Wednesday, October 30, 2019

M & A Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

M & A - Coursework Example The combination of two domestic companies is an important business and economic undertaking because in many instances, such will assure the survival of an entity in the face of changing competitive structures or politico-legal mandates pertaining to the industry (Vaara, 2001). Cross-border M&As, on the other hand, gain a special importance because they play a vital role in foreign direct investment (FDI), directly impacting upon the entry of additional equity in the host economy, and providing an additional source of income investment for the home company. Organizations are comprised of persons real and natural, with all their complexities and idiosyncracies. The human element will be a consideration that will permeate all aspects of the post- M&A integration process. For local companies, this means the combination of two organizational cultures into one. ... People, who are normally resistant to change, will naturally seek to enforce their own accustomed cultures, and resist the adoption of the other. Cross-border M&A is specifically defined as â€Å"an activity in which an enterprise from one country buys the whole asset or controlling percentage of an enterprise in another country (Zhu & Huang, 2007). In the process of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, the enterprises involved are prone not only to conflicts between their organizational cultures, but also their national cultures. This makes the problem of cultural integration more difficult, because national cultures are more closely equated with a sense of national pride and patriotism. Moreover, they often have profound religious or ethical implications more deeply ingrained in the psyche of a nation by centuries of social conditioning. The task of cultural integration of cross-border M&As, therefore, becomes double significant in that it seeks to create a new corporate culture out of two sets of organizational and national cultures, by harmonizing the synergistic elements and eliminating the conflicts (Zhu & Huang, 2007). The stages of mergers and acquisitions The merger or acquisition process is not a single event, but a series of stages that must be understood in order to determine the most effective manner by which integration can be carried out. This is because corporate integration is intimately related to the decision-making stage of the acquisition itself, not separate from it, and events and decisions during the intermediary stages influence the manner in which integration shall proceed. Tanure, Cancado, Duarte & Muylder (2009, pp. 138-142) identify four stages of the merger and acquisition process: 1. The motive behind the acquisition or merger This

Monday, October 28, 2019

Identity and Belonging Essay Example for Free

Identity and Belonging Essay Feedback is considered by many education experts to be one of the most important elements of assessment for student learning as well as being a crucial influence on student learning (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). Feedback, when applied effectively, can result in an increase in learner satisfaction and persistence as well as contributing to students taking on and applying more productive learning strategies. Feedback is a powerful strategy for teachers of all subjects and grade levels to use and has been endorsed worldwide. Feedback can be defined as the information provided by an agent, for example; a teacher or parent, regarding aspects of ones performance or understanding (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). However, when feedback is provided to students inappropriately it can lead to negative effects. This is why, as teachers, we need to have a full understanding of what constitutes effective quality feedback as well as developing an understanding of how to apply feedback in an appropriate manner for our students as differentiated learners (Clark, 2012). Feedback is consistent with the Assessment for learning strategy which focuses assessment on in-course improvement-orientated interactions between instructors and learners rather than end-of-course testing and examinations (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). Assessment for learning acknowledges that individual students learn in idiosyncratic ways and is designed to give information to teachers on how to modify and differentiate teaching and learning activities as well as giving teachers an idea of how best to provide effective feedback to their students (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). There are a few guidelines in which teachers can follow to help improve the quality of their feedback to their students to increase learner satisfaction and persistence as well as catering for differentiated learning, these guidelines include timing, amount, mode, audience (James-Ward, Fisher, Frey Lapp, 2013) and also allowing students to provide one another with feedback (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). The timing in which teachers provide their students with feedback is important as feedback needs to come while students are still mindful of the topic, assignment or performance in question (James-Ward, Fisher, Frey Lapp, 2013). Feedback needs to be provided while students are still thinking of their learning goal as a learning goal, meaning; something they are still striving for and not something they have already done (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). It is extremely important to provide students with effective feedback whilst they are still working on reaching their learning target, as mentioned earlier this will influence student learning. It is extremely important for teachers to know the audience in which they are providing feedback to in order for the feedback to be most effective for student learning (James-Ward, Fisher, Frey Lapp, 2013). This is based on the fact that no student is the same and feedback needs to accommodate for differentiated learners (Clark, 2012). Once a teacher understands his or her students individual learning they can then apply feedback in a way that is best addressed to the student about the specifics of the individuals work in terms the student can understand. Mode is also extremely important in providing effective feedback as it also supports differentiated learning. Mode stands for the different ways in which feedback can be delivered as it can be given in many modalities (James-Ward, Fisher, Frey Lapp, 2013). Some sorts of assessment lend themselves better to written feedback, some to oral feedback and others are better in demonstrations, and teachers can decide with their knowledge of how best to provide each individual student with feedback based on how they learn and understand best, whether it is written, spoken or demonstrated, in order for the feedback to be most effective in reaching each students learning needs (Clark, 2012). Also recently there has been an increasing agreement that students are a legitimate source of feedback as peer and self-assessment practices encourage students to identify learning objectives and helps them to understand the criteria used to judge their work aiming to reach the goal of increasing self-regulation (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). As timeliness can play a real issue in the effectiveness and quality of feedback from teachers, using students as a source of feedback can legitimately reduce this problem (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). As there are many different ways in which a teacher can go about providing feedback on set learning tasks to their students whether it is orally, written or demonstrated, the ways in which to construct effective feedback varies depending on the student (James-Ward, Fisher, Frey Lapp, 2013). Ultimately it is the teachers understanding of feedback and the knowing of how each individual student learns best that influences the type and quality of feedback they provide (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012). Effective feedback will help increase student evaluation of their own learning progress and will help reach the Assessment for learning goal of developing self-regulating learners (Brown, Harris Harnett, 2012).

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Importance of Globalization Essay -- Outsourcing, Offshoring, Free

In recent years, terms such as â€Å"Global community,† â€Å"globalization,† and â€Å"global awareness† have seemed to roll off the tongues of every newscaster, advertiser, and politician with such ease that the popular phrases have nearly become clichà ©. With the Internet now possessing a rather prominent role in life and with communications faster than ever, it would seem the world’s rapid progress toward international relations necessitates such terminology. However, in America, these optimistic clichà ©s possess a seed of hypocrisy, a false note that clangs discordantly to disturb the practiced cadence of the telecaster’s report. It is not that America does not â€Å"Think globally,† but rather that, to many Americans, America is the extent of their terrestrial sphere. Yet even within the confines of our own country-world, we don’t shed our comfortable, self-imposed boundaries. We don’t see the growing Hispanic and Asian populations in our midst, viewing them—if we acknowledge them at all—as invaders in our world. According to Census 2000, 35,305,818 people of Hispanic or Latino origin inhabited the United States in the year 2000, nearly 13 million more than in 1990. The census revealed the growth rate among the Hispanic population of the U.S. to be the greatest out of any of the minorities at a surprising 57.9%, and the growth of America’s Asian population to be the second fastest, growing at 48.3% in that single 10- year period (U.S. Census Bureau, Table 4). If the trend of the past decade continues, in two years, the Hispanic population will be the largest minority in the U.S, with Asians making up a larger portion of our population as well. Will we then take notice? Or will we still not offer Asian languages i n our high schools, and insi... ...e outside world, we will never be able to expand our horizons. Until we expand our horizons, we shan’t realize the promise of a true â€Å"global community.† Works Cited U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. â€Å"Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin for the United States: 1990 and 2000 (PHC-T-1).† Available Online. Last updated: April 03, 2001 at 02:19:24 PM. http://blue.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/ phc-t1.html. Table 4. [Accessed 6/3/2001]. Woyach, Robert B. â€Å"World History in the Secondary School Curriculum.† ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education. Bloomington, Indiana. Available Online. Last Updated 1989-09-00 (SIC) http://navigation.helper.realnames.com/framer/1/112/ default.asp?realname=Department+of+Education&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eed%2 Egov%2F&frameid=1&providerid=112&uid=30012423. [Accessed 6/3/2001].

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Irony and satire are prominent themes throughout Anthony Burgess’s

Irony and satire are prominent themes throughout Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange, Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse and Joyce Cary’s The Horse’s Mouth. Burgess’s novel satirizes the world as Burgess viewed it in the mid to late 16th century. It was a world in which individuality copped out to societal norms. Wolf attempts to illustrate the irony of the tenuous connection between the age of reason and the modernization in her work To the Lighthouse which was published in 1984. Like Woolf and Burgess, Cary too takes an entirely satirical approach to the early twentieth century in his work The Horse’s Mouth.Each work published at different junctures in the twentieth century offers unique parodies of the times and the direction each author saw society following. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess Irony, is perhaps the cornerstone of A Clockwork Orange. It is most frequently demonstrated through Alex who prior to his government mandated t reatment repeatedly refers to violence as a thing of beauty. For example, after hitting Dim Alex goes on to note that his victim â€Å"is singing blood to make up for his vulgarity.† (Burgess, 28) In another example of irony, prior to his treatment, Alex looks upon those things that most people deem desirable such as religion, education and reason as purely undesirable. In other words, Alex sees things in reverse until the government reforms him. After his treatment he adapts an entirely passive outlook manifested by the following excerpt: â€Å"And what, brother, I had to escape into sleep from then was the horrible and wrong feeling that it was better to get the hit than give it. If the veck had stayed I might even have like presented the other cheek.† (Burgess, 121) This turn in Alex’s attitude toward violence comes as a result of a rigorous two week treatment in which Alex while incarcerated for crimes of violence is injected with a drug. The drug makes Alex ill and during the effects he is forced to watch tapes containing excessive violence. The technique known as associative learning forces Alex to become ill at the thought of violence. Ironically, following the treatment, Alex who was an ardent admirer of classical music cannot stand to listen to classical music since he associates it with violence.Irony and satire is further illustrated by the name attached to a cottage where Alex and his gang members, called droogs, entered and committed crimes of rape and assault. This was prior to Alex’s arrest, incarceration and eventual associative learning treatment. The cottage is named Home and Alex describes it as â€Å"a gloopy sort of name. † (Burgess, 19) The word home is associated with comfort and safety and naturally an escape from the abrasive outside world. At Home, Alex and his droogs turn the concept around by beating the man of the house and raping the mistress.Ironically the master had written a manuscript in prot est against the treatment that the government used to reform Alex. While at Home committing violent crimes, Alex burnt the manuscript which is the very thing that might have spared him the treatment that he received in prison. In the final analysis, the government, by brainwashing Alex for the collective good of society had ironically dehumanized him. This dehumanizing took the form of robbing Alex of free will and free choice.He had not elected to abstain from violence he had been programmed to do so and as such was no more than an animal or a thing. The greatest irony of all is that the very violence that Alex perpetrated had been regarded as non-human. His treatment did no more than suppress his desire for violence leaving no less human than before his treatment. Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange therefore offers a satirical indictment of modern approaches to order in society. Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey represent the gap between realism and mod ernity with an ironic undertone.While Mr. Ramsey is apt to rely upon his intellect and Mrs. Ramsey relies on her emotion, both characters are keenly aware that their existence is profoundly transient. For instance Mrs. Ramsey is weighed by concurrent thoughts of her sons’ growth and the inevitable dangers in the outside world. Mr. Ramsey is constantly obsessing over his inevitable demise. In many ways this approach to modern day chaos is reflected in Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange. Man’s attempt to modernize and grow threatens the very essence of humanity.In A Clockwork Orange the dehumanizing impact of technological progress was epitomized through Burgess’s Alex. Woolf’s approach is slightly different but is nonetheless satirical. Despite the advances in technology humanity is characterized by its flaws. A flawless society is impossible despite the perfection offered by modernity. Woolf highlights this satirical approach in a scene where Mr. Ramsey is observing Mrs. Ramsey and James, (their son) through a window as he strolls through the lane. Woolf writes the following:â€Å"Who shall blame him? Who will not secretly rejoice when the hero puts his armour off, and halts by the window and gazes at his wife and son, who, very distant at first, gradually come closer and closer, till lips and book and head are clearly before him, though still lovely and unfamiliar from the intensity of his isolation and the waste of ages and the perishing of the stars, and finally putting his pipe in his pocket and bending his magnificent head before her—who will blame him if he does homage to the beauty of the world?† (Woolf, Ch. VI) Obviously, Woolf is demonstrating that humanity is flawed and no amount of science can prevent the inevitability of mortality. For Burgess humanity is endlessly flawed by free choice and no amount of scientific procedure can correct that flaw without substituting one problem with perhaps a larger proble m. For instance the treatment given to Alex only robbed him of human traits while attempting to make him more human by eliminating his desire to commit acts of violence.While Burgess uses Home as a symbol of irony in that it typifies a place of order and peace yet becomes a place of great violence and upheaval, Woolf takes a more traditional approach. At her dinner party, Mrs. Ramsey poignantly observes that despite the outside chaos and the turmoil of the outside world there is some peace at home. Reflecting on the dinner party Woolf write: â€Å"It partook . . . of eternity . . .there is a coherence in things, a stability; something, she meant, is immune from change, and shines out (she glanced at the window with its ripple of reflected lights) in the face of the flowing, the fleeting, the spectral, like a ruby; so that again tonight she had the feeling she had had once today, already, of peace, of rest. Of such moments, she thought, the thing is made that endures. †(Woolf, Chapter XVII) Although this aspect of the home can be distinguished from Burgess’s satirical approach to the home the message is nonetheless vastly similar. Certain elements of humanity cannot be usurped by modern technology.As advanced as the sciences may become, human nature remains sacred and necessary for a cohesive society. As collective as society has become at the heart of society there are individuals with human desires, the hub that successfully turns the wheel of humanity. As Mrs. Ramsey observes, some things cannot change and that is human nature. For Alex, human nature required free choice. For Mrs. Ramsey human nature required peace and rest. Ironically, free choice, peace and rest are all compromised in Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange and Woolf’s To the Lighthouse.For Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange, humanity was threatened by modern technology as evidenced by Alex’s treatment. For Woolf, humanity was likewise threatened by modern technolo gy at a time when the world was at war and the industrial revolution was in full swing. The Lighthouse in Woolf’s To the Lighthouse can be compared to the Home in Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange in that they both represent the irony of contradictory nature of things. As previously observed the Home, traditionally a place of refuge became the scene of heinous crimes in A Clockwork Orange. A similar, yet not so dramatic contradiction and irony surrounds Woolf’s Lighthouse.For instance, James observes as the Ramsey’s boat approaches the Lighthouse: â€Å"The Lighthouse was then a silvery, misty-looking tower with a yellow eye, that opened suddenly, and softly in the evening. Now— James looked at the Lighthouse. He could see the white-washed rocks; the tower, stark and straight; he could see that it was barred with black and white; he could see windows in it; he could even see washing spread on the rocks to dry. So that was the Lighthouse, was it? No, th e other was also the Lighthouse. For nothing was simply one thing. The other Lighthouse was true too. † (Woolf, Chapter VIII)

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Focus Group

INTRODUCTION Focus group is a qualitative technique used mostly in marketing research and also other areas of research. This technique is used to collect primary data. This document consists of information about focus group. The main objective of this assignment was to investigate how focus groups techniques are used to collect primary data about the phenomenon at hand in the real world. The research method used was Google scholar for academic journals.The campus library database was also used for more academic journals and textbooks from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) different libraries. The main problem experienced in the completion of this document was that most textbooks about this studied topic were outdated in the author’s campus. Hence, different campuses of NMMU were visited and the right textbooks were found. This document presents a review of the literature on focus groups. It continues with an empirical study on organisational corruption in secon dary schools.Also included, is the reference list of all cited sources as well as an annexure. 2 FOCUS GROUPS In the collection of primary data there are two research methods that can be of use, quantitative and qualitative methods, which can both be subdivided into idiosyncratic primary data collection methods. Because the main focus of this document is on focus groups, therefore only qualitative techniques will be mentioned which are in-depth interviews, projective techniques and focus groups. Seymour (2004:04) defines focus groups (F.G) as â€Å"group of interacting individuals having some common interest or characteristics, brought together by a moderator, who uses the group and its interactions as a way to gain information about a specific or focused issue†. This technique has been utilised in many fields to collect primary data as mentioned above and its characteristics are discussed in the following section. 2. 1 CHARACTERISTICS OF FOCUS GROUPS When F. G are considered to be used in a certain research study then there are characteristics which have to be taken into account, which are: group size, group composition, physical setting, moderator, recording tools and length f group discussion. Below it is a detailed review on each of the above mentioned characteristics of F. G. 2. 1. 1 Group size When determining to embark on F. G one has to think about the size (number) of that certain F. G. Despite the confusion that can be created by different sources stating a different number of possible group sizes. The research of F. G can be undertaken with a group of 4- 12 people (Tong, Sainsbury & Craig 2007:351). Large F. G group size can jeopardise the discussion as it may be difficult to handle the discussion, even so the group size depends on the complexity of the research study. . 1. 2 Group composition After the group size had been decided then the group composition must be considered as well. All participants taking part in a F. G must be homogen eous in the interest of the studied phenomenon (Malhotra & Birks 2006:160). Participants with similar characteristics, which the study is about, make the discussion easier and nicely flowing. 2. 1. 3 Physical setting When choosing the venue to carry out a F. G it is imperative that the chosen venue must also meet the aspects of the phenomenon at hand and of the participants.Daymon and Holloway (2002:194) state that â€Å"choosing the right environment for traditional focus groups plays a vital role as it can attract freely expressed opinions from the participants†. 2. 1. 4 Moderator In the success of F. G moderators play a vital role. It is of crucial role that moderators in F. G keep the environment safe so participants can freely express their opinions and most importantly must use probe questions; such requires a great experience from the moderator (Hague, P. , Hague, N. & Morgan 2004:53).Therefore, the moderator ought to possess skills such as creating chemistry w ith the participants, keep the flow of the discussion and analysing the data collected. 2. 1. 5 Recording tools No person can be able to cram exactly a discussion of over 20 minutes by his head; some points will certainly be missed. Wiid & Diggines (2009:90) express that â€Å"sessions should preferably be recorded (both visual and audio) so that the researcher can review the sessions later in order to gain further insights†.These tools therefore, assist to keep the already realised needed data and the data that the moderator was unaware of during the discussion. 2. 1. 6 Length of group discussion When planning F. G it is essential to plan the duration precisely as it may play an impact on the data collected. However, just like group sizes, length of F. G depends on the complexity of the issue at hand. The more complex of the issue is the more the duration of the discussion is required, but if so then breaks must be taken in between to let the participants to enliven and produce successful F. G (Malhotra & Birks 2006:161).While on the hand, Seymour (2004:05) being unambiguous reveals that â€Å"most focus groups encompass 90 minutes to three hours of discussion†. With the above discussed characteristics of F. G considered, then one has to scrutinise the advantages and disadvantages of F. G. The following section discusses the advantages and disadvantages of F. G. 2. 2 ADVANTAGES F. G has its own advantages which can attract this technique to be used. These advantages are discussed individually beneath. Cost- because discussions are done simultaneously then it reduces the cost (Wiid & Diggines 2009:91).Speed- because a number of individuals are being interviewed at the same time, data collection and analysis proceeds speedily (Gerber-Nel, Nel & Kotze 2003:104). Synergy- a discussion with a number of participants can also be of help by generating more information than one-on-one interviews (University of Toronto [UT] 2002:02). Snowb all- Malhotra & Birks (2006:162) state that â€Å"a bandwagon effect often operates in a group discussion in that one person’s comment triggers a chain reaction from the other respondents†.In elaboration, a comment from one of the participants may reveal an idea to some other participant(s). Scientific scrutiny- because the moderator is also in the venue of discussion with participants, it also gives the moderator the opportunity to also observe (Malhotra & Birks 2006:162). However, disadvantages investigated by the author are more than the mentioned above but the above mentioned are those anticipated as most important. 2. 3 DISADVANTAGES Focus groups have advantages which can jeopardise the collected data or the data collection process itself.These advantages are explained below. Misjudgement- Gerber-Nel et al (2003:104) utter that â€Å"results are misinterpreted due to bias†. Non representative sample- because of the small number of participants in to tal as compared to quantitative, therefore participants in F. G cannot represent any population (Wiid & Diggines 2009:91). Inconclusive results- the results of F. G only retort to ‘what’ but not ‘why’ which can sometimes make the narrow and create a need for a quantitative research study (Gerber-Nel et al 2003:104).Difficulty in analysing- this method mostly consists of words which make it more difficult to analyse (Grudens-Schuck, Allen & Larson 2004: ¶9). 2. 4 WHEN TO USE FOCUS GROUPS With the above discussed sections it is also vital for one to know when to utilise F. G. Focus groups are mostly used to discover behaviour, perceptions, attitudes and processes (Hague et al 2004:50). These traits that F. G are used to discover which responds to the question of ‘when to use focus groups? ’, which in respond will be, F.G can be used in; stand alone method, supplementary to a survey and as a part of multi method design (Daymon & Holl ower 2002:188). The following section will discuss the use of F. G in the study of organisational corruption in secondary schools in Turkey and the information provided is based on annexure A. 3 FOCUS GROUP STUDY ON ORGANISATIONAL CORRUPTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANKARA In Turkey after it was seen that the level of corruption in secondary schools is high, it was then seen important that a study on this problem should be undertaken.The moderator and his assistant decided to use F. G study to identify the perceptions of teachers in Ankara (a city in Turkey). The group sizes of the study were eight and nine respectively, which in total consisted of 17 participants (12 males and 5 females). These participants were chosen due to homogeneous attributes meeting the studied problem, because this study is about secondary schools therefore the participants were critically recruited due to their profession of teaching. Thereafter, the moderator and his assistant held the F. G in a cosmopolit an city of Turkey known by the name Ankara.Apaydin & Balci (2011:821) state that in the study â€Å"audio and video recordings were taken informed consent†. Which helped to later on even realise information shared which the researchers were not aware of. The duration of each focus group was 90 minutes, which the researchers felt the time it was the right time, for each group discussion. The fact that F. G were held made it less costly for this study than any other possible study because a large number of people participated in this study at a time which also made it quite quicker.Some points in this study were raised up by addition or revealing of another idea by some other participant’s comment. On the other hand, the researchers also saw that because at first the participants were suppose to represent secondary schools of Turkey as a nation then later converted to the cosmopolitan city Ankara but still the researchers saw that the number of total participants is quite diminutive to represent such large population. On the findings of this study it was seen of importance that further study should be carried out on different groups so the findings can be generalised. CONCLUSION This study has been a great study which can be improvised in a way. Such way is that the researchers must carry on with the focus groups and compare findings, if even after several discussions same findings are gathered then it would be a point where the findings can be generalised for the secondary schools in Ankara. REFERENCE LIST Apaydin, C. & Balci, A. 2011. Education. Organizational Corruption in Secondary Schools: A Focus Group Study, 131(4):818-829. Daymon, C. & Holloway, I. 2002.Qualitative research methods in public relations andmarketing communications. London: Routledge. Gerber-Nel, C. , Nel, D. & Kotze, T. 2003. Marketing research. Claremont: New African Books. Grudens-Schuck, N. , Allen, B. L. & Larson, K. 2004. Focus group fundamentals. Met hodology Brief: 9. Hague, P. , Hague, N. & Morgan, C. 2004. Marketing research in practice: A guide to the basics. London: Kogan Page. Malhotra, N. K. & Birks, D. F. 2006. Marketing research: An applied approach. 2nd rev ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall.Seymour, A. 2004. Focus groups. An Important Tool for Strategic Planning:1-32. Tong, A. , Sainsbury, P. & Craig, J. 2007. International journal for quality in health care. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ): a 32-item Checklist for Interviews and Focus Groups, 19(6):349-357. University of Toronto. 2002. The health communication unit. Using Focus Groups, 02:1-59. Wiid, J. & Diggines, C. 2009. Marketing research. Cape Town: Juta. ANNEXURE A: ORGANIZATIONAL CORRUPTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A FOCUS GROUP STUDY

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on Postpartum Depression

In this paper I plan to discuss the types of depressions associated with postpartum depression listed in the article. I will use examples cited in the article. I will also include observations and information on depression obtained from the text book as well as the instructor. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect up to eighty percent of new mothers. It is a mild depression that new mothers can experience up to one year after giving birth. If left untreated it can have devastating effects on the mother, child and society. Even though a great deal of research has been done in this area, there is still no universal agreement on what causes it or how it should be treated. Usually, about three to four days after a new baby has arrived, there is an emotional let down which usually goes away in about two weeks. This is a normal result from having a child. The connection to the fetus is severed both emotionally and physically. There is a surge and drop in hormones which can cause a woman to be on an emotional roller coaster. This usually results in feelings of inadequacy as both a woman and mother. Loss of interest in normal day to day activity as well as impaired concentration and anxiety are present. A feeling of helplessness and constantly being lost is hard to get over. It is especially dangerous if underlying conditions were present beforehand. This can also have a triggering effect and lead to future types of illnesses. There is a medical distinction made between the diagnosis of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. There are some emotional reactions to a new mom that may signify depression; however it is not as severe as postpartum psychosis. For example, a mother might have wrong and potentially dangerous thoughts, but she will not act on them. She will be able to recognize the consequences.... Free Essays on Postpartum Depression Free Essays on Postpartum Depression Introduction What is Postpartum Depression Having a baby should be one of the happiest and most important events in a woman’s life. However, although life with a new baby can be both thrilling and rewarding, it can also be a difficult and quite stressful task. Most women make the transition without great difficulty, yet some women experience considerable complexity that may manifest itself as a postpartum psychiatric disorder (O’hara, Hoffman, Philips, which are known as baby blues, go away fairly quickly. But when they do not go away or rather they get worse, a woman may be experiencing the effects of postpartum depression (PPD). This is a serious condition that describes a range of physical and emotional changes and that requires prompt treatment from a health care provider. According to Mauthner, (1999) postpartum depression occurs when women are unable to experience, express and validate their feelings and needs within supportive, accepting and non-judgmental interpersonal relationships and cultural co ntexts. Postpartum psychiatric illness was initially characterized as a group of disorders specifically linked to pregnancy and childbirth and thus was considered diagnostically distinct from other types of psychiatric illness. It has long been thought that the postpartum period is a time of increased risk for the onset of psychiatric disorders and adjustment difficulties in women (Campbell & Cohn, 1991). The link between reproductive status and depressive illness is further evidenced by the high frequency of depression during the premenstrual phase, and the immediate postpartum period (Yonkers, 1995). As one of the major physical, psychological, ... Free Essays on Postpartum Depression In this paper I plan to discuss the types of depressions associated with postpartum depression listed in the article. I will use examples cited in the article. I will also include observations and information on depression obtained from the text book as well as the instructor. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect up to eighty percent of new mothers. It is a mild depression that new mothers can experience up to one year after giving birth. If left untreated it can have devastating effects on the mother, child and society. Even though a great deal of research has been done in this area, there is still no universal agreement on what causes it or how it should be treated. Usually, about three to four days after a new baby has arrived, there is an emotional let down which usually goes away in about two weeks. This is a normal result from having a child. The connection to the fetus is severed both emotionally and physically. There is a surge and drop in hormones which can cause a woman to be on an emotional roller coaster. This usually results in feelings of inadequacy as both a woman and mother. Loss of interest in normal day to day activity as well as impaired concentration and anxiety are present. A feeling of helplessness and constantly being lost is hard to get over. It is especially dangerous if underlying conditions were present beforehand. This can also have a triggering effect and lead to future types of illnesses. There is a medical distinction made between the diagnosis of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. There are some emotional reactions to a new mom that may signify depression; however it is not as severe as postpartum psychosis. For example, a mother might have wrong and potentially dangerous thoughts, but she will not act on them. She will be able to recognize the consequences....

Monday, October 21, 2019

Australia Macroeconomy Policies 2009

Australia Macroeconomy Policies 2009 Free Online Research Papers Australian governments over precedent decades have conventionally aimed towards including triangular objectives of financial growth, domestic poise, and external poise within framework of single economy. (DORNBUSCH, Rudiger, 2006) Collectively, these trio set of objectives aim towards sustaining nationalized financial growth while retaining inferior inflation as well as limiting the mass of overseas debts and liabilities. Several researches conducted in concerned field have revealed that there is no consistency in level of economic growth though; it is influenced greatly by fluctuations of international business cycle. (DORNBUSCH, Rudiger, 2006) A governmental macroeconomic management is referred as an attempt to minimize the impact of international business fluctuations by controlling demand to facilitate sustained growth together with inferior inflation and unemployment. (BLINDER, Alan S., 2008) The macroeconomic policies, owing to influenced-by-demand nature, cannot be exercised exclusively and thus, are utilized in combination with supply side swaying microeconomic reforms. (BERNANKE, Ben, 2007) Conventionally, the fiscal policies are frequently implemented by Australian government to enhance domestic savings and to control government public debt in order to maintain adequate levels of external aspects and stability together with providing openings for economic growth. (BERNANKE, Ben, 2007) This paper hereby emphasizes on exhibiting current macroeconomic policy settings currently being applied in Australia in addition with suitable policies in the context of expectations regarding economic growth, unemployment, inflation and trade over the next year. 2. Macroeconomic Policies In influencing demand with and economy, the government uses the two instruments of fiscal and monetary policy. 2.1 Fiscal Policies â€Å"Fiscal policy† is the utilization of governmental expenditures together with taxation to sway the financial system of country. (SUESCÚN, Rodrigo, 2007) Usually governments execute fiscal policies to endorse sturdy and sustainable economic growth and diminish poverty. The function and aims of fiscal policy have achieved eminence in contemporary crisis as governments have intervened in markets to shore up economy, augment growth, and alleviate the impact of global financial crisis on susceptible groups. Governments unswervingly and obliquely sway the way possessions are utilized in an economy. (SUESCÚN, Rodrigo, 2007) Given below is a fundamental equation that demonstrates the way in which national income accounting works: â€Å"GDP = C + I + G + NX† In above equation GDP denotes gross domestic product i.e. the value of all final merchandise and services produced in economy. Whereas, C, I, G, NX denotes private consumption, private investment, procurement of goods and services by governmental agencies and net exports during a fiscal year i.e. amount of exports minus imports, respectively. (BARTOLOTTI, Leo N., 2006) The above equation contributes towards development of understanding that governments surely affects GDP by unswervingly controlling G and influences C, I and NX indirectly via modifications in taxes, transfers and expenditures. (BARTOLOTTI, Leo N., 2006) To attain short term goals, government’s centers their attention on macroeconomic steadiness for instance, motivating an ill economy, struggling with mounting inflation, or aiding to decrease external susceptibility on the other hand, to attain long term goals, the main intention is to cultivate sustainable intensification or decrease poverty with measures on the supply-side to progress infrastructure or edification. (BLINDER, Alan S., 2008) Though, these goals are generally common across nations, but their relative significance diverges depends on circumstances of a nation. (BARTOLOTTI, Leo N., 2006) In case of Australia, its current financial position is stabilized by both, internationally as well as historically. Via implementing correct fiscal policies Australian government had gained success in writing off its net debt and has continued its voyage towards strengthening the country’s balance sheet by issuing budget surpluses and gathered fiscal assets to future funds. According to â€Å"intergenerational report† issued in year 2007 by Australian treasury demonstrates that in long term, the intergenerational financial pressures pose unremitting challenges to be faced by governmental finances. (www.treasury.gov.au) The reports also projects that by the fiscal year 2046-47, the governmental expenditure is assumed to exceed income by approximately 3.5 % of GDP. Owing to these assumptions by Australian treasury, the government has commenced strengthening its balance sheet by generating assets in future funds to counterbalance the liabilities owed to former as well as current public sector employees. (www.treasury.gov.au) Source: Australian treasury projections 2.2 Monetary Policies In accordance with the provisions made by legislation of â€Å"Australia’s Reserve Bank Act†, the main goals of Australia central bank is to maintain the stabilization of national currency, economical prosperity, wellbeing of citizens and implementation of essential measures to avert joblessness. (KENYON, Peter D., 1995) The provisions made in above said act makes necessary for RBA to present a report annually to treasury department and to parliament, through which it gets public. (KENYON, Peter D., 1995) As per the statement issued by RBA on monetary policy in Feb, 2008, it is revealed that the despite of tremendous slowdown in worldwide financial markets, Australian economic condition all through out in recent years had demonstrated great results in addition with elevated levels of inflation owing to the constant domestic demand. (www.rba.gov.au) Together with utilization of fiscal policies, monetary policy also comprises measures implanted by RBA to manipulate the cost availability of liquidity and credit with in Australian economy. In order to achieve internal balance RBA sways the level of interest rates using nationalized market operations like selling and procuring of governmental bonds, rectifying scarcity or excess of funds in short term liquidity market. (www.rba.gov.au) The report further states that the fiscal accounts of Australia in preceding year had exhibited economic growth of four percent over year with raise in nationalized demand by five and a half percent which is undoubtedly more than trend growth within economy’s yielding capacity. (www.rba.gov.au) Due to the counter balancing approach of RBA, there has been augmented growth in consumer growth which is being driven by the intensification of household incomes which further demonstrates the elevating levels of employment and actual wages together with decreasing income taxes. (PUBLISHING OECD PUBLISHING, 2008) According to economic indicators, it is revealed that this raising trend of nationalized demand had sustained its pace till quarter ended in December; however the speed of production growth had moderately slowed down as most of consumer demands were met by imports. In the midst of consumer demand still mounting robustly post elongated duration of development, there have been unrelenting signals that industrious capability is over lengthened backed up by a number of commercial surveys that indicates both elevated rates of industrious capability consumption and soaring levels of labor insufficiency. (OECD, 2009) Over the route of the trade cycle, it is anticipated that Reserve Bank of Australia, in the coming future will emphasize on tightening and loosening of monetary policy to prevent inflation dropping over its tow to three percent approximate target range. (www.rba.gov.au) However, according to researches conducted in concerned field by economists demonstrates that to maintain economic stabilization, the Reserve Bank of Australia should manipulate the rate of exchange devoid of modifying current stance of monetary policy. (www.rba.gov.au) This ought to be achieved via procurement and selling of bonds equal to amount of Australian dollar traded over time to maintain liquidity stabilization. (www.rba.gov.au) 3. Impact of Macroeconomic Policies on Inflation, Unemployment, Commercial Expenditure and Economic Growth Australian macroeconomic policies had witnessed a great accomplishment in maintaining the growth of inflation within its pre-specified goals, with the existing rate of price rises, as deliberates through the â€Å"CPI,† at 2.6%, i.e. inside the set range of Reserve Bank of Australia. (VINEY, Christopher, 2009) The RBA’s preventative approach towards aiming monetary policy to hoist the liquidity rate from 3.00 % to 3.25 % would make certain that inflation would not drop more than its target range. (VINEY, Christopher, 2009) Source: Australian treasury projections With regard to unemployment, the sluggish rate of economic growth of early 90’s mid 90’s leaded to high rate of joblessness in country i.e. on an average of 8.5 % though, via implementation of current macroeconomic policies the economic growth of Australia began to gain its lost pace in fiscal year 1998-99 (VINEY, Christopher, 2009) and since then, the rate of unemployment in country had dropped down to the current level of 5.8 % which is at its lowest in past thirty three years. (VINEY, Christopher, 2009) Even though, triumphant macroeconomic policies substantially decrease recurring unemployment, these policies are observed to slightly effect structural side of unemployment thus, consequences in supply-side micro reforms. Nationally, the economy had continued to demonstrate extensive flexibility in the countenance of what has been a very complex global environment. (www.rba.gov.au) The Dec and Mar quarter GDP data, in combination with other data signals on economy, implies that industrious output constricted only discreetly around the ending of last fiscal year, evaluated with retrenchments experienced in most of the other nations. 4. Conclusion It is evident that the macroeconomic policies exercised by Australian central bank as well as government had proved to be victorious in limiting negative influences of demand, but on other hand, these policies are also recorded to have petite impact on the infrastructural issues of Australia. (HART, Jeffrey A., 2009) Due to the state of recession in global markets, the results anticipated in 2008 statement of Reserve bank of Australia were not met but the current monetary and fiscal policies has managed to achieve some of it. (OECD, 2009) Several economists had indicated that as policies post implementation takes at least six to eighteen months to be fully effective to feed through end user and commercial behavior, the current steps taken by RBA will strengthens the business investments, end user spending and will boost the employment rate in country. (www.treasury.gov.au) The present lack of apprehension over the CAD at the moment efficiently eradicates the â€Å"Barrier† to economy growth, facilitating elevated rates of expansion more than rate of 3.75% 4%, placing Australia on the right track toward maximizing economic sustainability. (www.rba.gov.au) This paper hereby had present knowledge on key fiscal as well as monetary policies exercised by Australian central bank to attain a stable and unremittingly improving economy. 5. Bibliography BARTOLOTTI, Leo N. 2006. Inflation, fiscal policy and central banks. Nova Publishers. BERNANKE, Ben. 2007. Principles of macroeconomics. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. BLINDER, Alan S. 2008. Macroeconomics: Principles and Policy. Cengage Learning. DORNBUSCH, Rudiger. 2006. Macroeconomics. McGraw-Hill Australia. HART, Jeffrey A. 2009. The Politics of International Economic Relations. Cengage Learning. KENYON, Peter D. 1995. Monetary policy in Australia: an introduction. Dept. of Economics Murdoch University. OECD. 2009. Economic Policy Reforms: Going for Growth 2009. OECD Publishing. PUBLISHING OECD PUBLISHING. 2008. OECD Economic Surveys: Australia 2008, Issue 18. OECD Publishing. SUESCÚN, Rodrigo. 2007. â€Å"Fiscal policy, stabilization, and growth: prudence or abstinence?† World Bank Publications. VINEY, Christopher. 2009. Mcgraths financial institutions, instruments and markets. McGraw-Hill Australia. www.rba.gov.au. [online]. www.treasury.gov.au. [online]. Research Papers on Australia Macroeconomy Policies 2009PETSTEL analysis of IndiaDefinition of Export QuotasTwilight of the UAWInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2The Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Project Managment Office SystemNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceOpen Architechture a white paper

Sunday, October 20, 2019

The Social Contract and Its Impact on American Politics

The Social Contract and Its Impact on American Politics The term social contract refers to the idea that the state exists only to serve the will of the people, who are the source of all political power enjoyed by the state. The people can choose to give or withhold this power.  The idea of the social contract is one of the foundations of the American political system. Origin of the Term The term social contract can be found as far back as the writings of the 4th-5th century BCE Greek philosopher Plato. However, it was English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) who expanded on the idea when he wrote Leviathan,  his philosophical response to the English Civil War. In the book, he wrote that in early human history there was no government. Instead, those who were the strongest could take control and use their power over others at any time. His famous summation of life in nature (before government) is that it was nasty, brutish, and short. Hobbes theory was that in the past, the people mutually agreed to create a state, giving it only enough power to provide protection of their well-being. However, in Hobbes theory, once the power was given to the state, the people then relinquished any right to that power. In effect, the loss of rights was the price of the protection they sought. Rousseau and Locke The Swiss philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) and English philosopher John Locke (1632–1704) each took the social contract theory one step further. In 1762, Rousseau wrote The Social Contract, Or Principles of Political Right, in which he explained that government is based on the idea of popular sovereignty. The essence of this idea is that the will of the people as a whole gives power and direction to the state. John Locke based many of his political writings on the idea of the social contract. He stressed the role of the individual and the idea that in a state of nature, people are essentially free. When Locke referred to the state of nature, he meant that people have a natural state of independence, and they should be free to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature. Locke argued that people are thus not royal subjects, but in order to secure their property rights, people willingly give over their right to a central authority to judge whether a person is going against the laws of nature and needed to be punished. The type of government is less important to Locke (except for absolute despotism): Monarchy, aristocracy, and republic are all acceptable forms of government as long as that government provides and protects the basic rights of life, liberty, and property to the people. Locke further argued that if a government no longer protects each individuals right, then revolution is not just a right but an obligation. Impact on the Founding Fathers The idea of the social contract had a huge impact on the American Founding Fathers, especially Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) and James Madison (1751–1836). The U.S. Constitution starts with the three words, We the people..., embodying this idea of popular sovereignty in the very beginning of this key document. Following from this principle, a government established by the free choice of its people is required to serve the people, who in the end have  sovereignty, or supreme power, to keep or overthrow that government. Jefferson and John Adams (1735–1826), often political rivals, agreed in principle but disagreed about whether a strong central government (Adams and the federalists) or a weak one (Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans) sufficed best for supporting the social contract. Social Contract for Everyone As with many philosophical ideas behind the political theory, the social contract has inspired various forms and interpretations and has been evoked by many different groups throughout American history. Revolutionary-era Americans favored social contract theory over the British Tory concepts of patriarchal government and looked to the social contract as support for the rebellion. During the antebellum and Civil War periods, social contract theory was used by all sides. Slaveholders used it to support states rights and succession, Whig party moderates upheld the social contract as a symbol of continuity in government, and abolitionists found support in Lockes theories of natural rights. More recently, historians also have linked social contract theories to pivotal social movements such as those for Native American rights, civil rights, immigration reform, and womens rights.  Ã‚   Sources and Further Reading Dienstag, Joshua Foa. Between History and Nature: Social Contract Theory in Locke and the Founders. The Journal of Politics 58.4 (1996): 985–1009.Hulliung, Mark. The Social Contract in America: From the Revolution to the Present Age. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2007.  Lewis, H.D. Plato and the Social Contract. Mind 48.189 (1939): 78–81.  Riley, Patrick. Social Contract Theory and its Critics. Goldie, Mark and Robert Worker (eds.), The Cambridge History of Eighteenth-Century Political Thought, Volume 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. 347–375.White, Stuart. Review Article: Social Rights and Social Contract- Political Theory and the New Welfare Politics. British Journal of Political Science 30.3 (2000): 507–32.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

HomeWork Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HomeWork - Assignment Example The oversupply of oil that cause the supply curve of diesel oil to shift while demand is constant as illustrated graphically above that eventually cause prices to go down as explained by Nadler-Kafferlin Economic Consulting, Group, Inc. According to the dealer of Park Company, the change in prices of gas is not only from changes in normal demand and supply curves, but because it is a complementary good of gas trucks. Thus, changes in price of one good result in effects on the maintenance cost of the other good. More significantly, the increased supply in gas for the next ten years will lead to a decrease in price levels, as the demand levels remain the same. As a complementary good, the cheap prices of gas will be from increased supply and inelastic demand that later causes maintenance of power trucks to be low in the market making it a viable option. It is considerable that changes in price levels in the short run average cost curve always add up together as combined costs in the long-run average cost curve. Based on Nadler-Kafferlin Economic Consulting, Group, Inc advice it is expected that price levels of the diesel oil in the market would change thus, leading to price decreases that will consequently lead to a decrease in the short run average curve. In the end, Ashland Long Haul costs of maintaining the diesel trucks will change over the short run period leading to shift in the eventual long run average cost curve as shown below in the graph where subsets of short run curve lead to the eventual long run curve. More significantly, changes in the prevailing natural gas prices are expected in the next ten years. Therefore, the maintenance cost of gas trucks that remain as a complementary good of natural gas is high currently because the level of changes in the price levels are currently high thus, short run average costs remain high. However, as the price levels change in the end the average

Contract Law in UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Contract Law in UK - Essay Example Once a certain matter has been decided by a higher court applying the rules and law laid down through the ordinance affecting that particular issue, then for lower courts it will become a precedent to be followed, save in some conditions when the facts of two cases can be distinguished by the lower court. There is two-fold relationship between the two. Once a law has been drafted and implemented in the form of ordinance then it is for the courts to decide cases in the light of the existing law. But sometimes when there are certain loop holes in the law or some kind of ambiguity is there then the court can adjudicate over that matter and it becomes a precedent decision to be followed by the lower courts and executive too. An ordinance once drafted and notified by the govt. becomes a law and if it concerns commercial law then it automatically becomes a source as from then on the business activities has to conducted according to the new or amended rules laid down by that particular ordi nance. Similarly, when a higher court for e.g. the supreme court gives a decision on a commercial dispute and in the process gives a new interpretation to the law applicable to it and gives a new meaning to it then from thereon it becomes a precedent for the lower courts and the executive to follow and can be considered as a source of commercial law for that matter. 2) The Central London Properties v. High Trees House case is based on the English Contract Law and is based on the doctrine of Promissory Estoppels. The brief facts of the case are Central London Property Trust (CLPT) owned a block of flats which it leased -- for 2250 pa -- to High Trees Ltd (HT), Due to the resultant war the occupancy was low and HT negotiated with CLPT to reduce the cost of the lease to 1250 pa for the period 1940-1945. It was done. But after the war was finished the demand increased again and there was hundred percent occupancy. CLPT sued HT for the full cost of the lease, as per the original agreement. However, the Court dismissed the petition on the rule of Promissory Estoppel, which means that one party to a Contract indicates in certain terms to the second party that he (the first party) will not insist on his full rights under the contract, and based upon that promise the second party does or abstains from doing a certain act. The Second Party after making a certain promise can not go back and claim its full rights. The Court applied the above principle in this case and said that the agreement to reduce the rent was a promise between both parties and subsequent to that HT has acted on that promise, now at this stage CLPT can not be allowed to claim all its rights according to the original agreement as HT has already acted on the promise given by CLPT and it will be subject to Promissory Estoppel. 3) In this case there was a contract between Claudine who operates an import /export company in Tsuen Wan and a transport services company KCR through its manager for a load of a client's furnishing supplies to be sent by train to Guang Zhou. Though nothing was mentioned on the written contract about when the journey will be made but according the principles of contract law where, by the contract, a promisor is to perform his promise without application by the promise, and no time for performance is specified, the engagement must be performed within a reasonable time. In

Friday, October 18, 2019

Choose from Prompt 1 or Prompt 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Choose from Prompt 1 or Prompt 2 - Essay Example The New York Times was formerly known as New York Daily Times, and was later changed to New York Times. The newspaper’s popularity grew when it first published an article that exposed William Magear, the tweed leader of the city democratic party that brought about the end of the tweed ring in the New York City hall. At the beginning it published news and articles from Monday-Saturday, but later joined other dailies adding a Sunday edition. Since the newspaper started being published, it has expanded its structure and organization adding special weekly articles, regular news, editorials, sports and features. Currently, it is divided into different sections; these are news, editorials, business, sports of the times, science, style, home, and other unique features.It covers issues relating to politics, social issues, relationships, love and war like the political persuasions, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iraq war. Because of its constantly declining rates in sales that were attributed to the rise of alternative media and social media, the newspaper has over the years experienced downsizing, hence offering buyouts to workers and cutting expenses. Despite its credibility in the world, The New York Times has had discriminatory practices that restricted women in the editorial positions. In Februar y 2013, the New York Times stopped giving a lifelong position for the journalists and editors. The New York Times targets the young generation, that is mostly people less than 30 years of age. Approximately over half of them are college graduates and about a quarter are high income earners.. The newspaper magazine directs its content towards people who are well-educated, literate, who are in professional jobs. The New York Times new entry level aims at the young people, who are a more internet young audience. Another new edition is The New York Times Juniors edition, which targets the very young generation and college

MIS in Local Government Education Centers within East Africa Dissertation

MIS in Local Government Education Centers within East Africa - Dissertation Example The report will also, question, whether the MIS only enforces the administrative managerial role – towards domination and reinforcement of operational power relations. The faltering conclusion is that an MIS, throughout its development and changing attributes, is extolled with the interests and values of the delivery of education services, which is to happen within the operational power structure. Keywords: MIS, Giddens’ structuration theory, Actor-network theory, institutional theory, power relations, organizational practice. Introduction This paper goes over some of the basic considerations from an area study on the progression, as well as usage of an administration info process (MIS) in Department of education, as well as learning institutions in the Town of Arusha, Tanzania. The study question is: Does an artifact like an MIS, when proposed and also put into utilization, contribute to the production of a new practice that makes things achievable, to regulate in an a ssorted and more desirable method the trouble of integration? Or does the MIS system – just enhance the ability of the management control, to prevail over others as well as correctly just reinforce the being present power relations? In this paper I am reviewing these inquiries by focusing on the changes that have developed during the development method. From 1989 to 1993, I worked as an inner expert at the administrative level, at this association. I had studied theoretical literature concerning the way decision processes at the public industry unravel as well as presently I had the chance to experience and contemplate, just what took place in practice. I learned a great deal pertaining to practical organizational complications as well as exactly how they are regulated in this context. I experienced the well recognized, but for me, interested gap in between what transpires in practice and how we believe, act, and write as well as speak when making conclusions.1 Through this p aper, I shall discuss, as well as evaluate such a gap by focusing on a project that has definitely created a computer-based supervision data system. There has actually been a massive gap in between the goals, deals and also activities taken by the management supervision that initiated the venture, as well as what was in fact happening in practice. This paper documents a complicated process with unanticipated troubles and also outcomes. There seems to be a reason in this process that accords with what Scott (1992) has certainly identified a logical view focusing on lucid targets and also the formal organizational framework as the ways to achieve them. This is not interesting in the context of the management level of the company. This level is placed between the grass-roots degree where the solutions are delivered as well as the political level where the formal and also legitimate right to choose is positioned. It belongs to the normative framework that the administrative authority ne eds to cope with issues of performance and also usefulness. From this viewpoint the focus on transparent targets and formalized ways is easy to understand.2 However, it appears that this kind of incorporated rationality is an ideal that has a tendency that constrains all the players. It is an important part of the organizational process and has an impact on what can legitimately be reviewed. This

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Why is promotion decision making so difficult Essay

Why is promotion decision making so difficult - Essay Example Among the most important considerations when deciding who to promote into a position is which candidate possesses the highest level of hard skills to do the job. It usually does not make much sense to promote someone into a finance management position who does not have a background in finance. This is often the first step in identifying qualified candidates, and usually comes as part of the resume review and screening process. The hiring manager must assess the educational and professional experience of the candidates to help determine who would likely be capable of doing the work that would be required. That being said, there are times when all of the other qualities of a prospective candidate are so strong that a decision might be made to promote that person even though he/she lacks the requisite level of hard skills to do the job effectively. However, this will only be the case when a persons ability and willingness to learn the requisite skills is evident. That may mean choosing someone with a background of high educational achievement who displays a propensity to engage in professional development activities. Another important characteristic to consider when deciding whom to promote is leadership ability. ... All of these responsibilities require effective leadership. When assessing a person's leadership potential, a hiring manager should inquire into the candidates' experiences that may have evidenced leadership qualities. Behavioral based interviewing can be an effective tool in this regard. Using this method, the hiring manager will ask the candidates to recall a particular event in their personal or professional experience in which they actually demonstrated the desired characteristic. This requires the interviewee to demonstrate a sharp mind in quickly recalling an appropriate event. It also precludes the candidate from talking hypothetically about what they would do in a given scenario. Rather, they are required to explain what they actually have done in a scenario. The theory is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. For example, the hiring manager might ask the candidates to recall a time when they had to delegate responsibility in order to achieve an objective. Or she might ask them to recall a time when they had to influence others to behave in a way that helped them to achieve their goals. Either of these questions would elicit valuable information about whether and how the candidates have demonstrated an ability to lead. This information can then be added to the overall formula in determining which candidate has the greatest preponderance of desirable characteristics for the position. Personality Personality fit is a huge consideration for any hiring decision, particularly when deciding whom to promote. This is also arguably one of the most difficult factors to evaluate in prospective candidates. To be sure, people generally act somewhat different in an interview than they would in a

Health Care Reform in the United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Care Reform in the United States - Essay Example   I believe that although it would be a great idea to have a good national health care plan where everyone could have care when they needed it, I believe that this may not be possible. As an example, Medicaid spending is already a government paid program and there are many services that it does not provide. If they do not provide it now, there is nothing to say that they will provide these services with the new plan. According to the report by the White House, the Obama plan wants to make sure that everyone has insurance regardless of their health status. This plan will also stop insurance companies from denying people who have pre-existing conditions. The plan will also create tax credits for working people who do not have insurance and those who cannot afford insurance will have a "public health insurance option" so that they can have a better choice of plans (Obama, 2009). The plan will also provide a panel of doctors and other medical experts that will act as an "independent commission" that will be watching what happens with the plan to stop it from being abused and stop fraud from happening (Obama, 2009). According to Zwillich (2009), Americans feel divided on how this plan will work. Zwillich reports on a survey that was done of approximately 2,000 registered voters to see what they thought of the plan. The voters were told some of the pros and cons of the plans before they were asked for their opinions. The results of the survey showed several issues: 1. The first issue was the requirement of requiring everyone to obtain health insurance whether they could afford it or not: 43% were in favor of this and 40% were opposed. Others thought this would raise taxes too far.  

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Why is promotion decision making so difficult Essay

Why is promotion decision making so difficult - Essay Example Among the most important considerations when deciding who to promote into a position is which candidate possesses the highest level of hard skills to do the job. It usually does not make much sense to promote someone into a finance management position who does not have a background in finance. This is often the first step in identifying qualified candidates, and usually comes as part of the resume review and screening process. The hiring manager must assess the educational and professional experience of the candidates to help determine who would likely be capable of doing the work that would be required. That being said, there are times when all of the other qualities of a prospective candidate are so strong that a decision might be made to promote that person even though he/she lacks the requisite level of hard skills to do the job effectively. However, this will only be the case when a persons ability and willingness to learn the requisite skills is evident. That may mean choosing someone with a background of high educational achievement who displays a propensity to engage in professional development activities. Another important characteristic to consider when deciding whom to promote is leadership ability. ... All of these responsibilities require effective leadership. When assessing a person's leadership potential, a hiring manager should inquire into the candidates' experiences that may have evidenced leadership qualities. Behavioral based interviewing can be an effective tool in this regard. Using this method, the hiring manager will ask the candidates to recall a particular event in their personal or professional experience in which they actually demonstrated the desired characteristic. This requires the interviewee to demonstrate a sharp mind in quickly recalling an appropriate event. It also precludes the candidate from talking hypothetically about what they would do in a given scenario. Rather, they are required to explain what they actually have done in a scenario. The theory is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. For example, the hiring manager might ask the candidates to recall a time when they had to delegate responsibility in order to achieve an objective. Or she might ask them to recall a time when they had to influence others to behave in a way that helped them to achieve their goals. Either of these questions would elicit valuable information about whether and how the candidates have demonstrated an ability to lead. This information can then be added to the overall formula in determining which candidate has the greatest preponderance of desirable characteristics for the position. Personality Personality fit is a huge consideration for any hiring decision, particularly when deciding whom to promote. This is also arguably one of the most difficult factors to evaluate in prospective candidates. To be sure, people generally act somewhat different in an interview than they would in a

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Shahrukh Khan and Representation of Islam in His Movies Essay

Shahrukh Khan and Representation of Islam in His Movies - Essay Example Shahrukh khan and his movies†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....................................................9 7. Shahrukh khan and impact of Islam in his movies†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 7.1 Veer Zaara and underlying mechanism†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....10 7.2 Shahrukh’s contribution†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦............................................................13 7.3 Message of the film†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...................................................................13 7.4 Criticisms faced and public response†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦......................................14 8. My Name Is Khan and Islam†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....................................................14 8.1 Biased fee lings †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦........................................................................16 8.2 Message of the film†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..................................................................17 8.3 Shahrukh khan and My Name Is Khan†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....................................18 9. ... Firstly the paper focuses on the crux of Islamic fundamentalism and their principles. Then the focus is entailed on the significant role of media and their policies to change the angle of representation of readers and viewers about societal facts and information. In this part the dominant role of media in representing Islam is also concentrated. Moving on to the next section limelight is given on the role of Bollywood and the influence of Islam in them. Then the core discussion is about Shahrukh khan’s movies and the impact of Islam in them. Three outstanding movies of Shahrukh have been adopted for this purpose as for example Veer Zaara, My Name is Khan and Hey Ram. In Veer Zaara, a marvelous cross cultural love story ahead of its times and the impact of religion and the message of communal harmony has been beautifully spun. Public responses are also shown. Then a plethora of in detailed explanation of the representation of Islam and Shahrukh khan’s most acclaimed film ,’My Name Is Khan’ has been provided. Finally ending a short discussion is also given about the movie Hey Ram where Shahrukh khan played a small role of Muslim archaeologist where also Islam has a vivid significance. 1. Introduction Shahrukh Khan, recognized as the king of Bollywood with a huge fan base, is the world’s one of the most popular movie persona in the modern times. From a new comer in the film industry with no god father behind and with tremendous passion and complex understanding for movies have made him reach the summit of success. He reigns over the hearts of millions as a romantic hero for which he is initially recognized with his super hit films

Monday, October 14, 2019

Business Proposal Essay Example for Free

Business Proposal Essay Used properly business proposals are tools that could easily double your hit rate on the business you pursue, substantially increase the margin on all the business you win, and bring existing and new clients back to you again and again. My focus throughout this entire business proposals post series is upon teaching you how to write excellent, winning proposals, step-by-step. Before getting into the other great resources here on business proposals, though, it’s important to be sure that when we talk about proposals — who uses them, why they are used, and how you will learn to produce â€Å"best of class† examples — that we are all thinking about the same thing. It’s important to be sure that we have a common answer to the question â€Å"what is a business proposal?† The Business Proposal – a Definition Anyone involved in modern solution selling need to be an expert proposal writer. A proposal is a lot like the artist’s sketch of a new building, which shows the general form of the proposed structure. It’s not intended to be a detailed floor plan (a specification), or a detailed blueprint showing electrical or plumbing arrangements (a design), nor is it supposed to be the final product. A business proposal is designed to describe — to an extent sufficient to sell the idea — the concept you are proposing to your client. There are many more grandiose definitions of just what a proposal is, but the following describes those everyday that make up the majority of proposals you’ll come across: ‘A written proposal is a selling document, a statement of your capabilities to address a given client requirement. A proposal says I can do what you want.’ The Winning Proposal – a definition A winning proposal, on the other hand, does not simply say, ‘Hey, I can do that!’ but rather: ‘Hey, I fully understand what you are trying to do, I have a much better understanding than any of my competitors, I have a better solution to your problems than anyone else, I can do a better of job of delivering the required solution, and at a more attractive cost than anyone else, and here’s why†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . A winning proposal is a genuine selling document. It is winning business proposals that this site will show you how to produce – step by step. What is a business proposal? By the time you’re finished with this series of posts you’ll agree that the winning business proposal is best friend to anyone trying to sell anything of value.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Abortion Essay -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Does a mother have the right to take the life of her unborn child, never giving it a chance to walk this earth and fulfill its God given purpose? Or is it God’s will for that child to be taken at that time, to play an ever constant reminder to the mother of her past decisions, having God use that guilt or experience as a source to steer her life? We neither have the ability to create nor destroy life, as it is God who ultimately decides whether the person terminates that life. From a non-biblical standpoint, it is based on whether a woman finds it ethically right to terminate a pregnancy and what effect it would ultimately have on her happiness. Therefore, abortion is not philosophically incorrect. In this paper, we will discuss the cosmological argument, individual relativism, and act-utilitarianism, all as they pertain to abortion, and how natural law and ethical relativism cause opposition to these theories.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As humans, we cannot create nor destroy life, as nothing we do is of true free will. God is who dictates what comes into existence, and our actions, according to cosmological argument, are not self-caused. According to this argument, a person cannot kill what it didn’t create because is it ultimately the creation of God, not us, and it is up to Him as to how long each of his creations are in existence for. In this light, abortion cannot be viewed as wrong, as it is God who leads a woman to the decision to...

Saturday, October 12, 2019

America Needs Cloning Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Science Essays

For many years, animals have been used to facilitate the testing of new procedures, drugs, and quest for information. Now as we enter the 21st century, humanity has created computer prediction models, tissue cloning, and great understanding of chemical reactions. However most of these new methods still are only sparingly used, despite their accuracy, and animal testing still remains the test method of choice. There's a newly developed technology that can allow doctors and scientists to duplicate living organisms. This development in technology is known as cloning, and it has forever changed the views of life. Cloning can serve as the answer to problems which plaque the human, animal, and plant populations. Any living species can now be artificially created through cloning. This could potentially eliminate the possibility of extinction among many species. Cloning creates the possibility of having a twin or child carrying the exact DNA of another person. The reproduction of animals wou ld ensure the lasting life of all species, and produce an abundant amount of food to feed the people of the world. Even the vegetarians of the world would be happy with the amount of vegetation that could be produced. Cloning is the perfect means of improving the quality of human life on this planet. Cloning is a very controversial topic and will be for many years to come. In February 1997, scientists in Scotland announced the birth of Dolly, the first cloned sheep. This heralded the future of further cloning possibilities and scientists began extensive experiments on cloning, and have since cloned both plants and animals successfully. The next step was to clone actual human beings but before experiments could be carried out, pressure started to build on the scientists because people started to doubt if cloning was ethical and morally correct. The government began to ban and impose constraints on cloning as a result of public pressure. After the cloning of Dolly, President Clinton was quick to cut all federal funding for research of human cloning (Lester & Hefley, 123). In December of 2001, the United Kingdom put a ban on human reproductive cloning but not therapeutic cloning (Seppa, 32). Even though cloning raises some difficult ethical issues, there are many aspects of cloning that will be very beneficial to mankind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If the experimentation of cloning continues in t... ... in a number of various ways to benefit the lives of Americans. This new scientific techniques can be used to improve the quality of life and bring balance to the ecosystem. It could very well be inevitable that cloning play an important, if not vital, role in American lives. Society may be forced to accept these possibilities and lift some of the constraints off the experimentation of cloning. More research needs to be carried out to help eliminate any possible risks associated with the newly discovered procedure. Cloning doesn?t necessarily have to have a negative impact on the world. Cloning is a very beneficial technique to improve the quality of life, why not use the scientific breakthrough to the best of the world?s abilities. Cloning is the future. Works Cited Andrews, Dr. L. (1999). The Clone Age. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, Inc. Lester, L., Hefley, J. (1998). Human Cloning. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company. Pence, G. (1998). Who?s Afraid of Human Cloning? Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Seppa, N. (2002, January). Forbidden Tests. Science News, 53. Travis, Dr. J. (2001, October). Dolly Was Lucky. Science News, 250-251. America Needs Cloning Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Science Essays For many years, animals have been used to facilitate the testing of new procedures, drugs, and quest for information. Now as we enter the 21st century, humanity has created computer prediction models, tissue cloning, and great understanding of chemical reactions. However most of these new methods still are only sparingly used, despite their accuracy, and animal testing still remains the test method of choice. There's a newly developed technology that can allow doctors and scientists to duplicate living organisms. This development in technology is known as cloning, and it has forever changed the views of life. Cloning can serve as the answer to problems which plaque the human, animal, and plant populations. Any living species can now be artificially created through cloning. This could potentially eliminate the possibility of extinction among many species. Cloning creates the possibility of having a twin or child carrying the exact DNA of another person. The reproduction of animals wou ld ensure the lasting life of all species, and produce an abundant amount of food to feed the people of the world. Even the vegetarians of the world would be happy with the amount of vegetation that could be produced. Cloning is the perfect means of improving the quality of human life on this planet. Cloning is a very controversial topic and will be for many years to come. In February 1997, scientists in Scotland announced the birth of Dolly, the first cloned sheep. This heralded the future of further cloning possibilities and scientists began extensive experiments on cloning, and have since cloned both plants and animals successfully. The next step was to clone actual human beings but before experiments could be carried out, pressure started to build on the scientists because people started to doubt if cloning was ethical and morally correct. The government began to ban and impose constraints on cloning as a result of public pressure. After the cloning of Dolly, President Clinton was quick to cut all federal funding for research of human cloning (Lester & Hefley, 123). In December of 2001, the United Kingdom put a ban on human reproductive cloning but not therapeutic cloning (Seppa, 32). Even though cloning raises some difficult ethical issues, there are many aspects of cloning that will be very beneficial to mankind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If the experimentation of cloning continues in t... ... in a number of various ways to benefit the lives of Americans. This new scientific techniques can be used to improve the quality of life and bring balance to the ecosystem. It could very well be inevitable that cloning play an important, if not vital, role in American lives. Society may be forced to accept these possibilities and lift some of the constraints off the experimentation of cloning. More research needs to be carried out to help eliminate any possible risks associated with the newly discovered procedure. Cloning doesn?t necessarily have to have a negative impact on the world. Cloning is a very beneficial technique to improve the quality of life, why not use the scientific breakthrough to the best of the world?s abilities. Cloning is the future. Works Cited Andrews, Dr. L. (1999). The Clone Age. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, Inc. Lester, L., Hefley, J. (1998). Human Cloning. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company. Pence, G. (1998). Who?s Afraid of Human Cloning? Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Seppa, N. (2002, January). Forbidden Tests. Science News, 53. Travis, Dr. J. (2001, October). Dolly Was Lucky. Science News, 250-251.

Friday, October 11, 2019

First characteristic book Essay

Willa Cather has never published a bad book. Ergo, all of her work is of the same excellence, all of it has the same importance. Speaking about her creative activity it is difficult to divide her heritage into good and bad books. Nevertheless, despite that fact the truth is that Cather’s strongest books are those related to the West, to the land of her childhood. Willa Sibert Cather was born in Virginia, but brought up from the age of 8 in Nebraska, where she was reared among the immigrants. My attempt will be to find out what episodes of Willa Cather’s life had impact upon her work and to prove that this impact was determinative in the formation of mature and internationally known writer worthy being included in contemporary literary canon. Willa Cather was educated at the University of Nebraska, where she studied Latin that may have influenced her graceful Virgilian style. (Daiches, 1951, 34) Later she worked on the staff, then as editor, of McClure’s Magazine in New York from 1906 to 1912. With O Pioneers! , written in 1913, she turned to the Nebraska prairies to relate the stories she experienced, he stories praising the romanticism and difficulties of the life in frontier. She was awarded with a Pulitzer Prize for her novel One of Ours of 1922. Willa Cather would probably be a writer even had she never gone West in her early impressionable years. What kind of a writer, it would be hard to say. In this context James Seaton makes some presumption, namely he refers to the inferior quality of her non-Western books, that we should not have had anything like her present masterpieces, and that America and the world would not have heard of her. (Seaton, 1998, 147) Willa Cather’s best works are indeed the result of cooperation of poetic vision of the artist in words and landscape where each gives to each, the artist giving her chosen country expression and duration forever, the country and the people so identifying themselves with the artist as to become backbone and marrow of her work. Willa Cather’s union with the great table-lands east of the Rockies had prominent effect on her best works. The passion for description of past in Cather’s works is usually explained by critics as the influence of her childhood spent in Nebraska. (Brown, 1953, O’Brien, 1987); and Joan Acocella justly calls Cather â€Å"the elegist of the pioneer period, the repository of what America thinks of as its early triumphs. † (Acocella, 2000, 3) Willa Cather wrote three novels, her so-called prairie trilogy – all based on her childhood in Nebraska. In the 1913 O Pioneers! a young Swedish immigrant, Alexandra Bergson, raises a blooming farm out of the barren Nebraska plain. Then comes The Song of the Lark, in which Thea Kronborg, another little Swede, stuck in another prairie town, dreams of becoming an artist, and actually makes it. And the third is My Antonia, the story of a Czech girl, Antonia Shimerda. Willa Cather takes to her heart the simplest souls of the West, the generous, impulsive, loyal souls of brakeman, ranchman, pioneer, missionary priest and Indian. Willa Cather’s Thea Kronborg, her Claude Wheeler, her Professor St. Peter, her Archbishop carry the pioneers’ flag of endurance into the higher realms, driven on by their imagination and their passion to a more perfect world. Willa Cather’s early resettlement to the West brought about for her, without her striving for it, the revelation of a landscape’s essential beauty and of the particular imprint on it of human sufferings and toil. Her early experience was that factor which encouraged the development of originality and a form of Cather’s writing. The length of that experience is eloquent enough: a child of nine came, saw, and conquered the West; it took a mature woman of some published books behind her to write O Pioneers, Willa Cather’s probably first characteristic book. Willa Cather soon exchanged the prairie for the schoolroom. Nevertheless, the prairie and the pioneers had given her what no school could have given: the first priceless experience of life in the open in a vast untamed country, an experience that is all the more palpable in her novels with eloquent English tongue poetizing beauty of the West, the pioneers’ inarticulate dreams, their stoic acceptance of the inevitable, and their ready answer to the call of adventure.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Importance of Spoken English Language

The importance of English as a spoken language began as a result of the colonial era, when European powers took to the seas in order to find new lands and natural resources. The effects of that time can still be felt in the number of English speakers in India, select parts of Asia and Africa, and North America. The influence of English grew stronger in the 20th century, with the increased mobility of populations, the growth of the United States as an economic power, and the presence of international media in everyday life.As of 2010 there are fewer native speakers of English than Chinese, though English is spoken in more places, and more people speak English as a second language. According to the 2004 World Factbook, 49 countries list English as their official language, not counting the United States and the United Kingdom, which do not list any official language but use predominantly English. In 2001, a poll of the 189 member countries in the United Nations showed that 120 of them p referred to use English to communicate with other embassies, while 40 chose French and 20 wanted Spanish.Aside from the United Nations, many other international organizations operate in English. After World War II, key financial institutions were created in English, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The World Trade Organization and a variety of other UN affiliates such the World Food Program and the World Health Organization use English in spoken and written communication. Media Influence Five of the largest broadcasting companies (CBS, NBC, ABC, BBC and CBC) transmit in English, reaching across the world through satellite television and local holdings.Estimates for the number of people using the Internet in English lie only slightly ahead of users in Chinese, but well ahead of Spanish and other major languages. In the publishing industry, English is also well ahead: 28 percent of books published annually are in English, and the market for books in Englis h for second language speakers is growing. Factors The amount of influence a language has depends on the number of native and secondary speakers, as well as the population and economic power of the countries in which it is spoken.Other factors include the number of major fields that use the language, such as branches of science and diplomacy, and its international literary prestige, to a lesser degree. English currently dominates in science and technology, a position that it took over from German after World War I. Scientific journals publish in English, and many researchers, especially in physics, chemistry and biology, use English as their working language. Importance of Spoken English Language The importance of English as a spoken language began as a result of the colonial era, when European powers took to the seas in order to find new lands and natural resources. The effects of that time can still be felt in the number of English speakers in India, select parts of Asia and Africa, and North America.The influence of English grew stronger in the 20th century, with the increased mobility of populations, the growth of the United States as an economic power, and the presence of international media in everyday life.As of 2010 there are fewer native speakers of English than Chinese, though English is spoken in more places, and more people speak English as a second language. According to the 2004 World Factbook, 49 countries list English as their official language, not counting the United States and the United Kingdom, which do not list any official language but use predominantly English. In 2001, a poll of the 189 member countries in the United Nations showed that 120 of them pr eferred to use English to communicate with other embassies, while 40 chose French and 20 wanted Spanish.Aside from the United Nations, many other international organizations operate in English. After World War II, key financial institutions were created in English, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.The World Trade Organization and a variety of other UN affiliates such the World Food Program and the World Health Organization use English in spoken and written communication. Media Influence Five of the largest broadcasting companies (CBS, NBC, ABC, BBC and CBC) transmit in English, reaching across the world through satellite television and local holdings.Estimates for the number of people using the Internet in English lie only slightly ahead of users in Chinese, but well ahead of Spanish and other major languages. In the publishing industry, English is also well ahead: 28 percent of books published annually are in English, and the market for books in English for second language speakers is growing.Factors The amount of influence a language has depends on the number of native and secondary speakers, as well as the population and economic power of the countries in which it is spoken.Other factors include the number of major fields that use the language, such as branches of science and diplomacy, and its international literary prestige, to a lesser degree.English currently dominates in science and technology, a position that it took over from German after World War I. Scientific journals publish in English, and many researchers, especially in physics, chemistry and biology, use English as their working language.

Epics: Gilgamesh and Joseph

Archetypes in literature serve as basic models or ideal examples of the human thoughts, feelings, and reactions which underlie and determine a vast variety of human experiences (Kluger, 1991, p. 16). Both, the stories of Gilgamesh and Joseph, are pregnant with rich archetypal imagery. They allow us perspective on the universal human condition, while also providing personally applicable insight and exploration. Gilgamesh Through Gilgamesh’s adventures, timeless themes of heroism, providence, love, friendship, and immortality are presented in a story of character growth. Gilgamesh possesses a potential for greatness that is realized through his friendship with Enkidu and his quests for renown and immortality† (Chastain, 2004, pg. 286). His journey begins in Uruk, where he reigns as a selfish and tyrannical king but ultimately, his journey brings him home to Uruk as a wiser, nobler king. He is an archetype of flawed heroism – undeniably courageous, but also undeniabl y imperfect. Using his famed fighting skills, he exploits the men of his own country and takes their brides at whim. The people of Uruk become so outraged at this indecency that they implore the gods for help. Anu and the goddess Arurur answer their pleas in the form of a man named Enkidu, who is equipped to rival the strength of Gilgamesh. Ironically, what the people and gods fashion for Gilgamesh’s demise, becomes his salvation. The gods are, in fact, successful in checking the king’s unbecoming behavior, but in an unexpected means. This is archetypal providence at work in the divine. Epics 3 Endiku doesn’t rise up and defeat the mighty warrior-king in one fatal swoop, instead he ends up befriending him. Their first meeting typifies their relationship: Gilgamesh intends to enter a bride’s chamber to defile her, Endiku stands at the doorway to refuse his entrance. They wrestle fiercely, equally matched. Endiku manages to derail the king’s unseemly intentions and win his affection in the process. Through their relationship, love typifies itself as a powerful motivator for change. Both characters evolve and mature through their shared friendship. Endiku transitions from a wild man into a noble man, who enjoys royalty and battles bravely. Once, he socialized only with animals, but he soon developed into a devoted man willing to lay his life down for a fellow human being. Gilgamesh slows his lustful pursuit of women and realizes authentic love through friendship. His self-centeredness dissipates as he grieves heartily seven days and seven nights over the loss of his dear friend. The untimely demise of Enkidu causes him to face his own vulnerability. He remembers the horrors of the Underworld as relayed by his friend and suddenly experiences the archetypical fear of death, which leads him to the archetypical quest for immortality. His bereavement turns into a determined expedition for eternal life. After ordering the erection of a statue dedicated to his companion, his mission began. After several failed attempts, the story’s hero is unable to beat death; it is inevitable and approaching. Ultimately, he must learn to content himself with the legacy he’ll leave rather than the escape of an afterlife. However, all is not lost. Although, he does not return to Uruk with everlasting life for himself and his people, he does return as a much improved despot. Each journey he undertook shaped and evolved his character. Epic 4 Joseph Joseph’s story, according to the biblical Old Testament narrative, is powerfully inspiring. It is the record of one man’s ascension from pit to palace. He overcomes obstacles, injustice and hardship with grace and honor. Ultimately, every wrong is compensated with wildly unexpected success and wealth. Through it all, is the unmistakable mark of divine providence. There is a â€Å"behind-the-scenes presence of One whose Hand guides every event, small or large, from beginning to end† (Westermann, 1996, pg. iii). This sense of orchestration and heavenly aid lends insight to a very personally involved Deity. Another striking element in Joseph’s story is the relentless scope of his morality. He endures temptation after temptation with holy resolve. Although he suffers harm for the purity of his integrity, he remains loyal to decency nonetheless. Not only was Joseph moral, apparently, he w as likeable. He won the favor of many throughout his lifetime, beginning with his parents. He was the highly favored son of his father, Jacob, and this bias was not veiled from his brothers. Their jealousy escalated so remarkably that they sought to kill him. They threw him into a pit while callously eating their lunch and plotting his murder. However, through the intervention of an older brother, Reuben, they opted instead to sell him to traveling merchants. Through this cruel betrayal, Joseph landed in Egypt as slave to a wealthy official named Potiphar. He excelled in his environment and advanced quickly. â€Å"Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, Epics 5 nd he entrusted to his care everything he owned† (Genesis 39:4, New International Version). From the moment he was put in charge, God blessed Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. In the midst of favor and excellence, injustice reentered the scene in the form of Potiphar’s wife. Steadfast in his ethical obligation, Joseph refused the wife’s sexual allurement. This infuriated the jilted seductress and caused her to la sh out vindictively. She wrongfully accused Joseph of the very act he refused to commit. Once again, his life changed immediately in the heat of another’s scorn. He was promptly imprisoned. â€Å"But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden† (Genesis 37:19-20). Whether in a pit or in a prison, Joseph remained tethered to the bigger element of destiny. Providence used every scenario to nurture his latent aptitude in preparation for his eventual position of elevated authority. As in the preceding circumstances, Joseph proved himself trustworthy and was given a position of leadership within the prison. He was faithful and successful in all under his care. God blessed his labor. Joseph didn’t remain in the king’s dungeon long before divine purpose began drawing him out of injustice a second time. Trusting God, he interprets the dream of a prisoner under his care. He predicts that the man will soon be freed to return to the King’s palace as chief cupbearer. In return for such good news, Joseph asks that the cupbearer remember him and advocate his plight before the king. In gross negligence, the cupbearer forgets Joseph. It seems that he is the victim of inequality yet once again but two years later, Joseph is remembered. At the cupbearer’s insistence, Joseph is summoned to interpret the King’s dream. Giving God credit for any potential achievement, Joseph begins interpretation – a feat which no other man in Pharaoh’s court could manage. The king was so impressed by Joseph’s answer and demeanor that he immediately bestowed the young thirty-year-old with royal authority: Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you. (Genesis 41:39-40) The cycle of discrimination, favor and blessing had repeated itself once again. The two constants in Joseph’s many surprising adventures were the hand of God and tenacious morality. Even at the pinnacle of his success and power, Joseph chose goodness over vengeful reciprication. A dire famine in the region set the stage for a climatic final confrontation between Joseph and the brothers who betrayed him so long ago. They came to him in Egypt, unknowingly, pleading for rations. Joseph’s position of command allowed him many possible reactions –anger, retaliation, intimidation- but he chose forgiveness and generosity. He reveals himself to his brothers through heavy tears and warm embraces. Their fateful reunion was complete in perfect absolution. Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace, taught him dependence on God, the trustworthy, omniscient One. He remained dedicated to hope and faith and was not disappointed. In the end, he was able to see purpose in every trial and deific direction in every season. He was able to say: â€Å"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good† (Genesis 50:20, King James Version).