Consultancy Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Consultancy Project - Essay Example A warehouse that requires little or no electric lighting during daylight hours reduces significantly the amount of energy it consumes. In relation to distribution, the items that Amazin supplies to customers are packaged and transported and both processes can have a negative impact on the environment. In order to facilitate a reduction in carbon footprint recycled material is recommended for packaging goods. Transport is also responsible for high levels of carbon footprints and so proper planning and improvements in distribution logistics are critical to the efficient and effective management for the transport and delivery of goods to Amazin’s customers. Planning transport logistics efficiently will help reduce transportation costs and carbon footprints significantly. In fact a number of companies including Tesco are finding ways to improve distribution logistics and thereby reduce carbon footprint. Gazeleys, is a business development officer who also offers consultancy services to companies in the area of sustainable warehousing and distribution. In fact, Gazeley’s provides solutions for warehousing and distribution of goods. There is a minimum standard for comparing items. The baseline facility is a basic facility which meets the requirements for environmental sustainability. This facility can be used as a starting point for Amazin and later it could be used to facilitate further improvements in the company’s sustainability efforts. The information in Table 1 indicates that the facility will cost approximately  £4.3bn to develop. The figures for the various elements were derived from information from suppliers and include the cost of installation of roof, panels, doors and roof lights. The materials are of the highest quality and some of them have been purchased from companies that have received recognition for their efforts towards sustainability. These companies supply goods that meet Carbon

Theme of Revenge in William Shakespeares Play Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Theme of Revenge in William Shakespeares Play Hamlet Essay Shakespeares Hamlet is a complex play where many themes are intertwined themes that are essential to the development of the play. The issue of death and disease, both physical and emotional is very prevalent throughout the duration of the play, as well as fate and divine intervention. The play also questions madness and whether it can be feigned, as well as corruption and its moral implications. Also the To be or not to be soliloquy, where Hamlet not only questions life and death, but many of lifes other uncertainties as well. see more:hamlet thesis statements However, the most important theme in the development of Hamlet is revenge and question Does revenge pay? Revenge is a frighteningly bloodthirsty emotion, which causes people to act blindly and without reason. Revenge is a theme that is cleverly built upon throughout the extent of the play; with it being the driving force behind two of the main characters in the play. The play is introduced by the appearance of the ghost of Hamlets father in the first scene, which automatically gives the impression that something is amiss. This is later clarified by the statement; Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (I.iv). The ghost materialises before Hamlet suggesting that his death was not as natural as it may first have seemed. The ghost requests Hamlet to Revenge [my] foul and most unnatural murder (I.v) and points him towards the murderer with The serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown (I.v). This indicates that King Hamlet murder was committed by his brother, Claudius, who had now taken over as King of Denmark. The Ghost taunts Hamlet, telling him that it is part of every mans honour to avenge his death. Hamlet agrees to revenge his death, but his mind is still full of many doubts, and he just thinks about what he will do, rather than actually do it. However, when the time for action comes, it is the beginning of a ferocious cycle of hatred, death and revenge, which ultimately consumes all those who use it. Hamlets doubts cause him to forget about his promise to the ghost, and finally to determine if the ghost was true, he attempts to prove Claudius guilt. He creates a play, The Mousetrap and it is performed in court. The Mousetrap recreates a similar scenario as the one that had occurred when  Hamlets father was murdered. Hamlet was watching for a reaction from Claudius to see if he really was the vile murderer. Subsequent to the Kings outburst after watching the performance, Hamlet confronts his mother and began to insult her betrayal of her first husband. Meanwhile the meddling fool, Polonius, was hiding behind a decorate rug that was adorning the wall in Gertrudes room. Hamlet sensed his presence and thinking that it was Claudius, plunged his dagger through the rug. This rash action causes much grief and sadness for many people. Hamlet, after Ophelias betrayal of him, acts rudely to her, lying about his love for her and suggesting some inappropriate comments to her, mocking her for a whore. This, joined with her fathers death causes her to go mad and eventually drown herself. This was a particularly tragic death because the virginal Ophelia was just an innocent bystander in a cruel plot for revenge. Also hurt was Polonius son, Laertes. Laertes believes that it was Claudius that killed his father, but the king quickly puts Laertes on Hamlets trail and pushes him to avenge his fathers murder. From this point on, Hamlet and Laertes become the main characters in the play two characters driven by a blind revenge. Despite this, Hamlet continues only to speak about his plans for revenge, and never acts until the last scene. At one stage Hamlet had a perfect chance to kill Claudius whilst he was praying but chose not to because doing so would have meant that Claudius would be sent to heaven, rather than hell. Hamlet wonders about that idea, saying that Now he is prayinga villain kills my father and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. (III.iii) Hamlet thinks that patience will pay off for him in the long run, but unfortunately for him this is not so, and it causes an even greater tragedy. It is not until Act V that revenge brings the play together. In Scene ii, Hamlet explains to Horatio how he had been sent to his death in England. In a moment of brilliance, Hamlet substitutes the letter from one demanding his death, to one demanding the execution of Rosencrantz and Guildenstem. Hamlet sees no immorality in this action; he simply sees it as part of his  revenge on Claudius, and he does not feel for them as they sided with the enemy, other than himself. They were just sponges. Upon arriving back in Denmark, Hamlet is challenged to a duel with Laertes, who is still powered by the need to avenge his fathers death. Hamlet accepts this as he knows he is better than Laertes. Prior to the duel, Hamlet attempts to apologise to Laertes, blaming the murder on his madness. Laertes, who is still blinded by his quest for revenge, accepts Hamlets apology, but says he must retain his honour. He tells Hamlet that I am satisfied in nature, whose motives in this case should stir me most to my revenge; but in terms of honour I stand aloof I do receive your offered love like love and will not wrong it. (V.ii) The pair prepare for their duel, and Laertes selected an unbaited sword with a poisoned tip. This shows that Laertes was still not thinking straight because he would have realised that choosing such a sword could proved dangerous for him as well. During the fight Laertes struck a blow against Hamlet with the tip of his poisoned sword, but the duel continues and the swords get swapped. The next hit was made by Hamlet, who had the poisoned sword at that point in time. Just then the Queen collapses and the King attempts to cover it up by announcing that she doesnt like the sight of blood. The Queen denies this and tells the court that it was the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink. I am poisoned.(V.ii). At that point Laertes realises that he has been used by the King and tells Hamlet that he will soon die, because his sword was poisoned too, and that the King was to blame. Finally, Hamlet has set the scene for the revenge that he has been craving. He attacks the King, pushing him over, and picks up the poisoned wine. He forces it down the Kings throat, yelling Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother. Laertes dies, content that justice has been served. Hamlet himself dies soon after; his revenge plot is finally complete, and so is Laertes. However, the price that was paid was large, the death of; Polonius, Ophelia, Gertrude, Claudius, Laertes and Hamlet himself. The obsession and need for revenge displayed by the two main revenge characters eventually led them both to their downfall. Not only did they hurt themselves, but many others close to them. Ophelias death, for example could be blamed on Hamlets desire for revenge, whilst Hamlets death occurred as a result of Laertes quest to avenge his fathers death. Revenge shapes the entire plot of Hamlet and could be blamed for corrupting Hamlet and Laertes, making them almost as evil as the person who started all the problems. Shakespeare highlights the moral implications of revenge, and how a person can be corrupted by their need for revenge. The somewhat clichà ©d saying An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth is outlined perfectly in Hamlet. You cannot receive a punch, return a punch and then all be friends. The second that revenge is planned, a horrible chain that is almost impossible to break forms. The revenge, while completed, also caused many other problems in Denmark. The royal advisors family; dead, the entire royal family; dead, and the Norwegian foe, Fortinbras now takes over as King. Revenge does not pay, the price to achieve it is just way too high.

Essay --

Zachary Voss March 11, 2014 Research Paper Nelson Mandela was a man before his time who fought for others’ rights, believing that all people should be treated equally. He grew up seeing injustice throughout the country he lived in and dedicated his life to making sure people received the rights deserved. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mueso Transkei, South Africa and lived along the banks of the Mbashe River. He was given Rolihlahla as his birth name which meant â€Å"trouble maker†. His father was Chief Gadla Henry Mphakayisa until he lost his chieftainship when he failed to appear before the local British judge. This was the first example that the chief was not going to be governed by the laws of England. As a result the family lost everything, became poor and so Nelson and his mother, Nosekeni Fanny, had to move to a different village. Mandela was nine years old when his father died of tuberculosis. Fortunately, Chief Jongintab Dalindyebo became his guardian, helping to raise him with his own children. Growing up Nelson occupied his time with riding horses, shooting birds with slingshots, dancing, singing, reading and herding sheep. Nelson became the first in his family to go to school in 1925. It was his teacher who actually gave him his English name, â€Å"Nelson†. At the age of sixteen he attended Clarkebury Boarding Institute, a mission school, where he completed his junior certification in two years instead of three. In 1936 at the age of nineteen, he left to study British History at Healdtown Methodist Boarding School, a high school. Over 1,000 students attended, both white black, but all remained separated. In his last year at Healdtown, a poet, Krune Mqhayi, visited the school and his words were memorable to Ma... ...ambda Legov. In December 1996, Mandela publicized a constitution that contained clear protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. As a result Mandela appointed a gay judge to South Africa’s High Court of Appeal – Justice Edwin Cameron. As a result of his accomplishments, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the Jawaharlal Nehru Award in 1980, and became an inspiration to millions across the world. Nelson Mandela was a courageous and heroic person who was an inspiration to many. Although Mandela had a difficult childhood, he went on to attend college and became knowledgeable in politics and law. Mandela saw how the people of Africa struggled for their freedom and their rights, and became an activist in the fight for their independence. He will forever be known for his equality, justice and promoting peace among all people.

Education for Sustainable Development Essay

INTRODUCTION This module provides examples of ways that learning outside the classroom can be used to facilitate Education for Sustainable Development. This includes short visits into the school grounds and local community, as well as visits to farms, factories, offices, neighbourhood science centres and natural settings such as a forest, a beach or a national park. Providing students with high quality learning activities in relevant situations beyond the walls of the classroom is vital for helping students appreciate their first hand experiences from a variety of different perspectives. Experiences outside the classroom also enhances learning by providing students with opportunities to practice skills of enquiry, values analysis and clarification and problem solving in everyday situations. However, taking students outside the classroom requires careful planning of the learning activities and attention to the health and safety risks that might be faced. This module provides guidance on these aspects of planning for learning outside the classroom. OBJECTIVES * To develop an awareness of the positive impact that experiences outside the classroom can have on Education for Sustainable Development; * To develop an understanding of the planning, organisation and risk management required for teaching and learning outside the classroom; and * To identify appropriate strategies for teaching and learning outside the classroom. ACTIVITIES 1. Learning in the local area 2. Approaches to learning outside the classroom 3. Planning for learning outside the classroom 4. Risk management 5. Reflection REFERENCES _____ (2000) Focus on Fieldwork: Special Issue, Teaching Geography, 25(2). Department for Education and Employment (1998) Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits, HMSO, London. Department for Education and Skills (2006) Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, Learning Outside the Classroom. Department for Education and Skills & Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2006) Laying the foundations: Using the built environment to teach. DeWitt, J. and Storksdieck, M. (2008) A short review of school field trips: key findings from the past and implications for the future, Visitor Studies, 11(2), pp. 181-197. Laws, K. (1989) Learning geography through fieldwork, in Fien, J., Gerber, R. and Wilson, P. (eds) The Geography Teacher’s Guide to the Classroom, 2nd edition, Macmillan, Melbourne. Rogers, A. (ed) (1995) Taking Action: An Environmental Guide For You and Your Community, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi. Smith, M. (2002) Exploring a changing world: A guide to fieldwork for youth expeditions, Young Explorers Trust. CREDITS This module was written for UNESCO by Bernard Cox, Margaret Calder, John Fien and Lisa Ryan using material written by Barry Law in Learning for a Sustainable Environment (UNESCO – ACEID).

Paul the Spirit and the People of God Essay

Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God by Gordon Fee lays out a prescription for true spiritual success to cure what ails churches of all kinds. The main treatment is the Holy Spirit-led life. Fee’s major work â€Å"God’s Empowering Presence† is foundational in the area of Pauline pneumatology. This book successfully condenses the heavy exegesis of the larger work into an easily readable text. Fee has a lot of poignant and challenging things to say concerning modern-day evangelicalism’s understanding of the Holy Spirit. The difference between Christians today and Paul is staggering. The same spirit that lives in Paul and Jesus is the same spirit that is in Christians today. The western culture of Christians in today’s world live in very similar environment that the early Greco-Roman Western environment of Paul’s day. Disconnection has occurred because as Fee states â€Å"is in the large part to their experience of the reality of the Spirit’s presence.† This presents a very concerning issue with the church today who sometimes take the either/or approach to the Spirit between the gifts and the fruit of Spirit. The Spirit was an empowering force to Christian in the early church era. This power was not limited to signs and wonders, healings, or tongues but it was to empower the whole life of a Christian to grasp the beauty of being made in the image of God. The Spirit of God was the fulfillment of all the Jewish prophesies on how God would return His Presence to mankind again. The Trinitarian views became grounded because of Paul’s revelation on the very real true nature of God. The triune nature of God as one shows the vital importance that God is a relational being. He desires relationships and He has sent His Spirit for the church to be unified as one bride. Even though individual people experience salvation and become children of God, the goal is not a set of individuals for heaven but to create one people that lived a life of heaven in this day and age. A people for His name and glory. Just as important as Christians experiencing the Spirit of God is the understanding of the â€Å"already/not yet† aspect of heaven. The future of heaven has begun by the outpouring of His spirit and it guarantees a future consummation of a new heaven and earth. The Spirit is the key in worship for the people of God, as it gifts people with different diverse gifts might build up the church to live in this state of already/not there yet heaven on earth until the final coming of God. Throughout todays western culture the thought of God and spirituality are separate entities to everyday life. To be spiritual means to read the Bible, listen to worship music, or pray. These ideas are reinforced by the pastors every Sunday and as well as during the weekly men’s, women’s, teen, and children ministry times. After church services Christians go about their life and try to spread the gospel of Jesus because if people believe in God they don’t go to hell. The Spirit of God is a powerful force that is used to speak in tongues, prophesy, and heal people. Westernized Christians see the Spirit as a powerful unreliable tool. The problem with the way this Western mindset is we interpret and see the scripture that Paul speaks of with a tainted eye. Paul sees the Spirit as Gods fulfillment of promise to His people, the people that He adores, and gave His sons life for. The fulfillment to this promise is that Gods presence would once again be among His people but if they accepted Him, He would indwell them and bring them to life! Paul never writes about what Christians should do as a doctrine but he instead is describing a process in how to connect with God. When Paul describes in 2 Corinthians chapter four about him encountering the Spirit of God. Not only is he beholding the Glory of God but he is being transformed into Gods likeness. This love that rushes like a mighty stream to his heart causes him to cry out daddy because of his adoration to God. The children of God are designed to be in a vulnerable relationship with God. They are designed to hear His voice and understand that He is not an impersonal being. The only way is through experience. The western mindset makes it tough to swallow some of Paul’s revelations about life. Especially about the how everyone is part of one body. In a culture that is all about personal achievement and looking out for ones-self, people get trapped in this self-absorbed mentality that has poisoned the church. This imagery that Paul presents to all believers are part of one body. This shows that the spirit brings all people who are children of God together in unity. God is about unity in relationships and according to Paul it is the Spirit that draws us into unity as one body. The amazing part is that the sins that grieve the Holy Spirit are the sins of discord of one another. The Holy Spirit wants the relationships of people to be so vibrant and alive! The denominational churches of today’s age grieve the Holy Spirit. The discourses of beliefs have caused the body of Christ to be ripped apart. Paul does not see Jew or Gentile when he sees people but he sees sons and daughters of God. The church might not see that truth about who they are but through the revelation of the Spirit, he grasps who people really are. As children of God being in Christ through the Spirit all a part of one body. The church must begin to realize and grasp the revelation of the work that the Spirit is doing and not quench it. Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God by Gordon Fee gives the readers a glimpse into the revelation of Paul in the New Testament. Revelation only comes by experiencing the Spirit of God. A remarkable book on how children of God can live in the here/not yet concept of Heaven on earth. Fee will challenge the way the readers view and interact with God and others in order for heaven to be brought down more in every life.

Free Essays on How To Argue

In an argumentative essay, the writer does many or all of the following things:  · Defines the issue and crucial terms or concepts associated with the issue  · Establishes a context for arguing about the issue (providing background, explaining a problems, describing a recent event, surveying and ongoing debate)  · Presents a claim about the issue  · Supports the claim with logical argumentation, collected and interpreted data, and/or appeals to values  · Presents opposing or alternative claims about the issue  · Refutes, qualifies, or concedes those alternative claims  · Suggests a policy be enacted, an action be taken, or a point of view be changed  · Predicts outcomes based on followingor not followingsuggested policies Outline I. Introduction Will include thesis (argument), define issue, provide context for arguing about issue, present claim about the issue. II. Body Support claim with logical argumentation, data, or values II. Body Present opposing claim about issue. II. Body Refute, qualify, or concede alternative claim. II. Conclusion Suggest a policy be enacted, an action be taken, or point of view be changed. Predict outcomes based on following or not following suggested policies.... Free Essays on How To Argue Free Essays on How To Argue In an argumentative essay, the writer does many or all of the following things:  · Defines the issue and crucial terms or concepts associated with the issue  · Establishes a context for arguing about the issue (providing background, explaining a problems, describing a recent event, surveying and ongoing debate)  · Presents a claim about the issue  · Supports the claim with logical argumentation, collected and interpreted data, and/or appeals to values  · Presents opposing or alternative claims about the issue  · Refutes, qualifies, or concedes those alternative claims  · Suggests a policy be enacted, an action be taken, or a point of view be changed  · Predicts outcomes based on followingor not followingsuggested policies Outline I. Introduction Will include thesis (argument), define issue, provide context for arguing about issue, present claim about the issue. II. Body Support claim with logical argumentation, data, or values II. Body Present opposing claim about issue. II. Body Refute, qualify, or concede alternative claim. II. Conclusion Suggest a policy be enacted, an action be taken, or point of view be changed. Predict outcomes based on following or not following suggested policies....

The digital revolution essays

The digital revolution essays The Digital Revolution is upon us. People, as a whole, have become so dependent on digital technology that they would not know how to survive without it. I went without a cell phone up until about two to three years ago. I thought that I didnt need a portable telephone. My thought process was that if I wanted to get a hold of someone I could or if someone wanted to get a hold of me bad enough that they could. Now I must admit, that was the way I use to think but now after having a cell phone for a couple of years I honestly do not know what I would do without it. If I leave my house without my phone now I have to turnaround and come back to get it. My phone is one of those cheap phones, not like those phones that have the internet, two-way, cameras, and video recorders. Ive even seen hand held palm pilots that are phones. Whatever happened to the days when cordless phones were revolutionary? I remember when my family bought its first cordless phone. We thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. When was the last time that I went to a library to do research? I can not honestly remember. My research is now done on the world wide web (pg. 169). The reason being, why go to a library and take all that time and look for books upon books and read a bunch of stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with what I am looking for when all I have to do is sit down in front of my computer, type a key word in a search engine and sort through all the hundreds or sometimes even thousands of hits all at the convenience of my home. I think that libraries are becoming a thing of the past and as the internet becomes more advanced and more reliable libraries will become extinct. They will be replaced with buildings filled only with computers. I personally believe that television is one of the worst inventions of mankind. Now I know that television is not as bad as guns or bombs but TV does destroy part of a per...

18 Pieces of Publishing Advice From Our Authors

18 Pieces of Publishing Advice From Our Authors 18 Pieces of Publishing Advice From Our Authors For the past two years, this blog has been home to the From Our Authors series: articles penned by authors on the Reedsy Network. They've kindly shared their publishing experiences with their fellow writers, filling us all in on what has worked (and not worked) for them. Straight from this well of knowledge, we've handpicked the 18 best pieces of advice from our authors.Thoughts on Writing1) Amanda Wills: There are two types of writers - Plotters and Pantsers â€Å"If you plan your novel to the nth degree before you type a single word, you’re a Plotter; if you sit at your computer, take a deep breath and fly by the seat of your pants, you’re a Pantser. There are pros and cons to both: Knowing exactly what’s coming next means that Plotters are less likely to suffer from writer’s block. Pantsers, on the other hand, have the freedom to let their characters take control, which can be both terrifying and exciting at the same time. However, be warned, Pantsers: editing will be especially important for you in order to spot plot continuity problems.†2) Frank Warsh: How reading comic books can enhance your storytelling skills "Maybe the goal of the story is plot-driven - setting up a story arc of Batman coming into conflict with the police and justice system. Maybe the goal is character-driven, and Batman’s increasing violence is a sign of repressed childhood memories. Maybe it’s both. The point is that comic books provide a ready-made template for breaking down your story into well-circumscribed chapters or â€Å"beats." success@reedsy.com and maybe our next round-up will feature nuggets of wisdom from you!

Managed Care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managed Care - Essay Example Reference is made to the context and the forms of managed care, as described through the literature and the relevant empirical research. Furthermore, the critical examination of the current activities of managers in health care organizations has led to the assumption that these activities can be influenced by the policies related to managed care but the power of these policies to introduce radical changes in these activities is not standardized, being related to the conditions in the internal and external organizational environment and the personal perceptions/ background of the individuals (managers) involved. In order to identify the potential influence of managed care policies on the activities of managers in health care organizations, it would be necessary to refer primarily to the elements of the managed care framework, as it has been extensively developed across USA. Different approaches have been used in order to describe managed care, probably because of the extension of the particular framework. In accordance with Rickel and Wise (2000) managed care can be described as a framework ‘establishing networks of service providers who agree to the conditions of a contract and choose providers based on the cost, quality and range of services they provide’ (Rickel and Wise 53). ... work is described in the study of Edmunds (1997); in accordance with the above study, managed care ‘imposes limitation on utilization of health care services by specifying which practitioners and which services are covered – often, also the number of allowable visits’ (Edmunds 41). In other words, managed care involves in the critical examination of a case (referring to the patient visiting a health services organization) and the referral of the case to appropriate specialists who have the skills and the experience to handle it. Of course, there are chances that the health problem of a patient can be effectively addressed at the first level of the network – i.e. by the primary care provider. Through the above process, the costs related to the health care services are reduced, in the terms that unnecessary expenses on health are avoided, a fact that can significantly benefit the patients but also the state – in cases where medical expenses are covered by the state. From another point of view, the time and the resources spent on each case are appropriately filtered, increasing the effectiveness of health care organizations, which, through the managed care plans can handle more cases, i.e. they are able to respond to the needs of more patients, a fact that increases the effectiveness of the entire health care system. In order to understand the potential influence of the policies of managed care plans on the activities of managers in health care services organizations (HSO), it would be necessary to describe the environment in which these plans are developed; it would be also necessary to refer to the participants, at the level that their decisions and initiatives could affect the activities of managers in HSOs. In accordance with McKenzie and Pinger (2008) the

Piety and Impiety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Piety and Impiety - Essay Example Eve was created from Adams ribs. She was persuasive because finally she made Adam took the forbidden fruit. Secondly, another women depicted in the bible was Ruth. Ruth was Orpah’s sister, and she was her sister in law. Both were the daughters of king Eglon of Moab. Ruth was a member of a royal family. The Hebrews scripture shows Ruth as a loyal woman towards Naomi in her charitable work. She was a modesty woman. Ruth followed each instruction she got from Naomi. When she joined the people of Israel, she was working in the field of Boaz. â€Å"When he saw that she was pleasing and her actions were pleasing, he began to ask about her† 1(Ruth Rabbah 4:9), Boaz took note of her deeds as clearly shown in the bible. Ruth is generally someone who is has an exemplary figure in all traditions aspects. Someone who accepted the Jews religion in her own will due to her belief but not merely out of loyalty to her mother in law. Ruth’s character is based on commitment that sh e makes to Naomi. Ruth also acted like a man in some point to hide her identity â€Å"she girded her loins as a man† (Ruth Rabbah 7:2). According to the bible, Job’s wife cursed and left him when job was in need but that was not the end of the story. Could it be possible that love conquered all? Jobs wife always gets little grace and mercy when she advises Job to curse God. She was struggling in her faith having just lost ten children and all their property. â€Å"The odyssey† by homer is an epic poem is talking about Odysseus’ going back to his wife and son in Ithica after Trojan War. Women play a big role in this epic poem. Odysseus son, Telemachus tries to gain power in the presence of suitors but he did not succeed. He then goes his own way under the guidance of Athena. Throughout the epic poem women are depicted as people who are mothers, servants, seductresses, some have combined character. The cultural role of women stands out in the role of female characters of Athena and Penelope together rejecting the bad characters of Calypso and Circe, as in the odyssey in the Homer. As shown in bible some women like Ruth, Eve and Jobs wife were also having the same characters. These women seemed to have control over their men. Mothers were portrayed in this poem are seen as people who had pity and sorrow because they were not true supporters of their sons and husbands during the time of war. Actually, these women needed support from males whether they were their husbands and sons. Telemachus removed Penelope from the room, so that he can show his suitors of his intention to ask for his father’s throne. In addition, Anticlea, Odysseus’ mother committed suicide because she missed Odysseus and thought was death clearly shows how these women needed support from male. Mothers always needed to protect their sons and husbands, look after them, and nurture them. Like Hebrew Scriptures, the entire structure of Greek always boasts i ts men to have more superior roles than women. They believed that good women were to be faithfully do work for their husbands and support them totally. Women were not to astray from these essential behaviors. For example Athena is a very strong character in the book, as tried to help Odysseus to go back home to Ithaca. However, Telemechus was to become more of a man. Therefore, Athena goes to visit Telemachus, disguised as a male mentor. This shows how men advice was more accepted that of women counsel.

Achieving the NAEYC Standards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Achieving the NAEYC Standards - Essay Example I met this standard. I got to understand what young children are like; understood what influences their development; and used this understanding to create great environments where all children can thrive. During my internship, I took part in various voluntary activities whereby I engaged personally with individual children. For instance, in the first day I hold a child who is five months, and he was crying; I sat with him and played with him by using different toys, and I used a toy to teach him the colors (red, green, yellow, and blue.) The first couple of weeks was very informative and built block throughout the entire internship; I observed a lot. It is important for any professional teacher to get to know and develop an understanding of children in their classroom. These observations helped me get a deeper view of the thinking and reasoning skills these children possessed. Hence, it gave me an easier time creating any game that would point them in the right direction such as I ma de a traffic light which helped them to understand what they saw every day on the street when they came to the school. I put it in the outdoor play and, I explained that red means stop, yellow means slow down, and green means go. Then, they pretended that they were the policemen who controlled the traffic. They were very active and happy, and they loved it. Thus, through the sensitive nature the simple it was to meet their learning needs and develop a productive and comfy environment for teaching and learning.

The Acculturation Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

The Acculturation Model - Essay Example Schumann’s model is a valiant attempt at describing the process that individuals go through in acquiring a second language. Specifically, it focuses on members of ethnic minorities, being described by Schumann as including immigrants, migrant workers, and their children. His study revolved around how these individuals learn their target language by being immersed in the natural setting of the majority language, with little access to their own native language (Ellis, 1994). This analytical essay aims to provide a thorough and critical analysis of the Acculturation Model, followed by an evaluation of how this theory specifically can best be incorporated into the second language classroom of today. Description and Discussion of Main Claims Schumann’s theory originally began as a study of six students who were non-English learners. One of those students was making little to no progress in terms of actually acquiring the English language. Since his language skills were sorel y lacking, Schumann ascertained that the student’s cognitive development was stunted as a result. ... With rapidly advancing globalization, research in the area of second language acquisition has expanded in recent years. The Acculturation Model continues to be of particular interest because of its approach to assimilation and direct contact with the target language. At its most basic level, acculturation is primarily defined as a combination of social and psychological factors that are commonly understood to be critical to the acquisition of a second language in a natural environment (Berry, 1997, p. 8). According to Barjesteh (2012), â€Å"The major claim of the model is that acculturation, which is a cluster of social-psychological factors, is the major cause of Second Language Acquisition† (p. 580). In making this claim, the Acculturation Model takes the position that any second language learner can be placed on a continuum in a natural setting with speakers of the target language. The speed and fluency with which a learner acquires the language, then, can be seen as a dir ect correlation to the proximity that learner has with native speakers in a social or psychological context (Larson-Freeman, 2007, p. 781). A further claim of this particular model is that the process of acculturation is not directly linked to second language acquisition, but should rather be looked at as the first of several factors that contribute to the successful learning of a second language. Again, acculturation in this context is viewed as the â€Å"integration of the L2 learner into the target linguistic community† (Barjesteh, 2012, p. 580). Acculturation, then, should as be viewed as a cause of L2 acquisition, one that brings a student into contact with native speakers of the

Strategic mangement for business building success Essay

Strategic mangement for business building success - Essay Example Further analysis in this report will go on to provide both SWOT and PEST analysis besides providing recommendations on the different ways through which the company can be improved to be exclusively competitive so as to acquire an advantage above the other companies offering similar structure of business within the same market. The production of crisps has been on the rise in the British market due to the increase in consumption of the vegetable crisps. Despite the clarified state of facts that UK has recorded increased consumption of crisps, study shows that close to six billion packets of the crisps are consumed annually in the United Kingdom alone thereby making the business more successful due to the high rates of consumption of its products. This report will be dealing with the understanding that the crisps company has been seen as highly competitive as observed from the perspective of the Tyrrells Company. The Company was founded in a court farm owned by the Tyrrells family in a place known as Herefordshire in the year 2002. It has always been recognized by a large base of customers for the types of tasty crisps that are hand cooked as well as vegetable crisps. The company also manufactures other relevant products that have witnessed an encouraging level of approval from the customer base within the market including savoury nibbles, popcorns and other premium snacks that are distributed around a large market through more than one country. The company has been distributing their products to many distributors and stores in the United Kingdom through distribution channels which have also been expanded into an international business venture supplying other markets such as France, North America, Netherlands and Germany amongst other large market bases around the world. This company has employed close to 270 employees and the company has managed to generate more than 100 million pounds in their retail sales and

Virus paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Virus paper - Essay Example The smallest are barely larger than ribosomes or other internal structures found inside normal cells; the largest (e.g., variola) are almost the size of small bacteria. Some viruses can be detected under a sophisticated light microscope, but for most only an electron microscope will serve. For generations, therefore, even the best scientists were essentially guessing about the structure, nature, and functioning of viruses, entities they could observe only indirectly (Bookchin and Schumacher 68). The first actual sighting of a variola virus-the first virus of any sort so visualized-came in 1947, under an electron microscope. The smallpox virus capsid is often described as ellipsoid or brick shaped. Many viruses, including variola, are often enveloped, with the capsid housed inside an outer membrane made of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, which provides, in the case of variola, an overall spherical appearance (Imperato 390). The infection process begins when a virus approaches a t arget cell; forcible entry into the cell may then be accomplished in several different ways. Some antibacterial viruses mechanically drill a hole in the cell's outer structure and inject the viral DNA through it, much like the operation of a hypodermic syringe, with the now empty capsid remaining outside. Viruses that afflict plants often enter passively through a microtear in the cell wall (Imperato 390). The defenses that the human body-and modern medicine-erect against many other types of infections are often less effective against viruses. But viruses pose exceptional challenges to the immune system. Some of these aggressors undergo very frequent mutation, altering the external configuration of those glycoproteins, and thereby fooling or evading the antibodies (Strohman 169). Dear Granny the main problem is that scientists have not yet come to conclusion concerning a question whether viruses are alive or dead. On the one hand, a virus is nature's ultimate parasite: it is incapable, by itself, of undertaking the usual array of biological functions. It cannot produce or consume energy, move, grow, or reproduce without first invading a living cell and usurping the host's internal mechanisms. For this reason, many scientists do not consider variola or any other virus to be truly alive, even in the sense that other simple microorganisms, from bacteria to rickettsia (another family of infectious microorganisms) are considered so (Strohman 169). Other authorities would, perhaps more generously, consider viruses to be minimal "living organisms". At the same time, there is surely something about a virus that makes it different from a conglomeration of inert chemicals. It has at least a kind of life potential, a dormant biological presence, that is undeniable. The recent discovery of categories of even smaller, and even less lifelike, infective entities has further obscured the question of deriving a meaningful definition of life (Strohman 169). Prions, proteinlike particles devoid of any nucleic acid, have been implicated in a variety of degenerative brain diseases, such as scrapie in sheep, mad cow disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, although their precise operational mechanisms are still unknown. Viroids are a cluster of similar plant-invading creatures, containing a snippet of RNAbut none of the other

Strategic mangement for business building success Essay

Strategic mangement for business building success - Essay Example Further analysis in this report will go on to provide both SWOT and PEST analysis besides providing recommendations on the different ways through which the company can be improved to be exclusively competitive so as to acquire an advantage above the other companies offering similar structure of business within the same market. The production of crisps has been on the rise in the British market due to the increase in consumption of the vegetable crisps. Despite the clarified state of facts that UK has recorded increased consumption of crisps, study shows that close to six billion packets of the crisps are consumed annually in the United Kingdom alone thereby making the business more successful due to the high rates of consumption of its products. This report will be dealing with the understanding that the crisps company has been seen as highly competitive as observed from the perspective of the Tyrrells Company. The Company was founded in a court farm owned by the Tyrrells family in a place known as Herefordshire in the year 2002. It has always been recognized by a large base of customers for the types of tasty crisps that are hand cooked as well as vegetable crisps. The company also manufactures other relevant products that have witnessed an encouraging level of approval from the customer base within the market including savoury nibbles, popcorns and other premium snacks that are distributed around a large market through more than one country. The company has been distributing their products to many distributors and stores in the United Kingdom through distribution channels which have also been expanded into an international business venture supplying other markets such as France, North America, Netherlands and Germany amongst other large market bases around the world. This company has employed close to 270 employees and the company has managed to generate more than 100 million pounds in their retail sales and

Non verbal communication Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Non verbal communication - Term Paper Example appearance. In this technique, I would just wear the clothes of cultures different from my own and see how this affects my experience of communication in a multicultural setting. In this paper, I have shared the results and have discussed in which experiments, this technique enhanced my ability to communicate across cultures and why. Rationale Today, we live in an increasingly multicultural and globalized world. Every day, we get to meet and socialize with people from backgrounds of many cultural varieties. Lack of foreign languages certainly hinders our ability to communicate across cultures. But at the same time, the importance of social networking across cultures in the contemporary age cannot be overstated. Be it school, office, or a restaurant, we have to encounter and communicate with people from other cultures and retreating from this is simply not an option. While verbal communication in the inter-cultural setting has been a much studied subject, the non-verbal communication in an inter-cultural setting remains a passive subject of research although it is no less important than the verbal communication. ... The researchers found that the research participants were more likely to identify the pictures of smiling people who were of their own ethnicity as compared to the pictures of people from other ethnicities. â€Å"People tend to favor a member of the in-group over an out-group member when distributing positive outcomes such as rewards to others†. 1 It so happens because of the fact that â€Å"[c]ulture strongly influences, and in many cases determines, our interpretations†.2 The famous Indian political leader Jawaharlal Nehru also emphasized upon developing an understanding of different cultures to be able to communicate better across cultures. â€Å"If we seek to understand a people, we have to try to put ourselves, as far as we can, in that particular historical and cultural background†¦If we wish to convince them, we have to use their language as far as we can, not language in the narrow sense of the word, but the language of the mind. That is one necessity† (Nehru cited in3). Adler states that there are certain non-verbal behaviors that can facilitate the conveyance of meaning between two or more people from different cultural backgrounds that include visual restatements, gestures, demonstration, pauses, and summaries. Description of my experiments For this research, I conducted three experiments in total in three different settings, one of which was a school, the other was a clothes’ shop, and the third was a wedding ceremony. One thing that was common between them was that all three were multicultural settings. Experiment 1 I conducted this experiment in my school on an event when students were allowed to dress up in the outfits of their

Fedex and UPS Essay Example for Free

Fedex and UPS Essay 1. Accounting Treatments Capital Lease -Lessee Initially, the lessee recognizes the asset under his property, plant and equipment. The amount that should be debited is the Lower of asset’s fair value and present value of minimum lease payments. The present value is determined by discounting minimum lease payments using interest rates implicit in the lease. Also, initial direct cost that the lessee incurs in relation to the lease is added to the cost of recognized asset. On the credit side of the entry should be lease liabilities, which is in fact, some kind of a loan. The lease liabilities should be split into current and noncurrent liabilities as some payments are made within 12 months while others are made after 12 month of the reporting date. Subsequently, there are two things we must take care of. First, we must depreciate the lease asset over the economic life, not over the lease term because that doesn’t necessarily need to be the same. The entry is to debit depreciation expense in profit or loss and credit the accumulated depreciation account. Secondly, we need to allocate the lease liability or minimum lease payments paid to the lessor into two parts; reduction of lease liability and finance charge or interest. IAS 17 requires the finance charge to be allocated so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest (interest rate implicit in the lease) on the remaining balance sheet liability. (Refer to appendix A for journal entries Capital lease-Lessor The lessor is a finance provider, and therefore records lease receivables as the debit side of the entry. The lease receivable is the net investment in the lease, which is the total of minimum lease payments and unguaranteed residual value. Total of these two figures is gross investment in the lease and we need to discount it to present value using discount rate implicit in the lease and all this must be equal to fair value of the asset plus initial direct cost. The credit side to this entry is simply cash given out by the lessor. Subsequently, we have to split minimum lease payments received from the lessee between reduction of finance lease receivable and finance income similar to what the lessee would do. (Finance income should reflect a constant periodic rate of return on the lessor’s net  investment in the lease.) (Refer to appendix A for journal entries) Operating Lease-Lessee In an operating lease, the lessee does not recognize any asset. The lease payments are recognized as rent expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis. The journal entries would include a debit to rent expense and credit to cash or accounts payable. (Refer to appendix A for journal entries) Operating -lessor Lease payments received from the lessee are recognized as revenue in profit or loss on a straight-line basis. The lessor keeps the asset on his financial statement and depreciates it in line with its fixed asset accounting policy. (Refer to appendix A for journal entries) Advantages of Operating Lease In an operating lease, the lessee is considered to be renting the equipment and thus the lease payment is recorded as rental expense. No assets or liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet (Off-balance sheet financing). This is beneficial for companies because it will result in a lower asset base, therefore creating a higher ROA. Operating lease will also display more desirable solvency ratios such as lower debt to equity. This off balance sheet method of recording will also produce better debt covenant ratios for the company to show its debt lenders. Moreover, some companies associate management bonuses to certain ratios such as return on capital, which would be more optimal looking if recorded under operating lease. Another major benefit of operating leases is the potential tax benefits. An operating lease may allow the company to deduct payments as operating expenses during the period in which they are paid. If the company purchases equipment, they may be able to deduct the in terest, as well as the cost of the depreciation. 2. Under current Financial Accounting Standards Board regulations, what business arrangements might FedEx have made in order to account for leases as operating leases rather than capital leases? An operating lease is usually coined as anything that is not classified as a finance lease.  Factors that an operating lease may include are: 1. If a lease does not significantly transfer all the risks and rewards, associated with ownership of an asset the lease 2. If the ownership of the asset is more likely to go back to lessor at the end of the term 3. The lessee does not have the option to buy the asset at a cost significantly below the fair value of the asset → ie. a bargain price. The term of the lease is not a major part of the economic life of the lease item. IAS 17 does not explicitly say how much is a major portion however ASPE states that 75% and above is a major portion. 5. If there is little or no risk to the lessee; all major risks are borne by the lessor. An example wo uld be cancellation costs. 6. The leased asset is of common nature; not specialized and can only be used by the lessee. 7. The present value of the total amount of minimum lease payments do not equal or is close to the fair value of the asset leased. Other Additional Criteria can be: 8. Whether fluctuation in fair value at the end of the lease accrue to the lessor 9. If the lessee does not have the option to extend the lease for a secondary period at a â€Å"below the market† price Arrangements FedEx would have to make to disclose the operating lease would include disclosures about: the outstanding payments left for non-cancellable operating leases for the time periods: within one year within two to five years after more than five years the total future minimum sublease income for non-cancellable subleases the lease and sublease payments recognised in income for the period the contingent rent recognised as an expense  the general description of significant leasing arrangements, including contingent rent provisions, renewal or purchase options, and restrictions imposed on dividends, borrowings, or further leasing For operating leases, IAS 17 states that the total lease payments should be incurred as an expense and would appear on the income statement regularly with the amount on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term. Any enticements that the lessee may have received from the lessor to enter into the lease arrangement, must also be divided on a straight line basis to offset the  rental expense. 4. Lease Capitalization on Financial Variable and Ratios Unrecorded Lease Liability and Debt-to-Equity Ratio Based on the ratios and calculations performed there are many incentives for companies to report leases as operating leases rather than capitalize them. It can be concluded that the impact of lease capitalization on the financial statements is far greater for FedEx than UPS, however both companies are reaping benefits from reporting leases as operating leases. Capitalizing leases requires that leases are recorded as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The Unrecorded Lease Liability is 98.41% of existing liabilities for FedEx and 8.27% for UPS. Thus, by not capitalizing leases, firms are able to decrease their liabilities and present a more lower debt/equity ratio.The Debt/Equity ratio gives stakeholders an indication of the capital structure of the firm. The ratio for FedEx moves from 0.97 to 2.70, which indicates a more leveraged capital structure. UPS ratio moves from 0.87 to 1.28. The capitalization of leases would not a llow FedEx to maintain a debt-equity ratio below 1, which would change shareholder’s view on the financial flexibility of the firm. If FedEx wishes to maintain a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio on their financial statements it would be unfavourable to capitalize leases. Return on Asset The Return on Assets (ROA) is another key ratio that is affected when leases are capitalized due to the increase in assets that the company owns. When leases are capitalized there is a decrease in ROA for both FedEx and UPS by 1.69% and 0.32%, respectively. This is a relatively significant drop in efficiency and further motivates firms to record leases as operating leases. Interest Coverage Ratio The interest coverage ratio informs stakeholders of a company’s ability to pay back their interest. There is a significant drop of 17.26 in FedEx’s interest-coverage ratio and a drop of 9.2 in UPS’s interest coverage ratio. This means that a certain amount of profit is attributed to the fact that leases are not capitalized. In conclusion, it is clear from the variables and the ratios analyzed why companies prefer to record leases as operating leases rather than capitalize them. Operating leases are kept off the balance sheet and their main impact on the income statement is rent expense since the risks of ownership are not assumed. On the other hand, when leases are capitalized, the present value of payments including interest expense,  is treated as a liability on the balance sheet. These two accounting methods result in ratios to be more favourable for the firm when leases are recorded as operating leases rather than financial leases. 5. New Exposure Draft: A Contract-Based Approach Development of Contract-Based Approach Leasing is a critical activity in business as it is a means of gaining access to assets, obtaining finance and reducing an entity’s exposure to the risks of asset ownership. Some key advantages of leasing assets rather than purchasing assets are 100% financing, flexibility and the tax advantages. Therefore it is crucial that leases are appropriately accounted for and nature and duration of the lease agreement is considered. Current models require lessees and lessors to account for leases as either finance leases or operating leases. A recurring criticism of this approach is that lessees are not required to recognize assets and liabilities arising from operating leases. We can see the benefits of this in the financial statements and ratios of FedEx and UPS, as discussed above. In our opinion capitalizing leases provides stakeholders of a less aggressive view of a company’s financial statements. The contract based approach ensures th at companies recognise the right to use an asset along with the contractual liability on its balance sheet. Recognition and Measurement (Lessee) IASB and FASB are proposing a new approach to lease accounting that ensures entities record assets and liabilities arising from a lease. With this new approach, a lessee would recognize assets and liabilities for leases with a maximum possible term of more than 12 months. Under this contract-based approach, the asset is taken on by the lessee as the right to use to asset and not the asset itself. This a key difference between the contract-based approach and finance leases. When the lease is acquired, the lessee would recognise a lease liability. This would refer to the obligation of the lessee to make recurring lease payments. Additionally, the lessee would recognize a right-of-use asset representing a lessee’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The right-of-use asset would include the initial measurement of the lease liability, any lease payments made at or before commencement date and any initial direct costs incurred by the lessee. The proposal further categorizes the leases into Type A and Type B leases. Type A Lease Recognition Leased assets other  than property (such as equipment and vehicles) would be classified as a Type A lease. However, if the following two conditions are met, the lease would be classified as a Type B: if the lease term is an insignificant portion of the asset’s economic life and if the present value of the lease payments is insignificant relative to their fair value. Initial measurements for a Type A lease would include a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The lease liability would be measured at the present value of the lease payments, measured at the rate charged by the lessor. If that rate cannot be immediately determined, the lessee uses the incremental borrowing rate. Subsequent measurements would recognize interest expense and the amortization of the right-of-use asset separately on the income statement and balance sheet. This would be accounted for separately from the amortization of the asset. Type B Lease Recognition Leased assets of property (such as land or a building) would be classified as Type B leases. Initial measurements would be parallel to the initial measurements of Type A assets. However, subsequent measurements would recognize a single lease cost. This cost would be a measurement of the interest expense as well as the amortization of the asset. This combined figure would be calculated on a straight-line basis. Effect on Existing Operating Lease Existing operating leases must be appropriately treated based on the a ccounting standards for leases. Leases that were previously reported as operating leases by lessees should be recognised using the new approach at the beginning of the earliest comparative period. The lessee should recognize the lease liability, which is the present value of the remaining lease payments. For Type A leases, a right-of-use asset is measured as a proportion of the lease liability. The proportion is based on the remaining lease term at the time of the earliest comparative period. Additionally, the right-of-use asset recorded should be adjusted for any previously recognised prepaid or accrued lease payments. On the other hand, for Type B leases, a right-of-use asset is measured at an amount that equals the lease liability. The asset is then adjusted for previously recognised prepaid or accrued lease payments.

Private Schools vs. Public Schools :: Private Schools vs. Public Schools

The first position of chapter three is supportive of private schools. This position feels that private schools prevent the public schools from having a total monopoly over education by offering the community an alternative choice. This choice also produces competition with public schools for student enrollment. This position views public schools as something a student must accept as the only option if his or her parents can not afford a private school education. This is an obvious short coming to private schools, since they do not operate on the taxpayers' funds. However, some private schools do provide scholarships to poorer families. However, one distinct advantage of private schools is their abilities to satisfy their students' special needs. A military academy, for example, provides the strict discipline that some students need. Basically, a private school works for the students' desires, while a public school demands that its students work for their designated needs. The intellectual climate at a private school is more academically oriented than public schools. Private education provides students with a broader education that accepts diversity. Public education, however, does not have as much diversity due to strict public control that tries to avoid offending others. Private schools are considered to be more experimental because they try and accept new ideas faster. The American public generally seems to support private education, according to this position.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second position of chapter three favors public schools. This position feels that private schools are an unnecessary burden and expense to the public. Private schools have the tendency to tarnish the image and reputations of good public schools. Magnet, or theme-oriented, schools are public schools that provide various, specific programs of study for their students to choose from. An example of a magnet school is the dance school on the television program Fame. Despite some criticism, public schools are still a strong force in America. This is in part because public schools bring together different races into one school building. Private schools are intended for the wealthy, according to this position. The isolation created by a wealthy-only atmosphere prevents students from being exposed to reality. A controversial topic regarding private schools is that parents can obtain vouchers to send their children there. This is another free ride for the wealthy, the very people who do not need governmental assistance. Overall, this position views private schools as privilege available and dedicated to the wealthy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My personal opinion of chapter three favors private education. Despite the fact that I attended a public school, I feel that private schools have as much right to exist and operate as do public schools.

Coppolas Interpretation of Dracula as a Love Story Essay -- Movie Fil

Coppola's Interpretation of Dracula as a Love Story      Ã‚  Ã‚   The protagonist and story of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula have been widely interpreted and adapted in films throughout many years. Despite almost a century of time since the initial publication, Dracula has maintained its ability to frighten and mesmerize readers. Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula; however, utilizes the erotic romance of the original novel in order to depict a tragic love story. The film accurately follows the general plot of the novel, yet presents the characters in a unique manner that provides for a different appreciation of the characters.    Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Stoker's novel begins with the presentation of how Dracula became an immortal creature doomed to thirst for the blood of living animals. This story is essential to the interpretation of Dracula in Coppola's film. Dracula was a knight in the sacred army of the church, who left his wife in order fight against an invading Turkish army. He was successful in preventing the invasion of the Turks, yet they retaliated by sending his wife, Elizobeta, a letter that falsely reported his death in the battle. Upon hearing this tragic news, Elizobeta committed suicide by jumping into a river. When Dracula returns from the battle he discovers that his beloved wife is dead, and when the church tells him that her soul cannot be saved because she had taken her own life, he turns against the church and renounces God for betraying him. Dracula strikes the stone crucifix behind the altar in the church, which causes blood to gush from the stone. Dracula drinks the bloo d and vows to oppose God for eternity, whereby causing himself to become eternally damned as a vampire. The mos... ...by comparing Bram Stoker's original novel, Dracula, to the film adaptation by director Francis Ford Coppola, the main theme of the movie is discovered to be that Dracula sacrificed himself for his true love. James Craig Holte agrees in his statement that parallels the conclusion of this paper "In Coppola's vampire world, the world of contemporary gothic fiction and film, the moral universe has changed: good and evil are no longer opposites, and actions no longer expected consequences, since love conquers all" (Holte 87).    Works Cited Holte, James Craig. Dracula in the Dark: The Dracula Film Adaptations. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1997. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. New York: Signet, 1992. Bram Stoker's Dracula. Screenplay by James V. Hart. Dir. Francis Ford Coppola. Perf. Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkin, Keanu Reeves. Columbia Tristar, 1992.

Integrating different perspectives Essay

School violence is a growing concern in our schools at present, and it is a reality that we must deal with if we are ever to find solutions for these situations and how to prevent it form happening again. The world was shocked when the recent killings in Virginia Tech occurred last month and somehow it seemed irrational and illogical for an academically excellent student to have committed. But as the images of horror and violence flashed through the millions of television sets across the world, one asks what may have caused the person to commit such acts and what may explain his behavior. Violence is a form of aggression and it is often an outward or overt expression of anger and hostility which is a product of a perceived emotional affront or sense of persecution (Armistead, 1996). There are several psychological perspectives that have looked into the issue of school violence and it has been observed that most if not all of those that have occurred are extremely violent, with the use of weapons and guns and have resulted to the death of one or more individuals in school. There are also other forms of violence which may have gone unnoticed and unreported to school officials but nonetheless have probably involved bullying in its many forms; from physical, emotional, psychological, racial or even technology based. The cognitive psychology perspective says that violence is the end result of mental distortions and cognitive dissonance that an individual may have experienced in relation to his/her relationships and interactions in class and in school. For example, the Korean student who killed 30 people in Virginia Tech said in his video that he was seeking retribution or revenge from the rich kids in school, because he has suffered much from them. The sense of being insulted and humiliated may be imagined but to the student, it is his reality. He may have experienced or witnessed an incidence where a poor student was bullied and he had identified with the person so much that he claimed the action as targeting him. This mental distortion of what is real and not, of the building paranoia causes the person to behave in ways that may lead to violence. When the individual believes that he has nothing left, or that he has suffered so much that it is time to avenge himself in order to stop the mental anguish thus move the person to violent acts like shooting those he perceives as enemies, to burn the school that he feels have been unfair to him or to poison a class who have ridiculed him (Lowry, Sleet, Duncan, Powell & Kolbe, 1995). Another perspective that explains school violence and violence per se is the biological and evolutionary psychology perspective. This approach says that there is a biological basis for violence, and that a child who has been violent early in life and who has parents who have violent streaks will likely become violent. The perspective argues that aggression is coded into the brain of the person and that it is a normal reaction that lesser animals have continued to exhibit as a means of protecting themselves from predators, and since we share the same instinctual drives. Violence is a behavior triggered by survival instincts, for example, a student who has been flunked by every teacher in his school may certainly lose the opportunity to graduate from high school or got to college. Now the school is the world of the student, it is where he/she builds relationships, accomplishes something, learns and thrived on. If the student is flunked, then he may cease his existence in the school, or is in danger of falling out from the group and losing his sense of belongingness (Menhard, 2000). This naturally is a threat to his survival in the school and thus would be moved to protect his existence in the school system; he may come to school and kill those who will prevent him from reaching his goals. Lastly, the social learning perspective says that school violence occurs because it is now becoming a social reality and that each child is exposed to so much aggression and hostility that it has now become a social construct that is almost an accepted aspect of the American educational system (Newman, 2005). Social learning theory argues that a child learns a behavior if it is rewarded and reinforced, it is also learned if it is shared and accepted by significant others in the child life. For example, if a child grew up in a family where violence is a normal occurrence, it may lead the child to believe that there is nothing wrong with violence. Moreover, if after hurting someone, the child is able to get what he/she wants, then the behavior in reinforced, if the child is praised for hitting the next door bully, then he would learn that hitting is not wrong. Media influence if not depicts and glamorizes violence perpetuate its perception as a normal aspect of human behavior. The peer group and the school is the most influential group in a student’s life, if the student is thwarted, punished and humiliated by either his peers or the school in general, his only recourse is to become violent in order to redeem his self because it is what people do when they are oppressed. School violence is painful, it is jolting, it is irrational and sometimes quite baffling, but what is common to all of the perspectives is that school violence is only a result, an end product that is brought about only by certain events and experiences and from which more effective means of preventing school violence can be developed. References Armistead, L. (1996).What to do before the violence happens: Designing the crisis communication plan. NASP Bulletin, 80, p. 31-37. Lowry, R. , Sleet, D. , Duncan, C. , Powell, K. & Kolbe, L. (1995). Adolescents at risk for violence. Educational Psychology Review, 7, 7-39. Menhard, F. (2000). School Violence: Deadly Lessons. New York: Enslow Publishers. Newman, K. (2005). Rampage: The Social Roots of School Shootings. New York: Basic Books.

Missionary Farewell Talk

If you’d have told me a year ago that I’d be standing here in front of you talking about going on a mission, I’d have laughed at you. Well, here I am. It has been a long and interesting journey in getting me here today, but, as a popular Kenny Chesney song professes â€Å"The laughs, the smiles, the trials, the tears, it’s hard to hate what got me here. † Well, I’m here and am very excited to move on to this next chapter in my life. I’d be a fool to think that the coming years, though filled with joy and enlightenment, won’t bring with them my fair share of hard times and adversity.I think the most frightening part of everything leading up to my mission lies in the fact that I’m not exactly sure when those hard times will present themselves, nor how they will present themselves. Joseph B. Wirthlin once compared life to running a marathon. At some point in the marathon of life, we will all â€Å"hit the wall,† which Elder Wirthlin defined as â€Å"feeling a sudden urge to quit, encountering an almost tangible barrier that requires a tremendous effort to overcome. Farewell to Manzanar, written by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Japanese American, and James D. Houston. The harsh reality of life is that we will all hit at least one of these walls at some point in our lives. So what will each of us do when we stand at the base of our own personal walls? Will we rise to the occasion and break through? Or will we crumble in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds? What we do when we get to these proverbial walls is what will ultimately define us as people. Being one who enjoys the study of history, I have often looked to those who have come before me to find the strength I need to press on. I think about those who have been disowned by their own families because of personal beliefs, the pioneers that crossed the plains despite the harshest of conditions, those families who have ever sent a loved one overseas in support of the freedom we all hold so dear, and the horrible persecutions suffered by those early members of the church. After remembering them I think to myself, â€Å"Do I really have it all that bad? † In sections 121, 122, and 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants, it highlights the revelations given to Joseph Smith as he was incarcerated at Liberty Jail. It was one of the coldest winters on record in Missouri and they weren’t given blankets sufficient enough to keep them warm. Their food was often dirty and unclean, sometimes even poisoned. Even Joseph himself spoke of the jail as a â€Å"hell surrounded by demons. † I doubt most of us here will ever have to endure something as extreme as those suffered by the Prophet Joseph and his companions during the winter of 1838-1839. The best example we should all look to when faced with trying times, however, is that of our Savior Jesus Christ. So great was his suffering that he bled from every pore in Gethsemane. Later, a crown of thorns was placed upon his head and he was severely scourged. So extreme were the events leading up to the actual crucifixion that he couldn’t even carry his own cross to Calgary, as was customary. In my studies, I’ve come across literature that discusses in detail the medical aspect associated with crucifixion. Crucifixion was arguably the cruelest form of punishment ever devised by man. To sum it all up, those who were crucified suffered through an unequivocal amount of pain. Where do you think the word excruciating comes from? So, I ask again, is it really that bad? The answer is NO. â€Å"The Son of Man hath descended below them all,† (D&C 122: 8) and nobody that has ever lived or ever will live has suffered as much as He did. No matter what this life throws at us, we can all find comfort in knowing that there is always someone who knows exactly how we feel, because Christ suffered for all of that so that we could one day stand before God and live with Him again. Some will always ask â€Å"Why me? † when troubling times come upon them. It is important to remember that just because trials and tribulations are heaped upon us, it doesn’t mean we have somehow strayed from the straight and narrow path. All of the prophets have faced some sort of persecution in their lives. Jesus Christ suffered more than any other being that has ever lived, even though he was the most worthy individual to have ever walked upon the face of this earth. All of the troubles are simply trials of our faith, and God will never, ever, put a trial before us that he knows we cannot overcome. He will always provide a way for us to rise above any trial or temptation that may come our way. A true test of our faith can only be measured if we use that faith during the times when things aren’t going according to plan. Back in Liberty Jail, the Lord tells Joseph that all of these trials are for our own benefit, saying â€Å"If thou art called to pass through tribulation†¦know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. † (D&C 122: 5, 7). In Jackson County, Missouri, the Lord tells Joseph that glory follows these trials, â€Å"For after much tribulation come the blessings†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (D&C 58: 3-4). Adversity exists in the world today to provide the much needed contrast that helps us to discern right from wrong, after all, â€Å"†¦it must be needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. † (2 Nephi 2: 11). If it weren’t for pain, we would feel no pleasure. If not for sadness, we could have no joy. We’ve all felt the great sense of accomplishment that accompanies the completion of a large project, even though these projects can be very stressful at times. If life weren’t hard from time to time, then the fruits of our labors would cease to be sweet. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once counseled that â€Å"Rather than passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass through us in ways that sanctify us. † It isn’t enough to merely experience trials, but we must go through them in such a way that we can learn from each individual experience so that we can grow closer to our Father in Heaven. I think it is most unfortunate when someone is going through an extended trial and the idea starts to creep into their mind that God no longer rests with them and has ceased to answer their prayers because He doesn’t love them anymore. We must always remember that God loves each of us unconditionally and will never abandon any of us. To reassure those who may have doubts, Jeffrey R. Holland provided these inspiring words, (Quote—Chariots of Fire). He will answer your prayers in His own due time. It truly pains Him to put each of us through our own trials, but we must remember that He doesn’t put us through them to punish us, He does it because He loves us and knows that this is the only way which we can grow to become like Him. When it is all said and done, God just wants us to be happy, for â€Å"†¦men are, that they might have joy. (2 Nephi 2: 25). President Monson once counseled that we must â€Å"†¦find joy in the journey†¦Ã¢â‚¬  of life. The Lord even counseled Joseph Smith of this as he was imprisoned in Liberty Jail, saying â€Å"Therefore†¦let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. † (D&C 123: 17). Even during the darkest of times, the Lord still wants all of us to ultimately find happiness. The Lord promises everyone that if we will endure to the end, He will give us eternal life. A common misconception, though, is that enduring to the end means to simply â€Å"hang in there† when trials come our way. Elder Wirthlin sees it as being much more than that. Rather than simply suffering through life’s challenges, he sees it as a process in which we use these challenges to come unto Christ and become perfected in Him. If we remain faithful during our own dire circumstances and use them as learning experiences to become more Christ-like, God cannot deny you a spot with Him in the Celestial Kingdom.

Study of a Second Language

Much debate has taken place over when foreign language education should begin in American schools. Currently, the majority of foreign language programs are ineffective and poorly organized. Programs would be most substantially improved if the instruction of foreign languages began in early elementary grades. Teaching foreign languages to American students at the elementary level would be truly beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, if the study of a second language were to begin in elementary grades, children would have more years to practice and learn the language. It is ridiculous that teenagers are expected to speak a foreign language fluently after two to four years of high school language classes. More time is needed to comprehend and absorb a language to the point where it can be spoken fluently. Therefore, it is necessary for foreign language education to begin much earlier than in high school. Furthermore, foreign language education would be much more effective if were taught at elementary grade levels because children are more likely to practice the language. They are less likely to feel uncomfortable speaking in a foreign language. Most children like having an extra ability and consider it a talent. Young children are also very competitive. Competitions over who has greater proficiency in a second language are likely to ensue in an elementary language class. Young children are also more likely to participate in activities that help one to learn a language such as singing songs and engaging in hypothetical dialogue. In contrast, high school students have a much harder time learning a second language. â€Å"Only three percent of American high school graduates reach a meaningful proficiency in a second language.† (Crawford 2) This astonishing statistic could be altered if foreign language education was mandated in all American elementary schools. High school students are met with great difficulty when attempting to learn a second language because they are much less passionate; they are not interested in learning another language after English has been mastered. Also, high school students are easily embarrassed. They do not participate in class for fear of making a mistake and feeling unintelligent. They also do not enjoy playing games and engaging in other silly activities that might help them learn a second language. Many believe that teaching young children a second language can be a threat to their general education. It is thought that a child's mind can be clouded by an attempt to learn a second language. However, â€Å"psycholinguists have long since debunked the myth that bilingualism confuses the brain.† No valid negative effects can be traced to learning a foreign language at a young age. With foreign language education beginning at the elementary level, chances for the mastery of a second language are much higher. Children who learn a second language benefit greatly from the ability. They tend to be more cultured and are offered more scholastic and occupational opportunities. The quality of adult life for today's children would be greatly improved if they were able to master a second language. However, this can only take place if foreign language education programs were altered in most American schools. It is imperative for the instruction of foreign languages to begin at the elementary level if greater opportunities for success are desired for America's youth.

Exploration of a business or management related topic relevant to your Assignment - 1

Exploration of a business or management related topic relevant to your organisation of choice - Assignment Example The current paper examines the strategic policies of Next in terms of maintaining their competitiveness and superiority in the marker. Through evaluation of their strategies it becomes possible to understand how such success and competitiveness has been achieved by Next. Freeman, R. E., 2010.  Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. New York: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1, 2, 4, 5. The book is easily accessible and providers detailed information regarding successful strategic management. Next plc, 2015. About next. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 may 2015]. The website is likely to provide detailed information regarding the strategies and competitive advantages existing at Next. N.B. There is no word count for this but try and provide sufficient detail to demonstrate the areas of investigation and the depth of research you intend to complete. The Project Plan Grading Criteria provides more guidance on expected depth &

American global supremacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American global supremacy - Essay Example Walters, whom I interviewed for this project. I chose to interview him, my uncle who is going to be 75 in December, because he is a very knowledgeable and shrewd man. He was with the army as a doctor for his entire career until retirement. During his many appointments, he was posted in various countries all over the world and thus was an ideal candidate to elucidate on this topic. I took notes as we had a casual conversation. When I asked him whether he thought America was a ‘superpower’ right now, he explained to me what a superpower is. He said: The superpower is the nation that has a say in the world events and decisions the most. There cannot be a superpower without there being nations who give it that status, just like there cannot be a leader without having followers who want him to lead†¦ Before the 20th century, Great Britain provided tutelage to the world, as it had colonies and followers all over†¦ Look up history, you know, books and biographies and you will see the superpowers the world has seen, rule and then disintegrate. Soviet Union happened just a couple decades ago. However, the world has never been as global as it is now. America was building up to take this position when there was want of hope and optimism in the 17th, 18th centuries. It gained that position, and the acceptance from other nations in the 20th century. When I asked him how America came to be a superpower, he said it was through invention, progress and trade. Americans have always been very open, adventurous and have opted to set up work sites (Steingart) and joint ventures in countries all over the world. American language, food and culture have precipitated world over. From McDonalds to Apple, email to ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S’, American items have penetrated all the cultures of the world in some form. Another very important factor that established the position of the US in the global arena is the US dollar. It has become the global currency for trade in the

You can choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

You can choice - Essay Example This essay is a rhetorical review of the film â€Å"Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles†. Movie producer Jon Foy creates the movie, Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles with the intention of finding out the person responsible with placing tiled messages of resurrecting the dead in various streets of U.S and South America. These Toynbee tiles are hundreds of roughly lettered tiles fixed using tar to pavements and sidewalks in numerous cities in U.S.A and in three South American cities. Toynbee tiles appearance might be in the year 1983 and they seem to bear the same message ‘TOYNBEE IDEA, IN MOVIE 2001, RESURRECT DEAD, PLANET JUPITER. In this idiosyncratic and obstinate documentary, Jon Foy intends to find out the person responsible for creating and placing these Toynbee tiles at the various places they have been spotted. The film tries to achieve its purpose by employing the characters of three young men obsessed with the urge of finding out the artist behind the Toynbee tiles. The three characters go through various strange experiences in their mission. They encountered various peculiar places, among them addresses in south Philadelphia, a convention of ham radio operators and a passage in an old Philadelphia Inquirer. At one instance, Duerr walks out of a Philadelphia deli at around 3.am and happens to find a new tile fixed at that place a few minutes ago. He goes around the area shouting, â€Å"Toynbee Idea! I agree!† (Resurrect Dead), but he are unlucky and cannot spot any the person who fixed the tile. They succeed in finding one person who they suspect is responsible with placing these tiles. The suspect’s neighbor confirms indeed that he is the person responsible with placing the tiles. The film is generally interesting with various scenes succeeding in creating suspense as the trio track down the tile progenitor. The use of narratives in this film is however

Sustainable Water Use in Australia Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Sustainable Water Use in Australia - Assignment Example The South Western parts of Australia are the driest parts, which experience varying climatic conditions. In addition to the global climatic change, variability in rainfall in these regions poses a significant challenge towards achieving sustainability in the usage of water. The irrigation methods used by farmers consume a lot of water resulting in water deficits in towns. Due to the increased demand for Australia’s food exports, farmers tend to exploit the water resources to the fullest. Therefore, the fact that some parts of the continent have inadequate water resources makes it hard for the entire continent to achieve sustainability in water usage. In the attempts to ensure adequacy of water in all areas, some politicians in Australia have hindered the achievement of water use sustainability. The political climate, in this case, is created and facilitated by the actors (politicians) who want to protect their interests and stay in power (Filho 2012, p. 243). Â  Another signi ficant challenge to the sustainable use of water is population growth. Most people living in rural areas, as well as urban centres, use water for domestic and industrial purposes. Thus, the increase in population raises the demand for water from the scarce water resources such as rivers and lakes. Population growth is usually associated with environmental pollution and degradation. An increase in the number of people in a certain area without an equal increase in water provision results to over-exploitation of water resources.

Exploring the Bible Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Exploring the Bible - Essay Example Exodus 3 depicts that God drew the attention of Moses out of the middle of the bush and calls him with name Moses. It can be stated from the above statement that God is aware of the name of every individual. Moreover, God said, â€Å"I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob†. It can be postulated from the Exodus 3 that Moses was afraid to explore the God and obscured his face (BibleGateway.com, â€Å"Exodus 3 (American Standard Version)†). From Exodus 3 God’s ability to observe the affliction and misery of His people can be reflected upon. Furthermore, the Exodus reveals the God’s inclination to save people from the Egyptians and bring them to a virtuous and broad land. Accordingly, it can be reflected that God is aware of the hardship and pain suffered by the people and He is firmly determined to eliminate those sufferings and to provide relief to them from the burden of affliction. God intends to take His people to virtuous land which has been described as â€Å"land flowing with milk and honey† (BibleGateway.com, â€Å"Exodus 3 (American Standard Version)†. God said to Moses, He would take them to the dwelling of â€Å"the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites† (BibleGateway.com, â€Å"Exodus 3 (American Standard Version)†. The God reveals His concern against the oppression experienced by Israelites. From the above passage, th e God’s nature can be identified to be extremely patient, merciful and sovereign over all the facets (BibleGateway.com, â€Å"Exodus 3 (American Standard Version)†; People’s Church Partington, â€Å"EXODUS 3 – 4:17†). In this regard, God can be identified to be patient as He being aware of the sufferings of His people and His invincible power to relief His people at a single instance, does not haste in His action to bring His people out of the oppression by Egyptians. Moreover, nature of God can be termed as merciful because He is concerned about the hardship and affliction of His people. Last but not the least, God can be considered as sovereign over all the facets as He has the power to perform any action without any fear or objection. 2. ACCORDING TO THIS SECTION OF EXODUS (ESPECIALLY CHAPTERS 5-12), WHY DOES GOD BRING THE VARIOUS â€Å"PLAGUES† UPON THE EGYPTIANS? CITE SPECIFIC PASSAGES THAT EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE FOR THESE PLAGUES (TAKEN T OGETHER). ACCORDING TO THE BIBLICAL AUTHOR, DO THE PLAGUES ACCOMPLISH THEIR PURPOSES? WHY OR WHY NOT? FINALLY, DEVELOP A RESPONSE: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS? When Moses and Aaron departed to Pharaoh of Egypt and said that the God of Israel has said to release the Israelites so that they are able to hold veneration to God in the wilderness then Pharaoh denies and said, â€Å"who is the Lord and why should I obey him† (BibleGateway.com, â€Å"Exodus 3 (American Standard Version)†; People’s Church Partington, â€Å"EXODUS 3 – 4:17†). Pharaoh further declared that he does not know the God and he would not allow the people belonging to Israel to go. On hearing this, Moses returned to the God and said, â€Å"

The arms race and the naval race Essay Example for Free

The arms race and the naval race Essay There were few valid reasons for the start of WW1. The reasons I am about to explain to you are IMPERIALISM, MILITARISM and ALLIANCES. WW1 started because the greed of other countries. Imperialism started to be a big factor in 1848 because a new, very big and very strong country called Germany was made. It was made up of Prussia, Oldenburg, Schaunburg-Lippe, Mecklenburg-sterhitz, Hessen, Hohenzollern and Waldeck. A few days after they became Germany, they attacked France and conquered some of their land (Alsace and Lorraine). This is just one example showing that Germany want to become stronger and bigger than they were before. The Russian empire controlled Poland which showed they were making a advance to get a port at sea so the could have a use for their ships that they have built (dreadnoughts). Also the Ottoman Empire was decreasing fast so they would also want to gain some land back. The arms race and the naval race were also a great long term cause of WW1. As one country increased its armies, so all the others felt obliged to increase their armed forces to keep the balance of power. The arms race was clearly being won by Germany with 8.5 million men in 7 years, that is 4.1 million more than Russia, who is in second place. On the whole though, the triple entente (Russia, France and Britain) had more arms than the triple alliance (Italy, Germany and Austro-Hungary). The naval race, although, was won clearly by Britain with 29 dreadnoughts and 9 warships while Germany had 17 dreadnoughts and 7 warships. Great Britain felt threatened by Germany for their sudden manufacturing of dreadnoughts because they could now takeover colonies that England have, so England made a alliance with Japan in 1904 so the pacific sea was taken care off. Alliances were one of the main causes of WW1. There were two main alliances one was the triple Entente ( England, France and Russia) and the other was the triple alliance ( Germany, Austro-Hungary and Italy). When Franz Ferdinand, the archduke of Austro-Hungary was assassinated by the BLACK HAND organization they wanted to attack Serbia, but Russia had a alliance with Serbia and vowed to defend them if Austro-Hungary made a move. If they did make a move though, Germany was in an alliance with Austro-Hungary, and also vowed to defend them if Russia attacked. If Germany attacked Russia however, France would defend Russia because they were in an alliance. This was the main reason that WW1 started, turning from a argument between two countries and turning into a war within the whole of Europe, including the USA.

Problem Solving Creative Thinking And Decision Making

Problem Solving Creative Thinking And Decision Making Problem solving is a skill. Managers and leaders spend much of their time solving problems and making decisions. The nature of the problems can be small, large, complex or simple and its the role of the manager to establish an approach to resolving the problem. Being faced with problems often results in people becoming uncomfortable and afraid, trying to find a solution immediately without analyzing the problem and looking for someone to blame. Problems occur every day and cannot be escaped. It should be viewed as opportunities to improve systems and relationships within organizations. The tendency to try and find a solution immediately is one of the fundamental mistakes in problem solving as the solution should be founded at the end of the process rather than at the beginning. Using an approach that worked previously can leave you solving the same problem over and over again. We are born problem solvers and build our confidence when we solve problems. Having a good process and approach to problems can solve them quickly and effectively. 2. Problem Solving and Decision Making Framework Organisations struggle with inherently the same problems year after year. The lack of a comprehensive and structured process is the reason for this failure. An organized approach using simple principles and a clear defined approach can facilitate permanent solutions. The 7 step problem solving process is an effective problem solving process that consists of a sequence of sections that fit together. Within each section, there are various tools that can be used to work through the problem and find out what is really going on. It is useful to have such a structure to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Figure : 7 Step Problem Solving Process 2.1 Define/Identify the Problem At this point, people react to what they think the problem is. Instead, we should seek to understand more about why we think there is a problem. It is imperative to deal with the real problem and not the symptoms. With input from yourself and others, a serious of questions on the problem should be addressed. Use the 5 Ws and an H to collect statistics on the problem: a) What can you see that causes the problem b) Where does it occur c) When is it happening d) Why is it happening e) With whom is it happening f) How is it happening At this stage, a problem statement should be developed and written down. This will ensure that you are tackling the actual problem and not a side issue or part of the problem. A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved. (Dorothea Brande). Writing the statement will ensure that everyone can quickly understand what the problem is. The problem can be re-phrased as a goal objective. This provides a focus and direction for the problem-solvers that is measurable. The problem statement should also attempt to have a target date identified and scoped so that it can be realistically tackled. 2.2 Analyse the Problem In this stage of the problem solving, critical input from people who have noticed the problem and who are effected by the problem should be gathered and sifted. The problem needs to viewed from a variety of viewpoints. Several questions should be asked to gather the required information : What is the history of the problem? How long has it existed? How serious is the problem? What are the causes of the problem? What are the effects of the problem? What are the symptoms of the problem? What methods does the team already have for dealing with the problem? What are the limitations of those methods? How much freedom does the team have in gathering information and attempting to solve the problem? What obstacles keep the team from achieving the goal? Can the problem be divided into sub problems for definition and analysis? Understanding where the problem is arising from, its fit in the current development and what the current environments are, is critical when working out if a solution will work or not. The problem definitions validity can be checked here by stepping back and assessing the current situation and what needs to be changed. The cause of the problem should be written down in terms of what is happening, where, when, how, with whom and why. 2.3 Generate Possible Solutions At this stage, the team and yourself should generate a number of possible solutions. No evaluation of the solutions should occur but rather the effort should be concentrated on generating as many solutions as possible. Various techniques can be used to solve problems. 2.3.1 Brainstorming This is a technique designed to help a group generate several creative solutions to a problem. It is focussed on developing imaginative and innovative solutions. It is a simple means of generating a large number of ideas from a group of people in a short space of time. Steps: A groups members are presented with a problem and all its details. Members are encouraged to come up with as many solutions as possible, putting aside all personal judgments and evaluations. Piggy-backing off another persons idea is useful. All ideas are recorded so the whole group can see them. Ideas are evaluated at another session. 2.3.2 Reverse Brainstorming Reverse brainstorming uses a combination of the reversal technique and brainstorming. This technique involves starting with two reverse questions: a) How could I possibly cause the problem rather than How do I solve or prevent this problem? b) How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect rather than How do I achieve these results? Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. The ideas should be allowed to flow. No idea should be rejected. The ideas from the reverse problem should now be reversed for the original problem. 2.4 Analyse the Solutions This stage is where you investigate the various factors about each of the potential solutions. The good, the bad points and other relevant items to each solution is noted. There are several ways to evaluate the chosen solutions, and writing them all down will help the group to choose the best solution to the problem. a) Making a T-Chart to Weigh the Pros and Cons of Each Idea The T-chart can be used where team members write down the advantages and disadvantages for each solution. This method will illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of each solution. b) Develop and Assign Weights to Criteria All the criteria people are thinking about should be listed and weighted. This way, all group members are clear as to what criteria others are using. c) Prioritize the Criteria The next step is for the group to agree on how important these criteria are in relation to each other. For example, is cost the most important criterion, or low resistance by others, etc. The criteria should then be rated in terms of importance. Assign a number to each criterion so that all criteria together total 100. d) Rate Proposed Solutions Using Criteria Using the four to six possible solutions, score (on a scale of 1 to 10) each solution against each criteria. Repeat this for each criterion. Multiply this score to the weighting, then add the weighted scores for each solution. This exercise will help compare alternatives objectively. 2.5 Select the best Solution The various influencing factors for each possible solution is reviewed and solutions are kept or eliminated. The group should be concerned with whether or not the solution chosen solves the problem or just minimizes it. The solution must be workable in relation to the problem. During this step, decisions need to be made. Weighting of the previous step can be used to select the best solutions. The T-chart can be reviewed for advantages and disadvantages. The facts and information gathered must be consistent with the proposed solution. Solutions can be voted for and then those can be shortlisted. Shortlisted items can be analysed and further refined and voted on. There is a possibility that no solutions may work. The problem may need to be re-evaluated or generation of solutions may need to be re-visited. This maybe the result of a problem definition that is not well defined. 2.6 Develop an Action Plan An action plan involves writing down what is going to next now that a potential solution is available.. This plan will realise that the solution happens. The plan can consist of sequential tasks identifying who is doing what, when and the timeline for completion. The following questions should be answered for the action plan : What is the overall objective and ideal situation? What is needed in order to get there from here? What actions need to be done? Who will be responsible for each action? How long will each step take and when should it be done? What is the best sequence of actions? What training is required to ensure that each person knows how to execute each step in the plan? What standards do we want to set? What resources are needed and how will we get them? How will we measure results? How will we follow up each step and who will do it? What checkpoints and milestones should be established? What are the make/break vital steps and how can we ensure they succeed? What could go wrong and how will we get around it? Who will this plan affect and how will it affect them? How can the plan be adjusted without jeopardizing its results to ensure the best response and impact? How will we communicate the plan to ensure support? What responses to change and other human factors are anticipated and how will they be overcome? 2.7. Implement the Solution The solution can be implemented as a project using the action plan as the baseline. Tasks should be monitored and reported on. The Gantt chart could be used to monitor this progress. Regular meetings should be held with relevant stakeholders to communicate progress on the solution and advise if any slippages or blockers exist on the project. Contingency plans can be devised and implemented to recover from slippages. 2.8. Verify the Solution Once the solution is implemented, it can be tested be reviewing the normal operation of the organisation. Adjustments may be required to improve the effectiveness of the solution. A lessons learnt document/memo should be created highlighting what changes should be made to avoid this type of problem in the future, considering changes in policies and procedures, and training. 3. Creative Thinking Effective problem solving requires creativity. Creativity in problem solving process sparks new solutions and concepts in changing environments. There are various tools that can be used: 3.1 Six Thinking Hats This is a tool for group discussion and individual thinking. The technique allows you to look at decisions from a number of important perspectives. In meetings it has the benefit of blocking the confrontations that happen when people with different thinking styles discuss the same problem. Each Thinking Hat is a different style of thinking. These are explained below: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢White Hat: This hat requires you to focus on the facts and data available. Review the information you have, and determine what you can learn from it. Look for gaps in your knowledge, and either try to fill them or take account of them. This is where you analyse past trends, and try to extrapolate from historical data. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Red Hat: Team members state problems using intuition, gut reaction, and emotion. This is a method of harvesting ideas. Also try to think how other people will react emotionally. This method can use post-it notes to allow a quick system of voting, and creates a clear visual cue that creates rapid if incomplete agreement around an issue. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Black Hat: Using black hat thinking, looks at all the bad points of the decision. Team members identify risks and hazards. Decision are looked at to see why it might not work. This is important because it highlights the weak points in a plan. It allows you to eliminate them, alter them, or prepare contingency plans to counter them. Plans can become tougher and more resilient. It can also help you to spot fatal flaws and risks before you embark on a course of action. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Yellow Hat: The yellow hat helps you to think positively and identify with an idea or decision. It is the optimistic viewpoint that helps you to see all the benefits of the decision and the value in it. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Green Hat: The Green Hat allows you to develop creative and new ideas solutions to a problem. It is a freewheeling way of thinking, in which there is little criticism of ideas. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Blue Hat: The Blue Hat stands for process control and discusses the thinking process. This is the hat worn by people chairing meetings. Having a facilitator maintain this role throughout helps ensure that the group remains focused on task and improves their chances of achieving their objectives. 3.2 Mind Mapping This is a technique that encourages creative thinking as it holds information that the mind finds easy to identify with and review. Mind mapping allows you to quickly find and understand the structure of complex problems. Mind maps are often used during brainstorming. The technique requires that a model such as a tree with branches be used. The main parts of the problem are draw on the bigger branches and smaller issues on the secondary branches. Creativity is applied to each part of the issue rather than the whole. 3.3 Unfreezing This technique is used where you cannot think of any more ideas. Helps you when your thinking process is blocked or shut down and you cannot find any solutions. 3.4 The 5 Whys This is useful for dealing with problems that have hidden agendas. The technique drills into situations to find the real problem and clarify issues and forming creative solutions. 4. Problem Solving of Functional problem Altech UEC specialises in the design, development, supply and support of integrated hardware and software solutions for the world-wide digital Multimedia industry. In the project management field that I function within, the key focus is to deliver product on time, within budget and at the acceptable quality standards. The one area in 60% of all projects that fails to deliver successfully is the mechanical design of the enclosure. I will use the framework developed in 2 to realise the solution to this problem. 4.1 Define/Identify the problem a) The mechanical design for each product is only a concept rendering that is unique to each product offering. b) It occurs in the engineering and product management departments. c) During project development of a new product. d) Each offering to the customer is unique with no-reuse of existing mechanical enclosures. e) With mechanical engineer, product manager, customer f) An expected 12 weeks delivery of mechanical enclosure is taking 24 wks to complete Problem definition Why does the mechanical enclosure take 24 weeks to complete instead of the planned 12 weeks As a goal objective : What must be done to reduce the mechanical enclosure development to 12 weeks. 4.2 Analyse the Problem This problem has existed approximately 5 years, since the customer was allowed to decide on the aesthetic look of the set-to-box. This is a critical issue to the delivery cycle of product to the customer. The average delivery cycle of a complete unit in production and to the customer should be 6 months. Causes of the problem maybe Unknown technologies being used, Concept rendered drawings rather than mechanical design models, and Customer requiring changes after design was approved. The effect is that there is longer design cycles and longer to market delivery cycles. The mechanical team have tried to model various options but due to unknown electronic affects such as thermal testing and electrical grounding may affect the design. 4.3 Generate Possible Solutions Brainstorming was used to work out possible solutions. Ideas generated were as follows: 1) Altech UEC generates a set number of enclosures to match the various offerings available. The only change will be on the fascia view of the product. 2) The mechanical engineering team designs the model and develops the mechanical model before the product is released to the customer for approval. No acceptance to be done or released to customer on unrealised designs. 3) Tooling manufacturers external to UEC are contracted to be involved in the modelling stages to reduce occurrences of designs that will not work 4) Review existing procedures and signoff against international standards and make necessary changes where applicable 5) Outsource the mechanical design to a 3rd party and performs this as its core business 4.4 Analyse the Solutions The solution were rated against practicality and cost. The highest rated idea was (1), (5), (2), (4) and (3). It was also thought that a combination of (2), (3) and (4) could be considered as a combination idea. 4.5 Select the best Solution The best solution selected by voting was (1). The vote was decided by key stakeholders in the organisation such as the product development team, mechanical team and manufacturing team. 4.6 Develop an action plan The action plan answered the questions as follows: a) The mechanical enclosure is available at the start of the project. There is no major development to the design of the STB. Only changes will be to the fascia aesthetics. b) A listing of the full product road map is required to determine the categories of enclosures to be supported. All mechanical design such as clipping of parts together and thermal cooling to be completed in each category. c) The Engineering Manager will be responsible for driving this through the organisations as a Product Design unit initiative. The Product managers will be the custodians of the product categories. d) This is a 6 month initiative with the first step being the product categories. The next step will be the actual design of enclosures to these categories bedding down the mechanical design and product. e) Regular meetings are being held to discuss progress and determine if the plan is in action f) The realisation will be the use of the first mechanical design on zapper low cost products. g) The Engineering manager will be the sponsor of this project to ensure all stakeholders keep their eyes on the prize 4.7 Implement the solution A Gantt was created to allocate tasks and monitor progress. 4.8 Verify the solution The product line is being developed according to specific category mechanical model implementations. Effectiveness of the solution will be seen on new products that will go from design into mass production. The cycle time of mechanics can then be measured. 5. Conclusion In times were there is a constant change in technology and product development, it is essential to have effective problem solving frameworks. The lack of such framework will lead to problems recurring when they should have been solved. Organisations cannot afford such costly mistakes if they are to be globally competitive. A successful problem solving organization will be a successful organization.