Final Paper Assignment For HI 304-LEH 354 Society And Cultur

Final Paper Assignmenthie 304leh 354 Society And Culture In Renaissan

Final Paper Assignment HIE 304/LEH 354-Society and Culture in Renaissance Italy For the final paper, you will choose a topic concerning Renaissance Europe. It can relate in any way to the course and can address issues such as politics, economics, class, culture, religion, or society. You might also consider writing about the life of a particular person from the period. Your topic should be specific and make an argument backed by evidence. Please begin to think of a paper topic now.

I highly suggest you discuss your topic with me, either in person or through email. Also, if you are unsure of a topic, I can help you by providing ideas. Here is a list of due dates related to the final paper: Thursday, March 28-Paper Topic Due with Preliminary Bibliography By this date, you should select a topic for your final paper. Be as specific as possible. Then, submit the following: 1. A preliminary research question about your topic, along with a short summary (a paragraph) about the topic. 2. A preliminary bibliography with at least 4 academic sources that you will consult for the final paper. These should all be scholarly sources. If possible, try to find a primary source that relates to your topic. The bibliography must be in Chicago Style format. Here is a guide for doing Chicago Style citations and bibliographies: Friday, May 3-Optional Outline/Draft Due I am happy to look at outlines or drafts as you work on your paper, but May 3 is the last opportunity for you to submit an outline or a draft of your paper for me to review. Friday, May 10-Final Paper Due Submit your final paper on Blackboard before midnight. Format for Final Paper: -at least 2,000 words (around 4 pages single spaced, 8 full pages double spaced, not including the cover page or bibliography) - use a standard font (ex. Times New Roman, Arial) -Chicago style for citations (we will review in class) -remember the college policy on academic integrity-cite your sources correctly and avoid plagiarism -do not use a paper you already submitted for another course! *The final paper is worth 25% of the overall grade. If you do not hand in a paper, you will likely fail the course. Please plan ahead and get started early to ensure you submit a completed paper. Finding Sources: The library website: The library website will also link you to databases to search for articles: Academic Search Complete, EBSCO or JSTOR are good places to begin your search. Google books is also a good place to search for and preview books. Chicago Style Bibliography: Books: Last name, first name. Title . Place of Publication: Publication Company, year. Example: Scott, Joan. The Politics of the Veil. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2007. Journal Articles: Last name, first name. “title of article.” Title of Journal. Vol. Iss. (year of publication): pages. Example: Blakes, G. Robert. State Conducted Lotteries: History, Problems, and Promises. Journal of Social Issues 35, no. ): 62-86. Websites/Newspaper: Last name, first name. “title.” Title of website/newspaper. Date. URL. MacFarquhar, Neil. “Revolution? What Revolution? Russia Asks 100 Years Later.” The New York Times March 10, 2017 putin.html Strategy Formulation Considering the emphasis on customer value, it is necessary for any company to formulate business strategies, internal operating strategies and business strategies. Strategy formulation enables creation and successful delivery of customer value which is a fundamental source of competitive strength. In this case, strategy formulation is necessary for amazon to achieve customer loyalty by offering not only convenience and low prices but also a wide selection of products. Using the information about Amazon and the environment it operates in, strategic formulation is necessary to create long term goals that will enable the company to achieve its vision. The first step thus includes an analysis of the company which is part of the strategic plan. This includes the SWOT analysis, understanding the customer base and understanding of the company’s vision and mission statement (Sarbah, 2014). Amazon’s mission statement is “strive to offer our customers the lowest possible prices, the best available selection and the outmost convenience.” The next step in strategy formulation includes setting long term goals. Amazon’s competitive advantages should be used when setting the long-term goals so as to give Amazon an upper hand in comparison to its competitors. These competitive advantages include the low-cost strategy, differentiation and effective innovativeness. Most consumers consider Amazon as a low-cost shop when shopping online. One of the company’s strategic goal will be to use its low-cost advantage to put financial pressure on its competitors and market this advantage to the consumers. In the case of innovativeness, Amazon should work to introduce new technologies that are bound to improve customer experience and meet the dynamic expectations of the consumers. Examples of markets that Amazon should pursue include the grocery market since e-commerce represents only 1.4 percent of that market. Programs like Prime Pantry have also begun to address this market. Another market that will increase the audience of Amazon is the advertising space. This market has mostly been dominated by online platforms such as google and Facebook among others. Considering the size of this space, pursuing this market will cause growth in Amazon. Another market worth pursuing by Amazon is the entertainment industry. A prime subscription with an Amazon account already comes with access to TV shows and movies. Convenience is a major value that amazon will add to the grocery industry specifically. The same day delivery or a delivery within two hours is without doubt a major attraction since one does not have to physically visit a grocery store. For customers who insist on touching and smelling the food, Whole Foods is bound to increase the customer base of Amazon in the grocery market. It is also clear that Amazon allows the customer a wide selection of services and thus customers are able to select a service that suits them best. Its low costs will also be a major contribution to the selected industries in comparison to their competitors like Netflix, Google when it comes to entertainment and advertising respectively. The resources and capabilities needed in the grocery industry for example include stores and warehouses around the country. This will be to accommodate the physical buyers of the grocery. Supply chain software and strategic plan to ensure that losses are minimized since this industry involves perishable products. Before restocking their refrigerators and pantries, Amazon should first come up with strategies to ensure customers consider purchasing from the store every time they need to do grocery shopping. The company needs to focus on customer experience in order to capture value and sustain competitive advantage over time. Cost advantages is when the costs are lower as compared to that of the competitors while in differentiation advantages involves other factors other than price (Rothaermel, 2013). Amazon has cost advantages since it is regarded as a low cost online retailer. The warehousing facilities also gives the company physical economies of scale that gives it cost advantages as a result. In the differentiation advantages, Amazon places much value on customer experience and feedback which not only bring loyalty from the customers but also encourages other shoppers to use amazon. When it comes to corporate strategy, Amazon mainly focuses on using technology to succeed and maximizing in the cost advantages. This improves their customer value since customers are able to enjoy low prices which makes Amazon their go to platform whenever one intends to shop online. The strategy is also driven by the company’s sources of competitive advantage and ensure that it actualizes the benefits of the economies of scale, it is also worth noting, but convenience is an important aspect when it comes strategy. Their main objective is that customers are able to receive their products as fast as possible in comparison to its competitors. Since their inception, Amazon has always been in progress when it comes to vertical integration. This include creation of its own warehouses that are run using technology to increase its efficiency. It is a major cost advantage. Another example is the web services. This includes cloud computing systems and relying on technology to understand consumer behavior. When it comes to delivery services, Amazon will also incorporate technology and plans are underway to use a drone in its delivery services. Instead of relying on banks, Amazon has launched debit cards to enable transactions to be carried out electronically. Amazon is thus a master of vertical integration in comparison to other online companies. Examples of strategic alliances of Amazon include Netflix and Salesforce Platform. With this integration, salesforce allows Amazon Web services to increase customer value through use of effective ways of managing customer data. The alliance with Netflix has also been growing stronger as Netflix depends on Amazon to serve its services. Amazon has been dominated the commerce infrastructure industry. As stated earlier, Amazon’s competitive advantages include the low-cost strategy, differentiation and innovativeness (David, 2013). Amazon is considered a low-cost service provider hence preferred more buy most online shoppers. When it comes to differentiation, the company also places a huge focus on other factors other than price for example customer service. Amazon is known for the value it places on improving customer experiences. As a master of innovation, Amazon has also been able to use technology to improve its services, for example, the planned use of drones in delivery. When it comes to the organizational structure, Amazon’s structure can be said to be hierarchical. Its senior executive team comprise of two CEO’s, three senior vice presidents and a worldwide controller. This team is concerned with important aspects of the business and reports directly to the Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos. The other segments in the chart include information technology, human resources and legal operations. It is clear, that the formulation of strategies is vital in any companies that aims at penetrating through the market. Through the strategic planning and setting of long term goals, the company is able to increase its service delivery by understanding and prioritizing the customer’s needs. References David, F. R., & David, F. R. (2013). Strategic management: Concepts and cases: A competitive advantage approach. Pearson. Rothaermel, F. T. (2013). Strategic management: concepts. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Sarbah, A., & Otu-Nyarko, D. (2014). An Overview of the Design School of Strategic Management (Strategy Formulation as a Process of Conception). Open Journal of Business and Management, 2(03), 231.

Paper For Above instruction

The Renaissance period, spanning roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, was a pivotal era marked by profound cultural, political, and societal transformations across Europe, particularly in Italy. This epoch witnessed the revival of classical learning and wisdom, which significantly influenced arts, philosophy, politics, and socio-economic structures. Analyzing the intricate societal fabric of Renaissance Italy reveals how cultural rebirth intertwined with political power and economic development, shaping the trajectory of European history. The following essay delves into this vibrant period, exploring its societal aspects, key figures, and enduring impacts.

Introduction

The Renaissance was not merely a rebirth of classical art and literature but a comprehensive societal transformation. It challenged medieval orthodoxies and paved the way for modernity, emphasizing individualism, secularism, and scholarly inquiry. In Italy, this transformation was particularly pronounced due to its fragmented city-states, wealthy merchant class, and the patronage of arts and education. Understanding society during this period requires examining political structures, social classes, cultural practices, and religious influences that collectively defined Renaissance life.

Society and Political Structure in Renaissance Italy

Italy during the Renaissance was a mosaic of city-states such as Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome, each governed by its own political system ranging from republican institutions to aristocratic rule. Florence, under the Medici family, exemplified the intertwining of political and economic power, with the Medici's patronage fostering arts and learning. The fragmented political landscape fostered competition and innovation, leading to vibrant cultural production but also frequent conflicts. The rise of Machiavelli’s political theories reflected the pragmatic and often ruthless nature of Renaissance politics, emphasizing power and statecraft over moral considerations.

Economic Dynamics and Urban Society

The economic landscape of Renaissance Italy was characterized by burgeoning trade, banking, and commerce. Cities like Venice and Florence became major centers of finance and trade, facilitated by a wealthy merchant elite who sponsored art and public works. The growth of capitalism and banking—exemplified by institutions such as the Medici Bank—enabled the accumulation of wealth that financed artistic and intellectual pursuits. Urban society was stratified, with a rising bourgeoisie challenging traditional aristocratic dominance, leading to increased social mobility and the dissemination of Renaissance ideals beyond the aristocracy into broader classes.

Cultural and Religious Influences

Cultural rebirth was fueled by patronage from wealthy families and the Church, producing masterpieces in art, literature, and science. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo exemplified the humanist focus on individual excellence and the exploration of human anatomy and perspective. Humanism, emphasizing the value of individual human experience and classical learning, influenced education reforms and philosophical outlooks. Religion remained influential but was increasingly challenged by humanist ideals; figures like Erasmus promoted reform and questioned ecclesiastical authority, leading eventually to the Reformation.

Society’s Transformation and Legacy

Social mobility increased as education became more accessible, and artistic and intellectual achievements elevated individual statuses. The dissemination of ideas through print revolutionized knowledge sharing, fostering a more literate and informed populace. The societal values centered around human dignity, civic pride, and knowledge laid groundwork for modern concepts of individual rights and secular governance. The Renaissance also prompted debates about morality, politics, and religion that shaped subsequent European history.

Conclusion

The societal landscape of Renaissance Italy was a dynamic interplay of political ingenuity, economic vigor, cultural flourishing, and religious reform. This period’s emphasis on human potential and achievement created a legacy that continues to influence contemporary thought and institutions. Understanding the societal nuances of the Renaissance not only enriches our knowledge of history but also highlights the foundational shifts that paved the way for the modern age.

References

• Burke, Peter. The Renaissance. London: Macmillan, 1987.
• Jardine, Lisa. Worldly Goods: A New History of the Renaissance. London: Macmillan, 1996.
• Martines, Lauro. Power and Imagination: City-States in Renaissance Italy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988.
• Najemy, John M. A History of Florence 1200-1575. Wiley-Blackwell, 2008.
• Suderman, Peter. "The City-States of Italy." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed March 2024.
• Vasari, Giorgio. Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. Translated by George Bull. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Wilson, Derek. The Making of Modern Italy: The Path to Unification. London: Routledge, 2001.
• Renaissance Society and Culture. Edited by John Benton. London: Routledge, 2004.
• Wilson, K. M. The Italian Renaissance. London: Duckworth, 1986.
• Yates, Frances. Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1964.