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Islamic Civilization
Islamicate Civilization
Introduction
In Islamicate civilization, there are three movements that can be identified. That is the “militarizing of agrarian based political authority” and “the assertion of shari’I legal and social relations”. Another movement is the rise of “Sufi experience and teaching”. The movements play different roles. Most people do not understand what Islam is. People have different views about Islam. Some think Islam is a religion and others think Islam is a form of civilization. Others consider Islam to be a type of life and social disorder.
The differences in views have forced historians to carry out research to differentiate the concept. For instance Hodgson has tried to analyze Islam so as to enable the audience understand it. This paper analyzes the concepts of Shariah-mindedness. It identifies how the concept is different and how it is related to the three movements listed above. It also analyzes how the concept has helped Hodgson understand Muhammad.
Discussion
Most people argue that Islam is a group of spiritual attitudes that are connected by a universal reference to Muhammad and the qu’ran. Almost all Muslims in the world recognize Islam as stated above. Many historians like Hodgson have carried out a series of research to explain what Islam is. Hodgson in his book tries to address the concept of Islam and calls it a venture. Shariah- mindedness refers to the inability of Muslim to think beyond the sharia law. Hodgson in his book has addressed the concept of sharia mindedness (Hodgson1984).He argues that there are various people that have influenced Islam.
First, the western scholastics have affected Islam in different ways. For instance, they have influenced how Muslims think. This has forced the author to rescue Islam from western writers. In addition, the Muslim religious leaders have affected Islam in different ways. The Muslim religious leaders influence how Muslims think about their religion. The Muslim leaders are bound by the teaching of the Muslim religion and encourage the Muslim believers to comply with the teachings. Another group that has influenced Islam is the “Arabist bias”. “Arabist bias’ started in the 19 century in Europe. The “Arabist bias” view Mecca and medina important as they define the true faith among the Muslims. The Arabist Islam culture is treated as a culture that appears in the Arabic language.
The Arabist treats culture from other parts as foreign though they were established by the founders of the Muslim communities. Though the Muslim culture is expressed differently by various languages, the practices and beliefs are common among all the Muslims. Some of the religious concepts are derived from Arabic. This is evidenced by the following quotation “Though Islamicate culture is expressed in many languages…customary practices has been common “… technical terms in religion an also some of the fields have commonly been derived from Arabic…”(Hodgson1984, p3).
Most scholars have found it difficulty to prove that Islam is an expression of the minds of the Arabs. Apart from the scholars, the public has also found it hard to prove if Islam is an expression of the minds of the Arabs. Islam is a religion that was developed in Arabia by Arabs. The religion was formed from the visions of the Arabs. The Sharia mindedness incorporates the Ulama bias which most people associate with Arabs. The sharia mindedness is developed from the Islamic religious rules. The Islamic religion consists of the Mecca and medina. Most of the laws, customs and political authority have been connected with the prophet and the declaration of the Qu’ran. In most Muslim countries, Islam has tried to ensure the activities are inline with the prophet and the Qu’ran (Hodgson1984).
Hodgson argues that the Ulama has contributed a lot in making the sharia mindedness different. The Ulama defines what Islam should be. For instance, it does not encourage division in the community. It also encourages the community to observe the commands given by God. In order to understand the concept of sharia mindedness, Hodgson tries to differentiate Islam in terms of religion and culture. He defines Islam as a religion and also as a culture which he refers to Islamicate. This is to help him separate the Muslim features that are related to man and those which are related to God. Hodgson considers Arabic to be a form of cultural strain. There are different types of cultural strains apart from Arabic like Turkish, Persian etc (Hodgson1984).
Sharia mindedness is also part of other orientations in the Muslim community like Sufism and modernism. The Sharia mindedness orientation is different from others as it is aimed at showing the relationship between Islamic and the Islamicate culture in the world. The other movements do not show the difference between culture and religion. The sharia mindedness is related to Sufism experience and teaching. Sufism is considered as the “adherent of the inner, mystical dimensions of Islam” (Hodgson 1984).
Most scholars have defined Sufism as the science that is aimed at turning the heart away from God. Hobson argues that defining Sufism would affect the historical reality and make it difficulty to understand Islamic faith and Islamicate civilization. If Sufism is defined strictly, it would affect Islamic diversity. There are various teachings that are associated with Sufism. For instance, Sufis believed to be near before God and adopt the divine presence after death and final judgment. The Sufis are aimed at pleasing God by restoring within them the ancient state of Fitra that is stated in the Quran. This is evidenced by the following quotation “such an experience anticipate some aspect of what the Sufis meant by reliance on God.” ((Hodgson1984, p398).
In this case, Sufism is supposed to avoid all activities that affect their relationship with God. This makes it easy for the Sufism to realize the benefits of divine unity. To join Sufism, the believers must find a teacher as the teacher is important in helping one grow. The teacher should be allowed to teach from the authority. In this case, the teacher is supposed to transmit light from his heat to the heart of the learner. In addition, the teacher is supposed to teach the students according to the law. In Sufism believers believe in Muhammad. The Shariah mindedness is related to the Sufis as it is aimed at separating the religious beliefs among Muslim communities and their culture. This helps them understand Islam better. In sharia mindedness, people are guided by the law in their daily activities. They should ensure their activities are inline with the law and the prophet teachings. On the other hand, in Sufism teaching and experience, believers are guided by the law and the prophet, Muhammad. They should ensure their actions are inline with the law (Hodgson 1984).
Further, the sharia- mindedness is related to the “assertion of Shari'i legal and social relations”. Most of the activities political, economic and legal in the Muslim community are based on the sharia law. The Muslim communities have a wide range of sharia laws that guide their activities. The legal processes in the court and outside the court are supposed to be based on the sharia law. This is to ensure the community respects the laws established by the founders of the Muslim community (Hodgson 1984).
They are also supposed to ensure the legal activities are inline with the teachings of the Muhammad. Though civilization has contributed a lot in the Muslim community both economically, politically and socially, most Muslims ensure they respect the sharia law. In Shariah mindedness, the community strongly believes in the sharia law. Most leaders in the community argue that the civilization should be based on the Muslim faith. This implies that the civilization should not affect the Muslim faith and the teachings. The laws also affect socialization in the community. They affect how the community interacts with other people. The interaction in the community should be based on the teaching of Muhammad and the sharia law (Hodgson 1984).
The militarizing of the agrarian-based political authority movement is also related to sharia minded. The militarizing of the agrarian- based political authority affects how the Muslim community views civilization. Some of the people accept civilization while others do not accept civilization. The political authority in the country should be based on the sharia law and the teachings provided the leader Muhammad. Any political authority that does not carry its activities according to the sharia law is considered unethical. This is because it affects faith of the believers and their life. The sharia mindedness is aimed at differentiating the Muslim religion and culture so as to avoid such issues (Hodgson 1984).
Further, Shariah mindedness is related to Muhammad’s challenges. Before one can understand Shariah mindedness one should comprehend the challenges faced by Muhammad. Muhammad is the one who established the Islam religion. Most Muslims refer to Muhammad as a messenger. They also consider him, to be a prophet. He is also considered as the last prophet according to the Quran and among Muslims. Most Muslims argue that Muhammad helped restore the faith after it was corrupted by other prophets like Abraham and Moses. Muhammad faced a series of challenges during his reign and the author should understand them so as to be able to understand sharia mindedness. For instance, Muhammad faced opposition from other people.
He also faced social challenge as he was an orphan. Moreover, Muhammad faced idol worship and cultural differences. The challenges impacted his life in different ways. Understanding the challenges helps one understand the origin of sharia mindedness and how it has grown. For instance, Muhammad believed in the Quran and the sharia law and this helped him overcome the challenges he faced. In addition, one should understand the role of Muhammad in the Quran and how he managed to challenge the traditional values of the Arab community.
Sharia mindedness is an extension of the challenges faced by Muhammad. During that time, Muhammad had different views about other cultures, people and this influenced his behavior and teaching (Hodgson 1984). For instance, he saw other prophets unethical as they influenced the faith. He did not also encourage influence from other cultures. This forced the prophet to develop laws that were aimed at restoring the faith and ensuring all activities were inline with the laws. Sharia mindedness is an extension of the problems Muhammad faced as the Muslims value the sharia law and the Quran. They do not accept influence from other cultures and ensure all their actions are inline with the sharia law and the qu’ran. Hence, the Muslim decisions are influenced by Muhammad’s challenges.
Though the three movements are important among the Muslim community or Islamic civilization, The Sufi experience and teaching is more faithful to the challenges faced by Muhammad unlike the other two movements. The Sufi experience and teachings are inline with the sharia law and the teaching of the Quran as provided by Muhammad. The Sufism movement encourages the believers to ensure all the activities social, political or economic are inline with the sharia law (Hodgson 1984).
Conclusion
In conclusion the “Sufi experience and teaching movement” and “the assertion of Shari’I legal and social relations” have contributed a lot to sharia mindedness. For instance, the beliefs held by the Sufi and teachings have influenced how Muslims behave and think. The Muslims are supposed to ensure all the activities in the community are done according to the sharia law.
Also, the social interactions should be based on the sharia law and the teaching of Muhammad. “The militarizing of agrarian based political authority” has also influenced how Muslims think and behave. The political organizations in the community are supposed to be inline with the teachings of the Muslim community. The Sufi teaching and experience is more important to the Muslim community than the other two movements as it is more faithful to the problems presented by Prophet Mohammad.
Reference
Hodgson,M.G.The Venture of Islam: conscience and history in a World civilization, Volume 1.rUniversity of Chicago Press,1984
Automobile Industry
Automobile Industry
Competition in the automobile industry has become a major issue. This is due to increase in number of companies offering cars and change in customer needs. This has forced companies to devise various strategies to help them overcome competition in the industry. Most of the auto carmakers in the world have started targeting generation Y while developing products. The companies have changed their product lines to fit the needs of generation Y (Green &Keegan, 2010).Generation Y consists of almost 71 million Americans who were born between 1977 and 1994.Most of customers are aging and the companies have decided to develop brand loyalty among young people in the country.
There are various companies that have decided to change their brands so as to suit their customers’ interest. Examples include Toyota, Honda etc. The strategy being used by the companies is product differentiation strategy. Product differentiation strategy involves differentiating a company’s product from other products so as to make it attractive to customers in a certain target market (Green &Keegan, 2010). The companies use product differentiation strategy to differentiate the products from competitors products.Most companies use product differentiation strategy because it is helps them achieve competitive advantage. In automobile company, the company’s improve the design features of the vehicles so as to meet the needs of the customers.
The strategy helps improve the quality of products so as to increase productivity in the organization. In this case study, most automobile companies have used the strategy to target young clients. Most of the companies like Toyota and Honda have used the strategy to improve their products so as to meet the requirement of the users. A large percentage of customers in the market are young people who are aged 47 years and below. Only a small percentage of old people in the market purchase the vehicles. This has led to competition among the automobile as the companies struggle to maintain their market share and maintain customers and attract new customers (Green &Keegan, 2010).
Most of the young customers have different preferences. For instance, they prefer Japanese cars as they equate them with coolness. In addition, most customers have decided to customize their cars by ordering turbo chargers and other parts using the internet. This has made it easy for the products to meet the needs of the young users. Honda and Toyota have implemented the product differentiation strategy to improve their products. There are various reasons that force companies to change their products.
For instance, the companies change their products so as to increase profits. They also change their products so as to increase the number of customers and retain customers. In addition, they change their products so as to meet their user needs and increase their market share (Green &Keegan, 2010). As a result Toyota and Honda have decided to develop new brands that meet their customers’ needs. For instance, Honda has developed the Element while Toyota has developed Scion. The products have been welcomed differently by their users as they have different features. The Element brand has a stylish dramatic exterior. It also has a “dash mounted shifter”. In addition, the vehicle has a waterproof seat cloth. The product is available in different models.
For instance, the 2 wheel drive model and the four wheels drive model. Honda used this strategy to increase its sales and the strategy proved effective as the sales in the company exceeded the target the company had set. The company had set a target of 50, 000 units. Most of the people who had not bought any product from Honda bought the new brand, hence the high sales. Also, Toyota developed the Scion to meet the requirements of the users. Most of the users preferred Japanese cars unlike American cars and this forced the company to improve its product quality. The scion brand was stylish and customers were able to get it at a cheaper cost (Green &Keegan, 2010).
Toyota Company limited the number of scion vehicles available in the market for sale so as to reduce suplly and increase the price. Limiting the number of scion vehicles available in the market would help the company increase its profits. The scion brand was available in United States and the company only improved the design features of the product to suit the needs of the customers. I do not agree with the decision to limit the number of Scion vehicles because it would affect the company adversely.
First, it will make the company loose its market share as it would not be able to compete with other firms in the industry (Green &Keegan, 2010). Most of the firms have decided to improve their products so as to increase their markets share by attracting more customers. So, Toyota decision is not right because it interferes with the company’s competitive advantage. This would in turn lead to decrease in profit due to low sales. Also, the decision will make it difficulty for the company to meet the needs of the clients and hence loose of customers.
Instead, the Toyota Company could have increased the number of scion vehicles available in the market so as to help it compete well with other companies in the industry. In addition, the company could have increased the number of vehicles so as to meet the customers’ requirements and hence attract new customers and maintain existing customers. This is because limiting the number of vehicles available forces the customers to look for a substitute product from the competitors like the element brand (Green &Keegan, 2010).
Other companies like Ford and GM are using various strategies to cater for the needs of the customers in that particular market segment. For instance, the companies are using innovation strategies and product differentiation strategy to meet the needs of customers. In innovation strategy, the companies have utilized the current technology and business innovations to improve their products and services. This has made it easy for the companies to meet the needs of the users. In product differentiation strategy, the companies have developed new products that are based on the needs of the customers. The companies have improved various features of their products to suit the preferences and needs of their clients (Green &Keegan, 2010).
Reference
Green,M.C.,&Keegan,W.J.(2010).Global Marketing. Prentice Hall
Cloud Technology
Cloud Technology
There are several issues raised by the Board of Directors concerning cloud technology. One of the issues is bout the various cloud components that are essential for companies planning to implement the technology. The basic cloud components include storage such as SAN, Servers as well as virtualization software. With these components, it is possible to start the actual process of building a cloud cluster.
Completion of the cloud cluster should be followed by capacity planning process, which involves determining the consequences of adding servers and many other resources to the cloud cluster in order to maintain the organizational needs. The performance of cloud cluster depends on capacity planning and this implies that poor capacity planning result to systems that are worthless or useless (Antonopoulos and Gillam, 2010).
Challenges facing this technology are the other issues that were raised by the Board of Directors. The key issue facing clod technology is the privacy issue whereby privacy advocates have raised issues of concern regarding this technology.
Companies making use of this technology can easily monitor and control the communication process between the host company and the user either lawfully or unlawfully. The other challenge is that there are so many legal cases surrounding companies that use cloud technology. Most of the cases revolve around branding and marketing (Furht and Escalante, 2010).
The other issue raised by the Board of Directors is concerning the reason whey companies opt to move to cloud technology. Most of the companies transition to cloud technology due to the need for agile environment and due to the fact that the technology is cost-effective. It is however necessary to alter the various procedures and processes of implementing cloud technology in future (Antonopoulos, 2010).
References
Antonopoulos, N., & Gillam, L. (2010). Cloud Computing. Principles, Systems and Applications. Springer
Furht, B., & Escalante, A. (2010). Handbook of cloud computing. Springer
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment
Unique equipment or clothing that employees put on for safety purposes and protections against hazards are known as personal protective equipment. There are several parts of the body that can be protected by protective equipment. Some of the parts include the head, eyes, hands, feet, face and the ears. Protective clothing, modern body armor and other related equipment are necessary for protection agents since they protect them from fatal physical and chemical agents that may be at their disposal.
The nature of work done by protection agents is risky and hence, necessitates wearing of protective clothing and equipment such as ballistic or body armor. These protective equipment and clothing are vital since the wearer is protected from injury by heat, electrical hazards, blunt implants, electrical hazards and infection (Levy, 2006).
By wearing these protective clothing and equipment, protection agents are able to do their job effectively without fearing the risk of exposing themselves to hazards. Just in case of exposure to any of the given hazards, agents already have protective mechanisms to deal with the situation. There are however situations where some of the protective clothing and equipment are too heavy and hence, might be tiresome for protective agents. An example is the body armor, which is made of heavy material.
Consequently, this may cause inconveniences regarding the work of protective agents (Levy, 2006). Despite this fact, it is recommendable to wear the required protective equipment for the safety purposes since personal safety should be a priority.
Reference
Levy, B. S. (2006). Environmental and occupational health. Recognizing and preventing disease and injury (5th Ed). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Categorical Imperative Formulations
Categorical Imperative Formulations
Introduction
Deontology denotes an ethical approach that is used judging the morality of any situation or action on the basis of how well it adheres to rule/s. Emmanuel Kant’s three formulations of the categorical imperative are perhaps the most popular deontological approaches that are based on an absolutist view of judging actions. Kant’s first formulation states that one should act only in accordance to a rule (maxim) which one would also wish to be a universally accepted law.
The second formulation states that one should not simply treat people as a means; but rather as an end too. The third formulation states that a person should act as though the standards established by his/her actions were a universal blue print of universal rules, in other words actions should conform to universally accepted or acceptable standards. This paper reviews real life cases in the light of these formulations to judge people’s actions in cases that are seemingly wrong and morally crooked (Furrow, 2005).
On a visit to a ranch in Laredo Texas (name withheld) I witnessed the use of illegal immigrants to deliver cheap labor in the ranching activities. The owner of the ranch had enlisted several Mexican immigrants into his legal workforce consisting of a minority of Americans. The owner of the ranch paid very low wages to the illegal immigrants, who were seemingly contended, despite the fact that any average American would consider such wages as “pea nuts” and a waste of time. Interestingly, despite the illegality involved the owner managed to keep his actions under cover, through various machinations. Firstly, he ensured that he offered the few Americans in the workforce high ranking positions and a better pay to keep them shut about the whole issue, because of the fear that it may attract legal suits against him from the immigrations department.
Secondly, he threatened any illegal immigrants that demanded a higher pay or refused to conform to his requirements, by telling them that he would expose them to the immigration offices for deportation. Through such machinations he was able to run his ranch with a very cheap workforce, which mainly consisted of illegal immigrants. In the deontological view this clearly against the second formulation of Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative. The second formulation requires that people should not use other as a means only, but rather both as a means and an end (McPhee, 2008). The ranch owner in this case was using the illegal immigrants’ workforce as only a means and not both as a means and end.
The ranch owner was using the aliens to supply him with cheap labor whilst paying them very little in return, in actual sense their remunerations were not commensurate to the work that they did, and thus; this can be termed as exploitation despite the fact that there may have been a mutual agreement in place. This is a classical example of a person using other people as a means, which in plain language is the exploitation of other people for one’s own good. This example portrays a disregard for dignity of people or humanity, because it is exploitative in nature and it does not take into consideration the needs and situation of others.
A part from lowering human dignity, in view of the first formulation this act cannot be termed as moral because definitely neither the owner of the ranch nor his workers (both American and aliens) would wish to have his actions made universal and applicable in every situation regardless of the locality (Furrow, 2005). The people engaging in offering the owner cheap labor are living under a compromise situation where they have to trade their being in America with offering cheap labor because of the fear of deportation. A large number of these people have run from poverty and unemployment in their nations and they are in search of the “American Dream”, and therefore; they have to work under poor conditions and accept poor pay without compromise.
Under the first formulation people are required to do whatever they at the same time would wish to be acceptable universally, therefore; the owner of the ranch in this case is supposed to offer his workers a pay that is commensurate to the work that they do-a pay that he too would be comfortable to work for as an American citizen (McPhee, 2008). In other words the wages should be commensurate to the work and equal to whatever an American citizen employed in the same ranch would work for. Additionally, the owner of the ranch and the legal workers are compelled to accept and live with the situation because of the incentives that it bears, and not because it is a good or morally upright thing to keep, and they would not wish to have the same happen to everyone including themselves in it is taken as a universal truth. Conclusively, these actions are not morally upright when viewed from whichever angle of each formulation.
References
Furrow, D. (2005),. Ethics, Continuum International Publishing Group
McPhee, M. I. (2008),. Kant’s categorical imperative, retrieved on 11th February, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/kants-categorical-imperative-a44798
Organizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts
Organizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts
Introduction
An organization is made up of both human and non-human resources working towards the achievement of a common set of objectives and goals. The concern of organizational behavior includes aspects regarding the way organizations affect individual behavior and how these individuals affect organizations. Some of the key concepts and terminology relating to organizational behavior will be examined.
Discussion
A given set of values that people living at any place believe in is referred to as culture. In an organizational setting, culture refers to the values and rules that are applicable to each and every employee. There are three levels of organizational culture with the lowest level being artifacts and behaviors. These aspects are the most tangible ones within an organizational culture, and they mainly comprise of the outer behavior of employees and the displayed layout of a workplace. Values are tangible since they are responsible for influencing the behaviors and assumptions of employees. They define the next level of an organizational culture (Harris and Hartman, 2001).
The topmost level of organizational culture comprises of assumptions and beliefs. This level represents the most intangible and fundamental aspect of an organizational culture. It takes a long period of time for employees to adopt certain assumptions and beliefs but once they adopt them, they become strong and influence the values and behaviors of other employees within the organization. Creating a good organizational culture is of the essence. Through effective organizational leadership, the management team can come up with a good organizational culture that is symbiotic, harmonious and realistic. Efficiency and teamwork are fostered by an organizational culture whose foundation is mutual respect (Keyton, 2005).
There is a link between organizational culture and behavior because behavior is influenced by organizational culture and vice versa. The study of the way individuals behave in an organization is referred to as organizational behavior. The area of organizational behavior falls is part of the management field. Managers study organizational behavior with the aim of comprehending employees’ behavior, the reasons behind the observed behavior and the ways to improve inappropriate employee behaviors. Organizational behavior tends to prove the fact that it is possible to have a mutual understanding and satisfaction between the management and employees. For an organization to be successful there should be employee motivation and a common goal or vision (Harris, 2001).
The variations of values, age, education, gender, culture expectations, ethnic groups and working habits within an organization is referred to as organizational diversity. By embracing organizational diversity, there is nurturing of both tangible and intangible variations into part of the organizational culture. Several organizational cultures advocate for diversity. There is reduced resistance to change when organizational members accept the fact that diversity promotes progression and innovation in an organization. The benefits of organizational diversity include openness to new innovations and ideas as well as increased competitiveness (Keyton, 2005).
The informal and formal means through which information is passed across the network of employees and managers within an organization is referred to as communication. Effective communication should booster employee satisfaction, promote customer relations, enable knowledge-sharing throughout the entire organization and finally encourage competitiveness. Communication is supposed to be a continuous and systematic procedure that allows interested parties within an organization to learn aspects that they need to know and understand. It is important to encourage a form of communication that is open and free in organizations. Moreover, communication has to be understandable and easy (Keyton, 2005).
The organizational behavior and culture of Nokia Company will be examined as an example. The mission of the organization is to foster the skills and abilities of people of diverse lifestyles and backgrounds to achieve success. The organization also believes in cultural diversity as the key to success. To show its commitment to diversity, Nokia gives equal opportunities to all employees regardless of their cultural beliefs, values and ethnic groups. The company also seeks benefits and respect from cultural and ethnical differences. Diversity is an integral aspect of Nokia’s values and ways. The ways and values of Nokia include openness towards everyone, speed and flexibility that helps in the decision making process and nourishing of new concepts and ideas (Jones and George, 2007).
The company has a clear vision, common principles of management and common objectives. The clear vision is what maintains the company at the topmost level in terms of its competitors. Through communication and brainstorming, there has been passing on of the company’s vision to the bottom management levels. Conveying of the organization’s corporate objectives has been with the aid of tough internal Public relations practices. There are several rules that have been laid form and that form a basis for a common link and common philosophy among all employees. Finally, Nokia has implemented several innovative measures within its employees, and this has created an opportunity for growth and development as well as creating a positive employer image (Jones and George, 2007).
In conclusion, the type of organizational culture and behavior determines whether an organization becomes successful or not.
Depression and Suicide
Depression and Suicide
1. Louise A, (2010) Depression and suicide. Retrieved from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805459-overview
On February 14, 2011
Louise researches on the topic on depression and suicide. He states that depression affects one in six people in America which approximates to about 17. 6 million people each year. He states that patients suffering from depression are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease type 2 diabetes. People suffering from depression have also shown suicidal ideation as seen in the Canadian study which 485 of the patients showed the signs. The problem arising is that those who have reported suicidal ideation have not received any care.
The cause of the problem is traced to the misconceptions and ignorance members if the public have on the diseases and even by the health workers. Patients are instead seen to be weak and failures leading to avoidance and stigmatization. This article by Andrew Louise is beneficial to the researcher in establishing what role the public and health care givers have for the recovery of patients suffering from depression and also how they contribute to the patients having suicidal thoughts and attempts. It is therefore for the health care providers to provide therapy and follow ups, and advice family members about the disease (Louise, 2010).
2. Better information better health (2011) depression Guide: recognizing the warning sings of suicide. Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-recognizing-signs-of-suicide
On February 14, 2011
WebMD is a website which provides vital tools, information, and support for any one seeking information on various health conditions. The information provided is timely and most current which will help a researcher with credible and timely content. This web offers provides quality information on health issues. On depression, the site postulates that there are various symptoms which accompany the disease such as sadness but when its is persistent the depression leads to serious health illness. It is upon the clinicians and the people close to the patient to know the suicide warning signs because it is possible to prevent the occurrence of suicide through responding to the signs depicted.
In 2006 according to the website, 90% of deaths were due to suicide by patients suffering from various forms of mental disorders and depression. This web is beneficial to the researchers because he or she will learn the warning signs as thoughts about committing suicide, deep sadness, sleeplessness, eating problems, being hopeless, and feels worthless, and loss of interest (Better information better health, 2011).
3. Webb, J, Gore and Amend E (2007) a parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, Great Potential Press, Inc
The authors indicate that parents raising a gifted child are both a challenge and joy both parents of a gifted child have little information of how to care for their loved ones. Children and adolescents according to the authors also experiences depression and suicide. Reports have shown that 8.2% of adolescent’s and 2.54 of children in the United States have been reported to suffer from depression and the trend is on increase as years go by (Webb, Gore & Amend, 2007, pp 152).
The book is useful in highlighting the statistical approximation of suicides cases among the children and adolescents. For example in 2003 suicide frequency among 15 to 24 year old was recorder to be around 14 per every 100,000(Webb, Gore & Amend, 2007, pp 152). The book provides a good guide to parents on handling depressions among the adolescents and youth in order to prevent suicide.
4. Miller C (2008) Nursing for wellness in older adults, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008
Miller provides a comprehensive wellness approach for gerontology nursing practice and theory. The book explores the risk factors and age related challenges which may interfere with proper functioning and attainment of optimal health. In Chapter fifteen of this book. The authors present depression as one of the challenges faced by older adults. Others are anxiety and aggression. It is important for nurses to prevent instances where a depressed patients start to have suicidal thoughts. They have to routinely check the older adults as well as to implement interventions measures as soon ads they have noticed the older adult is at risk (Miller, 2008, pp 309).
The author gives the readers a research-based background intervention strategies, a variety of information of practical assessments to be used in a clinical setting. The edition expounds on evidence–based practices through the use of clinical tools and first person stories as assessment tools. The book is beneficial to a researcher in identifying the active agencies providing protective services and various psychiatric resources which the older adults suffering from the suicidal thoughts can be cared for. The book is also essential in establishing the nursing intention concerning the old adult’s patients suffering from depression and how they can help in preventing suicide among the patients.
Reference
Better information better health (2011) depression Guide: recognizing the warning sings of suicide. Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-recognizing-signs-of-suicide
On February 14, 2011
Louise A, (2010) Depression and suicide. Retrieved from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805459-overview
On February 14, 2011
Miller C (2008) Nursing for wellness in older adults, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008
Webb, J, Gore and Amend E (2007) a parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008
Sunal and Haas
Sunal and Haas
There are several key points covered in Sunal and Haas (2008) readings. One of the basic points is the importance of having historical knowledge. It is vital for each and every person to have knowledge about their pasts and their locations or places in world history. Instructors can use an activity of asking students to bring photographs of them when they were young. The key goal of this classroom activity is to allow students to learn and appreciate their pasts. The key objective of the history discipline is to enable students to gain insight and knowledge of mankind or human past. It is advisable for instructors to consult local community members and incorporate them in classrooms so that they can help students to learn more about the past events (Sunal and Haas, 2008).
The other key aspect covered in the reading is the importance of geography as a discipline. There is so much to learn from geography besides locating places and assigning them appropriate names. Geography is the central part of the entire subjects learnt in classrooms. The various aspects that this subject covers include climate, politics and even culture. Comprehending the way through which the weather works is important in the field of industry which accounts for the fulfilling of human needs. There are several tools and techniques that can be used by geographers in the course of studying geography.
For example geographers interested in studying weather and climate can use weather instruments such as rain gauges, barometers, thermometers, windsocks and many other tools. Geography is based on different approaches and it is common to find the use of literature review, interviews and observation methods in the course of data and information collection (Sunal, 2008). A student-centered instructional approach is recommendable when teaching geography or history. In this type of approach, students are allowed to engage in classroom activities and take part in major discussions.
Using the globe with students is a good activity that can enable students to effectively learn and gain knowledge of the world and several other geographical places and locations. Using illustrations and practical examples during instruction is more beneficial compared to the use of purely theoretical concepts. The other point that has been highlighted is the study and importance of economics. The study of economics revolves around the answers that people used to obtain regarding the inability to obtain all the material wants and needs. Students should have knowledge and comprehension regarding the importance of economics in the society, in there families, lives and even globally. The other key aspects that students should know is the importance of making fair and sound decisions as well as making optimal use of the available scarce resources(Sunal, 2008).
Based on my experience in education, I believe the concepts covered in these readings are applicable in instruction and classroom. First of all, there is the need to encourage students to appreciate their origins and past. This is especially useful during history and geography instruction. The other useful approach that can be applied during instruction is a student centered form of teaching whereby students are allowed to take part in the classroom activities. Decision-making skills are also important to students in all aspects of their lives. At various points in life, students may be required to make critical decisions.
Reference
Sunal, C. S., & Haas, M. E. (2008). Social studies for the elementary and middle grades. A constructivist approaches (3rd Ed). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon
Non-Lethal Weapons
Non-Lethal Weapons
Weapons that are intended to have a less probability of killing a living target are known as non-lethal weapons. These weapons disorient and incapacitate the opponent in order for the defender to get adequate time for getting away. This means that they are a means of self-defense. The first example of a non-lethal weapon is pepper spray, which has oleoresin capsicum (OC) as the active ingredient. Water cannons are also used as non-lethal weapons especially during riot control or in crowds. These weapons are used to prevent movement in a given position or disperse a crowd. Scent-based weapons are the other example of non-lethal weapons. Malodorants whish produce horrible smell that force people to leave a target area fall under this category (Davison, 2009).
The other types of non-lethal weapons are electroshock weapons, which incapacitate a person following administration of electric shock in order to disrupt physical muscle functions. Directed energy weapons are the other example and these weapons transmit energy to a specific direction without using a projectile. These weapons are not only non-lethal but they also have the ability to immobilize machines such as vehicles and people (Davison, 2009).
One needs to use a non-lethal weapon as a means of projection since this weapon can not cause fatal and detrimental effect on the target individual. The use of non-lethal weapons also useful in escalating conflicts in combat situations. There are also some places where the use of lethal force is prohibited. In such situations, it is necessary to choose non-lethal weapons as self-defense means.
Reference
Davison, N. (2009). Non-lethal Weapons. Palgrave Macmillan.
The Struggle of Kurdish Nationalism in 1980s
The Struggle of Kurdish Nationalism In 1980s
Thesis
Kurdistan is the core root of the so called the Kurdish nationalism which resulted from the independence. In the late 19th century, a certain movement came together with the aim of getting their own state. The Kurdish landowner was the first person to establish the Kurdish nationalist movement which wanted independence of the so called the Kurdish state. Actually the struggle under which the Kurds went through was not simple as many thought simply because the majority were against the idea of having independence. The struggle of Kurdish nationalism in 1980s forms the basis of our thesis which will help us in conducting our research, (Ahmed & Gunter 2007).
Before the end of the 19th century, the Kurds felt that they wanted a free state. This is the reason as to why the Kurdish nationalism started so as fight for the independence of the Kurdish state. The struggle of Kurdish nationalism never started immediately but it only came later in 19th century having Kurdish landowner being the leader of the movement. After the ottoman centralist policies, Kurds felt that creating a movement would bring some sort of togetherness although it never happened. Some of the Kurds were not for the decision to acquire independence and that become the starting point of the struggle of the Kurdish nationalism.
The reason behind forming a movement whose Intentions was to fight for independence was that the Sheik thought that other countries never recognized that country. According to the leader, all other countries had a mandate to know that the Kurds lived in an independent country. When the leader of the movement demanded for the state’s independence, he wanted other countries authorities such as Turkish and Persian not interfere with the country’s way of development, (Ahmed & Gunter 2007).
The struggle of Kurdish nationalism in 1980s is all about our research work. So as to get the whole idea about our research topic, I will interview four scholars who shall provide me with information in relation to what happened in 1980s. The first scholar will be Olson, R who will actually gives us brief information on the Kurdish nationalist movement which was formed to fight for independence. We will get to know how the movement was formed and what steps were taken to ensure that each of the citizens was not against the idea of looking for independence.
The second scholar will be Ahmed M who will in line with Olson helps us understand how the Kurds movement was formed and intentions of the movement. The third and the fourth scholars will be the Berberoglu and DeRouen. Both of these scholars will provide us with important information about the conflicts that rose during the struggle of Kurdish nationalism in 1980s, (Ahmed & Gunter 2007).
The idea behind formation of Kurds movements was only to get independence and to make other countries not to exercise powers over the Kurds. I think that the Kurds were in one way or the other treated as minor by other countries and that is why they were to fight for their independence. Some Kurds were not for the idea simply because they thought that they could not made it in getting full independence, (Ahmed & Gunter 2007).
Reference:
Ahmed, M.A., &Gunter, M.M. (2007).The evolution of Kurdish nationalism.Mazda Publishers
