Secularization, Differentiation, and the Function of Religious Value Orientations

The term "secularization," when its referent is social institutions and value-norm complexes, is viewed as an instance of differentiation. However, the process of differentiation has both structural and functional components. Confusion in the debate over the nature and extent of secularization in American society arises from the fact that there is disagreement over the functions of religion in a differentiated social setting. A typology of meanings of "secularization" is developed by focusing on this functional component of the differentiation process. This typology, combined with a specification of the various meanings of "religion," is utilized to pinpoint specific areas of disagreement in the debate over secularization. Suggestions are made on ways to empirically resolve the controversy.     

Racial variation in reaction to physical stigma: a study of degree of disturbance by vitiligo among black and white patients.

The effect of race on reaction to impaired appearance is explored in a sample of 158 patients with vitiligo, a disfiguring skin disease. Blacks and Whites do not differ in degree of disturbance by the disorder. Psychological coping resources and variables related to negative labeling of the stigma are associated with variation in degree of disturbance. Self-esteem and perceived stigmatization are associated significantly with degree of disturbance among both Blacks and Whites. Gender, age, and visibility of the condition are not related to difference in degree of disturbance within either race, although there is some evidence that they may have an indirect relationship to degree of disturbance. Importance of appearance is associated with degree of disturbance for Whites only, because of the threat of the depigmentation induced by vitiligo to the racial identity of Blacks. The implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed.     

Apologizing: trying to get it right

It is hardly possible to go through a day without "stepping on someone's toes." By practicing the steps described in this article, you can strengthen your ability to engage in an apology process that is powerful and healing. Being truthful and courageous about your own part of a situation opens the door for others around you to do likewise. People will experience you as a person who has integrity. Receiving an apology from another person allows you to complete the process by forgiving.     

Production planning and control improvements in a small UK garment manufacturer; a case study

Through the medium of a case study, this paper highlights problems typical of a small manufacturer whose business operates in a turbulent environment, yet who lacks adequate planning and scheduling software needed to provide some visibility and control. This paper reveals how improvement options were evaluated, a system selected, and appropriate procedures and management disciplines installed to underpin the electronic solution. Finally, the paper closes with some cogent insights into the usefulness of finite capacity scheduling tools, and their successful operation.     

TigerPlace, A State-Academic-Private Project to Revolutionize Traditional Long-Term Care

The Aging in Place Project at the University of Missouri (MU) required legislation in 1999 and 2001 to be fully realized. An innovative home health agency was initiated by the Sinclair School of Nursing specifically to help older adults age in place in the environment of their choice. In 2004, an innovative independent living environment was built and is operated by a private long term care company, as a special facility where residents can truly age in place and never fear being moved to a traditional nursing home unless they choose to do so. With care provided by the home care agency with registered nurse care coordination services, residents receive preventative and early illness recognition assistance that have markedly improved their lives. Evaluation of aging in place reveal registered nurse care coordination improves outcomes of cognition, depression, activities of daily living, incontinence, pain, and shortness of breath as well as delaying or preventing nursing home placement. Links with MU students, faculty, and nearly every school or college on campus enrich the lives of the students and residents of the housing environment. Research projects are encouraged and residents who choose to participate are enjoying helping with developing cutting technology to help other seniors age in place.     

States and estates

Perry Anderson, Passages from Antiquity to Feudalism (New Left Books, 1974) and Lineages of the Absolutist State (New Left Books, 1974)     

Risks and Responsibilities: Creating Dialogical Spaces in Northern Ireland

The idea that open dialogue is the key to transformative politics sounds straightforward. However, in a polity such as Northern Ireland where deep discord has intricate roots, an openness to difference is complex. I argue that dialogical spaces are created when people are prepared to engage in a risk-taking that conjoins self-disclosure with the vulnerability of being truly open to others; and are willing to bear the responsibility of mutually speaking with and listening to the plural other. First, I explain the relationship between identity, difference and political participation of women in Northern Ireland, examining alliance politics and solidarity. I offer suggestions for how difference, multiplicity and justice can be accommodated. Second, I extend beyond the specific context of Northern Ireland to evaluate the ability of feminist theories of deliberative democracy to facilitate dialogue across difference. I examine the importance of normative notions of deliberation, communication, narrative and competing needs. Third, I extrapolate from these theories the idea that the dynamic between listening and speaking creates a space to include diversity and commonality.