Muslim Societies Essay

The misrepresentation of Islamic societies is nothing new, especially when they are being covered by the Western media. Islamic communities, in reality, span a wider range of traditions and cultures especially when compared to Christian communities. Then again, as they are represented by Western media, Islamic communities are considered as monolithic. This is just one of the many cases that prove how distorted the depiction of Islamic communities are. Western media also tends to consider Muslim states as Islamic without even fully comprehending the differences of the ways in which Islam coexists with the state in various nations. It is also important to consider the complexness of these interactions which most Western media fail to realize. To provide a wider perspective on this issue, a book entitled â€Å"Comparing Muslim Societies: Knowledge and the State in a World Civilization,† edited by Juan R. I. Cole, is penned. This book contains eight essays from different writers across the globe. It also provides the reader several suggestions for further reading. Below is a list of some of the essays included in the book and reviews of each essay are as follows: First Reviewed Essay: Nikki Keddie’s â€Å"Material Culture, Technology and Geography: Toward a Holistic Comparative Study of the Middle East. † This essay is about the influence of changing technologies in the development of Middle East history. The author argues that it is important for historians to interact with engineers and archaeologists, because this is a more effective way to better understand the culture taking place in the Middle East. The author suggests that a historian, when not intimidated by Altusser, Foucault and Freud, will most likely just forget about the main thesis of the subject when simple topics on textile looms are included. Yet, these simple discussions on tools used in history are highly significant parts of the rich history of Islamic communities (Yee, 1992). Second Reviewed Essay: Charles Lindholm’s â€Å"Quandries of Command in Egalitarian Societies: Examples from Swat and Morocco†. What Charles Lindholm did to this essay is to find the challenges of reconciling obvious inequities of power and resources with egalitarian ethos and an egalitarian religion. He made special mention of the Berbers of Morocco and the Swat Pukhtun of Pakistan. What made this essay interesting is his excellent comparisons between the mentioned societies and the United States because the discrepancies between these groups are highly manifested and obviously existing (Yee, 1992). Third Reviewed Essay: Dale Fickelman’s â€Å"The Art of Memory: Islamic Education and Its Social Reproduction†. It is this essay that made readers learn more about the transmission of learning taking place in Morocco during the first years of the century. In traditional system of education in Islamic communities, rote-learning is highly observed. This aspect of their tradition is never magnified and often ignored. However, with Dale Eickelman’s essay, he showed his readers the more complicated picture of this type of education. He emphasized the idea of rote-learning and related it to the role of this type of practice to a social context. Comparisons were made possible with the use of Western educational traditions and Muslim social systems (Yee, 1992). Comparing Muslim Societies is a book that is nothing short of a genius. What this book caters to are students taking up sociology and anthropology, especially if they are starting to be introduced to the Islamic world. Then again, since this book has to have a wide readership since it deserves that anyway, this book then also appeals to general readers who want to learn more about Islam and Islamic communities. Readers will be given a more thoughtful look on a subject such as the representation of Islam which is the same subject that is given very scant attention by mainstream media today. Readers of Comparing Muslim Societies will undoubtedly learn to be more considerate when approaching studies and discussions about Islamic communities. References Cole, J. R. (ed). (1992). Comparing Muslim Societies: Knowledge and the State in a World Civilization. University of Michigan Press. Yee, D. (1992). Comparing Muslim Societies: Knowledge and the State in a World Civilization – A Book Review. Danny Yee’s Book Reviews Website. February 26, 2009, from http://dannyreviews. com/h/Comparing_Muslim_Societies. html.

Serial Killers: Biology or Upbringing

As people in today's society, we are constantly being bombarded with the crazy actions that mankind is capable of. We watch the news and hear about murders, or even read a book about a mysterious killer. As we go through these pieces of reality, one can't help but be struck by the thought–what causes a person to act so violently? There have been many studies done to try and find an answer. For a crime such as serial killing, there are two thoughts. The first idea is that serial killing is caused by an abnormality in the frontal lobe of the brain. The other is that serial killers are bred by circumstance which means they have certain genes that make them prone to becoming a killer. With some analysis, the evidence for both theories can serve to prove that serial killers are genetically different. Serial killers have been named many different names over the years by experts. â€Å"In the 19th century, psychopathology was considered to be ‘moral insanity’† (Scott, par. 2). Moral insanity is when ones emotions are damaged, causing them to be carried away by furious instinct. That shows why experts would consider calling serial killers morally insane. Current experts call serial killers a biological disaster† (Scott, par. 2). This means they are born into this world already marked as a disaster. A former psychologist says there are two types, â€Å"They are known as ‘Antisocial personality disorder’ or ‘Social pathology’† (Scott, par. 2). Antisocial personality disorder killers usually do not interact with people which can be their reason for becoming a killer. Social pathology killers are disorganized in the world which makes them uneasy and more tempted to becoming a serial killer. These names can simply describe every type of serial killer in the world. The most serial killings have occurred in California. According to Michael Stone who has a Ph. D. in psychology, â€Å"California leads in the US with the most Serial Homicide cases that have occurred† (Stone 293). Another true statement that Michael has stated is, â€Å"The USA has 76% of the world’s serial killers† (Stone 293). This is showing that if the USA has 76% of the world’s serial killers, than California has more than half. This is an important thing that Michael Stone has found out. Getting to the bottom of why these serial killers kill can help solve the massive amounts of serial killing not only in California, but in the United States as well. It has been said that, â€Å"Europe in second, has 17%. England has produced 28% of the European total of serial killings† (Stone 293). Not only is the Untied States being threatened by massive amounts of Serial Homicides, but so is Europe. Looking at these numbers and percentages can be frightening that’s why understanding serial killers can possibly get rid of this problem. Most of the serial killers in the Untied States are males. Michael Stone has also came to find this out, â€Å"Less than 1% of female population are psychopaths and between 3-5% of men are psychopaths† (Scott, par. 3). Men are more likely to have an antisocial personality disorder or social pathology disorder. Men are genuinely stronger than women which can be another reason why there are more men serial killers than women. â€Å"†¦massive amounts of the frontal lobotomy’s done in the 40’s and 50’s, has been shown to factor into about 64% of male murders housed on death row right now in the United States† (â€Å"A Look Inside Serial Killers,† par. ). Frontal lobotomy was a form of psychosurgery to check the brain for abnormalities. So due to the abnormal frontal lobe section of the brain, males have struck out in violence and the United States is leading 64% on death row. Thus, another frightening situation that should be stopped. â€Å"Most serial killers are males under 50† (Scott, par. 8). This is probably because with age, the brain begins to mature. Also, people over 50 are getting old and don’t have the stamina or ability to kill anymore. The way serial killers feel can be the cause of why they become a serial killer. Phychophysiologist Adrian Raine, Ph. D. has stated, â€Å"A lack of remorse is the hallmark of the psychopath† (Stone 320). Having no care in the world about what they do is the main cause of serial killers. They feel nothing for the people they kill nor will they ever feel something. Serial killers show no emotion for the wrong they do. â€Å"They feel less fear and anxiety than normal people† (Scott, par. 5). Thus, the reason why they kill. Having less anxiety than a normal person means if and when they kill, they will not be scared of their consequences. Also stated by Adrian Raine, â€Å"‘Callous unemotional’ children seem in many instances to be the psychopaths of the future† (Stone 319). Children that show no emotion are known as Callous unemotional. This is a way of determining a psychopathic trait in children. Showing little or no emotion is a huge trait in serial killers. Serial killers are caused by biology rather than upbringing. â€Å"If you’re antisocial but come from a good home, the reasons for violent behavior may have more to do with biology than the upbringing† (Raine, par. 2). Meaning a good home can mean nothing if that person already prone to becoming a serial killer. Also means serial killing can be passed down the family tree. â€Å"Dysfunctional brain—not dysfunctional families—explains murders, especially when the murderer comes from a ‘good’ home† (Raine, par. 1). Something in these murderer’s brains triggers them to kill, not their environment. It’s obvious if they come from a good home/environment that it has to do with a dysfunctional brain. â€Å"Some people have biological systems that make it hard. If an individual has a right orbital cortex that is not functioning well, they’re biologically disadvantaged in developing a conscience† (Raine, par. 5). People with no conscience feel no remorse for the bad things they do, which is a trait of a serial killer. So in conclusion dysfunctional brains are the majority of the reason why serial killers kill. Genetics contribute to the building of a serial killer. A Genetic scientist once said, â€Å"On a Genetic level some people are more prone to becoming a serial killer† (â€Å"A Look inside Serial Killers,† par. 3). Just like any gene the serial killer gene can be brought down and passed around the family tree. That same Genetic scientist also said, â€Å"The biological relatives of psychopaths were 4-5 times more likely to be psychopathic than the average person† (Scott, par. 7). Meaning if a person’s family member is a serial killer, that person is more likely and at a huge disadvantage of becoming a serial killer. According to Adrian Raine, â€Å"†¦we may even encounter a child with such genetic disadvantage, that his aggression cannot be curbed even by the most tender and devoted parents† (Stone 320). This kid has too many bad genes to even try and help him not become violent or even a serial killer. This shows that not even the best therapy can help change a serial killer because it’s all in their genes. A certain gene can cause a person such as a serial killer to become violent to the point where they murder. â€Å"A gene called Monoamine Oxidase-A also known as the violent gene, is something found in almost all serial killers†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (â€Å"A Look Inside Serial Killers,† par. 4). This shows that this gene is very dangerous and the cause of almost all serial killers. This should be widely viewed by doctors and scientists to help the growing problem of this Monoamine Oxidase-A gene. Mothers pass down the dysfunction in the form of the MAOA gene to their sons† (â€Å"A Look inside Serial Killers,† par. 4). There are more male serial killers than females because of this dysfunctional gene passed down by mothers. So as Adrian Raine has discovered, â€Å"Damage to the frontal lobe with the dysfunction of the MAOA gene, we can certainly conclude that they are genetically pre-disposed for violence† (â€Å"A Look inside Serial Killers,† par. 5). Dysfunctional brains and dysfunctional genes are the leading reasons of why serial killers kill. Certain brain activity can cause a person to become violent. Research has found an increased propensity for aggressive behavior among individuals with lower function in areas of the brain (Raine, par. 21). This means people with aggressive behavior have lower brain functions in certain parts of the brain. Researchers have also found that, â€Å"†¦more impulsive killers showed lower prefrontal functioning and heightened sub cortical function† (Stone 319). The killers that kill on impulse have uneven functions in the brain which causes them to kill. They have high functions in some parts and low functions in the other parts. Adrian Raine says, â€Å"The need for higher levels of stimulation makes the psychopath seek dangerous situation† (Scott, par. 6). The result for higher levels of stimulation results in killing. Less activity in the brain is another reason why serial killers kill. â€Å"Killers who came from a good background averaged 5. 7% less activity in the medial prefrontal cortex† (Raine, par. 10). Less activity in the prefrontal cortex leads to violence. â€Å"Murderers from good backgrounds are more likely to have reduced activity in two key brain areas than murderers from bad backgrounds† (Raine, par. 3). A murderer with reduced activity means more violence, because they are constantly seeking danger. â€Å"When the kids come from a good home, a biological deficit may be to blame† (Raine, par. 11). Meaning genes that are passed down are to blame when a serial killer came from a good home. Serial killers have lower brain functions that make them kill. Founded by Adrian Raine, â€Å"The first evidence for structural changes in the brain of antisocial men explained the low arousal in these men, along with their inadequate response to fear, their lack of conscience, and their poor decision-making skills† (Stone 319). Antisocial men have three structural changes in their brain. These men are more likely to get caught because of their poor decision-making skills. The predatory killers were more able to plot and scheme successfully, lowering their risk of getting caught (Stone 319). These killers are a lot smarter than the antisocial men and often don’t get caught. People with lower prefrontal functioning, their ability to monitor and inhabit violent ambitions was weaker (Stone 319). Meaning the lower the prefrontal functioning is in the brain, makes killers want to kill without the slightest chance of stopping and realizing that it’s wrong. Damage to the prefrontal brain is the most common amongst all serial killers. Prefrontal cortex is involved in long-term planning as well as judgment; the statistics show that approximately 70% of brain-injured patients develop aggressive tendencies (Packard, par. 1). Damage to the prefrontal cortex affects judgment and judgment is always affected in a serial killers brain. They don’t know right from wrong, which has to do with their judgment skills. The prefrontal cortex is a far deeper area of the brain that gives rise to aggressive behavior (Raine, par. 12). So damage to this area can result in the worst aggressive behavior such as serial killing. â€Å"50-58% of psychopaths show abnormal brain wave patterns† (Scott, par. 8). This shows that more than half of the serial killers in the world have abnormal brain waves. Another part of the brain if damaged may make you violent is the frontal lobe. A former psychologist said, â€Å"The frontal lobe acts as the conscience† (â€Å"A Look inside Serial Killers,† par. 3). Without a conscience people act out in violent behavior because they have nothing in their brain to tell them it’s wrong. Thus, they become cold blooded killers. According to Michael Stone, â€Å"†¦children with psychopathic traits showed abnormal responses in the frontal lobe cortex†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Stone 320). This shows that even in children their brains can be abnormal and lead to serial killings later in life. â€Å"In humans, the frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for much of the behavior that allows humans to live together in stable social relationships. It is what stops most human beings from acting on their inherent violent tendencies† (â€Å"Brain Injuries,† par. 3). So damage to the frontal lobe makes it hard for that person to commit to a stable social relationship and may act very violently. In conclusion, serial killers are biologically different then regular people. They have lower brain functions and are genetically prone to becoming a serial killer. They tend to act upon violent actions due to their abnormal brain waves in their frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex. As everyone can see from this research, serial killers kill not because of their upbringing, but because of biology. This is why they are known by many experts as biological disasters. Works Cited https://hubpages.com/politics/Brain-Injury-in-Serial-Killers https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/04/980410101830.htm

NY State LPN Nurse Practice Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

NY State LPN Nurse Practice Act - Essay Example Some of these professions include practitioners and physicians. A podiatrist also can supervise LPNs while they carry out various activities. Therefore, LPNs tends to be dependent on other medical professions. The Nurse Practice Act in New York gives permission to LPNs to perform various tasks and responsibilities within a number of fields in the nursing practice (Strelecky, 2006). Some of these fields include a framework of case findings, teaching and counseling patients on health issues (Strelecky, 2006). Other tasks include offering supportive and restorative care to patients. According to New York’s Nurse Practice Act, LPNs ought to carry out various activities within the above fields while others are beyond them (Rosdahl & Kowalski, 2008). Some of the activities that LPNs may conduct within their scope of practice include supervising various activities of unlicensed personnel (Strelecky, 2006). Many of the health institutions employ unlicensed personnel to carry out activ ities either on temporary or permanent basis. The Act allows LPNs to supervise the unlicensed personnel. The Act also allows the LPNs to correct data concerning the patients. This means that LPNs have the opportunity to check and confirm various issues affecting patients within health institutions (Rosdahl & Kowalski, 2008). The other activity that LPN may perform according to the Act is supervising fellow colleagues. This occurs in the delivery of care where LPN who has a high level of competence within the legal scope of practice can supervise his/her colleagues (Strelecky, 2006). The Act also outlines a number of activities that are beyond LPNs. Some of these activities include conducting patient assessments. Even though, the LPNs can correct data related to the patients, they should not perform the assessments. The other activity that the LPNs cannot perform according to the Act is developing the nursing care plan on their own. This means that the LPNs can only engage in the dev elopment of nursing care plan with the assistance of medical professions in their scope of practice (Strelecky, 2006). According to the Practice Act, the LPNs are not entitled to administer IV chemotherapy. However, with supervision of a medical profession, they Act gives permission to the LPNs of installing chemotherapy bladders to patients. The Act also prohibits LPNs to administer various medications to patients (Rosdahl & Kowalski, 2008). Some of these medications include direct IV push medications. However, in cases related to saline and heparin flushes, the LPNs may provide the medication according to the Act. Moreover, LPNs are not obliged to administer IV fluid bolus for plasma volume expansion. However, they can perform this activity in the outpatient chronic hemodialysis setting. Apart from this activity, the Act prohibits LPNs to access any form of central line. They are also not allowed to access venous chest or arm port line device. The Act also indicates that LPNs cann ot perform case management. This means that any case management related to their activities ought to be performed by senior medical professions. LPNs cannot also provide mental health teaching. This obligation is beyond their ability as indicated in the Act. However, they can conduct other form of teaching to the patients. The other activity that the LPNs do not have the power to perform as indicated on the Act is conducting triage. The Act prohibits LPNs to conduct the activity without a supervisor. The Act clearly emphasizes that this

Cellular pathology 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cellular pathology 1 - Essay Example The eggs of  E. vermicularis which can be seen in the picture are roughly 25 x 60 um in size. The organism has a thin shell and one of the sides is compressed. The eggs and shell of organism have taken up the pink dye which makes them recognizable. The presence of E. vermicularis in the appendix can give the symptoms of acute appendicitis (Wiebe, 1991, p.g. 336). The appendix is a vestigial organ present in the human body. The inflammation of this organ leads to appendicitis. Acute appendicitis is one of most common diseases that lead to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Acute appendicitis is caused due to the obstruction of the lumen, diminished blood supply, pinworm infections caused by Enterobius vermicularis, bacterial infections or due to ischemic damage to mucosal lining of organ (Becker and Hofler, 2002, pg.777). The best described pathogenesis of appendicitis is an obstruction in the appendiceal lumen. The obstruction can be due to lodging of foreign body, lymphoid hyperplasia, fecolith or tumours. The pathogenesis of appendicitis can be understood by the course that the disease takes. In the primary stage, there is obstruction of the lumen which causes accumulation of fluid leading to elevation of intralumin al pressure and lastly resulting in distension of lumina. Suppurative appendicitis occurs due to increased intraluminal pressure which increases the capillary perfusion leading to venous obstruction and hence causing arterial compromise. These crucial events lead to ischemia of the mucosal surface and allow bacterial infestation. As the disease progresses, it causes mural infection which is characterized by oedematous thickening of the appendicular walls. When observed grossly the appendix appears hyperaemic and enlarged. If this progressive condition is not managed surgically it may lead to perforation and gangrene. Gangrenous appendicitis may present as friable serosa with green or black discoloration. If

Interpersonal Commitment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Interpersonal Commitment - Essay Example I worked in an organization a few years ago as an administrative assistant for a firm in the financial services industry. My job duties included satisfying the needs of a staff of 50 employees. Since I had the opportunity to interact with a lot of people in the firm doing work-related tasks I had the chance to observe the behavior of the employees and how they interacted with each other in formal and informal settings. In this company employees were entitled to a 15-minute break every two hours, thus socialization among employees manifested itself lively. The first social rule I learn from my colleagues was to limit social interaction outside of work and during breaks with the managerial staff. My co-workers told me from the start that nothing good could come out of it. The rule was flexible and when the bosses would joke around with us we would treat them as friends. The second week after I started with this company I was invited to a lunch at a restaurant with a group of eight colleagues including the general manager. I was told later that this treat was an initiation tradition every new employee would enjoy and the boss would always pay for the meals of everyone. People in this firm loved the hiring of new employees. The behavior of everyone at work was internally quietly monitored by the employees for social positioning considerations. It was important for an employee to know who is who and which people can be trusted. Employees that attacked the work of others during the meeting or who kept too close a relationship with a supervisor or manager is someone who could not be trusted. The general perception of such an individual was that this person is willing to step over anyone to get ahead in the corporate world at any cost. This type of person would be ridiculed by the group on a personal level. Social interaction at work is a business variable that serves an important function. A staff that gets along and respects each other professionally are a unit that adds value to a company. The human capital of a corporation is an intangible asset that differentiates the pretender from the players in the business world. The experience I had in the financial firm showed me the value of building a work envi ronment in which the people of the company think of their colleagues as people they can trust and communicate in open fashion. When the lines of communication are open work-related problems can be solved faster. I hope my next job has an organizational culture similar to the one I had the privilege to work for in the financial services institution. Â   Â  

Leading discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leading discussion - Assignment Example The defendant possessed a big collection of videos and photographs containing nude teenage boys involved in uncensored activities. Sharpe invoked the actions of the prosecutor as a violation of his right to freedom of expression, trying to prove the in-constitutionality of the Criminal Code provisions prohibiting possession of materials containing child pornography. Sharpe made an intensive attempt to refute the prosecutor’s arguments and to prove that he is not guilty of anything. The main legal issues that have arisen in this case regarded the following: a) is the possession of child pornography protected by the right to freedom of expression? b) are the provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada somehow infringing the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution? 2. Court’s ruling: The Court was forced to face and solve a constitutional challenge, aroused by a child pornography fan, which would have formed a powerful precedent in Canadian law. The Court agreed with the defendant in one thing: the prohibition of the Criminal Code provisions did represent a limitation of the freedom of expression. Nevertheless, this limitation was necessary in a country where morality is respected and protecting children is one of the main objectives of the whole society. However, the Court decided that possession of child pornography for exclusive personal usage does not harm the child directly, so it should not be outlawed. The charges against Sharpe were dropped, except the ones referring to the photographs. Sharpe was charged with the crimes of gross indecency (article 157 Criminal Code of Canada) and indecent assault against a minor boy (article 156 Criminal Code of Canada). 3. My opinion: I believe that ownership of child pornography for private usage should be also outlawed and declared as an exception to of the freedom of expression. It is almost impossible to control if the owner uses this material for

Selecting venuse for an academic conference Dissertation

Selecting venuse for an academic conference - Dissertation Example On the average these facilities range from three star, to five star facilities with regards to the kind and class of service provided (Van-der Wagen, 2006). The major distinctions of these facilities are mainly in line with their physical locations in relation to some of Central London’s attractions, airports, train stations, and other facilities that might attract the guests who attend the conference. Specific considerations that were factored in this selection process included the distance from major airports and train stations. This was important since the one-day event relied heavily on punctuality. Central London Famous Facilities Many conference facilities in Central London have suited their conference spaces with the architectural flexibility that allows both small and large conferences. Some of these facilities are complete with break out rooms, state of the art audio visual systems, and lecture theatres. The variations across many of these hotels and guest house are m ainly in form of style and incentives. The academic conference was tailored on a cost-effective system that would allow the guests to enjoy quality catering of simple but sumptuous buffets. In this process ten facilities were considered so that the best three facilities were arrived at after competitive bidding. The sampled facilities included The Cinnamon Club, The British Academy, The UK Supreme Court, the Grange Rochester Hotel, the 8 Northumberland, Royal Institute of British Architects, the Number 45 Millbank, the 116 Pallmall- Home of the Institute of Directors, the One Great George Street, and the Bafta. These facilities are situated close to some of the grand attractions such as the West Minster’s Abbey and other historical and aesthetical delights of Central London. The academic conference selection was arrived at through a delicate consideration system that sought a balance between the proximity of the heart of Central London versus the need for the most serene and quiet environment that would align well with the demands of an academic gathering. The most ideal location therefore was made in according with the distance away from the bustle of the city, low industrial noise, and the cacophony of heavy London traffic. After a general assessment was done three facilities out of the mentioned ten passed the threshold for utility and convenience because of some of their unique features and flexibility in their pricing regimes. These were The Cinnamon Club, The British Academy, and Central Hall Westminster. The Cinnamon Club The Cinnamon Club has an ambience suitable for academic conferencing. Its conference room is spacious and fitted with state of the art audio visual. The conference rooms are partitioned according to the specifics of utility. They are mainly in the form of executive, leisure, and academic. The executive sections are made up with the oak paneled facilities that vibrate with the rhythm of class and elegance. The furniture and sitti ng arrangement in the conference room are ordered in a classroom or theater fashion of rows and columns which gives the participants in the conference a comfortable view without any physical strains. The facility is a stunning architectural marvel situated on central London Avenue. Some of the cuisine it features includes the Indian cuisine,