Role of new media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Role of new media - Essay Example As we defined the new media in the previous paragraph as a process of communication, organization, or the dissemination of information through newspapers; Internet; or other methods. So the challenge that we are facing nowadays is a modern means of changing. Challenge of new media has many different aspects, however we will consider three different categories such as, Environment; transmission; format; Hardware and software. First of all Environment challenging, the perfect way to deliver information to the end users is required to have the latest software and hardware to deliver information clearly. The challenge that we have is how to deliver information and their influences in different places to our end- users. Secondly Transmission, Renaissance communications technology are gradually evolved, the cost is declining sharply, and more opportunities are available to us and most of us use the information to transfer information to external audiences (end users).. Thirdly Format, new format are being developed by some leading companies so that the ability to deliver information and see the new environment is made easy. Furthermore, public relation would like to pave out a way for our generation so that information is delivered perfectly. The difficultly we face is to re-consider the formation of formats in our needs. There are restrictions in the new media, and the impact of the power of information in crises. It is here now, I refer to the booze pages of swans and lies, which may affect the structures of power in the new media (Guy Gabriel). We will need to consider the traditional media, because of the new limitations that the new media is providing. It has several aspects which need to be analyzed: first of all, that media now has reached its peak and is touching the masses of this world. Secondly, the sensitivity of the information in the media has reached its peak too. Thirdly, new devices being introduced in the market are also

Cuban Rumba Essay Example for Free

Cuban Rumba Essay Cuban music is a combination of genres and styles, which encompasses quite a long history. Cuban music has been molded by the music and voices of Latin America, Europe, and even Jazz. Of course, Spain and Africa did also have an evident influence on the music as well. There are many different types of Cuban music; all of which is meant for the soul to enjoy. Rumba is a actually a secular folkloric form of music, which consists of drumming, dancing and singing of both African and Spanish languages that has been performed for ages. The rumba term or influence is actually derived from the 16th century when black slaves were imported from Africa, and the word Rumba can cover a variety of terms such as Son, Guagira, Guaracha, and Naningo. However, the exact meaning of the word varies from location to location. Still, it is strongly evident that the Cuban Rumba dance hails originally from Africa where the native Rumba folk dance was essentially a sexual dance that was vigorously fast with strong and forceful hip movements as well as sensually aggressive attitudes on the part of a man and a defensive attitude on the part of a woman. The music, itself was played with a staccato beat, keeping up with the thrusting and vigorous movements of the passionate dancers. Instruments that were also included were the marimbola, the claves, and the drums. The Son was the popular dance of middle class Cuba. It is, in fact, a modified slower and even more refined version of the native Rumba. The instruments are basically still the same as are the movements. However, they are toned down a bit. And, even slower than this dance is the Danzon. The Danzon is the dance of wealthy Cuban society. In this dance, very small steps are taken, while the women producea very subtle tilting of the hips by alternately bending and straightening the knees. The dance known in the United States today as the Rumba is a composite of several dances popular in Cuba, including the guaracha, the Cuban bolero, the Cuban son, and the rural rumba. All of the dances have very similar rhythms that can be traced back to religious and ceremonial dances of Africa. The same pulsating dance rhythms may still be found in parts of Africa, but the dances have been altered by contact with other cultures and races. For example, The rural rumba is a pantomimic dance originating in the rural areas. It depicts the movements of various barnyard animals in an amusing manner, and is basically an exhibition, rather than a participation dance. Both the Cuban son and the Cuban bolero are moderate tempo dances in traditional ballroom form. The guaracha is distinguished by its fast, cheerful tempo. Ten after Americans modified the tempo of the Cuban rumba, later band leader Emil Coleman imported Rumba musicians and dancers to New York but no interest developed. Real interest in Latin music began about 1929 as a result of increased American tourism to Latin America. In 1935 George Raft appeared with Carole Lombard in a movie called Rumba in which he played a suave dancer who wins the lady through dancing. Rumbas unique styling and unusual musical rhythms immediately captured the fancy of ballroom dance enthusiasts, and it has retained its popularity to the present time. The Cuban style is characterized by forward and backward steps. The American version is done in a box pattern with Cuban motion as its chief characteristic. Cuban motion is a discreet, expressive hip motion achieved by bending and straightening the legs and carefully timed weight changes. American Rumba is one of the most popular ballroom dances today. The rumba itself refers to several Latin dance forms, which can all differ greatly. Almost all rumba dances are meant to infer the sexual relationship between partners. The moves can be subtle or quite obvious, which is all depending on the type of form danced The Cuban rumba is very different than what one would see in a ballroom dancing competition. The dance is highly energetic and was thought to have derived directly from the dancing of African slaves from around the West Indies and the Caribbean. Dance historians date performance of this form of rumba back as early as the late 16th century. Some of the moves are so suggestive and frank, that the dance was often considered unacceptable in the countries it was performed, and was actually prohibited. The Cuban rumba requires a high degree of athleticism, as it is very fast. The dance represents a seduction attempt on the part of the male, with the female standing resistant to the man’s charms. This form of rumba frequently includes acrobatic moves, like handstands, flips and cartwheels, usually performed by the male. In order to achieve sexual gratification, he must impress his female partner. The second part of the Cuban rumba usually brings the dancers close together, and the movements are easily indicative of sexual longing. There is much what one might deem â€Å"inappropriate† body contact when the couples connect, and many moves indicate various sexual positions with the male clearly dominant. The partners are often hip to hip in dance connections. This type of form is rarely seen except in exhibitions since it requires a great deal of space to perform it properly. The dancers are mostly apart, and utilize a significant amount of floor space while performing very different acrobatic moves far apart from each other. In conclusion, today the rumba is known to be one of the most popular ballroom dances because of its interesting movements and rhythms. The Cuban Rumba is one of the most important and popular folkloric styles still played frequently in Cuba at musical parties. This is one of the most difficult and syncopated of all Cuban musical styles in popular folklore, both in its music and dance. Guaguanco is a medium paced rumba style that is danced by a couple. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www. centralhome. com/ballroomcountry/rumba. htm http://www. ibiblio. org/mao/cuba/music. html

Role of the Hadith in Shaping Muslim Identity

Role of the Hadith in Shaping Muslim Identity Islam is a religion both of the book and of tradition. Both of these avenues are, to some extent, sacred for the Muslim. In this way it is akin to other major religions of the world. For example, in Catholicism, there is a veneration of both their Sacred Scriptures and their Sacred Tradition (though this veneration is equal in Catholicism). For most Muslim traditions, however, the veneration of the Quran and the Hadith (the traditions) is not equal, though perhaps it could be justly said that for all Muslims the Hadith is venerated second only to the sacred Scriptures of Islam (i.e., the Quran). This is true for all the major branches of Islam: Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi. However, it is not true that the Sunni Muslims have the exact same Hadith as either of the other branches (and vice-versa). The traditions contained within the Hadith are not uniform among the various major branches of Islam. But, owing to this high veneration of the Hadith among all Muslims, the Hadith has been instru mental and important in shaping Muslim identity. The Nature of the Hadith But, what is the Hadith, exactly? According to Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb, in their recent work on Muslim and Christian agreements and differences, they give the following definition: Hadith: Literally, a story; an oral tradition later written down of what the prophet supposedly said (sunna), did, or approved ofsomething said or done in his presence, (Answering Islam, 338). This seems to be attested-to by other scholars. The Sunnis themselves get their name from its relation to sunna and their being followers of the sunna, (R.C. Zaehner, Encyclopedia of the Worlds Religions, 170). It is interesting to note that the Hadith, although it has a pragmatic end in that it further clarifies vast aspects of Islamic life, shows a particularly strong devotion to the Prophet Muhammed. Akbar S. Ahmed notes this too when he writes, So great is the respect and affection the Prophet commands that his very sayings, hadith, are the source of wisdom and social practice in the Muslim world, (Islam Today, 18). In many ways, this links Islam with other major religions of the world wherein the sayings and doings of the founder of a religion are often the most revered content of the religion. The Hadith as a Source of Great Reverence for the Prophet The second part of the five-part creed of Islam indicated the orthodox view of Muhammed. That is, he was merely the Prophet of God. He was, to be sure, the greatest prophet who superseded all prior prophets, but he was still a mere man. It used to be common practice even up to the mid-twentieth century for Westerners who were not themselves Muslims to refer to Muslims as Mohammedans. This came to be seen as a very offensive reference, according to Muslims because it tended to draw too strong a parallel to Christians being the followers of Christ, as Mohammedans were the followers of Muhammad. For the Christian, Christ is the God-Man. That is, the early Church long ago defined that the one person of Jesus Christ has two natures: one human and one divine. He is both God and man in one hypostasis (i.e., one person). This is, however, not at all the view held toward Muhammad, who is a mere, though extremely blessed, mortal man. The Metaphysical Distinction Between Gods Word and the Hadith However, one must remain clear that the reverence given to the Scriptures (i.e., the Quran) must be distinguished from that given to the Hadith. The difference lies in a distinction between the very words of God (which is what sacred scriptures would be, according to all theistic religions) and those writings or oral traditions that, while perhaps protected from error, are nevertheless not the very words of God breathed-out, as it were, upon the pages of the scriptures. For Reform Jews, the Talmud (a collection of writings dealing with moral and legal matters) is to be revered in much the same way as the Hadith is for Muslims (R.C. Zaehner, Encyclopedia, 37). Likewise, the Catholic Church has a Magisterium, which produces official writings from its Church councils and, at times, from its popes. These writings of the Magisterium are to be faithfully held by all Catholics everywhere (R.C. Zaehner, 140-1). They are not tantamount to the divine revelation of Scripture and Tradition toget her, but they are given a reverence not unlike the Islamic reverence given to the Hadith. As the Muslim scholar Badru D. Kateregga explains the distinction, The Hadith is not a Holy Book (revelation) as the Quran and the previous Scriptures. However, to the Muslims the importance of Hadith ranks only second to the Holy Quran. The Hadith is complementary to the Quran. It helps to explain and clarify the Holy Quran and to present the Quran in a more practical form. As Muslims, our knowledge of Islam would be incomplete and shaky if we did not study and follow the Hadith. Similarly an outsider cannot understand Islam if he ignores the Hadith. This last statement by Kateregga particularly notes the strong similarity to the other major theistic religions of the world. It could equally be said that with having only the Jewish scriptures and without the Talmud one could not properly understand Reform (and perhaps Conservative) Judaism. So too, having only the Bible, without learning any of the teachings that have come out of the major councils of the Catholic Church, one could hardly arrive at, or understand, Catholicism. Early History of the Hadith: Relation to Shariah Law Early on in Islamic history, there was a desire to have the law of the lands of Muslims be a law based explicitly on the writings of the Quran. However, there were soon found to be many instances wherein the laws contained in the Quran did not forthrightly apply to all relevant instances. So, the various Islamic societies had to extend the sources past the Quran alone. One of the sources to which Shariah Law extended for a source of itself was to the Hadith. It is difficult to describe exactly what comprises the foundation of the Shariah Law. Geisler and Saleeb delineate four bases of it: the Quran, the hadith, ijma (consensus of the community), and qiyas, the application of analogical reasoning to the other three sources for the deduction of new rules, (Answering Islam, 84). What this seems to amount to in practice, according to the entry on Law and Society in the Oxford History of Islam is that it is only when the ijma supports the independent thinking or juridical opinions of a pa rticular instance does this instance obtain the luxury of being a binding force of a ruling (hukm) of Shariah, (110). This is a clear instance of the importance of the Hadith in shaping Muslim identity, as all Muslim societies, to some extent or another, adopt Shariah Law as either a guiding or binding force upon all those within a given Islamic nation. The Early Search for Authentic Hadith Additionally, by the second century after the founding of Islam, there were found in the various Islamic legal schools so much variation between them, as to the Islamic law itself and/or its application, that a search for the authentic Traditions became necessary (Zaehner, Encyclopedia, 171). Soon they were divided into three categories (definitely reliable, questionable, and likely unreliable) and eventually collected into six great collections, which are still in use today. Therefore, a search soon began for all the authentic Traditions of the prophet recorded by his contemporaries, also known as the Companions of the Prophet. These Companions were thought to be eye-witnesses and recorded that which they knew the Prophet Muhammed to have done or said on legal or moral issues not definitively laid out by the Quran. Where such Traditions were found to exist, it was held, the rulings they contained, explicitly or implicitly, were decisive and mandatory for all Muslims. The sunna (prac tice) of the Prophet obviously superseded all other sunnas, and still more any speculative reasoning, (Zaehner, 171). Some (Perhaps) Uncomfortable Applications of the Hadith in the Modern World With the rise of the Taliban regime in modern Afghanistan, there was an attempt at a strict application of various passages of the Quran and the Hadith. There were many indirect applications based loosely upon the Hadith (e.g., no television-watching, the closing of girls schools), but there were also a number of applications based directly on the hudud criminal punishments derived from the Quran and Hadith (e.g., amputation for theft, death for murder, stoning for adultery, Oxford History, 660). Another application of clearly affirmed traditions within the Hadith is that of martyrdom especially within a context of jihad (Esposito, What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam, 133-4). In the Hadith, there are many descriptions of rewards given to those who die for the struggle of Islam. Reforming the Hadith? Upon some of these considerations of the application of the Hadith, some have called for a large-scale reform of the Hadith to suit modern ways and understandings. One of the first of these was Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817-98). He even questioned the historicity and authenticity of many portions of the Hadith. Some more current legal reformers have called for various subtle distinctions as means of arriving at a middle-ground, which would preserve much ancient understanding of Islam, but would also simultaneously make certain applications of the Hadith (and even the Quran) as necessarily time-bound and culture-derived. For example, some who have been called revivalists and neomodernists have made a distinction between what might be called the eternal portions of the Quran and the Hadith and those that are the result of fallible human understanding of the eternal laws and their subsequent application, known as fiqh (Oxford History, 685). A further distinction along these lines could be bro ken down according to ones vertical responsibilities (i.e., with respect to God) being unchanging, yet ones horizontal responsibilities (i.e., socially with respect to ones fellow man) being open to change and further refinement. There are even those who call for more extreme reforms in the Muslim faith. A recent example would be found in the journalist Irshad Manji in her recent book The Trouble with Islam: A Muslims Call for Reform in Her Faith. In the book, Manji seems to advocate that it is possible for portions of the Quran and Hadith to even be in error, particularly those portions that are often used to advocate violence against non-Muslims (or non-perfect Muslims). Concluding Thoughts Of course, this type of recent line of thinking along reforms (however large or small) has led some traditionalist Muslims into an even more entrenched position in their, what we might call, fundamentalism their strict adherence to all things ancient in Islam, even the application of the Quran and Hadith in Shariah law (a la the Taliban). However, such a reaction from traditionalist is not at all unexpected by anyone, least of all the reformers themselves. However it might end up being resolved and the conflict towards reform, which seems to some extent inevitable, are brought to a close, it is likely that the role of the Hadith in this and future generations will be a moderated one. Of course, just what exactly will moderate it remains to be seen. Will it be reason alone that triumphs? Will it be a rush toward even more modernity in Islam? The world eagerly waits to see.

Noahs Ark vs. Gilgamesh Epic Essay -- Religion Religious Epic Gilgames

Noahs Ark vs. Gilgamesh Epic   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Gilgamesh Epic is an ancient Mesopotamian story about life and the suffering one must endure while alive. Included in the story, is a tale of a great flood that covered the earth, killing all but a select few of it’s inhabitants. This story of a great flood is common to most people, and has affected history in several ways. It’s presence in the Gilgamesh Epic has caused many people to search for evidence that a great flood actually happened. It has also caused several other religions and cultures to take the same basic story, claiming it for their own.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Whether in Christianity in the form of Noah’s Ark, or through Mesopotamian history in the form of an immortal, the idea of a great flood has proven to be a common story throughout the world. Though Noah’s Ark may be the most popular form of the story, it is not the oldest. Many people believe Noah’s Ark was based on Utnapishnem’s flood story. The two stories are obviously based on the same thing, but one must wonder which one is true or which came first.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The story of Utnapishnem in the Gilgamesh Epic starts with a dream that warns Utnapishnem of the coming flood. The gods are angry and want to rid the world of mankind. Utnapishnem built a boat large enough to carry his family, personal belongings, and â€Å"the seed of all other living creatures.† After Utnapishnem finished, the rain fell for six days and six nights, and it was so bad that the gods climbed into heaven for safety. After the rain stopped, the boat came to rest on Mount Nisir, and Utnapishnem released a dove and a swallow. Both birds returned because they could not find land. Then a raven was released and it did not come back, proving that there was land for it to rest on. Utnapishnem then came out of the ship and offered a sacrifice to the gods. When the gods smelled the sweet odor of the sacrifice, they blessed Utnapishnem and his wife to be like the gods and live forever.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The story of Noah’s Ark begins with God being upset at mankind's wickedness. He decides to destroy it with a flood. God new Noah was righteous and told him to build an ark so he would be safe from the rain. Noah did so and took aboard his family and pairs of every kind of animal. It rained for forty days and nights, until the highest mountains were covered. Then God sent a wind and the waters receded, and the... ...tioned. What caused the tidal wave is still a mystery, although many people believe it was caused by volcanic eruption, or a large meteorite crashing into the Earth’s surface.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The other theory is of universal flooding. The idea of a great flood has been found to be conclusive with geological findings all over the globe. A flood this large would have deposited sediment throughout the world. It has been scientifically estimate that more than seventy-five percent of the Earth is covered with sediment. Fossils have also been found in the Rockie Mountains that contain shells and fish. Many other petrified â€Å"fish beds† have been found all over the world, including Mt. Everest, suggesting that a global flood did indeed happen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though scientists cannot agree on whether or not a global flood occurred, the effect of these stories on science has been monumental, as well as the effect of the stories on cultures and religions throughout the world. If this great flood did , in fact, occur, it’s effect on history would have been great because of the huge numbers of people lost to it. Though they may be fables, one must keep asking themselves if they may have been based on fact.

The Importance of Budgeting and Long Range Financial Goals :: essays papers

The Importance of Budgeting and Long Range Financial Goals Me, being a financial independent have experienced first hand how important it is to keep a financial plan. Using a financial plan I have elevated my savings abilities a long way. Knowing where each dollar is being spent helps the spender to manage each dollar in an uplifting way. In a ten-year plan my goal would have to be to save at least twelve hundred dollars a year which would one hundred dollars each month of that financial plan. Using the persona financial profile assigned by you at the beginning of the year this long-term goal would be possible. Being in college, managing money is very important. Keeping a portfolio and an account of all money spent is a very important step in my keeping my financial situation in good terms. Becoming in debt is another concern of mine. Debt includes, credit cards loans, store credits accounts, or any other form of borrowing money. A large amount of students make the mistake of purchasing things that they have no money for. This is why credit is so bad for students. A personal financial plan is only possible if the independent is focused on what he or she is doing. You have to account for each dollar and not cheat yourself. The importance of budgeting all depends on the independent. If the independent is focused on saving and accounting for their money then it will work! It is needed in each college student’s life. Being in college makes it extra difficult to decipher what you are doing with your money. A greater percentage of students that have used this type of financial program have been successful rather than those, which don’t account for the money that they spend. Having a long-range financial goal can help you all throughout life.

My Philosophy of Teaching :: Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of Education Deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life is a very important and hard decision. But for me, this decision was not hard at all because ever since I was a young child, I have always wanted to become a teacher. Many people find it amusing when I tell them of my aspirations of becoming a teacher, and they respond by saying that the only reason why I want to be a teacher is because my parents are both teachers. I respond to them by describing what teaching means to me and tell them what I could bring to the teaching professional to enhance it. To me, teaching is such a rewarding career because you have the ability to shape the minds of the future. But with this rewarding career also comes many responsibilities. As a teacher you must be able to realize all the needs of your students and be able to accommodate these needs. I think that this is one of the most important things that teachers must achieve. They should be able to teach not only to the smartest child in the classroom, but also to the slowest child in their classroom. Another very important part of being a teacher is the impression that you make on your students. For many children, their only role model is their teacher. So I believe that as a teacher you must strive to make a positive impact on your student’s lives. When children are young, they are not always taught what is right from wrong. They model the behavior in which they see. If a child sees you as a teacher being caring, loving, and respectful to others then they will in treat other s in the same way that you did. I know that many of my teachers had this impact on me, and I only hope that some day I can have that impact on a child. When looking at the different philosophies of education I realized that I do not want to just be a Progressivist, I also want to be a Behaviorist and an essentialist. This is due to the fact that I like different aspects of each philosophy, and I believe if I could tie them all together then I would have a successful classroom.

Dillon V. Champion Jogbra Case Essay

Going green is the new trend now in corporate America. Everyone wants to save in some type of way. Human Resource Management is one of the biggest changes in corporate America today with HRM being the main source for all employees. When someone is employed majority of the time they have to deal with the HR department and this is where they fill out all of their forms and paperwork to make sure that they are legally able to work in United States. It is also where they go to fill out their tax forms and sometimes this is where they do their initial orientation. Times are changing and the changes could be great but then can also cause disappointment. The technological change going on today is the movement from paper to all electronic submissions. Some at first thought this to be a great initiative but later seen that I could cause problems. Take Cari Willis the manager of HR e-business solutions at IBM, she stated that it was absolutely a breakthrough for the HR department, but since the breakthrough happened it got harder to provide self-service in order to meet the needs of more than 140,000 active employees and 116,000 U.S. retirees (Greengard). IBM’s human resource department is almost all electronic today allowing for electric benefits enrollment, succession planning, e-recruiting, and online learning. Even though this new revolution has dropped cost and depleted paperwork there still needs to be someone who can manage the task most efficiently (Greengard). There is a lot that goes into building an e-procurement system; one had to determine what can all be included such as payroll, benefits, and training. You also would need to distinguish what type of access to have available to employees, whether they can access at work or at home. There is now a product out called TrainingNet which is a good example of how an e-marketplace can transform business to business transactions. TrainingNet aggregates various types of instruction such as classroom,  on-site, online, books, videos, and CD-ROMs from over 1,200 providers (Greengard). This hub allows employees to access courses online without having to sit in a classroom with an instructor. Genzyme Corp, a biotechnology firm started using this system in 1999 to move towards e-HR. Before turning to this new revolution they had their own training program that became costly and inefficient (Greengard). Senior vice president of HR Russell Campanello stated that employees from 20 Genzyme offices around that country had to fly into corporate every time that they need instructions (Greengard). The site also allows HR to monitor how employees click through the site and also allows for analysis of what training is needed. HRM has also gone electronic for recruiting as well. Companies are now able to post positions on websites like Monster.com or Indeed.com. These websites also allow perspective employees to apply directly for posted positions. Different websites also give people the opportunity to post their resumes and employers can contact people based on their qualifications. This revolutionary change is great but is it taking away from putting in hard work to find a job. One can sit at home and do nothing and get calls, when years ago you had to get up, get dressed, and go job searching. Now a job can come knocking at your door literally. Lawson Software vice president Larry Dunican believes that this revolution has only begun stating â€Å"Dramatic changes are a foot in the way HR users interact with each other and the external buying community, thanks to the evolution of e-business (Greengard). He also states that it will not be easy and that HR departments need to be aware fully of this new economy, they must understand that there would be new setups of portals and new tools that have to be established for this new evolution to work for them. Here are some ways that human resource can benefit through electronic systems. Portals can create a single interface for accessing key date. Online recruiting eliminates paperwork and can speed up the hiring process. Having self service can automate record keeping. Electronic payroll cuts cost. Electronic travel and expense reporting will cut out paper usage and speed up reimbursements. Online retirement planning can map out employees  future thus eliminating paperwork and questions (Greengard). In conclusion it seems that the technological change in HRM is moving in the right direction. Everyone wants to be able to do things simpler and faster. My job allows for us to log into a system and view our paycheck two days prior to payday, which is nice. The transformation will take a while for some companies, but this is just the start and in some years to come all companies will be forced to move to e-HR just to keep up with the competition.