• Overview

  You previously examined ritual in Buddhism, and now you have a unique opportunity to learn the value of a comparative approach to religious studies by comparing ritual in Buddhism and Islam. Such comparisons highlight the concept, or lens, and demonstrate both similarities and differences that cannot otherwise be seen.

  Instructions

  Write a paper in which you compare Buddhism and Islam in terms of ritual using the concepts of ritual included in both lectures: the body, symbol, magic, rites of passage, communitas, liminality, and private rituals. Choose three of those seven concepts and do a point-by-point comparison of ritual in Buddhism and Islam. Describe how the rituals are similar and different and how cultural issues might have made for the differences.You are required to research only in the Capella Library for this assignment.

  Submission Requirements

  • Written communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • References: Format resources and citations according to current APA style and formatting.
  • Page requirements: 2–3 typed, double-spaced pages.
  • Font and font size: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font

Directions: Read the short excerpt on Commander Abrashoff’s leadership style and discuss the following two questions found at the end of the excerpt:

Enlightened Leadership in the U.S. Navy
by Jonette Crowley

Commander D. Michael Abrashoff had a mission. Through what he calls “Grassroots Leadership,” he turned around the operations of the USS Benfold, one of the U.S. Navy’s most modern warships. His methods aren’t complex, yet the results are astounding.

• Under Mike Abrashoff’s 20-month command, the Benfold operated on 75% of its allocated budget, returning $1.4 million to the Navy coffers.
• During that time, the ship’s combat readiness indicators were the highest ever in the history of the Pacific Fleet.
• The promotion rate of his people was 2-1/2 times the Navy average.
• The pre-deployment training cycle, which usually takes a total of 52 days, was completed by the Benfold crew in just 19 days.
• During a 12-month period under the previous command, there were 28 disciplinary actions for which 23 sailors were discharged. During Abrashoff’s tenure there were five disciplinary cases and no discharges.
• Under his predecessor 31 people were detached from the ship for limited duty, usually for complaints of “bad backs.” He had only two crew members leave for health reasons.
• A third of all recruits don’t make it through their first term of enlistment, and only 54% of sailors stay in the Navy after their second duty tour. Commander Abrashoff had 100% of the Benfold’s career sailors signing on for another tour. It is estimated that this retention alone saved the Navy $1.6 million in 1998.

What did he do to stage such a turnaround in less than 20 months? He asked questions, he listened, he acted on what he heard. Almost immediately upon taking command, he had a 15 to 20 minute personal interview with each of his staff of 300. He asked these questions:

• “What do you like best about this ship?”
• “What do you like least?”
• “What would you change if you could?”

He made it a point to “see the ship from the eyes of each crew member.” Abrashoff acted as quickly as he could to institute the ideas that came from these interviews. He focused on what was important: morale and combat readiness. “I didn’t put an emphasis on paperwork,” says Abrashoff. He encouraged his middle managers (junior officers) to delegate the paperwork that had always swamped them and focus instead on the training that enabled them to run the weapons and the ship. “That inspires confidence in the officers for our combat readiness, and the lower level people loved the responsibility for the paperwork stuff that the officers used to do,” the commander reports.

Abrashoff analyzed the processes, always assuming that there has got to be a better way. Simply following SOP (Standard Operating Procedures), or doing things the way they’ve always been done, didn’t hold water. The rules were changed or bent, always with the vision in mind of doing what was best for the crew. “Saving money wasn’t the focus, it was a by-product of efficiency. We did things right the first time.” He set the vision and trusted his crew. He helped people take pride in their work. “I gave my officers my trust and free rein. They didn’t want to lose that trust.” Abrashoff said, “I focused on doing right by the crew, not by the admirals. I didn’t even care if I ever got promoted again. That gave me the freedom to do what made sense.”

One of the biggest complaints was the food, so he sent five of the Benfold’s cooks to culinary school. The ship is now known as having some of the best food in the Navy, making it a showcase for VIPs. By focusing on the needs and ideas of his people, by relaxing the rules, by giving control over to his officers, a ship’s culture has been changed, and with it the lives and confidence of scores of young sailors. A “virtuous cycle” has been set up that is continuing to inspire the crew to do even better. Even after Mike Abrashoff has taken up other duties at his home base in San Diego, the USS Benfold continues to have the highest combat readiness indicators ever seen in the entire Pacific Fleet.

© 1999 Enlightened Leadership Int’l, Inc.

Enlightened Leadership International
Transforming Organizations Through People
www.enleadership.com web@enleadership.com
800-798-9881 or 303-729-0540

Complete the following and number each response:

1. Discuss at least 5 results that took place on the USS Benfold that Abrashoff was able to implement in his short command time?

2. Discuss what did he do to stage such a turnaround in less than 20 months–(give at least 5 examples)?

Keep your analysis to one page and submit as a word document.

The Kennewick Man news story is one of the most important archaeology stories of modern times. The discovery of Kennewick Man, the vast amount of public confusion over what he represents, the Federal government’s attempt to settle the case out of court, the suit pressed by scientists, the objections raised by the Native American community, the rulings of the court and, eventually, the analysis of the remains; all of these issues have affected how scientists, Native Americans, and the Federal governmental bodies conduct work and how that work is scrutinized by the public.

1. Based on what you’ve learned about the Kennewick Man and its controversy, who do you think owns the past? Explain your rationale based on the information you’ve learned about the Kennewick Man controversy.
2. Length: 2 pages

Resources and information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iq-kC-lJWw

The final version of your course project should be submitted to the
drop box below. Your final project should build from the proposal and
reference list you submitted in Module 02.

Check to be sure your final submission includes the following:

• 4-5 pages of text in addition to having a title and reference page, all in correct APA format.
• A strong thesis statement supported by research from at least 5
  different sources. In a research-based project like this, it is
  important to refer to and cite your sources throughout the paper to show
  where your information is coming from and to support your points.
• Incorporation of key sociological concepts while consistently
  demonstrating the sociological perspective. Your paper should apply one
  of the major sociological theories to the movement you have chosen,
  explaining how that theory would evaluate the development of the
  movement and its successes and failures.