Discussion 1: "State Shinto." Please respond to the following:

A. It has been said that a person is Shinto in the same way that he is Japanese.  Discuss at least two (2) things which would explain the close relationship between Shintoism and Japanese nationalism.

Briefly explain the relationship between kamis and shrines in Shintoism.

B. Explain what you think is meant by the statement in the podcast that in Judaism, "What you believe follows only after what you do."

Explain why you think the Jewish customs described in the podcast are being "rediscovered"?

Discussion 2: "Gathas-The Hymns of Zarathustra." Please respond to the following:

A. Explain how Zoroastrianism acts like a bridge between Eastern and Western religions.

Discuss possible contributions or influences Zoroastrianism may have had on any other religions with which you are familiar.

Provide a rationale which you think explains why there is a renewed interest in Zoroastrianism today.

B. Discussion 1: "Exile after Exile." Please respond to the following:

Explain at least two (2) ways in which you think that the concept of "exile" in Judaism (beginning with the exile from the Garden of Eden, then Babylon, and so forth up to the reestablishment of the nation of Israel) has been a major part of Jewish religion and heritage.

Describe what impact you believe the Holocaust would have on the Jewish belief that all Jews have a covenant with God.

ENGLISH LANGUAUGE

1."Report Types" Please respond to the following:

Choose one of the scenarios listed here. Select one appropriate report type for the scenario and explain why this report type fits the scenario, who the audience would be, and whether or not the report needs to be distributed externally or internally.

A company's Chief Financial Officer has suggested to Human Resources that the group cut 100 jobs to anticipate another economic downturn.

A partner at Company X has discovered a new accounting software that will save the company thousands of dollars. She wants the company to adopt this software.

A chocolate manufacturer is introducing a new candy bar that will revolutionize its brand.

"The Number 1 Fear"

2. Please respond to the following:

• Describe the last time that you had to speak in front of a group in which you 'experienced' speech anxiety.  Include any physiological or psychological responses you 'experienced.'  Explain what you can do to deal with these reactions.

 OR

If you have not personally experienced speech anxiety, describe an anxiety-producing speaking situation that you 'observed' and offer suggestions for how people can deal with this anxiety.

Report Plan Suggestions"

Please respond to the following:

     •A  Identify the recipient, the topic, and the purpose of your report.  Identify ''potential' resources and a method for gathering information for your report.

B. "Collaborative Writing"

Please respond to the following:

Describe an experience you have had with collaborative writing, whether this experience was positive or negative. Explain why you think the experience turned out this way, and what you would do the next time.

OR

If you have never had an experience with collaborative writing, explain whether or not you think you would enjoy this type of collaboration. If you had to produce a project this way, determine what you would do to ensure success.

The report plan is a plan written for the professor explaining what the report will consist of. Your audience is the professor. (The report plan is different than the actual report.)

Create a plan that identifies what information you will need to prepare a justification report making a recommendation to an organization to implement a particular product, service, or program. The organization may have a business, governmental, professional, or social focus.

The report may focus on a "real" or "made-up" recommendation, but you should direct the report to an actual organization, even if you do not plan to actually submit the report.

For the report, the audience within the organization will be whatever level is most appropriate to make a decision on the topic of your report.

Identify the recipient of the report. (To what organization will the recommendation be directed?)

Identify the topic of the report. (What product, service, or program will you recommend?)

Identify the purpose of the report. (What need or problem will the product, service, or program resolve?)

Identify potential resources that will be needed for support.

Identify methods to be used to gather information.

Identify criteria to be used to evaluate the information collected. (What factors will you consider to make your recommendation?)

The document should be formatted according to APA style. Write the plan in essay (paragraph) format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The plan should be at least 300 words long and double spaced.