information or misinterpret the evidence. This does not leave any room for new ideas to develop ideas, which result from critical thinking. In the academic setting, students who had a firmly held view regarding a certain idea find it hard to accept a new meaning of the same idea. Schneider et al (2005) gives the example of students who find it hard to distinguish between negative reinforcement and punishment, two of the most confused terms in psychology classes. This is detrimental to the students learning because they end up applying the wrong principles to different situations. Critical thinking makes it possible for people to present their cases in a more effective manner.

A person who applies critical thinking in their reasoning is able to tell the unspoken argument that has not been used by the opposing group. This is especially beneficial for students and it can help them in their studies as well. Critical thinking enables the students to question the arguments brought up by the lecturer and any arguments in the text and other research sources. Applying critical thinking is essential for analyzing different texts and it helps the students apply their knowledge in a well-developed manner. This not only makes it easier for the students to develop new ideas but it broadens the students’ minds and allows them to gain more knowledge. If a person held their beliefs so strongly, he or she would not be able to present their argument in an objective way.

References

Gambrill, D. E. (2005). Critical thinking in clinical practice: Improving the quality of judgments and decisions. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.

Schneider, W. F., Gruman, A. J., & Courts, M. L. (2005). Applied social psychology: understanding and addressing social and practical problems. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.