Free College Admissions Essays: The FIRST Engineering Competition :: College Admissions Essays

The FIRST Engineering Competition    It was just the second week of school, and I had mustered up all my courage to venture to the nether regions of our school known as the basement to attend the first meeting of the newly forming FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team. When I walked into room one, the newly proclaimed FIRST headquarters, I looked around with apprehension, and I noticed that I did not recognize a single face in the room. Nervously, I took a seat, and Mr. Mothersele, the advisor for the program began describing the program. FIRST is a national engineering competition in which partnerships are formed between local businesses and high schools to design and build a robot-like machine from identical kits of parts supplied by FIRST. The team has about six weeks to build the machine which must be able to compete in a timed sporting event. As soon as I saw the video of the students working and competing with the robots, I was hooked. The program seemed tailored to my int erest in math in science and to my competitive spirit. I couldn't resist the opportunity.    As a shy and relatively inexperienced freshman, I signed up for the program as the only underclassmen on the team of ten students. I bumbled along, learning about design and how to use the machines. I made my full share of mistakes and then some, but by the end of the program, I was gaining some real experience. Although our robot did not fare very well in the competition our first year, my learning process was underway, and I knew that I had found my place.    The second year of the competition, I was only one of two returning students. I took an active role in recruiting new students, and our membership doubled. It was a complete role reversal for me because all of a sudden I was the experienced team member. We finished fifth out of forty teams at the regional competition, and at the national tournament, we placed in the top third.    This past year, was the golden year of my FIRST career. In September, I was voted team captain. It was my job to ensure that our team was well organized and that we stayed on task. Our team advanced to the semifinals, where we lost to the eventual National Champion.

Rate of Violence Essay

Describe the rates of violence (murder, aggravated assault, rape, robbery) in the United States, and compare them to at least 2 other industrialized countries. When it comes to †Homicides/murder† and †Rape† there still is a difference when you compare Sweden and Albania. â€Å"Homicides/murder† happened most infrequent in Finland and England, but about six times as often in Sweden compared with that. â€Å"Theft totally† was about twice as frequent in Sweden, when you compare to the other Nordic countries, and also more frequently than in England. Narco-criminality in Norway is about three times as frequent, when you compare with the other Nordic countries. The long coastline play an important role. Here is no available registrations for USA. Robberies during the period were down 10. 7%, motor vehicle thefts and arson declined 9. 7%, rapes were down 6. 2%, aggravated assaults were down 3. 9%, and burglaries dropped 1. 4%. The FBI report does not give reasons for the drop in crime, but criminologists have recently indicated an aging population, along with ramped-up law enforcement, have contributed to the decline in recent years. The trend has surprised experts who have historically seen crime increase during difficult economic periods Discuss some of the difficulties of comparing crime rates across countries. Different definitions for specific crime types in different countries: The category in which any incident of victimization is recorded relies on the legal definition of crime in any country. Should that definition be different, and indeed this is often the case, comparisons will not in fact be made of exactly the same crime type. This is particularly the case in crimes that require some discretion from a police officer or relevant authority when they are identified. For example, the definitional difference between serious or common assault in different legal jurisdictions may be different, and this will be reflected in the total number of incidents recorded. Different levels of reporting and traditions of policing: Different societies across the globe have been shown to have different levels of reporting of criminal incidents. This relates closely to levels of development in any society, most clearly reflected in accessibility to the police. Thus factors such as the number of police stations or telephones in any society impact upon reporting levels. The level of insurance coverage in any community is also a key indicator of the likelihood of citizens approaching the police as their claim for compensation may require such notification. In addition, in societies where the police are or have been mistrusted by the population, most specifically during periods of authoritarian rule, reporting levels are likely to be lower than in cases where the police are regarded as important members of the community. Different social, economic and political contexts: Comparing crime data from societies that are fundamentally different may ignore key issues present in the society that impact upon levels of reporting. For example, different social norms in some societies may make it almost impossible for women to report cases of rape or sexual abuse, while in others, women are encouraged to come forward.

Machiavelli The Father of Modern Political Science

During the time 1469, a child by the name of Niccolo Di Bernardo Del Machiavelli was born .Some may know him as an Italian philosopher, humanist, or a evil minded fellow associated with the corruptness of totalitarian government. In Machiavelli’s home state Florence, he introduces the modern political theory. Hoping to gain influence with the ruling Medici family Niccolo wrote a pamphlet call The Prince (Prezzolini). Niccolo lived a nondescript childhood and his main political experience in his youth was watching Savonarola from afar. When Savonarola was executed Niccolo entered the Florentine government as a secretary. Niccolo position soon rose and he became engage in diplomatic missions, it was here he met Powerful people like the†¦show more content†¦The Prince was addressed to Lorenzo De Medici, the ruling family in Florence. The book was an attempt to gain Lorenzo’s favor promising to show him his method to gain power. He demonstrates how powerful kings behaved in and out history; the most proven way to govern his people. Machiavelli assures the prince should indeed stay humble; he wanted the prince to benefit from his experience while at the same time avoiding the appearance of losing control of his ideal image (Sullivan, V.B). The Prince was a book of advice to politicians regarding how gain power and keep that power. The meaning of Prince in the title does not mean someone who inherits land and is a decedent to a king. In Machiavelli’s perspective a prince was a man of the citizens. Machiavelli wanted to share his knowledge, his ways of thinking with the leaders to keep public support and these methods are just as relevant for today’s elected officials just as they were in the sixteenth century (Sparknotes). The Prince was addressed to Lorenzo De Medici- the ruling family in Florence. The book was written to gain Lorenzo’s favor, while at the same time promising to show him his methods to gain power. Machiavelli also advise him to take recognition to powerful kings and their behaved in and out of history, the most proven way to govern his people in Machiavelli’s opinion.Show MoreRelatedEssay about Niccolo Machiavelli1653 Words   |  7 Pageslegend, just before his death, Niccolo Machiavelli told his friends that had remained faithful to him up until the very end about a dream he had had. In his dream, he had seen a group of peasants, wretched and decrepit in appearance. He asked them who they were. They replied, ‘We are the saintly and the blessed; we are on our way to heaven.’ Then he saw a crowd of formally attired men, aristocratic and grim in appearance, speaking solemnly of important political matters. Again, he asked them who theyRead MoreAnalysis Of Ni ccolo Machiavelli s The Prince 1625 Words   |  7 Pagescentury was a period known as the Renaissance, or the new birth, of many philosophers. One well-known Renaissance thinker, Niccolo Machiavelli, was one of those philosophers whose political views caused an uproar during earlier centuries. His view on effective leadership was rather harsh and not exactly adopted in the Italian society. As a Renaissance citizen, Machiavelli proved his writing skills through a number of works such as short stories, plays, and histories. His more popular works includedRead MoreA Brief Look at Niccolo Machiavelli1698 Words   |  7 PagesNiccolo Machiavelli was born on Florence and died in Florence (1459-1527). He was a man of many talents and diversity. He was a historian, diplomat, politician, humanist, writer and philosopher. In many people’s eyes he was the founding father of modern political science and of political ethics. His influence even today in the world of politics and power cannot be over-estimated even in today’s world. His most important book The Prince was published in 1517 after Machiavelli had lost his power baseRead MoreThe Dark Ages1647 Words   |  7 Pagesand almost unthinkable during much of human history. These are signs of society’s general thinking changing drastically towards political, philosophical and societal issues. Three men with three different ideologies can be seen as the founding fathers of ideas that fight society’s collective thinking and bring about change. Those men who dared to challenge medieval political and philosophical orthodoxy immensely impacted later history. There is a reason why the Medieval Ages are often referred to asRead MoreMachiavelli And Aristotle s Ways Of Thinking2396 Words   |  10 PagesOften when analyzing key political shifts, one evaluates great men who reformed political theory. Niccolà ³ Machiavelli and Aristotle are shinning examples of great men of history, and they both had large contributions to political philosophy. Machiavelli and Aristotle’s ways of thinking varied very much. Machiavelli believed that a prosperous state would revolve around fear. Whereas Aristotle believed that a state that revolved around the principles of trust, and a humble leader were the keys toRead MoreMachiavelli Just Society Analysis1331 Words   |  6 Pagestheir country for the benefit of the people. King and Machiavelli both pursues a just society with equality between any race, unity, and are an open-minded leader. When it comes to cultural change for the sake of unifying the country no one does it better than Machiavelli. He has a clear mindset and guidelines that he expects from the future prince to follow to keep a unified culture. As instructed by the father of modern political science, â€Å"we shall see that he was more merciful than the FlorentineRead MoreThe Classical Greek And Roman Education1256 Words   |  6 Pagesdecayed, the western world embarked on a transformation that would forever alter its identity. A profound change of ideologies in art, culture and intellect sparked a revolution that dismantled medieval society and propelled European culture into the modern era. This cultural and intellectual movement began primarily in Italy and later spread to the rest of Europe. The period of innovative change is called The Renaissance. The word Renaissance originates from the French word, rebirth. The RenaissanceRead MoreMachiavellis Conception of Virtu and Fortuna2644 Words   |  11 PagesMachiavellis conception of virtu and fortuna Niccolo Machiavelli is considered the father of modern political science. Living in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth-centurys, Machiavelli was a citizen of the city-state of Florence where he served as a secretary to the city council and as a diplomatic envoy for 14 years. The Prince was published five years after his death and is regarded as his most famous work. The Prince is an articulate and precise explanation of the way to use the lessonRead MorePolitical Science And Political Philosophy Essay3559 Words   |  15 PagesIntroduction Political science is a an academic discipline. It is a part of social science which discuss about government and politics. It generally analyses the methods and policies of government. It is the systematic and analytical study of political and government institutions. The procedure and process of governmental policies is explained in political science. In order to define and analyze political science many political thinkers have given different theories. They practiced political scienceRead More machiavelli and the prince Essay1990 Words   |  8 Pages Social Life in Medieval and Early Modern Italy nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Nicolo Macchiavelli and The Prince nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;At the end of the 14th century, Italy was still politically organized by city-states. Emerging as one of the most influential writers of

The Rapid Growth Of Population Essay - 1550 Words

Introduction: The reason I chose this topic is because in my country Ethiopia the rapid growth of population alarmed me, just around the 1965 our population was very low however in the past few years it has tripled form 20 million to over 100 million. This was when my interest in my countries population developed. Population is one of the conversational topics when talking about a countries profile, in view of the fact that it plays a huge role, in a countries work force, consumption and economy. I will be collecting data and modelling them to predict the population for the next 5 to 10 years. I will also be doing this for Kenya to see the relationship between the two countries to prove that this rapid growth of population is happening not only in our country but in our neighboring countries too. The data collected is imprecise because it is affected by many variables. The mortality rate of the people in Ethiopia can affect my data highly. During this time Ethiopia had a high rate of migration, this could also be included as one of the variables that have affected my data. I will be using this set of data to draw a graph so that I can generate a model to represent this data so that I can use it to predict the population after five years. Year Population (in millions) 1 2015 99.3 2 2010 87.5 3 2005 76.6 4 2000 66.4 5 1995 57.2 6 1990 48.0 7 1985 40.8 8 1980 35.2 9 1975 32.6 These are my test values that I will use to test my every models accuracy. year PopulationShow MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Rapid Population Growth1605 Words   |  7 Pagestime until 1804 to reach a world population of one billion people. Population statistics show that there were 1.6 billion people in 1900 and this figure reached 6 billion before the end of the 20th century. Over the past several decades, the world s population has been growing exponentially. According to the population statistics, this figure is going to ascend to more than 9 billion people by the end of 2050. Recent studies shows that the growth rate of population has somewhat steadied from the priorRead MoreWith The Rapid Growth Of World Population, The Limited1114 Words   |  5 PagesWith the rapid growth of world population, the limited supply of the non-renewable energy demand is increasing, especially in the developing countries. This situation causes the risk of depletion of cheap fossil energy sources, as well as environmental pollution and climate change. Therefore, the researchers w orldwide have been tried continually to find solutions for the diversification of energy sources, reduce harmful emissions and emissions of greenhouse into the environment, and the renewableRead MoreRapid Population Growth : A Country With The Largest Human Population1378 Words   |  6 Pagesproduced more rapid population growth rates in mid-transition than historically observed in the North. Two factors account for this very rapid expansion of population in these still largely traditional societies: the spread of medical technology such as immunization and antibiotics after World War II, which led to vastly rapid declines in death rates, and a lag in declines in birth rates. Nigeria is a country with the largest human population in Africa. Some of the results of human populations are; depletionRead MoreThe Impact Of Rapid Population Growth On Brazil s Economy1246 Words   |  5 Pages Population Growth in Brazil 1. The impact of impact of rapid population growth on Brazil’s economy. a. Rapid Human Population Growth Population growth is the change in population over a given period of time. Research suggests that the world’s poorest countries have faster population grows. Historically, high fertility rates strongly correlate with poverty. Brazil is estimated to have a population of 203 million people. Brazil’s population is expected to grow to 203 million to 226 millionRead MoreRapid Population Growth as a Problem of Humanresources Utilization in Nigeria2752 Words   |  12 PagesRAPID POPULATION GROWTH IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF HUMAN RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN NIGERIA. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THIS PROBLEM? A MANPOWER ECONOMICS ASSIGNMENT Akinrodoye Adunola INTRODUCTION Population can be defined as the number of people living in any defined area at any given time. Hence the population of Nigeria consists of all the people who live in the country at any given time (Dictionary of Economics, 1998; Ojo, 1997). Population however cannot be treated inRead MoreIntroduction With the rapid growth of the American population and the greater demand for work,1600 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction With the rapid growth of the American population and the greater demand for work, large urban areas developed throughout the U.S. landscape. Urbanization, as it is called, is the replacement of the rural areas with more urban ones. Urbanization has impacted human behavior and wildlife as well and most likely won’t be ending anytime soon as humanity continues to push into wildlife habitats. As relative keepers of the environment, humans need to understand the impacts of urbanizationRead MoreFamily Planning Methods And Methods Of The Rapid Population Growth Worldwide1911 Words   |  8 Pagesweapon to control the rapid population growth worldwide? Is population growth the only focus of family planning, or is it concerned with mothers being empowered to space the births of their children, fathers becoming more involved in health and family planning, infants and youth seeing their potential for a healthy life increase? This paper outlines the family planning techniques and me thods in Nigeria. It throws light on how education is a major set-back for the rural population and, how, using traditionalRead MoreThe Reasons For Growth Of Rapid Population Between Nineteenth And Nineteenth Century Britain2751 Words   |  12 PagesReasons for Growth of Rapid Population between Seventeenth and Nineteenth Century Britain A wide variety of people living in the world have always been exposed at constant change and the evolution in population has always been a concern and issue by regimes and countries through out time, especially if it occurred within such short period of time. British economy and Europe underwent their greatest population transformation between the late 17th and the late 19th century. Especially, the growth of theRead MoreNegative Effect of Overpopulation.1365 Words   |  6 PagesTHE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF POPULATION GROWTH Some observers attribute nearly all of the world s maladies to excessive population growth. They claim that rapid population growth has at least three adverse effects on human well-being. First, it increases poverty--the number of people that are impoverished, the proportion of the community that is impoverished, and the severity of the impoverishment. Second, it increases environmental degradation--the misuse of natural resources--with adverse consequencesRead MoreEssay The Implications of Rapid Urbanization1685 Words   |  7 PagesUrbanization is the process of human migration from rural areas to towns and cities, thus rapid urbanization means that the rate at which the migration from rural to urban takes place is hurried that a country has no time to plan for their existence at the cities. The situation differs from country to country as the number of cities and rural areas in the countries are different. Another possible reason for the difference is the development nature of th e countries; some countries are developed, others

Four Organizational Culture Types - 2686 Words

Four Organizational Culture Types Bruce M. Tharp ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE WHITE PAPER 04.09 ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE WHITE PAPER Four Organizational Culture Types Acknowledging that organizational culture is an important aspect for space planners, this paper provides an overview of four organizational culture types: Control (hierarchy), Compete (market), Collaborate (clan), and Create (adhocracy). This typology reflects the range of organizational characteristics across two dimensions that were found critical to organizational effectiveness. The spatial implications for each type are presented so that workspace planners might be able to interpret the results of an organizational culture assessment in their process of designing†¦show more content†¦These companies are similar to the Control (hierarchy) in that they value stability and control; however, instead of an inward focus they have an external orientation and they value differentiation over integration. This began largely because of the competitive challenges from overseas that forced American companies to search for a more effective business approach. With their outward focus, Compete (market) organizations are focused on relationships—more specifically, transactions—with suppliers, customers, contractors, unions, legislators, consultants, regulators, etc. Through effective external relations they feel that they can best achieve success. While Control (hierarchy) optimize stability and control through rules, standard operating procedures, and specialized job functions, Compete (market) organizations are concerned with competitiveness and productivity through emphasis on partnerships and positioning. General Electric, under the leadership of former CEO Jack Welch, is a goodShow MoreRelatedWhat Is Organizational Culture?1204 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is organizational culture? â€Å"organizational culture refers to the beliefs and values that have existed in an organization for a long time, and to the beliefs of the staff and the foreseen value of their work that will influence their attitudes and behaviors† (Tsai, 2011, â€Å"Abstract,† para. 1). Yafang Tsai (2011) defines it as â€Å"the belief that can guide staff in knowing what to do and what not to do, including practices, values, and assumptions about their work (para. 6). It can even be definedRead MoreOrganizational Culture Is The Most Important Variable That Influences The Organizational Performance1601 Words   |  7 Pagescaptivating organizational culture. Organizational culture creates a unique identity that diversifies an organization from its opposition. Ogbonna Lloyd (p, 32, 2002) defines organizational culture as â€Å"the collective sum of beliefs, values, meanings and assumptions that are shared by a social group and that help to shape the ways in which they respond to each other and to their external environment†. Organizational Culture is the most important variable that influences the organizational performanceRead MoreAn Introduction to the Competing Values Framework1091 Words   |  5 Pagesthe organization’s culture, its strategic competencies, financial strategies, pressing problems, and desired outcomes. All of these factors are measured by instruments based on the Competing Values Framework, thus providing an integrated and consistent For example, tools and techniques such as teamwork, collaboration, talent management, empowerment, or inter-personal relationships could be highlighted in the upper left quadrant. M FLEXIBLE Together these dimensions form four quadrants, each representingRead MoreThe Impact Of Cultural Dimensions On Nation s Growth Of Service Innovation Essay1110 Words   |  5 Pagesinnovation is not similar across different service sectors. 2.5 Country’s Service Growth and Hofstede’s Organizational Models Hofstede (1991) developed several types of organizational models based on his national cultural dimensions. Of the five cultural dimensions he developed, the combination of PD and UA is considered the most important in studying organizations in various national cultures. Organizational structures are decided by who has the power to take decisions (dependent on PD dimension) and whatRead MoreORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE1123 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE Culture consists of beliefs and behavior. It is cultivated behavior in the sense that it is learnt from the other members of the society. According to Henry Mintzberg, an internationally renowned author on Business and Management, â€Å"culture is the soul of the organization – the beliefs and values, and how they are manifested. I think of the structure as the skeleton, and as the flesh and blood. And culture is the soul that holds the thing together and gives it life forceRead MoreGeneral Strategic And Cultural Change At Chrysler Group1582 Words   |  7 Pagesassociated with Chrysler s culture. Explain Student Answer: According to the text, there are three layers of organizational culture: observable artifacts, espoused values, and basic assumptions (Kreitner Kinicki, 2013, p.63). Observable artifacts are the physical manifestation of an organization’s culture (p.63). Chrysler’s primary observable artifact was manager Fong making sales by doubling rebates (p. 86). Chrysler doubled rebates as part of their company’s culture. Chrysler was not profitingRead MoreEssay on Organizational Behavior1386 Words   |  6 Pages Organizational Behavior Terminology and Concepts April 2, 2005 Organizational behavior encompasses a wide range of topics, such as human behavior, change, leadership, and teams. Organizational Behavior is the study and application of knowledge about how people, individuals, and groups act in organizations. It interprets people-organization relationships in terms of the whole person, group, organization, and social system. Its purpose is to build better relationshipsRead MoreOrganizational Culture And Its Functions863 Words   |  4 PagesINTRODUCTION Organizational culture involves systems of beliefs and values that guide the behavior of individuals within the organization and how they shape behavior (Kummerow, 2013). Organizational structures, on the other hand, dictate the assignment, coordination and control of roles and responsibilities to achieve organizational goals (Pathak 2011). For a company to perform effectively it needs to grow, organizational development is one element of growth that focuses on practice an research focusedRead MoreOrganizational Culture And Leadership Development1275 Words   |  6 Pagesdealing with individuals who are divergent to them. Similarly, as organizations progressively generate business associations with organizations whose cultures are different, employees may work with others who hold different views of what establishes effective functioning in an organization, and what relationships are existent between organizational factors and workplace effectiveness (Kwantes and Boglarsky, 2007). Knowing the importance of leadership in modern-day organizations, it is not shockingRead MoreCorporate Culture Essay1176 Words   |  5 PagesThe culture within an organization can make or break how productive and how responsive the business operates. Organizational culture is the set of shared, taken-for-granted implicit assumptions that a group holds and that determines how it perceives, thins about, and reacts to its various environments, (Kinicki, A. and Kreitner, R., 2009).With that being said it becomes important to set values that you want everyone to work by. This will help when new employees are added to the team and will also

Christmas, Then And Now Essay Example For Students

Christmas, Then And Now Essay ChristmasAs I slowly awaken from a deep sleep, cool air hits my squinting eyes and I have the feeling that this is not a normal day. I close my eyes again and ponder for less than a spilt second then realize that SANTA CAME LAST NIGHT!!! I throw back the covers, ignoring the cold that would have kept me in bed for hours later on a normal day, and run to the Christmas tree. Without any lights on I quietly examine everything placed under the tree. I notice that Santa had eaten my cookies and drank all my milk. This made me feel as if I had accomplished something more important than world peace; I had fed Santa. All my unwrapped gifts that had appeared only overnight had a special aura surrounding them. Something magical. With a perpetual smile I sit and enjoy the look of the tree and all my new things. I pick up the new stuffed horse first, because horses are my favorite, and rub its soft synthetic brown fur. After I going through all of the good stuff, ignoring the sets of clothes and underwear, I traipse back to Mama and Daddys room to assure them that Santa had come that night and brought me everything that I wanted. When I was seven, I would have never imagined that my view of Christmas would change so much. My everything is for me aspect disappeared and was replaced by a more realistic view of Christmas. Today when I wake up on December 25, I think about if I got everyone what they wanted, and if the all the food will turn out just right, and all the other little things that come with major holidays. I then say a prayer thanking God for giving us his baby boy, and I say happy birthday to Jesus. Christmas itself has not changed, just my outlook on it. As I got older, I see the commercialism behind the holiday. This realization takes away from the special feeling of Christmas. The increased new toy commercials, the plastic santas at Wal-Mart in October, all the little things I got excited over when I was younger now, put a damper on the spirit.It is even a hassle to put up the tree in time. The lists that I now make are not carelessly scribbled out in crayon and addressed to the almighty Santa, b ut consist of the names of people I need to buy for, what I hope they will like, and about how much money they will have spent on them. None of this is nearly as fun as being seven years old on Christmas day and getting nearly everything I could think of to ask for.Words/ Pages : 476 / 24

Understanding Religions without Biases

Introduction When studying religion, it is of paramount importance for the researcher or the professional to adopt a way that is not biased. It is of great importance as well to understand that the study of religion calls for one to lay aside the perceptions they have obtained from the seminary or any other instructional institution for their religion.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Understanding Religions without Biases specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Bearing in mind that every religion has its own origin and a long history behind it, it is important for people to avoid biasness so as to understand why the icons or inspirational figures of these religions behaved the way they did behave (Eliade 148). The first question that arises at this point is whether it is possible place to study religion without biasness. The academicians need to answer this question because if the answer is negative, then the e fforts will be futile and trying is not even worthy. Another part that needs some more light is the effects of the biasness that characterize the approach of many studies. In this paper, attention will be paid to deliver a conclusive answer to these two points of concern. Academic Study and Theology These two fields are completely different when it comes to understanding religion. The outcomes of these fields to the committed individuals are again completely different. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between the two with the aim of creating a cut line distinction between them (Eliade 152). On the one hand, academic study of religion is a tertiary engagement chief purpose of which is to discover, describe and explain the core values and practices within a particular religion. This calls for the use of multiple methods and an approach that involves many disciplines. On the other hand, has an inward approach to the issue of religion. One of the paramount things dealt with i n theology involves the thought of God. As opposed to the academic study, which adopts and outward approach, theology is internally oriented and discuses ideas within a particular religious group (Stark 428). The crucial thing about theology is the fact that it aims at transmitting religious teaching of the group involved, unlike academic study which does not indulge in such endeavors. Basic Assumptions The academic study of religion like any other empirical study, is founded on assumptions. If the assumptions are void, then the whole study is futile. One of the assumptions that the study focuses on is the fact that neither of the religions under scrutiny is superior compared to another one (Stark 460). The approach must be of the opinion that these religions are different. Furthermore, the study must also acknowledge the fact that, there are core similarities that the religions share.Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Ge t your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As academicians go about the study of religion, it is important that they are not oblivious of the importance of respect for other people’s religious heritage. The assumptions are that these groups of people have adopted the right choice for them and the choice has to be respected. It is also important to keep in mind that differences exist between, within, and among religions and that any religion has a great influence on the individual’s perceptions (Freud 213, Stark 460). Academic study of the religion also requires that the learner appreciates the fact that not all people are religious, but even those who are not religious need to be respected for who they are. These guiding principles are very important in determining the outcome of the study through the intelligent application of these principles; one can embark on the study with the hope of an authentic determination. Literary Criticisms One of the most importa nt aspects of religion is the aspect of its literature. Each religion has its own set of beliefs and rituals, whose source of power are principles articulately outlined in a piece of literature that is sacred to that religious group. This implies the importance of these sacred books to the academician (James 68). First, the academic approach must establish the authenticity of the sacred literature. Some questions at this point require answers. The author may need to establish the date of composition, audience and the way they received this literature, how the literature was reproduced, edited and transmitted. This process is important in establishing the credibility of the whole literature. History Every religion has a story of its beginning and the facts about its development. Studying the historical background of the religion is important to the academicians since it helps them establish the facts about a particular religion. This study unveils how the social, economic, and other factors influenced the beginning, development and spread of that particular religion (Miles 678, Pals 314). This enquiry may require the application of different tools, which may involve geography, demographic study and archeological approaches. This brings out concrete facts, which are actual happenings not on prejudiced or distorted perceptions. Sociological Approach In studying religion, it might be of paramount importance to determine the relationship between the society and religion which is what this approach seeks to determine. One must note that the sociological approach does not seek to establish the credibility of religious beliefs but on the contrary seeks to unveil historical backgrounds, practices and the universal role of religion within the sociological setup.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Understanding Religions without Biases specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Two major concerns arise a t this point; they are how the society influenced the religion and how the religion has been influencing the society. Finally, what is important is the orientation of its approach. Sociological approach focuses more on the developed societies of the modern time unlike other approaches like anthropology, for example, which focus on â€Å"old† societies. Phenomenology This is another crucial tool in the study of religion. This theory proposes that prior experiences may influence us unconsciously and, therefore, impair free judgment of matters. This approach, thus, advocates for the ability to make deductions without prior beliefs and interpretations. As it turns out, this approach is concerned with description only (Pals 319). The main aim of this approach is, consequently, to define religion in its own terms rather than in terms of another discipline. These are not the only tools that are useful in the academic study of religion. Other important tools include geographical, phi losophical and anthropological. These approaches give rise to concrete understanding of the religion that is not biased. Effects of bias approach to religion There are adverse effects that are associated with biasness in the approach to religion. One of the most obvious is the aspect of religious superiority whereby, members of one religion despise and discriminate against members of another religion. One of the resulting immediate effect is the violation of other people’s rights. In extreme cases, this may lead to religious wars or religious enmity between two or more religious groups. Ultimately, this may result in turmoil, which is a threat to national integration or and unity, being one of the factors important for political stability (Smith 34, Pals 324). The issue of religious biasness goes beyond religious premises but ends up as national and international problem that has proved hard to solve. Conclusions This brief discussion has shed more light on the subject under discussion. First, it has articulately defined the subject matter and has given the underlying assumptions that are important in the process of making inference about the objectivity of the study. On this basis, one can note that it is actually possible to understand religion without biasness. However, it is important to note that this will only be possible if the individual is committed to this course and is ready to step out of the cocoons of their religion. The idea that one has to embrace in order to achieve this noble goal is the idea of religious tolerance. This tolerance enables one to bear contradictions between religions without prejudgments about the other religion. Furthermore, this implies that even religious people can get engaged in the activity of academic study of religion if there is a commitment from their side.Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. San Diego: Harcourt, 1987. Print. Freud, Sigmund. The Future of an Illusion. Edited by James Strachey. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1989. Print. James, William. The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature. New York: Penguin, 1982. Print. Miles, Jack. God: A Biography. New York: Vintage, 1996. Print. Pals, Daniel. Eight Theories of Religion. 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print. Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. Print. Stark, Rodney. Discovering God: The Origins of Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief. New York: HarperCollins, 2007. Print. This research paper on Understanding Religions without Biases was written and submitted by user Frederick Cobb to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.