Answer THREE of the following five essay prompts (300+ words each). When formulating your response, you DO NOT need to answer every question posed, but can select the most salient or interesting questions you can successfully answer within the allotted 300+ words. DO NOT answer more than three.

1.     Discuss the terms “śrūti” and “smṛti” (as discussed in your textbook) in reference to all the different kinds of sacred literature that we have read thus far in the class. Why have Hindu texts been organized into these two groups and what are the implications of this? For instance, what are the historical or religious implications of these categories? Do texts transmitted through chanting (eg., Vedic oral and mnemonic systems of memorization) alone differ from texts that are written down (on palm leaf or in stone, etc)? How so? The literature you should consider includes the Vedas (including the Four Vedas, the Brahmanas, and the Upanisads), the Epics (including the Mahābhārata which contains the Bhagavad Gītā), the Dharmaśastras, etc. Do the texts themselves concur with this systemization? For instance, does the Gītā recognize the authority of the Vedas over its own authority?

2.     In the “Birth of Gaṇeśa” story from the Śiva Purāṇa there is a lot of violence described in the story, from Gaṇeśa’s battle with Śiva’s gaṇas (chapters 15-16) to the beheading of Gaṇeśa by Śiva (chapter 16) to Pārvatī’s threat to destroy the universe through her śaktis (chapter 17) afterwards. Why do you think religious texts sometimes describe the divine (God, or the gods) engaging in acts of worldly violence? Does the violence serve an allegorical or symbolic purpose in this sacred text? Try to answer these questions with specific references (ie., verse quotations) from the “Birth of Gaṇeśa” story from your readings. You may also compare these to references to violence found in other examples such as the Bhagavad Gītā or the Śatapathabrahmaṇa (text on animal sacrifice). Emphasis should be placed on the Birth of Gaṇeśa story, however.

3.     Is Hinduism best described as Polytheistic, Monotheistic, or Henotheistic or something else? Did Hinduism possibly emphasize different kinds of “theisms” at different times in its history? Answer these questions using concrete examples (citations) from primary sources (Hymns of the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gītā, etc.) to prove your point. Do all these texts share the same cosmology or do they differ in significant ways?

4.      The material aspects of Vedic and Epic Period Hinduism are complex and evolved over centuries. Vedic religion did not have art but instead constructed elaborate altars and ritual implements. Non-Vedic styles of art and worship however, influenced the development of Hindu image worship that emerged in the Epic period. These Epic period art forms (images of gods, temples, etc) coincide with the rise of High gods like Viṣṇu and Śiva. Referring to examples of material Hinduism (in PPT presentations, textbook (see esp. ch. 5), primary sources, etc.), discuss the shift from Vedic religion to Epic Hinduism and beyond. You may (and are strongly encouraged), in your answer, to post pictures from course materials when writing your answer. You should not research images on the internet beyond course material.

5.     The concept of the “Self” (Atman) is important to the development of Hinduism, especially from the Upaniṣad and the Gītā. Using any material from the course (readings, lectures, textbook, podcasts, etc.) discuss what your understanding of this concept is. You can choose to discuss its historical development for example, or you may choose to discuss its symbolic, social, or spiritual significance within the tradition. Use concrete examples when answering the question. This means that you must refer to at least one primary source (Veda, Upanisad, Epic, or Purana) and at least two references to the concept of Self discussed in your textbook. You could, furthermore, also refer to the Mahabharata podcast dealing with the story of Jaratkaru since his conflict with his ancestors in part has to do with different concepts of the Self.

Develop and write a 4 to 6-page, APA-formatted paper that a) compares and b) contrasts the leadership styles and scope of influence of two (2) historical figures. Remember, this is to be a perspective on leadership that requires you to perform research and analysis into how these leaders viewed themselves, and how others viewed them. 

Introduction

State what made each an effective leader

Describe how each influence the lives of others positively and/or negatively

Include how will each be remembered in history

Provide leadership similarities and differences of the two leaders

Discuss if you consider either of them servant-leader types

Conclusion (With the textbook and at least six [6] peer-reviewed sources)

Include in-text citations and a References page, which includes at least four academic sources.

Chapter Four The Best of Both Personalities Discussion Board Questions

1. Now that you have read Chapter Four, “Learning With and From Your Colleagues,” read the profiles of two different teachers.

Always Collaborating Annie constantly seeks out others to give her feedback and provide insights into her teaching.  In fact, she does not feel confident teaching a lesson if she hasn’t run it by at least one other colleague formally or informally to garner ideas and test out her lesson plan by describing it aloud.  Rarely does Annie ever take any actions in her teaching without using her colleagues as sounding boards for any changes to practice what she is considering.

Go It Alone Gail rarely takes the opportunity to discuss her teaching with colleagues.  Because she often eats lunch with students, she is rarely in the teachers’ room, so she has few opportunities to engage in professional dialogue with others during the school day. She engages in many extra curricular activities after school, so she often leaves the building following student dismissal.  Although the idea of collaboration appeals to Gail theoretically, she secretly admits to herself that is glad her busy schedule precludes her from discussions with colleagues because she is very action oriented.  She likes her teaching to keep moving in new directions and could see herself getting frustrated by collaboration because it requires consensus and agreement and could potentially slow any changes to reaching practices that she is considering. 

Using the chart in your textbook on page 96, provide Annie and Gail with two tips that will improve their concept of collaboration.  Justify the tips you offer through your own experiences of collaborating with colleagues. 

2. Discussion Post #2 

The COVID 19 pandemic of 2020 has, no doubt, caused educators to rethink their delivery of services.  What are some things that have changed at. your school as a result of COVID 19?  What have the effects of these changes been on students?  What are some take aways for educations?

In 200-300 words discuss your thoughts on this subject.  After you post, respond to 2 classmates in 100-200 words.

3. Discussion Board #3

A student’s IEP team is comprised of many members and all members have an important role.  Depending on your job (regular education teacher, special education teacher, speech pathologist, agency representative) you have a very specific role.  In 200-300 words discuss different roles you have played in IEP development. What have you found easy and what have you found difficulty about the roles you have played.

After you post, respond to 2 classmates in 100-200 words.

4. Discussion Board #4 

Research indicates that good discipline is best achieved by putting proactive measures in place.  Over and over, research has shown that disciplinary techniques such as suspension is not effective in managing and preventing behavioral issues.  Many schools have embraced the use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports which emphasize recognizing students for engaging in desired behaviors and stresses the importance of having school-wide involvement.  By shaping desired behavior and focusing on appropriate behavior, students experience success and a much more positive culture within the school setting is created.

In 200-300 words discuss the types of discipline utilized at your school.  Are the positive behavioral supports in place to promote appropriate student behavior? Does you school use suspension? corporal punishment? Does your school teach expected and appropriate behavior and allow students to practice?

After you post, respond to 2 classmates in 100-200 words.

Business Information Systems

• Purpose of the project: To create a relational database using Microsoft Access with table, form, query, and report. Use several data types and apply properties like Lookup data, Input Masks, etc.
• Skills/Knowledge: Chapter 5 and Microsoft Access (2016, 2019, 2021, or 365)
• Description: You have started a business selling a product or service. Use Microsoft Access and complete the following steps to create a database for your customers (SEE ATTACHED FILE)
• Purpose: To create a database file (from scratch) for customers of your business with Table, Form, Query, and 
• Report.Skills/Knowledge: Chapter 5 of the textbook, Relational Databases and Microsoft Access V3.0 Textbook in PDF, and MS Access.
• Description: Please follow the steps in the attached PDF file and create a database file for your customers using Microsoft Access.

Textbook Link For Use; 

https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/bafykbzaceddtfrbfqm7pq2uzg25cu7ne4ovp6chrv2xd5su2fg6q7qixbrn7q?filename=David%20M.%20Kroenke%2C%20Randall%20J.%20Boyle%20-%20Using%20MIS-Pearson%20%282019%29.pdf

1) Suppose you were aware of some corruption that was occurring in the government agency where you work. What would you do? Would you be a whistle-blower and report the corruption?

2) Do you believe our bureaucracy has become too large? Also, would decreasing the size and influence of the government be a positive step?

 Section 2

1.) Complete your service project at a Medical Organization.(nursing home or hospital).  In a minimum 3-page document, please describe your project and how it affected you. Explain how this project may have helped you become a servant-leader. Your writing, content, and grammar will also be graded on this project.