Factors Critical to the Implementation of Second Order Change

Graduation Party Ideas Make It Legendary!

Graduation Party Ideas Make It Legendary! You did it! All those 24-hour Red-Bull-and-Calculus benders did the trick. Now, as you consider the final weeks of your college experience, you think, â€Å"Hey, I should totally celebrate by throwing THE MOTHER OF ALL PARTIES.† You should do that. Here are the five best types of parties for graduating college. Pick your poison and get ready to forget everything you’ve learned over the past four years. The Kegger Not innovative, but still fun. Get together some of your friends from the College of Education or Mechanical Engineering program and get crazy. When you’re throwing one of these, remember to go simple. Cheap food, lots of inexpensive alcohol, and a few bottles of whiskey. Now you’re talking fun! Drinks: PBR, Jack Daniels, and Jello Shots. Food: Taquitos, Oreos, Chips, and Queso. Activities: Quarters, Beer Pong, and Strip Poker The Club Party For you and your buddies from the School of Marketing, Broadcast Journalism, Education, or Nursing, maybe a club party is the right speed. Here, you can drink, dance, and still manage to give your outgoing selves a chance to meet some new people. Dress up, drink some Appletini’s and bask in your success at the same time you scope out the hotties. Drinks: Cosmopolitans, Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Boilermaker Food: Macaroni Bites, Fried Oysters, Mini Cheesecake Activities: Dancing, Wet T-Shirt Contests, Retreating to a Private Bottle Service Table The Cheese and Wine Party If you are graduating with a degree in Philosophy, Literature, Journalism, or History you may want a party that is quiet enough so that you can discuss your favorite topics. You can throw this in your home or apartment, as long as it is in good taste and excellently furnished. Having a good amount of medium-quality wine and unique appetizers is all you need to get this party set up. Once there, though, you may need to do some official activities to get people to feel comfortable. Drinks: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc (Check out Good Wine Under $20 for more ideas) Food: Teleme Cheese, Stuffed Mushrooms, Salmon Bites Activities: Charades, Apples to Apples, Icebreaker Games The Theme Party Nothing says fun like a graduation party that’s also a costume party. You can make it easy so that guests must come in their cap and gown, or turn it into a toga party. Either way, it makes for a night full of unique activities and foods that your guests will never forget. The only thing to keep in mind, however, is that many grads have family and friends who will be joining them. Make sure your theme is inclusive enough so that everyone feels like they’re welcome to join in. Drinks: Choose drinks that go with your party. If you have a Renaissance party, mead might be a good choice. For a toga party, you’d want to have lots of dark red wine. Just keep drinks consistent with your theme. Food: Food should also be consistent with your party. If you have a 80’s themed party, you might be able to just get away with traditional party snacks. If you decide to have a Meditteranean-themed party however, you might have olives, falafel, or gyros. Do some research to see what foods will be delicious, cheap, and fun. Activities: Again, research will be your key friend for developing the right activities. You might choose some specific dances and games that relate to your chosen theme. You might also decide to have a contest for the best costume. Grad Party Tips No matter which party style you pick, here are some of the key things to remember when you throw your party: Have extra. Make sure you have extra food, drinks, toilet papers, and game boards. Create something to save memories. Give out â€Å"yearbooks† or other party favors that guests can share and sign. You don’t have to have your party on graduation day. Pick a day that is less stressful. Your guests won’t have to worry about their company as much. Send out invitations at least a week in advance. As graduation gets closer, everyone’s schedule fills up, so make sure your party gets on the list. Choose low maintenance, if possible. The goal is for all of you to have fun. That’s kind of hard if you’re running around cleaning up spills and creating culinary masterpieces. What do you plan for your grad party? Do you have some more ideas to share? Hurry up!

Workplace Stress Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Workplace Stress Management - Essay Example The work is bound to eventually start suffering since employees become overworked. The agencies can become highly productive by setting up guidelines that underpin reasonable hours of work. It is imperative to allow employees to take requisite breaks and some time off. As such, they are bound to develop a tendency to deliver a higher work output (Girdano, Dusek & Everly 2005). Â  It is important to listen to employee feedback. In most law enforcement agencies, the employees are given a descriptive course of action to pursue by the high command, and as such act in strict confidence of their instruction without necessarily imparting their opinion. Most employees have the feeling that their supervisors have little value for their opinion. Taking the time to listen to employees and outrightly implementing changes that are bound to benefit them is an approach that will see a tremendous decrease in employees’ workplace stress levels since employees ascribe a sense of value attached to them. The employees can contribute to the prodigious success of the agencies which benefit in the long term by gaining a long-lasting workforce that is not bound to easily resign and result in high turnover.

Gender roles and Marriage Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gender roles and Marriage - Thesis Example While sex refers to the biological classification into male and female categories, gender indicates social classification of the masculine and feminine attributes. On the other hand identity depends on ones self realization about his or her sexual category. In the paper two stories have been taken up for study – ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ by James Thurber and ‘The Story of an Hour’ by Kate Chopin. In the former work, Mr. Mitty tries to build his masculine identity through his regular daydreams and in the second work, Mrs. Mallard tries to gain freedom from the repressive bond of marriage and a kind of sexual freedom is experienced after she hears the news of her husband’s death. In fact both these characters of opposite gender tries to gain freedom in their own ways. Mr. Walter Mitty attempts to gain freedom from the influence of his dominating wife who apparently always has the last word. The institution of marriage can be repressive ow ing to the influence of gender roles. ‘The Story of An Hour’ by the American writer Kate Chopin talks about the central character Mrs. Mallard’s reaction and mental transformation on hearing the news of her husband’s death and the mix of emotions experienced by the frail woman. Widowhood does cause some sorrow but within minutes it brings forth a new opportunity and light to the journey of life. The transformation in thoughts and a feeling of some kind of freedom gradually replaces the initial feeling of loss. In this case the freedom enjoyed within shows how repressive the marriage could be. This is not really written to criticize the character of Mr. Mallard as a repressive husband but through the reactions of his wife, it mocks this supposedly happy union. The open window, the comfortable chair, ‘delicious breath of rain’ and the tops of the trees that were ‘all aquiver with the new spring life’, all indicate an underlying feeling of regeneration or rebirth and a m ind which is open to the change and the new life that will belong solely to her. The open window through which she stares at the sky represents a glance at life through the eye of freedom. Mrs. Mallard was ‘young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength’; this description has been used as a tool to highlight the change that was taking place within. She was gaining her strength from the expectation of a new life approaching her. These new oncoming years have been portrayed like â€Å"creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air†. (Chopin, 1894) Chopin’s story bears significance to The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman where the wife finally protests against her husband who does not want her to write and always asks her to rest and sleep like a sick woman. Again, there are sexual overtones in the story that cannot be overlooked. The initial ‘stor m of grief’ is almost indicative of a sexual urge or release, which goes hand in hand with the term ‘wild abandonment’. The quivering of the trees is analogous with the thighs that aquiver with sexual anticipation. The term ‘haunted’ signifies that she was craving for it from within and therefore this freedom meant physical or sexual freedom as well (Eggins, 2004, p.39) She also prays that her life may be long. This shows the immense joy experienced. The expression in her eye has also changed from a dull glare to a look of ‘feverish triumph’. As she came down the stairs into the living room, being supported by her sister, Mr.

Analyzing Written and Visual Texts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analyzing Written and Visual Texts - Essay Example On a Wednesday evening, 11th August 1965, 21 year old Marquette Frye, an African American was pulled over by a white California Highway Patrol Motorcycle officer Lee Minikus on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A situation occurred and quickly escalated when Ronald, Marquette’s brother ran and called Rena Price their mother to the scene, attracting the attention of people. The incident turned violent when someone pushed Price Frye got struck Price jumped an officer and another officer pulled a shotgun. All these made the situation intense as growing crowds of local residents watching the argument began yelling and throwing objects at the police officers; leading to the six day riot in Watts. The rioters started fighting physically with the police, blocked fire fighters and beat white motorists. Arson and looting was done but was majorly confined to white-owned stores and enterprises that were said to have caused resentment in the neighborhood due to perceived unfairness, (Oberschall, 322-341). In his response to the Watts riot, Martin Luther King wrote an essay by the name â€Å"where do we go from here† where he took a firm stand of commitment to nonviolence. However, he expressed his understanding of the riots that happened not just in Watts but in other areas as well when he says â€Å"one sees screaming children and angry adults fighting hopelessly and meaninglessly against impossible odds†. By this King means that he knows the desperate frustration of the Black people who riot from the unchanging unfairness of living conditions in their own country. He acknowledges the need for action against the unfairness against the Black community as he goes on to say, â€Å"what is needed are a plan for change, a tactical program that will bring the Black people into the mainstream of American life as quickly as possible† (King, 17). This would allow for the Black community to be recognized as an equal citizen of the United States of America with equal rights. King also acknowledges the fault of the white people; who have gone to great heights to ensure that the Black man is classified as less important to the white man. He says that he sees the hatred on the faces of sheriffs, Klansmen and white citizens in the South who have allowed the hate to change their personality as they are burdened by the hatred they feel for the Black man. King interprets the riot as such because he sees fault on both the black man and the white man’s actions. He does not advocate for a sympathetic truce but an affirmative action that will bring the black man from his misery of oppression from under the feet of the white man. So that there can be respect and equality among the two. A newsreel report by the name â€Å"Troops patrol L.A† gave a report of the incident after it happened. The report said that six days of rioting in a Black section of L.A left the city looking like a scene from war torn cities, with most build ings on fire leaving few intact. It also said that the firemen were harassed by brick throwing looters and snipers; to a point of having to wear flack suits with mesh to protect themselves from the snipers who continued to shoot from roof tops. The estimated damage by fire alone was 200 million; while estimates were yet to be done for losses acquired from looters who stole everything

The motivation theories used by management

The motivation theories used by management This chapter provides a brief outline of motivation, types of motivation, major motivation theories and leadership theories on increasing employee motivation. Lastly this chapter identifies the impact of employee motivation on the productivity of the company. 2.2 Motivation The level of performance of employees relies not only on their actual skills but also on the level of motivation each person exhibits (Burney et al., 2007). Motivation is an inner drive or an external inducement to behave in some particular way, typically a way that will lead to rewards (Dessler,1978). Over-achieving, talented employees are the driving force of all firms so it is essential that organizations strive to motivate and hold on to the best employees (Harrington, 2003). The success of any business depends largely on the motivation of the employees.  Every person has their own set of motivations and personal incentives to work hard or not as the case may be. Some are motivated by recognition while others are motivated by cash incentives. Motivation can be internal or external. Deadlines are an example of external motivation. The fear of losing a contract or of not finishing a job you started is an example of internal motivation. Both internal and external motivation can be equally powerful. Financial Motivation is money, incentives, bonus, commission, fame and recognition which are External and Monetary benefits or Non-Financial Motivators like pride, sense of achievement, responsibility, belief, challenge and interesting job, Respect which are Internal. Perhaps the most significant impact of increased employee motivation is that of increased productivity. This is a central aim when adopting an incentive program. If you can increase employee motivation, productivity will follow and with that the inevitable increased bottom line. Table 1 Four most powerful types of motivation Type of Motivation Description Intrinsic motivation Satisfaction in the work itself (pleasure, stimulation, learning etc) Extrinsic motivation Rewards for doing the work (money, promotion, perks etc) Personal motivation Individual values (a love of knowledge, power, security, self-expression etc) Interpersonal motivation The influence of other people (competition, collaboration, commitments etc) Human beings are multifaceted creatures, and we are typically motivated by a mixture of all four elements. This diagram can help make sense of this complexity The types of motivation combine to produce four key areas to focus on when trying to motivate people. For example, prior to taking a work, employee will most likely to have a minimum anticipation in terms of pay and opportunities for career progress (personal rewards). You will also want to be certain that it offers you an opportunity to use your skills, learn and stretch yourself in pursuit of a meaningful challenge (personal satisfaction). Probability are you will also want to be given due recognition for your involvement (public recognition). And given how long you are going to spend in the group of your co-workers, you will probably want them to be interesting and enjoyable company (social interaction). Combining different forms of motivation will have the biggest impact on performance. Taking a more balanced approach to motivation will also help you develop better relationships with everyone on your team. How to Motivate People During a Recession Deci and Ryan (2000) conducted and replicated an experiment that showed the negative impact of monetary rewards on intrinsic motivation and performance. A group of college students were asked to work on an interesting puzzle. Some were paid and some were not paid for the work. The students that were not being paid worked longer on the puzzle and found it more interesting than the students being paid. When the study was brought into a workplace setting, employees felt that their behavior was being controlled in a dehumanizing and alienating manner by the rewards. It was discovered that rewards would seriously decrease an employees motivation to ever perform the task being rewarded, or one similar to it, any time in the future. Another observation of the study was that employees would expect a reward every time the task was to be completed if the reward was offered at one time. Employees would require the reward in order to perform the job and would probably expect the reward to increase in amount. If the rewards were not increased or if they were taken away they actually served as negative reinforcement. 2.2 Major Theories of Motivation Motivation is not only in a single direction i.e. downwards. In the present scenario, where the workforce is more informed, more aware, more educated and goal oriented, the role of motivation has left the boundaries of the hierarchy of management. The Fig below shows the major theories of motivation that can be applied in the working environment as well on the employees to see the impact of motivation on the organization as a whole. Fig shows Major theories of Motivation 2.2.1 Need Approaches Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Fig Shows Maslows Hierarchy of Needs If motivation is driven by the existence of unsatisfied needs, then it is worthwhile for a manager to understand which needs are the more important for individual employees. http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/maslow/ By applying Maslows theory of motivation, modern leaders and managers find way of employee motivation for the purpose of employee and workforce management. The basis of Maslows theory of motivation is that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower needs need to be satisfied before higher needs can be addressed. As per the teachings of Abraham Maslow, there are general needs (physiological, safety, love, and esteem) which have to be fulfilled before a person is able to act unselfishly. These needs were dubbed deficiency needs. While a person is motivated to fulfill these basal desires, they continue to move toward growth, and eventually self-actualization. http://www.abraham-maslow.com/m_motivation/Hierarchy_of_Needs.asp As a result, for adequate workplace  motivation, it is important that  leadership understands which needs are active for individual employee motivation. In this regard, Abraham Maslows model indicates that basic, low-level needs such as physiological requirements and safety must be satisfied before higher-level needs such as self-fulfillment are pursued. As depicted in this hierarchical diagram, sometimes called Maslows Needs Pyramid or Maslows Needs Triangle, when a need is satisfied it no longer motivates and the next higher need takes its place. http://www.abraham-maslow.com/m_motivation/Hierarchy_of_Needs.asp Table 2 shows Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Needs Example Biological and Physiological needs Air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc Safety needs Protection from elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc. Belongingness and Love needs Work group, family, affection, relationships, etc. Esteem needs Self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc Self-Actualization needs Realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. Source: http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm Alderfers ERG Theory Fig: Clayton Alderfers ERG Theory Needs Source:http://www.envisionsoftware.com/es_img/Alderfer_ERG_Theory.gif If the ERG theory holds, then unlike with Maslows theory, managers must recognize that an employee has multiple needs to satisfy simultaneously. Furthermore, if growth opportunities are not provided to employees, they may regress to relatedness needs. If the manager is able to recognize this situation, then steps can be taken to concentrate on relatedness needs until the subordinate is able to pursue growth again. http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/erg/ Herzbergs Two Factor Theory Fig: Hygiene and Motivation Factors Source:http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/figures/1472-6920-9-49-1.jpg The psychologist Fredrick Herzberg asked the questions from employees in the year 1950s and 60s for understanding employee satisfaction. He set out to determine the effect of attitude on motivation, by asking people to describe the circumstances where they felt really good, and really bad, about their jobs. What he found was that people who felt good about their jobs gave very different responses from the people who felt bad. Herzbergs findings revealed that certain characteristics of a job are consistently related to job satisfaction, while different factors are associated with job dissatisfaction shown in Fig? The conclusion he drew is that job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction are not opposites. The opposite of Satisfaction is No Satisfaction. The opposite of Dissatisfaction is No Dissatisfaction To apply Herzbergs theory, managers need to adopt a two stage process to motivate people. Firstly, managers need eliminate the dissatisfactions the employees are experiencing and, secondly, managers need to help them find satisfaction. http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_74.htm McClellands Learned Needs Theory One of McClellands most well known theories is that human motivation is dominated by three needs. McClellands theory, sometimes referred to as the three need theory or as the learned needs theory, categorizes the needs as follows; The need for achievement The need for power The need for affiliation The importance of each of these needs will vary from one person to another. If the manager can determine the importance of each of these needs to an individual, it will help the managers to decide how to influence that individual. McClelland asserted that a persons needs are influenced by their cultural background and life experiences. He also asserted that the majority of these needs can be classified as the needs for affiliation, achievement or power. A persons motivation and effectiveness can be increased through an environment, which provides them with their ideal mix of each of the three needs. http://www.learnmanagement2.com/DavidMcClelland.htm 2.2.2 Cognitive Approach Expectancy Theory The expectancy theory says that individuals have different sets of goals and can be motivated if they have certain expectation. Individuals choose behaviors based on the outcomes they expect and the values they ascribe to those expected outcomes (Borders 2004). Vrooms Expectancy theory is based upon the following three variables which he calls Valence, Expectancy and Instrumentality valances (Bartol, Tein, Matthews, Riston Scott-Ladd 2006). Valence refers to the value an individual personally places on the reward or upon the expected outcome of a situation. The Valence is high if the reward available is of interest to us. When you have a higher valence you tend to have higher motivation (Bartol, Tein, Matthews, Riston Scott-Ladd 2006). Expectancy is the belief that your efforts will result in attainment of the desired performance. This belief is generally based on an individuals past experience, self confidence. Expectancy would be zero if an individual felt it were impossible to achieve a given performance level (Bartol, Tein, Matthews, Riston Scott-Ladd 2006). Instrumentality is the belief that the success of the situation is linked to the expected outcome of the situation, e.g. its gone really well, so Id expect praise. It is also the belief that if one meets the performance expectations, he or she will receive a greater reward. This reward may come in the form of a pay increase, promotion, recognition or sense of accomplishment. (Bartol, Tein, Matthews, Riston Scott-Ladd 2006) Equity Theory/ Social Comparison Theory Source: http://www.businessballs.com/adamsequitytheory.htm According to Equity theory the employees perceive what they get from a job situation (outcomes) in relation to what they put into it (inputs) and then compare their inputs-outcomes ratio with the inputs-outcomes ratios of relevant others (Shown in Fig). If an employee perceives her ratio to be equal to those of relevant others, a state of equity exists. In other words, she perceives that her situation is fair-that justice prevails. However, if the ratio is unequal, inequity exists and she views herself as under rewarded or over rewarded. Source: http://www.businessballs.com/adamsequitytheory.htm Goal Setting Theory of Motivation Goal-setting theory focuses on identifying the types of goals that are most effective in producing high levels of motivation and performance and explaining why goals have these effects. Goal-setting theory is found within the field of organizational behavior; however, it can be applied to any general area where goals may be achieved. http://www.ehow.com/about_5382265_goalsetting-theory-motivation.html Source: http://faculty.washington.edu/janegf/goalsetting.html In order to direct ourselves we set ourselves goals that are: Clear (not vague) and understandable, so we know what to do and what not to do. Challenging, so we will be stimulated and not be bored. Achievable, so we are unlikely to fail. If other people set us goals without our involvement, then we are much less likely to be motivated to work hard at it than if we feel we have set or directed the goal ourselves.http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/goals.htm 2.2.3 REINFORCEMENT THEORY Reinforcement theory of motivation overlooks the internal state of individual, i.e., the inner feelings and drives of individuals are ignored by Skinner. This theory focuses totally on what happens to an individual when he takes some action. External environment of the organization must be designed effectively and positively so as to motivate the employee. This theory is a strong tool for analyzing controlling mechanism for individuals behaviour. http://www.managementstudyguide.com/reinforcement-theory-motivation.htm Table 3: Reinforcement schedule Apply Withhold Reward positive reinforcement (raise above baseline) negative reinforcement (raise up to baseline) Stressor punishment (bring down below baseline) extinction (stay at baseline) Source: http://motivationcentre.blogspot.com/2006/03/reinforcement-theory.html Table 4 Types of Reinforcement Types of Reinforcement Description Positive reinforcement This implies giving a positive response when an individual shows positive and required behavior. Ex. You make a sale, you get a commission. You do a good job; you get a bonus a promotion. Negative reinforcement This implies rewarding an employee by removing negative / undesirable consequences. Both positive and negative reinforcement can be used for increasing desirable / required behaviour. Extinction It implies absence of reinforcements. In other words, extinction implies lowering the probability of undesired behaviour by removing reward for that kind of behaviour. For instance if an employee no longer receives praise and admiration for his good work, he may feel that his behaviour is generating no fruitful consequence. Extinction may unintentionally lower desirable behaviour Punishment It implies removing positive consequences so as to lower the probability of repeating undesirable behaviour in future. In other words, punishment means applying undesirable consequence for showing undesirable behaviour. For instance Suspending an employee for breaking the organizational rules. Source: http://www.managementstudyguide.com/reinforcement-theory-motivation.htm 2.3 Leadership Style Influencing Motivation Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people (Kurt Lewin,1939). Leadership Style influences the level of motivation of employees. Different Leaders have different style for managing the employees working under them. Fig explains the style of leadership influencing the motivation of employees. Fig: Leadership Style Vs motivation Source: http://www.motivation-tools.com/workplace/leadership_styles.htm

Redux: A new Weight loss Medication :: Dieting Health Essays

Redux: A new Weight loss Medication History of Redux Dexfenfluramine is the first new anti-obesity drug to be approved by the FDA in 23 years. Although the drug was just recently recommended by an advisory panel for sale in the U.S. by a narrow 6 to 5 margin, it has been available in Europe for the past decade and it is sold in 65 countries (http://wsfl.usatoday.com/life/health/lhs484.htm). It is being marketed under the name "Redux" and its purpose is to help people lose weight by suppressing appetite. Who can use Redux? Redux is appropriate for people with a BMI (body mass index) of at least 30, or someone who is 30 percent over his ideal body weight. For example, if a 170 pound woman has an ideal body weight of 130, then she is a candidate for Redux. It may also be prescribed to someone with a BMI of 20 or greater in the presence of other risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidema). Denfexfluramine should not be prescribed for or taken by anyone who casually wants to lose 10 or 15 pounds (http://www.pharminfo.com/pubs/msb/dexfen2.html). How does Redux work? Redux, which from this point on will be referred to as denfexfluramine, is taken in the form of two 15 milligram capsules daily at the cost of approximately $2.40. The drug works by convincing the brain that the stomach is full. Denfexfluramine triggers the release of serotonin in the brain which depresses appetite and calms anxieties. Patients will eat smaller than normal size meals without feeling hungry, thus aiding them in their quest to lose weight. The drug is designed to be taken in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet to maximize its benefits. Deborah Wesley, a Redux user, attests to its effectiveness. "Once you take the pill and you sit down to the table all those cravings and those urges for out the window. You start to eat and you feel full really quickly" (http://www.wraltv.com:80/features/healthteam/1996/1106-weight-partl/html). How effective is Redux? Weight loss with denfexfluramine appears to be relatively modest for most patients. In addition, the majority of weight loss occurs within four to six months of initiating use, with weight loss declining after this period. If no weight loss occurs after one month of use, the patient and doctor must re-evaluate this drug therapy.. There have been several studies which attempt illustrate the potential weight loss for denfexfluramine users. Interneuron Pharmaceuticals of Lexington, Massachussettes reported that denfexfluramine helped 40 percent of people studied lose up to 10 percent of body weight -- double the amount of weight lost through diet alone (Seachrist 358).

Religious Allusions and Metaphorsâ€Martin Luther King Jr Essay

Martin Luther King, Jr., in his famous Letter from the Birmingham Jail, responds forcefully yet politely to a public statement made by eight Alabama clergymen in 1963. He defends his position as an African American and strongly defends racial equality, referencing countless sources and utilizing several literary devices. Most significantly, King uses frequent Biblical allusions and metaphors, not only to relate to the Clergymen and the people of Alabama, but also to display his passion for equality. For instance, when he speaks of just and unjust laws, he references the reasoning of Saint Thomas Aquinas, â€Å"To put in the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas, an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any laws that degrades human personality is unjust†(King 180). King cites the book of Daniel when he discusses Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the disobedience of a law for higher moral principle. King also relates himself to the Apostle Paul and his thriving effort to assist the men and women who call for his aid. After much further research I have gained new insight in why King used these metaphors as he did. Outside sources have helped me analyze the deeper meaning behind the allusions and understand the changes King was hoping to impose on the public and the Clergymen. King’s ideals are supported with his immense knowledge of the Bible, which make his connections extremely credible. King opens his letter by connecting himself with the Apostle Paul in an attempt to better associate with the Clergymen. â€Å"Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their â€Å"thus saith the Lord† far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I† (King 174). Upon first read of the â€Å"Letter† I clearly thought that King was using Biblical references simply to relate to the Clergymen on a level they could understand. Though King is, in a sense, trying to establish his credibility by using this allusion, there is a much more clandestine meaning. â€Å"Like The prophets of the eighth century and like St. Paul, King must leave home and respond to the call for aid† (Tiefenbrun 265). After researching Paul, I found why King used him in his letter. Paul was persecuted for spreading  Christianity. So much so that he was put in prison. While in prison he, like King, wrote many letters responding to the criticism he was receiving. Some of these letters were encouragement to the Christians of Corinth and later became the book of Corinthians in the Bible. Paul died as a martyr, fighting for his beliefs just as King did. Paul’s mention was an early warning to the Clergymen of what they were doing to King. If they continued their criticism and persecution, King will end up facing a grim future. At first read I thought King was only addressing the Clergymen as a response to their letter, but with further research I have uncovered an indirect public statement. In the Letter from Birmingham Jail, King discusses the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, praising their act of civil disobedience. He states, â€Å"It was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire† (King 180). In this statement King is reaching out the general public, encouraging them not to conform to a â€Å"false idol† of society. † Kings Biblical reference to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego creates an identity between the Alabama demonstrators’ form of civil disobedience and â€Å"the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at sake† (Tiefenbrun 263). King uses Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to correlate his ideas of what a society could be not only to the ignorant people of Alabama but also to everyone willing to listen. Martin Luther King Jr. handpicked these events in Biblical history to more clearly represent what he is writing about and why he is so avidly defending his cause. He argues against repression and urges the public to defend their rights and resist the rut of conformity. Just reading Letter from Birmingham Jail won’t do it justice. Further researching the components of this letter have opened my eyes to what King was really portraying. King is pleading with the Clergymen to reconsider their prejudice against him and his beliefs. He is driving the public to become like him, and to become like  Paul stating that it is ok to be persecuted for your beliefs. He makes clear in hismessage that it will not be an easy task but it must be done in order to create an influential change in society. This change must be done now so that it can display its longstanding effects on the generations to come. Works Cited King, Martin Luther Jr. â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail.† A World of Ideas. Comp. Bissegger. Writers House LLC, 1963. Mott. Wesley T. â€Å"The Rhetoric of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Letter from Birmingham Jail.† Phylon (1960-), Vol 36, No. 4. (4th Qtr., 1975), pp. 411-421. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0031-8906%28197536%3A4%3C411%3ATROMLK%3E2.0.CO%3B2-ITiefenbrun, Susan. â€Å"Semiotics and Martin Luther King Junior’s â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†.† Cardozo Studies in Law and Literature, Vol. 4, No. 2. (Autumn, 1992), pp. 255-287. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=10431500%28199223%294%3A2%3C255%3ASAMLK%22%3E2.0.CO%3B2-I

$25 Gift Certificate Expires Today - Resumes, Cover Letters, LinkedIn Profiles, Professional Writing Help

$25 Gift Certificate Expires Today - Resumes, Cover Letters, LinkedIn Profiles, Professional Writing Help Thank you to all who took advantage of The Essay Experts $25 holiday gift certificate. Just yesterday one of my past clients, who obtained his dream job, gave his sister a resume as a belated Christmas present. Theres still time to give yourself or a loved one the gift of a resume, LinkedIn profile update, or other writing help with a $25 gift certificate from The Essay Expert.   This offer officially expires today, January 8, 2011.   For my blog subscribers ONLY, I am extending the offer to January 11, 2011 (1/11/11 an auspicious date!) Now is the time to contact The Essay Expert! May your New Year be fulfilling and prosperous.   I look forward to hearing from you.

A Plan to write an evaluation of the ways in which the European Enlightenment has influenced modern schooling The WritePass Journal

A Plan to write an evaluation of the ways in which the European Enlightenment has influenced modern schooling Introduction A Plan to write an evaluation of the ways in which the European Enlightenment has influenced modern schooling ) Themes in Modern European History 1780-1830. New York: Routledge. Romano, M. J. (2010) AP European History. Second Edition. NJ: Wiley Sons. Selwyn, N. (2011) Schools and Schooling in the Digital Age: A Critical Analysis. First Edition. Oxon: Routledge. Saenz. M. (1999) The Identity of Liberation in Latin American Thought. Maryland: Lexington Books. Â   Zafirovski, M. (2011) The Enlightenment and its Effects on Modern Society. NY: Springer.

International business envioronment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International business envioronment - Essay Example However what is required at the present is an understanding that things need to be properly aligned so that the problems which center the economic grounds cease to exist and thus provide all and sundry with a sigh of relief – one that is free of any form of anguish, economic disparity and woe, as one might put it. The chances of Germany coming back on the rails of success as far as the economic activities are concerned are manifold and one needs to understand as to what exactly are the undertakings on the part of the German authorities when the talk goes out loud of the German economy and the related measures that are being taken under the same auspices. The reasons as to why Germany is actually experiencing economic crisis lies in comprehending that the Germans are indeed the main reasons behind the very same. Only if the thinking mindset of the Germans as concerns to their economy and the future growth of the country in the long term perspective can change, there surely coul d be light at the end of the tunnel and thus positives could be drawn from the current quagmire in which Germany is in reality caught up. Unemployment has also been a bane for Germany in the recent past which has contributed in a negative manner towards the economic basis of the country. Add to that, the lack of different resources and more so the shortfall of skilled employees and specialists meant that Germany was in for a tough time at the hands of the economic parties. It had to take care of its financial basis in the light of the changing economic climate and for that Germany had to seek measures outside of its chosen boundaries. In other words, Germany had to look elsewhere in order to find out the exact problem with its undertakings that it had carried out over a period of time. The help sought from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) is some of the options that are listed under the German

Circuit Protection and Polyphase Motors Assignment

Circuit Protection and Polyphase Motors - Assignment Example These techniques result in a high arc voltage to control over current and voltage during a fault in operation. Types of Air Blast Circuit Breakers: The Air blast circuit breakers can be divided into the following three types: (a). Axial Blast ABCB (b). Axial Blast ABCB with Side Moving Contact (c). Cross Blast ABCB Construction: (a). Axial Blast ABCB The axial blast air ABCB consists of two contacts; one is fixed and the other is movable. The fixed contact has an arcing chamber with a spring loading mechanism, and a nozzle orifice over which the movable contact rests under the normal closed condition. In case a fault arises, a high Figure 1.Axial Blast ABCB (Courtesy:www.electrical4u.com) air pressure in the arcing chamber causes the spring to deform. This produces an effect of lengthening and cooling of the air column in the chamber which pushes out the movable contact. As a result of these changes an arc voltage is produced which is much higher than the system voltage. The disparit y in voltage levels results in the quenching of the arc produced. (b). Axial Blast ABCB with side moving contact: Figure 2. ... As a result, an arc is drawn between the fixed and movable contact, which is passed over to the arcing electrode. This causes the surge to be quenched. (c). Cross Blast ABCB Figure 3. Cross Blast ABCB (Courtesy:www.electrical4u.com) The cross blast ABCB has a fixed blast pipe. The moving contact’s movement is perpendicular to the direction of the air blast from the blast pipe. An exhaust chamber having arc splitters is fitted on the same alignment as the blast pipe. When the movable contact is detached from the fixed contact an arc is established. High pressure air coming from the blast pipe enters the exhaust chamber after passing through the contact breaker, forcefully taking the arc into the exhaust chamber. This results in the quenching of the arc. 1. b. OIL-FILLED CIRCUIT BREAKER Working Principle: The oil-filled circuit breaker is one of the oldest types of circuit breakers. It employs mineral oil as the insulating medium to quench the surging arc. The fixed as well as t he movable contacts are immersed in oil; as a result the arc forms a bubble in the oil. The energy of the arc is utilized to decompose the oil into hydrogen gas. As a result arc quenching is obtained. Types of Oil Circuit Breakers: Oil circuit breakers can be broadly classified into two categories: (a). Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker (b). Minimum Oil Circuit Breaker (a). Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker Construction: Figure 4. Conceptual view of the Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker. (Courtesy:www.electrical4u.com) The bulk oil circuit breakers employ transformer insulating oil as the insulating and arc quenching medium. The current carrying contacts (fixed and movable) and the earthed parts of the circuit breaker are placed in a large quantity of oil in a closed tank or vessel. The oil