Author: chris

Annotated Bibliography

Kleiner, F. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History. New York: Cengage Learning,      2010.

Art and architecture has managed to survive all the civilizations of mankind, implying that almost all elements of human culture are somewhat related to the origins of art and architecture. The book introduces the reader with discussions regarding the origins of art and architecture and how it was transferred throughout the ages of human existence. In addition, the author also discusses the most outstanding works of art and architecture that have managed to beat the test of time. Such an approach is vital in the attempt to draw the relationship that exists the elements of medieval art and architecture with the core aspects of contemporary culture such as housing designs, monuments and religion. This makes the book a vital resource in having an in-depth understanding of the selected topic.

Medieval Academy of America. Modern perspectives in Western art history: an anthology of         twentieth-century writings on the visual arts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press,     2011.

The main emphasis of the discussion of this book is on the modern perspectives of medieval art that are found in western art history. The author lays an emphasis on how the writings and other visual art artifacts of the twentieth century are related to the core aspects of medieval art. Medieval art was generally expanded by Europeans, who are the pioneers of the aspect of western civilization. This implies that medieval art and architecture has left a remarkable legacy in human history, and is propagated across the human cultures of all ages. The book discusses the formal characteristics of classicism, which serves as a continuous tradition that comprises of a realistic depiction. In addition, the history of medieval art can be argued to be the history of the interplay that exists between the fundamental aspects of the classical and Christian art, which are core elements of the modern day culture. This makes the book an important resource for the selected topic because it offers a comprehensive understanding of the core elements western art history and visual arts of the 20^th century in order to correlate them with the present culture.

Sarah, Blick. Art and Architecture of Late Medieval Pilgrimage in Northern Europe and     England. Vol. 2. New York: Brill Academic Publishers, 2004.

Art and architecture has been a significant element of human existence since prehistoric times. Sarah analyses the revolution that medieval art and architecture has been subjected to since its conception in order to provide an understanding of how the various elements of medieval culture are embedded in the elements of contemporary culture. The reader is introduced into the aspects of medieval art and architecture and how they are manifested among the core elements of modern day culture such as religion, political systems and the daily ways of live of individuals. This is a n important source for the topic since the book outlines the relationship that the modern day culture draws from early and medieval art and architecture.

Medieval art in the contemporary world is diverse and spreads over a large scope of time and geographical space. From this perspective, the reader is informed of the origins of medieval art, times and places. Basically, the author discusses significant art movements in history, the genres of medieval art, cases of revivals, medieval artists and both national and regional art. The author then analyzes how these concepts are closely tied to the present day aspects of human life such as religion, socio-cultural contexts, political systems and economic systems. In addition, the book discusses how medieval art has contributed significantly to the aspect of civilization, with a specific consideration on the aspect of western civilization. This serves as a vital resource for performing the analysis of how core aspects of contemporary culture are related to medieval art.

Walker, Stephen. Gordon Matta-Clark: Art, Architecture and the Attack on Modernism. New        York: I. B. Tauris & Company, Limited, 2009.

Western civilization mainly details of how the European and the American way of life spread throughout the world. The western culture has a remarkable association with the medieval culture, implying that medieval art and architecture is an important aspect of westernization. The basic inference that the author makes from this observation is that medieval art and culture cannot be separated from the elements of western civilization. As a result, it is important to note that core elements of medieval art and architecture are usually manifested in the core elements of western civilization, which has a remarkable effect on the contemporary culture.

Zirpolo, L. “The Chapels of Italy From The Twelfth to The Eighteenth Centuries: Art, Religion,   Patronage, and Identity.” The Journal of the History of Art, 2011: 56-69.

In his article, Zirpolo focuses on the historical elements of medieval art and architecture, with a specific consideration on how medieval art and architecture has transformed religion. The author focuses on the transformations of the Chapels of Italy between 12^th and 18^th centuries. This transformation is significantly attributed to medieval art and architecture, which played a significant role religious transformations, culture and identity. The article also offers a descriptive approach on the core elements of medieval world and how art and architecture has managed to transform the elements of culture towards the contemporary world. The author also discusses the core elements of medieval art and architecture and how they are manifested in the present day culture. This makes the book a vital resource in the quest to find an answer to the selected research topic.

Introduction

Japan and America have good business relationships.  As a businessperson, it is important to learn and be acquainted with the behaviors and the culture of each party in order to appreciate and improve your success in business.  There are various aspects in cross-cultural business relationships that should be known when interacting. These includes; liaisons, ambassadors, conversations, speeches, relationship building, creation of trust, understanding the vehicles of cross-cultural exchange and a glimpse of various symbols and metaphors used among many others.

In liaisons, Americans engage in communications more often and like interacting more compared to the Japanese. The level of forming relationships among American is high, as they do not like to be silent. They are extrovert and most often, they initiate their communication. A phenomena that is contrary to Japan.  Furthermore, they are good ambassadors of peace in their communication. They endeavor to feel happy and make friendships

Americans are good in speeches and prefer direct communication/conversation and there yes or no means that and “ok” means that everything is in order. An interruption while someone is talking is seen as rudeness. They keep strict deadlines and value time (Jungbok, 2011, p. 6). Like japans American are uncomfortable with same-sex touching. They also like smiling even to strangers and are good at building relationships. They also keep a distance when in a conversation. On the other hand, Japans are not good time managers and often will arrive at their meeting behind schedule (Jyh-Shen, & Lee, 2008, p. 1180). Japans interpretation to smile is different, as a smile may not be associated to happiness.

When it comes to creating acquaintances, Americans are good at creating and developing trust through their interactions. Therefore, they develop long term relationships even after the interactions and meetings are over. On the other hand, Japanese, will not establish a lasting relationship after the transactions are over.

When it comes to gifts, US companies have discouraged it but in the occasions that gifts are given, they should not appear as bribes. However, a modest or an invitation for a meal gift is acceptable. American cherishes order and it is not right to jump a queue, as this is taken as disrespect and rude. They also do not allow chewing of toothpicks in public places (Qin, 2006, p. 34). In Japan, both business and personal gifts are very important. The gifts are wrapped in distinct colors with bias of white and bright colors.  These gifts are exchanged by both hands and are not opened in the presence of the person who has given the gift.  Gifts considered good includes; top choice beef, alcohol like quality whisky and brandy.

In Japan culture, people bow to each other upon their first meeting as a symbol of peace and greetings. The level of a bow is determined by the status of an individual and after the bow, a business card is given (Griffith, Myers, & Harvey, 2006, p. 10).  In conversation, Japans   avoid overuse of long hand gestures and putting on unusual facial expressions as this could distract them. They also do not use “Ok” sign because to them it implies money (Penn, & Mooney, 1986, p. 206). Both hands do the exchange of business cards as a sign of respect. They first exchange the cards before embarking on their business meetings. Last name is used in introductions with a word san meaning Mr. or Ms. In the negotiation process Japans do not like using the word no and instead may you yes implying no. On the other hand,  in America a firm handshake of approximately 3-5 seconds is given as  a way of greeting  upon meeting and leaving a meeting with an eye conduct. In business meetings, eye conduct shows sincerity, interest and confidence.  People may embrace one another and in their introduction, they use titles such as Mr. Mrs. And Ms with a full name (Fischer, Franziska, & Sattler, 2010, p. 824).  A smile shows friendship and asking of permission is paramount.

Vehicle of cross-cultural exchanges tools or programs helped in the nurturing of relationships between the Japanese and the Americans. Japanese used gifts to win trust and create relationships with the Americans. On the other hand, Americans rarely exchange gifts but easily sign agreements and exchange programs of students and professionals. This enhances their relationships in collaborating and transacting business.

Therefore, in business, it is important to familiarize with various vehicles for cross-cultural exchange to ensure that you fit into different cultures.   An understanding of these cultural aspects will facilitate easier cohesion, level of communication and coexistence.

Introduction

There lacks one single definition of terrorism. However, we may borrow a definition from the F.B.I where they define terrorism as an unlawful act where there is incorporation of force to ensure that violence is exerted to both people and property with an aim of intimidation or coercing the government. Civilians may also be part of these groups, the main issue making sure that that the individuals involved in these activities meet there political or sometimes social objectives.

Terrorism may be divided to international/overseas terrorism or domestic terrorism. Further classification may come about from the origin of the group as well as the objectives of these particular groups. In United States, F.B.I has various definition of terrorism. Domestic terrorism is a group of individuals or individuals who do not have any foreign orientation. These individuals or groups of people include even people in Puerto Rico whose terrorist activities are meant to affect the United States government or the general population of United States. On the other hand, international terrorism also called overseas terrorism takes place when a group of people or an individual uses unlawful acts and exerts their terrorist activities to foreign territories, or beyond their geographical boundaries.  The attacks may involve people and property with the sole aim of intimidation or coercing the government, or even the civilian population.

Terrorist types

There are several types of terrorism; researchers have been keen to note down the various developments that these groups have incorporated as far as techniques of work are concerned. Some of the techniques incorporated in the recent years include bombing, kidnapping of diplomatic leaders as well as assassination of some of the influential individuals. Distinguishing these different groups of terrorist groups was primarily meant to understand these terrorist groups and to deter them from their activities.

State terrorist is one of such groups. Though it has always been believed that terrorist groups comprises of non-state terrorist, some states would be considered to be carrying out terrorism activities. The state can use force or issue a threat of the same in an attempt to intimidate their citizens to follow whatever motive they want to drive through. A good example of the same is the Nazi rule in Germany, which exerted threats of fear to its citizens (Zalman, 2011). Some states can also be considered as international terrorist judging by the type of activities they get involved into. United States considers Iran as one state which practices these due to the fact that it helps some groups like Hizballah carry out their objectives, which are considered terrorist in nature.

Bioterrorist is the other group of terrorist. It comprises a group of people who are involved in intentionally releasing toxic and harmful agents to cause harm to the civilians. Depending with the type of toxics that will be released to the environment, disease may be broken down to various categories. Examples of these toxic diseases include the following:  Smallpox, Anthrax or even Botulism. Cyber terrorist forms the other type of terrorism commonly used by terrorist. It entails wide usage on information technology with aim of making sure that they draw the attention of the civilians. Cyber terrorism entails carrying out an attack by first using information technology, which in this case may mean usage of telecommunication and computers as tools of pulling out their attacks.  At times, individuals or groups involved in these activities tend to disrupt the networks services set aside in a radical manner such that even the emergency services are not assessable. Hacking into networks in bid to intimidate individuals or carry out terrorist activities may further constitute to cyber terrorism. Ecoterrorism is also another type of terrorism in the world today.  It entails violence that is carried out in the environment. The extremist involved in these activities are after making sure that they exert economic damage on those companies they perceive harmful to the environment and the animals.  Examples of the targets include companies involved in researching about animals as well as those companies that use logs of wood. Nuclear terrorism forms yet another type of terrorist group. As a type of terrorism, it may be carried in different ways. One of such is carrying out direct attacks on nuclear facilities in bid to cause effect on population once these substances reach people. They may also make nuclear weapons that may be used to cause harm to the general population (Zalman, 2011).

Fighting against terrorism

There is need to purse some of these activities carried out by extremist groups. There is therefore the necessity to ensure that their activities are curbed and there is disruption of their deadly actions. Discussed below is the main way of limiting their activities. The first and foremost is ensuring that there is intelligence about the activities of these groups and individuals. For one, terrorists are very secretive when carrying out their activities and the only way to ensure that their activities are minimized is ensuring that there is a use of the intelligence gained about these people or group of individuals.  Intelligence in this case includes knowledge about their network, the members and the way these people carry out their activities. Since there is much improvement on the networks of these terrorist groups, the government efforts have increased in providing resources that help to learn more about the activities of these groups (Windon, 2007).

Introduction

The main objective of this expedition is to gather data relating to factors that determine the health of coral reef systems in the various oceans across the globe. As a result, the expedition will focus on the major factors that contribute towards the degradation of coral reef systems (Dubinsky 104). The Reef Check, a volunteer organization established during 1996 with the main objectives of educating the public and governments regarding the importance of coral reefs and the major crises that are serving as a barrier towards the sustenance of coral reef ecosystem. In order to reinforce local action aimed at protecting the existing coral reef ecosystems and engage in a rehabilitation strategy of the damaged coral reefs, Reef Checks needs to have some data in order to encourage the local community to encourage the local and global communities to protect the existing coral reefs. This expedition aims at collecting the data that will help the Reef Check in meeting its goals and objectives.

Major points

A ship will be acquired for navigation in the various oceans around the world. The expedition will require 150 members and will be conducted over a time scale of 3 months. The expedition will tour around the Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Oceans and the Southern Ocean. Additional equipments are needed to facilitate the collection of coral reef data relating to their bleaching, this will mostly entail an assessment of the extent of the degradation of existing coral reefs (International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management 25). The number of damaged coral reefs will also be recorded. The equipment needed to facilitate the coral reef sampling through random swim will include air tanks, high tech fins and protective scuba diving gear. The main methods that will be used to collect the data will include the use of photography and video footages of the selected sites in the various oceans to offer qualitative and quantitative data. For sites that are deep, Manta Tows and video towed divers will be used in addition to scuba diving.

This expedition will gather data related to the extent and the type of coral bleaching and coral disease. Physical parameters such as temperature, salinity, quality of water and visibility will be recorded. This will be matched against the extent of coral bleaching. As a result, the expedition will use of the measurements of the physical surrounding of the coral reefs to determine the extent to which the variables contribute towards the bleaching of the coral reefs. For the data to be relevant and significant, a team of 50 members will be assigned to collect socio-economic data in order to have an understanding of human interaction with the coral reefs. This will gather information relating to the number of fishers and their specific fishing locations and the underlying perceptions of the local communities towards the management and conservation of coral reefs (Isabelle and Reynolds 78). The following table will be used to record some of the quantitative data after analysis of the photography and video coverage.

parameters	Indian Ocean	Pacific Ocean	Arctic Ocean	Atlantic Ocean	Southern Ocean
Extent of fishing
Extent of coral reef bleaching
Average temperature
Average salinity
Quality of water
visibility

 

The oceanographic significance of this expedition is that it can offer various qualitative and quantitative variables that can be used to assess the extent of damage of the coral reef ecosystems in the globe. On a narrower perspective, the data collected in this expedition will be helpful in analyzing how human interaction with the coral reefs contributes to their degradation. Therefore, this expedition will make significant contributions towards the conservation of the coral reef ecosystem (Pernetta 45).

Comments

            This assignment was helpful in understanding the human factors contributing towards the degradation of oceanic biosphere, especially the coral reef ecosystem. It was established that human factors contribute significantly toward the bleaching of the coral reefs. As such, the Reef Check can use the obtained data as evidence to reinforce the conservation of coral reef ecosystems in the various oceans across the globe

Introduction

Drug abuse is a dilemma that cuts across all social strata’s of people’s lives. It is a problem that many countries continue to grapple with in the quest of ensuring that it is managed. Various factors contribute to the escalation of drug abuse in various facets of the society. For instance, poor prescription of medicine by physicians and other unqualified practitioners contributes to poor dosages that result to drug abuse. Other contributors to drug abuse are easy accessibility to drugs such as cocaine, heroin and other substances that affect the normal function of a person’s mental capacity.  People engage themselves with drugs for different reasons ranging from, stress, financial freedom, need for recognition, biological factors and peer pressures among many other reasons.  Unfortunately, the repercussions of drug abuse has been devastating leading to deaths, mental breakdown, and even engagement into various criminal acts among many other awful acts that the society forbids. Due to the broadness of the topic, this paper will incline its discussions on some of the causes, effects and possible solutions to the problem of drug abuse through its literature reviews.  Drug abuse has huge costs in terms of its management, mental health costs, and drug abuse treatment costs of the affected people’s, which transcends or leads to other associate problem.

Literature review

According to, French and Martin (1996) society continues to spend colossal sums of money in managing the drug abuse menace. Some of the costs in relations to the drug abuse consequences include the medical services costs that are incurred in the treatment of the drug abuse victims. These costs are huge and cost the government and the responsible people a lot.  Other costs incurred because of drug abuse include the crime related costs, costs incurred in providing special education and the early intervention costs, mental health problems and associated costs of  providing assistance to family members of those affected by abuse of drugs.

According to Cartwright (2007) drug abuse has costs that are related to financial costs of providing drug treatments to the drug abusers, costs to the society in relation to drug abuse and other minor costs that affect stakeholders in the health care systems.  Treatment of the drug abusers is very costly and drains the government and individuals’ a lot of money, which could have been used in other important areas of building economy. This problem presents a very big problem as one of the effects of drug abuse. Rehabilitating the drug user is very expensive in terms of meeting their financial obligation; therefore, it comes with financial implications. Drug abuse further, rolls down to the society. It has negative effects to the society, as these people involved in drug abuse become a predicament/hindrance for peace in society. Most drug abusers turn into robberies and involve themselves with criminal gangs terrorizing people and robbing them of their properties and belongings. Furthermore, they engage in wrong moral behaviors such as rape, child molestation, violence and irresponsible behaviors heightening or transferring these costs to the society.

According to Cartwright (2007), causes of drug abuse are varied and include; peer pressure, anxiety, stress, adventure, among many others. For instance, peer pressure contributes a lot among the teenager in resorting to drug use. Many youths are influenced by their friends to taste and use these drugs. This behavior develops slowly and after some time they become addicts of drug abuse. Stress, adventure and anxiety among people also drive them towards taking drugs. They are driven into drug intake with the hope to forget their problem or a mechanism for consolation in the predicaments they face. Other use these substances to drive away fear and look confident and courageous in the public. Therefore, the causes vary from one person to another. On the other hand, media has also contributed in the spread of drug abuse among youths. Media content aired on television and other forms of media like cinema, radio is not regulated exposing youths to drug use. The propensity of media and the trust and confidence associated with media has facilitated access of drugs to the youths.

However, even with the rate of drug abuse gaining root and spreading fast among the youths, the problem can be resolved with all the stakeholders putting together their effort. First, government and policy makers should put in place laws and policies that will ensure that there is no accessibility to substances and drugs, which are harmful to the youths. For instance, the government can burn any form of advertisement and set up policies to crack down any drug barons selling these drugs. Second, the media can be used in educating the public and the youths on drug use and its effects. This education can assist in eradicating the ever-increasing numbers of youths who use drugs. Third, schools should also take a lead in creating awareness and educating the youths about the effects of drug use. Students should be given tips on how to avoid falling culprits or being swayed by their peers in engaging in drug use. These programs will see the prevalence of drug abuse cases reduce. Other solutions includes, ensuring that employment positions are available to the youths who finish their studies to avoid boredom and stress. These will engage them into meaningful activities and will preoccupy their minds helping them avoid drug use. Parents should also take a lead, lead from the front, and act as an example. They should talk to their children on the effects of drug abuse. They should allow open communication and discussions between them and their children to help in providing better leadership. In addition, counseling and guiding services should be provided in order to also guide and advise youths and other drug addicts on how to manage their lives and avoid entering into drug use.

 

Theoretical framework

Most of the theories of drug abuse attempt to explain a general class of a phenomenon on why people engage or use drugs. Therefore, most of the theories focus on particular features of the phenomenon of drug use. Biological theories focus of non-normative usage or addiction as they portray innate attributes, which contribute to one to use drugs, continue to use after first exposure or continue to abuse them after experimenting. This theory is also hinged on the genetic complexities of the drug users.  For instance, the genetic makeup may affect the processing of substance and usually vary from one person to another. This theory helps to explain why there is high prevalence or reports on a drug abuse in those families, which have past history of drug use, and abuse (Dan, Sayers, & Pearson 1980, p. 38).

In conclusion, it is imperative that various institutions and the society take up early precautions in curbing the prevalence of drug use among the youths and other members of the society. Nevertheless, to state, there is need for the government to seal all the loopholes, which allow these people to engage in illicit drug use so us to ensure that the effects that comes with it are minimized. The government will cut down the costs of treating the affected, rehabilitation and treating other ailments associated with drug abuse like mental problems. The effects are dear and the only solution is to come up with policies, which will assist reduce drug abuse. Drug abuse is rife in our society and its elevation will lead to a productive and a peaceful country.

Introduction

This is a description of a painting by one of the students of Jean-Leon Gerome, Paul-Marie Lenoir, on their visit to the mosque of Amr in Cairo Egypt in 1868. The painting of the prayer in the mosque is done on a canvas with oil. In the picture worshippers stand in rows and are engaged in Islamic players. Some birds are also seen on the floor and above in the beams. A picture is also painted of a young man half nude, who is standing outside the formal straight line of worshippers.  To describe it in detail, the painter depicts a linear perspective of columns and arches, with distinct vanishing points that the painter describes with the disappearing horizon line. Above these bars he arranged the beams in a grid manner. The floor of the artwork is a masterpiece of well patterned tiles. To compensate this order and the vanishing points the artist, matches the horizons with regular rows of worshippers. Arrangement of objects and images in the painting is therefore symmetrical.  The use of geometric arrangement of objects in space in this painting helps to bring out the theme. That worshipper looks like they are static and immobilized like the architecture forms around them, as if some dominant forces are in control of them

How were people of various races portrayed during the century?

In this period some people considered themselves as being superior to the rest. For instance in Europe Jews were seen as an inferior race and having certain weak physical and personality characteristics. European powers like the French, German, and Britain on the other hand dominated other races. They conquered them and expand their territories. Islam’s were also taken as an inferior religion and the Roman movement with its Christianity was considered superior. North Africans were also considered as backward, primitive and lawless and they deserved to be colonized and westernized.

How did Orientalism and exoticism further the study, or problematize the subject of race in art?

Orientalism is the understanding of the East by the Western. The discipline expanded in the mid-nineteenth century. However, racism also increased along the value to understand the oriental.  For instance popular stereotypes and attitudes that Orientals were hard to make out and cunning. Ideas of scholars studying the East were therefore intertwined with these biases. For instance, they considered religions and arts of the East to be inferior to those of the ideals of Romans. Oriental paintings in the period were in some case used as propaganda to popularize imperialism by French (Meagher 1). In such cases Eastern countries were shown as place where before French came had been backward, primitive and without laws. This was a way of defending colonialism as a means to rescue the Orientals from their backwardness.

Which artists dealt with racial “types,” and how did specific artists speak to racial issues in their works?

Pinder in her work discuss some of the artistic works of Gerome as being of racist themes. For instance, his Phryne painting, that shows a naked woman in the tribunal (76). In his work Gerome depicts women as being dominated by masculine powers. This work also depicted that the white people race was more superior to other races, especially races that were involved in trades of slaves in their nude. Another artist who deals with these paintings is Eugene Delacroix. His work featured themes of cruelty and violence (Meagher 1). These include paintings where in most cases the west dominated the blacks, such as French conquest of Algeria in 1830.

What political events in the century lead to art that dealt with these issues?

Colonialism was prevalent in this time and it’s viewed as the main influence of orientalist paintings. For instance, when Gerome’s picture of the snake charmer was taken, political events are reported to have been taking place around the same period and venue. Napoleon III government is said to have been keen on modernizing itself around ottoman government. French began many government projects that would transform her orient to similar ways like her. These include an education system and also railway line that connected Istanbul, Salonica and Middle Danube (Nochlin, 36).

What is the history of your chosen artwork and how does it fit within this theme?

The player in the mosque painting is based on the travels made to the Near East by Gerome, specifically North Africa. It specifically refers to a visit of ‘Amr Mosque in Cairo on 1868. According to Nochlin, one year before the date of this Gerome visit, French had taken advantage of a famine in Algeria to convert orphans in exchange for food. In 1871, there was the Holy War, where Islam revolted against French colonization and oppression (51). She goes on to argue why this picture falls under this theme of racism. That Gerome choice of Cairo for the painting was deliberately to avoid the French North Africa. He depicted Islamic worshiper as immobilized and static as the architecture buildings around them. According to her, the use of picturesque like this is to hide the conflict and instead demonstrate peaceful atmosphere. It is also used to show that the dominant culture has been eroded by the new ways.

Introduction

The United States military is currently deploying the strategies that it used during the war in Iraq to make sure that the war in Afghanistan turns out a success. The success of the War on Iraq was attained after learning from the counterinsurgency warfare (Abbasi para. 4). The strategy adopted aimed at ensuring that there was division among the Sunni opposition, which was achieved by paying previous Saddamists so that they could fight the Al-Qaeda. The outcome of this approach to warfare in the short-term served to dampen the increasing violence in Iraq. In the context of Afghanistan, the warfare is mainly between the unruly Taliban and the United States military and allied forces of the NATO (Abbasi para. 9). Can the strategy adopted during the war on Iraq prove fruitful when deployed in the war against Afghanistan? In order to effectively deploy counterinsurgency, the United States just needs to pay off a faction of the Taliban. The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai issued this proposal that attained some support from the United States. In order to assess the effectiveness of counterinsurgency, it is important to have a comprehensive historical case analysis of counterinsurgency. Counterinsurgency is likely to fail for the case whereby the counterinsurgents are more powerful when compared to the insurgents, whereby they are mostly the foreign occupiers. This paints a glooming picture for the case of the United States winning the war in Afghanistan. Conventionally, people are usually annoyed in cases whereby foreigners attack their own country; this is the case of British armed forces during the time of American Revolution. Foreigners are still considered foreigners despite their involvement in benevolent activities, which creates a potential of nationalist backlash. It is an unfortunate scenario for the case of United States war in Afghanistan, whereby the US has been branded as a foreign occupier. The Taliban, which is antagonistic in this warfare, is characterized by brutality although its level of brutality is reducing significantly due to its realization of the significance of public support. Its popularity can be matched both to the occupation of the United States in the warfare and the client government headed by President Hamid Karzai. Prior to evaluating whether the United States still has a chance of winning the war in Afghanistan, it is important to evaluate both sides. The main purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical evaluation of both the position of the Taliban and the occupation of the United States in relation to the client Afghanistan government under President Hamid in order to determine whether the United States can win the war in Afghanistan (Abbasi Para. 8).

Reports from Afghanistan reveal that the counterinsurgency strategies adopted by the United States in the south and east of Afghanistan, which are mostly filled by the Talibans does not reflect a success of the war. In addition, the spring’s operation undertaken in Marja that was initially considered a success raised questions during the last minute after the client Afghanistan government failed to avail itself. It arguably evident that this plays an integral role in hindering the success of war in Afghanistan. Following the positive visitation by the Afghanistan president in Washington, Hamid has since shown somewhat an erratic attitude including a compelled resignation of one of his powerful ministers (New York Times par. 4). The Afghanistan surge implemented by the United States president Obama is considered a failure even after the reinforcement of approximately 30,000 militants in Afghanistan. From this perspective, it can be considered that the war in Afghanistan is a failure. However, this view does not take into consideration the fact that counterinsurgency is a gradual process. In addition, overwhelming the insurgents needs patience in order to facilitate an effective counter-insurgency strategy. This additionally requires the deployment of relatively large numbers of militants that are well trained in foreign missions. Achieving success poses the need for the locals to control their turf in such a manner that the insurgents cannot come back to interfere with the process of establishing a better life for individuals residing in recently cleared. There are no shortcuts when implementing counterinsurgency, making it a gradual process (Geneva Conventions, Para. 12).

General David Patraues, who developed the counterinsurgency plan deployed in Afghanistan, noted the difficulties in implementing counterinsurgency during the war in Iraq. This difficulty does not translate to failures in the war rather the need to be patient when using counterinsurgency during warfare. In this light, success of the war in Afghanistan is mainly characterized by ensuring that Afghanistan is not breeding ground for terrorism and that there is stability in the country in such a manner that it can function with minimal external aid; this is an essential national interest in the case of the US (Marsden 12).

Winning the war in Afghanistan will exceed beyond the defeat of the Al Qaeda and other terrorist movements, rather it will be hard blow to the United States enemies. Losing on the other hand will serve to strengthen the enemies of the United States, which is likely to result to further loss of innocent lives due to terrorism across the globe. It is important to note that despite the fact the discussion regarding the Afghanistan policy in Washington reveal a gloomy picture for winning the war in Afghanistan, there is still a percentage that the war can be won provided the right decisions are undertaken by the Afghanistan and Pakistan (Carpenter, Para. 14).

There are three core reasons that underpin the success of the war in Afghanistan. Firstly, the availability of the needed resources and the deployment of the appropriate strategy will play a significant role in ensuring that the war in Afghanistan is a success. Other factors that are likely to contribute towards the success of the war in Afghanistan include the strengthening of the government and the capability of its security forces; and the fact that the Talibans are constantly losing their sanctuaries that are situated in Pakistan. It is worth noting that the identified trends cannot be reversed and that they do not serve to demonstrate victory for the case of the war in Afghanistan, rather, they indicate that the war in Afghanistan can be a success when the United States displays the required determination that is needed to defeat insurgents (Carpenter, Para. 9).

The first reason increases the possibility of winning the success of the war in Afghanistan is that the counterinsurgency strategy adopted by the United States is beginning to bear fruits in Afghanistan. This is the same strategy that was adopted during the war in Iraq in 2007 that turned out successful. This strategy focuses more on the commitment of the militant troops and the civilian experts. In addition, the counterinsurgency strategy also aims in fostering political security in order to ensure socioeconomic progress. It is important to note that counterinsurgency operations are not deemed successful through killing of terrorists and the insurgent. It serves the core purpose of capturing or killing the highly committed terrorists, while most of the foot soldiers and leaders can be gradually convinced to renounce their stance relating the violence so that they can become part of a better and efficient political process in order to guarantee success rather than continuing fighting (Geneva Conventions, para. 8). The insurgency operations have been strongly deployed in the south and east of Afghanistan, this in combination with drone strikes and Pakistan commitment towards counterinsurgency helps in exerting more pressure on the Taliban group, which presents the Afghanistan government with an opportunity to be stronger compared to its enemies (Fox News, para. 6).

A notable fact in the traditional China is that few women attained literacy and those who managed to gain literacy did not hold civil service positions. In addition, the capability to compose drivable poetry was one of the requirements for an individual to become a successful bureaucrat. This state of affairs in traditional China is questionable due to the fact that Yu Hsuan Chi was a poet yet her gender orientation played an integral role in disqualifying her from being an official.

Wang is also considered as a famous poet due to his controversial reforms in the various aspects of the government especially during the time that he held power at the Sung court. Wang aimed correcting the social disorder, which he considered to have played an integral role in disintegration of the state. The early poetry of Wand laid emphasis on social problems based on the ideologies of Confucian.

Meng Chiao is also one of the renowned Tang poets and a statesman. Huang Ting-Chien was also a poet and a scholar who shared his interest in the aspects of Zen Buddhism. Huang managed to establish himself both as a lyricist and poet. A notable aspect of the various poetry periods in the history of Chinese is their changing methods of poetry with the diverse objectives. For instance, Yang Wan-li focuses on the poems of depression, while other poets focused on aspects such as social change and problems, Buddhism and the role of gender in becoming an official. The influences of the poets also vary across the various periods of history, which in turn shaped their motivations behind poetry. Su Shi is an important poetry figure during the Northern Sung Period, who was characterized by passionate patriotism.

 

Keene chapter 7

Buddhism is an important aspect of Chinese religion, implying that Buddhist leaders have made significant contributions towards the Chinese history. A notable Buddhist figure is Kukai, who is considered as a scholar, poet, sculptor, painter, and inventor and explores. Kukai has his origins in the aristocratic families in Japan. Confucian ideologies are a core aspect of Japanese history due to the influences it had in shaping the ideologies adopted by Buddhist leaders.

Buddhism is presented as playing an important role in influencing the perspectives of Kukai, this saw him supersede the wishes of his family. It is through this adventure in Buddhism that helped him to discover a copy of Manavairocana Sutra, which is one of the fundamental scriptures found in Esoteric Buddhism. This serves to demystify the underlying mysteries associated with the body, mouth and the mid, by which common people can use to attain intimacy with the Buddha’s world.

Esoteric Buddhism texts attempt to explain the swift effects and supranational action. In the light of these, if there is a person who disciplines oneself in accordance with the established methods of discipline, such a person is likely to achieve corporeal existence of the five supernatural powers. Further training will result to advancement to the next stage of the Buddha without leaving the body. Retaining the grace of three mysteries, which are inborn, result to their manifestation. Compassion is also a key element of esoteric Buddhism which is usually directed at conscious beings, this mainly involves adding and retaining; which make up the core principles of devotion by the Buddhists.

Introduction

In most cases, religion has played a significant role in fuelling the fights for freedom, which ultimately calls for the women participation as in the case of the civil rights in the US. Religion played a foremost role in the sparkling the advocacy for the civil rights of the African-Americans in the US with the main objective of initiating revolutionary social change[1]. Women participation during the civil rights also played an integral role in accelerating the civil rights movement. A number of historians consent the critical role that women, especially African-Americans, played in ensuring that there was racial equity. A notable woman figure during the civil rights movement is Rosa parks. Most of the women during the civil rights lobby group collaborated core religious leaders on accounts of choice, and bias that was based on racial and gender factors. This paper discusses the role that women and religion played during the time when the African-American populations were advocating for their civil rights.

It is arguably evident that religion played a forefront role in advocating for the civil rights to ensure social justice. In the South, the church served as a meeting place for the civil rights activists during the movement; basically, the church was considered as the symbol of the civil rights movement. This implies that the church symbolized the some of the core elements of freedom that were central towards the period of the civil rights activism. In addition, the church was considered as the only facility in the society that was not vulnerable to the core aspects that fuelled the civil rights activism like racism and women prejudice. The church was beyond the influence of the whites and the participants of the civil rights support found the church as a perfect place whereby they could air out their views and encourage the masses without the potential fear of the authorities. For the participants and other people who had keen interest in the proceedings of the civil rights movements, the church came as the bulletin board of the progresses that had been attained[2].

The socio-economic and political power of the civil rights activism was enclosed in the church, owing to the fact it was not susceptible to the opposition by the white supremacists. It is notable that most influential people during the time at which the African-Americans were advocating for their civil rights lobby group found in the south were mostly religious leaders, who played an integral role in bring up the masses to rise against the white supremacists. In addition, religion can be argued to have offered accommodation to people of all socio-economic status for a common goal to pursue freedom from white supremacists. This played an integral role in building up the confidence of the participants and most was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the goals of the civil rights movement were attained. Religion can be argued to have made significant contributions that culminated towards the success of the civil rights movement.  In addition the underlying themes that were used by the activists of the civil rights based on religious orientations, and most participants viewed the fight for civil rights as a just cause. It is notable that the Montgomery was the birth of the civil rights activism, evident by Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, who were from the region and played a forefront role during the time of fighting for the civil rights of the African-American community.

Women involvement in the civil rights movement also played a significant role in ensuring its success. Women figures such as Rosa Parks can be argued to have played a significant role in initiating the civil rights activism. Women worked in collaboration with the religious leaders to ensure that the goals and objectives of the civil rights activists were achieved. For instance, during 1955, Rosa Parks deliberately refused to give up her seat to a white person while in Montgomery; this resulted to mass boycott by many black women. This was the birth of advocacy for civil rights, as it served it ignite earlier attempts by activities that have failed to free the African Americans from the white man supremacy. The boycott went for over a year, after which Martin Luther King began to participate in advocating for civil rights. Rosa is considered as the mother of the movement that pioneered the advocacy for civil rights, who played an influential role in the elimination of the segregation laws associated with Jim Crow’s era, which was a milestone towards the quest for racial justice. Other women personalities that played an integral role in making the civil rights activism a triumph include Ella Baker, who was a labor organizer; Septima Poinsette Clark, who was an educator and activist under the National Association for the Advancement of Black Colored People; Fannie Lou Hamer, the co-founder of Mississippi Democratic Party; and Vivian Malone. It is arguably evident that the efforts of the women made significant background contributions towards ensuring that the civil rights activism was a victory[3].

Conclusion

Religion and women involvement was influential in ensuring the success of the civil rights advocacy by the African-Americans. Women worked in collaboration with religious leaders to ensure success of the civil rights movement.

Communication is simply passing a message from one person to the other. It entails all the people either direct or indirect connected to the business. Business communication is vital to the survival of any business. Communication is in relation from the top level management, all through the subordinate staff, up to the clients, Weaver, W. (1949). In order to have a successful transaction, there should be well and mannered communication between the seller and the buyer. On a day to day basis, communication is a necessity in almost all areas of business operation. These includes,

• Building Rapport,
• Resolving Conflict
• Meeting

Building Rapport

Building rapport is about initiating and establishing a unified platform for communication to attain familiarity and trust between the clients, staff, stakeholders, and even the competitors. It is a progression that relies on effective and affirmative communication skills. This process helps in building a connection of a healthy trust and an advantageous business affinity, Juanita Ecker; February (2005). It is through effective communication that a rapport is established in a mutual connectivity.

Building rapport is achieved using two main modes of communication: verbal and non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication entails in the use of body language, which includes traits such as eye contact and giving out good attentive listening atmosphere. A salesman may have all the significant use of a product, but luck the anticipated delivering skills to build a rapport with the customer, hence he loses the sale.

Resolving Conflict

Communication skills will help the director of a company, when required to resolve conflict among his or her department team members. He or she is able to handle incongruity diplomatically and efficiently, without adding any undulation to an already disorderly circumstance. According to Help Guide, an online resource that offers advice on resolving challenges, the basis of conflict solving is on effective communication skills.  Conflict is as a result of in appropriate communication. Therefore mangers should have the skills to convey effective communication in case crises arise. With this in place, members will work with ease, hence being more reproductive and dedicated than before.

Meeting

Another vital organ which is articulated frequently is meeting. Meetings are the main channels of departmental rapport breakdown. It is in meeting were decisive agendas are brought on table and solved. In such occasions, the responsible directors will have to strategize on the issue on hand, come up with report, and deliver it to the rest of the board members. For the manager to achieve a successful meeting with positive responses, he or she will be required to display unquestionable skills in communication. Nevertheless, not only the presenter of the meeting entails good communication skills, even the audiences do need proper listening skills for these skills are part of communication in general, Berlo, D. K. (1960).

 Trends seen in workplace

Business communication is affected by trends such as Information and communication technology, job flexibility, job and family among others. These trends affect both profit and non-profit making organizations and the Government. These organs are affected through the management communication.

Information and communication technology is a trend which has revolutionized the whole business arena, and has changed the whole transition in a positive manner. For instance, a manager can conduct a board meeting without being physically present. This is achieved through the help of the internet. Technology has also improved the learned institutions in the sense that, a lecture can be done in different institutions which are in different time zones by one lecturer. Nevertheless, for an effective transition of the Information and communication technology, communication skills come in hand.

Job flexibility is an inevitable trend taking the work place by storm. For a business to be successful and keep up with its competitors, it has to adjust with the change. This change can be achieved through effective and swift communication skills. It is through effective communication that a manager will be able to conduct a successful meeting with his or her board members and discus on the change to adapt.

Juggling between job and family is also a trend which has a considerable amount of impact at work place. It is with remarkable communication skills that one can be able to communicate effectively to both the workmates, as well as his or her family members. Ineffective communication is a leeway to family breakage, as well is inappropriate job interaction with the rest of workmates.

Message types as a result of these trends

These trends have almost more or less the same meaning. The key concept learned from the trends is that, communication skills intervenes and gives a lasting solution.

In a nutshell, communication is vital for any successful business operation. It is the leeway which links all the other departments. Communication breakdown is a sure sign business failure.