Write a research paper on the concept of jihad Thesis

Write a research paper on the concept of jihad - Thesis Example it means duty mindedness, groups interpret the same as a tool to exert their influence, individuals consider it as their duty, the U.S authorities interpret it as the influence of fundamentalism on religious belief and the reason behind terrorism, Muslim world considers it as the core aspect of their belief, and the rest of the world considers it as the reason behind religious intolerance or fundamentalism. This section of the research work is divided as: jihad, differences in meaning, for groups and individuals, implication of jihad for the U.S., implication of jihad for the Muslim world, and implication of jihad for the rest of the world. Basically, the word jihad possesses inner meaning, i.e. duty mindedness of the believers. To be specific, this word denotes the inner struggle faced by the believers while proving their devotion to the almighty. On the other side, Shia Muslims interpret this word differently because they consider that it is their duty act against the infidels in general. Gilles Kepel states that, â€Å"By designating, in the Muslim context, all efforts to propagate Islam as â€Å"jihad†, in their eyes the word comes to signify a holy war against all â€Å"infidels† who they stigmatize as such† (x). To be specific, this sect of Muslims provides importance to the violent aspect of jihad. When one provides importance to the inner struggle faced by the believers, jihad becomes non-violent. When one provides importance to the exhibition of physical struggle, jihad is misinterpreted and misunderstood as a violent act. Still, some followers consider that spiritual struggle cannot help one to be with the almighty. Then, the violent aspect of jihad gains upper hand and results in drastic after effects. When the term jihad is superimposed into the context of religious belief, one can see that the same is less violent. Then, the struggle against the disbelievers will be transformed into the struggle to transform the society. In the religious text, jihad is

What Are the Purposes of Prisons Essay Example for Free

What Are the Purposes of Prisons Essay

Statements of individual rights

Statements of individual rights Statements of individual rights Individual rights play an important role in every nation as they ensure that persons are not discriminated against in all aspect of their lives. It is important for individuals to have an adequate understanding of their rights as way of ensuring they are treated fairly and with honesty. Protection of individual rights requires formulation and adoption of statements or policies which cover all entities surrounding an individual. These statements are usually encompassed within the constitution of the nation hence as result of different nations having different constitutions the statements vary. Culture, religion and social factors may also affect statements of individual rights adopted by a nation thereby making critical analysis of such factors essential prior to adoption of individual rights statements. However, for the Tagg Island it is important to compare and contrast the existing statements of individual rights which govern different nations. This is mainly as result of some statements not being applicable to the Island since it comprises of a small population which is primarily involved in farming and fishing activities which are considered simple in comparison those taking place in large nations. There are several laws comprising statements of individuals rights which might be useful to the Island and these are inclusive of, but not limited to Code of Hammurabi ca 1760 B.C.E., Magna Carta 1215, English Bill of Rights 1689, U.S. Bill of Rights 1789 and the Declaration of Human Rights. U.S. Bill of rights focuses mainly on the relationship between the arms of government and the citizens of the nations. It encompasses statements which prohibit Congress from creating laws which affect adversely the right of individuals to join religious groups thus providing people with freedom of worship. Congress is forbidden from making laws which infringe the rights of the people in any way as individual rights are treated with much respect (Brant, 1965). U.S. Bill of rights protects the citizens from activities of the federal government which might lead to people being deprived of their lives, properties and liberty without any good reason. In accordance with its statements individuals who are suspected of any wrong doing should be taken to court thus provided with a chance to defend themselves-before a final judgment is laid upon them. The Bill empowers the court and through the constitution the court is assured of independence from the federal government thereby ensuring that decisions made by the court are fair as it eliminates favoritism and nepotism. Unlike U.S. Bill of rights which covers issues related to government and citizen relationship thus national level, the Code of Hammurabi ca 1760 covers a lower level in which the elders act as the head of the society. It entails guidelines which ensure that the rights of people are protected thus not discriminated by others who might be having more power and authority. It uses traditional methods in solving issues which arise in the society thereby bringing peace and harmony in the society. In accordance with this law if any person accuses another of any crime solving the matter involves using the river which serves as court (Johns, 2000). The accused is required to leap into the river and if he sinks the accuser takes possession of all his property while on the other hand if the reverse occurs the accused take possession of the property of the accuser while the accuser is put to death for wrong accusation. Apart from the river acting as the court, in some cases elders may perform th e same function in solving criminal issues affecting the community in which death is the punishment for capital offenses. In ensuring that individual rights are fully protected the statements emphasizes death as way of ensuring that individuals are not wrongfully accused of any crime. Magna Carta encompasses laws which govern monarchy systems of governance unlike the U.S. Bill of rights which covers federal government and congress functions with respect to the citizens. It required Kings and Queens to proclaim rights pertaining to individual freedom, respect legal procedures and in addition to that accept that their wills are bound by the law (Holt, 1992). Magna Carta protected the rights of all individuals irrespective of their status or rank and in addition to that allowed individuals to appeal against unlawful imprisonment. Unlike the Code of Hammurabi which does not cover a persons freedom of worship, Magna Carta ensures that individuals right of worship is respected and in addition, it guarantees the freedom of the church in conducting its activities within the designated boundaries (Holt, 1992). Similar to the US Bill of rights, Magna Carta ensures that right to due process is guaranteed to each person who is accused of taking part in criminal activities (Ho lt, 1992). An individual accused of any crime has to go through the judicial process which provides them with an opportunity to defend themselves against the criminal activity which they are accused of. Unlike the Code of Hammurabi which uses traditional methods of making decisions regarding the accused thus susceptible to mistakes being made regarding the case, Magna Carta entails use of the court system which is comprised of law professionals. In using professionals who understand the law comprehensively and have adequate experience reduces the chance of mistakes being made in the decision made regarding the crime at hand. In recognition of the need for freedom, peace and justice in the world, United Nations formulated several laws whose role was to eliminate oppression and discrimination in the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights set forth by the United Nations seeks to ensure that individual rights are respected by all entities. In accordance with this declaration all individuals are entitled to their rights and freedom irrespective of their race, gender, religion and social background (United Nation, 1948). Similar to the US Bill of rights and Magna Carta, it encompasses statements which emphasize freedom of individuals. Governments and other corporate organizations are required to be aware of individual rights thus ensure that their operations and activities do not infringe on the rights of individuals. Unlike the Code of Hammurabi, the human rights declaration is against use of torture and other cruel inhuman methods as way of inflicting punishment to individuals who have committed o r are suspected to have committed the offense (United Nation, 1948). Furthermore, the Declaration of Human Rights emphasizes that all individuals accused of crime have the right to defend themselves in court thus should be presumed innocent until proven guilty by court of law (United Nation, 1948). This statement is similar to that encompassed in the US Bill of rights as the courts are given the responsibility of deciding on the matter. The declaration also encompasses statements which ensure that individuals are not discriminated against at their place work as well as during the process of securing employment thereby ensuring provision of equal chances of employment (United Nation, 1948). Contrary to majority of laws, it entails statements which protect individuals from being deprived of their nationality or being denied their right to change their nationality. In accordance with the United Nations statements of individual rights every person is entitled to having a nationality thus belonging to a particularly nation (United Nation, 1948). In additio n to that people can work in any country under the united Nation insignia thus giving people with a wide variety of option when searching for a job. This statement is unique as it is only encompassed in the Declaration of Human rights and not in other laws which may include U.S. Bill of rights, Code of Hammurabi and Magna Carta. Unlike laws such as US Bill of rights which are restricted to national boundaries, the declaration is universal thus covering a wider region. Recommendations The following is a list of some of the individual rights which might be useful to the Island nation; 1. No one should be deprived of their property as every person has the right to own property. 2. All individuals are entitled to equal pay for same amount of work done. 3. No one shall be subjected to torture or any inhuman methods of punishment. 4. All individuals are entitled to a fair and public hearing conducted by the elders or any independent tribunal in determination of any criminal activity charge against him. 5. Everyone has the right to freedom of worship and of having a peaceful assembly. 6. Everyone is entitled to rest and leisure with reasonable working hours and holidays with pay. References Brant, I. (1965). The bill of rights: its origin and meaning. Retrieved September 5, 2009 from http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=od=34605556 Holt, J.C. (1992). Magna Carta. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Johns, C.W. (2000). The oldest code of laws in the world. City: Lawbook Exchange Ltd. United Nations, (1948). The universal declaration of human rights. Retrieved September 5, 2009 from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/#atop

Computers In Education :: essays research papers

Computers in Education The typical school has 1 computer per 20 students, a ratio that computer educators feel is still not high enough to affect classroom learning as much as books and classroom conversation. Some critics see computer education as merely the latest in a series of unsuccessful attempts to revolutionise education through the use of audio- and visually-oriented non print media. For example, motion pictures, broadcast television, filmstrips, audio recorders, and videotapes were all initially heralded for their instructional potential, but each of these ultimately became minor classroom tools alongside conventional methods. Communications Satellite A communications satellite is an artificial SATELLITE placed into orbit around the Earth to facilitate communications on Earth. Most long-distance radio communication across land is sent via MICROWAVE relay towers. In effect, a satellite serves as a tall microwave tower to permit direct transmission between stations, but it can interconnect any number of stations that are included within the antenna beams of the satellite rather than simply the two ends of the microwave link. Computer Crime Computer crime is defined as any crime involving a computer accomplished through the use or knowledge of computer technology. Computers are objects of crime when they or their contents are damaged, as when terrorists attack computer centres with explosives or gasoline, or when a "computer virus" a program capable of altering or erasing computer memory is introduced into a computer system. Personal Computer A personal computer is a computer that is based on a microprocessor, a small semiconductor chip that performs the operations of a c.p.u. Personal computers are single-user machines, whereas larger computers generally have multiple users. Personal computers have many uses such as: Word processing, communicating to other computers over a phone line using a modem,databases,leisure games are just some of the uses of a Personal Computer. Computers for Leisure Games As they proliferated, video games gained colour and complexity and adopted the basic theme that most of them still exhibit: the violent annihilation of an enemy by means of one's skill at moving a lever or pushing a button. Many of the games played on home computers are more or less identical with those in video arcades. Increasingly, however, computer games are becoming more sophisticated, more difficult, and no longer dependent on elapsed time a few computer games go on for many hours.

Branding Essay

â€Å"As a consuming population we have formed deep emotional bonds with our brands, to the extent that they now determine who we are and how we are perceived†. (Isaksen and Roper, 2008). Brands are everywhere we look. They are simply unavoidable. We wake up in the morning: brush our teeth with a brand of toothpaste, use our branded shampoo, put on several brands of clothes and then eat our branded toast. We simply cannot escape from them. So the questions I pose are: Why do we choose the brands we do? What do our brands say about us? Brand ersonality â€Å"refers to the set of human characteristics associated with a brand† (Aaker, 1997). When I talk about brand image or brand personality I am basically asking if this brand were a person who would it be? Or else when we buy these brands what do they represent? Our modern culture has become obsessed with brands so what do they mean? If you buy a BMW people will assume you are rich, if you are seen walking around with a pair of Beats you are seen to be cool. Every product we buy or service we use says something about us whether we want it to or not. Everything comes with an age or has a stigma attached to it. Even the music we listen to and the celebrities we admire have become brands in themselves. Take Kim Kardashian as an example she wasn’t heard of up until 2007 and now she is one of the most famous women on the planet with business ventures such as perfume, clothing stores, a T. V show and over 16 million followers on Twitter she has completely made a brand out of herself. Aaker (1997) suggests that â€Å"the personality traits associated with a brand, such as those associated with an individual, tend to be elatively enduring and distinct†. Such as when you hear Mercedes you think luxury, Guinness is tradition and Chanel is elegance. In colleges all across the country every student not only has the burden of exams and QCA’s but also how they look and it’s the brands they buy that decide this. You will be questioned if you’re not wearing the latest ‘Hollister’ gear or carrying a shiny new ‘iPhone 5’. ‘Hollister’ originated in California in 1922 and is a brand associated with the beach and surfing yet in most schools and colleges it has been turned into popularity contest of who can have the ost or the best or the newest. Brands are completely consuming us and it’s not Just spoilt teenagers anymore it is ranging from everyone from young kids of 5 years old right through adolescents up to adults. Primary school kids are coming home crying because they don’t have the latest brand of lunch box like their friends and middle aged men are going out buying ridiculously expensive phones and cars Just to stay feeling young because they believe that’s what those brands can offer them. They are willing to pay for Just a couple more years of feeling young and on trend. This leads into Bhat and Reddy (1998) and their theory of how brands can be functional, symbolic or both. â€Å"Functional brands satisfy immediate and practical needs. Symbolic brands satisfy symbolic needs such as those for self-expression and prestige, and their practical usage Is only incidental† (Bhat and Reddy,1998). People have taken a brand that was originally meant as functional such as clothing, phones and cars and turned them into something so symbolic that they actually covet them. You keep certain clothes for â€Å"good wear†; spend hours cleaning your car and people Jump ore now to save a talling phone than a talling baby. Bhat and Reddy ( 8) were able to prove this theory through different research groups and methods â€Å"For example, to owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, their motorcycle is not Just a mode of transportation†. (Bhat and Reddy, 1998). They have said â€Å"It is an experience, an attitude, a lifestyle, and a vehicle to express who one is† (Aaker,1996). Adolescents are influenced the easiest when it comes to symbolic positioning of brands. â€Å"As cognitive development progresses, adolescents are able to understand the complex ymbolism of brands and their role in defining the self†. Chaplin and Roedder-John, 2005) They want everything theyre friends have and are surrounded by images of celebrities showing off the latest fashions and technology. Several brands are even endorsed by the celebrities they look up to. Young girls are influenced so easily by the â€Å"beautiful people on television† so why wouldn’t they want to buy shampoo that will make their hair look like Cheryl Cole’s hair or make up that will make them look like Beyonc © or even clothes that will make them look like Rihanna. Even teenage boys are seeing images such as David Beckham sprawled across a billboard half naked so why shouldn’t they buy ‘Armani’ boxers to look like him and why shouldn’t they want to drive the luxury car brands like soccer players? Companies continuously aim products at teenagers through different mediums such as television, music, and celebrities. Isaksen and Roper (2008) suggests â€Å"brands which are placed in popular teenage television programs are likely to benefit from a positive image and be popular among adolescent consumers†. Teenagers have become walking brands but t isn’t their fault it is what they are surrounded by. In summary brands have completely taken over our lives. Everyone buys into them whether they mean to or not and we can all pretend to hate them yet they are such a big part of our everyday lives there is no escaping them. Companies have realised this and know exactly how to market their brands to the different markets so we have to accept them. We are influenced by them in ways we don’t even realise. They are part of our society and culture and the fashion of brands is only growing stronger so my final question is which brand are you?

Homeless in America Research Paper Essay

We see them all the time. Homeless people sit at street corners, holding signs, and asking for money or food. We may look at them, choose to ignore, or choose to give, but for many of the homeless, this has become their way of life. The reason I chose this topic was because of my recent volunteer work with the Salvation Army and Thrift Store in Grand Forks. I have seen people in desperate situations and heard some stories while working with community service members during my time at the Salvation Army. I also personally worked with a homeless man every day at the Salvation Army. He was in his 50’s, tall, gray hair and a large build. He always wore layers of clothes which appeared dirty and worn. He never mentioned to me that he was homeless, but it was told to me by one of the other workers. I was also told that he often slept in the truck that was loaded daily with clothes to be sent over to Minneapolis. He always had such a positive attitude about his job, working for the S alvation Army. People in his situation are another reason I wanted to do research on the history and current epidemic of homeless in America. Locally there is not nearly enough shelter for the homeless. The cost of rent, even in this town, has increased dramatically. In order to afford an apartment, you must save more than a thousand dollars much of time. It is not an easy cycle to get out off, as many people think. As we have learned in class, women and children stay in different locations than the men, which means that families cannot stay together. Often, this fact leads families to sleep in their vehicles in order to stay together. There are many different reasons and causes for homelessness in America. Drug use is one of the earliest factors in homelessness. After the Civil War, morphine and heroin could be purchased from Sears and Roebucks catalogs. Hundreds of thousands of war veterans became addicted, and the addiction spread throughout America. The drugs were finally crimin alized,  but the damage had been done. The three common terms, â€Å"hobo†, â€Å"tramp†, and â€Å"bum† came out of this era. Racial divides also still occur in the areas of healthcare, education, access to mortgages, and access to equal paying jobs among many others. Unless some type of intervention occurs, generational issues are often the rule and not the exception. Living in poverty creates depression, which can lead to drug use, alcoholism, and neglect of self and others. Poverty was a well-known issue during the Civil War and many children ended up homeless and in orphanages simply because their parents, or remaining parent, could not afford to take care of them. War often leads to loss of life, and therefore loss of income in families, especially during this time. Our country was still newly formed and there were no social welfare programs as of yet. Further along in history, during the Great Depression, jobs were lost, and the rates of homeless again, increased throughout America. Natural Dis asters are another factor in the homelessness problem. The Great Chicago Fire, The San Francisco earthquake, the massive flooding of the Mississippi in the 1920s from Ohio through New Orleans displaced over 1.3 million people. The Drought of the 30s in Oklahoma and Texas, Hurricane Katrina, are just a few examples of disasters that affected millions of people’s households. The snowball effect of unemployment and poverty attribute to homelessness. People living in generational poverty, for example, may not have the knowledge or resources to become educated and move out of poverty. People living in generational poverty do not have the resources and support to become educated and move out of poverty. In 2011, the official rate of poverty in America was 15.0%, which is 46.2 million. Another category of homeless is the very people who fought for our country: Veterans. One in three homeless people are veterans. The vast majority is single men (97%). In fact, 40% of the male homeless population is war veterans. A large percentage of these veterans (76%) experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems.3 Poverty was a well-known issue at this time and many children ended up homeless and in orphanages simply because their parents could not afford to take care of them. During the Great Depression, jobs were lost, and the rates of homeless again, increased throughout America. Natural Disasters are another factor in the homelessness problem. The Great Chicago Fire, The San Francisco earthquake, the massive  flooding of the Mississippi in the 1920s from Ohio through New Orleans displaced over 1.3 million people. The Drought of the 30s in Oklahoma and Texas, Hurricane Katrina, are just a few examples of disasters that affected millions of people’s households. T he snowball effect of unemployment and poverty attribute to homelessness. People living in generational poverty, for example, may not have the knowledge or resources to become educated and move out of poverty. People living in generational poverty do not have the resources and support to become educated and move out of poverty. In 2011, the official rate of poverty in America was 15.0%, which is 46.2 million. Many of the homelessness are those we do not see on street corners, asking for help. Locally, the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People reports information regarding the homeless in North Dakota. A statewide January 25, 2012 Point-in-Time Survey of 972 Homeless People indicated: 6% stayed outside, in cars, in abandoned buildings the night of the survey 66% stayed in emergency shelters or transitional supportive housing 16% were precariously housed in motels or doubled up with family or friends and at imminent risk of being on the street 65% (635) were unaccompanied individ uals 35% (337) were families, including 189 children under the age of 18 59% cannot afford rent, even if they have some income 48% were unemployed 36% had alcohol or drug abuse problems 35% had a mental illness Who are the homeless in America? More than 42% of those accessing emergency shelter are families, and, on average these families remain in emergency shelters for 70 days, longer than either single women or single men. The primary reason for family homelessness is the lack of affordable housing, though poverty, unemployment, low-paying jobs, family disputes, substance abuse, and other factors all play significant roles in family homelessness. Recent statistics indicate that 26% of those suffering from homelessness are considered â€Å"severely mentally ill;† 19% are employed; 15% are victims of domestic violence; 13% are physically disabled; 13 are veterans; and 2% are HIV positive. Children are also not exempt from the issue of homelessness. We may not see them on the streets, but families with children are the largest growing segment of the homeless population. The education of these  children is also affected by this lack of stability. Many times, because of the lack of a permanent residence, children miss or change schools, disrupting their education. According to the Institute for Children and Poverty, homeless children are nine times more likely to repeat a grade, four times more likely to drop out of school, and three times more likely to be placed in special education programs than their housed peers. Runaway youth are also at a high level of risk for homelessness. Homeless and runaway youth had been interviewed after getting into trouble with the law while out on the streets. It was found that some young people felt like they had to make mistakes before they realized they needed help. Rather than learning from seeing their friends get into trouble, they had to try out risky behavior themselves and see the consequences first hand.1 The desire to self-help is key to helping homeless of any age, especially the teenager who often feels like he/she is old enough to take care of his/her self. In this same study, there were three main things that were key to helping out these youth. The first was that the programs designed for runaway and homeless youth need to be flexible and person-centered. The second is that people are more valuable than programs and that process is more important than outcomes. The third is the importance of family and friends. Even after these kids leave or abandon their homes, these relationships often need healing. Homelessness is a national problem and is not exclusive to cities. Rural areas make up 7 percent of the population. Catastrophic life events can trigger homelessness. There is a quote from a publication called â€Å"Starting Point Community Analysis† that states â€Å"We are all one life event away from homelessness.† For many of low income families, this is a true statement. Single moms in America have grown dramatically over the past 50 years. This has created an epidemic of poverty in our country. So many factors contribute to homelessness, many of which are unavoidable. Personal accounts of the homeless in America stated the intense loneliness of being homeless. Because of this loneliness, many single homeless people turn to drugs or alcohol for comfort and a way to escape their current situation. One homeless man stated that once an employer found out he had no phone, no vehicle, and no residence, his application was thrown away. Without  assistance, many of thes e people give up hope on anything better for themselves. It is not as easy as â€Å"getting a job†, as many people are quick to say when seeing a homeless person begging on the street. It is an epidemic of the young, the old, the educated, and the uneducated. Many of these homeless stay out of sight. As social workers, we can provide information on assistance and programs that are available through the state and government. Many of these people simply need a hand up and do not know where to start. By working with these organizations, we can get started on helping via drug/alcohol programs, psychiatric care, financial resources, career and housing assistance. On a micro level, we may need to start with the basic needs of the homeless person. Shelter is the first need to be addressed, but the reasons behind being homeless also have to be addressed. There is usually a root of the problem when it comes to homelessness. Some examples may be a recent divorce, addiction, mental illn ess, or loss of employment. Even the smallest factor can change someone’s life and create a chain of events that they never planned for or saw coming. Also on the micro level we can work as counselors or referrals to health care professionals such as psychiatrists. For those homeless with mental illness, a facility and/or medication may be something that will help them to function in society. Also, introducing the homeless to any programs or help that is available in their local area would be an example of micro level social work. There are a vast array of concerns and reasons for homeless that need to be addressed. On a mezzo level, we may work with organizations such as http://www.endhomelessness.org, http://nationalhomeless.org , or more locally, www.ndhomelesscoalition.org to help raise money to help homeless people in need and further the current help of these organizations. On a macro level, we could work to campaign to raise government funding and policy changes for th e homeless in America. An example would be shelter for families to go to together. This is not available locally right now. Homelessness is a country-wide issue. It does not discriminate. From the wealthiest, to those who have lost everything due to the failing economy, to the poorest who grew up having nothing, homelessness is an epidemic that spans the history of our nation. References 1. Kurtz, P. D. P. D., Lindsey, E. P. D., Jarvis, S. M. E. ,. S., & Nackerud, L. P. D. (2000). How runaway and homeless youth navigate troubled waters: The role of formal and informal helpers. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 17(5), 381-402. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1007507131236 2. Heidi, M. (2011, November 16). The history of homelessness in america 1640s to present. Retrieved from http://www.dceh.org/the-history-of-homelessness-in-america-1640s-to-present/ 3. http://www.supporthomelessveterans.org/statistics.html 4. http://www.ndhomelesscoalition.org/what_we_do/facts.html 5. http://nationalhomeless.org/about-homelessness/ http://www.supporthomelessveterans.org/statistics.html