Respond to the following prompts in the Experiencing Racism discussion forum:
How do School Counselors support Student Development?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Role of School Counselors in Supporting Student Development
School counselors play a crucial role in supporting the holistic development and well-being of students. They provide valuable guidance, counseling services, and resources to address academic, career, and personal/social needs. By fostering a supportive environment, promoting self-awareness, and providing targeted interventions, school counselors contribute significantly to the growth and success of students. This essay will explore how school counselors support student development and create a positive impact on their lives.
1. Emotional Support and Mental Health
School counselors are trained professionals who offer emotional support to students, helping them navigate various challenges they may face. They provide a safe and confidential space for students to express their feelings, cope with stressors, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Through individual and group counseling sessions, counselors address emotional well-being, anxiety, depression, bullying, and other mental health concerns that may impact students’ development.
Academic Guidance School counselors assist students in setting academic goals, developing study skills, and creating academic plans. They help students understand their strengths and weaknesses, explore their interests, and make informed decisions about course selection and career pathways. By providing guidance on college applications, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities, counselors empower students to pursue higher education and future career prospects.
Career Exploration and Planning School counselors support students in exploring career options and identifying their interests and skills. They provide resources, administer career assessments, and facilitate discussions to help students make informed decisions about their future. Counselors assist in developing career plans, researching colleges or vocational programs, and connecting students with internships or job shadowing opportunities. By guiding students through the career exploration process, counselors help them align their passions with potential career paths.
Social-Emotional Development School counselors promote social-emotional development by facilitating workshops, groups, or lessons that address topics such as self-esteem, resilience, conflict resolution, empathy, and diversity. Through these initiatives, counselors equip students with essential life skills that contribute to their personal growth and success. They also address issues related to peer relationships, bullying, and social integration to create a positive social environment within the school.
Individualized Support School counselors provide individualized support tailored to each student’s unique needs. They take into account factors such as cultural background, family dynamics, learning styles, and personal interests when offering guidance and counseling services. This personalized approach ensures that students receive the specific support they require to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
Collaboration with Families and Educators School counselors collaborate with families and educators to support student development holistically. They communicate with parents or guardians to provide updates on academic progress, address concerns, and offer strategies for supporting their child’s growth. Additionally, counselors collaborate with teachers to develop interventions for struggling students, implement behavior management plans, and ensure that the school environment is conducive to student success.
In conclusion, school counselors play a vital role in supporting student development across academic, career, and personal/social domains. Their provision of emotional support, academic guidance, career exploration opportunities, social-emotional development initiatives, individualized support, and collaboration with families and educators contribute significantly to students’ holistic growth. By fostering a supportive environment and offering targeted interventions, school counselors positively impact the lives of students and help them navigate the challenges of their educational journey successfully.
