Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Social Theory Of Crime Essay - 1548 Words

There are many various types of theories that try explaining why crime continues to occur in everyday society. Although, only one theory in particular throughout my research stood out. This theory is the purpose of this research paper and that theory is the Social Process Theory, also known as the Social learning theory. This theory believes that criminality is a function of a person’s interactions with many organizations, intuitions, and processes in society. Theory The definition of the Social Process Theory is the ongoing structured interaction that occurs between people in a society, including socialization and social behavior in general. The Social Process Theory has been around since the 1900’s and has been broken down into three main branches of theories. The first branch is the social learning process theory, the second branch is the social control theory and the last branch is the labeling theory. This theory states that people are highly influenced by individuals such as family, friends and coworkers who are around them on a daily basis. If a person has a positive relationship with individuals who are in their lives on a daily basis then they would have a positive outlook on society. On the other hand, if a person has a negative relationship with individuals on a daily bases then they are most likely going to have a negative outlook on society. Major theorist who was involved in the Social Process Theory, were Bandura, Sutherl and, Lemert and Hirschi. TheseShow MoreRelatedSocial Learning Theory Of Crime And Crime1310 Words   |  6 PagesUnit 6 DB 1 Using Social Learning Theory Introduction Social learning theory is a considered an overall theory of crime and criminality and has been used to explain both criminal and non-criminal behavior. One of these youth gangs we will use this theory to understanding the criminal behavior is called the Zoe Pound. They are teenagers and older men in their 20s in this gang. They have become a problem in the last few years mostly because is of all the attention they are receiving all because ofRead MoreSocial Learning Theory Of Crime1278 Words   |  6 Pagesconcept, social learning theory has been applied to the many different fields of social science to explain why certain individuals develop motivation to commit (or abstain from) crime and develop the skills to commit crime through the people they associate with. Social Learning Theory (SLT) is one of the most frequently looked at theories in the criminology field. This theory was introduced by Ronald L. Akers as a reformulation of Edwin H. Sutherland s (1947) differential associat ion theory of crimeRead MoreSocial Structural Theories Of Crime1540 Words   |  7 PagesSocial structural theories of crime can help determine why some neighborhoods are either more prone to violence and crime and why some neighborhoods are not. There are multiple types of theories that have their merits, but when analyzing my own neighborhood, the collective efficacy and social disorganization theories can be best applied in understanding why the neighborhood is not prone to violence and crime. Collective efficacy is the idea that communities have to be organized towards achievingRead MoreCrime And Social Control Theory Essay1712 Words   |  7 PagesSocial control theory refers the ideas that society is responsible for maintaining law abiding citizens and/or producing deviant behavior (Hagan, 2016). The textbook generalizes that social control theories â€Å"view crime as taking place when social control or bonds to society break down† (Hagan, 2016, p. 170). This is conc luded by the theories of four theorists – Walter Reckless, Travis Hirschi, Michael Gottfredson, and John Hagan – who investigated and theorized different philosophies that explainRead MoreSocial Disorganization Theory And Crime998 Words   |  4 PagesStarz’ â€Å"Power , Social Disorganization Theory and Crime Introduction: In the television show â€Å"Power†, organized crime is the most prevalent form of crime displayed. Organized crime can be defined as a methodically unlawful activity for profit on a city-wide. interstate and worldwide scale. The act of engaging in criminal activity as a structured assembly is called racketeering in the United States. The premise of this project is to research social disorganization theory as it pertains to the televisionRead MoreThe Social Disorganization Theory Of Crime1141 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the most important and well-studied criminological theories intended to explain and predict crime rates is social disorganization theory (Sampson 2012). The social disorganization theory of crime was originally articulated by Shaw and McKay (1942) to explain differences in neighborhood crime rates among juvenile delinquents in concentric zones in the Chicago metropolitan area. They found that some areas had consistently high crime rates and juvenile arrests over time despite population changesRead MoreSocial Reaction Theory And Feminist Theory Of Crimes1476 Words   |  6 Pages Social Reaction Theory and Feminist Theory of Crimes are the subject theories I am going to review, examine, and explain. I will be discussing the evolution of social reaction and labeling theory, which is mainly concerned with how individuals’ personal identities are highly influenced by the way that society has a tendency to classify them as offenders. I will also be reviewing the various forms of feminist theories, which began as reactions to the lack of reasonable the orizing about why femalesRead MoreSocial Constructionism Theory Of Crime And Media1253 Words   |  6 PagesEarly research in on crime and news media began in the 1900s focused from a sociological viewpoint on the newspapers’ role in influencing cities’ social structures, as well as determining the quality of information that was being produced. Park and Burgess (1921) {theory of human ecology} which, which was used to explain [X]. This sociological approach was adapted from Shaw and Mckay ({1929})to build on into their theory of social disorganization which was later incorporated into preliminary sociologistRead MoreCrime Theories: Strain Theory, Social Bond Theory, and Differential-Association Theory957 Words   |  4 Pages Criminologists are scientists who study crime. In order to do this they attempt to use the scientific method whenever possible. In the scientific method an individual first puts through a hypothesis to explain why something happens or even why something is. In the case of criminology the main question being asked is â€Å"why does crime occur?†, but some theories also attempt to answer another equally interesting question â€Å"if being a criminal is the easy choice, why are so many people law abidingRead MoreTheories Of Crime : Strain, Social Control And Life Course1082 Words   |  5 PagesChapter 7: Radicalizing Orthodox Theories of Crime: Strain, Social Control and Life Course Strain theory is described as the cause of crime due to the social class or environment in which a person grows up in. In our society, people strive to obtain wealth, education, materialistic possessions and power. Due to the environment lower social class people are born into, they are unable to obtain these aspirations through legal means. Feelings of frustration lead to strain and can cause these people

Monday, December 16, 2019

Impact of E-Learning in Secondary Schools Students Free Essays

The development of technology and the Internet all over the world during the last decade has enabled new educational delivery methods like E-learning. It is the use of technology to enable people to learn anytime and anywhere. E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual education opportunities and digital collaboration. We will write a custom essay sample on Impact of E-Learning in Secondary Schools Students or any similar topic only for you Order Now stakeholders at different levels, such as researcher, practitioners and institutions understand the value of e-learning [Kira 2009], thus countries all over the world has adapted to this new delivery method, and Fiji as one of the developing countries has also joined them. The Universities in Fiji have already started using this method and by 2014 Fiji hopes to implement this education method in around 20 secondary school. As online education gains in popularity, it becomes more important to recognize the inherent advantages and disadvantages offered by this medium[Richard Hauser 2012]. Timothy Rodgers [2008] also stated that as the use of e-learning is becoming more and more widespread in higher education it has become increasingly important to examine the impact that this teaching style has on student performance. There have been a number of researches conducted to prove numerous advantages of E-learning. Firstly, E-learning is cost effective, for example, there are no travel costs. Melissa et al [2011]stated, access to online training is cost effective. Higgins [2012] also supported that by stating that e-learning can be effective for students as they do not need to travel and efficient in terms of time. Majority of the learners being middle aged education professionals and keen on professional development could take course that are offered through e-learning since it does not impinge upon their work times. Shikha Raturi 2011] Secondly, E-learning has Flexibility, Accessibility, and Convenience. Here the Learners can proceed through a training program at their own pace and at their own place. They can also access the e-Learning course at any time and only as much as they need. The rapid advance of web technology has enable universities to reach out and educate students across time and space b arrier [Shu-Sheng Liaw 2008]. Higgins [2012] also supported the claim by stating that e-learning can provide flexibility in terms of time and place. Mary F. Fortune [2011] states in her research that eLearning is also convenient to learners who have problem with communication skills. Thirdly, E-learning has a lot of exchange of ideas and sharing of knowledge. Higgins [2012] specified that e-learning enhances the efficiency of access of knowledge. Shu-Sheng Liaw [2008] identified that eLearning assists learners in collaborative learning, exchanging ideas and sharing knowledge. The author also stated that in web based system, learners are encourage to exchange ideas, share perspectives, and use previous knowledge in order to decide on the best solution for the problem. He also specified that knowledge sharing also enhances better teaching and learning. Although there are a lot of positives about ELearning, there are many disadvantages of E-Learning schools, and disadvantages with the ELearning process. The first issue is skills are required for the user to be able to take advantage of the E-learning. That is basic computer knowledge is require for E-learning. Kira [2009] stated in his paper that fifty percent of adults, including the first year University students, have some sort of computer related phobia. Kushir [2009] discussed in the paper that lack of certain skills or experience might put one at a disadvantage when compared to the experienced once. Lack of operational knowledge and of capabilities narrowed the options of the users in E-learning. [Falloon 2011] Next issue with E- learning is isolation of learners. As stated by Higgins [2012] learners might suffer from isolation and lack of direct social interaction. Further to that point Falloon [2011] added that learners studying at a distance can still suffer from a sense of isolation and disconnect which can adversely affect their performance. Ease of use of E-learning system is another issue that affects the learners. This is when the learning system interface is not user friendly; learners have problems using the system. Kira [2009] indicated in her work that computer anxiety was influenced by how users perceive ease of use of an information system. Shu-Sheng Liaw [2008] also added to ease of the system as user acceptance towards the system, where learners are concerned about the operating methods and functions. Information Overload is another issue of E-learning. Students reported feeling overload in the eLearning courses. [Kushir 2009]. His work also stated that some online environments are unnecessarily cluttered with irrelevant stimuli and information or the way in which the relevant information is organized affects how students learn. From the works of the above researchers it can be known that for any popular system there are positive and negative impacts depending on a range of factors such as different kinds of user, different locations of the system, different choice of users and so on. And as Fiji has recently stepped into this technological advancement of E-learning it will have its own set advantages and disadvantages. However, from the literature review the gap in E-learning was identified as equal Accessibility of the phenomenon by the populace of both rural and urban centers. It was also identified that computer Literacy of participants influenced their mode of learning. How to cite Impact of E-Learning in Secondary Schools Students, Essay examples

Sunday, December 8, 2019

The impact of organizational orientations - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss aboutThe impact of organizational orientations. Answer: Introduction Organizational culture is one of the essential components of gaining competitive advantage in the market as organizations performance can be made more effective by making use of the developed culture. Therefore, it is crucial for the organization to make employees aware of their organizational culture so that they can get hold of the organizational system. This will benefit the employees and they will be able to perform in a more effective way. The organization values and norms define the culture and this study will aim to identify the influence of organizational culture on performance of the organization. Background to the Problem Eskom is the largest electricity-producing firm in South Africa and is among the top utilities firm all over the world. The ability to develop continuously innovative strategies and technologies to improve the business model of the organization is a crucial for gaining competitive advantage in present market. The core competency of any organization is their ability to be develop a suitable organizational culture so that business model can be improved on continuous basis. Eskom has been facing issues in developing their organizational culture within their business model and the study will address the issue to identify the necessary changes required. On the contrary, the organizational culture is very much influenced from the national culture and different companies have different organization culture based on the value and norms they have developed through their social practices. Hofstedes cultural dimension defines the cultural differences in organizational and regions which can be u sed to depict the organizational culture. Knowledge sharing is one the important aspect of increasing organizational productivity which provides any organization with significant advantage in the market. However, the culture of Eskom has been a major hindrance in developing knowledge sharing activities within the organization. The conduciveness of the organization towards knowledge management is essential for effectively knowledge sharing within the organization. The cultural landscape of the organization will be examined to understand the reason behind this barrier and the changes that could be incorporated to make improvements to the organizational culture. Aim Of the Research The study will aim to identify the impact of organizational culture on organizational performance in the utility firm named Eskom. Research Objectives To identify the current organisational culture that is found at Eskom To identify the impact of organizational culture on the performance of the organisation Eskom To recommend suitable strategies for improving organizational culture in Eskom Research Questions What are the different elements in organizational culture of Eskom? What are the cultural barriers that the organization is facing in Eskom? What is the impact of organizational culture on organizational performance in Eskom? Research Problem/Hypothesis H01 Organizational culture does not have impact on organizational performance in Eskom H11 Organizational culture does have impact on organization performance in Eskom H02 Change in organizational culture is not essential for incorporating knowledge sharing in Eskom H12 Change in organizational culture is not essential for incorporating knowledge sharing in Eskom Significance of the Research The study is significant, as it will highlight the current gaps in organizational culture of Eskom and its influence on organizational performance. The study will also recommend suitable strategy for improving the organizational culture, which can be used by the other companies in the industry. Knowledge sharing is a critical issue in Eskom and the organizational culture will have to be conducive to incorporate changes. The study will identify the issue in the organizational cultural factors to recommend suitable strategies for improving the culture which will facilitate knowledge sharing with the organization. Literature Review As stated by Hogan and Coote (2014.), the development of organizations has some functions that are responsible for improving sustainability through effectiveness. The value, norms and objectives enhance the culture of an organization. The Hofstedes cultural dimension is factor which evaluates the differences the values, norms and objectives of different organizations. The cultural differences between organizations are measured in different levels which determines the organizational practices. In the modern business environment, organizational culture has become of the key aspect of organizational success. This is due to the increase in diversity within the organization and workforce from difference race, culture, background and gender work together to fulfill the goals set by the stakeholders (Lonial and Carter 2015). Therefore, it is the responsibility of the organization and its management to introduce their organization culture to the employees so they can fit into the organizatio n. The organizations having proper organizational culture will have be able to enhance the performance of the employees as it establishes learning of the surrounding environment. Therefore, the managers in the modern business environment should be aware about the ideal working environment so that they implement practices for enhancing the culture and facilitate the employees to perform at their full potential which in turn will improve the organizational culture. On the contrary, Valmohammadi and Roshanzamir (2015) states that organization culture is not instrumental in bring up the organizational performance and modern organizations should implement other strategies in order to do so. The author stated that organization culture is not a tool for performance management. therefore, this study will focus on establishing the relationship between organizational culture and performance by establishing the fact that organizational culture is essential component of performance management. Organizational culture Alvesson and Sveningsson (2015) defines culture as the shared beliefs, basic assumptions and the values and according to the author culture resides within the organization at different level and particularly there are three levels to it. These are values, artifacts, creations and assumptions. The organization culture will define the behaviors that are appropriate within the organization and the ones that are not. However, this does not mean there is homogeneity in culture across all the departments as some of the norms will be well received by the employees within the organization. As stated by Mills (2017), different groups tend to develop their own set of culture within the organization after a certain period of time. There has significant increase in interest among various researchers about organizational culture as they believe that organizational culture boosts the long-term performance of the organization. According to Helms Mills and Mills (2017), organization culture are few assumptions shared by a group of people which they have taken for granted and the group thinks, perceives and reacts to any situation based on these beliefs. This definition clearly signifies three facts; the work behavior is influenced by the organizational culture, the culture within an organization tend to operate at different levels and socialization passes the culture of the organization to the new members. The foundation of any organization is their principles and their values and in order to set up a strong organization and culture, the organizational values have to be strong. The values of the organization should relate to effective use of resources and innovation which are key to developing a sustainable vision. Bolman and Deal (2017) states that every set of organization have their own set of unique organizational values for example, some organizations focus on honesty, passion and integrity where there are other organization that emphasized on technology, innovation and self-improvement. Therefore, irrespective of the culture within an organization, the core values should be aligned with the goals and the policies in order to excel. Moreover, the organizational culture has a deep impact on the employees within the organization and poor organizational culture leads to the increase in the turnover rates. Longman et al. (2018) states that different types of cultural setting exist in the modern organizations and they are counter culture, sub culture, strong culture and weak culture. Counter culture is the shared beliefs and values of a certain groups within the organization that have different set of beliefs than the broad organizational culture. These set of culture is developed against forceful leaders and managers. The organizations accept this type of cultural environment when there is positive influence on the employees within the organization however, it is dangerous for the original culture of the organization. Organizations have a particular hierarchical structure which leads to formation of various departments due to the different activities they have to perform. Sub culture develops within certain group of people either because of their geographical background or having set of goals as they belong to the same department (Elsbach and Stigliani 2018). This will lead better soci al interaction between the workforce even outside the working shifts. A strong culture is developed when majority of the workforce hold the same values, beliefs and norms. Therefore, the manager will have to reduce the gap between the employees in order to develop a strong organizational culture. The organizations that are loosely knit by their organizational values and beliefs are known as weak culture. In this scenario, the rules are imposed onto the employees which is responsible for creating a diverse culture between the employee objectives and the organizational goals. Elements of organizational culture As stated by Schneider et al. (2017), maximizing the employees values are the rational assets in supporting the individuals and the organization to develop a strong organizational culture. The characteristics of organizational culture are as follows: The organization norms can be measured by the degree of cooperation between the employees and the management and the quantity of work done The organization sets clear set of rules for defining the behavior of the employees in related to intergroup cooperation, productivity and customer relationship. Organizational culture will take formal procedures and common language as behavioral regularities. Organization culture is used for integration and coordination among the different organizational units so that the efficiency of work, speed and quality of designing and manufacturing of products or services can be improved. As stated by Mezirow (2018.), there are different methods of identifying and learning the culture of an organization and they are as follows: Arte facts are the first factor which refers to the total physical and social development of an organization. This will consist of the equipment, rules, office space, procedures and systems. Language is the second factor which will define the exact way in which the organizations understand the surrounding world. The next factors Is the behavior pattern which defines the sets of the repeated beliefs and action of the organizations consisting of celebrations and ceremonies. Behavioral norms are the next factor which will consist of rules consist of instructions that defines appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. Heroes are the organizational role models who represent the organization to the outside world and inspire other employees within the organization. Symbolic actions define the objects, words, conditions, features or acts of the firm important to the workforce. Believes, attitudes and values are the factors attached to the ethical and moral standards of the organization. Therefore, this factor is used to judge the appropriate behavior and action of the employees. Hofstedes Cultural dimension The Hofstedes cultural dimension determines the dimension of organization in different countries. The four dimensions of Hofstedes cultural dimension are power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity/femininity, long term versus short term orientation and uncertainty avoidance. Power distance is the acceptance of the society regarding the unbalanced power distribution within the organization. Individualism is the societal framework where the people focuses on protecting themselves (Jeon and Cho 2017). Collectivism is the societal framework which focuses on protecting their own people with the help of others as a group. Masculinity refers to the preference to heroism, achievements, materialistic rewards for success whereas femininity represents emotions, quality of life, coordination and caring for others. Uncertainty avoidance describes the tendency of the society to be affected by uncertainties and their fear to avoid any form of uncertainty. Long term orientation f ocuses on patience, parsimony and future whereas short term focuses on social responsibility, past and present and respect for customs. These factors are essential dimensions of any organization and vary from country to country. Organizational performance As stated by Shin and Konrad (2017), organizational performance refers to the success of an organization and its ability to sustain in highly competitive environment. It is essential for any kind of organization to compute their organizational performance and balance score card is a method of measuring the performance of the organization. The different dimensions of balance scorecard used to measure the performance of the organization are financial perspective, internal business perspective, learning perspective and customer perspective. There are many factors involved in comprehensive measurement of performance of an organization such as consistency, quality and productivity. On the contrary, criteria-based results are included in the performance indicators; it may also consist of relative measures and behaviors, concepts if training and education and management training for leadership development including development in essential skills (Pollanen et al. 2017). Balance scorecard is an effective way of developing frameworks based on the organizational strategy to ensure development of effective performance measurement tool. The performance measurement system is the way of achieving the goals and objectives of the organization and the stakeholders. Therefore, strategic planning to develop organizational objective is used to develop intangible assets. The services, performances and quality associated with the customers have features related to finance. Performance management system enables development of non-financial and financial reward management system. According to (), learning and feedback is the one of the most essential part of balance scorecard. This enables the organization to measure the areas of strategic capability along with the current performances and the expected dynamic situations. This data will assist the organization and leaders to develop effective policies and whether is on the correct path and they are progressing towards their desired go als. Moreover, the balance scorecard can be used to bring about a change within the organization. The different perspectives of balance scored card are financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business process and learning and growth perspective. Impact of organizational culture on organizational performance The organization culture can be shared and learned by staying within the organization. The employees in the organization are able to take decisions based on the cultural system developed to guide them. The different cultural levels are based on multifaceted sets of values, assumptions and beliefs which facilitate in taking business decisions. The employees behavior is heavily affected by the organizational culture consisting of the shared beliefs and values. The improvement in the performance in the employees means that there will improvement in the overall performance of the organization (Burke 2017). the four functions of the organizational culture are enhancing the commitment of the employees towards the organization, developing a sense of identity within the employees, shaping the different behavioral patterns of the employees by using control mechanisms and strengthening the values of the organization. The organizational culture can be used as an effective tool for measurement o f the organizational performances based on the sets of values and beliefs. This will also promote training and development of the workforce which is essential for developing future leaders and skills that are necessary for the changing business environment and the consumer need. Organizational performance is the most essential aspect for any organization and in order to achieve the organizational goals through balance score card an effective organization culture ensures that the employee performances are improved regularly by providing them with a sense of belonging. This shows that organizational culture will have deep impact on the performance of any organization. Literature gap The literature used in the study is based on performance evaluation and does not include other aspects of establishing the relationship between organizational culture and employee performance. Moreover, the literature does not discuss the different emphasize on the role of the organizational culture in different sectors which means that there is general analysis of the relationship. However, there is lack of empirical literature to support the relationship and establish it. Research Methodology Research is a systematic activity of identifying the different activities to fulfill the objective of a study. The different methods of research are quasi-experimental method, survey method, observational method, case study method, experimental method and correlation method (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault 2015). In this current study, experimental method will be used for identifying the causes and effects of the selected phenomenon. The study is using applied research as the objective of the study has been predefined and the identified issues can be addressed. Moreover, research methodology can be fundamental and applied depending upon the nature of the study. In this study, it has been already stated that the study will address a specific problem related to a organization. The findings and analysis will provide relevant recommendation that will be useful for the managers in Eskom and at the same time used by other companies facing similar problems in the industry. Therefore, the current study is an applied research. The study will use conclusive research design which will derive relevant conclusion from observations. Research Strategy (Quantitative/Qualitative) The study will use mono method where both quantitative analysis of data will be conducted. Research philosophy chosen in the study is positivism as it will facilitate in conducting quantitative analysis (Flick 2015). Positivism deals with observation and collection of realistic data. Therefore, the data collected in positivism is quantifiable and discrete. This means that these data can be easily represented quantitatively and will help in improving the objectivity of the study. There are three different types of research approaches, one is inductive, second is abductive and the third is deductive. The inductive approach is used to develop new theories and generalizations. On the other hand, abductive approach is used introducing shocking facts and discuss the reasons behind it in rest of the study. Deductive approach is used to prove the existing theories discussed in a research so that the formulated hypothesis can be rejected. This will enable to reach a suitable conclusion. The s tudy will use deductive approach so that the hypothesis that has been formulated can be tested to reach suitable conclusion. This will also improve the scope of observation in the study. Research design is the choice of the ways of the collection data and analysis. There are two types of research design, one is conclusive and other is explorative. Explorative research is used to explore research areas but does not have the aim to provide conclusive research in the study. The direction of the study can be changed at any point of time but the fundamental elements will have to be kept same in the study. The explorative is not aiming to provide conclusive evidence in the study. Therefore, the study will determine the problem nature. Conclusive research consists of the research methods used to develop effective findings in the practical scenario which will help in making decisions. Therefore, the objective of conclusive research is to establish relationship where as explorative research is used to develop understanding and insights. This study will use conclusive research where the findings of the study will facilitate the managers of the organization to deal with the spe cific problem. Target Population and Sample The respondents that will be addressed to collect the data are known as the target population in any study. The study will conduct both quantitative so survey and questionnaire will be used for collecting data. The quantitative analysis will consist of close-ended questionnaire where the lower level employees in Eskom will be asked various questions on the research topic. The formulated questionnaire is a close ended questionnaire as the employees may not have deep knowledge about the research topic. The close ended questionnaire will facilitate in obtaining meaningful and relevant data for the study. The study consists of 100 respondents but sampling techniques will be used to reduce the sample population to 50 in order to reduce the complexity of the analysis section. Sampling Strategy Sampling is a method of selecting sample population from the whole population. Sampling is used when the sample size is huge or there is less availability of data to identify suitable respondents that will effectively represent the overall population in the study. There are two types of sampling methods, one is probabilistic sampling and other is non-probabilistic sampling (Silverman 2016). Probabilistic sampling uses randomization for selecting sample population from the study. The different types of probabilistic sampling are systematic sampling, simple random sampling, cluster sampling, and stratified sampling. In systematic sampling, the ith population from the sample of 1 to n will be selected and i is the interval. In Simple random sampling, the population samples are randomly selected so that everyone has the equal opportunity of being selected. In stratified sampling, the population into groups that do not coincide and then randomization is used to select sample from each of the population. In cluster, all the above methods are used to develop clusters and select population samples. In non-probabilistic sampling, non-randomization is used for collecting the sample. The different non-probabilistic sampling methods are convenience sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, judgement sampling and extensive sampling. Probabilistic sampling is time consuming and expensive but provides accurate samples that will properly represent the whole population. Non-probabilistic sampling is used when there is a constraint in time and resources. In this study, simple random sampling will be used for identifying the population sample of the study. Data Collection Instruments The tools used for collecting data in a research are known as the data collection instruments. The study will conduct survey and questions for collecting data from the selected respondents in the study. The quantitative analysis will use close-ended questions to the respondents that do not have in depth knowledge about the topic. This means that primary data is the basis of data collection in the study. Validity and Reliability Validity examines whether the scientific approach has been followed in the study. Criterion validity, internal validity, content validity, external validity, construct validity, concurrent validity and face validity are different types of validity methods (Csikszentmihalyi and Larson 2014). On the other hand, when other researchers use the methods used in this study to obtain similar result is reliability in the study. In this current study, reliability is kept high by carefully choosing all the methods and validity is improved by using ideal methodology, time scale and authentic data samples. Initially, the questionnaire will be sent for pilot testing so that to identify whether desired answers can be gathered. The questionnaire will be sent to 20 respondents and their feedback will be taken on the significance of the questions. Data Analysis The quantitative analysis will consist of mean, mode, median and regression. Ms excel is the tool used for calculating descriptive statistics and regression. Ms excel will facilitate in developing various graphs and charts in the study by developing frequency tables of the respondents in each question. (Humphries 2017). The regression analysis will establish the relationship between the independent variable organizational culture and the dependent variable organizational performance. Pilot Study Pilot study is a method of improving the reliability and validity of the study by identifying the appropriateness of the methods and observations. Pilot study is used for analyzing the data in quantitative analysis for analyzing small samples. Pilot study is used for analyzing data collected in non-probabilistic sampling but in this study, randomization is used for selecting the population sample from the overall sample. Therefore, pilot study will have to be conducted for developing relevant observations and findings. Limitations of the Research In this study, the finding of the study is based on primary data collection method so data in this study will not be compared to the already existing journals and articles. Moreover, the study has been narrowed down to a single company and cannot represent the overall population in the study. The study uses single design so it cannot be backed up by qualitative data. The results cannot be compared with the qualitative results which could have provided a different dimension to the study. Elimination of Bias This study is using simple random sampling so randomization is the basis of selecting the population sample. Therefore, bias can be eliminated by using the probabilistic sampling and maintaining high degree of validity and reliability. Ethical Considerations Various studies have failed for not maintaining the ethical aspect of the research. In this current study, anonymity of the respondents has been maintained to protect their privacy (Creswell and Poth 2017). The respondents have not been forced to take part in the study and they have participated of their own free will. The respondents have been made aware of the purpose of the study so that the objectivity of the study can be maintained. The data collected will not be manipulated or biased to derive the desired result in the study. Permission has been taken from Eskom for conducting the research and they have been provided with all the details so that there is no issue in conducting the research. The management are made aware of the study objective so that they have a prior knowledge that the research will not have any adverse effect o the organization. Format of the Research (Chapter Organisation) The first chapter of the study will introduce the context of the study defining the purpose of the research, the research question and the research hypothesis. The second chapter of the study will consist of the literature review where the theories will be discussed in accordance to the hypothesis. The third chapter of the study will consist of the research methodology which will describe the different methods to successfully develop the findings of the study. The fourth chapter of the study will consist of the findings and analysis of the observed data to develop relevant conclusion. The fifth chapter of the study will link the objectives of the study to the findings to develop relevant conclusion. Proposed Timetable Task Name Duration Start Finish Project Plan 55 days Mon 4/2/18 Fri 6/15/18 Topic Selection 1 wk Mon 4/2/18 Fri 4/6/18 Data collection from secondary sources 1 wk Mon 4/9/18 Fri 4/13/18 Framing layout of the research 1 wk Mon 4/16/18 Fri 4/20/18 Literature review 1 wk Mon 4/23/18 Fri 4/27/18 Formation of the research Plan 1 wk Mon 4/30/18 Fri 5/4/18 Selection of the Appropriate Research Techniques 1 wk Mon 5/7/18 Fri 5/11/18 Secondary data collection 1 wk Mon 5/14/18 Fri 5/18/18 Analysis Interpretation of Data Collection 1 wk Mon 5/21/18 Fri 5/25/18 Conclusion of the Study 1 wk Mon 5/28/18 Fri 6/1/18 Formation of Rough Draft 1 wk Mon 6/4/18 Fri 6/8/18 Submission of Final Work 1 wk Mon 6/11/18 Fri 6/15/18 References Alvesson, M. and Sveningsson, S., 2015.Changing organizational culture: Cultural change work in progress. Routledge. Anderson, N., Poto?nik, K. and Zhou, J., 2014. Innovation and creativity in organizations: A state-of-the-science review, prospective commentary, and guiding framework.Journal of Management,40(5), pp.1297-1333. Bolman, L.G. and Deal, T.E., 2017.Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. John Wiley Sons. Burke, W.W., 2017.Organization change: Theory and practice. Sage Publications. Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N., 2017.Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications. Csikszentmihalyi, M. and Larson, R., 2014. Validity and reliability of the experience-sampling method. InFlow and the foundations of positive psychology(pp. 35-54). Springer Netherlands. Elsbach, K.D. and Stigliani, I., 2018. Design Thinking and Organizational Culture: A Review and Framework for Future Research.Journal of Management, p.0149206317744252. Flick, U., 2015.Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research project. Sage. Helms Mills, J.C. and Mills, A.J., 2017. Rules, Sensemaking, Formative Contexts, and Discourse in the Gendering of Organizational Culture?. InInsights and Research on the Study of Gender and Intersectionality in International Airline Cultures(pp. 49-69). Emerald Publishing Limited. Hoffman, D., Hoffman, D. and profile, V. 2016.Dissertation Structure and Headings. [online] Dissertationkokua.blogspot.in. Available at: https://dissertationkokua.blogspot.in/2016/01/dissertation-structure-and-headings.html [Accessed 16 Jan. 2018]. Hogan, S.J. and Coote, L.V., 2014. Organizational culture, innovation, and performance: A test of Schein's model.Journal of Business Research,67(8), pp.1609-1621. Humphries, B., 2017.Re-thinking social research: anti-discriminatory approaches in research methodology. Taylor Francis. Jeon, J.M. and Cho, S.J., 2017. A Study on Employment Culture in South Korea: Based on Hofstedes Cultural Dimension Theory.Culture, Biography Lifelong Learning,3(2), pp.67-75. Longman, K., Daniels, J., Bray, D.L. and Liddell, W., 2018. How Organizational Culture Shapes Womens Leadership Experiences.Administrative Sciences,8(2), p.8. Lonial, S.C. and Carter, R.E., 2015. The impact of organizational orientations on medium and small firm performance: A resource?based perspective.Journal of Small Business Management,53(1), pp.94-113. Mezirow, J., 2018. Transformative learning theory. InContemporary Theories of Learning(pp. 114-128). Routledge. Mills, A.J., 2017. Studying the Gendering of Organizational Culture over Time: Concerns, Issues, and Strategies?. InInsights and Research on the Study of Gender and Intersectionality in International Airline Cultures(pp. 71-91). Emerald Publishing Limited. Pollanen, R., Abdel-Maksoud, A., Elbanna, S. and Mahama, H., 2017. Relationships between strategic performance measures, strategic decision-making, and organizational performance: empirical evidence from Canadian public organizations.Public Management Review,19(5), pp.725-746. Schneider, B., Gonzlez-Rom, V., Ostroff, C. and West, M.A., 2017. Organizational climate and culture: Reflections on the history of the constructs in the Journal of Applied Psychology.Journal of Applied Psychology,102(3), p.468. Shin, D. and Konrad, A.M., 2017. Causality between high-performance work systems and organizational performance.Journal of Management,43(4), pp.973-997. Silverman, D. ed., 2016.Qualitative research. Sage. Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015.Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley Sons. Valmohammadi, C. and Roshanzamir, S., 2015. The guidelines of improvement: Relations among organizational culture, TQM and performance.International Journal of Production Economics,164, pp.167-178.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

The Tempest free essay sample

The concept of the great chain of being, which is the religious hierarchical structure that starts from God and progresses downward to angles, demons, kings, princes, nobles, men and so on. Can be seen throughout the play â€Å"The tempest† written by the author William Shakespeare. One of the main themes of the play shows us how mans greed to rise beyond ones place of power and breaks the chain of command; can cause dire consequences for the characters. Prospero is the main character in â€Å"The Tempest† and is the protagonist of the play. Prospero was once the Duke of Milan, till his brother Antonio plotted against him and over took his position as duke, with the help of Alonso the King of Naples. Prospero then fled with daughter Miranda to an island so they didn’t face execution. This first unnatural change of power has set off a chain reaction for events to come towards Antonio, Alonso and the people around them. We will write a custom essay sample on The Tempest or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Years later Prospero caused a storm to crash a ship onto his island that contained a group of men that included Antonio, Alonso and his son Ferdinand; with the help of his sprit guide Ariel. While on the island even more mirroring and reversal of order took place between the men. In one event Antonio persuades Sebastian, who is Alonso’s brother, to kill Alonso while he is sleeping. Because once Alonso is dead Sebastian will be the sole heir to the throne †As thou got’st Milan, I’’come by Naples. Draw thy sword; one stroke shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest, and I the king shall love thee. † (Lines 186-189) Another example of characters trying to rise beyond their place of power; is when Trinculo a jester and Stephano a butler think they can become rulers of the island. Caliban is Prospero’s servant on the island and resents him for forcing him to do his bidding; when in his mind he think that’s the island belongs to him and he should be in charge. So when they are all drunk Caliban persuades Stephano to kill Prospero in order to take control of the island â€Å"Monster, I will kill this man, his daughter and I will be King and Queen-save our graces! And Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. † (Lines 101-103) Lastly Gonzalo a lord thinks that even he can see himself ruling the island, but he claims he would rule with no commerce, work or sovereignty in his ociety. Once stranded on the island all the characters loose sight of the original chain of command that was once established before they came to the island. All of these characters envision the island as a space of freedom and unrealized potential. As you can see the play †The Tempest† shows us how quickly man is willing to gain new power over people. By rising in their status, by any means necessary. Characters are willing to kill, betray family, and lie to each other to achieve their greedy desires. In the end of the play Prospero is able to confront Alonso and his brother Antonio, who results in Prospero regaining his title as Duke of Milan, This event restores the once broken chain of natural order, and thus putting things back to the way it once was. Showing the underling truth of the concept of the great chain of being. †The implication was that civil rebellion caused the chain to be broken, and according to the doctrine of correspondence, this would have desire consequences in other realms.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Free Essays on Lynching

Lynching is the illegal execution of an accused person by a mob. It was originally a system of punishment used by whites against African American slaves. Lynching was a practice all too common in the United States. Lynching is most often associated with race relations after the end of the civil war and the destruction of slavery. Lynching was a form of terror used to suppress the minority African-American population. Lynching occurred in all parts of the nation. The effort to outlaw of lynching was a political cause of generations. African-Americans, the most common victims of lynch law, led the fight to outlaw the practice. The United States has a brutal history of domestic violence. It is an ugly episode in our national history that has long been neglected. Of the several varieties of American violence, one type stands out as one of the most inhuman chapters in the history of the world- the violence committed against Negro citizens in America by white people. This unit of post Reconstruction Afro-American history will examine anti-Black violence from the 1880s to the 1950s. The phenomenon of lynching and the major race riots of this period, called the American Dark Ages by historian Rayford W. Logan, will be covered. In the last decades of the nineteenth century, the lynching of Black people in the Southern and border states became an institutionalized method used by whites to terrorize Blacks and maintain white supremacy. In the South, during the period 1880 to 1940, there was deep-seated and all-pervading hatred and fear of the Negro which led white mobs to turn to â€Å"lynch law† as a means of social control. Lynchings- open public murders of individuals suspected of crime conceived and carried out more or less spontaneously by a mob- seem to have been an American invention. Lynchings occurred throughout the United States; it was not a sectional crime. However, the great majority of lynchings in the United States took place ... Free Essays on Lynching Free Essays on Lynching Lynching is the illegal execution of an accused person by a mob. It was originally a system of punishment used by whites against African American slaves. Lynching was a practice all too common in the United States. Lynching is most often associated with race relations after the end of the civil war and the destruction of slavery. Lynching was a form of terror used to suppress the minority African-American population. Lynching occurred in all parts of the nation. The effort to outlaw of lynching was a political cause of generations. African-Americans, the most common victims of lynch law, led the fight to outlaw the practice. The United States has a brutal history of domestic violence. It is an ugly episode in our national history that has long been neglected. Of the several varieties of American violence, one type stands out as one of the most inhuman chapters in the history of the world- the violence committed against Negro citizens in America by white people. This unit of post Reconstruction Afro-American history will examine anti-Black violence from the 1880s to the 1950s. The phenomenon of lynching and the major race riots of this period, called the American Dark Ages by historian Rayford W. Logan, will be covered. In the last decades of the nineteenth century, the lynching of Black people in the Southern and border states became an institutionalized method used by whites to terrorize Blacks and maintain white supremacy. In the South, during the period 1880 to 1940, there was deep-seated and all-pervading hatred and fear of the Negro which led white mobs to turn to â€Å"lynch law† as a means of social control. Lynchings- open public murders of individuals suspected of crime conceived and carried out more or less spontaneously by a mob- seem to have been an American invention. Lynchings occurred throughout the United States; it was not a sectional crime. However, the great majority of lynchings in the United States took place ...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Spanish Words for Whoever, Wherever, and Whenever

Spanish Words for Whoever, Wherever, and Whenever Spanish has several words ending in -quiera that are the rough equivalent of English words ending in -ever, although they are often used in slightly different ways. Common Words Ending in -quiera dondequiera, sometimes shortened to doquiera (wherever)adondequiera (to wherever)comoquiera, often spelled as como quiera (in whatever way, however)cualquiera, sometimes used in the plural form cualesquiera (whichever, whatever, any)quienquiera, sometimes used in the plural form quienesquiera (whoever, whomever, anyone)cuandoquiera (whenever) The -quiera suffix is obviously derived from the verb querer. The -quiera words can be used as various parts of speech, depending on the context. When used as an adjective before a singular, masculine noun, through the process of apocopation, the ending becomes -quier, as in cualquier hombre, whichever man. Example Sentences Dondequiera que voy, reviso mi correo electrà ³nico. (Wherever I go, I check my e-mail.) Dondequiera que yo vaya, mi amigo va conmigo. (Wherever I go, my friend goes with me. As in this and the preceding example, dondequiera is frequently followed by the relative pronoun que. Although it is common to use the subjunctive mood with this sentence construction, it is not always mandatory.) Y salà ­a David adondequiera que Saà ºl le enviaba. (And David went away to wherever Saul sent him. Adondequiera is used when suggesting a destination. Adondequiera has the same relationship to dondequiera that adà ³nde has to dà ³nde.) Comoquiera que sea, gracias por tu amable comentario. (Whatever comes of it, thanks for your friendly comment.) Comoquiera que no estaba yo muy convencido, me fui. (Since I wasnt especially convinced, I left. When comoquiera que is followed by a verb in the indicative mood, it often means because or since.) Este programa puede convertir videos de cualquier formato a cualquier formato. (This program can convert videos from any format to any other format. Note that whatever could be informally substituted for any in the translation.) Existen cientos de carreras profesionales, y estudiar cualquiera de ellas tiene sus ventajas y desventajas. (There are hundreds of careers, and studying any of them has advantages and disadvantages.) Cualquiera que estudie este libro va a aprender cosas que le van a ser muy à ºtiles en su vida. (Anyone who studies this book will learn things that will be very useful in his or her life. Cualquiera que is typically followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood.) En cualesquiera circunstancias, la mente siempre encontrar algo para que no seas feliz. (In any circumstance, the mind will always find something so you arent happy. The Spanish is an example of the plural form, although it is translated as singular in English.) Quienquiera que seas, no importa. (Whoever you are, it doesnt matter. Quienquiera que is typically followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood.) Nuestro movimiento est abierto a quienquiera. (Our movement is open to anyone.) Cuandoquiera que dos o tres alcohà ³licos se reà ºnan en interà ©s de la sobriedad, podrn llamarse un grupo de A.A. (Whenever two or three alcoholics get together in the interest of sobriety, they will be able to call themselves an AA group. Cuandoquiera que is typically followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood, although sometimes the indicative mood is used when referring to an event that regularly occurs.) Puedes llamarme por celular cuandoquiera. (You can call me by cell phone at any time.) Translating to Spanish Be aware that while it usually works to translate Spanish -quiera words as English -ever words, the reverse isnt always true. In other words, the -ever words of English are more versatile than the -quiera words of Spanish. For example, whoever sometimes has basically the same meaning as who but is used mainly for emphasis. Thus Whoever is calling you? would better be translated simply as  ¿Quià ©n te llama? rather than using some form of quienquiera. Also, whatever also is used in numerous ways. Where whatever is the equivalent of any, it often can be translated using cualquiera. For example, You can be whatever type of woman you want to be could be translated as Puedes ser cualquier tipo de mujer que quieres ser. But when it is used to express indifference, you might translate it using something as no importa, which literally means it isnt important. Key Takeaways Common Spanish words ending in -quiera include dondequiera (wherever), comoquiera (however), cualquiera (whichever), quienquiera (whoever), and cuandoquiera (whenever).Sometimes the -quiera words are followed by que and a verb in the subjunctive mood.When used as an adjective before a singular, masculine noun, the -quiera ending changes to -quier.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Scenarios Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Scenarios - Essay Example Given the conditions that we have been focusing on, certain scenarios are distinct possibilities over the next 20 years. Some of these are: Scenario 1: Using Social Media Using social media as a means of interaction with clients, the organisation communicates all manner of information online. Clients get information pertinent to their needs directly in their mail and at their other online presence sites. Potential customers are targeted with information that would be optimally useful to them in making purchase decisions. Irrelevant information is kept to a minimum, and most communication is unobtrusive and relevant. When using the social media to contact customers, it becomes important to ensure that the right information reaches the right person. Over – exposure to irrelevant information can cause the customer to form a negative attitude towards the organization; and under exposure to relevant information can cause the organization to be discounted when making a purchase deci sion. If every person receives every piece of information that the organisation publishes, it may become very difficult for the consumer to make a truly informed purchase decision. ... Providing the consumer with search options and unobtrusive advertisements that are relevant to the needs that the consumer is at that moment trying to address. In order to encourage a potential consumer to decide to purchase with the organization, that consumer needs to be given relevant information. Mining information from searches and providing information to such a potential consumer is one way of doing this. Requesting potential consumers to allow access to details stored at social networking and professional sites is another way of deciding what information is to be presented to which client. Wherever possible, the potential and reoccurring consumers are kept free of un-solicitated data, and access to detailed information online is made available to the maximum client base. Sign Posts: The organisation will need to create a database of all the material and post regular updates so that there is always relevant information available in a user friendly manner to the consumers. The organisation needs to tie up with all major social and professional networking organisations in order to reach the largest consumer database. New sites need to be vetted and joined if they can provide a significant volume of sales. Sales representatives need to be trained to direct individuals to the most useful information. Social media experts need to be employed, markets understood, and targeted accordingly. Changes in the social media technology need to be studied and used to advantage. Scenario 2: A Global Presence Markets are growing and merging, so that small organisations also have a global presence. The organisation has at least a skeletal staff in all major locations across the globe to

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Employment training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Employment training - Essay Example In contrast to this, both government and employers are still faced with several challenges on the level of expertise of such staff and the total contributions achieved by the children from such experiences (Buchen 2005, Tassoni; et al.2002). While there is still need to adjust staff to children ratio, the government still maintains its policy that, the training staffs must be holders of either Certificate grade III or Diploma after completing the preliminary training in childcare practices. This has created a lot of challenges to the employers on a continual demand for trained teachers (Reitz 2004). Currently, the Australian government policy has generated much concern about the impact of insufficient number of childcare staffs and the trainers of young children. The main point of concern is that, in future if this trend continues then there would be a very big deficit of workers needed to provide education to the young children. Besides, the potential demand in institutions for trai ners, consequence is being felt by the institutional owners who have resorted to sourcing for childcare staffs internationally as stiff policy by the Australian government bites to underplay the education industry for young children (OECD 2001). Considering some of the initiatives by the Australian government, for the early child development staffs to either, attain Diploma levels or source for more expatriates from other countries has been touted. However, less significant impact has been received because other countries are also in dire need of such people and being a competitive industry, most skilled personnel’s only seek opportunity in places where good rewards in terms of remunerations can be achieved certainly, in places such as Asia or the United States. Furthermore, the demand for early childhood education teachers may have also been created in their countries of origin (McKenzie and Santiago 2005). According to ABC news report, the new requirements, which have been put in place by the Australian government on the childhood graduate trainees, has forced most of institutional owners to consider staffs oversees. Mr. Colbert childhood education staff from Majura Children Park Canberra explains that, the policy has interfered with the recruitment locally since, most of the graduates still miss to have the additional requirements of the Diploma requirements subjecting the organizations to consider international staffs. Another point of concern has been noted by Ranstad education recruiter, who has given observation that in several vacancy advertisements, most of the potential applicants would be found to have come from the Diaspora (ABC News 2013). Some of the organizations allied to the government have embraced the reforms to have all childhood education teachers to advance the level of training inline line with the current policy. However, most of the teachers who are currently working see it as wastage of time because the syllabus being taught at those levels had actually been covered at the undergraduate. In addition, the training is not meant for free as it comes at an additional cost impacting unnecessary expenses on what is perceived to have been learnt earlier on at the university by teachers in practice (OECD 2006). Some of the national requirements considered to be of greeter challenge to this education industry are amongst: Half the staffs at every daycare center must be a holder of diploma in early childhood e

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Should Same Sex Marriage Be Legalized Essay Example for Free

Should Same Sex Marriage Be Legalized Essay Half of Americans say that homosexuality is something that can be changed or a choice, while the other half say that homosexuality is not a choice but something that they are born with and cannot change. So what is homosexuality, exactly? It is the attraction or behaviors, sexual or otherwise, between members of the same sex or gender (Random House, Inc. 2013). The question at hand is should the parties in these types of relationships be allowed to marry and carry the same rights as that of a heterosexual couple? This is something that has been discussed and debated between many groups for a long time and still continues to be so. The answer is simple. Marriage should be the right of the individual, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This country is founded on exactly this point. The Constitution of the United States of America says everyone should have equal rights. Freedom to marry is no different than freedom of religion. If an individual can choose who to worship and believe in, then that individual should be able to choose who to love and spend their life with. In 1974, the Supreme Court ruled that in the case of Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur, freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause (ProCon.org 2013)†. Not legalizing same sex marriage only leads people to believe that it is acceptable to discriminate against those who lead this life style. Because of this, laws regarding same sex marriage need to evolve with the times. When laws were created against same sex marriage, it was also not accepted to marry interracially. Since this time these laws have been revised and have allowed for many happy, healthy homes. This goes to show that if laws are not changed to fit the times, the country can never grow. This growth can provide great opportunities in many different ways. Same Sex Marriage is also beneficial to both the same sex partners and the Government. Federal benefits would be available to a legally married same sex couple. These benefits would include, Social Security Benefits, Tax Benefits, as well Veterans and Military Benefits. For the same sex couple, this would mean a better quality of life and more security later in life. They would also qualify for Federal Employment Benefits and Immigration. Many people feel that a same sex couple should not have these rights because they believe it will cost the government more money and damage the economy further. However, these benefits would allow the same sex couple to provide a more stable life for their families. As for the government is concerned, the legally married same sex couple would also be liable for the same Federal fees and expenses as a â€Å"traditional† married couple. They would have to file and pay for marriage licenses. In addition, the legally married couple would be required to file as married on their Federal Taxes. Both of these things can potential boost the economy. Therefore, the government would actually benefit from the legalization as opposed to being damaged. The Comptroller for New York City found that over a period of three years, just legalizing gay marriage would bring approximately $142 million to the city’s economy and approximately $184 million to the state’s economy (William C. Thompson, Jr., Love Counts: The Economic Benefits of Marriage Equality for New York 2007). These benefits have already been implemented in many parts of the world and have proven to be beneficial to both parties. There are currently eighteen nations that have implemented laws for same sex marriage to be allowed, in either the entire area or at least certain jurisdictions. These countries include Argentina (2010), Denmark (2012), The Netherlands (2000), South Africa (2006), Belgium (2003), England/Wales (2013), New Zealand (2013), Spain (2005), Brazil (2013), France (2013), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Canada (2005), Iceland (2010), Portugal (2010), Uruguay (2013), Mexico (2009), and The United States (2003) (Senior Researcher David Masci, Research Analyst Elizabeth Sciupac and Assistant Editor Michael Lipka 2013). Of these eighteen nations the only two restricted to certain jurisdictions The United States and Mexico. In The United States same sex has been legalized in thirteen states. These include Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr. 24. 2009), Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009), New Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010), New York (June 24, 2011), Washington (Dec. 9, 2012), Maine (Dec. 29, 2012), Maryland (Jan. 1, 2013), California (June 28, 2013), Delaware (July 1, 2013), Rhode Island (Aug. 1, 2013), and Minnesota (Aug. 1, 2013) (Christian Broadcasting Network, Americans Question Who Makes a Family, 2010). In 2008, Massachusetts, the first state in the country to legalize same sex marriage, had the lowest divorce rate in the country. This has been the case with many other states as well, showing that gay marriage bans correspond with higher divorce rates (Nate Silver, Divorce Rates Higher in States with Gay Marriage Bans, 2010). It has been shown that lower divorce rates provide for more stable homes. More stable living environments can provide a plethora of opportunities to people that not have otherwise been given them. Among these opportunities lies the known fact that a same sex couple who is legally married would have an easier time adopting a child(ren) than a non-married couple. The reason for this is because, the adoption process is believed to be easier when there is a loving two parent household. It has been shown that when considering adoption, a married couple will be much more likely to be approved than an individual because it is more likely that they would be able to best provide for the child and give them the necessary attention. Single parents are very unlikely to be allowed to adopt unless they have extensive means of support. Many people believe that a child should not be raised in a home with parents of the same sex because it would not be healthy for the child’s growth and development. However, it has been shown that children raised in same sex homes have been proven to thrive just as well as those raised in heterosexual homes. In this country alone there are 100,000 children waiting for adoption (James G. Pawelski 2006). More stable homes would provide to create more productive members of society. Studies conducted in 2010 concluded that children raised by two mothers scored higher than those of heterosexual parents in multiple areas, including social and academic competence (Rachel H. Farr, Stephen L. Forsell, and Charlotte J. Patterson, Parenting and Child Development in Adoptive Families: Does Parental Sexual Orientation Matter?, Applied Developmental Science 2010). In addition, these children were shown to have fewer social problems. Children of gay fathers in this study were to be just as well-adjusted as those adopted by heterosexual parents† (Rachel H. Farr, Stephen L. Forsell, and Charlotte J. Patterson, Parenting and Child Development in Adoptive Families: Does Parental Sexual Orientation Matter?, Applied Developmental Science 2010). Allowing more adoptions would also cut down on the need to place unwanted and abused children into the Foster System. In doing this, not only does the same sex married couple get the pleasure of becoming parents, and the children get the chance of a happy normal life, but the government will again benefit by no longer needing to provide the support for these children, as well as providing more foster homes for those children with the possibility of reunification with their families, which there is a great shortage of. All of this information shows that whether or not sexual orientation is a choice or something that one is simply born with is really irrelevant. The fact still remains that everyone should have equal rights, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. It is unconstitutional to deny these rights to anyone based on these discriminating factors, as the Constitution is supportive of equality for all. In the past similar discrimination was imposed upon inter-racial marriages, which has since been altered. By changing those laws and providing balance between the races, the country has grown in ways that could only have been imagined. The same possibilities are true for the legalizations of same sex marriage. Unless something is given the chance, it will never be known what could possibly come from it, and it could quite possibly improve the overall quality of life. This is true not just for the parties directly affected, but for those around them as well. This has already been shown through the positive things that have come from the legalization of same sex marriage in many areas around the world. Regardless of the fears of many that legalizing same sex marriage could compromise the functions of society, in the areas where it is already legal, society is still functioning just as well if not better than before the legalization. References Pew research religion and public life project. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pewforum.org/search/gay+marriage/?site=pewforum Procon.org. (2013). Retrieved from http://gaymarriage.procon.org/ Waters, H. J. (2013). Proquest. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/1372302648?accountid=458 Cheiner, E. (2013). The gay and lesbian review. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/1322735038?accountid=458 Pearce, C. (2012). Gay marriage. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/1223795294?accountid=458

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Crucible by Arthur Miller :: Essay on The Crucible

The Crucible To what extent is John and Elizabeth’s relationship the main focus of the play? In this essay I am going to discus to what extent John and Elizabeth’s relationship is the focus of the Crucible. The play was set in 1962, in a small, American village called Salem. As Salem was governed by a Theocracy, the whole village was extremely religious. After reading the Crucible I think that John and Elizabeth’s relationship is the main focus of the play, we can see in each act how their feelings and emotions towards their relation ship changes and progresses throughout the play. In Act 1 we are introduced to John Proctor. We find out that he is a farmer in his middle thirties and that he is known, and respected throughout the village as a good, honest man. We also learn that John has committed adultery with his former servant – Abigail Williams, niece of Reverend Paris. John deeply regrets this, and, as we learn from act one he wishes to no longer peruse his relation ship with Abigail any further; â€Å"I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again!† Abigail responds to this remark in anger, not being able to bear the fact that John no longer wants her. She calls Elizabeth a â€Å"cold, snivelling woman† and accuses her of spreading lies â€Å"She is blackening my name in the village, she is spreading lies about me!† Immediately John responds in defence of his wife â€Å"You’ll speak nothin’ of Elizabeth!† We can see from this Act how John can’t bear the fact that he committed such a terrible sin against his wife who he loves and cares for. In At 2, we learn more about John and Elizabeth’s feelings towards each other. It begins with them having a civilised conversation, perhaps too civilised for a married couple, Elizabeth is keeping her answers short and blunt, for example; â€Å" That’s well† and â€Å"It must be.† John picks up on this, and asks Elizabeth if she is sad again. As we read further we find out that Elizabeth thought John had gone into Salem, as he was home so late. What she really means when she says â€Å"You come so late I thought you’d gone to Salem this afternoon†, is that she thought John had been to see Abigail. Elizabeth knows that John had an affair with Abby, and she still holds this against him. The fact that Elizabeth bought this subject up angers John and therefore, results in an argument. John hates it that Elizabeth cannot seem to forgive him â€Å"Spare me! You forgive nothin’ and forget nothin’

Monday, November 11, 2019

Out of This Furnace Essay

Out of This Furnace is a historical fiction that was written by Thomas Bell in 1941 and describes the life of immigrant workers in America. Bell grew up in Braddock in Pennsylvania, a mill town that was typical of many of the industrialized areas in America at that time. His novel reflects the hardships his family faced as they struggled to survive in the â€Å"new country† and he utilizes the medium of a fictional story to challenge the capitalist ideals of the government of that period through the trials and tribulations of his immigrant steelworkers. The book focuses on the lives of four individuals and describes how the four individual characters; Kracha, Mike, Mary and Dobie’s lives change as a direct consequence of changes which occurred in general for America immigrants between the mid 1800s and 1920s. Through encompassing the life experiences of four generations, Bell is able to provide the reader with insights into the way in which these individual’s lifestyles and beliefs became more liberal. Alongside this the story of the development of the labor unions is staged and the reader gains impressions into how these unions were viewed and approached by the people they were designed to help. Many workers had no political freedom or even a voice in the company that employed them. However, through all of these hardships, the immigrants continued their struggle for a better life. For many people America, during the economic and evolution of the mid 1800s, represented a country of hope and dreams, a place that could provide them with great opportunities and better economic prospects. As a result of this many European immigrants, many without skills, left their countries of origin in order to work in the many factors and steel mills. Whilst jobs were in abundance the work was hard, laborious and very poorly paid. The Slovaks of Thomas Bell’s Out of this Furnace are representative of these immigrants. The first of the three generations described within the story is Djuro Kracha, a Slovak peasant (p. 3) who left behind his nation of birth in the hope of ending the poverty and oppression he suffered there. Kracha initially works on the railroad before landing a job in a Dubrik mill through a friend. The descriptions of the work he endured provides the reader with the impression that employment at the mill was dangerous, arduous and relentless. The hours of work were long and tiredness of the employees often led to accidents thus evidenced by the death of Dubik’s best friend George who is killed as a blast furnace explodes. Whilst such accidents were typical on a daily basis in the mills of America but no actions were taken to improve safety or the working conditions of the employees in the mill. In Bell’s book, Kracha eventually terminates his employment at the mill in order to become a butcher. This however, does not make his situation any easier and he inevitably turns to alcohol as many immigrants of the time did. The scenes described by Bell in the novel are not limited to the workers themselves but also point out the environmental damage the industrialization created: â€Å"The mills had filled in the shore line for miles up and down the river, destroying trees, obliterating little streams and the pebbly beaches where as recently as the turn of the century campers had set up tents in summer, burying the clean earth under tons of cinder and molten slag. The banks no longer sloped naturally to the water\’s edge but dropped vertically, twenty-foot walls of cold slag pierced at intervals with steaming outlets and marked by dribbling stains. (Bell 153) The second major character within the novel is Mike Dobrejcak, another Slovak immigrant who came to America whilst still in his teens and married Kracha’s daughter, Mary. Although still aspiring and yearning for the American Dream, Mike is a second-generation immigrant who is more aware of the politics of the US and the potential of his vote during election periods. One of the significant themes of Bell’s book is that of the lack of republican form of government for all the people. The countries decisions were made to benefit the financial and business interests of the few. Many of the mill workers did not vote and, for those that did, their input made very little difference. This is reflected in Bell’s description of the division of power: â€Å"There are men in that mill who were born here, whose fathers and grandfathers were born here. They know more English than you’ll ever learn. And what good is their vote doing them? They have to work in the mill and eat dirt like any greenhorn. Let me tell you, I’ve been in America enough to know that it’s run just like any other country. In Europe your emperors and grand dukes own everything and over here it’s your millionaires and your trusts. They run the country to suit themselves, and don’t think they’re going to let you interfere every few years with your miserable vote. Get that into your head. Your vote means nothing. The company man always wins. If he isn’t a company man to start with, he becomes one afterward; the millionaires see to that. (Bell 66-67) Workers were not encouraged to vote, and if they decided to vote, they were strongly encouraged to vote for the politicians the company endorsed, â€Å"Mike had registered as a Republican, anything else would have been suicidal, but had determined to vote for Eugene Debs, the Socialist. He knew the risk. Should he be found out, and that the company had ways of learning how a man had voted nobody in Braddock doubted. e would be fired†. (Bell 189-190). Through Bell’s description of Mike’s opinions, it becomes clear that whilst the workers wanted progress, their view of how this would be achieved contradicted that of the capitalists. The capitalists aimed for generation of wealth and industrialization whilst the workers simply wanted a better way of life and greater equality. Such conflicting aspirations cause a number of disputes between the two representative groups. Mike unfortunately is killed during an accident at work and the story progresses onto describing, through Mary, the reality of families attempting to survive and support themselves after the death of their partners in the mill. The final part of the novel concerns a character called Dobie, the son of Mike and Mary. Dobie’s life and experiences differ greatly from Mikes as he matures during a period of policy reforms and changes. The Unions have become more prominent and workers rights and working conditions have improved. Dobie himself has become a symbol for these changes as he becomes a Union leader and campaigns tirelessly to gain the rights his father and grandfather were denied. Dobie’s stories depict how the mill workers in the US eventually overcame the capitalists and achieve political freedom: â€Å"It was the way you thought and felt about certain things. About freedom of speech and the equality of men and the importance of having one law — the same law — for rich and poor, for the people you liked and the people you didn’t like. About the right of every man to live his life as he thought best, his right to defend it if anyone tried to change it and his right to change it himself if he decided he liked some other way of living better. About the uses to which wealth and power could honorably be put, and about honor itself, honor, integrity, self-respect, the whatever-you-wanted-to-call-it that determined for a man which things he couldn’t say or do under any circumstances, not for all the money there was, not even to help his side win. (Bell 411). Dobie’s story in Out of This Furnace took place during a crucial time in America’s history that, through the creation of a number of legal acts, allowed unions to establish themselves. The first of these, The National Industrial Recovery Act paved the way for psychological acceptance of the concept of union negotiations and bargaining. Dobie confirms this by mentioning that the act removed the fear of unionization that had previously been established by the company and gave the men the confidence to fight for their rights. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) is also of significance in the novel. Through establishing the AFL in Braddock, Dobie was able to cement the concept of a group formed to protect their rights and such groups inevitably allowed for mass strikes and movements. This was further enhanced by the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) which was formed to represent specific industries such as the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. Unlike the AFL, the CIO, explicitly represented unskilled workers and were able to run campaigns that yielded significant results. One example of this during this period in history was the rubber workers in Akron, Ohio who staged a strike on the job in 1936. 70 workers were initially sacked as a result of their actions but this led to a further strike of 1400 workers. Unable to sustain operations the managing company, Goodyear, was forced to negotiate with the workers and changes to hours of work and payment terms were ultimately agreed. One of the most significant acts of this period was the Wagner Act that created the National Relations Board. This board provided the workers with the rights to select their own union representatives and therefore create a fair, unbiased representation for their rights. These legal Acts and the events they sparked allowed much improvement for workers and, although the road to their acceptance and implementation was long and arduous, by the end of the 1930s 1/3 workers belonged to a union and were able to freely and fairly fight for fair pay and working conditions. Out of this Furnace is not simply a story of three generations of mill workers; it is also a reflection of Americanization and the development of political rights for the immigrant workers in America. Within the novel, each generations development and success was related to the previous generation’s failures and learning. As time progresses the mill workers gain a better understanding of American culture and its politics and the domino effect of family generations.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Public and Private Sectors Essay

* Public sector has an influence in tourism business. It is essential to outline the main policy instruments used by governments in order to manage tourism. * Public bodies influence tourism sector either directly, through organization with responsibility for tourism, which include: establishment of infrastructure, information services and creation of tourist attractions and facilities. Or, indirectly, through foreign policies and legal controls, the commercial sector of tourism industry can operate successfully, co-ordinating, promotional and regulatory role in tourism provision, and conservation of the physical and socio-cultural resources that attract tourists to destination. * Governments use demand and revenue management in order to influence demand in the industry by: marketing and promotion, information provision and network development, pricing, controlling access to the destination, safety and security. Supply and cost management are operated by environmental control, building regulations, market regulations, market research and planning, taxation, ownership, education and training and investment incentives. * Private Sector Improve the overall quality of products and services within the tourism industry (all tourism-related accommodation, restaurants, tour guides, tour operators, and other tourism-related service providers); raise the levels of demand nationally, regionally and internationally; promote competiveness within the industry; and, provide valuable and reliable information on quality standards for the tourist and the travel industry. * Provide intensive training to local communities/ private sector in various aspects of development and management of tourism businesses, and hospitality skills to provide them with better opportunities to seek employment in the tourism sector. * Comprehensive general and area-specific development guidelines for tourism zones with specific urban designing, land use planning and infrastructure planning.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Writing Obituaries as a Celebration of Life

Writing Obituaries as a Celebration of Life Beginning reporters often view the writing of obituaries with disdain. After all, they say, an obit is by its very nature old news, the story of a life already lived. But seasoned journalists know that obits are some of the most satisfying articles to do; they give the writer a chance to chronicle a human life from start to finish, and in doing so to find themes and deeper meaning beyond the simple retelling of events. And obits, after all, are about people, and isnt writing about people what makes journalism so interesting in the first place? The Format The format for an obit is surprisingly simple - its basically written as a hard-news story, with what amounts to a five Ws and the H lede. So the lede of an obit should include: Who diedWhat happenedWhere the person died (this is optional for the lede, and is sometimes put in the second paragraph instead)When they diedWhy or how they died But an obit lede goes beyond the five Ws and the H to include a summing up of what made the persons life interesting or significant. This usually involves what they did in life. Whether the deceased was a corporate executive or a homemaker, the obit lede should try to summarize (briefly, of course) what made the person special. Obit ledes also generally include the persons age. Example John Smith, a math teacher who made algebra, trigonometry, and calculus interesting for several generations of students at Centerville High School, died Friday of cancer. He was 83. Smith died at home in Centerville after a long struggle with colon cancer. You can see how this lede includes all the basics - Smiths occupation, his age, the cause of death, etc. But it also sums up, in just a few words, what made him special - making math interesting for generations of high school students. Unusual Deaths If a person has essentially died of old age or a disease related to age, the cause of death generally isnt given more than a sentence or two in an obit, as you see in the example above. But when a person dies young, either through an accident, illness or other causes, the cause of death should be explained more fully. Example Jayson Carothers, a graphic designer who created some of the most memorable covers for the Centerville Times magazine, has died after a long illness. He was 43 and had AIDS, said his partner, Bob Thomas. The Rest Of the Story Once youve fashioned your lede, the rest of the obit is basically a brief chronological account of the persons life, with the emphasis on what made the person interesting. So if youve established in your lede that the deceased was a creative and much-loved math teacher, the rest of the obit should focus on that. Example Smith loved math from an early age and excelled at it through his grade-school years. He majored in math at Cornell University and graduated with honors in 1947. Soon after receiving his bachelors degree he began teaching at Centerville High School, where he became known for his engaging, animated lectures and pioneering use of audiovisual materials. Length The length of an obit varies, depending on the person and their prominence in your community. Obviously, the death of, say, a former mayor in your town will probably be longer than that of a school janitor. But the vast majority of obits are around 500 words or less. So the challenge for the obit writer is to neatly sum up a persons life in a fairly short space. Wrapping Up At the end of every obit are a few must-haves, including: Any information available about funeral services, viewings, etc.;A listing of the deceaseds surviving family members;Any requests family members have made regarding donations to charities, scholarships or foundations.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Biography of Aurangzeb, Emperor of Mughal India

Biography of Aurangzeb, Emperor of Mughal India Emperor Aurangzeb of Indias Mughal Dynasty (November 3, 1618–March 3, 1707) was a ruthless leader who, despite his willingness to take the throne over the bodies of his brothers, went on to create a golden age of Indian civilization. An orthodox  Sunni Muslim, he reinstated taxes and laws penalizing Hindus and imposing Sharia law. At the same time, however, he greatly expanded the Mughal empire and was described by his contemporaries as being disciplined, pious, and intelligent. Fast Facts: Aurangzeb Known For: Emperor of India; builder of the Taj MahalAlso Known As: Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad, AlamgirBorn: November 3, 1618  in Dahod, IndiaParents: Shah Jahan,  Mumtaz MahalDied: March 3, 1707  in Bhingar, Ahmednagar, IndiaSpouse(s): Nawab Bai,  Dilras Banu Begum,  Aurangabadi MahalChildren: Zeb-un-Nissa, Muhammad Sultan, Zinat-un-Nissa, Bahadur Shah I, Badr-un-Nissa, Zubdat-un-Nissa, Muhammad Azam Shah, Sultan Muhammad Akbar, Mehr-un-Nissa, Muhammad Kam BakhshNotable Quote: Strange, that I came into the world with nothing, and now I am going away with this stupendous caravan of sin! Wherever I look, I see only God...I have sinned terribly, and I do not know what punishment awaits me. (supposedly communicated on his deathbed) Early Life Aurangzeb was born on November 3, 1618, the third son of Prince Khurram (who would become  Emperor Shah Jahan) and the Persian princess Arjumand Bano Begam. His mother is more commonly known as Mumtaz Mahal, Beloved Jewel of the Palace. She later inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal. During Aurangzebs childhood, however, Mughal politics made life difficult for the family. Succession did not necessarily fall to the eldest son. Instead, the sons built armies and competed militarily for the throne. Prince Khurram was the favorite to become the next emperor, and his father bestowed the title Shah Jahan Bahadur, or Brave King of the World, on the young man. In 1622, however, when Aurangzeb was 4 years old, Prince Khurram learned that his stepmother was supporting a younger brothers claim to the throne. The prince revolted against his father  but was defeated after four years. Aurangzeb and a brother were sent to their grandfathers court as hostages. When Shah Jahans father died in 1627, the rebel prince became Emperor of the Mughal Empire. The 9-year-old Aurangzeb was reunited with his parents at Agra in 1628. The young Aurangzeb studied statecraft and military tactics, the Quran, and languages in preparation for his future role. Shah Jahan, however, favored his first son Dara Shikoh and believed that he had the potential to become the next Mughal emperor. Aurangzeb, Military Leader The 15-year-old Aurangzeb proved his courage in 1633. All of Shah Jahans court was arrayed in a pavilion and watching an elephant fight when one of the elephants ran out of control. As it thundered toward the royal family, everyone scattered except Aurangzeb, who ran forward and headed off the furious pachyderm. This act of near-suicidal bravery raised Aurangzebs status in the family. The following year, the teenager got command of an army of 10,000 cavalry and 4,000 infantry; he soon was dispatched to put down the Bundela rebellion. When he was 18, the young prince was appointed viceroy of the Deccan region, south of the Mughal heartland. When Aurangzebs sister died in a fire in 1644, he took three weeks to return home to Agra rather than rushing back immediately. Shah Jahan was so angry about his tardiness that he stripped Aurangzeb of his viceroy of Deccan title. Relations between the two deteriorated the following year, and Aurangzeb was banished from court. He bitterly accused the emperor of favoring Dara Shikoh. Shah Jahan needed all of his sons in order to run his huge empire, however, so in 1646 he appointed Aurangzeb governor of Gujarat. The following year, the 28-year-old Aurangzeb also took up the governorships of Balkh (Afghanistan) and Badakhshan (Tajikistan) on the empires vulnerable northern flank. Although Aurangzeb had a lot of success in extending Mughal rule north and westward, in 1652 he failed to take the city of Kandahar, Afghanistan from the Safavids. His father again recalled him to the capital. Aurangzeb would not languish in Agra for long, though; that same year, he was sent south to govern the Deccan once more. Aurangzeb Fights for the Throne In late 1657, Shah Jahan became ill. His beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal had died in 1631 and he never really got over her loss. As his condition worsened, his four sons by Mumtaz began to fight for the Peacock Throne. Shah Jahan favored the eldest son Dara, but many Muslims considered him too worldly and irreligious. Shuja, the second son, was a hedonist who used his position as governor of Bengal as a platform for acquiring beautiful women and wine. Aurangzeb, a much more committed Muslim than either of the elder brothers, saw his chance to rally the faithful behind his own banner. Aurangzeb craftily recruited his younger brother Murad, convincing him that together they could remove Dara and Shuja and place Murad on the throne. Aurangzeb disavowed any plans to rule himself, claiming that his only ambition was to make the hajj to Mecca. Later in 1658 as the combined armies of Murad and Aurangzeb moved north toward the capital, Shah Jahan recovered his health. Dara, who had crowned himself regent, stepped aside. The three younger brothers refused to believe that Shah Jahan was well, though, and converged on Agra, where they defeated Daras army. Dara fled north but was betrayed by a Baluchi chieftain and brought back to Agra in June 1659. Aurangzeb had him executed for apostasy from Islam and presented his head to their father. Shuja also fled to Arakan (Burma) and was executed there. Meanwhile, Aurangzeb had his former ally Murad executed on trumped-up murder charges in 1661. In addition to disposing of all of his rival brothers, the new Mughal Emperor placed his father under house arrest in Agra Fort. Shah Jahan lived there for eight years, until 1666. He spent most of his time in bed, gazing out the window at the Taj Mahal. The Reign of Aurangzeb Aurangzebs 48-year reign is often cited as a Golden Age of the Mughal Empire, but it was rife with trouble and rebellions. Although Mughal rulers from Akbar the Great through Shah Jahan practiced a remarkable degree of religious tolerance and were great patrons of the arts, Aurangzeb reversed both of these policies. He practiced a much more orthodox, even fundamentalist version of Islam, going so far as to outlaw music and other performances in 1668. Both Muslims and Hindus were forbidden to sing, play musical instruments, or to dance- a serious damper on the traditions of both faiths in India. Aurangzeb also ordered the destruction of Hindu temples, although the exact number is not known. Estimates range from under 100 to tens of thousands. In addition, he ordered the enslavement of Christian missionaries. Aurangzeb expanded Mughal rule both north and south, but his constant military campaigns and religious intolerance rankled many of his subjects. He did not hesitate to torture and kill prisoners of war, political prisoners, and anyone he considered un-Islamic. To make matters worse, the empire became over-extended and Aurangzeb imposed ever higher taxes in order to pay for his wars. The Mughal army was never able to completely quash Hindu resistance in the Deccan, and the Sikhs of northern Punjab rose up against Aurangzeb repeatedly throughout his reign. Perhaps most worryingly for the Mughal emperor, he relied heavily on Rajput warriors, who by this time formed the backbone of his southern army and were faithful Hindus. Although they were displeased with his policies, they did not abandon Aurangzeb during his lifetime, but they revolted against his son as soon as the emperor died. Perhaps the most disastrous revolt of all was the Pashtun Rebellion of 1672–1674. Babur, the founder of the Mughal Dynasty, came from Afghanistan to conquer India, and the family had always relied upon the fierce Pashtun tribesmen of Afghanistan and what is now Pakistan to secure the northern borderlands. Charges that a Mughal governor was molesting tribal women sparked a revolt among the Pashtuns, which led to a complete breakdown of control over the northern tier of the empire and its critical trade routes. Death On March 3, 1707, the 88-year-old Aurangzeb died in central India. He left an empire stretched to the breaking point and riddled with rebellions. Under his son Bahadur Shah I, the Mughal Dynasty began its long, slow decline into oblivion, which finally ended when the British sent the last emperor into exile in 1858  and established the British Raj in India. Legacy Emperor Aurangzeb is considered to be the last of the Great Mughals. However, his ruthlessness, treachery, and intolerance surely contributed to the weakening of the once-great empire. Perhaps Aurangzebs early experiences of being held hostage by his grandfather and being constantly overlooked by his father warped the young princes personality. Certainly, the lack of a specified line of succession did not make family life particularly easy. The brothers must have grown up knowing that one day they would have to fight one another for power. In any case, Aurangzeb was a fearless man who knew what he had to do in order to survive. Unfortunately, his choices left the Mughal Empire itself far less able to fend off foreign imperialism in the end. Sources Ikram, S.M, Ed. Ainslie T. Embree.  Muslim Civilization in India. New York: Columbia University Press, 1964.Spear, T.G. Percival. â€Å"Aurangzeb.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 27 Feb. 2019.Truschke, Audrey. â€Å"The Great Aurangzeb Is Everybodys Least Favourite Mughal.†Ã‚  Aeon, 4 Apr. 2019.