Hinduism and Buddhism in the United States Essay

This paper intends to compare the origin and basic beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism. It also aims to state the roles that Hinduism and Buddhism played that contributed to the American Culture, both in the past, as well as, in the present. Last but not least, the paper will briefly discuss the effect/s that Hinduism and Buddhism have on the future American culture, as well as, how that particular culture impact these people. Origin and Basic Beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism No particular name of prophet or any religious person for that matter is related to the foundation of Hinduism while Buddhism is said to be established by Buddha (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). Furthermore, followers of Hinduism believe in the Vedas and that there is only one â€Å"Supreme Being†, on the other hand, the advocates of Buddhism believes otherwise (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). Moreover, those people who practice Hinduism believe that their objective is to show faith in their God; collect material things, as well as, their desires and passion; and attain salvation (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). On the other hand, those who practice Buddhism has only one objective in life and that is to put an end to their sufferings (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). Roles that Hinduism and Buddhism Played that Contributed to the American Culture Hinduism in the United States is not yet very well known; however, because they are the most edified if compared to all the rest of the religions in the United States, they managed to share their beliefs to some of the Americans who delightedly converted into their religion (Rood, 1994, n. p. ). Also, the spiritual practices and other cultures that they possess became a fundamental part of the American culture because they have been given the freedom to do so in the United States (Rood, 1994, n. p. ). On the other hand, since, there are millions of Buddhism’s followers, the aforementioned became an integral part of the American culture as well (Rood, 1994, n. p. ). It began when an officer who fought during the Civil War became interested in the writings/scriptures of the aforementioned religion (Rood, 1994, n. p. ). Actually, it is because of the interesting beliefs and practices of both religions that’s why both have been and are still currently a part of the American culture (Rood, 1994, n. p. ). Effect that Hinduism and Buddhism have on the Future American Culture Hinduism and Buddhism will surely have an effect on the future American culture since both have already impacted the culture of the Americans then and now (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). Most likely in the future, there will be more schools that stress on the beliefs and practices of Hinduism and Buddhism (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). In addition, more American people will incorporate the beliefs of such religions in theirs because of great interest in the beliefs of those religions (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n. d. , n. p. ). Meanwhile these cultures will impact the American people greatly, they may be able to find ways to change their personality and may even attain their ultimate goals – happiness and salvation (Hinduism versus Buddhism, n.d. , n. p. ). References Hinduism versus Buddhism. (n. d. ). Retrieved April 23, 2008 from http://www. experiencefestival. com/a/Hinduism_vs_Buddhism/id/54137 Rood, R. (1994). Hinduism. Retrieved April 23, 2008 from http://72. 14. 253. 104/search? q=cache:R-6zli9PVKEJ:www. probe. org/index2. php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26do_pdf%3D1%26id%3D692+Desire+for+Liberation+from+Earthly+Existence+%2B+Hinduism&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=ph&client=firefox-a

People and Leadership

People and Leadership Abstract During the development of youth employment programs as a pilot project, the Department of Employment faced an issue associated with the ineffective leadership. The project failed because of problems with the work of the team. Several employees quitted participating in the project development after six weeks because of the overwork and exhaustion.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on People and Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The analysis of the case demonstrates that the leader set unrealistic deadlines for the project completion, and the schedule was organized inefficiently. Moreover, there were no clear goals communicated to the employees to coordinate their work. The necessity to replace the employees who rejected to participate in the team made the leadership decide on shifting responsibilities, and employees spent much time for adapting to the work for which they did not have enough experien ce. In addition, they did not receive the necessary training. The informal leader of the team became to act as a manager, and his tasks contradicted the previously set objectives. As a result, the project was frozen. To address the leadership and management problems, it is planned to reorganize the project team with the focus on the scope of tasks and concrete goals. Thus, the number of high-skilled employees in the team needs to be increased. The followed leadership style should be improved with the focus on supportive or inspirational leadership. The proposed schedule and deadlines should be set depending on concrete objectives and the working potential of the staff. These actions are necessary to overcome the problematic situation and predict failures in the future. People and Leadership Case Study The development of new programs and policies is typical for such agencies as the Department of Employment. However, there are cases when the development and implementation of the progr am can fail because of the inappropriate leadership and management. The team working on the youth employment program faced a problem of completing the pilot project because the leader invited the unreasonable number of employees (6 individuals) for the 12-week project. The scope of the tasks was considerable, but there were only weekly meetings, and the final goal was not communicated appropriately. The leader avoided any additional discussions of the projects, but he encouraged the overwork. As a result, two employees quitted the team because of unclear tasks and the increased stress levels. This situation made the leader re-distribute the duties among new team members, but they were expected to demonstrate high results in a week to fit in the schedule. The productivity decreased because they had no enough skills, and no additional training was provided. The lack of communication and motivation from the leader made team members choose the informal leader and insist on freezing the project.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The discussed issues are important because they indicate how the ineffective planning and communication strategies selected by the leader can affect the success of the whole project because employees are stressed and not aware of the goals (Van Wart, 2014; Yukl, 2014).  The problem was in the fact that the pilot project developed by the team failed because of the leader’s impossibility to make effective decisions regarding the distribution of tasks among employees, planning, setting deadlines, and communicating. Therefore, it is important to propose improvements in the sphere of organizing the teamwork, planning tasks, appointing responsible persons, communicating with employees and motivating them. In addition to summarizing the issues in the case, this paper aims to present the analysis of the situation with the focus on the MORETOOLS framework and the leadership role in the project failure. In addition, the solution is proposed, and conclusions are made regarding the case importance for the future practice. The Analysis of the Case Mission and Purpose of the Agency The mission of the Department of Employment is to develop policies and implement programs that are effective to address the employment questions in Australia while creating the advantageous environments for employees. The purpose of the Department’s activities is to improve the current policies and develop new ones to address unemployment issues and protect the vulnerable categories of the population in terms of employment. As a result, the mission is to create the secure and socially friendly workplaces for the Australians (Australian Government Department of Employment, 2015). The mission and purpose are followed while planning and implementing any project oriented to reforming the current policy or proposing a new one. Objectives of the Manager Guided by the main agency’s mission, each unit of the department has its own management team, and it is responsible for developing concrete projects with specific objectives. The objective of a manager responsible for introducing new employment campaigns for the youth in Australia is to develop programs addressing the mission regarding the secure and advantageous environment and launch them within the fixed period of time. In the near future, the aim is to organize the work of a project team. Therefore, in the critical situation of the project failure, the leader of the unit and team is responsible for completing such short-term objectives as the reorganization of the team and the implementation of the new working strategy to achieve higher results and improve productivity (Felà ­cio, Gonà §alves, da Conceià §o Gonà §alves, 2013, p. 2140). The team reorganization is necessary to respond to such problems as the exhaustion, impossibility to a ddress the deadline, and low-quality outcomes of the project work. The manager’s long-term objective in this case is to create the single unit in the agency formed of experts in the area of the youth and employment.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on People and Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Risks and Problems Focusing on the discussed project failure and such manager’s objectives as the organization of the team’s work to address schedules and high productivity, it is possible to prioritize identified leadership risks and problems in the following manner: The absence of the clearly communicated goal and adequate training sessions, team meetings, and discussions of the progress. Ineffective distribution of roles and tasks among the team members that leads to the employees’ exhaustion. The lack of the progress monitoring and coordination according to the observed success. Th e inappropriateness of the fixed schedule in relation to the scope of the project and tasks that lead to the inability to address deadlines. The performance of the leadership role by more than one team member. The failure of first pilot projects in relation to proposing the effective program in the sphere of youth employment within the fixed deadlines depends on the absence of clearly communicated goal of the project to guide the team members’ activities. Thus, the leader used only the formal approach to informing the team about the project goal. The ideas were shared and discussed during weekly meetings, the additional training was not provided, and the discussion of the progress was limited and irregular. Focusing on the theory of ethical and motivating leadership, the leader failed to demonstrate the supportive communication style to inspire employees to achieve higher results (Schyns Schilling, 2013). The employees lacked the opportunity to be informed of the short-term goals and progress, as well as to receive the additional consultation or guidelines.  In addition, the leader distributed the tasks and roles within the project team without referring to the employees’ position responsibilities. Certain team members were not skilled enough to adapt their knowledge to the new area and perform successfully. According to De Vries, Bakker-Pieper, and Oostenveld (2010), such persons experience much stress while adapting to new conditions and cannot demonstrate high results within the short period of time. The leader did not motivate employees to perform better in the new area because of failing to provide opportunities for training and adaptation (Schyns Schilling, 2013, p. 139). In this situation, the schedule was proposed without focusing on such risks as the inability to employees to complete tasks before starting the other project stage. As a result, the lack of the necessary monitoring and coordination led to failures in addressing the pr oject deadlines. The other important problem is the appearance of another informal leader as a result of the lack of the main leader’s communication with the team (De Vries, Bakker-Pieper, Oostenveld, 2010, p. 369). The absence of trust in the leader’s competence and success led to delegating some leadership responsibilities to the informal team leader at the final period of the project development. The reason is that feeling the constant stress, employees need support, and the informal participative leadership works better than the task-oriented formal leadership in this case.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More External and Internal Actors and the Environment While focusing on the approaches to reorganize the teamwork to complete the primary project effectively in contrast to the pilot ones, it is necessary to analyze the role of stakeholders in the process. The most influential actors are the staff of the Department of Employment. To address the problem and predict further failures, it is necessary to organize the collaboration of the team leader and the agency’s human resources coordinators who can provide the additional training for the team members in the context of the project (Yukl, 2014). In addition, the reorganization of the current team leads to inviting other professionals working in the Department to complete set tasks with the focus on their expertise and skills. The external stakeholders include the youth because the project is developed to address their needs and the social organizations working with the young people. It is important to plan more time for analyzing th e statistical information regarding the situation in the sphere of youth employment and collaborate with the Bureau of Statistics. Tools and Constraints The observed project failure can be analyzed in terms of contributing tools and determined constraints. One of the most important tools contributing to the project success is the skilled employees (Van Wart, 2014). The employees were skilled enough in their particular areas, but they needed the additional experience to work in the areas determined by the leader. As a result, the potential tool became discussed as a constraint. At the current stage, the available tools include the required number of the high-quality employees, the availability of the skilled workforce, and the increased funds for the project completion. However, barriers to the project improvement and the reorganization of the team are still significant. The observed constraints include strict deadlines, lack of the training, lack of the set time for employees meetin gs, and underdeveloped communication channels. If a leader fails to overcome barriers with the focus on the available tools, the primary projects can also fail. Opportunities In spite of being associated with a crisis in the leadership, the discussed situation provides many opportunities for the manager to develop the new model of the work in the agency. The reorganization of the teamwork associated with projects in the concrete sphere leads to the development of the specific working model or pattern that improves the performance and increases the productivity of the staff. If a new proposed strategy for managing the project is effective enough, the small number of the skilled employees can complete the larger number of tasks within the limited period of time (Felà ­cio et al., 2013). The leader needs to organize the work of the team in such a way that this team can serve as the expert team for providing consultancy in further similar projects to decrease the time and costs associa ted with the training of other employees. Outcomes and Elements of a Stable Solution To achieve the efficient solution to the determined problem associated with the project failure in the agency, it is necessary to focus on the outcomes of the proposed solution to discuss it as stable and sustainable: The team working on the development of programs comprises out of the adequate number of employees that is correlated with the scope of the project. 80% of assigned tasks are completed at the high-quality level. The productivity of the team increases by 25%. The team works according to the stated schedule, and delays decrease by 30%. The leadership is effective, and the monitoring of the project progress is regular. The degree of cooperation between employees representing different project teams and units of the Department increases by 20%. The level of the stress in employees decreases by 25%. These outcomes of the solution are identified as important because the discussed aspects le d to the failure of pilot projects, and the planned reorganization is aimed to address these issues. Long-Term Improvement The improved approach to organizing the team regarding its size and responsibilities will lead to optimizing the work of the staff and reducing associated costs. Thus, the increases in funds can be required only for the additional training of employees and their compensation. The other long-term benefits include the changes in the approach to the leadership in the organization. It is important to focus on developing the role model of a leader who is flexible, emotionally involved, motivating, communicable, and decisive (Yukl, 2014, p. 121). The currently followed task-oriented leadership style is not appropriate, and the reorganization of the teamwork can also lead to shifting to the supportive and even inspirational leadership styles (Van Wart, 2014). In addition, the long-term improvement involves the enhancement of the work with external stakeholders with the focus on building partnerships with social organizations oriented to the youth well-being and development. Strategies for Actions To solve the identified problems and address the future risks in leadership and management of projects on the subject of youth employment, it is necessary to formulate the clear steps for the solution implementation. The first step is contacting the HRM team, unit leaders, and project coordinators for forming the working team that will include the increased number of skilled employees with the expertise in the sphere of youth and employment programs development. It is also necessary to discuss the opportunities for the training sessions.  The second step is the actual formation of the working group. Those persons who worked on the pilot projects need to be invited to work further. Those employees who experienced the stress and problems in communicating with the leader needs to be replaced with the representatives of other units to increase the workforc e potential. Only high-quality professionals are expected to be invited for the work. This approach guarantees the reasonable distribution of tasks among team members. The third step is the identification of the communication channels to share ideas, visions, tasks, and feedbacks. It is necessary to plan not only weekly meetings but also face-to-face sessions and e-mail reports, as well as training sessions. The next step is the development of the realistic schedule for achieving the goal and completing concrete tasks. It is important to take into account the time for training, meetings, completing tasks, coordinating tasks, revising, and addressing possible barriers while planning the schedule and setting the deadline. The tough deadline is one of the main constraints for this project. Thus, the effective leader needs to develop the schedule while addressing the objectives and responding to the real work potential of the team without leading them to the burnout (Schyns Schilling, 2013). Another point is the correlation of the available workforce and deadlines with the proposed funds. The distribution of resources should depend on the project goals and the number of involved employees. When the communication channels are determined, and the schedule is set, it is important to motivate employees to work at completing tasks for achieving the concrete goal. Therefore, the next step is the building of the cooperating team during the first weeks of the project through the effective communication and supportive leadership. This step also includes the building of partnerships with social organizations and the Bureau of Statistics to receive the outdated information on changes in the sphere.  Ã‚  It is also important to address such constraints as the set short deadlines for projects and destructive leadership. The deadlines need to be set with the focus on the scope of tasks and its priority for the Department. The manager demonstrating the destructive leadership techniques needs to be replaced with the other person, who was discussed as the informal leader during the development of pilot projects (Schyns Schilling, 2013, p. 139). The range of tasks can be delegated according to the partnerships agreement with social organizations and the Bureau of Statistics. Assessment of the Potential for Success The effectiveness of the proposed strategy needs to be assessed in order to guarantee the completion of long-term goals. In this context, the assessment should include the following steps: the weekly monitoring of changes in the team workers’ quality of work and stress levels; the weekly monitoring of the achievements within the set schedule; the monthly monitoring of the performance and progress of the project implementation; evaluations of the individuals’ work with the focus on personal performance assessments. It is important for a leader to evaluate the employees’ attitudes to the work regularly in order to predict po ssible risky situations. Conclusion The Department of Employment faced a problem of developing the effective youth employment programs because the first pilot project failed to be appropriately developed and implemented by the project team. The analysis of the case demonstrated that the problem was in the destructive leadership techniques followed by the manager. As the result of the ineffective leadership, employees had to share responsibilities for which they did not have enough experience; they was not properly informed of the project goal and trained; they suffered from the tension to complete the unrealistic deadlines; and they chose the informal leader among them to address the stressful situation. In order to address similar problematic cases, it is necessary to reorganize the working team according to the project scope and goals. In addition, the selected project leader should follow the supportive or even inspirational leadership style to build a team that can effectively w ork to address the agency’s mission and develop secure and advantageous employment programs for the population, including your people. This case study analysis is important to refer to while discussing similar issues associated with the ineffective leadership, when a leader ignores interaction with the team, cannot communicate the objectives, cannot analyze the project scope, and determine what resources are required to achieve the goal. Moreover, this case study is an example of the leadership that cannot motivate employees, leading to their dissatisfaction. References Australian Government Department of Employment. (2015). De Vries, R. E., Bakker-Pieper, A., Oostenveld, W. (2010). Leadership = communication? The relations of leaders’ communication styles with leadership styles, knowledge sharing and leadership outcomes. Journal of Business and Psychology, 25(3), 367-380. Felà ­cio, J. A., Gonà §alves, H. M., da Conceià §o Gonà §alves, V. (2013). Social value an d organizational performance in non-profit social organizations: Social entrepreneurship, leadership, and socioeconomic context effects. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), 2139-2146. Schyns, B., Schilling, J. (2013). How bad are the effects of bad leaders? A meta-analysis of destructive leadership and its outcomes. The Leadership Quarterly, 24(1), 138-158. Van Wart, M. (2014). Leadership in public organizations: An introduction. New York, NY: Routledge. Yukl, G. (2014). Leadership in organizations. New York, NY: Prentice Hall.

Donts for Getting Letters of Recommendation for Graduate School

Donts for Getting Letters of Recommendation for Graduate School Writing letters of recommendation is generally part of a faculty members job. Students need these letters to get into graduate schools. Indeed, grad school admissions committees generally wont accept applications that lack these important letters because they reflect the professor or faculty members assessment of a student applicant. Students need not feel powerless in the process because they do, indeed, have a great deal of influence over the letters that faculty members write. While professors rely on a students academic history in writing letters of recommendation, the past isnt all that matters. Professors impressions of you are important too - and impressions constantly change based on your behavior. There are things you should avoid to ensure that the professors you approach for letters see you in a positive light. To avoid problems, dont: Misinterpret a Faculty Members Response Youve asked a faculty member to write you a letter of recommendation. Carefully interpret his response. Often faculty members provide subtle cues that indicate how supportive a letter they will write. Not all letters of recommendation are helpful. In fact, a lukewarm or somewhat neutral letter will do more harm than good. Virtually all letters that graduate admissions committee members read are very positive, usually providing glowing praise for the applicant. However, a letter that is simply good- when compared with extraordinarily positive letters - is actually harmful to your application. Ask faculty  members if they can provide you with a helpful letter of recommendation rather than simply a letter. Push for a Positive Response Sometimes a faculty member will decline your request for a letter of recommendation outright. Accept that. She is doing you a favor because the resulting letter would not help your application and instead would hinder your efforts. Wait Until the Last Minute Faculty members are busy with teaching, service work, and research. They advise multiple students and likely are writing many letters for other students. Give them enough notice so that they can take the time required to write a letter that will get you accepted into graduate school. Approach a faculty member when he has the time to discuss it with you and consider it without time pressure. Dont ask immediately before or after class. Dont ask in a hallway. Instead, visit during the professors office hours, the times intended for interaction with students. It often is helpful to send an email requesting an appointment and explaining the purpose of the meeting. Provide Unorganized or Inaccurate Documentation Have your application materials with you when you request your letter. Or follow up within a couple of days. Provide your documentation all at once. Dont offer a curriculum vitae one day, and a transcript on another. Anything you provide the professor must be free of errors and must be neat. These documents represent you and are an indicator of how serious you view this process as well as the quality of work you will do in grad school. Dont make a professor have to ask you for basic documentation. Forget Submission Materials Include program-specific application sheets and documents, including websites to which faculty submit letters. Dont forget to include login information. Dont make faculty ask for this material. Dont let a professor sit down to write your letter and find that she does not have all of the information. Alternatively, dont let a professor try to submit your letter online and find that she doesnt have the login info. Rush the Professor. A friendly reminder sent a week or two before the deadline is helpful; however, dont rush the professor or offer multiple reminders. Forget to Express Appreciation Your professor took the time to write for you - at minimum an hour of his time - so take the time to thank him, either verbally, or by sending a thank you letter or note. Remember that you want your letter writers to be in a good mood when they write your recommendation and to feel good about you and their decision to support your application to graduate school. Write a thank you note to your recommender and when you ask for another letter in the future (and you will - either for another graduate school program or even a job), the faculty member will be much more likely to write you another helpful and positive recommendation letter.

The Alhambras Structure Buildings and Gardens

The Alhambras Structure Buildings and Gardens Introduction The Alhambra is now considered to be a real masterpiece of Islamic architecture; to a great extent, it represents a conception of Paradise as it was imagined by Muslim architects of the Middle Ages. This paper is aimed at examining the structure and relations of buildings and gardens in the Alhambra.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Alhambras Structure: Buildings and Gardens specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In particular, it is necessary to show what kind of purpose various elements of this complex serve and how they complement one another. The main focus will be on such components as the use of water, the selection of plants, architecture, and decorations, especially arabesques. Overall, it is possible to say that in the course of its history, the Alhambra transformed from an ascetic fortress into a beautiful palace and garden complex that was supposed to recreate or reflect the image of Paradise in various ways. The transformation of the Alhambra It is worth noting there was no master plan according to which the Alhambra had to be constructed. Its construction began in the middle of the fourteenth century, but since that time this complex was redeveloped and expanded several times (Mauriers Ossart, 2001, p. 70). Some buildings make the Alhambra resemble a medieval stronghold. In fact, its very name can be translated as red fortress. The Tower of Justice, which was built in 1348, exemplifies castle architecture (MobileReference 2007, p. 60). Nonetheless, the development of water supply system and the use of canals enabled architects and gardeners to transform the Alhambra into a courtly residence and a garden complex. The buildings located in the Alhambra can be characterized by austere exterior design which is a characteristic feature of Islamic architecture.Advertising Looking for essay on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, one should take into account that the designers included those elements which were not present in Islamic courtly palaces; in particular, we can speak about the lion sculptures that can be found in the Court of Lions (MobileReference 2007, p. 62). This feature can be viewed as untypical because the portrayal of animal life was encouraged in Islamic art (Lehrman, 1980, p. 97). Furthermore, the columns located in this pavilion are decorated with foliage. Moreover, this court is divided into four parts which are supposed to symbolize different parts of the world (Cornell, 2007, p. 101). Furthermore, this court is irrigated by four water channels which may represent rivers of Paradise (Cornell, 2007, p. 101). The symbolism is an important characteristic of every building located in the Alhambra. The columns in the Court of Lions are located in an almost irregular or random way. As a result, they look very similar to trees in a forest or a garden (Leh rman, 1980, p. 97). Certainly, at this point, one can only hypothesize whether the original intent of the architect was to recreate an image of Paradise. Yet, these columns do resemble trees in the eyes of a person who walks in this place. Such examples as the Tower of Justice and the Court of the Lyons are important because they illustrate two aspects of the Alhambra, a fortress and a courtly place at the same time. Additionally, the second example indicates that the theme of Paradise played in important role in the construction of these gardens. The following section will discuss the themes and conceptual background of this architectural complex. The Alhambra as a metaphor of Paradise Overall, the Alhambra can be viewed as an architectural metaphor of Paradise for several reasons. First, one has to remember that Islamic architects had to strive for coolness and shade because they had to work in climates with a particularly hot climate.Advertising We will write a custom ess ay sample on The Alhambras Structure: Buildings and Gardens specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is one of the main reasons why many Islamic courthouses and palaces were located within gardens. This was probably the most optimal choice that architects could make. Alhambra is probably the most well-known example of architectural complex. Yet, it is important to bear in mind that Islamic gardens had to have several constituent part, namely water, planting and geometric arrangement of elements of various architectural elements (Bowden-Pickstock, 2009, p. 132). They have to perform several functions, apart from bringing shade and coolness. First, they have to be pleasing to the eye, but they also have to remind visitors about harmony and peace of mind. As a rule, such architectural places are often called paradise gardens because they reflected the description of Paradise provided in Quran. This concept originated from Ancient Persia, but it la ter became very popular in Islamic architecture. On the whole, the Alhambra eloquently illustrates the notion of a paradise garden. First, the gardens of the Alhambra are surrounded by a fortified wall; to some degree. This layout is reminiscent to the notion of enclosed paradise garden that is not accessible to everyone (Bowden-Pickstock, 2009, p 130). Various entrance gates to this garden can symbolize the gates to Paradise that are open only to righteous people. As it has been pointed out before, the presence of such gates can be explained by the fact that for a long time, the Alhambra was used as a stronghold. Additionally, one has to speak about the importance of fountains in this place. The thing is that according to Muslim views, Paradise is a reminiscent of a garden in which large trees grow and water springs never become depleted. This problem was of great importance to Moors who lived in the medieval Spain. This is one of the reasons why there are so many fountains in the Alhambra. In this regard, one can definitely mention the fountain near the palace called Generalife (Mauriers Ossart, 2001, p. 70). The cascading water was to symbolize the splendor of Paradise. Additionally, it had to act as music for visitors. These fountains also show that the construction of this site required a significant amount of engineering effort.Advertising Looking for essay on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Apart from that, there are many pools in Alhambra and they reflect the facades of buildings. In many cases, such reflections appear to be more even more fascinating than the buildings themselves. This type of visual effects demonstrates the excellent of those architects who created these gardens. This is an example of how different elements of the Alhambra can interact with one another. Water does not serve only practical purposes such as cooling or refreshment. As it has been said before, fountains, pools and channels have to represent rivers of Paradise. They can also produce a very calming impression on the view. This is also an important function because the paradise garden must be a place of peace and tranquility. The second important aspect which should be discussed is the role of plants. In Islamic architecture, gardens can be divided into two categories: 1) bustan gardens which were used for agricultural purposes mostly, and 2) gulistan gardens that served mostly aesthetic p urposes and had to be pleasing to the eye (Bowden-Pickstock, 2009, p 130). The Alhambra gardens represent both these types. The thing is that there are many fig, olive and cedar trees in this place and their fruits fed many people who lived inside or outside the Alhambra (Bowden-Pickstock, 2009, p 130). Yet, these gardens are also fool of ornamental flowers which are planted their mostly for aesthetic reasons. Again, they create a structure and aesthetic union with buildings and fountains of the Alhambra. The choice of plants is also related to the concept of paradise. First of all, fig and olive trees are important for Islamic faith because they are mentioned in Quran (Bowden-Pickstock, 2009, p 135). Thus a paradise garden has to provide plenty of food to its dwellers and be pleasing to the eye of an onlooker at the same time. Therefore, one can argue the Alhambra was an attempt to recreate such a garden. Furthermore, this discussion should touch upon the importance of architecture and the use of geometry in the Alhambra. In the previous session, we have already mentioned that the Court of the Lyons was divided into four sections that were supposed to symbolize four parts of the world (Cornell, 2007, p. 101). Yet, this is only detail exemplifying the use of geometric forms. The interior and exterior sides of building located in the Alhambra are full of arabesques, rectangular figures or other decorative elements resembled flowers. In part, the entangled lines of arabesques symbolize growing plants and flowers in the garden. Secondly, the location of palaces is also important. The thing is that from outside palaces are virtually drowned by gardens. This impression is particularly strong when a person looks at the Alhambra from outside. Furthermore, there are no places within the Alhambra that do not have trees or flowers. Overall, this discussion shows that different elements of the Alhambra are supposed to conjure up the image of garden in which a person can be distracted from earthly problems. The selection of plants, fountains, the location of buildings, and various decorative elements such as arabesque were designed to recreate the image of the paradise garden. The metaphor of the garden is conveyed in several ways. First, one can speak about the emphasis on fountains and plants which can reflect the atmosphere of the paradise garden. Yet, one should not disregard the importance of architectural and decorative elements such as arabesques and columns symbolize flowers or trees. Overall, the theme of paradise is crucial for this architectural complex, and each element strives to emphasize the idea that this place is an attempt to recreate Paradise. Conclusion In the course of its history, Alhambra was redeveloped several times, but this architectural site retained its image of the paradise garden. Various elements of this complex symbolize the paradise garden, a concept which is very widespread in Islamic architecture. This complex evo lved from a fortress into one of the most beautiful courtly places in Spain. Certainly, it is not the first architectural complex that is based on the idea of the paradise garden, but it is definitely one of the most famous ones. References Bowden-Pickstock, S 2009, Quiet Gardens: The Roots of Faith?, Continuum International Publishing Group, New York. Cornell, V 2007, Voices of Islam: Voices of art, beauty, and science, Greenwood Publishing Group, New York. Lehrman, J 1980. Earthly Paradise: Garden and Courtyard in Islam, University of California Press, LA: Berkeley. Mauriers, A Ossart, E. 2001, Paradise Gardens, I.B.Tauris, London. MobileReference. 2007. Travel Andalusia, Spain for Smartphones and Mobile Devices Illustrated Travel Guide, Maps, and Phrasebook, MobileReference, New York.

Business Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Analysis - Research Paper Example According to Bruce (2011), Wal-Mart is given the top ranking in terms of the total sales that are made by the store alone. The retail offers variety of products that comprise of family apparel, electronics, household needs, electronics, fabrics, jewellery, shoes, crafts, health and beauty products and lawn and garden accessories along with pharmacy store, Photo processing centre and Tire and Lube Express (Walmart Stores, 2012). Wal-Mart is operating in four retail divisions that are called as Sam’s Club warehouses, neighborhood markets, Super centres and Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart stores and Super centres are one-stop shopping centres for the families; Sam’s Club in the members only club for warehouse purposes and neighborhood markets offer convenience shopping to the customers for general merchandise, groceries and pharmaceutical companies (Basker, 2007). Currently, Wal-Mart has about 10,185 stores and also location of clubs in almost twenty-seven countries; it is emplo ying more than 2.2 million people who are serving approximately 176 million numbers of customers every year (Walmart Stores, 2012). ... Advancements in information technology have helped the store to ensure that inventory level is properly maintained (Freeman, 2006). Investing in Wal-Mart: A good choice or not? Before making a final decision about investing in Wal-Mart for a mutual fund, it is important to look at the SWOT Analysis of the company. Strengths Wal-Mart has a strong powerful brand name in the market especially in the retail industry. It offers value for money, convenience of shopping from one place and diverse range of products at one place (Bruce, 2011). The growth of the store has been at an exponential rate and it has become a global brand. Wal-Mart has the strongest logistics system even at the international level; hence, the procurement of Wal-Mart is excellent and it gives it a core competence in using IT for supporting its logistics system. It has talented people and Human Resource department has a focused strategy for the training and development of all the employees working for Wal-Mart; hence, the workforce of the store is competent and loyal (Jenna, 2012). Weaknesses: Since Wal-Mart has become global and it has a huge span of control, so controlling such a huge empire becomes difficult for the management. The retail store might lack flexibility as compared to its competitors as it is selling products across various sectors such as food, stationary, clothing and etc. Although, the store has become global but it does not have a strong presence worldwide (Elkins, 2005). Opportunities Wal-Mart can merge or form strategic alliances with some well-reputed retailers at a global level that focus on specific markets such as Greater China or Europe region. In the countries, the stores are present as trade in only and have many opportunities for

Affects On Business in New York City Term Paper

Affects On Business in New York City - Term Paper Example But on the other hand there are many difficulties and factors still exist which inhibit the residents to live independently and without issues. America has always been the place where issues of racism, inequality, differences of social, cultural or political exist. US residents were tired of social and economic inequality, greed corruption in the business sector and undue influence of corporation on 6their government. The main influence on the authoritative part was from the financial sector.The financial distribution in America was like 99% of society was facing inequality and unhealthy income distribution and 1% of the society was rich. It was holding on to the wealth which was the right of other 99% residents as well (Mr. Smith (2001). Now, to overcome this problem and to get rid of severe living issues the people got united under one slogan â€Å"we are 99%† and protested against the growing factors which were perilous to their living circumstances. The participants conduc ted assemblies which were called â€Å"General Assemblies† in which major and basic decisions were taken. Actions to be taken were planned and discussed. In these assemblies, the president and main participants of the movement decided to take over the petitions straight and to get hold of the financial situations directly by planning the major road map for this goal. The protestors were failed in the beginning and were forced to move out of the Zuccotti Park where it took place. After they left the place, they never succeeded.

Discussion Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Discussion - Personal Statement Example This gives a business platform for future reference. General accounting standards are the rule and concepts that govern accounting. Investors and speculators will make wrong choices, if companies make annual adjustment entries. Closing entries are made at the completion of journals, which are transferred from temporary to permanent accounts while reverse entry is the vice versa. Accounting process involves journal entries, trial balance, financial statements, and closing books. The main steps in closing cycle are closing the revenue, expense and income accounts. Accuracy involved in the above process can be improved by double checking system and by using a computerized system of accounting. Double checking will increase chances of sporting mistakes while computerized accounting enhances safety. E-activity helps users of financial information since they will be able to make correct and timely decisions. There will also be easy sharing of information. Obviously, there will be a decrease in delays caused by a manual system of operation. Closing entries in accounting accuracy entail zero balancing of temporary accounts by transferring all balances to permanent accounts. Reverse entry is the opposite of closing entry. The steps involved in the accounting process in financial accuracy are repeating the same process of accounting