Homer and his impact on the Greek Culture Essay

First seeds of poetry were born among the Greeks even before writing was invented. Poets were bards, chanting gripping narrative epic war poems and emotional ballads. Homer was a Greek poet, to whom are attributed the great epics, the Iliad, the story of the siege of Troy, and the Odyssey, the tale of Ulysses’ wanderings. The place of his birth is doubtful, probably a Greek colony on the coast of Asia Minor, traditionally is described as blind and is believed to have lived in Ionia around 800 BCE. Of the true Homer, nothing is positively known. Arguments have long raged over whether his works are in fact by the same hand, or have their origins in the lays of Homer and his followers (Homeridae). Earmarks of oral poetry in the works, such as formulaic phrases, make it believable that the contribution of Homer was to collect and record the ballads which had been passed on orally from storyteller to storyteller for centuries before his time. There seems little doubt that the works were originally based on current ballads which were much modified and extended. There is, however, another tradition that Homer’s poems were not written down and standardized until Peisistratus, tyrant of Athens, commissioned this work in the first half of the sixth century. Homer’s works appealed greatly to the Greeks of his time and even to the modern readers, due to the thrilling adventures and tragedies featured in them. Homer’s epics enhanced the ideas of heroism and courage, ideas which deeply fascinated the Greeks of the Dark Age Greece and satisfied their hunger for such compositions. Homer’s creations kept alive the traditional songs about the heroes of the Mycenaean age, which were naturally regarded by the Greeks of the time as the good old days. Homer’s contribution to the Greek Culture was enormous. From about 1200 B.C. and for seven hundred years until Plato’s his two famous epics were the basis of Greek religion and morals, the chief source of history, and even of  practical information on geography, metallurgy, navigation, and shipbuilding. Homer’s impact was so colossal that he is often referred to as the â€Å"Shaper of the Greek Spirit†. In Homer we find the beginnings of Greek humanism – a concern with man and his achievements . Homer was one of the few things the Greeks could agree on. The term arete emphasizes Homer’s ideals, arete stands for excellence on the battle field, courage and cunning, win fame and honor against impossible odds. The idea of arete so widely spread by Homer formed the foundation of the Greek view of the world. Homer’s impact on the Greek Culture was so tremendous that in the Hellenistic Age, after the death of Alexander the Great, educated Greeks continued to learn Homer by heart, the way people in the West would know the Bible, or as Muslims the Koran.

The Alhambra

After a long time of going back in time to experience first hand the stories behind the world's greatest paintings, I decided to take a break in studying visual art and widen my perspectives a bit. I stayed up all night on which adventure to take next, and the all-night contemplation led me to a decision to take another adventure—to take on Architectural artworks. First stop, the world-famous Alhambra in Granada, Spain. I went back 12 centuries in time, all the way to the ninth century—the reign of the Islamic invasion of Spain.The Zirites, who are the first kings of Granada, had the Alhambra constructed for military reasons. They built their castles on the hill across the Alhambra, making the structure a fortress for forthcoming attacks from anticipated conquerors. Tension was in the air at all times during this point, but it didn't stop me from appreciating the beauty of the structure that is Alhambra. Though still not fully developed, its obvious Arabesque style†”a type of Islamic art with repetitive complex, geometric patterns of interlacing plant, animal, and abstract forms—makes it a sight to behold.I have already read in art and history books that the Alhambra as a fortress would go on until the 13th century, so I decided to skip the boring part and take myself to 1238. It was at this point when the Alhambra was used as a residence of the kings. During this time, it was the Nasrites who ruled the Islamic kingdom in Spain. The Alhambra was later on developed to include a â€Å"alcazaba† (fortress), an â€Å"alcazar† (palace) and a small â€Å"medina† (city), still with Islamic art ruling the entirety of the structures.The old fortress was later on restored; the artworks developed to reach the full potential of its beauty. This, in turn, signified the Golden Age of Islam in Spain. Perhaps it was the overwhelming awe over the legendary architecture of the Alhambra and the chills it gave me just by looking at s ome parts of its structural design which transported me to yet another century. Next thing I know, it was 1492, and Granada was no longer occupied by the Islams.Catholicism was brought back to Spain, and the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel conquered the city, making the Alhambra a Christian court. Military garrisons and churches were built inside the compound, incorporating Catholicism into the Islamic architecture. For centuries the Alhambra turned into a Catholic city built on Islamic roots, but as years passed, the legendary architectural wonder was left neglected. I was then transported to the 19th century, and it shocked me to find the Alhambra unoccupied, except by thieves, beggars, and homeless people.It struck me so hard that in no time I got back to present time. Now, as I am writing this, the Alhambra is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a strong contender for the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Alhambra being recognized as one of the most important stru ctures and architectural artworks in the entire world makes me so proud that I was part of history when it all happened; though I was nothing but a spectator, I got to experience the rich culture in which the Alhambra was rooted, and the colorful history it had withstood.References Crayon, G. (1832). The Alhambra. London: Samuel Bentley. Lipscomb, K. (2005). Hunter Travel Guides: Spain. New Jersey: Hunter Publishing, Inc. Irwin, Robert. (2004). The Alhambra. London: Butler & Tanner Ltd. Feminism. (n. d. ). In Encyclop? dia Britannica online. Retrieved from http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/724633/feminism Granada, The Alhambra. (n. d. ). In Andalucia Website. Retrieved from http://www. andalucia. com/cities/granada/alhamhistory. htm Arabesque: Art Movement. (n. d. ). In Art Education. Retrieved from

Continuum of Care: Home Health Care

This paper will explain the components of the Home Health Care delivery system of continuum. The reader will be able to understand some of the services provided by the home health care system and how they fit into the continuum of care. It will give details on how the entity does or does not contribute to the overall management of healthcare resources. In conclusion, it will examine the future trends of health care and discuss how the home health services will be impacted or have a need to change to meet future trends.The continuum of home health care pertains to the diversity of health care services rendered for the existence of a person’s life. Home health care organizations offer nursing services or therapy to persons in their homes that do not require hospital confinement but are in need of specialized care. There will be services provided by experienced and qualified nurses, knowledgeable pharmacists, encouraging therapist, concerned social workers, competent nutritionist and compassionate aides to assist wherever needed.Some home health agencies are eligible to offer on-site home infusion pharmacy; an intravenous administration of medication to patients in their own homes (UVA, 2008). Continuum of care also offers nutritional products, prescribed medication and any type of infusion equipment needed at home by the patient. The Federal Law states, home health patients has the freedom to choose the agency that will provide the best home care service that fits their needs. Section 1802 of The Social Security Act â€Å"seeks to ensure that free choice is guaranteed to all Medicare patients†.The law states: ‘Any individual entitled to insurance benefits under this title [i. e. , Medicare] may obtain health services from any institution, agency or any person qualified to participate under this title if such person, agency or institutional undertakes to provide him/her such services(UVA,2008). This statement grants patients the ability and rig ht to choose who they want to provide them services after a hospital stay. All staff members, including nurses go through a thorough hiring process and are monitored and assessed on a regular basis to ensure updated comprehension and proficiency.Each staff member should display a high echelon of outstanding care due to their impressionable experience levels and infinite amount of training. The majority of them will have advanced credentials in specialty areas. The nurses and other staff members emphasize family and patient education to increase the possibility of independence. The Clinical Staff Executive Committee provides clinical supervision and ensures the staff works hard to keep up the excellent reputation and provide patients superb quality of care.This is accomplished by supporting and encouraging staff to engage in continuing education and ongoing in – service programs. Continuum of care staff uses national therapy standards and guidelines to help the patient manage specific diseases. The program should be able to instruct patients and their caregivers how to self manage their diseases. The goal of the Continuum of care is to avoid unnecessary hospitalization. Most agencies are focused on Heart Failure, Diabetes, Incontinence, COPD, rehabilitation, psychiatric nursing, wound care and after surgery care.Continuum of care therapy program is designed to improve self care, problems with mobility, communication, pain and even swallowing management. Eligibility and coverage of continuum home health care services is based upon who is paying for the services; Managed Care, self pay Medicare or Medicaid. On average, the patient has to be homebound where he or she infrequently leaves home for no more than health reasons and when done it requires a lot of effort and assistance from someone. The patient must not require around the clock care and it must be ordered by a physician.Most importantly, care must be medically required The entity contributes to va rious specialty areas in healthcare. Continuum home health care has been in existence for many years but certainly not by that name. Decades ago, physicians made house calls out of necessity and caregivers consisted of family members and friends. More options are given today based on the needs on the individual. There have been changes in health care in regards to reduced hospital stays and elderly populations which are both reasons for home health, hospice and skilled nursing facilities a part of today’s growing health outlook.All of these approaches to health care serve a special yet significant role in the development of contemporary health care. Continuum of home health includes many services for various types of patients. Included but not limited to any age of disabled people, elderly, the chronically ill and persons recuperating from severe illnesses. Continuum of home health care could be in conjunction with home-meal delivery. This service provides the qualifying pati ent with two meals per day. These services will guarantee the patient has a balanced lunch and inner to keep them nourished. Most critically ill patients and elderly patients go on with their day with out eating breakfast or any other meal, basically because they can’t remember when they last ate a meal or don’t have the energy fix something to est. There are outreach laboratories that provide home bound patients with phlebotomy services for blood and other specimen collections. This service is convenient to people that have transportation issues or have family and friends unavailable to provide for their needs.Continuum of home health care can be provided by various kinds of agencies, organizations, private individuals. A great deal of research should be done before choosing a service. The most important thing to remember is to decide on what best fits you and your families needs. Most services have a 24 hour and 7day week availability. They assume responsibility for their personnel and liability for all care. According to the National Association for home Health; Approximately 7. 6 million peoples in the United States need some type of home health.As of January, 2007, there are over 20,000 home health care providers. Roughly two-thirds of home health recipients are over 65 years old and almost two-thirds are women. Approximately 38. 3 billion dollars were estimated to have been spent on home health care in 2003. Medicare is the leading single payer in home health services. The expenditure for Medicare services in 200 was estimated at 31 percent. The Continuum of care home health services has proven to be very rewarding and useful in the past years (NAHC, 2008). No one knows what the future holds but, the needs of people change on a daily basis.More people’s bodies are riddled with illness and diseases and all manner of sickness. Insurances are dictating what can and can not be allowed when utilizing your services. With health care issues on the rise, the need for recovery will grow more rapidly. Hospital stay is drastically reducing which is opening the door for more home health agencies. More diseases and drug therapy could be administered via continuum home health care. There are a limited amount of dialysis patients taught along with family members to administer treatment in the comfort of their homes.Dialysis is a very uncomfortable and unpleasant treatment to experience and any new or improved idea to make the patients more comfortable would be welcomed. Chemotherapy for cancer patients is another treatment to be researched for a better procedure to ensure more comfort. Medicine is changing rapidly everyday and procedures are becoming less complicated and less time consuming. The Continuum of Home Health will have the opportunity to broaden their areas of health care to include a larger range of ill patients.Most of all, with proper training, it could help the economy by making more jobs available in the indus try. It takes a special person to work in the home health care industry. You have to love people, helping people and most of all care about what you do. Every case and how you treat it is a reflection on you. First impressions are lasting and remember the â€Å"Golden Rule† of life. The patients are sick and want to be treated with respect and care. You never know when or if you or a family member will ever need care.

Mrketing Strtegy of Ford Compny Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Mrketing Strtegy of Ford Compny - Case Study Example "Tht's some good news in the mix of our business," Ford's sles nlyst George Pips sid yesterdy. Ford Motor is the second lrgest utomotive compny in the world nd the most trnsntionl of ll uto mkers. It hs opertions in more thn 200 countries nd territories, employing bout 350,000 workers (Schnpp, Cssettri, 2004) Historiclly, Ford sought to compete ginst the industry's leder, Generl Motors, by incresing its presence in foreign mrkets. Ford's Interntionl utomotive Opertions co-ordintes ctivities in twenty-six countries grouped in three principl regions (Europe, Ltin meric, nd si Pcific). In the lte 1970s, Ford produced outside the United Sttes hlf of its worldwide vehicle production - compred with GM's one-fourth. The Ford Motor Co. hs lso been leder in introducing or rpidly dopting technologicl innovtions in the industry. Henry Ford, the founder nd president of the compny, is considered the fther of mss production. In the difficult decde of the 1980s, Ford showed its cpbility to rpidly dopt the Jpnese system of production nd to move fster thn ny other uto mker in seeking the integrtion of its opertions on globl bsis. The compny ws lso pioneer in the interntionliztion of production, s it ws the first to open n ssembly plnt in Cnd (1904), in Mexico (1925), nd in mny other countries. Historicll y, the compny hs hd leding role in developing n utomotive cpbility in those countries, nd its strtegies hve been chrcterized by its responsiveness to locl government demnds nd its reltively high levels of export ctivity. 2. Politicl fctors to consider in building Mrketing strtegy of Ford Motor Politicl fctors such s US government policies of intermittent intervention in the industry help to undermine the extent of competition in the US utomobile industry. The dversril reltionship between government nd business in the United Sttes tht emerged in the mid-1960s ws founded on the underlying tension which existed between the neo-clssicl model or ideology tht shped US government policies towrd the utomobile industry nd the system of mngeril cpitlism bsed on lrge, oligopolistic corportions. In the 1960s, nd responding to growing public wreness on sfety nd fuel emissions, the US government incresed nd modified its forms of intervention in the utomobile industry. Before the 1960s, US government intervention in the utomobile industry ws "intermittent nd inconstnt, " s "periods of mild support nd benign neglect hve lternted with periods of fierce scrutiny nd shrp intervention" (Dyer et l. 2001:45). Most government policies ffecting the industry re not shped by the underlying ideology of lissez-fire, which justified government intervention only when there were strong demnds by powerful economic or socil ctors to do so, or when it ws justified to correct mrket filure (Gilpin