An Examination of Legal, Ethical and Social Issues on Information Systems - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2508 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Information Systems Essay Type Research paper Level High school Did you like this example? Dissertation Proposal: An Examination of Legal, Ethical and Social Issues on Information Systems Provisional Title The Provisional Title of the Dissertation is as follows: â€Å"An Examination of Legal, Ethical and Social Issues on Information Systems†. Brief Review of the Related Literature We will begin our review of the related literature with a close examination of the literature concerning the definition of Information Systems. A clear definition of the concept of Information Systems is vital, because as Currie shows there is a great disparity between the extents to which clear concepts apply in a field such as chemistry compared with the academic discipline of management. â€Å"For example, physical chemists know exactly what they mean by ‘entropy. Would-be scholars in the management field, on the other hand, have no shared precise meaning for many of their relevant concepts, for example ‘role, ‘norm, ‘culture or ‘information system all these terms are often fuzzy as a result of their unreflective use in everyday chat† (Currie 1999: pp.46). In this passage Currie eloquently sums up the task before us when we attempt to define the concept of Information Systems. The conceptual haziness and lazy use of concepts such as Inf ormation Systems in everyday usage as well as in academic circles has led to a situation in which providing a clear definition of the concept of Information Systems is a highly complex undertaking. For this reason it is probably not possible to provide a rigid and narrow definition of the concept of Information Systems, because any such definition will be criticised for its inability to incorporate the broad spectrum of features that management scholars understand by the term Information Systems. Many management scholars prefer this approach to the concept of Information Systems and the approach of Rainer is a clear example of this. She understands the concept of Information Systems to be a broad concept incorporating any number of activities that include the use of information technology to support management operations. â€Å"It has been said that the purpose of information systems is to get the right information to the right people at the right time in the right amount an d in the right format† (Rainer 2009: pp.10). She looks closely at a range of concepts that full under the umbrella term of Information Systems and argues that â€Å"one of the primary goals of information systems is to economically process data into information and knowledge† (Rainer 2009: pp.10). The UK Academy for Information Systems agrees with the type of broad definition offered by Rainer and defines Information Systems as â€Å"the means by which people and organisations, utilising technologies, gather, process, store, use and disseminate information† (UK Academy for Information Systems 1999: pp.1). It is clear, therefore, that the term information Systems can be used and applied to a wide variety of activities. Information Systems can denote the interaction between people, data, technology and knowledge and as a result Buckland also argues that a broad definition of the concept is desirable. As he explains, â€Å"information systems deal with d ata, texts and objects, with millions of these objects on endless miles of shelving, in untold filing cabinets, and on innumerable magnetic and optical devices with enormous data storage capacities† (Buckland 1991: pp.69). Buckland goes on to specify one of the most important reasons why a clear and concise definition of Information Systems is so difficult to attain. He argues that â€Å"any significant change in the nature or characteristics of the technology for handling the representations of knowledge, facts and beliefs could have profound effects on information systems and information services† (Buckland 1991: pp.69). In other words, Information Systems are likely to be affected by such an enormous variety of factors that a concise definition of the concept will probably always fail to include some important elements of the concept. It is for this reason that it is advisable for the purposes of this investigation to proceed in the same manner as the vast maj ority of the literature and therefore operate with a very broad and inclusive definition of the concept of Information Systems. The next challenge that lies before us is to illustrate some of the most salient and prominent legal issues associated with Information Systems. Sacca defines one of the major challenges in the relationship between Information Systems and legal issues when he states that â€Å"first of all, the Rule of Law is based on these unavoidable elements, among others: equality and freedom of citizens. How can the legal system put this element into effect in a highly technological society?† (Sacca 2009: pp.29). Sacca argues that legislation governing the use of Information Systems has existed for a long time, stretching back as far as the 1970s, but that such legislation must constantly be updated in order to be able to keep up with the pace of innovation. He therefore proposes, for example, a â€Å"dialogue between institutions and citizens based upo n a ‘digital citizenship† in order to fully exploit the relationship between Information Systems, the government and people and set up an e-government in which everybody who has access to a computer and Internet can participate. As Sacca states, â€Å"democratic legal systems have to foster and promote civil and political rights also with reference to the use of ICT, against digital divide† (Sacca 2009: pp.29). However, the issue of electronic democracy is only one of many legal issues that has been raised by the development of Information Systems. Pollack argues that â€Å"we are living in an era in which we routinely deal with issues such as privacy, digital security, identity theft, spyware, phishing, Internet pornography and spam. These costly and time consuming concerns were completely foreign to the American public only a few years ago† (Pollack 2006: pp.172). It is clear, therefore, that there are a multitude of legal issues surrounding Inf ormation Systems and Adamski argues that how we deal with information and data is a critical part of how we function as a modern liberal democracy and that the legal system must reflect this emphasis upon freedom of information. â€Å"Information, being an intangible and an entity that can be possessed, shared and reproduced by many, is not capable of being property as most corporeal objects do. Unlike corporeal objects, which are more exclusively attributed to certain persons, information is rather a public good. As such it must principally flow freely in a free society† (Adamski 2007: pp.1). It is clear, therefore, that legal issues are of vital importance with regard to Information Systems and that a multitude of issues must be examined in order to fully understand the relationship between Information Systems and the Rule of Law. In the next section we will examine the extent to which ethical issues impact upon Information Systems. A study on the relationship betwe en ethics and Information Systems has defined ethics as â€Å"the principles of right and wrong that individuals, acting as free moral agents, use to make choices that guide their behaviours† (Ethical and Social Issues 2010: pp.128). The study argues that the development of Information Systems has fundamentally transformed the relationship between management and ethics because new Information Systems give rise to a series of new ethical dilemmas. The study argues that â€Å"information systems raise new ethical questions for both individuals and societies because they create opportunities for intense social change, and thus threaten existing distributions of power, money, rights, and obligations† (Ethical and Social Issues 2010: pp.128). Many of the ethical problems of Information Systems were foreseen by Mason in a famous study conducted in 1986 entitled ‘Four Ethical Issues of the Information Age. In this study Mason argues that there will be above all four ethical issues that will dominate the era in which information Systems will dominate. He defined four ethical issues, namely â€Å"privacy, accuracy, property and accessibility† (Mason 1986: pp.5). Mason raised a number of pertinent questions that are indeed still relevant today and help us greatly in our quest to fully understand the relationship between legal, ethical and social issues and Information Systems. For example, with regard to privacy Mason asked, â€Å"What information about ones self or ones associations must a person reveal to others, under what conditions and with what safeguards? What things can people keep to themselves and not be forced to reveal to others?† (Mason 1986: pp.5). At this point it is important to point out that whilst such questions are clearly ethical questions in nature, the answers that society provides to such questions have clear and profound social dimensions and therefore the relationship between ethical and social i ssues is inextricably linked with regard to Information Systems. As the study on Ethical and Social Issues points out, â€Å"like other technologies, such as steam engines, electricity, the telephone, and the radio, information technology can be used to achieve social progress, but it can also be used to commit crimes and threaten cherished social values. The development of information technology will produce benefits for many and costs for others† (Ethical and Social Issues 2010: pp.128). Despite the fact that ethical and social issues are inextricably intertwined, it is important that we delineate between the two concepts and in the final section of this dissertation we will focus upon the social issues relating to Information Systems. Here we will examine some of the most prominent social issues that arise when dealing with Information Systems. Some of the social questions we will examine concern the extent to which society is affected by a move toward computer-b ased systems. What costs do societies incur by doing so and what benefits do they accrue as a result? Do increased levels of automation affect employment patterns and cause people in lower social classes to lose employment opportunities? Will the rise of Information Systems serve to strengthen or dilute class divisions? It is possible to argue that Information Systems serve only to expand the power of the rich, because they re-enforce existing prejudices against the poor. As Wilson argues, â€Å"the economic climate and the differential stratification of resources will define some work environments as ‘information-poor and others as ‘information-rich, with consequent effects upon the probability of information-seeking behaviour and the choice of channel of communication (Wilson 2006: pp.665). Another important social concerns the extent to which Information Systems will give rise to greater Identity Theft in which ordinary citizens are the victims and the great ri se in the numbers of Identity Theft victims shows that there are a large number of negative social issues that have occurred since the birth of Information Systems. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "An Examination of Legal, Ethical and Social Issues on Information Systems" essay for you Create order Aims and objectives of the research The aim of this dissertation is to encompass a broad spectrum of academic research in order to fully examine the legal, ethical and social issues on Information Systems. In order to be able to complete this task competently, we must first of all begin by outlining a clear structure of how this dissertation will be completed. We will conduct this investigation in five distinct sections. In the first section we will seek to define the concept of Information Systems. This is a vital task in this dissertation because in order to be able to fully and adequately analyse the legal, ethical and social issues on Information Systems we must first of all clearly define the concept of Information Systems in order to be able to proceed any further. In the next three sections we will focus upon the legal, ethical and social issues on Information Systems. We will examine each one of these issues in turn and begin by defining some of the most important issues that are relevant to Information Systems in each field. Once we have defined the relevant concepts in this dissertation we will move on to apply the concepts to an organisation that clearly reflects a number of pertinent issues raised by the literature review. We have chosen to focus upon the firm Panasonic, because it is an example of an organisation that has been greatly affected by the developments of Information Systems over the last few decades and will allow us to fully explore the social, ethical and legal issues that arise when dealing with Information Systems. Statement of the Design and Methodology This investigation will allow us to critically evaluate the impact of legal, social and ethical issues upon Information Systems, focusing particularly on the organisation of Panasonic. It is likely that this dissertation will take a considerable amount of time and we will need to ensure that we have access to the relevant data and statistics that will be necessary in order to support and justify our findings. The aim of this dissertation is to clearly present a theoretical framework from which we can critically examine and evaluate the most important concepts within the title of this investigation. Once the internal theoretical framework has been established we will move on to apply the theoretical framework to the external world in order to analyse the extent to which this theoretical framework is supported by the realities of running a modern organisation in the real world. This will allow us to transfer the internal theoretical framework to the external world where such th eoretical concepts operate. Sources and Acquisition of Data Throughout this dissertation we will focus primarily upon primary and secondary academic literature in order to establish the theoretical framework upon which this investigation will be based. If possible, it would also be useful to conduct some first-hand interviews with employees and manager of Panasonic in order to ascertain the impact that our theoretical framework has upon the company. Method of Data Analysis Throughout this dissertation we will employ both deductive and quantitative techniques as well as inductive and qualitative techniques. The literature review will be primarily based upon qualitative techniques, but we will also focus upon quantitative techniques in order to be able to compare the data and statistics that we found in our literature review with the evidence we will assemble from the firm Panasonic. We will also use both deductive and inductive techniques throughout this investigation and allow for the fact that the conclusions we reach may be false in nature. This type of hypothetical reasoning will strengthen our ultimate conclusions and findings. Form of Presentation The dissertation will be presented in written form, but where necessary relevant graphs, tables, charts and illustrations will be included in order to provide statistical data that support and justify the conclusions reached in this investigation. References and Bibliography Adamski, A., 2007. Information Management: Legal and Security Issues, pp.1-17 Buckland, M., 1991. Information and Information Systems. London: Greenwood Publishing Currie, W., 1999. rethinking Management Information Systems. Oxford: Oxford University Press Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems, 2010, pp.124-165. https://www.prenhall.com/behindthebook/0132304619/pdf/laudon%20MIS10_CH-04%20FINAL.pdf Accessed 26/07/2010 Mason, R., 1986. Four Ethical Issues of the Information Age. Management Information Systems Quarterly, 10 (1), pp.5-12 Pollack, T., 2006. Ethical and Legal Issues for the Information Systems Professional. Proceedings of the 2006 ASCUE Conference, pp.172-180 Rainer, K., 2009. Introduction to Information Systems: Enabling and Transforming Business. London: Wiley Publishing Sacca, D., 2009. Information Systems: People, Organisations, Institutions and Technologies. New York: Springer Publishing UK Academy for Information Systems, 1999. The Definition of Information Systems, pp.1-6 Wilson, T., 2006. On User Studies and Information Needs. Journal of Documentation 62 (6), pp.658-670

The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe - 763 Words

Throughout American literature, stories contain themes that can be similar or different. The themes are as diverse as the stories themselves. Three stories will be discussed in this paper -- first, Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado tells a dark tale of revenge. Next, in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery, it is shown that a tradition can be dangerous when followed blindly. Finally, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown deals with the loss of innocence and faith. In The Cask of Amontillado, the narrator, Montresor, is seeking revenge on Fortunato, a man who has offended him one too many times. Montresor lures an already drunken Fortunato into the catacombs beneath his house with the enticing idea of trying some amontillado that he†¦show more content†¦This proves to be true in The Lottery. On a summer morning, June 27th to be exact, a small town gathers to conduct their annual lottery. Nobody knows when it began and nobody believes that it should e ver end. In this ritual, for lack of a better word, each head of the family draws a slip of paper from a black box. The head of the Hutchinson family, Bill, draws a slip of paper with a black dot. His wife Tessie claims that it’s unfair that Bill drew that certain slip of paper. The five member Hutchinson clan proceeds to the front of the townspeople to draw slips of paper once again. The town holds its breath as the Hutchinsons draw their slips of paper. They open them to find that Tessie drew the slip of paper with the black dot. Mr. Summers, the man who is over the annual lottery remarks, â€Å"Let’s finish this,† and the townspeople proceed to stone Tessie Hutchinson to death. In Young Goodman Brown, Nathaniel Hawthorne shows that human nature is full of wickedness. Upon bidding farewell to his wife, Faith, Goodman Brown departs into the forest to meet someone who bears a close resemblance to him. Along the way, Goodman Brown sees a woman who taught him catechism when he was younger. Why would such a godly woman of the community be partaking in the same errand that Goodman Brown is partaking in? After a while, Goodman Brown sits down, resolute on not going any farther into the forest. He hears what sounds like the minister and a deacon discussing a woman

Management Information System of Woolworths Supermarket in Australia

Question: Discuss about the Management Information System of Woolworths Supermarket in Australia. Answer: Introduction Themanagement information system or MIS is an effective system used by the business organisations to maintain a computerised database for storing financial data and information and produce financial reports based on the business operations and processes at variousmanagement levels. The organisation selected here as the case study is Woolworths supermarket in Australia, which is a grocery and supermarket chain located in Australia. Themanagement information system or MIS can help to gain the special financial reports from the database system easily and ensure that a stable financial condition of the organisation is maintained with the organising and management of financial assets properly (Flanagin et al., 2014). Problem description One of the major problematic situations related to the management information system is the entire dependence upon the computer science. Though the MIS within Woolworths has helped in managing the resources properly to ensure growth and envelopments of business, still it needs proper computer science support for doing so. The businesses are managed based on judgment, decisions and intuitions made by the leaders or managers of the organisation. They must need the data and computer science related information to make proper decisions, and this can often create cultural conflicts (Galegher, Kraut Egido, 2014). Proposed solutions The leaders or managers of the organisation must utilise the data and computer science related information to guide the decision-making and make sure that the business can be successful. It is also important to appoint skilled workers who have proper knowledge about the technological components that can drive the business goals and objectives and ensure that the system runs properly and is kept safe from intruders and any unauthorized access is also prevented (Laudon Laudon, 2016). It is important to include various server administrators, network engineers, security professionals and help desk personnel who have proper knowledge and skills to manage the data base system and bring out positive outcomes using MIS (Woolworths.com, 2017). Introduction to e-commerce and m-commerce The E-commerce is the management of commercial transactions done with the use of the internet by Woolworths Limited for selling its products and services to the customers. The mobile commerce or m-commerce is the management of transactions through purchasing and selling of products and services with the use of wireless handheld devices such as personal digital assistants or PDA and mobile phones (Laudon et al., 2012). It is a major aspect of the electronic commerce, where the mobile users can easily purchase goods and services from Woolworths by using the internet on their mobile phones. Organization business benefits in using e-commerce and m-commerce. Few of the major benefits gained by the organisation by using e-commerce include better convenience, as customers can shop, manage banking activities and get the products delivered at their doorsteps by making secure payments online. The m-commerce allows the retail company to address their striking features by managing smooth synchronisation between the responsive web site and mobile site (Lee Yu, 2012). The mobile phones are used to gain better accessibility to the company web site and manage the purchase of products with much ease and effectiveness. If a good network signal is obtained, the customers can use their mobile phones to connect as well as manage commercial transactions from mobile to other devices n an effective way (Woolworths.com, 2017). The mobile devices are dedicated to individual users, which creates convenience for purchasing the products and use the mobile payment services quite comprehensively. Woolworths Limited has utilised the digital content with mobile co mmerce by enhancing the functionality of the mobile phones and allow the sellers to deliver the content, which can be used by the purchasers anytime and anywhere (Peppard Ward, 2016). Integration of e-commerce and m-commerce to the organisation The customers of Australia can buy products online and make payments through cards as well as cash on delivery based on which the products would be delivered at their doorstep within very less time. Woolworths has strengthened the e-commerce position by working in partnership with Australia post for developing parcel lockers to provide convenience to the online buyers with easy parcel collection and returns (Schwalbe, 2015). E-commerce supply chain management Based on the previous networks of distribution, it has been understood that the e-commerce operations managed by the organisation are dependent upon thesupply chain management infrastructure to handle a large quantity of orders made by the customers while buying products online. The e-commerce supply chain management is also beneficial for Woolworths Limited to exploit the latest trends of consumers while making online purchases without compromising on the quality of products and services delivered (Sousa Oz, 2014). The growth of the retail supermarkets is based on the implementation of e-commerce and its impact on the market share. It is a though a major issue or challenge for many retail organisation owners to manage changes for meeting up the expectations of customers and provide better convenience (Woolworths.com, 2017). Thus, the e-commerce facility has been considered for handing the power to customers and provides them comfort while purchasing a products or service from the company. Woolworths Limited has considered the supply chain management platform for managing e-commerce (Weske, 2012). This is an easy and effective way to optimise the ways of fulfilling the capabilities of E-commerce operations and processes conducted by the organisation. Sub-processes functions of the e-commerce supply chain management The sub processes mean the various business operations and processes that are managed by Woolworths Limited within the supply chain management. Few sub-processes are the management of selling in multiple sales channels to ensure that each of the supply chains fulfills the requirements of each of the channels. The network alignment is done to meet the expectations and preferences of the end consumers. The omni-channel and e-commerce are combined to enhance the efficiency of inventory management with the use of supply chain and meet the needs of customers (Woolworths.com, 2017). Other sub-processes include integration of technology by offering better visibility across the whole supply chain. JB Hi-Fi mainly does this to reduce the wastage of time and manage inventory properly to ensure successful and timely delivery of products and services to people all over Australia (Flanagin et al., 2014). Challenges and protection There are various issues and challenges faced by Woolworths while managing the electronic commerce and ensure convenience while delivering products and services to the customers. Security risks and threats One of the major risks could be the development of a new web site by the company which can create inconvenience for the users as they have been habituated with the previous web site managed by the company (Galegher, Kraut Egido, 2014). The new site launched by Woolworths Limited has been difficult to use by the customers, and there have been functionality issues as well such as crashing of the web site on iPad, a longer time taken during management of transactions and even breach of data (Woolworths.com, 2017). There could be other security risks like lack of privacy, which can lead to loss of data and information, alteration of data, inaccurate authentication and non-repudiation. This often creates complexity about whether the receiver has recovered the messages or information sent by the sender or not (Laudon Laudon, 2016). Mitigation techniques It is important to manage the database by enabling proper management information system or MIS and ensure that systems are kept password protected for preventing any kinds of unauthorised access that might result in loss of important data and information. Woolworths can use the hash or checksum like MD5 or CRC to develop a system that can detect any risks or threats and make sure that data in transit through techniques like phishing are prevented (Laudon et al., 2012). Conclusions The topic started with the identification of issues of the management information system and how it could be resolved by the organisation. The benefits of adopting the e-commerce and m-commerce were included here along with the ways by which these two major components had been integrated into the management of business within Woolworths, Australia. The security risks and threats associated with electronic commerce along with the various sub-processes of the e-commerce supply chain management had also been illustrated here to derive a good conclusion in the end. Recommendations It is recommended to align the financial operations with the key performance indicators for accomplishing the strategic objectives and ensure the smooth running of the business. Skilled professionals are needed to be appointed who have knowledge of dealing with uncertainties and manage the database system properly to prepare financial reports with ease. It is recommended to make investments for creating a pool of talent consisting of employees who have relevant skills, knowledge and expertise to handle the database and MIS properly. The new web site created must be developed with new and advanced features for providing better flexibility, and ease for customers manage purchasing of products and services. Implementation of multi-layered security protocols is recommended for developing strong privacy policies and enables proper authentication and encryption measures. This would ensure the customer to make secure payments, and the risks of compromise could be reduced as well. References Flanagin, A. J., Metzger, M. J., Pure, R., Markov, A., Hartsell, E. (2014). Mitigating risk in ecommerce transactions: perceptions of information credibility and the role of user-generated ratings in product quality and purchase intention.Electronic Commerce Research,14(1), 1-23. Galegher, J., Kraut, R. E., Egido, C. (2014).Intellectual teamwork: Social and technological foundations of cooperative work. Psychology Press. Laudon, K. C., Laudon, J. P. (2016).Management information system. Pearson Education India. Laudon, K. C., Laudon, J. P., Brabston, M. E., Chaney, M., Hawkins, L., Gaskin, S. (2012).Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm, Seventh Canadian Edition (7th. Pearson. Lee, S. K., Yu, J. H. (2012). Success model of project management information system in construction.Automation in construction,25, 82-93. Peppard, J., Ward, J. (2016).The strategic management of information systems: Building a digital strategy. John Wiley Sons. Schwalbe, K. (2015).Information technology project management. Cengage Learning. Sousa, K., Oz, E. (2014).Management information systems. Nelson Education. Weske, M. (2012). Business process management architectures. InBusiness Process Management(pp. 333-371). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Woolworths.com (2017). Woolworths.com. Retrieved 25 August 2017, from https://www.woolworths.com

What was Jesus’ basic message and mission an Example by

What was Jesus’ basic message and mission Introduction Many people tried to ask themselves these questions; who was Jesus, his role and his mission? But they could not get answers to them. Some people believed Jesus was the Son of God while others believe he was the son of a carpenter- Joseph. These people could not just understand how a virgin woman could give birth to a baby. The Romans did not understand why he preached about the word of god who was unknown to them. They opposed his teachings because they thought that they posed a great danger to the future of the Roman Empire. They wondered on what capacity he preached to the multitudes to repent their sins so that they could be heirs to the kingdom of heaven. In this essay, I will critically look at exactly who was Jesus Christ, his role here on earth and his mission and Ill try to unravel all these mysteries. Need essay sample on "What was Jesus basic message and mission" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed First, Jesus said that he came to seek and save the sinners but he did not come for the holy ones. Thus, he was only concerned with those who were not yet saved from these eternal miseries. He also preached that he did not come to seek earthly values but for the kingdom of heaven. He did this by telling people that the sinners will face their punishment of eternal sufferings while the righteous will be the heirs to the kingdom of heaven, which in other words meant eternal happiness. Jesus preached that he was the truth and the only way through which you could acquire the kingdom of heaven. He tried to convince people to leave their sinful ways and stop valuing earthly belongings for neither of them would let them be the heirs of heavens. He did this by preaching about humbling yourself, helping the needy and being selfless. The poor people who had nothing to lose warmly embraced the message he conveyed to the multitude. But to the rich who were being challenged by this message felt that the teachings were meant to eliminate them. Thus they started opposing and criticizing these teachings. This is what eventually culminated in to his betrayal and finally the crucification. In his message, he greatly criticized and attacked some behaviour, which were being practiced by some religious fellows. At one time he complained of people having made the temple of the lord a market place and he was forced or he felt much obliged to whip them out of the church. Those who benefited from those immoral activities felt that Jesus and his mission were against them so, they resulted to open hostility against him and his teachings as well as all his followers. Because of the failure of the roman leaders to understand the character of Jesus Christ and his role in the world, the Roman governor -Pilate was easily convinced that Jesus who claimed to be the son of God and his followers or disciples were against him and could soon terminate his kingdom. Thus, the Roman Empire ordered him to be arrested, tortured and then crucified on the cross. In his preaching, Jesus had already prophesied that one of his disciples would betray him to be crucified and that after the third day; he would rise from his grave and ascend to heaven. This was something that was believed by his followers. What the Romans wanted was to verify whether these claims were true or false. Even one of them said, Truly this was the son of god. He said this when the earth shook and lights disappeared when he was dying. Everything that had been prophesied occurred. This is today what forms the basis of Christianity. The values of Christianity were different from those of the pagan Roman world in that the Romans were brutal and appeared to be uncivilized. This was evident by the way the enslaved prisoners of war and sinners were punished but according to the Christianity they were expected to forgive and treat their neighbors. Also, whereas the Romans joined the combat so that they could earn their living, Jesus preached against these earthly values. The Romans were of this principal-an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. This maxim was similar to the Law of Moses but was contrary to principle of Christianity, which stated that you should forgive those that do you wrong. It is evident that there was a difference in values because when a highway robber that was said to have mugged a man was killed. This was an act of revenge. In the Roman Empire there were two categories or classes of people- upper class and lower class. This was a thing that was perpetuated by the Roman laws. The upper class wanted to preserve their status quo were opposed to the idea of losing earthly belongings, which was being preached by the Christians. In the Christians view, all people were equal in the eyes of God. So, the idea of classes was foreign to them. There were various reasons why the Romans felt that Christianity threatened them. First it is because they knew that if they accepted Christianity then they would cease being leaders and start following Jesus Christ. Also they were not happy because of the way many people had joined Christianity and thus stopping being royal to the Roman government. They knew that no leader could ever claim to be great if he cannot command a big following. Thus, they realized that the only way of reversing the situation was by checking the spread of Christianity. These teachings of loving your neighbor, helping the sick and the needy ones were totally different from those of the roman pagans who were insensitive to the needs of others. Thus, they saw this as a challenge that would bring a revolution to their empire if it was let to prosper. According to Romans, private affairs were not encouraged whereas the Christians led life of privacy. They refused to mix with others freely. Romans being inhuman saw this. The roman pagans were also threatened because Christians were against the idea of worshipping gods. Christians believed only in one God thus, they refused to bow down to the roman gods. Christianity came with the birth of Jesus Christ. Despite the resistance that it met in the Roman Empire, it spread and eventually brought the pagan empire down. The teachings of Christ crashed with those of the Romans. For example, Christians believed in eternal life, no value for earthly kingdom, humbleness and forgiving those who do wrong to us. All these were contrary to those of the Romans who believed that there was nothing like eternal life. To them there was nothing like forgiving and they wanted to preserve their status quo. Jesus was believed to have come to save the sinners, a sentiment that was not shared by the Romans. His teachings which were greatly embraced by the poor did not amuse the rich who felt that they would lose their properties thus they misled The Roman Governor Pontius Pilate to order for his arrest and crucification on the cross. After the death of Christ death, Christianity as a religion became stronger but it was on the verge of dying when Apostle Paul came to its rescue. Initially Paul was called Saul because he used to persecute Christians but later he stopped this. Paul believed that the kingdom of heaven belonged to those who needed it and that there would be a judgment day when sinners and the righteous would be judged. According to Zambus Inc, The foundations of western civilization in the ancient world, a diary 164, Seneca tries to describe the gladiatorial shows that were held in the Roman Empire. The gladiators at first they were either criminals or prisoners of war. Later, even free men started to participate because of poverty. These freemen sought for formal training in public institutions like schools. In his diary, Seneca talks of how he chanced to go to the arena to relax his mind when he witnessed a dangerous game where murder was the ultimate goal. Men wore no fighting costumes and every blow was leveled on a bare body. He says that the Roman society was brutal. Men were made to face wild animals like lions and bears, at noon they were made to face their fellow men and spectators really derived joy from these games. The result of every game was death of humans. Seneca also gives an eye account of how men shouted at a man who was said to be a robber who used to mug people on the highways. People wanted him to be punished by death. They were saying that if he killed people, he too should be killed. He likened these shows to a market where people exchanged vengeance for vengeance as if they were commodities. People wanted no other form of entertainment apart from watching men die. After one game was over they begged for other men to be put in the death chamber- arena, they only dreamt of seeing blood shed. According to Seneca, this was how the Roman society was. They were used to this kind of life. In the foundations of western civilization in the ancient world- Christians in the Roman Empire, Zambus inc, letter Pliny the Younger who was a governor to the Roman Empire was writing to the emperor Trajan to notify him of his policies and to seek for some advice concerning the Christian who denounced them. Zambus Inc166, Pliny describes to Trajan the process he follows in making his decisions. He says that if a victim is said to have denounced him, he first of all tries to establish whether he is a Christian or not. If the victim confesses it, he repeats the question again threatening him by death. If the victim still insists that he/she is not ready to change his stand then, he ordered him/her to be executed or killed. He also says than even Roman citizens who became Christians also faced the same punishment. This letter, which was sent to Trajan by Pliny the Younger, was much appreciated by Trajan who positively recommended the punishment. He goes ahead to thank him for being innovative inventing new laws. Trajan does this by telling Pliny that it is hard to have fixed standards at all times. Trajan emphasizes that if they are found guilty, they must be punished but if they denounce Christianity and prove it then, on the grounds of repentance they should be should be pardoned or excused Trajan also emphasized that no information whatsoever would be accepted if it had no accusers name attached to it. Such information should not be acted upon. In conclusion we have seen how the Romans lived, behaved and treated their fellow Christians. They tried very hard to suppress Christianity but finally they were defeated. The Romans were totally inhuman to Christians. During their reign most Christians were persecuted but this did not deter them from moving on. Reference: Zambus Inc, The Foundations of Western Foundations in the Ancient World

Saint Marys University of Minnesota Admissions Data

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions Data Saint Marys University of Minnesota Admissions Overview: Admissions at Saint Marys University are generally openin 2016, the school admitted over three-quarters of applicants. Students with good grades and test scores within or above the ranges listed below have a good chance of being accepted to the school. In order to apply, interested students will need to submit an application (which can be sent in online), official high school transcripts, scores from the SAT or the ACT, and a writing sample. For complete requirements and other important information (like deadlines and addresses), be sure to visit the schools website. If you have any questions about applying, or would like to visit the campus, be sure to get in touch with the admissions office at Saint Marys. Admissions Data (2016): Saint Marys University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate: 79%Test Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 460  / 540SAT Math: 440  / 570SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 20  / 26ACT English: 19  / 25ACT Math: 19  / 26What these ACT numbers mean Saint Marys University of Minnesota Description: Saint Marys University of Minnesota is a private, Lasallian Catholic university whose 400-acre undergraduate campus is located in Winona, Minnesota, a town about 50 minutes east of Rochester. The university has a 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and undergraduates can choose from roughly 60 bachelor degree programs. The university ranks highly among midwestern colleges, and results from the National Survey of Student Engagement show that most Saint Marys students found their college experience to be extremely positive. On the athletic front, the Saint Marys Cardinals compete in the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).   Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 5,640  (1,590 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 46% Male / 54% Female73% Full-time Costs (2016- 17): Tuition and Fees: $32,575Books: $1,300 (why so much?)Room and Board: $8,635Other Expenses: $1,490Total Cost: $44,00 Saint Marys University of Minnesota Financial Aid (2015- 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 99%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 99%Loans: 63%Average Amount of AidGrants: $21,115Loans: $8,368 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Human Resources Management, Marketing Retention and Graduation Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 70%4-Year Graduation Rate: 51%6-Year Graduation Rate: 61% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Track and Field, Soccer, Ice Hockey, Swimming and Diving, Golf, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Cross CountryWomens Sports:  Ice Hockey, Swimming and Diving, Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Softball, Golf, Tennis, Cross Country Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics More Minnesota Colleges - Information and Admissions Data: Augsburg  | Bethel  | Carleton  | Concordia  College  Moorhead  | Concordia  University  Saint  Paul  | Crown  | Gustavus  Adolphus  | Hamline  | Macalester  | Minnesota  State  Mankato  | North  Central  | Northwestern  College  | Saint  Benedict  | St.  Catherine  | Saint  Johns  | Saint  Marys  | St.  Olaf  | St.  Scholastica  | St.  Thomas  | UM  Crookston  | UM  Duluth  | UM  Morris  | UM  Twin  Cities  | Winona  State Saint Marys University of Minnesota Mission Statement: mission statement from  smumn.edu/about/mission-vision Enriched by the Lasallian Catholic heritage, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership.

Oil and Gas Prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Oil and Gas Prices - Essay Example History has been riddled with many incidents of oil price increases due to conflicts and fighting between and among countries. Emily Witten (2008) documents the history of oil price increase and is hereinafter summarized. In the 1970s, oil price increased to as much as $46 a barrel when the OPEC imposed an embargo on the U.S. and its allies for the latter’s support of Israel in the Yom Kippur War. In order to keep up the high prices of oil, the OPEC even decreased oil production. In 1978, when the Shah of Iran was deposed from power and a radical Islamic government was installed, oil prices rose to $42. In the 1980s, oil prices decreased as many Western countries made an effort towards conservation, however, these efforts were thwarted when Iraq invaded Iran and oil prices rose to $86 per barrel. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, oil prices increased from $21 to $26. The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked another increase in oil prices from $32 in 2004 to $60 in 2006. Interspersed in these oil price increases were efforts towards conservation and peace which noticeably settled or decreased oil prices. However, the trend became clear, whenever there were conflicts between nations, oil prices went up. In the case of Colombia, oil facilities have been under constant threat of attack by guerilla groups in the region. Attacks on oil installations and civil conflicts in the region have made oil-importing countries like the United States concerned about oil supplies. These oil importing countries opined that â€Å"attacks on energy infrastructure in Colombia, and especially the implications of Colombian instability for the broader energy-rich Andean region, pose a threat to a key source of oil supplies† (Dunning & Wirpsa, 2004). These conflicts, in the light of the September 11 attacks on American soil gave license to the US to

Examination of a Journal Article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Examination of a Journal Article - Essay Example Finally, a comparison of the Packman et al study shall be made with two other research articles that have investigated the psychology of personality in regards to ethnic groups. Packman et al (2005) undertook their research in light of the lack of literature investigating personality difference between ethnic groups in New Zealand, especially in regards to employment selection procedures. They stipulate that empirical study of personality traits has been ignored as compared to cognitive differences between ethnicities. It is of concern to Packman et al that personality assessment data pertaining to ethnic differences has been ignored because: A personality assessment is considered to produce an adverse impact when the individuals of a specific demographic group are less likely to be selected for employment than individuals of other demographic groups (Cook, 1998 as cited in Packman et al., 2005 p. ). Further, Packman et al. state that personality differences can add to findings of cognitive differences and so provide more depth of information of potential employee's suitability for job performance. The article of Packman et al. had several main points. ... At present, theories, models and assessment procedures of personality tend to be ethnocentric, in that they are based on the English language and oriented for a Western culture. Hence, there may be a lack in the ability to generalise personality assessment across ethnic groups.A dominant theory of personality within psychology is the Five Factor Model (FFM), commonly referred to as "The Big Five". The five factors are Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. The two global personality traits of Conscientiousness and Neuroticism have been consistently identified as strong predictor of occupational performance (i.e., a high score on the Conscientiousness trait and a corresponding low score on the Neuroticism trait). Hence, significant ethnic differences on these two traits may increase the likelihood of adverse impact during the employment selection process.Cross-culturally, analyses of descriptions of personality in languages other t han English have identified five factors similar to that of the FFM. However, cross-cultural factors rarely correspond to the original English five factors, and this is likely due to socio-environmental influences during lifespan development, and subsequent differences in language semantics. So that even though a five-factor personality structure can be replicated across ethnic groups, it does not support or negate that various personality traits are equivalent across cultures. Bearing this in mine, research has found that there are significant differences across ethnic groups on personality traits. Packman et al. hypothesised that significant differences would be found across ethnic groups of New