Andragogy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Andragogy - Research Paper Example Just as importantly, defining what makes an individual an adult has meaning when determining how they will perform when trying to learn. The seven steps to creating a learning planning for adults is called the progress model which means that solving problems is the focus of how learning is accomplished. The following paper will examine the assumptions that define andragogy and the meaning behind them as they support adult learning and the differences between adult and child level learning capacities. Andragogy The origins of andragogy can be traced back to a German educator in 1833 who used the term to define adult education from child education. Alexander Kapp created the term which specifically means man-leading, which is in contrast to the term pedagogy which means child-leading. In the 20th century American education theorists defined three different types of adult learning. The first is andragogy, the second is self directed learning, with the third being transformative. Andrago gy is used as a description of adult learning as a concept in which the learner is motivated by a series of assumptions that end with the learner developing solution to problems in order to learn in the context that an adult learns best (Melik & Melik, 2010, p. 108). Defining andragogy is a bit difficult as it has been presented through a variety of different ideas and is therefore not quite a firm theory through which to filter ideas. Andragogy was originally presented with three assumptions. Some criticisms of the ideas behind andragogy is that it is focused on the individual and not a critical evaluation of the social perspective on adult learning. The concept of andragogy has been correctly criticized for not informing the social perspective, but Knowles suggests that it does not have to promote the social perspective in order to have value in developing a structure of ideas about adult learning. One of the main proponents of andragogy as a theory of learning for adults is Malco lm Knowles. Knowles introduced the idea in the 1970s in response to the fact that most theory on learning was focused on children (Utley, 2011, p. 32). He broke down the assumptions about the motivation for adult learning it six basic concepts. The following is a list of those concepts: 1. Adults need to know the reason for learning something (Need to Know) 2. Experience (including error) provides the basis for learning activities (Foundation). 3. Adults need to be responsible for their decisions on education; involvement in the planning and evaluation of their instruction (Self-concept). 4. Adults are most interested in learning subjects having immediate relevance to their work and/or personal lives (Readiness). 5. Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented (Orientation). 6. Adults respond better to internal versus external motivators (Motivation) (Pierson, 2011, p. 182). These six principles outline the motivations that adults need in order to create a meaning ful learning experience. The development of andragogy was through recognition that adults learn very differently than children. This type of learning is problem solving oriented rather than based upon the idea of content based learning as is more often the situation with children. Andragogy begins with the notion that adulthood comes through a psychosocial perspective rather than through â€Å"a specific biological, social, legal, or chronological age group (Utley, 2011, p.

Global Politics Essay Example for Free

Global Politics Essay Ethnic nationalism is formed by a group with members that may or may not exist within the boundaries of a single state, and yet can be categorized as a group of individuals that share a common ethnic national identity. The nations that practice nationalism share a common heritage, including a common faith, a common language, common ethnic ancestry and a common culture. The first stage in the formation of ethnic nationalism is a form of cultural and moral relativism. It is inspired by a sense of inferiority and resentment against societies (or social groups) perceived to be morally and culturally superior. The architects of such nationalisms begin by insisting on the plurality and equality of (national) cultures, with the fact of plurality being taken as a sign of value. Appeal of ethnic nationalism By the end of the nineteenth century, ethnic nationalism was already the most common type of nationalism in the world. The real meaning of nationalism has been confused by many people. People’s inability to distinguish between different types of nationalism and to perceive the close similarity between the ideologies of ethnic identity and ethnic nationalism, shows how natural it has become for us to think in terms of ethnic nationalism, how unproblematic, how legitimate its vision appears to us. Ethnic nationality is appealing to us because as compared to civic nationalism, it provides superior psychological gratification. It limits individual’s freedom, while at the same time relieves them of responsibility and offers a sense of tangible order. It offers the universal need, to live in a free society, where one may choose one’s identity. It is natural, what with the anomie and the disconcerting indeterminacy of one’s reality, to yearn for the comfort for the regulated world where one is never allowed more than what one can accomplish. It allows for one to be respected and the maintenance of his dignity is assured by his membership in the dignified community irrespective of his accomplishments. The experience of modernity, in other words, created as it is by nationalism, favors ethnic nationalism. (Goldmann etal 34-35) Ethnic nationality has also been promoted by the recent wave of democratization which has spread throughout the world alienation from increasingly impersonal, bureaucratic and centralized states; and the declining importance of class-based political parties and movements. Uneven economic development has often frustrated the desires of regionally based ethnic groups for educational and occupational mobility and an improved standard of living. In this light, ethnic nationalism can be seen as an attempt to maintain or to create a sense of identity and community in the face of the threat of cultural assimilation or cultural destruction. Ethnic nationalism is used by governments, including its use for elite manipulation, its involvement in situations of threat and defense, its relationship to relative economic deprivation and the interstate rivalries that feed on ethnic secession and irredentism for their own needs. Limits of ethnic nationalism On the other hand, ethnic nationalism is associated with several limitations. In the modern world, the rise of ethnic nationalism has often resulted in disruptive changes such as the disintegration experienced by several multiethnic states. As a result, it is incompatible with the idea of the state nationalism that seeks the convergence of territorial and political loyalty, irrespective of competing locus of affiliation, such as kinship, profession, religion, economic interest, race or even language. This may occur, for example, where the government forces the members of certain ethnic groups to agree to ethnic nationalism. For example, the officials of Pakistani present the country as one united nation with a common history, common culture and common religion. But various ethnic groups refuse to accept those lies and, despite a common religion, challenge them with the myths of their own distinct history, culture and language. Due to such reasons many people have sympathized with ethnic nationalism and said that it at least faces up to the negativity of the existing world. (Khan 25) Zhao Suisheng says that repression is not the only measure the state has deployed to retain ethnic minority areas. The role of the state, even the totalitarian state, has its limits. Ethnic nationalism has a resilience of its own; it cannot be easily dislodged from the minds of minority peoples by repression. The state may rewrite history as a means to colonize ethnic minorities and to control them through coercive policies. It can not however eliminate the historical memory of ethnic minorities. The inclusion of identity as a factor in ethnic nationalist should be considered. Many nations that support ethnic nationalism encourage its citizens to follow only one culture, leading to the loss of identity to many people in the country. Maintenance of people’s identity should be considered as it plays a key role in motivating ethnic nationalistic communities, and in explaining the shared goals among the members. While identity is important in explaining the shared goals within an ethnic nationalist community, other factors such as homeland relationships should also not be overlooked. (Zhao Suisheng 79) Question two Multilateralism Multilateralism is a term used in international relations to refer to many countries working jointly on certain issues. There are several principles and features of multilateralism, which it follows for the sake of its effective operation, such as defending human rights, promoting free trade and globalization, conserving the environment and encouraging freedom of movement to mention but a few. Although all the aforementioned principles are set for the good of multilateralism, they may either weaken or strengthen it as an approach to finding solutions to global problems. Principles and features of the international system affecting multilateralism Human rights Multilateralism encourages the leaders of its member countries to consider the humanitarian needs and the human rights of the citizens first, before their personal interests. It also encourages them to maintain good relations with other countries. This is especially the case when it comes to political instability. Due to multilateralism, international organizations have offered help to the member countries, for example, in cases of political instability. On the other hand, politically stable countries have helped the politically unstable ones to regain peaceful relations. This shows the role of multilateralism as a good approach to resolving problems affecting several countries. For example, the United Nations played a big role in the recent fight between Israel and Gaza. A report by the United Nations accused the Israeli troops of abusing the human rights. The troop was accused of human rights violations such as shelling a building they had ordered the civilians to enter, using a Palestinian child as a human shield during fighting in Gaza, shooting Palestinian children among many others. The United Nations was at the fore front of urging the two countries to settle their differences and observe peaceful relations. Globalization and free trade Multilateralism encourages globalization. Globalization is defined as the sense of wide spread international movement. It implies a higher place of organization, where discrete international entities dissolve, so that all major political and economic decisions are transmitted globally. It sees the death of boundaries encouraging free trade; in this sense, it is seen as a factor strengthening multilateralism as the preferred approach for resolving global problems. Globalization has been of utmost performance in reducing barriers to trade in both goods and services and capital flows. Occurrence of unhampered trade has not only caused maximum economic welfare for the participating states, but has also caused peaceful relations among states. No single country is completely self-sufficient in terms of its consumer needs, such as food. Multilateralism has therefore been able to balance the two aspects; it has provided a market for the big producers of consumer products, while satisfying the consumer needs for the people in the low producing countries. Health Multilateralism involves and encourages the movement of people from one country to another. It has seen the movement of people among nations, resulting to immigration. Immigrants find their way in an environment that is new to them due to several reasons such as wars, the search for a better life and famine among many other reasons. Multilateralism has given people the freedom to move to foreign countries and easily acquire passports, work permits and other documents required for one to settle in the country. However, this movement has seen crowding in the developed nations, as the people from the third world struggle to find ways to migrate to the developed nations. It has also resulted to the spread of diseases from one nation to the other. Many of the people who migrate as refugees are not screened for dangerous or contagious diseases. They spread diseases from their home countries to the foreign country. A good example was the spread of diseases that happened in the 20th century is spread of Ebola by Uganda immigrants to the neighboring countries like Kenya and Tanzania, and the spread of small pox by immigrants form Congo. Environmental conservation One of the principles of multilateralism is to oversee environmental conservation, especially today, when global warming has been declared a global environmental crisis. It’s well known that multilateralism encouraged the developed countries to establish industries in the developing countries. However, in doing this, it has accelerated the rate of global warming in the developing countries. Initially, the developing countries have little levels of global warming. When the multinational companies in the developed nations establish subsidiaries in the developing nations, they accelerate global warming through the increased emission of the green house gases to the atmosphere, and increasing chances acidic rain. This, not only poses health risks to the people in the developing nations, but is also a cause for the destruction of their crops as most of them rely on farming. Even though multilateralism intends to encourage environmental conservation and the development of the third world countries, it ends up encouraging global warming indirectly. Works cited 1) Khan Adeel. â€Å"Politics of identity: ethnic nationalism and the state in Pakistan. † SAGE, 2005. Pg 25 2) Goldmann Kjell, Hannerz Ulf, Westin Charles. â€Å"Nationalism and Internationalism in the Post-Cold War Era† New York: Routledge, 2000. Pg 34-35 3) Hider James, UN accuses Israeli troops of Gaza human right abuses; Times Online. 3/24/2009, retrieved on 4/17/2009 from http://www. timesonline. co. uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5962905. ece 4) Zhao Suisheng. A nation-state by construction: dynamics of modern Chinese nationalism. Stanford University Press, Beijing; 2004. pg 79

Why Should One Have Humility :: essays research papers

Why Should One Have Humility? Humility is a human characteristic, where one realizes their own insignificance in comparison to other people or circumstances. In a spiritual aspect, humility means putting God and others ahead of our own selfish interests. In Chesterton's short story called "A Defense of Humility", He states, "Humility is luxurious art of reducing ourselves to a point, not to a small thing or large one, but a thing with no size at all, so that to it all the cosmic things are what they really of immeasurable stature." Humility is an important characteristic that one should have. When one looks at other people first before themselves, they have Humility. By one realizing their own insignificance in comparison to other people will show that his is caring or considerate not selfish or prideful. Having humility shows the world just how humble one's state of mind may be. The most well known quote from the Bible spoken by Jesus was The Golden Rule, this small quote contains a large amount of wisdom. In order to receive love one must give love first. If one wants to gain respect or be respected, one must give respect to others first even the ones that may be considered one?s enemy. If we wish to live a life that feels fulfilling, we must give openheartedly with others. Do to others, as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. In addition, if you do well to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. In addition, if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. However, love your enemies, do well to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, b ecause he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (NIV, Luke 6:31-35) When having Humility, we tend to try and not minimize our work, but we do observe it by thinking of things in a "big picture? point of view. If one is a successful businessperson, one may wonder if he has a duty to be reasonable and truthful as a witness to others.

Investigating the Effects of Surface Area on the Rate of Reaction Essay

Aim: To study the effects of changing the surface area on the rate of a chemical reaction Hypothesis: This hypothesis is based on the Collision Theory, where in order to react, the two particles involved must: 1. Collide with each other 2. The collision must be energetic enough to overcome the activation energy of the reaction 3. The collision must bring the reactive parts of the molecule into contact the correct way – they must collide with appropriate geometry (the reactive parts) Considering that the surface area of a particle is a factor that mainly affects the collision rate of particles, it would be safe to assume that as the surface area increases, the reaction rate increases. The graph should turn out to be something like this: 1. the reaction is the fastest at the start 2. The reaction is slowing down here 3. No more product is formed Amount of product Time Variables: Variable Factor What is manipulated Dependent Time The time it takes for the reaction to complete depends on the surface area of the compounds being used, because it determines the rate in which the reaction will occur. Independent Volume of the gas collected (H2, CO2) The amount of gas collected for each experiment will depend on the Controlled 1. Mass of Calcium Carbonate (both marble chips and powdered form) 2. Mass of Magnesium (both ribbon and powder) 3. Volume of Hydrochloric Acid 4. Apparatus Used 1. The masses of the substances utilized will remain constantly fixed during the experiment 2. 50 cm3 of HCl will be used for every trial – 550 cm3 in total 3. The apparatus used will remain the same throughout the whole experiment Chemical Reactions: Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 1. Magnesium ribbon 2. Hydrogen Gas will be the gas collected 1. 3 Trials will take place 1. Mass of Magnesium ribbon in: 1. Trial 1: 0.064 grams 2. Trial 2: 0.063 grams 3. Trial 3: 0.065 grams CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2 1. Marble Chips 2. Carbon Dioxide will be the gas collected 1. 2 Trials will take place 1. Mass of Marble Chips in: 1. Trial 1: 3.998 grams 2. Trial 2: 3.988 grams Na2CO3 + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2 1. Sodium Carbonate (Powdered) 2. Carbon Dioxide will be the gas collected 1. 2 Trials will take place 1. Mass of Sodium Carbonate 1. Trial 1: 0.504 grams 2. Trial 2: 0.505 grams Apparatus: 1. Eye-Protection – 1 pair of Safety Glasses 2. 1 pair of Scissors 3. 1 Electronic Scale 4. 1 Conical Flask (100cm3) 5. 1 Single-holed rubber bung and delivery tube to fit conical flask 6. 1 Measuring cylinder (100cm3) 7. Stopwatch Chemicals: 1. 12cm of Magnesium Ribbon 2. 550 cm3 of Hydrochloric Acid 3. Marble Chips 4. Sodium Carbonate (Powdered) Method: 1. Set up apparatus as shown 2. Fill the conical flask with 50cm3 of HCl 3. Insert the end of the syringe into the hole on top of the stopper 4. Add the magnesium ribbon 5. Seal the flask with a rubber stopper as quickly as you can, at the same time have someone else present to start the stop watch once the magnesium ribbon has been added to the hydrochloric acid 6. As the reaction takes place, note down the time it takes for the gas collected to reach a multiple of 5 (i.e. 5mL, 10mL †¦.50,55,60,65 etc) 7. Keep measuring until the reaction has stopped, or you are unable to measure anymore 8. Repeat each experiment 3 times, just to be sure the data collected is accurate 9. At step 4, replace the underlined compound with the next compound after one experiment is completed Data Recorded Magnesium Ribbon – Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 Trial 1 (0.064  ± 0.005 grams) Time (in seconds)  ± 0.05 s Volume (in cm3)  ± 2.5 cm3 Conclusion Unfortunately I was unable to create a graph using time as the independent variable, because the lab that I had utilized did not have the equipment available to accurately to record the data if time were to be the independent variable. Another factor that played into my decision was the fact that the smallest calibration of the glass syringe I used was 5 cm3. Since the only visible measurements shown on the syringe were multiples of 5, it would only seem reasonable that I switch around the variables, making time the dependent variable, and the volume collected the independent variable, since I couldn’t exactly measure how much gas would be collected every 5 seconds; otherwise the relationship the graph would depict would be completely incorrect. As you can see on the graphs, the slightly steep slopes show when the reaction is the quickest, as it should be in the beginning. The curve shows the reaction slowing down, but unfortunately the curve continues. This is because the reaction is still taking place. I was unable to record the rest of the data because the measuring tools that were available weren’t able to record to such a high degree. In some cases though, like in the powdered sodium carbonate experiment, the reaction began so quickly that I wasn’t able to record the time in most cases, so I just stuck with those that I had managed to note down. In other cases, there were so many distractions in the lab that it was difficult to remain focused. My classmates kept removing some if the items that I was using. The idea was to see how the rate of reaction changed when the surface area of a substance was increased. Initially, my plan was to react magnesium ribbon and magnesium powder with 1 mole of Hydrochloric acid; so I could compare and contrast how the surface area of the substance affected the rate of reaction. I had planned to keep everything about the two substances the same. Its element, mass, the amount of Hydrochloric acid I was going to react with it; the only thing different would be its surface area. Unfortunately the Lab didn’t have any available. So I decided to do the same experiment to Calcium Carbonate, this time using marble chips and powdered calcium carbonate. To my dismay I found that the powdered calcium carbonate wasn’t reacting at all. So I had to change it to sodium carbonate. There is skepticism about using different elements, seeing as they have different orders of reactivity. These factors, including the concentration of the acid used, could also affect the rate of reaction. However, the same acid concentration was used for all experiments, in all trials; so we can dismiss that. However, sodium is much higher up the reactivity series than calcium, which is higher up the reactivity series than magnesium. This is the problem with this experiment; the elements positions in the reactivity series could have really altered the rate of reaction. However, the experiments still prove that when the surface area of a substance is increased, the rate of reaction increases as well. This happens because, when two substances react only the surface particles of the substances can come into direct contact with the reactant particles. Increasing a substance’s surface area, like turning big solid chunks of calcium carbonate into powder, leaves more solid particles available to react. The more particles available to react at one time, the faster the rate of the reaction. Like this: Only atoms on the surface can react If you break the substance down, more atoms are exposed and ready to react. Evaluation Considering the lack of material available, I think I was able to manage the experiment fairly enough to produce results. However, I am not pleased with the factors that may or may not have affected my results, and the circumstances in which I had to switch my variables around. Therefore I would like to state a few things I would like to alter, if ever I got the change to do this experiment again. 1. Apparatus 1. Next time, instead of using a stopwatch, I would like to use a digital device, like a laptop for example, that was somehow connected to the glass syringe, which was programmed to record the volume of the gas collected every 5 seconds. This time the graph would turn out the way it should be. 2. Instead of using a measuring cylinder, I would replace it with a burette, as it takes more accurate measurements of liquids. 1. Chemicals Used 1. I would try and used the same element next time; the only difference would be the surface area. For example, if I used magnesium, to study the effects of surface area on the rate of reaction, I would only you magnesium ribbon and magnesium powder. Studying different elements with different reactivity’s would dismiss any data already collected because an element’s position on the reactivity series may also determine the rate of reaction. Use the same element. 1. Amount of People involved in the experiment 1. If I had to do the experiment again, with the same apparatus, I think I would like to have 3 people participating in the collection of data. 1 person would be watching the syringe rise and call out to record whenever it rose, the 2nd person would time it, and the 3rd person would record it. This time, the data may be even more accurate, because no one is taking their eye off the experiment, like I was doing during my experiment just to record data. I feel that altering these aspects of the experiment would increase the level of accuracy, as to get more substantial data to calculate the order of reaction. Unfortunately with the data I have so far, I am unable to derive the concentrations of the substances I had utilized in my experiment. However, as the objective was to investigate whether or not different surface areas affected the rate of the reaction, I think that I have produced enough data to support my theory.

Mice & Men Essay

In chapter 3, the setting, the bunkhouse can be seen to symbolise that people only see what is obvious to them. Steinbeck shows this through symbolism in the bunkhouse. ‘Although there was evening brightness showing through the windows of the bunkhouse, inside it was dusk†¦ Instantly the table was brilliant with light, and the cone of the shade threw its brightness straight downward, leaving the corners of the bunkhouse still in dusk. The brightness down the centre of the bunkhouse shows our assumptions about something, as we judge things solely for what we see and know. This happens at least once during the text and can be seen through the immediate judgement of Curley’s wife as comes alone to the bunkhouse. George seems to know exactly where the trouble is going to originate, and this is shown when George cautions Lennie not to talk to Curley’s wife. George immediately judges Curley’s wife from previous gossip from Candy, her appearance and her behaviour before he has a chance to get to know her. His assumption led the audience to believe that she is simply just a tart, and nothing more. The dark and gloomy corners on the other hand are a representation of the secrets and not so obvious things in life. This can be seen at the end of the text when we find out the real reasoning as to why Curley’s wife behaves the way she does, which is due to her lack of attention from Curley, not just because she is a floozy. The contrast of dark and light builds anticipation in the audience as the feeling of doubt seems to lurk permanently in the background. Others may interpret the bunkhouse to symbolise cruel world of reality. The dark corners of the bunkhouse suggest dreams and ambitions as in the dark, as we cannot see the problems in which lie ahead. It is only in the light which can be seen down the centre of the bunkhouse that we can see reality and all of the barriers in which will prevent us from achieving these ambitions. Steinbeck shows this when all ambitions of the ranch workers never go to plan. In the light down the centre of the Bunkhouse It appears to be a world in which fate often plays a hand, and the characters are frequently defenceless and watch their dreams turn to dust. Lennie’s puppy symbolises dreams, joy and the relationship between George and Lennie. A puppy is so fun to play with. You can spend time with it; a puppy can listen to all of your problems, is a great friend and you could never stay mad when you see one; however they are reliant on its owner for its wellbeing. This is like the relationship between George and Lennie. Lennie is reliant on George to keep him well and healthy and out of trouble just like the puppy would be reliant on Lennie when it grows older. George and Lennie are also have a close relationship, where they share their problems and although they George may get frustrated with George at times he is always quick to forgive him. The puppy brings joy to Lennie and George because ‘George said if Lennie didn’t hurt the puppy then he could tend the rabbits, when they get their own farm. The dream farm symbolises the tie between them and keeps them working, even when times are hard it is, and is ultimately, their version of heaven. So when Lennie kills a kills the puppy later on in the Chapter 5, it is obvious to the audience that their chances of going there are forever ruined. In contrast to this it may lead some to believe that the puppy is therefore a symbolism of the fate of the weak in the strong and foreshadows doom, shown particularly when Lennie brings the puppy in to the house and away from the it’s nest. ‘’He reached down and picked the tiny puppy from where Lennie had been concealing it against him’’. Concealing means to prevent something from being seen or known about. Many things are concealed during the story such as the petting and death of the mice, the incident in weed, the death of the puppy and briefly the death of Curley’s wife. We learn about the incident in weed in chapter 3 so it automatically foreshadows a doomed future of the puppy, given our knowledge about the mice. Our suspicions are confirmed During Chapter 5 when Lennie kills the puppy accidentally due to the fact that he still does not recognize his own strength. Although no other character can match Lennie’s physical strength, Lennie finds himself in a similar situation as the innocent animal, as Lennie is unaware of the vicious, predatory powers that surround him. This doom was foreshadowed by the puppy. The sequence of events of the puppy gives a cast contrast of scenes full of hope (when the puppy is first given to Lennie), in comparison to scenes of disappointment (when the puppy dies) increases the reader’s apprehension as they are continuously on the edge wondering what he will do next.

Computer Monitors essays

Computer Monitors essays The most used output device on a computer is the monitor. The display provides instant feedback by showing text and graphic images. Most desktop computers use cathode ray tube displays. Portable computers use liquid crystal display (LCD). LCD monitors are now beginning to replace CRTs. This is due to a slimmer design and a use of less energy (How Stuff Works). IBM introduced the Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) in 1981. It was capable of rendering four colors. It had a maximum resolution of 320 pixels horizontally by 200 pixels vertically. In 1984 the Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) was introduced. This allowed 16 different colors. Its resolution was increased to 640x350 pixels. This improved the appearance of the display (PC Tech). The Video Graphics Array (VGA) was introduced in 1987. VGA monitors are still in use today. This is a standard established to provide higher pixel addressability. The VGA consists of seven sub-systems, including: graphics controller, display memory, serializer, attribute controller, sequencer and CRT controller (PC Tech). The graphics controller can perform logical functions on data being written to display memory. Display memory is a bank of 256k DRAM divided into four 64k color planes. It is used to store screen display data (How Stuff Works). The serializer takes display data from the display mem ory and converts it to a serial bit stream which is sent to the attribute controller. The attribute controller contains the color look up table which determines what color will be displayed for a given pixel value in display memory (PC Tech). The Extended Graphics Array (XGA) came about in 1990. Its resolution in true color is 800x600 pixels, and 1024x768 in 65,536 colors (How Stuff Works). The size of your display is determined by aspect ratio and the screen size. Most displays use an aspect ratio of 4:3 (How Stuff Works). The projection surface of the display is called the screen...

Great Customer Service Essay

Great Customer Service Essay Great Customer Service Essay Hospitality is part of the service industry, an industry that brings in more money and creates more jobs than any other. In the hospitality industry and more specifically upper segment hotel restaurants providing hospitality, the enjoyment of high quality food and beverages is viewed as part of a special culture. Customer service is not a department; it is an important function of every employee. Poor customer service causes a negative out-come because one dissatisfied customer usually equals 10 others because they heard about the bad service through word of mouth. This is something that your organization wants to avoid, which is why the people you select to interact with customers are so important. Basically, if you don't give good service you won't be in business long. The best way to ensure that your customers experience the best possible service from everyone in your organization is to create a really strong corporate culture based on providing that experience. Great customer ser vice isn't just the job of the Sales Rep or Help Line staff. It is everyone's job! There are several different ways to ensure your company is providing great customer service. Create a system for measuring customer satisfaction: 1. Capture the voice of the customer, 2. Populate your organization with people who will increase customer satisfaction 3. Reduce complaints, 4. Build customer loyalty, increase sales, and make significant gains in profitability. My experience involved a waitress at a restaurant in Savannah, GA Longhorn steakhouse. After getting off a 17 hour flight from Korea we were too exhausted to cook anything to eat, so we decided to eat at the Longhorn steakhouse. We arrived pretty late, seem like they were getting ready to close, but we had at least another 30 minutes so we were greeted and escorted to our seats. Now this was our first American restaurant we had eaten at in the last two years. We were very excited to finally get the chance to eat some true American food in the US, it had been a long time coming. As the waitress took our order I notice she had an attitude, so it seem. After our order was complete I asked her to repeat the order back just encase she missed something, we could fix it on the spot. Of course, she had an attitude, so immediately I ask her if something was wrong and her response was, â€Å"NO†. As the night went on the waitress attitude started to affect me, so I decided to ask for th e manager and my girlfriend asked me to let it go. I said no, because we are spending our hard earned money here and we should be treated better than this. At that point I was mad and I was not hungry anymore, I was too pissed off to eat. While waiting on the manager I overheard a

Karl Doenitz - Bio of World War II German Naval Commander

Karl Doenitz - Bio of World War II German Naval Commander The son of Emil and Anna Doenitz, Karl Doenitz was born at Berlin on September 16, 1891. Following his education, he enlisted as a sea cadet in the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) April 4, 1910, and was promoted to midshipman a year later. A gifted officer, he completed his exams and was commissioned as an acting second lieutenant on September 23, 1913. Assigned to the light cruiser SMS Breslau, Doenitz saw service in the Mediterranean in the years prior to World War I. The ships assignment was due to Germanys desire to have a presence in the region following the Balkan Wars. World War I With the commencement of hostilities in August 1914, Breslau and the battlecruiser SMS Goeben were ordered to attack Allied shipping. Prevented from doing so by French and British warships, the German vessels, under the command of Rear Admiral Wilhelm Anton Souchon, bombarded the French Algerian ports of Bà ´ne and Philippeville before turning for Messina to re-coal. Departing port, the German ships were chased across the Mediterranean by Allied forces. Entering the Dardanelles on August 10, both ships were transferred to the Ottoman Navy, however their German crews remained aboard. Over the next two years, Doenitz served aboard as the cruiser, now know as  Midilli, operated against the Russians in the Black Sea. Promoted to first lieutenant in March 1916, he was placed in command of an airfield at the Dardanelles. Bored in this assignment, he requested a transfer to the submarine service which was granted that October. U-boats Assigned as a watch officer aboard U-39, Doenitz learned his new trade before receiving command of UC-25 in February 1918. That September, Doenitz returned to the Mediterranean as commander of UB-68. A month into his new command, Doenitzs u-boat suffered mechanical issues and was attacked and sunk by British warships near Malta. Escaping, he was rescued and became a prisoner for the wars final months. Taken to Britain, Doenitz was held in a camp near Sheffield. Repatriated in July 1919, he returned to Germany the following year and sought to resume his naval career. Entering the Weimar Republics navy, he was made a lieutenant on January 21, 1921. Interwar Years Shifting to torpedo boats, Doenitz progressed through the ranks and was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1928. Made a commander five years later, Doenitz was placed in command of the cruiser Emden. A training ship for naval cadets, Emden conducted annual world cruises. Following the re-introduction of u-boats to the German fleet, Doenitz was promoted to captain and given command of the 1st U-boat Flotilla in September 1935 which consisted of U-7, U-8, and U-9. Though initially concerned about the capabilities of early British sonar systems, such as ASDIC, Doenitz became a leading advocate for submarine warfare. New Strategies and Tactics In 1937, Doenitz began to resist the naval thinking of the time which was based on the fleet theories of American theorist Alfred Thayer Mahan. Rather than employ submarines in support of the battle fleet, he advocated for using them in a purely commerce raiding role. As such, Doenitz lobbied to convert the entire German fleet to submarines as he believed that a campaign dedicated to sinking merchant ships could quickly knock Britain out of any future wars. Re-introducing the group hunting, wolf pack tactics of World War I as well as calling for night, surface attacks on convoys, Doenitz believed that advances in radio and cryptography would make these methods more effective than in the past. He relentlessly trained his crews knowing that u-boats would be Germanys principal naval weapon in any future conflict. His views frequently brought him into conflict with other German naval leaders, such as Admiral Erich Raeder, who believed in the expansion of the Kriegsmarines surface fleet. World War II Begins Promoted to commodore and given command of all German u-boats on January 28, 1939, Doenitz began to prepare for war as tensions with Britain and France increased. With the outbreak of World War II that September, Doenitz possessed only 57 u-boats, only 22 of which were modern Type VIIs. Prevented from fully launching his commerce raiding campaign by Raeder and Hitler, who desired attacks against the Royal Navy, Doenitz was forced to comply. While his submarines scored successes in sinking the carrier HMS Courageous and the battleships HMS Royal Oak and HMS Barham, as well as damaging the battleship HMS Nelson, losses were incurred as naval targets were more heavily defended. These further reduced his already small fleet. Battle of the Atlantic Promoted to rear admiral on October 1, his u-boats continued attacks on British naval and merchant targets. Made a vice admiral in September 1940, Doenitzs fleet began to expand with the arrival of larger numbers of Type VIIs. Focusing his efforts against merchant traffic, his u-boats began to damage the British economy. Coordinating u-boats by radio using encoded messages, Doenitzs crews sank increasing amounts of Allied tonnage. With the entry of the United States into the war in December 1941, he commenced Operation Drumbeat which targeted Allied shipping off the East Coast. Beginning with only nine u-boats, the operation scored several successes and exposed the US Navys unpreparedness for anti-submarine warfare. Through 1942, as more u-boats joined the fleet, Doenitz was able to fully implement his wolf pack tactics by directing groups of submarines against Allied convoys. Inflicting heavy casualties, the attacks caused a crisis for the Allies. As British and American technology improved in 1943, they began to have more success in combating Doenitzs u-boats. As a result, he continued to press for new submarine technology and more advanced u-boat designs. Grand Admiral Promoted to grand admiral on January 30, 1943, Doenitz replaced Raeder as command-in-chief of the Kriegsmarine. With limited surface units remaining, he relied on them as a fleet in being to distract the Allies while focusing on submarine warfare. During his tenure, German designers produced some of the most advanced submarine designs of the war including the Type XXI. Despite spurts of success, as the war progressed, Doenitzs u-boats were slowly driven from the Atlantic as the Allies utilized sonar and other technology, as well as Ultra radio intercepts, to hunt down and sink them. Leader of Germany With the Soviets nearing Berlin, Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945. In his will he ordered that Doenitz replace him as the leader of Germany with the title of president. A surprise choice, it is thought that Doenitz was selected as Hitler believed that the only the navy had remained loyal to him. Though Joseph Goebbels was designated to be his chancellor, he committed suicide the next day. On May 1, Doenitz selected Count Ludwig Schwerin von Krosigk as chancellor and attempted to form a government. Headquartered at Flensburg, near the Danish border, Doenitzs government worked to ensure the loyalty of the army and encouraged German troops to surrender to the Americans and British rather than the Soviets. Authorizing German forces in northwestern Europe to surrender on May 4, Doenitz instructed Colonel General Alfred Jodl to sign the instrument of unconditional surrender on May 7. Not recognized by the Allies, his government ceased to rule after the surrender and was captured at Flensburg on May 23. Arrested, Doenitz was seen to be a strong supporter of Nazism and Hitler. As a result he was indicted as a major war criminal and was tried at Nuremberg. Final Years There Doenitz was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, largely relating to the use of unrestricted submarine warfare and issuing orders to ignore survivors in the water. Found guilty on charges of planning and waging a war of aggression and crimes against the laws of war, he was spared the death sentence as American Admiral Chester W. Nimitz provided an affidavit in support of unrestricted submarine warfare (which had been used against the Japanese in the Pacific) and due to the British use of a similar policy in the  Skagerrak. As a result, Doenitz was sentenced to ten years in prison. Incarcerated at Spandau Prison, he was released on October 1, 1956. Retiring to Aumà ¼hle in northern West Germany, he focused on writing his memoirs in entitled Ten Years and Twenty Days. He remained in retirement until his death on December 24, 1980.

Artist and Society in the Renaissance Period Essay

Artist and Society in the Renaissance Period - Essay Example This in itself was fundamental as it opened up the chance of making artistic mentions that were not particularly Christian. Art during this period closely related the changes that were taking place in society. The feel of transformation created a friendly atmosphere for artistic experimentation and innovation. Wealth that collected in the towns aided writers and artists and in particular, a novel and more diverse public audience came out with elaborated tastes and interests. Apart from encouraging artistic treatment of the world the society valued the classical heritage. The reason was that the heritage looked as if it resembled their own civilization and furnished a stock of ideas and formal models for changes in the aesthetic products. Thus the Renaissance played a vital role in the development of modern creative expression. One of the most important views of the Renaissance was its astonishing efflorescence in the visual arts. Artists went with Gothic style which dominated the late medieval period. There was not much difference in the terms of the content of art, but in style it incorporated classical themes and principles of proportion, and also made use of the newly rediscovered mathematical perspective. Two styles appeared then. And these are: the portrait and the landscape. Additionally, the new printing tech... Two styles appeared then. And these are: the portrait and the landscape. Additionally, the new printing technology which developed during Renaissance was of woodcuts, which were mainly famous in northern Europe. Artists were intimately linked with the leading intellectual movement, humanism. Most of them even took part in humanist work to search for art from antiquity. Artists also became humanists, and converged their ideas in their writings focusing individualism, secularism, and civic participation. Michelangelo's David is a fine example of all these three, although its civic role is less known. Leonardo da Vinci was idealized as the "universal man". Religious themes were the main focus of the artists. Arguing that such chance seems improbable, other historians have contended that these "Great Men" were only able to rise to prominence because of the prevailing cultural conditions at the time. Stephens, J 1990, Individualism and the cult of creative personality", The Italian Renaissance,( pp. 121) Important Aspects of Art during nineteenth century: (William Henry Hudson, 1912) The turn of the nineteenth century, beginning after the 1848 revolutions, saw a turn against Romanticism and the growth of many new artistic styles. The main three aspects which stand out among others are: Realism in the 1850's, Impressionism in the 1880's, and Cubism at the turn of the century. Artists were impressed by the growth of photography at the outset of this period, and by cinema at the end. The kinship of the artist became more altered, as some artists proceeded to paint portraits, while others were disaffected or had political agendas. Some artists,

Police Training Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Police Training - Research Paper Example In addition, they are charged with the special tasks like surveillance, VIP protection, child protection, and counter terrorism. They are also offered training about how to perform investigation on major crimes such as rape, drug trafficking, murder, and fraud cases. However, police officers are anticipated to react very rapidly to a range of scenarios that may arise and intervene an incident of crime either when on or off duty. Rules and regulations states how a police officer should respond and perform within the society. In some nations, regulations and rules states that police officer is anticipated to appear in an incident of crime, even if they are on leave (Johnson, 2007). Additionally, at the crime scene, the police officer is assigned the duty to collect evidence concerning the crime investigations as well as identifying the witnesses to show evidence in the court of law. They also offer first aid to the injured person in accidents like car crashes and shoot outs. They must obtain a written document from the scene of an accident. Another important duty of the police officer is to escort the criminals to and from the court during their trials, remove the wreckage from the scene of an accident as well as controlling the traffic. ... Entry Qualifications and promotion of police Recruitment of police officers usually follows the common procedure, and candidates must have undertaken some formal education. There are personality characteristics that have been used to identify the desirability of police applicant such as honesty, neuroticism, extroversn, carefulness, and friendliness as suggested by (Pope, 1981). While, the undesirable characteristics of police are; hostility, obsession, lack of impulse control, fear or suspicion, and substance abuse. Before training of police starts, the aforementioned are considered to be the best qualifications as far as character is concerned. Before receiving promotions to the higher positions especially from constable to inspectors or sergeants, a scheme has been developed whereby people who hold university degrees are considered and must spend two to three years serving the position as constables. Recruitment of police is also conducted from those who have security services or military experience. For instance, Johnson illustrated that in the United States, state laws may relates to the qualification standards in regardless of education, age, training, and status of criminal record though in other nations qualification requirements are set by local police agencies (2007). However, for one to get promotion to the higher rank, he or she must attend and pass some kind of interview board, examination, or other procedures of selections. Even though promotion generally entails salary increase, it again includes with it an increase in responsibility and mainly, an improvement of administrative rules and regulations. Generally upon the completion of two years of service, specialist

WORKING WITH AND LEADING PEOPLE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

WORKING WITH AND LEADING PEOPLE - Essay Example In that case, the retention, selection, as well as the recruitment process is imperative for every firm. In recruiting a new member, there is a need to have a different document, the firm must obey the statutory laws, and go beyond the sequential procedure of selecting (Bell 2012).The human resource department has the mandate to select the right people and prepare a document that details various rules as well as regulations. The management of the restaurant needs to prepare a document detailing various aspects such as the approval of recruitment. The concerned departments who require a new worker then send a draft, which has a description of the position and the necessary education as well as skills that are required. Subsequently, the draft is approved and sent to the HR department. The selection as well as recruitment process commences after the management gives an approval with regard to the request. The approval should have an electronic copy that has the advertisement as well as the copy of the draft. In the document, there is also the description of the position for which the restaurant needs to recruit new trainees. This is imperative for every firm since it cannot change the position after the advertisement of the post. It is also to be understood that the post needs to be approved by the management and should include the responsibility of the new staff (Dessler 2011). After the position description there is the advertising section, which needs to be approved by the director. Through the advertisement, the firm will get the right candidates and can be done using various channels such as the use of print media, open advertisement, or electronic means. The advertisement will also include announcement on the vacancy, the required competencies, and payment among others. The HR department will need to obey the legal procedures of advertisement (Bell 2012). In selecting an applicant, I would

Business system Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business system - Assignment Example The system combined information system with indicators in the identification of parking areas. The project is affected by time and resource limitations. The financial resources required to plan for and implement the parking system, should be effectively budgeted for. The system should be implemented by a competent computer programmer in consultation with the building architect. It is thus assumed that MUN has adequate finances that will be used in implementing the project. The project also requires 2 months to be a success. It is thus expected that MUN has adequately created a schedule for the implementation of the parking system project. It is also assumed that the project will be environmentally friendly. This is through minimizing fuel use, because drivers quickly notice available parking slots. The Car Park Guidance System (CPGS) gives drivers dynamic data concerning parking in a controlled environment, like in the parking area of MUN. CPGS is alternatively referred to as the Parking Guidance and Information systems (PGI). CPGS integrates traffic monitoring, variable message sign, GPS, communication and processing technologies, to give the service. The modern parking spaces apply several technologies that assist motorists in; getting parking lots that are unoccupied, locating their vehicles, and also enhancing their parking experience. The technologies involve adaptive lighting, indoor positioning system (IPS), sensors, and also space led indicators. The red indicator illustrates an occupied space, the green indicator illustrates available space, and the blue indicator illustrating reservation for the elderly. The PGI is a key component of the intelligence transport system, which is mainly applicable in urban area environments and institutions like the MUN. The PGI assists in the implementation of an effective, efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe parking space. The PGI system operates

Globalization and Its Impact on Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Globalization and Its Impact on Business - Essay Example The purpose of the project was meant to inform company B on the need to implement the best practices for communicating in a multicultural environment. The objectives of the project were implemented and this included the best practices and recommendations vital to achieving success in a multicultural environment. The conclusion was also included, which summed up the research report for practices and recommendations vital to achieving success when dealing with diverse cultures. I submit herewith a report on recommendations and the best practices for intercultural communication that Company B will employ. This will help the company to solve communication barriers; thus conducting business effectively in the internal markets. The main purpose of this report is to offer recommendations and best practices that Company B should employ in order to communicate effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds. Therefore, the company should employ effective practices for intercultural communication in China markets. Questions or any further information relating to any recommendation or practices raised in the project should be directed to me. However, questions of administrative nature may be directed to the managerial leaders of the company. The globalization era has altered the way companies carry out business and also communicates across diverse cultures. The Internet and current technology have paved way to new marketplaces, which enables companies to promote their business in the international or new geographic areas and cultures. The world demands marketing experts who are capable of recognizing the rising communication complexities across cultural borders. The intercultural communications are radically becoming significant in the current globalized world. This is especially to companies going global or those companies carrying out international business, as well as, handling customers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Principal Structural and Demographic Changes That Characterized the Essay

Principal Structural and Demographic Changes That Characterized the Period From 1865 to 1892 - Essay Example Changes occur where the democrats broke down the policies that the Republicans have imposed. The Democrats rewrites the constitution and the social programs. They also lower taxes and cut the state budgets. They impose various laws meant to curb the tenants and sharecroppers rights with the aim of ensuring a black labor force. One of these laws forces the debtors to work in the land until they settle their debts. The following is a discussion of the movements that manifest these changes that occur during this period. During this period, the United States experiences reconstruction, industrialization, and immigration. The state experiences rapid economic growth and emerges as the world’s dominant, agricultural, economic, and industrial power center. The annual income of workers after inflation grows by 75% between 1865 and 1900. It later recorded a growth of 33% by the year 1918. After the victory in the Civil War, the state emerges as a powerful and united nation characterized by a strong government. Reconstruction ends slavery and the slaves acquire citizenship in the United States. The European immigration brings 2.5 million new arrivals between 1865 and 1918. The arrivals provide the required labor force to expand agriculture and industry. They also provide the population base for the urban America that is fast growing. The country took part in two fundamental wars. The US entered a war with the German military. The industrial growth fuels efforts to bring the country back into alignment with an American definition of freedom. Availability of abundant resources, cheap energy, new technology, fast transport, and availability of labor and capital made an outstanding contribution towards the success. Livestock mines and forests provide raw materials for most of the industries in the country. Local-level political machines A political machine is an organization that has control over sufficient votes to maintain administrative and political control of the society. In the United States, the rapid growth of towns and cities creates problems for the government responsible for the cities. These city governments are unable to provide services due to poor organization. Politicians offer favors by offering patronage housing and jobs and thus win support. Despite that, the machines help to restructure the city governments; they result in poor service, aggravation of ethnic and racial hostilities, and corruption. The Irish and Democratic party dominates in politics until elections and civil service brings about its demise. The Irish is among the first immigrant group in the American cities that are large and capable of challenging leadership. The Democratic Party makes a substantial contribution court, the urban immigrants, hence acquiring the power for local bosses. As the number of immigrants grows, the cities become ethnically diverse, and the newcomers dominate the largest population. Efforts at middle-class reforms People like Lincoln ca me up with Freedman’s Bureau to aid the slaves with education, employment, and healthcare. The Radical plan of reconstruction allows the coalition of Freedmen to take control of the southern state government. This gives the federal courts power to deal with justice at a state level. The state passed the Civil Rights in 1875 to give people rights to access public facilities without considering their race or servitude. The state passed

Globalization and Its Impact on Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Globalization and Its Impact on Business - Essay Example The purpose of the project was meant to inform company B on the need to implement the best practices for communicating in a multicultural environment. The objectives of the project were implemented and this included the best practices and recommendations vital to achieving success in a multicultural environment. The conclusion was also included, which summed up the research report for practices and recommendations vital to achieving success when dealing with diverse cultures. I submit herewith a report on recommendations and the best practices for intercultural communication that Company B will employ. This will help the company to solve communication barriers; thus conducting business effectively in the internal markets. The main purpose of this report is to offer recommendations and best practices that Company B should employ in order to communicate effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds. Therefore, the company should employ effective practices for intercultural communication in China markets. Questions or any further information relating to any recommendation or practices raised in the project should be directed to me. However, questions of administrative nature may be directed to the managerial leaders of the company. The globalization era has altered the way companies carry out business and also communicates across diverse cultures. The Internet and current technology have paved way to new marketplaces, which enables companies to promote their business in the international or new geographic areas and cultures. The world demands marketing experts who are capable of recognizing the rising communication complexities across cultural borders. The intercultural communications are radically becoming significant in the current globalized world. This is especially to companies going global or those companies carrying out international business, as well as, handling customers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Progress Can Kill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Progress Can Kill - Essay Example I know that it is tempting to assume that we can solve the world’s oil shortage problems by exploiting the territory occupied by this indigenous population. However, the main issue is whether or not we can do this without exploiting the rights and dignity of this indigenous population. Let us first consider the rights and dignity of this indigenous population. They have been occupying this territory for centuries, not ten or thirty years. Mostly in the world, when an individual occupies a home or a piece of land for 12 years without an objection from the true owner, the state recognizes and protects the occupant’s right to claim and use the property absolutely as he or she wishes. Can we honestly deny that this indigenous tribe does not enjoy the same right, continued and unmolested, to occupy their territory? I would take this step further and argue that given the long and continued occupation of it by the indigenous tribe, it is not only our legal, but also our moral responsibility to protect and recognize their right to claim and use that territory absolutely and free of outside influences and intrusions. This is not just a question of the right to occupancy. This is also about the protection of the universal human rights. In particular, this tribe has adapted itself to a particular way of living and preservation consistent with their animistic religious beliefs. As members of the UN we have pledged that no state shall disrespect the religious beliefs of the individual. How then can we justify even asking this tribe to move aside and allow us to exploit their territory for the purpose of looking for oil? Let us consider the Holy City of Mecca. What if we think suddenly that the Holy City of Mecca most likely sits on untapped oil reserves. Could we in good conscience approach Muslims in the holy city and talk to them about the possibility of turning their city upside down for oil exploration purposes? I don’t think that we would even cons ider taking this approach because we respect the right of religious organizations to practice their religion as long as that practice does not involve activity causing harm to others. On the contrary, far from causing harm to others, this indigenous people have preserved the rain forest at the time when concerns about the destruction of the rain forests globally have been a major issue for environmentalists. We should, therefore, be celebrating the fact that this tribe has preserved the rain forest and not think of ways that we can deplete yet another portion of the world’s rain forest. While we are considering the possibility of oil exploration in this particular area, let us also consider the dignity of this tribe. The dignity of indigenous people has been assaulted throughout our history. Colonial and imperial powers have mercilessly uprooted indigenous people, exploited their territories and with the total disregard for their right to self-determination have left them wit hout dignity and without their own system of governance. Unfortunately, history dictates that indigenous people have a long history of exploitation and injustice. Do we want to stop the cycle of exploitation or do we want to re-establish it? The UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights informs that we have a duty to protect the right of indigenous population to self-determina

Halting the wheels of hope Essay Example for Free

Halting the wheels of hope Essay The concept of governmental tyranny is often difficult to grasp to those living in more democratic nations, and media output and literature become key in growing to understand it’s implications. Serving to heighten this political perspective is â€Å"The Wheels of Freedom: Bicycles in China† by Fred Strebeigh, which describes China’s bicycle ban in 1989 and subsequent protests in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. The bicycle provided significant growth and freedom within Chinese culture, and Strebeigh endeavors to communicate this to readers. Illustrating this, he defends the will of the people to preserve their right to ride them in the face of government opposition, and the tragedy imposed by political oppression. Upon the bicycle’s introduction to the people of China in the early 20th century, many looked to it through eyes of bewilderment. A fascinating and not yet popularized machine, it was most commonly ridden by members of affluent societies. As it’s newness wore off, however, it slowly became available those of the more humble classes, and in place of the word â€Å"bicycle†, the term â€Å"foreign horse† found it’s use in the minds and mouths of the masses. Strebeigh includes that the term â€Å"foreign† communicated the people’s feelings of admiration for the bicycle while alluding to the fact that it was modern. The peasantry of China found themselves with the deepest sense of admiration for the â€Å"foreign horse†. To them, the thought of owning one brought to mind the ease it could bring to their everyday lives, as they often carried burdensome loads on their backs. Yet, the low supply and thus high cost of the bicycle made it’s acquisition impractical for them. In response to the desire, the government later began regulating higher production rates of the bicycle to readily supply them to the impoverished and raise morale. However, the term â€Å"foreign horse† was banned in light of it’s glorification of another nation’s ingenuity, highlighting the extremes of the Chinese government to exercise their sovereign of the people. In it’s place, the name â€Å"self-running cart†. This served to express the government sentiment that the people could have what they wanted, but only at it’somplete jurisdiction. The people tolerated the name change of their beloved bicycles, as the trade-off of name for it’s widespread distribution was easy enough, and many still used it’s original moniker in private. Following it’s popularization, the lives of many saw an enrichment in quality. The dignity of the people improved, as it granted them new freedoms and eased the stress of everyday tasks, al lowing for flourishing business and connectedness within communities. Perhaps stated best, Strebeigh wrote of it’s wide use, â€Å"Everywhere, cycles kept life rolling† (Strebeigh). In addition to heightening the commerce of societies, it introduced the occupation of bicycle repair, which Stebeigh revered as perhaps the â€Å"freest† job in China. In it’s praise, he wrote, â€Å"A hard worker needed only a street corner and a few tools. Before his eyes bikes would inevitably break down and, if he was skilled, clients would multiply. Bicycle repair seemed to offer an extension of what the bike itself offered and what so many Chinese sought: modest dignity, new choices, ample freedom. † (Strebeigh). Bike repair was a choice outside of the typical, and entirely pursued as an individual pleased. Sadly, it was the bicycles issuance of dignity, choices, and freedom that that ultimately inflicted threat upon the Chinese government. They understood that with bike ownership, the people were growing to a height of advantage. It was their supposition that, if the people continued in such a fashion, government control perhaps had the potential to become menial. To ensure that their ultimate authority was not being overlooked, a ban was placed on bicycles within China. News of this did not come amicably to the people, and their response was protest. It was Tianenmen Square in Bejing which saw the organization of a large-scale demonstration which rallied for government reform. It lasted weeks, and ended upon the mobilization of troops to the area. Their invasion was destructive and resulted in the loss of many lives as troops initiated the use of tanks and weaponry to control the people. In media coverage, it was not the bloodied bodies of victims that were aired on television screens in Chinese homes, but rather the depiction of bicycles which had been crushed by the military. Of it, Strebeigh writes, â€Å"They wanted to show crushed dignity, crushed humanity, crushed freedomso much that the bicycle means in China. † (Strebeigh). This image was a wise devise of the government. They knew what the bicycle represented to the people, and knew that to show it destroyed would communicate their dominance and triumph. The concept of tyrannical rule and its implied bleakness are often incomprehensible, or altogether unrecognized by the people of more democratic countries given their many freedoms. With the words of Fred Strebeigh, however, perspective expands. The honor of an object as seemingly simple as a bicycle becomes worthy of defense, even dying for, and the tragedy of oppressive rule becomes very real. Works Cited

Rauschenbusch: A Man Ahead of His Time :: essays research papers

Rauschenbusch: A Man Ahead of His Time â€Å"Theology is the esoteric thought of the Church.† (WR 15) What is meant by this is that theology is a part of the Church that is very mysterious and confusing to most laymen. Rauschenbusch has introduced many new ideas into the theological point of view. Rauschenbusch tries to explain that the social gospel is here to help people pull more from theology than just jargon that they don’t understand. One of Rauschenbuch’s main points throughout his book A Theology for the Social Gospel is that man uses the thought of Adam being responsible for original sin and therefore everyone is born into sin. Jonathan Kozol, the author of Amazing Grace, went to the impoverished city of Mott Haven to observe the motivation of the citizens amidst a town where sin is around every street corner. He examined the meaning of life and the little opportunity the citizens of Mott Haven had to escape their unfortunate circumstances. Through Walter Rauschenbusch’s A Theology for the Social Gospel one can find the answers to the questions of sin and the heavy presence of sin. The excuse of using Adam as a reason to rid men of their responsibilities is one of the biggest mistakes theologians make, but Rauschenbusch has tried to set things straight by pointing out that those sinful behaviors are learned through your lifestyle and surroundings. Rauschenbusch has introduced many new ideas into the theological point of view. He still uses many of the same ideas of the â€Å"old theology†, but has just made some important changes to add his own thoughts on what theology should be about and how it should be used to influence people’s daily lives throughout the world. Rauschenbusch says, â€Å"Theology is not superior to the gospel. It exists to aid the preaching of salvation. Its business is to make the essential facts and principles of Christianity so simple and clear†¦that all who preach or teach the gospel†¦can draw on its stores and deliver a complete and unclouded Christian message. When the progress of humanity creates new tasks†¦or new problems†¦theology must connect these old fundamentals of our faith and make them Christian tasks and problems.† (WR 6) He is saying that basically the social gospel is an aid to help people understand what their salvation is and how to achieve salvation, but while doing this not using complicated jargon to confuse the laymen.

Euthanasia Essay - Concerns About Euthanasia -- Euthanasia Physician A

  Ã‚   A medical examiner from Oakland County, Michigan and three researchers from the University of South Florida have studied key characteristics of 69 patients whose suicides were assisted by Jack Kevorkian between 1990 and 1998. Their findings are published in the December 7 New England Journal of Medicine. Autopsies show that only 25 percent of Kevorkian's clients were terminally ill when he helped them kill themselves. "Seventy-two percent of the patients had had a recent decline in health status that may have precipitated the desire to die." However, "no anatomical disease was confirmed at autopsy" in 5 of the 69 people. In light of the generally lower rate of suicide among women, it was notable that 71% of these patients were women. Persons who were divorced or never married were over-represented among Kevorkian's clients, "suggesting the need for a better understanding of the familial and psychosocial context of decision making at the end of life" [L. Roscoe, J. Malphurs, L. Dragovic, and D. Cohen, "Dr. Jack Kevorkian and Cases of Euthanasia in Oakland County, Michigan, 1990-1998," Correspondence, 343 New England Journal of Medicine 1735-6 (Dec. 7, 2000)].    Numerous studies have established that the Americans most directly affected by the issue of physician-assisted suicide -- those who are frail, elderly and suffering from terminal illness -- are also more opposed to legalizing the practice than others are:    * A poll conducted for the Washington Post on March 22-26, 1996, found 50% support for legalizing physician-assisted suicide (Washington A18) Voters aged 35-44 supported legalization, 57% to 33%. But these figures reversed for voters aged 65 and older, who opposed legalization 54% to 38%. Majo... ... suicide: attitudes and experiences of oncology patients, oncologists, and the public." 347 The Lancet 1805 (June 29, 1996):1809    Humphry, Derek. "What's in a word?" Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization 1993, Table 1-A.    Koenig, Dr. Harold et al.. "Attitudes of Elderly Patients and their Families Toward Physician-Assisted Suicide." 156 Archives of Internal Medicine 2240 (Oct. 28, 1996)    Lee v. Oregon, 891 F.Supp. 1429 (D. Or. 1995), vacated on other grounds, 107 F.3d 1382 (9th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 118 S. Ct. 328 (1997).    "Poll Shows More Would Support Law Using Gentler Language," TimeLines (Jan.-Feb. 1994):9    Washington v. Glucksberg, 117 S. Ct. 2258, 2262 n. 7 (1997. -- -- --. 117 S. Ct. at 2272, quoting United States v. Rutherford, 442 U.S. 544, 558. 1979.    Washington Post, April 4, 1996.

Finance and Dividend Payout Policy Essay

1.What are the problems here, and what do you recommend? 2.What happens to Gainesboro’s financing need and unused debt capacity if: a. no dividends are paid? b. a 20% payout is pursued? c. a 40% payout is pursued? d. a residual payout policy is pursued? Note that case Exhibit 8 presents an estimate of the amount of borrowing needed. Assume that maximum debt capacity is, as a matter of policy, 40% of the book value of equity. In addition, please check TN_26 provided in blackboard which will help you verify this question. Pays no dividends – If it pays no dividends, then Gainesboro would be able to channel all its earnings to fund its growth strategy. Its unused debt capacity would be channelled towards the high cash requirements of the firm’s strategic emphasis on advanced technologies and CAD/CAM. 20% – With a 20% payout ratio, the firm would have positive excess cash from 2009 instead positive excess cash from 2011 with a 40% payout ratio. This will enable the firm to use its excess debt capacity to fund its expansion needs, keeping within the debt-equity ratio of 40%. 40% – With a 40% payout ratio, the projections of 2005 would leave the debt equity ratio at 35%, which still gives the firm some debt capacity, albeit very little flexibility if it wants to keep within the 40% debt equity ratio. Perhaps the firm would have to exceed this threshold to meet its strategic growth needs, and seek more financing. Residual dividend – The financing requirements would be less than that of the 20% and 40% payout, as dividends are paid only after Gainesboro has funded all the projects that offered positive net present values. 3. How might Gainesboro’s various providers of capital, such as its stockholders and creditors, react if Gainesboro declares a dividend in 2005? What are the arguments for and against the zero payout, 40% payout, and residual payout policies? What should Ashley Swenson recommend to the board of directors with regard to a long-term dividend payout policy for Gainesboro Machine Tools Corporation? Each of the three options have their own potential advantages and disadvantages based on the growth stage of the firm and investors perspective i.e, if it is income seeking investor or capital gains investor or creditor. Generally firms that are mature tend to pay high dividends because there are few opportunities for growth; whereas, firms that have high growth prospects pay low/no dividends because they would reinvest the excess cash from the earnings for future growth opportunities. With reinvestments, firm could generate more returns to the investors. This would not only help the firm compete in the market place but could also increase the capital gains of the investors in terms of increase in firm’s share price. Zero Dividend Payout Policy: Because Gainesboro is trying to reposition itself as software and high†technology firm that has high growth potential, it could adopt a zero dividend payout policy. Although, income†seeking investors such as the retirees may be un†attracted to a zero†dividend policy, non-dividend seeking investors who prefer increased value in stock price instead of cash distribution might prefer this option. Moreover from exhibit 4 it can be seen that the firm’s traditional clientele, the long-term retirees, has reduced from 1994 to 2004; while the short-term trading oriented clientele has increased during the same period. 40% Payout: The advantage of this approach is that the firm would start repaying the dividends as it had promised to the investors. This could boost market confidence back in the firm and result in a positive increase in share price. But the disadvantage is that the Gainesboro will have to borrow more funds, which is against the firms strategy, to fund the dividends and its expansion plans Residual Payout: This policy gives Gainesboro the flexibility to pay dividends, no matter how small, to the investors as promised after funding the projects with positive NPVs, which would increase sales and growth prospects for the company. The con of this approach is that there would be lot of fluctuations in the dividends paid over the years, there could also be periods of zero dividends; thereby, imposing negative pressure on the company. Based on the growth strategy of Gainesboro, Swenson should pay dividends as promised to the investors in 2006 and adopt a zero dividend payout policy after 2006. Gainesboro should invest the excess cash to achieve its growth goal; and after the company reaches a mature stage it should start paying dividends like other mature firms in the market.

Growing industrialism of the Gilded Age Essay

The growing industrialism of the Gilded Age was indeed a threat to American Democracy. The American Government stood idly by as the Industrialists became more and more powerful. The Preamble of the document that is the foundation of this great country, The Constitution of the United States, reads: ‘We, the people of the United States, in order to form a perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.’ The American Government was not doing its best to ensure domestic tranquillity or to promote general welfare. Major Industrialists of the time were not kept in check, and the working class citizen paid for it big time. Company towns, the presence of monopolies, and an inactive government all contributed to this threat to American Democracy. During the Gilded Age many large companies took over entire towns. Everybody in that particular town worked for that company. These were called company towns. The large companies replaced all the stores that already existed in that town with their own stores. To keep the citizens of that town from going to other towns to buy supplies they printed their own money and the workers were paid with that. This allowed the large companies to charge an unfair amount for the goods sold in their stores. All competition was eliminated in that town. Competition is the major principle behind the American economy and ultimately the American Democracy. Without competition, weather it be between companies for a profit or politicians for a political office, this great American Democracy would fail. Company towns were also a center for political corruption. Many immigrants that came to this country were given a job and a home in a company town. In exchange for these gifts they were made to vote for candidates that the company supported. This undermines the basic selling point of American Democracy which was that government was of the people, by the people and for  the people. At this point American Democracy was more like a government of the Industrialists, by the Industrialists and for the Industrialists. Industrialists’ monopolies were not limited to the control over towns. The major Industrialists also extended their monopolies into businesses. If ABC corporation manufactured steel, they would buy out all of the other businesses that manufactured steel. ABC corporation might also buy out businesses that sold them the supplies to make steel. With this monopoly in place, ABC corporation would now essentially be able to manufacture steel for only the cost of labor. Because so many powerful Industrialists such as Carnegie and Rockefellar controlled monopolies, the working class was once again punished. Not only could these men charge unfair amounts for their products, they could also pay the workers unfair wages. If a worker was tired of working for unfair wages and quit his job, he would be unable to find another job with better wages. Because there were no other better jobs to be found large corporations also forced workers to work in unsafe work environments. In these monopolies, that important concept of competition was once again eliminated and American Democracy was threatened by this. Through all of this, the American government did nothing. The government did little to stop the forming of monopolies. Because government did not step in and stop the major Industrialists competition was virtually eliminated. It is well known that competition is the backbone of America’s economy and always has been. It is competition that allows America to have a free-market economy. However, it is as equally true to say that competition is an important part in government. Politicians were able to compete for the votes of only the major Industrialists, and still win an election. Those major Industrialists were so powerful that they were able to control who people voted for, as stated previously. The Industrialists had the politicians in their back pocket. If a politician wanted to get elected, he could most likely do that by siding with major Industrialists on important issues. The lower could be completely ignored. Because of this, politicians competed for the votes of only the major Industrialists and ignored the middle and lower  classes. Many people may say that it is not governments job to do anything. However, those people should refer back to the Preamble of the Constitution. The Preamble states that one of the purposes of this union is to promote the general welfare of the people. By allowing the major Industrialists to eliminate competition in business and in government, the American Democracy was threatened. It became increasingly obvious that American Democracy was not promoting the general welfare of the nation, thus not doing its job.

Government Growth in an Age of Improvement Essay

Democratic accountability is supposed to be alive and well in any political system rather than a government ran on â€Å"auto-pilot† at the expense of neglected and so expected taxpayers and rightful citizens. Introduction It should sound ironical that the president should continue to choose cabinet and sub cabinet officers and both the president and the congress continue to remain accountable to the American people through elections and exercise the power of the purse unlike in other democratic countries a great lack of interest in political administration is evident in the United Nations, resulting to deeper strains in American Society at large. The US has never created a high level, government-wide-civil service or a highly skilled and experienced top executive political manpower. The control of government policies is vested in an informal enduring series of â€Å"iron triangles† who are a link between particular program proposed to the relevant executive bureau, congressional committees and interest groups clientele the iron triangles are disastrously incomplete since they hardly understand changes in politics and administration but rather look for the powerful actors with whom to do business (P. 88). The job of presidential appointees in controlling their own actions and managing the bureaucracy are ultimately complicated. The problem arises where politicians, officials and their fellow travelers fail to meet what the public can understand and accept; thus registering large strains of American politics and society. Organized politics are dissolved and organizational life throughout the nation is politicized. Government Growth in an Age of Improvement The late 1950s and entire 1960s witnessed a wave of federal initiatives in health, civil rights, education, housing, manpower, income maintenance, transportation and urban affairs all associated with low government expenditure. Newer types of welfare concerns such as consumer protection, the environment, cancer prevention, energy, etc. have characterized an ambitious, reform minded period and a big government. However, there has been astonishingly little increase in the overall size of the federal executive establishment. Federal employment never grew either in comparison with spending and regulations (P. 89). Higher costs of existing policies are just one explanation of expanding government and stable bureaucracy and has been important in income maintenance programs. Another explanation is lack of administering programs directly to general population but rather act through intermediary organizations such as state governments, city halls, third party payers, consultants, contractors etc. making the contract between the ordinary citizen and a federal bureaucrat quite rare. This promotes the idea of government by remote control. This in essence is advantageous to the federal government builds support for policies, translating otherwise indivisible collective goods into terms suitable for distributive politics (P. 91). Sidestepping the tremendously difficult task of creating a broad national consensus for the governments administered activities is another advantage. This method of policies has led to mushrooming of federal regulations much in common with federal spending – the government can use regulations and tell the public and private bureaucracies what to do. The federal policy makers are left to distribute funds and bear blames when things go wrong. The style of retailing promises of improved policies and wholesaling the administrative headaches connected with delivery has left the people to expect the government to solve problems but not to get in anyone’s way in the process (P. 93). These results to policy pile up. Washington has in the end been put to the worst of both world-blamed for poor delivery by its public customers and besieged with bills from its middlemen. The possibility of both politicizing organizational life and depoliticizing democratic leadership is an area of concern. Since 1950s greatest policy growth was advocated – programs seeking social betterment in terms of civil rights, income, housing, environment, consumer protection etc. otherwise known as welfare policies. The idea of compensation is a theme in the clamor of group politics meaning that the federal government should put things right fits well for the groups that are disadvantaged and special treatment is required for truly equal opportunity to prevail and for those representing the disadvantaged. The government action is required to redress the impact of the selfish private interests. The prevalent feeling in the US that â€Å"there oughtta be policy† and the connotation of getting in on society’s compensations is decidedly positive. New initiatives in federal funding and regulation have infused old and new organizations with public policy dimensions, especially when such groups are used as administrative middlemen (P. 96-97). Expanding welfare policies on indirect administration have encouraged the development of specialized subcultures composed of highly knowledgeable policy makers some of whom have advanced professional degrees and commonly shared detailed understanding of specialized issues (P. 100-101). Employees in the field and in Washington who perform the routine chores associated with direct administration have become less prominent whereas those with necessary technical and supervisory skills have become more important. This in essence, results to expansion of the upper and middle levels of officialdom rather than increase the overall size of the bureaucracy. More technical skills and higher supervisory levels have become a requirement. Stable sets of clear goals in all modern organizations, even non profit oriented are the causes of increasing complexities and specializations affecting leaders. The pressure for more expert staff assistance have become immense for decision makers in governments where policy goals have been neither stable nor clear in the last twenty years and this applies to legislators and public executives (P. 101). Weakness in executive leadership below the level of the president have never really been due to interest groups, party politics or congress, rather the problem lies on the lack of any democratically based power political executives yet their popular mandate to act in the bureaucracy secondhand, from either an elected chief executive in congress political democrats further weaken the scenario. As much as political administrators become close to specialized policy networks the gap between them and the ordinary citizen widens a typical presidential appointee hardly gets time to see or listen to an ordinary member of the public. Only a minority of citizens gets a chance to be moralized in the various networks while those who are not policy activists depend on the ability of the government institutions to work on their behalf (P. 118). Conclusion More communication may need to be involved incase the gap between the policy networks and the bulk of the population is created by information. Policy forensics among the networks yield more experts making more sophisticated claims and counter claims that non-specialists becomes inclined to concede everything and believe nothing that he hears. Many factors and events are linked to these changing public attitudes. The prominence of issue networks is bound to aggravate problems of legitimacy and public disenchantment. The influential systems for knowledgeable policy making tend to make democratic politics difficult (P. 118-119). References Hugo Heclo, 2007 â€Å"Issue Networks and the Executive Establishment. †

Marketing Questions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing Questions - Research Paper Example The universal emotions of welcoming them will allow them to gain my trust, therefore work on understanding my points or point of view, as I also do the same. Secondly, I will need to slow down my speech and expressions when explaining about the commodity, so that they do not mix-up everything, which they can amplify their fear of investing in the product (Lilley, 2013). Additionally, I may need to demonstrate my points using pictures or showing the product; ask for a person that can understand their language or culture better; try to confirm that they understood my explanations, exercise patience and maintain a sense of humor, so as to ensure that they remain interested. In dealing with older customers, I would ensure that I show respect to them, because that would be the first quality they may expect from a young attendant. Secondly, I would need to be kind and to show empathy for their incapacities in the case they have any. More importantly, I would need to adjust to their tempo of speech, so that they can understand me well and connect with me (Lilley, 2013). Additionally, showing them cheer will help them feel comfortable in my company, which will affect their buying behavior. In dealing with very talkative customers, first I will need to direct the talk in the direction of the sale, and immediately they pause their talk, I give them a summary of the talk and then I switch to the product and all its benefits. Apart from the explanation, a sample would help, and then I ask him to check it out a little (Lilley, 2013). After he has talked about it for a while, I will have all the information on his needs, therefore will mention them repeatedly, so that they purchase it. 2. Many employees are motivated by getting more money, in the form of bonuses or raises, but it is not always possible to increase the pay of employees – as a way of motivating them. This is particularly the case, due to the adverse financial situation facing many companies and institutions (Dow, 2012). However, money is not the strongest and not the only source of motivation. Recognition, which is the practice of congratulating an employee or acknowledging their input and good performance, empowers them by making them feel happier about themselves and their performance, which triggers improved performance. Recognition lies at the subconscious desires of all individuals; making them feel appreciated and valued for their contribution as an employee and for their uniqueness as a people who make a difference triggers their suppressed abilities (Dow, 2012). Valuing workers implies that the employer sees them as individuals that contribute towards the overa ll accomplishment and the goals of the company. When an employer makes his employees feel appreciated, he pushes them to pursue doing well and ensuring that their input and contribution will continue to be appreciated (Dow, 2012). Appealing to the human need for recognition makes employees to take more interest in the performance of their job, which contributes to the overall success of their organization. In many cases, when the employees of an organization are happy about their job, they are more likely to serve their customers well, which contributes to further success for the organization (Dow, 2012). The critical need played by money and recognition shows that employees are motivated by both money and recognition; therefore employees should offer both – so as to increase employee satisfaction. 3. The three qualities of a good leader that strengthen customer service abilities include

Prescription Drugs Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Prescription Drugs - Term Paper Example What is fueling the rise in prescription drugs costs? A number of factors are accounted for the rise in prescription drugs costs, such as: 1. Rise in demand: Much of the increase in prescription drugs costs is attributed to the rising demand, consumption and utilization of prescription drugs. Ageing population, rise of lifestyle and chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and depression and specialty diseases such as Alzheimer’s etc. have led to high consumption of prescription drugs in U.S. Hence, leading to higher government spending on medical drugs. 2. Increase in drug development costs: The average costs to develop a new drug therapy increased by more than 60% from 2000 to 2005 hence leading to higher prescription drug prices for innovative medicines (PhRMA, 2011). 3. Direct to Consumer Marketing and Advertising particularly for higher priced drugs by pharmaceutical companies has also driven the demand, sales and overall spending levels. 4. Price Inflation: Retail prescription drugs prices have increased around 3.6% annually during 2000 and 2009, higher than the avg. inflation rate of 2.5% (Kaiser Foundation, 2010). It is estimated that prescription drug spending growth would undergo a slower pace until 2017 when high utilization would accelerate the demand for prescription drugs (Keehan, et al., 2008). The incessant rise in demand due to ageing population and rise of innovative medicines will resume to upsurge the prescription drug expenditures for current and future years. Drug development costs for innovative drugs will continue to rise, however, due to a number of patent expiries and higher penetration of generics medicines will balance the overall increase in such costs. The prices of mature drugs would fall in the future due to generic entries and price reviews by federal and state governments whereas prices of new innovative medicines