Skateboarding in Dogtown and Z-Boys

Skateboarding in Dogtown and Z-Boys
Skateboarding in Dogtown and Z-Boys

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Skateboarding in Dogtown and Z-Boys

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Respond to this prompt: 
Skateboarding is frequently defined as ‘alternative’ lifestyle/culture,rather than a sport. Why is it characterized this way? What qualities define the alternative lifestyle? What commonalities does skateboarding share with other so-called an alternative cultures? Is this definition accurate, why or why not?

6 sources: – Film: Dogtown and Z-Boys- 3 sources will be attached through files-

(These source you will need to type in the title)
— Conflict, Exclusion, Relocation: Skateboarding and Public Space. 
http://0-web.b.ebscohost.com.library.wvm.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=464997de-c803-4958-b89a-a80e0717f8d2%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=24905978&db=a9h

— The Accidental Youth Club: Skateboarding in Newcastle-Gateshead. 
http://0-web.b.ebscohost.com.library.wvm.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=0f3ea357-8dac-4308-a695-ad3122e8fa92%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=76246143&db=a9h
P.S – When citing please use “QUOTATION MARK” 

Skateboarding in Dogtown and Z-Boys

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Skateboarding in Dogtown and Z-Boys

Skateboarding is considered as n identity to those in love with the art. It is considered as a form of expression, culture or art by the older generation as it does not conform to the abstract definitions associated with sports. These include the rules that are to be adhered to during training as well as the organisation of major competitions. In the sporting world, there are major competitive events such as the world cup for football and their enthusiast and world cup for the field and track events.

These competitive occasions are used in the ranking of both players and states. However, for skateboarding, it is s new sport that has most of its enthusiasts as youths and hence the lack of interest in the older generation. It also does not have a set of rules on how to dress during the sporting events and neither does it have the need for referees and other umpires to oversee the conduct of the same. The freestyle nature of skateboarding has left the aspects of the same to be considered as a culture and art as opposed to a sport.

Skateboarding: an alternative culture or sport

The notion of competitiveness is synonymous with any type of sports. This is coupled with a given set of rules as to the conduct and dressing of the participants. It also has the referees, coaches and other umpires who oversee the conduct of the players during the sporting events. This concept of rules and strict adherence to the same is lacking in skateboarding. The aspect of freedom synonymous with each of the skateboarder’s ability and style has made skateboarding to be referred to as a free activity that allows the participants the freedom to experiment and hence come up with new styles (Beal and Weidman, 339).

The competitiveness in the main stream sporting events makes it hard for everyone to participate as only those who emerge the best during the selective process are allowed to take part and hence lock out many who are talented and eager to showcase their respective abilities out.

Skateboarding and sports have several similarities. They bring people together in the spirit of sharing a good time as well as being an avenue of expression where the participants find a haven away from their lives (Eitzen, 13). In Dogtown and Z-Boys, skateboarding was depicted as an activity where most participants came from broken homes and hence instead of engaging in other antisocial behavior, took up skateboarding to show their talents, making a living out of it eventually.  These similarities of being sources of livelihoods for the participants as well as provide entertainment for the audience bring semblance between sports and skateboarding. They are also used as social events as people gather to watch and applaud the participants (Donnely, 45).

Skateboarding is however considered more as an alternative culture as opposed to a sport because of the freestyle nature of skateboarding. This is also due to the lack of a designed set of rules with regards to the conduct and dressing of the participants. The lack of a designated field to partake the skateboarding activities also contributes to the categorization of skateboarding as an alternative culture.

The use of streets as well as backyards and drained swimming pools make the act of skateboarding look more like a nuisance to the rest of the community instead of a meaningful activity (Nemeth, 300). In Dogtown and Z-boys the knocking down of innocent pedestrians going about their business and subsequently hurting them by skateboarders in their routine caused the activity to be looked at with disdain. This is in addition to the skateboarders aping the styles from other sporting activities such as surfing in the perfection of their routines…..

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Sports, Culture, and the society

Sports, Culture, and the society
Sports, Culture, and the society

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Sports, Culture, and the society

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Please answer this two prompt questions…

1. In the article, “Sports Are More than Reflections of Society,” the author, Jay Coakley writes, “people can change sports or keep them the way they are. In fact, it is even possible for people to create and define sports in ways that differ from or even defy dominant ideas and norms and, in the process, to turn sports into sites for the transformation of the very culture of which they are a part.” Using examples from the reading and your research, discuss how people create and define sports and how sports have transformed culture.

2. In this course we have discussed and observed the impact of various factors, such as racism, politics, the economy, and urban decline on sports in various settings from the 1960s to the 1990s. Discuss one social factor that you believe has had the most significant impact on sports in the last four decades. 

Requirements: This assignment has a minimum 2000 word requirement and maximum of five pages (3000 words). You will be expected to incorporate references from the readings in class. Direct quotes are not required but you must use the correct titles and author names.

The goal here is to demonstrate what you have learned during the course of the semester, as well as your ability to critically analyze a subject that is familiar to all of us. 

Sports, Culture, and the society

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Sports, Culture, and the society

            There exists an intricate balance between culture, sports, and the society. These three possess an interesting relationship where each has significant influence in the development of the other two. Their interaction and interoperability, however, is an issue of concern and one that raises a lot of discussion and opinions (Coakley). This section develops a discussion into several publications regarding the interaction and interdependence between culture, sports, and the society.

How people define and create sports

            Sports are a creation of human kind. It is through various stages and levels of interaction that the creation and definition of sports occurs. The nature, rules and various social conditions within a particular society are instrumental in the creation of various types of sports (Coakley 36 – 38). Examples of such interaction between people, natural phenomenon, and social conditions include the development and growth of arena sports in ancient Greece, the spread of various types of sports as a result of colonization, and the customization and change of rules in certain sports to fit into the needs of a particular society.

The development of various types of sports in West Indies such as soccer and cricket resulted from their previous colonial masters from Britain. India, on the other hand, has developed as a cricket powerhouse rivaling and even defeating their masters due to customization of the sport to fit societal needs.

            The transformation of sports into a societal norm involves the interaction between various factors over a long period. Author Jay Coakley uses the analogy of a family unit as it develops over time, its interaction with society, the various underlying factors that determine the structure, rules, and interaction of the family, and how the family is a reflection of the greater society.

The creation and sustenance of the family unit is dependent on following a number of set rules, and the interaction of various stakeholders in an environment dictated by beliefs of how the various members should relate to one another (Coakley 35 – 36 ). In a similar way, the creation of sports is dependent on a set of rules and the interaction of different stakeholders who possess different abilities and characteristics for a common purpose.

            In the same way that a family creates and defines their own set of rules that they live by, different sporting activities also apply different rules. In addition, the same sport may also have different rules depending on the context and location. This is what makes both families and sports activities unique, despite the many similarities and differences (Coakley 35). A family unit is not considered as being exclusive in any given society.

The same applies for the case of any single type of sports activity. One cannot use a single family as a representation of all the rest, and neither is it usable as a representation of the culture in the society. In the same manner, one cannot use sports as a reflection of the society, nor as a way to determine the general destination of the society.

Sports, Culture, and the society

How sports activities have transformed culture

            In continuing to analyze Jay Coakley’s analogy of a family unit, its relation to sports and culture is evident. The author determines that the different approaches of the organization of the family unit adopted by various kin provide a scenario of where debates regarding various opinions of the organization of family life. These discussions point to larger concerns about the cultures of organization philosophies adopted by various cultures. In this way, therefore, discussions about the organizational characteristics of the family leads to questions about the organization and the culture of the society (Coakley 36 ).

Making deductions from the family, sports, and societal relationship analogy presented by Jay Coakley, the organization metrics used in sports lead to questions about the efficiency of the approaches used in the organization of the society as well. By observing such differences and looking into various inefficiencies in the organization of the society, a number of changes have occurred over time in terms of how the society operates…..

Sports, Culture, and the society

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Culture quest Essay Paper

Culture quest
Culture quest

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Culture quest

The purpose of this assignment is to gain an in-depth knowledge of a culture that is different from your own, using an interview or a case study research method.

Instructions

Complete the following steps:

First, pick a culture different from yours.

Next, select a person or a family from your friends, relatives, classmates, or your workplace belonging to the culture. Conduct an interview (in-person or phone/skype) or research a cultural group to collect information.

Students should collect information on any 8 of the following questions. All students must include information on prompts 1, 2, & 3 and gather material on any 5 of the remaining question prompts listed below.

1. Is the cultural group represented well in the US? Research to find the percent population the cultural group constitutes in the U. S. and in your city. (Use the latest demographic data available). Also, research for representation by way of Celebrities and well-known figures belonging to their culture, in films, TV, media, tech, or other industries in the US.

Culture quest

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Established cultural organizations and religious structures used for congregations and celebrations across the country and in your town/city?

Do the members experience stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination

How does media portray and influence gender roles?

How are health and illness perceived in the culture? How is mental health viewed? Give specific examples.

Does the cultural group

Have any unique fruits, vegetables, and dishes?

Cook foods that are indigenous to their culture? Why or Why not?

Follow any cooking/eating rituals

Does the cultural group have any specific belief systems relating to

Architecture

Numbers

Culture quest

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Time (Think of numerology, astrology, Feng-Shui, etc.), and do they follow the beliefs in their family?

Do they have any unique birth and death rituals; if so, please describe healthcare considerations during care traditional medicine or complementary health practices they use, such as ask for specific herbs, rituals, or belief systems.

How are empathy, love, and social justice issues perceived, and how valuable are the qualities to the people in the cultural group. Ask how valuable these qualities are to the people in the cultural group. Provide specific examples.

How is punctuality viewed? What behaviors are the most and least respected in the culture? Give specific examples.

Does religion play a role in influencing any or all the above formal or informal rules within the culture? If so, how?

How are personal space and physical contact in the public (greetings or expressions of love) viewed? Describe them.

What specific rituals and belief systems pertaining to life events exist in their culture? Think of events such as baptism, coming of age, dating, age at marriage, marriage ceremonies.

How are children disciplined, and how do they take care of their elderly?

How are tipping, drinking, gambling, partying, and gift-exchanges viewed?

Culture quest

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Leinenger’s cultural theory Summary

Leinenger's cultural theory
Leinenger’s cultural theory

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Leinenger’s cultural theory

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Write a one to two-page summary on key assumptions of Leininger’s Culture Care theory and summarize the implications of this theory for your chosen advanced nursing role.

Leininger’s Culture Care Theory attempts to provide culturally congruent nursing care through “cognitively based assistive, supportive, facilitative, or enabling acts or decisions that are mostly tailor-made to fit with individual, group’s, or institution’s cultural values, beliefs, and lifeways.” The intent of the care is to fit with or have beneficial meaning and health outcomes for people of different or similar culture backgrounds

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The Pursuit Of Happiness, Chris Gardner Movie Review

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Chris Gardner
The Pursuit Of Happiness, Chris Gardner

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The Pursuit Of Happiness, Chris Gardner Movie Review

INSTRUCTIONS:

Movies are a quintessentially American medium, with film having a central importance in both domestic and global markets. The central figuration of Hollywood even centralizes various conceptualizations of localized productions (think about the play-on-words that is Bollywood). Beyond this, we can see that the American film industry is not solely focused on the US (for a short insight in the US film industry and China’s markets/politics:

Similar to your TV assignment, pick an American movie. It can be new or old and any genre. I want you to use the movie to address whether that is representative of American culture or not.

You can argue for or against but I want you to take the readings especially from weeks 1 and 4 alongside your personal experience and understanding of American culture. This paper should be approximately 2 to 3 pages. Remember,to use your experience and thoughts from your life with American culture alongside the readings to integrate these points together.

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Cultural Practices and Social Boundaries

Cultural Practices and Social Boundaries
Cultural Practices and Social Boundaries

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Cultural Practices and Social Boundaries

Introduction

            Culture as determined by different literatures is the shared values, norms, traditions, history, customs and institutions within a group of individuals. The understanding of culture therefore aids in determining the manner in which we interpret several elements within the environment. This is under the consideration of the fact that culture has the capacity to shape the way we see and function within the world (Heizmann, 2015).

Additionally, culture is also known to shape the personal, group attitudes and a value including the perceptions of the way we see what works and what does not. This paper therefore seeks to establish the manner in which cultural practices play a role in the reproduction of class boundaries in the society. 

Attitudes towards My Education as Held by Family and Friends

Like any other parents, it is essential to determine the fact that my parents have always taken the aspect of education so serious. My father in particular has always held to the view that the only key to survival in this current society is through education, a factor that I may consider as true considering the fact that the contemporary society has evolved in this era (Heizmann, 2015). 

In as much as my parents and friends hold a positive view of education, they also believe in the fact that each and every individual has some considerable limitations in respect to studying.  My parents in this case would want me and my siblings to develop a positive attitude towards education but on the same hand consider our limits and not overwork ourselves.

Cultural Practices and Social Boundaries

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Additionally, my parents also believe in the fact that the success and failure of an individual lies in their attainment of education and is determined by the choice of an individual. In their view, success stands at the achievement of educational goals. When in completed my secondary school, my goal was to get to one of the prominent Universities in my area. When in achieved this goal, they considered this a success and celebrated my achievements.

Ways in which the Attitudes and Perspectives of Family Reflect Social Class

According to Harris (2009), social class remains an essential source of belief, behaviors and values in the society. Individuals within the society are taught the values on social classes through the associations with their families, neighbors and friends. Attitudes towards education therefore provide a good example in the manner in which it creates differences between different classes (pp. 187). People who belong to the lower class have a perception that education is less valuable as compared to members of the middle class.

Cultural Practices and Social Boundaries

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I have therefore grown up to believe that I have the social responsibility of becoming a corporate figure. I have therefore dedicated to putting extra effort in education with the aim of achieving my goals and turning out as a successful individual in the community. The elements of persistence and commitment have been my major strength in my career path, a factor that has helped me in the achievement of these goals.

My parents have therefore played a role in shaping my views about education, an element that has molded my social class. I therefore believe that these perspectives have an influence in my future class position considering the fact that this culture has been diffused into me by my parents.

Conclusion

Culture as determined by this study and different literatures is the shared values, norms, traditions, history, customs and institutions within a group of individuals. The understanding of culture therefore aids in understanding the manner in which we interpret several elements within the environment (Harris, 2009). This paper therefore provides a validated view in the fact that culture has the capacity to shape the manner in which we see and function within the world.

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References

Heizmann, H. (2015). Working across Cultural Spheres: The Knowledge Sharing Practices of Boundary spanners in a Global Insurance Firm. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 7(1), 1-17. doi:10.5130/ccs.v7i1.4245

Harris, A. (2009). Shifting the boundaries of cultural spaces: young people and everyday multiculturalism. Social Identities, 15(2), 187-205. doi:10.1080/13504630902778602

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Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq
Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

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Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

Part 1

Harmansah’s article talks about the destruction of Khorsabad, an ancient archeological site in the northern region of Iraq by the Islamic militant group (ISIS). Also, Iraq’s minister for tourism and antiquities is concerned about the destruction, and they are likely to destroy the site. Again, a Kurdish official reported that the militant group had already destroyed the site. The group has also destroyed 3,000 years Nimrud and 2000 year cultural heritage sites (Yacoub, 2015). The UN Secretary General considered such destruction as a war crime and irritated by continued destruction. Khorsabad was built by King Sargon II as the new capital of Assyria during his reign in 721 and abandoned following his demise in 705 B.C.

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Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq        

The site is constructed on a 24-meter wall, stone foundation and seven gates. Because it was a single-epoch city, few artifacts associated to Sargon II were found. Nonetheless, the site is famous for shedding light on Assyrian art and construction. The statuette nugget chunks that once lined the fortress walls are now displayed in museums in Baghdad, Paris, London and Chicago (Yacoub, 2015).

The ISIS faction controls more than 30% of Iraq and Syria. The Sunni radical faction has been protesting to purge ancient relics they indicate enhance reverence that breaches their fundamentalist explanation of Sharia law. The latest footage shows them destroying work of art in the Mosul museum. In January, ISIS razed down dozens of books and manuscripts from the Mosul archive and the University.

Part II

During the Iraq war, the coalition has botched to safeguard Iraq’s unparalleled cultural inheritance, uncovering it to plunderers and art thieves. The National Library as well the National Museum, along with many other significant cultural institutions, were badly impaired and plundered in the early days of the occupation (Nabil al-Tikriti, 2003). Subsequently, the allied forces have developed army camps on sensitive archeological sites and devastated historic cities during military maneuvers. Despite the many implications globally, the conflicts have left Iraq’s archeological sites exposed to looters, in gross contempt of international law. Lifters have now looted dozens of the most appropriate sites and every day the prowling keeps going on.                

In early 2003, the military took control of Baghdad and other cities across Iraq never protected cultural heritage (Nabil al-Tikriti, 2003). In addition, the military did not take defensive position or actions of destruction, especially when they requested by the concerned citizens. Because the fundamental cultural sites were; located in two places of Baghdad, the military could have used simple strategies like those utilized in protecting Oil Military of Iraq. Some tanks, as well as detachments of foot troops, were located in the neighborhood. The military could have mediated (Tomlinson, 2015). However, they were prohibited. Following the demobilization of Iraq army and police, exposed the country’s cultural heritage to significant risk and damages.

Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

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Destruction of cultural treasures started immediately after the collapse of the old government, an aspect of frequent attacks on government properties. The art experts had alleged that damage often occurs when order breaks in the public. With regards to Iraq, attackers on cultural treasures had various goals. Some attackers expressed anger on old government, neighborhood, and organized political factions like those who brought down the documentationsin the National Library (Winsor, 2015).

Additionally, other attackers were organized as looters with a clear understanding of what they were looking for. Later a chief American investigator claimed that the attackers received orders from international dealers. Some of the evidence include they chopped off stone statutes and took off with pleasures parts. Much as art looters took high-quality cultural treasures, neighborhood thieves stole computers, conversation substances, carpets, among others. Some thieves destroyed copper wiring from walls, windows, and doors. For different reasons, the thieves burned, leaving significant devastation.                                                                          

By and large, ISIS militants employed explosives and bulldozers to bring down a two thousand year city of Hatra, which was seen as one of the best-kept exemplars of a Parthian city. To many observers, that obliteration was anything but a crude strategy of cultural cleansing adopted by ISIS in Iraq (Tomlinson, 2015). As if that was not enough a three thousand old city of Assyrian was plundered by ISIS still. Most of these demolitions were executed around the ISIS stronghold areas, like the Mosul Museum where stone sculptures and age-old artifacts were crushed to nothingness. 

Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

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The majority of concerned citizens took the risk and attempted to control the attacks while safeguarding the endangered cultural sites (Roger, 2006).Institution employees protected precious items in the storerooms. Whereas Baghdad was attacked after the beginning of looting, attempts were taken to preserve it. An imam kept a section of the National Library’s treasures in Haqq Mosque. On the other hand, volunteers matched with manuscripts as well as books in the street, though putting their lives at risk.

Moreover, the imam assisted library employees to weld steel door for controlling further attacks and destruction. As the destruction of cultural heritage sites, global cultural institutions and experts plead to the military to protect such sites.  Workers and cultural bodies’ officials requested military protection, particularly those in nearby centers and officers at Palestine Hotel. However, the military failed to take urgent action.

The Iraq National Museum redeemed some artifacts; however, the center has not recovered. It became apparent that the leadership in Iraq and allied forces to safeguard archeological sites. In Baghdad, the Ministry of Culture is yet to have the institution reopened  (Winsor, 2015). Bounded by weeds, the museum is visible behind metal gates, sandbags and concertina wire, another representation of the disentanglement occupation.                                                                                    

As of 2009, the United States authorized the 1954 Hague Convention to safeguard cultural artifacts during conflicts. This enhances government protection of cultural property compulsory. Latest conflicts in Iraq, Syria and other Arab nations have triggered renewed interest in Cultural Property Protection (CPP) (UNESCO, 2013). The CPP mandate is captured in international accords and armed controls and convoluted by various stakeholders with different echelons of understanding and inclination to invest in training and application.

 Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

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While the CPP comprise the military obligation to curtail damage, it ought to be implemented before operations are commenced.  The absence of CPP planning can aggravate social chaos; obliterate national, cultural and religious identities; prompt global condemnation; and protract wars. If well-orchestrated, the CPP can be a force multiplier by simultaneously enhancing global and national stability and friendliness (UNESCO, 2013). With this backdrop, ideas for general security procedures and techniques for instigating them against further distraction and damage are befitting.        

Conclusion

The ratification of the Geneva Convention has made it mandatory for the military involved in conflicts to maintain public order and restrain people from looting cultural artifacts.  In particular, the Geneva and Hague resolutions expect the security of cultural sites against demolition and theft. It also forbids its application to enhance the military action. The truth is that the coalition has ignored and violated these international laws, culminating in significant and irreversible damage to the cultural inheritance of Iraq and all humanity.

References

Nabil al-Tikriti (2003). “Iraq Manuscript Collections, Archives & Libraries Situation Report” (June 8, 2003) [Oriental Institute, University of Chicago]

O’Keefe, Roger (2006). The Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict. Cambridge, UK: New York: Cambridge University Press.

Tomlinson. S (2015) Have ISIS destroyed ANOTHER ancient city? Iraq investigating reports jihadists have looted and blown up former 700BC Assyrian capital near Mosul. Accessed February. 20. 2016 at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2986275/Have-ISIS-destroyed-ancient-city-Iraq-investigating-reports-jihadists-looted-blown-former-700BC-Assyrian-capital-near-Mosul.html

UNESCO  (2013)“UNESCO and the Protection of Cultural Property During Armed Conflict”International Journal of Cultural Policy (2013) Vol. 19 No. 1, 1 – 19.

Winsor. M., (2015). ISIS Destroys Khorsabad: Third Archaeological Site In Iraq Wrecked By Islamic State.  Accessed February. 20. 2016 at http://www.ibtimes.com/isis-destroys-khorsabad-third-archaeological-site-iraq-wrecked-islamic-state-report-1842836

Yacoub. S.N (2015) Iraq Probes Report Of ISIS Attacks On Ancient Site Of Khorsabad. Accessed February. 20. 2016 at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/isis-attacks-khorsabad_n_6826042.html

Cultural Heritage Devastation in Iraq

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The Impact of National Culture on Workplace Behavior

National Culture
National Culture

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The Impact of National Culture on Workplace Behavior

Culture

Culture is perhaps the most influential factors that impact the success of businesses across the world. Culture can be defined as a set of beliefs, values and assumptions that are held in common by a particular group of people. It is important for any business to understand the culture of its business environment as this is crucial to the success of the business. In this paper, the impact of national culture on workplace behavior is discussed.

Secondly, the paper critically analyzes the impact of national culture on organizational practices. Thirdly, the paper presents some of the factors that often act as change triggers in organizational culture. Finally, the paper presents a discussion on some current cultural issues that impact the operations of contemporary businesses.

National Culture and Its Impact

National culture can be defined as set of assumption, values and beliefs that are held by individuals or organization that have the same national identity. A comparison of the individual behavior people from two cultures in an organizational context can help to illustrate how national culture impacts workplace behavior. In this essay, the behavior of Indians and Americans in a technology firm is compared (Perlow, 2002).

There are significant cultural differences between Americans and Indians. American culture emphasizes on individual liberty while Indians believe in interdependence and mutually helping each other. According to Perlow (2002), these attitudes and beliefs can have a significant impact on behavior in the workplace.

According to Hofstede (1983) as cited in Perlow and Weeks (2002), American ranks highly as an individualistic culture while India scores 48 to America’s 98 on the individualistic dimension. According to Perlow and Weeks (2002), individualistic people are characterized by emphasis on independence and differentiation from others. On the other hand, collectivists’ individuals are interdependent and thrive on relationships. 

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The impact of individualism/collectivism is apparent in US organization contexts. In the US, an individual is supposed to make individual contribution to the organization which will be rewarded by promotion up the societal hierarchy (Perlow and Weeks, 2002). Workers in the US easily link individual effort and ability to rewards. For example, salespersons will work as direct competitors although they are from the same company.

In contrast, India is a collectivist society where group performance is more important than individual performance. In India, a group of salespersons from the same company are likely to work collaboratively as they pursuit market opportunities for their organization. According to Perlow and Weeks (2002), Indian children are taught to subordinate their own personal interests to those of the family and other social institutions.

Later in life, Indians adopt the same attitude where societal or group norms, belief, desires, needs, and values have more priority than those of the individual. People from collectivist cultures have increased pressure to act in an acceptable, effective and legitimate way. According to Perlow and Weeks (2002), the individualism/collectivism dimension has a great effect on the willingness of individuals to engage in collective or cooperative tasks.  

Perlow and Weeks (2002) found that Indian tech workers were more willing to help their colleagues who were faced with difficult task. The authors point out that Indian workers believed that helping fellow workers was an opportunity to enhance their own skills. In addition, assistance in task completion was greatly appreciated by Indian workers who were beneficiaries. In contrast, American workers considered assistance from colleagues an unnecessary interruption in their work. Furthermore, very few American workers were willing to help their colleagues who were experiencing difficulties in completing tasks that were assigned individually.

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The influence of national culture is an indicator of just how profound the impact of culture is in workplaces. Culture is an influential factor that impacts a number of workplace behaviors. According to () , how people work, behave, use language, solve conflicts and problem, negotiate and create relationship is dependent on their culture, and in particular their national culture. This change in behavior is driven by the common values that people from the same national culture posses.

Importance of Values

According to (), individuals learn both conscious and unconscious values from their national culture. People only become aware of their national culture values and beliefs when they are confronted by people with different worldviews, values and beliefs. National cultural differences make interactions and communication between people of different cultures especially difficult. According to (), there are significant variations across national cultures. Unfortunately, many people are biased to judge other using their own cultural norms as reference points or lens.

This biased view holds great potential for conflict, miscommunication and misunderstanding. () points out that diverse cultures lead to diverse behavior which may not be understood by everyone. There is need for contemporary workers to understand, learn and appreciate the culture of their colleagues from other cultural backgrounds and workplaces are becoming increasingly multicultural.

Individual vs Group behaviors and Values

According to Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner (), individuals can either be dividend into community or self-oriented. As seen earlier, Indians are community oriented while American are self-oriented. However, even in community oriented culture there is huge difference in the institution the culture identifies with. The Irish identify the Catholic Church, the French with family and country, while the Japanese identify with Corporations.

It may be assumed that the whole society is moving towards individualism but this is not really true. According to (), it is rare for a person to achieve an extraordinary feat without the assistance of other members of society. He notes that nobody has invented an new product on their own.

According to (), the best approach to survive and flourish in a multicultural environments is to adopt our individual values to the group. Culturally adapt individuals can adapt to fit into groups of different culture. Individuals can also behave in a “culturally intelligent” way by seeking to understand other and adapting behavior so that it can be easily understood.  () advises immigrants or expertriate who move into foreign nation to adapt to local national cultures.

He points out that a person could end up forgetting some aspects of the home culture. However, () argues that people working in foreign countries have no choice that to adapt to host cultures as this is the most practical thing to do. However, people will rarely lose their values even if they work in a foreign culture for years.

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Building Multicultural workplaces

People are likely to work with people from different cultural backgrounds in contemporary organizations. It is therefore important to build work environment where people from different cultures can fit comfortably. Success in building such an environment is dependent on the development of common trust, understanding and commitment.

It is important to genuinely connect with people from different individual culture and realize the potential their hold despite the obvious cultural differences. Some of the important consideration to make include:

  1. Is the person from a different national culture relationship or task oriented? Can I we collaborate in a task without first needing to build a relationship?
  2.  Is the person from a low-trust or high-trust society? With individuals from low trust society it takes little time to earn a person’s trust. In contrast, a lot of time and effort is needed to earn the trust of a person originating from a high-trust country.
  3. Willingness to share information should also be an important consideration when working with people from different national cultures.
  4. Does the person come from a direct communication or an indirect communication country? This is an important consideration when passing instruction to the concerned party.
  5. Research the persons cultural background: its is important for members of staff who will be interacting with a person from a different country to know the cultural expectations of their national culture.

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Building trust with people of diverse national cultures is a difficult undertaking that need skillful employment of cultural intelligence. Trust is achieved when cultural understanding, intercultural engagement, and intercultural communication are employed. Cultural understanding includes being aware of our won cultural bias and those of the other party. On the other hand, intercultural communication involves use of both verbal and non-verbal communication and communication styles that can be easily understood. According to (), emphatic listening and respect helps in earning the trust of people from different national culture backgrounds.

Factors that Lead to Cultural Change in Organizations

Leadership Change

Many authors agree that changes in top-level management can contribute or drive culture change in organizations Morgan (2012); Christopher (2012); Beer (2012).  Organizational culture is initiated by the founder of the organization, but it changes over time due to a number of factors (Beer 2012).  Organizational culture changes significantly once the management of the organization changes and some new ideas start to flow in these organizations. However, Beer (2012) points out that organizational culture remains the same in public sector organization despite changes in the top-management of the organization.

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Beer (2012) and Christopher (2012) argue that changes in organizational leadership can either have insignificant or significant changes on organizational culture.  According to Christopher (2012), the personal traits of the leader, the organization’s new strategy, and objectives influence the extent of changes in organizational culture at the onset of new leadership. In organizations where strategy changes significantly, the organizational culture also changes profoundly.

Technological Developments

Advances in technology have had a huge impact in organizations and in particular organizational culture. Technology has the potential to impact culture in different ways. For example, mobile phone, email and internet technology changed the way organizations communicate. On the other hand, technology such as CCTV enables organizations to closely monitor the conduct of workers at the workplace (Maude 2011).

For example, some organizations use strategically placed CCTV cameras to control lateness and absentia from work. Teleconferencing, email and video relay systems allow employee to work from the comfort of their homes or from remote locations.  For example, Walshe and Smith (2011) points out that technology has enabled clients to make online appointments with health practitioner instead of making physical visits. Overall, technology is changing the way work is done in organizations and therefore changing underlying organizational culture in the concerned organizations.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Christopher (2012) and Moran et al (2011) have linked changes to organizational culture to the merger or acquisition of organizations. Mergers and acquisition bring together two or more organization with different cultures. Obviously, the cultures of some or all the organizations have to change to enable them to work together successfully. According to Moran (2012), the period immediately following a merger or acquisition is especially difficult as employee have to deal with the inevitable clash in cultures.

However, this clash in culture is temporary and new hybrid cultures soon emerge after the acquisition and merger is completed. Sometimes mergers and acquisition involve organizations from two different cultures. In such a situation, the cultural clash is more serious and need more able leadership to manage it.

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In the views of Christopher (2011), effective leaders assist greatly in enabling the emergence of a new organizational culture blend in the case of a merger or acquisition. He argues that leaders need to support employees at all level of the organization to accept and embrace the new cultural changes. Leaders should also raise awareness about the inevitability of change after a merger or acquisition and try to prepare all stakeholders to receive the impending change positively.

4. Changes in External Environment

Changes in the external environment can act as triggers for changes in organizational culture (Morgan, 2012; Primecz et al. 2011; Velo, 2012). According to, changes in the Political, Social, Technological, environmental and legal environment can influence organizations to change their organizational culture. For example, governments may make changes to official workers requiring workers to report to work at 9:00 am instead of 8: am. Organizations will have no choice than to change their policies to suit the change in official working hours.

Cultural Issues in Business Environments

Successful intercultural negotiations

Businesses are engaged in multiple situations where negotiations between the parties are necessary. According to (), language and cultural etiquette forms a formidable barrier to intercultural negotiations. () argues that it is imperative that businesses operating in multicultural environment use the language of the customer. According to (), foreign trade partners may use a different language, think differently and have different priorities while engaging in business negotiations.

For example, in some culture, business meetings are formal and parties are offended if they are addressed by their first names. In other cultures, business meetings are informal affairs where negotiating parties refer to each other by first name. Obviously, two parties from these two cultures are engaged in negotiations they would have difficulties understanding each other. () argues that successful negotiations depend on the previous knowledge of each other values and assumptions.

Differences in negotiation styles are as diverse as national cultures. For example, negotiations between an South American and a North American businessman will be characterized by considerable differences as the true have distinctly different negotiation styles. 

Differences range from the authority of a negotiator to approve a deal, to the level of relationship needed to start business negotiations. In some culture, it is necessary for organizations to build close and personal relationships with negotiators. These relationships are meant to establish fidelity and trust between the two negotiating teams.

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Religious Limitations

Religion moderates the behavior of communities more than any other cultural factor. Religion varies from nation to nation, within nations, and even within local communities. It is important for businesses to respect the religious norms that relate to their business operations. In particular, the advertising area of business is profoundly impacted by religions. For example, religious reason may prevent businesses from advertising alcoholic products, sanitary pads and other culturally sensitive product in some countries.

For example, the Koran (Islam’s holy book) ban the consumption of alcohol by believers. In some muslim countries, believer who are caught intoxicated are severely punished. The impacts of the alcohol ban on foreign businesses means they cannot market alcohol in countries where it is a banned. In addition, alcohol is a taboo subject in most of the Muslim world where people cannot discuss whether it should be legalized or stay banned.

Dressing and Dress Codes

Dressing is an important cultural consideration in businesses that operate across different national cultures. What is acceptable and decent varies from one culture to another. For example, KFC in the United States may be able to dress their female waiting staff in miniskirts and tight tops as this is acceptable in American culture. In contrast, if KFC operates a store in a conservative Middle Eastern country it would be considered indecent to dress their staff in miniskirts.

The backlash for breaking cultural dressing codes can be significant as some government can even cancel the operation licenses of organization that break local dressing codes. Cultural dressing codes also impact the dressing codes organization can use for their employees. For example, it is agreeable in many western countries for women to go to work in miniskirts as part of suits, but the same would not pass for decent office wear in the Middle East.

Furthermore, some communities require women to wear veils whenever they are outdoors. These points are important considerations for organizations who are developing dressing codes for employee in foreign offices.

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 Women vs. men relationships

Women/Men relationships are becoming an important cultural issue that has the potential to influence business operations. In some cultures, some products are for men while other are for women. Another good example is where buying decisions for some products are the preserve of one sex. In some cultures, women make the buying decisions for food items, household items, and sometimes for holidays as in the case of Britain.

For organization marketing to different cultures, it is important to pre-determine the role of women/men in making the purchases decision for the product that you are offering in the market.

Taboos

Taboos vary from culture to culture. For example, in some culture Dogs are considered pets and thought of consuming their meat would be unacceptable. However, the Chinese consider dog meat a delicacy and there are many butcheries stocking Dog meat in China. One of the taboos which touch on organizational culture has to do with acceptance of tattoos in the workplace.

In the United States, tattoos have gained wide popularity and are quickly being accepted in the workplace. However, some workplaces in the US have rules that prevent employees from having visible tattoos. According to (), the prejudice associated with tattoos has faded greatly in the last twenty years and few people feel tattoos can prevent them from securing a job.

Despite this over 31 per cent of Human resource managers assert that visible tattoos can impact a candidate’s chance of getting a job. In contrast, the stigma associated with tattoos is still high in the UK. Most hiring managers thought that visible tattoos on candidates’ bodies indicated they were “thugs” or “drug addicts”. They also argued that ultimately it is customer’s attitudes towards employees with visible tattoos that influence the hiring decision.

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Conclusion

There is little doubt that culture is a powerful force in business environments. Businesses cannot ignore the potent forces of culture in both their internal and external environment. In particular, businesses must remember that contemporary organizations have to work with employees originating from different national cultures.

It is important for them to consider the role differences in national culture may impact the behavior of employees. For example, organizations receiving employees from foreign cultures may need to use special communication strategies to engage and connect with the employees from different national cultures.

Organizations also have their own internal culture which may need to change from time to time. This paper discusses leadership change, merger and acquisitions, changes in external environment, and technological changes as the main drivers of organizational culture change.

The paper argues that good leadership can enable organization smoothly transition into a new organizational culture. Finally, the paper presents several cultural issues that impact contemporary business including negotiations, religion, dress codes and taboos.

http://hrbdf.org/dilemmas/freedom-speech/#.VuK_ShLfrGU

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2410897/Tattoos-taboo-employers-Those-considering-body-art-think-twice-looking-job.html

http://www.economist.com/node/21560543

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/11/tattoo-taboo-workplace/15449719/

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Cultural Change Concept Paper

Cultural Change
Cultural Change

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Cultural Change Concept

Introduction

The society today has turned out to become in full awareness of its status as a multi-cultural unit that is slowly transformed by the cultural change proponents of globalization that has turned the world into a small village. This has seen several cultural change within the society that include the awareness of the community of their rights and freedoms.

This aspect has been considered as a functional dilemma since it has thwarted the ethnic and cultural change appetites of most of the communities that still embrace the element of traditional customs (Delanty, 2011). Habits have been changed and behaviors transformed as a result of the new wave of transformation that has brought with it the aspect of development.

In a small village, South East of Timbuktu, a society is struggling to embrace the element of change. To this society, the aspect of change being a good element likened to rest does not make any sense. This society in other words has chosen to fight the arsenals of globalization that has wrought change in the community. However, their approaches to fighting these changes are as harmless as a toothless woman.

This paper therefore seeks to develop a fictional story that describes a fictitious persona living within a modern community that is inhibited by several challenges. The paper additionally seeks to inclusively incorporate the proponents of sociological concepts that include social construction of gender, the use of social imagination and the theoretical perspectives included within the fictional story.

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The Natives of Kumbaya

Kumbaya is one of the smallest sections of communities in the South Eastern parts of Timbuktu. This village upholds some of its traditional cultures and believes in the fact that the proponents of globalization are just but the Western approach of colonization. This determines the rationale behind their resistance to accept that changes that globalization is bringing within the towns around them.

This community consequently believes in their inherited traditions and cultures that are tied on by different elements such as language, values and beliefs (Delanty, 2011). The only language known to the natives of this community is Kumbayana that is widely spoken by the inhabitants of this community.

One of the village elders known as Kundida is considered as the right man of their god. Kundida is aged 85 years old and believes that before the community interacts in any activity, prior consultation should be done with their god to approve and consent to their activities. This has seen Kundida consulted to make incantations to their god during planting seasons and in allowing the community to even seek health care and education. Any individual within this community who goes against the directives of Kundida is considered a disgrace and in most instances punished for their actions.

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The village of Kumbaya also has a series of developed norms and values that are developed by the elders within the society before approval by Kundida who is considered as the final say in determining what is right for the people of Kumbaya. These values define the manner in which the population needs to act within the society (Delanty, 2011). In consideration of the norms and values in accordance to the views of this community, women are considered as junior to the male individuals within the society.

The manner in which the society views the women in this case is biased. Kundida has over time refuted the claims of the outside world on the development of their community’s norms and values that are against the freedoms and rights of the women. Women in this community are discriminated and treated as tools of trade that can be exchanged for the furtherance of a family’s objective.

Kundida also believes that education is one of the weapons that is developed by the Western World to negatively influence the minds of the communities younger generation, a factor that would lead to the wrought of their cultural values and norms. In an instance, one of the elites who went through the odds of the society to achieve his goal in pursuing education is considered as an outcast and burnished from the society (Ferreira, 2014).

Tumbali has been in the fore front to transform the manner in which the society views women and other social problems, a factor that has bore no fruits since the community has been trained to believe in their own systems and frown upon cultural change.

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It is also essential to consider the fact that Kundida does not believe in the aspect of his community’s prosperity and cultural change, a factor that determines the manner in which the Kumbayan community is socially stratified (Ferreira, 2014). The inhabitant of this population believe that no wealth belongs to a single individual and when there is a need, the community or the individuals have the authority to get whatever they require to meet these needs.

Poverty has in this case evaded the community of Kumbaya while the other communities that boarder this village prosper. According to Kundida, the accumulation of individual wealth is one of the sources and the root of evils within the society.

However, Kundida has ensured that there are traditions and cultural change that need to be adhered to by the community members. The community is required to daily bring food into his store house and ensure that there is enough for him to feed each and every day (Gangas, 2016). The communities even in abject poverty are forced to adhere to these traditions since there is a belief that individuals who fail to adhere to these traditions are likely to be stricken by thunders.

This has therefore developed a social unrest within the community of Kumbaya who are not allowed to even seek for medical help from intuitions of health within Timbuktu. The sick individuals within the society are required to use herbal medicines and if the situation worsens, they are required to seek prayers and meditations from Kundida who is believed to have access to god.

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Over time, Kundida has been sported as vocal about the changes that are developing within the society around him. In his view, he believes that development is evil, and the society is getting into the Western trap of colonization (Gangas, 2016). As a matter of this fact, the children within this society are only allowed to learn their traditional activities that include firming, fishing and hunting. Education in this community is therefore considered as one of the social evils that washes away the brains of the children and the youth and develops vices and immoral actions that consume the community values and morals.

Several organizations have held talks with Kundida to enlighten him of the important issues that would see the prosperity of his people with focus on education, health care and the well being of the community members. However, the people of Kumbaya believe that the final say rests with Kundida who has access to god and knows what is best for the people of Kumbaya.

Women are used to the manner in which they are viewed and discriminated and consider this as a normal act. On the other hand, the girls within this community are also subjected to such harsh treatments and are trained to take up their responsibilities as women as early as they can walk. The village of Kumbaya is still flowing under the annals of darkness even when there seems to be no hope at the end of a tunnel.

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Conclusion

It is essential to consider that the development of this fictional paper inclusively incorporated the elements of sociological concepts in developing the actions of the fictional character within a fictitious community. Some of the sociological concepts used in depicting the nature of this society include the proponents of values, beliefs, cultures and the language of the community.

On the other hand, the element of social construction of gender in this fictional story can be seen in the manner in which the community of Kumbaya views women, a factor that has resulted in discrimination of this gender. Women are in this case treated as junior to any male individual within the society be it their husbands or their male children, thus pointing out to the element of social construction of gender.

In this fictional story, the element of social imagination is employed in the manner in which this community is trained to believe. Kundida in this case has ensured that there are traditions that need to be adhered to by the community members. The community is required to daily bring food into his store house and ensure that there is enough for him to feed each and every day.

The communities even in abject poverty are forced to adhere to these traditions since there is a belief that individuals who fail to adhere to these traditions are likely to be stricken by thunders. This has therefore developed a social unrest within the community of Kumbaya who are not allowed to even seek for medical help from intuitions of health within Timbuktu. The theory of social stratification is additionally included in the paper.

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References

Delanty, G. (2011). Varieties of critique in sociological theory and their methodological implications for social research. Irish Journal Of Sociology, 19(1), 68-92.

Ferreira, S. (2014). Sociological Observations of the Third Sector through Systems Theory: An Analytical Proposal. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary & Nonprofit Organizations, 25(6), 1671-1693. doi:10.1007/s11266-014-9469-7

Gangas, S. (2016). From agency to capabilities: Sen and sociological theory. Current Sociology, 64(1), 22-40. doi:10.1177/0011392115602521

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