Describe a situation where you saw an opportunity to affect change Essay

Describe a situation where you saw an opportunity to affect change. Explain the change, your stategy, and the final outcome of t - Essay Example Sometimes, persons like me who are students and have to manage within small budget feel really bad if they are not able to contribute to the cause. So I wrote to the head of the supermarket regarding the issue. I was advised to raise the issue through a petition where signatures of people are required to make significant change. I started the petition with few of my friends and collected signatures from people who believed in our cause. Though my petition failed to get the requisite number of signatures, it taught me very important lesson in collective work and significance of people’s voice. The collective voice of people is a powerful factor that can force organizations to change their strategies. Organizations like YBWS that work towards socially relevant issues and community development can greatly facilitate in implementing changes within society. As a member, I can contribute through my personal experience and professional expertise. I believe that my deep understanding of human psychology and leadership initiatives would provide the organization with new perspectives to change and greater organizational skill. (words: 281)

A Comparative Analysis on the Socio-Cultural Theories of Marx Essay Example for Free

A Comparative Analysis on the Socio-Cultural Theories of Marx Essay Over the years, the names Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Friedrich Nietzsche have been very dominant in the field of sociology, psychology, economics, and politics. In discussing the concepts of communism and materialism, the theories of Karl Marx cannot be disregarded. For Marx, the major influential factor in human history is economics (Cline 2008). According to Marx, even in the past, people were not moved by ostentatious ideas but rather by material things that helped them live and survive. Marx’s studies and theories also deal with explaining the roots of the collision of classes—the wealthy and labour classes. The conflict between the wealthy and labour classes became inevitable because of the rise of capitalism. Due to capitalism, there has been a separation between these two classes. The wealthy continue to own properties and acquire labourers as modern slaves to work for them in their businesses, while the labourers continue to struggle for what little they have, and they have to work day and night just to survive. It is also because of capitalism that the scarcity of resources has increased, and this made the conflict between the classes even worse. For Marx, everything is built upon the foundations of economics. All the prominent social and economic institutions as well as other organizations can only be understood well if they will be associated with economics. Moreover, Marx expressed that oftentimes, people tend to think that their ideas actually root from truth, beauty, love and other grand concepts, but in actuality, those ideas are from class interest and class conflict (Cline 2008). On the other hand, as compared to Marx, Emile Durkheim was better known for his studies of the communication process in relation to sociological analyses. The main idea of Durkheim’s theory notes that the civilization of human beings is a result of communication (Book Rags 2008). Their psychological nature becomes cultural forces, and the material and economic life becomes the community and the society. Aside from this, Durkheim also became a prominent figure in the field of sociology. He explained the nature of the society with an evolutionary approach, regarding society as an organism that has a specific structure and function (University of Regina 2002). According to Durkheim, although a society is composed of individuals, he pinpointed that a society is not simply a sum of individuals; rather, it has an identity and existence of its own that is different from the individuals that are part of it. He further added that it is the society that is influencing the individuals through norms, social facts, sentiments, and social currents, rather than the individuals influencing the society as a whole. Durkheim’s sociological ideas also posed a concern towards social order. He tried to find out how a modern society remains intact given people’s differences, individualism, and autonomy of individuals (University of Regina 2002). Eventually, Durkheim was able to find the answer and explained it in his book, ‘The Division of Labour in Society’. In the book, Durkheim defined and explained the concepts of social solidarity, common consciousness, and systems of law which he also connected to the idea of forced division of labour. However, he claimed that such forces in the society will not always be effective in creating solidarity. Thus, there will be disruptions in solidarity and consciousness because of the social changes. This chain of ideas introduces the concept of anomie or suicide, which Durkheim considered as a naturally occurring phenomenon in every society. Durkheim also expressed his ideas about social action. In explaining this concept, he took the structuralist approach. He considered the social structures to exert a strong influence on social action (University of Regina 2002). He believed that the collective thoughts, beliefs, practices, and consciousness of individuals can indeed make a difference in a lot of ways. Max Weber shared the same position as Marx in terms of alienation in relation to former’s views about the inevitable rationalisation and bureaucratisation of the world (The Hewett School n. d. ). Both of them agreed that it was the modern methods of organisation which drastically increased the effectiveness and efficiency of production. Both of them also concurred that these modern methods paved the way for the exceptional domination of man over nature. They also shared the same opinion of the modern world with such rationalized efficiency—that it threatens to transform into a monstrous being and dehumanize its creators (The Hewett School n. d. ). However, Weber opposed Marx’s claim that alienation is only a transitional stage towards man’s true liberation. Ha also denied that inevitable characteristic of socialism. Previously, Marx noted that capitalism caused the lowering of the worker class in the mode of production. However, Weber argued that this situation cannot be avoided in a rationally coordinated system. Weber further added that men cannot participate in socially significant actions anymore unless they join a larger organization. It is through these organizations that men get to sacrifice their own goals and desires for the sole aim and objective of the organization. Thus, people get to take off a part of them and therefore get to be alienated. Lastly, Friedrich Nietzsche was known in his arguments about the core and foundations of morality. Unlike Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, Nietzsche’s theories are more inclined to morality, and he was more into arguing for concepts that relate to religion. However, his theories posted a huge significance in the fields of sociology, economics, and politics as well. His moral philosophy is primarily critical in orientation. With his philosophy, he attacked morality both for its commitment to weak descriptive claims about human action and also for the adverse impact of its distinctive norms and values on the budding higher types of human beings—or what he calls the ‘higher men’ (uberman) (Zalta 2007). This idea of higher men explains that, above all other motivations, human behaviour is motivated by the will to power. He also became known in his arguments regarding the foundations of traditional Christianity. For Nietzsche, the creativity and realities of the world are more important than any consideration of any worlds beyond (UK Apologetics 2007). Aside from this, he also had several beliefs which proved his interest to challenge the tradition and beliefs of Christianity. Nietzsche believed that the goal of a human’s life must be to find his/her true self and not to help others. He also believed that sexuality does not really oppose virtues; rather, it is a virtue in its own right. Furthermore, he also argued that the highest virtue an individual can have is to be true to him- or herself. Thus, Nietzsche’s ideas can be observed to have a sense of selfishness. However, it can be explained that he has this kind of belief since his exposure and genre are that which believe in the power of the human will alone and not of any greater being. Upon analyzing the theories and theorists mentioned above, I observed that all their ideas contribute a lot to the developments of the society nowadays. The first three theorists dwell more on the economic side. They explained the effects of capitalism, social classes, and the harmony of relationships within a society. On the other hand, Nietzsche observed the moral part which the first three theorists seemed to have overlooked. Looking at our modern society now, everything seems affected by multimedia. If only Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Nietzsche still exist today, they might probably look at multimedia as one of the most powerful forces that has the ability to shape a society. However, relating their theories to the modern concepts of multimedia today, Durkheim’s concepts seem to have the greatest relevance to it. This is because Durkheim regarded communication as a shaping factor of civilization. By this, he meant that communication (which includes multimedia nowadays) is one of the forces that pave the way for human organization (Book Rags 2008). Communication or multimedia in the modern perspective can also be interpreted—using Durkheim’s view—as the mould which makes or shapes a society. Thus, a society without the practice of communication cannot be considered a civilized society (Book Rags 2008). Putting this into modern context, a society without the practice of multi-media—which can be considered as one of the most powerful means of communication at present—is a society which has not yet reached development. List of References Cline, A. (2008). ‘Religion as Opium of the People’. About. com [online]. Available from http://atheism. about. com/od/philosophyofreligion/a/marx. htm? p=1 [29 October 2008] Book Rags (2008). Durkheim, Emile (1858-1917) [online]. Available from http://www. bookrags. com/research/durkheim-mile-1858-1917-eci-01/#bro_copy [29 October 2008] The Hewett School (n. d. ). Weber and Marx [online]. Available from http://www. hewett. norfolk. sch. uk/CURRIC/soc/WEBER/wm. htm [29 October 2008] University of Regina (2002). Conservative Approaches [online]. Available from http://uregina. ca/~gingrich/s16f02. htm [29 October 2008] Zalta, E. Ed. (2007). ‘Nietzsche’s Moral and Political Philosophy’. Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy [online]. Available from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/nietzsche-moral-political/ [29 October 2008] UK Apologetics (2007). Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) [online]. Available from http://www. ukapologetics. net/truthaboutnietzsche. html [29 October 2008]

Identify And Explain The Stages Of Grief Experienced By The Dying. Essa

1: Shock-Denial: This stage is when the patient first hears about his/her illness, and this is where the patient is saying "no, not me" and "it can't be me". During this time they will also ask a numerous amount that "is the results wrong", or "could you check my results again please". 2: Rage/Anger: There are two things to remember when dealing with this stage, which is that; anger is never personal, its more generalised. This means that no matter what, the patient never blames the people around them, but prefers to blame her/himself, or sometimes the whole world. Another part of the Rage/Anger stage is the "Why me" mini stage. This constitutes the patient to ask the people around him/her, but more prominently God. This behavior leads up to the bargaining stage. 3: Bargaining: This stage is when the patient has accepted his/her fate temporarily. This is so as it may seem that s/he is under control so s/he can bargain, more easily sway the recipient. The most usual case of bargaining is with God, for example "If you let me live one more day, ill become a good Christian and go to church everyday". These patients never really do what they promised. They maybe try to bargain with a member of the hospital staff, as well. This is not the final peace, only a temporary truce. 4: Depression: - Reactive This mini-stage is when the patient starts to feel despair because s/he can't hold or see in some cases their kids, or s...

Piece of irony Essay

His odyssey then comes to a halt, as he perceives his friend, Henry Clerval. Coming across this memorable person allows him to forget his horror and misfortune; it allows him to feel calm and serene joy. They exchange stories and Victor reveals the scenario of his created monster. Henry believes it is a disturbed imagination, but the pertinacity of the story allows it to become believable. Where will Frankenstein go from here? This chapter is of pure significance to how the story is concluded. It creates suspense, knowing there is a vile monster on the loose. Where will it go? What will it do? This chapter allows new themes to be created. Death! Love! What will this mean for Frankenstein? Will he live or will he die? How will this gothic novel conclude and what effect will this monster have on the communities’ welfare? The character of Frankenstein should be immensely appreciated. Is Frankenstein who we think he is? From previously read chapters, we see the emotional and diligent side of Frankenstein. He is seen to be energetic, beneficial, well-mannered; a man of determination who would in capacitate at the thought of failure. However, chapter 5 emphasizes the indolent and non-progressive side of Dr. Frankenstein. We see this by the way he reacts to the form and appearance of his unforgettable monster. For example, he uses a great phrase: ‘With anxiety that almost amounted to agony’. This suggests that the amount of fear and worry was immensely increasing. Victors feelings towards his creature are negative, consequently his use of irony emphasizes this. One piece of irony used is: ‘I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! ‘ Victor doesn’t mean what he says so he uses sarcasm to overlap his disappointment. Victor also uses a rhetorical question to make himself and the reader think. He asks himself: ‘how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe? ‘. This once again clarifies his negativity towards the monster. In this chapter, Victor has two main dreams, one being of relevance. His first dream is about the outcome of his creation; the beauty that had encountered to disgust and breathless horror. The second of the two dreams is the most abnormal. Victor dreamt that his wife Elizabeth had wandered the streets of Ingolstadt in the bloom of health; once embracing her, he kisses her dainty lips and somehow her body reforms to that of his dead mother, wrapped up in cloth, covered scarcely in graveworms. This is of pure relevance to the rest of the novel as they are seen as signs for what is to come in the future. As it happens, his dream in some phases becomes true. Elizabeth, Victor’s wife gets killed by his vicious creature. From this stage, Victor is forced to create a companion for the monster; not consenting to this would lead to more homicides within Victor’s family. In the novel, Mary Shelley illustrates a poem to correlate with Victors retreat from home. The first line of the poem reads: ‘Like one, on a lonesome road’. Using this sentence suggests that Victor is walking by himself; disassociated with anyone. At this moment in time, he is feeling poorly and anxious about what the consequences hold. The second line reads: ‘Doth walk in fear and dread’. This emphasizes the fact that he is scared as he triumphants through the streets. The next line reads: ‘And having once turned round, walks on’. This phrase states that he turns around to see his surroundings, and then continues his journey. Victors feels as if the monster has banished him from Ingolstadt. The following line reads; ‘And turns no more his head’. This tells us that Victor doesn’t want to come in contact with the monster again. At this point, Victor still has the feeling of disappointment and embarrassment in himself. Next the poem reads; ‘Because he knows a frightful flend’. This means he knows a frightful demon, of whom to him is the monster he created. The final line of the poem reads: ‘Doth close behind him tread’. This means that the monster is perhaps close behind him. At this moment, Victor feels paranoid and weary. Within this gothic novel, Victor includes 3 themes: dark science, isolation and weather. Dark science is used to indicate the creation of the fiend, made from scarce rotted bodily parts. His thoughts are deep and out of this world. His knowledge takes him so deep into science that his tutor tries to prevent him passing a certain stage in his medical degree. His aim is to infuse life into an inanimate body. He succeeds, however is disappointed with his result. During this theme, it is intercepted by weather. During the lonely nights and experimental days, the dark science compacts with horrid weather. For example: ‘it was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishments of my toils’. This tells us that the night the monster was finalised, the night and atmosphere was very dull. Another example of the weather.

Reason for Seeking a College Degree Essay

The purpose of this essay is to discuss why I chose to seek a college degree, my learning style as discovered by the results of questionnaires, and the fact that I feel the results are accurate for me personally. Everyone has their own individual reasons for pursuing a college degree. For me, it is the desire to become a state Game Warden after retiring from the military. Being a state Game Warden requires that I have a degree in the biological or wildlife sciences. In a profession like this, it is important that one has a clear and concise understanding of wildlife biology at a collegiate level. To be a viable candidate in this profession, a college degree is necessary to present myself as a competitive individual for the job I am seeking to fill. Whether or not I have on the job training or experience, the college degree will show that I have the knowledge base to help me succeed as a warden. The end goal in my pursuit of a college degree is to not only broaden my scope of knowledge and skills, but to unlock career aspirations that would otherwise be unattainable for me without a degree. But before I put the cart before the horse, graduating with degree in hand requires I truly know myself inside and out. Basically I need to understand what my personal learning style is. Learning styles are not exactly chosen, they are natural and inherent to each learner. According to Felder & Soloman (n. d. ) there are several different learning styles: Active, Reflective, Visual, Auditory, Tactile, Sensing, Intuitive, Verbal, Sequential and Global. To find out what kind of learner you are, a simple questionnaire or quiz can be taken to narrow these options down. In taking Felder & Soloman’s Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire (n. d.) and the Learning Style Inventory (Penn State, 2010) questionnaire, I have discovered that I am an active learner and a visual learner. An active learner is one who gravitates toward interpreting, comprehending, and retaining information in a â€Å"hands on† or active fashion. In other words they discuss or apply and explain the information to others (Felder & Soloman, n. d. ). The degree program I am enrolled in is online; which presents me with challenges and difficulties in using the active learning style that I normally rely upon. An alternative to active learning for me is visual, which will serve me well because online course material is something I can see to interpret and retain. Visual learners are those who absorb and maintain information efficiently through methods such as charts, diagrams, pictures, films or demonstrations (Felder & Soloman, n. d. ). Suggestions for success as a visual learner include writing out ideas and information for memorization and fully utilizing all course materials, whether they are maps, flashcards, charts or filmstrips (Penn State, 2010). I am someone who always reads the directions prior to completing any task, therefore this fits me perfectly. I fully agree with the results of these questionnaires. I am a mechanic- someone who works day in and day out with my hands. The things I am trying to accomplish or figure out require me to read texts, diagrams and pictures and solve the problem using these resources. I also discuss and apply the information found with those who are masters of the mechanic profession. My reasons for seeking a college degree are simple. I need to hold at minimum at Bachelor’s in the wildlife or biological sciences to reach my goal of being a state Game Warden after retirement from the military. To be successful in this means that I understand I am a visual and active learner, as realized after taking the learning styles questionnaires. References Felder, R. M. , & Soloman, B. A. (n. d. ). Index of learning styles. Retrieved from http://www. engr. ncsu. edu/learningstyles/ilsweb. html Penn State. (2010). Learning style inventory. Retrieved from http://www. personal. psu. edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI/htm.