Racism & Ethnic Identity Essay Example for Free

Racism Ethnic Identity Essay Race is evidently an important aspect in our Australian society today. It is personified in the biological makeup of an individual. Individuals of different racial background differ in physical appearance such as skin color, and facial features making DNA and genes the only cause behind these dissimilarities. Many races have been introduced into this nation since decades and slowly have been recognized such as the Caucasian race and the Asian race. Ethnicity while slightly related to race is based upon a persons cultural and social expression within an ethnic group; this entails for instance that although one may be of a Caucasian descent born and raised in Australia they also may acquire an ethnic background from Greece and follow the Greek traditions and customs thus making them of Australian-Greek nationality. This paper will recount the different races which exist in Australia as well as some popular ethnic backgrounds which this country has become familiar with whilst narrating and analyzing a number of issues facing ethnicity and race in our society today. The first issue facing ethnicity is the fact which promptly makes individuals assume that other persons of an ethnic descent are liable for criminal omissions. It is often simple for people to identify ethnic members when a crime is involved as it is much easier to classify these individuals due to their distinct physical appearance. Conflict is a natural phase during times of change, however the next issue points out that it can become violent when that particular change is not managed properly and in a just way; such as inequality of the distribution of power which could lead different sections of society against each other and form their own ethnic groups to compete for power in retaliation. Therefore conflict is likely to occur when communication between ethnic, religious or cultural groups deteriorates or breaks down resulting in more conflict and problematic situations. The third issue causing a stir in todays society is racism or racial discrimination. It is evident that immigrants have been disadvantaged in the work force as well as social welfare simply because of their racial background; the law has developed remarkably over time to protect individuals against racism of any kind. This report will set the main argument of why this has become an integral part for our society with respect to social analysis.

Understanding The Causes Of Phobias Psychology Essay

Understanding The Causes Of Phobias Psychology Essay Phobia is one of the famous psychological disorders and many people suffer from it, therefore we choose it as a topic of our research. Moreover, phobia is an attractive topic because it is a personal disorder. Although phobia is spread widely, many people do not know what the word means, so if we want to give a definition for phobia, we can say it is an irrational fear that produces a conscious avoidance of the feared subject, activity, or situation (Preda, 2010). Not all phobias have a name, but that doesnt mean that they do not exist, they exist and need to be cared. People who suffer from phobic disorder are different in their own type of phobia; also those people may live in different environments or in the same environment. In our research, we are trying to know if the environment plays a role in having phobia or not. So we made a survey on adults in different places in UAE, targeting Emiratis and expatriates for more than 5 years in GCC countries and it includes questions askin g about the types of phobia the sample have, the reason of their phobia and the procedures to overcome phobia in their opinion. According to Murtagh (2002) there are three classifications of phobic states. First , specific phobia which for example , spiders , snakes , dogs , thunder, toads,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦etc, for example, When a few friends walk around and suddenly a big snack show up, perhaps some of them will get little fear and the others will have extreme fear (Ophidiphobia) . For those people who get little fear, maybe they will shock or they will feel fear or terror, but will they be snaking phobic?! Perhaps the snake will step back while they are standing steady. Their feeling of fear or terror will decrease or refluent, and if there are wary about snack, they will not feel phobia .but for the others who feel so scared, they cant see snakes. They even cannot accept the concept of biting and poisons. They cant forget it because their minds relive it over and over again. Second Agoraphobia, fear of spaces or public places, it is more likely to occur in public transportation or shops. People who have this type of phobia avoid being outside home because they feel like they will lose control and cant do anything. Third, social phobias like fear, anxiety or provoking from social activities, those people cant deal with other people; they feel shy of speaking or acting. In 2010 Morrow said that any phobia can be developed as a traumatic experience in three situations. First, direct exposure to a traumatic event means a direct learning experience. For example, some people have dog phobia because they have bitten by a dog, so the reason of their phobia is a direct experience to a traumatic event (dog bite). Second, Witnessing a traumatic event, or in  simple words  (observational learning experience). When someone fears from specific thing or situation because of traumatic event of that thing or situation, some others may suffer from phobia from the same thin g or situation. For example, when parents fear from heights or they have tragic experiences on it, which can cause a phobic behavior on individual who grows with them towards heights. Another environment factor can develop a phobia is hearing or reading about any dangerous situation or events (informational learning). Anyone can get or have a specific phobia when hearing or reading about these kinds of situations. For example, a fear from flying could be caused by repeatedly listening to any news talking about plan crashes. Also any child could get phobia from an animal when their parents warn them all the time about the danger from it. Also phobia can cause by combine two elements together one is neutral stimulus and the other is an anxiety response like someone driving in the highway (neutral stimulus) and suddenly he got sudden attack , he will panic ( anxiety response) that make him develop avoidance of highways and become a phobic. Recent Findings: The basic neuroimaging research suggests that greater activation of the amygdale to novel versus familiar faces may be an underlying trait marker for social phobia. Social phobia may represent a phenotype that expresses a genetically driven trait of social withdrawal, which may be related to infantile inhibited temperament (Kagans syndrome). The development of virtual reality therapy as therapeutic tool for social phobia appeared promising in one controlled, but not randomized, study. A controlled study suggests that social phobias in children can be effectively treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. This represents an extension of the work done with adults. Venlafaxine appears an effective short-term treatment for social anxiety disorder in two controlled studies. A new compound, pregabalin, appeared clearly effective in a positive controlled study. This trial marks the advent of a new pharmacological lineage for social phobia. Both venlafaxine and pregabalin, h owever, have been studied in short-term studies. Longer follow-up and relapse prevention studies are warranted. Phobias are characterized by excessive fear, cued by the presence or anticipation of a fearful situation. Whereas it is well established that glucocorticoids are released in fearful situations, it is not known whether these hormones, in turn, modulate perceived fear. As extensive evidence indicates that elevated glucocorticoid levels impair the retrieval of emotionally arousing information, they might also inhibit retrieval of fear memory associated with phobia and, thereby, reduce phobic fear. Here, we investigated whether acutely administrated glucocorticoids reduced phobic fear in two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in 40 subjects with social phobia and 20 subjects with spider phobia. In the social phobia study, cortisone (25 mg) administered orally 1 h before a socio-evaluative stressor significantly reduced self-reported fear during the anticipation, exposure, and recovery phase of the stressor. Moreover, the stress-induced release of cortisol in placebo-treated subject s correlated negatively with fear ratings, suggesting that endogenously released cortisol in the context of a phobic situation buffers fear symptoms. In the spider phobia study, repeated oral administration of cortisol (10 mg), but not placebo, 1 h before exposure to a spider photograph induced a progressive reduction of stimulus-induced fear. This effect was maintained when subjects were exposed to the stimulus again 2 days after the last cortisol administration, suggesting that cortisol may also have facilitated the extinction of phobic fear. Cortisol treatment did not reduce general, phobia-unrelated anxiety. In conclusion, the present findings in two distinct types of phobias indicate that glucocorticoid administration reduces phobic fear. (Leila M. Soravia, 2006) As we know Phobia is extreme anxiety (fear) to a certain objects, conditions or people. Medical phobia is known to be fear of health related objects and conditions (e.g. blood, death, diseases, cancer, infections, injections, and bacteria). From a survey done by our group members the statistics show that 26% of males suffer from medical phobia, while only 22% of females suffer from the same kind of phobia. Its hard to define what causes medical phobia, sometimes an unpleasant experience triggers it and this is usually would happen in an early age. (Marks, 1987) One of the well known kinds of medical phobias is the phobia from blood. In males and females the amount of people suffering this phobia are 13%. This type of phobia is common in adults and children. Its most common with the persons own blood, and most of the time it leads the person to faint, nausea, anxiety, and severs vomiting. (Marks, 1987)It could also be not from a personal experience, but that kind is not as sever as the one from the personal experiences. Death phobia is the most common kind of medical phobia in both males at 26% and females at 25%. This happens usually at an early age when the persons lose someone close to them. Also their fear of what comes after death, and their unaccomplished goals. Phobia from diseases is more common in males than in females 22% to 7% respectively. This phobia is triggered more in males because they are more outdoors more than females, diseases transfer between humans through simple things as simple as air. It usually occurs from personal experiences. This phobia includes all kinds of diseases, from a simple cold or flu to deadly diseases such as Suflas and malaria. Phobia from cancer is common more in females at 25% while in males its only 11%. It is not the same as phobia from diseases, this is only phobia from cancer and all its types (e.g. heart cancer, lung cancer, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). The phobia attack strikes straight when they hear the word cancer. This phobia is mostly triggered from personal experience or someone close to them experiences it. At 13% in males and females, infection phobia causes the person to spend a lot of time under the shower and scared to death to get hurt and there constantly visiting the doctors for full body check-ups to make sure they are infection-free from everything. Extreme fear of injections or phobia from injections combines several phobias together (i.e. blood, injury, and being threatened by sharp objects). This kind of phobia is equally common in males and females at 13%, p eople suffering from this phobia always refuse to consult doctors simply because of their fear to have to take a blood test, and its very hard to convince them otherwise. Phobia from bacteria is the least common in males and females at 2% to 4% respectively. People suffering this kind of phobia always have to stay clean and everything around them has to stay clean too, these people usually get sick a lot more and faster than other people because their immune system is weaker. (Marks, 1987) For males, (12%) who afraid from water and see , (17.5%) of them shows there panic from monsters, (32.5%) of them admit that they are extreme fear from ghosts, (2.5 %) shows that they terrified from clowns,(15%) shows that they terrify from flying, and (2.5%) shows that they are panic from electricity . on the other hand , females are showing also phobia toward those situation, (14%) shows that they afraid from water and sea, (14.3%) of them are afraid from monsters , ( 28.6% ) of them shows that panic from ghosts, (26.2%) of them are extremely fear from graves, ( 2.4% ) of them are fear from clowns, (9.5%) shows that they are afraid from sea, ( 14.3%) of them are fear from flying, no one of female is afraid of electricity. As statistical graph shows, the extreme fear (from both genders) is from ghosts, graves and monsters, this phobia could happen due to some reasons. First, it might be that person sees many quick death events in front of his eyes and it develop in him the extreme fear of graves. Second, who like to be alone in every time and situations, he/she will felt the ghosts around them, they will think that they are followed and that will make them very scared. Third, the media play a big role in spreading the ghost and monster phobias, for example: Amityville Horror a film about ghosts, the purpose for it was to earn more many and to scare people (Stefko, 2010) So we can infer that the majority of causing phobia is past experience, may they faced the situation from first time individually or with groups like friends who may have genetic phobia or they have past experience on the same situation as a result the person has phobic because of that. we will not considered the answer of I dont know as an important factor because as we say some of people especially female (from figure) not prefer to tell what is the reason of having phobia or it may one of the other factors such as society or media or even past experience . Although there is no meaningful difference between people who get phobia from society and people who get phobia from media but it shows also meaningful reason of the high of society phobia rather than media. The reason is that people are more interact with each other; they share their feeling of different things. It is obvious that media is the last thing that lead to phobia to UAE people earthier the people have no much time to watch or listen to media or they expressed early that there is nothing on TV that make them become phobic because they used of it . From both genders we noticed that 46% of them think that facing and dealing with the phobic condition is the best way to overcome phobia. We can say that the reason of their opinion is they have phobia because of something or situation they did not test it before, or they may think facing and dealing with the phobic condition can make them get used to the phobic situation and beat their fear. For those who chose (counseling) and they represent 24%, the reason of their choice, is counseling can help them by giving them some advices to beat their fear. 30% is the percentage of who chose (support of family and friends) as the best procedure, and they may think that when family and friends support them by encouraging them they will overcome their phobia.

Victor Frankenstein Essay -- Literary Analysis, Mary Shelly

Question #7- What difficult circumstances is Walton encountering when he meets Victor Frankenstein? In the letters that Robert Walton sent to his sisters, there is legit evidence that he was encountering difficult circumstances when he met Victor Frankenstein. When Walton's vessel was sailing to the Northern Pole they encountered heavy fog and lots of ice. Walton's exact words were, "...we were nearly surrounded by ice" (8). and he also exclaimed, "...we were compassed round by a very thick fog" (8). Also, while they were trapped in the ice surrounding them, they saw a gigantic figure going on along the ice which befuddled the crew because as Walton had said in his letters, "We were, as believed, many hundreds of miles away from any land" (8). Question #8- How does Shelley emphasize the extreme isolation of the vessel? Shelley emphasizes the extreme isolation of the vessel in a few different ways. In the fourth letter when the fog and ice surrounded the vessel Walton said roughly, "...we beheld, stretched out in every direction, vast and irregular plains of ice, which seemed to have no end" (8). Another way that Shelley emphasizes the extreme isolation of the vessel is when Walton said sadly, "Shut in, however, by ice, it was impossible to follow his track" (8). Shelley used words like "no end" or "impossible" made the vessel seem extremely isolated. Question #9- As he begins his tale, Victor Frankenstein suggests that he has something in common with the Captain. Explain. In the last letter that Robert Walton wrote to his sister, Victor Frankenstein does suggest that he has similarities with the Captain. After spending lots of time with Walton, Victor breaks down and says to him, "Unhappy man! Do you share my madnes... ...or came home so urgently. Question #19- In what way does Victor consider himself responsible? Victor considers himself to be responsible for the murder of both William and Justine. On the night Victor returns to Geneva, he saw the frightening monster around where William had been murdered (50). Victor concluded that it was all his fault because if he hadn't of created the monster, his brother wouldn't of been killed. The monster framed Justine of murdering William by putting his picture of his mother in Justine's pocket (56). This made Justine look guilty and the court sentenced her to death because of it (60). At the end of chapter 8, Victor Frankenstein bestows the responsibilities of the deaths by directly saying this, "I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts" (60).

Government Funding For The Arts Essay -- essays research papers fc

Government Funding for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts is a government sponsored foundation. The duty of the National Endowment for the Arts is to foster the growth of the arts evenly through the national, state, and local levels of the country. With all of the budget slashing that is now taking place the arts is the first place that people look to take money from. This not only happens on the national level but also in our schools. Many people don't see the arts as important. It is the most important thing that our society has. Art, in each and every form that it comes in, shows us who we are. Our pictures that we paint, our songs which we compose, our theater for which we write, act, and dance for, our buildings which we design, as a whole, explains our culture. Future historians will look back at these things and judge us by our accomplishments in these areas. When we look back in history, we recall it through the greatest past achievements in art: the Sistine Chapel, the great pyramids of Egypt, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and the works of Plato. Shouldn't we be able to show feats just as grand? Most Americans do agree with me. In 1992, a study called the "Americans and the Arts VI" was conducted; it ended with these results: * 60% of the people support the federal support of the arts. * 63% of the people support the state's support of the arts. * 84% of...

The US Involvement in The Vietnam War Essay -- Vietnam War Essays

The Vietnam War was one of the worst wars in the United States history. The reason for the United States involvement was due to the start of communism in North Vietnam. The citizens in South Vietnam feared the control of North Vietnam and were worried that the north would take control of the south. The communist North Vietnam had support from the Soviet Union and China, making the South Vietnamese vulnerable to the north. In their time of struggle the South Vietnamese were able to receive aid from the United States. The North Vietnamese had set up a series of radar stations along bays and islands on the Gulf of Tonkin. On August 1, 1964 the U.S.S. Maddox was posted on a surveillance mission to study the North Vietnamese defenses in the Gulf area. In early morning on August 2, 1964 the U.S.S. Maddox spotted three North Vietnamese patrol boats, located twenty- eight miles from the coast. The patrol boats were still in International waters, which meant that they had no right to patrol South Vietnam. Captain John Herrich of the Maddox ordered fire upon the three North Vietnamese patrol boats. The Maddox had assistance from the carrier U.S.S. Ticonderoga. The two ships managed to sink one of the patrol boats, while the other two boats bailed out. To this day government officials are still unsure whether the United States or the North Vietnamese fired first in the situation. United Sates President Lyndon B. Johnson received word of the attack and ordered the Maddox to return to the Gulf of Tonkin and patrol for more action. The Maddox accompanied by the U.S.S. Turner Joy returned to the Gulf of Tonkin on August 4, 1964. While stationed in the Gulf the radar engineers on the destroyers thought that they saw an adva... ...n technology could offer. The soldiers carried fully automatic M-16 rifles. The air swarmed with helicopters, fighter planes, and bombers. The U.S. had destroyers, tankers, and patrol boats along all of the water routes. They were supplied with medicines, surgical equipment, packaged food, and other necessities. On average one U.S. soldier had one hundred pounds of supplies given to them each day, while the Vietcong had nothing. The United States transformed South Vietnam with roads, bridges, airstrips, etc. Cafes were turned into part places, while the women turned to prostitution for money. Fishing ports were turned into deep harbors for U.S. warships. Even with all of the money that the United Sates put into the war, it proved to be useless. The Vietcong needed none of it and were ready to shut down the United Sates and proved that they could.

Leadership Principles for Healthcare

America needs good leadership in every comer. Too often mediocrity is present in business, government, schools, and churches. In a rapidly changing world, it is crucial to have strong leaders. Although no set formula exists for defining leadership, studies show a few basic commonalities among people generally considered effective leaders. This paper discusses the principles of effective leadership in healthcare. Credibility As a leader in healthcare, one is required to perform all assigned duties, regardless of their size or perceived importance, up to standard, on time, and to the best of one’s ability. Others are interested in one’s past only insofar as it may indicate future capability. They want to know how well one performs one’s duty today, so that they may estimate what one will do tomorrow. The reputation that counts most is the one earns today. Any evidence of slipshod work, halfway measures or â€Å"after-the-fact† excuses will not be viewed favorably (Bryson & Crosby, 1992). For missions to succeed, especially in times of uncertainty, ambiguity, and adversity, leaders in healthcare must live and conduct all their activities so that others may look them squarely in the eye knowing that they are associating with and placing their trust in an honorable individual. Leaders exert themselves to promote the well-being of others. They do something or stand ready to do something for others. They develop self-reliance in others so that they can become effective members of an interdependent team. Self-reliance means that a staff member does not need the presence of the boss to carry out the tactical and operational elements of his or her own job. As a leader, one should state the job to be done but leave it to one’s subordinate to recommend the methods that will accomplish the desired results, at the time required, with due regard for costs (Conger, 1989). If one wants to lead people in healthcare, one has to communicate information directly and honestly. One cannot hem and haw or water down the truth. One has to keep one’s people and the people to whom one reports, grounded in the reality of one’s situation. Although most people believe that they are honest, few are direct. Many women, especially, respect the social value of an indirect approach to problems, and this places them at a disadvantage in leadership situations. If one has trouble with the direct approach, one should put one’s points in writing, structuring them so that when one goes into a meeting, one can use one’s notes as an aid until one feels comfortable in delivering verbal reports without them. Dishonesty of any sort is quickly perceived as very disturbing and unlikable. It also carries a â€Å"permanent† connotation that isn't easily erased. Honesty is a deeply held value and can run all the way from one’s surface sincerity and â€Å"realness† to one’s basic ethics and morality. Conversation or behavior that is not very honest waves a red flag that causes other people to back off and not trust one. Trust is necessary for good communication and good communication is the main tool of successful supervision (Conger, 1989). The defensiveness typically caused by even minor dishonesty shuts down communication. There are many verbal and non-verbal indicators of dishonesty to-watch for, including elusive eye contact, contradictory body language, tone and flow of voice, behavioral inconsistencies and aggressive posture. The effective leader in healthcare models the way he or she desires his or her followers to act. (Kouzes, James & Posner 1987) This characteristic of the effective leader has also been described as the â€Å"management of trust.† (Bennis 1989) The group learns very quickly that it can rely on the leader, who is exactly what he or she appears to be. The actions of a transformation leader represent the beliefs and commitments that are spoken. Building Strong Relationships Interpersonal relationships play a critical role in the management process. As noted by Gabarro (1987,p. 172), â€Å"relationships are the principal means through which organizations are controlled.† Friendships and related social networks in organizations have been investigated in relation to such factors as organizational choice (Kilduff, 1990), turnover and organizational commitment (Krackhardt & Porter, 1985), culture (Krackhardt & Kilduff, 1990), and organizational conflict (Nelson, 1989). Much of the research that has investigated the nature of the leader-follower relationship has taken place within the context of leader-member exchange theory (LMX). Leader-member exchange theory suggests that leaders differentiate among followers in terms of leader behavior rather than enacting â€Å"one best† average leadership style with all followers (Liden & Graen, 1980). The LMX model recognizes the importance and nature of specific leader-follower relationships and emphasizes the differences in the manner in which a leader behaves toward each follower (Vecchio & Gobdel, 1984). A role is informally negotiated between each member of the work group and the leader, and an active exchange of inputs and outcomes occurs between the leader and each follower (Bass, 1990; Dansereau, Graen, & Haga, 1975). Some leader-follower dyads within groups develop roles that are personally satisfying and mutually compatible, while others do not (Graen & Scandura, 1987). Earlier writings referred to followers in the former type of dyad as part of the â€Å"in-group† and the latter as â€Å"out-group† members. Over the years, LMX research has not only verified the existence of differentiated leader-member dyads within groups, but it has also investigated the characteristics of the leader-follower relationship, as well as the process by which leaders develop effective leadership relationships. According to Graen and Uhl-Bien (1995), the development of a leader-member exchange relationship â€Å"is based on the characteristics of the working relationship as opposed to a personal or friendship relationship† (p. 237). LMX is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, consisting of respect, trust, and mutual obligation, and it refers specifically to these dimensions as they relate to â€Å"individuals' assessments of each other in terms of their professional capabilities and behaviors† (Graen & Uhl-Bien, 1995, p. 238). Vision To lead a group in healthcare, one must have a vision that people support from both a personal and a philosophical perspective. Consider Martin Luther King. What was the vision? His most famous statement, â€Å"I have a dream,† was delivered to more than half a million people who had descended on Washington, D.C., in support of civil rights. What was his dream? Racial equality. Could people relate to that personally and philosophically? Absolutely. Few people argued against the philosophy of racial equality. Furthermore, many supporters believed that he would have a tremendous impact on them personally. King gained overwhelming support because of his vision (Collins & Porgas, 1991). Once leaders develop a vision, they must communicate their ideas. Leaders are often great communicators. Consider Martin Luther King. He had the ability to stir and motivate people, and he excelled when he got in front of a group of people. Former President Abraham Lincoln also had superb speechmaking abilities. One of his speeches, the Gettysburg Address, is so famous that most schoolchildren memorize it at some point in their studies. Communication skills were the strong point of another well-known leader, former President Ronald Reagan. While some people have questioned Reagan's leadership abilities, few questioned his communication skills. Many remember his first State of the Union Address, which was delivered the year after he was wounded by a gunshot from John Hinckley. As with any presidential candidate, there were those who had not voted for him and were not particularly strong supporters. Reagan's address, however, was so stirring and so patriotic that afterward even people who were lukewarm about him wanted to jump to their feet, salute, and flip on their Lee Greenwood tape of â€Å"I'm Proud to Be an American.† The words he chose, and the manner in which he presented them, really touched people (Collins & Porgas, 1991). Passion Passion engenders enthusiasm and creativity. It also drives excellence. Without passion a business is ordinary — for its employees, suppliers and, most importantly, for its customers. It is easier to recognize the absence than the existence of passion. Passion is not a commodity or even an art form that can be taught or bought. It is also quietly frowned on in some circles. Passionate and respected leaders motivate and inspire those around them to share their passion for a product, a concept or an opportunity. By doing so, they encourage others to excel. These leaders recognize the need to foster and embrace a range of complementary talents and experiences. To attract people with these skills and, more importantly, right attitudes, they create the processes and culture to support them. If passion is engendered, encouraged and focused then, all other things being equal, the organization with passion will outperform those without (Bryson & Crosby, 1992). Commitment to Serve Others The effective leader in healthcare empowers others to act. (Kouzes & Posner 1987) He recognizes the potential of the entire organization and freely grants or sanctions individuals the power to act in concert with the group. What appears to be an abdication of power by the leader results in a stronger unison effort? The transformational leader encourages the heart. (Kouzes & Posner 1987) Followers work more effectively if they are frequently praised, and it is the transformational leader who understands the necessity of recognizing their accomplishments. This leadership characteristic suggests that frequent encouragement and praise for even minor accomplishments is appropriate. Positive affirmation does not instill complacency, but instead it results in motivating an individual to perform even better. Mentoring does not have to be one-on-one. With this new twist on an old model, a mentor guides a group of protà ©gà ©s through the complex process of developing their organizational practical understanding and their careers. In the new mentoring model, learning leaders are partners, rather than â€Å"patriarchs.† As experienced organizational veterans with information and knowledge to offer, they act as leaders of group learning and facilitators of group growth. With group mentoring, the setting and emphasis shifts from one-on-one relationships to group relationships. The learning leader helps protà ©gà ©s understand the organization, guides them in analyzing their experiences, and helps them clarify career directions. The process gives the protà ©gà ©s access to the experience and knowledge of a successful, high-level manager. In addition, that help comes from a different paradigm–that of a leader as collaborates. The task of the learning leader is to create an environment for the professional growth of a small group of protà ©gà ©s who can benefit from the experience, knowledge, and support of an organization veteran and of other group members. References Bennis, Warren. (1989). Why Leaders Can't Lead–The Unconscious Conspiracy Continues (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass). Bryson, J. and Crosby, B. (1992). Leadership for the Common Good: Tackling Public Problems in a Shared-Power World. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Collins, J. and Porgas, J. (1991). Organizational Vision and Visionary Organizations. California Management Review (Fall): 36. Conger, J. (1989). The Charismatic Leader: Behind the Mystique of Exceptional Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Gabarro, J. J. (1987). The development of working relationships. In J. W. Lorsch (Ed.), Handbook of organizational behavior (pp. 172-189). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Graen, G. B., & Scandura, T A. (1987). Toward a psychology of dyadic organizing. In L. L Cummings & B. M. Shaw (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior (pp. 175-208). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press. Graen, G. B., & Uhl-Bien, M. (1995). Relationship-based approach to leadership: Development of leader-member exchange (LMX) theory of leadership over 25 years: Applying a multi-level multi-domain perspective. Leadership Quarterly, 6(2), 219-247. Kilduff, M. (1990). The interpersonal structure of decision making: A social comparison approach to organizational choice. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 47(2), 270288. Kouzes, James M.   and Posner, Barry Z. (1987). The Leadership Challenge (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass). Krackhardt, D., & Kilduff, M. (1990). Friendship patterns and culture: The control of organizational diversity. American Anthropologist, 92(1), 142-154. Krackhardt, D., & Porter, L. W. (1985). When friends leave: A structural analysis of the relationship between turnover and stayers' attitudes. Administrative Science Quarterly, 30, 242-261. Liden, R. C., & Graen, G. (1980). Generalizability of the vertical dyad linkage model of leadership. Academy of Management Journal, 23, 451-465. Nelson, R. E. (1989). The strength of strong ties: Social networks and intergroup conflict in organizations. Academy of Management Journal, 32(2), 377-401. Vecchio, R. P., & Gobdel, B. C. (1984). The vertical dyad linkage model of leadership: Problems and prospects. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 34, 5-20.   

Saint Mark’s Basilica

Saint Mark’s Basilica, which can be found in Venice Italy, has been considered to be the most important church in the said region since the early Christian period. However, it was only in 1807 when the said basilica became the official cathedral of Venice, replacing the Church of San Pietro di Castello. Due to its remarkable and authentic design, Saint Mark’s Basilica is noted as one of Europe’s most glorious and eccentric cathedrals. As it was said, no visitor or pilgrim can remain dispassionate about the specified cathedral once confronted by it (Belford, Dunford, Andrews, and Woolfrey). However, there are others who are confused once the details of the cathedral come into perspective. Whether it may appear delightful or not, analyzing the building’s history would help in understanding its eccentricities and would also shed light on its roles in religious faith and its contributions on the politics and prestige of Venice. The Story of the Basilica Situated at the heart of Venice, Italy, Saint Mark’s Cathedral has long been recognized as the leading representation of the Venetian faith and political memoir. True enough, such adherence to their religiosity is a result of the church and government’s embrace of Christianity as the leading force behind the cathedral’s establishment and the mark of religiosity among its citizens. From the past until the present, the Venetian government’s adage â€Å"Prima di tutto Venziani, poi Cristiani,† which, when translated in English, means â€Å"First above all Venetians, then Christians,† is considered as the defining factor of the Venetian living because it widely represents the subordination of the church to the state, yet the religion maintains its power over the republic because of its capability to represent the people’s beliefs. Venetians believe that Venice is God’s chosen city wherein he infused his grace through the aid of their patron saint, Saint Mark the Evangelist (Bershad, Mangone, and Hexham 205). The strong link that binds the spiritual faith and governance of Venice had its roots from the rich history of the renowned Saint Mark’s Basilica and the legends surrounding the interment of Saint Mark’s body in the said edifice. The Legends Three notable legends were said to be responsible for the rise of Saint Mark’s Cathedral as a religious representation of the people’s faith and the force behind Venice’s political array: The â€Å"praedestinato† (predestinate), â€Å"translatio† (translation), and the â€Å"inventio† (invention). Praedestinato claims that while preaching throughout Italy, Saint Mark, together with his companion, made a stop at the Venetian lagoons and formed an immediate bond with the people within the area. Upon returning to Rome, Saint Mark and his colleague encountered a storm leading them to sought temporary shelter in the Venetian lagoon. In his state of repose, an angel came to Saint Mark and told him â€Å"Pax tibi, Marcae. Hic requiescet corpus tuum† or â€Å"Peace Mark. Here your body will rest. The angel also informed Mark that at some point in history, the settlers in Venice would build his burial spot in that area, because if they do God will be giving them graces through Saint Mark’s intercession. With the given perspective it is believed that Christianity came about in Venice through Saint Mark (Bershad, Mangone and Hexham 205-206). The founder’s of Venice were said to have been notably persuaded by the idea of the city’s sacred ordination through th e intercession of Saint Mark’s body. Hence, in order to fulfill the specified angelic prophecy, it was said that Saint Mark’s body was stolen from Alexandria and was brought to Venice. This story then encompasses the second legend, the â€Å"translatio. † According to the legend, the theft of Saint Mark’s body occurred in 828. Venetian ships were blown off course and found Alexandria. An unnamed monk and a priest were members of the church that housed the remains of Saint Mark. The two holy men were befriended by two Venetian merchants named Bruno da Malamocco and Rustico da Torcello. In one event, the Muslims within the Alexandrian region threatened to destroy the church where Saint Mark’s body can be found. Hence, such threat catapulted Malamocco and Torcello to steal the Saint’s body and brought it to Venice to present it to the doge, the elected head of the state of Venice and Genoa (Bershad, Mangone, and Hexham 206). It is worthy to note that in those days, relics were regarded as powerful objects that serve as unifiers for social and economic entities because they attract both pilgrims and merchants alike. As such, relics were all welcomed, and that of Saint Mark was highly regarded because of the first legend that surrounds the patron’s intercession’s perceived grace. With the presentation of the acquired relic of Saint Mark to Doge Giustiniano Particiaco, the gift giving formed the permanent union between the spiritual and political realms of Venice (Bershad, Mangone and Hexham 206). According to legend, soon after the arrival of Saint Mark’s relics in 829, the first structure of the Saint Mark’s Basilica was commissioned. Modeled from the church of the 12 Apostles in Constantinople, the shrine of Saint Mark was then consecrated in 832. The third and final legend, the â€Å"inventio† or the apparition did not take place until 1094. During 976, an uprising against the doge caused a great fire that ruined the Palazzio Ducale (Ducale Palace) and the church that housed Saint Mark’s relics. Although the subsequent church was rebuilt right after the incident, the relics of the patron saint remained lost until 1094 despite numerous searches. A doge ordered a fast that tested the citizens’ piety and obedience. On the third day of the fast, a miracle took place. The ghost of Saint Mark was said to have appeared and filled the church with a sweet aroma. At that point, the basilica was consecrated, and Saint Mark’s body was finally laid to rest. The â€Å"inventio† was noted to have combined the religious and civic values among the Venetian’s because it is believed that right after the previous legends; God had given the Venetians their political authority. By replacing their former patron Saint Theodore, who has a symbolic link to the Byzantium, to Saint Mark, it is said that the Venetians finally acquired their freedom from the Byzantium (Bershad, Mangone, and Hexham 207). Saint Mark’s Basilica: Religious and Political Significance Over the course of the basilica’s history, the edifice played significant roles both in the accumulation of Venice’s political prowess and religious perspective. San Marco served as the mirror of Venice’s increasing power and self-confidence. Though initially created out of a spare brick building modeled to a Byzantine edifice, the basilica became a landmark that was completely and intricately detailed of luxurious embellishment which was derived from the donations of the faithful. As Venice attained its mastery within the Mediterranean area, the city became well-known as the location of the region’s most confessional shrine, marking Venice as the city free from the autonomy of any foreign influence (McGregor). As Saint Mark’s basilica became an important edifice to the whole city, a tutelary church which represents both the commune and the community, it has then become the annex of the state, an avenue where politics and religion meet (Jones). During its earlier phase, the doge was elected at the Ducal Palace and was then presented to the citizens from the Saint Mark Basilica’s right hand pulpit, which later on, upon the doge’s tenure, would become exclusively his (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Back in the earlier part of the basilica’s development, the head of state was increasingly invested through semi-sacral powers. Hence, dogeship became an efficient and dignified part of the constitution, thereby placing the doge in the position that outranks the bishops and the patriarch. Under the banner of Saint Mark and under the leadership of the doge, the state then became a secular church which had their own traditions, iconography and feast days, enabled the people to practice patriotism and piety, and treated sovereignty as a divine possession (Jones). Saint Mark’s Basilica, being the state church, also served as an avenue for the city’s official ceremonies. Some of the notable ceremonies that took place in the basilica were the blessing of the soldiers, the 1177 Peace of Venice, 1201 assembly of Saint Mark’s crusaders from all of Europe that were about to depart to Holy Land to ask for protection and divine aid, and the 1377’s doge’s grant of leadership to defend the city addressed to Vettor Pisani. Other than these, Saint Mark’s Basilica was also considered as the rendezvous for prayer among the Venetians during moments of great pain such as the 1576 voting of building the temple of Christ the Redeemer, 1630’s prayer of intervention for the vote to build a temple for the virgin in order to free the city from plagues, and lastly during the end of Venice’s independence in 1797. The Basilica was also a reference point, for many merchants and sailors that journeyed by land and sea contributed in keeping the edifice a monumental mark of faith and a testimony of Venice’s greatness by giving out precious gifts, art treasures and marbles, which are still evident today (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). 12th of May 1797, the troops of Napoleon invaded the city of Venice. For the foregoing reason, Saint Mark’s basilica’s reign as the state church under the authority of the Doges of the Venetian Republic was brought to an end. It was in 1807 when the cathedral became the official seat for the Patriarch’s of Venice. Due to Napoleon’s orders, Saint Mark’s eventually lost the functions of the Doge’s chapel, and since then, it has been hailed as the city cathedral (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Although some of the aforementioned functions of the cathedral were lost during Napoleon’s reign over Venice, it is still evident from the given facts that Saint Mark’s Basilica was one of the main forces that drove the once fragmented island of primitive Venice into a city that is unified by belief and nationalism. With the Basilica’s history and its link to the spread of Christianity, Saint Mark Cathedral continuously attracts thousand of pilgrims to date, adding up to the prestige of present day Venice. Saint Mark’s Basilica: A site of pilgrimage In the quest for a votive purpose, pilgrimage has been an important aspect in many religions because it embodies one’s faith over the divine deity. Long journeys toward a sacred place or shrine play a significant role not only in uplifting the faith of an individual but also in serving as an avenue to seek for moral significance. The focal point of pilgrimages is inclined to celebrating religion. Saint Mark’s Basilica is among the many holy places that are embarked upon by many pilgrims. The fact that that the relics of Saint Mark can be found in the said area, thousands of pilgrims yearly flock to Venice in order to seek his intervention through prayers. Being the center of the Venetian faith and once a political entity, Saint Mark’s Basilica can be seen as an avenue where one can witness the grandiosity of Venice balanced by its deep religiosity and history. As the eternal symbol of faith and Christendom, Saint Mark’s Cathedral is also well noted as the eternal representation of the city’s wealth, power, and history, as seen with its apostolic reliquary of arts that glorify the history of Venice and its role in the interconnectedness of the church and the state. For the foregoing, one can easily assume that Saint Mark’s Basilica, aside from its religious significance, also contributes to the prestige of Venice through pilgrimages. The site serves as an area for an economic phenomenon because of its capability to motivate the pilgrims to embark on a journey through its historical and inspiring account of miracles as well as the desire of the people to keep the spirit of Saint Mark alive. However, perhaps it should not be excluded that another reason for Saint Mark’s popularity, contributing to Venice’s prestige is indebted to its detailed architecture, mosaics and enough plundered sculptures that can satisfy any human. No other church in Europe is lavishly decorated, exquisitely mosaicked and more glittering than gold other than San Marco. Hence, it is also known as the â€Å"Chiesa De Oro† or the â€Å"Golden Church. † The spiritual material and Byzantium heritage of the West inspired the architecture of Saint Mark’s Basilica. The structure stands in a Greek cross plan, and above the cross are five cupolas which are said to represent the presence of God over the church (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Covering the cathedral’s old ceilings, atriums, walls, and multiple domes are more than 8000 square meters of mosaics created between the 12th and 17th centuries by eastern masters. The mosaic represents biblical stories from the old and new testaments, allegorical individuals, and events in the lives of Christ, Virgin Mary, Saint Mark, and other saints. The interaction of the mosaics’ warm color, most especially gold with the dim light that changes color according to the time of the day, is said to promote evocative feelings among its visitors. More importantly, the mosaics serve as a significant evidence of the Venetian people’s ambitions and faith (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). The sculptures present within the church also add up to the richness of its history, as each culture is generated from different epochs and origins. Saint Mark’s treasures are also highly regarded because they are considered to be the richest documentation of the most refined items found in the basilica such as gold, silver and precious stones, which celebrate the craftsmanship of the Venetians. Pala d’Oro, the most important piece of treasure in the church, is the high altar that contains the relics of Venice’s patron saint, Saint Mark (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Other than these, almost all of the areas found within the basilica like the baptistery alcove and the Marciano Museum are truly cultural treasures that add pride to the Venetian culture and religious perspective (Procuratoria di San Marco Venezia). Perhaps, the only disappointing aspect about the architecture of San Marco is the fact that the value of pilgrimage is undermined by the desire of the visitors to merely witness the basilica’s architecture and not to regard its spiritual value. Conclusion Based on the information provided, it can be gleaned that the Basilica of Saint Mark played a significant role in the religious and political aspect of the Venetians way of life. Religiously, the basilica was established out of the faith of the citizens that God chose the city of Venice to infuse his grace through the aid of Saint Mark. As such, the state, in its subjugation to the religion, used Saint Mark’s Basilica as the edifice that would serve as the testimony of Venetian faith and political power. Other than this, as the tutelary church of Venice, Saint Mark’s Basilica was a strong symbolism of community and commune where the state citizens, despite being run by Doges, believed that they were under God’s grace, and that the interconnectedness of the church and the state was endowed by God to be supported. Most importantly, Saint Mark’s Basilica served as an important force that unified the whole city of Venice. From a city that was once a refuge for people of dependence to the Byzantium, the basilica became the focal point of the Venetians’ freedom from Byzantium regime. Currently, the rich history and religious significance of Saint Mark’s Basilica is still evident through the maintenance of the edifice together with Saint Mark’s relics. The basilica’s spread of Christendom continued as well through the pilgrims who sought to uplift their faith and seek for their moral significance. By allowing people to venture inside the basilica, modern day people are able to take a glimpse of the face of past Christendom and would be able to imbibe within themselves the contribution of the said church in the spread of Christian faith. In this sense, Saint Mark’s Basilica then and now truly adds prestige to the Venetian culture.