An Interest in African Studies and International Relations

My primary interest is in the study of Africa, both past and present - ancient history, traditions, cultures, colonialism, and nation building. I would like to study and conduct research on various issues that impact the African continent including ethnic and religious conflicts, health and environmental challenges. I am also interested in historical and evolving roles of women in Africa. In the summer of 2008, I travelled to Orogun, a village in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where my father spent his childhood. I had read and heard stories about the oil rich villages in the Niger Delta and the plight of the villagers from environmental hazards resulting from toxic oil and gas flares, air and water pollutions leading to birth defects, lung diseases, and destruction of the ecology. I was shocked to find a village with such rich natural resources with no infrastructures, good medical facilities, or schools. I returned to Orogun in the winter of 2010 to participate in a food drive organized by the Omo-Agege foundation. We distributed over 500 bags of rice to the villagers. I also helped organize a Christmas party for the Orogun children where I introduced games like musical chairs and awarded prizes for dance competitions. I am deeply concerned about the immediate and long term health risks facing the people of the Niger Delta in Nigeria due to the environmental haz ards in the region, and hope to delve into available remedies and compensations. In the summer of 2012, IShow MoreRelatedMultilateral Relations Between Africa And Africa1407 Words   |  6 Pageshas gradually gained modest relations, and aspiring to cultivate a multifaceted partnership with major global political players in all directions from Left-Right, East–West, North-South, and South-South. The two major partners forged their own cooperation are Peoples Republic of China and United States of America and the partnerships they created are known as Sino - Africa relations named ‘Forum on China-Africa Cooperation’ (FOCAC), and US – Africa which is dubbed ‘African Growth and Opportunity Act’Read MoreRelationship Between Rwanda, Israels Perceptions Of The 1994 Rwandan Genocide1249 Words   |  5 Pagesother African Great Lakes region nations. During my various periods living within Rwanda, I have had the opportunity to perform independent research and analysis on the nation’s political, military, agricultural-focus ed development, religious and social history and presence. This research resulted in my publication for the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs titled, â€Å"Rwanda, Israel, and Operation Protective Edge.† I wish to continue my current research on Rwandan perceptions of the international communityRead MoreAn Approach to the Regional Neoliberal Governance in Southern Africa from a Critical Perspective1177 Words   |  5 Pagesforces that build them up. (Sà ¶derbaum 2004a, p. 421). The process of economic globalization and the impact of neoliberalism in the contemporary world have affected the context in which regionalism/ regionalization occurs, with new balances and relations and consequent implications for the political economy of regionalism (Sà ¶derbaum 2004b, p. 17).The new regionalism movement comes as an answer to those challenges deriving from transnational actors and those posed to the nation state. AdditionallyRead MoreMy Parents Taught Me The Value Of An Education Essay1607 Words   |  7 Pageswas the only Black student in my grade. Prior to migration, I was aware of the racial categories in the UK and the US, and the implications of being an African immigrant in the UK, but I did not comprehend the full implications of this until I lived in a country where I was a racial minority. Thankfully, my primary school had other international students, from across the globe, and I had some open-minded British peers and I could thrive and learn about other cultures. This early exposure was a greatRead MoreMedia Representation of the Rwandan Genocide1202 Words   |  5 Pagesreason for looking at representational practices in relation to texts, language and modes of interpretation is because it is through these practices that ideas about International Relations are produced’. Through the media coverage on the Rwanda Genocide I investigate how a lack of representation can limit the study and practice of International Relations. Alan Kuperman (2000) presented the argument that ‘Western media blame the international community for not intervening quickly, but the mediaRead MoreEssay on History of the Democratic Republic of Congo1169 Words   |  5 PagesCongo region. They held great interests in the rubber industry and created harsh labor camps that exploited the people. That is why after gaining independence in 1960, the nation then known as Zaire plunged into chaos. Military unrest coupled with oppressive warlord throughout the region made it a very unstable state, ready to collapse. Nowadays, U.N. peacekeeping forces hold posts in the nation to maintain its stability. The United States has had foreign relations with the country from 1960 andRead MoreProblem: Human Rights Violations In Sino-Africa Cooperation1321 Words   |  6 PagesCooperation China’s increasing presence in Africa has been exposed to international critiques for human rights violations. Rampant land grabbing by Chinese companies, labor abuses in Chinese factories and farms, and China’s close bonds with authoritarian governments are three major problems that have become protuberant, impeding the progress of China’s â€Å"Going-Abroad† strategy in Africa. Take China’s footprint in the African agricultural sector, for example. According to Human Rights Watch in 2012Read MoreIntercultural Communication At The National Alliance Party ( Tna ) Essay1653 Words   |  7 PagesCOMMUNICATION COURSE CODE: COM 1500 INSTRUCTOR: NGINDA R. DATE: 6TH JUNE 2016 ASSIGNMENT: IMPORTANCE OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN YOUR LINE OF STUDY. INTRODUCTION My name is Amanda Wainaina, and I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. The main area of focus l have decided to undertake is Development Studies whilst also taking a minor in Management. Furthermore, I am currently interning at The National Alliance Party (TNA). Inasmuch as I am very excited aboutRead MoreCrisis Diplomacy1351 Words   |  6 Pagestogether. Diplomacy is defined as the conducting of negotiations between representatives of states. This may refer to international diplomacy, the conduct of international relations through the communication of professional diplomats in the essence of certain issues such as peace-making, economics, cultures, trade, war, environment and human rights (Feaver, 2010). The main case study to be focused on will be that of Libya and how the EU AND AU were involved in the diplomatic intervention in Libya.Read MoreInternational Trade Has Brought Huge Gains On A Number Of Countries Around The World1472 Words   |  6 Pages1.1. Statement of the research problem International trade has brought massive gains to a number of countries around the world. It has helped spread technology, enhanced competitiveness, raised productivity, and gave consumers with a number of choices. These potential gains from trade have motivated countries to aggressively negotiate for trade relations and explore new trade opportunities. For instance, a study which was carried out by World Trade Organization (WTO) (2008), for the period 1950-2007

Evaluation Questions On The School - 873 Words

There are many issues the school needs to consider before starting to collect data. When the school collects data, the school has to observe confidentiality. Therefore, when reporting data, it is important not to reveal students private information and only report on groups large enough to make it impossible to identify individuals. The school reports on groups that are twenty or more people and follows the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The school seeks permission from the administration and parents, where appropriate, to collect data. The school considers the challenges faced in collecting data such as barriers in language, schedules, access to computers and transportation for the persons involved with the data collection. These challenges need to be conquered before continuing. The school must know the population of the people who will participate. Whereas, there are different sources that can be used to answer the evaluation questions. One source used to answer questions is using data already taken by the school or districts. However, some evaluation questions may need more information. Thence, the school collects data through data systems, surveys, focus groups in addition to already gathered data. The school has data systems that include information about the individual student. Included in this data system are student demographics, achievement, attendance, suspensions, expulsions and other information about the student. AnotherShow MoreRelatedEvaluation Research Questions On School Truancy823 Words   |  4 PagesEvaluation Research Questions There were three expected outcomes / hypothesis as a result of PARC program participation. First, hypothesis number one suggested that the activities of the PARC program (IV) will decrease school truancy significantly (DV) for individuals that participate in the program. Hypothesis number two suggested that as a result of the decrease in school truancy, student’s academic grades will improve. In other words, the PARC program (IV) would help to improve student’s gradesRead MoreFactors That Should Be Considered When Determining The Purpose Of Evaluation879 Words   |  4 Pagesshould be considered when determining the purpose of evaluation are: Formative evaluation and summative evaluation are the two factors that determine the purpose of educational evaluation (Glickman, Gordon, Ross-Gordon, 2014, p. 225). Robert Stakes says it best in his comment: â€Å"When the cook tastes the soup, that s formative: When the guests taste the soup, that s summative† (Billard, 2011). Just as a cook, evaluators are using formative evaluations to keep the program in balance, to improve the programRead MoreObjectives Of Process Evaluation And Development Of A Program Essay1431 Words   |  6 PagesA. Objectives of Process Evaluation (in general terms) According to Emil Posavac, upon development of a program, evaluators must take on the mission of recording the degree to which implementation has taken place, the nature of the people being served, and the extent to which the program operates as expected. Process Evaluation encompasses an examination of the assumptions made while the program was being planned (Prosavac, 7). In order for process evaluations to be the most valuable it needs toRead MoreThe Overall Evaluation / Research Strategy Or Design?1543 Words   |  7 PagesSection 1: Action Research What is the overall evaluation/research strategy or design? The article that was selected is, â€Å"Assessing the impact of a year-long faculty development program on faculty approaches to teaching†, by Light, Calkins, Luna, Drane (2009). The design is action research. Why is this type of strategy or design selected for this study? This design was selected because action research is a process and the seven-step process was initiated in the development of the design selectedRead MoreProgram Evaluation Critique Essay1546 Words   |  7 PagesProgram Evaluation critique to: Trish Mckay from: steven wayock subject: Team read- program evaluation Critique date: [ 10/31/2012 ] cc: Professor Turner, Margo Jones, Trish McKay Steven Wayock’s Independent program evaluation Critique Team Read’s program evaluation completed by the independent evaluator Margo Jones took an overall look at Team Read based off of statistical analysis conducted in two different phases. These phases evaluated different scopes of Team Read, the readers theRead MoreEvaluation Project Background Of Physical Education Essay1298 Words   |  6 PagesEvaluation Project Background While the term physical literacy is gaining attention in the US as a goal for physical education (PE), physical literacy (PL) has been used within physical education in other countries such as Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The internationally accepted definition of PL is â€Å"the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life† (Whitehead, 2013). The conceptionRead MoreThe Planning Processes at the Far West Elementary School: An Analysis931 Words   |  4 PagesElementary School The Far West Elementary School serves primarily immigrant children, coming from foreign families and seeking a better life in the United States, while taking advantage of the lower price of real estate in the neighborhood. The educational facility aims to create an environment where the children would thrive in an academic manner, where they would gain more self esteem and responsibility and where the life long goals are valued and emphasized upon. The Far West Elementary School is anRead MoreEvaluation Methodology. The Main Question This Evaluation1548 Words   |  7 PagesEVALUATION METHODOLOGY The main question this evaluation seeks to answer is â€Å"Is the after-school tutoring program at Neighborhood Christian Center Jackson effective?† This is imperative to be used to carry out the research effectively thereby, drawing upon accurate findings, for which previous research and prior works that have been conducted is the domain earlier could be studied and referred. In addition, to conducting primary, which is important, to gain comprehensive insight to the effects producedRead MoreProgram Evaluation Paper806 Words   |  4 PagesJones, M. O. (2015). Program evaluation of alternative schools in North Carolina: a companion dissertation (Doctoral dissertation, University of North Carolina, 2013). Journal of Organizational Educational Leadership, 1(1), 4th ser., 1-27 The North Carolina and South Carolina State Department of Education both agreed and passed legislation that created services for alternative education. The focuses of each of these programs were to modify behavior, meet student academic needs, and reduce recidivismRead MoreEvaluating The Curriculum Development And Designing A Continuous Program1257 Words   |  6 Pagesimplementation and evaluation. It is a continuous and dynamic process that embraces the evolution of new technologies, new education models, and innovative approaches. The unpredictable challenges that the nature and society might pose to the mankind demands the educators this ongoing process of curriculum development and implementation. Researches are indicating that standardized test results are in correlation with the socio economic status of the students and the community. The evaluation models have

Globalisation in Terms of Social and Economic Trends Free Essays

Globalisation is not a single phenomenon. It has become a catch-all concept to describe a range of trends and forces changing the social and economic structures of the world. Globalisation may be defined as ‘becoming or making world-wide†, but it has also been referred to as Westernisation. We will write a custom essay sample on Globalisation in Terms of Social and Economic Trends or any similar topic only for you Order Now Globalisation as argued by Professor Ruud Lubbers, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, is considered to have a number of distinct elements to it, which include Economic, Technological, Political, Cultural and Environmental. Economically, greater world integration or globalisation has been greatly encouraged since the Second World War, with the introduction of free trade agreements such as GATT (General Agreement on Tariff†s and Trade). Additionally, regional trade agreements have also been developed, which have included ‘single markets† established by the European Community and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Technologically, the IT revolution has provided a massive improvements in our ability to store and manipulate data using ever more powerful computers. More important however, is the communication abilities of these computers. The Communications Revolution has resulted in the ‘shrinking† of the world. Politically, it was not until the collapse of the former Soviet Block in the late 1980†³s and the general acceptance of the free market (deregulation) and democracy, coupled with the emergence of the ‘Tiger† economies of the Pacific Rim, that the term globalisation has taken on true significance. Culturally, there has been a spreading of Westernisation, or perhaps more accurately Americanisation through the media of films, television and music. Following the Second World War, the USA fearing the rise of communism, actively encouraged and subsidised the world-wide distribution of films effectively advertising (if only subliminally) the benefits of capitalism and the American Dream. As a consequence to the dilution of cultures, France for example has since introduced legislation requiring radio stations to play a minimum of 40% of music originating from or sung in French. Environmental problems are increasingly becoming global problems. Therefore, countries are no longer able to look at environmental issues in isolation. This has been dramatically illustrated for example by the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, the depletion of the ozone layer and acid rain over Scandinavia. Countries now need to act collectively (as per the Rio Conference) for there to be any chance of reversing or just slowing the damage being caused to the environment. Globalisation of the economy has not been based purely on free trade but also on the free movement of capital. This has promoted direct foreign investments from one country into another (e.g. massive Japanese investment into the EU, especially the UK) which has had a strong influence on the globalisation of the national economies. As an economic phenomenon, globalisation has resulted in a shift away from a world of distinct national economies to a global economy in which production is distributed internationally and finance is able to flow freely and instantly between countries. Multinational businesses have vast economic powers, whilst institutional investors and financial gurus such as George Soros are capable of influencing the currency rates, economic policies, and interest rates of individual nation states (e.g. September 1992, the UK was forced to leave the European Exchange Rate Mechanism). The framework of rules within which economic activity takes place is increasingly defined within the international framework of organisations such as the WTO (World Trade Organisation), the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the World Bank, the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and G7-8 summits, together with the regional trading blocks such as the European Union and NAFTA. Globalisation is arguably both a cause and a consequence of the information revolution. It is driven by dramatic improvements in telecommunications, exponential increases in computing power coupled with lower costs, and the development of electronic communications and information networks such as the Internet. These communications technologies are helping to overcome the barriers of physical distance. Communities of various types, including NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) which include international interest groups like Amnesty International or Greenpeace, as well as business and labour organisations, now function across national borders. Greenpeace is a prime example: the Shell Brent Spar case illustrated the ability of such internationally organised interest groups to successfully exert commercial and political pressure in multiple countries simultaneously. In turn, social policies affecting individual citizens are becoming more sensitive to international influences, especially when highlighted by the global news media. While globalisation is transferring numerous decisions to the international arena, political and constitutional reforms in many countries involve attempts to decentralise decision-making from central government to more regionally autonomous authorities to cater for a sense of ‘local† identity (e.g. new Labour polices on devolution for Scotland and Wales). These trends appear contradictory, but in practice they are causing the development of new multi-level policy systems. Consequently, borders are becoming increasingly difficult for governments to define and maintain. Therefore, national governments are being forced to redefine their roles, responsibilities and policy relationships. In the same way, multinational companies will find that they will not only have to deal with global trends but also the local laws and customs of their intended markets and manufacturing centres. Globalisation has raised fears that the sovereignty of nation states is being undermined. If sovereignty can be defined as the ability to exercise control without outside interference, then nation states are clearly experiencing diminishing sovereignty. Governments must recognise and work on the assumption that most issues they are required to deal with are affected by or will affect to some extent the international competitiveness of the country. Governments’ own responses to globalisation or the search for joint solutions to global problems have further effects upon sovereignty. Participation in international organisations or the adoption of international agreements puts limits on policy options available to governments. This may even require modifications to long-standing domestic policies and practices. Interdependence is narrowing the degree of domestic policy independence. Unilateral action may not be the most effective way to achieve policy goals. For example, the exploitation of resources such as fisheries would inevitably result in the severe depletion, if not destruction, of common stocks (European Common Fisheries Policy) . Many other important policy goals cannot be met by governments acting alone. In combating environmental problems and international crime etc, the interests of individual nations, therefore, may only be protected by collective action. The competition for international investment encouraged by the activities and mobility of multinational enterprises means that most traditional domestic policies such as education and training, taxation, social protection, economic regulation and labour legislation have become international. Even a nation’s domestic management policy is a matter of great concern to its trading rivals, because this will ultimately affect a country†s efficiency and consequently its competitiveness. Government policies must increasingly be made more consistent with or competitive against those of their main trading rivals. This was highlighted by Britain†s decision to opt out of the Social Chapter of the Maastricht Treaty. Monetary and fiscal policy decisions can no longer be taken on the basis of exclusively domestic considerations. Currently more than 10 times the amount of finance needed to support the current volume of world trade, is traded daily on the world currency markets. This means that 90 per cent of that activity could be seen as pure currency speculation. This is far in excess of what central banks can hope to influence through their own interventions, especially in the absence of any joint action. In recent years, the Labour Party in the UK, after four successive election defeats has gradually moved its economic policy broadly in line with that of the current Government. This may be seen as an attempt to gain credibility with the UK electorate but perhaps most importantly, to gain credibility with the International Money Markets which will have the opportunity of voting with their funds! The improvement of communications this century from sailing ship to satellite has contributed directly to the globalisation of the world†s economies and political systems. Technological globalisation of Information Technology has moved across cultural and physical barriers, effectively eliminating the capacity of countries (however draconian) to isolate themselves from the world outside. Despite this, Iran has recently banned the use of satellite television, but control will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve because the information revolution which has also provided e-mail and the Internet has democratised information. It may seem nonsensical for the need to obtain a visa to physically visit someone to whom you are able to talk to electronically on a daily basis. The result is that free speech and civil liberties are becoming increasingly international. Borders will no longer act as boundaries, especially with respect to information (IT has effectively eliminated the capacity of countries to keep out foreign influences, good or bad) and the flow of finance and crime. Therefore, numerous problems can only be tackled in collaboration with other countries. Ultimately, the goal of globalisation is to achieve a world economy reaping the benefits of additional trade and, consequently, mutual dependency (no two countries with a MacDonalds franchise have ever gone to war with each other!), therefore creating more jobs and prosperity for the participating countries. However, some such as Martin Khor, an economist and director of the NGO Third World Network, believe that free trade within a global market will polarise the poorer countries from the richer nations still further. According to some estimates, the industrialised countries, which make up 20% of the GATT membership, will gain 70% of the additional income arising from the implementation of the Uruguay Round of GATT. The globalisation of trade finance and information is perhaps the tip of the globalisation iceberg. The challenge to governments may be made more acute by a host of other internationalisation†s under-way, which include areas such as crime and population movement (economic refugees). Even if it is considered by some to be less than desirable, the increasing globalisation of the world seems unavoidable. In the long term, little may be gained by nation states resisting the impacts of globalisation, which may ultimately prove to be ineffective and counter-productive. To conclude, the ever-improving technology and consequently communications available to businesses, have enabled the creation of a global economy of production and finance, enabling industry to make use of territorial divisions, playing one country or trade-block off against another to maximise subsidies, savings in taxes, avoidance of anti-pollution regulations and guarantees of political stability and favour. With this, a new political structure is emerging with national sovereignty being an ever-looser concept (illustrated by the gradual and continuing integration of individual nation states into the European Union), which is contributing to the emergence of a phenomenon described by Robert Cox as ‘macro-regionalism†. He considers there to be three macro-regions in the making: Europe based on the European Union; an Eastern Asian sphere centred around Japan; and a North American sphere centred around the USA and looking to embrace Latin America. Perhaps the emergence of these macro-regions is part of a natural evolution towards a truly global state? How to cite Globalisation in Terms of Social and Economic Trends, Essay examples

Management Creative Writing

Questions: Task 1 Who are you?Introduce yourself, but instead of providing a list of facts, youll be the main character n a developing story. Tell us about your character as if you were someone else (in the third person). This is an opportunity to write creatively. Task 2 ClichesWrite original alternatives to the clichs below: - Blind as a bat - Avoid (something) like the plague - Tip of the iceberg - At the end of the day Place each of your alternatives in a sentence to see how well they work. Task 3 Letter to a friend.Write a letter to a close friend expressing your passion, your anger and your grief about a topic you feel passionate about. Task 4 the hook. Write the opening for a short story of your choice. Task 5 Creating characters.Provide a character sketch for a main character in your short story. Please include their fears, loves and hates. Dont write a list. Present this piece as a passage from your short story. Reflection Activity 1 You , the writer.Write a reflective piece that tells us about your aspirations as a writer. What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses as a writer? What genres do you prefer to write in: short story, poem, song, novel? What do you think are the hallmarks of a good writer? How much and how often do you write and read? Cover some or all of these topics. Answers: Task 1 A person who is blend of intellect and maturity with elements of confidence and enthusiasm. A congenital sensitive and loving person who is optimistic and far sighted. A personality of valor which speaks of charm and courage with a positive attitude towards life. Always exuberant, full of life and zeal to showcase excellence in every task undertaken. Imaginative behavior trying to come up with innovative and creative solutions for situations. Some of the negative bends of character are being self centered and self focused. Sometimes acting as conscientious there is amalgamation of openness and a respect for diversity. With a keen insight into experimentation, there is meticulous level of performance which never leads to overconfidence. Task 2 Blind as bat: Not able to see well or unwilling to see clearly. Tom is blind as bat when it comes to his sons rude behavior. Avoid like the plague Ignore someone or something in total sense. There is something peculiar about Rob, everyone avoids her like a plague? Tip of the iceberg A part of something that can be observed when rest of it is hidden. The obstacles in your path are just the tip of the iceberg. There are various catastrophes waiting to occur. At the end of the day When work ends or everything else has been taken into the consideration. At the end of the day, we can decide which path is right and which will lead to disastrous end. Task 3 Dear Friend, As you know, I am a die hard social activist so today, I would like to share my passion for the social work undertaken by me. By the means of my expression of thought, you will surely become interested in some of my tasks. This is a rewarding job without any rewards but raise the internal satisfaction level to an exponential rate. I am so passionate for this work that I spare some time every day to help anyone who requires it. I help them not only by giving and distributing resources but by giving moral support and emotional strength to the ones who require it. I am so engrossed in these tasks that I keep on motivating others to extend their services for social works. We are supported by government and non government agencies to a greater limit which makes me feel enthusiastic about the work. Social work extends beyond charity and my passion for it is unmeasurable. A part of my working salary and pocket money goes into helping poor children to study and learn vocational courses. I sp end some time in old age homes to provide emotional support to lonely individuals and have a mutual satisfactory and happy feelings. My interest, hobby, accomplishment and achievement are related to social work. The sole purpose of social working is to gain internal satisfaction, moral happiness and eternal sanctity. I invite you to extend some form of support in this task of social service and uphold my passion to a greater level. Yours lovingly Task 4 We are the Children of one God Caste, creed, color have made everything so complex. Based on this fact, can we really dwell deeper into the conscience and understand that we are the children of one god only? Abu and Bun were two best friends boasting of their friendship in the school they attended. Children used to envy of their eternal and selfless bond of love and care. No one could ever have imagined that they both belonged to different castes coming from altogether different backgrounds. One single day, the headman of the village decided to renovate the school which marked beginning of the differences crafting among their communities. The head from other community wanted to contribute and have his name in the prior list of management but the headman refused. This petty issue became the source of brewing a fight between them. Because of this tension and stress rising among the communities, Abu and Bun got stressed and were terribly upset. One of their teachers noticed their dilemma and asked them to discuss the issue. They openly discussed the problem with the teacher and came up with an innovative solution. Task 5 The main characters of the story are Abu and Bun who are showcased as epitome of a true, selfless and affectionate friendship. They rose over the petty discriminations based over caste or creed and believed that friendship is the greatest relation which God have formed. They believed in oneness of God and were true believers of moral values. They loved the bond of their friendship and regarded it as the topmost relation. The had a fear that their friendship might fall prey of the rising tensions among the communities and hence were sensitive and got extremely tensed. They were tender hearted and kind. The strength of their character was purity of their relation and the trust they had to build this kind of friendship. They were obedient too as in the story they believed on the innovative solution devised by their teacher. They had a strong character to bring in peace in the society and acted so maturely that they taught a lesson to their elders. As a whole, they had a strong, sensitive and mature character played in the story. Reflection I have an omnivorous reading habit on a constant and periodic basis, this reading have formed a part of my lifestyle and routine. I have an inner ear and tend to hear what I write before expressing. My writing skills have a sense of rhythm to draw attention of the general mass. The activities of reading, listening, introspecting, and reflecting are the key strengths of my writing skills. I am aware and keep myself updated with the structure of writing and tend to modulate my skills accordingly. Another strength is to draw analogies with the real life and make my work more realistic. I am more aligned to write poetry and short novels as they are closely related with the real life by inculcation of well framed proses, creative use of language and innovative implementation of well formed writing. My weakness include a phobia for fiction and overuse of flowery and difficult words in my writing. I tend to give overthought sometimes where it is not even required. I have to improve upon my rhyming schemes and prose formation for the poetry. Hallmarks of a good writer are clarity, focus and ideas will well formed organization of thoughts. The choice of language which will have a direct and indelible impact over the audience is the key for success of a writer. The writing should be though provoking and emotionally aspiring. Powerful writing which is developed gracefully is a catalyst of good writing skills. The writing should be in flow which is full of compassion and is compelling.

Trials and Verdicts

The important result of the legal decision-making process is the verdict which can end the trial process and state the form of punishment for the convicted person.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Trials and Verdicts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, to understand the details related to interpreting the cases and law and to stating the verdict, it is necessary to analyze the processes related to different courts according to their jurisdiction, and to focus on the real-life examples in order to discuss the problems of accepting a plea bargain and of being wrongly accused. The question of the court’s jurisdiction is discussed when it is necessary to select which court can decide on the certain case appropriately. Following the Felkner v. Jackson case, it is possible to state that different courts are effective to discuss concrete issues and decide on the aspects of the case, but the process of the case resolution can be rather long and complicated. In 2011, Steven Frank Jackson was convicted of many sexual offenses. However, Jackson referred to the Batson v. Kentucky case, and focused on the issue of racism in relation to the California jury who discussed the case. Jackson’s petition was accepted and examined by the California Court of Appeal, and then the California Supreme Court decided according to the court’s jurisdiction to reject the necessity of the case’s review (Felkner v. Jackson, 2011). Nevertheless, the case was not unresolved even in relation to the Federal District Court. In this situation, the Supreme Court took the jurisdiction to provide the decision, and the previous courts’ decisions were defined as unreasonable. Finally, it is stated by the Supreme Court of the United States that the petition â€Å"for certiorari and the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis are granted. The judgment of the Court of Appeals for t he Ninth Circuit is reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion† (Felkner v. Jackson, 2011). As a result, it is possible to note that the decision to discuss the case in the Supreme Court of the United States is appropriate because of the necessity to resolve all the controversial points of the case which cannot be resolved in the other courts.Advertising Looking for research paper on constitutional law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The cases when the defendant accepts a plea bargain as an alternative to trial are also very controversial and complicated because this decision can be associated with a kind of pressure from attorneys and prosecutors. Furthermore, the defendant can change his or her decision during the process. Thus, to discuss the question in detail, it is necessary to focus on the Freeman v. United States case (2011). William Freeman was convicted of different crimes associated with drug trafficking and drug delivery. However, Freeman decided to develop the plea agreement under Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(c)(1)(C). The agreement meant that Freeman could plead guilty depending on receiving a specific sentence. The case was rather complicated, and it was decided in 2011 that referring to 18 U.S.C.  § 3582(c)(2), the sentence could be reduced â€Å"for the offense to which the defendant pled guilty† (Freeman v. United States, 2011). In spite of the fact that the plea agreement does not mean the alternative to the trial, the case is important to be discussed to decide whether or not justice was served. Referring to this concrete case, it is possible to state that the justice was served because the severity of crimes should be taken into account every time when the possibility of the plea agreement is discussed. The most problematic cases are those ones in which defendants are wrongly accused and later vindicated. One of the most famous case s is the case associated with the famous sportsman Brian Banks who was convicted of raping Wanetta Gibson. Brian Banks accepted a plea bargain because of the threat to be imprisoned for more than 40 years. However, in 2011, it became possible to state that Banks was not guilty, and he was vindicated. The most important aspect to be discussed in relation to the case is the fact that Wanetta Gibson lied during the first trial process in order to receive the significant financial compensation (Powers, 2012). The decision of the court could be different, but the lawyers failed to prove or not Gibson’s words. That is why, these details affected the whole trail process, and Brian Banks had to accept the plea agreement in order to avoid being imprisoned for a long period of time.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Trials and Verdicts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In spite of the fact, the United Statesà ¢â‚¬â„¢ legislative system should contribute to the people’s welfare and protection, there are many controversial verdicts and trials which can influence the statement of the principles of justice in the country. From this point, it is necessary to pay much attention to the controversial aspects and issues discussed during the trial processes in order to resolve cases in the appropriate courts with the focus on their jurisdiction and to avoid the ineffective decisions which can lead to the unalterable consequences. As a result, all the details of the case should be taken into consideration to decide on the person’s guilt and possible verdict. References Felkner v. Jackson. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/10-797.pdf Freeman v. United States. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/09-10245.pdf Powers, A. (2012). A 10-year nightmare over rape conviction is over. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/local/la- xpm-2012-may-25-la-me-rape-dismiss-20120525-story.html This research paper on Trials and Verdicts was written and submitted by user Alfonso Fletcher to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Zen in the Art of Archary essays

Zen in the Art of Archary essays As I sat around thinking of how I could answer this question, I realized that I had never experienced the feeling where I lost my ordinary sense of self-consciousness that Eugen Herrigel describes. I can come up with numerous occurrences in my life where I lost track of time, but not the loss of self-consciousness as well. I would imagine it must take vigorous training to learn this skill of such magnitude. Of course there are instances when I have become very relaxed where I just think to myself and lose track of my surroundings. However, to me this state of mind is more of a daydream state, which everyone has. It is still very far from losing your self-consciousness, because even with that feeling I can still say that I am thinking in terms of I and not in terms if IT. I cant say that I have ever felt this outside force of IT that Eugen mentions. Nevertheless, the closest occurrence I can think of is when reading a book, in which I am very interested. When I get into this s tate of mind I began to truly enjoy the experience, doing so with extreme focus on the text. This is the best example I can supply that contributes to a very concentrated state of mind. The book example came to mind because I felt there were similarities in the activities that led to the Zen state that Herrigel explained. When indulging in a great book I can feel myself getting caught up with every word, and hanging on to every little detail. I can read a textbook and have minutes feel as hours. When reading a great book time can just fly away, and I can feel myself becoming one with the book, where its no longer me reading but experiencing the words. I also feel this book example can relate to Eugen since he as well had to exemplify great focus in his breathing and in his form. However, I feel that it does not relate because, when reading a book, there is no need for me to achieve a purposeless ...

Magical journeys are used as a metaphor for internal liberation in the Research Paper

Magical journeys are used as a metaphor for internal liberation in the works of Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington - Research Paper Example Style of Art A.  The use of the surreal as a part of the imagination to gain freedom, even inside of walls (Varo) B.  The use of the surreal as magic to move into the unknown and beyond to find freedom (Carrington) V. Conclusion   Introduction The creation of expression through art is one which is based on creating specific topics and themes that provide insight through the artist. When looking at the works of Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington, it can be seen that there is a specific set of attributes that are defined with their works. These are based on expressions and personal beliefs of both of the artists. The artists use magical journeys as a metaphor for internal liberation through various works. Examining the magical journeys as well as how it relates to the liberation is one which redefines the expressions and concepts that are associated with the artistic works and the beliefs in which both of the artists carry. Background Information Remedios Varo was born in 1908 and died in 1963 and was a well – known Spanish - American painter. The works which she produced were best known for surrealist ideologies and anarchist concepts which opposed the politics and culture of the nation at this specific time frame. Varos was forced to move during the Spanish Civil War and was led into Paris. During this time, she met several other surrealist painters, including Gerardo Lizzarga and Benjamin Peret. She became a member of the group Logicophobiste where most of her artistic influences began to form. In 1941, she was forced into exile again, specifically with the Nazi regime that took occupation in France. This particular political movement led her to Mexico City where she remained for the rest of her life. During this time, she was introduced to artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Leonara Carrington1. The second artist, Leonara Carrington, is known because of the same influences and styles which were carried by Varo. Carrington was born in 1917 and died in May of 2011. Carrington was born in England to a father who was known for his textile manufacturing. Her father’s wealth allowed her to be governed by tutors and nuns; however, she was expelled from two schools for her behavior. Her father tried to change this by sending her to Florence, Italy, where she attended the Academy of Art. She later joined the Chelsea School of Art and then the Academy of Amedee Ozenfant. She was quickly influenced by surrealism from Paul Eluard and Herbert Read. By 1938, she was painting surrealist art and settled in France with her husband, Max Ernst. Both collaborated on several works; however, Ernst was arrested several times by Nazis because of the belief that he was a hostile alien. Both escaped to America; however, Carrington broke down mentally and was forced to return to Spain where she was placed in a mental institution. She later went to Mexico and New York where she was able to flourish with her paintings and which allowed her t o explore more surrealist artwork2. When looking at both of the artists, it can be seen that the history and the specific problems are similar. Both were in similar place in Europe and went through forms of exile from politics, specifically with the Nazi regime. Both were exiled into different countries where they underwent several influences that were based on the political problems

Strategic project management case study Assignment

Strategic project management case study - Assignment Example The country depicts human resource weaknesses in the health, education, and adult literacy sectors. The country has the right atmosphere of establishing measures that would help it to catch up with the developed nations in terms of education, technology, economic development, and adult literacy. As such, I present a project that will ensure that every student joining a public college accesses a laptop with a view of updating the technology of the nation. The project dubbed â€Å"One Laptop one Student Campaign† will seek to bridge the digital gap between Kenya and the developed countries. This will enhance technological development in Kenya. After doing a pilot project on the country, the project will aim at providing a reliable, low power, and cost effective laptops to all students in public colleges free of charge. Just like the "One laptop per child" project (Beaumont 2010, p. 1), the â€Å"One Laptop one Student Campaign† will adopt the principle that giving computers to students will consequently enhance educational progress in Kenya. The project will require the support of sponsors, the government, academicians, parents, and students. In ensuring the sustainability of the project, I will address myself to electricity shortages, cultural restrictions, low internet network, adequate equipment, and training, usability, and government restrictions. Ultimately, I will consider the merits and demerits of the project an d its probable impact on the education sector. This will determine the sustainability of the project. It is arguably true that in developing countries like Kenya, public college students belong to the low economic class compared to the private college students who belong to the wealth class where they can easily access laptops. The â€Å"One Laptop one Student Campaign† seeks to ensure the availability of laptops at home and in school for all students entering college education. The implementation of this project will

Mayor's management report department of homless services (NYC) Essay

Mayor's management report department of homless services (NYC) performance measures - Essay Example Homelessness has always remained a major concern for municipalities of towns and cities across the globe. New York City is a city with a staggering homeless population; experiencing a profound shortage of available housing at every rental level; a problem that has persisted throughout the city's history. To address this ill, chronic issue, in year 1993, the city government of New York City, established the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Since then, all activities, resources and facilities; projects, inputs and workload; performance, statistical measurements and results of DHS, are published in annual Mayor's Management Report. The paper addresses the mission, goals and objectives of Department of Homeless Services. It quantitatively analyze the performance highlights of Mayor’s Management Report and discusses the DHS methodology in context to Six Sigma or the Theory of Constraints. Finally different features of performance measures are given. Department of Homeless Ser vices Homelessness is an ill and burgeoning phenomenon for human being; a disproportionate coercion against the health and well-being of masses who endure its deprivations. Homelessness badly upsets the most vulnerable group of society whose life chances and life expectancies are already reduced by poverty, discrimination, mental illness, substance abuse and other disabilities (Barrow 529)... For example according to a survey conducted by United Nations cyberschool bus (1985) an estimate number of homeless in Manhattans alone run as high as 90,000. 'This crisis can be best described as a national epidemic of homelessness that is destroying the family life and health of the poor, and affecting the most vulnerable section of the population- children' (Whyte 2004). In order to deal with this epidemic crisis, in 1993 the city government of New York established the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). "The mission of the Department of Homeless Services is to overcome the homelessness in New York City" (PMM Report 2007). After six years in 1999, DHS was given an independent Mayoral agency status. The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) instigated its course of action with following long-term goals as given in Mayor's annual reports. Prevent homelessness. Conduct outreach to street homeless individuals. Provide temporary emergency shelter for eligible homeless people. Work with homeless individuals and families to develop and implement independent. To pursuit these long term goals Department of Homeless Services set following critical objectives. Increase the number of people prevented from becoming homeless. Reduce street homelessness. Ensure the availability of temporary shelter for homeless individuals and families. Maintain shelter safety and cleanliness. Increase client engagement and responsibility in moving to permanent housing. Reduce clients' length of stay in shelters. Increase placements into permanent housing. Reduce re-entries into the shelter services system (PMM Report 2007). MMR Performance Measures Analysis Quantitative Analysis The statistics given in MMR against the key service area of

History And Industry Trends Cisco Systems Inc Commerce Essay

History And Industry Trends Cisco Systems Inc Commerce Essay As a company that started from humble beginnings, Cisco has evolved and grown into the multinational networking and communications giant of today. In 1984, Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, a couple working as computer staff members at Stanford University, created the startup known as Cisco Systems (Cisco systems). The companys first product was a multi-protocol router, which would set the tone for the coming years and helped outline its direction. Although Cisco has indulged in branching of products and dabbled in various market segments, networking primarily routers and switches have remained at its core. Cisco went public on February 16, 1990 and spent the remainder of the 90s ramping up for the Internet age (Cisco systems). It acquired numerous Ethernet and switching companies. By the time the dot-com boom rolled around, Cisco had implanted itself as a world leader: in order for the Internet to grow, many of Ciscos products were crucial to its infrastructure. This foundation-laying ideal positioned the company at the apex of the wave. In the spring of 2000, Cisco became the worlds most valuable company with a market capitalization of over $500 billion. In a move to increase the breadth of the brand and target consumers, Cisco rebranded itself in 2006 (and inclusively shortened its name from Cisco Systems). While primarily a business and enterprise oriented company, Cisco began its new initiative by acquiring home user minded names like Linksys and Flip Video. While the company has achieved phenomenal growth and successes, it is of course not without moments of decline. For example, the aforementioned Flip Video acquisition resulted in a flop, and was subsequently shutdown and dissolved in 2011 (Cisco discontinues flip, 2011). With this, Cisco announced that it would exit aspects of its consumer business which suggests a shift in focus. Once the dot-com boom was over and the bubble burst, Cisco experienced a major downturn and was forced to lay off almost 8000 employees and write down $2 billion in inventory (Fryer, 2008). This demonstrates the volatility of the technology industry and how important it is to forecast new trends. At the helm of the company, CEO John Chambers emphasizes on market transitions, quoting A market transition occurs when there is a subtle but clear disruptive shiftà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ A market transition gives you a glimpse of a new opportunity to take market share or move into new market adjacencies (Fryer, 2008). In the past, most businesses in the industry like Cisco followed market transitions directed by business now the industry has changed to follow consumers. Subtle discrepancies like this can spark differentiation of varying magnitude in order to capture new trends. By utilizing the VRIO framework, we can analyze Ciscos resource endowments and provide further insight on its background and competencies. While the company is differentiated in its products and services, not everyone of its resources is ranked highly on VRIO. Taking the Flip Video example, Cisco only received a temporary competitive advantage from it, and not a sustained one. The reason being, Flip cameras no longer became valuable nor rare. Smartphones were on the rise and contained built-in features that rendered Flip cameras redundant users could share videos and also capture them directly from their cellphones (Cisco discontinues flip, 2011). In comparison, Flip cameras were not perceived to be as valuable versus the time period before smartphones. Given this, these cameras were also not costly to imitate, since competitor manufacturers (market segment-wise) were implementing similar technologies already. By acquiring Flip Video in 2009, Cisco leveraged its business know-how an d infrastructure to demonstrate its capability to capture value. Flip cameras were at one point a popular commodity, but it soon tapered off once the previous 3 criterions of VRIO began to diminish. Once it came to this, Cisco was no longer able to capture its value and thus shutdown Flip. On the other hand, Ciscos router and switch resources provide the company a sustained competitive advantage and maintains high rankings in the VRIO analysis. Taking the Catalyst 6500 switch as an example, which was a key player during the dot-com boom (Cisco systems). Cisco strategically positioned itself with this switch and its other router technologies at this time, because Internet Service Providers necessitated an answer to the growing infrastructure demands. Resources like the 6500 provide Cisco with value. Over the years, Cisco has maintained a high-quality image and people equate its products as such. This increases its perceived value by consumers. For the most part, many of Ciscos resources are considered rare because although there are similar products from different competitors, the numbers are not great. Tying into the aforementioned rarity, due to the complex and continuously evolving nature of these high technologies, they are very costly to imitate. As a firm in general, Cisco has been organized to capture value on many of its products. Juniper Networks is one of Ciscos main competitors, and came out with products that siphoned away 30% of the switching and routing market share. In the end, Cisco was able to edge itself back into the leader seat by innovating and releasing upgrades to existing lines. To expand on Ciscos differentiation strategy and its diverse portfolio of product ranges, 3 market segments are targeted. The primary market for the firm is the corporate market, or large businesses. Cisco sells a multitude of products and services for this segment, ranging from borderless network solutions to collaboration suites like the IP phones and TelePresence video conferencing units (Collaboration products and,). Many of these products are sold to large enterprises like Bank of America, ATT, and General Electric. The contracts Cisco holds with these types of companies create a large bulk of its focus. Referring back to the dot-com boom case, Cisco sold its network solutions to many ISPs and ultimately catalyzed its market capitalization and proliferation to being the worlds most valuable company at the time. Aside from the corporate market, Cisco also offers less intensive and lighter scale solutions for small businesses in order to encompass a more diverse group of consumers. The company offers a variant of its routers and switches that are reduced in size and capabilities, but work for smaller networks. The WebEx web conferencing service is a popular offering (its technology was garnered through an acquisition), which allows users to seamlessly collaborate and share. Although Cisco made an effort to enter the home user market in 2006, with its The Human Network campaign, it is reassessing the scope of this venture (Cisco systems). As shown by Flip, the margins that Cisco requires to operate at a desired efficiency are not as great in the home user segment. Many of the companys pursuits in this area proved to be short-lived. While the TelePresence video conferencing suites originated as a corporate-oriented product, Cisco tried adopting it to the home users by offering Umi (Collaboration products and,). Unfortunately, this effort was not successful as the competition was too great and the offering was not valuable enough to consumers. At its heart, Cisco maintains its competitive advantages primarily through its business and corporate solutions. Macroeconomic Analysis PESTEL A firms macro environment consists of a wide range of political, economic, sociocultural, technological, ecological, and legal (PESTEL) factors that can affect industry and firm performance. These external forces have both domestic and global aspects. (Strategic Management Concept Textbook) Pestel stands for political, economic, sociocultural, technological, environmental and legal issues that the government can act on the Companys decisions or performances. Usually most of the articles from Wall Street Journal can be applied by Pestel Analysis. Political Political consideration that affect service provider and government spending patterns( Annual Report, pg.37) is one of the reason why Cisco believes that their company can be harmed by the economic and political reasons. Economic Cisco System explained how the fluctuation in the future with their stock price could happen due to uncertain global economic environment in their Annual report. They believe there are lots of risks on uncertainty of the global economic environment. As we see in their stock chart that they have had hard time during economic crisis of 2008. Stock analysis is provided under financial analysis section in detail of this report. The explanation about the fluctuations on currency exchange rates which are making negative impact on their financial reports is an example of how the economic changes can affect the companys financial well-being. Despite the fact that reason for this fluctuation is due to big portion of global expanding. However for this problem they found a solution by entering into the foreign exchange forward contracts and by reducing the short term impact on certain foreign currency receivables, payables and investments. (Annual Report, pg.38) Sociocultural Cisco System, the Cisco Foundation, UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) and the Government of the Jordan helped women in the Jordan to get into technology study and work as IT or ICT- Information Community Technology. In 2001 and 2002 they had a program to let the women in Jordan to be trained and work as much as men. In this sociocultural issue Cisco System had a great job involving in this program. Geographic, social, economic and racial boundaries are eliminated as the program extends to 149 countries with more than 10,000 Academies across the globe. (The Women in Jordan, 2001) So the company extended that program and it affected their social, economic and racial boundaries. Technological Continuity innovation in technology of network industry and uncertainties of the legal issues Cisco depends on the innovation more than the protection needed for their products and services by patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secret marks. Innovation is the key to be successful in the networking industry and Cisco has to rapidly innovate not to get in to the market, but also able to sustain competitive advantage. Environmental Cisco proudly partners with industry-leading companies to provide our customers with highly secure, interoperable smart grid solutions and services. We understand that modernizing the electric utility infrastructure around the world-from generation at a power plant to consumption in a home or business-is a huge undertaking. It requires the skills and expertise of many people to deliver on the promise of a smart grid. (Cisco website) Legal Most of the Ciscos products has software or licensed by the third party. Legally they have been sued several times regarding violation of the federal securities law, waste of corporate asset, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duties, and violation of the California Corporation Code. In addition they also had litigations of ordinary course of business, and intellectual property. They did not able to see any effect financially in their annual report, but it might affect their mission already. That can affect their stocks as well as their financial situations. (Annual Report 126,127) Financial Analysis Stock Stock Performance Graph Analysis (Annual Report page 46) The comparison with Cisco System, SP and SP Information Technology shows us that Cisco has a return of stockholders much lower than compare to SP and SP Information Technology. This Yahoo Finance Chart also shows that Cisco Stock Price had a problem right after 2008 just like other companies due to economic crisis on 2008, and got better later on. All the competitors recovered faster than Cisco after 2009 and continue to get well except HP. As of January 15, 2013 Cisco had a price of $20.98 while Hewlett Packard $16.53, Juniper Network 21.01. Revenue Compare to 2011, 2012 Revenue is increased about 7%. Cisco had 46.1 billion net sales and 12% increase on service revenue. Most of the revenue they received last year was from switching market and NGN Routing. They believe they can increase their revenue since they are into changing their strategies and innovating. Current Asset/ Current Liability Ratio Analysis Cisco has a quick ratio of 2012 3.49%. (61,933 / 17,731 = 3.49) Since it is more than one that means they can pay their current debt easily with their current assets. Since they have good amount of cash equivalency they need to invest more to increase and expand their company. Employees

The Organisational Structure, Culture and Management Style of Sainsbury

The Organisational Structure, Culture and Management Style of Sainsbury A1.How the organisational structure, culture and management style inter-relates in the business and evaluate their impact and that of ICT on the performance of the business. The organisational structure in which Sainsbury’s uses is how Sainsbury’s move the ranks from highest to lowest. For Sainsbury’s to not have levels of different hierarchy then it would not give anybody a rank, which would make the aims of Sainsbury’s not do well in terms of not having someone to be a manager and manage all the staff and make decisions. Without the chain of command workers would be lost and would not know what to do. The way in which the hierarchal structure works for Sainsbury’s is that they have one Manager who looks after all of the operational staff by making the decisions of what they should do and guiding them with any queries or problems. The hierarchal structure in which Sainsbury’s has yet not been put down in terms of not working as they are very good in their selling of products and fails not to impress by being one of the most popular product chains in the UK as well as making a lot of profit on there way to success. The management style in which Sainsbury’s uses is autocratic where as explained before that there is only one manager on the store floor who watches over the other operational staff who are making orders from customers and serving the customers at the tills, also f...

Theodore Adorno’s notions of ‘standardisation’ and ‘pseudo-individualism’ might be applied to contemporary pop music

Basing your discussion on an analysis of at least 2 contemporary artists or bands, consider the ways that Theodore Adorno's notions of ‘standardisation' and ‘pseudo-individualism' might be applied to contemporary pop music. Do you see any problems or shortcomings from this approach? Popular Culture has enticed much research; with the increase of media studies there are a number of minds picking apart what they see. With icons filing up and saturating mediums such as television, magazines, radio stations to name a few, the celebrity filled industry is undoubtedly causing a stir amongst the masses. Theodore Adorno (1903-69) emigrated to England in 1934 to escape Nazism. He lived in the United States of America for 10 years, (1938-48) before returning to Frankfurt, where he was a member at the ‘Frankfurt Institute of Social Research'. Theodore Adorno was a key figure in the study of popular music and had intrinsic Marxist view on the capital nature of society. Adorno believed that the culture industry â€Å"is the central agency in contemporary capitalism for the production and satisfaction of false needs†. (Adorno, T and Horkheimer, M. 1977, p349). He argues that popular music is a mass-produced and shallow standardised part of the culture industry. This would suggest that all aspects of popular music including types of songs, song lyrics and parts of songs e.g. chorus, are all standardised. (Longhurst, B. 1995, p5). Popular music is therefore divided into particular categories or genres of music such as rock, pop, rap, heavy metal and reggae etc, however according to Adorno, all popular music is standardised consisting of verse, chorus, bridge, that are interchangeable from one song to another. The effects of standardisation are often hidden by what the industry calls pseudo-individualisation. These are incidental differences, also known as ‘frills' that are put within a song to disguise that it sounds the same. Adorno distinguishes sharply between pop music and serious music between high culture and low cultures. Serious music, which he regards as classical, Beethoven or Mozart for example, plays to the pleasures of the imagination offering an engagement with the world, as it should be. Especially due to this separation his theories were often attacked for being elitist. The comparison of pop music and serious music was a main topic for him. Adorno describes individuals who enjoy popular music â€Å"corrupt by immersion and open to the domination of industrialised capitalist systems.† (Longhurst, B. 1995, p8). This view accounts for the emotional needs that popular music may fulfil as ‘false and immature, rather than deep and/or penetrating. â€Å"Adorno continued to equate the form with Tin Pan Alley and jazz orientated variations of it, ignoring the rise of rock and roll in the early 1950's. This undermined his critique and resulted in his views generally being strongly rejected by more contemporary rock analysts.† (Shuker, R. 1994; 23). Adorno claims that Popular music is churned into a production line where everything sounds similar, it's an industry that exploits us for profit and social control, to accept certain conditions about the world in which we live through a capitalist society. It would be fair to say that to some extent this is true. We do live in a capitalist society and in the music industry the process of absorption is achieved by capitalism through advertising and marketing of a product with a pop star or pop band. Everything about them becomes a commodity, their clothes, image, likes and dislikes etc, transcends its immediate functional use to become a key symbol of a whole lifestyle. The argument implies that the rise of the popular music to mass status is a consequence of the symbolic strategies invested in it rather than the actual quality of the music. This essentially means that although the products of the culture industry are alike in most cases, some ‘individuality' is consciously added to make it different from the rest even though essentially it is the same product. This is pseudo individualism. Adorno uses the Hollywood star system as an example, â€Å"the more dehumanised its method of operation and content, the more diligently and successfully the culture industry propagates supposedly great personalities, and operates with heart throbs.† (Adorn, T. 1991, p87). A modern day example can be seen in boy bands such as ‘Westlife', ‘Nsync', ‘Backstreet boys' and the most recent ‘One true voice' derived from ‘Popstars the rivals', a spin of show produced originally as ‘Popstars' in January 2001. Although the music is very similar in structure, tonality and content, the customer can choose between several versions of these boy bands. It could be suggested, â€Å"the culture industry produces culture, which the masses consume unthinkingly and are thus confirmed as unthinking. It is a culture which produces satisfaction in the here and now, depoliticising the working class, limiting its horizon to political and economic goals that can be achieved within the oppressive and exploitive framework of capitalist society†. (Storey, J. 1998 p188). The audience, through a selection process selected the new boy band, One True Voice over a number of weeks. A group of 5 males aged between 17 and 22, they do fit into a typical boy band category. They released a Christmas song called ‘Sacred Trust' which is actually a cover version of another male group the ‘Bee Gees'. Adorno would claim that we as masses consume everything the business churns out and on a personal level I would agree as this appears to be both standardised and contains pseudo individualism as it is sung by a new group with added frills however this has been apparent in popular music for generations and manufactured groups will continue to use this method in order to generate more sales. We live in a consumerist society where these manufactured groups are providing a service for their audience. A major critique of this is that Adorno does not look at the emotional response of the audience and how standardisation is also a form of pleasure. By this it mea ns that standardisation is a form of security for the audience and this predictability is often welcoming. Adorno and other writers of the Frankfurt school, especially Herbert Marcuse (1898-1978) sees the process of the culture industry as a means of capitalist society to stabilize itself. Theodore Adorno claimed that popular music operates as a tool of social ‘cement'. Although his writings was published in 1941, his accounts on popular music does not account for the complexities of recent popular music and popular culture. He is heavily criticised due to his unchanging elitist views and it would be fair to say that popular music is not as monolithic as Adorno claims. The perspectives offer a relevant but quite pessimistic and what can be considered as narrow minded views of popular music. They have offered foundations for interpretation and understanding of music however many theories since have built on how audiences' contextualise and use the products of mass culture rather than what the culture industry does to the audience. Antonio Gramsci's (1891-1937) work on Hegemony opened many doors for thought, including ideas that ‘members of society negotiate with the products of the culture'. (Fiske, J. 1992, p309). Hegemony helps identify that popular culture is not simply imposed on the subordinates by the bourgeoisie and that people are not simply â€Å"passive and helpless mass incapable of discrimination and thus at the economic, cultural and political mercy of the barons of the industry†. (Fiske, J. 1987, p309) Fiske suggests that audiences draw contrasting ideas from different text. Madonna is a fine example where pleasure of the audience is in the â€Å"power of a severely suboridatly subculture to make their own statements and own meaning†. (Fiske, J. 1987, p233) These theories have their strengths and differences in helping unpack the tapestry of music. One element they all share is the acknowledgement that pop music has important social effects. Who are the main consumers of popular music? Youth are highest consuming marketing within pop music accounting for the highest percent of single sales. Bradley (1992) accounted the significance with youths and music as reaction to post war teenager with an increase in disposable income and new position in society. James Coleman (1961) highlighted the separateness of youth culture from adult society and its closeness to the market through consumption of popular music. Consumption has been linked to youth culture as far back as the 50's, where growing western markets created specific products and goods for the teenager. (Wulff, H. and Taliai, A. 1995). An example of success in popular music is Madonna. She is a key figure in the pop industry as a pioneer for breaking conventions within gender and sexuality, and has been around for 3 decades, now in her 50's still appealing to the youth, However much debate on Madonna has taken place focusing on her image rather than her music. She has been perceived as ‘the lowest form of irresponsible culture a social disease' and ‘an inauthentic product of the culture industry who was involved of the exploitation of others of the gain of that industry'. (Bryman, A. 2001). In relation to Adorno he may have perceived Madonna to be a cultural product, taking pseudo individualism to an extreme, which in turn made her very popular. Madonna moves from various genres of music and blends them together; she had a hit record with ‘Don't cry for me Argentina' a more operatic song very different to what is considered mainstream music. I feel that Adorno would have critiqued this as popular classical as she took something that can be considered elitist and brought it into popular culture. This view is contrasted with her comparison as an ‘organic feminist who ‘allows girls to see that the meaning of feminine sexuality can be in their control, can be made in their interests, and that their subjectivity's are not necessarily totally determined by the dominant patriarchy'. (McClary, S. 1991.) McClary in her analysis of Madonna has found her to be exceptional as a musician who has endured maintained an incredible amount of power as a successful female artist over three decades. A simple look at her back catalogue and it is apparent that she uses sexual power as a commodity alike many women throughout western history. Including seventeenth century composer Barbara Strozzie, who was one of a few women who broke through the elite circle of classical music, by posing bare breasted for publicity. It would be very interesting to know what Adorno would account for that. (Rosand, E. 1986). Madonna however ‘brings hypocrisy to the surface and problematizes it'. With publications of her book, sex and video discourses like ‘in Bed with Madonna' She takes a key role in the aggressor sexually. She connects the notions of power and sex and projects it back outwards into the main stream hands on hips Gautier bust pointy and proud. Her intentions never simplistic, it is possible her representations aim to detach stigmas and notions of taboo to certain sexual matters. ‘This may lead to greater tolerance for those engaged in these ‘perverted' practices' and a layered stream of meanings dipictable from her messages. Irony has been depicted as a key strategy in her possible master plan. In ‘Like a Virgin' her little girl voice and play with signs of famous temptresses, her pouts, her coquettish nature and using ‘†traditional music signs of childish vulnerability projecting her knowledge that this is what patriarchy expects of her and also her awareness that this fantasy is ludicrous†. (McClary,S. 1991, p153). A principal factor in the understanding of Madonna messages is the language of cultural experiences and perceptions that she speaks to her audience with. Madonna gives her audience standardisation in the sense that some of her music can be chopped and changed however she also gives her audience challenging and contrasting views about being a woman in today's society, that could be argued against Adorno as being engaging, testing and also plays to the pleasures of the imagination offering engagement to the world as it is now. Her audience within popular music are aimed specifically at the mass (for financial and wider broadcast of her messages) and ‘as evidence in that she plays for the lowest common denominator-that she prostitutes her art an extension of her self'. Prostitution is a service never the less, and it evident that she uses her role to play with traditional boundaries and identities. Madonna uses the tool of fantasy a mode typical of the culture industry, however she here compliance to the powers stop, as she twist notions within them. Her fantasies have been seen as ambiguous and unsuccessful for men and she has been compared to a genuine ‘Boy Toy' as male interpretations and reactions to a majority are often that of anxiety and unease rather than appease. (Rolling stone 508 March 28th 1989). On the other hand, the power of Madonna is undoubtedly clear, her vast empire of her Production Company, her own music label and a net value of 600 Million speaks volumes about her nature as a business women as well as an artist and social figure. It is fair to say that that although popular music in today's generation can be considered as standardized, and to a great extent, manufactured music will always be so, Adorno's views are out of date and biased as he had a very low opinion of popular music. Being a musician himself, his opinions were based on his own assumptions of high and low culture and although he did make some substantial claims about standardization and pseudo individualization, popular music today has more important factors to be dealt with such as the messages it is portraying. One being that we do live in a consumerist society where essentially everything is a product, even classical music today, which Adorno would have considered high art is now commercialized and used as a commodity to sell through advertising. Through it all music captures a moment or feeling that Adorno does not account for. Music is another form of expressing an emotion whether it is classical or pop music and it is there for enjoyment, to provide a service and an option to listen to whatever pleases the ear.

Behavioral Patterns and Projective Test

Personality depicts the unique thinking that defines the character of a certain individual. In order to understand the means of a certain individual’s personality, psychologists constructed a lot of different personality measurement. The most common measurement is done through the means of examination. Test or personality test is the most common conducted personality scale; this is where a certain individual is provided questions regarding his/her mood, personality itself, and other personal characteristics.One example of the measurements created by certain psychologist is the Big Five Personality Measurement. The structure of this personality measurement is said to be constructed on a hierarchical model of an individual’s personality traits. This measurement is structured with 5 and 10-itemed inventories which are to be evaluated. This is a short-time personality test and is used when there are situations which need a short-time-consuming personality measurement (Gosli ng, 2003). Another measurement is the Mood Survey which is the measurement used for measuring a certain individual’s sad and/or happy mood.This includes a questionnaire about mood, a personality scale instrument to determine whether sad or happy mood and the conducted mood surveys (Bill Underwood, 1980). The Mood survey is explained having two particular subscales namely the Level and Reactivity. These said factors or subscales are interrelated essentially that has an unchanging advantage on a certain state of mood scale. This is effective both in depicting a certain person’s personality characteristics and figuring out new idea about the origin and causes of mood and mood change (Bill Underwood, 1980).These two measurements are tested and were already used by psychologists in order to explain or define a certain individual’s personality so as to its origin, factors, and or reasons of change. References Bill Underwood, W. J. F. (1980). The Mood Survey: A Persona lity Measure of Happy and Sad Moods. Journal of Personality Assessment, 44(4), 404-414. Gosling, S. D. , Rentfrow, P. J. , & Swann, W. B. , Jr. (2003). A Very Brief Measure of the Big Five Personality Domains. Journal of Research in Personality, 37, 504-528.

Educational reform Essay Example

Educational reform Essay Example Educational reform Essay Educational reform Essay The subject of educational reform in light of the internet generation is one that is both controversial and thought provoking. When you look at quality of sources books are reputable but persistently outdated; the internet is updated constantly and cost- effective. The internet also provides incomparable numbers of sources for information, whereas a classroom has a regimented set of curriculum support from books and handouts. Classroom settings also only provide a peer to peer connection in eyesight, with a narrow scope of life experiences to diversify opinions. The internet is in no way crippled in that way, and diversity promotes creativity and growth. These reasons alone are enough of a reason why I believe that education is better provided when offered over the internet. When it comes to current information on the internet, there are a wealth of places that can further your research and provide a plethora of knowledge for free. Books in classrooms arena anywhere near free and the books are written from some time before the turn of the millennium, if not before the nineties. Books are constantly being re-written, too; they arent a cost-effective means of conveying information anymore. The internet is always being updated and peer-reviewed for accuracy, and you obviously dont have to buy it every time a new source is introduced. In classrooms, the teacher provides information through mediums of leaflets, books, printed handouts and movies. Setting aside the previously conveyed points of cost and out dated information, these methods are also narrowed in scope simply by the fact that it is regimented. Simply put, if the teacher doesnt provide another means of the information, the students arent guaranteed to get enough. The internet is frequently akin to an ocean of information, everywhere you look you can find sources and studies, and quite often you can gain the same ideas provided in the source material and then some because there is an unlimited scope at your disposal. The internet is no longer the next big thing, it is the now. Every first world country has access to some form of the internet, and with it they bring their own experiences ND knowledge. There is simply no accurate way to bring this kind of diversity into a classroom setting in any other way. Subjects like racism and bigotry simply cannot exist without a narrow minded scope of ideology, and meeting people from other countries or even other states can help broaden the horizons of knowledge for students. Diversity in general is highly touted as a way to solve problems and bring new ideas to the table, why wouldnt you want such a good thing for students in the ext generation? Without a higher standard of learning, the United States will remain falling on the list of countries with college graduates. Outdated sources of information and limited mediums of conveyance are easily to blame, and the solution lies before us on nearly every smart phone and computer; the internet is the ultimate conveyance of school. We need to move with other developed countries into the now, not stay in 1976 when your book was printed and your teacher was born.

Engineering Materals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Engineering Materals - Essay Example Crevice corrosion is a localized and geometrically controlled form of corrosion. They are the products of situations containing a stagnant solution and corrosion friendly microenvironments. This type of corrosion can occur between rivet heads, lap joints, in threads and anywhere a small crevice is formed in which at least one side is a metal. As in all types of corrosion, an anodic reaction: exists which propagates over the entire surface. However, the geometry of the crevice restricts cathodic reaction such that the dissolved oxygen cannot be replaced. Thus the region within the crevice becomes exclusively anodic while the region outside becomes cathodic. An electric imbalance result attracting the negative ions into the crevice. The small size of the crevice screens the incoming ions such that the concentration of the chloride and the hydrogen ions increases within the crevice. The pH of the solution within the crevice decreases from 6 to as much as 2 or 3. This increased acidity causes further corrosion within the crevice resulting in massive material erosion from within the crevice region. In most cases, crevice corrosion is not visible from the outside and this hidden nature makes inspection as well as rectification difficult. This is schematically represented in the figure shown: Pitting corrosion is a form of localized corrosion as it does not spread laterally across an exposed surface rapidly but penetrates into the metal very quickly, usually at an angle of 90o to the surface. Stagnant solution conditions favor pitting corrosion. The presence of halide ions, chloride, fluoride bromide and iodide, can all pit metals. The most aggressive ion depends on the metal and ion combination. The effect of pitting is to cause holes on the metal surface which can corrode a large amount of material from the surface. The mechanism of pitting can be divided into two processes – the initiation

Investigating a Case Study of a Literacy Learner Essay

Investigating a Case Study of a Literacy Learner - Essay Example Asked about her educational background, she gave confusing answers as to what level she finished school, because she mentioned something about earning a certificate to be a primary school teacher. She kept saying â€Å"grade 2 teacher†, and it was unclear if she meant she can only teach second grade or â€Å"grade 2† was a level of skill in Nigeria. Sarah understands that learning the English language well will open many doors for her. Being a second language, she admits difficulty in mastering it because back home, she uses her native language which is Yoruba. Her parents are illiterate people and she does not speak English to them. She adjusts her language to the people she relates to. If her friends understand English, then she speaks to them in English, but if not, then she resorts to her native language. She enrolled in the current class to further her skills in the English language. She knows that her vocabulary skills will improve with reading books and if there are words she does not understand, then she refers to a dictionary to check its meaning and how it should be pronounced. Her use of language can sometimes be unclear due to the run-on sentences she attempts to express. Her listener can get lost in comprehending what she means. Sometimes, she contradicts herself. She said â€Å"I don’t borrow any story book . I borrow my English, vocabulary yes†. It might be confusion on her part on the proper use of the English language, as she may be trying to translate what she wants to say from her native language. She admits, â€Å"I try for example I try to speak more than the way I am to have more knowledge in English to improve in order to further my education because for any step I want to take English is desiring me for that.†. Although to her listener, she may seem to say the say things in the same sentence, one needs to consider that it may be the way she emphasizes a point in her native Yoruba. To English speakers, it may sound too wordy and somehow nonsensical, but to Sarah it might make perfect sense. . Still, her interview provides much information on her yearning to improve herself, to reach her dream of becoming a nurse. It also reflects on how she treats people. From her explanation of her work experience, she enables people to be independent and not to be stagnant, and she would do anything to help them. She is indeed a lifelong learner and encourages others to be the same. Her overwhelming desire to optimize her potentials makes her move towards her goals, and she tries to overcome potential impediments such as work or busy schedules. The motivation to learn is affected by the reinforcements to learning namely intrinsic motivation or the inner drive to learn which leads to personal fulfillment; extrinsic motivation, which consists of rewards such as high grades or a prize for performing well; social reinforcement, an example of which is praise and approval from significant persons in an individual's life; and achievement, or the attaining of the learning goal. Having an interplay of the four kinds of reinforcement is the most effective way to motivate a learner to pursue more knowledge and acquire more skills (Stoll, L., Fink, D. & Earl, L., 2003). From the interview, Sarah’s main motivation is to be a nurse so she can continue enabling ot hers. Her journey to learning is more intrinsically motivated. Even how she assesses her improvement is intrinsic, as she said, â€Å"You know that when you love something you have to put all your effort because you are looking to achieve something on it, you have to put your effort how difficult it is you have to continue. When it’