Making corporate boards more effective

Krishna Pale, Guan Submarines and Walter Salmon. Synopsis Presented by: Brent Lengthener, Chairman and CEO of Lengthener & Associates, Board Member of TAP Oil & Gas and Merit. Participants: Board members from various organizations. Half of the group was made up of international representatives with a strong contingent from Africa, Australia, the I-J and other destinations. This proved to be very interesting in that their insights were from a different perspective throughout.Preface: This is Part 2 of my notes and subsequent research performed from the week I spent with Jay Lowers and a handful of Harvard Business School faculty members discussing board effectiveness. I am trying to share this information to the best of my abilities so that others can gain additional insights for the companies they lead. Note, these are my notes but I do not necessarily agree with all of the comments and/or insights shared. Also note that these professors are all pro- business and serve on boards as w ell.In Part 1, we ended with Case Study 7-Bank of America and Merrill Lynch Case Study 8: Hewlett-Packard Company: The War Within This was a continuation of Case Studies 5 and 6. In September 2006, Haps Board of Directors was in despair. The acquisition of Compact (Case Study 5) had taken a toll. Board members were leaking confidential information and felony counts ensued. All of this marred what seemed to be a great turnaround for HP under Mark Hurt. Key Questions Included: 1. How and why did HP get into this situation? 2. What could have been done to prevent this? 3. How do we prevent this from happening to our boards?Key Takeaways on Board Dysfunction Mistrust Poor Communication No true team; too many â€Å"lone rangers† No consensus on strategy No boundaries between board oversight and management execution Putting personal agenda's first Independence. Integrity. Innovation. 2 Key Questions Included: 1 . Was Cancan Justified in attacking Target? 2. Who would you side with? Cancan or Target? Why? 3. Could Target's board have done anything differently to avoid the public conflict this created? 4. If Target can be attacked, then what are the implications for other boards, corporate governance, proxy access and more regulatory oversight?Key takeaways: Economic downturns create more stress, especially with investors. Rational thinking an quickly go out the door. Presently, think about anyone operating in the Gulf of Mexico and how the stress has increased. Target is one retail outlet that does not fear Wall-Mart. They have their own strategy and are very successful. They have no desire to be a copycat. They are proud of who they are. The board is constantly â€Å"revamping† itself and is considered excellent in governance. Even with all it had going for it, they still came under attack. Everyone is vulnerable- especially today with the new changes.The nominating process will become much more important going forward. Being prepared is ALWAYS key. Ad ditional Discussions: The day is coming when re-nominating boards will be very important. Investor Relations may want to aggressively share what board members are doing, press releases, website, etc, like they do with management. Companies should reach out to large and influential shareholders from time-time. Conference calls and shareholder meetings may need to be â€Å"rethought† so as to get more interaction. Make sure the board you have works well as a team. When crisis hits, they need to see themselves as a team versus individuals. Case Study 1 1: FL-CIO Office of Investment and Home Depot On January 3, 2007, Home Depot fired Robert Narrated, its CEO and Chairman, following controversy over his compensation package. Marinade's departure was partly the result of the focused efforts of the FL-Coo's Office of Investment. The office had executed a website and led an aggressive campaign focused on his pay. Narrated made $240 million in 6 years, but the stock had simply gone d own; even with a 19% buy back. Home Depot's number one competition (Low's) was beating them at every turn, including watching its market cap go from $16 billion to $47 billion.Key Questions: 1 . How can a company deal with a focused effort like this? 2. How did Marinade's compensation impact Home Depot? Key Takeaways: There can be a wide variety of different shareholder groups, all varying and all with different, and maybe opposing, agendas. It is important to think out compensation plans from beginning to end; not only the costs, but the reasoning, the optics, and the story. Make sure you proactively tell the â€Å"true story' regarding compensation versus letting someone else do it for you. Their perception can become other peoples' reality.Error as much as possible with performance based compensation versus fixed remunerates. Keep plans understandable and simple. For more good information on excellent pay practices, go to Case Study 4 (in Part 1) about Recruit Benchers PAL. Case Study 12: The Board of Directors at Morgan Stanley & Dean Witter On June 13, 2005, Phillip announced that he would retire as Chairman and CEO at Morgan Stanley & Dean Witter as soon as a successor was found. Morgan Stanley & Dean Witter had been performing poorly and was losing its key talent. His resignation raised two main problems for the board: 1 how to go about finding a new CEO; and 2. How to determine the future direction of the firm. 6 Key Questions: 1 . What is your assessment of how the board handled the situation? 2. How do you explain their decision? Terrible practices were in place and the company had become â€Å"institutionalized† Board became infatuated with a strong CEO personality or lost focus A possible successor being guaranteed the â€Å"CEO role† in five years is a terrible practice The board sacrificed the vision and mission of the company for friendship and interlocks Most did not understand the business, especially the huge difference between Morgan Stanley and Dean WitterTo remove the CEO, 75% of the board had to agree, which was virtually impossible The way they allowed the CEO to dictate any would-be successor cut them off from some great candidates Case Study 13: Citreous-Wichita-Wells Fargo On October 3, 2008, the CEO of Citreous, who had Just worked out an exclusive agreement to buy Wichita, received a call from Washout's CEO saying they had Just â€Å"cut a new deal† with Wells Fargo. Wells Farads offer was $7/share versus the $1 Citreous had offered. The matchmaker was the IBID. They first worked the deal with Citreous but later reworked a new deal with Wells Fargo.Even more interesting was new legislation that was being approved to let a profitable bank buy another bank and use its Net Operating Loss immediately. This, at the time, really only worked for Wells Fargo and is one of the reasons it could offer more. 1 . If you were on Agitprop's board and heard there was a new deal with Wells Fargo, what wou ld you do? 2. If you were on Washout's board, how would you handle the two opportunities? 3. If you were Wells Fargo, after the favorable tax law change, what would you do? 4. Evaluate what the IBID did by, in essence, brokering to both. Www. Lengthener. M 7 5. Key takeaways: Interestingly, we had one of Washout's negotiators in the room so he gave us some great insights: Citreous was going to â€Å"cherry-pick† Washout's assets and Wells Fargo was going to buy all. Citreous was not a cultural fit so chances that this would have worked were slim at best. Plus, Citreous did not know retail like Wells Fargo. Wichita believes Wells Fargo has been a â€Å"perfect fit. † The IBID Chair, Sheila Pair, brokered the deal first with Citreous and then, during the due diligence period, was working on a better deal with Wells Fargo. From a legal perspective:

Contrast/Comparison Essay on Horror Movies

Lexus Marshall English 101/Sec 011 Comparison & Contrast Essay 10/16/12 Ms. Watkins In two horror films, â€Å"A Nightmare on Elm Street† and â€Å"Texas Chainsaw Massacre† the main killers have similarities and differences between each other. By their past, their killings, and weapons. In the horror film, â€Å"A Nightmare On Elm Street†, takes place in a town called Elm Street where teenagers are paying the price for actions their parents made, by burning a man to death, when they were young.His face is disfigured from being burned, he wears a red and black sweater, and has razor knives on his hand. His name was Freddy Kreuger, and he would kidnap young children and burn them in a furnace. Although the parents killed him when they found out what he did, his spirit didn't erase and he had the ability to enter the teenagers dreams where he can exact his revenge. He brings them to an old abandoned building in their dream and stabs them with a glove that has razor knives.Unless they escape, which eventually he catches them. Except for one of the teenagers named Nancy Thompson, who manages to escape him every time. In the other horror film, â€Å"Texas Chainsaw Massacre†, a serial killer named Thomas Hewitt, also known as Leatherface, murdered people who would pass by their small Texas town. Unlike the film â€Å"A Nightmare On Elm Street†, the town is stranded and not a lot of people live there.Thomas Hewitt, who was abandoned as a baby turns into a murderer. Unlike Freddy Krueger, Thomas first sometimes tortured his victims in horrific ways by skinning them alive. He makes a mask with the skin he took off to make a mask for his face, Because when he was born his face was disfigured. He takes the people that he finds brings them into his house and commits the killings in his basement with a chainsaw, which people soon thought he was in love with. There were no survivors.The similarities between both the murderers in the films ar e that they both are serial killers who lived a rough childhood. Both were bullied by other children growing up. And thought of killing at a very young age. They also both have disfigured faces, but from different reasons. In two horror films, â€Å"A Nightmare on Elm Street† and â€Å"Texas Chainsaw Massacre† the main killers have similarities and differences between each other. Although one is fictional and the other is based on true events, they both still have

Research proposal on Berlin’s Architecture

Proposed Research Topic: A situational analysis of the relationship and influence of Berlin’s past Architectural designs on the modern ones. Purposes: TeNeues (2003) argues that a situational analysis and approach should be applied on architectural designs as a practical successive progress, rather than trying to conceptualize these designs as just what the designers think off or decide to put into place. This approach will more particularly explore how the Architectural designs are a product of the past ones; as they are to a great extent influenced upon by and related to the past designs.This study will also cover the issues of the basis and sources of the model architectural designs, particularly with regard to the phenomena that has directed the architectural thinking towards this direction and the usefulness of this situational approach as it has rarely been developed and applied in Architectural literature (TeNeues, 2003). Background: I will carryout my study on the diff erent teams that are operating within the field of Architectural designing within the region of Berlin.Barkow Leibinger Architects will be the company to be used as a centre for the study as it offers the services of architecture and master planning. Additionally, this company has worked on successful projects like the Trumpf Restaurant and event space. Based on that this firm is Berlin based; it is evident from the architectural designing it has put into place that highly depicts the influence and characteristics of earlier architectural models.For this study I will evaluate and analyse their architectural designs pointing out the traits passed down from earlier designs and the influence of the earlier designs on the new ones with regard to the architectural expertise used and the materials utilised. This will be carried out in the areas of new projects for five hours a day, though I will also make enquiries regarding the areas that prove rather difficult to analyse or document abo ut on my own.The other aspect that I will utilise with reference to attaining these results will be interacting with the workers and clients to get a few views regarding the models (TeNeues, 2003). Scope: I will make use of participant-observation over a two-week period for five hours a day; typically observing the designs put into place while documenting the observation and keeping record of the views and hints given by the engineers among other workers. On other days I will vary the timing for the observation so as to attain a comparative picture of the design applications and the views of different staff.Towards attaining these I will offer structured interviews from time to time; so as to acquire information about the time of future investments, the number of participants, and the studies carried out before the operations begin (TeNeues, 2003). Theoretical framework: I will be directed normally by the interpretive point of view and more particularly by TeNeues (2003) situational analysis. The interpretive point of view mainly focuses on understanding the significance and standpoint of the choice of the design to be applied and how the choice is arrived at.I will also explore the meanings the different staff and customers have regarding these designs and the relationship they likely place between the two and the projected results. The situational perspective will further create the need that the study focuses on one or a few specific projects which are to be analysed in details; thus the most appropriate mode of studying the topic from this standpoint is a comparative analysis of the designs and the symbolic significance contained in each of them (TeNeues, 2003).Method: 1. Perform a literature evaluation on the architectural designs employed by the focus company. 2. Monitor the operations of the company through the current project five hours a day for two weeks, focusing mainly on the designs and the rationale behind the choice of the different designs and the past design influencing the choice. 3. Interview team members to clarify and provide insight into the choice of designs. I will ensure I conduct the interviews during the time of design choice and employment.However, despite the fact that the interviews will not be structured or formal; the kinds of question to be asked will include starting with broad based questions then following–up on the informants’ responses to capture their personalised meanings so as to avoid the imposition of meanings on the interviewees (TeNeues, 2003). a. Tell me about the current project b. What issues guided the choice for the utilised architectural design c.What influenced the choice of this design and what were they trying to accomplish from using the given design? e. What success expectations do you have for the project? f. How would you describe the current project in general? 4. Undertake a situational analysis of the study notes and interview notes, guided by theoretical models. 5. Write a research report that combines my understanding of the relevant theory and previous research with the results of my empirical research. Timetable: Prepare proposal by 14 JulyComplete literature review by 16 July Complete fieldwork by 18 July Complete analysis by 20 July Give presentation on 24 July Complete final report by 28 July Limitations: The tightly packed study schedule will limit the time to be allocated to this study to two weeks which may not be ideally enough to make a fully comprehensive study regarding this topic. The other limitation is that some of the officers may not be fully cooperative in providing the information required for the study (TeNeues, 2003).Delimitations: For this study I choose not to observe multiple operation units despite the fact that the comparisons might provide valuable information in order to allow for a more into depth understanding of the focus group. Additionally, I will not make use of formal or structured interviews with the vie w to minimise the chances of obtrusiveness and influencing the views of the informants (TeNeues, 2003). References TeNeues, P. (2003). Berlin and guide (Architecture and design guides), Multilingu edition. New York: TeNeues Publishers.

The Jaguar Land Rover Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

The Jaguar Land Rover - Essay Example The company has been able to market its brands through various avenues which include the Jaguar Heritage Museum which was established in 1998. The museum has served as a platform for promoting the brands at home. Competition from other players in the industry such as the BMW brands has always revolutionized the market trend. This has led to more innovative brands aimed at putting the organization at the top (SHAPIRA, 2002). The recent urge to manufacture the electric car is motivated by the rivals’ move to manufacture the stylish and modern car. In line with this, the company needs to open up new supply chains, since the existent ones may not serve the desired interests of the new car. The electric car is a new innovation that has not been understood by most of the consumers and this implies that new supply chains and relative management designed to fit the interests of this category of consumers needs to be created (SIMS, 2004). The process of opening the new supply chains is intensive and needs deep considerations of the internal suppliers in term of cost, competence, efficiency and extent of expanding the current market niche (SHAPIRA, 2002). Consideration of these factors it implies that, a due process of decision making should be followed to ensure the right choices are made. It is imperative to note that, the process of selecting the suppliers from across the internal arena is a complex activity which if done wrongly may lead to the fall of the organization in terms of meeting the market demands and expanding the market niche.

Role of assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Role of assessment - Essay Example Medical practitioners use this type of information for purposes of making a decision on the type of diagnosis and treatment to give a patient (Jarvis, 2012). This information is further used for purposes of understanding the nature of ailments a client is vulnerable to, and the control measures to develop (American Nurses Association, 2010). This is for purposes of knowing the best approach to treat the patient, and the best approach to use in protecting the patient from acquiring the ailments that they are vulnerable to. Furthermore, assessments give nurses the capability of prioritizing the clinical care of their patients. Nurses will know which areas he or she should concentrate on, while providing nursing care to their patients (Simmons, 2010). It is a requirement that nurses should acquire skills on how to identify important health care issues that should receive some priority. Use of assessments will achieve such kind of an objective. Partial assessment of a patient plays a role in identifying whether a patient recovers or not (Jarvis, 2012). This is very useful when dealing with patients suffering from cardiac diseases and respiratory infections. Carrying out assessments is therefore an important process in the medical field. They help help in improving the health of patients, and preventing diseases. This is because it guides practitioners on the most efficient disease control

Gun Control Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gun Control - Research Paper Example In these regards, gun control had no real impact on the murder rate in these nations. An even more startling fact is that despite gun control in many nations, the murder rate has often risen; this again demonstrates that there is no direct correlation between gun control and reduced murder rates. When considering the statistical correlation between gun control and increased or decreased crime rates, there are a number of startling facts that demonstrate gun control is an effective policy. One of the most prevalent such examples of these trends occurs when statistically comparing Canada and the United States. In both 1991 and 1995 Canada enacted increasingly stringent gun control laws, while the United States largely held onto a liberal policy regarding gun control. Rather than demonstrating a reduction in crime relative to the United States, this period witnessed an actual rise in the rate of theft and violent crime throughout Canada (‘Gun Control Fact-Sheet.’). Similar statistical trends have also been demonstrated in European countries. In 1997, the United Kingdom passed some of the most stringent anti-gun laws in the Western hemisphere. In the wake of these regulations, it was demonstrated that in large part violent crimes rates did not increase but rose by as much as forty percent (‘Gun Control Fact-Sheet.’). ... In fact, statistics demonstrate that over the last seventy-years the United States has experienced noticeably lower murder rates than the United Kingdom. While the lot of this statistical evidence is open for interpretation, a general qualitative analysis demonstrates that rather than decreasing crime, gun control laws allow criminals increased levels of freedom as they can now commit crimes unhindered by the threat of lethal self-defense. In these regards, firearms can substantially be seen to be prominent self-defense mechanisms. In developing increased gun control laws countries are in-effect reducing citizens abilities to effectively defend themselves. In addition to the statistical evidence that demonstrates a correlation between gun control and increased crime rates, general quantitative and statistical research has demonstrated that in large part gun control laws are misguided. One of the most prominent research elements related to gun control considers it in relation to self- defense. While this essay has earlier demonstrated that the use of guns for self-control can be inferred from rising crime rates in nations that implement stringent gun control laws, further research attests to the actual use of guns in these self-defense actions. In fact, guns have been implemented in self-defense over 2.5 million times annually (‘Myth #3: Gun Control Has Reduced The Crime Rates In Other Countries’ ). When one considers this from another perspective, it indicates that more than 6,000 times a day guns are used for self-defense. Within the United States itself quantitative research has examined the Brady Law in regards to crime rates. The Brady Law is

The Community and Fire Threat Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Community and Fire Threat - Assignment Example The results of the article have been achieved through data gathering from pre-existing sources such as the Web-based Inquiry Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). In the model used for the analysis of the data negative binomial rate regression had been used. To be able to observe the interactions of the different parameters that are measured, control of the socioeconomic factors had been undertaken (Diekman, Ballestero, Berger, Caraballo and Kegler, 2008, p. 1-4). As a result, there is a positive interaction observed. Smoking which is one of the common causes in residential fire, thus, the parameter under study can be closely related to the fire prevention efforts in the community. Although this is the case, it is important to consider that the issue under study is only one of the causes of fire occurrence. The ecological study is undertaken due to the fact that there is a complex interaction of multiple factors specifically involving man and the environment. The impact of smoking is studied to specifically target the residential area. Smoking is one of the primary causes of fire while residential areas are in need of strict study and implementation of the concepts for fire prevention (Diekman, Ballestero, Berger, Caraballo and Kegler, 2008, p. 1-4). Due to the recognized importance of the different parameters studies, the established objective in the article under study is the measurement of the relationship of the state-level residential fire morality and the percentage of adults who smoke. The study presented a relationship between smoking and residential fire mortality while controlling certain parameters, thus, one of the most important contribution of the study then is to focus on the actions to lessen smoking to be able to achieve the prevention of fire occurrences. Another contribution is the presentation of an individual-level perspective to the problems related to residential fire in addition

Lamborghini Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Lamborghini - Case Study Example Here the word finite list is emphasized because the job of the manager is not to make an exhaustive list of all the factors that may affect the organization. But focus should be on key environmental variables that could influence business"1. As mentioned above, understanding of the internal and external environment of the business is very crucial for the basic function of planning to take place in an organization. An awareness of one's self and the surrounding environment is the first step in the long journey of survival and success for an organization. After the analysis of the environment, both internal and external, planning is the next activity which involves the future of the entity. The analysis of the present and to be prepared for the future is the essence of planning. Hence, understanding the environment and the relevance on its competitive business strategy is vital for the organization to grow and to create value for the stakeholders. Next, to tackle all the challenges for a company, a good business strategy should be supported by the commitment for implementation and good control mechanism. In creating the strategy and the performance climate the business manager uses facts, reasonable premises it has to take advantage of the opportunities to steer ahead of the competition. ... The founder of the company Mr. Ferruccio Lamborghini first started with a tractor assembling unit after the World war II from the army vehicles left behind by the Allied Forces. The popular story tells that Lamborghini wanted to create a car that is in no way inferior to the Ferrari and much better than the Ferrari. But company sources say this story may not be the real reason but Mr. Lamborghini felt that there was a great opportunity in the market for well finished luxury cars. After the success of the tractor business, he wanted to enter into the luxury cars segment, because there was still gap in the market left by the Ferrari. Hence, he formed a team of engineers and developed his own V12 engines and developed his own brand. This again became very popular and profitable. But in the 1970s the company became bankrupt and the owner ship changed into than hands to Mimran brothers. After more than two decades of a series of changes in the ownership, the company now belongs to the Audi group which again is a subsidiary of the automobile giant Volkswagen group. The vast technical resources of the Audi group have been very beneficial to the Lamborghini group to develop successful models such as the modern Spyder. With the rich tradition and reputation for building high quality and sophisticated cars, the Automobili Lamborghini continues to be a huge hit in the market. In this backgorund, the following essay attempts to understand the relevance of the mission, vision and the corporate strategy of one of the world's renowned brand of cars the Lamborghini. By understanding the background materials for the preparation of this essay, it has become possible to understand the interdependency

UNIT 5 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT-STATISTICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

UNIT 5 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT-STATISTICS - Essay Example To support the hypothesis it was developed an ANOVA test. The results show that there is statistical evidence to support that the average overall job satisfaction of the female employees is equal to the males, with a significance level of 5%. Besides, the third hypothesis examined was related to if the expected observations between males and females are equal to the observed ones. The test employed to find evidence was Chi-square test. According to results, there is statistical evidence to support that the expected observations of gender is different from the observed ones, with a significance level of 5%. Finally, the last hypothesis tested was about if the expected observations among employees of human resource department and Information Technology department and administration department are equal to the observed ones. In the same line of hypothesis three, the test used was Chi-square. The results show that there is statistical evidence to support that the expected observations of employees’ department is different from the observed ones, with a significance level of 5%. There were taken into account one study in the literature review. The research analyzes and empirically tests the factors which influence in the job satisfaction. According the research of Bajpai and Srivastava (2004) job satisfaction is an evaluation and represents the belief and feelings about one’s job. The favorable evaluation of satisfied employees is based on their observations and emotional experience. The feeling aspect is stated as being a function of perceived relationship between all that one wants from his job/life and that entire one perceives as offering or entailing. Another view conveyed in their research is that job satisfaction is a collection of attitudes about specific facets of the job. The study found that the amount that one is paid is not as influential to job satisfaction as perceived

Glass Artist Josh Simpson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Glass Artist Josh Simpson - Essay Example As a matter of fact, Cady carried one of his planets on Space Mission Columbia in 1995. Josh's New Mexico series are also well known. They consist of representations of the night sky in the desert - blue, black and gold hued - showing swirling galaxies and constellations. (Seekers Gallery Website) As he himself states, Josh gets his inspiration from the medium - glass when heated to high temperatures moves fluidly like honey. It has a radiance and translucence, which he finds inspiring. But it's not merely artistic vision that Josh requires to produce this work. Scientific and technical precision (knowing the hows of working with glass and at what temperatures it can be manipulated) the ability to work in uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions (the high temperatures of the furnace and the danger of something blowing up) and even physical strength are required, as solid glass spheres are heavy. One of the heaviest planets that Josh has fashioned is 85 lbs, which, the Artist, in The Glass Talk Radio interview states is with a Commercial University. Another of his planets, weighing 50 lbs is displayed in the Yokohama Josh Simpson Sphere Museum. (Simpson Website:Video) Josh has received a commission from the Corning Museum of Glass, New York, for a planet of 100

Buyers Behaviour Virgin Atlantic Essay Example for Free

Buyers Behaviour Virgin Atlantic Essay Originally it was called British Atlantic Airways, later changed to Virgin Atlantic Airways. The first flight was from Gatwick to Netwark on the 22nd of June 1984 (Virgin Atlantic, 2012). The company launched a ? 6 m advertising campaign in 2010, which was James Bond themed (Guardian, 2010). The new advertisement helped the company recover from the recession. Now I will examine how exactly it was achieved and what methods were used to obtain the best performance of the advertisement. 2) Target Market. Market segmentation is a way of separating the consumers into different sections by their shared needs and personalities (Leon. G, 2010, p. 28). The needs and values depend from person to person according to his culture (Leon. G, 2010, p. 366). The VALS (values and lifestyles) segmentation system clearly shows the type of audience this commercial is aiming at (Leon. G, pp. 84). This system divides consumers into eight distinctive subcategories, which consist of: thinkers, achievers, experiencers, believers, strivers and makers. The subcategories this advertisement will appeal to are: innovators because they are receptive to new technologies and who can experience the innovated technologies at a Virgin Atlantic flight; achievers because they are goal oriented consumers who like to display success to their piers, which they can display by flying Virgin Atlantic as it is high class airlines; experiencers because they like to spend their income on fashion, socializing and entertainment which Virgin Atlantic offers through great service, food, entertainment and their flights are considered as ‘trendy’. The social comparison theory states that the consumer with higher purchase ability tends to have a higher status; this is a proof why achievers like to spend on luxurious products and services (Leon. G, 2010, p. 338). This commercial appeals to all the five effective target-marketing segments (Leon. G, 2010, p. 73). It is identifiable as it clearly distinguishes the shared needs, age and gender of the consumer. The consumer is a businessman or career orientated workingwoman who prefers high-class service. The age would appeal to Generation Y that is born from 1980 and on wards (Leon. G, 2010, p. 410). The Generation Y spends 150 billion annually and is into innovation and luxury while Generation X is considered as ‘sophisticated’ group. Virgin Atlantic Airways allows children ages 5 and above to travel or should be accompanied by an adult (16+). Pets are accepted if they accompany a disabled person (Virgin Atlantic, 2012). 3) Service offered. The marketing mix shows what kind of service/product is offered by dividing the elements to: product, price, place and promotion (Leon. G, 2010, p. 58). The service being offered is not just a flight from one destination to another; it is an experience at a high-class level of the Virgin Atlantic flight where the costumer will be served at a high class, with security, entertainment and with maximum comfort. It is a high-involvement purchase, which requires considerate thought and cognitive process, as the price is high (Leon. G, 2010, p. 231). The flight can be purchased online or at a flight ticket office. The company offers promotion such as: flying club card, ticket sales and discount codes/vouchers (Virgin Atlantic, 2012). The price and quality relationship the company has is low- price tickets in comparison with their competitors and with a high-class service. 4) Seasonality. The time of placing the advertisement is very important, as there are competing companies to take into consideration. The order effect research has shown that the advertisements presented first (primacy effect) and last (regency effect) has a greater effect on the consumer (Leon. G, 2010, p. 302). The release date was 26 October 2010, which was a great push to recovery from recession. British Airways and American Airlines are the biggest competitors. American Airlines released their commercial in May 2010, which had a primacy effect where as Virgin Atlantic Airlines gained a regency effect. The James Bond 007 Blood Stone video game was released on 5th of November 2010(IMDB, 2010). This shows that the commercial was released 10 days before the release date of the game. This strategy used by Virgin Atlantic is a very clever marketing move, as their advertisement is James Bond themed and during that period of time all sorts of media (TV, newspapers, online, word of mouth and billboards) had James Bond game advertisements. Virgin Airlines got increased attention to their advertisement by publishing their advertisement at time coinciding with Blood Stone’s release. 5) Positioning the commercial. The advertisement is transmitting through mass media as well as through new (non traditional) media (Leon. G, 2010, pp. 294-296). The commercial is played on TV where it addresses wide range of consumers (i. e. via mass media) and through YouTube where it is addressable and interactive, while response – measurable. It was also played during the flights on the Virgin Atlantic TV channel where it exclusively targets its audience (i. e. via target media). 6) Reason for the commercial. The consumer behavior consists of searching for, purchasing, using, evaluating, disposing of products and services that in their belief will fulfill their wants (Leon. G, 2010, p. 23). The commercial was created in order to persuade and make aware the audience of the fact that the service being offered by the airlines is luxurious, entertaining and high-class, to convince that this kind of service will satisfy there needs. ) Perception. â€Å"Perception is defined as the process by which an individual selects, organizes, and interprets stimuli into a meaningful and coherent picture of the world. †(Leon. G, 2010, p. 175) This advertisement appeals to emotional motives, which are affection, status and pride in this case (Leon. G, 2010, p. 110). The advertisements mood is sexually charged and is putting the buyer into a state of excitement by: James Bond themed music and graphics, illustrations of high-class adventure and good-looking actors in the commercial. Abraham Maslow created the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which identifies the five basic levels of human needs (Maslow, 1987). The advert is aiming to satisfy all the five needs of the potential consumer. Egoistic needs will be satisfied during the flight on these airlines, as it is illustrated as a prestigious flight. Egoistic needs include the need of good reputation, status and recognition from others, which advert convinces that the consumer will have, if he/she chooses Virgin Atlantic Airways. Need of Self-Actualization will be satisfies as shown in the advert, by flying on this flight the customer will feel self-actualized by getting high-class service which he/she deserved or earned themselves. Social Needs are to be satisfied by communication with good-looking staff. The Virgin Atlantic cabin crew was voted as the most attractive staff in the whole world by the surveys of travelers (Daily mail, 2011). Richard Branson has always stated that the appearance of the flight crew must be important in order make the customers enjoy a memorable flight. Cabin staff of Virgin Atlantic Airlines are told that: Youll be the face of the airline. As such, your grooming should always be immaculate even after a long, tiring flight’ (Daily mail, 2011). As flying on an airplane has a small risk of security, the advert is aiming to convince that their flight is safe and is a pleasant experience where there is nothing to worry about. Physiological needs will be satisfied by the high-class food and beverage service that would be offered during the flight by good-looking staff. Air and shelter will also be present, as the designed with up to date technology. This commercial is aimed at visual consumers that prefer and take information better through visual images or messages as sources of information (Leon. G, 2010, p. 147). While watching the Virgin Atlantic advertisement repetitively on TV or Online passive learning is occurring and it changes the consumer’s attitude regarding the product (Leon. G, 2010, p. 232). The theme message delivered through this advert is: Your airlines either got it or it hasnt. There is a message resonance in the wording, which adds a bit of humor to it and will make the viewer remember the commercial (Leon. G, 2010, p. 301). The theme message has comparative advertising technique to it where Virgin makes the viewer compare their airlines to Virgin Atlantic (Leon. G, 2010, p. 303). The sexiness in advertising is present in order to grab the attention of the viewer (Leon. G, 2010, p. 308). The hostesses are wearing short dresses in red color and the man who is passing the security check hasn’t got underwear on. Virgin is trying to show that their flights are ‘sexy’. This technique tries to show the security the airlines provide (angel like). The flight team is very good looking and is walking with self-assurance, which adds confidence to the image of the company. The runway lines and the red carpet represents the luxurious service. | | Transition from the safety demonstration to the airplane saloon is done without editing cuts, which is very eye-catching. | | The shot of people sitting around of a pool of martini and playing with the olive, which represents entertainment, beverage and luxury the airlines offer to their customers. 9) Buying process. â€Å"The consumer decision making can be viewed as three distinct but interlocking stages: the input stage, the process stage and the output stage†(Leon. G, 2010, p. 36). This advertisement is designed in order to influence the input and process stage in order to make the consumer come to the output stage. This advert influences and increases the consumer’s recognition of the service ne ed. The information is delivered to the consumers through the marketing efforts of the commercial, which will influence not only media but also word of mouth marketing. The Psychoanalytical Theory of Personality created by Sigmund Freud explains the drivers of the output stage (Leon. G, 2010, pp. 137-139). According to Freud’s theory this commercial will affect superego and id to make the purchase. The superego will be gratified when purchasing this service because he/she will become socially and fashionably acceptable, as Virgin Atlantic flight is ‘trendy’. Id will be gratified if the consumer will make the purchase because the airlines offer the basic requirements such as food, shelter and security. The consumer will make a trial or a repeat purchase when buying this service (Leon. G, 2010, p. 497). The consumer might be new to the company or be a frequent loyal customer. 10) Involvement levels and risk perception. Involvement is a very important factor in how much attention is paid to the message sent to the viewer and how it is understood. There are different ways to measure the involvement of the viewer. There are two ways of involvement, high-risk and low-risk purchases. The higher the risk, the higher the involvement and research will be. The flight purchase is a low-involvement product and consumers prefer congruent context of the message delivered (Leon. G, 2010, p. 293). The mood of the consumer is very important, if he/she is in a bad mood, the content of the commercial might cause a bad reaction of the viewer. Psychological noise may be distracting the viewer from the commercial and the advertisement has contrast in the imagery in order to keep the viewers attention. 11) Conclusion. The advertisement created by the Virgin Atlantic airlines in my opinion was successful . The James Bond theme imageries and soundtrack had a great impact on the effectiveness of the commercial. Every time the consumer will watch James Bond movie or play a James Bond game, the commercial will subconsciously come to their mind and the other way around. The time it was released was perfect, as they needed a push to get out from the recession. The commercial had a bit too much sex advertisement in it, which may led to worse effect tan could have achieved and made the competitors (American Airlines) stand out more, as they had a touching TV commercial that gave gratitude to the men in uniform, veterans and their families. Sexual advertising may distract the consumer’s attention from the message content being sent. This technique may have a little influence on the buyers purchasing intentions and a risk of spoiling the image of the company. This advert is targeting businessman, but there is the family audience with children and generation X, which they are risking of loosing. The commercial is based mostly on emotions and only in one short scene the viewer can see the seats with the monitors. The saloons, seats and the exact food of Virgin Atlantic Airlines are not shown, but they are very important to be shown, as the consumer wants to see the comfort he/she will have during the flight. The fact that the advertisement shows a man being tucked into a cloud and not airplane seat could make an impression that the airlines are hiding something and their seats are not good enough to be shown in the advertisement. This advertisement could have been improved by focusing the viewer’s attention much more on the design of the saloon, comfortable seats and delicious food. Nonetheless, overall this was a very well executed and effective advertisement with successfully reached hearts and minds of customer.

Sample random Essay Example for Free

Sample random Essay Was the sample random? How many brands were in the race? Were the brands ranked? These are the unknowns based on the advertisement. The claim does not state what does #1 actually means. In comparison to what: price, size, or pleasant smell. Some numbers can be valid, but used in different ways such as the mean, median, mode and midrange. This is not the case for this ad because we do not have the data to either validate or disclaim this ad. This ad is misleading and lends its self to consumer’s impulse buying. The consumer must be aware of such claims and do their research before buying products, items or food. 14. â€Å"How often do you run red lights? † This question is a manipulating one because of how it is asked; it is a faulty survey question. It wants to know how often you run red lights and does not ask a yes or no question. The question forces you to select an answer among scripted choices identified by the surveyor. The answers would be: once a day, once a week, twice a week, or more than 3 times a week. This is a bias question, especially if it does not offer an answer of â€Å"none† or â€Å"never†. The data collected can influence the amount of fines for running red lights, installing red light cameras, or have an effect on car insurance rates. This question does not take into account people without a driver license or people who take public transportation. It is all in how a question is asked because most surveys do not want a â€Å"yes† or â€Å"no† answer. They cannot perform the needed analysis to get an answer. Some of the answers force people to choose the closest one that fits, but this causes bias and would not define the most accurate results. So the question and answers will steer the results toward what they want. The misuse of statistics should be against the law and the company or manufacturer should be held accountable for their misrepresentation. Also survey questions and answers should be more accurate and not bias. After going over this chapter it proves the saying â€Å"buyer beware† and do your own research. References Bluman, (2011), Mathematics in Our World

Hip Hop, Music and Fashion

Hip Hop, Music and Fashion Hip hop is a musical genre which developed alongside hip hop culture, defined by key stylistic elements such as rapping, DJing, sampling, scratching and beatboxing. Hip hop began in the Bronx in New York City in the 1970s, primarily among African Americans and Jamaican Americans, with some Latino influences. The term rap is often used synonymously with hip hop, but hip hop denotes the practices of an entire subculture. Rapping, also referred to as MCing or emceeing, is a vocal style in which the artist speaks lyrically, in rhyme and verse, generally to an instrumental or synthesized beat. Beats, almost always in 4/4 time signature, can be created by looping portions of other songs, usually by a DJ, or sampled from portions of other songs by a producer. Modern beats incorporate synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands. Rappers may write, memorize, or improvise their lyrics and perform their works a cappella or to a beat. Roots of hip hop/history Hip-hop originated at Bronx located in New York City, by a Jamaican DJ, Clive Campbell also known as Kool Herc who was born in 1955 at Kingston, Jamaica Jamaican born DJ Clive Kool Herc Campbell is credited as being highly influential in the pioneering stage of hip hop music, in the Bronx, after moving to New York at the age of thirteen. Herc created the blueprint for hip hop music and culture by building upon the Jamaican tradition of toasting or boasting impromptu poetry and sayings over music which he witnessed as a youth in Jamaica. Herc and other DJs would tap into the power lines to connect their equipment and perform at venues such as public basketball courts and at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx, New York, a historic building where hip hop was born.Their equipment was composed of numerous speakers, turntables, and one or more microphones.[17] In late 1979, Debbie Harry of Blondie took Nile Rodgers of Chic to such an event, as the main backing track used was the break from Chics Good Times. Herc, along with Grandmaster Flash was also the developer of break-beat deejaying, where the breaks of funk songs-the part most suited to dance, usually percussion-based-were isolated and repeated for the purpose of all-night dance parties. This breakbeat DJing, using hard funk, rock, and records with Latin percussion, formed the basis of hip hop music. Campbells announcements and exhortations to dancers would lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment now known as rapping. He dubbed his dancers break-boys and break-girls, or simply b-boys and b-girls. According to Herc, breaking was also street slang for getting excited and acting energetically. Hercs terms b-boy, b-girl and breaking became part of the lexicon of hip hop culture, before that culture itself had developed a name Later DJs such as Grand Wizard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash and Jazzy Jay refined and developed the use of breakbeats, including cutting and scratching. The approach used by Herc was soon widely copied, and by the late 1970s DJs were releasing 12 records where they would rap to the beat. Popular tunes included Kurtis Blows The Breaks, and The Sugar Hill Gangs Rappers Delight. Emceeing is the rhythmic spoken delivery of rhymes and wordplay, delivered over a beat or without accompaniment. Rapping is derived from the griots (folk poets) of West Africa, and Jamaican-style toasting. Rap developed both inside and outside of hip hop culture, and began with the street parties thrown in the Bronx neighborhood of New York in the 1970s by Kool Herc and others. It originated as MCs would talk over the music to promote their DJ, promote other dance parties, take light-hearted jabs at other lyricists, or talk about problems in their areas and issues facing the community as a whole. Melle Mel, a rapper/lyricist with The Furious Five, is often credited with being the first rap lyricist to call himself an MC. In the late 1970s an underground urban movement known as hip-hop began to develop in the South Bronx area of New York City. Encompassing graffiti art, break dancing, rap music, and fashion, hip-hop became the dominant cultural movement of the African American and Hispanic communities in the 1980s. Tagging, rapping, and break dancing were all artistic variations on the male competition and one-upmanship of street gangs. Sensing that gang members often violent urges could be turned into creative ones, Afrika Bambaataa founded the Zulu Nation, a loose confederation of street-dance crews, graffiti artists, and rap musicians. By the late 1970s, the culture had gained media attention, with Billboard magazine printing an article titled B Beats Bombarding Bronx, commenting on the local phenomenon and mentioning influential figures such as Kool Herc. Hip hop as a culture was further defined in 1982, when Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force released the seminal electro-funk track Planet Rock. Instead of simply rapping over disco beats, Bambaataa created an electronic sound, taking advantage of the rapidly improving drum machine, synthesizer technology as well as sampling from Kraftwerk. The appearance of music videos changed entertainment: they often glorified urban neighborhoods. The music video for Planet Rock showcased the subculture of hip hop musicians, graffiti artists, and b-boys/b-girls. Many hip hop-related films were released between 1982 and 1985, among them Wild Style, Beat Street, Krush Groove, Breakin, and the documentary Style Wars. These films expanded the appeal of hip hop beyond the boundaries of New York. By 1985, youth worldwide were embracing the hip hop culture. The hip hop artwork and slang of US urban communities quickly found its way to Europe and Asia, as the cultures global appeal took root. The 1980s also saw many artists make social statements through hip hop. In 1982, Melle Mel and Duke Bootee recorded The Message (officially credited to Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five), a song that foreshadowed the socially conscious statements of Run-DMCs Its like That and Public Enemys Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos. During the 1980s, hip hop also embraced the creation of rhythm by using the human body, via the vocal percussion technique of beatboxing. Pioneers such as Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie and Buffy from the Fat Boys made beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using their mouth, lips, tongue, voice, and other body parts. Human Beatbox artists would also sing or imitate turntablism scratching or other instrument sounds. Definition of hip hop Hip-hop is a modern culture consisting of music, fashion, and art. The first people who made this music genre are the African Americans. Keith Cowboy, a rapper with Grandmaster Flash and Furious Five, made the term hip-hop. He was singing the words, Hip hop hip hop,when he was teasing a friend who had just joined the US Army. Hip-hop began to be popular all over the world. The four fundamental elements in hip-hop: hip-hop dance, hip-hop art, hip-hop music, and hip-hop fashion. Hip-hop dance includes break dancing and interesting forms of street dance. Hip-hop art includes urban inspiredart and graffiti. Hip-hop music includes Dj-ing, beatboxing, rapping, and hip-hop production. Rapping includes MC-ing and urban-inspired poetry. The Influence of Hip-Hop Around the World Hip-hops influence has become worldwide. This kind of music has been both a negative and positive influence to the young people. Some students in schools have violated the dress code by wearing hip-hop fashion, such as baggy pants, tank tops, and many other clothes. Some songs contain harsh language and violence-related themes. Those were some examples of how hip-hop can be a negative influence, but there are many positive sides to it too. Hip-hop culture represented the African-Americans freedom and culture. Many young African-Americans want to stop gang wars and put hip-hop music into a positive side. Hip-hop and rap is the most popular music genre in the United States; it had made more than 10 percent of the $12.3 billion music sales in 1998. This music genre replaces another popular genre called rock and roll. Rap musics share of sales increased over 150% over the last ten years and is still increasing. Also,breakdancing, a type of street dancing, is part of the hip-hop movement. It combines a series of toprock, downrock, power moves, and a freeze or suicide ending. This form of hip-hop dance has become a common dance amongst everybody. In fact, it has encouraged gang violence to decrease. Hip-Hop Fashion After the 1970s, hip-hop fashion has evolved into another different style. Today, it is a popular style of fashion for teenagers all over the world. Hip-hop fashion now includes large glasses (stunnershades), Kangol hats, brightly colored designer tracksuits, multi-fingered rings, oversized gold door-knocker earrings, and custom sneakers, also known by brand-names such a Nikes or Jordans. Many elements of this fashion style were worn by famous hip-hop singers. These hip-hop stars are adored by their thousands of worshiping fans, who follow their style of clothing, wanting to be like them. That is why this fashion style is popularly recognized. The in accessories to wear in the style are gold necklaces, bling-bling, huge watches, grillz (no, not the barbeque grills; the grills we are talking about are gemmed, flashy oral pieces covering your teeth), and pendants or earrings filled with sparkly diamonds or anything that shines (the bling-blings). Hairstyles very much mattered in the early-1980s; singers put their hair either in curly or messy knots atop their heads. Some people thought they were crazy, but decades ago, this was the style that everyone craved. They also tied it straight into ponytails or pigtails to get a fresh look. Hip-hop today is mostly the wearing of baggy pants and black ink tattoos. Hooded sweaters were very famous for this style; gold teeth were also in in the late 80s. For hats, hip-hop trend followers would either wear baseball caps or famous leather hats. Hip-hop fashion really matters for most adolescnets, and is the new trend today. Some brands that produce hip-hop clothing are G-Unit, Anchor Blue, d.e.m.o., Tillys, Iced Out Gear, Tommy Hilfiger, Phat Farm, Roca Wear, Ecko, Baby Phat, Dickies, Akedemiks, and many more. Hip-Hop Music + Dance Hip-hop music was popularly known as rap music. Hip-hop existed in the United States during the mid-1970s. Hip-hop dance was known as breakdancing, it is a very popular street dance for teenagers that influences people to watch them. Performed by a DJ, the beat, is a count as a rhythm for the music. Hip-hop is followed by the rhythms of RB, disco, and funk. Hip-hop has a little bit of slang, which inlcudes words that have a special meaning, although the word itself can be grammatically incorrect and doesnt make sense; slang words are often used in hip-hop songs. In the late 90s and early 21st century, these words have been used into many different songs across America and globally.

Archimedes :: essays papers

Archimedes Archimedes of Syracuse (ca. 287-ca. 212 BC) Greek mathematician who flourished in Sicily. He is generally considered to be the greatest mathematician of ancient times. Most of the facts about his life come from a biography about the Roman soldier Marcellus written by the Roman biographer Plutarch. Archimedes performed numerous geometric proofs using the rigid geometric formalism outlined by Euclid (Greek geometer who wrote the Elements, the world's most definitive text on geometry.), excelling especially at computing areas and volumes using the METHOD OF EXHAUSTION(a integral-like limiting process to compute the area and volume of 2-D lamina and 3-D solids.). 2-D Lamina ¡Ã‚ ¦s: 3-D Solids He was especially proud of his discovery for finding the volume of a sphere, showing that it is two thirds the volume of the smallest cylinder that can contain it. At his request, the figure of a sphere and cylinder as engraved on his tombstone. In fact, it is often said that Archimedes would have invented calculus if the Greeks had only possessed a more tractable mathematical notation. By inscribing and circumscribing polygons on a circle, for instance, he was able to constrain the value of (pi ) between 3 10/71 and 3+1/7. Æ’Ã   Archimedes was also an outstanding engineer, formulating Archimedes' principle of buayancy and the law of the lever. Legend has it that Archimedes discovered his principle of buoyancy, which states that the buoyancy force is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced, while taking a bath, upon which he is supposed to have run naked through the streets of Syracuse shouting ``Eureka!'' (I have found it). Archimedes is also purported to have invented the Archimedean screw. Some of Archimedes's geometric proofs were actually motivated by mechanical arguments which led him to the correct answer.

Oedipus Rex †a Christ Figure Essay -- Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex – a Christ Figure  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Sophocles’ famous tragedy, Oedipus Rex, perhaps â€Å"the most important and influential drama ever written† (â€Å"Sophocles† 717), presents in the person of   Oedipus the model of a good ruler, a humanely intelligent and vigorously active leader, a man who earlier saved his adopted city Thebes from disaster. Is Oedipus an alter Christus besides?    The numerous parallels between the figure of the king Oedipus and the figure of Christ in the Scriptures prompts the reader to ask the above question.    For example, in the opening lines of the drama, Oedipus greets the crowd of suppliants (including old men, boys and children) waiting at his palace doors with the words: â€Å"My children, latest born to Cadmus old, /Why sit ye here as suppliants, in your hands /Branches of olive filleted with wool†? Later, the king’s second address to the crowd begins: â€Å"Ah! my poor children, known, ah, known too well,/The quest that brings you hither and your need.† Other addresses to the people on the part of the king refer to them as â€Å"children.† There are many parallels to this in the Bible when Jesus addressed the people. In the gospel of Matthew alone, the word children is used 20 times, for example 3:9: â€Å". . .and do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.† Jesus also said in Matthew 18:3: "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.† In the same book (23:37) Jesus said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her b... ...says â€Å"I thank my God through Jesus Christ,† thus associating the two very closely.    Thus it is seen that there are many parallels between Sophocles’ drama, Oedipus Rex, in its treatment of the king, and the Bible with its treatment of Jesus, even though the latter was written some 400 years later than the former.    WORKS CITED       Oedipus the King. Tranlsted by Stephen Berg and Diskin Clay. In Literature of the Western World, edited by Brian Wilkie and James Hurt. NewYork: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1984.    â€Å"Sophocles† In Literature of the Western World, edited by Brian Wilkie and James Hurt. NewYork: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1984.    Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Transl. by F. Storr. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/browse-mixed new?tag=public&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&part=0&id=SopOedi   

Hamlet :: Literary Analysis, Shakespeare

Hamlet is one of the main characters in Hamlet. He have uttermost quest for the revenge with his uncle, Claudius, who is the new king of Denmark. Claudius dishonoured Hamlet’s mother by marrying her and murdered her husband. This all started when one night the ghost of Hamlet’s father appeared to him and revealed the truth of his death. The quote said by the Ghost, â€Å"Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand/ Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched† (1. V. 80) tells that the Ghost’s brother took everything away all at once and because of that his soul wanders in purgatory. To make matters worse, his mother who was the wife of the dead king recently got married to her brother-in-law. The quote stated by Hamlet, "Frailty, thy name is woman!† (I. II.46) gives a clear indication about his amazement for his mother’s emotions are fickle that instead of grieving over her husband’s death, she is celebrating the new love of her life. On the contrary, Hamlet’s world is turned upside down because of all of this mess that’s talking place in his life all at once. After the Ghost left, Hamlet appears to be moody. So far, he is not fully certain to believe the Ghost’s side of the story and whether or not to take revenge. It was not until one day when the travelling actors arrived at his palace. Therefore, he uses this opportunity and asked them to perform a play called â€Å"The Murder of Gonzago†. The quote, â€Å"The play’s the thing/ Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King† (11.11.152) are a few lines from Hamlet’s soliloquy which gives a clear idea of his plan. He uses the play to basically see the reactions of Claudius in order to be certain of his guilt. The quote, â€Å"O wretched state! O bosom black as death!/ O limed soul, that struggling to be free† (111.111.216) illustrated by Claudius while he was praying in private shows that he finally expresses his remorse of his bad deeds. At first Hamlet thought that he should draw his sword and take his retribution. However, he then stopped to think again and delayed his revenge because he wants Claudius to suffer for his sins and go to hell. However, at the end of the play he kills Claudius and he himself dies during the fencing match which was plotted against Hamlet.

Mistakes Promote Progression Essay

Mistakes made are lessons learned, not the other way around. According to Scientific American’s numerous experiments, they came to the conclusion that when mistakes are made, one better remembers the correct answer or decision. Alexander Pope suggests that â€Å"a man should never be ashamed to own he has been A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.† In life, one strives for the correct answer or the correct choice, but how can this be identified if one does not even know of the possible mistakes? To get a correct answer on a test almost has the same value as guessing correctly. Without making a mistake, there is no proof of sole knowledge. Mistakes aid in recovery, as well as progression. Furthermore, Henry L. Roediger and Bridgid Finn conduct several experiments on students in regards to study habits and pretesting effects. In one of their experiments, students were given 8 seconds to study different word pairs, such as ‘star-night,’ and ‘factory-plant’. When they were asked to pair the word ‘star’, approximately 5% of the students answered correctly. However, when they were given the same amount of time to read over the pairs once more, all of them correctly matched the pairs. This proves that making mistakes show students what the wrong answers are in order to answer correctly. In addition, when studying flashcards for a test of some sort, one should memorize the answers to each side of the card. However, when studying the first time around it is often difficult to have the right response to every single card. After going through each card a few times, the answers become more fluent in your mind and it is later easier to remember the responses  for the test. When one does not answer the question correctly while studying, the wrong answer sticks in the mind. As a result, the next time the same card comes around, one knows the wrong answer and is more likely to answer correctly. Making mistakes promotes success and progression. Making the wrong choices give the individual experience; perhaps even wisdom. Mistakes are key to making right decisions, proving that, â€Å"in other words, he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

The Need for Mass Media

Are there still mass media? The easy and immediate answer would be an absolute yes. However, the difficulty comes from substantiating the answer. For the purposes of this paper, mass media will be defined using Boeren’s (1994: 122-123) classification of media. According to him, mass media refers to â€Å"all media that enable one to disseminate ideas to large audiences through technological/electronic means†. Included here are printed medium of communication (books, newspapers, magazines, posters, etc.), recordings, radio, television, film, cassette, video programs, and the most recent information-carrying technology—the internet. Mass media here was also differentiated by Boeren from other channels of communication. These are media generated by the human body (verbal language, facial expressions, body decorations and the likes), objects or substances used in transient communication (Morse code, horn signals, perfume, etc.), objects or substances used to deposit and express ideas (architecture, ornaments, paintings, etc.), and complex media that refers to rituals and the performing arts such as songs, puppet shows, theater and the likes. To support the answer posed above, there is mass media and it is here to stay.   This is on the basis of, first, mass media play an important role in a democratic society wherein â€Å"the welfare of an entire nation depends on the knowledge and good judgment of the majority of individuals† (English & Hach 1968: 259). In support of this, the University of Washington (2000), in its article â€Å"What is the role of the media in the United States?† stated that media support democracy. This is done in a way wherein the media serve as a significant source of information. Through the information (and competing ideas) circulated by the media, people are then able to govern themselves or able to make their own decisions. Furthermore, mass media provide the general public â€Å"with the information it needs to function as a democracy† (Stay 1999). With this, it could be said that being a model country where its citizens enjoy democratic space, the United States of America will always consider media outlets as key structures or institutions for maintaining democracy in its ideal state. Second, there is a need to examine the role of mass media in a society. If those roles are still satisfied, then, it could be well validated that there is still mass media. For this paper, the roles of the media outlined by Voelker, F. and Voelker, L. (1978) were referred to. These are Informers or providers of information, Entertainers or providers of pleasure and enjoyment, and Persuaders or could be referred to as shapers of perception/public opinion and behavior. Mass Media as Informers News source for Americans has evolved over the past decades. Americans used to rely largely on print medium (mainly newspapers). Then the radio innovated how the public get their news from black and white printed paper. Then came television. And since then, it could be said that television has been the number one source of news compared to newspapers and radios. That TV is the primary source of news for Americans should not come as a surprise. In its study, the Arizona State University gave some data showing that TV sets are a fixture in American households (Arizona State University, n.d.). Data shows that 98.3% of households have TV sets, 65% have cable TV, TV sets are turned on for an average of 7 hours each day and that an average American spends 2.5 hours a day in front of TV. Aside from this access, news on TV is more available around the clock wherein we have early morning shows, noon newscasts, late night news and news breaks in between regular TV programs. In addition, TV is viewed as a source for international and national news while newspapers as source of local information. Meanwhile, with the advent of the internet, it is not yet defined whether this new technology has overtaken TV as the primary source of news. But data shows that over 2.5 million Americans are watching less TV this year compared in 2006 (Bauder c.2006). This decline has not been attributed to the internet replacing TV as a source of information (or other TV programs) but one of the factors being speculated upon is that more shows are either being downloaded or streamed. Mass Media as Persuaders With scores of discussion debating over the effects of media content, the point that mass media shapes individual or collective perception and behavior could not be disregarded. Gans (n.d.:236) stated that news, as an example of media content, â€Å"does not limit itself to reality judgments; it also contains values or preference statements.† With this, Gans forwarded that underlying the news lies â€Å"a picture of nation and society as it ought to be.† For example, a protest march pictured as a disruption to public order, would be considered more news worthy and placed in headline news. On the other hand, a family murder that claimed three victims is less news worthy would be placed in local news. The way how news stories are prioritized and presented in turn shapes the public’s perception on what social disorder is. On a different note, Klapper (1967:331-333) believes that mass media mainly strengthen the views the audience have. One factor leading to this situation is that generally, people lean to (watch, listen, read) materials that advocate the same views that they have. Similarly, people tend to ignore materials that are conflicting or opposing to their own judgment. Aside from the reinforcement power of mass media, Klapper also believes that the media is effective in creating opinion on new issues. He explained that when an individual has no predisposition on an issue, that individual would be vulnerable to adapt an opinion presented by any mass medium. That created opinion would be easy to reinforce and then hard to change. Now we go to the media as shapers of behavior. Some of the critics about media content pertain to their effects on the behavior of target audience particularly on issues such as violence, alcoholism and the likes. A research study by Atkin, Hocking and Block (1981:280-289) was used to support the idea that mass media indeed affect the behavior of its target audience. They used a correlational survey design to determine if advertising of alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and liquor encourage non-drinkers to drink and encourage moderate drinkers to drink more. The questionnaires were distributed to 665 students from seventh to twelfth grades in the states of Michigan, California, New York, and Georgia. Over-all results of the study showed that the relationship between exposure to advertisements and liquor is strongly positive. Also, non-drinkers immensely exposed to alcohol ads expressed intentions of drinking when they get older. The difference between those who intended to drink and the opposite is a significant 26%. Mass Media as Entertainers Apart from its functions as providers of information and shapers of perception and behavior, there is no doubt that mass media also largely function as entertainers. Americans turn to different forms of mass media to enjoy, to relax or to simply spend leisure time. The expansion of leisure time in the twentieth century according to De Fleur and Dennis gave way to Americans’ â€Å"growing interest in various forms of recreation and entertainment: (1981:212). This could be attributed to reasons why most commercial TV shows (75%) are made for entertainment while the remaining 25%   accounts for the news and public affairs, educational and cultural programs and religious programs. They also classified entertainment programs that Americans watch such as dramas, situation comedies, variety and talk shows, personality and game shows, soap operas, children’s programs, movies, specials, sports and special events, and docudramas (1981:190-196). Aside from TV programs, it is also worth noting the movies or motion pictures as channels for entertainment. As early as the 1920s, Jowett (1976, quoted in De Fleur & Dennis 1981:212) stated that the movies â€Å"had become the largest and most widespread commercial entertainment form the world had ever known†. By that time onwards, the movies have become a multi-billion dollar industry. Of course, the business would not have been that successful if it had not been for the millions of audience patronizing them. Meanwhile, the print media was never behind when it comes to its role as entertainers. Newspapers and especially magazines make space for materials that offer amusement to the audience. And to complete the package, there is the internet, which makes available online versions of print materials, music, music videos, TV shows, and movies on the World Wide Web. Of course, the internet also offers other types of entertainment that are not offered by the aforementioned mass media such as online games, social networking and others. So are there still mass media? Definitely. To conclude different channels of communication—mainly print media, TV, radio, and the internet—are still prevalent today. The roles or functions of mass media in American society are satisfied because the public has a need for them. Americans are hungry for news and information. They continue to seek information, which consciously or unconsciously reinforce their views on various issues. In addition, Americans continue to turn to mass media as a source of entertainment. No mass medium has been obsolete since it was introduced decades ago. Mass media technology continues to be sophisticated and in the near future, we might be introduced to new channels of communication. Bottomline is, mass media provide distinct social needs of the Americans and that is why these channels of communication are here to stay, up until the next century or even forever. List of References Boeren, A. (1994) In Other Words†¦ The Cultural Dimension of Communication for Development. The Hague: Centre for the Study of Education in Developing Countries (CESO) English, E. & Hach, C. (1968) Scholastic Journalism. 4th ed. Iowa: The Iowa State University Stay, B. L. (ed.) (1999) Opposing Viewpoints: Mass Media [online] available Gans, H. J. (n.d.) ‘The messages behind the news’ In Media in Society: Readings in Mass Communication. ed. by Deming, C. J. & Becker, S. L. Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company: 243 Arizona State University (n.d.) Mass Media & Society: A Sociological Perspective on Media [online] available from < http://www.public.asu.edu/~zeyno217/365/notes1.html> [17 November 2007] Klapper, J. T. (1967) ‘Basic Research in Persuasion and Motivation’ In Mass Media: Forces in our Society. 3rd ed. ed. by Voelker, F. H. & Voelker, L. A. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.: 331-333 Atkin, C., Hocking, J. & Block, M. (1981) ‘Teenage Drinking: Does Advertising Make a Difference?’ In Media in Society: Readings in Mass Communication. ed. by Deming, C. J. & Becker, S. L. Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company: 280-289 De Fleur, M. L. & Dennis, E. E. (1981) Understanding Mass Communication. USA: Houghton Mifflin Company Bauder, D. (c.2007) Data Says 2.5 Million Less Watching TV. [online] available from [17 November 2007] Pember, D. R. (1987) Mass Media in America. Science Research Associates, Inc.         

The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy

Cameron Gilmore Professor Stephen Ferguson Liberal Studies 202 14 September 2012 The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy In this paper, I will analyze Stephen Ferguson’s article â€Å"The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy†. Throughout Ferguson’s article he discusses the limitations of Afrocentrism and the negative effects it may cause because of the beliefs and ideas expressed from the philosophical view.Following the summary of the article’s main points and themes, I shall expound upon the article’s erudite theme, while illuminating the author’s generalization of this â€Å"worldview†. Ferguson introduces the reader to the article with a poem entitled Heritage by Countee Cullen. While Ferguson only includes the first stanza of that poem, the entirety of the poem somewhat relates to the view of Afrocentrism in how Cullen articulates the beau ty of Africa, but by the end of the poem the mood has changed to Cullen’s current life and how it has changed.Like the poem the main point of the article is that Afrocentrism may be something of a good thing, but it cannot be any good to history if it is only based of off of â€Å"fantasy or fairy tale† as Ferguson states. There are many examples on the claims that are made on Afrocentrism and how it clouds the rich African-American or African heritage.One line from the passage says, â€Å"†¦[the Afrocentric quest for an authentic past] ignores the fact that the Pharaohs in conjunction with the priests were an oppressive and exploitative aristocracy. Dreaming of what Kwame Nkrumah termed an idyllic African classless society is a wrong-headed approach for Black Studies† (Ferguson). I found that this strongly demonstrates how farfetched ideas may become, mostly, when Afrocentrism becomes just a ploy to console the African-American race from times of struggle or disparity.Along with the negative side of the Afrocentric view, Ferguson greatly details on how it is even more important to read, research, learn and teach all parts of history; in which, he includes a cited passage, The Mis-Education of the Negro, written by Carter G. Woodson which basically says that it is important to read about great historic heroes such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but it is just as important to read about the slaves that provided all the labor that contributed and made this country what it is today.One final theme that I received from the article is that like today’s Eurocentric view, which is also full of fallacy, Afrocentrism would not be too far from it with all the misleading and misguided illustrations, as opposed to simply researching and collecting facts, like this quote from Carter G. Woodson used in the article, â€Å" ‘race prejudice was based on wide-spread ignorance’ and that ‘carefully gathered scientif ic proof’ would eliminate it† (Ferguson).Throughout this review of Ferguson’s â€Å"The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy†, I have discussed the author’s main points which I believe are that Afrocentrism is frequently filled with ideal views and utopian ideas, that African-Americans used these ideas at times of hardship to uplift the race, that it is just as important to research and learn about European history as well as every other history and that just as Eurocentrism can be cloudy in terms of actuality, so can Afrocentrism.I would have to honestly agree with all of these points, especially after the given details and examples, however I do fear that the author has made a generalization of this Afrocentric view. I believe that many people nowadays know of the oppression faced during the era of Ancient Egypt and Africa, and those phrases and terms given by early generation African-Americans which f ed to the false ideas to Afrocentrism have been proven to be exaggeration.In conclusion, I have reasoned that while Ferguson has given great details and is right on his claims, this does not mean that they are widely believed as much as his says, which in turn gives of a since of generalization.

Religion Pakistan

Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of life and the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency, or human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, or divine. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature.The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system, but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect. Most religions have organized behaviors, including congregations for prayer, priestly hierarchies, holy places, and/or scriptures. The development of religion has taken different forms in different cultures. Some religions place greater emphasis on belief, while others emphasize practice. Some religions focus on the subjective experi ence of the religious individual, while others consider the activities of the community to be most important.Some religions claim to be universal, believing their laws and cosmology to be binding for everyone, while others are intended to be practiced only by one, localized group. Religion often makes use of meditation, music and art. In many places it has been associated with public institutions such as education, the family, government, and political power. Types of Religions Religion defines who you are, what you are, and your views about the world around you. You must understand, a religion is much more than deity worshiping. Religion is the philosophy of life and a belief system.There are as many as four thousand and two religions in this world. Surprisingly, people know only a handful of religion. The four largest religious groups by population, estimated to account for between 5 and 6 billion people, are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Four largest religions| Adhe rents[citation needed]|   % of world population| Article| World population| 6. 8 billion| Figures taken from individual articles:| Christianity| 1. 9 billion – 2. 1 billion| 29% – 32%| Christianity by country| Islam| 1. 3 billion – 1. 57 billion| 19% – 21%| Islam by country| Buddhism| 500 million – 1. billion| 7% – 21%| Buddhism by country| Hinduism| 950 million – 1 billion| 14% – 20%| Hinduism by country| Total| 4. 65 billion – 6. 17 billion| 68. 38% – 90. 73%| | Christianity is one of the oldest religions of the world and has a large number of followers. It is estimated that Christianity has over two billion followers around the globe. Christianity practices a few beliefs and traditions of other religions. Like the Judaism and Islam, Christianity as a religion believes in the concept of one God. Hence, Islam, Judaism and Christianity are known as â€Å"ethical monotheism†.Judaism is older than Christian ity and this religion is the oldest of Abrahamic religions. Judaism is based on laws and principles of the Hebrew bible known as Tanakh. The Old Testament of Bible describes the struggles of the Hebrews or the Jews. After Moses frees them from the Egyptian captivity, they wander for almost forty years before they reached Jerusalem, the â€Å"Promised Land†. Today there are 14 million Jews in the world. Islam has 1. 3 billion religious followers. It is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Followers of Islam religion worship Allah and consider Muhammad as their prophet.Like the Christians and the Jews, Muslims believe in one God. Hence, it is one of the three â€Å"monotheistic† religions of the world. Quran is their holy book and this religion follows strict religious discipline and customs. The life of a Muslim is guided by the Five Pillars or the five principles such as Shahadah (faith), Sala (ritual prayer), Zakah (alms tax), Sawm (Ramadan fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Islam is an Arabic term and means surrendering to the will of God. You could say Islam is a system of belief that gives importance to family life, way of dressing, cleanliness and ethics.It also stresses on the importance of religious rituals and observances. There are many religions that follow their own system of beliefs, rituals and traditions. These religions are classified as prophetic religion, revealed religion, sacramental and mystical religion. Hinduism is considered to be one of the most tolerant religions in the world. The ultimate aim of any Hindu is to attain moksha from the cycle of rebirth. Historians believe over the centuries Hinduism had adopted many spiritual traditions and practices, which are seen even today in the homes of many Hindus.It is not easy to generalize the beliefs of Hinduism because the practices vary widely among the believers of this religion. Religion in Pakistan The Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan, was built durin g the Mughal Empire Islam is the state religion in Pakistan, which is practised by about 95-97% of the 174,578,558 people of the nation. The remaining 3-5% practice Christianity, Hinduism and other religions. Muslims are divided into two major sects, the majority of them practice Sunni Islam while the Shias are a minority who estimate 5-20% depending on the source.Nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to the Hanafi Islamic law school. The majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to the Twelver (Ithna Asharia) branch with significant minority groups who practice Ismailism, which is composed of Nizari (Aga Khanis), Mustaali, Dawoodi Bohra, Sulaymani, and others. The religion of Islam was first introduced in the territory that is now called Pakistan Umayyad dynasty in the early-8th century led by Muhammad bin Qasim against Raja Dahir, the Hindu ruler of Sindh. The Umayyad Muslims conquered the northwestern part of the Indus Valley, from Kashmir to the Arabian Sea.The arrival of th e Arab Muslims to the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, along with subsequent Muslim dynasties, set the stage for the religious boundaries of South Asia that would lead to the development of the modern state of Pakistan in 1947 as well as forming the foundation for Islamic rule which quickly spread across much of South Asia. Following the rule of various Islamic empires, including the Ghaznavids, the Ghurids, and the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals controlled the region of Pakistan from 1526 until 1739.Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal era. The Mughal Empire declined in the early 18th century after the Afsharids and the Afghan Durrani Empire from the west came to take over what is now Pakistan. Constitution of Pakistan on religion The constitution of Pakistan establishes Islam as the state religion, and provides all its citizens t he right to profess, practice and propagate their religion subject to law, public order, and morality.The constitution limits the political rights of Pakistan's non-Muslims, and only Muslims are allowed to become the President or the Prime Minister. Moreover, only Muslims are allowed to serve as judges in the Federal Shariat Court, which has the power to strike down any law deemed un-Islamic. List of religions in Pakistan Based on information collected from the Library of Congress, Pew Research Center, CIA World Factbook, Oxford University, University of Pennsylvania, U. S. State Department and others, the following is a list of all the religions that are practised in Pakistan.The percentages are estimations depending on the source. * Islam * Sunni Muslims: 80-95% * Shia Muslims: 5-20% * Ahmadi Muslims: approximately 2. 3% or 4 million * Other religions * Christians: approx. 1. 6% or 2,800,000 people * Hindus: approx. 1. 6%or 2,443,614 people * Baha'is: 79,000 * Sikhs: 20,000 * Zoro astrian/Parsis: 20,000 * Buddhist: Unknown * Jews: Unknown * | Islam The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, which is the largest mosque of Pakistan and is also one of the largest in the world, was built by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.Islam is the state religion of Pakistan, and about 95-97% of Pakistanis are Muslims. The Muslims are divided into 2 sects, Sunni Islam and Shia Islam. The Shia Islam in Pakistan is practised by 5-20% of the Muslims and the remaining larger number of Muslims practice Sunni Islam. There are a number of Islamic law schools called Madhab (schools of jurisprudence), which are called fiqh or ‘Maktab-e-Fikr' in Urdu. Nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to the Hanafi Islamic school of thought while small number belong to the Hanbali school.The majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to the Twelver (Ithna Asharia) branch, with significant minority who adhere to Ismailism branch that is composed of Nizari (Aga Khanis), Mustaali, Dawoodi Bohra, Sulaymani, a nd others. Islam to some extent syncretized with pre-Islamic influences, resulting in a religion with some traditions distinct from those of the Arab world. Two Sufis whose shrines receive much national attention are Ali Hajweri in Lahore (ca. 11th century) and Shahbaz Qalander in Sehwan, Sindh (ca. 12th century).Although members of Ahmadiyya (also derogatorily known as Qadiani) are considered to be Muslims, the government of Pakistan does not consider this group followers of Islam. The Pakistani parliament has declared Ahmadis to be non-Muslims. In 1974, the government of Pakistan amended its constitution to define a Muslim â€Å"as a person who believes in finality of Prophet Muhammad†. Ahmadis believe in Muhammad as the best and the last law bearing prophet and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Christ of Muslims who was prophesized to come in the latter days and unite the Muslims.Consequently they were declared non-Muslims by a tribunal, the records of which have not been released to date. In 1984, Ordinance XX was enacted, which made it a crime for Ahmadis to call themselves Muslims or adherents of Islam, to â€Å"pose as Muslims†, to call their places of worship Masjid, or to proselytize, punishable by a prison term. According to the last Pakistan census, Ahmadis made up 0. 25% of the population, which is highly disputed due to the already existing state treatment of Ahmadis in Pakistan.The website adherents. comcited a report according to which the Ahmadiyya Muslim community was represented by 2,000,000 (1. 42%) adherents in 1995. Several other news report however claim adherents amounting to about 4 million, which is difficult to verify. [edit] Christianity Main article: Christianity in Pakistan Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Karachi. Christians make up 1. 6% of Pakistan's population, about 2. 8 million people out of a total population. [1] They are the second largest religious minority community in Pakistan.Majority of the Pakistani Christian communi ties belong to converts from the low caste Hindus from Punjab region, from the British colonial era. The community is geographically spread throughout the Punjab province, whilst its presence in the rest of the provinces is mostly confined to the urban centers. There is a Roman Catholic community in Karachi which was established by Goan and Tamilian migrants when Karachi's infrastructure was being developed by the British during colonial administration between World War I and World War II. [edit] Judaism Main article: Jews and Judaism in PakistanJews (Urdu: pronounced â€Å"Yehudi†) are a very small religious group in Pakistan. Various estimates suggest that there were about 2,500 Jews living in Karachi at the beginning of the 20th century, and a smaller community of a few hundred lived in Peshawar. There were synagogues in both cities; while the Karachi synagogue was burnt down. [citation needed] The one in Peshawar still exists but has fallen into disuse. Nearly all Pakist ani Jews have emigrated. [citation needed] [edit] Hinduism Main article: Hinduism in Pakistan Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, KarachiHinduism has an ancient history in Pakistan, the Rig Veda was believed to have been composed in the Punjab region. [citation needed] Hindus today are a much reduced community numbering around 3 million or about 1. 6%. [1] According to the last census 93% of Hindus live in Sindh, 5% in Punjab and nearly 2% in Balochistan. [citation needed] [edit] Sikhism Main article: Sikhism in Pakistan Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Punjab, Pakistan The number of Sikhs remaining in Pakistan today is very small; estimates vary, but the number is thought to be on the order of 20,000. 7] The shrine of Guru Nanak Dev is located in Nankana Sahib near the city of Lahore where many Sikhs from abroad make pilgrimage to this and other shrines. [edit] Buddhism Main article: Buddhism in Pakistan Like Hinduism, Buddhism has an ancient history in Pakistan. There are no established Buddhist c ommunities and numbers are very few. [edit] Zoroastrianism Further information: Parsi people Before the independence of Pakistan in 1947, major urban centres in what is now Pakistan were home to a thriving Parsi business community.Karachi had the most prominent population of Parsis in Pakistan and were mostly Gujarati-speaking. After independence, majority of Pakistan's Parsi populace migrated to India, notably Bombay; however a number of Parsis still remain in Pakistan and have entered Pakistani public life as social workers, business folk, and diplomats. The most prominent Parsis of Pakistan today include Ardeshir Cowasjee, Byram Dinshawji Avari, Jamsheed Marker, as well as the late Minocher Bhandara. [edit] Baha'i Main article: Baha'i Faith in Pakistan The Baha'i Faith in Pakistan begins previous to its independence when it was part of India.The roots of the religion in the region go back to the first days of the Babi religion in 1844,[22] with Shaykh Sa'id Hindi who was from Mul tan. [23] During Baha'u'llah's lifetime, as founder of the religion, he encouraged some of his followers to move to the area that is current-day Pakistan. [24] In 1921 the Baha'is of Karachi elected their first Baha'i Local Spiritual Assembly. [23] By 1956 Baha'i local assemblies spread across many cities,[25] and in 1957, East and West Pakistan elected a separate National Baha'i Assembly from India and later East Pakistan became Bangladesh with its own national assembly. 26] Waves of refugees arrived in 1979 due to the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan and the Iranian Revolution in Iran. [27][28] The Baha'is in Pakistan have the right to hold public meetings, establish academic centers, teach their faith, and elect their administrative councils. [29] However, the government prohibits Baha'is from travelling to Israel for Baha'i pilgrimage. [30] Recent estimates are over 79,000[18] though Baha'is claimed less than half that number. [31] [edit] Kalash Religion This is the religion of the Kalash people living in a remote part of Chitral.Adherents of the Kalash religion number around 3,000 and inhabit three remote valleys in Chitral; Bumboret, Rumbur and Birir. Their religion is unique but shares some common ground with Vedic and Pre-Zoroastrian religions. [edit] Atheism Main article: Atheism There may also be some atheists and agnostics in Pakistan, particularly in the affluent areas of the larger cities. Some were born in secular families while others in religious ones. According to the 1998 census, people who did not state their religion accounted for 0. 5% of the population, but social pressures against claiming no religion was strong. 7] There is slight of atheism in the country. Pakistan's laws, which stipulate the death penalty for blaspheming, institutionalize such discrimination. Subsequently, most atheists and agnostics keep their views private and choose to portray themselves publicly as indifferent Muslims rather than non-Muslims. Islam in Pakistan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Islam in Pakistan Category| History| Islamic conquest  Ã‚ · Arab settlement Islamic rule  Ã‚ · Mughal Empire Hindu conversion  Ã‚ · Sectarian dispute| Architecture| Mughal  Ã‚ · Indo-Islamic  Ã‚ · Indo-Saracenic|Major figures| Mohammad bin Qasim  Ã‚ · Baba Fareed Khwaja Sheikh Pak  Ã‚ · Bulleh Shah Sir Syed Ahmed Khan  Ã‚ · Allama Iqbal Bahadur Yar Jung| Schools of law| Hanafi  Ã‚ · Shia  Ã‚ · Shafi`i  Ã‚ · Maliki  Ã‚ · Hanbali| Schools of thought| Shia  Ã‚ · Barelvi  Ã‚ · Deobandi  Ã‚ · Ahle Hadith Sufism  Ã‚ · Ahmadiyya| Mosques in Pakistan| List of Mosques -List of mosques in Lahore Faisal Mosque  Ã‚ · Badshahi Mosque| Political organisations and movements| Pakistan Muslim League Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam  Ã‚ · Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan  Ã‚ · Jamaat-e-Islami  Ã‚ · Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan  Ã‚ · Jamiat Ahle Hadith  Ã‚ · Tablighi Jamaat| Culture| MusicQawwali  Ã‚ · Hamd    · Nasheed  Ã‚ · Naat  Ã‚ · Ghazal 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America Belize  Ã‚ · Costa Rica  Ã‚ · El Salvador  Ã‚ · Guatemala  Ã‚ · Honduras  Ã‚ · Nicaragua  Ã‚ · Panama  Ã‚ · Southern America Argentina  Ã‚ · Bolivia  Ã‚ · Brazil  Ã‚ · Chile  Ã‚ · Colombia  Ã‚ · Dominica  Ã‚ · Ecuador  Ã‚ · Guyana  Ã‚ · Paraguay  Ã‚ · Peru  Ã‚ · Suriname  Ã‚ · Uruguay  Ã‚ · Venezuela CaribbeanAntigua and Barbuda  Ã‚ · Bahamas  Ã‚ · Barbados  Ã‚ · Cuba  Ã‚ · Dominican Republic  Ã‚ · Grenada  Ã‚ · Haiti  Ã‚ · Jamaica  Ã‚ · Saint Kitts and Nevis  Ã‚ · Saint Lucia  Ã‚ · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  Ã‚ · Trinidad and Tobago  Ã‚ ·| Islam in Oceania[show] Australia Australia  Ã‚ · Norfolk  Island  Ã‚ · Christmas  Island  Ã‚ · Cocos  (Keeling)  Islands Melanesia East  Timor  Ã‚ · Fiji  Ã‚ · New  Caledonia  Ã‚ · Papua New Guinea  Ã‚ · Solomon  Islands  Ã‚ · Vanuatu Micronesia Guam  Ã‚ · Kiribati  Ã‚ · Marshall  Islands  Ã‚ · Northern  Mariana  Islands  Ã‚ · Federated  States of  Micronesia  Ã‚ · Nauru  Ã‚ · Palau PolynesiaAmerican  Samoa  Ã‚ · Cook  Islands  Ã‚ · French  Polynesia  Ã‚ · New  Zealand  Ã‚ · Niue  Ã‚ · Pitcairn  Ã‚ · Samoa  Ã‚ · Tokelau  Ã‚ · Tonga  Ã‚ · Tuvalu  Ã‚ · Wallis and Futuna| This box: view  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  talk  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  edit| Islam is the official religion of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which has a population of about 174,578,558. [1] The overwhelming majority (95-97%) of the Pakistani people are Muslims while the remaining 3-5% are Christian, Hindu, and others. [2][3] Pakistan has the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia. Sunnis are the majority while the Shias make up between 10-20%[4][3][5][2] of the total Muslim population of the country.Pakistan has the second largest number of Shias after Iran, which numbers between 17 million to as high as 30 million according to Vali Nasr. [6] Contents[hide] * 1 Umayyad invasion of Sindh and the arrival of Islam * 2 Islam and the Pakistan Movement * 3 Politicized Islam * 4 Muslim sects in Pakistan * 5 Laws and customs * 6 Media and pilgrimages * 7 Islamic education * 8 See also * 9 Further reading * 10 References * 11 External links| [edit] Umayyad invasion of Sindh and the arrival of Islam Main article: Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinentThe Badshahi Masjid, literally the ‘Royal Mosque', was built in 1674 by Aurangzeb. It is one of Lahore's best known landmarks, and epitomizes the beauty and grandeur of the Mughal era. Islam arrived in the area now known as Pakistan in 711 CE, when th e Umayyad dynasty sent a Muslim Arab army led by Muhammad bin Qasim against the ruler of Sindh, Raja Dahir, this was due to the fact that Raja Dahir had given refuge to numerous Zoroastrian Princes who had fled the Islamic conquest of Iran. Mohummad Bin Qasim's army was defeated in his first thee attempts.The Muslim army conquered the northwestern part of Indus Valley from Kashmir to the Arabian Sea. The arrival of the Arab Muslims to the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, along with subsequent Muslim dynasties, set the stage for the religious boundaries of South Asia that would lead to the development of the modern state of Pakistan as well as forming the foundation for Islamic rule which quickly spread across much of South Asia. Following the rule of various Islamic empires, including the Ghaznavid Empire, the Ghorid kingdom, and the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals controlled the region from 1526 until 1739.Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teach ers, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to Islamic Sultanate and Mughal Empire in South Asia and in the land that became Pakistan. [edit] Islam and the Pakistan Movement The Muslim poet-philosopher Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal first proposed the idea of a Muslim state in northwestern South Asia in his address to the Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930. His proposal referred to the four provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and the NorthWest Frontier — essentially what would became Pakistan.Iqbal's idea gave concrete form to two distinct nations in the South Asia based on religion (Islam and Hinduism) and with different historical backgrounds, social customs, cultures, and social mores. Islam was thus the basis for the creation and the unification of a separate state. Allama Muhammad Iqbal in 1937, in a letter to Jinnah wrote, After a long and careful study of Islamic Law I have come to the conclusion that if this system of Law is properly understoo d and applied, at last the right to subsistence is secured to every body.But the enforcement and development of the Shariat of Islam is impossible in this country without a free Muslim state or states. This has been my honest conviction for many years and I still believe this to be the only way to solve the problem of bread for Muslims as well as to secure a peaceful India. [7] But just three days before the creation of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah made a different commitment. A commitment to secularism in Pakistan.In his inaugural address he said, You will find that in the course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State. This statement of Jinnah is an object of great controversy since then and this vision of a Pakistan in which Islamic law would not be applied, contrary to Iqbal's perception, was questioned sho rtly after independence. [edit] Politicized IslamFaisal Mosque in Islamabad, which is the largest mosque of Pakistan and is also one of the largest in the world, was built by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. From the outset, politics and religion have been intertwined both conceptually and practically in Islam. Because Prophet Muhammad established a government in Medina, precedents of governance and taxation exist. Through the history of Islam, from the Ummayyad (661-750) and Abbasid empires (750-1258) to the Mughals (1526- 1858), Safavis (1501–1722) and the Ottomans (1300-1923), religion and statehood have been treated as one.Indeed, one of the beliefs of Islam is that the purpose of the state is to provide an environment where Muslims can properly practice their religion. If a leader fails in this, the people have a right to depose him. In March 1949, the first constituent assembly passed Objectives Resolution, which declared that the state of Pakistan will be submitted to the sovereignty of God. In 1950, thirty one Ulema passed a demand draft, called Twenty Two Points of Ulema. This drafted demanded preparation of constitution according to Objectives Resolution. It also demanded changes in the law according to Shariah.In 1977, the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto outlawed alcohol and drugs and changed the weekend from Sunday to Friday, but no substantive Islamic reform program was implemented prior to General Zia-ul-Haq's Islamization program. Starting in February 1979, new penal measures based on Islamic principles of justice went into effect. These carried considerably greater implications for women than for men. A welfare and taxation system based on Zakat and a profit-and-loss banking system were also established in accordance with Islamic prohibitions against usury but were inadequate. edit] Muslim sects in Pakistan Further information: Sectarian violence in Pakistan  and  Shi'a Islam in Pakistan Data Durbar in Lahore, Pakistan is the tomb of A li Hajweri, eleventh century Sufi. People come each year to pay their respects, to say prayers and worship. The large complex also includes Jamia Hajweri, or Hajweri Mosque. According to the CIA World Factbook and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, 95-97% of the total population of Pakistan is Muslim. [3] The majority of the Pakistani Muslims are Sunnis, while Shias are estimated 10-20%. 8] [4] [3] [5] [2] The Muslims belong to different schools which are called Madhahib (singular: Madhhab) i. e. , schools of jurisprudence (also ‘Maktab-e-Fikr' (School of Thought) in Urdu). The Hanafi school of Sunnis includes the Barelvi and Deobandi schools. Although the vast majority of Pakistani Shi'a Muslims belong to Ithna ‘ashariyah school, there are significant minorities: Nizari Ismailis (Agha Khanis) and the smaller Mustaali Dawoodi Bohra and Sulaimani Bohra branches. The Salafi sect is represented by the Ahle Hadith movement in Pakistan.Many people on the Makran coast of Baloc histan follow the Zikri sect of Islam. The two subsects of Sunni Hanafi school, Barelvis and Deobandis, have their own Masjids. The Shi'a Ithna ‘ashariyah school has its own Masjids commonly termed as Hussainias (Imambargahs). Mustaali Dawoodi Bohra and Sulaimani Bohra also have their own Masjids, while the Nizari Ismailis pray in Jama'at Khanas. The Ahmadiyya community, a minority group is also present. Ahmadis have been declared non-Muslims by the Government of Pakistan.In 1974, the government of Pakistan amended Constitution of Pakistan to define a Muslim â€Å"as a person who believes in finality of Prophet Muhammad†. [9] For this reason, Ahmadis are persecuted on behalf of their beliefs. Ahmadis believe in Muhammad as the best and the last law bearing prophet and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Christ of Muslims who was prophesied to come in the latter days and unite the Muslims. Consequently they were declared non-Muslims by a tribunal, the records of which have not bee n released to date.According to the last Pakistan census, Ahmadis made up 0. 25% of the population. However the website adherents. com[10] proposes that the Ahmadiyya Muslim community made up 1. 42% of the population; which is likely to be a less biased source. The Economist puts the figure of Ahmadiyya adherents to 4 million. The Ahmadis claim their community is even larger. Sufism has a strong tradition in Pakistan. The Muslim Sufi missionaries played a pivotal role in converting the millions of native people to Islam.As in other areas where Sufis introduced it, Islam to some extent syncretized with pre-Islamic influences, resulting in a religion with some traditions distinct from those of the Arab world. The Naqshbandiya, Qadiriya, Chishtiya and Suhrawardiyya silsas have a a large following in Pakistan. Sufis whose shrines receive much national attention are Data Ganj Baksh (Ali Hajweri) in Lahore (ca. 11th century), Baha-ud-din Zakariya in Multan and Shahbaz Qalander in Sehwan ( ca. 12th century) and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in Bhit, Sindh and Rehman Baba in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. edit] Laws and customs There is no law in Pakistan enforcing hijab and wearing of Hijab by Pakistani women is fairly uncommon. However, the practice of wearing Hijab among younger women in urban centers is slowly growing due to media influence from the Middle East and Persian Gulf countries. The episodes of sectarian violence have significantly decreased in frequency over the years due to the conflictual engagement of the Islamic militant organizations with the state's armed forces and intelligence agencies. [edit] Media and pilgrimagesMedia and pilgrimages has influenced Pakistani Muslims to learn more about Islam as a result the local heterodox beliefs and practices are being replaced with orthodox beliefs from Quran and Sunnah. The inexpensive travel, simpler visa rules and direct air travel to Saudi Arabia has resulted in large number Pakistani Muslims going to Medina and Mecca for Haj and Umrah. This has helped to increase Pan-Islamic identity of Pakistani Muslims. The Muslim print media has always existed in Pakistan which included newspapers, books and magazines.The Muslim satellite channels are widely available and are watched by Pakistani population. [edit] Islamic education The Study of Islam as a subject is compulsory for all Muslim students up to Matriculation or O'levels in all schools in Pakistan. Islamic education to the masses is also propagated mainly by Islamic schools and literature. Islamic schools (or Madrassas) mostly cater to the youth from impoverished social backgrounds and those learning to be Islamic clerics. More casual and even research oriented material is available in the form of books.While the most prominent of these schools are being monitored, the latter are being ‘moderated' by both the government and some of the scholars, thereby also removing in the process the various material present in it that is used by An ti-Islam/Anti-Sunni writers. Oldest and universally accepted titles such as the Sahih Bukhari have been revised into ‘summarised' editions and some of the old, complete titles, translated to Urdu, the national language, are not available for purchase now. These changes are also a herald to new outbreaks of religious controversy in the region.