Egyptian Civilisation Essay Example

Egyptian Civilisation Essay Example Egyptian Civilisation Essay Egyptian Civilisation Essay A civilization can be define as an advanced stage or system of human development characterized by social hierarchy and government, the division of labor and economic specialization, economic organization, settled agriculture, cultural traditions and practices, religion, art and architecture. A region must contain most or all of these characteristics if they are to be considered a civilization. Without these characteristics a society will have no structure and its people will be considered to be in a state of barbarism. The characteristics of a civilization help not only to give a society a sense identity, but a sense of history as well; this ensures that people in the present could look to the pass and know that a group of people existed during a particular period, in a particular region and carried out certain practices that would have distinguished them from other groups existing during their time. The Egyptians were a group of people that established their civilization alon g the banks of the Nile River in Egypt. Egypt is located between Africa and the Middle East and the Egyptian society contained many characteristics that distinguished them as a civilization. In this essay I will discuss some of the major features of the Egyptian civilization from the Early Dynastic period to the Late Intermediate period. The Early Dynastic period was the period which saw the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt into a single kingdom and it consisted of two dynasties. This unification occurred around 3100 BC and ancient Egyptians acknowledged this to be the start of their civilization. It was during this period that government was established in Egypt in the form of kingship. Egyptians believed that a king named Menes was responsible for the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt. However according to archaeological findings, the real historical figure and the last king of the Protodynastic Period was Narmer, the first pharaoh to claim to have united Upper and Lower Egypt. The pharaoh of the Royal Cemetery of Abydos resembled tombstones and contained a pair of carved stone funerary stelae. Prior to the fourth dynasty pharaohs were known by their Horus name and the stelae bore a hieroglyphic called a serekh which served as a representation of the Horus name of the ruler at that time. The Horus name of th e Pharaoh would also be written on serekh panels panel the first of which appeared to be the Narmer Palette. In North Saqquara there existed some elaborately niched mudbricked superstructures. The Saqquara tombs comprised of a superstructure above ground as well as an underground chamber in which the high officials of the north were buried. The Early Dynastic Period brought the development of Egyptian writings from a few signs to a more composite system of several hundred signs. The Old Kingdom was the foundational period of Egyptian civilization; it was during this period that developments in Egyptian architecture, religion and the beginning of hereditary nobility took place. The pharaohs of the Old kingdom had great power and held the monopoly, they granted estates to scribes and officials and made land grants to local cults and temple. They held superiority in all matters and were responsible for law making until their power was diminished and local rulers and priests who challenged their supremacy became more powerful. During the Old Kingdom around 2686BC- 2134BC, Egypt was under a strong central government ruled by Zoser who gained enough power to rule the entire country. Zoser established his court in Memphis and previous rulers occupied positions as governors. Egypt became wealthy and extensive irrigation projects brought the evolution of agriculture and with it an increase in trade. Because of the importance of the Nile River to agricultural success and the power of the pharaohs, Egyptians during this time saw the pharaohs as being responsible for the yearly flooding of the Nile and worshipped them as Gods. The Egyptians scheduled their agriculture in accordance with the cycle of the Nile River and the river was used as their main source of water since there was very little rainfall. The three seasons acknowledged by the Egyptians were Akhet, the season of flooding, Peret, the season of planting and Shemu, the season of harvesting. The Old Kingdom is also known for its pyramids which were used as burial places for pharaohs in Ancient Egypts. The first pyramid was built by Imhotep to house the body of King Zoser, initially it was built as a large tomb but remodeled into a towering pyramid. During the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom Sneferu the initiator the Dynasty was responsible for the construction of at least two pyramids, the Bent and the Red pyramids. His son and successor Khufu later constructed the Great pyramids of Giza on the Giza plateau. In this period the practice of mummification emerged, mummifications were used to preserve the bodies of the pharaohs so that the spirit would return to the body periodically and so assure the kingâ„ ¢s immortality. in an attempt to preserve the body for life in the next world. The pyramids were built during the lifetime of Sneferu, his son Khufu, and his grandson Menkaura and served as long lasting monuments. Immense exploration took place during the old kin gdom, groups were sent to Nubia for mining, Egyptians journeyed to the Phoenician coast by ship to source cedar wood and Nubia was conquered. The fifth dynasty was initiated by Userkhaf and after his supremacy there existed a power struggle. Civil conflict arose which caused the deterioration of the Egyptian government, the situation was compounded by a severe drought which caused the collapse of the Old Kingdom. The First Intermediate period lasted for approximately two hundred years and was a period in which Egypt was not ruled by a single Government. Pharaohs of this time ruled from the end of the sixth dynasty to most of the eleventh dynasty and their power was limited only to their domain. Few monuments exist from this period but the decorated tombs of governors during this period remain as evidence that there was a continuation artistic practices. Burials during the intermediate period were rich and the writing on the tomb was used to depict the independence of the governors and at times also referred to local conflict The most outstanding monument from the First Intermediate Period is the mortuary temple of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II at Deir el-Bahari. The middle kingdom saw reemergence of the pharaohâ„ ¢s supremacy, the expansion of the civilisation and the worsening of labor conditions. Mentuhotep II was the first pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom and the establisher of the eleventh dynasty. During the reign of Mentuhotep II and other kings Egypt was able to regain its power. dynasty began to consolidate their rule. Mentuhotep II sent armies into Nubia and reconquered them after they had become independent the First Intermediate Period. Armies were sent to Palestine to look after trade relations and ships ventured to Greece, Crete and Syria. A vizier was appointed by the king as the head of civil administration for the country. New projects were initiated and irrigation systems were fixed.Senusret III, a warrior king during the period 1878 BC?  Ã¢â‚¬Å" 1839 BC, constructed forts which served as security for Egyptâ„ ¢s south border. Amenemhat III, a great ruler in the Middle Kingdom encouraged Asiatic settlers to enter the Delta region in order to use their labor for active mining and building campaigns. The Egyptian population began to experience a surplus in food as production levels rose. The Middle Kingdom birthed fresh ideas for art and literature. Gorgeous regal sculptures were created and wooden replicas of houses, soldiers and animals adorned tombs. Pyramids were constructed during this period using cheaper materials. However the inability of weaker kings to deal with powerful immigrants that had settled in the Delta brought the decline of Egypt. During the second intermediate period at around 1700 B.C.E. the Hyksos invaded Egypt and the pharaohs were forced to retreat to Thebes where there were treated as subordinates. The Hyksos who were from West Asia had superior weaponry as well as horse drawn chariots which enabled them to gain control of the Delta and reign over a large part of Egypt. The Hyksos adapted much of the Egyptian culture and many of them portrayed themselves as pharaohs. Salatis was the first king of the Second Intermediate Period, he ruled over Lower and Upper Egypt and the third king, Apophis I, relinquished some of his power to gave some of his power to a branch of the Hyksos family. The reign of the Hyksos, was a significant period of technical improvement which saw the encouragement of arts, crafts and literature. The Second Intermediate period comprised of the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventh dynasties and the Hyksos contributed the harness and war chariots to Egyptian civilization. War eventually brok e out between the Egyptians and Hyksos and Egypt emerged victorious. The New Kingdom consisted of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth dynasty and saw the production of many famous arts, artefacts and architecture. The eighteenth dynasty was one of prosperity and power. Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh reigned during this period; she served with great competence and it was under her that Egyptian trade expanded into Somalia and the Mediterranean. Thutmose III, Hatshepsutâ„ ¢s successor expanded the Eyptian army. He was respected for his imperial policies and was an avid builder. Amenhotep III kept the tradition of building and worked on the temple of Karnak, and later began the temple of Ame-Re at Luxor. Amenhotep IV who later changed his name to Akhenaten introduced the religious system of monotheism to Egypt. Akhenaten believed in Aten who was the representation of a sun disk. The period in which Akhenaten reigned facilitated artistic, architectural and poetic expression. However, the system of monotheism was not popular with the priests that bel ieved in polytheism. Consumed by religious matters Akhenaten lost control of some his provinces and after his death, his successor Tutankhamen returned Egypt to polytheism. Rameses I reigned in Egypt around 1290 BC and was followed by his son Seti I. Seti I ruled the Egyptian Empire for eleven years and constructed a temple complex at Abydos. Ramses II, established major building projects and it was under him that the Egyptian struggle against the Hittites in Syria was resolved calmly. Ramses II, finished the work started by his father at Karnak he also constructed great monuments and the temples such as Abu Simbel. Rameses had many children for his wives and constructed tombs for his sons in the Valley of the Kings. Ramesesâ„ ¢ reign brought great prosperity and tranquility to Egypt and his greatness members of the twentieth dynasty to retain his name. Several battles in the twentieth dynasty under the rule of Rameses the III saw the exhaustion of the Egyptian treasury and the decline of the Egyptian Empire. After his death his sons became pharaohs as Rameses IV, VI and VIII. During this time Egypt was plagued with a series of droughts and after the death of Rameses XI Egypt entered into the third intermediate period. The third intermediate period included four dynasties. Smendes was the first king of this period and served as a vizier of Lower Egypt. He established his capital in Tanis while Upper Egypt was The result of the feeble rule of the last Ramessids was a lapse into the division of the two lands. The first king was Smendes (ruled 1069- 1043BC), a vizier of Lower Egypt, who set up his capital in the Delta city of Tanis. Upper Egypt was ruled from Thebes, where Herihor, who combined the offices of high priest of Amun and vizier of Upper Egypt, was placed as effective king. Unity was briefly restored when his grandson Pinudjem I, who at first reigned as high priest, formally assumed the kingship and ruled at Tanis (1054-1042BC). In his reign, the royal mummies that had been violated and robbed in the Valley of the Kings were rewrapped and reentered in a secret place behind the temple of Hatshepsut, where they were found in modern days. After his death the power fluctuated between Tanis and Thebe sometimes under one king, sometimes under a combination of a king in the north and a high priest in the south. The priests were the real rulers, using the powers of Amun-Ra to deal with all matters. . This period involved 4 dynasties from the twenty-first to the twenty-fourth. The era opens the final millennium of ancient Egyptâ„ ¢s history. Apart from a brief time of unified rule by the Theban priest-king Pinudjem I, it was marked by divisions within, with pharaohs in control only of Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt ruled by hereditary chief priests at Thebe. Thebes had no foreign policy and the pharaohs at Memphis were incapable of firm rule. The international standing of Egypt sank to a low level until the assumption of power by Shoshenq I and the commencement of the twenty-second, or Libyan Dynasty. The Libyans ruled for a century and a half, with their base in the north, until a branch set up a separate kingdom at Thebes, the twenty-third Dynasty, whose succession of five kings co-existed with the parents branch until uprising of Tefnakht at Sais, and the invasion of the Nubians, which brought the era to an end. IDuring the New Kingdom, Egypt kept a large permanent army. Under a series of warrior kings, they soon became the dominant force throughout the near east. Kings from as far away as Syria paid homage to the great pharaoh in Egypt. With gold, copper, ivory, ebony, and slaves pouring into the land, Egypt became richer than ever before. During this period, the 18th dynasty rulers pioneered a new style of royal burial, abandoning the pyramids in favor of less conspicuous tombs in The Valley of the Kings. The Egyptian civilization was openly stratified. Their social hierarchy consisted of a pharaoh or king who head the hierarchy, followed by viezier who was the trusted adviser of the pharaoh then the nobles and high Priests, the officials and scribes, the craftsmen and lastly the slaves, laborers, and peasants. The farmers, who were at the bottom of the social hierarchy, made up the majority of the Egyptian society similar to contemporary societies where the poor are considered to be in the majority. The farmers were subjected to paying tax and their agricultural produce was owned by the state. In Ancient Egypt people from all social classes were treated with equality under the law except the slaves. Both men and women were entitled to property ownership and sale, marriage and divorce as well as the pursuit of legal matters. In the legal system of Egypt was controlled by the pharaohs, they were responsible for passing laws as well as ensuring that justice is carried out. Common sense was used as a measuring rod in determining right from wrong and conflict resolution was preferred to the adherence of a strict set of laws. A local council of elders ruled over minor claims and disputes while critical cases were presided over by the vizier or the pharaoh. Those up for trial were required to represent themselves and swear an oath that they were telling the truth. The accused were sometimes subjected to beatings from the state in an effort to get a confession. All cases were comprehensively documented by the scribes and punishment ranged from fines, exile and facial mutilation for minor crimes to execution by decapitation for more serious crimes. Oracles also played an important part in making legal decisions in the new kingdom. Various duties were distributed to members of the Egyptian civilization. The scribes were among those most versed in reading and writing, therefore their responsibilities included writing letters, keeping recordings as well as military accounts. The scholarly scribes held positions as doctors, engineers and priests. The priests were required to spend three months in the temple where they fulfilled their duties. The medical field in Egypt consisted of positions such as chief medical officers, inspectors, superintendants, and physicians. The doctors possessed great knowledge of herbal remedies as well as surgical techniques. Engineers were knowledgeable in mathematics and architecture and used this knowledge for precision in the building of monuments, pyramids and temples. The high priests and noblemen constituted the government and served as assistants, generals and administrators. The vizier served as the pharaohâ„ ¢s closest advisor. The Old Kingdom was the foundational period of Egyptian civilization; it was during this period that developments in Egyptian architecture, religion and the beginning of hereditary nobility took place. The pharaohs of the Old kingdom had great power and held the monopoly, they granted estates to scribes and officials and made land grants to local cults and temple. They held superiority in all matters and were responsible for law making until their power was diminished and local rulers and priests who challenged their supremacy became more powerful. The middle kingdom saw a reemergence of the pharaohâ„ ¢s supremacy. While this period brought the expansion of the civilisation it also saw the worsening of labor conditions. Amenemhat III, a ruler in the Middle Kingdom encouraged Asiatic settlers to enter the Delta region in order to use their labor for active mining and building campaigns. During the second intermediate period at around 1700 B.C.E. the Hyksos invaded Egypt and the pharaohs were forced to retreat to Thebes where there were treated as subordinates. The Hyksos who were from West Asia adapted much of the Egyptian culture and many of them portrayed themselves as pharaohs. In the New Kingdom from 1550-700 B.C.E, the new kingdom pharaohs arose and overthrew the Hyksos. These pharaohs secured borders and strengthened diplomatic ties. The vizier commanded the treasury in Egyptian society and the economy was well managed. The temples of Egypt served as store houses for wealth and the financial system of Ancient Egypt was one of money bartering in which workers were paid in grains. This took place until the introduction of coinage. Trading was facilitated at standard price. The Egyptianâ„ ¢s obtained commodities that was rare to their society through trade. They were able to obtain gold, incense, timber ebony and ivory through trade with other countries as well as olive oil from Greece. Egyptâ„ ¢s Natural resources included decorative copper, lead ores, gold and semi precious stones which enabled them to have great architecture, art, tools and fashion jewelry. The Egyptian civilization contained settled agriculture. The Nile River which was at the core of Egyptian civilization was considered to be a gift from God to the Egyptian people. The Nile River overflowed its banks annually leaving behind a rich, fertile top soil which was responsible for the Egyptianâ„ ¢s agricultural success. The Egyptians scheduled their agriculture in accordance with the cycle of the Nile River and the river was used as their main source of water since there was very little rainfall. The three seasons acknowledged by the Egyptians were Akhet, the season of flooding, Peret, the season of planting and Shemu, the season of harvesting. The Egyptianâ„ ¢s produced an abundance of food and was the only place in the world to export grain surpluses. The grains produced by the Egyptians included emmer and barley, and their plants were used to make sheets and clothing. Their garden plots comprised of vegetables and fruits such as squashes, lettuce, grapes melons and garlic. They also had an abundant supply of fish, sourced from the Nile River. The most important livestock of the Egyptianâ„ ¢s was the cattle, donkeys and oxen were used to assist in agriculture. The donkey and oxen plowed the fields and compressed seeds into the ground and the ox was used in spiritual rituals. Sheep, goats and pigs were also reared. The villagers were not afforded as luxurious a lifestyle as the wealthy Egyptians. Their villages were compact and their houses made of stones. These houses were so inferior that they deteriorated after time and new houses were usually built on top the rubble. The houses contained little furniture and water for the village was sourced from a well. Wealthy Egyptians had large estates and luxurious homes. They comprised of pools, gardens, servants shrines and tiled floors however they too had limited furniture. The clothing of the Egyptianâ„ ¢s was made from linen and their style was common throughout their classes. Egyptians took great pride in their appearance and used wigs, oils, perfumes and jewelry. The wealthy in their society were privileged to some of the most exquisite jewelry. Women in the Egyptian society were responsible for childcare while the men sought to provide economic stability. At the age of twelve, Egyptian males were circumcised and their heads shaved. The diet of the Egyptians included bread, beer, figs, dates, garlic and onion and it was only during feasts that the lower class was privileged enough to eat meat and drink wine. Music and dance made up a significant part of Egyptâ„ ¢s culture and the harp and flute were popular instruments. The Egyptians activities included board games, juggling, wrestling as well as hunting and boating which were done by the upper class. The Egyptians were polytheistic and believed in the after life. The Egyptians believed in several supernaturally gods who they were required to keep contented through offerings and sacrifices. Deities incessantly arose to prominence, none contradicting the other. Worship was carried on by a priest in cult temples which contained shrines. However, the temples were not used for public worship and only the upper class was allowed to worship at the shrines. The lower class was subjected to private worship in their homes and many of them wore amulets as spiritual guards. In the new kingdom oracles were used as means of direct communication to the Gods. The Egyptians believed that everyone had a shadow a personality or soul, a life source and a name. The heart was considered to be responsible for thought and emotion. They believed that the dead will reunite its life source, with its soul and become the blessed dead existing effectively inn their afterlife. Mummifications were used to prese rve the bodies of the pharaohs so that the spirit would return to the body periodically this assured the kingâ„ ¢s immortality. The pyramids were used to store the bodies of the pharaohâ„ ¢s and their material belongings. They believed that their spirit would either be rewarded or punished and that heaven held no suffering. Egyptian art was created to serve particular purposes. Its accuracy, simplicity and symbolism played an important role in politics and religion. Images were engraved on the walls of the temples and tombs. Artists used stones and wood to make statues and paints were derived from minerals. The lower class had access to funerary arts and clay models used to show the daily life of the Egyptians were displayed in the tombs. The Egyptians used hieroglyphics as their system of writing which incorporated up to five hundred symbols. Initially they were pictorial but then developed into phonetic scripts. They were formal in structure and written on monuments and in tombs and eventually papyrus. The Egyptianâ„ ¢s architecture distinguished them from any other civilization. Dominance of the pharaoh was reiterated through their architecture and the state financed architectural works. The buildings were constructed with simple tools and expert builders exercised immense precision during constru ction. Buildings that were suppose to last forever, were constructed with stones while others especially the homes of the lower class Egyptians were constructed with mud bricks. The greatest architecture of the Egyptians was the Pyramids of Giza and the Temples of Thebes. The Egyptians had one of the greatest civilizations ever known to man and the precision and design of their pyramids still baffle many and seem even more advanced than present time. The Egyptian society embodied all the characteristics that was necessary for them to be considered as a civilization. It contained social hierarchy and government, the division of labor and economic specialization, economic organization, settled agriculture, cultural traditions and practices, religion, art and architecture. Their hieroglyphics made it possible for us to gain incite as to who the Egyptians were and when they existed. They provided for us more information than any other civilization, information that can be seen as reliable since it was written by the Egyptians themselves and represented their daily life. Their achievements not only justify their categorization as a civilization but set a standard for all civilizations that followed. WORKS CITED Asante, Molefi. Culture and Customs of Egypt. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. 2002. David, Rosalie. The Experience of Ancient Egypt. London: Routledge. 2000. Erman, Adolf. Life in Ancient Egypt. London: Macmillan. 1894. Glanville, K. The Legacy of Egypt. Oxford England: Clarendon. 1942. Issawi, Charles. Egypt: An Economic and Social Analysis. London: Oxford University Press. 1947. Little, Tom. Egypt. New York: Frederick A. Praeger. 1958.

Nautilus Facts

Nautilus Facts The chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) is a large, mobile cephalopod which is called a living fossil and has been the subject of poetry, artwork, math, and jewelry. They have even inspired the names of submarines and exercise equipment. These animals have been around for about 500 million years- even before the dinosaurs. Fast Facts: Chambered Nautilus Scientific Name: Nautilus pompiliusCommon Name: Chambered nautilusBasic Animal Group: InvertebrateSize: 8–10 inches in diameterWeight: Maximum of 2.8 poundsLifespan: 15–20 yearsDiet:  CarnivoreHabitat: Oceans in the Indo-Pacific regionConservation Status: Not Evaluated Description Nautiluses are invertebrates, cephalopods, and mollusks related to octopus, cuttlefish, and squid. Of all the cephalopods, nautiluses are the only animal to have a visible shell. The shell is not only beautiful, but it also provides protection. The nautilus can withdraw into the shell and seal it closed with a fleshy trapdoor called a hood. Nautilus shells can reach up to 8–10 inches in diameter. They are white on the underside with brown stripes on its upper side. This coloration helps  the nautilus blend into its surroundings. The shell of an adult nautilus contains over 30 chambers which form as the nautilus grows, following a genetically-hardwired shape known as a logarithmic spiral.  The nautiluss soft body is located in the largest, outermost chamber; the remainder of the chambers are ballast tanks that help the nautilus maintain buoyancy. When a nautilus approaches the surface, its chambers fill with gas. A duct called the siphuncle connects the chambers so that, when necessary, the nautilus can flood the chambers with water to make itself sink again. This water enters the mantle cavity and is expelled through a siphon. Chambered nautiluses have many more tentacles  than their squid, octopus and cuttlefish relatives. They have about 90 thin tentacles, which do not have suckers. Squid and cuttlefish have two and octopus have none. Geoff Brightling/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images Species These several species are in the Nautilidae family, including five species in the genus Nautilus (Nautilus belauensis, N. macromphalus, N. pompilius, N. repertus, and N. stenomphelus) and two species in the genus Allonautilus (Allonautilus perforatus and A.  scrobiculatus). The largest of the species is N. repertus (the emperor nautilus), with a shell measuring from 8 to 10 inches in diameter and soft body parts weighing nearly 2.8 pounds. The smallest is the bellybutton nautilus (N. macromphalus), which only grows 6–7 inches. ​ Allonautilus was recently  re-discovered  in the South Pacific after thought extinct for some 30 years. These animals have a distinctive, fuzzy-looking shell.   Habitat and Distribution Nautilus pompilius is only found in the dimly lit tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific region in southeast Asia and Australia. It is the most widespread of any of the nautiluses and like most of the species, it spends most of the day at depths up to 2,300 feet. At night it migrates slowly up the coral reef slopes to forage for food at about 250 feet deep. Diet and Behavior Nautiluses are primarily scavengers of dead crustaceans, fish, and other organisms, even other nautiluses. However, they do prey on (living) hermit crabs and dig in the soft sediments of the sea floor for small prey pieces. Nautiluses have poor vision with two large but primitive pinhole eyes. Under each eye is a fleshy papilla about a tenth of an inch long called a rhinophore that the nautilus uses to detect its prey. When a dead fish or crustacean is detected by the nautilus, it extends its thin tentacles and swims towards the prey.  The nautilus grips the prey with its tentacles and then rips it into shreds with their beak before passing it to the radula. A nautilus moves by jet propulsion. Water enters the mantle cavity and  is forced out the siphon to propel the nautilus backward, forward, or sideways. Reproduction and Offspring With a lifespan of 15–20 years, nautiluses are the longest-living cephalopods. They take from10 to more than 15 years to become sexually mature. Nautiluses must move into warmer tropical waters to mate, and then they mate sexually when the male transfers his sperm packet to the female using a modified tentacle called a spadix. The female produces between 10 and 20 eggs each year, laying them one at a time, a process that may last throughout the year. It can take up to a year for the eggs to hatch.   Richard Merritt FRPS/Moment/Getty Images Evolutionary History Long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, giant cephalopods swam in the sea.  The nautilus is the oldest cephalopod ancestor. It hasnt changed much over the last 500 million years, hence the name living fossil.   At first, prehistoric nautiloids had straight shells, but these evolved into a coiled shape. Prehistoric nautiluses had shells up to 10 feet in size. They dominated the seas, as fish hadnt yet evolved to compete with them for prey.  The nautiluss main prey was likely a type of arthropod called the trilobite. Threats None of the nautiluses are listed as threatened or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, ongoing threats to nautiluses are recognized, including over-harvesting, habitat loss, and climate change.  One climate change-related issue is ocean acidification, which affects the nautiluss ability to build its calcium carbonate-based shell. Nautilus populations in some areas (such as in the Philippines) are declining due to over-fishing.  Nautiluses are caught in baited traps to be sold as live specimens, meat, and shells. Shells are used to make handicrafts, buttons, and jewelry, while the meat is consumed and live animals are collected for aquariums and scientific research.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than half a  million nautiluses  were  imported into the U.S. from 2005–2008.   Intensive nautilus fisheries are short-lived and devastating to local populations. Within about a decade or two, the locations become commercially nonviable. Nautiluses are especially vulnerable to over-fishing due to their slow development and reproduction rates. Populations also seem to be isolated, with little gene flow between populations and less able to recover from a loss. Although the IUCN has not yet reviewed nautilus for inclusion on the Red List due to lack of data, in January 2017, the entire family of chambered nautiluses (Nautilidae) was listed in the U.S. CITES Appendix II. This means that CITES documentation will be required for import and re-export of these species and items made from them.   Saving the Nautilus To help nautiluses, you can support nautilus research and avoid purchasing products made of a nautilus shell.  These include the shells  themselves as well as pearls and other jewelry made from the nacre from the nautiluss shell.   Westend61/Westend61/Getty Images Sources Aquarium of the Pacific.  Chambered Nautilus.Barord, Gregory J., et al. Comparative Population Assessments of Nautilus Sp. In the Philippines, Australia, Fiji, and American Samoa Using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems. PLOS One 9.6 (2014): e100799. Print.Broad, William J. Loving the Chambered Nautilus to Death. The New York Times, October 24, 2011.Chambered nautilus. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs, 2017.  Daw, Adam and Gregory J. Barord. Aquarium Science: Husbandry of the Nautilus: Aspects of its Biology, Behavior, and Care. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, 2007.  Dunstan, Andrew J., Peter D. Ward, and N. Justin Marshall. Vertical Distribution and Migration Patterns of Nautilus Pompilius. PLOS One 6.2 (2011): e16311. Print.Jereb, P., and C. F. E. Robert, eds. Cephalopods of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Cephalopod Species Known to Date. Vol. 1: Chambered nautiluses and sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae). Rome: Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica Applicata al Mare, 2005.   Platt, John R. Should We Stop Selling Nautilus Shells? Scientific American, June 12, 2014.Urton, James. Rare nautilus sighted for the first time in three decades. UW News, University of Washington, August 25, 2015.

Classroom Observation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Classroom Observation - Essay Example While determining how the teacher controls the behavior in the classroom the observer was informed that the code of conduct in each class of the school was created in the beginning of the year. As an example the observer found that the punishment for talking when the teacher is teaching has four stages. If the student is caught talking for the first time the teacher gives him verbal reminder. If the student is caught talking after the first reminder then the second time the teacher not only gives him verbal reminder but also reminds him of the class's code of conduct. If despite the two reminders the student does not stop then the teacher gives him the third and final warning verbally. If these three stages have not worked and the teacher finds him talking continuously then the teacher asks him and his other classmates if involved, to immediately leave the classroom and return only when they have controlled themselves completely. The teacher does not lay down the code of conduct alone but students are also involved in it. This approach helps the teacher in controlling the behavior in the classroom as current research shows that rules made together are usually more successful than teacher made rules. It gives the students a chance to voice their opinions and take ownership for the code of conduct. According to Cole et al. "Activities cannot be seen or planned in isolation. The way all the adults who are involved with the children share their strategies and the child's response is vital. This is not a one way or single channeled process." (2) Therefore when the students are sent out as a punishment they do not have any option but to obey the teacher as they too were involved in formulating this rule. They do not hold any grudges against the teacher later also due to this fact. Does the teacher integrate the content areas The observer witnessed that the teacher very skillfully integrated the content areas. It was not much difficult for her to do so because with science as a subject, it becomes easy to integrate many of the content areas. Social Studies- map skills; math- formulas for speed, time, reading charts and graphs; ELA- writing conclusions and coming up with hypothesis were all integrated by her. This made her teaching very interesting to the students. Cole et.al rightly pointed out that " children need to be challenged, the activities exciting and dynamic." (2) It has been found that students perform better when skills overlap in each area of their curriculum. The school that the observer visited believes in team teaching where policies and procedures remain constant for all content area classes. How does the teacher influence the classroom atmosphere In order to promote a congenial classroom atmosphere it is not enough to just lecture students on what to do and what not to. The students scrutinize teachers and try to find out whether teachers themselves are practicing what they are preaching. Teachers should be the role models of appropriate behavior. Only then can she influence the classroom atmosphere in a positive way. The observer found that the teacher of the classroom that he visited is an excellent model of appropriate behavior, language and decent dressing. She carried herself well and thus

Fingerprinting Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fingerprinting Paper - Essay Example terized, the most useful identification systems must not necessarily be biological or biogenic but could also entail systematic tied identities affiliated to ones banking activities, international travel and international communication. These facets have a higher pedigree for our civilization (Jain et al., 1997). In this regard, the most fronted identifications entail vehicle logbooks, residence permits, passport numbers, visas, driving licenses and personal international numbers (PINs). In future, the need to have tied fingerprinting with other more advanced computerized identification credentials will be more meaningful (Lewis, 2001; Hong & Jain, 1998). For instance, the PRADO project launched by the Council of the European Union to register all travel and identity credentials within the region is just an example of databases could aid in better and more meaningful identification and recording on personal activity (Jain, Bolle & Pankanti, 1999). In conclusion, codes like national access codes, personal identification numbers and other secretly encrypted coding systems might be more useful than merely having fingerprint data. Biogenic data that encompass a number of biological descriptions including eye characteristics, blood groups and other hormonal mechanisms will be better options to replace the traditional fingerprinting technologies that might become obsolete with increasing global technological

Plato - Epistemology Essay Example for Free

Plato Epistemology Essay ? Plato was born in Athens in 428/27 BCE, one year after death of Pericles. ? His father traced his lineage to the old kings of Athens and before them to the god Posiedon. ? His, mother Perictione, was the sister of Chramides and the cousin of Critias. ? In such a family atmosphere, Plato learned much about public life and developed at an early age a sense of responsibility for public political service. ? Around 387 BCE, when he was about 40 yrs. Old, Plato founded the Academy at Athens. THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE †¢ The Cave †¢ The Dividend Line ? Plato provides more detail about levels of knowledge that we can obtain ? These objects and their parallel types of thought can be diagram as follows: Types of Objects y Thought |The Good, Forms |Intelligence | |Mathematical |Thinking | |Objects | | |Things |Belief | |Images |Imagining | Imagining ? The most superficial form of mental activity is found at the lowest level of the line. ? The three levels of reality here are, then 1. The form of Humanness 2. The embodiment of this Form in Socrates 3. The image of Socrates as represented on canvass Belief ? The next stage after imagining is belief. ? It may strike us as strange that Plato should use the word believing instead of knowing to describe the state of mind induced by seeing actual objects. Thinking ? When we move from believing to thinking, we move from the visible world to the intelligible world and from the realm of opinion to the realm of knowledge Perfect Intelligence ? To have a perfect knowledge would require that we grasp the relation of everything to everything else-that we see the unity of the whole of reality. Plato Summary Statement: â€Å"Now you may take, a corresponding to the four sections, these four states of mind: intelligence for the highest, thinking for the second, belief for the third and for the last imagining. These you may arrange as the terms in a proportion, assigning to each a degree of clearness and certainty, corresponding to the measure in which their object possess truth and reality†. THEORY OF FORMS ? Plato’s theory of the Forms is his most significant philosophical contribution. ? There are atleast five questions that we might ask about the forms: What are the forms? ? In his Symposium Plato states that we normally grasp beauty first of all in a particular object or person. But having discovered beauty in his limited form, we soon â€Å"perceive that the beauty of one form is akin to another†, and so we move from the beauty of a particular body to the recognition that beauty† in every form is one the same†. Where do the forms Exist? ? Plato’s clearest suggestion on this problem is that the Forms are â€Å"separate† from concrete things, that they exist â€Å" apart from the things we see. What Is the Relation of Forms to Each other? ? A Form can be related to a thing in three ways: o The Form is the cause of the essence of a thing. o A thing may be said to participate in a form. o A thing may be said to imitate or copy a form. What is the Relation of forms to each other? ? Plato says that â€Å"We can have discourse only through the weaving together of Forms. † How do we know the forms? ? Plato mentions at least three different ways in which our minds discover the Forms. o There is recollection o People arrive to the knowledge of forms through the activity of dialectic. o There is a power of desire or love (eros) Intelligible World Visible World Knowledge Opinion.

Injustice and the Importance of Being a Man in A Lesson Before Dying Es

Injustice and the Importance of Being a Man in A Lesson Before Dying      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Justitia, the goddess of justice, is portrayed with a blindfold holding scales and a sword, but she, in applying her scales and sword, has never been colorblind in the U. S. 1[1] Ernest J. Gaines accuses the legal injustice against the black population through an innocent convict, Jefferson's death in A Lesson Before Dying.   However, Gaines penetrates the fact that the legal injustice is rather a result than a cause.   Behind the unfair legal system, a huge matrix of the cultural injustice, which always already presumes the colored people as criminals, does exist.   Gaines, thus, puts more stress on Jefferson's transformation from a "hog" to a man.   Unbinding himself from the humiliating self-notion, a cultural construction in a white ruling society, and establishing his own humanity, Jefferson exemplifies the potentiality of black empowerment against the prevalent racial injustices.2[2]      Gaines's insight and craftsmanship, which channel the legal injustice into the cultural frame, make the novel an outstanding masterpiece of the century.   First, Jefferson's case provides a great example of the injustice in the American legal system in the antebellum society.   Since "white" America did not count the black population as her citizens, the law was totally on the dominant white people's side.3[3]   Jefferson's trial is just an official gesture or ritual.   No matter what happens during the trial, Jefferson is doomed to death.   The legal system operates just as a means of vengeance.   If a white man is killed, a black man has to die for him.   One of the most striking things about Jefferson's trial is the fact that, even before the conviction, every... ...n justice.   Grant's criticism against the decision making process of the date illuminates the hypocrisy of America as a Christian country.   Nevertheless, Jefferson is described as a Christ-like figure.   On Gaines's skepticism about Christianity, see Critical Reflections on the Fiction of Ernest J. Gaines, David C. Estes ed. (Athens, GA: University of Georgia P, 1994), 77-84 and 257-59.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   6[6]   Herman Beavers, Wrestling Angels into Song: The Fictions of Ernest J. Gaines and James Alan McPherson (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania P, 1995), 174.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   7[7] On the relation between the "white" law and cultural discourse that justifies the racism within legal system, Grant says, "They play by the rules their forefathers created hundreds of years ago.   Their forefathers said that we're only three-fifths human - and they believe it to this day" (192).   

How to Do a Jedi Mind Trick

How To Do A Jedi Mind Trick Everyone wants to be persuasive. It is the power of influence, and gives you the ability to sway one's mind. After you have learned the proven Jedi Mind Trick method, you will have increased your ability to use your persuasive powers. The Jedi Mind Trick is an ancient method used and taught by those attuned with the Force. The Force is a metaphysical power that is contained in all beings and things, and enhances mental abilities. By using the Force along with a well practiced Jedi Mind Trick, you can learn to non-violently manipulate a target's thought.The first step is confidence. When combining self confidence with fast talking, your audience will struggle in finding flaws in your argument and will be forced to agree with you. Confidence is also synonyms with expertise. Once others believe that you is actual fact, they will think that you are right and will follow you. You will achieve true confidence when you also believe what know and believe what you say. Body language is the second step of the Jedi Mind Trick.Using slight head and hand gestures to help send subtle, yet powerful, messages to your audience. These help create emphasis on the choice you want your target to make. You want the individual to feel as though they are making the suggestion or coming up with the idea themselves. Once you feel that they are catching on, reinforce the idea by telling your target what a good one it is and frame it positively. Please keep in mind that some individuals with highly developed mental facilities are resistant to the Force and Jedi Mind Tricks.Examples include mothers, nerdier older brothers, and George Lucas. George Lucas cannot by affected negatively by the Force, because he created the Force and is therefore impermeable. If you are ever caught in a failed Jedi Mind Trick, quickly abandon your attempt and continue honing your abilities on weaker targets. Do not lose hope as you will need to practice your skills and apply them to day to day interactions in order to be successful. The uses for the Jedi Mind Trick are limitless.Those who have successfully practiced this great ability have been able to reap the rewards. Applying these steps have helped many get out of traffic citations, receive phone numbers from potential dates, and have been given seats at their favorite exclusive restaurant without a reservation. These are just a couple of example that have helped so many change their lives. Once you have integrated these simple steps into your daily live, you can easily combat those slight annoyances that may be holding you back from enjoying the life that you deserve.

The Four Ps of Creativity

An Analyse of a Significant Creative and Innovative Thinker in Terms of the Four Ps A concept labelled as the ‘Four Ps’ has been used to help understand the influential factors around creative beings and how these factors influence their final creative products. According to Mel Rhodes in his book An Analysis of Creativity (1961) these Four Ps; person, place, process and product are the underlying factors of creativity itself. By understanding how the 4 Ps work we are able to venturing into the life of a creative thinker and conduct and analysis of there creativity. In this case we will look at a German media artist, Tom Tykwer who has constructed a variety of unique films due to his high level of creativity. This creativity has been shaped by the Four Ps or in other words, his individual characteristics, the environment he is surrounded by and the particular processes he under took in order to create his productions. In this analysis we will begin with the first P, Person. The personal attributes of someone influences ideas and how these ideas are produced into being. Determination, imagination and curiosity are all personal attributes found in a creative artist (Sternberg 1988). Born in 1965 (The Auteurs 2010), Tom Tykwer always had a strong passion for filmmaking, making his first films at the age of eleven. His friends where unfortunately vaguely interested in his products (Haase 2007) yet this did not stop him from creating. After High School Tykwer failed to receive a place in almost all of the film schools in Europe (Haase 2007) though his determination to make films did not allow this fall back to prevent him from achieve his ambitions. Tykwer merely created his own film studio in which he could create at his own accord. The act reflects Tykwer’s ability to think of alternative situations which is a highly regarded creative personality trait (Sternberg 1988). When Tykwer was a child the first film he viewed was Peter Pan (Haase 2007). The possibility of a parallel world struck Tykwer as fascinating and became his first inspiration in film making. Peter Pan sparked an imaginative streak in Tykwer which entranced him for almost 30 years. His imagination is what defines his earlier films, such as Lola Rennt and True, two movies which expanded the realms of reality through innovative techniques and unique narrative structure. In regards to curiosity every single one of Tykwer’s movies, short and long, reflect a high level of experimentation and risks to portray his own personal feelings and willingness to manipulate media to create magnificent effects. Another key feature about Tykwer is that he calls upon varies types of film genres. He claimed, ‘I like everything that speaks to me loudly, and that gives me a vision. I don’t care about the genre’ (Tom Tykwer 2010a). This is reflected in all his productions as he uses a mixture of crime and thrill (_Perfume_) romance (_Truth__)_ and action (_The International) _ to portray his ideas. His desire to not stick to just one style of film demonstrates a large amount of curiosity and desire to experiment with ideas and cinematic styles. Tykwer demonstrated a high level of curiosity for film at an early age, something along with imagination and determination is an essential aspect to creativity. The second P, place, also has a profound impact on creativity. Place includes the environment which a person is surrounded by and the influence this has upon someone’s creative ability. The German director was brought up surrounded by a modern and artistic culture. The fall of the Berlin wall in 1990 was a significant cultural movement in Germany (The Guardian 2010), further enhancing modernisation, innovation and artistic products which expressed revolution and a movement to new approaches to life. Berlin was fuming with a large variety of artistic expression inspired by the strong political change. Movement such as feminism became popular, something which is reflected in Tykwer’s film with the constant use of a female main character. For example, Deadly Maria 1993, Winter Sleeper 1997 and Run Lola Run 1999. Working as a projectionist at a Berlin Art Cinema Movement, allowed him to be continually exposed to a variety of artistic films (Tykwer 2010a). Here Tykwer met the first person that was too help him develop his film career, an independent film maker in the late eighties called Rosa von Praunheim (Cowie 2010a). This man strongly influenced Tykwer’s approach to film making and Tykwer’s first film displayed many of the stylistic and thematic trademarks that his other movies now contain. It was after this that Tykwer created his own film company, X Filme (Tykwer 2010b) and was able to keep his own artistic licence. Many directors who allow funding from more mainstream production companies tend to lose artistic licence. Artistic licence is simply the amount of say the director has within the creation of their film. Tykwer felt strongly about keeping his films very personal giving him the label of an Auteur (Clarke 2006). The belief that directors should have complete artistic control is what separates him from other directors/filmmakers. Tykwer created what he wanted too, not what others did. This promoted his creativity immensely as his imagination is able to run wild. Environment is known to change throughout someone’s life constantly. A brief overview of artist Brice Marden in Imagination First: Unlocking the Power of Possibility by authors Eric Liu and Scott Noppe-Brandon (2009) reflects the importance of how specific surroundings affect creativity. Marden was a minimalist painter (Liu and Noppe-Brandon 2009) with a very distinctive technique. This technique was modified greatly when the artist decided to travel through Asia. He picked up specific cultural techniques which he saw to be fascinating and from then on allowed them to define his works of art. In relation to Tom Tykwer, Germany was his first cultural influence upon his productions allowing his products to reflect the strong cultural movement at the time. In the last few years, Tykwer has developed a more American approach to film making, something which can be reflected in his latest movie The International as he is surrounded by a strong American influence. Tykwer has removed himself from his independent film company, X-Filme, and has allowed more commercial industries to take hold of him. The International and _Perfume: A Story of a Murderer _separated themselves from Tykwer’s other films as their narratives are linear and contain a more acceptable style of cinematic photograph and realism. This shows that the director has lost a part of his own artistic licence as he has teamed up with Commercial film producers (Internet Date Base 2010a; Internet Data Base 2010b). Here we can see how the surrounding environment of someone can both excel or hinder creative ability. The third P, Process is the particular actions taken in order for a creative product to come to life. In media this has a very practical sense and is to do with the measures taken to overcome obstacles that restrict a creative thought coming to life. Process consists mostly of the production and post-production phases of media, such as filming and editing. Independent films, due to their lack of popularity are given less money compared to mass-produced films. For example, the limited budget of Run Lola Run influenced its editing, the way in which it was filmed and how it was filmed. Tykwer received a budget of only $2 million (Cowie 2010b). In comparison the Blockbuster The Dark Knight had an estimated budget of $185 million (Whitaker 2010). Special effects such as CGI are used in the Blockbuster in large quantities as well as High Definition film and hundreds of extras. In Lola the case was different and alternative techniques where required in order to overcome the budget restrictions. The lack of money permitted Tykwer to only 200 extras. This created difficulties particularly during the first two minutes of the movie. The title ‘_Lola Rennt’ _is spelt out by extras, each letter being filmed separately then contrasted together in post-production. ) In Matthew May’s In Pursuit of Elegance (May 2009) he talks about the innovative creation of Ronnie Stuiver , who designed a water pump with a merry-go-round which is ‘powered by play’ (May 2009, 173) in order to entertain the children of South Africa as they watch their mothers retain water from the water hole. May uses Stuiver as an examp le to explain that we can overcome specific obstacles in our surroundings if we can observe and are determined (May 2009, 174). Like Tykwer, Stuiver expands his ideas and overcomes restrictions (May 2009, 174). In South Africa, villagers would have to wait for the wind in order for their pumps to work, Stuiver created an alternative which not only overcame the problem, but also entertained. This ability to overcome specific obstacles yet still up hold a level of entertainment for an audience is essential in movie making. Tykwer over looks his budget and manages to create exceptional alternatives in order for his productions to come to life, reflecting his amazing creativity. As stated in Cropley’s Fostering Creativity, ‘Creativity involves systematic and purposeful thinking not blind generation of novelty. (Cropely 2009, 68) Finally the fourth P, product. Product involves the final outcome and result of each creative production (Scritchfield 1999). There are three main characteristics in regards to product, these being ‘novelty, resolution and synthesis’ (Besemer and O’Quin 1987). Novelty being the uniqueness of the product, resolution includes the products response to the challenge it was created for and synthesis includes whether the product is used for something other than what it was created for (Scritchfield 1999). In regards to novelty (Scritchfield 1999), all of Tykwer’s productions have been made with innovative techniques and styles to reflect both person and place. His films have captured audience around the world due to their originality. When if comes to resolution, Tykwer’s films where created to express his own ideas and thoughts about the surrounding world. The ability to work in his own film studio for the majority of his films has permitted this task to be very successful. Lastly, synthesis applies strongly to all of Tykwer’s products. Each has an added value of entertainment and an ability to promote curiosity due to their avant-garde feel. The Four P’s are closely intertwined, each influencing each other incredibly, operating simultaneously. Person, place and process all determine the outcome of a creative product in any area of expertise. In regards to media art, as demonstrated by Tom Tykwer’s analysis, it is the personality of a director, their environment and processes which influence their techniques and ideas reflected within their production. In conclusion, creativity is not something that is simply just there. It is influenced by a series of surrounding factors which determine why, what and how something is created. The Four P’s are an excellent way to determine what creativity is and how it is developed. REFERENCE LIST Besemer S. P and O’Quin, K. 1987. Creative product analysis: Testing a model by developing a judging instrument. In Frontiers of Creativity research: Beyond the basic_s, ed. _S. G. Isaksen. 341-379. Buffalo: Bearly Limited. Clarke, David. 2006. Tom Tykwer as an Auteur. Gfl_ Journal. _3: 7. http://www. gfl-journal. de/3-2006/clarke. df (accessed 14/5/10) Cowie, Peter. 2010a. Because_ (short film). _Tom Tykwer. http://www. tomtykwer. com/Filmography/Because-short-film (accessed 23/4/10) Cowie, Peter. 2010b. Run Lola Run. _ _Tom Tykwer http://www. tomtykwer. com/Filmography/Run-Lola-Run (accessed 23/4/10) Cropley, Arthur and David Cropley, 2009. Fostering Creativity, 67-77. NJ: Hampton Press. Reprinted in Creativity and Innovation Reader (FDN101)2010. Murdoch: Mu rdoch University. Haase, Christine. Bambi, Zombie, Gandhi. In When Keimat meets Hollywood: German Filmmakers and America 1985-2005. 63. USA: Camden House. Internet Movie Data Base. 2010a. The_ International. _http://www. imdb. com/title/tt0963178/ (accessed 12/5/10) Internet Movie Data Base. 2010b. _Perfume: A Story of a Murder. http://www. imdb. com/title/tt0396171/ . __ _(accessed 12/5/10) Liu, Eric, and Noppe-Brandon, Scott. 2009. Imagination First: Unlocking the Power of Possibility. 177-179. San Francisco: John Wiley and Sons. May, Matthew. 2009. _In Pursuit of Elegance. 172-175. NY: Broadway Books. Reprinted in Creativity and Innovation Reader (FDN101)2010. Murdoch: Murdoch University. Rhodes, Mel. 1961. An Analysis of Creativity. Phi Delta Kappan. 42. 305-310 Scritchfield, Michael Lee. 1999. _The Creative Person, Product, Process and Press: The 4P's. _. The International Center for Studies in Creativity. http://www. buffalostate. edu/orgs/cbir/readingroom/html/Scritchfield-99 . html (accessed 6/5/10) Sternberg, R. ed. 1988. The Nature of _Creativity. _434. New York: Cambridge University Press. Reprinted in Creativity and Innovation Reader (FDN101)2010. Murdoch: Murdoch University. The Auteurs. 2010. Tom Tykwer. http://www. theauteurs. om/cast_members/1013 (accessed 11/4/10) The Guardian. 2010_ _. Fall of the Berlin Wall: 20th anniversary celebrations. http://www. guardian. co. uk/world/blog/2009/nov/09/berlin-wall-anniversary-celebrations (accessed 14/5/10) Tykwer, Tom. 2010a. Biography. _ _Tom Tykwer. http://www. tomtykwer. com/Biography . (accessed 13/5/10) Tykwer, Tom. 2010b. _Music. Tom Tykwer. _http://www. tomtykwer. com/Music . (accessed 14/5/10) Whitaker, Bill . 2010. Filming the â€Å"Dark Knight†. _ _CBS News. http://www. cbsnews. com/stories/2008/07/13/sunday/main4256384. shtml (Accessed: 28/4/10)

Leadership Analysis Napoleon Essay Example

Leadership Analysis Napoleon Essay Example Leadership Analysis Napoleon Paper Leadership Analysis Napoleon Paper But one of the retreat leaders who have marked Europe and a large part of the world Is Napoleon Bonaparte. To understand the Impact he had on the modern world you just have to look around, mainly in France. All the typical architecture of Paris was designed by the Baron Houseman originated by Napoleon himself and the main evidence of his legacy is the Napoleonic code which is still a fundamental text of the French law. Concerning his code Napoleon said: My true glory is not to have won 40 battles Waterloo will erase the memory of so many victories. But Hat will live forever is y Call Code . This code has Is still enforced In a quarter of the worlds Jurisdiction Including Europe, the Americas and Africa. HIS story still fascinates many people all around the world. Description of Napoleon Napoleons Origins Napoleon Bonaparte was born In Ciao on August 1 5th minion, Just one year after ten treaty AT Versailles wanly transporter Corsica Trot ten Repelled AT Genoa to France. He was born into a noble family, his father, Carlo Maria Bonaparte, was Corsican representative to the court of Louis XVI in 1777. Thanks to his familys injections, he was admitted to the military academy of Paris where he already showed good skills to command. His Political Career On November 19th, 1799, Napoleon, helped by his brother Lucien Bonaparte (speaker of the Council of Five Hundred), Talleyrand, Ducks and Sissies (members of the directory), organized a coup to overthrow the constitutional government. He first intended to initiate a parliamentary takeover but due to a tactless speech he was accused to be an outlaw by the Council of Five Hundred and threaten to be imprisoned. To rescue him, his brother, Lucien, called the guards pretending that embers of the Council are trying to stab Napoleon and turned, in fact, the coup into a military turnover. The French Consulate was then created and Napoleon together with Ducks and Sissies were elected provisional Consuls of France. During that time, Ducks totally supported Napoleon whereas Sissies did not want to let Napoleon have full powers but Napoleon maneuver in order to get the Constitution of the Year VIII voted which ensured Napoleon to be designated First Consul, the most powerful in France. Sissies was then relegated to simply President of the Senate. As the First Consul of France, Napoleon reformed many institutions like education, the territorial organization centralizing administration, the banking system creating the Bank of France. He also increased his power by imposing the Constitution of the Year X which first article was: The French people name and the Senate proclaims Napoleon- Bonaparte First Consul for Life . Because of that Napoleon had to face royalist and Jacobin plots but that will actually help him to become emperor. In fact, he proposed to the senate to become emperor to prevent the Bourbon family (former rulers of France) to have the possibility to gain the throne again and to preserve the principles of the French Revolution. The Senate finally accepted in 1804 and Napoleon became the first emperor of France. Now Emperor, Napoleon invaded Germany and Austria to dissolute the Holy Roman Empire and, after he won the battle at Austerity in 1805 against the Russian and Austrian armies, he created the Confederation of the Rhine which he was named its Protector. Master of War After his training at the military academy of Paris, Napoleon was sent to serve on garrison duty in Valence as second lieutenant where he gained experience to be an army leader. Then he was appointed artillery commander of the republican forces at the siege of Talon. During the siege, Napoleon drew a plan in order to capture a hill that would allow republican guns to dominate the citys harbor and force the British ships to evacuate. Napoleon succeeded to capture the city that promoted him to the rank of brigadier general. In 1795, the Royalists caused an insurrection in Paris at the Utilities Palace. Napoleon was called by Barras commander of the Interior Army to cease the insurrection. He dispersed Royalists mob a whiff of grapeshot and was remoter commander of the Interior Army, replacing Barras who became member of ten Directory, plus nee was given command AT ten Army AT Italy. As ten leader AT ten Army of Italy, Napoleon was very efficient to motivate his troops and innovated in war strategy by using, for example, artillery as mobile force support to infantry attacks which helped him to win many battles like during his Italian campaign where he defeated five Austrian armies within a year. Sent by the Directory, Napoleon conquered Egypt in 1798 defeating, battles after battles, the army of the Ottoman Empire. Later Egypt returned to the Turkish and British armies because of the bubonic plague which stroke French army after Napoleon left to return to France. It was as an emperor that Napoleon won his most famous battles. On the first anniversary of his coronation, he had his greatest victory at Austerity over the Austrian and Russian armies (two of the best armies at this time) and for this occasion, Napoleon edified the Arc De Triumphed monument in Paris. Napoleon would say about this victory: The battle of Austerity is the finest of all I have fought. War pet going between the French empire, the United Kingdom, Russia, Prussia and Spain. From alliance with ones and betrayal from others, Napoleon and the French Empire was still victorious during the period 1804-1812 but soon the French Empire would be surrounded with enemies including Prussia, Russia, Great Britain, Sweden, Austria, Spain and Portugal which was called the war of the Sixth Coalition. Napoleons fall started when he tried to invade Russia in 1812, where had success going deep in the Russian Territory but found nothing to take as Russian used their famous scorched earth tactics. When he returned to France, the war of the Sixth Coalition started, Napoleon still had few victories at Dressed in 1813 but suffered a severe defeat in the battle of Leipzig. In 1814, the Coalition army captured Paris. Napoleon tried to counter attack but his Marshals especially Nee decided to mutiny and Napoleon was forced to abdicate. He then went into exile on the island Elba where he stayed until 1815. At this time, it could have been over but Napoleon figured out a way to escape from Elba, landed on the French Riviera and went to Greenbelt where he met the 5th regiment led by the marshal Nee, sent to intercept IM. Napoleon approached the regiment alone, dismounted his horse and shouted: Here I am. Kill your Emperor, if you wish. The soldiers responded with: Vive L Emperor! and marched with Napoleon to Paris. Scared Louis XVIII, who took the power, fled and Napoleon regained the power for a period now called the Hundred Days. In that time, he rallied 200,000 soldiers to his cause but Great Britain, Russia, Netherlands and Prussia allied their forces to end his rule. In 181 5, they fought at the battle of Waterloo where Napoleon was defeated for good and captured to be sent to he island of Saint Helena, where he will die in 1821. Charismatic Leadership Theory This Theory was defined by the German socialist Macmillan Weber in the sasss and developed by Robert House in 1977. Max Weber explained Charisma as a quality of an individual, by virtue of which he is set apart from ordinary men and treated as endowed supernatural, superhuman or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are such as are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader ( How the quality in question would be ultimately league Trot an tentacle, aesthetic or toner sun pollen AT blew Is naturally In I a Torrent for the purpose of definition. To Weber charismatic leaders can be sort out in three types: Charismatic domination (sport captains). Feudal domination (kings). Bureaucracy domination (Coos). Later, Robert House described charismatic leadership with four designations: Dominant (army leaders). Strong desire to influence others (politicians). Self confident (entrepreneurs). Strong sense of ones own moral values (religious leaders). More recently, in 1998, Conger defined five behaviors for charismatic leaders:- Vision and communication. Sensitivity to the environment. Sensitivity to the needs of others. Personal risk taking. Use of unconventional strategies. Charismatic leadership is very often used in difficult times to solve critical situations. Charismatic leaders are capable to get out of difficult circumstances because they are visionary; they provide a better horizon which people will see thanks to their communication skills. They also make followers work harder simply making them feeling that they are capable and giving them confidence. Charismatic leaders inspire trust to go forward and will carry the risks. Jay Conger, in 1989, has adapted a four- step process to approach charismatic leadership. The first one is that the leader has to analyses his environment and create a vision out of it. The second step is communicating the vision by motivating followers with the use of effective vocabulary and strong arguments. For the third stage, charismatic leaders need build trust and commitment among the followers. Subordinates must be emotionally involved in the mission and support the goals; this could be done through personal risk taking, unconventional expertise and self-sacrifice. The strengths of charismatic leadership are: Group members are willingly obedient where leaders. The ability to deal efficiently with critical situation. Lead by example providing vision, unconventional strategies and huge energy. The limitations of charismatic leadership are: Strong obedience tends to attract weak followers which lead to poor delegation. People having charisma are relatively rare. Narcissism, lose of reality and insensitive to others. Depending on the personality of the leaders, charismatic leadership can tangentially turn into a cult of the leader unpredictable and dangerous. The Path- Goal Theory The Path-Goal theory was first inspired by Martin G. Evans in 1970 and developed by Robert House in 1971. House formulated that leaders can affect performance, satisfaction and motivation of group by using those means:- Offering rewards for achieving performance goals. Clarifying paths towards these goals. Removing costless to performance. To do so leaders can adopt different styles of leadership: Directive leadership where the leader has to give specific instruction to subordinates for performance. Supportive leadership, leaders need be warmth and friendly to motivate and involve followers. Participative leadership where leaders consult the group member and take into account their suggestions. Achievement- orientated leadership, the leader sets high-level performance goals and expects the best from his subordinates. The choice of the style of leadership depends on the situation. According to House there the situational factors of the Path-Goal theory are: Subordinates personality: Locus of control. A participative leader is suitable for subordinates with internal coco of control; a directive leader is suitable for subordinates with external locus of control. Self-perceived ability. Subordinates that believe they have a high ability themselves do not like directive leadership. Characteristics of the environment: When a group is working on a task that has a high structure, directive leadership is redundant and less effective. When a highly formal authority system is in place, directive leadership can reduce workers satisfaction. When subordinates are in a team environment offering great social support, the supportive leadership style becomes less necessary. Napoleon Leadership Analysis Napoleons Charismatic leadership Concerning the three types of Weepers charismatic leadership Napoleon was probably in between charismatic and feudal domination. Feudal domination, simply because he created the French Empire and charismatic because even when he lost, or he had not, his emperor status he impressed many people. Regarding the four Houses designations of charismatic leadership, Napoleon was clearly a dominant. He was the one who conquered Italy, Germany, Spain, etc And during all his reign he kept on trying to invade the United Kingdom and Russia. He was willing influence people to reach his goals, he convinced the Senate to set up his Empire which was obviously not in the interest of the Senate. Napoleon had confidence in himself like no other; he was not afraid to challenge two to six nations at one time and even when he was sent into exile, he returned and took the power again with a small amount of soldiers. Even if Napoleon set up an Empire, he was a strong believer in the principles of the French Revolution and that showed that he believed hard in his values. As a general, he was an unorthodox leader using unconventional strategies. But his charisma led him to the dark side of the theory he had all the negative behavior of the theory. This was during his last years of reign, he became narcissistic and lost his sense of reality, he wanted to invade Russia even if all his Marshals advised him not to. This move cost his empire and the lives of thousands of soldiers. He did not trust anybody anymore, he sent spies to his Marshals afraid of a conspiracy. Path-Goal theory Robert Houses Path-Goal theory helps us to understand how Napoleon succeeded to motivate and get the best out of his soldier. By instituting the LÂ ©goon denouncer which was a substitute for the old royalist decorations, Napoleon intended to encourage Cleveland Ana military assessments During Tattles, nee 010 not insolate to do the things that were the responsibilities of the lieutenants or the generals below him. Throughout his reign, we can notice that Napoleon used different type of leadership relating to the Path-Goal theory. He was a directive leader as a general of the army in his early career and as the Emperor. He was a supportive leader his soldiers when he had regain the throne after his first exile. In 1805, when he decided o stop the invasion of the United Kingdom, he consulted all his Marshals to take this decision. Napoleon was very demanding to his soldiers and Marshals, he expected them to give their best on the battle field even if death is required and this was the absolute achievement-orientated leadership. Ever since Napoleon had any amount of power while he was a lieutenant or an emperor, he always wisely adapted his leadership style to the situation. Conclusion In the public opinion Napoleon is seen as a charismatic leader and looking at the Charismatic leadership theory, he was the perfect type of a leader with great harms. The theory admits that charismatic leadership useful in difficult times and when Napoleon arrived to power he transformed France from a fuzzy period post revolution to the greatest empire that the country had never known. The Path-Goal theory allows us to understand how so much people Joined his vision, even against their own interest, and why he was so convincing to politicians, to soldiers and to the people. References Leadership, 2nd Asia-Pacific edition, Dublin, Dahlias, Miller. http://en. Wisped. Org/ wick/Napoleon_l_of_France http://en. Wisped. Org/wick/Leadership http://en. Wisped. Org/wick/path-goal_theory Napoleon-series. Org/research/napoleon/c_Generalizing. http:// www. Potentialities. Com/Napoleonbonaparteleadership. Manage. Com/methods_Weber_charismatic_leadership. http:// homeworks. About. Com/odd/sisterhoods/as/leadership_4. Manage. Com/methods_path_goal_theory. http://changings. Org/disciplines/leadership/styles/path_goal_leadership. Valetudinarianism. Net/methods_path_goal_theory. http:// www. Dooryard. Com/miscellaneous/path_goal_theory. HTML

The Hottest Reading List for Summer 2015

The Hottest Reading List for Summer 2015 Family reunions, road trips, and barbecues. Whatever your favorite part of summer vacation, it’s exhilarating just to have so much time and freedom on your hands. And, as the days get longer and the nights get warmer, there is nothing more relaxing than finding that perfect summer book to inspire and excite you. Here are some of the most exciting books of this season. Whether you’re a horror aficionado or a historical romantic, you’re sure to fall in love with at least one of these incredible summer reads. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee Genre: Literary Fiction The incredibly talented and reclusive Harper Lee’s buzz-worthy sequel has had every English teacher giddy for the summer to arrive. In this sequel to the 1960 To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee picks up the story 20 years after the famous racial trial of Tom Robinson. The book focuses on the political upheaval during the 60s and 70s and Scout’s relationship with her father, Atticus Finch. Maximum Ride Forever by James Patterson Genre: YA SciFi/Fantasy The world’s number one bestseller releases the last installation of the Maximum Ride series. The heroine, Maximum â€Å"Max† Ride is a teen who has escaped a classified lab facility known as â€Å"The School.† She and her friends have been developed as human-avian hybrids and use their newly-found wings to save the world. An engrossing series that may leave you wanting to finish all nine books in one sitting. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Genre: Romantic Comedy When left-brained geneticist Don Tillman is told that he would make a good husband, he logically concludes that there is a statistical probability he should get married. Thus, the Wife Project is born. Despite his best efforts to find the perfect, logical mate, he ends up with Rosie Jarman. Flighty, fun, and out-of-control, Rosie is trying to find her biological father with Tillman’s help – and they both fall in love in the process. Full of heart and humor. Finders Keepers by Stephen King Genre: Suspense/Horror King has recently been stepping back into the world of sequel after his long departure following the finale of the Gunslinger mega-series. Now, he brings readers back into the strange, obsessive world of Det. Ret. Bill Hodges who took down the Mercedes Killer in Mr. Mercedes. This time he and his band of misfit detectives are tasked with solving the case of a murdered writer after his killer is released 35 years later. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari Genre: Humor Rising King of Comedy Ansari uses his unique voice and unparalleled wit to highlight how romance is changing in the digitally-charged 21st Century. With the help of New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg, he conducted a worldwide research project that is both hilarious and poignant. Not only is this a funny book for those who are looking for love, it is a sociological phenom, with insights from today’s top social scientists. Paper Towns by John Green Genre: YA Fiction As young children Margo and Quentin discover the dead body of man who commits suicide in a local park. Flash forward a decade later and both teens are dealing with issues, although they have drifted apart as friends. That is, until one night when Margo comes to Quentin’s bedroom and asks him to help her complete a revenge plan against people who have slighted her over her high school career. A compelling and provocative read that will keep you turning pages. Woman with a Secret by Sophie Hannah Genre: Thriller/Suspense From the bestselling author of The Monogram Murders, this novel follows the strange tale of Nicki Clements. As a terrible murder is discovered on her street, Nicki’s strange behavior tips the cops off that something is wrong. Although she is not a murderer, she has a dark history that reveals over the course of the novel, making the reader question what is means to be innocent. A gripping and compelling read. Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh Genre: Thriller/Suspense Eileen Dunlop is working in a boys’ prison outside of Boston in the 1960s. This story, full of dark, stunning prose, tells the story of how Dunlop becomes involved in a strange crime. She herself is no angel, though. Haunted by her own issues with shoplifting, perverse sexual fantasy, and stalking a prison guard, she befriends the sunny Rebecca St. John. This friendship ultimately leads to a crime that surpasses even her own dark imagination. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson Genre: Humor On Allan Karlsson’s 100-year birthday, he climbs out of the window and heads for an unknown adventure. On this last great escape, the reader learns all about Karlsson’s past – helping American presidents, thwarting Russian spies, and acting as the integral motivator for some of history’s most watershed moments. The unique and hilarious voice of the protagonist will keep you engrossed and the history will feed your brain. Do you have one more book to complete our list? Your suggestions are always welcome!

The Scope and Domain of NASCARs Branding Strategy Case Study - 121

The Scope and Domain of NASCARs Branding Strategy - Case Study Example However, every track had to negotiate its contract with television; implying that each race anchored on a different network. This was a hindrance for NASCAR. Thus, the company established its domain by signing contracts with television channels expanding broadcasting to about 167 countries (Aurand, 431). NASCAR also reached out to other companies by establishing co-branding relationships with them to gain competitive advantage. It also established scholarships from a great deal number of companies. The company was able to leverage its sponsors by ensuring that the outcome of sponsorship benefits both the company and the sponsors (Aurand, 431-432). For instance, drivers were expected to race incredibly, be available for marketing functions and be answerable to sponsors. Its profitability in sponsorship investment attracts more sponsors, however at the expense of expertise co-branding. In fact from the 2005 report, fans seemed to appreciate the company’s relationship with corporate sponsorship which earns NASCAR more credit and hence more customers. NASCAR extends its domain by involving fans in the sport, thus fans feel the close connection with drivers enhancing the brand image of the sport. In conclusion, NASCAR needs to comprehend sustainable development for the safety of all. Its impact on the environment is grim and is likely to jeopardize both the company and the future environment.

Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 13

Reflection - Essay Example As one such leader, practicing honesty in all aspects of my role is paramount. My communication and actions should show honesty. Trust is finds its base on honesty. Honest ethical leader bases his argument on facts and this facilitates employees to depend and rely on him. A leader is about a better position to practice integrity if he is honest. Integrating honesty in my leadership style entails effective reasoning through facts. Claiming that you are honest without actual practice the virtue amounts to poor leadership. Every action of an ethical leadership requires transparency and truthfulness (Reilly, Sirgy & Gorman, 2012). Transparency and accountability are indications of honesty in ethical leadership. Incorporating honesty in decision making for an ethical leader entails using the facts as the basis of reasoning. Communication of the facts to the affected parties should be through truthfulness. The action of the leader during making of such decisions should clearly point toward honesty. This makes it easier for the people on the receiving end to appreciate the decision. The second important value for me as an ethical leader is commitment. It is the dedication of an ethical leader to the organization. Commitment entails not giving up or losing focus when the situation becomes unmanageable. Commitment by an ethical leader calls for perseverance throughout the course of leadership. It is a solemn promise that you will stick to the course even during trying moments. A committed leader invests fully in the organization. The investment is in terms of emotional, mental and physical dedication. Focusing full attention and energy make exemplary committed ethical leaders. Another aspect of commitment, which is important involves being ready to sacrifice personal interests in pursuit of the organizational objectives. To instill commitment among employees in an organization, a demonstration through action by the leader is