Sample Religious Studies Book Review Of The Reading The Old Testament College Essay Help Online Free

Review of Reading the Old Testament

Introduction

John Barton, in the book Reading the Old Testament, Revised and Expanded: Method in Biblical Study, seeks to introduce readers to an understanding of the established methodologies of biblical study together with an analysis of the emerging trends in recent years. The book is primarily based on the best scholarship considering that it accommodates readers with and without previous knowledge of biblical study. Through an understanding of the methodologies and the approaches embraced by the author, the reader has the ability to appreciate the clarity and precision used in comparing traditional methods of exegesis and the new critical innovations of studying the Old Testament (OT). The main objective of this review is to assess the purpose and overall structure of the book, explain the approach used by the author in understanding Old Testament issues, evaluate book in terms of clarity and organization, and the level of objectivity of the author in the presentation of his ideas.

Purpose and Overall Structure

The author’s purpose is to develop content for assessing the methodologies that could be used in the interpretation of the OT. Through discussions on the application of various methodologies of exegesis, the main concern is not how each method can be accomplished but the development of an understanding of the motivating element behind each methodology along with observations about how they fall short of their objectives. The author uses Ecclesiastes as a test case through a demonstration of how various methodologies can be used to explain the content. This made the book more intuitive and engaging to the reader.

The chapters of the book begin with a summary of the pre-readings that are to help the reader understand the subject matter before engaging in an exegesis of the OT. From the author’s perspective, an effective comprehension of the content of the book can be improved if the reader engages in initial reading of other books that focus on events in the OT. To capture the attention and urge to continue reading the book, the author ended each chapter in a dissatisfactory tone with a transition paragraph providing a synopsis of the subsequent chapter. This was also aimed at showing how the methodologies of exegesis tend to react to or build on varieties of methodologies that prefer certain type of literature.

How the Book Addresses the OT Issues

The book focuses on the application of methods in biblical study. Barton is devoted to the provision of explanations on the scholarly approaches to the Hebrew Bible. He prospers in giving an objective analysis of the main critical methods used on Old Testament exegesis. An analytical inquiry encompasses the critical approach that Barton embraces. This is because he assesses the progress of biblical readings from an academic viewpoint. By evaluating the content of his work, it is evident that Barton spends most of his time on scriptural studies from the viewpoint of a nonspiritual academic approach, which is divergent from faith-based biblical scholarship or theology. The author succeeds in providing good analysis about the methods by family weighing the pros and cons of these methods with the objective of identifying the potential pitfalls and challenges of different methods. His treatment of canonical criticism, which focuses on reading and analyzing the Bible from a scriptural approach, is relatively unfair and unbalanced in different sections. For Barton, to maintain the objectivity of the methodologies used in Old Testament exegesis, it is important to abandon faith-based approaches that are highly subjective in understanding the content of the Bible (Barton, 1996).

In explaining OT issues, the book uses varieties of common methods starting with genre recognition and literary competence. These are subjected to literary redaction and form criticism, which are geared towards upholding objectivity in the process of analyzing the underlying issues. The author also uses the canonical approach, historical-critical method, structuralism, poetics, and internationalism. These are also supported by the tenets of methods such as post-structuralism, rhetoric, postmodernism and deconstruction in explaining the text cited in the book of Ecclesiastes, which is depicted as a case study for developing an understanding of the methods presented in the book. Using the book, Barton bestows a set upon the reader methods and tools for operational reading of the Bible. This is accomplished with the objective of enhancing the reader’s understanding of the Bible. Critics may argue that the application of secular methodologies in explaining and understanding leaves limited hope for readers who believe the Bible as the word of God. However, the use of genre and literary forms does not hinder this understanding but provides the reader with an unbiased platform for critical assessment and compression of the underlying issues defining activities in the OT (Barton, 1996).

In the chapter that focuses on literary competence and genre recognition, Barton seeks to develop a set of terminologies that cat as the foundation of all the other methods. For Barton, through these forces, it will be possible for the reader to develop competence in reading the text. For Barton, the successful identification of the genre of a biblical text or book in question whether a hymn, family intrigues or prophetic speech contributes to successful interpretation of the intended message.

Barton uses the method of literary criticism in delving into source analysis. He provides an insightful explanation of the development of source criticism as a desire of understanding a text whose genre was not clear. However, this approach finds what it is looking for through the creation of evidence during the analysis process. He provides the documentary analysis of the Pentateuch as a standard example of how literary criticism works (Barton, 1996).

The author also provides details of how form criticism method can be used in the analysis and understanding of the OT. Through this method, it is possible to assess how genres, subgenres and the resulting comments can be used in nay example within the Bible by assessing the extent to which it conforms or deviates from the existing expectations. For Barton, during the application of this methodology, the decisions of the reader about the genre often rely on intuition instead of knockdown proof. He succeeds in providing examples of how through form criticism it was possible to develop the concepts of lament Psalm and praise Psalm. The effectiveness of form criticism, in Barton’s view, is that it reaches back to the oral folk literature among the Israelites. The application of form critic in Old Testament studies especially in Psalm demonstrates that every aspect of the book belongs to a certain type of occasion that defined worship in Israel. Barton advocates for this method because it performs an indispensable service in the classification of literature in the Bible (Barton, 1996).

Barton improves the reader’s insight on the methods of understanding Old Testament issues through the introduction of redaction criticism. This method focuses on the general flow and the meaning of the entire writing instead of an assessment of verse-by-verse details. By assessing the extent to which sources flow together to realize an overall objective, Barton argues that such an assessment will help the reader in identifying the inconsistencies, accidents, or deliberate arrangements. In its strictest sense redaction crisis entails an understanding of how the author used his sources. Through this method, the reader will assess whether it is possible to reconstruct the sources with some degree of certainty and assess the extent, which the author contributed to in shaping of the texts through deletion, addition, or compression. Through such detection, it will be possible to present evidence of the comprehensive picture of the author’s tendency (Barton, 1996).

To facilitate an understanding of how these historical methods are applicable to understanding issues in the Old Testament, Barton uses the book of Ecclesiastes as a case study. He begins by recognizing that the tension defining the book often leads critics into thinking that it is a compilation of different sources. For critics speculating about the genre of the source, the proverbial sayings that existed in the oral form communicated that it was poetic. The redaction critics assessed the conclusion of the source critics to evaluate the extent to which the existing evidence showed that the prices fit together (Barton, 1996).

The book of Ecclesiastes can be subject of misinterpretations considering that in its initial chapters it focuses on the pointlessness of human life and, in the final chapter it asserts the essence of respecting and obeying the commandments of God. From a redactor and literary criticism approach, such confusion arises because the readers consider the book as part of the scripture whose interpretation must be based on the Judeo-Christian belief in divine justice, providence, and retribution. By abandoning preconceptions about the possible meaning of the book and approaching it from an objective approach will help in the identification of the genre, possible historical context and its use when it was written.

An aspect in the understanding of the issue in the OT involves the use of canonical criticism. For the reader, this approach involves reading biblical text and placing it within the context in the biblical canon. Barton uses an example of the book of Ecclesiastes by arguing that since it is part of the Bible, certain approaches must not be used in reading it and bases its interpretation concerning the rest of the Bible. From this assertion, it is possible to develop a conception that there are no internal controls of what comprises a canon. This is because such a decision emanates from outside a text. Barton refers to Childs, a major proponent of canonical criticism, who rules out the validity of allegory and typology in understanding the indeed meaning of a biblical writing. However, Barton identifies the existence of inconsistencies base according to the rues developed by Childs; these elements uphold validity because they are part of the history of the community for which canonical criticism is used to interpret the text. For Barton such denial can be likened to trusting ancients in the selection of canons but not in their interpretation (Barton, 1996).

The structuralists approach embraced by Barton is relatively different from discussion of this method in other books. From a theoretical perspective, structuralism involves an approach to reading developed in the secular literary studies in which meaning is designated as a function of a system of symbols. Inasmuch as it is possible to apply this method as a framework of explaining all human behavior, Barton distinguishes structuralism method from thinking like a structuralist. In explaining the role of new critic, a secular theory, in understanding biblical interpretations, Barton attempts to explain how from a historical perspective, secular literary studies have evolved to share an association with canonical criticism. New criticism recognizes that when an author develops writing his objective is to enlighten the reader on a subject matter. This makes historical questions about the reader irrelevant and the meaning of the writing has the ability of transcending the original intention. The development of new critic was targeted at lyrical poetry and fiction since they consider writings as artifacts. However, questions have been raised on the extent to which such an approach can be applicable to understanding the Old Testament (Barton, 1996).

Barton notes that rhetoric critics focus on the unity of text. The danger of this approach just as source criticisms that it tends to fulfill its objectives. On reader response, Barton argues that it is always important to assess the elements about a text that leads to the generation of its meaning. Under biblical poetics, there is need to focus on the narrative conventions of text to study the meaning and applicability. In explaining the relationship between postmodernism and poststructuralism, Barton asserts that the latter focuses on showing how an entity defeats its self through self-obliteration (Barton, 1996).

Insight into the Subject and Realization of Stated Purpose

The success of the book lies in its ability to recognize the essence of developing a proper understanding and the place of methods of analysis in OT studies. On one level Barton was writing with the objective of helping students in developing techniques of understanding familiar methods while introducing new one. This was targeted at placing OT criticism against the background of literature studies in the contemporary society. On a different level, Barton uses the discussion on methods in the introduction of the metrical issue. This focuses on the role of methods in facilitating readers with an understanding when reading the Old Testament. Through a wealth of philosophical approaches, Barton attempts to demonstrate how questions focusing on the OT can be understood and answered by readers without a biblical background of the content. The methods employed in the book also focus on ways through which reads can limit the possibility of being encountered with dilemma situations when involved in OT criticism (Dell & Joyce, 2013).

Barton succeeds in upholding the objectivity and integrity of his works by acknowledging that part of the harm arising from biblical studies arises from insisting that there is one correct method of analysis, which if found, could unlock the mysteries that define biblical texts. The danger of this approach in the view of Barton is that it generates more evil and confusion in biblical analysis. This is because it will contribute to the tendency that each newly discovered method will eliminate its predecessors. Such an approach would also degenerate the reader to a non-critical assessor die to prejudice on the best methods to explain the Old Testament (Dell & Joyce, 2013).

Barton supports his argument by asserting that whenever a biblical issue arises, it is important to examine all the existing methods to assess the most plausible based on the genre, historical context and the intended purpose of the text in question. An understanding that none of the methods is perfect will guide scholars into a simple process of demonstrating how each method falls short of perfection. Barton proposes that the process of applying each method should be based on their perception as categorization of insights about the text that may occur to the readers. Through these intuitions it is possible for the reader to arrive at the truth considering that while reading the Old Testament with whatever objective, it is not possible to operate with an idea on an outright correct method because it belongs to humanities (Dell & Joyce, 2013).

One of the ways through which Barton succeeds in explaining the essence of critical reading and application of methods is based on his ability to demonstrate how each method, irrespective of the modesty of its application, is that it generates in its wake a form of circular argument. Barton affirms that reading is not a rectilinear procedure in which one method can be used on a specific text and facilitate a common understanding. This means that the application of any method is based on the existence of a prior understanding of the text, which is part of a methodological reading process.

While eliminating the possibility of bias in his work, Barton affirms that successful reading is critically dependent on the ability to make decisions about the genre and what the text can be read as. This is considered possible when understood under the control of a specific method. This approach in the view of Barton is effective for biblical criticism, which is non-scientific and should be evaluated using proper tools to humanities (Dell & Joyce, 2013).

In his thesis, Barton argues that criticism is a descriptive quest that is characterized by an analysis, explanation, and codification of questions, which perceptive readers put to the text. He differentiates this methodology to reading from a dogmatic discipline that prescribes rules about the best techniques of reading a text. His approach has the ability of being well disposed towards the methodologies in question so long as their achievements are concerned. His methodology also tends to embrace intense critic of each of the methods in respect to their claims of supremacy (Dell & Joyce, 2013).

Conclusion

Barton considers the methods of reading and understanding the Old Testament are in themselves theories of how to achieve literary proficiency. In the book, this is realized through four basic variables. These are the writing, reader, the authors, and the reality regarding the historical or theoretical nature of the context of the writing. The methods of analysis are inclined into emphasizing one or an interplay between variables and this is the technique of gaining competence. The book was successful in using the biblical methods in showing their relationship with theories and assumptions. In an attempt to fill the existing in the literature in biblical study, Barton introduces readers of the Old Testament to critical methods and the debates questions arising from the use of the methods. This results in the development of techniques of arguing for certain convictions about the place of methods in the study of the Old Testament.

References

Dell, K. J., & Joyce, P. M. (2013). Biblical interpretation and method: Essays in honour of John Barton. Oxford : Oxford University Press.

Barton, J. (1996). Reading the Old Testament, revised and expanded: Method in biblical study,Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

Terence J. Keegan, Interpreting the Bible: A Popular introduction to biblical hermeneutics (New York: Paulist Press, 1985).

Exum, J. C., & Clines, D. J. A. (1994). The New literary criticism and the Hebrew Bible. Valley Forge, Pa: Trinity Press International.

Sample Literature Research Paper on Nathaniel Hawthorne: Young Goodman Brown compare and contrast essay help: compare and contrast essay help

Introduction

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘Young Goodman Brown’ is an exemplary twist of the conscious expectations vis a vis the unconscious yet comprehensible aspects of life. The setting as well as the descriptive detail of the story depicts the interconnection between the dark and the light in life. Furthermore, the story also alludes to the thin line between the good and the evil nature of mankind. It establishes a premise for suspicious consideration of possibilities in the characterization of men based on the observed features as opposed to their actual characters exhibited in enclosure. The distinction between individual values and the perceived vices of others can result in contemptuous outlooks, which to some extent result in melancholy and dread. From the story of Goodman Brown as depicted in the short story, it can be deduced that Hawthorne’s work is descriptive of a dream rather than a satanic trick. The eventualities in the story also distinguish it from key features of reality stories.

Young Goodman Brown has been described in numerous counts on the basis of the psychoanalytic critic theory. According to the works of Murfin (502 – 514), psychoanalytic criticism is based on the perception that dreams are to some extent, psychic explorations. While this perspective is not lucidly explained by the author, it brings about the impression that through dreams, it is possible for people to foretell or to experience a foreboding of events to come. Applying this to the context of Hawthorne’s story brings about a different consideration. In the story, the main character, Young Goodman Brown, can be said to have been experiencing a dream. The difficulty of separating the dream from the psychic elements entailed therein fosters the adoption of Murfin’s perception. For instance, the author clearly describes sounds, voices and names that are known to the main character in real life (4-5). Voices of Deacon Gookin and voices that the persona recognized to be of his wife, Faith, both form part of the exceptional experiences that the main character undergoes. In normal dreams, such experiences may present faces but the voices and the names are in most cases hidden from the person experiencing the dream. This implies that there is a possibility, that Young Goodman Brown’s experience was not simply a dream, but a psychic experience embodied in a dreamlike outlook.

Besides the psychic perception about dreams, the psychoanalytic theory is also associated with the distinction between the conscious and the unconscious. Moores (par. 1- 4) and Murfin (503) assert that the human nature is characterized by an ego as well as a super ego. While the ego directs man’s actions in the conscious, the super-ego encourages man to indulge in self-sacrifice for the benefit of many. Moores (par. 3) describes another nature referred to as the alter –ego. The three concepts of human nature bring the impression that human nature can be controlled either within or without the person. The ego controls human activities through the personal conscience, and consistently reminds one of the path they should tread. On the other hand, the super- ego mainly motivates men’s actions from an unconscious, seemingly absent perspective. The alter- ego exposes the dark self of man, resulting in a never- ending conflict between the conscious self and the unconscious self. The story of Goodman Brown can be used in the description of the three descriptive that can be attached to any individual.

From the story, the interactions between the ego and the alter- ego are observable in the journey taken by Goodman Brown from his house to the point of discernment in the wilderness. For instance, while leaving his wife on the street, he thinks of the evil he is about to commit and promises himself that it would be the last evil he would commit before coming back to her for the rest of her life (Hawthorne 1). This is the conscious self that reminds one of the paths they should follow. At the same time, there is the alter ego, or alter personality, appearing in the form of his shadow. The man with the serpent as a walking stick is the alter- ego in the story (Hawthorne 2). His intention is to prove to the persona that evil is in every man’s nature, and he does this through perfected exemplification. Using all those to whom Goodman Brown looked up are used as examples of how evil men can be. People such as his Goodman’s grandfather and father, his catechism teacher as well as the pastor and the deacon are all mentioned by the alter ego (Hawthorne 4). The main objective of this action would be to divert Goodman Brown from the good way he had chosen to tread. Using the known elements of his life to mislead his steps appeared to be the most logical explanation of the alter- ego’s actions. The super-ego is evident in the Goodman’s actions confirmed through the claims that he moved without actually pushing himself to or rather, he found himself moving (Hawthorne 6). Such is the nature of the super ego which drives men from the outside in terms of conscious awareness. In this case, it is probable that while the narrator may not have been aware of the occurrences and the decisions happening within him, he could have acted contrary to the directions of the super ego and the alter- ego.

The perception of dreams as psychic impressions appears plausible in multiple personality aspect of the story. On the one hand, it shows the multiplicity of other people’s characters while on the other; it shows the multiplicity of Goodman Brown’s potential character. According to Moores (par. 3), the story depicts the meeting between the physical Goodman Brown and his shadow. In this regard, the man with the serpent walking stick is the shadow, which portrays the in-depth character of Goodman Brown, which his other self could not come to terms with earlier. It depicts the in-built evil in Goodman through the use of an alter- personality. Through the convictions and the removal of every aspect that the main character depends on for survival in the righteous realm, the alter- ego creates an environment that gives the persona an opportunity to do evil. For instance, all the pious men and women that the persona looked up to initially as well as his pious wife, whom he hoped would be his only physical support besides the heavens above, have been progressively eliminated from the righteous zone (7 -8). In this way, the alter ego gets the main character to change his perception about the world as well as about people as a whole. He loses hope in life and does not have fun anymore. Life presents more questions and suspicion to the persona instead of hope and calmness.

The contradiction between the conscious personality and the unconscious can at times bring about negative feelings as depicted in the story of Goodman Brown. In most cases, such thoughts result in depression as well as other personality conditions that require counseling to be addressed. While the possibility of the story being a dream is eminent, the impacts it has on the persona are not as expected of a dream. At the same time, it is impossible to foretell of the psychic capability of the experiences held by the persona. The loneliness at the end of his perceived ordeal as well as throughout the persona’s ensuing life depicts life changing experiences that could have marred his peaceful existence to a large extent. It depicts loss of hope and direction and complete loss of optimism. From a psychoanalytic perspective, the condition of the persona towards the end of the story portrays the condition described as Oedipus complex (Murfin 504). Individuals suffering from Oedipus complex face fears, anxieties and anger that are the results of repressing their actual wishes or feelings. Upon experiencing such fears, the victims may experience dreams that remind them of their status relative to what they portray to the public.

Founding the explanation of the story on the concept of Oedipus complex, it is possible that Goodman Brown himself had been repressing desires to walk along the path of darkness to some extent. He may have felt chained within the societal expectations as explained through his reasons for resisting the wilderness’ path. For instance, he cites the respect that both his father and grandfather had within the society. He reports that he cannot continue on the dark path at night due to the probability of being met by others who knew him differently. The response of the alter ego to his suggestions gives the impression that everyone has a dark side and that no one ever talks about their own dark side. The only other person who is aware of an individual’s dark side is their shadow. The voices in the conscious versus those in the subconscious mind can result in personality conflicts, which bring about feelings of bondage. In real life, such feelings can be repressed and/ or ignored and pushed to the subconscious. In the dreams, the same feelings persist and are experienced as if real to the victim (Murfin 506). The same was probably the case with Goodman Brown, resulting in greater pressure and even higher chances of fear. By actually experiencing the dream and being unable to separate the dream from a psychic manifestation or a real occurrence, Goodman Brown is affected throughout his remaining life cycle.

Themes in the Story

In Hawthorne’s story, the key theme that emerges is that of juxtaposition. The combination of good and evil brings about the greatest impression of juxtaposition in the story. For instance, the combination of the nature of the main character as depicted through descriptions of feelings, the known and the unknown actions and the hidden desires depicted in the dream brings about the impression that it is impossible to separate different natures of human life. The same juxtaposition characterizes each and everyone’s life. From the members of the church, church leaders and even the young ones such as Goodman Brown, the duality of life is eminent. Each of the characters in the story depicts a double nature combining a good side which is portrayed to the general public and to those who know them in a positive light. The same people hold a dark side that is only visible to the others with whom they engage in the deeds of darkness. In each of these people, each of the sides perfectly hides the nature of the other and prevents them from associating with those whom they consider to possess different characteristics. For instance, all the members of the Salem District who are considered to be pious and who abhor evil in the daylight accept and mingle with the same evil in the darkness of the midnight and away from the eyes of other pious ones. None of these people judges the other in the darkness where their deeds meet. This shows perfect combination and assimilation of good into evil instead of the good repelling the evil as is expected. Such juxtaposition creates the perception of the inevitability of human evil in spite of the positive perceptions created by man.

The combination of different characters also fosters the theme of pretense, particularly through the depiction of Oedipus complex in Goodman Brown. From the descriptions made by various authors such as Murfin and Moores, Oedipus complex is associated with the presence of competing personalities as depicted in the story. There can only be one explanation behind this perception. The explanation therefore is founded on the argument that throughout his life, based on the story from the beginning, Goodman Brown has lived a life that is characterized by piety. However, there is a resident evil in him, which drives him towards accepting his companion’s proposal for a meeting despite being fully aware that the impending meeting was to initiate an evil trail. Furthermore, his decisions are made consciously with the intention that his Faith should not be aware of the evil in him. He even promises himself that he would not engage in any more evil activities after the final evil act. The description of the coming night prior to actually meeting and discussing with his companion portrays a conscious awareness of the intentions of the night, and the work that is to be done. The description only purposes to show the level of pretense that can be availed in a man’s heart. The same is depicted through the actions of Faith. As her husband leaves, she whispers his desire to have him by her side at least for that single night. Her actions and the final events in the story clearly indicate the kind of pretense that is associated with individuals who understand that their words have no potential of diverting the decisions of others. In the case of Faith, she knew her husband already made the decision to travel and her own plans were in place. The efforts to convince him were also made in pretense as evidenced by the turn of events later in the story.

The theme of pretense trends through the entire story, not only among the major characters but also among those in whom they believed and laid their trust. It is the exposure of such characters that lead the main character into depression and the melancholy that forms a major part of his life after the dream. The realization that everyone he knows, from the catechist to the deacon and his dear Faith, all have alternative personalities drives the persona to the brink of despair as he loses interest in life (Hawthorne 8-9). He becomes suspicious of all he sees based on his experience of their negative sides. The same impact is felt in reality when the things that one holds precious or of value are ridiculed and taken for granted through pretense. By showing Goodman Brown that all those who taught him his values are walking in the path of darkness, his alter- ego made it impossible for him to believe in the potential good of any of them. His perception of their positive sides was clouded completely by his experience of the negative. The pretense in the story thus paints a picture of the light which tries hard to hide the darkness. Eventually, when the darkness cannot hide anymore, it exposes itself through efforts to initiate a more powerful light into the dark realm.

Conclusion

The story of Young Goodman Brown is a perfect representation of the place of dreams in reality. The story, through the use of juxtaposition and the theme of pretense, exemplifies the conceptual human life. It clearly shows the effects of repressing certain feelings, fears or anxieties and how they may affect an individual’s life to a great extent. Through the life of Goodman Brown, the author exemplifies the combination of the light and the dark in each individual’s life, and the possibility of hiding one character to the extent of being completely unnoticeable by others. From the psychoanalytic perspective, this is described through the concept of Oedipus complex, which results in the manifestation of such repressed fears and feelings through dreams.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown. In Mosses from an old Manse. Eldritch Press, 1854. Retrieved from www.eldritchpress.org/nh/ygb.html

D, J. Moores. Young Goodman Brown’s ‘evil purpose’: Hawthorne and the Jungian Shadow. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, vol. 27, no. 3- 4. (2005). Retrieved from www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-147792446/young-goodman-brown-s-evil-purpose-hawthorne-and

Murfin, Ross C. Psychoanalytic criticism and Jane Eyre. (Undated). Pp. 502- 513. Retrieved from http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~rlbeebe/what_is_psychoanalytic_criticism.pdf

Sample Religious Studies Essay Paper on The “Deadman Walking” and the Concept of Communion of Saints essay help writer

The movie Deadman Walking features a man involved in a complicated murder, whose action is seeking vindication with the help of a nun, Sister Helen, thus, introducing the concept of Communion of Saints. The Communion of Saints is a catholic doctrine that refers to the unity of all believers, souls in the purgatory, and saints in heaven under Christ. In the movie “Deadman Walking”, Sister Helen Prejean volunteers to be Mathew Poncelet’s spiritual adviser after establishing a relationship with him. Poncelet is on a death row for killing adolescent lovers. Therefore, Sister Helen goes ahead to find Poncelet a pro bono lawyer who appeals for the reduction of Poncelet’s sentence to life imprisonment, however the appeal is unsuccessful.

Interestingly, Sister Helen does all this to Mathew in spite of the fact that he was arrogant, a racist, a sexist, and unremorseful for his deeds. The belief in the unity of all children of God under the Catholic Communion of Saints influences Sister Helen’s actions. She considers Mathew Poncelet as a child of God and not a murderer. She also convinces Poncelet to confess, and ask the victims’ parents for forgiveness, after learning that the court had rejected the plea to change the sentence to life imprisonment. Despite the Court turning down her appeal, she continues to act as Poncelet’s spiritual guide as he awaits execution. This is an indication that Sister Helen saw Poncelet as a child of God who deserves redemption and forgiveness regardless of the sins he had committed.

Sister Helen’s actions connect with the Catholic history in the U.S, especially concerning charity. The Catholic Church grew rapidly during the colonial era, and the church proceeded to establish charitable organizations such as orphanages, hospitals, colleges, and schools among others. Immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Poland expanded the Catholic Church in America. By 19th Century, the Catholic Church had built impressive infrastructure within the Diocese managed by Bishops chosen by the pope. Before 1900, most of the Priests in the U.S were immigrants from Ireland and France. Women were not left behind, as many of them became nuns like in Sister Helen’s case. Most of Catholics in the U.S were working class before the Second World War. After the war, however, many people gained social mobility and moved into white-collar jobs and suburbs.

Nevertheless, by 1960s, the number of people who were interested in becoming nuns and priest fell. The Catholic Church continued to flourish in the U.S courtesy of immigrants from Latin America and Mexico. The universities and colleges that had been established by the Catholic Church grew, and people started to question the curriculum that adhered to Catholic Theology. In the 1980s, Catholic Bishops participated in politics and aired their views on issues to do with sexuality and abortion. The death sentence is also a political issue that also attracted the interest of Catholic Bishops in the U.S. The Catholic Church is opposed to the death sentence although the practice is still common in some states in the U.S. This explains why Sister Helen appeals to reverse Poncelet’s case from death sentence to life imprisonment.

The movie is a reflection of the Catholic doctrine of Communion of Saints that makes Catholics to consider fellow believers as children of God. The doctrine influences Catholics to engage in charitable acts and desist from judging others no matter what they have done. The doctrine also encourages reconciliation as portrayed by Sister Helen when she arranges a meeting between Poncelet and the parents to the teenagers he had killed.

Sample Culture Essay Paper on Survival as an Element of Canadian Culture descriptive essay help: descriptive essay help

Introduction

Multiculturalism is one of the most common identifiers of the Canadian nation. Unlike other nations such as Europe, Canada has established effective cultural values and identities which encourage cohesion and unity among diverse cultural formations. Other nations have adopted negative perceptions of multiculturalism entailing cultural sabotage and polarization, which were not initially evident in the Canadian context (Banting and Kymlicka 46). However, the idea of multiculturalism is constantly being built on isolationist as well as stereotypical assumptions about each of the ethnic groups in the country. The evidence of the same is taken to imply that Canada is moving in the footsteps of Europe. Due to the assumption of the direction of Canada’s movement relative to Europe, the country is under constant scrutiny to determine whether the same segregation, prejudice and polarization activities experienced in Europe have started being experienced in Canada. The outcome of such scrutiny is that most of the cultures of the country are constantly under the pressure to survive amidst a dynamic cultural background (Banting and Kymlicka 46). The concept of multiculturalism and the associated polarization brings about the need for segregation in the same measure as experienced in Europe. On the contrary, it has resulted in the realization of the inherent need for survival and can be cited as the driver of the survival theme in Canadian culture.

Survival in Canadian Culture

Understanding the concept of survival in explaining the Canadian culture can be a difficult challenge. This is because the survival is considered one of the thematic guides in Canadian literatures in regards to cultural exploration. Individuals in the country identify themselves collectively with their different ethnic cultures while positioning themselves within the triangulations of culture and collective identities. According to Violini (5), the Canadian landscape itself, in its diversity, mirrors the diversity of the people in the country. The citizens are enclosed within the concepts of diverse mythological cultures. The assortment of cultures to be chosen from, the intertwined cultural differences and the massive immigrant populations make it difficult to establish a single thematic perception that can effectively describe all Canadians. With the variety of cultures demanding individual attention, Canadians resort to the identifying themselves with close knit cultural relations. Each cultural group works towards ensuring it is not assimilated by others. Survival thus becomes the most reasonable thematic descriptor of Canada, which gives the country the intended unity.

Survival is seen as a theme not only in Canadian literature but also in the conduct of various cultural groups. In the theme of survival, the cultural truth is continuously seen to be prevalent in the contemporary Canadian culture. The theme of survival not only describes the inherent desire of each cultural group to be recognized but also acts as a bridge between the different cultural groups in the country. The aboriginals have different survival stories and techniques from the White Canadians as well as from other cultural and ethnic factions in the country. While each understands the differences between their cultures, they all struggle to stand against the concept of acculturation, particularly with respect to the impacts of the colonial era. Canada has established itself under the survival theme in terms of describing conditions experienced by different cultural groups in the country. Presently, the development of the modernized nation- state following colonization has led to the distinction of small, potential communities for assimilation and larger communities which can assimilate others.

The Aboriginal Canadians form the best example in the exploration of the survival theme in Canada. The community, initially recognized by the distinctive practices with regards to self defense and economic activity, has continued to be associated with distinctive clothing, language and physical features. Such external factors characterize their consideration by others, a factor which has to be rectified in most cases to achieve individual identity. While the collective people have a shared history of genocide, poverty, disenfranchisement and collective trauma among many past experiences, they still have individual identities separate from the collective perception (Frideres 321). The perception of the community as a small cultural groups results in the loss of individual identity and the assumption of potential assimilation by larger cultural entities. In such a case, the theme of survival emerges not only in the preservation of the collective identity but also in the preservation of individual identities. The community and the members thereof have to develop a distinctive identity separate from the description accorded to them by others. In most cases, maintaining an independent description proves to be challenging as the community members respond more to external characterizations.

At the same time, the Aboriginals have made massive efforts towards ensuring cultural survival not only through perseveration of their cultural practices in their indigenous settings but also exposing the culture to large urban settings. The community recognizes the need for interconnection among all things and all people, particularly through communal practices of spirituality and religion (Frideres 323). The community has to maintain variants of its cultural practices yet maintain a world view of the culture and the elements in it. Because of such need for a world view, the community is under constant strain, struggling with the pressure towards assimilation by larger communities versus the community forces and the cultural traditions of the aboriginal identity (Frideres 324).

In other communities, the theme of survival is viewed not only as a unifying element of Canadian literature but also of the diverse cultural identities in Canada. Each of the ethnic groups in the country had different struggles and different challenges (Alter 159). At the core of Canadian culture, the theme of survival exemplifies the efforts made different native and non-native communities in ensuring positive progress. For the early settlers, the theme of survival was majorly developed in the early years where the communities had to stand against a plethora of hostile natives and natural elements. On the other hand, the French Canada had to survival the unexpected increase of the English Canada to be able to ensure cultural sustainability is achieved. Their numbers notwithstanding, the English Canada also has to constantly remain strong against and populous and similarly strong neighbor, the United States (Alter 159). The implications of such interactions are that each of these groups is constantly striving to maintain its unadulterated cultural practices. To a large extent, this has not been possible, partially due to the acculturation that resulted from colonial powers and also due to the modernization effects in Canada and beyond.

The experiences of different Canadian communities and cultures provide a good example of how survival is part of culture. Not only do different communities strive to stand amidst other conflicting cultures, but they also share in their national efforts to sustain the Canadian culture. The implication is a general unification in the theme of survival.

Works Cited

Alter, Grit. Inter and trans-cultural learning in the context of Canadian young adult fiction. LIT Verlag Munster, 2015. Retrieved from www.books.google.co.ke/books?id=Whq5CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA159&lpg=PA159&dq=Survival+as+an+element+of+Canadian+identity&source=bl&ots=LXxDc2b2ic&sig=ScUnlJYEQj_5qWHYoUSLOf_7-jA&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=SurvivalasanelementofCanadianidentity&f=false

Banting, Keith and Kymlicka, Will. Canadian multiculturalism: Global anxieties and local debates. British Journal of Canadian Studies, vol. 23, 1(2010): 43- 72. Retrieved from www.post.queensu.ca/~bantingk/Canadian_Multiculturalism.pdf

Frideres, James. Aboriginal identity in the Canadian context. The Canadian Journal of Native Studies, vol. XXVIII, 2 (2008): 313- 342. Retrieved from www3.brandonu.ca/cjns/28.2/05Frideres.pdf

Violini, Cara. Hundreds and thousands: Diversifying themes in Canadian literature through Emily Carr’s mythographies. Master’s Thesis – Athabasca University. 2011. Retrieved from www.dtpr.lib.athabascau.ca/action/download.php?filename=mais/CaraVioliniProject.pdf

Sample Public Administration Research Paper on Public Information Officer’s Role in American Law Enforcement descriptive essay help

For a long period, several police agencies in the United States have created public information officers (PIO) that mainly communicate with many audiences, predominantly the media. Despite the fact that most PIO define their functions as media-inclined and responsive, they apply management-focused practical approaches that are in line with recognized public relations models. Generally, the PIOs carry out several customary public relations roles, which have been significant in moving law enforcement from a closed to a more open system of communication in the society. commonly, law enforcement agencies receive negative coverage by the media which dents their image. In response to negative publicity, law enforcement agencies have put in place measures of repairing their image in the eyes of the public. Furthermore, other police departments have played a significant role in creating a more unswerving and operational system of communication with the public, explicitly through their public information units. The current paper discusses the importance of public information officers (PIO) and how instrumental they are in moving the law enforcement’s communication system from a closed to a more open system.

Currently, Public information activities are perceived as integral in police activities, principally, because the contemporary society has become progressively technological and media inclined. For example, after several negative instances took place in the Los Angeles Police Department, the agency undertook a more preemptive strategy of addressing the needs of the media and creating constructive stories to reestablish public confidence in the police (Stateman). According to Kelly, the former president of the National Information Officers Association (NIOA) as well as the editor of the NIOA News stated, “The luxury of deliberation and reflection is rapidly disappearing, as the traditional news cycle erodes into a continuous blur. We find ourselves inundated with broad requests, even demands, for information from varied sources, all conditioned to expect immediate answers” (p.2). In a rejoinder to the need for more information, several intermediate-and large-sized metropolitan agencies and federal law enforcement agencies have created public information offices as extensions to their overall operations within specific locations. Avowed law enforcing officers, in addition to the growing population of civilian personnel with communication backgrounds, are taking up the functions of public information officer (PIO). The main role of the position is to inform the media and the general public concerning the agency’s actions, and happenings relating to the law enforcing agencies. Therefore, the growth in the public information position has created a huge demand for nationwide and statewide-proficient associations that offer PIOs with preparation and qualified development opportunities. The NIOA is an example of an entity whose members comprise the law enforcement and emergency medicine PIOs originating from the United States and Canada. NIOA members assemble at annual conferences in professional development seminars. Such seminars also provide an opportunity for members to interrelate with their colleagues from other agencies. Other certified associations, for instance, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Sheriff’s Association have also created exceptional public information task forces that are aimed at developing the policing segment.

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), for instance, is one of the oldest and major law enforcement agencies in the United States. The department controls a population of almost 1.5 million with around 6,526 sworn officers and 834 civilian staff, totalling 7,360 personnel (Fachnern and Scarter 10). The PPD is the main law enforcement agency with its functions across Philadelphia County. The department’s activities exemplify the increasing intricacy of the role of police in society. Nonetheless, the incorporation of effective communication approach has ensured that the agency’s undertakings evolve from reactive to positive in its fight against crime. The department has incorporated evolutionary strategies through public interactions, in its operation, hence developing an open communication.

The PIOs are also significant among the law enforcement’s focus on community relations and the ensuing incorporation of a more formalized communication or public relations activities. The formation of the PIO was somewhat a reaction to the major social and political occurrences that took place in the United States. The events included the metropolitan uprisings and civil rights remonstrations. Since the public uproar concerning the police strategies applied in handling the hot-blooded situations during this period were severe, the practices were defied. The strategies also led to the formation of the federal level consultative advisories, which commended police reorganizations. Nonetheless, the formation of the PIO has enhanced a sturdier community relations programs as well as a more positive news media relation (International Association of Chiefs of Police and United States of America 7). The PIO has opened avenues to the formation of press offices besides public information units, which assist the law enforcing agencies in effectively addressing the media and acting openly with the public in communicating information.

There have been several misconceptions about the role of PIO despite the fact that it is a significant arm of communication function. For instance, whereas most PIOs’ role is labeled as media-relations-focused, there are some aspects of the communication by the PIO that depart from the traditional one-way public information ideal. The PIO, apart from communication, ensures that law enforcing agencies voluntarily uphold high standards in all facets of law enforcement, for instance, crime control and prevention, service delivery, agency harmonization, and community relations (Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies 54).The PIO has created explicit values on public information that focus on the objective of advising the public and news media about the occurrences that impact the lives of citizens in the community with honesty and openness. Good working relations between the police and the public is exemplified through community policing (Brown 1). The public information function enhances a more open system of communication whereby the public information section defines the PIO function.

Several law enforcement agencies are currently employing PIO that are aimed at enhancing public information programs, which update the public and also community members about law enforcement activities. Despite the fact that the police reform efforts and approval decrees have enhanced the image of a professional police body, there is immense attention from the media on both at local and federal levels events encompassing dubious police strategies. Negative notions of the public towards the police have continued to be an impediment to the relationship between the two parties. For example, the use of force by the police and the magnitude to which the officers adhere to standard police procedures at a crime scene are part of the issues that promote public criticism of the police. These concerns, in addition to the impacts of waning resources on police department activities, increase the necessity of the police to uphold public support. Through informing and integrating the public through the PIOs, law enforcing agencies expect to help the public understand the that the incidents of failure to follow police procedure and other crimes committed by rogue police officers, should not be used to gauge the entire police body. Additionally, the police through IPOs intend to inform the public about steps taken to discipline such police officers.

The PIOs have also enhanced the creation of citizen confidence towards law enforcing agencies and, consequently, end the negative publicity. Certainly, citizen support is core to law enforcing agencies in projecting a confident image. According to Motschall, Melissa, and Liqun, the police department, more than any other government agency, requires the indulgence and support of the public. This level of support and understanding also enhances the functioning of the municipal and government entities. Furthermore, police leaders have talked about the significance of citizens’ support and police responsibility to the public during national meetings (US Dep’t of Justice 21). The importance of extensive media and citizen consideration among the police is important in ensuring that law enforcing agencies protect cities, departments, and other personnel from the destruction of citizen buoyancy and negative publicity.

The PIO enhancement of citizen support and a confident police image is also significant in addressing the problem of fading resources, or budgetary constrictions of law enforcing agencies attained through an open system of communication. The Federal General Revenue Sharing dues as well as the state and local funds have decreased. Consequently, the funding of several police departments that depend on tax have been drastically reduced. Therefore, law enforcing agencies are encouraged to look for alternate ways of funding to increase their activities, for instance, through private contributions, donations, and indenture. Law enforcement agencies, therefore, through open communication systems, need to present their cases to citizens. Nonetheless, this can only be effective through open public presentations undertaken by the PIOs. The PIOs can also create effective working associations with the media, thereby forming special events and organizing for press conferences that attract positive publicity from the police. The police professionals associate respectable publicity by the PIOs with a confident public image. A positive public image is significant in the reduction of citizens’ criticisms at the same time encouraging taxpayers’ courtesy in advocating for additional revenue measures intended to subsidy the law enforcement agencies.

The PIOs are significant because their roles of comprehensive communication address the necessity for more operative public relations among law enforcing agencies. Regardless of the perception of the efforts of public information or public affairs, the PIO communication functions have addressed the issues that relate to communication barriers. Moreover, the objective of public relations by the PIOs is perceived as a high precedence in relation to the law enforcing agency’s general activities, which heavily depend on public support. Law enforcement agencie’s public relations undertakings need to be preserved at all costs and be granted priority by the agency administration. The function of PIO in the agency’s public relations is aimed at manipulating the public’s admiration, sureness, and endorsement for the agency’s activities and efforts. Through the PIOs, the police are encouraged to exercise control on their image since the level of citizen openness, buoyancy, and budget decisions are apparently swayed by this form of image.

The PIOs roles have addressed the environmental factors, which necessitated the need for law enforcement’s public information programs and professional standards. The programs have become significant in shifting the agency from the perceived paramilitary positioning to a service work style, hence enhancing open communication. According to Culbertson (13), law enforcing agency currently engages more in community-service initiatives. The service strategy inspires the public to work in collaboration with the police in decreasing crime and accentuates on the constructive police-citizen relations as evident in the public expression of support of the service approach, mainly through programs such as community policing.

Traditionally, public relations practices included several deliberate communication actions aimed at establishing links between an organization and its publics (Saffer, Taylor and Yang 2). These actions included media relations, engagement, exploration, administration, special events, speaking, and producing communications, for instance, print and video (Cutlipetal 36). Similarly, PIO law enforcing undertakings are characteristically media-relations engrossed, comprising several traditional public relations actions, for instance, organization of special events and creation of newsletters. Moreover, many PIOs assume management roles in the law enforcing agencies, hence controlling press strategy and instructing the leaders on press matters (Guffey). Therefore, PIOs are significant personnel within the law enforcing agencies regarding public relations objectives. Therefore, they enhance an open communication between the public and the agencies.

The formation of PIO in several law enforcing agencies also serves the needs of both large and mid-sized police organizations of consolidating the information issued by the organization. Before the formation of the PIO, there were several appeals for information from law enforcing agencies, predominantly from media agencies, which were often snubbed or replied with “no comment.” Such conducts triggered several deceptive conceptions about the police, for instance, cover-ups. As a result, the public information role was being created as a rejoinder to the obstacles to police integrity and for agencies to be more approachable to their environment in enhancing an open communication system (Davies 1). The public information series, as approaches for adaptation, are significant means that both the police and the public manage with obstinate social problems.

Law enforcement agencies have established media relations, community relations, and public information functions through PIO, which are aimed at establishing a more open system of information exchange between the agencies and the public. This goal is attained through effective communication in addressing several issues (Mawby 126). During the process, the law enforcing agencies are able to manage their work and try to impact their spectators’ discernments.

Currently, the PIO position has formally become part of the law enforcing agencies. In fact, the current inclination is increasing PIO appointments among law enforcement agencies through full time employment. There are differences between distinct professional PIO associations (Surette 111). Most of the PIOs are engrossed in a wide range of responsibilities, for instance, answering media concerns, responding to public records appeals, and organizing news meetings and news conversations with other personnel. All these functions, within law enforcing agencies, are aimed at ensuring a smooth communication between the police and the public. The communication interaction created is significant in ensuring an open communication between the two parties, hence building trust and confidence. Therefore, the PIO function in enhancing open communication between law enforcing agencies and the public has played a significant role in the execution of the agencies’ role and the safety of the public.

Annotated Bibliography

Davis, Patrick, et al. “The PIO and Today’s Digital News Environment.” FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 79.7 (2010).

The source analyzes the nature of news media and how drastically business has transformed. It examines the innovations and inventions in the news coverage through technological devices, for instance, camera phones and the Internet usage in information and news reporting. These devices are significant in enhancing collaboration and public relations in police communications.

Brown, Lee P. Community policing: A practical guide for police officials. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 1989.

The source reports on the future of the American policing and its improvement concerning the sharing of information with the public. The authors focus on the police agencies’ strategies on community based and problem-solving policing oriented. According to the author, the integration of the community policing approaches by law enforcing agencies is a significant step towards how the American business would undertake its responsibilities.

International Association of Chiefs of Police, and United States of America. “Building Trust Between the Police and the Citizens They Serve: An Internal Affairs Promising Practices Guide for Local Law Enforcement.” (2009).

The source underpins the importance of creating and upholding community trust, which is a significant element in successful policing and law enforcement. The source reiterates the notion that building and maintaining this trust between the police and the public is an ongoing effort. Nonetheless, the source emphasizes that the ethical actions of numerous police officers, in most cases, are easily destroyed by unethical actions of few police officers. After such instances, communication through public relations becomes core in ensuring that the image of the law enforcing agency is not destroyed.

Fachner, George, and Steven Carter. “Collaborative reform initiative: An assessment of deadly force in the Philadelphia Police Department.” Unpublished report. Submitted by the CNA Corporation to the USDOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (2015).

The source provides a technical report on the present and future states of lethal force approaches, drill, analysis, and undertakings of the Philadelphia Police Department. The assessment was undertaken by a team of researchers in a one-year period. According to the source, it was established that the main objective of reform in the use takes into account the best practices and community expectations of the police.

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., and United States of America. “Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies: The Standards Manual of the Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation Program.” (1983).

This Standards Manual source is the main journal of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Initially, the standards were established by the four major law enforcement executive membership associations, which are International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum. The source discusses their roles, particularly in upholding effective communication in the policing.

Motschall, Melissa, and Liqun Cao. “An analysis of the public relations role of the police public information officer.” Police Quarterly 5.2 (2002): 152-180.

The source discusses different police agencies that have established public informationofficer (PIO) functions. According to the authors, the PIOs main function is to communicate with a variety of audiences, predominantly the media. According to the source, despite several roles associated with the PIOs, their main function is to liaison with the media reactive. The source also acknowledges the PIOs skills in management, which are in line with recognized public relations approaches. According to the source, PIOs undertake several functions, including the traditional public relations that are significant in shifting the law enforcement from a closed to a more open system of communication.

Mawby, Rob C. “Police corporate communications, crime reporting and the shaping of policing news.” Policing & Society 20.1 (2010): 124-139.

This article discusses police forces in England and Wales in recent years in their attempt to improve the ways in which they communicate. The need for improved communication is attributed to several reasons, for instance, pressure from technological media developments, the government, and public pressure to deliver encouraging policing services. According to the article, the same media expansions have also impacted news organizations and the analyses of the relations between the media and police communications.

Culbertson, Hugh M. “A key step in police-community relations: Identify the Divisive Issues.” Public Relations Quarterly 45.1 (2000): 13.

This article discusses the fact that law enforcement has become part of public relations in the recent development. According to the source, many people fear and have confidence in the law enforcing agencies and the police. Therefore, for this relationship to improve, there must be an effective police relational communication improvement that understands the fact complexities and divisive issues that exist.

Cutlip, S. M. “Centre, AH & Broom, GM (2000), Effective Public Relations.”

This source discusses effective Public Relations field. The book reviews several developments aimed at advancing public relations toward professional status. This edition is a continuation of the definition of public relations as a profession in schools and effective application by the practitioners. The source is a reference point to individuals practicing public relations globally.

Guffey, James E. “The police and the media: Proposals for managing conflict productively.” Am. J. Police 11 (1992): 33.

This source points out the fact that the police and the media are two entities that habitually interact. According to the author, the relationship between the police and the media can be considered to be symbiotic. According to the article, it is apparent that both the police and the media need each other, a relationship that has not been productive for a long term.

Surette, R. (2001). Public information officers: The civilianization of a criminal justice profession. Journal of Criminal Justice, 29(2), 107-117.

The article talks about Criminal Justice Public Information Officers (PIOs) who are exclusive in the criminal justice field. The PIOs act as concierges in the creation of crime and justice information. According to the source, the PIOs have also moved their roles from specifically criminal justice and communication degrees to incorporate a broader responsibility.

Saffer, A. J., M. Taylor, and A. Yang. “Political public relations in advocacy: Building online influence and social capital.” Public Relations Journal 7.4 (2013): 1-35.

This article discusses how political public relations happenings support activism initiatives and permit entities to communicate and partner with other organizations to bring about change. The authors scrutinize the organizational relationships in terms of political advocacy. The article provides that a connected social capital offers a hypothetical framework for expansion of the study of relationships. This is important with regards to relations between the police and the community, which is necessary to bring about change.

US Dep’t of Justice, “Principles of Good Policing: Avoiding Violence Between Police and Citizens.” (2003): 14.

This source discusses the functions of the staff of the Community Relations Service alongside the law enforcement executives. The article provides the guiding ideologies that need to direct the police functions in the community. According to the source, the fundamental supposition is that a police force and the community it serves need to reach an agreement on the standards that control the police force. For a long time, the Community Relations Service (CRS) in the United States Department of Justice has been significant in assisting the police departments and communities across the nation to maintain law and order in an intricate and varying multicultural society.