Category: Uncategorized

Individual Literature Review

Author’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Individual Literature Review

Literature on the basic principles, concepts, tools, techniques, and terminologies employed in project management is abundantly provided by Project Management Institute (2013) in the PMBOK Guide. Other scholars have also focused on addressing these elements in detail from different multidisciplinary and multidimensional perspectives. The current literature review delves into major principles, tools, and techniques used particularly in the preparation of a project charter document.

Different PM Methodologies

Project management methodologies are the set of best practices, principles, methods, procedures, tools and techniques, guidelines, rules, and templates used in managing projects (Špundak, 2014). Based on the PMBOK Guide and the ISO 10006 system, researchers have identified four broadly known and commonly applied project management methodologies, namely, agile, traditional, extreme, and hybrid approaches.

The agile project management methodology is an incremental, adaptive, and iterative approach to delivering project requirements throughout its lifecycle (Project Management Institute, 2013; Wysocki, 2014). The agile project management methodology combines several project management lifecycle models to manage projects with clearly specified goals but without known solutions at the onset of the project. Agile approaches to project management are characterised by high change-oriented adaptability throughout the lifecycle of the project, besides being supportive of team collaboration, communication, a balance between stability and flexibility, and high discipline in attaining incremental progress on project priorities (Špundak, 2014).

The traditional project management methodology represents a universal PM practice that includes developed and proven orthodox techniques in planning, controlling, estimating, and managing project activities. So, traditional project management is regarded as the default approach to project management, even though it appears to be outside the mainstream contemporary projects (Wysocki, 2014). This project management approach underscores low risk and complexity, limited scope change requests, well-comprehended technology infrastructure, plan-driven tasks, and experienced and skilful project teams throughout project initiation, planning, execution, and controlling, as well as closure phases (Wysocki, 2014).

The extreme project management methodology is used in managing complex projects with unknown solutions, unclear goals, and hard-to-understand endpoints. Wysocki (2014) attests to this definition and adds that this approach works best when projects involve pure research and development, process improvements, and product development where risks and project changes are high. The extreme project management methodology has a direct association with the agile project management approach except that it aligns with extreme programming.

The last approach, hybrid project management methodology, combines formal traditional and agile methods to establish a novel project management model (Špundak, 2014). A hybrid project management approach leverages the meticulousness of work breakdown structures, along with the lean and speed benefits of the agile approach to create a detailed and rapid project management approach (Robins, 2017).

Chin, Yap, and Spowage (2012) also argue that project management methodologies can be classified based on the degree of specificity. Based on this classification, five levels of project management methodologies are known. The first level covers guidelines, standards, and best practices. The second level includes the sector-specific methodology, while the third level encompasses the organisation-specific tailored methodology. While the fourth level covers the project-specific methodology, the fifth level includes the individualised methodology (Chin, Yap, & Spowage, 2012).

Project Phases

Based on the conventions of traditional project management, five phases of a project are well-established. The first is the initiation phase during which the feasibility and value of the project are measured and ascertained using tools such as feasibility studies and business cases (Aapaoja, Haapasalo, & Söderström, 2013). During this project stage, the processes that can culminate in project authorisation or endorsement are launched as the Project Management Institute (2013) confirms. Activities in the project initiation phase include creating a project proposal, descriptions of works, and project initiation documents, and organising the kick-off meeting (Chin, Yap, & Spowage, 2012; Macek, 2010).

The second phase is the planning stage where a detailed and well-written project plan is developed to guide financing acquirement, resource attainment, and materials procurement necessary for the project work. The Project Management Institute (2013) says that the project scope’s definition and description is clearer and more specific as more project facts are known. The project plan directs the project team as regards creating quality project outputs, managing risks, communicating project benefits to stakeholders, and optimising project activities and efficiency during their execution (Špundak, 2014; Wysocki, 2014). Activities during project planning include creating work breakdown structures, creating resource, budgetary, communications, quality, and risk plans, establishing the responsibility assignment matrices, scheduling, and stakeholder analysis (Chin, Yap, & Spowage, 2012).

The third phase is the execution stage that entails building project deliverables that meet customer needs through the allocation of resources to the project team while keeping the team focused on task accomplishment according to requirements (Wysocki, 2014). During the project execution phase, results may necessitate updates to the project plan and adjustments to the baselines. Such changes could include resource obtainability and productivity changes, variations to expected activity durations, and changes in unanticipated risks (Project Management Institute, 2013). Activities in this phase include creating change request plans and change request logs (Chin, Yap, & Spowage, 2012).

The fourth phase is the project control and monitoring stage. It involves controlling and monitoring teams’ progress in activities during project execution. Here, the aim is to guarantee the attainment of project deliverables through strategic team task monitoring to eliminate scope creep (Project Management Institute, 2013; Wysocki, 2014). Key performance indicators are deployed at this stage to track team and project performance and cost and time variations.

The last phase is project closure, and it entails delivering the completed project to the client, communicating its completion to all involved stakeholders, and releasing and committing resources to other essential projects. Guidelines are used in establishing lessons learned, conducting concluding project audits, evaluating project performance, and ascertaining acceptance benchmarks and product validations (Project Management Institute, 2013). Project teams document their successes and mistakes and utilise them to build stronger processes for subsequent projects.

Project Manager’s Role

A project manager, as defined in the PMBOK Guide, is the individual assigned by the performing organisation the task of leading the team tasked with reaching the objectives of a project (Project Management Institute, 2013). Depending on a firm’s organisational structure, the role of this individual involves reporting the progress of enterprise-wide projects to a functional manager or a portfolio manager. The project manager also works closely with functional and portfolio managers to ensure alignment between the project management plan and overarching program plans, hence attaining project objectives. The project manager’s role also encompasses restoring a project’s on-plan status by establishing remedial procedures (Wysocki, 2014). Furthermore, the project manager collaborates with business analysts and specialists, quality assurance managers, and other roles in ensuring project benefits realisation. The project manager also establishes a sound system of double-checking and validating task status’ integrity as reported by the team to avoid falling into off-plan status traps (Wysocki, 2014). Lastly, the role of the project manager involves establishing and maintaining effective and repeatable communication processes to keep the team informed about the project.

Project Charter

The PMBOK Guide acknowledges that project charters are among essential project initiation documents. Managers outside the project scope but at levels considered fitting to its needs issues project charters to offer formal authorisation for phases of the project or the entire project (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000; 2013). A project charter covers the product description and the business need requiring addressing, both of which can either be provided directly or referenced to other crucial documents utilised in project initiation. Snyder (2017) suggests that a detailed project charter defines project reasons, besides assigning a project manager’s authority level for the project. Its contents include project purpose, objectives, boundaries, key deliverables, and success criteria, and high-level project descriptions. Other items forming its content are high-level requirements, a concise milestone schedule, general project risks, preapproved fiscal resources, key stakeholders, project approval requisites, sponsors’ names and authority, and project exit principles (Snyder, 2017). A project charter also documents the assumptions and constraints associated with the customers’ needs, anticipated outcomes, and the high-level requirements (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013).

Project Plan

Based on the PMBOK definition, a project plan is an official document that directs project execution, control, and monitoring. In project management practices, this document is used to highlight decisions and assumptions surrounding project alternatives and facilitate communication amongst project stakeholders, together with detailing the costs, scope, and schedule baselines (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000). While a project plan can be detailed or summarised, its information should be sufficient to define key management appraisals of project timing, content, and degree and offer a project measurement and control standard.

In project plan development, outputs of additional strategic planning processes should be used to ensure a reliable and articulate document that offers adequate guidance to project execution and control (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000). The development of a project plan may require several iterations of the initial document to reflect changes in work breakdown structures, project scope, project schedule, and integrated management control plans. Project plan development has five inputs, namely, outputs of other planning processes, constraints, historical information, assumptions, and company policies. Some project plan development tools include structuring a project planning methodology, leveraging stakeholders’ knowledge and skills, using project management information systems, and employing earned value management (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000).

Project Scope

A project’s scope is the project work that must be done and completed to deliver the project product with specific functions and features (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000; 2013). According to Snyder (2017), a good project scope statement enables the definition and development of a project and product scope because it captures the major deliverables, constraints, and assumptions. This scholar adds that the information contained in such a scope statement includes project deliverables, project scope description, project exclusions, and product acceptance criteria. To define project scope, information can be obtained from the project charter, project scope management plan, assumption log, the risk register, and the requirements documentation. In project scope management practices, the project scope offers information essential in drafting the work breakdown structure and the scope baseline (Snyder, 2017; Wysocki, 2014).

Risk Management Plan

Researchers have demonstrated consensuses that effective projects must be based on adequate risk management. Based on the PMBOK Guide, a risk management plan is an indispensable project management plan element in that it expresses the approach to structuring and handling risk management activities (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013). Typical information covered in a risk management plan includes risk methodology and strategy, risk identification, analysis, and response criteria, stakeholders’ risk appetite, risk probabilities and categories, risk management responsibilities, risk impacts, risk probability matrices, and risk tracking and audit approaches, among other items (Snyder, 2017). The information for creating a risk management plan comes from the project charter, companywide risk management policies, definite risk management roles, work breakdown structures, organisational risk management plan templates, and stakeholders’ risk tolerances (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000). Information contained in a risk management plan can guide the creation of cost management plans, risk registers, and quality management and stakeholder engagement plans (Snyder, 2017).

Milestones and Deliverables

Project milestones and deliverables are important components of any project. While project milestones are checkpoints throughout the project lifecycle, deliverables are measurable and tangible project outcomes that are unique and verifiable (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013). Collectively, the two help in identifying when one or multiple project activities have been completed, hence serving as a project roadmap that indicates that notable points within the project have been reached (Snyder, 2017). A milestone event implies the attainment of the next project maturity level (Wysocki, 2014). Deliverables are metrics-based, high-level outcomes associated with the quality of project objectives and are generated as outputs of processes executed towards achieving the project work consistent with project plan and schedule (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013).

When compiling a milestone list, all milestones are categorised as internal vs. external, optional vs. mandatory, or interim vs. final. The information utilised in compiling this list comes from the project charter, scope baseline, and schedule management plan. The milestone list guides the establishment of duration estimates, network diagrams, Gantt charts, and change requests (Snyder, 2017). When compiling a list of project deliverables, they should be identified as summary-level sub-products that mark the holistic and satisfactory project completion (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000).

The WBS

The PMBOK Guide describes a work breakdown structure as a deliverable-centred graphical outline of the project work expressed as activities to be done to finish the project within the project scope (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000; Wysocki, 2014). It is both a reporting structure and a planning tool. A work breakdown structure decomposes project work levels into finer levels where lower-level work packages represent discrete project deliverables. A WBS can be created using the scope management plan, the scope statement, and the requisites documentation (Snyder, 2017),

GANTT chart

A Gantt chart represents a project schedule graphically, enabling planning, coordination, and tracking of its specific tasks and competing them on the projected finish dates (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013; Wysocki, 2014). It is a production control and project management tool that assists in planning for upcoming project stages, tracking project progress, and pinpointing flow-on effects and schedule delays.

Network Diagram

Network diagrams are visual layouts that include detailed information about the sequence of flow of project work. These diagrams are essential analytical tools employed in project scheduling and managing project resources throughout the project life. These tools allow for the computation of the earliest time for completing a project, which cannot be viewed from a Gantt chart (Snyder, 2017; Wysocki, 2014). Research has shown the value of both Gantt charts and network diagrams in managing projects as they help in analysing scheduling alternatives. While the two are useful tools, the Gantt chart is the older of the two, with network diagrams being useful in facilitating project planning, planning, and control (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013).

Resource Plan

A resource plan highlights the critical factors relating to all categories of resources deployed for project completion (Wysocki, 2014). This plan covers information about people, materials, equipment, and human resources needed in executing a project (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000). A resource plan should emphasise the identification of what, when, and the degree to which these resources are required, along with the sources and methods of obtaining and distributing them (Macek, 2010).

Budget

Literature on the importance of project budgets is abundant. The PMBOK Guide defines a project budget as an outline of how overall project cost estimates are allocated to individual activities (Wysocki, 2014; Project Management Institute, Inc., 2000). A project budget is integral to the project cost management process and its components include control accounts, cost baseline, contingency reserve, management reserve, work package cost estimates, activity cost estimates, and activity contingency reserve (Project Management Institute, Inc., 2013).

Stakeholder Engagement Plan

This plan is a project management plan component that delineates the actions and strategies for promoting productive stakeholder involvement in project execution and decision-making processes (Snyder, 2017). The information contained in this plan includes current and desired stakeholder engagement levels, stakeholder interrelationships, stakeholder scope and impact, and engagement approach for different stakeholder groups. The information used in compiling the stakeholder engagement plan comes from project charter, change logs, assumption logs, stakeholder register, issue logs, project schedule, and resource management plan, among others (Snyder, 2017). This plan enables the creation of stakeholder register, requirements documentation, communications management plan, and quality management plan.

References

Aapaoja, A., Haapasalo, H., & Söderström, P. (2013). Early stakeholder involvement in the project definition phase: case renovation. ISRN Industrial Engineering, 2013, 1-14. Doi: 10.1155/2013/953915.

Chin, C., Yap, E. H., & Spowage, A. C. (October 2012). Project management methodologies: A comparative analysis. Journal for the Advancement of Performance Information and Value, 4(1), 106-118.

Macek, W. (2010). Methodologies of project management. Contemporary economics, 4(4), 267-280.

Project Management Institute, Inc. (2000). A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, 2000 Edition. Newtown Square, PA. Project management institute, Inc.

Project Management Institute. (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (5 Ed.). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute, Inc.

Robins, D. R. (2017). Hybrid: A new project management approach. United States. IDG Communications, Inc. retrieved November 12, 2019, fromhttps://www.cio.com/article/3222872/hybrid-a-new-project-management-approach.html.

Snyder, C. S. (2017). A project manager’s book of forms: A companion to the PMBOK guide (3 Ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons.

Špundak, M. (2014). Mixed agile/traditional project management methodology–reality or illusion?. Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, 119 (2014), 939-948. Doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.105.

Wysocki, R. K. (2014). Effective project management: Traditional, agile, extreme (7 Ed.). Indianapolis, IN. John Wiley & Sons.

Name

Course

Course Instructor

Date

10 Things I wish I wouldOne of the things I wish I would have been told the quick rate at which time elapses. Time ran in a mysterious way and I felt that I did not do all the things that I wanted to do. I felt that I did not utilize my time properly in college and the moment I started getting very serious with the education was when time just diminished and High School time just went before me.

Secondly, I wish someone advised me on what High School education is all about so that I could integrate my wishes in my studies. I could not figure out the reality of High School because all the things I wished to do such as avoiding the cold and joining music club were limited with time. I further thought that I would visit many places in School but time as well as school programs could not allow me to.

Additionally, I wish I was advised to start preparing earlier so that I could have gotten the best results possible but the reality hit me on the face. I would always tell myself that examinations are not anywhere near and that I would begin my studies when exams are just around the corner. My late preparation for examinations turned out sour because I did not get the best results I ever wished for.

Furthermore, I was blatantly honest with myself because I could do something in High School simply because someone else was doing but not because I genuinely loved the acts. Groups and most of the discussions I engaged myself into were not constructive as they seemed while I was in high School.

I also wished someone would have advised me to relax my brain as a way of improving my mental health through relation. I wish I knew how to organize myself and relax before handling assignments or tests. Panicking and worries obscured my possible great results in High school.

I regret not finding someone to advise me to set goals and work towards achieving them. I lacked commitment and determination because there was no one to show me the right direction to follow. I think lack of set goals was a big problem in achieving greater success in High school.

I needed assurance that I was in the best place at the right time so that I could literally fall in love with the school. I was not that happy in high school and being in it was really heart breaking and demoralizing. I would have accepted that I was an actual student put in the right place so that I could happily adapt and enjoy my presence in the institution.

Importantly, I wish I had a specific teacher who knew me beyond the classroom so that I would have gotten the best recommendation that truly describes what I am. Perhaps the teacher would have spoken holistically and directly about me without writing the recommendation lightly.

I also wish some advised me to prepare before attending the High School interview due to my uninformed appearance for the interview. The interview encounter was indeed agonizingly awkward because I could not even answer simple questions like why I chose the institution I applied for my studies.

Lastly, I wish I was advised to choose a trusted friend amongst the teachers and students whom I would share my challenges and stress with. Probably the friends would have acted as outlets and cool me off whenever I was troubled.

Week 11 Mon April. 4-Sun. April. 10: Trans and Queer Theory

Week 11 Mon April. 4-Sun. April. 10: Trans and Queer TheoryAttached Files:

 Halberstam (2018)Trans- A quick and quirky account.pdf Halberstam (2018)Trans- A quick and quirky account.pdf – Alternative Formats (1.065 MB)

J. Halberstam 2018, “Trans*: A quick and quirky account of gender variability” on our library online (Preface, chp. 1, chp 6)

 

WATCH: Paris Is Burning” film (available on Netflix and a grainy version on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmUmiLlg-GM )

 

*(11) Participation post response DUE Sunday 11:59pm

*(11) Participation post response DUE Sunday 11:59pmPlease respond to ALL of the following questions in full sentences, spell check, and write at LEAST 300-500 words.

 

While Halberstam does focus on Transfolks, they make the broader argument that trans* is a larger theoretical and methodological perspective that aims to blur the boundaries between rigid binary regimes. The reason for wanting to do this is because of the results that come from fixing the meanings of particular identities as always in opposition to each other as well as with particular value related to them. For instance, they want to undo the social hierarchy between masculine and feminine, black and white, rich and poor. They believe that these identity markers have actually become prison-like for many folks (think of toxic masculinity as one prominent example) while corresponding to social privilege/oppression. Thus, if we realize that we do not have to continue to uphold the various boxes that have been constructed for/by us throughout history (imperialist white supremacist capitalist history), we can open possibilities to liberate ourselves from race, class, and gender oppression. That is what Trans* as thought by Halberstam might offer us.

Now, here are some questions: What is so important about names, naming, and the meanings that names convey according to Halberstam? Why might this be a good place for political organizing? How is naming (think identity names) tied to the production of knowledge generally as well as about a group of people? How is the act of naming related to power? What happens when you cannot name yourself?

For chapter 6, how does Halberstam define Trans* Feminism? Why does Halberstam argue against TERF or anti-trans* activism? What do you think about Halberstam’s argument for inclusivity?

 

How do folks in the documentary film, “Paris is Burning” create community and resist the oppression at the meeting points of race, class, gender and sexuality? Provide a short example from the film to support your explanation. Please provide your reactions to the film in a sentence or two.

Individual Reflective Review

Author’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Individual Reflective Review

In my learning journey throughout this course, individual reflections have been indispensable learning tools because they have allowed me to express my experiences, perspectives, and thoughts in developing various topics and concepts covered throughout the entire unit. In essence, reflective reviews have been illuminations of intense learning experiences expressed as thoughtful and informative accounts of learning accomplishments, lessons learned, improvements made through the learning process, and perhaps some unresolved issues. The impetus of the current reflective review is the critical reflection on two specific items relating to my project. The first is the effectiveness and suitability of the tools I used in planning my project while the second is the examination of teamwork and the performance of my teammates.

Reflection on Project Planning Tools

Tools Used in Project Planning

I used four tools in planning my project, all of which are discussed in the PMBOK Guide by Project Management Institute (2013) and Snyder (2017). These tools include a Gantt chart, a network diagram, a project charter, and a milestone chart. I used the Gantt chart as a tool for planning and representing my project’s schedule graphically. I remember that using the Gantt chart assisted me in planning for all upcoming project stages, tracking progress in ongoing project tasks, identifying dependencies between project activities, and identifying possible schedule delays that could affect the timely delivery of my project. I used the network diagram as a visual tool for detailing the sequence of my project work. Utilising this tool in planning my project was valuable because it facilitated the scheduling and control of key project activities by allowing me to analyse several scheduling alternatives, thereby choosing the most suitable scheduling option. I used the milestone chart as a tool for planning significant project-related events scheduled to take place at specific times in my project. This tool helped me to determine differences in planned dates and estimated dates of achieving particular project milestones at each project-related reporting period. Also, the tool enabled me to track the steps of my project on its timeline, visualise progress towards realising these steps, and comprehend significant risk events associated with my project. I used the project charter as my last project planning tool to set project expectations and communicate my project’s description, goals, purpose, scope boundaries, success measurement criteria, and key deliverables. The project charter was a valuable tool for my project because it provided all the information needed for its commencement.

Tools I Found Most Useful

Of the four tools that I used in project planning, I found the Gantt chart and network diagram as the most useful ones and would use them again in future project planning. One reason I found the Gantt chart most useful was that it simplified the planning, coordination, and tracking of specific project tasks. Also, it indicated the completion of these tasks on projected finish dates. Another reason was that the Gantt chart helped me to visualise the possible project duration, the project resource needs, and articulate dependencies between and among project tasks.

The first reason I found the network diagram most useful is that it provided me with an essential analytical approach to managing my project schedule and resources throughout the project life. The second reason was that it allowed me to compute the earliest time for completing my project, which was not possible with my Gantt chart, a fact that Snyder (2017) and Wysocki (2014) subscribe.

Reflection on Teamwork

Aspects That Went Well

In our project initiatives, teamwork was essential to addressing new challenges collaboratively, performing project tasks strategically, and sharing ideas, information, and responsibilities innovatively towards achieving project goals. Teamwork was also an indispensable part of my learning journey because it allowed me to gain specific skills that I need later in my professional practice. Such skills include collective effort, constructive compromise, sound communication, and the ability to assess teamwork effectiveness. Looking back to what we accomplished as a team, I can attest that five aspects of teamwork went well, which allowed us to function as a high-performance team in project accomplishments.

The first of these elements was communication. I believe that team communication went well because we managed to maintain open lines of communication throughout the project work. We knew that for us to operate as an effective, high-performance team, we needed to embrace honest communication to ensure sufficient flow amongst ourselves. The team members performed excellently as regards maintaining open, honest, and ongoing communication, which stimulated mutual understanding, cultivated a sense of supportiveness and enhanced progress in a productive direction. Such communication also enabled us to freely share information and inventive ideas while allowing each member to comprehend their roles. This was valuable to realising time economy when completing our project initiatives.

The second teamwork aspect that went well was trust and commitment. Following the openness of and honesty in communication, we managed to establish strong bonds and relationships. Consequently, these bonds and relationships were fundamental building blocks of enhancing trust among team members. In turn, this trust made each of them express full commitment to attaining the project goals. By trusting each other, we devoted our energy and time to advance our project purpose and objectives and balance our workloads, which made us deliver exceptional project outcomes. We were fully aware of the fact that distrust could lead to a lack of commitment to project initiatives, besides provoking unnecessary team conflicts that often damage team performance by creating needless gaps between members’ output.

The third teamwork feature that went well was the application of cultural diversity. My team was multicultural, which means that cultural diversity was an influential component of the team. Studying the PMBOK Guide provided by the Project Management Institute (2013) enabled me to learn the need to capitalise on the cultural diversity of team members realised to make the best out of the team. The cultural diversity of the team manifested in the form of diversity in creativity, industry-specific experience, and norms. Throughout the project lifecycle, we appreciated and respected our cultural difference. This, together with blending our culturally diverse skills, talents, and technical competencies, facilitated an interdependent functioning among team members in a team atmosphere of mutual trust.

The four teamwork aspect that I believe went well was the concept of change adaptability. In our team, we were highly adaptable and flexible to changing situations under which we were working. My colleagues and I knew that change when handling project matters is inevitable. Thus, as an effective and high-impact team, we had to adapt to changes arising in our strategies, tasks, workflows, and the ways we were working together. Accordingly, we designed and implemented tactics that enabled us to rally together, address team challenges head-on, and balance our ideological differences without resisting change.

The last aspect of the team that went well was the establishment of team creativity and confidence. There was adequate creative freedom in my team, which allowed us to try new things without the fear of failure. Working on our creativity freely enabled us to blend elements of effective teamwork, trust, change adaptability, open communication, and this enhanced our confidence in our project work. As I reflect on our achievements, I must state that team confidence was essential to our optimal functioning as a group because it cultivated our collective efficacy, defined our intrinsic drive, and impelled our performance.

Aspect That Failed and What Will Be Done Different

Despite these successful team aspects, two things did not go so well with my team. The first was talent differences. While the diversity of talents was crucial to skill enhancement, creativity, and supporting efficacy in our interdependent functioning, differences in talents influenced imbalances of members’ contributions to the team. Some members contributed more to the team than others, and the lack of balance of contribution affected the overall team productivity. I feel that this was not only frustrating for members who felt that they were high-performers but also triggered a few conflicts were experienced. The conflicts we had to deal with as a consequence of talent differences include personality clashes, conflicts over project accomplishment strategies, and opinion differences.

The second aspect that did not go so well was the concept of self-awareness. A few team members demonstrated traits that reveal low self-awareness. These included a know-it-all attitude, resistance to feedback, and unproductive criticisms. Low self-awareness affected the team by triggering low engagement in some instances, but we later solved this problem by encouraging positive team attitudes to ensure high engagement. What I could have done differently as a team member to avoid issues stemming from talent differences is to set project goals based on team members’ capabilities and skills. To overcome problems arising from low self-awareness, what I would have done differently would entail leveraging team feedback to identify cues to traits that indicate low self-awareness in team members.

Summary

This reflective review has highlighted the tools that I adopted in planning for my project. It has also allowed for a critical assessment of the elements that defined the effectiveness and appropriateness of teamwork as we engaged in the project processes. Completing it has been indispensable in expressing my understanding of team dynamics and their impact on successful teamwork in project work. Also, my completion of this reflective review has been valuable to ‘jogging my memory’ of the tools of project planning that I need to include in my project management toolkit in my future professional practice. Going forward, I will take into consideration the teamwork areas I identified as having not done so well to devise some strategies for addressing these areas and making improvements to team functioning.

References

Project Management Institute. (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (5 Ed.). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute, Inc.

Snyder, C. S. (2017). A project manager’s book of forms: A companion to the PMBOK guide (3 Ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons.

Wysocki, R. K. (2014). Effective project management: Traditional, agile, extreme (7 Ed.). Indianapolis, IN. John Wiley & Sons.

INDIVIDUAL STRATEGIC MARKETING ANALYSIS AND PLAN

(Author’s name)

(Institutional Affiliation)

Project Outline and Executive Summary

According to a study carried out by UNESCO, more than fifty percent of the international historical and cultural heritage is concentrated in Italy. Even if debates might ensue over the accuracy of this figure, Italy is without a doubt one of the richest nations in the world as far as history and culture goes. Numerous, ancient civilizations have touched the country as much as recent and modern cultural and artistic influences. History, art and culture are essential motives for a considerable percentage of the number of individuals visiting the country each year. In addition to this, they form a strong promotional feature for destinations, towards market segments that are less sensitive to heritage and culture. Not forgetting the fact that, the tourism industries and authorities until recently, have accomplished exceedingly little to render impressive stock of historic and cultural resources available. Even less has been achieved to further the accessibility of the modern Italian traditions and culture (Moller & Deckert, 2009). This then forms a basis for and explains why the traditional cultural and artistic commodities and their use by international and national tourists is the focus of the paper.

Through research of the market, the paper will examine the characteristics of both the supply and demand of cultural and heritage tourism commodities, to have a sound foundation through which to set a tourism marketing strategy is more scientific and with decreased risk. For instance, research estimates that today 55 percent of Italians go on holiday annually. In these cases, 15 percent usually purchase a package tour for a minimum of seven days. Research shows that more young people involved in these travels are between 30 and 20 years old, though individuals aged over 55 make up for a larger percentage of the 55% of tourists. As a result, of the exceedingly high demand for arts, historical and cultural tourism in Italy, the paper will propose a project to begin a new business supplying the demand for arts, historical and cultural tourism (Consulting & Promotion 2011).

Company Description

The company will deal with tourism in arts, history, culture and religious paths. When it comes to religious tourism, more than 3000 structures are available in Italy, more than 56 ancient and modern convents, 25 Euro house receptions, 30 Euro monasteries that are available to be exploited by this kind of tourism. The company will focus on these areas to supply religious tourism demands by targeting individuals between the ages of 70 and 40. The company will also deal with material culture. The key to excellence for culture tourism in Italy is in the ability to deliver and create an efficient diversification crossing the right artistic, historical and monumental traditions with food, crafts, folk territory and wine. Culture in a wide sense to harmonize the traditional view to protection with improvement of local identity in culture (Richards 1996).

The company will also exploit tourism in museums, as there are not enough visitations to museums. The company needs to breathe to the tourists in Italy that the emotions and atmosphere in museums offer a unique experience worth coming back for. The company will carry out an operation to communicate the new tourism features the company is offering within the country, that is involving the people of Italy in processes of systematic rediscovery of their own traditions (Richards 1996).

Goals of the Company

The main goal of the company is to supply the unsupplied tourism demands in Italy especially in the area of arts, history, religious paths and history. The company will exploit all the available and underutilized tourist features related to culture, traditions and religion.

Situation Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

Art, history and culture are essential motives for a significant number of tourists.

The considerable casual attitude of policy makers in relation to heritage is changing to the advantage of tourism companies as a response to the pressure of the competitive of Italian competitiveness as a destination for numerous tourists.

Not much has been done by the industry and authorities to render the impressive cultural and historic stock resources available.

Accessibility to cultural tourism stock is low.

Opening periods and times for cultural attractions are low and many are usually opened after a special request.

Demand for tourism is contracting.

Opportunities Threats

Given the huge presence of cultural heritage, the supply of accessible historic and cultural tourism products is marginal.

Although the number of traditional and cultural heritage institutions is increasing, it has not led to a corresponding increase in heritage- supply for use in tourism.

Interests in consumption of culture and traditions are growing.

Italy has a significant stock of culture and heritage.

Competition is low in the market. Rigid frameworks in legislature

Lack of control of finances

Inadequate and insufficient management

(Richards 1996).

Customer Analysis and Market- Target segmentation

To speak of cultural consumption in the country means that one has to speak of the number of tourists visiting the tree distinct cultural commodities possessed by the state namely monuments and galleries, museums and excavations. Research indicates that national heritage is popular in Italy with respect to regionally and locally owned resources, which stems from importance of national tradition and heritage and from the fact that not less than seven institutes out of ten do not charge for entrance fee. Recent research shows that within the time span of ten years from 1984 to 1994, periods of decline in art and cultural tourism in Italy were followed by renewed growth (Organization for economic Co- ope 2002).

Up until 1991, the trend was worrying. Signs of tourism recovery were observed in 1993 with admissions to galleries and museums increasing. The number of free admissions has also declined leading to corresponding decrease in tourism. The percentage for paying tourists is lowest in excavations and monuments and highest in galleries. The museums are, therefore, between two extremes with 46 percent of visitors paying to enter. The issue of accessibility does not seem to be, as a result, of policies in pricing. Not only, does a larger number of guests pay, but tourists of culture are also assumed insensitive to price changes. Culture and art are presumed to be critical motives for visitors to choose Italy as a destination for holidays (Organization for economic Co- ope 2002).

Marketing Program Guidelines

To market tourism for the company, cultural events can be used as tools of marketing as in the case of Rovereto. Rovereto is a cultural city, and as such is more attractive to visitors if it has a bi- seasonal mountain for both winter and summer. A successful marketing strategy can also include the creation of a brand in which the company deals with. In addition to this, establishment of a strong relationship between the regional or central players and the public body can work as a marketing tool for the company (Consulting & Promotion 2011).

The company can market its tourism commodities by marketing existing cultural events to enhance its new ones. For instance, if the company wants to launch a new festival in the country to attract tourists it has to work on the events’ quality and create an adequate communication channel. Next, the company should launch the calendar of events. Identification of market orientation references and cities such as Vicenza and Brescia, cities in which to emphasize a specialist in communication are also essential. Launching of the planned events then should follow (Consulting & Promotion 2011).

Conclusion

Since Italy is a hot spot for tourism, the company should intend to launch tourism events and activities by following a marketing plan and strategy that intends to attract tourists from all over the region.

References

Consulting & Promotion 2011, ‘The importance of marketing in the tourism sector. New challenges for a growing market’. Viewed 27 February 2012 http://www.slideshare.net/enrico.castiglioni/the-importance-of-marketing-in-the-tourism-sector-english-version

Moller, A & Deckert, M 2009, ‘Project report. Market analyses. Crosscultuour. Viewed 27 February 2012, http://www.central2013.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/outputlib/CrossCultour_Market_Analysis.pdf

Organization for economic Co- ope 2002, Siena, Italy, OECD publishing, Italy.

Richards, G 1996, Cultural tourism in Europe, Greg Richards, London.

12 Senators That Changed TexasThe voters of Texas elect members into the State Legislature to represent the people’s will in Texas decision making. These members have an obligation to their constituencies to speak and vote on the bill’s brought before them. The income they receive for their duty to the state comes directly from the taxpayer’s within the state. In The Miracle of the Killer Bees: 12 Senators Who Changed Texas Politics by Robert Heard, the negligence of 12 Texas Senators toward their political and constitutional responsibilities is unrightfully exonerated. Heard’s descriptions of the Senators, legislative actions, and political importance are extremely bias, and he does not portray the incident fairly.

The legislative bill, which instigates the controversy and events taking place in this book, calls for two separate days for primary elections. The presidential primary would be held on a different day than other political offices. The Senate, however, is to discuss another bill concerning the election, bill 1149, but it is foreseen that the house will send back the bill amended, providing for a separate-day primary. The reason for converging thoughts on bill 602, the one concerning a separate-day primary, was its effect on the democratic elections coming up. The anticipation of a close race between Ronald Reagan and John Connelly in upcoming Republican Party’s primary election created a strong desire for conservative Democratic voter’s to participate. However, with the more conservative democrats voting on the Republican primary, the more moderate and liberal Democrats would dominate in nominating their candidates for other political offices.

This took place in 1979, a time when Democrats were the Texas majority; only four of the thirty-one members of the Senate being Republican. The 602 bill would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which would keep it from being considered due to lack of support, but if 1149, which is more favorable, gets to the house and then sent back with provisions for 602 only a majority in Senate would pass it. Lieutenant Governor, presiding officer in the Senate, Bill Hobby posted notice that the Senate would be switch to a less traditional rule. This gave Hobby ability to switch to “regular order of business” on Friday, which allowed for the pending election bill, 1149, to be decided on. That prior Tuesday, a filibuster by some of the killer bees kept the bill from being resolved; therefore, this overcame their hope to kill it. The name, killer bees, was actually first given to Senator Lloyd Doggett and Senator Ron Clower by Hobby for their use of filibusters in anti-environment and anti-consumer legislation. These two and Senators Parker, Mauzy, Schwartz, Jones, Patman, Truan, Kothman, and Vale made up the ten that together met at Parker’s legislative aide, Dora McDonald’s for breakfast on that Friday and refused to go to the capital building and perform their Senatorial duties. Also missing were Longoria, who had a previously scheduled court date, and Brooks, who did not clearly take sides with either the bees or Hobby.

The Senate, therefore, did not have two-thirds or 21 of its members, which is necessary for them to hold session. The killer bees accomplished their mission, to break the quorum, and defeat Hobby’s attempt to pass the new bill. The rest of the book describes their hiding in the McDonald’s one room apartment and the call placed on the Senate issuing a statewide search involving the DPS for the missing Senators including Longoria, whom sided with the bees and Brooks, who was in Oklahoma and kept his intentions covert to everyone. Two Senators need to be found in order to conduct business in the Senate giving them the two-thirds attendance. Heard gives many accounts of Hobby and the remaining Senator’s anger and disgust of the current situation.

Finally after 4 days with no sign of the Bees, Brooks back from Oklahoma claims he had no affiliation with the Killer Bees and their cause, but had just found out about the happenings in the Texas Senate. He sets up to meet with Hobby that night to talk about negotiations for the return of the Killer Bees. He acts as spokesman for the Bees, though never discusses this with any of them or even makes them aware of his conference. Brooks never actually associating himself with the Killer Bees and seems to have waited for either another senator to be caught or a popular opinion from the public to be visible, following the general rule in politics. The next day Hobby was ready to negotiate, after also receiving a call from Gene Jones, whom remained hidden but split with the other nine in McDonald’s apartment the first day, because the compact living conditions were intolerable. Schwartz called Hobby they discussed the conditions of the Killer Bees return: none of the Killer Bees could make personal privilege speeches against Hobby or any of the other senators, the call on the Senate would be lifted, and the Senate would handle routine business at a time after 3 p.m. letting the Bees have a press conference to share their feelings with the press, and the 1149 bill would then be laid out for a second reading, but no further moves could be made without the traditional two-thirds vote to suspend the rules. This was agreed upon and the Bees came back to the Senate.

The 1149 bill did not receive sufficient votes for the two-thirds majority and was killed in the Senate. This gives the impression that the popularity of the Killer Bees might have had some influence on whether the senators should oppose the bill, again wanting to please the Texas voter. Their popularity was strengthened through the press’ support of the Killer Bees. Heard writes,

The Dallas Times Herald came down much stronger, saying the Bees “deserve to be remembered as heroes” for the fight against the “rigged presidential primary.”(81) Another possible explanation for their popularity would be the Killer Bees’ actions show a certain rebellious and unconventional behavior that grabs the attention of the people, deviating from the predictable, seemingly boring routine of a congressional office to those that follow politics closely. The Killer Bees also mislead the public about their motives and against Hobby; such as Schwartz’ press statement:

We understand that some of the members of the Senate have been prompted to speech-making about all the wonderful bills not being considered while the rest of us are protecting Texas from an unwanted, rigid bill. There has never been any question of our willingness to work under the same rules we started with this session. Bills require a two-thirds vote in the Senate to be considered but now the pressure is on and the rules have been changed in midstream for one

The Senator claims the Lieutenant Governor changed the rules in midstream; however, the switch is justified constitutionally. If the constitution calls for terms unfavorable to Texans, What better position to work for a change than State Senator? He later goes on to say the senators favoring the bill are trying to save their own political career at the expense of the voter, yet, the rejection of this bill will strengthen the vote of moderate and liberal Democrats. It would seem that living in a 19 by 14 foot room with 8 other men for five days in order to avoid an unwanted bill as a fairly liberal action. The Five Million dollars appears incredibly large when alone, however, after divided by all the taxpayers in Texas comes to be greatly minute. In 1980 the Texas population stood at 14,229,191 according Texas Census records.

Heard’s account of the “miracle” of the Killer Bees shows obvious favoritism of not only the Democratic party but the moderate to liberal side of it. Heard exonerates the actions of these 12 senators. The actions of these Texas Senators much resemble a small child when he sees something he wants, but knows can not have. First, the child will try take it with out confronting anyone about it; similarly, the Bees try to filibuster not letting anyone even have a say in the matter. When that does not work then the child will be completely stubborn and obstinate, not cooperating, crying “that’s not fair” and making the parent look guilty in front of peers and those they respect. In the same way, these twelve want the bill in their favor. When they find out they can not have things how they want they refuse to cooperate with Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby and the majority, obvious authority in the Senate. The Bees then cry not to Hobby himself, but to the media and the public, whom Hobby must respect and appear loyal to. As a parent might give in to a whining child in order to regain cooperation and tend to more important matters, Hobby, having more important priorities, must also give in to the senators to regain their cooperation in order to accomplish priorities. The difference between the child and the senators is that a child has not yet learned the skills of persuasion and the senators have made a career out of it.

Heard’s use of the media in the account depicts only one side of general opinion. Robert Heard himself is a news writer. Any event that calls for news coverage is already good to one who works for the media. Important happenings attract the public eye. In order to win viewers, listeners, or readers concerning stories of conflict, the media picks a victim and an assailant, and then imposes their side of the story on the public. As though fiction, the writer, or newscaster only portrays characteristics corresponding with the perceived connotation of good and bad or right and wrong. In this incident, the ones claiming to be taking the side of the people and working for justice in the Senate are easily targeted as victims of Bill Hobby’s selfish and unfair personal wants. When this preconceived notion is already in the heads of Texans, little room is left for convincing otherwise. Heard’s report of the nine Senators living in the small apartment, which would probably make for an entertaining reality show, is interesting; however, his one-sided sources and descriptive characterizations make for good reading but little room for personal interpretation. In a nonfiction book on political persons and events, the information should not be blinded by an author’s personal viewpoint. The facts should speak for themselves.

Bibliography:

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ARTH 334 6210

May 23, 2014

12 Years a Slave

In 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen blends hostility and passion simultaneously during the duration of the film to produce a sense of time passing slowly. One particular scene in which this is evident is when Tibeats (Paul Dano), an abusive slave driver sings a racist song while overseeing the cotton fields and then there is a quick transition to Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an African American slave playing a fiddle to perform a classical piece of music. This draws the audience in, producing a sense that not only time but also progress for Solomon has slow down drastically and there is no escape for him to return to freedom.

Memorable and single shots drawn out to lengths enable the audience to become quiescent in observing the realities and brutal action of inequality long after the initial shock. A memorable scene involves the camera focusing on Solomon in the far right corner of the screen as he looks out into the distance. There is no music being played and you are unable to identify what he is looking at. His body language along with the camera shot resonates a sense of being powerless and hopeless towards regaining his freedom. Similar shots occur repeatedly throughout the film producing a painful lingering and sometime uncomfortable feeling as you wait for the next event. In particular the scene in which Solomon is hung from a tree and he prevents suffocation by remaining on the tips of his toes. The camera shot is set at a distance so that the audience can see the other slaves meandering in the background. It also captures their lack of interest depicting this event as the norm. Once again the audience must witness this event as the camera shot is held for a few seconds making it seem like eternity.

The intermixed shots found throughout the film such as that of the cotton fields, streams, trees and other elements of nature demonstrates how time and Mother Nature continues on despite the injustice and inequalities of the world. The long drawn out camera shot provides emotion but also appreciation for which Steve McQueen developed the film. McQueen’s camera shots are plentiful but are not over worked and are very effective in eliciting an emotional response with the audience. Finally there are times in which the different camera shots assist in providing perspective from the different characters’ points of view.

12 Years A Slave. Dir. Steve McQueen. Perf. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael K. Williams, Michael Fassbender. 20th Century Fox, 2013. Film.

Industrial Culture

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Socialism should incorporate human rights but not property rights. The middle (bourgeoisie) and lower class (proletariat) continued to develop. The low class earned their living from work were vulnerable to market fluctuations. The machine development and division of labor has adversely affected their work decreasing their wages. They have become slaves and have neither sex nor age difference because everyone labors and exploited by the higher social classes. The lower category of the middle class has receded to the low class due to lack of capital and technology. The lower class has struggled with the middle class as individual laborer and as a group of workers against the exploitation. The workers however, were disorganized, geographically apart and competed with each other. They formed unions under middle class’ influence thus furthered their objectives.

However industrial developments have resulted to increase in proletariat who are strong and concentrated. They have become closer and have formed associations and trade unions. This has been facilitated by the developed communication thus nationalizing the struggle. Marx’s points out proletariats are the only revolutionary class while others are conservative and fights to preserve their positions. Proletariats lack properties to expand or safeguard and therefore has no subjection over the other classes. They destroy all means of attaining private property. They are vast majority and acts in their interest. Their struggle is a national one since the civil war through their open revolution to their conguering the middle class. This formed a base of the society through class oppression due to sustainable existence and steadiness. In the present time, laborers are being deteriorated in status and have become extremely poor. This shows that the middle class cannot rule since they cannot guarantee their existence and are falling while proletariats are succeeding. Modern laborer has become a machine and what he produces is what matters while their wages reflects exploitation (Marx & Engels, 2002).

Communist’s movement aims at overthrowing the bourgeois supremacy and private property rights abolition. Laborers acquires no property through their labor but are instead are exploited by the capital or labor they produce. The bourgeoisie owns power as a common property socially which is threatened by the communist. Marx points out that communism do not restrain people from use of products of their labor but restrains the subjugation of others in the process. He claims that philosophy and religion are based on existence of the people. Those ideas that prevail serve the ruling class’ interest. This shows that the ruling class structures the society by the rules they make and serves their own interest. Property rights are glorified by the bourgeoisie due to the fact that they are the owners. Proletariat abolishes class antagonism and eventually their class supremacy.

Marx views revolution where workers would be rulers and struggle to abolish private property. Communism portrays history as a force that is unchangeable and one that has morally desirable results. Critics of communism are harshly addressed by Marx in a sarcastic manner. If private property is abolished, some claim that there will be no workers and communism would end up destroying the intellectual products. However, Marx claims that workers acquire nothing while those who acquirers never works. He points out that class culture disappearance is different from all culture disappearance. Communists aim at freeing the property from the ruling class. Communists have been criticized to aim at abolishing nationality and a country but Marx claims that the workers have no country and national differences are insignificant where industrialization has continued to standardize people’s life.

Reference

Marx Karl, Engels Friedrich. (2002). The Communist Manifesto. England; Penguin Classics

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Influential Factors that will Shape the Future of Religion in America

Religion is often defined as the existing cultural followings and beliefs, which relate to life, with an order to existence. It usually attempts to provide the meaning of the origin and purpose of life. There are many religions in the world such as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Christianity. Furthermore, various religions have holy books, places of worship, rules that guide their members, as well as clergy or people in charge of leading its members. Some unique characteristics exist among the various religions such as holding funeral services, marriage services, initiation rites as well as other religions functions. In the United States, the society accepts all forms of religions and this has promoted its expansion, even in schools. However, in the past, this was not the case as only certain religions thrived and people were skeptical of other religions. This paper seeks to give a critical analysis of the American religion will be shaped in the future.

In the past decades, many traditional religions were fundamental as well as being conservative. As time passes, religion seems to evolve and become quite inclusive and thus the issue of alienation is evaded. People now have a variety of choices to pick from when seeking to join a religion that appeals to them. There are no strict rules regarding joining a religion and this has made many people to develop more appreciation for religion (Rorty & Vattimo 117). The United States is known all over the world for its religious diversity as well as the impact this has had on its corporate world, communities, and society. Religion is meant to ensure that individuals are aware about the meaning of life; hence, there is a sense of meaning and coherence in various life issues.

The United States is accommodating too many religions with the most prominent one being Christianity, which is mainly made up of Catholics and Protestants. In this 21st century, America has witnessed the rise of various forms of religion that have their own unique worship and belief systems. In addition, there has been a rise in the number of atheists since some people do not believe that there is a higher power or even an afterlife. Most times, people will be in a particular religion based on certain factors, such as their culture, ethnicity, and up-bringing among others. For example, if children were brought up in a Christian household, it is most likely that they grow up practicing Christian beliefs and values.

The future of religion in America will most likely be shaped by various factors, especially since it is a diverse nation. Firstly, the religious sects continue to diversify quite intensely because of various reasons. These include leadership wrangles, tough rules, which some members cannot follow, as well as the need to find better religions that will satisfy an individual. Some of the sects that exist in the Christian protestant church are the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran church (Newport 149). They all have different beliefs, especially in terms of how they view gay issues. Some do not support gay people, while others do, therefore, leading to their break-up. In the future, more sects and denominations will come up because of opposing views on issues that exist in society.

During the 1950’s, America mostly had the presence of Jews, Protestants, and Catholics but this has now changed quite significantly. When the September 11th attacks took place, Americans started blaming the Muslims for committing terror acts. Muslims who were living in America endured the humiliation of being viewed with suspicion and often treated like suspects in many crimes. At the moment, Islam is a religion that is fast gaining popularity in America even though most times people seem to believe that Americans hate Muslims. However, this is not the case as people are now aware that Islam is a religion that upholds good moral values. Those who commit acts of terrorism and claim that they are Muslims are just lying in order to give the religion a bad name. It is evident that the number of Muslims in America will increase because people now know a lot concerning this religion.

Many Americans apparently seek to know more concerning spiritual matters and continue to join any religion that can sufficiently address this issue. They want to know more about the meaning of life and what happens to human beings once they die. There are many problems affecting people that prompt them to relate to a higher being in order to feel or have a sense of belonging. In this case, science will make a lot of progress in a bid to give people evidence and information about such issues. For example, neuroscience will definitely continue to discover and develop more information regarding how the human psychology works, as well as the brain and body. It could be even correct to suggest that scientists will be looked upon to give their findings about human existence as religion progresses in the future.

Lastly, the future of religion in America will be influenced by the ideals that exist among the youth. This group of people is often easily influenced into becoming members or joining certain sects that will benefit them. In order for young people to join a religion, it should be able to appeal to them in many ways. The Hollywood craze has gained popularity among American youth who will do anything to be like their idols. It is no wonder that many youth want to join the Scientology Church because it has many celebrity members. In the future, religions that want to attract the youth need to find ways that can attract them. This then brings in the issue of technology being used to promote religion in America. In this case, the social media will have to be improved so that people who use it can know more about religion. For example, churches can stream in their live church services through Facebook. Therefore, it will ensure that a wider population is able to receive the gospel without having to be in an actual church.

Conclusion

It is quite evident that the future of American religion will be affected by various factors. People need to understand that religious identity is just but an existing social construction. It thus should not have a lot of power over people because it seems to be in America. There is an urgent need to resolve many of the global crises and problems, and if religion can help then it must be taken into consideration. Therefore, in the future, religion should be able to accommodate the nature of human beings, which is being open-ended, generous and deep.

Works Cited

Newport, Frank. God Is Alive and Well: The Future of Religion in America. New York: Gallup Press, 2012.Print.

Rorty, Richard. & Vattimo, Gianni. The Future of Religion. New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.Print.

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13TH Documentary review.

The film ’13TH,’ directed by Ava DuVernay and about the American prison system and how it leads to racial injustice, was excellent. The film begins with a look at how African Americans have been enslaved and mistreated throughout their history. The 13th amendment, which abolished slavery and freed all African Americans, was ratified after the Civil War ended in 1865. Whites, on the other hand, discovered a loophole in the dependent, which stated that “no slavery or voluntary servitude is allowed except as a criminal punishment.” It was an ideal opportunity for whites to ‘legally enslave’ African Americans to revive the southern economy, devastated by the civil war. The police prosecuted Black men for minor offenses such as loitering. This was the catalyst for the first wave of imprisonment. When Ronald Reagan took office in 1982, he gave the impression that drugs were to blame for the country’s economic problems and that blacks were to blame. When the “War on Drugs” became too literal, African Americans were imprisoned for small amounts of marijuana and other drugs, and a large number of US civilians were also imprisoned. After Paula Klaas was introduced and killed later in the decade, California’s ‘Three Strikes Out’ rule was enacted. The law states that if a person commits a third violent crime, he or she will be imprisoned for the remainder of his or her life or a shorter period. Four thousand two hundred misdemeanor prisoners had to be released to fulfill the Three Strikes detainees. Many citizens in prison at the time were required to serve mandatory minimum sentences. The bulk of prosecutors’ offices have been handed over to White people, and civil lawsuits have been dropped (ninety-five percent).

This implies that judges no longer weigh the essence of the crime when deciding on a penalty instead of imposing a predetermined punishment. The racial system is explored in greater detail later in the film. At the age of 21, Fred Hampton was a strong leader who brought together blacks, whites, Hispanics, and others to fight for justice. According to Whites, Hampton had no choice but to resign because he had done so much good. Hampton’s house was raided at 4:30 a.m., and he was shot while lying in bed next to his pregnant wife. Anglea is a fictitious character created by Anglea, whose formal name is Angela. Another powerful African-American woman was Yvonne Davis. Davis was born on January 26, 1994, in Birmingham, Alabama. According to the government, she was one of the “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.” Angela Davis was charged with abduction, murder, and robbery without a warrant. She was arrested, but she was saved and able to escape to Cuba thanks to the aid of her many relatives (including white allies). The President wanted to put her to trial at the time, but Angela fought back and destroyed the case, resulting in a free woman walking out of the courtrooms! ALEC, or the American Legislative Exchange Council, was created in September 1973. ALEC is a group of lawmakers and business executives that plays an important role in the US legislative process. ALEC has given financing to corporations such as Walmart and other profitable businesses for more than four decades. George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin in 2016. Zimmerman was found guilty, but a Florida statute that allows people to “conduct and use self-defense if they feel threatened” allowed him to be found not guilty. Following the heinous shooting, ALEC enacted the “stand your ground” rule, and Walmart and other corporations withdrew from the organization.

Arms sales, on the other hand, rose as more people began to purchase weapons for self-defense. Walmart has reaped the most benefits from weapons sales since it is the largest producer of long-arms. ALEC is also deeply involved with our ‘gang detention’ programs, such as probation and speech therapy. The government has developed GPS-enabled bracelets and wristlets to prevent people under house arrest from fleeing too quickly. This is a different type of imprisonment in people’s homes and neighborhoods (mostly African Americans). ALEC continues to back large corporations such as State Farm, Sprint, Verizon, and the tobacco industry. Kalief Browder was an Afro-American born in the Bronx, New York, on May 25, 1993. He and his friends returned home from a party when he was arrested and charged with stealing a camera, $700, a credit card, and an iPod touch backpack. Browder’s family lacked financial capital to post a $10,000 bond, as the government hoped it would. This is the government’s last resort for poor and innocent Americans who are aware they cannot afford bail. As a result, 97% of individuals are never charged with a crime. The government uses threats to force innocent black people to plead guilty or accept the mandatory minimum penalty. Browder was sentenced to three years in prison as part of a plea bargain rather than serving a 30-year term if he went to trial. Kalief turned down the plea bargain and spent time in jail fighting and being attacked by other inmates and police officers. He attempted suicide many times. After nearly three years in prison pending trial, he was acquitted of all charges and released. He hung up the phone two years after his release, at the age of 22.

I assume the prison system is connected to the history of slavery since African Americans were “legally” free after the Civil War but were forced back into slavery due to a loophole in the 13th amendment. Since 1865, the government and the White Community have incarcerated, violently beaten, and discriminated against black people for minor offenses. When police continue to arrest, attack, and kill members of the black community, today’s brutality is a continuation of mass incarceration. Since the white community dislikes the black community, the white community is willing to get away with these crimes. Both Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman were cleared of their murders. By approving and encouraging this critical activity, I believe the government favors the White community.

Work citedhttps://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8