Information Systems Use Security Policy Assignment

Information Systems Use Security Policy - Assignment Example When a company begins to address the proper use of its information systems, the challenges that emerge also expose the firm’s administrators to problems ranging from time delays, poor product performance and overruns in costs which come as a surprise. For a growing company, the many problems and opportunities that arise may demand different ways of approaching them. A solution that worked one year ago may no longer work in future. In a growing business, the source of information that a company uses when conducting its research needs to come from the right source. Using ineffective information systems makes it extremely difficult to get information and the purchasing behavior of customers analyzed. Even when the company begins to use and implement its information systems successfully, the systems may not present the proper view of the firm’s increased efficiency (Sousa & Effey, 2014). An excellent example in an organization is the use of emails. The use of emails is a trend in most firms, but their increases in volumes are no doubt a source of time drain for the individual and the organization. As the IT services manager for Sunshine Machine Works, I propose the use of the following guidelines. An increase of employees to more than 100 staff members and computers shows that the company is growing at a successful rate. A written policy on use of computers by all staff members in the organization is one of the best ways of preventing breach of sensitive information such as financial data, personal employee data. A guideline will also ensure that there is a centralized file storage system in the firm. Time limits: The first guideline to consider when creating this policy would be the time limits. As the administration panel in the organization, the Chief Executive officer, Chief Financial officer and general manager would be required to lead by example. Computer time should be strictly reserved for certain period, such as when files

Still Life Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Still Life Art - Research Paper Example Still life painting is ubiquitous in historic Egyptian tombs. Egyptians are considered one of the oldest civilizations of the world and the existence of still life is an indicative of its historic nature. The concept behind Egyptian still life was that these pieces of art would turn into real life in the afterlife and would be available for use for those who have deceased. The Greek civilization also shows the presence of still life art. Sticking to its own norms and rules, academic reflections tend to lag behind developments in the art world. The word still life was used as late as the 17th century and was first discovered in Dutch inventories (Slive). Other terms which were considered for defining the aforementioned art included fruytagie, bancket and ontbijt. In the 17th century the Parisian Academy of art helped in the foundation of the first schools of art in Europe. A specific set of rules were laid down that explained which forms of art will be taught on a hierarchical basis. Still life was struggling at the bottom of that list because they were considered as mere recordings of inanimate objects or things that were considered to be there without much thought to how they came about in existence. Still life, however, was later acknowledged as a true form of art and gained repute with every additional contribution. Several artists used it as a starting point and often considered the results of still life to be much more appealing than what they thought they would be (Schneider). The earliest forms of most medieval still life were designed in an era that was struck with economic turmoil as well as the dissolution of feudalistic cultures. The motifs of these paintings, hence, were indicative of the changes in economic and social conditions taking place. There were changes in agricultural situations and status quos as well. Some of the art was aimed to depict those changes. Two of the primary scenes depicted in the era were market scenes and kitchen scenes (Eb ert-Schifferer). The 16th Century: The 16th century was the tipping point for still life art as there was an enormous increase in interest in nature and the creation of botanical encyclopedias that informed of the discoveries of the new world and Asia. These areas of interest were subject to significant use by still life artists as their paintings and artistry moved towards their depiction. While the first half of the 16th century did not recognize still life as an autonomous category of art, by the latter half of the century autonomous still life was evolved. Slowly but surely, religious content started to diminish from paintings and artists started to focus more on still objects. The key contributors of still life in the 16th century include Alberceht Durer, Maarten van Heemskerck, Annibe Carraci and Joachim Beuckelear. The 17th Century: The 17th century saw the growth of Italian still life art. Despite its growth, however, it was considered inferior to art that focused on histori cal, religious and mythological subjects. Many prominent contributors and artists thought that still life art was lacking something and had some way to go before any piece of the art could be considered as great. This is one of the reasons why there were considerably lesser number of people who dedicated their work to still life. Some of the prominent artists who contributed to still life include Caravvigo and Jan

Terrorism, Its Cause and Its Solution Essay Example for Free

Terrorism, Its Cause and Its Solution Essay Political Parties and Their Roles A political party is defined as an organised group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office. Parties tend to be deeply and durably entrenched in specific substructures of the specific society in a sustainable and well functioning democracy. They can link the governmental institutions to the elements of the civil society in a free and fair society and are regarded as necessary for any modern democratic system. Political parties perform key tasks in a democratic society, such as 1. socialising and educating voters and citizens in the functioning of the political and electoral system and the generation of general political values 2. balancing opposing demands and converting them into general policies 3. Activating and mobilising citizens into participating in political decisions and transforming their opinions into viable policy options 4. Channelling public opinion from citizens to government 5. Recruiting and training candidates for public office. Political parties are often described as institutionalized mediators between civil society and those who decide and implement decisions. By this, they enable their members’ and supporters’ demands to be represented in parliament and in government. Even though parties fulfil many vital roles and perform several functions in a democratic society, the nomination and presentation of candidates in the electoral campaign is the most visible function to the electorate. To perform the above mentioned tasks and functions, political parties and citizens need some rights and obligations guaranteed or ruled by constitution or law. These include * Freedom of organisation * Freedom to stand for election * Freedom of speech and assembly * Provision of a fair and peaceful competition * Mechanisms of plurality * Inclusion in the electoral process and contacts with the EMB * A  level playing field and freedom from discrimination * Media access and fair reporting * Transparent and accountable political finance The internal functioning of individual political parties is to some extent determined by forces that are external to political parties, such as the electoral system, political culture, legal regulations, etc. However, internal processes of political parties, such as the personality of leaders and staff, the ideological foundations, party history, and internal political culture are considered to be even more influential on the internal functioning. If a political party would like the democratic principles of electoral politics to be applied within the party, they may consider practices like internal information and consultation processes, internal (formal or informal) rules and structures for the organisation and decision-making within the party, and transparency in the party’s functioning at all levels. Party members may also take on more formal roles in decision-making like participating in internal elections for leadership positions or in selecting the party’s candida te(s) in the upcoming elections. Many parties also work actively to enhance the role oftraditionally under-represented groups in their parties. Role Of Political Parties In spite of the Founders’ intentions, the United States in 1800 became the first nation to develop nascent political parties organized on a national basis to accomplish the transfer of executive power from one faction to another via an election. The development and expansion of political parties that followed was closely linked to the broadening of voting rights. In the early days of the republic, only male property owners could vote, but that restriction began to erode in the early 19th century as the result of immigration, the growth of cities and other democratizing forces, such as the westward expansion of the country. Over the decades, the right to vote was extended to ever larger numbers of the adult population as restrictions based on property ownership, race and sex were eliminated. As the electorate expanded, the political parties evolved to mobilize the growing mass of voters as the means of political control. Political parties became institutionalized to accomplish this essential task. Thus, parties in  America emerged as a part of democratic expansion, and, beginning in the 1830s, they became firmly established and powerful. In recent decades, increasing numbers of individual voters classify themselves as â€Å"independent,† and they are permitted to register to vote as such in many states. Yet, according to opinion polls, even those who say that they are independents normally have partisan leanings toward one party or another. Political Parties play various role such as; role in elections, role in local government,role in Policy macking,Role in government and role in a democracy.these role are explain given below. 1.Election Process: Election is the fundamental part of the government which was founded on the principle that the power to govern resides in the people.Elections provides the mean by which the people delegates this power to elected representative.By voting for government officials,the public makes choices about policies,programs and future direction of government actions.At the same time election make government officials accountable to their constituents.Elected officials must conduct themselves in responsible manner and take into account popular interest and the wishesof those they represent.Otherwise they risk being voted out of office.This system depends primerily on the voters.The electoral process only work if people participate. 2.Functions of political Parties: Political parties perform an important task in government. They bring people together to achieve control of the government, develop policies favorable to their interests or the groups that support them, and organize and persuade voters to elect their candidates to office. Although very much involved in the operation of government at all levels, political parties are not the government itself, and the Constitution makes no mention of them. The basic purpose of political parties is to nominate candidates for public office and to get as many of them elected as possible. Once elected, these officials try to achieve the goals of their party through legislation and program initiatives. Although many people do not think of it this way, registering as a Democrat or Republican makes them members of a political party.  Political parties want as many people involved as possible. Most members take a fairly passive role, simply voting for their partys candidates at election time. Some become more active and work as officials in the party or volunteer to persuade people to vote. The most ambitious members may decide to run for office themselves. 3.Role in policy making: Political parties are not policymaking organizations in themselves. They certainly take positions on important policy questions, especially to provide alternatives to the position of whichever party is in power. When in power, a party attempts to put its philosophy into practice through legislation. If a candidate wins office by a large majority, it may mean that the voters have given him or her a mandate to carry out the program outlined in the campaign. Because President Bill Clinton failed to win a majority of the popular vote in both 1992 and 1996, few considered his victories a mandate for any specific policy or ideology. President George W. Bush also entered office without a clear mandate, because his opponent, Al Gore, won more votes (and might have won the Electoral College if not for irregularities, such as confusing ballots, in Florida). 4.Role in Democracy: Democracy can be defined as rule for the, of the, by the peole.Actually it would be a means by which a government can run.infact democracy is based on free and fair Election machenism,adult francise,participation of all people in decision making etc. freedom of all parties to take part in election is one of the most importent thing so as to assure democracy or again democracy is maintain when there is morethen one political party it reflect public opinion and mass participation in decision making for their own.so the existence of political party implice the range of democracy. 5.Role in Local Government: Local candidates standing on a party card should have the advantage of a protective and developmental party machine behind them, schooling them beforehand on the issues, means and procedures of local government. In, practice however, this rarely, if ever, happens. Strategic advance thinking  and preparation – and the organisational focus and capability to deliver it – is, somehow, not the British thing. In theory, Independent candidates cannot be expected to have such support, while in practice, they are no more enabled or disabled by this than are their party political rivals. Where party backing comes into play is, to a degree, in the matter of campaigning. Behind party candidates is some sort of a ‘machine’ – not, actually a realistic concept in the ad hockery of local government at all levels. But there will at least be a knowledge of what to do and how to do it. This can be as much a disadvantage as an advantage as it will tend to perpetuate the status quoand to lack innovation; although it has great practical value in access to existing lists (the word ‘database’ would, in most cases, be stretching the point) and contacts. Party-based candidates will generally be given – or have imposed upon them – overarching, party-driven manifesto commitments to flesh out the paragraphs in their election literature and save them the trouble of thinking too much. Independents fly absolutely solo on the means and content of their campaigns. They have neither guidance nor instruction nor any or much campaigning infrastructure. 6.Regional Division and Politics of Alliances: Although the political contest in Pakistan is often depicted as a battle between the two major parties, this is something of a fallacy. Notably in the smaller provinces, strong regional-based parties have existed since the creation of Pakistani, and this tendency has continued till the present date, providing perhaps some indication of the ethnic, and ideological, diversity in the country. One of the parties which most effectively demonstrates the ethnic nature politics has frequently pursued in Pakistan is the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a party which holds almost total sway as far as electoral success is concerned in the Sindh capital of Karachi – Pakistan’s largest city, gaining over 5 per cent of the national vote in both 1988 and 1990, an astonishing figure given its narrow base. On both occasions this translated into 13 National Assembly, and 28 Sindh seats. The MQM boycotted the 1993 polls. In the 1997 polls, it again claimed a share of just under 5 per cent of the  vote, which gave it 12 seats in the NA. 7.Political trends: While in terms of numbers, the political parties engaged in the electoral contest in Pakistan is great, this does not represent, in ideological terms, a political diversity. The class base for most of the parties has failed to move beyond the traditional elite which wields influence in Pakistans politics, and even when representatives from the middle-classes have emerged, as in the case of those making up the leadership of the MQM, they heave tended to articulate interests based on factors of ethnicity, other narrow categories, rather than on the basis of broader class interests. Moreover, in terms of ideology, the major political parties have been moving closer towards each other, and generally steering away from agendas advocating radical social change. The divide in terms of policy is narrower than ever before, and despite their vociferous attacks on each other, and the deep-rooted polarisation which often prevents them from coming together even on matters of common interest, the leading parties in the country represent a single force, rather than a range of groups articulating different, conflicting interests.The virtual disappearance of the left from electoral politics in Pakistan has aggravated this tendency, with conflict between parties based largely on rhetoric or highly personalised attacks on party leaders. The fact that, on the basis of political opportunism, members of one party are frequently willing to switch alliances and move to another group perhaps reflects the extent to which politics in the country have been stripped of ideological beliefs or commitment. And, even for the parties themselves, it is electoral pragmatism aimed at increasing vote banks and seat shares which for the most part dictates strategy, rather than the pursuit of the lofty ideals detailed in party manifestoes.

Eschatology In The Pentecostal Church

Eschatology In The Pentecostal Church The doctrine of eschatology like other Christian doctrines is usually understood in various ways by various scholars because of its various implications. Some scholars consider it as a matter of historical phenomenon of Christs own days of humanity. While others suggest it as a fulfilment of prophecies of Jewish messianic Lordship of the Son of Man as was prophesised by Old Testament prophets .Most of them opine it as a matter related to end days of this age. But I am to focus on the returning of Jesus Christs in the light of Christs own teaching and the implications of his teachings for the doctrine of eschatology in the Pentecostal church. These implications may be: 1:- Undetermined time of his return. 2:- Signs of his return. 3:- Coming of Son of Man on clouds OR rapture. 4:- A thousand years reign of Christ with his saints. 5:- Persecution and tribulations of the believers 6:- Battle between Jesus army and devils army. 7:- Final judgment of all the nations and tribes of the world. DEFINITION OF PAROUSIA:- Doctrine of eschatology is often substituted with word Parousia. The word Parousia can be defined as: The expected return or the second coming of Jesus Christ in which he will announce the last days and the final judgment by God of humanity. DEFFERNT VIEWS OF SCHOLARS REGARDING THE RETURN OF CHRIST:- It is noticeable that some scholars consider the second coming of Christ as an interim phenomenon between Christs death, resurrection and his second coming. But according to Rudolf Boltzmanns view point, in Jesus mind there was to be no interval between his death and his second coming. He further argued that Jesus eschatology is essential to grasp the right knowledge of his life. Albert Schweitzer like Rudolf emphasised that it was supposed by Christ during his own life. He insisted: This is also true with respect to his view that, in Jesus mind, his death and the parousia of the Son of Man were simultaneous. Similarly, C.H.Dodd opposed the idea of interim between Christs death, resurrection and second coming on the clouds. Moreover He highlighted that it is evident from the Acts and Pauline letters that kingdom of God is already very much in power. He reiterated that it is clear from Christs own teachings that his kingdom is already with them. He said: Jesus brought the kingdom and was the kingdom; the whole complex of events comprising Jesus ministry, teaching, death, and resurrection themselves constitute the coming of the kingdom. The comprehensive picture of eschatology is clearly visible in the synoptic gospels in Mathew: 24, Mark: 13 and Luke: 21. Synoptic Gospels presents Jesus as the Son of Man who will return soon to take the believers and judge the world as is also written in (1thess 4:16-17).But these passages of gospels have been wrongly interpreted as is usually said that these passages of gospels describe those events that had occurred in Jesus own life. But the reference to some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom (Mathew10:28) must not be understood as related to the coming of Christ rather this passage clarify the time span of forty years between the time of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem and temple. Furthermore Mathew 10:23 cannot be considered as concerning the final returning of Jesus Christ; the indications to the second coming of the Son of Man and the final judgment of the world are always emphasized and re-emphasized with the note of delay. This note of delay is again and again highlighted in the parables of my master is delayed, the bridegroom was delayed. According to some scholars, although the signs of Jesus second coming have even already come true in his resurrection, yet his resurrection cannot be taken for his second coming. As a great theologian as well a reformer asserted that Christ will come again. Calvin affirmed that Christ would come again, and the renovation of the world had, in a manner already begun, in Christs glorified humanity. Second coming of Christ like his first coming was prophesied by the Old Testament prophets, especially by Daniel and Isaiah. Daniel prophesized: In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like son of man, coming with clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.(Daniel 7:13)The second coming of Jesus as a an event of future is also evident from the signs of his second coming. UNDETERMINED TIME OF SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:- Time of second coming of Jesus is unknown to Humanity because Jesus did not mention exactly when he would return to take his people. It is only known to God the Father because of his unlimited knowledge, sovereignty and omnipotence. Jesus said: No one knows about the day or hour ,not even the angels in the heaven , nor the Son but only the Father.(Math.24:36) Suddenness of Christs return is explained in the synoptic gospels in line with the days of Noah , an unexpected time when people were doing normal activities of life like now-a-days. SIGNS OF CHRIST S SECOND COMING:- Many religio-political , socio-economic and natural signs can be taken into account as for as second coming of Christ is concerned. The prophecy of future catastrophes like famines, earthquakes, pestilences, rising of one nation against another nation, kingdom against another kingdom, economic depressions, particularly the destruction of the Holy city of Jerusalem is stressed upon in the synoptic gospels. Pentecostal churches attach much importance to these signs as the eschatological signs of end days. It is evident from the daily happenings of the world: natural disasters in one part or another part of the world. Economic depression and recession throughout the world is another major factor which is significant to the second coming of Christ. Famines are visible in the world today. In the world Press Report, Michael Ignatieff wrote: Famine has come to Africa. Again, twenty-six million people are at risk in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Malawi, Angola, and Mozambique. In all these place s .civil war conspires with drought in wiping out the human race. World religions and human values are preferred to Christian and spiritual values because false prophets and false Christ, as was prophesized by Christ, are dominant in this world. Nations and kingdoms are seen at daggers drawn in todays world as western nations are fighting against Eastern nations to establish peace in the world. Nuclear race has started which may lead to third world war. Rapture is also considered essential in the Pentecostal church as being a sign of Jesus coming. Rapture is the term commonly used to designate the catching up of Christians at the second coming. SECOND COMING OF CHRIST AND ITS PENTECOSTAL IMPLICATIONS:- Firstly, Living believers will be taken up by Christ to receive him. Secondly, the Devil will be trapped for a thousand years and those who died in Christ will be raised to rule over the world with Christ for a thousand years. It is very significant here that some Premillenials are not agreed with the Pentecostals along with Seventh Day Adventists as well as Millenarians on the issue of a thousand years reign of Christ. Thirdly, Satan will be released after a thousand years rule of Christ and he will rebel against the dominion of Christ to deceive the nations and persuade them to war against God. When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released. Persecution of the church must be occurred and borne by the believers before the consummation of the world. The tribulations will be a time of unparalleled horror for all those left behind to live through the final seven years of this age. But Satans rebellion will be destroyed and the dead will be raised to face the final judgment of God, established through Christ who will defeat the Devil along with his armies. Finally, there will be final judgment in which Christ will separate believers from the non-believers as sheep from the goats. Those who had been martyred for His name will be privileged to share the throne with Christ. They will rule over the other nations and God will rule over them forever. Every individual from all the nations is to be judged by God in accordance with their treatment with His disciples as well as their works. As Gray notes: the main point of the parables about his kingdom is the acceptance or the rejection of the Christian faith.Saints will also get a varied degree reward in return of their service for God and His kingdom. CONCLUSION:- It can be said that although the claims of some scholars as well as sings regarding the second coming of Christ has provisionally been proved during and after the life of Christ, yet stances taken by giants of theology cannot be ignored that second coming of Jesus is a phenomenon of future which is evident from its various eschatological implications. Signs of return of Christ which occur at present days are leading this world to its consummation as well as to the restoration of the original orders of the earth and heaven which are called new earth and new heaven.

Skipping Christmas Essay -- essays research papers

Skipping Christmas starts out at the gate in an airport. Luther and Nora Krank are there with their daughter Blair, waiting for a flight to Miami that will eventually bring her to eastern Peru, where she is going with the Peace Corps. They all say their goodbyes and the parents leave. Nora is very upset, while Luther isn’t so much. On the way home they stop at a store for white chocolate and pistachios. Luther unwillingly goes in to get it and finds every little thing a hindrance. He is easily annoyed, and doesn’t get the white chocolate. Nora then has to go in the store to get it, and she does so with much annoyance. While Nora is in the store, Luther daydreams about not having to do the Christmas season. That night, Nora was restless. She was pacing and going from room to room. She finally lay back in bed, rolling and flinching and moving, trying to get the attention of Luther so she could talk about Blair’s safety again. Luther didn’t move, and when Nora was finally asleep, he snuck out of the room to the basement office to evaluate last Christmas’s spending. He found that $6,100 was spent on Christmas. With this new information, he took a trip down to the travel agency during work the next day. He made his choice the 10 day Island Princess cruise. That night, during dinner he attacked Nora with the idea. Using brochures and spreadsheets, he showed her the facts. She finally accepted to skip Christmas, as long as she could still donate $600 to charitable donations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Later, Nora received a call from the Card Store owner, and had to tell him she was not ordering cards, but did not tell him why. Luther, the same day, was writing a letter to his colleagues, telling them that he would not be participating in the normal Christmas rituals. The next day, the boy scouts came by, selling their Christmas trees. Luther had to tell them they were skipping Christmas, and a few minutes later they found a crowd congregated at their driveway, staring up at the house. That night, Luther went for a walk. He noticed his neighbors doing what the Kranks were avoiding, and he felt good about it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was lunchtime, and Nora was at lunch with two of her friends. The card man called her again, and she was forced to tell her friends about skipping Christmas, which meant everyone will know by dinner. During work, Luther wa... ...d Luther dangling painfully by his ankle.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The medics came and got Luther down, and he explained to the entire watching neighborhood what they were doing. Vic Frohmeyer organized a party quickly and sent everyone to work. He sent the policeman to go get Blair, and the Kranks went inside to rest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Enrique and Blair came into the airport and were found by the police officers, who raced them home. When they got home they were greeted by the whole neighborhood. They talked to everybody and her parents were very impressed with him. Enrique received a lot of reissued gifts from the neighbors and they then went to dinner. Afterwards, they sang a few carols before Enrique and Martin, the man Nora saw in the store, sang and played guitar to a few Peruvian Christmas carols.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the Peruvian songs continued, Luther snuck out to the Scheel’s house. He gave them his cruise vacation as a Christmas present. Bev had been given six month’s by her doctor. They were overwhelmed with joy when they were given this. As Luther walked back across the street, for the first time, he was filled with the joy of Christmas.

The Social Construction of Workers’ Collectivism Essay -- Unions

Union renewal depends largely on increased member participation, generating and maintaining strong collective identities and mobilization of union resources. It was further contended that collective identities are not given, but constructed and sustained through narrative framing and engagement of individuals. These processes highlighted the importance of trade union leaders’ ability to construct and sustain workers’ collective identity and interest via strategies which seek to broaden the relevancy of trade unionism. In a time when worker collectivism is in a decline, the relevant question is to what extent is this possible? According to Muckenberger (1995), the decline of trade unionism in terms of density and the importance of trade unions as socio-political actors are often interpreted as representing the decline of worker collectivism. The underlying assumption that were put forth of the decline from literature has been the ascendancy of individualization over coll ectivism. There has a socio-cultural transformation whereby working class values of collectivism have given way to more individualistic orientations (Hyman 1999). Trade unions were formerly built on pre-existing solidarities such as the principle of collective identity that predated capitalist employment relationships. Collective experience at work was complemented by domestic life in nearby shared recreational, cultural and religious pursuits. In a nutshell, trade union was an institution embedded in an encompassing social landscape (Hyman 2002). The shift from collectivism to individualism was the result of the growth in affluence, skills level and geographical mobility, which enable acquisitive individualism overriding collective interests (Brown 1990). It was fu... ... a national labour centre that is representative of trade unions in Malaysia, it is in the process of rebranding itself as serious political actor in light of new opening, with broader aggregation of political and social interest. This research intend to looks at ways in which union leaders in MTUC is going to construct its identity and organization and reshape Malaysian workers’ views on the nature of trade unionism. In conclusion, it is argued that structural factor such as level of employment and institutional and legal frameworks of industrial relations create more or less favourable condition for collectivization of workers. However, they themselves may not generate workers’ collectivism, since collective identities are not given, but constructed and sustained through narrative framing and engagement of individuals by union leaders and activists.

African American Cultural Assessment Essay

Abstract In order to provide culturally appropriate care, an examination of one’s personal views, beliefs, and prejudices must be examined. The first portion of this paper will examine my personal values, beliefs, biases, and prejudices. The remaining paper will analyze the African American culture relating to the Ginger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model cited in Hood (2010). This model uses six key cultural elements that include communication, space, social organization, time, environment, and biological variations. This model provides a systematic approach for assessing culturally diverse clients. I will also discuss an aspect of care that I would advocate a change in my clinical practice for the African American population. Cultural Self-Assessment Culture is one of the most basic elements that makes up the identity and personality of each individual. Every individual has their own culture rooted from the community they lived in and the family they grew up making up the personal identity people have in the general society Personal views, aspects of reasoning and judgment and the general logical thinking of an individual are affected significantly by the culture he or she has. In this aspect, the entire well-being of a person depends greatly on his or her culture. Becoming aware of how your actions and cultural beliefs affect the patients that you deal with is important. Thus, a person must regularly assess himself because an action or a mere word done or spoken by a nurse can be misunderstood by these patients coming from different cultures Being an American born and lived all my life in New Bedford, Massachusetts, culture has really affected me as a person. My mother and grandparents were born in Portugal and this gave me a variety of culture since we all know that New Bedford is a melting pot of cultures. Portugal possesses rich cultural inheritance from European, African, and North American cultures. Aside from that, mainly Portuguese and Hispanic people populate the community where I live in. These further made me grow as an individual that is rich in cultural inheritance. I am a person who has a Portuguese lineage, since my grandparents were natives of Portugal and a person who grew up in a community wherein Portuguese people mainly inhabits the land. Having an ethnic identity as a Portuguese American who acquiring the Portuguese cultures and practices surrounding me molded me as to who I am now. This ethnic affiliation will always be a part of me, my friends, and my family. Each cultural belief that I introjected within has already affected how my mentality works, and how my feelings reacts. Family and friends have always served as my fortress in time of trials and difficulty. They remain as my comfort zone whenever I feel so down. They are the main support people in my life from which I extract my energy from. Adopting this belief from my parents and from the community I live in is one of the proofs that the culture of the people around me had affected me well. Living with people who provide high regards to friends and families will make you have the similar perspective too. My culture does not affect much my preferences with medical treatments. In line with this, being an independent person, the decisions for my health mainly comes from me since I am the owner of this body. My family and friends will surely voice out their concerns, but it does not mean that I have to follow them, I might consider it but what would really matter will be my decision for my own health. As of what I have observed in my family, especially among my grandparents, the family is mainly a patriarch form of family. Decisions mainly depend on my grandfather since he is the father and the man in the family. Especially among Portuguese, it was noted that people in Portugal gives higher regards to male than to female. They still have this belief that a woman shall always be better than woman. However, in my case, growing as an American with a Portuguese lineage, things were far more different. I grew up having giving importance to democracy and equality. Voices of the female are now more heard, and I think male and female are both equal. This is because I think they have equal abilities, as well as, equal rights. Living in a community filled with Portuguese people made me learn English and Portuguese. Aside from that, my grandparents required me to learn those languages too, especially Portuguese which is their main language in their main land. However, the primary language that I utilize in everyday conversation is English and the secondary language that I know is Portuguese. However, most of the time, I am comfortable with non-verbal forms of communication, especially doing hand gestures. I am more expressive with this form of communication because I think it can bring many messages to the people that I interact with. With a mere wave of a hand, it can show joy, respect, accommodation, or even comfort to those people you interact with. Being a Roman Catholic is very importance to my daily life because this gives me support, comfort, and security whenever difficult situations occur. This belief helps me to cope with the trials I face by knowing that there is a supreme being up there that is in control of everything. That the God whom I know as my Father, my King, and my Savior loves me so much and will never forsake me whatever happens. Daily life gives us opportunities to grow with our spiritual relationship with God by walking each day with him, and applying his will and commandments in everything that we do. Foods are one of the things that I truly enjoy. I do not have any prohibitions whenever it comes to food. I know how to eat a variety of foods. I do not have any food allergies that might prohibit me from eating other foods. As long as it is clean and digestible, I can definitely give it a shot. Currently, I am in a relationship with my boyfriend of eight years who is interracial himself. My work provides me career growth and financial security that I definitely need to support myself. I have no issues with the job that I have right now, since it suffices the finances that I have. Nevertheless, of course, like anyone else, an opportunity for greener pastures will be much appreciated and entertained when it comes. Being a nurse, I am aware of all the possible medical treatments that can be done to each person experiencing illness. Even though I know how much these practices could help me survive various predicaments in health, I still prefer not to undergo through some of it in case I will encounter them in my life one day. I do not have problems taking medications and intravenous lines; however, I really do not want to be intubated at end of life decisions. I know how awful it seems, and how difficult is it having a tube being attached to me. I also do not want to live on life support because I think that such modalities only prolongs the agony that you feel. It has been my personal belief ever since that when the time comes that God wants to take the life He has given me, nothing can prevent that. As a Catholic, I believe that birth is a gift of life from God. Thus, I definitely go against with abortion, which kills an innocent child’s life. With regards to death, I believe that after death, the soul goes to purgatory, and God will judge you whether you will go to heaven or to hell. However, with regards to miracles and afterlife, I do not think that these are rational. As a person, I give high regard to a person’s hope. I believe that hope is essential for a person to live the life we have, and to fight the everyday battles that we face. Without hope in our lives, we lose the chance of living and enjoying the life we received from God. Instead, we become a living corpse, a person who is literally living physically yet the inside of the heart is as cold as a corpse, because he has no hope and no joy for anything. Cultural Assessment and Analysis Paper on African American Population The population that interested me to do additional research is African American population. The total population including all races and ethnicities in the United States is 308 million. After researching on the U. S. Census Bureau, I found 39 million African Americans live in the United States. One of the most glaring disparities is apparent in the African. American community, where 48% of adults suffer from a chronic disease compared to 39% of the general population (Health Reform, 2009). The CDC states that in 2004, African Americans had the highest age-adjusted all-causes death rate of all races/ethnicities (CDC, 2008). African Americans have become susceptible to many diseases and health problems throughout the last number of years. The male and female citizens of the African American population have been struggling with high rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer rates, stroke, diabetes, asthma and HIV/AIDS just to name a few. African Americans have numerous health risks as well such as; higher incidence of homicide, lower physical activity levels, obesity, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, incarceration, unintended pregnancy, and untreated dental carries (Hood, 2010). Despite remarkable improvements in the overall health of our nation during the past couple of decades, compelling evidence suggests that our nation’s racial and ethical minority African Americans suffer increasing disparities in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and adverse health outcomes compared with white Americans (Copeland, 2005). The predominant barriers to accessible health care services for African Americans include inability to pay for services, lack of transportation and childcare, decrease understanding of treatment plans and inability to incorporate prescribed health plans into daily living patterns (Russell & Jewell, 1992). Furthermore, the African American population’s cultural beliefs and health practices have a significant impact upon their well-being regardless of their educational levels and income. Therefore, these health beliefs and practices affect utilization of contemporary health-care service delivery systems even when other barriers have been eliminated. Differences in health beliefs and practices can be observed among African Americans in varying age groups, socioeconomic levels, and geographic locales. The commonalities include religious orientation, social support networks, and inform health care systems (Russell & Jewell, 1992). Religion is a focal point within the lives of African Americans. Many African Americans characterize health as a continuum evolving around mind, body, and spirit. African Americans also have large support systems including nuclear and extended families. They would rather rely on someone who may not be related by blood or marriage than to receive help from community agencies. Informal health care systems within the African Americans community often are consulted. A study showed that African Americans used an informal social network rather than receiving professional health care. Instead of consulting appropriate personnel, they are consulting family members and friends in regards to their personal health problems. This could be a factor in why the health disparities in this particular population are greater than any other race or ethnicity. The Ginger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model focuses on cultural elements. The model includes six cultural phenomena: communication, time, space, social organization, environmental control, and biological variations. These provide a framework for patient assessment and from which culturally sensitive care can be designed. In the following paragraphs, I will begin to talk about each key element and how it corresponds to the African American population. Communication is meaningful because of the culture that frames it, and culture must be expressed to exist. Communication is seen as a problematic part of cultural affiliation and not as caused or predicted by affiliation. Miscommunication is a frequent problem in hospitals. The most obvious is when the patient and hospital staff does not speak the same language. Although the dominant language spoken among African Americans is English, there is a way of speaking among some African Americans that sociolinguists refer to as African American English (AAE) (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). These terms include Black English, Ebonics, Black Vernacular English (BEV), and African American Vernacular English (AAVE) (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). They also prefer the use of nonverbal communication. Therefore, as nurses we should be able to provide care to African Americans without there being a language barrier present. In addition, a head nod does not necessarily mean agreement and when asked personal questions on initial contact with a person it may be viewed in their eyes as intrusive. Space refers to the distance between individuals when they interact. All communication occurs in the context of space. There are four distinct zones of interpersonal space: intimate, personal, social and consultative, and public. Research on use of space among African Americans is mixed. Some studies indicate that, in race-matched pairs, black children will stand closer to each other during conversation than white children do. Other research has shown that African American adults employ a greater public distance from each other than compared when interacting with family and friends. They also prefer close personal space and touching another’s hair is considered improper. African Americans tend to be late for appointments because relationships and events may be deemed more important than being on time. Social organization refers to the manner in which a cultural group organizes itself around the family group. Family structure and organization, religious values and beliefs, and role assignments may all relate to ethnicity and culture. African American’s have many female single-parent families. They are also known for large extended families, in which elders are respected. There preferred religion is Protestant (Baptist), majority of African Americans have a strong church and social affiliations. In 2005, the National Institutes of Health urged African Americans to use family reunions as venues for discussions about diabetes and kidney disease—diseases that disproportionately affect this group (McCoy, 2011). Time is an important aspect of interpersonal communication. Time orientation varies according to age, socioeconomics, and subgroups and may include past, present, or future orientation. Preventive health care requires some future time orientation because preventive actions are motivated by a future reward. African Americans time orientation is present over future. Environmental control refers to the ability of the person to control nature and to plan and direct factors in the environment that affect them. African Americans have traditional health and illness beliefs. They also are known to use folk medicine; the folk healers are root workers. Some African Americans, particularly of Haitian background, may believe in sympathetic magic. Sympathetic magic assumes everything is interconnected and includes the practice of imitative and contagious magic. Contagious magic entails the belief that once an entity is physically connected to another, it can never be separated. This type of belief is seen in the practice of voodoo, when an individual will take a piece of the victim’s hair or fingernail and place a hex, which they believe will cause the person to become ill (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). To African Americans God is thought to be the spiritual healer. Biological differences, especially genetic variations, exist between individuals in different racial groups. Although there is as much diversity within cultural and racial groups as there is across and among cultural and racial groups, knowledge of general baseline data relative to the specific cultural group is an excellent starting point to provide culturally appropriate care. Nutritional preferences for African Americans include fried foods, and among pregnant women pica ingestion. African Americans are susceptible to many health conditions such as; keloid formation, lactose intolerance, sickle cell anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, thalassemia, sarcoidosis, hypertension, coccidioidomycosis, esophagus and stomach cancers. African Americans are at greater risk for many diseases, especially those associated with low income, stressful life conditions, lack of access to primary health care, and negating health behaviors (Campinha-Bacote, 2009). The greatest risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks amongst African Americans is hypertension. Compared with hypertension in other ethnic groups, hypertension among African Americans is more severe, more resistant to treatment, and begins at a younger age, and the consequence is significantly worse, including organ damage (Brewster, Van Montfrans, & Kleijnen, 2004). African Americans also have an overall higher cancer incidence and mortality rate than any other race African Americans suffer from certain genetic conditions. Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder among the African-American population, affecting one in every 500 African Americans. In addition to sickle cell disease, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, which interferes with glucose metabolism, is another genetic disease found among African Americans (Caminha-Bacote, 2009). African Americans also metabolized certain drugs differently such as immunosuppressants, antihypertensive, cardiovascular, antiretroviral, psychotropic drugs. After reading through several articles and journals regarding African Americans there are many areas that I would advocate for change but if I had to choose just one, I would pick HIV/AIDS. Many African-Americans are at high risk for HIV infection, not because of their race or ethnicity, but because of the behaviors, they may engage in. As with other ethnic/racial groups, HIV risk depends not on who you are, but on whether you engage in risk-taking behaviors with an HIV positive partner, and whether you have access to care, education and prevention services. The greater number of people living with HIV in African American communities and the fact that African Americans tend to have sex with partners of the same race/ethnicity means that they face greater risk of HIV infection with each new sexual encounter (CDC, 2011). Lack of awareness of HIV status can affect HIV rates in communities. Late diagnosis of HIV infection is common, which creates missed opportunities to obtain early medical care and prevention of transmission to others (CDC, 2011). This disease/illness can be prevented if maximizing the effectiveness of current HIV prevention methods. Implementing programs that teach individuals how to get tested for HIV and prevent the spread of the infection to others. The CDC has set up numerous activities within the communities to address prevention and spread of HIV. For example, The Act against AIDS campaign encourages African American women to get tested for HIV. In 2010, the CDC also began an Expanded Testing Initiative (ETI) for individuals to be tested for HIV. Even though there are multiple resources available to the African American population, I believe stigma, fear, and discrimination are a risk factor in which why they are afraid to be tested. Working in a hospital facility for almost over a year already, I have only been across two individuals who were tested for HIV/AIDS. After learning so much about African Americans and their numerous health disparities this particular infection, can be prevented. It amazes me that in 2009, black men accounted for 70% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks. By the end of 2008, an estimated 240,627 blacks with an AIDS diagnosis had died in the U. S. (CDC, 2011). After researching African Americans this particular race/ethnicity bares the most health disparities of all. A major aspect is the quality of the relationship with a health care provider, which is linked to patient satisfaction, adherence, and health outcomes. If African Americans feel that their provider has been, disrespectful they may not return for treatment, may try another provider, or may change their health care plans. This may be an enormous reason why the health disparities are the way they are in African Americans. Success in eliminating disparities in health care access and utilization requires all professionals to critically examine their own biases and to adopt the values and behaviors needed for social change. References Brewster, L. , Van Montfrans, G. , & Kleijnen, J. (2004). Systematic review: Antihypertensive drug therapy in Black patients. Annals of Internal Medicine, 14(18), 614-627. Campinha-Bacote, J. (2009). Culture and Diversity Issues: A Culturally Competent Model of Care for African Americans. Urologic Nursing, 29(1), 49-54. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). Highlights in Minority Health & Health Disparities. Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/omhd/Highlights/2008/HFeb08. htm Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). HIV among African Americans. Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/hiv/topics/aa/PDF/aa. pdf Copeland, V. C. (2005). African Americans: Disparities in Health Care Access and Utilization. National Association of Social Workers, 30(3), 265-270. Health Reform. (2009). Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap. Retrieved from http://www. healthreform. gov/reports/healthdisparities/ Hood, L. , Leddy, S. (2010) Conceptual Bases of Professional Nursing (7ed. ) Philadelphia: Lippincott William & Wilkins. McCoy, R. (2011). African American Elders, Cultural Traditions, and the Family Reunion. Generations-Journal of the American Society on Aging, 35(3), 16-21. Russel, K. , Jewell, N. (1992). Cultural Impact of Health-Care Access: Challenges for Improving the Health of African Americans. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 9(3), 161-169. U. S. Census Bureau. (2010). County Business Patterns and Demographics. Retrieved from http://www. census. gov/cbdmap/.