Religious And Personal Beliefs Of The United States

Adhering to your religious and personal beliefs in a society where there have been generational shifts in attitudes toward nonmarital sex is challenging. These changes in sexual attitudes and behaviors are connected to growing cultural individualism in the United States. When a culture places more importance on the desires of the self and less on social rules, more relaxed attitudes toward sexuality are the almost inevitable result. You are faced with the decision of conforming to a society where the acceptance of premarital sex is at an all time high. Yet, your religion and personal beliefs have shaped your moral compass, which makes it evident that you do not wish to stray away from your decision of abstaining from sex until marriage. In efforts to assist you in effectively communicating your desires to your girlfriend we will evaluate your relationship through key communication concepts such as: culture, Social Exchange Theory, Social Penetration Theory, listening, and Self-Discre pancy Theory. . Making the decision of remaining abstinent until marriage takes a lot of courage. Committing to this decision, however, is just as difficult. It becomes especially challenging when the individuals in our lives do not understand or support our life choices. As you said yourself, â€Å"we are in 2016 and are well past the sexual revolution years.† Going to school in Santa Barbara certainly doesn’t make things easier as Isla Vista is known for its infamous â€Å"hook-up† culture. A cultureShow MoreRelatedShould Marijuana Be Legal Or Not?1558 Words   |  7 PagesThe entire human race has been formed through what our ancestors and our traditions have shown us to believe. These beliefs are inbounded within our brain and because of these personal notions are that our actions are committed. Though out of everything that is taught within our lives, the one that contains the biggest effect of all is religion. This is what we are told decides everything f or us, including where we will go after death. Now as generation’s come and go, religion is perceived differentlyRead MoreThe Religious Freedom Restoration Act962 Words   |  4 PagesFederal and State governments institute these policies in order to ensure that its citizens and resources are protected. The assignment required students to explore a public policy issue to determine how the policy is perceived by the various cultures in the United States. One such policy that concerns many is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In light of the political climate in today’s society the act requires a review to determine if the law is fair to all cultures and their religious beliefRead MoreAbraham Lincoln And The Civil War944 Words   |  4 Pagesidentified the civil war as religious war: it is a will of God. He stated, God â€Å"gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe†; therefore, â€Å"with firmness in the right as God gives us to see th e right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in† (Lincoln). Opposite to Douglas ideas that slavery is natural, secular, and constitutional right, Lincoln asserted anti-slavery, linked to Evangelical Protestantism (Magagna). Against evolutionism, he appealed the religious morality, thoughts, andRead More Keep Church and State Separated Essay1667 Words   |  7 PagesKeep Church and State Separated missing works cited America is constantly evolving and redefining itself. Those who oppose a separation between church and state claim that because this country was founded on religious principles, our government should continue to base its laws on a Judeo-Christian God. An article entitled, â€Å"Standing up for Church-State Separation in Difficult Times,† states that, â€Å"Religious Right groups are crowing and insisting that they have some sortRead MoreReligious And Spiritual Aspects Of Human Service Practice1088 Words   |  5 Pagestextbook called, â€Å"Religious and Spiritual Aspects of Human Service Practice† written by James W. Ellor, F. Ellen Netting, and Jane M. Thibault (1999). This paper will include comparing and contrasting concepts of spirituality and religion, summarizing the influence of religious groups in human service development, and influence of religion on the historical development of clinical practice. Additionally, I will discuss the relationship between p ublic policy and religion in the United States. To concludeRead MoreReligion And Religion Essay1314 Words   |  6 Pagesis crucial in understanding their influence over experience and beliefs, especially within the United States. Saying that, let’s first discuss them more generally. Ethnicity and religion in the United States share a very similar history when looking at the general challenges that faced them. As immigrants entered the U.S., they were pressured, or were forced, to acclimate â€Å"to their new homeland,† meaning ethnic and religious groups had to, and continue to have to, â€Å"[sort] out how much of theirRead MoreThe World Monotheistic Religions Of Islam, Christianity, And Judaism981 Words   |  4 Pagesprinciple of unconditional love required by these religious belief systems. In fact, they are posturing, strategizing, and figuring out what advantages they can seize, and what opportunities arise, to win over their opponents and adversaries in these disputes whatever the venue may be or what dispute resolution process it may be. Yet, as we have studied in this class, each person, regardless of status, or occupational position, do have personal ethical standards and values. It means that evenRead MoreElements of Religious Traditions Essay912 Words   |  4 PagesElements of Religious Traditions Margaret Chandler REL/133 World Religious Traditions I University of Phoenix May 16, 2011 Elements of Religious Traditions Many people in this world today have some kind of religion in their lives or just none. However, no matter what people beliefs are, they believe in some form of religionRead MorePro Choice : A Woman s Choice1387 Words   |  6 Pagescontroversial issues and debates in which most people take a side based on their personal viewpoints regarding one s religious beliefs or moral codes. Not everyone is going to agree with each other on the same thing, and these opposing ideas is what essentially divides, and creates controversy within our society. Abortion seems to be one of the most controversial discussions, among many others, in the United States. The two sides to the abortion debate are: pro-life, in where one believes abortionRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Legal1251 Words   |  6 PagesFor many years, gay marriage has been banned in most states in the United States. Today there are 14 out of 50 states who ban same-sex marriage but, things are changing and people a re taking a stand in what they believe in (ProCon.org.). However, some people still don’t find gay marriage socially acceptable. In 2008, California’s Congress passed Proposition 8 which claimed that gay marriage was unacceptable. This caused controversy with their views that homosexual relationships were â€Å"unworthy of

amazon com Essay examples - 2102 Words

Have you ever purchased any product on the Internet, used the Internet to collect information or data, or played computer games on the Internet? You must agree that it is fast, easy, and enjoyable. The Internet has been a part of our daily life for several years now. In addition, in the business world, a new business model, E-business and E-commerce, has appeared for several years. According to Ali, there are two main types of E-commerce: B2B and B2C (2000). One is business to business (B2B). This means that enterprises use the Internet to transact or trade between business operations and their partners. Another is business to consumer (B2C). In other words, enterprises provide products, support good, and services to the customers on the†¦show more content†¦Now Wal-Mart is interested in E-commerce and online shopping. If Amazon.com merges with Wal-Mart, they will become the largest retail company in E-commerce. Amazon.com will also increase its market share. In addition, af ter the merger, Amazon.com can gain more marketing resources from Wal-Mart to create a new sales passageway. For instance, customers can purchase the products from Amazon.com on the Internet and pick the items, or return them at Wal-Mart. It will provide additional choose for customers. Secondly, the merger will help Amazon.com create new customers and products. Bertelsmann has $14 billion market value and the company ¡Ã‚ ¦s strategy now is focusing on music retailing and book sales (Fitch, 2000). Their business is related to Amazon ¡Ã‚ ¦s business. The CEO of Bertelsmann is also trying to open their business in American market (Hahn amp; Celarier, 2001). If Amazon.com merges with this company, Amazon.com will gain the new customers from Bertelsmann. Furthermore, integrating the products from Bertelsmann, Amazon.com can create new products on their website. Finally, a merger can improve and cover the financial loss of Amazon.com such as net sales loss, long-dept and cash loss. For instance, if Amazon.com merges with General Growth Properties, which has 136 malls in 37 states and owns $2.8 billion market value (Fitch, 2000), Amazon.com can still keep the powerShow MoreRelatedThe Amazon. Com1408 Words   |  6 PagesHaving made a name for itself in the book business, Amazon.com has moved aggressively into selling other product categories, including CDs, electronics, software, toys, videos, tools and hardware, lawn and patio, and kitchen goods. In late March 1999, Amazon began offering on-line auctions to compete with eBay, a popular on-line auction house. Some of these new product categories offer tie-in possibilities with Amazon.coms established book business and with each other. However, they operate on very lowRead MoreProject Report On Amazon s Amazon 1335 Words   |  6 PagesAmazon does not reveal much about its showcasing strategies in its yearly reports, however there weavers be an emphasis on web based advertising channels according to its most recent yearly report. Their different activities incorporate outside and TV publicizing, however they are not said particularly. As of late, they have been contributing intensely on open air and TV publicizing. In an announcement in their yearly report they likewise reference point towards the significance of client reliabilityRead MoreA Brief Note On Amazon And Its Impact On The World s Largest Online Retailers Essay859 Words   |  4 Pagesprices. Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1995 Amazon has blossomed from a basic online bookstore to maintaining virtual databases and expanding to international markets (Kotler Keller, 2012). Their large revenue can be attributed to their low prices along with the ease and conv enience of shopping. â€Æ' Amazon.com Case Study Introduction Since it founded in 1995 Amazon.com has become one of the world’s largest online retailers. Even during a period when most .com companies were falling apart Amazon.comRead MoreBuilding And Sustain Relationships With Retailers Essay1385 Words   |  6 Pagesincrease success. One of the best ways to add value and stand out from the competition is to have superior customer service. Consumers are known to choose products and/or services by the experiences. Amazon is one of the most successful at strategic planning and building relationships. Amazon has great communication with different newsletters that they consumer can sign up to receive daily, weekly, etc. Also, the have outstanding customer service with quick resolutions. For example, a returnRead MoreWhat Makes A Great Experience?1444 Words   |  6 Pageson us. When one thinks of the word Amazon what comes to mind, some may say the huge rainforest but really anymore when one talks about Amazon they are talking about the worlds largest online retailer. Amazon does more then just sell pretty much anything you could think of from books to camping gear to some really random products. They are now a video streaming service and book rental store, you can do registry’s and more. But did you know that while Amazon may be a household name now they didRead MoreA New Way For Reading1207 Words   |  5 PagesBetter Amazon, Yahoo and Microsoft decided to fight against Google book together because Google book had cataloged around one million public domain books with expired copyrights. (CNN Money, 2009) Although Google compromised and paid money to publishers and authors later, the problem of copyright still became an obstacle in the development of Google book. Amazon, one of the companies that fight against Google book, introduced Amazon Kindle as an electronic reading device in 2007. Amazon is the largestRead MoreWalmart As A Crusade For The Consumer1243 Words   |  5 Pagesremained as Chairman of the Board. Amazon History Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994. It was spurred by what Bezos called his â€Å"regret minimization framework†. That described his efforts to not have any regrets for not participating sooner in the Internet business boom. He left his job as a vice president of D.E. Shaw and Co., and moved to Seattle. On July 4, 1994, he incorporated the company as â€Å"Cadabra†. He changed the name of the company to Amazon a year later after a lawyer misheardRead MoreOnline Shopping As A Whole Has Impacted Consumer Behaviors1488 Words   |  6 PagesOnline shopping as a whole has impacted consumer behaviors and with Amazon being one of the biggest retailers it has had a significant impact on its consumers’ behavior. The days of having no option but to visit a physical location to conduct shopping are practically forgotten now. What started out as just an online bookstore in 1994 is now a contender for the number one retailer spot currently held by Walmart. Typically, the limited space available in any physical store selling books or CDs, andRead MoreA Compare and Contrast of the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet1159 Words   |  5 PagesCompare and Contrast Lisa Connor COM/155 February 19, 2011 Dana Smith Compare and Contrast Scores of consumers are discussing the two well-known reading tablets called the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet. Shoppers are trying to determine which e-reader offers the best quality and features. After conducting an objective study, considerable elements were accurately established in relation to these products. The Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet have many similarities; however, they show noticeableRead MoreGrowth strategy is the main means through which any organization plans to achieve its set objective800 Words   |  4 Pagesincludes; investing in the growth of its digital services. This strategy is seeing strong growth and segment. Analysis shows that Amazon Web Services has operated up to annual revenue rate of over $2 billion over the past years. The introduction of new tablets such as Apple’s iPad mini and Microsoft’s surface tablet pose greater competition for the tablet market. Amazon has been able to compete in the tablet market in the past because of i ts Kindle e-readers that have been priced lower than the iPad

Hip-Hop Negativitiy Towards the Youth free essay sample

Hip-Hop is the probably the most influential genre In our society today. Arthur Baker said, l remember being told Someones goanna make a fortune out of this rap thing and thinking no way, (Rap Quotes 1 Arthur Baker was one of the most noticeable and widely-emulated of the first hip-hop producers (Arthur 1). Little did he know what the negative effect that this form of music would have on todays youth. With violence and drug use rising, one must wonder, Whats the cause Though hip-hop Is definitely not the only cause, it doesnt help.With some minor changes In artists lyrics and persona, todays youth wouldnt be subjected to negative views of society, but rather the positive side of life. Hip-hop has a negative effect on todays youth and something must be done about it. What is hip-hop? Webster defines hip-hop as, a subculture especially of inner-city youths whose amusements Include rap music, graffiti, and break dancing, (542). While the World Book defines rap music as, . .. A form of popular music that Is generally spoken or chanted at a fast pace rather than sung.Rap music is performed over musical accompaniment that emphasizes rhythm rather than melody. Often rap music consists of short segments of earlier recorded music combined in new patterns, (141). Both definitions, however valid, do not fully describe what hip-hop means to the people who listen to It, Its fans. One fan calls hip-hop, The expression of the relationship between urban youth and their environment. The art of the streets. (Hip-Hop 2). Hip-hop has a very deep meaning to the youth that listens to it, and thus carries a tremendous responsibility as well.To start understanding hip-hop, one must first understand the history of it. HIP- hop originated In the early asses through a mixture of spoken word and Jazz rimming and Instrumentation. The art of tagging also began around the asses. Vic, a New York City mail courier, set a goal for himself to visit every subway and ride every bus in New York. He began to write his name and his courier ID number on every subway and bus he rode on. In the mid asses, a man by the name of Clive Campbell began to DC his own parties, playing soul, old funk and records on his turntables.Campbell also brought his knowledge of the Jamaican sound system scene to the Bronx (unofficial 1-5) Hip-hop branched off into a form called rap near the end of the asses. More and more artists became interested in the new form of music out of New York. By the early asses, record labels were being formed left and right and rap was made public to the world. In 1 981, rap received media attention spanning from appearances on Saturday Night Live to exclusive coverage by 20/20. Throughout the asses many Show, by Doug E. Fresh and You! Bum Rush the Show, by Public Enemy. The sasss saw even more change in the hip-hop industry.Early in the decade, artists fought for permission to sell their albums since most authorities deemed them obscene. By he mid asses the divide between the east coast and west coast giants rap styles increased and became ever more violent leading to the shooting deaths of Tuba Shaker in 1996 and Christopher Wallace a. K. A. Notorious B. I. G. In 1997 (Unofficial, 6-15). If a person was born anywhere between the sasss to the sasss, he or she is considered a part of the Hip Hop Generation. Music is a gift that has been given to us, but the question is, where is hip hop music going? Hip-hop is now one of the biggest and fastest growing businesses in the world. Its creativity in sound, and its years have impressed and empowered many of todays youth. But is hip-hop music taking todays youths where they need to be? Lyrically, some of hip-hops most popular songs and musicians have negatively influenced violence, drugs, alcohol, sex, disrespect for authority, and disrespect for woman. For many young children and teenagers, this type of music can create an environment that can become harmful to their lives and education.Parents teach their children to say no to drugs but the rappers whom children look up to are rapping about using drugs and imply that its Kay to use them. Therefore, children will listen to the side that has the most influential power to them. Many who constantly rewind a song and memorize the lyrics, are equally influenced Just as if they were placed directl y in front of the violence and sex and observed them. Statistics has proven that many nightclubs that have had violence occur in them have been playing violent hip-hop music. Hip-hop is like a strong tornado that constantly sweeps us up and spits us back out.But whom its sweeping up are the ones who cannot handle the fall once they are thrown back out. Hip-hop will become better once the artists not only think of their pockets but their listeners, who after all, are listening the most! Today, hip-hop artists are admired and emulated by its fans. With this type of attention comes a responsibility that seems to be lost on many present day performers. Through television, music videos, and other visual forms of media, artists are portraying negative stereotypes and acting in a manner that promotes corruption in todays youth.Earlier in the year the actions of these performers sparked a movement called Take Back the Music. Take Back the Music is a campaign being run by Essence Magazine that focuses on the overly socialized and demeaning images being presented of black women in hip-hop (Ears 1). This captain and others like it prove that there is a problem with the portrayal of hip-hop artists through visual media. An example of visual negativity would be Knells popular video Tip drill, which has scantly clad women, profane language, and explicit acts.This was perhaps one of his highest money making videos of all time. It was so explicit that the video was only aired on BETs late night show, Uncut. The Tip drill video, for some happens to be a that the video has no effect on society and youth would certainly be an understatement. Often times, what society sees on television becomes their reality; when society see videos that condone illegal or high-risk activities such as violence, sexual references, and drugs they begin to imitate these images because they believe these are the right things. Thus, it can easily be stated that hip and videos are leaving a negative effect on society and youth through its explicit content, women as sexual objects, and the degrading language. Negative hip-hop portrayal doesnt stop at visual media. The lyrics that accompany the images are Just as dissolute. Throughout history, music has been used to express a range of emotions, as well as to influence, educate, and inspire. Too often, however, music contains lyrics with negative messages that promote and condone the illegal or high-risk use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.Hip-hop is certainly not an exception to this trend. While many hip-hop songs contain messages about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, few provide an accurate portrayal of the negative uniqueness of substance abuse (Big 1). Not only do hip-hop lyrics have negative messages about substance abuse, but they also contain many racy lyrics that demean women and other groups of people. Looking back to the asses, some of the raciest lyrics included Youve Got to Give Me Some by Bessie Smith. Moving up in time to the asses we hear Soft and Wet and Erotic City by Prince.Both had undeniably require lyrics for the time, but neither can compare to the lyrics of today, which include, Tip Drill by Newly which is full of raunchy, demeaning lyrics (Bryant 1). This continuing trend of more and more raunchy lyrics has gone far enough. Some might say that these are Just lyrics and that the people who listen to them are not effected by their content. In contrast, the rate of gang activity and violence has risen over the last few years. According to recent youth violence statistics done by the Josephus Institute: Large cities claim that 72% of their school violence is attributable to gang activity.Between 1986 and 1992, the total number of children killed by firearms rose by 144 percent. From 1985 to 1993, murders committed by people over age 25 dropped 20 recent; but they increased 65 percent among 18- to 24-year-olds and increased 165 percent among 14- to 17-year-olds. (Youth 1-5) Though it can be said that these statistics may be attributable to many factors, the years that violence rose is directly parallel to those of the rise in popularity of hip- hop music. Ergo, this is not mainly coincidental; hip-hop is having a substantial effect on the gang activity and violence in America.However, some artists are trying to change this. Smith. By bringing comedy and positive meaning into his rap music, Will Smith has hon. himself to be one of the few true role models for the youth that buy hip hop music. Clean-cut, witty, and easygoing, Smiths bubblegum approach was a stark contrast to the dominant, harder-edged rap sound of the period; viewed as a non- threatening alternative to his peers, he received the parental seal of approval, and his appeal spread across racial lines as well (Anyone 1).Smiths success proves even though an artist has positive lyrics and portrayal, doesnt mean they wont be popular. With all the negatives that come from present day hip-hop music one must ask myself, What can be done One idea that would help the situation is to provide todays artists with the information on present violence rates and let them know that they are the key to solving this growing problem.If the most popular artists of today would try to make a positive change in their lyrics, then others would follow suit and make their ly rics positive as well. As long as artists realize they have a responsibility to their fans to advocate a positive outlook and good values; I have no doubt that that violence statistics would reflect that in a positive way. Also, making the media aware of the problem that faces Americas youth could help prevent the negative images that accompany hip-hop.Just changing lyrics to artists songs isnt enough if kids still see their idols performing illicit activities and treating women indignantly they will believe it is okay. The major television stations and music video producers have to step back and analyze what they are portraying. I think with these changes hip-hop can still be popular and still connect with its audience, but it will also give them something to strive for and allow them to have hope for their future.

Julius Caesar Essays (702 words) - , Term Papers

Julius Caesar Julius Caesar In the play of Julius Caesar, we see a brief picture of Roman life during the time of the First Triumvirate. In this snap shot, we see many unfortunate things. Shakespeare gives us the idea that many people try to circumvent what the future holds, such as unfortunate things, by being superstitious. Superstition seems to play a role in the basic daily life of most Roman citizens. For instance, the setting of the first scene is based upon superstition, the Feast of Lupercal. This feast is in honor of the god Pan, the queen of fertility. During this time, infertile females are supposed to be able to procreate, and fertile ones are supposed to be able to bear more. It is also a supposed time of sexual glorification and happiness. Other scenes depict how throughout Rome, roaming the streets are mysterious sooth-sayers, who are supposedly given the power to predict the future. Dictating what is to come through terse tidbits, these people may also be looked upon as superstitious. In the opening scene, one sooth-sayer, old in his years, warns Caesar to "Beware the Ides of March," an admonition of Caesar's impending death. Although sooth-sayers are looked upon by many as insane out of touch lower classmen, a good deal of them, obviously including the sayer Caesar encountered, are indeed right on the mark. Since they lack any formal office or shop, and they predict forthcomings without fee, one can see quite easily why citizens would distrust their predictions. Superstition, in general elements such as the Feast of Lupercal, as well as on a personal level such as with the sooth-sayers, is an important factor in determining the events and the outcome of Julius Caesar, a significant force throughout the entire course of the play. Before the play fully unravels, we see a few of signs of Caesar's tragic end. Aside from the sooth-sayer's warning, we also see another sign during Caesar's visit with the Augerers, the latter day "psychics". They find "No heart in the beast", which they interpret as advice to Caesar that he should remain at home. Ceasar brushes it off and thinks of it as a rebuke from the gods, meaning that he is a coward if he does not go out, and so he dismisses the wise advice as hearsay. However, the next morning, his wife Calphurnia wakes up frightened due to a horrible nightmare. She tells Caesar of a battle breaking out in the heart of Rome, "Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol," with Caesar painfully dying, such that "...The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes." Although Caesar realizes Calphurnia is truly concerned about his well-being, he seeks another interpretation, coming to the conclusion that the person who imagines the dream may not be the wisest one to interpret it's meaning. Later Caesar tells his faithful companion Decius about it, and he interprets it quite the contrary, "That it was a vision fair and fortunate," and indeed, today is an ideal day to go out, since this is the day "To give a crown to mighty Caesar." Perhaps Decius is implying here that today is a day where much appreciation and appraisal will be given to Caesar, surely not the endangerment of his well-being as Calphurnia interprets it. Caesar predictably agrees with him, as most citizens enjoy believing the more positive of two interpretations. After Caesar's assasination at the hand of Brutus, Cassius, and the rest of the conspirators, Brutus and Cassius are chased into the country side, where we see a few superstitious signs of their forthcoming painful death in battle. In a dream, Brutus sees Caesar's"ghost", interpreted as an omen of his defeat. He also looks upon the ensign, and instead of the usual stock of eagles, ravens and kites replace them, construed as another sign of their loss at Phillipi. Not surprisingly, Caesar's death is avenged in the end, with the two of the conspirators' double suicide. As superstition is inter-twined within the basis of the entire play, we can reasonably conclude that it is because of this irrational belief of why certain events occur and how to avoid them, that Caesar is retired and eventually avenged. In the words of Caesar's devoted follower and companion Mark Antony, "His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to the world, 'This was a man!'"

Where Are The Best Places To Write

Where Are The Best Places To Write A year or so ago, Id written a blog post   on  being purposeful about where we write. In 1997, author David Shenk wrote the book Data Smog: Surviving The Information Glut. He theorized that the explosive growth of information made possible by the Internet was both helping society make forward-progress while simultaneously overwhelming us, the individual. He later revisited his original ideas, and posited that some still held true. In one section of the book, Shenk noted that with the use of computers, our geography of learning has become singular. That is, we read, learn, write, communicate, buy, and sell all from the same geographic place: in front of our computer. He was concerned about how well we would retain information, since our memory and retention of information is often tied to the place and situation in which it was learned. By limiting where and how we learn (in front of a computer, reading/watching a screen), we have the potential to lessen our ability to retain information. The same can be said for the geography of writing. Where we write has an impact on what we write. With that in mind, where do you find the best places to write? Is it possible that where you are writing has an effect on how and what you are writing for your blog? 1. Somewhere Warm Sure, the beach would work, unless youre like me and dont really care for a lot of sun. But lets remove the idea of a geographic location from this one, and think instead that warm isnt a place near the equator, but a temperature. According to a recent study, actual physical warmth makes us more likely to buy products because it effects us positively and makes us transfer positive feelings to the product we are buying. What might that same positive feeling do for your writing? Im from North Dakota. Im familiar with cold and how it can distract with numb fingers and shivering. When its cold, Im mainly interested in finding a way to be warm. This probably explains why I drink several cups of hot herbal tea whenever Im writing. Theres something about holding a warm cup and drinking the warm water. Dont ignore the physical nature that may be affecting your writing. A laptop thats too hot for your lap, an apartment thats too cold, a chair thats too hard, a couch thats too comfythese things affect how we write. We love excuses to stop writing. 2. Anywhere But Here The downfall of the freelancer isnt too much freedom, or the exhausting pursuit of work. It might not even be the tight budget. Its most often that innocuous Wednesday when he snaps because his entire life seems to happen within 30 feet of where he eats and sleeps. In other words, he never leaves his house. That kind of situation may be great for manifesto-writing, but not so great for blog writing, especially if youre an extrovert. Sometimes you need a different set of walls to look at, and different background noises, to jolt your writing into finding a different approach. Dont let your thoughts and input be too inbred. You might need to leave the house once in a while. The sheer need to get out and be around other people and not inside your house and inside your head makes the next location seem pretty tempting. 3. Coffee Shop Coffee Shop This is the big debate: do public locations help or distract when you are writing? J. K. Rowling claims to have written her first Harry Potter novel in her local cafà ©. But youll find that writing in a public place can be pretty loud and disruptive. There are probably just as many people who would tell you to avoid writing in a public place by any means possible. Writing in a public location has its moments, though its probably not the time to write a detailed 2,500 word blog post involving several A/B tests and datasets that you want to communicate clearly. Or, maybe it is. It depends on one thing: how do you handle distraction? I generally prefer silence when I write, and that means no music with words (classical is OK). But I can tune crowd noise out pretty well and sometimes welcome the feeling of having other humans around me even though Im not interacting with them. This is a good antidote for those bloggers and freelancers who work alone in the silence of their home too much. But, if people-watching and eavesdropping tend to win out, you might want to skip the coffee shop, the pub, or the morning commuter train. Dont overestimate your ability to not get distracted by activity around you. 4. The Library Writing at the library is just about unbeatable IMHO. (Unless your local library has become more of a noisy social place than a quite place of study.) A classic old-school library is quiet, but there are other people around so you get that Im with humans buzz. You have a wifi connection available, you have books and magazines for research and reference, and, if your library is hopping on the coffee shop trend, you have easy access to sustenance. When I was working towards my private pilots license, I spent hours and hours at the library, studying and working on my sectionals and FAA test questions. I discovered that it was a phenomenal place to work, with the sound of rustling papers and the smell of ink and books prodding you on to writing something great. Everything about the library seems to beckon you to become part of the great pantheon of writers. Dont ignore the library. It isnt just for kids and checking out books. Its a great place to do real work. And lets not forget: the library is free. You can just go there. You dont have to buy anything. 5. At Your Job If you blog as part of your job, youd probably better find a way to make blogging at your job something that works. This may mean you have a cubicle, an private office, or if youre like me, in an open room of desks with the rest of the team. This also means that I got a nice noise canceling headset because it can be challenging to write about content marketing when the developers are talking about code. Sometimes I take my laptop to one of two couches and do a bit of writing there as well. I like to mix things up and just moving from my standing desk to a couch changes my attitude. For one thing, I stop thinking my feet are tired of standing which has a tendency to make me want to hurry and get this post done. The nice thing about blogging at work is that, such distractions aside, youre working alongside the team that your blog is a part of, too. Their feedback, input–even just their presence–helps you work towards the same goal they are with your writing. 6. Where Twitter Has No Name Chrome extensions like Stay Focused seem a strange concoction, limiting the time we can spend on certain sites during the day. Why would we need an extension to keep us from visiting sites that distract us? Cant we just do that ourselves? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I cant tell you how many times Ive been chugging along writing and then my phone beeps and I open a new tab to see if Ive gotten another @mention on Twitter or if theres a new email and andmy thoughts are derailed. It takes a while to get back into what I was writing and recollect where I was headed. Not only is it about wasted time, but sometimes thoughts come in faint wisps that you cant grab onto and youd better write them down before they get away but–beep! You completely forget what you were going to write. Its gone for good. Want to get your writing done? Get away from notifications on your phone and computer.Find a place to write where the Pavlovian beeps of your phone and your computer wont be a problem. Find a way to keep from stumbling into social media sites, RSS readers, and other legitimate content marketing tools you dont need to be using when it comes time to actually write. Have a research time, and collect all your research so youre not tempted to wander about the internet researching when its time to write. Considering writing with pen and paper (or typewriter, in a non-ironic way) to get the first draft done to keep yourself from the distraction of the internet.  Ive started writing with pen and paper for some writing projects just because I stay focused better. My writing output has jumped as Ive moved to starting things out on paper. Dont write where there is a TV handy, unless youre certain you wont turn it on. These are just a few tactics I use to make sure I get my writing done. We each have different distractions, and therefore, different solutions on avoiding those distractions.

Strong Verbs List Your Detailed Guide to Strong Verbs [Video + Download]

Strong Verbs List Your Detailed Guide to Strong Verbs [Video + Download] Strong Verbs List: Your Detailed Guide to Strong Verbs [Video + Download] Strong verbs are essential for great writing. Not only do you need to know HOW to use powerful verbs, but having a strong verbs list at your disposal is invaluable. Well cover both for you.I used to think writinga book was easy. And in all honesty, writing has never been the most difficult thing in the world for me but when it comes to writing stories and crafting my writing in a way that compels others and pulls them in deeply, it’s been an uphill battle before I discovered using strong verbs along with interesting and cool words to use, that is.Heres what well cover about strong verbs :What is a strong verb?FREE downloadable 200+ strong verbs listStrong verbs versus weak verbsWeak verbs to replace in writingWhat are to be verbsTo be verbs listHow to use strong verbs the right wayWhy you should use strong verbsStrong action verbs for better writingInever struggled with putting my thoughts on paper or even coming up with the ideas.Nope.My biggest hurdle was bringing the emoti on I was trying to convey to life.And as I delved deeper into the literary world, I quickly realized that using strong verbs is a must if you want to create something that leaves a lasting impact. What is a strong verb?Thanks to every English class growing up, you know a verb is a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. But what’s the deal with strong verbs? It’s not like they can hit the gym and bulk up, right?A strong verb is a better and more descriptive version of a basic verb that creates a stronger visual and can help create a mood (or vibe) for the scene.Weak VerbStrong Verb VariationsRunBolt, sprint, jogWalkSlink, trot, mopeMakeCreate, forge, foster, brewSaySpeak, voice, purr, mutterSo although you can use the basic verb and still tell the same story, you will create a deeper impact within the reader if you use a strong verb in its place.Strong verbs only help your writingI’ll be real with you here. Using strong verbs will definitely make your writing more intriguing and will increase the chances of someone buying (and loving!) your book.BUT, they won’t help you know how to publish a book that sells.And what’s the point of having incredible writing if you can’t publish it in a way that allows for the world to see it?Well, that’s where we come in. No matter how great your book is, you still need to know how to put it all together, market it, and then self-publish in a way that generates sales.Join Chandler Bolt at his FREE Webinar Training as he reveals the exact tactics and strategies he used to write and publish 6 bestselling books in a row and how he used them to build a 7-figure business in less than 2 years!Spots are limited!Click Here to Save Your SpotStrong verbs VS weak verbsWhat’s the real difference here? How can you tell the difference between a strong verb and a weak one?Since you can’t exactly ask words to flex, you need another system to determine if your verbs are weak or not.Here’s how we define strong verbs vs weak verbs:Weak verbs are the â€Å"basic† forms of a specific action, like â€Å"walked† or â€Å"ran.†Strong verbs are a specified form of a broader action, like â€Å"stomped† or â€Å"bolted.†So the main thing you need to remember when it comes to strong verbs vs weak verbs is how specific it is.HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING: Use strong verbs instead! Weak verbs are the basic forms of a specific action, like walked or ran. Strong verbs are a specified form of a braoder action, like stomped or bolted.Click To TweetWeak Verbs to Replace in WritingThe weakest verbs you can replace in your writing are to be verbs. These pull your writing quality down and peg you as an amateur.Other weak verbs include basic forms of any verb, like run, walk, say, sit.Now, keep in mind that weak verbs are absolutely okay to use on occasion. The issues arise when youre using these verbs over and over again when there are better, stronger verbs you can use to make your writing more powerful.Sometimes the best verb to use in a situation is the weak verb. Just keep a look out for how often youre using that b asic form so you can beef up your writing by replacing them in other places.What are to be verbs how to replace them in your writing?To be verbs are any verbs used to describe a state of being, including these terms: is, am, are, was were, be, being, been.In order to make your writer stronger, its important when to use them and when theyre making your writing clunky and weak.Here are a few examples of how to replace to be verbs with something stronger:"To Be" Verbs SentenceReplacing "To Be" VerbsReplacing Weak Verb with Strong VerbShe was walking through the corridor.She walked through the corridor.She slinked through the corridor.Conrad is afraid of the dark.Conrad fears the dark.Conrad cowers from the darkness.I was being chased by someone I didn't know.I was chased by someone I didn't know.Someone I didn't know chased after me.I was wanting to visit this forest for as long as I can remember.I wanted to visit this forest for as long as I can remember.I longed to visit this forest for as long as I can remember.To Be Verbs ListOne of the best ways you can strengthen your writing is to use strong to be verbs. These will instantly make your writing more compelling and less amateurish.These are state-of-being verbs like to be verbs to look out for in your writing:AmAreBeBeenBeingCanCouldDidDoDoesHadHasHaveIsMayMightMustShallShouldWasWereWillWouldHow to use strong verbs in writingLittering your writing with strong verbs wont necessarily make it any better. In fact, if you overdo it, those verbs will have the opposite effect.Instead of making your writing stronger, it can bring it down to an amateur level.That being said, I created the video below in order to help you understand how to use strong verbs in your writing the right way. Why use strong verbs for writingBecause your writing will be better overall. One of the best ways you can immediately make our writing stronger is by going through and crossing out each weak verb and replacing it with a better one.Here ’s how your writing will improve when you choose to use strong verbs.#1 Stronger visualsOne of the most important parts of any book is that your readers can get a precise visual. If they’re going through the chapters not fully picturing what’s happening, they won’t be fully invested.And readers who aren’t invested don’t become fans. And they don’t leave reviews. And they don’t buy any other books you publish.Strong verbs take a basic sentence and form a very specific image in the reader’s mind. Doing this throughout the entirety of your book will leave your readers feeling as if they just stepped out of an entirely different world.And that’s exactly what you want.Take these strong verb descriptions for example:She walked into the room, her cape trailing after her.She charged into the room, her cape billowing after her.She strutted into the room, her cape flowing after her.Each of these sentences is extremely simi lar in what they tell you; a girl with a cape entered a room.But changing the verbs from â€Å"walked† to â€Å"charged† to â€Å"strutted† alters the way in which she entered.It tells you the how.And knowing how an action takes place sets up far more than just the image for the reader. It tells them the mood the character’s in, increases suspense in some cases, and even creates anticipation for what’s to follow.#2 More impactful emotionsThe goal of your book (and any book, really) is to make your reader feel something. You want to stir emotions in them.That’s why they read books. That, and they want to be transported to a different world, which strong verbs are also used for.But one of the main reasons to use strong verbs in writing is to create a more emotional impact.When you want to create a strong reaction in your reader, no matter what type of reaction that is, you need to use strong verbs.Here’s an example of creating more anx iety or anticipation in your readers:My heart was beating so fast I could hear it.My heart crashed against my ribs, echoing in my head.Which sentence gives you a clearer picture of the anxiety that must be felt?The second, right.Because replacing â€Å"was beating fast† with â€Å"crashed against my ribs,† shows you just how hard my heartfelt. And thats the difference between a weak verb and a strong one.Strong verbs in writing are the KEY to showing and not telling in order to hook readers.Click To Tweet#3 Helps you show, not tellBy now you know just how important showing versus telling is in writing. And one powerful way to show more and tell less is to use strong verbs.It forces you to think more about the visual you’re trying to show the reader instead of just telling them what happened.Because showing creates a stronger emotional connection between the reader and your book, replacing weak verbs with more powerful ones will hook your readers.For those of yo u who struggle with showing and not telling, focusing on using better verbs will help tremendously.#4 They reduce weak adverbsWhen you’re writing, you may have a tendency to write sentences like, â€Å"I gripped the steering wheel firmly.† While this doesn’t look like a terrible sentence, it also doesn’t convey a very strong visual.Whenever you have an adverb, you should replace it with a stronger verb. That’s all an adverb is. It gives your weak verb a boost but it doesn’t actually make your sentence any stronger.Instead, replace â€Å"gripped firmly† with a powerful verb like â€Å"clenched† or â€Å"squeezed.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"I clenched the steering wheel† is a much stronger sentence that gives a clearer visual.Go through your writing and pick out some adverbs to replace. Your writing will be better because of it.#5 They make for more concise writingHave you ever picked up a book that looked decent enoughand even had an awesome title only to start reading and be turned off by how wordy and jumbled it is?Strong verbs prevent this.When you replace weak verbs and adverbs with a single stronger verb, you get rid of the excess writing that can make reading harder.It also saves you a ton of time cutting words during the editing phase.Because you’re using one word to create a strong visual, you won’t have to write more trying to describe how it looks to you. That strong verb does the job for you.This also allows for easier, more fluid writing and reading.Strong action verbs for better writingI won’t lie. One of the most frustrating things to read is a book that lacks strong verbs in scenes that are meant to be full of action.You’ll find this most often in fiction, but nonfiction books can be just as (if not more!) guilty of this. When you have a story that should leave the reader’s heart pounding but it doesn’t even raise their eyebrows, you have to do some diggi ng to improve.Heres a list of strong action verbs to improve your writing:What to do NextIt’s not enough to just know what strong verbs are and how to use them. You actually have to put these tips to use in your own book and implement what you’ve learned.Here’s what you can do right now to improve your writing and your book!#1 Attend your FREE trainingAll of this advice is relatively useless without a plan for finishing, marketing, and self-publishing your book.

Organic Food Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organic Food - Research Paper Example and fertilizers are chemically prepared and most of the compounds used are harmful for the environment..During irrigation, sometimes these compounds mix with the water and reach into the nearby ponds and lakes. The chemicals mix with the fresh water and accelerate the growth of the weeds. When these weeds die, large amount of bacteria start acting on them for their decomposition using ample amount of oxygen present in the water. This results in the death of the aquatic life due to the scarcity of the dissolved oxygen. For instance, an 8,000 square mile ’dead zone’ was created in the Gulf of Mexico killing tons of fishes and other aquatic lives mainly due to fertilizer run-off Not only this, but these chemical compounds are also harmful for the soil. They decrease the fertility of the soil at a much faster rate making it sterile and useless. These fertilizers are also absorbed by the fruits of the plant. These are the same fruit which we buy and eat and consequently get sick. Moreover, also contaminate ground water and make them polluted (Koch, 775). Making our farming methods organic will not only result in production of better quality of food but also add to sustainability and environment friendly processes. It will preserve biodiversity along with increasing soil fertility. An average organic farm provides more natural habitats to the wildlife. The low concentration of pesticide remnants and the hazardous chemicals avoids the killings of the non-harmful insects and flora. Biodiversity balances the predominance of the growing crop by encouraging the diversity of species and genes. A system with the co-existence of varied species yields better quality of crop. Apart from the preservation of biodiversity, production of organic food also improves the soil quality by... This report stresses that the popularity of organic food is growing dramatically constituting more than 2% of all food sales and sales of organic food in united states surpassed $13.8 billion in 2005. Consumers going for organic food may do so for a number of reasons including the perceived benefits to the environment, welfare of the animals, safety of the workers and the perception that organic food are safer and more nutritious. This also indicates the greater health concerns of the public. By the way, while producing organic food, the farmer allows the fruit to ripe according to their natural time without manipulating it which might lead to small production compared to the large commercial farming. This paper makes a conclusion that even though organic food has many advantages over the conventional ones, still we cannot really say that which food system is better. Organic food uses no chemicals. However, it is not completely pesticide free. This is mainly due to many factors beyond the control of the farmers. For example pesticide drifts from adjacent fields or soil irrigation water and contamination. Also the data available does not allow for a comparison between export and domestic sales. Non certified organic food is difficult to survey in practice. Even though a lot has already been done in this field, still a lot remains to achieve especially in developing countries. New methods and ideas are needed in the market so that organic food can reach even to the poor. After all everyone has the right to be healthy.

AIS-1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

AIS-1 - Essay Example eeping in view the requirements of the business operations the treasure evaluates need for procurement of funds and investment of surplus in profitable ventures. He/she drafts policies and procedures for account collections and offering credit to customer and signs notes of indebtedness as approved by higher management. Finally he/she prepares financial reports for management and advises them on investments and loans (Kerr & King, 1984). The controller’s functions include accounting, reporting and control. The accounting function involves preparation and maintenance of accounting records related to each business transaction. Controller directs and coordinates financial planning and budget management functions based on each forecasts submitted by each department’s manager. He/she identifies any variations in operating results against budget by carrying out analytical review of company’s procedures and outcomes and manages the preparation of annual and interim reports of the company. The controller is primarily involved in planning and policy making committees and work as legislative liaison to handle company’s financial issues. The company’s tax issues, payroll and internal audit activities are also governed. Other activities may include preparation of budgets and financial statements. Finally he/she overseas financial management of the company’s foreign operations and assist them to improve (Bragg, 2002). Transaction processing cycle begins with a transaction. A transaction is an agreement between buyer and seller to exchanges goods or services for payment. Transaction processing cycle therefore relates to repetitive flow of the activities of an ongoing enterprise. There are three major transaction cycles which include (1) Revenue Cycle which relates to sales, shipping, receivables, and collections arising from company’s activities (2) Buying Cycle which relates to purchases, payables, and payments of company’s activities and (3) Production

Their negative influence on childrens Essay Example for Free

Their negative influence on childrens Essay As a video game and computer game lover, the thought that negative effects ever being present in these enjoyable past time devices never crossed my mind. Over this past summer I was able to spend countless hours improving my skills on different games. I of course made multiple visits to video game stores such as Game Stop and Game Crazy. As I entered one these stores to purchase a new game, I noticed two boys, probably about eight or nine years of age, were playing one of the latest war games on a new video game console known as the Xbox 360. As I walked over to the shelves to search for the game that I had gone there to buy I heard a loud, Thats right bitch, I got your ass! I slowly turned to notice that it was one of the boys who were playing the Xbox that had just said this. What I had just heard is not something uncommon to hear boys say while playing certain games, but it made me think: what compels such young boys to act and say things this way? My purpose in this paper is to persuade parents of young boys that the video game culture might be harmful to their psychological development. First of all, video games today are being made so that the involvement of the player is constantly being improved. The idea is that when you play the character on the screen they want you feel as if you really are the character. Game producers are always trying to one up each other by making new ways to make games feel realistic. Whats unfortunate about this is that the majority of these games are extremely violent, gory, and sexually graphic. For example, consider the gaming company Rockstar. They are known for creating extremely controversial games. They are the creators of two popular games known as Grand Theft Auto and Bully. In Grand Theft Auto you play as a gang member in a suburban city who has the freedom to commit almost any kind of crime and is able to get away with it by killing those who get in your way. In the game Bully you play a young boy attending a private high school who bullies not only other students but teachers as well. These kinds of games all revolve around one notion, and that is using physical force to get what you want. This is what Cassell and Jenkins (1998) call playing like a male. In their book, From Barbie to Mortal Combat (1998), it explains how nine out of ten games present a male as the main character. Not only do these games have a male as the leading character, but the male is also grotesquely illustrated as a hyper masculine violent being. These males show no regret, grief, or sorrow toward their actions and basically take the life other characters in the game without expressing any emotion. Game producers come up with particular strategies to keep the gamer involved. Their most effective strategy is the way that they reward the gamer. The more people you kill the more points you get. At the end of every level they show a tally of how many kills you achieved and keep track of your points. As the game progresses these points allow you unlock more things in the game. For example, more weapons are provided for the character. At the beginning of the game the character is given low level weapons, such as a pistol or knife, but as the game continues the character gains larger and higher tech weapons, such a flame thrower or grenade launcher. And attaining these weapons lets the character kill more opponents quicker and allows the gamer to see more violently graphic material, such as severed limbs or exploding heads. According to Norris (2004), this aggression demonstrates extreme male behavior that contributes to gender stereotyping. Not only do we see extreme male stereotypes in video games, we also see extreme female stereotyping. In a game where the male is the main character females usually portrayed as helpless and needy and in most cases always need to be rescued. They are considered the damsels in distress. People may argue to an extent that there are also games that have females as the main characters too, such as the game Lara Croft, but this and other games define femininity in a very different way. Females who play larger roles in video games are portrayed extremely sexual. Since most gaming companies are comprised of mostly or all men, they portray the female characters as they would in a males fantasy. For example, Lara Crofts body is considered grossly unnatural. She does not have the same body proportions that a woman has. Her breast and waist sizes just dont exist in real life. And this applies to practically all females in video games. The last kind of video game that I would like to inform parents about are known as first person shooter games. These kinds of games basically teach kids how to kill. In the video documentary, Game Over (2002), Sergeant Baker explains how the U. S Military made a 30 year research on how first person shooter games effectively teaches someone to kill another person. In the military they use a live video feed simulator known as F. A. T. S, which stands for Fire Arm Training Simulator. The only difference between a first person shooter game and the simulator is that if a soldier accidentally shoots the wrong person they could be demoted or even fired, but if a child shoots the wrong person all they have to do is restart the game. A soldier may go to war and not fire a weapon for months on end, but when a child picks up a gun at the arcade or plays a first person shooter game they are going to shoot something. According to Sergeant Baker, the reason why the military uses these games to teach people how to kill is because it does just that, teaches them how to kill. They teach the mind to shoot at your enemy, and it has worked effectively for over 30 years. In conclusion, there are quite a few video games today can be detrimental to a child psychological development. I am not trying to say that all video games influence negative effects on children. As a matter of fact there are games that help teach problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and allow boys to be competitive with each other. It is not the technology that is to blame, it is the content that gaming companies use where the problem lies. This is where parental guidance becomes important. Every game has a rating and that rating is there to let the childs guardians know whether that certain game is suitable for the age of the child. Overall video games are a fascinating past-time that is a lot of fun to play. Parents just need to make sure that they observe what their child is playing and how long they play it for. References Cassell, J. , Jenkins, H. , (1998). From barbie to mortal kombat: Gender and computer games. Caecilia: Graphic Composition, Inc. Norris, K. (2004). Gender Stereotypes, Aggression, and Computer Games: An Online Survey of Women. Retrieved November 26, 2006, from Academic Search Premier Database. Dietz, T. (1998) Sex roles: An examination of violence and gender role portrayals in video games. Reviewed November 26, 2006, from Google. com. Web site: http://www. findarticles. com/p/particles/mi_m2294/is_n5-6_v38/ai_20749198. Huntemann, N. (2002). Game Over: Gender, Race, and Violence in Video Games. United States: Media Education Foundation.

Cooperative Education Opens Doors for Students :: Journalism Journalistic Essays

Cooperative Education Opens Doors for Students As the college application deadline draws nearer, high school seniors across the country will make their final decisions as to what handful of colleges and universities will receive the applications they rigorously spent their autumn weekends working on. Each year students consult different college prep tools to aid them with their continual search for the â€Å"right† school. Whether it city versus suburban, large versus small or public versus private; high school seniors today have a schmorgous board of options for furthering their education. However, a trend in education that is growing more popular in recent years, perhaps most notably at Northeastern University, is cooperative education. Northeastern was ranked #1 in 2003 among institutions that require students to combine classroom learning with real-world experience by U.S. News and World Report. Cooperative education, more commonly known as co-op, is emerging as a poplar way to stay ahead of the competition while in college. Started in 1909, one of the first co-op programs in the United States, Northeastern has a unique program that alternates periods of classroom learning with period of â€Å"real world† working experience outside the classroom. Students work full time in fields that are related to their future education pursuits and these are usually paid jobs. The co-op job allows the student to try out various jobs while still an undergraduate. The typical Northeastern student graduates with as much as two years of on-the-job experience already on his resume. Katie McDonald, 19, a sophomore at Northeastern is currently going through the process of beginning co-op. McDonald, who is a nursing major, will start her first job this January at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. â€Å"At first I was shocked at the whole process of interviewing and finding a job. Freshman year I looked forward to it, but once it came I was a little overwhelmed. Once I got started with it though, I found the process relatively easy. Now that I have interviewed and have a job I am really excited to begin,† said McDonald. Although students aren’t guaranteed a job every co-op period, known among students as â€Å"No-op†, there are faculty advisors who stay in close contact with employers to develop and maintain interesting salaried positions. Finding a co-op job, similar to any competitive job hunt, depends upon the candidate’s qualifications as compared with others, the current needs of the organization, the specific demands of the position and the job market in general.

Sample Project Portfolio Document

Major Projects of Tiger IT Major Projects of Tiger IT DOC ID: TGIBD-PREXP-100911-RFTSQB Abstract: Tiger IT is a world leader in biometrics and identity management solutions. It has more than 10 years of experience in developing turn-key solutions for different governments and industries. This document briefly outlines the different range of projects that Tiger IT has worked on. Keywords: About, Tiger, IT, TigerIT, Enrollment, Registration, AFIS, ID, Biometrics, Automated, Fingerprint, Matching, Identification, History, Background, Projects, Profile, ClientsTigerIT Bangladesh Limited House # 134, Road # 12, Block E, Banani, Dhaka-1213 Copyright  © 2011 This document contains information which is proprietary to Tiger IT Bangladesh Ltd. Use or disclosure of any material in this document without Tiger IT’s consent is prohibited. www. tigeritbd. com 1 Major Projects of Tiger IT Client: Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Project Name: Supply, Installation, and Commissioning of Hi gh Security Driving License Card, Enrolment System, Register System, Personalization System with Related Logistics, Services, and Training on Turn- ­? Key Basis Country: Bangladesh Date:April 2011 BRTA will use Tiger IT’s solution that records a driver’s photograph, fingerprints, signature, among other details and stores them in a highly secure and rugged smart card. The information will both be printed on the card and stored inside an encrypted chip that can be verified and updated by BRTA officials. The card itself will have multiple security printing techniques, some of which are visible to naked eye while others require specific instruments to check. BRTA estimates over 200,000 smart card based driving licenses will be issued using Tiger IT’s solution ever year. Tiger It is delivering he complete solution that includes biometric enrollment/registration, centralized database, application processing and issuance automation module, AFIS for de- ­? duplicati on, card printing and inventory management, and driver verification service. The scope of work includes the following: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Alpha- ­? numeric and Biometrics Enrollment in 64 locations (up to 20,000 registrations per month) Application processing and workflow automation for card issuance Relational Database Management System AFIS for 5 million records (4 fingers each) Card Printing, QC, and Inventory Management (over 200,000 card ssuance per year) Driver Verification from Smart Card (on PC and handheld devices) Various Web Service interfaces, including online pre- ­? enrollment in second phase Five years Maintenance with installation, operation and commissioning of the software www. tigeritbd. com 2 Major Projects of Tiger IT Client: Government of Cambodia Project Name: Cambodian National ID Project Country: Bangladesh Date: May 2011 Tiger IT is working in Cambodia for registration, database development, operation, and is suance of national ID cards for citizens of Cambodia. Tiger IT’s highly reputed biometrics capture and AFIS is in he heart of the project. The AFIS provided in the project is responsible for 2. 2 million records in first phase and additional 10 million records in second phase. The records will encompass 10 fingers each. †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Total support for 150 mobile stations and 70 fixed stations for complete biometrics enrollment from all provinces Central database with full- ­? fledged reporting and administration support AFIS for 2. 2 million records for first phase and 10 million in next phase (10 fingers for each record) Smart Card Issuance (Personalization, Quality Control, and Inventory Management) Client: Bangladesh RapidAction Battalion (RAB) Project Name: Multimodal Biometric Project for Criminal Database Country: Bangladesh Date: June 2011 This solution uses both fingerprint and iris matching to perform de- ­? duplication. Biometrics enrollment an d fully functional Data Matching, Fingerprint Matching, and Iris Matching solution is major focus of the project. Apart from migration, Tiger IT is developing and incorporating multi- ­? biometric module to integrate with the existing RAB Criminal Database developed from www. tigeritbd. com 3 Major Projects of Tiger IT IBM Lotus Note Domino Server to Oracle 11g Enterprise Edition.Through this module new/old criminal information will be inserted, updated, deleted and identified along with the biometric features. Furthermore, the developed solution will also incorporated multi- ­? biometric module to capture information into the RAB Criminal database. 20 remote locations will be used and support for 200,00 criminal records will be provided. †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Project has a high- ­? end biometrics enrollment solution to be used in 20 different locations Secure online and offline data transfer from enrollment site to datacenter Developm ent and Migration of Relational Database Management SystemThe AFIS system should support up to 200,000 citizen records for 1:N matching Customized Query, Work Flow Automation, Report Generation Training of RAB officials On- ­? site support for 36 months First biometric identity management solution in the history of Bangladesh to integrate fingerprint and iris matching in one project. Client: Bangladesh Election Commission Project Name: Supply, Installation, and Commissioning of Voters Registration System of Bangladesh Election Commission with Related Logistics, Services, Civil & Electrical Works and Training on Turnkey Basis Country: Bangladesh Date: October 2010The Voters Register System consists of a Data Center, a Disaster Recovery System and over 600 remote locations throughout Bangladesh. It comprises all the hardware, middleware, application software, infrastructure, interfaces and services to provide a turnkey solution. The www. tigeritbd. com 4 Major Projects of Tiger IT V oters Register will store 100 million voters with their bio data, photo, 4 fingerprints and signature. BEC wanted an integrated online solution connecting all remote locations to the central system. The BEC wanted to acquire hardware and solution that is fully compliant with the principles f service oriented architecture. The scope of work includes the following: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Central   Voters Register Software Relational Database Management System Disaster Recovery System Voter Register Client Software license Ident Station Software license Management Information Software Voters List Generator Software Database Servers for Data Center and Disaster Recovery System Data Storage for Data Center and Disaster Recovery System Printers to Print Voters Lists Management Information Stations Administration Stations †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Enroll Station Peripherals Identification Station peripheralsTr aining of all central staff Installation, commissioning and operation of the Voter Register System including all necessary works for infrastructural development/set up (electrical, civil etc works/services) Various Web Service interfaces Provide onsite maintenance for 1 year Five years Maintenance Installation, operation and commissioning of the software †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ www. tigeritbd. com 5 Major Projects of Tiger IT Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Nepal Project Name: Security Printing, Supply and Delivery, Installation of Equipments and Preparation of Machine Readable Passports Country: NepalDate: 2010 Tiger IT is working in collaboration with Oberthur Technologies in the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) project for the Government of Nepal. Tiger IT is providing the software solution for capturing data into the system with ICR. Tiger IT provided a solution capable of printing issuing 4000 passports per day. The MRP personalization center has a num ber of transaction points. These are as follows: †¢ ICR form receiving point †¢ Data verification stations †¢ ICR form scanning stations †¢ Personalization stations †¢ Dual data entry/edit stations †¢ QA Stations †¢ Foreign missions stations †¢ MRP handover oint www. tigeritbd. com 6 Major Projects of Tiger IT The ICR forms are collected in a batch and scanned using the document scanners. During the scan the software will separate the text, signature and photo, maintaining good resolution of the photograph and the signature so that they can be used for personalization of the MRP. The form image will also be scanned for the data entry/edit station operators to use. Other features of the project are similar to the ones described previously. Client: Bangladesh Election Commission Project Name: Supply, Installation, and Commissioning of Automated FingerprintIdentification System (AFIS) with Datacenter Hardware and Related De- ­? Duplication Serv ice for the Current Database of Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) with Training on Turn- ­? Key Basis Country: Bangladesh Date: June 2010 A clean de- ­? duplicated database that eliminates fake voter registrations was the main purpose of the project. This tender was issued by PERP (Preparation of Electoral Roll with Photographs) project under the Election Commission Secretariat. PERP had hired international biometric experts as consultants for the preparation of the tender specifications and evaluation of the proposals.Stringent requirements were set to ensure that only the most qualified vendor wins the project. Prior to the award of the contract a validation test of the AFIS was also performed for the eligible vendors. After a competitive evaluation, Tiger IT Bangladesh Ltd. was awarded the contract on June 2010 as the most eligible vendor. Tiger IT has successfully delivered the AFIS capable of de- ­? duplicating 100 million records with all necessary datacenter hardware . The de- ­? duplication is now underway, working at present with 85 million records. (Each record in the project has 4 fingers. ) †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ 50 AFISMatching Cluster Servers 2 x Quad- ­? Core Intel Xeon Processor 24 GB DDR3, 1333MHz RAM 2 x 146 GB SAS, 15K hot- ­? plug hard drives, Min upgrade to 8 HDD Linux 64 bit OS, Java runtime 64 bit, Oracle 11g Delivery timeframe: 32 weeks www. tigeritbd. com 7 Major Projects of Tiger IT Client: UNDP, Bangladesh Project: Cleansing and Migration of Electoral Database of Bangladesh Election Commission Country: Bangladesh Date: May 2010 The United Nations Development Programme (â€Å"UNDP†) in Bangladesh engaged Tiger IT in order to perform services in respect of â€Å"Cleansing and Migration of Electoral Database of BangladeshElection Commission. † The scope of work included the following: Database migration to †¢ Installation of hardware/software/storage required for migration Oracle †¢ Back up of all migrated data on other backup devices †¢ Provide quality validation of migrated data †¢ Ensure data is not corrupted during migration †¢ Transfer of knowledge to BEC personnel, in terms of training, documentation, and any other preferred method by BEC Data cleansing †¢ Prepare a validated cleansing plan †¢ Identify data to be cleaned †¢ Transliterate Bengali data to English www. tigeritbd. com 8 Major Projects of Tiger IT †¢ †¢ †¢ Application evamp †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Extension of reporting features †¢ Secure API †¢ †¢ Design validation scripts to validate the clean data 99% of identifiable unclean data should be cleaned Ensure appropriate infrastructure and resources are used for this operation Porting existing application to new platform Change the application platform from PHP to Java to support new features Addition and change in business logic as per requirements of BEC Addit ion of new features Implement a general purpose reporting tool that will help the EC generate their own reports on demand New reports with extended summary features Secure API

Ethnic Groups and Racism Essay

I. INTRODUCTION Race and ethnicity are important concepts in the field of sociology and are ones that are studied a great deal. Race plays a large role in everyday human interactions and sociologists want to study how, why, and what the outcomes are of these interactions. A race is a human population that is believed to be distinct in some way from other humans based on real or imagined physical differences. Racial classifications are rooted in the idea of biological classification of humans according to morphological features such as skin color or facial characteristics. An individual is usually externally classified (meaning someone else makes the classification) into a racial group rather than the individual choosing where they belong as part of their identity. Conceptions of race, as well as specific racial groupings, are often controversial due to their impact on social identity and how those identities influence someone’s position in social hierarchies. Ethnicity, while related to race, refers not to physical characteristics but social traits that are shared by a human population. Some of the social traits often used for ethnic classification include: nationality tribe religious faith shared language shared culture shared traditions Unlike race, ethnicity is not usually externally assigned by other individuals. The term ethnicity focuses more upon a group’s connection to a perceived shared past and culture. II. CONTENT/ CREATIVE REPORT  DEFINITION OF RACE AND ETHNICITY Race is a socially defined category, based on real or perceived biological differences between groups of people. Ethnicity is a socially defined category based on common language, religion, nationality, history or another cultural factor. Sociologists see race and ethnicity as social constructions because they are not rooted in biological differences, they change over time, and they never have firm boundaries. Example: White The distinction between race and ethnicity can be displayed or hidden, depending on individual preferences, while racial identities are always on display. THE SOCIOLOGICAL MEANING OF ETHNIC GROUPS AND RACISM The classification of people into races and ethnic groups carries deep implication on the social and political life of different racial and ethnic groups. These classifications led to the notion of racial superiority and racial inferiority, culturally advanced groups and culturally disadvantaged, the use of derogatory undertones and parody, apartheid policy, discrimination and prejudice, and stereotyping of groups of people. Ethnic conflicts have been regular process within the same territorial borders and among the nations of the world. Ethnic conflicts have been pervasive and dangerous because they cause massive humanitarian suffering, civil wars, and destabilizing effects. Sociologically, â€Å"race† refers to a group of people whom others believe are genetically distinct and whom they treat accordingly. This term is commonly used to refer to physical differences between people brought about by physical characteristics of genetic origin. This commonness of genetic heritage may be manifested in the shape of the head and face, the shape and color of the eyes, the shape of the nose, lips, and ears, the texture and color of the hair, the skin color, height, blood type and other physical characteristics. Among the significant racial categories studied by early social scientists were the Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, and the subgroups of primary and derived races. Racial differences are seen as physical differences singled out by the community or society as ethnically significant. It is preferable to refer to ethnicity or ethnic groups rather than race for its historical and biological connotations. An ethnic group represents a number of persons who have a common cultural background as evidenced by a feeling of loyalty to a given geographical territory or leader, a feeling of identification with and unity among historical and other group experiences, or a high degree of similarity in social norms, ideas and material objects. Members of ethnic groups see themselves as culturally different from other groups in the society and are viewed by others to be so. SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF MEMBERSHIP IN RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS Membership in racial and ethnic groups influences people’s social status and roles as they interact with others. Physical characteristics, especially skin color and certain distinctive cultural traits, complexes, and patterns, become badges for social and economic status. Frequently, they establish a person’s or groups position in the social stratification system and make up the foundation for prejudice, discrimination, and other forms of differential treatment. Furthermore, when an ethnic group becomes a target of discrimination, such group may utilize the unique physical or cultural traits as the rallying force for promoting common loyalties and enhancing collective action. When people’s definition of physical characteristics greatly affects their relationship, such definitions generally become interlinked with cultural differences. A classic example is the white man’s justification of his technological, economic, political and military superiority. Examples are such ideologies as the God-chosen race, the white man’s burden and more recently, the apartheid policy. Since the early days of the United States, Native Americans, African-Americans and European-Americans were classified as belonging to different races. But the criteria for membership in these races were radically different. For Africans, the government considered anyone with African appearance to be purely African. Native Americans, on the other hand, were classified based on a certain percentage of Indian blood. Finally, European-Americans had to have purely white ancestry. The differing criteria for assigning membership to particular races had relatively little to do with biology; it had far more to do with maintaining a group’s defined roles and position. Racial and ethnic membership leads to a sense of people-hood. By this, we mean a sense of identification with a relatively small segment of the world’s population- those who by virtue of common ancestry or heritage we consider â€Å"our own kind†. Erich Fromm wrote in 1941: â€Å"The identity with nature, clan, religion, gives the individual security. He belongs to, he is rooted in, structuralized whole in which he has an unquestionable place. He may suffer from hunger or suppression, but he does not suffer from worst of all pains- complete aloneness and doubt.† PATTERNS OF ETHNIC GROUP RELATIONS People who occupy a subordinate status are usually called a minority group. What determines a minority group is not the unique racial or ethnics traits nor their great number but the relationship of different groups in the society of which they are a part. A minority group, then is one that, because of the power of differences among the groups, is singled out for unequal treatment in the society. A minority refers to a group which, because of physical and cultural characteristics, occupies a subordinate position in the society and subjected to collective discrimination, in some cases, even segregation, oppression, slavery, peonage, military subjugation, religious persecution, and economic, political, educational, and social suppression. The patterns of ethnic group relations include the following: 1. Patterns of Racism a. Prejudice and discrimination Racism – is behavior that is motivated by the belief that one’s own group is superior to other groups that are set apart on the basis of physical characteristics Structural racism refers to inequalities built into an organization or system. An example of structural racism can be seen in recent research on workplace discrimination.[37] There is widespread discrimination against job applicants whose names were merely perceived as â€Å"sounding black.† These applicants were 50% less likely than candidates perceived as having â€Å"white-sounding names† to receive callbacks for interviews, no matter their level of previous experience. Prejudice – prejudged negative attitude or opinion about a group without bothering to  verify the merits of the opinion or judgment The relationship between prejudice and discrimination is complex. Robert Merton’s study and typology of the relationship between prejudice and discrimination Four patterns 1. Unprejudiced nondiscriminatory – integration 2. Unprejudiced and discriminatory – institutional discrimination 3. Prejudiced and nondiscriminatory – latent bigotry 4. Prejudiced and discriminatory – outright bigotry In his study, (1974), Bulatao listed impressions on some ethnic groups by respondents from five Philippine cities: Ilocanos and Chinese were viewed as most industrious, serious, thrifty; Tagalogs, progressive; Bicolanos and Cebuanos, humble, friendly, warm, and peaceful; Warays, lazy but strong; and Ilongos, proud and extravagant. b. Discrimination refers to the act of disqualifying or mistreating people on the basis of their group membership or on ascriptive rounds rationally irrelevant to the situation. Whereas prejudice is a state of mind, discrimination is actual behavior. Prejudice and discrimination work hand in hand to create and sustain racial and ethnic stratification, (Jarry J. 1987) THEORIES OF PREJUDICE Light gives the following explanations on the origin of prejudice: 1. Economic Theory- assumes that racial prejudice is a social attitude transmitted by the dominant ethnic majority class for the purpose of stigmatizing some group s as inferior so that the exploitation of the group resources will be justified. 2. Symbolic Theory- asserts that prejudice arises because a racial or ethnic group is a symbol of what people hate, fear, or envy. 3. Scapegoat theory- maintains that human beings are reluctant to accept their mistakes for their troubles and failures so they look for an ethnic-minority to shoulder the blame. 4. Social norm theory- asserts that ethnocentrism is a natural development of group living. Hatred and suspicion for the out-group are the standard and normal way of doing things, particularly in dealing with people. c. Stereotypes are often simplified and unsupported generalizations about others and are used indiscriminately for all cases. A few examples are Ilokano, â€Å"bantay kuako† (heavy smokers) and â€Å"kuripot† (stingy); Pampangueno, â€Å"dugong aso† (dog blood or traitors); Batangueno, â€Å"balisong† (knife-wielding); Bicolanos, â€Å"sili† ( pepper or hot people). 2. Patterns of Competition, Conflict and Domination When ethnocentric attitudes are coupled with intergroup competition for territory and scarce resources, an explosive social situation may arise. When two groups both strive for the same things- and they perceive their respective claims to be mutually exclusively and legitimate- the stage is set for conflict. In modern societies, the state has become the vehicle that enables one group to dominate and keep the other group subordinate. In sum, competition supplies the motivation for systems of stratification, and ethnocentrism directs competition along racial and ethnic lines, but power determines which group will subjugate the other (Noel, 1972; Barth and Noel, 1975). 3. Economic and Political Subjugation The economic takeover of one nation by a more powerful one and the subsequent political and social domination of the native population is called colonialism. If the takeover of one nation is trough the military superiority of the more powerful one for the purpose of territorial expansion and establishing colonies, it is termed as military colonialism. On the other hand, if the economic takeover is made through the great technological superiority of the more powerful one, the institutionalization of their businesses in their former colonies, the control and domination of most of a colony’s natural resources, the imposition of trade policies and economic treaties favorable to their side; the establishment of outlets for their surplus capital; the need for more cheap labor, raw materials, and markets to fuel their growing economy, the process is termed neo-colonialism or economic imperialism. 4. Displacement and Segregation of the Native Population Economic and political subjugation of a minority population by a more powerful group is not the only pattern of conquest that occurs when  different racial and ethnic group meet. Displacement of native population can be made possible through the influx of powerful settlers or invaders with their vastly superior weapons. It is typically found in areas rich in natural resources and similar in geography and climate to the homeland of the invading group. Displacement takes the following forms: a.) by attrition, that is, numbers of the weaker group may die of starvation or disease either deliberately or not; b.) by population transfer; and c.) by genocide- deliberate and ruthless extermination of the weaker group. Segregation involves the enactment of laws and/or customs that restrict or prohibit contact between groups. Segregation may be ethnic or racial or based on sex or age. 5. Patterns of Accommodation and Tolerance Interracial and interethnic accommodation can be carried out through miscegenation or amalgamation- the intermarriage of members of the majority and minority groups. This can result in the blending of their various customs and values and the creation of a new cultural hybrid. This involves a cultural and biological blending in which the customs and values of both groups are to some extent preserved and their biological characteristics appear in the offspring. 6. Patterns of Acculturation and Assimilation Acculturation and assimilation are two very important concepts in sociology and anthropology that describe cross cultural effects on both minorities as well as majorities in societies that are multi ethnic and multi cultural in nature. Assimilation is a broader concept as described by sociologist Jean Piaget and refers to the manner in which people take new information. There are many people who think of the two concepts as same and even use them interchangeably. If you belong to a minority community in a country and retain your own culture but cannot remain isolated and are affected by the majority culture in such a way that you adapt to some aspects of the majority culture, the process is referred to as acculturation. Assimilation is a process whereby people of a culture learn to adapt to the ways of the majority culture. There is a loss of one’s own culture as a  person gives more value to the cultural aspects of the majority community in the process of assimilation. What is the difference between Acculturation and Assimilation? †¢ Meeting of cultures always produces results in terms of changes in both the cultures, and acculturation and assimilation refer to two important and different changes in these cultures. †¢ Assimilation refers to the process where some of the majority community’s cultural aspects are absorbed in such a manner that the home cultural aspects get mitigated or lost. †¢ Acculturation is a process where the cultural aspects of the majority community are adapted without losing the traditions and customs of the minority community. †¢ Minority culture changes in the case of assimilation whereas it remains intact in the case of acculturation. 7. Patterns of cultural Pluralism or Ethnic Diversity Cultural pluralism refers to the coexistence of different racial or ethnic groups each of which retains its own cultural identity and social structural networks, while participating equally in the economic and political systems. (Light, 1985) In pluralistic society, each group retains its own language, religion and customs, and its members tend to interact socially primarily among themselves. Yet all jointly participate in the economic and political systems and live in harmony and peaceful â€Å"coexistence†. A prime example of such an arrangement can be found in Switzerland. There, people of German, French, and Italian heritage preserve their distinct cultural ways while coexisting peacefully and equally. No one group enjoys special privileges or is discriminated against. ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE PHILIPPINES Ethnic groups in the Philippines are classified according to certain physical, cultural, linguistic, religious and geographic criteria. A. According to distinctive physical traits 1. The Negritoes who are regarded as the aborigines of the Philippines. 2. The Indonesian- Malayan stock which is predominant among the Filipinos. 3. The Chinese who make up the largest national group. 4. The Americans and the Spaniards, and a few other Europeans who came as  colonizers. B. According to cultural standpoints 1. Cultural minorities or cultural communities 2. Muslims 3. Christian groups C. According to linguistic groupings PANAMIN reports that there are about 87 ethno linguistic groups in the Philippines-e.g., Tagalog, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Ilonggo, etc. D. According to religion 1. Roman Catholics 2. Muslims 3. Aglipayans 4. Protestants 5. Iglesia ni Cristo 6. Buddhists 7. Jehovah’s witnesses 8. Other religious sects. E. Muslims of Southern Philippines The Muslims make up the largest single non-Christian group. They have nine ethno-linguistic groups, namely: 1. Taosug 2. Maranao 3. Maguindanao 4. Samal 5. Yakan 6. Sanggil 7. Badjao 8. Molbog 9. Jama Mapun From the Spanish regime to the present, Muslim and Christian intergroup  relationships have been characterized by animosity and suspicion. This has been expressed in the Muslims’ ongoing resentment of Christian settlers and attempts at secession to form an independent Mindanao. Muslim revolutionary groups the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Bangsai Moro Liberation Front (BMLF) want Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan to secede from the Philippines. THE CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND THE CHRISTIAN FILIPINOS The non-Christian Filipinos now known as cultural communities make up 10% of the total national population. They have maintained their culture in their clothes, art, religion, ethnic dialect, customs, traditions and other superficial differences. There are 77 major ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines. III. GROUP REFLECTION Within sociology, the terms race, ethnicity, minority, and dominant group all have very specific and different meanings. To understand the sociological perspective on race and ethnicity, it is important to understand the meanings of these concepts. An ethnic group is a social category of people who share a common culture, such as a common language, a common religion, or common norms, customs, practices, and history. Ethnic groups have a consciousness of their common cultural bond. An ethnic group does not exist simply because of the common national or cultural origins of the group, however. They develop because of their unique historical and social experiences, which become the basis for the group’s ethnic identity. For example, prior to immigration to the United States, Italians did not think of themselves as a distinct group with common interests and experiences. However, the process of immigration and the experiences they faced as a group in the United States, including dis crimination, created a new identity for the group. Some examples of ethnic groups include Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Mexican Americans, Arab Americans, and Irish Americans. Ethnic groups are also found in other societies, such as the Pashtuns in Afghanistan or the Shiites in Iraq, whose ethnicity is base on religious differences. Like ethnicity, race is primarily, though not exclusively, a socially constructed category. A race is a group that is treated as distinct in society based on certain characteristics. Because of their biological or cultural characteristics, which are labeled as inferior by powerful groups in society, a race is often singled out for differential and unfair treatment. It is not the biological characteristics that define racial groups, but how groups have been treated historically and socially. Society assigns people to racial categories (White, Black, etc.) not because of science or fact, but because of opinion and social experience. In other  words, how racial groups are defined is a social process; it is socially constructed. A minority group is any distinct group in society that shares common group characteristics and is forced to occupy low status in society because of prejudice and discrimination. A group may be classified as a minority on the basis of ethnicity, race, sexual preference, age, or class status. It is important to note that a minority group is not necessarily the minority in terms of numbers, but it is a group that holds low status in relation to other groups in society (regardless of the size). The group that assigns a racial or ethnic group to subordinate status in society is called the dominant group. There are several sociological theories about why prejudice, discrimination, and racism exist. Current sociological theories focus mainly on explaining the existence of racism, particular institutional racism. The three major sociological perspectives (functionalist theory, symbolic interaction theory, and conflict theory) each have their own explanations to the existence of racism. Functionalist theorists argue that in order for race and ethnic relations to be functional and contribute to the harmonious conduct and stability of society, racial and ethnic minorities must assimilate into that society. Assimilation is a process in which a minority becomes absorbed into the dominant society – socially, economically, and culturally. Symbolic interaction theorists look at two issues in relation to race and ethnicity. First, they look at the role of social interaction and how it reduces racial and ethnic hostility. Second, they look at how race and ethnicity are socially constructed. In essence, symbolic interactionists ask the question, â€Å"What happens when two people of different race or ethnicity come in contact with one another and how can such interracial or interethnic contact reduce hostility and conflict?† The basic argument made by conflict theorists is that class-based conflict is an inherent and fundamental part of society. These theorists thus argue that racial and ethnic conflict is tied to class conflict and that in order to reduce racial and ethnic conflict, class conflict must first be reduced.