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ESSAY: Undocumented workers in the United States Essay The book ‘working in the shadows’ written by Gabriel Thomson is more of a documentary of the experiences that, undocumented workers whose greatest percentage comprises of immigrants goes through. Undocumented workers refer to the illegal immigrants seeking employment in the US. The idea to write this book as brought about by an article ‘Crackdown Upends Slaughterhouses Workforce’ written in 2007 by labor correspondent Steven Green house and published in the New York Times. It was a documentation of how difficult it was for Smithfield foods to secure a stable workforce in its slaughter house in North Carolina due to constant raids by immigration agents. This was quite a challenge to the immigrants working in the slaughter house forcing them to quit their jobs to avoid such constant harassment and for their safety. Gabriel Thomson then decided to take up the burden and work behind the shadows in order to get first hand information concerning the experiences of these undocumented workers. He personally took up his first job in a lettuce field which was rather challenging for him, first because the tasks were tough and secondly, the constant questions from his colleagues who never understood why a white man was working in such an odd job. It was a difficult moment for Thomson since the workload was tough and it was even more difficult to record his findings since it could only be possible during their short breaks and again, it was private. Undocumented immigrant workers have very challenging working life in the United States. They are among the most vulnerable and exploited workers in the nation, constantly going through labor law violations. For instance, they are frequent victims of unpaid wages, discrimination, undesirable working conditions and uncompensated work place injuries. They perform duties which ordinary Americans, due their pride and status won’t ever perform. Their jobs are quite dangerous, grueling, mind-numbing and very undesirable. Those who attempt to voice their opinions over the hardships they go through mainly face physical and immigration related threats and retaliations. There is an estimated 9.3 million undocumented workers in the United States, which is about 26% of all immigrants in the United States. This report is based upon a survey and other date samples collected by 2002. Among them, 57% are Mexicans, 23% originate from other Latin countries, 10% from Asia, 5% from Europe and Canada while the other 5% come from the rest of the world. The growth rate of undocumented workers has been quite high. They comprises of around 5% of the workforce in the US whereby around 96% of men and 62% of women are working, which is far much higher than the natives. This is because contrary to the Americans who may either be disabled, retired or in school, most undocumented immigrants males are young and energetic and women are in child bearing age that are more likely to bear children than the natives. However, undocumented immigrants earn considerably less than working Americans. According to Thomson, there is no such a thing as immigrant job since during his year of survey, he realized that even Americans were well versed with these jobs but only the poor could do them since they had much in common with the immigrants. However, US born citizens were not allowed in some shady jobs like in the lettuce fields and the immigrants were assigned the most strenuous, dangerous and worst paid positions whereby they faced constant abuse from the management. Furthermore, they received poverty line wages, they are often victims of racism, they live under worst conditions, and are often harassed by the police. It is important for all workers including the undocumented immigrants to know that they are protected under the basic federal and state employment and labor laws. In actual sense, undocumented workers pay more in taxes than they receive in services. A study carried out by the government in 1975 ‘illegal aliens’, by the department of labor showed that 77% paid social security taxes while 75% paid federal income taxes. However, their employers chose not to report the money which ends up in their pockets. Unfortunately, they rarely get such services as welfare benefits, food stamps, unemployment compensation, and their children in public schools among others. The illegal status of undocumented workers in the United States has made it very difficult to achieve the American dream of climbing the social ladder, security of life and liberty as well as social security entitled to all American residents. They are often forced to take up odd jobs and unfavorable labor conditions thus making life quite challenging for them. There is so much in common between the working poor in America and the undocumented immigrant a worker according to the Ehrenreich’s and Thomson’s study. They are equally ignored in the stump speeches of politicians, thus they lack a sense of political solidarity, and their wages have denied them the opportunity to achieve the American dream, the work on odd jobs which Americans cannot do regardless of the pay among others. They live in very poor conditions, at times far away from their families and are often harassed by their employers and the police. In conclusion, life is quite challenging for undocumented workers in the United States since their status force them to take up any form of income to earn a living due o fears of facing the arm of the government which may even include deportation or imprisonment. Most Americans treat them this way since they take them as parasites who live off welfare and who cause unemployment by taking up jobs which would otherwise be serving the Americans.

ESSAY: Unethical and Ethical Issues in Prisons (Corrections) Research Paper Introduction Every society usually has criminals or people who go against set rules and regulations. Prisons are mostly put in place so that such people can be confined therein for various reasons. This includes ensuring that inmates get corrected and also to protect the public from their crime. Prisons have been there since time in history. They usually have measures such as high ramparts, dogs and maximum security to prevent inmates from escaping. Prison systems have continued to transform in diverse ways. The operation of prison systems in various nations is usually known to differ in diverse ways. Numerous ethical and unethical issues can be traced in prison systems. This paper looks at these issues in depth. (Akers, 2000) Unethical issues An analysis of prison systems shows that there are myriad unethical issues that are taking place therein. These issues can be noted among prison warders, prisoners and even the auxiliary staff working in the prisons. It is imperative to look at these issues so that relevant authorities can take corrective measures. (Carroll, 2003) Homosexuality This is one of the unethical practices that are evident in the prison systems. Prisons are usually known to confine offenders in one place. They are never allowed to visit their spouses or families. This leads to a situation where the conjugal rights of prisoners are not met. Research shows that inmates resort to homosexuality within the prisons. This is not a healthy practice as some of them after leaving prison to continue with the vice despite having wives. Through this, many marriages of ex-prisoners are easily broken. It is a very unethical practice since it does not result in a healthy society. Surprisingly, the issue of homosexuality in prisons has existed for quite a long time. Relevant authorities seem unconcerned about this issue, yet it plays a significant role in eroding moral standards within the society. Furthermore, cases of homosexuality are usually noted to be occurring even between prisoners and prison warders. This puts a question mark on the role of prisons in instilling high moral values among offenders in society. (Carroll, 2003) Rape This is also another unethical practice within the prison system. Various researchers assert that rape cases in prisons continue to escalate year after year. People with the offense of rape are usually allowed to mingle with the other prisoners. Women are the worst hit in this case. Many women prisoners are often raped but never dare to report to the authorities due to fear. Some men are usually raped by their fellow men. The situation is generally bad for children staying with their mothers in prison. Most of the children are usually born within the prisons as their mothers serve their sentence. Rape is highly evident as many inmates seek medical attention when their private parts are damaged due to the force inflicted during the act. The challenge with rape cases in prisons is that the perpetrators are never mentioned. The affected parties fear since they are usually forewarned by rapists on dire repercussions in case they spill the beans. (Paula, 2004) The raped prisoners stay with the pain and never talk to anyone. In the long run, they end up carrying out the same act on other prisoners as a revenge mission. Sometimes they as infected with HIV Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases through rape. This is mostly carried out on younger prisoners who have not stayed within prison premises for a long time. The cycle then continues; this becomes the order of the day. This is quite unethical. (Paula, 2004) Mistreatment of prisoners’ children Some women are usually put in prison when they have babies that cannot be left at home. Sometimes the women never have someone who can take care of these small children. They end up going to prison with their children. Some of them deliver their children while in prison. Research shows that these children usually go through a lot of mistreatment as if they are the ones who committed the crime. The children are typically made to stay in confinement with their mothers. They are not given adequate bedding and sleep on a cold floor in the night. (Sissela, 1995) The children are never provided with sufficient food or a balanced diet that is necessary for their growth. This is entirely unethical as these children are innocent and do not deserve such mistreatment. Sometimes the children are verbally abused by prison authorities. They are usually told that they are unruly as their mothers or parents. Some of these children go through sexual abuse while in prison premises. (Paula, 2004) The prison environment is not the best for growing up children as they watch their mothers being mistreated, whipped and verbally abused. They grow up in fear; this affects their self-esteem in the long run. Older children are usually made to do tough chores as if they were criminals. Sometimes the children are typically confined indoors; this leads to emotional abuse. This is an unethical practice that needs to be corrected by relevant authorities. (Paula, 2004) Drug trafficking and abuse It is usually expected that prisons play a significant role in changing offenders’ character; this may still be a mirage. Drug trafficking is mostly known to be thriving within prison systems. In this case, prison warders and authorities are usually noted to be actively involved in the business. In some nations, prison warders assert that low payment stirs them to be involved in such practices. This does not justify the practice at all. Prisoners are usually known to be actively engaged in drug trafficking practices. They link up with other criminals who are generally not in prisons to carry out the practice. Further analysis shows that some prisoners jailed for other offenses start drug trafficking while in prison. This puts question marks on the role of prisons in shaping the character of offenders. Furthermore, many prisoners still abuse drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. The drugs, they say, are readily available to them. They claim that the drugs help them to forget their problems. This practice is mostly known among prison warders since most of them are suppliers. They only ensure that high-ranking authorities that do not condone corruption do not get to know about the practice. This practice within the prison system is quite unethical. (Akers, 2000) Calls of nature Analysis of prisons across the globe shows that some of them have unethical practices. One such method relates to calls of nature for prisoners. It is clear that every human being has to attend to the call of nature. In some prison systems, prisoners are not provided for toilets and lavatories. Buckets are usually put in every cell for inmates to use as toilets. This is bearing in mind that the cells usually are crowded. It is expected that any person who wishes to relieve himself will use the bucket in the presence of the other prisoners in the cell. There is no privacy when attending the call of nature. The human waste releases awful smell leading to sicknesses among prisoners. This is a very unethical act no matter the crime one has committed. It infringes against the right to privacy when attending the call of nature. Some of the rooms are littered with human waste making life within the cells unbearable. Death penalty This is also a practice that is common in many prison systems across the globe. Some countries have eliminated the death penalty from their prison system. The death penalty is common for capital offenders such as criminals of robbery with violence and murder among other charges. There are nations where capital offenders are hanged. The death sentence is not ethical. No one has the right to take another person’s life no matter the committed offense. People always need to be given a second chance in life rather than taking away their lives. Some of these people are fathers and mothers that have children looking up to them as parents even if they are criminals. Everyone has the right to life whether he is a criminal or not. If people can be corrected by death, then, in the long run, there might be no more people in society. Research shows that some of the people who go through may be innocent hence killing people who are not criminals. Death penalty in the prison system is quite unethical and should be stopped. Emotional and physical abuse Emotional and physical abuses are usually noted to be quite rampant in prisons. Physical abuse sometimes results in severe health repercussions throughout affected prisoners’ lives. Some prisoners suffer kidney problems due to physical damage while in prison. Other physical injuries make prisoners depend on drugs for the rest of their lives. Some injuries make it hard for affected prisoners to lead healthy lives where they can do physical work. This is not ethical at all. (Sissela, 1995) There are some nations where men are usually hit in their private parts damaging the organs. This leads to a situation where they may never sire any children. This is an act that is highly condemned by governmental and non-governmental organizations. These organizations deal with human rights. The extreme isolation of prisoners is emotional abuse. This leads to depression and suicide in affected parties. Abusive language is common in most prison systems. This leads to low-self esteem among prisoners. As prisoners leave prison grounds, some of them adopt an offensive language towards their friends and family. (Akers, 2000) Escape from prisons This has become very common in the prison system all over the world. This tends to happen even in situations where the prisons are usually given maximum security. The analysis shows that prison warders collude with prisoners in implementing the escapes. Prisoners usually pay prison warders money. The prisoners are then allowed to escape. Prison warders usually pretend that they were not aware of the escape. Sometimes bribes are even given to higher authorities in prisons. This is entirely unethical since, in the long- run, crime may never be minimized or eliminated from society. (Garland, 2002) Selling of ammunition The trade in ammunition is quite rampant in prisons. This is usually carried out by both the prisoners and prison authorities. Prisoners are mostly known to link up with other criminals who are not in jail in the selling of ammunition. To make matters worse, this trade is usually facilitated by prison authorities. This beats the logic since prisons are mostly supposed to be a place where offenders go through correction. Corruption is mainly on the increase in prison systems as prison authorities supply and procures ammunitions. This is usually an unethical practice that enhances crime instead of alleviating. (Garland, 2002) Ethical issues Training in practical skills Despite the unethical matters mentioned above, there are also ethical practices evident in prison systems. One of the ethical problems notable in prison systems is the training of prisoners with practical skills. This includes skills such as tailoring, art, carpentry, and masonry among others. Prisoners who are usually equipped with such essential skills always use them later on in life. They find more meaning to life since such skills help them to start income-generating projects once they leave prison. Research shows that, through such training, prisons have been producing quality products such as designer outfits and even quality furniture. The training project also tends to help prisoners market the products while still in prison and even after they leave prison. Most offenders assert that lack of income leads them to crime. This venture is usually imperative as it solves this problem by helping prisoners gain skills that help them start income generating projects. This means that they do not resort to crime anymore. This means that moral standards of the society. (Sissela, 1995) Allowing spouses to visit prisoners often Changes have been taking place in the prison system across the globe. One factor that usually has adverse effects on prisoners is the denial of conjugal rights. This leads to homosexuality and rape cases. Authorities in most prison systems usually arrange spouse visits for prisoners. Arrangements are usually put in place such that prisoners have rooms for conjugal rights whenever their spouses visit. This is mostly known to lead to improved moral standards for prisoners. This reduces rape and homosexuality cases within prisons. As spouses and family members visit prisons, they give prisoners moral support. This makes offenders desire to join their families. Prison authorities also arrange for recreational activities for families to enjoy themselves as they interact with their loved ones in prison. This includes video watching and dances among other activities. (Garland, 2002) Religious teachings This is one of the ethical activities that are common in many prison systems across the globe. Prisoners are mostly taught the word of God that is quite imperative in shaping their character. Research has shown that, through these teachings, some of them change their lifestyle and have a very close relationship with their creator. Governmental and nongovernmental organizations mostly support this venture. Some of them usually assert that they got their spiritual calling while in prison. They even start teaching their fellow inmates on religious doctrine. These teachings help prisoners to know the expectation of their maker and the repercussions of disobeying God. This teaches them how they should live with other people well without hurting them in any way. They learn the advantages of high moral standards and blessings that accompany such a choice. This quickly leads to reformed people and society with high moral standards. (Albrecht, 1977) Education Education is also another ethical thing that can be noted in prison systems that play a significant role in improving the lives of prisoners. Some prisoners are jailed when they do not have any education. Some of them assert that the lack of schooling influences them to join crime. Many prison systems across the globe have incorporated education to give prisoners a second chance to pursue their education. Prisoners are usually given an opportunity to study while serving their term. They are typically encouraged to pursue an education that is necessary for their success after their prison life. (Carroll, 2003) Many enroll for elementary lessons, high school and college lessons in prison. This is usually free of charge hence motivates many prisoners to join. They pursue elementary, high school and even higher education in prison. This is mostly an extremely ethical practice in prison systems. It helps in determining the future of ex-prisoners. The program usually tailored in such a way that, after gaining professional skills, they are generally helped to get employment. This often allows offenders to have a brighter future and leave the life of crime altogether. (Carroll, 2003) Conclusion There are unethical and ethical practices that can be noted in prison systems. Some ethical practices include allowing spouses to visit inmates often and providence of education. Prisoners are also given training in practical skills such as carpentry and given religious teachings that transform their lives. Unethical practices in prison include rape, homosexuality, emotional and physical abuse, the death penalty and escapes from prisons among other issues. These issues need to be corrected if these facilities are to improve the lives of prisoners. References Albrecht, S. (1977): Re-moralization process, Application in relation to attitude Performance; Scientific Study Journal, 16, 263-274. Akers, R. (2000): Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application. 3rd edition; Los Angeles: Roxbury Press. Carroll, A. (2003): Business and society ethics and stakeholder management (5th Ed.); South-Western Publishing Co; Cincinnati Ohio. Garland, D. (2002): Of Crimes and Criminals, in Maguire and Robert Rainer : The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 3rd edition; U.K; Oxford University Press. Paula C. (2004): Inner life: African- American women in- Prison’s voices , New York; University Press. Sissela, B. (1995): Common Values ; Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press.

ESSAY: United States Arm Control Essay United States arms control since 1970s to the fall of Soviet Union, was done through strategic Arms Limitation Talks Agreement 1 and 11. These are two times of talks between the United States and the Soviet Union that are the cold war superpower. These negotiations started in Finland in the year 1969. The main aim of strategic Arm Limitation Talk 1 was to abolish ballistic missile (Gaddis, 2005). The first results of SALT 1 were announced in 1971 after the parties reached to an agreement. In 1972 the concerned parties signed the anti ballistic missile treatment. This as well came with some agreements concerning United States and union of soviet about some measures to minimize offensive arms (Gaddis, 2005). During this period, the relationship the United States and the USSR made a step forward through some agreed statements. For the United States and USSR to decide on their missiles, it had taken them a lot of time. Great losses had been experienced in both nations through the usage of their chemical weapons. SALT 1 extended from 1969 to 1972 whereby the discussion between the two parties had the main aim of minimizing their both central and most crucial weapons. Most of the agreements that were signed within this period were successful. They both took a step forward in stopping an upcoming competition in their defensive systems although it was seen as a threat to bring offenses (Ball, 2004). Strategic Arms Limitation Talk 11 was conducted between 1977 and 1979. This was between Jimmy Carter of United States and Leonid Brezhnev of Soviet Union. The main theme of this meeting was to eradicate the production of strategic nuclear arms. SALT 11 was a continuation of SALT 1 discussions. Most of the pending issues that were from SALT 1 were tabled in SALT 11. Several solutions were concluded during those meetings of SALT 11. SALT 11 was the initial nuclear arms agreement that fought hard to reduce strategic forces. Through this meeting it was possible for United States to dishearten the Soviet Union from passing on their weapons to their third generation. The SALT 11 agreement eradicated introduction of missile plan. Both parties agreed to minimize their new plans of developing missiles (Ball, 2004). Jimmy Carter who was the president of United States preserved two programs as his defensive mechanism. USSR also retained one. In the year 1979, a treaty to minimize strategic initiators was made by the two parties. In the year 1973 the United States and USSR agreed to prevent nuclear war, and they both made some commitments of discussing together any time of nuclear confrontation. Between 1972 and 1979 there was a great change in both United States and Soviet Union as the development of their missile arsenals was going down. In 1991, the strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was between George Bush of United States and Mikhail of Soviet that caused a great reduction of long-range weapons in both nations (Ball, 2004). This is the year when the fall of Soviet Union happened on a Christmas day when it ended its presence after a 45-year period of conflict with the United States. During this period, a lot of fear was experienced globally incase of confrontation between United States and Soviet Union. Their status of possessing nuclear weapons placed the whole world in fear. In conclusion, the progress of United States in controlling usage of nuclear weapons has been a long journey full of challenges. Reference List Ball, S. J. (2004). The Cold War: An International History . 2 nd ed), ISBN 0890968926. Cengage Publisher, Michigan. Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. (4 th ed), ISBN 1594200629. Greenwood Publishing Group, Oxford.

ESSAY: United States Foreign Policy Analytical Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. United States Foreign Policy 3. USA Foreign Policy during (1815-1941) 4. USA Foreign Policy during (1941-1989) 5. USA Foreign Policy during (1989-present) 6. Conclusion 7. Works Cited Introduction Several countries today have established legal frameworks that determine how they relate with other nations. The United States of America has a comprehensive foreign policy which governs its relationship with other countries. “Since independence, the economy of U.S. has been flourishing and it is today one of the most developed countries in the world” (Hastedt 65). This has given it a dominant position in the world political arena and it has also influenced how it deals with other nations. “The diplomatic affairs of this country are always under the guidance of the secretary of the State” (Carter 82). However, final decisions on diplomatic affairs are only made by the president. America’s foreign policy has always been shaped in such away that it favors its interests. It protects its corporations and other commercial organizations from any unfair treatment and competition (Kaufman 15). This has always been done to ensure that no country challenge its economic position. United States Foreign Policy U.S. has been using its power to suppress other nations that may be thinking of emerging as its competitor. For example it checked the influence of U.S.S.R. In order to continue dominating many countries, the U.S. government keeps on extending its authority and power over many nations. “It has achieved this by simply influencing the social-economic and political institutions of some countries which are vulnerable to political influences” (Carter 130). Such practices are prevalent in countries which are poor and can not sustain themselves economically. ”Peace, prosperity, power, and principle,” have always acted as the guiding principles of U.S. foreign policy, and its interests revolve around them (Hastedt 29). The U.S. government has been striving to maintain these values, but the only thing that has been changing is the prevailing conditions which influence the manner they are achieved (Hastedt 30). We can therefore examine the foreign policies of U.S in the following phases. USA Foreign Policy during (1815-1941) America came up with the policy of “isolation” after the end of its revolutionary war. According to this policy, US did not engage in conflict resolution programs and it always remained impartial whenever some European countries had a conflict with each other (Carter 101). For example, this was demonstrated during the First World War and it continued until the beginning of the Second World War. The main interest of US during the 19 th century was to develop its economy and this influenced how it conducted its diplomatic activities with other nations. It forged trade ties with other countries which were ready to do business with it. In addition to these, it also engaged in building its territory through bringing more territories under its control. For example in 1819 it managed to conquer Florida; in 1845 it brought Texas under its control and the Russian Empire agreed to sell Alaska to US in 1867. Imperialism was also partially practiced by U.S. “Foreign policy themes were expressed considerably in George Washington ‘s farewell address ; these included among other things, observing good faith and justice towards all nations and cultivating peace and harmony with all countries” (Carter 74). The US government in many cases declined to engage in signing treaties. For example it refused to be part of the “League of Nations” (Kaufman 67). USA Foreign Policy during (1941-1989) There was a remarkable increase in U.S. engagement in peace initiatives during the post World War One, and this formed its key agenda in foreign relations. President Wilson came up with guidelines that were used in ending the First World War. The European powers had a meeting in Paris in 1919 in which they discussed the ways of solving the disputes which had previously led to war among them. “The Versailles Treaty was signed by the countries that attended the conference but U.S. government did not” (Hastedt 120). This is because the US government felt that some of the members had contradicted some of steps which governed the treaty. U.S. also managed to carry out the disarmament program successfully in 1920s and it also helped Germany to reconstruct its economy which had been ruined by over engagement in war. U.S. tried to continue pursuing the policy of “isolation” during 1930s. However, President Roosevelt joined the Allied powers during the Second World War and they managed to win it. Japan was forcefully removed from China by U.S. and they also stopped its possible invasion of the Soviet Union. “Japan was greatly humiliated and it reacted by an attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and the United States was at war with Japan, Germany, and Italy” (Carter 190). The economy of U.S greatly improved after the second war, while the other European countries grappled with economic challenges. It was now one of the greatest countries and its power and influence was felt in many countries. USA Foreign Policy during (1989-present) The emergence of the cold war in the post war period led to the split of the world into two spheres. These two spheres were dominated by Soviet Union and U.S. Non Aligned Movement was developed as a result of this process. The Cold War period only came to an end towards the end of the 20 th century. “A policy of containment was adopted to limit Soviet expansion and a series of proxy wars were fought with mixed results” (Kaufman 117). The Soviet Union completely collapsed after the U.S. war against Iraq (Gulf War). America joined this war in order to dislodge Iraq from Kuwait so that peace and stability could be restored in that country. After the war, U.S. shifted its policy from Iraq because it was trying to be a threat to its interests in the region of Middle East (Carter 195). Conclusion America is still having an important role in world politics. Nonetheless, it is facing much opposition and competition from other countries like China. Its dominant role and influence has gone down and many countries from Africa are currently shifting their diplomatic relationships to the East. “U.S. foreign policy is characterized still by a commitment to free trade , protection of its national interests, and a concern for human rights ”. A group of political scientists contend that the super powers seem to be having similar socio economic and political interests, and if they can find a good opportunity to pursue them together then we shall have a prosperous future. Works Cited Carter, Ralph. Contemporary cases in U.S. foreign policy: from terrorism to trade. Washington D.C: Press College, 2010. Hastedt, Glenn. American foreign policy. New York: Longman, 2010. Kaufman, Joyce. A concise history of U.S. foreign policy. New York: Rowman and Littlefield , 2009.

ESSAY: Urban Outfitters: A “Niche” Product Development Report Starting a business involves coming up with an idea of a venture that can be beneficial to parties involved. It is taking a well-calculated risk. After having the business idea, the next stage is establishing an appropriate location, finally taking the bold step of starting up. It is not dependent to the level of education that one has, however it is a subject of one’s business mind (Mintzberg, Ghoshal, Lampel & Quinn, 2003). This paper discuses different aspect of a “niche” product development; it will use Urban Outfitters Case Study for the analysis. Challenges of start-ups After having an idea, finances to meet various costs of the business are required; they are a major problem for start-ups. Sometimes an entrepreneur only has money to buy stocks and have an establishment but lacks finances to meet its operating expenses. Lack of such finances to cover the costs can lead to failure and limited growth of the business. Financial lenders are also hesitant to offer loans to start-ups. The second problem affecting start-ups is getting an appropriate location for ones goods; location can be a deal maker or a deal breaker. An entrepreneur might have a good idea; however, failures to get an appropriate location may lead to failure of the noble course business. Urban Outfitters were favoured by the proximity to their target market, college students. Another problem that affects entrepreneurs is lack of Patents and trademarks registration for their innovation and inventions. They end up as investors but the idea is taken by large companies who use it for their benefit without the regard of the developer. In the case of Urban Outfitters, they had come up with unique business but getting Patents and trademarks was an issue (Pearce & Robinson, 2011). “Niche” product is a unique product or service offered in the market as a sub-segment of the larger product market; it targets a micro-market within the larger group. The numbers of customers are usually not big since its potion in the larger market segment. The limited customers limit the production of the products by large corporation. Customers of “niche” product are willing to pay an extra coin for the uniqueness. Some of the world examples of “niche” products include I-Phone and I-pads which target a small group within the phone industry, Ben and Jerry’s premium ice cream; where tastes disintegrate the market for ice-cream further and Hewlett Packard calculators, which are calculators with some special attributes like memory cards. “Niche” products providers have some advantages over other players in the same industry; they enjoy the power of quasi-monopoly. Quasi-monopoly means that they have an advantage that customers have no option other than buy from them, which may be at relatively high price but since they have no alternatives. The commodities of a “niche” market are in most cases relatively high however, this cannot be seen as a full advantage if other elements building it are not looked into. Despite that, niche commodities are higher in prices because of their uniqueness. They attract a large population of customers relative to the number of outlets available. The slightly higher price assists a company or the entrepreneurs get a higher profit margin (Pearce & Robinson, 2011). Customers have different tastes and preferences; this difference in tastes and preferences makes them pay more for exclusivity. Other factors make a customer be willing to pay higher for exclusivity they include: the quality of product bought at a higher cost is in most cases of a better quality than those bought at an ordinary price. In the case of niche products, customer believes that they are likely to remain longer than the standard life of other commodities. Living standards and need to be respected for what ones have also results to willingness by customers to pay more for exclusivity. Come customers are willing to buy brand not because it is superior to substitutes but because it has status. For example, buying a BMW car instead of Toyota car and giving the reason as the notion that BMW are superior and for special people of a higher class. One way that a niche player can chip away a larger population of the market is by undertaking an excessive market survey and recognising some products and/or services that are not offered by the larger producer then producing such products. Generally, the larger the market share, the higher the revenue from products targeting the market so the idea is to look for ways to enlarge and win more customers in the market. An example of a company that has adopted the niche- chip-away system is Starbucks, the company has come with various products to enlarge and fragments markets an example is Frappuchino drinks and superior setting outlets (Barney, 2007). Another example is Emirates Airline; it has invested in quality customer care services and embraced the low cost airline industry. Through various innovations, they are chipping-away the market. A third example of a successful “niche” product provider is Best Buy; it maintains a computerised customer service, where customers are entertained as they seek for assistance. References Barney, J. B. (2007). Gaining and sustaining competitive advantage (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Mintzberg, H., Ghoshal, S., Lampel, J., & Quinn, J. B. (2003). The strategy process: Concepts, contexts, cases (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Pearce, J. A., & Robinson, R. B. (2011). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, and control (12th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

ESSAY: The Life of Urie Bronfenbrenner Essay (Biography) Introduction This essay will discuss the life of Urie Bronfenbrenner who was a psychologist. The essay will bring to light some of the important accomplishments he made in the field of psychology. Biography of Urie Bronfenbrenner Urie Bronfebrenner is considered one of the leading scholars who made many contributions in the fields of developmental psychology, child rearing and human ecology (Lang 1). Records show that he was born to Dr. Alexander Bronfenbrenner and Eugenie Kamenetski Bronfenbrenner on April 29, 1917 in Moscow (Russo 1). He lived for eighty eight years and died on September 25, 2005. He was an American psychologist who specialized in child development and co-founded a head start program that dealt with unfortunate pre-school children. At the age of six, Urie and his family moved to Pittsburg in the United States where they stayed for a short while. They later on settled in Letchworth Village, in a state institution for Mentally Challenged people where his father worked as a neuro pathologist and a clinical director or a physician (Russo 1). Bronfenbrenner attained his high school education from Haverstraw high school in New York after which he won a scholarship to Cornell University to study psychology and music. He is reported to have proceeded to pursue development al psychology after his first degree. By 1942, Bronfebrenner had completed his master degree in developmental psychology at Harvard University and a PhD at the University of Michigan (Russo 1). Bronfebrenner began his work as a graduate worker in developmental psychology after attaining his first degree. He started working for the US army immediately he attained his doctorate until 1946, where he served as their psychologist as well as in the office of strategic services. He later joined the US Army Medical Corps after he had gone through army training for the officers. Bronfebrenner as a psychologist worked at various capacities, “Veterans administration as an assistant clinical psychologist and also for Michigan University as an assistant professor in psychology for two years after which he became a professor at Cornell University” (Russo 1). By the time he passed away he was at the Cornell University. Contribution of Urie Bronfenbrenner in psychology Bronfenbrenner was among the most popular scholars in developmental psychology world wide. His interests in psychology were influenced a great deal by his father. For instance, during his career life, Urie could recall that his father felt that the single IQ test that children went through before joining the school for mentally handicapped was not enough (Russo 1). Even after his father was segregated in sanatorium after contracting tuberculosis, he continued to influence Urie’s career by writing to him. Apart from his father, Russian immigrant psychologists contributed a lot towards his career since they would visit his home and discuss some of the significant psychologists such as ‘Kurt Lewin and Lev Vygotsky’ His major and primary contribution in psychology involved the Ecological system theory whereby he considers human development to take place within five nested systems namely “the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, microsystem and the chronosystem” (Bronfenbrenner 39). These systems were mainly concerned with the impact of the environment to a developing child. Microsytem The microsystem refers to the setting in which the developing person lives which is mainly the immediate environment. It includes the individual’s immediate family, friends, neighborhood, school, and workplace among others where the individual contributes in the construction of the setting to make it complete (Bronfenbrenner 39). Since the developing person has face to face interpersonal relationships with the parties making this kind of setting, he is able to meet people of diversified temperament, personality and attitude (Thompsons 207). Some proximal processes take place in the development of an individual depending on the content and structure of this setting. Mesosystem The mesosystem refers to the interrelationship between settings in the microsystem. For example, it may entail the relationship between the peers and the school, the school and the family, the family and the peers and such like (Thompson 207). The way different settings in the microsystem interrelate may have impact on the individual’s development. For instance, a child who has spoilt relationship with the parents may have problems relating with teachers in school or an individuals with difficulties in family life may have difficulties relating with his fellow employees. Good relationships between the parents and the teacher have proved to better the performance of the children more than other factors (Bronfenbrenner 40). Exosystem The exosystem extends the mesosystem whereby two or more settings interrelate involving one which is not in the in the developing persons system but the events that take place in that system indirectly has impact on the developing person. For instance, the teacher’s interaction with his family may affect his relationship with pupils in the class. The three major exosystems that may affect the development of an individual includes the family, school and friends (Bronfenbrenner 40) Macrosystem The macrosystem entails the culture that developing individual lives in all the other system. Culture includes things such as social status, poverty, communities, politics, customs and lifestyle and it is not limited to the either developing or developed countries. Culture determines how developing individuals are treated in each of the other setting and how they relate to each other (Thompson 208). Chronosystem Chronosystem entails the changes that take place as time changes within the environment as well as in the developing individual. For instance, the economic depression of the 1930’s had effects on the development of children who were born then (Bronfenbrenner 40) Alongside ecological systems theory, his contributions to developmental psychology contained three very outstanding themes ‘developing theory and corresponding research designs at the frontiers of developmental science; laying out the implications and applications of developmental theory and research for policy and practice; and communicating–through articles, lectures, and discussions – the findings of developmental research to undergraduate students, the general public, and to decision-makers both in the private and public sector’(Bronfenbrenner Life 6). He actively contributed in designing developmental program seven beyond US so as to capture the widest audience where we find him playing a key role as a co-founder of the head start program for the less privileged pre-school children in the United States. Throughout his Career life, Urie geared his efforts towards coming up with development theories and research methods that helped in understanding patterns of development from childhood to old age. He also investigated on the social and political occurrences that had impact on children and families (Musso 2). Most of the developmental theories and research methods as well as the conclusions that Bronfenbrenner came up with during his career life are still valid up to date. For instance, the results of the ecological systems theory for child development are evident even in the society we are living in today. This is seen in cases where the relationship between the child and the system she is living in affects him directly or indirectly. For example, the immediate environment that the child is brought up in determines how he develops in either setting. The relationship between the teacher and the child or the teacher and the parent determines her performance. Cultural practices determine how an individual develops in that community. For instance, communities practicing FGM and forced marriages affect the development of a girl child; this is mainly in developing countries. Bronfenbrenner won various awards, honors and honorary degrees in his career life due to his rich contribution towards developmental psychology. His works earned him six honorary degrees. Apart from being a founder and a father of head start, his legacy extends to Cornell’s Bronfenbrenner Life Course Center which was founded in 1992 as an outgrowth of life course institute. He has inspired many students and ordinary people through his work. He had six children, two sons and four daughters (Lang 18). He died in 2005 when he was acting as a ‘Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Human Development and of Psychology at Cornell University’ Conclusion Bronfenbrenner was a great psychologist and the contributions he made will live to be remembered. He was very keen on observation and through such he was able to come up with some valid and applicable concerning development. Works Cited Bronfenbrenner Life. Mission and History . Ithaca, Cornel University, n.d. Web. Bronfenbrenner, Urie. Ecological Models of Human Development. International Encyclopedia of Education, February, 2003. Web. Lang, Susan. Urie Bronfenbrenner, father of Head Start program and pre-eminent ‘human ecologist,’ dies at age 88 . Cirnell, 2005. Web. Russo, Thomas. Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-) . Social Jrank, 2011. Web. Thompsons, Linda. Young Bilingual Children in Nursery School . Tonawanda, Multilingual Matters, 2000. New York, Prentice. Print.

ESSAY: US Constitution Reflections on the First Amendment Paper Essay Introduction The United States of America is ranked top globally in almost all sectors of the economy. It is also believed to be the pace setter in matters pertaining to law. Most of the other countries have been emulating the judiciary and legislative functions of the United States of America. This is because of the belief that they possess a constitution that is effective and accommodative for each and every person .Despite this constitution being among the oldest constitutions to be written that is in the year 1787, it is applicable to any country in the world. This is because most nations of the world especially those that do not have their own constitutions use the American constitution. It is for this reason that the constitution of the United States of America is termed as its supreme law. That is, it controls the relationship between the leaders of state and the citizens of the country (Smith, 2010, p.1). There are three branches of government which make up the constitution. We have the executive, the legislature and finally the judiciary that is manned by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is designated to be the head and governor of the judiciary which is part of the law making committee. All constitutions in the world will usually elaborate on the functions and duties of each branch and the American constitution is no exception. Provisions of the First Amendment The Supreme Court is thus responsible for making any amendments on the constitution when it is necessary. The first amendments made on the constitution of the United States of America in the year 1789 concerned the bill of rights. This entailed the right to peaceful demonstrations, freedom of speech, the press freedom, freedom of expression, the right to dissent and freedom of religion just to mention but a few. Since the original constitution did not have provisions for these bills of rights, amendment was thus necessary to allow these provisions. These provisions had to be made so as to accommodate all the citizens into one peaceful nation. This was done because of the mere reason that as human beings the American citizens needed to have the freedom and rights they required. Examples of the Supreme Court cases The Supreme Court handled so many cases during the first amendment. The cases that the Supreme Court heard and interpreted were categorized into various groups according to the clauses of the bill of rights. Some of the cases include the following; Case concerning freedom of press The Supreme Court handled so many cases during and after the first amendment of the original constitution (Stewards, 2010, p.2). One of the cases involved the New York Times Company versus the United States of America concerning the freedom of press. The United States restricted the New York Times Company from publishing information about the war in Vietnam at that time. The Supreme Court applied the doctrine of prior restraint to make a ruling on the case (Owen, 2000, p.1). This could not have been the situation after the first amendments as the bill of rights had a clause on the freedom of press whereby one can publish whatever information. Case concerning freedom of expression An example under this category of cases was that of Whitney versus California in the year 1927. In this case Whitney was accused and found guilty of launching a party which the nation had fears that it could overthrow the government. This was one of the greatest cases ever heard as it was ruled by the famous Justice Louis D. Brandeis who wrote the greatest defense of freedom of speech. In his ruling, he argued that people are bound to be set free to express their own opinions. This was due to the mere reason that the citizens who had struggled hard to achieve the independence of the country were not cowards. They were strong willed and were not afraid of any changes in the political climate. Case concerning the right to dissent The citizens of a nation are allowed to protest in a bid to fight their rights. The case of West Virginia State Board of Education versus Barnette falls under this category (Smith, 2010, p.1). This was a very exciting case as it involved school children who had failed to give a flag sauté. Flag salutation in the United States of America was a requirement of the law. However, the children of the Barnette School could participate in the flag salutation as their religion did not allow such. The ruling was thus made in favor of the school and therefore allowed to dissent and make their issues known publicly without any fears. Rights that the Constitution provides you as an American citizen Each and every citizen of a nation has their own rights under the constitution of the same country. That is the same reason that the before any constitution is applicable, it has to be voted and analyzed by the citizens so as to ensure its acceptance. After the analysis, the constitution can now be put in place since it has been accepted by the majority if not all the citizens of that country. When the American constitution was first put in place, it had omitted the bill of rights and so had o be amended so that the citizens could have their rights and freedom. The original constitution only had three provisions concerning the rights of the citizens (Lutz, 1994, p.72). Among these was the clause that one had to prove in a court of law before the authority so as to hold and detain someone. After the first amendment, we the American citizens attained so much freedom and rights granted by the law. Some of these include; the freedom of speech whereby one has the ability to speak out their minds on any issue. This is of great importance especially when one is being oppressed or in detention. The right to the freedom of religion is also important as there are a variety of denominations and religious sects. This right gives every citizen to join whatever group they wish and worship as well as practice their sect’s practices freely. The other right is that of the freedom to petition the government, this happens in case where an individual or a group of people think that the government is not taking the right cause of direction. As citizens of America we are allowed to make a petition against the government so as to get full explanation of whatever actions and decisions made. The other one is the freedom of assemblage whereby the people are allowed to assemble in whatever forums as well as make their own decisions in such meetings without restrictions or interference. All the aforementioned rights greatly changed the situation of America from what is was before the current position. As a matter of fact it greatly improved and changed the living conditions of the American citizens. Responsibilities that the Constitution provides you as an American citizen On the other hand, the constitution provides responsibilities to the American citizens (Alley, 2008, p.2). The constitution of a country should be responsible for its citizens. This is the same way the American constitution has a number of responsibilities on its citizens. Among these is that the American citizens have the responsibility of managing their own matters either civil or local. Through this, the citizens are not to be intruded in whatever they do in their private life. In the same way, the citizens are bound to pay taxes and duties to the government as a way of providing income to the government. Citizens who are patriotic will openly disclose their income for taxation in the role of responsible for their own country. The citizens also have the responsibility of protecting their own constitution. This means that they are ready to fight for any process of interfering with the constitution. This is a civic duty as before a new citizen is nationalized he or she recites an oath in which they promise to protect and defend the American Constitution. A civic duty literally means that the citizens obey the laid down rules and laws of the land. Apart from the mentioned responsibilities, the citizens are bound to be active in the democratic process of the state. Each citizen is therefore entitled to be aware of any campaign processes and the campaigning candidates. The citizens should also be familiar with the set election day of the country. The knowledge of this information by the citizens encourages most of them to be present during such sessions and functions. By participating in these, the results obtained are usually largely represented hence being able to make decisions that are suitable for the larger part of the population of the country. Why did each case need to be heard and interpreted by the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court is a major court that handles only the sensitive and the more serious cases especially those that relate to the government or constitution of the nation. In short, the Supreme Court is an original jurisdiction as well as a court of appeal. The constitution clearly defines the two classes of cases that can be heard in the Supreme Court (Lutz, 1994, p.74).The classes are the cases concerning ambassadors or other dignitaries in the government and cases affecting the state. Therefore the cases during the first amendment had to be heard and interpreted by the Supreme Court as they all related to matters relating to the constitution of the United States of America thus the whole state. The hearing and handling of each of the cases was an obligation by law. How the Supreme Court’s decision in each case continue to affect the rights of American citizens today The Supreme Court was the only court where cases relating to the matters of the constitution were heard and ruled. So when these cases on the first amendment were presented for hearing in this court the end result was bound to have several effects both in the long run and short run. In the short run, effects were mostly felt by either the defendant or the accused. The effects have in the long run affected the current citizens of America. Depending on the ruling made, the resulting effects may either be positive or negative. Negative effect may come about when the provisions for the bill of rights are not followed up to date and thus oppressing the citizens of America. Such ruling on cases meant that the American citizens do not posses any rights as per the constitution which is against the law. On the other hand, ruling on cases where the provisions of the first amendments were followed meant that the law was observed to the last point. This therefore meant that the American citizens were given their rights as per the constitution. Since the Supreme Court handled an endless list of cases during the first amendment the decision made on each case led to different types of effects on the current citizens of America. This is because some of the Judges today use some of these cases as examples during their course of study. It is for the same reason that they may at times apply these in their daily practice hence leading to a repeat of the same. This repetition is what now leads to the effect being felt by the current citizens of the United States of America. A clear justification is from the aforementioned examples of cases whereby justice did not seem to be applied in some of the cases. So in circumstances where a repeat of the same is done, then there has to be some cry from the oppressed party in the case. Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the Supreme Court is of great importance in any country. This can be seen in the role it played during the first amendment of the constitution of the United States of America. The amendments had to be made so as to fulfill the citizens’ desire and wish to live in a nation of freedom and rights. The provisions of the first amendments which circled around the bill of rights for example the right to dissent, freedom of speech, expression and the freedom of press were also of great importance (Owen, 2000, p.1). This was because it gave the citizens a sense of belonging in their own country as their issues were attended to. Another advantage of the first amendments was that of interpretation of the citizens’ rights and responsibilities. The hearing and interpretation of the first amendment cases also had its effects on the lives of the current Americans. It has always been said that the past is able to predict the future; this statement is practical when it comes to the constitution of the United States of America. This is because it is from the past that they were able to realize their rights and responsibilities as citizens of America as per the constitution. A reflection of how the United States of America conducted the first amendment is a good lesson to the other nations of the world from which they follow suit. The process was democratic yet peaceful and in the end successful as it gave the country an improved version of the constitution which accommodated all the citizens. Reference List Alley, R. (2008). Thomas Jefferson. James Madison and the first amendment to the United States Constitution. Web. Lutz, D. (1994). Toward a theory of constitutional amendment. Journal pp.67-78. Owen, D. (2000). The First Amendment, Annotated . Web. Smith, C. (2010). First Amendment Center. Web. Stewards, E. (2010). Notable First Amendment cases . Web.

ESSAY: US National Security and Foreign Policy Research Paper John Quincy notes in one of his famous excerpts that “America does not go abroad in terms of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to Freedom and independence of all” (Horowitz 20). Such a statement leaves a lot to be desired in the minds of Americans and the world at large. There are mixed public reactions on the 21 st Century U.S foreign policy which may not be purely classified into any singly known international relations theory. Besides, a sharp contrast between the Obama administration and that of his predecessor, George W. Bush is evident when the two administrations are compared. Hence, the hot pursuit to adopt a comprehensive realist/liberalist international relations theory is eminent and cannot be ignored either. The contemporary U.S foreign policy on National Security undoubtedly appears to strike a balance between realism and liberalism. A critical and more pragmatic argument can be directed towards Obama’s attempt to move the U.S troops out of Iraq. He has equally been emphatic on the need to uphold the dignity of international organizations. Varied criticisms have followed with some perceiving it as a replica of Bush administration while others feeling that this is in favor of U.S capitalistic ideology. To be precise however, proponents of this power strategy may see it as the most adept means of harmonizing foreign policy in a world which is politically at quagmire. This paper contrasts classic realism and liberalism with U.S foreign policy on National Security and whether the implications that can be drawn from the John Quincy statement are consistent with the demands of U.S National Security in the 21st century. The global political ideologies and especially those touching foreign policies cannot be debated effectively without exploring their empirical influence. The exposition of the US foreign policy on national security is a worthy illustration of an international policy deeply infiltrating into nations of the world. There has been growing global debate on such issues as the impacts of globalization, climate change and global warming as well as terrorism. The U.S government has played an upper hand in what most political analysts would call unrealistic and pre-eminent encroachment on private matters of other countries. In this respect, United States has taken a global dimension in emerging socio-political and economic issues. Moreover, even as the debate on the adopted national security policies heightens, less has been addressed in modern studies of political science. Is the world conscious of this so called U.S foreign protectionist policy towards the less fortunate and disadvantaged nations? Or is the U.S foreign policy proposition beyond cheap publicity and primacy as purported by the opponents? Can this aggression towards foreign policy be empirically measured? Realism, so to speak, would focus on the genuine creation of a justified, free and open administrative structures void of any form of coercion, intimidation or corrupted and misinterpreted rule of law. It would also gear itself towards promotion of such systems politically perceived by majority as democratic (Lieber 29). Various forms of power that are cherished in democracy are exercised here and they are not limited to cultural, economic and technological power. The key objective in a realistic structure is to build, enhance and promote rather than subduing the weaker ones. The means of harnessing power does not matter whatsoever provided that the accrued benefits belong to the state. In a sharp contrast though, the Obama administration may not be leaving an imprint of an indelible mark. As a result, it sharply contrasts with the Quincy statement that elevates the U.S policy on National Security as fair and justifies. On the other hand, National Security that touches on liberalism primarily focuses on the initiation, care and universal promotion of liberal democratic governments which do not abet unjust human practices in disguise of security. There is inevitably strong foundation for the rule of law as well as in-fights among mature democracies like that of U.S. According to Walt (95), the 1980s witnessed a serious aggression between the U.S and the Soviet Union owing to the enmity that communism brought. The political ideology of communism was a big threat to the Americans at this time. Ronald Reagan, a soldier during cold war was then implored by U.S to go to Washington and divert any possible threat that could be posed by communism. Even as this was happening, the United States was highly alarmed at how Japan was growing economically. Unfortunately, Japan’s economic strategies failed and as a result, its economy slumped while U.S “…enjoyed eight years of robust economic growth…” (Walt 98). In a nut shell, U.S was in a hectic search for allies, bearing in mind that it had gained the super power status by this time. It deployed a policy of “fit or quit” by embracing those who gave it support and punishing the “rogue ones”. Up to date, U.S has tirelessly and consistently attempted to persuade and convince several countries to acknowledge their “liberal capitalist world order” (Walt 108). Recent events have shed more light on this debate. For example, the historical September 11, 2001 attack of the twin towers was a wake-up call in U.S; probably in the wrong direction altogether. Some political scientists referred to it as the “power of weakness” in the sense that the weapon that was used to shake this world power was merely a box cutter and a fellow ready to sacrifice his life. This was like an impotent attack which surprisingly left too much pain and terror in this nation. How then did U.S react to this? Was the attack a national or global affair? The nation developed a desire to have full control of the terrorists and terror countries. Besides, it aimed at assimilating technological advancement for the sole purpose of solidifying its own power in the pretext of foreign policy. AS Garret (148) observes, the U.S government continued to act smart by playing lip service to democracy. In addition, the U.S government was quite relieved when Communism collapsed. This meant one thing: its expansionist plan would be right on track, spreading its tentacles far and wide and upholding the super power status. Sincerely, this was about power, influence, control and dominance. The U.S invasion of Iraq over the alleged weapons of mass destruction and consequent execution of Saddam Hussein was a vivid impact of its foreign policy on National Security. Lieber (231) notes that there are many advantages enjoyed when power and supremacy are on board. The very policy was adopted by U.S prior to the Iraqi War on terror. The author further expounds that power does not guarantee influence all the time. It is the very reason why US did not get the simple majority support in the Iraqi War. The nine out of fifteen votes could not be reached by the U.N Security Council to allow this super power stamp its authority on Iraq. Surprisingly, even those countries who were mostly assisted by U.S like Chile and Mexico were reluctant to offer their support. This must have been a lesson to the U.S sycophants and political technocrats. According to MacLean, the infamous foreign policies are trivial ideologies to harness power, primacy and influence (123). The fact that U.S has a veto power, she went ahead and attacked Iraq. This was a “foreign policy” that left thousands of innocent Iraqis in dire need of humanitarian assistance. The innocent civilians are yet to come to terms with the crisis that followed after the war. What about the U.S allegations that Saddam was harboring weapons of mass destruction? Indeed, he was later executed on the basis of these claims. Surprisingly, the label ‘weapons of mass destruction’ has not been proved to date. The world is still skeptical why the Bush administration attacked Iraq. In order to further explore the validity of Quincy’s statement, it is imperative to investigate the politics of constructivism in relation to National Security. It will assist in shedding more light to the emerging, yet ever changing conventional practices related to human rights, sovereign status of democracies and the application of justice (Fukuyama 176). Nonetheless, has the Obama administration been on the persuasive end to solicit for international support as a power pyramid plan? Some proponents of these foreign policies may perhaps be right. However, strategic foreign policy agenda that is free of political undertones is a welcome idea. Lieber argues that “…a grand strategy put into practice can be as important as the substance of that strategy…” (86). If the U.S foreign policy on National Security is anything to go by, then the empirical outcome of these strategies should be applauded by all and sundry. Mandelbaum provokes some thoughtful insight when he asserts that “if United States provides useful…services…to the world, why does…foreign policy provoke such frequent, widespread and bitter criticism?” (XVIII). The author further elaborates the September 11 terrorist act which was overwhelmingly condemned by U.S. Although acts of terror are as old as mankind, this appeared as the climax of all acts of terrorism in U.S history. The underlying rationale why the Al Qaeda launched this terror move was to topple the Saudi Arabia monarch in power which was a close associate of the U.S. What about the Obama administration? Does it uphold the salient features of the John Quincy statement? Firstly, the Obama administration has often reiterated that Islam is not a foe and that the war on terrorism has nothing to do with Islam as a religion. Besides, the incumbent President has reiterated the need for U.S to watch iver the development of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs. There are myriad foreign policies touching on security as stipulated in the current administrative structure. Notwithstanding this noble security plan by Obama administration, there is still some relentless pursuit by the very government to disarm its eastern foes. The rationale is unclear but there are doubts about Obama administration having followed in the footsteps of its predecessor. The U.S government and its citizenry strictly uphold to the principles of democracy and rule of law. That is why political leadership is democratically elected into office by the people. Similarly, constitutional office bearers like the Supreme Court judges are appointed legally by keenly adhering to existing laws and statutes. Moreover, the Congress has the mandate to make or amend laws which then becomes legally binding to all citizens. Such a leadership arrangement is well understood by everybody and contravening the law can be challenged through the judicial system. This appears to be a similar leadership arrangement in most democratic governments. To this end, critics of U.S aggression have always questioned the appointing authority in world governance. In other terms, why has the U.S government assumed total leadership over the world? Who appointed or directed it to do so? It may indeed be a paradox for a country claiming to pursue democracy while totalitarian ideology is the top agenda in its international matters. The basic role of democracy is missing here (Mandelbaum, 2000). The main grievance is that of representation. The U.S has taken a representative role of governing the world. This has led to numerous protests which can be directly linked to U.S “fatherhood” spirit. A clear cut illustration of this can be traced back on the climate change and global warming debate. As a precaution to reduce greenhouse emission which is believed to contribute significantly to global warming, countries of the world convened in Japan and unanimously agreed to stick to Kyoto protocol. Unfortunately, U.S failed to honor the agreement despite being one of the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases. Besides, the recently concluded Copenhagen talks on climate change ended in disillusionment with U.S not walking the talk as a world leader. Its foreign policies should have been handy at this time when the world is struggling to come into terms with the devastating effects of climate change which is a matter of national security if intently investigated. There is the belief that George W. Bush had become neoconservative by the threshold of his second term. Bush was once quoted to have said that the U.S military is not meant to build the nation but rather to “fight and win war” (Fukuyama 165). Moreover, his foreign policy advisor Condoleezza Rice added her voice to this matter when she asserted that U.S troops had no duty escorting children to school. These assertions were coherent enough to brand U.S as non-committed to the path of democracy when securing its borders. In fact, George W. Bush was more than ready to extend his “war and win” agenda to Iraq. As Fukuyama observes, Bush attempted to ideologically justify a war that would have been prevented. This, according to many of his critics, soiled the political governance of his second term (Garrett 173). The intrigues of U.S foreign policy remain to be debatable as well as eliciting mixed reactions to the world at large. It must indeed be something else. Since Obama took over the oath of a presidential office, he has relentlessly pursued the restoration of U.S authority in Latin America (Viotti 76). However, critics have a stand that this partnership may not be of central importance to U.S; there is more than meets the eye. If this position is anything to go by, then Quincy’s statement leaves a sour taste in the mouth of political analysts and the general public since it lacks credibility at some point. Works Cited Fukuyama, Francis. America at the Crossroads: Democracy, Power and the Neoconservative Legacy . New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007. Garrett, A. Stephen. Doing good and doing well: an examination of humanitarian intervention , Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999. Hardt, Michael & Negri, Antonio. Multitude War and Democracy in the Age of Empire . New York: Penguin Press, 2005. Horowitz Irving Louis. Culture and Civilization: Beyond Positivism and Historicism, New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 2010. Lieber, J. Robert. The American Era: Power and Strategy for the 21 st Century . New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005. MacLean George Andrew. Clinton’s foreign policy in Russia: from deterrence and isolation to democratization and engagement, Burlington: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2006. Mandelbaum, Michael. The Case of Goliath: How America acts as the World Government in the 21 st Century. New York: Public Affairs publishers, 2006. Viotti, R. Paul. American Foreign Policy , Cambridge: Polity Press, 2010. Walt, M. Stephen. Taming American Power: The Global Response to U.S Primacy . New York: Harvard University Press, 2006.

ESSAY: US Proposed Plan for Reducing Security Threat by Mexican Drug Cartels Problem Solution Essay Introduction Terrorism in the modern world has become a big threat to the security of the world and especially the US citizens which is the largest economy in the world. Mexico is a major loophole that can be used by these terrorists because of its border with the US which is very porous. There are several means through which terrorist activities are being carried out around the world. One of the ways is Cyber warfare, which has been said to be causing a lot of tension in the US. For instance by stealing intellectual property or commercial espionage are carried out by use computers and information technology. However, the Mexican cartels have not been noted to extensively use cyber warfare to terrorize people. Nevertheless Cyber warfare is still a security risk to US as a nation. This is because there are increased incidences of cyber terror, cyber espionage, hacking and cybercrime in the modern world. The risk that the cyber crime presents is hard to assess therefore its very dreadful as a time bomb waiting to explode. There are more frightful security threats that are posed by Mexican drug cartels. For years now, Mexico has come to be associated with distribution of largest volumes of drugs to the US. This is done by groups of organized crime gangs called cartels. They usually dominate large regions where they base their main operations and they cause unlawfulness in these areas because of their crime activities. They mostly engage in violent activities, drug abuse, and even manipulation of political support. There are a number of cartels that operate in Mexico and their activities often spill into the US. The major cartels include Sinaloa Federation, Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, Juarez cartel, Tijuana, and Beltran Leyva (Oscar, 2004, p. 67). Most of the conflicts being experienced across Mexico are attributed to the operations of these cartels. They basically cause such conflicts so that they can exploit the unstable conditions of lawlessness to do their businesses because in such a condition, they are able to transport and distribute their merchandise without police interference. They can evade police tracking and they control their own trafficking routes when there is no policing structure in place. Mexican drug cartels pose the greatest security threat to US because the two countries border each other and the even on instability in one of them, it’s likely to spills to the neighbor. Furthermore the border has been very porous with many drug cartels operations being done across these areas. The cartels are very dangerous and a reason to be scared because they accept firearms and other weapons in exchange of their drugs (Oscar, 2004, p. 67). The cartels train their recruits in rigorous military skills especially use of the weapons that they purchase both legitimate and those illegitimately acquired. Furthermore the cartels are able to attract the best talent and brains into their gangs because of the handsome salaries that they offer including other luxury goods like gold jewelry and cars. The drug cartel business is so lucrative that some military personnel even quit their jobs to join the cartels. From statistics, it’s been estimated that about 2.5% of the defense person have joined and continue to join these cartels. Besides the sale of the drugs like marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, they also smuggle a great number of weapons into Mexico since for them to be able counter the police and their rivals, they require the best weapons and very sophisticated arms. given that the most heinous crimes take place in area controlled by the cartels, these organized gangs are able to smuggle weapons through to the US ranging from small arms to very large shipment of armory (Oscar 2004, p. 69). This means that since terrorists are looking to the slightest chance to smuggle their weapons to the US, they can work together with these drug barons to sneak deadly weapons to the US like nuclear war materials. By enhancing their relationships with prisons and the police, the cartels have increased their network in the US to a point where they can easily move or ship their products to distribute them to a very large area. South-western areas of the US are such risky areas that even the National Drug intelligence centre has revealed extensive business deals of gangs like Mara Salvatrutha and Latin King. Comprehensive Strategy for Fighting Background It’s now clear that the drug cartels in Mexico are causing serious mayhem in the country and the war between them and the government has gradually trickled into the US through the porous south-western border. The consequences of this have been that, there are increased murders in these regions sometime of innocent people and kidnapping of the US citizens. Among the notable incidences was the death of Robert N. Krentz who was just killed by a drug peddler while on his farm in Arizona. The US president was forced to 1,200 American National Guard troops to the areas to intensify security. This was a good indication that the US is yet to implement a proper plan of combating such crimes across its border with Mexico, though it was a good reaction for that incidence (United Nation, 2010, para. 3). The dreaded war between Mexican government and the drug cartels will remain to be a threat to the US security for a long time unless the US law makers take up an all-inclusive approach to deal with the violence. These means the US government should step up the effort to secure its borders, crackdown cartel operation in the vulnerable areas and also to assist Mexico in strengthening its domestic capacity to fight the cartels, convict the gangs and imprison the drug cartel members (United Nation, 2010, para. 3). The escalating drug trade is extracting a terrible toll on the US citizens (Chu & William, 2009, p. 104). It threatens their lives, the wellbeing of their families, their economy and even their supposedly inalienable freedoms. The illicit drug trade is also a serious threat to the entire National Security because the networks of the drug cartels have a very great potential of destabilizing and corrupting the government and weakening the public safety in the areas that are vulnerable in America. The illicit drug businesses give the cartels great amount of ill-obtained profits and despicable alliances that are built during their operations are used to facilitate terrorist activities and organized crime across the world (Chu & William, 2009, p. 104). The US government needs to confront these threats by using combined strategies with Mexico. The combinations of the resources should include law enforcement investigation, diplomatic negotiations, economic sanctions, outlawing, developing proper institutions based on disrupting the drug cartel networks especially the markets, institution appropriate financial programs and investigations and establishing federal, local, and state enforcement cooperation (Chu & William, 2009, p. 108). The government should intensify the existing law enforcement initiatives that include High Intensity Drug trafficking area (HIDTA), the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and DEA among others. The government should work to improve its interagency coordination and technology enrichment. These undertakings will strengthen the US defense system on its border. Internationally, the government should strive to form alliances with other governments especially Mexico itself so that the processes of interdiction, law enforcement and international development agencies all seek to combat the drug cartels and cut down their profits across the world (Chu & William, 2009, p. 109). Cooperation with Mexico is the main ploy for the effort to fight these drug cartels. This cooperation is likely to effectively disrupt the illicit supply of the drugs since its from the source that a great volume of drugs can be stopped before they are sold into circulation in smaller packages considering that the drug traffickers have established big and well organized cartels with adequately trained men, some being ex-soldiers and the type and number of weapons they can access because of the money from larger profits from the trade, the cartels pose a serious threat even to the police force (United Nation, 2010, para. 3). However to ensure that they are fought and buried, it’s only pertinent that the US and Mexico reach an agreement to work together. They should have a plan that is sensible, feasible and has measurable milestones for success or failure. This way the fight against organized crime especially arms smuggling, human trafficking, drug trafficking and possible terrorism will be dealt with at the simultaneously. The Comprehensive Plan The Mexican drug cartels apparently control very big areas across Mexico and their illicit activities are being felt across the world especially in the US. In 2009, about 9,000 people were killed in drug related raids. This year had the worst incidences since President Felipe Calderó declared war on drugs trade. The current US government should be praised for its efforts in combat the cartel activities by continuing what president Bush had left in place. However the government now greatly blames the US drug use, arms law and the current policies that seem to be ineffective (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 15). The Mexican president declared war on the drug cartels after assuming office in 2006 so that he could contain the havoc that the cartels were causing across the country. That venture was not an easy one and up to now, over 23,000 people have died in drug related operations with over 4,000 of them dying this year, 2010. Calderon seems to be very tough on his stand against the cartels and seemingly, the cartels are now branching out to other illegal businesses like kidnapping and extortion. Since the fights and drug trade basically take place along the US-Mexico border, the violence usually affects the US citizens who are faced with fear of kidnapping, armed gangs and brutal killings ineffective (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 15). As the two countries struggle to finish the cartels, the cartels on the other hand are struggling to find new survival means and they are shifting to other illegal businesses as mentioned earlier and also expanding their networks to the northern parts of US. It’s estimated that the currently, the Mexican drug cartels have connections with over 20,000 street gangs across the United States. These gangs occupy the major cities in west and northern America. Implementing the plan to fight cartels will be a joint venture between the US and Mexico so that the two nations can be sure that the situation is seriously contained. Basically Mexico is not a failed state yet. The government is still in control of its military and other machinery that the state requires to ensure the security of its citizens (United Nation, 2010, para. 4). This is what has allowed the US Agencies to work in collaboration with their Mexican counterparts regarding security operations over the recent past. This is portrayed as a very positive prospect for the future. The following steps are crucial for the plan to function effectively; Identifying and Understanding the Problem : the main problem with the Mexican drug cartels is the insecurity that they cause across the two countries and the possible social impact of drug abuse on the communities. From this cause, Mexico and the United States are required to venture into collaborative attack on the cartels. The attack should be based on the information available from reliable sources like the National Intelligence Estimates (NIE) (US Department of Justice 2010, p. 45). The US intelligence community should be mandated to provide the information on the cartels especially the amount of threat posed, that is, if it can be quantified. The National Drug Intelligence Center will also offer deeper predictive analyses on the crimes. For this reason, therefore a baseline for the future can be drawn where security operations will be based. All the cooperation plans will be adequately informed (United Nation, 2010, para. 5). This means that the NIE will have to create standard classified information and even the unclassified information just to ensure that the public is adequately educated to be knowledgeable about the nature of the threat. Curbing the Supply of Weapons to Cartels : the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) claims that the drug cartels in Mexico acquire thousands of deadly weapons every year from Arizona, Texas and California (Carpenter, 2009, p. 6). Out of the traceable weapons that have been recovered, 90 percent of them were bought in the United States (US Department of Justice 2010, p. 45). This therefore means that if the governments manage to stop this supply, they will have managed to cut off about 90% of the Mexican source of arms to the cartels. Though the gangs can still find some weapons elsewhere this is a step in the right direction. The US should struggle to close all the possible loopholes like ensuring that there are background checks when purchasing guns. It’s estimated that over 40% of the guns acquired by the cartels are usually from selling points that do not carry out background checks during the purchase. ‘Gun shows’ should be closed because they are possible loopholes and that would make the United States much insecure (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 15). A study by the Republican Pollster Frank Luntz indicated that a very big population of the US citizens (over 87%) supported background check of firearms at their selling points. A second step would be to increase the amount of pressure to be enforced on the law breakers. The US government should give the ATF more resources for its works of investigating the arms dealers who could be linked to the weapons that are found in Mexico ineffective (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 17). It’s been found that merely one percent of the federally licensed arms sellers are responsible for selling 60% of the guns that are associated with drug related crimes (United Nation, 2010, para. 7). The ATF should then crackdown the small number of gun sellers who habitually break the law and demonstrate that there is zero tolerance to unlawful dealings in crime whether by mistake or knowingly sell the guns to Mexican gangs (Carpenter, 2009, p. 6). The US should also illegalize the smuggling of guns from the country and impose a very serious sentence for that crime. Whereas there are specific provisions of the Gun Control Act that state that smuggling weapons into the country is an illegal activity, smuggling weapons out is not clearly illustrated as an offense. This means the crime is generally punishable under general smuggling statute (Warner, 2010, p. 83). Therefore if a special statute provision is provided to append harsher repercussions for smuggling weapons or selling them knowingly to gang members and cartels that eventually end in Mexico would go a great length in limiting those illicit activities. The US Should Stem Cash Flow to the Cartels : it’s estimated that between 20 and 29 billion US dollars cash obtained from the US from the sale of drugs is smuggled back and almost half of it immediately gets into the informal economy of that country after evading detection by authorities (US Department of Justice 2010, p. 45). An operation that was conducted in 2009 by Operation Firewall in an attempt to curb flow of cash and laundering led to seizure of over 200 million US dollars and over 190 arrests in the united states and other countries. This is just a tip of the iceberg, if this is compared to the amount of cash that is smuggled across the US-Mexico border, the Mexican law is ineffective (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 19). This is why there needs to be joint effort to block this cash flow. This would also be a good start and will still have to be expanded to address the root cause of the problem. The US financial intelligences capacity has to have the ability to understand all the financial flows in the areas that most affected or even interdict money and other laundering deals (Carpenter, 2009, p. 6). More resources should be provided to the Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit so that it can deal with numerous cases per year. When more monetary and training resources are devoted to the activity, the results are likely to be efficient (Warner, 2010, p. 83). A joint training program between the US and Mexico especially the US Financial Intelligences, Treasury Department’s and the Mexican UIF will be able to guarantee effectiveness of the venture. The US policy makers should assess the remittances from the US either legal or illegal are the leading sources of revenue to Mexico where they create a weak economy. Restricting the Operation Capacity of the Cartels : the US government should struggle to create a border security surge, so that the border is transformed into a very secure zone free of cartel operations. Both president Calderon and President Obama have great visions for their countries especially survival in the 21 st century and sealing their permeable border into a place of controlled movement (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 20). The idea of a 21 st century border is a great one though it would take several years to eventually accomplish. This is expected to improve security, but in the meantime, there is need to cause great boundary security surge to bring order along the border. The main goals would be to increase the number of the national guards to be allocated specific responsibilities so that all possible gaps are covered as reviewed by agencies dealing with border information (Warner, 2010, p. 86). The operation will also seek to expand the resources of the homeland security and justice department so that they can afford the best technology when needed. And finally there should be increased sources for the state and local police forces in the states that border Mexico. Increased Intelligence : there need to have more collaborative ventures more than ever before, for US and Mexican law enforcement agencies. The existing collaboration has been seen to be improving since statistics show positive results in the “mirrored enforcement reports”. The US border patrol now works together with the federal police from Mexico especially on border patrols which are often done simultaneously now. Still more can be done for the purpose of security. The two countries can agree to use unmanned US drones to amass information in the drug cartel dominated areas (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2009, p. 20). There is need of creating a new program that will be used to collect information by the aerial drones unarmed over US-Mexico border to cover other areas beside the current Texas border. The intelligence should then be shared with Mexican government for proper strategy formulation (Carpenter, 2009, p. 8). The two governments should also look at the possible joint especially forces established to make the raids on the cartel territories to flush out and arrests the leaders. It’s possible that arresting and extraditing the leaders to the governments for prosecution would lead to justice and also scuttle organized cartels. Mexico is already extraditing some criminals for the same reasons. However a more efficient ways of dealing with the deeply rooted cartel would be for the Mexican military to conduct the raid operations banked by the US (Warner, 2010, p. 88). The proficient aerial attacks and logistics of the US military are likely to meet greater goals. Help Improve Mexico’s Justice System : the Mexican justice system needs a lot of reforms for long terms achievements. The US should works hard to give support to Mexico so that it can strengthen its rule of law. Even though this could be costly for both the countries, the insecurity that currently exists is much worse. The judicial system in Mexico should put more pressure on the cartels to impede their operations (Warner, 2010, p. 89). However, the reform process will still be slow but it’s expected that the continuing efforts will have achieved these reforms by 2016. The Mexican judicial system needs more training on the monetary and financial systems for the combined effort to be effective (Carpenter, 2009, p. 9). The local and state police in Mexico also need serious training in addition to the reforms being initiated in the courts and other governmental institutions. The Mexican military is under thorough reforms under a program called the Meridia initiative (Carpenter, 2009, p. 13). The programs have to be expanded to meet more law enforcement agencies and the entire legal system to be professionalized. Crackdown the Markets in the US : considering that the drug cartels have over 2,500 connections in the US cities, the US citizens are threatened greatly. Severing these networks and cutting the links with the controlling cartel is not only necessary but also inevitable. This is the most essential step of disrupting and dismantling the dominant cartels (Carpenter, 2009, p. 13). The US justice department led the “Project Deliverance” which was an inter-agency (included over 300 agencies) boundary operation that was set to fight the cartels trafficking networks. The project put a lot of pressure on the distribution links in the US resulting in over 2,266 arrests and 154 million dollars were seized with 2.5 tons of cocaine, 69 tons of marijuana among other drugs as well as over 500 vehicles. The project is a robust program that involves state securities and international agencies to disrupt cartel networks in America. Since this model was somehow a success, it can be used as a basis for disruption of cartel networks (Carpenter, 2009, p. 13). From it, new programs can be created to deal with drug cartel activities. Ultimate Operations The drug cartel problem and insecurity is a very big problem that entangles a lot to the US systems including illegal immigration, prisons, education and the law enforcement. Basically there are some factors that need to be resolved first before the ultimate operations can begin. First is the gang culture. Many Mexican do not value education considering that there are cheaper means of earning money besides going to school and developing a good career. Now the new problem is not even the Mexican but the America Mexican born in America or even illegal immigrants. Most of them have been found to have poor education (Smith, 2006, p. 56). For instance the education level of Mexican men who form larger percentage of illegal immigrants is very low at the bottom of the spectrum with least number of people with college degrees and most of them are high school dropouts. Even the US born Mexican youths always attach themselves to Mexico and still maintain their culture of carelessness. They are very arrogant and very aggressive committing very brutal crimes in some cases (Smith, 2006, p. 56). This problem begun as early as 1940s, as Mexicans started immigrating to US to better their lives and currently about 4% to 10% of the Mexican Youths subscribe to criminal gangs in America. The other cause of lawlessness is the inadequate reforms among law enforcement agencies in Mexico (Smith, 2006, p. 56). Basically the ability of Mexico to deal with drug cartels should be founded on the total overhaul of the judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies. In the past, the police basically preserved order and not crime resolution. They were therefore corrupt, inefficient, uneducated and dependent on crime as they even drove stole vehicles (Smith, 2006, p. 59). Corruption is one major obstacle in the fight against cartels. This is a very strong tool for the cartels because they have power to corrupt top law officers with large cash amounts, use violence and coercion and even cause serious mayhem in certain areas. The idea of money or bullet commonly phrased as “plata” (silver) or “plomo” (lead) has for so long been an effective tool for traffickers (Beith, 2010, p. 41). Government official were hence corrupt and totally engulfed in drug dealings. Political will is also been used as a weapon. President Calderon has been very aggressive in dealing with crime. For that reason, all politicians who supported him faced some threat. At times, some politicians have been killed in the past and the gangs have used them as reference to scare other people like ‘Did you see what happened to so and so? The same could happen to you” … this instills fear in people (Beith, 2010, p. 41). In 2009, Revolutionary party swept five governor positions out of the available six. This basically showed that there was a serious shift of political support from the President’s National Action party to the revolutionary party which is a little tolerant. He maybe loosing the popularity partly because of the fight he has set against these cartels (Beith, 2010, p. 46). There are three ultimate missions of the place to stop drug cartel threat to the US security. The three strategies only seek to expand cross-border bilateral cooperation based on the common enemy and shared dreams of dealing with insecurity (Carpenter, 2009, p. 13). Cooperation: the meeting between President Bush and Calderon led to a paradigm change from grudges to partnership between the two nations. This is where the Meridia initiative was born and it’s now a very large and comprehensive plan for fighting cartels. The program was set to run for three years and 1.4 billion dollars were spent on it (Wasler, 2010, p. 6). The basic objective was to strengthen Mexican institutions to enhance their capacities to hunt and deal with complex crime and trafficking gangs. The US has also provided its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel to help in recruitment and training of law enforcement officers in Mexico for the Mexican sensitive Investigative unit. This way, there will be great enhancement of intelligences across the countries’ departments. Another important dual venture is the Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BEST); this is an operation task force that makes use of the intelligence obtained from the partnership to propel investigations and organize the members for intensify security on the borders (Wasler, 2010, p. 6). Containment : the objective of the US forces as they seek to ensure security for its citizens has been to contain or stop smuggling of any kind ranging from illegal immigrants, human traffickers, illicit commodities, drugs and other unlawful activities through the borders in order to stop any problems that could be associated with these illegal dealings (Wasler, 2010, p. 7). First, the US established a special department for this purposes, the border patrol in 1924 and recently, the setting up of the Secure Fence Act in 2006. The US is now positive that it can manage to contain the drug cartels threats from Mexico to a considerable level. The border security has been modified over years through several revisions, from Southwest Border security to new 2009 law and seemingly more efficient institution called Homeland security headed by Janet Napolitano (Wasler, 2010, p. 8). The office of national drugs control policy (ONDCP) formed collaboration with DHS to fight narcotics smuggling across southwestern border. Blame America and not Mexico : it’s quite evident that the US domestic drug abuse is the reason why there is production of drug in Mexico because this offers ready market. Some of its gun laws as identified earlier have big loopholes and the economy is also very open (Wasler, 2010, p. 9). Acceptance of co-responsibility yielded good results and now the cartels are feeling the pressure. Even the US former president Clinton noted that the American insatiable need for the drugs is what drives the trade. The inability to control firearms and other lethal weapon from being smuggled out of the country offers the gangs the weapons to counter government raids and other efforts to stop them (Wasler, 2010, p. 9). However, there is new readiness to contain drug cartels where several combined initiative are already in place and other laws are being prepared to make smuggling of weapons out of US illegal and also reevaluate other domestic policies that deal with drug trafficking from Mexico. Reference List Beith, M. (2010). “ The Last Narco,” Grove Press, New York, pp. 40-55. Carpenter, T.G. (2009). “Troubled Neighbor: Mexico’s Drug Violence Poses a Threat to the United States,” Policy Analysis, no. 631. Chu, V.S., & William, J.K. (2009). “ Gun Trafficking and the Southwest Border:” Congressional Research Service ,” Library of Congress; Washington, DC. Oscar B. (2004). “New Traffickers Struggle for Control of Mexican Drug Trade,” Jane’s Intelligence Review. Smith, R.C (2006). “ Mexican New York- Transnational Lives of New Immigrants,” University Of California Press; Berkeley, CA. U.S. Government Accountability Office, (2009). “ Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking to Mexico Face Planning and Coordination Challenges ,” GAO-09-709, pp. 14–16 Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09709.pdf United Nation. (2010). “ Globalization of Crime: A Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment,” United Nation Publisher Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=r2QsBwNv8NMC&pg=PA239&dq=Zetas+and+Beltran+Leyva+conflict&hl=en&ei=FXj2TNjQEc2r8AapoY3gBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Zetas%20and%20Beltran%20Leyva%20conflict&f=false United States Department of Justice. (2010). “National Drug Intelligence Center,” National Drug Threat Assessment 2010 . Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/prs/10ndta10.htm Warner, J. (2010). “ U.S. Border Security: A Reference Handbook,” ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA. Wasler, R. (2010). “U.S. Strategy Against Mexican Drug Cartels: Flawed and Uncertain , Heritage Foundation,” Backgrounder , No. 2407.

ESSAY: Use Cvp Analysis for business decision making Analytical Essay CVP is the cost-volume-profit analysis that deals specifically with how profits plus costs changes with the change in volumes. It determines how those changes in the volume and the costs influences organizations income for operations and the net income. There are several assumptions made in doing the cost-volume –profit analysis. Some of the assumptions are; that everything produced must be sold, the costs changes only when activity changes, the fixed costs and variable costs for each unit are constant, the selling price is also constant and that the business unit sells different products. In the restaurant with 90 seats, total revenue for the sales annually is $975000. Further, the restaurant is usually open for 52 weeks in a year where by, it serves lunch and breakfast for 6 days in a week and dinner for 7 days in a week. The seats turnover in a day is 1.2 times for the breakfast, 1.25 times for the lunch and 1.20 times for the dinner. The above revenues on sales per year are then broken down between the meals served in the following percentage; dinner takes 50% of the revenue, breakfast 20% and lunch takes 30 %( Mudida, 2003, pg.45) To calculate the average check by meal period in the restaurant there is need to know the sales revenue estimate in the next year. Breakfast accounts for 20% of the sales revenue, which is $975000 translating to $195000 of the sales revenue for the next year. Revenue from lunches takes 30% of the year’s sales revenue, which translates to $292500. Dinner takes the rest of the remaining percentage for sales revenue, which is 50%, and the amount is $487500. The average revenue per week for the breakfast is $195000 divided by the 52 weeks, which gives an average of $3750. For lunch, the average per week is $292500 divided by 52 weeks, which is $5625 and lastly, is the sales revenue per week for serving dinner, which is $487500, divided by 52 weeks, which is $9375(Powell, 1993, pg.118). Moreover, breakfast service is 6 times in a week, which will give an average per day of $3750 divided by 6, which is $625 per day. Lunch service is for six times in a week giving an average per day on sales as $937.5. For dinner, the average sales revenue per week is $9375 divided by seven since dinner service is seven times per week. This gives an average of $1339 per day. Therefore, to get the exact average checks per meal we need to check the seats turnover. The seats are 90 and so the turnover being 1.2 times for breakfast, then the average check per meal for the breakfast is $625 divided 90*1.2, which gives an average of $5.78, which is approximately $6. Same procedure applies for lunch, which is $937.5, divided by 90*1.25 translating to an average check per meal of $8.33, which is approximately $8. For the dinner, the average check per meal is $1339 divided by 90*1.2 giving $12.398, which is approximately $12 per meal (Hardwick, Khan, Langmead, 1994, pg.8). To increase sales revenue going by the above calculations, adjust meal prices upwards to the available customer base. The price per meal for the breakfast can be reviewed to $7, that for lunch to $10 and for dinner to $15 per meal. To achieve this, improve the service quality and ease to which customers get services from the restaurant. The second method is by increasing the customer base through making sure that more people know the services in the restaurant. To achieve this, use advertisements and other business promotion techniques. It is also possible to increase revenue through the introduction of other services that accompany the meals such as soft drinks. This will also go along way to increase the sales revenue and the customer turnover (Cafferky, worth, 2010, pg.15). References Cafferky, M & Worth, J. (2010). Break-even analysis: the definitive guide to cost-volume-profit analysis . New York NY: Business expert press. Hardwick, P, Khan, B & Langmead, J.(1994). An introduction to Modern Economics . Essex, Longman. Mudida, R. (2003). Modern Economics: principles of macro and microeconomics. Nairobi, NRB: English press. Powell, R. (1993). Economics for professional and Business Studies . London, Publications.

ESSAY: Diamond-Water Paradox: Utility and Marginality Compare & Contrast Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Wage Determination in Labor Markets 3. The Diamond-Water Paradox and athletes’ salaries 4. Athletes’ Salaries and Pricing of sporting events 5. The Conclusion 6. References Introduction The classical economist, Adam Smith, presented the diamond-water paradox theory in academic circles. Concisely, the diamond-water paradox theory refers to the outright contradiction that, despite water being more useful for human survival than diamonds, the latter is highly priced in the market. Blaug (1962) observes that, Adam Smith had presented this theory based on value, which in this context had two meanings: value in use and value in exchange. Water has a higher value in use since it is more essential for human survival than diamonds (p.17). However, since water is readily available in almost all human habitats, it has lower/little value in exchange. On the other hand, diamond is very scarce; therefore, most people would be willing to give more money in its exchange than water, making it a very expensive commodity. Adam Smith’s presentation of the theory later came under criticism because the comparison being between heterogeneous commodities could have been explained better by the concept of marginal utility, which he had ignored. Wage Determination in Labor Markets Marginality is a term used for reference to a commodity pricing process that is neither based on the usefulness (total Utility) nor the amount of labor expended for production, but rather on its marginal utility. Marginal utility can be explained by assuming a rational consumer will consume commodities A and B in such a combination as to derive maximum utility. Further, consumption of any additional unit by the consumer marginal utility derived would be smaller. This phenomenon (reducing marginal utility) is known as diminishing marginal utility. Since water is readily available, its average consumption per person is relatively high, hence results in low marginal utility. Diamond, on the other hand, is scarce; therefore, the average consumption of diamond per person is very low and resulting to a high marginal utility. Due to its high marginality, many people are willing to pay a higher price for diamonds than for water. A further scenario that has greatly drawn attention is the paradox of value in the fields of sport and that of noble professions such as teaching. Teachers, in any part of the world, receive very low salaries for their highly esteemed service to the society. On the contrary, sportsmen draw fat paychecks for mere entertainment, a service that society would comfortably live in its absence. The question, however that arises is as to whether this pricing gaps between the two commodities is justifiable. Ensuing is a discussion on the two professions and the factors that lead to such a lift in the market pricing. Several factors determine the wage levels in the labor market. Atchison, Belcher, and Thomsen classified the factors that influence wages in the market into four categories: “economic, institutional, behavioral, and equity considerations” (2000, p.50). Economic factors refer to the general market forces of supply and demand. Economic factors would perhaps offer a quick explanation as to why a teacher would get a much lower pay than a professional athlete; the teaching industry has more labor supply than the athletics industry therefore the athlete can easily bargain a higher salary than that a teacher. In addition, when one considers the institutional ability and willingness to pay, again it becomes evident that the athletics profession would pay highly since it brings in high revenues as compared to the teaching profession. For instance, the typical sources of revenue for the athletics sport would include ticket sales, commission from food sales, advertisements, sale of broadcasting rights, and sale of branded merchandise. The overall revenue collected is usually a huge amount and given the low numbers of athletes then the paycheck is a huge sum of money. On the other hand, the number of teachers is very big and the source of revenues is usually limited to payments from students as well as the budgetary allocations by the government. Given the limited revenues, the teacher has no option but to accept a lower pay than an athlete does. Behavioral factors for wage determination that include competition in the industry play a key role in wage determination. Whereas competition is not a key consideration for a teacher, competition is a key determinant for an athlete, which then means that the teaching discipline would be more congested than the athletics’. Lastly, the principles of equity as a factor of wage determination, dictates that the revenues available be disseminated equitably among the players, which leaves the teacher with a lower average pay than the athlete because of low revenues. The Diamond-Water Paradox and athletes’ salaries Paradox of value theory as stated above refers to a scenario where a commodity that is seen to as essential to human life is lowly priced, whereas a commodity of little value to human life is highly priced. Teaching is a service that is very important to society as a teacher is the porter who molds the pupil’s future. On the other hand, a sportsman at best would offer just entertainment to society. Despite the great role a teacher plays in shaping the society’s future, the teacher earns significantly lower pay than a sportsperson. As elucidated above, the major explanation for the huge gap in pricing of the two commodities is neither the labor input nor total utility but marginal utility. Whereas a teacher would reach to a very few students (low marginality) sportsman on the other hand, would reach an enormous number of his fans (high Marginality). Athletes’ Salaries and Pricing of sporting events Questions arise as to the connection between the huge salaries for athletics and the pricing of sporting events. Landsburg (2000) stated that “it’s not his salary that raises the ticket but his ability to raise ticket prices.” An athlete commands a large base of fans that in most cases is willing to reward his/her rare abilities and skills by buying the ticket. In addition, the purchase of the highly priced ticket for a sporting event is purely the consumer’s choice and no one can take away such discretion (Murray, 2002, p.26). Another reason that influences the pricing is market supply and demand forces; given the high demand and limited supply of the sporting event, naturally the prices adjust to bring market operations to a state of equilibrium. The sporting profession has continued to reward its players attractively over the years. In baseball, for example, currently the highly paid player is Alex Rodriguez of New York who earns an average pay of $33 million per year. Therefore, the high salaries of athletes do not raise prices of the sporting events; fans are willing to pay the high prices to enjoy what athletes have to offer and this has in effect increased players’ salaries. The Conclusion The Diamond-water Paradox theory puts forth the generalization and a solid pricing strategy based on marginality and utility. It posits that it is not the total utility (usefulness of diamonds or water) that matters, but the marginal utility (usefulness of each unit of Diamond or Water). In my personal view, the hiring practice of sportsmen should not be regulated since the field has natural regulatory forces that precipitate the best sports teams of the time. Therefore, regulations are not necessary. References Atchison, T., Belcher, D., & Thomsen, D. (2000). Wage level And Its Determinants. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Print. Blaug, M. (1962). Economic Theory in Retrospect. Cambridge University Press. Print. Landsburg, S. (2000). At $10 a fan, That’s $17 million . The New York Times . Retrieved from web. Murray, C. (2002, September 6). Scoring the Big Money: Do athletes deserve so many Millions? Here is how you might be responsible for Jete’s paycheck. New York Times Upfront, 42, pp.26.

ESSAY: Valley Archive Collections Critical Essay The modern world as well as the future needs historical accounts in order to be aware of how events have changed with time. There are a number of ways of learning about the past. However, archives provide very important resources that give an account of the past. It is therefore crucial for communities to be informed about the importance of valuing and keeping their archives containing precious historical documents. The archives will protect useful documents, diaries, catalogues, reference books, photographs, music, films, minutes, letters, land records, newspapers, censuses and correspondence which will be invaluable for future generations. The essay discuses the power and potential of the Valley Archive collections, a project which happens to be part of the Virginia Center for Digital History at the University of Virginia. The modern world has witnessed tremendous information, communication and technological advancements. Virtually all sectors in the society have made efforts to integrate these significant developments. Historians have not been left behind as far as keeping important records that gives an account of the past is concerned. The Valley of the Shadow is a digital archive of very crucial sources of information about the people of Augusta County, Virginia, and Franklin County, Pennsylvania, during the period of the American Civil War between 1859 and 1870. Most archives contain very limited documentation of the past which makes them look like digital books. However, the Valley of the Shadow archive is more like a large digital library that provides an account of thousands of original documents that paints a clear picture of how men and women of Augusta and Franklin counties lived during the Civil War in America. Despite its huge size, the Valley Archive Project is well structured and easy to use. It contains thousands of census and government records which include maps and images, land and church records, official statistics, and tax records, letters and diaries, newspapers and speeches, and they all provide very detailed information about the day to day activities of people in the two counties during the time of the war. The three major sections into which the archive is divided make it easier to browse and access preferred information. The Eve of the War (1859-1861), The War Years (spring 1861-spring 1865), and The Aftermath (1865-1870) are the three sections of the Valley Archive. The click of a mouse on each section of interest enables one to take a tour into this virtual library. As one goes deeper into the library, one gets access to original documentation of most sectors of the society in the two counties at the time of the Civil War. Archives, therefore, are invaluable sources of historical accounts of any given society. With the nature of the Valley Archive Project, it is evident that historical accounts can be integrated with scientific and technological advancements that make it easier for historians to access various accounts of the past. This ease of accessing historical information helps researchers in conducting investigations through the analysis of original documentations in their digital form. We can conclude, therefore, that without archives, there is no history. Work Cited University of Virginia (2009). The Valley of the Shadow . Retrieved from http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/VoS/choosepart.html

ESSAY: Verbal Learning Process Research Paper Verbal learning is the use of words or the process of speaking to express ones ideas or thoughts. It also entails learner’s acquiring and retaining ability of verbal information. In other words, verbal learning is said to be memorization due to day-to-day demands on use of acquired verbal information. According to Tulving and Madigan, the learning has proved to be one of most efficient ways of passing information to the learners and a better way by which learners comprehend information (1970). A student who engages verbal learning incorporates vocal words to bring out concepts; hence, it is a procedure of transforming information from short-term to long-term memory. The concept of how human beings are able to retrieve and use verbal information is complex and is greatly influenced by how these learners are able to memorize the same information. For example, one is able to write the alphabetical letters backwards after memorizing and learning how to pair the sequence of all the alphabetical letters verbally. The process therefore means that one is in a position to require repeating information verbally during the paring sequence. Hearing the alphabet sequence therefore assists in remembering the letters and eventually one is even able to write them down in reverse. In line with Tulving and Madigan, association, as one of the major concept in verbal learning is brought out during the learning process (1970). In most cases, a student of verbal learning will associate a stimulus to a response. A good example is when a person you meet for the first time tells you his/her name. The next instance you meet the same person (a stimulus), the mind is triggered and thus recalls the sound of that person’s name (a response). This shows that the mind can memorize sound and then associate the sounds to objects or activities in future to give response. The other concept of verbal learning involves comprehension, which often occurs faster and easily, unlike in sign language learning where once requires to know the sign language in the first place. From the above explanations, verbal acquisition of knowledge is not extensively caused by conscious regulations or rigid form of knowledge attainment like most people believes it to be. The process is an enduring form of learning where proficiency and fluency emerges later on particularly during specialization. Verbal knowledge acquisition also involves good listening skills. A learner should thus be keen enough and patient to ensure proper input of the attempts and thus avoid learning anxiety. In verbal learning, the ability to recognize improvement is only achievable through comprehension of input. Interaction is thus a vital aspect of acquiring the knowledge since the learner’s input is the contribution provided through interactive participation, while output is the comprehension ability especially use of the language. Personal interpretation is also a key factor of effective verbal communication. Modern verbal learning calls for real-time acquisition of skills since the communication practice is the key aspect as opposed to the normal form of classroom learning, where the leant knowledge concerns specified study topics (Tulving and Madigan, 1970). Verbal learning consequently takes various unique styles such as ability to influence fluency of rapport-building skills. The learning provides need to notice and generate functions that can evoke the conscious reaction of the mind. Lastly, there is need for engaging meta-lingual abilities, which involves the capacity to take in hand deep thoughts as a measure of improving the learning skills enjoyably. Accuracy in the accusation therefore depends on comfort and individual’s passion to acquire the new skills. Verbal learning is however advantageous since it provides learner the opportunity to tryout the skills immediately. Reference Tulving, E., & Madigan, S. A. (1970). Memory and Verbal Learning. Canada: University of Toronto Retrieved from http://alicekim.ca/AnnRev70.pdf

ESSAY: Vernacular Languages vs. Latin: The Fall of the Babel Analytical Essay Abstract Throughout the centuries, Latin has been the language of the educated. Only knowing Latin, people could read and take part in the scientific, cultural and religious life of the country. As a result, Latin turned into the language of the nobility. The access to the literature was thus restricted by the cultural border. Unless one learned Latin, there was no other way to read the literature that interested the given person. At some point people started arguing about this state of affairs. Mostly because of the idea that books might reveal for them something new that they had never been told before, people started taking interest in their mother tongue crawling into the field of literature and science, making the issues of those more understood for the population. Vernacular Languages vs. Latin: The Fall of the Babel Because of the fact that most Middle Age literature was presented in Latin, while education was something that not all people could afford in those times, more and more people became preoccupied with the idea that there must be some way to present the literature in the language that they speak and understand. The problem grew bigger as rime passed, and the people grew weary of the Latin sermons that they could not understand and the books in Latin that watched them with mocking secrecy. Indeed, as Disraeli (1841) put it, “The performance of the Latin language, during many centuries, retarded the cultivation of the vernacular dialects of Europe.” (106). The situation became complicated as people started expressing their protests against the foreign language as the main one in the state. Finally, the time of the great change came. It began not with a revolt, but with a subtle change that was almost impossible to detect. The phenomenon was called later the Vulgar Latin. Watered with the Celtic words stylized as the Latin ones, with the specific endings and conjugations, these words became the basis of the future vernacular languages to develop. The process was rather long and complicated, but the results were most fruitful and convincing. people have started winning the small areas of the language and they could finally hear something recognizable. The day of triumph came when even the names of the geographic objects were transformed into the national languages of the people (Wellesley 2000, 14). This was something that no one could believe in several decades before. The idea that the books will be available to every single literate person was close to the revolution, and the first to protest such course of affairs was the clergy. However, there was a long way to go before this triumph would come. The first steps were made as the tenth century came. The overall atmosphere of being captured by writing and speaking in the native language had to find its place in the literature as well, both the scientific and the spiritual. As Le Goff (2006) marks it, Medieval Europe spoke and wrote Latin, and when Latin retreated in the face of the vernacular languages in the tenth century, the so-called Romance tongues (French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese) perpetuated that linguistic heritage. (10) As it can be seen from the abovementioned, it was not that the new languages simply took the place of the Latin language and started reigning in the sphere of literature and science. On the contrary, the new languages took the best of their mother tongue and represented a kind of pidgin – the language that was a mixture of the Celtic and the Latin taken together. The structure was foreign, but the word stock was taken from the Latin language, its idea preserved together with the words that came into the newly created languages. It would be reasonable to emphasize the impact of the vernacular poetry that has done its job on pushing the Latin language off its throne and taking the place of the leading language. As the new languages grew and became fuller and fuller with the lexis, the new poets started trying their luck in making verses and creating the literature of the new epoch. That was the thing that made the Latin language completely out of fashion even among the crème of society. That is what Mantello (1996) says on the topic: Old English writing also developed early. Vernacular poetry written by Aldhelm (d. 704/10) is attested but lost. Nonetheless an extensive Latin-Old-English glossary dating from the seventh century can be reconstructed from the evidence of the glossaries found I the libraries of Epinal and Erfurt. Old High German followed next. (123) The importance of these languages developing was immense. Indeed, they helped the nations to be recognized further on as the peoples of their own culture and traditions, with a solid literature and art basis in addition. In fact, the church was arguing a lot in opposition to the new languages appearing, claiming that Bible as the Holy Word cannot be translated into any other languages – which was further on proved wrong y Martin Luther – and did its best to hold Latin as the main language of the state and religion as long as it could. The reasons were quite easy to understand, with all the power that the church beheld over the people with help of the language under their control and the sphere of arts staying still in its development, while the church dogmas and rules were piling up. To sum up, the influence that the new languages development had on the people, the states and the cultures of the world was indescribable. It was only after Latin was left for good when the states started developing their fundament for the cultural heritage to pass to the descendants. In spite of the fact that the importance of the Latin culture is beyond any reasonable doubt and that even now the dead language has found some use in the spheres of medicine, pharmacy and jurisprudence, it is still clear that the new languages formed after the fall of the Latin “reign” are the very essence of the modern civilization in general and its every state in particular. Without the vernacular languages, the world would have stayed in the stage of the Medieval times. Meanwhile, people must not forget that they owe their culture to the language of the Ancient Rome. References Disraeli I. (1841) Amenities of Literature: Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature . New York, NY: J. & H. G. Langley. Le Goff J., Lloyd, J. (2006) The Birth of Europe: 400-1500 . New york, NY: Wiley-Blackwell. Mantello F. A. C., Rigg A. G. (1996) Medieval Latin: an Introduction and Bibliographical Guide . Cambridge: CUA Press. Wellesley K. (2000) The Year of the Four Emperors . Oxford: Routledge.

ESSAY: Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo: Film Techniques and Cinematography Critical Essay Introduction Alfred Hitchcock is one of the legends of English and American cinematography. It is impossible to imagine a person who does not know Hitchcock and the contribution he made to the world filmmaking. His personal invention of numerous techniques in different genres made his films spectacular and different from what existed on the screens. Underlining Hitchcock’s impact on the world cinematography, Jean Luc Godard said, “The death of Hitchcock makes the passage from one era to another… I believe we are entering an era defined by the suspension of the visual”. [1] The focus of our discussion is going to be Hitchcock’s film Vertigo and the technical effects present as the helping elements to for movie perception. Vertigo is a psychological thriller which comprises an original idea, a telling title and the visual effects which contribute to the understanding of the main idea of the movie. The main purpose of this paper is to dwell upon the movie Vertigo and to understand its underlying theme, the role of lighting and cinematography effects in movie perception and to compare and contrast it to other films shot by the director in America. Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock: The Difference in Seeing and Being Seen Underlying Theme in Hitchcock’s Vertigo Watching a movie Vertigo , a viewer remains in tension from the first minute up to its final scene. Hitchcock kept the viewer in guessing for some time, whether Madeleine and Judy was one and the same person. Providing the audience with the story about a detective Scottie who had to retire from the police work because of the developing latent acrophobia and Madeleine/Judy who fell in love with each other but the strange story of Madeleine’s death does not allow Scottie and Judy be together. The finale of the movie is unpredictable as no one can expect that Judy is going to die. [2] Still, a close consideration of the movie may provide us with some specific ideas which point to the underlying themes in the film. Hill and Helmers want to state that “ Vertigo positions its viewers, its characters, Hitchcock, and its cinematic style in a matrix of ideological practices and rhetorical appeals analyzable as identification and division”. [3] Much attention is paid to Scottie and his pure but at the same time imaginary identification. Hitchcock wanted to show the difference between something that was seen and that what desired to be seen. Identification of people and object is the central theme of the movie. The audience had to think thoroughly to understand the director’s plan. The Role of Lighting and Cinematography Effects in Movie Perception It is impossible to get the underlying idea of the film without discussing the techniques used there. Throughout the whole movie, the director implements a great variety of different visual techniques “to focus our attention on the psychological consequences of this desire for identification or identity”. [4] The camera zoom, different visual effects, change of color, light and picture, and offline editing are the most important techniques which help the audience to understand the main idea of the movie. Here is a close consideration of each effect which adds to the understanding of the film. There are a lot of different scenes when some objects become either lighter of darker. For example, there is moment when Madeleine is in the shot. In this very scene, the restaurant wall on the background becomes brighter. The main idea of the light here is to underline the moment, and make the blurred red restaurant walls more visible. One of the main purposes of this effect is to “give a visual uplift, a small background effect which subtly enhances the emotional high-point to which this scene was lading”. [5] The art of montage is magnificent in the film. There are a lot of different effects which seem simple for a modern viewer, but a close consideration of the quality and the period when the movie was shot may state this effect if magnificent. For example, the highest effect from montage is achieved when the main character shadows his friend’s wife by car. Both the main character and the audience are confused whether the persecuted car is the necessary one or not. Another good example of montage is achieved with Kim Novak. Hitchcock has managed to create a three-screen effect, when a “triadic image appears within the same picture”. [6] As a result, an actor (Novak) is seen in one and the same picture, as double, Madeleine and Judy. The music effects also impress. The alteration of the sound pays attention to some specific scenes and events which take place in the movie, e.g. at the moment when Scottie sees Madeleine’s half-image, “the soundtrack moves from a believable representation of the restaurant environment to thy mysterious-romantic music which peaks at the moment when Scottie’s half-imaged view of Madeleine is most vivid”. [7] The music volume also plays important role as when the sound increases, the viewers pay more attention to the events and shot than to others. Camera is really important in this movie as Hitchcock has managed to use the camera as the part of the film. The main peculiarity f the place of the came in the movie is that it shoots “the processes”. [8] For example, returning to the same scene when Madeleine is standing on the background of the red restaurant wall, the camera shows Scottie’s face and eyes which “move away from camera to the bar” and then “bridges the cut to the next image of Madeleine in profile”. [9] It is the moment when it seems that the eyes of Scottie and Madeleine might meet. But, “Madeleine’s forward-facing gaze is broken by her distracted look down and to her right, towards (but not at) the camera”. [10] Having considered these scenes, it may be concluded that the camera is the part of the movie, which might possess “both active and passive possibilities or ontological qualities”. [11] The so-called imaginary point of view becomes noticed when the gazes of Scottie and Judy almost meet. “The camera captures a key image in that part of the scene which Scottie later recalls from his mind”. [12] This camera effect helps us see that this scene is more about Scottie’s thoughts and emotions, the reflection of his character. Visual effects in the movie also add to the understanding of the understanding of the movie title and idea. Scottie feels vertigo when he has to look down from height as he has an acrophobia. The ability to zoom the camera makes us feel vertigo in reality. This effect is perfectly seen in the first scenes of the movie when Scottie’s partner dies and causes his acrophobia. The Similarity of Vertigo with other Hitchcock’s Films Almost all Hitchcock’s films are similar in the ideas, he was fond of shooting suspicious and psychological thrillers. Putting the visual effects as one of the main points of our discussion, it is important to state that Vertigo is very similar to Psycho . A triadic image is seen when Perkins appears in doubles, as Bates and Mother. [13] The theme of “psychological consequences of seeing and being seen” [14] considered in Vertigo is highlighted in the other Hitchcock’s films, especially in Rear Window and Psycho . Considering the main topics of these movies and the techniques used for their shooting, it may be concluded that the main message the author wanted to deliver is that that human desires may ruin everything what people desired. It seems that the problem of voyeurism and objectification is really important for the author, as he has implemented this theme in many American films. Conclusion Thus, it may be concluded that visual effects, camera movements, music sound and other techniques the director uses while shooting a film are extremely important for movie perception. We have based our attention on Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Vertigo and the effects the director used to reach the desired goal. The film director wanted to show us the different between seeing and being seen. He managed to do this via numerous camera and visual effects which added to the understanding of the scenes. Lightening and sound were also important as they paid our attention to the specific profiles and shots. Works Cited Deutelbaum, Marshall and Leland A. Poague. A Hitchcock reader . New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2009. Print. Gibbs, John and Douglas Pye. Style and meaning: studies in the detailed analysis of film . Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2005. Print. Hill, Charles A. and Marguerite H. Helmers. Defining visual rhetorics . London: Routledge, 2004. Print. Orr, John. Hitchcock and twentieth-century cinema . London: Wallflower Press, 2005. Print. Vertigo . Dir. Alfred Hitchcock. Perf. James Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes. Paramount Pictures, 1958. Film. Footnotes 1. Charles A. Hill and Marguerite H. Helmers, Defining visual rhetorics (London: Routledge, 2004) 111. 2. Vertigo , dir. Alfred Hitchcock, perf. James Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes. Paramount Pictures, 1958. 3. Hill and Helmers, 119. 4. Ibid. 5. John Gibbs and Douglas Pye, Style and meaning: studies in the detailed analysis of film (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2005) 93. 6. John Orr, Hitchcock and twentieth-century cinema (London: Wallflower Press, 2005) 128. 7. Gibbs and Pye, 94. 8. Marshall Deutelbaum and Leland A. Poague, A Hitchcock reader (New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2009) 235. 9. Gibbs and Pye, 93. 10. Ibid. 11. Deutelbaum and Poague, 241. 12. Gibbs and Pye, 94 13. Orr, 128. 14. Hill and Helmers, 111.

ESSAY: Video Games Addiction: Is It Real? Research Paper There have been increased cases of people being addicted on video games. A video game can be defined as the electronic entertainment which involves user interface for the purpose of making visual response on a video appliance. Addiction is associated with the need of substance while in some cases a behaviour which someone finds hard to move on without it, where the unavailability to a way out leads to abnormality. Video game habit which is referred as addiction involves playing and watching video games for the purpose of changing someone’s mood that results to some interference of individual’s responsibilities at the same time distracting personal connection and relationships within the family (Orzack). There are many debates regarding the video game addiction where some people do not view it as a disorder but the impacts caused by the same cannot be overlooked. The following discussion therefore is inclusive of the behaviours of the video game addicts. To start with, no one is immune in becoming a video addict. The addicts are known to be self-referred as they do not like distractions once they are playing and watching games. With the current technological improvement, it is hard to do away with computers which are playing significant roles in our lives. They are therefore found even at our homes where the children can easily access them as a family property, but they have ended up taking over their lives rather serving the intended purpose. There are characteristics which are associated with video addicts such as depression, sense of loneliness, people who are always afraid of what the outside world holds for them, running away from family conflict; basically people who find hard to do anything once they start playing a game. For most addicts, playing video games is just a normal exercise during a day. They actually argue that video games are just as good for consoling, thus being in a position to manage several demands of life such as school workloads. The positive effects played by continuous video game access cannot however be overlooked. Some of the shy children become gregarious by the fact that they become sociable as they are able to maintain friends because the games serve as an interactive means while some passive children start becoming more active (Schlimme). When the aggression however takes place or tremendous change of behaviours mostly on the negative perspective then the child is believed to be addicted. Many debates have risen concerning excessive video gaming where some believe it is not a problem at all to be considered as an addictive behaviour. The behaviour is however not accepted due to the consequences that accompany it. This behaviour is viewed as symptom that has resulted from another problem. Other addictions are also reported to be also symptoms of other problems such as alcoholism addiction due excessive stress and depression. Gaming addiction is known to serve two aspects of what addiction entails. For one to be addicted to certain behaviour, the activity in reverence to that behaviour must either be positively strengthening the addict or else negatively strengthening (Turner, Griffiths and Wood). Video addiction is often associated to the pathological gambling. In this they find hard to control the habit. As a result of it, many of the addicts are reported in becoming rebellious, getting angry very quickly and tending to a dangerous emotional set up where one becomes emotionally closed. A relevant case to these symptoms is well explained in a 16 years teen whom the parent could not control the behaviours. These behaviours often start as a good thing thus no harm that can easily be experienced at early stages. But as the time progressed, the teen found watching video game as a solace when he was faced by difficulties (Tournemille). This is a turn where one always runs away from the reality into the virtual realism. There are also cases of withdrawing from the collective living where one always uses most of his free time on video game hence having no time to interact with others. Schooling becomes a problem as the addicts perform poorly in their class work by the fact that it is even hard for them to do homework or revision while video games steals away such important time to do such important activities of life. Health problems are among the negative effects on the video game addicts by the fact that they spend less time to rest, which involves sleeping while playing video games; the condition affects much of their health. There are health problems related to lack of sleep like obesity and increase of blood sugar just to name a few where in some instances they forget to take their medication. They portray at least six symptoms which are related to pathological gambling (Jones, Ferlazzo and Gentile). A pathological disorder is associated with the harming caused by an act of doing something excessively, where the normal functioning is distorted which does not mean the act of doing it a lot although there is some relationship on the same. Violence in children and teens is a common behaviour which is believed to have its roots on video games. Out of playing violent games, many results putting into practice of what they do into the real world. In terrorism war games, there are tactics which terrorists employ in the act where the addicts try to use the same tactics first as a way of entertainment to others but the behaviours certainly change from what looked as a joke into seriousness. The violence is sometimes turned towards the parents as they try to instill the right behaviours and actions. The games are only played by electronic devices but the removal of these devices may not be the actual solution to the problem. When this happens, the situation is otherwise aggregated where some end up moving away from home searching for access of the electronic devices. The worst of the behaviour is where the addicts are involved in stealing in order to have money for purchasing video games as well as shoplifting video games themselves when they do not have money. Them that are said to be addicted on gaming are said to have no problem to the access of computers and televisions. Technological involvement in schooling where the children are required to use internet as they do their homework, has also amplified gaming. Excessive luxuries where there are availabilities of televisions even in the bedrooms cannot be under looked as one of the major contributor to gaming addiction. Boys are more likely to be addicted to gaming than the girls by the fact that girls are much involved in household cores as compared to boys (Gentile). There is however regrets that come out of the consequences of the much time spent on video games. When the family relationships are weakened beyond limit, they become hard to restore them up. This further leads to loneliness and the worst part of it, is when there are results of life time loneliness. One man was reported to have separated with his wife and children where he regretted the kind of life without the love of them that he considered to be close (Garsys). There are other disorders which are related to the addiction. Many are said to portray anxiety disorders and depression such that the only solution to them is being on computer. Some of them are also said to be hyperactive while others paying less attention to the instructions given, thus failing to do what is expected of them. There is a need for the treatment to the problem. The most challenging part is that computers play a very significant role in daily lives thus someone cannot talk of eradicating them which could be the best treatment if it were possible. There is a need therefore of learning various ways of living with computers. There has never been any reported cases of the addiction being criminalized, thus it becomes hard to convince someone that he is an addict. Responsible use of computers is one of the effective treatments, but the question lies on how to go about it. Gamers therefore need to be made to understand that it is as if they hold powerless positions as a result of their addiction while encouraging them to get more involved in real life experiences rather than online fantasies (Clark). There is a necessity to provide direct emotional treatment to the addict who are said to experience serious disruptions in their every day livelihood. These people may not be aware whether they are addicted, where they might feel that as one tries to help them, he or she is interfering with their own lives. A lot of understanding is therefore needed, acknowledging that this is a disorder like any other as much condemning to the behaviour, is more likely to worsen the situation. There are others who may not be addicted but they are directly or indirectly affected by the behaviours and outcomes of their close friends, family members, or even workmates. These too need psychological support so as to cope with the problems at hard thus learning different ways to deal and help the addicted persons. Many outreach programs need therefore to be put into place so as to promote awareness in schools, work places and to the entire society at large. These programs can be in form of counseling programs, undertaking of workshops that provide health services on video addiction treatment and worker support systems. There is only one aim of facing the problem rather than running away from it. In conclusion, there has been over estimation of the occurrence of gaming addiction which does not support the argument of the non existence of the addiction. Many addicts have in one way or another tried to quite the behaviour but they fail to, despite their determined efforts. Some have even resulted to violence if other people around them tried to stop them. It is therefore an addiction like any other thus ignoring the problem is not the solution to the behaviour but instead it is a creation of some more room for worsening the addiction (Hartney). Negative effects are associated to the addiction rather than just time loss by the fact that some have ended up losing their jobs due to poor performance at work places, poor performance in school which leads to school dropouts and the worst of it all are social isolation and decline in health status. Work Cited Clark, Amy S. Detox For Video Game Addiction? Web. Garsys, Linas. Are you addicted to video games? Web. Gentile, Douglas A. Pathological video game use among youth 8 to 18: A national study. 2009. Web. Hartney, Elizabeth. What Is Video Game Addiction? Web. Jones, Steve, Mike Ferlazzo and Douglas Gentile. ISU’s Gentile authors study finding nearly 1 in 10 youth gamers addicted to video games. Web. Orzack, Maressa Hecht. Q&A with Dr. Orzack: Computer Addiction Services . 1997. Web. Schlimme, Mary. Video Game Addiction: Do we need a Video Gamers Anonymous? Web. Tournemille, Dale. First-person shooter: The video gamer’s addiction. Web. Turner, N., M Griffiths and R Wood. Video game addiction – Is it a “real” disorder ? Web.

ESSAY: Video Games and Violence in Children Analytical Essay One of the most fundamental questions that psychologists ask themselves is what leads to violent behavior in people. There have been arguments that such behavior is as a result of a pre-disposition to violence in the media as well as in video games. This theory is heavily criticized as it is supported. Proponents of this theory claim that playing video games especially by children may lead a psychological formation of violent behavior; however, opponents of this theory claim that there is too much violence in the society and that video games cannot be solely blamed for such violence. It has been found out that the average child plays an average of about 43 minutes of video games every day. Proponents of the theory explain that video games leads to violent behavior argue that active participation in an activity reinforces learning. As such when children actively play these video games they are actually learning and involuntarily adopting violent behavior. This is because exposure to video games leads to imitation and further modeling of violent behavior (Rathus, 2008). This theory is further supported by the fact that repetitive action increases learning about that action, thus repeated playing some video games increases the chances that they will be violent. It also argued that playing video games has more than physical effect on the child. Exposure to video games has cognitive as well as psychological arousal. The child cognitively grows knowing violence as a way of life. The child thus builds violent emotions involuntarily, which leads to violent behavior. It has also been found out that children who are exposed to violent games grow to be anti social (Gentile & Anderson, 2003). On the other hand, this theory has been greatly criticized. To begin with, critics argue that there are concourse studies on the effects of video games on children behavior that can lead to such strong conclusions. This is because there are no valid procedures that can measure the effects of video games. Such studies also have several weaknesses. It is argued that those who study the effects of violent video games on children fail to have a parallel study on non violent video games. Furthermore there are a number of positive effects of playing violent video games on children. Other than being active in video games activity, video games act as avenues for children learn how to compete with each other. Such competition is done of friendly basin and as such reinforces friendship bonds between children. Furthermore children also derive a lot of satisfaction from teaching their playmates how to play and win in such games. Therefore video games act as a motivator to other socially constructive behaviors that are helpful to the normal growth and development of a child. Therefore violent behavior in children can be attributed to other factors such as the broken social-cultural norms as well as mal-functional homes (Grapes, 2000). It is factual that exposure for a long time to video games does involuntarily and over a long period of time shape a child’s emotions and cognitions to accommodate a lot of violence as a normal way of life. Moreover violence that is in video games is very similar to violence on the television and as such there is a relationship between violent behavior and exposure to violent video games. As such the effects of video games cannot be ignored, However, there need to be done extensive studies which will yield conclusive findings that will finally link exposure to v violent video games to violent behavior. Reference List Gentile, A., & Anderson, C. (2003). Violent video games: the newest violence hazard. In Douglas A ed. Media violence and children: a complete guide for parents and professionals. West Port, CT: Praeger Grapes, B. (2000). Violent children. Pennsylvania: Greenhaven Press Olson, C. (2008). Video games and children friendships. Document for interpersonal theory and research newsletter. Rathus, S. (2008). Psychology Concepts & Connections: Media & Research Update. Ontario: Thompson Learning

ESSAY: Video Games Do Enhance Learning Ability Research Paper Technology has entered human’s life quite recently, but has already occupied an important role in it. Technology enables people to improve living standards and give more opportunities for further development. Apart from this technology is also excessively used for entertainment purposes. Thus, children spend a lot of time playing video games instead of learning or even playing with peers in playgrounds. This evokes many disputes about the negative impact of video games on the development of children. However, nowadays researchers have come to the opposite conclusion and claim that video games can and do develop children’s learning skills and improve their academic performance. At this point it is necessary to stress that not only educational video games produce positive effects but all kind of games can be beneficial for development learning abilities in children (Bavelier et al., 2010, p.696). In fact, some scholars state that educational games are too formal and do not contain the number of effective factors as developed environment, visual effects, entertaining component, etc. Numerous surveys has proven that wise use of such technological tools as video games motivates children to study and develops their cognitive skills. It is necessary to point out that the use of technology can be fruitful for teenagers and pre-school children. Researchers state that video games develop various skills which are useful for children’s learning among which are attention, memory, motor control and cognition. Of course, it is essential to balance the use of technology in children’s life since video games abuse can lead to negative consequences, but it is necessary to note that any kind of abuse is harmful. Thus, balanced use of video games in children’s life does enhance their learning abilities. In the first place, it is necessary to point out that the use of video games during classes motivates children greatly. Thus, Ting Seng Eng (2005) claims that students are interested in such kind of activity and become concentrated while fulfilling their tasks, and this inevitably contributes to their academic performance improvement (645). It goes without saying that students are attracted by the entertaining part of video games. According to Gentile (2005) children find video games “highly motivating; by virtue of their interactive nature, children are actively engaged with them; they provide repeated practice; and they include rewards for skillful play” (10). Thus, students are encouraged to play a game and learn the necessary material at the same time. On top of that, children perceive and memorize information better which is proved by numerous researches. For instance, recent surveys reported that the introduction of educational video games into mathematic classes at high school resulted in “significant benefits on benchmark mathematics tests” (Bavelier et al., 2010, p.697). By all means, the use of video games is fruitful for children at early age. For example, pre-school children will play a video game learning some material rather than listen to it from their teacher. It is necessary to stress that while conducting some tasks of a video game children have an opportunity not only learn some new material but use it in different virtual situations. Of course, video games cannot substitute all other classroom activities but they do motivate children to train their skills and obtain more knowledge to fulfill different tasks. Apart from mere motivating function the use of video games contributes to the development of children’s cognition activity. Thus, Bavelier et al. (2010) stress that video games enhance children’s ability to “learn to learn” (697). Li and Atkins (2004) also reported about the improved cognition skills in children who played video games as compared to those who did not play such games (1721). Interestingly, this fruitful effect is not produced by some particular educational games, but video games in general. In fact, any video game develops cognition skills since children have to accommodate to new factors and environments while playing. They gain new experiences and try to learn from their mistakes. Of course, these experiences are virtual, however, the skills of accommodation and learning is likely to be transferred to the real life situations. Thus, children learn how to take into account their previous experience and respond rapidly to new conditions. By all, means these skills are extremely useful not only for education but other spheres of life as well. Besides, the use of technology in adult life is inevitable, so children who are, so to speak, acquainted with technology will be more prepared for tasks they will face in future. Many researchers used to warn people that video games can cause the lack of attention during classes and decrease ability to concentrate on more important tasks. However, now many surveys prove that the use of video games contributes to the development of attention in children. Playing games makes children be more attentive since to fulfill the task they should mind every detail. By all means, children want to win and this makes them be very attentive. These skills (attention and concentration) are of great importance for study. Students become more attentive and more precise while completing their academic tasks. Of course, this does not mean that children remember that details count in video games and understand that they should be precise while fulfilling other tasks. However, playing games children train their ability to concentrate, so they subconsciously become attentive and concentrated on particular academic assignments. As Bavelier et al. (2010) reports children who play video games “show significantly increased attentional skills as compared with those who do not” and, furthermore, “some measures of attention, such as the temporal dynamics of attention” in children at age from seven to ten years old “function at adult levels, indicating significant deviations from age-related norms”(697). It is necessary to add that Bavellier et al. studied the impact of action games, so these data also prove that playing video games contributes to the development of useful skills (attentional) which improve academic performance. Reportedly, video games have positive impact on the development of memory in children (Ting Seng Eng, 2005). It is quite obvious that children should memorize some information while playing video games. They keep in mind passwords, possible action patterns, and many other data. Thus, it is a good training of memory. Bavelier et al. (2010) claim that children “also exhibit better visual short-term memory” (696). Besides, the necessity to memorize some information while playing video games makes children work out successful patterns of information storage. Every child tries to remember this or that piece of information and again subconsciously find the necessary way to memorize the necessary amount of data for the necessary period of time. Of course, such skills are extremely important during their study. It is also important to point out that video games contribute to the development of motor control skills. For instance, Gentile (2005) provides an example when “playing a golf video game improved college students’ actual control of force when putting, even though the video game gave no bodily feedback on actual putting movement or force” (10). Of course, at early age the improvement are also observed. Interestingly, Bavelier et al. (2010) report that In 2009, the Royal Air Force stopped requiring that only trained pilots control unmanned drone flight missions and opened its door to less experienced young gamers, after studies indicated that the best drone pilots were often young video game players. (697) In fact, improved motor control in game players is easily explained by their precise movements during a video game. It is necessary to add that apart from driving video games, any other video game can contribute to the development of motor control skills. Of course, some researchers argue that video games cause such negative effects as “obesity, video-induced seizures, and postural, muscular and skeletal disorders, such as tendonitis, nerve compression, and carpal tunnel syndrome” (Gentile, 2005, p.10). However, all these negative effects are possible only in case of video games abuse. Admittedly, any activity (even the most useful and healthy like sport activities and learning) can lead to the development of various disorders when it is abused. Nevertheless, the threat of video games abuse can be easily diminished by parents and teachers. It goes without saying that parents should restrict the time for playing games. Teachers should also be very attentive while using such technology during classes. They should remember that video games should be supplementary and cannot substitute other activities. Apart from video games abuse Gentile (2005) articulates one more concern about video games, i.e. the development of aggressive behavior since many video games contain a lot of violence (10). This can and should be also controlled by parents. They should be aware of the content of video games their children play. Moreover, parents should play active and decisive role in the choice of such games. In this case, video games will be beneficial for children since they will develop their memory, attention, motor control and cognition skills without producing any negative effect on them. In conclusion, it is possible to point out that many researchers study the impact of video games on children’s academic performance. Some scientists provide evidence of negative effect of video games but at closer look it become clear that these effects are produced not by technology use itself but by the abuse of technology. On the contrary, nowadays numerous researchers prove that playing video games (educational as well as other types of video games) in most cases positively influence children’s academic performance. Thus, video games help children to train their memory, attention, concentration, motor control and cognition. Apart from this video games contribute to the development of students’ motivation. Such findings are very valuable for educators since they can use this knowledge and start using technology during classes more effectively. Moreover, educational video games producers can also take into account the latest researches in the field and make their products more effective. Thus, the evidence of video games positive impact on learning skills in children gives people more opportunities to develop new teaching techniques and find more ways for motivating children to gain knowledge. Reference List Bavelier, D., Green, C.S., Dye, M.W.G. (2010). Children, Wired: For Better and for Worse. Neuron 2010, 67(5), 692-701. Gentile, D. A. (2005). The Effects of Video Games on Children: What Parents Need to Know. Pediatrics for Parents , 21(6), 10-11. Li, X., Atkins, M.S. (2004). Early Childhood Computer Experience and Cognitive and Motor Development. Pediatrics , 113, 1715-1722. Ting Seng Eng. (2005). The Impact of ICT on Learning: A Review of Research. International Education Journal , 6(5), 635-650.

ESSAY: The Vietnam War Outcomes Essay Introduction The Vietnam War was and is still considered the longest deployment of the U.S military in the history of U.S wars. It took place when John F. Kennedy was in power in the 1960’s. Over two thousand military soldiers were deployed to the South Vietnam where the number increased gradually over time. President John Kennedy’s intention was to preserve an independent as well as a non communist state in South Vietnam but failed to do so due to the harsh resistance that he faced. The U.S, headed by president Dwight D. Eisenhower was unable to neither contain nor regulate small unit and terrorist attacks that were being carried out by troops popularly known as Vietcong (Brocheux, 2007). A diplomatic negotiation is a term used to describe the process where different countries carry out a dialogue with the aim of generating a consensus. During the talks that preceded the Vietnam War, an agreement appeared to have been reached by the negotiating parties, or so it seemed. The sham peace deals and fabricated diplomatic dialogues bore no fruit but resulted to false results and hope. The war took a turn for the worse when U.S. reinforced its military grip and they dug their claws deeper into North Vietnam. It was the year 1967 that beckoned the birth of the failed negotiations that would result in massive losses to both parties involved in the Vietnam War. However, the real trouble begun brewing two years earlier. In 1965, the year that the last of the rational diplomatic negotiations appeared to have taken place, Premier Pham Van Dong established the four point program that sought to weaken the hold of the U.S on Vietnam (Palmer, 1978). The recommendations appeared to bring bad taste in the mouths of those in U.S., and they did not let the moment slip right through their fingers. They retaliated by saying that the recommendations were undemocratic as they insinuated that the National Liberation Force was the only representative of the Vietnamese People. At this point, no agreement could be reached and both parties resorted to taking matters into their own hands (Herring, 1979). The Vietnam War seemed to have begun with the ‘honorable’ intentions of serving the American people’s interests but as is the case with any war, its brutal aftermath brought about both cultural and social devastation among people. It brought about social unrest among students and the young activists who frantically campaigned for the end of the killing of innocent persons in Vietnam (Moss, 2010). In the U.S., the deep hatred for the way the war had been conducted and the way it had ended caused the people to give a cold welcome to their troops as they came back from the war. The war also caused the American people to lose faith in their leaders when they learned that Lyndon Johnson had lied to them regarding the war. Back in Vietnam, the war had catalyzed the defeat of the South and its subsequent absorption by the North which had been persistently seeking to impose its will on the South. Millions of Vietnamese were killed, displaced and some were even completely disabled as a result of the war. To date, vast acres of land still remain wasted as they were destroyed by the poisonous herbicides that were used during the war and the government of Vietnam still struggles to cope with the needs of its people (Moss, 2010). In a nut shell, the Vietnam War brought more harm than good both to the people of America as well as the Vietnamese. Presidential leadership during the Vietnam War can be explained in ways such as the ethics and efforts that were put to ensure that peace was restored. President Kennedy had been advised by France president Charles de Gaulle that he would not succeed even if he injected more funds and soldiers into North Vietnam. In the period between 1961 and 1963 his military advisors had requested him to send combat divisions instead of the so called advisors to aid the Diem government. President Kennedy was in support of a coup where Diem together with his brother died. However, he did not last long in the war as he was assassinated three weeks later. Lyndon Johnson took over and was in power when the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution took place. He sent the first combat troops to Vietnam with hope that North Vietnam would give up and surrender to peace talks. Richard Nixon succeeded Johnson by claiming he had a secret plan to the war. He intended to train South Vietnamese and slowly pulling out American troops (Neale, 2001). Vietnam was headed by Eisenhower who reigned from 1953 to 1961. He did not support the Geneva Accords that were between Vietnam and France thus, led to the division of the country into two, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. South Vietnam was ruled by Ngo Dinh Diem who won the elections and later on claimed that his country was under communist attack. This marked the beginning of the Vietnam War in 1957 and Diem imprisoned all those who were suspected to belong to the communist and this led to demonstrations and protests (Brocheux, 2007). In conclusion, both the U.S. and the Vietnam governments have a lot to ponder regarding the outcome of the Vietnam War. Years have gone, but people are still agonizing from the effects of the war. Proper negotiations and good governance should be embraced before any war is embarked on, in order to avoid a repeat of what was witnessed during the Vietnam War. References Brocheux, P. (2007). Ho Chi Minh: a biography . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Herring, C. (1979). America’s longest war: the United States and Vietnam 1950–1975 New York: Wiley publishers. Moss, G. (2010). Vietnam: An American Ordeal (6 th Ed). Upper Saddle River (NJ): Prentice Hall. Neale, J. (2001). The American War. London: Bookmarks. Palmer, D. (1978). Summons of the Trumpet: U.S.-Vietnam in Perspective . Novato: Presidio Press.

ESSAY: Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned Argumentative Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The argument in support of violent video games 3. Argument against violent video games 4. Conclusion 5. References Introduction The essay is an argumentative one; violent games should not be banned. Recently there has been an endless and fierce debate on whether or not to banned violent video games. For instance, the countries that constitute the European Union are planning to ban some of the European games. However, it is the view of the majority of video games just like any other games are there to educate and entertain. Although there are strong reasons brought forth by those who want violent video games to be banned here are reasons why we should not; increases self-esteem, reduction of pain, encourages teamwork, sharpening players’ wit among others (Sterngold, 2006). With regards to those in support of banning the game they hold the view that the games continuously poison the minds of the viewers especially the young individuals. The argument in support of violent video games It is worth noting that there are indeed strong points that need to be given a second thought before we rush in banning violent video games. It has been argued and even proved that when kids play such games especially when the multiplayer type of game is available, then the children get to learn at a very early age to work as teammate which require teamwork. Arguably, this is advantageous as it helps in keeping children together in times of needs (Lebrilla, 2010). For this matter when they grow up, such individuals will be in a better position to be good team players. This concept has been currently deemed very vital in ensuring the success of an organization. Through the game, it is indeed tough to beat the opponent. However, through concentration, acquisition of skills and knowledge on how to win which has been learned from each other, children are capable of the emerging winner. With this, they grow knowing that to win, there is a need to have a team behind. As suggested by Bissell, 2008 violent video games have been thought to help especially those with very high tempers to release their anger by not hurting anybody. When very angry and one feels like inflicting pain on another human being, or even kill others, it has been thought appropriate to transfer such anger to violent video games. When one engages in a shoot out with an enemy in a video game, he/she might feel that the mission is accomplished. Aside from assisting young individuals to sharpen their wits and problem-solving skills, violent video game plays a significant role in helping young individuals even a few older members of the society to learn how to persevere. On the same line of thought, these games have made it possible for people to have a well-coordinated hand and eye movement (Craig et al. 2007). This has helped in making sure that reflex action/response is normal. The advantage of this is that it will play a significant role in keeping progressive illnesses at bay. Another major point that is in support of violent video games is that it helps in sustaining the country’s economy. It is apparent that the industry of violent video games has played a significant role in the economic growth of the country. The export of the same product to other nation generates foreign income for the country. Additionally, a good number of Americans derive their daily bread from the same industry (Konijn et al., 2007). For this reason, banning of violent video games will mean that the unemployment rate will go up and the money generated from the industry will be lost. The industry generates close to 21 billion dollars annually (Jones & Ponton, 2003). Additionally, doctors have proved that despite violent games being useful; releasing anger, it is also helpful in helping a patient reduce pain. The current efforts hospitals show this is making to install such games. More importantly, the games help in entertaining the plays as well as the viewers. Just like when people feel entertained in watching a football match violent game provide the same to the affected party. Considering the fact that slightly over 70.0% of American teens play these games, if it is banned then they will indulge in even more risky activities in their quest to be entertained for instance drug abuse (Goldstein, 1998). Argument against violent video games It would not be rational if the argument that supports the banning of violent games are not brought to light. It has been brought in the violent limelight game pollutes the minds of American children. When a young individual engages too much in these games, they are addicted. The result is that they will grow up and may put into practice what they saw. A recent incidence where a student walked in an institution of learning and started shooting at others killing them on the spot has been linked to violent video games (Anderson & Dill, 2000). Similarly, just like any other thing that can bring addiction, violent video game when making a young individual addicted can be detrimental in their quest to learning. This is because most of the time, whenever they are free will, spend time playing such games (Ferguson, 2008). Although it has been argued that the game fosters socialization skills, it is evident that when one plays in non-multiplayer support, they grow up being persons with poor skills to socialize. Conclusion From the review of the issue of violent games, even though the game is intense, banning it will bring more harm than good. For those who advocate for the banning, it would be rational to critically analyze the benefits of the game to individuals and even the society at large. For instance, it enhances teamwork, helps reduce pain, aid in releasing anger, and improves wit and hand-eye coordination among others. However, the disadvantages include polluting or poisoning young individuals, and addiction eats their time hence cannot engage actively in other vital activities. This thus warrants careful consideration from relevant stakeholders such as parents and the government. References Anderson, C. & Dill, K. (2000). “Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings and Behavior in the Laboratory and In Life.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 78(4):722. Ferguson, C. (2008). “Blazing Angels or Resident Evil? Can Violent Video Games Be a Force for Good?”, Review of General Psychology, 14(1): 68-81 Konijn, E. et al. (2007). “I Wish I Were a Warrior: The Role of Wishful Identification in the Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggression in Adolescent Boys.” Developmental Psychology, 43(1): 1-12 Craig, A. et al. (2007). Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy . Oxford University: Oxford University Press. Bissell, T. (2008). Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter . New York: Macmillan Publishers. Sterngold, A. (2006). “Violent video games” Web. Jones, G. & Ponton, L. (2003). Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence . New York: Basic Books. P. 172. Goldstein, J. (1998). Why We Watch; The Attraction of Violent Entertainment . Oxford University Oxford University Press. P. 188

ESSAY: Virgin Mobile Australia Marketing Strategies Report (Assessment) In a study by Beulen, et al (2006), Virgin Mobile is an upcoming first growing company that runs mobile telephone services within the telecommunication industry. It was founded in 1999 and is presently a fully Virgin Group’s subsidiary. The company prides in having its customers being able to both shop in about 6000 retail outlets in the UK and purchase the company’s services through the internet and cell phones. The company has already penetrated the Australian and American markets and plans are underway to get into Canada. In addition, its aim is to provide full fledged services at affordable prices. Virgin Mobile allows its customers to only pay for the actual use of their services and does not provide them with subscription services. It does not only focus on wider markets, but is also customer oriented. Rather than introducing new services in the market, the company aims at improving on what is already being provided. With such strategies in place, the company has managed to reach millions of subscribers in the UK apart from being the fastest growing mobile provider globally. A strategy that is keep the company in the changing and ever growing market is outsourcing business processes that can well handled by partners and outside suppliers. Presence of numerous contractors enables the company to respond accordingly to changes in market and hence enabling it to locate and hire required employees. It is headquartered at Trowbridge and has its marketing departments in London. Between 2003 and 2006, the company was ranked the best provider of both prepaid and customer care services. Orange, Vodafone, 02 and T- Mobile are Virgin Mobile Australia’s key rivals (Virgin Mobile Australia, 2010). Virgin Mobile Australia’s Marketing Strategies In a study by Jaray (2006), Virgin Mobile Australia has devised the following marketing tactics for its products: Product Collateral (Brochures) Through this strategy, the company is able to put a list of its available services on brochures. Explanations of how those services operate are made in an elaborate and simple manner. This enables customers to read them on their own at their own time. Through this, they can be reminded of the products, make choices and change where necessary. Advertising Virgin Mobile Australia engages in different forms of advertising such as through both print and electronic media to either remind customers of the existing services or to introduce a new service. The website Given that most of its customers are up keeping with the advancement in technology, the company uses the website to reach out to both potential and existing clients to keep them informed about the features of its services and any changes. In a study by Informa Healthcare (2005), Virgin Mobile has launched the following additional strategies to increase marketability of its services: Simplicity Virgin Mobile’s success in the US has been attributed to its simplistic approach. The company begins by taking note of areas of customer strain as outlined by the operator. The company then realizes that simplicity is the only marketing strategy that can make it distinctive. Simplicity has been implemented through the prepaid service where an easy non-contract one-rate charging option has been adopted together with a narrow choice of handsets. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy Its elaborate customer experience is one of the aspects that have placed the company above its rivals. This is one of the approaches that have been very successful with studies showing that a bigger percentage of the United States customers will tell a friend about Virgin Mobile due to provision of its high quality customer related services. 3 G strategy This is a high investment plan required in provision of services such as content and operator partnerships, and network infrastructure. Through 3 G, the company provides a mobile television service that has a provision for program recording that can then be watched later on, making it an effective marketing aspect. Content strategy To penetrate most of its markets, Virgin Mobile’s services have based on texts, wallpapers and ringtons. After an agreement with T-Mobiles, the company introduced another content service under its brand virgin extras. Through this, the company’s brand strength was boosted through enabling its clients download digital music. Use of Incentives In a study by Beulen et al (2006), Virgin Mobile has employed the use of incentives in an effort to retain its customers. First there is the use of 3p texts between virgin to virgin. Secondly, the company has introduced lowest denomination airtime vouchers (£ 5). Thirdly, there is the glue incentive where customers are rewarded with some airtime for every person they connect. Additionally, there is the flash it incentive where clients are awarded some airtime for the much they spent at the Virgin Megastores. Impacts of marketing strategies on customer and business base In a study by Manning, Salter and Tuinzing (2005), the marketing mix is used to ascertain the blend of product, price, place and promotion to be used together with the marketing strategy. Strategy Impact on customer / business base 1. Brochures Saves time and costs that would have been used by the company to explain to customers. Is a reminder to the customer and can reach more customers at reduced costs. 2. Advertising Reaches a wide audience at reduced costs thus increasing the company’s market share. 3. Website Encourages feedback from customers hence giving information on relevant service modifications. Also increases customer interaction with the brand. 4. Simplicity Increases usability of the service among customers resulting to more revenue. 5. CRM strategy Company is able to track individual customers’ performance, monitor and retain them. Enhances good customer relations that increases usability hence more revenue for the company. 6. Content strategy Increased usability among clients. Boosts the company’s brand making it distinct from its rivals. Use of incentives Retains customers by encouraging them to stick to one network. Airtime awards encourage usage and maximize profits. Customer network grows 3 G strategy High technology improves product quality, attracts many customers leading to increased sales. Levels of customer services provided by Virgin Mobile Australia In a book by Grant and Neupert (2003), first, the company offers flat call rates to its customers. Unlike other mobile providers, it has no peak rate calls. Secondly, the company offers its customers a simple call tariff that enables them to pay less after the first five minutes of each day. Additionally, the company has daily discounting rates and provides phones with integrated mp3 tones. As listed in virgin mobile, at the time, the following are products and their respective prices: Pre – paid and post – paid plans Product Price ($) Details Pre paid internet data: 19 5 MB 29 & 35 20MB 45, 75 & 95 50MB Post paid internet data: 456 50MB 696 100MB 936 300MB Iphone plans Product Price ($) Details Apple iphone 5 Per month on smart cap 49 25 Per month on smart cap 39 6 Per month on smart cap 39 Ways of promoting and distributing products. As stated in Loop Mobile limited (2007), Virgin Mobile Australia distributes and distributes most of its products on a website through that can be accessed on the phone. Secondly, products are promoted through mobile advertising and Public Relations campaign. The company also promotes music through news, fan communication and gig information that are available on both mobile and Personal Computer devices. Artists’ music is also being distributed via live chat message services. In a study by Wooton (2009), Virgin Mobile provides services such as call centre, phone service and other technical services. Apart from the internet and iphones, the company also provides its customers with handsets, ringtons, phone accessories and insurance. Additionally, credit customers are given discounts on the company’s phone services. This is normally done through mail. New marketing strategies that should be implemented for the new products Short message services. As stated in Sms News Articles (2010), given the increased use of this service, Virgin Mobile Australia can capitalize on its usability to target both potential and existing customers as it seeks to market its products and penetrate deeper into the market. To make this strategy successful, a powerful and marketing message should be composed and read first. The impact of this marketing plan reaches more people at diverse levels compared to audio visual. Also the cost of this plan is cheaper compared to other marketing strategies. What are likely to attract the attention of the clients are the simplicity, captivity and friendliness of the message. Intentions of making the product being marketed appear as if it is the best should be avoided. A message should describing for instance the new ringtons or phone accessories should be send to the customers and then they be left to decide on what to do after reading it. Social Network Advertising To increase the marketability of its new products especially ringtons and insurance, Virgin Mobile Australia should consider using social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace among others. This will enable users of these Social Networking Sites to be conversant with the product features, quality and even price. Additionally, the users’ responses and interest in the product can very easily be obtained giving the company an opportunity to make necessary changes so as to suit the demands of the customers. Employing this strategy will also enable the company to penetrate a wider market because there is a high likelihood of users sharing the information with their friends who may in turn make a choice to purchase the product. Additionally, links to the page containing ringtons can be included in the advert giving the users a chance to decide not only to buy but also to download it. Use of customer database In a book by Kutty (2008), Customer data base provide helpful information about the customer such as their attributes, previous transactions, their preferences and replies to various questions. Therefore, Virgin Mobile Company should use its database and that of other players like banks. The advantage of databases is that they provide information at reduced costs. Such information can then be used to tailor make the right insurance product for the customers. The success of the short message service strategy can be effectively monitored by the number of responses from targeted customers. Increased response should trigger a repeat of the strategy. Low responses could call for modifications in the strategy such as changing the message content. On the other hand, the success of social network advertising can be gauged by for instance the number of users who have not only liked the product, but also made up their orders on Facebook. Moreover, the success of customer database can be monitored by collecting specific information from customers that matches insurance products and using it appropriately. Return on Investment and Cost benefit Analysis of the strategies In a book by Shelly and Rosenblatt (2009), Return on Investment is a technique that compares a project’s total returns with its total costs. Cost Benefit Analysis on the other hand is a technique that measures the actual social benefits of a project in monetary terms in comparison to its costs. To begin with, the short message service approach is not only less costly but it can also target many people. Its total returns are likely to be higher than the total costs. Secondly, although advertising via social networks may target masses, its return may not be necessarily as many. It may also be costly given the many companies that are competing to advertise through it. Use of the customer database is less expensive and the insurance product to be marketed through it is likely to be more beneficial to the company. Ranked in ascending order, the most preferred strategy should be customer database, followed by short message service and then use of social network advertising. Resource Management and effect on current operations To implement the three advertising strategies, Virgin Mobile Australia should first invest in Research and Development to come up with the most competitive ways of implementing the strategies so as to be above its rivals. A market research on how their rivals are implementing their strategies is also necessarily to enable Virgin Mobile Australia know their weaknesses and thus come up with something effective. Secondly, the company may need to reduce its internet charges to allow most of the customers access some of its products from social networks easily. Thirdly, given that these strategies require financial back up in their implementation, the company ought to allocate an equivalent amount of funds to accomplish this. Fourthly, the company may be required to empower its marketing department. This may be done by training them more on marketing strategies, hiring more competent marketing executives or raising the remuneration for the current marketing staff. Successful implementation of these strategies will definitely affect the current operations of the company. For example as discussed earlier, implementing each of these strategies require additional budgeting. This is to cover social network advertising costs, sending short text message services, doing research on these strategies, covering wages, among other expenses. Creating a customer database requires the company to put mechanisms in place like hiring more customer care staff and increasing its public relations. The company may also need to lower the cost of some its products as a way of penetrating the market and flooring its rivals. Additionally, if the strategies work that will then mean that the company will have more customers and hence there may be need for more staff to handle the clients. Reference List Beulen, E. Ribbers, P. and Roos, J., 2006 . Managing IT outsourcing: governance in global partnerships . New York: Routledge. Web. Informal Health Care. 2005. Mvno Strategies Business Opportunities and Trends in the Global Mobile Market. Informal Health Care . Web. Jaray, S., 2006. Marketing (Australia wide). Jones Street: Career FAQs Pty Ltd. Kutty, S. K., 2008. Managing Life Insurance . New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India. Loop Mobile Limited. 2007. AGM presentation . Web. Manning, D., Salter, J. E. and Tuinzing, A., 2005. Virgin Atlantic Marketing Case Study . Web. Shelly, G. and Rosenblatt, H., 2009. Systems Analysis and Design. Boston: Cengage Learning. Sms News Articles. 2010. Sms my business blog. Baulkham Hills: Ail sms my business. Web. Virgin Mobile Australia. Mobile Plans and Pricing . Web. Wooton, C. 2009. Carpe Diem: The Australian Journal of Business Maximizing Brand Contact Points . Web.

ESSAY: Virtual advertising and entertainment Essay (Article) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Summary 3. Evaluation 4. Conclusion 5. Reference Introduction The article Virtual Advertising and Entertainment is mainly a brief detailing of how advertising has in recent years switched from the traditional media that is, broadcast (radio and television) and print (newspapers and magazines). Summary The author generally proposes that with the advent of the internet and developments in computer software the advertising industry has made progressive steps towards securing more audiences which is the primary foundation of businesses in the industry. The article concludes that the gap between the consumer and the advertiser is constantly widening mainly because the former is getting more and more control over the content he/she views. The author proposes that it is imperative that this gap be narrowed down if the advertising industry is to survive. Evaluation From the outset it is easy to see that the length of the article is limiting and this could be the reason why some critical aspects were left out. Since it is presumed that the author was publishing for the general audience, it would have been better for him to take time and conduct a thorough investigation into his topic of study and then presented the findings in such a way that any average reader could easily grasp his message. As much as the article gives a general overview of virtual advertising, it fails tremendously by not properly defining what virtual and advertising is as well as not giving a critical analysis of what it entails. The author simply delves into fronting his personal opinion regarding the importance of virtual advertising and entertainment. The ideas presented in the article are not properly substantiated therefore making it even more difficult for the reader to establish the credibility of the author and his work. For instance, when the author categorically concludes that there is a decline in print and television advertising, it would only have been appropriate for him to provide enough statistical data to back his statements. The article though generally well written does not have a sense of direction. For example, the closing remarks on the widening of the gap between advertisers and consumers would probably have had a better impact if it had come at the start of the article. That way it would have developed a better link with the aspect of advertisers embracing new media. The grammatical correctness of most of the article is commendable save for the fact that the author at one point claims that advertisers are increasing their podcasting and rich media ‘presents’ when he meant ‘presence.’ Conclusion In general, the article appears like some form of public relations campaign for virtual advertising. This is mainly because it ignores the fact that a majority of consumers appreciate more advertisements that are presented in the traditional media of print and radio as compared to those delivered through the new media of internet and CD ROM (Smit, 2000). It is almost obvious that an individual will sit through a commercial while watching his favorite sport than insert a compact disk in his computer drive to watch the same commercial. The same applies to newspaper advertisements, where the consumer has to appreciate the presence of several advertisements even without making the conscious effort to do so. In a way, the traditional media of print and broadcast are bound to be more effective especially because they do not give the consumer the option of choice (Smit, 2000). Reference Smit, E. (2000). Mass media advertising: information or wallpaper? Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis

ESSAY: Analyzing the Vision of Microsoft Company Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Vision Statement 3. Effective Elements 4. Merits 5. Shortcomings 6. Conclusion 7. References Introduction Vision statement is one of the most important concepts of any company or organization aiming to realize its dreams in the current volatile market situation. The effectiveness, applicability and realization of any vision of a company depend on how well the vision statement is developed. This paper discusses the effective elements, merits and shortcomings of the vision of Microsoft Company. Vision Statement Microsoft Company is one of the most successful companies in the world. The success may be attributed to their vision statement: “To be led by a globally diverse workforce that consistently delivers outstanding business results, understands the various cultural demands of a global marketplace, is passionate about technology and the promise it holds to tap human potential, and thrives in a corporate culture where inclusive behaviors are valued” (Microsoft 1). Effective Elements A good vision must be realistic in terms of what the organization wants to achieve. A vision must make sense to all the organization fraternity since it is the inspiration tool for the organization employees and thus must be credible. The vision must be attractive to an extent that the whole organization fraternity wants to be part of the organizations’ future dream. A vision looks into the future and thus it should clearly capture the future and bridges it with the present (Cowings, 1991). The effective elements of a vision statement are clear in Microsoft vision statement. Globally diverse workforce covers the global coverage dream; a workforce that delivers outstanding business results may be what everyone in the organization likes to be part of, workforce that is sensitive to culture diversity of their customers will ensure company’s relevance to all the global cultures. The vision statement has also considered the changes in technology with time and thus passionate about it, realizes the importance of human potential in realizing its dreams. Most importantly the vision appreciates the importance of working as a unit in its corporate culture where inclusive behavior is valued. Merits It can be argued that Microsoft has realized its vision with time due to the effectiveness of its vision statement. Microsoft is currently led by global workforce that continues to grow even more, they have been able to achieve outstanding business results with ever increasing profits every year and may continue in this trend in future. They have been able to accommodate all cultures of the world and their products are appreciated all over the world. They have been at the forefront of advancement in information and technology with their up to date products. By tapping into human potential they have been able to develop genius products which represent work of competent workforce. Shortcomings Microsoft may claim to envision a globally diverse workforce but most of its operations are more or less centralized. It may be hard to realize this vision in places such as developing countries where they may have not invested enough. Meeting cultural demands of the global market may be unrealistic due to the wide diversity. It can also be argued that the vision statement is not unique and may apply to any other related company a contrast to what Maurer claims “Each vision is unique. If you create a good vision statement, it will apply only to your organization; it cannot be transferred to another industry” (Maurer, 2000, p. 5). Conclusion Microsoft vision was discussed and found to be effective in terms of being credible, realistic, attractive and sensitive to the future. However some elements of the vision may not be realistic and their vision may not be unique to the company alone but all in all it has brought the corporation to its present success state. References Cowings, A. (1991). Strategic Leadership and Decision Making. AUF . Web. Maure, B. (2000). How to Create a Vision (or Compelling Goal) Statement . Rick Maurer. Web. Microsoft . (2011). A Vision and Strategy for the Future. Microsoft Corporation . Web.

ESSAY: Walt Whitman: Life of an American Poet Essay (Biography) Walt Whitman was an American poet born on May 31 1819 to Walter Whitman and Louisa Van Velsor in Long Island. He had a rough childhood due to economic hardships and finished his formal education at eleven years. He found a job after school to supplement his family’s income as an office boy. Later he got a job as an apprentice for a printing firm and began his interest in writing. However, he began to teach after a fire destroyed the printing district in New York in 1836 at seventeen years. He also started his own newspaper. His work raised a lot of controversy when he wrote it but he often considered as the “father of free verse” (Reynolds 314). The aim of writing was to reach the common person whom he felt had been ignored by the literature of his time. Whitman was interested in politics and used his works to address political and democracy issues in the society. His major work was his collection of poems called titled Leaves of Grass in 1855. The collection attracted negative criticism from many critics as they called the work obscene due to its sexual themes, which they found offensive. Consequently, he was sacked from his job at Brooklyn Eagle (Jason 87-91). However, one man by the name of Ralph Waldo Emerson gave Whitman’s poetry collection an approval and praised the work to his friends. The approval raised an interest in the book. Emerson gave the book his approval when he wrote Whitman a letter praising the book. Thus, Emerson contributed greatly to Whitman’s career as the letter which written by Emerson was printed in the subsequent edition and helped to mitigate the negative criticism his first edition had attracted and made a positive statement about Whitman’s collection of poems. The environment also influenced Whitman’s work. His milieu was one of mortality as he had encountered death when his infant sister when he was six years old. He also lost member of his family and other relatives. In addition while working as a printer he encountered stories about people that impacted his poetry for instance the poem Song of Myself, in which he shows violent ends. Whitman encountered wounded and dying soldiers as he served as volunteer nurse and thus had a direct contact with the blood bath as shown in the poem A March in the Ranks Hard-Prest in which he expressed his disdain for the war (Scheick 173). Whitman faced challenges throughout his life such as loss of employment and at times he just got by life through the help of his friends who would send him money from England and America. However, that did not deter him as he sought to help those in need. He was very interested in the lives of the people and the civil war changed him as he started taking care often people wounded in the war. He volunteered as a nurse as army hospitals and used his money and donations from friends to buy supplies for the wounded (Callow 293). He also took care of his mother and brother and thus did not neglect his family. Finally, Whitman passed on in March 26, 1892 from pneumonia. He left a lasting legacy because his works reflected the American society. He highlighted the plight of the oppressed such as the slaves thus his works championed for democracy in the society to give all people a fair chance. Thus, one cannot deny the fact that Whitman is one of the most influential American poets and the interest in his works today is proof. Works Cited Callow, Philip. From Noon to Starry Night: A Life of Walt Whitman . Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 1992. Jason, Stacy. Walt Whitman’s Multitudes: Labor Reform and Persona in Whitman’s Journalism and the First Leaves of Grass, 1840-1855 . New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2008. Reynolds, David S. Walt Whitman’s America: A Cultural Biography . New York: Vintage Books, 1995. Scheick, William J. “Aspiz Harod. So Long! L Walt Whitman’s poetry of death.” Walt Whitman Quarterly Review , 21. 3 (2004): 173-175.

ESSAY: War Crimes During the World War II Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. What is a war crime? 3. The Holocaust 4. The Bombing of Dresden 5. The Atomic Bombs 6. Conclusion 7. Works Cited Introduction War crimes committed against humanity ought to be shade light on for the sole purpose of avoiding such occurrences taking place again. War crimes have continuously been committed by nations of the earth. This article will briefly discuss three events which should be viewed as war crimes and which took place during the World War II. The article will give the motivations behind those who undertook the actions and will clearly show why the actions should be considered as war crimes. What is a war crime? It is very significant to be clear on what constitutes a war crime for this article to make any sense. The United Nations definition of war crime will be adopted for the argument made in this article. The Holocaust Even for those who have a shallow knowledge of the holocaust, it is clear that it has been the biggest genocide to have ever occurred. Six million Jews were systematically killed without mercy. They were lied to, gathered and led to their deathbeds just like animals to an abattoir. It is clear that the holocaust was a war crime by the fact that, these were innocent civilians (UN 1) who were targeted specifically because of the hatred that Hitler had for them. As a matter of fact, the outbreak of the WW II had nothing to do with the Jews and it is clear that the Jews were specifically targeted for elimination. They were transported from foreign regions outside Germany and brought to the concentration camps to face their death. The Holocaust is a classical example of how the deep the hatred of men can be. The Bombing of Dresden This is yet another event that qualifies to be considered a war crime. The bombs were dropped in a highly populated city and there were so many deaths. Targeting of civilians is an act of a war crime and this is what happened at Dresden when the Russians attacked the Dresden. Bombing of residential houses is clear indication of targeting civilians (UN 1) and the Dresden bombing should be classified as a war crime. The Atomic Bombs In as much as the US might have wanted to stop the war by using the atomic bombs, it was aware the bombs would affect the civilians more than anything else. Think of the radiations which were going to affect people for generations. The physical structures could be easily put up again after the war but the genetically deformation and resultants mutation arising from exposure to the atomic bombs would be disastrous on the human beings. It was clear that the United States wanted to prove its mightiness but then it was done at the expense of innocent civilians. It should be noted that Nagasaki and Hiroshima were not villages but cities filled with civilians and not army artilleries. War ships and barracks are not found in cities. It is very clear that the US was on its way to annihilate the Japanese in the most mercilessly and cruel manner. Had war ships and barracks been targeted, it could have been blamed on the war but this was not the case as civilians were targeted. Conclusion The above brief discussion has made it clear that the three events were war crimes. It is a war crime to gather six million people and gas them systematically. It is a war crime to bomb cities with a full knowledge that there are thousands of civilians in those cities and not even a single war ship. Systematic targeting of civilians is considered an act of a war crime and this is what happened in the holocaust, the bombing at Dresden and the dropping of the atomic bombs at Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Works Cited UN. Crimes within the Court’s Jurisdiction . United Nations, 2011. Web.

ESSAY: The War in Iraq and the U.S. Invasion Essay (Critical Writing) On September 11, 2001, devastating terrorist attacks took place on the United States that resulted in the death of about 3,000 people and the injury of about 6,000. The terrorists’ attacks were the start of the battle cry for the search of liberty and freedom as American politicians promised to do everything in their powers to protect the way of life of the Americans. Consequently, the U.S. went to war in Iraq for the second time as part of the war on terror aimed at preventing the innocent shading of blood in the name of perverted ideology. The U.S. invasion of Iraq was justified. The Saddam Hussein regime had associations with Al Qaeda terrorist group. Even though the Iraqi government was not directly involved in the planning of the 9/11 attacks, it provided a good operating environment for Ansar al-Islam, a big terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda. The war in Iraq assisted in weakening the strength of this terrorist organization, which is essential for the security of the American people. The Saddam administration took measures to provide a “safe haven” for the existence of terrorist networks in the country since they were seen as allies against the west. Whereas the Iraqi’s government associations with terrorist organizations was enough reason to justify the U.S. invasion of the country, human rights abuses that were practiced by the regime facilitated the decision to go to war. The Saddam regime murdered at least 50,000 Kurds using dangerous weapons; therefore, his history of human rights abuses put him in the same class as the terrorists. Thus, his overthrow was essential for the peace of the world. That being said, the Iraqis were yearning for someone to rescue them from Saddam’s tyrannical leadership. Investigations later revealed that even after the introduction of the oil for food program, Saddam was keeping a large quantity of food that was intended to feed the country’s starving citizens. Individuals who disagree with the war in Iraq have claimed that weapons of mass destruction, which were the primary justification for the war, were not found in the country. Even though this is true, it does not paint the whole picture since facilities for making and testing the weapons were found. This implies that the regime was able to assemble quickly large amounts chemical and biological weapons to use them in creating massive destruction in the planet. There is also the possibility, as later reports indicated, that the regime might have smuggled the weapons outside the country. Even though weapons of mass destruction were not found in the country, there is no doubt that Saddam had the ability of making them due to his strong link to terrorism and his constant threats hinting at the possibility of their use. If not, why then did he limit the movement of the weapons inspectors in the country? As the world’s superpower, the U.S. has continued to play a crucial role in creating democracies around the world. A major objective of the country’s foreign policy is to promote democracy in different places around the world. If the U.S. had not intervened in assisting to oust some dictators such as Saddam Hussein, the situation in these countries could be intolerable due to the mistreatment of these dictators. The efforts that the U.S. has put have led to beneficial effects and many countries around the world are enjoying the fruits of democratic governance.

ESSAY: Water Distribution System in Boston Essay Table of Contents 1. Water Sources and Treatment 2. Piping and Pressurization 3. Water Hydrants 4. Conclusion 5. Works Cited Up until 1795, Boston greatly relied on local wells and rain barrels for its local water supply. In 1795, the city turned to Jamaican water supply which supplied water throughout the city using wooden pipes but the city lacked a sufficient delivery capacity and the Jamaican water supply also started to pose major health concerns. This prompted the city to develop a conchitutae water supply system in 1951 to boost the distribution of water (MWRA 2). However, due to population explosion in the area, the conshituate water system wasn’t sufficient to cater for the whole city and the Chestnut Hill reservoir was build to supplement the water shortage. Later, the Wachuset and the Quabbin water reservoirs were built to further supplement water shortages and then the MWRA’s integrated water supply system was established to improve the supply of water which still supports the city’s water distribution today (MWRA 5). Water Sources and Treatment Upon construction of Boston water reservoirs, common sources of water used to supply it were the Nashua River, Lake Winnipesaukee, Sebago Lake, and the Merrimac River which also sustained water to the Wachuset reservoir and the Quabbin Reservoir (MWRA 5). These two reservoirs are Boston’s major water reservoirs and supply most of Boston’s household with fresh water each day. In general, Boston is estimated to use approximately 220 million gallons of water each day (Ryan 12). However, before water is supplied into the households, it is normally treated under high standards of care, conforming to state and federal water regulations. In the initial steps, water is treated by ozone bubbles derived from oxygen, and later, chloramines are added to prevent any contamination because the water travels long distances before final consumption. Alkalinity and acidity are later checked through the addition of sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide which also ensures there is no probability of a metallic substance (from domestic plumbing) dissolving in the water. Fluoride is later added to improve consumers’ teeth (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority 6). Piping and Pressurization After treatment, water is pressurized through elevation of the reservoirs to maintain a high gravitational pressure. However, in areas with low gravitational force, water is pumped in selected pumping stations. Water delivery in the city is done through ductile iron, vinyl, and reinforced concrete. These piping systems are installed in conformance to state and federal standards of piping. Water Hydrants Boston uses the dry barrel fire hydrants because of their ability to withstand extreme climatic conditions. These hydrants are placed 500 meters from each other and their presence can be witnessed in virtually all major streets. Boston currently has approximately 13,000 fire hydrants but the city is also grappling with the problem of children opening up the hydrants while playing. In this regard, the relevant authorities are currently contemplating installing tamper resistant magnetic caps to prevent damage to the water hydrants (Ryan 8). Boston’s piping layout is concentrated in the metropolitan areas and in areas of high population. Practically each street has a piping access that ensures water is available for indoor and outdoor use. Areas doted with fire hydrants are also precisely supplied with water through a network of pipes dug underground. The piping network canvasses through streets and under specific buildings to provide good water coverage of the city. Currently, the water piping system is such that it supplies one hydrant in every three square miles (Ryan 14) Most of the city’s hydrants are normally tested under the ISO standards annually or semiannually but in some cases, some hydrants have a longer warranty of testing, say between 5-10 years. Boston’s hydrants conform to ISO standards class 8 which ensures that its hydrants supply approximately 250 gallons of water each minute for two hours (Ryan 15). In addition, the hydrants are often cleaned to ensure that no debris, silt or erosion occurs within the pipes to maintain efficient working of the hydrants. Pumper tests are also periodically undertaken to ensure the liner and strainer are clear of any silt deposits. The caps to the hydrants are also well painted and the grass around it trimmed to levels which expose the openings. More importantly, the ISO standards in which the city’s fire department conforms to, ensure that water pressure and availability is always maintained at recommended levels. Conclusion Boston city has in the past ensured it obtains sustainable amounts of water from its two major water reservoirs. The city currently, stands to meet most of the modern city’s water demands with sustainable sources of water from its natural resources and proper treatment of water which are in line with the state and federal standards. Also with a hydrant population of 1,300, Boston adequately meets the needs of fire preparedness in the city and its conformance to ISO standards also ensures that the hydrants are in perfect working condition. However, the biggest challenge to the city’s water distribution system rests in ensuring the system is in perfect working condition. Works Cited Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. How the MWRA Water System Works . 25 February. 2010. Web. http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/watsys.htm MWRA. Metropolitan Boston’s Water System History . 9 August. 2006. Web. http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/hist1.htm Ryan, Arnold. City Journal: Goodbye, Fire Hydrants; Hello, Tot Sprays . 19 August. 2009. Web. https://www.boston.com/section/news

ESSAY: Water Quality Issues in Developing Countries Analytical Essay The linkage between water quality and public health is derived from the fact that unsafe water is responsible for causing a variety of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, which claims the lives of an estimated 5 million people annually – 6,000 children everyday (NRDC, 2008). According to WHO (2010), the quality of drinking water is a foundation for the prevention and control of waterborne ailments, thus water quality is a critical environmental determinant of health for populations using the water. Water that is contaminated with chemicals or bacteria can compromise the state of public health by increasing the risks of various disease outbreaks. Due to inadequate or ineffective water treatment policies in most developing countries, drinking water often gets contaminated with chemicals and bacteria from industrial wastes, pesticides, and untreated human waste (NRDC, 2008), setting the stage for the outbreak of notable waterborne diseases as is presently happening in Haiti after the devastating earthquake that occasioned the contamination of drinking water with human effluent. Some water pollutants carry disease-causing agents such as E. coli, giardia , and the typhoid bacteria, which have been known to cause potentially fatal diseases. NRDC (2008) notes that an estimated 3 million children perish each year due to waterborne diseases, 90 percent dying before celebrating their 5 th birthday as a direct consequence of their weak immunity systems. Contaminated water is also known to cause skin lesions, cardiac conditions, and several types of cancer. According to Markandya (2004), “…unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in high-mortality developing countries” (p. 3). As such, it can be argued that the quality of water is a foremost determinant of the health of populations globally. Indeed, water is a fundamental component of public health, and failure to avail clean water to people in need places a heavy burden on the entire population (Massoud et al., 2010) Water quality and quantity concerns in the U.S. are remarkably different from concerns raised by a typical developing country. Although various challenges to water quality have been posed (Ashok, 1998), the U.S. has implemented a multiplicity of measures aimed at improving the quality of water, such as source water protection, waste water treatment, water treatment, and effective waste management practices. Lack of adequate resources and political will continue to compromise efforts geared towards ensuring water quality in most developing nations. In terms of quantity, one of the foremost issue facing developing countries is lack of enough water to meet basic human needs (Markandya, 2004). Developing countries often contends with the ever-present challenge of chemical and biological water contamination, arising from improper waste disposal and water treatment mechanisms (NRDC, 2008). This issue has been largely brought under control in the U.S., though some challenges have been reported. However, it should be noted that the issue of water contamination continues to adversely affect the level of water quality in most developing countries. The issue of high water contamination gives rise to rampant outbreak of waterborne diseases. According to Ashok (1998), waterborne diseases continue to cause high incidences of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Massoud et al (2010) notes that “…in developing countries, nearly 80% of all diseases are linked to water and sanitation” (p. 24). The U.S. and other developed countries have managed to control the issue of waterborne diseases by putting in place effective strategies, policies, and systems of ensuring water quality. Water quality and quantity issues in the African country of Kenya have taken a centre stage in the government’s efforts to enhance public health. This is after the realization that a sizeable population of children below age 5 were dying annually of curable diarrheal conditions contracted through drinking unsafe water (Ashok, 1998). The country’s budget has for years been burdened by the frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases due to rampant biological contamination from leaking human sewer pipes and chemical contamination from factories and other installations that directs their effluence into rivers and waterbeds. Inadequate disposal of human and animal excrement continues to be blamed for massive water contamination in the country, putting many lives at risk. The magnitude of the mortality and morbidity from waterborne ailments is one of the country’s principal environmental health threats to millions of people. The growth and development of children in the country has been adversely affected by frequent episodes of diarrheal diseases. In rainy seasons, for instance, the country is forced to put up with huge economic costs stemming from lost adult productivity occasioned by waterborne diarrheal diseases (Ashok, 1998). Community members are forced to shoulder extra healthcare costs as they seek treatment for diseases caused by unsafe drinking water. In equal measure, the quantity of drinking water that can be considered safe for human consumption is barely enough due to population pressure and urban migration. Reference List Ashok, G. (1998). Drinking water in developing countries. Annual Review of Energy & the Environment, 23 (11), 253-270. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database. Markandya, A. (2004). Water quality issues in developing countries . Web. Massoud, M.A., Al-Abady, A., Jurdi, M., Nuwayhid, I. (2010). The challenges of sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural areas of developing countries: Case of Zawtar El-charkieh, Southern Lebanon. Journal of Environmental Health, 72 (10), 24-30. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database. Natural Resources Defense Council. (2008). Bringing safe water to the world . Retrieved from < https://www.nrdc.org/issues/water > World Health Organization. (2010). Water sanitation and health . Retrieved from < https://www.who.int/ >

ESSAY: Complexity of Managing Multinational Corporations: MNC Culture Globalization has resulted in the liberalization of various countries’ markets, enhanced communication systems, and wide networks of connections. Consequently, the rise of multinational corporations has been steady, with many of such corporations emerging in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Multinational companies have representatives in various parts of the globe of which each society in which such a business venture is established has a diverse and authentic culture and cultural beliefs. The management of such an enterprise established in diverse cultural affiliation has to be considerate of such cultural varieties since a society’s culture is unique and in many ways influence the behavioural pattern including the consumption of a certain good or utilization of a given service. The goal of this proposal is to critically assess the ways of managing of multinational companies in the different cultural settings. The major research area will be on the complexity of multinational management. This will take into account the regional approaches, theoretical, and empirical theories. Managing multinational companies is a complex and taxing task. The management requires prior market research and cultural analysis, to make the management more competent and reliable, ensuring all parties are satisfied without cases of discrimination or favouritism. With the right level of management, the international culture diversification will have positive and progressive impact on firm performance. In this study, we expect the nature of management to be directly affected by cultural diversification Literature Review Gomez & Palich (1997) in over a ten years period used cultural diversity to predict performance of multinational companies. They have pointed out that well organized and managed multinational companies yielded better results. This type of management acknowledges the existence of different cultures; individuals no matter the high of their education or sophistication belong to one type of culture or the other. Individuals exist in a society and every society has its own culture that generally unites the population, this type of culture is easy to pin point as it greatly influences the conducts and behaviours of individuals exhibiting homogenous attributes. They state that global cultural diversification intertwined with multinational firm’s performance should yield positive results that are also beneficial to the society. Since markets are not perfectly integrated multidimensional approach in market strategies enables a company to draw greatly from the diverse markets. Management has the chance of observing the culture that mostly and perfectly favours their products or services, in so doing they can greatly reduce the various costs of operation by concentrating more in this cultural area. Culture is the fundamental basis for human social behaviours and all other aspects are it political or economical would not be profound outside a societal setting. For a company to realize the most desired results, the most suitable environment for individual workers must be established of which cultural consideration is one of the requirements. Bergemann (2004) has stated that there are numerous challenges in managing multinational firms owing to the cultural diversities. The author has pointed out that some of the multinational companies realize the importance of effective management and they know that managing diversity is pivotal to employment equity initiatives. However many instead of focusing on the need of offering extra training in tackling the real issues facing an organization and look for the appropriate way of integrating it with other strategic initiatives engage only in offering additional training program to managers only. The author has said that in the contemporary modern society, managing diversity in multinational business firms is a critical competency that is very much desired. This type of management is on the effective management of people irrespective of race, gender, religion, ethnic background and so on. If not well executed management of diversities will result in confusion with employment equity. It was found out that managing diversity is not an intellectual trait that can be achieved overnight by neither attending training programs nor a matter of learning how to discern the different ethnic and national cultures. It has since been proposed that for effective management of a multinational firm, then the issue must be adopted as a strategic company objective that requires much commitment in integrating it in both the crucial policies and procedures of a company. The implementation should also be in such a way that it is fashioned to be in line with the organizational culture of the company in context as a whole that has been established over the years. Various dynamics and measures should be considered for effective management. Massive sensitization and education must be carried out in all departments to ensure that people are aware that the responsibility of managing diversity is not vested on the human resource department alone, rather people should know it is also the responsibility of every person that work to ensure the company’s vision and goals are realized in the most desirable manner. The leadership of the company must therefore be willing to take the issue o f cultural diversity a success and must engage the individual workers. Top management should not only be heard offering their support rather they should be fully actively involved, the failure of many polices is that the top officials are passive participants rather than active participants in spearheading any of the formulated policies regarding diversification of cultures. For positive appreciation of diverse cultures in multinational companies at the same time using this diversity to the advantage of the firm, then appropriate management measures, willingness and commitment ought to be in place. A company or any other business firm must, at all times ensure that cultural diversity is not exploited and used as the basis for discrimination. It is thus essential for firms to establish employment equity at the same time managing these diversities objectively, so that the firm should not on the other side, become overwhelmed by cultural diversities. Cultural diversities management in the multinational business firms like any other human resource management deals with people and people’s way of life. Consultations between the involved stakeholders have been very much advocated for. It was found out that for a successful management, the staff must get involved. Cultural diversities not only affect the management but also other branches within the same organization and beyond. For employees to coexist in harmony without cultural prejudice then all these employees must be taught in the most objective manner, how to adapt to different cultural diversities. Unlike the generally held belief that the management bears the greatest responsibility in managing diversities, it was found that all stakeholders were equally important from the top[ most manager to the lowest ranked junior officer. In a company where employees do not know how to handle cultural diversities, then there emanate many individual differences among workers, which negatively hurts the productivity level of the work force. Some of the measures that have been proposed in this sector are like conducting an audit covering current policies and procedures at the same time greatly focusing on the issue of workforce composition and recruitment trends. Focus- groups with clearly defined goals, questionnaires, or electronic surveys should be used in conducting the very crucial research on climate survey. Climate survey enables the firm to get resourceful insights of the perception held on the failures and successes of operating in a given area. Perceptions on the sensitive issues of equity and diversity can also be deduced from conducting a survey on employees. Active participation by employees is very important as primary information is gotten on whether the current managerial strategies have been appropriately effective or they have just served to be divisive and undesired hence requiring an overhaul. A committee that composes of both staff and management should be mandated to undertake the role of managing diversity in the workplace in the multinational corporations. Without such a committee, imminent issues will not be solved first hand and thus in dealing with the inevitable day-to-day issues, a support person is also necessary. Appropriate training for managers should be focused on the three inter-related and inter-linked aspects of diversity, equity, and dignity. In so doing in employing such methods in the management of diversities in multinational businesses, it has been found that it is not only beneficial to the business, but also to the surrounding community and the larger world community at large. Tolerance that is coupled with appreciation is established. Diversity committees shared by staff and management should thus be established of which this will greatly cultivate the staff-management relationship taking care of many problems that emanate from lack of elaborate communicative medium. According to OPPapers (2011) article, some multinational companies are faced with the issue of handling cultural diversity. Cultural diversity especially at the place of work has been described as the varying and ranging differences that are imminent between individuals in an organization. Multinational companies sometimes fail in their expansion missions because they fail to take into consideration the issue of cultural diversity. If multinational companies are to be successful in exploring and firmly establishing themselves in new areas, then they have to change their said organization to adapt to the new country of interest, cultural consideration being the main point of inference. Culture has been described and shown to entail sharing and learning aspect in the manner in which certain things are done in a specific given society. Since the way things are done in, a society has been attributed to culture, then eating, dressing, exchanging greetings, treatment of others, children instilling of information and discipline and the manner in which problems are solved all fall under culture. Therefore, failure to recognize the importance of culture in any given society has been cited as the first steps toward the downfall of a company in a given specific place, with the said company being of international stature. Even in cosmopolitan areas, the lack of a predominant culture becomes the culture of the place in that there are multidimensional cultures. All cultures are authentic as they fulfil the need of the given society. All different cultures are complete and there is no culture that should be considered superior than the other as they all serve the same role in any given society. Language, which is very important for communication purposes, is one aspect of a culture of a people. Advertising in pursuing the potential customer to consider purchasing the item is done using language. To understand a given language then it is important to also study and understand a people’s culture. Since all cultures are authentic, bias should be eradicated with colonial and imperialist mentalities being discouraged. The study of culture tells you of the things to expect, do and don’ts, what the community values are and gives a company a planning strategy in establishing its command and the ability to predict whether the products or services it is offering are going to be successful or not in establishing a reliable market force. The study of culture helps a multinational business in assessing many issues and thus is able to penetrate markets with ease reducing the incidences of taking a gamble. Therefore, multinational companies have in one way or the other have to employ people from different cultures especially the local people of the area of establishment. A multinational business firm should comprehensively understand the host market. Host markets are best understood by employing the local population and consequently the doors of cultural diversity are opened in the multinational company’s path of operation and human resource management. Cultural diversities have therefore come to be keenly and properly managed, failure to which will result in problems of clashing misunderstandings. The modern world has to be understood in the context that there are no boundaries as a result of globalization thus cultures are flowing from all areas and it would be wrong to force people of diverse cultures to conform to a certain given culture (Karimi 1991). Employees’ uniqueness must be identified and strengthened, their different talents and ideas developed and improved in a way that result in growth on both the individual level and on the company level in the process creating a platform for the employees to release their full potential. The modern business world is very competitive, dynamic and very radical; one of the most effective ways of remaining relevant and competitive is through capturing the energy and ideas of the culturally diverse people. No culture is static or rigid as all are dynamic and in a state of flux, multidimensional development of cultures at the workplace will be an added advantage to a multinational company in keeping in touch with the various happenings on the ground and the various changing needs and evolving demands. The understanding of such changing needs and demands can be freely collected from a survey on employees in different countries there by helping a company in cost, saving. Raisinghani & Farshori (not dated) have asserted the need for multinational corporations to not only understand the local cultures but to also to be in a position to communicate in the various international languages used by their employees and clients. It is also very important for corporations to understand the working schedule of any given society. Some people like Christians in some parts of the world feel offended if called upon to work on Sundays. It is also very essential to understand the calendar year of any given society. Different societies have different school curriculum and consequently different learning schedules. While some societies are re-opening school, others are closing. Failure to understand such basic things could have far-reaching negative effects on a company. Culture of a people has been compared to an iceberg. An iceberg has two parts, one that is visible to the eye and another one that is in water. (See appendices) Many business corporations only endeavour to concentrate on the tip of the ice beg and forget the part that is in water, which is even the bigger part. This means that in the real sense business corporations only concentrate on understanding the simple and obvious concepts of a given society and fail to go into details on understanding the real functioning of a given society and its logical backing for certain process. In so doing businesses miss to understand, key essential agendas thus unable to reap maximum benefit from international investments. Like a ship that hits an iceberg consequently sinking, lack of proper cultural understanding might lead to closure of operations of multinational companies in a given area. P&G dealing with cultural differences within the company Proctor & Gamble is a multinational company whose goods are diversified and ranges in varieties. It is one of the biggest Fortune 500 Company, and is globally admired, dealing with products in beauty, household items, health and well-being. This company serves more than 180 countries worldwide and has a workforce of more than twenty thousand personnel who come from different parts of the world. The company’s brands serve over four billion of the world’s population and thus are a much diversified with company having multinational management that has been gearing towards integration. The company in dealing with its huge and culturally diversified population of workers mainly emphasizes on its main philosophy and advocates for strict observation of the philosophy. This is the philosophy of relying in the regeneration and building from within. This mainly has to do with fostering a strong culture, founded on trust and shared experience. This compact knit is comparable to a family setting where there is mutual trust, having a common background uniting the members. Diversity and inclusion has been deeply entrenched in the company’s agendas and principles. The company has a wealthy and healthy diverse workforce, to foster integration the company acknowledges that each individual is unique, beyond what the eyes can see, coming from very rich diverse traditions. Each person is also respected as having a wide range of experiences and points of view. The company in strategies and planning has come to accept and utilize the diversity of its workforce. The cultural differences have been well utilized with individuals called upon to display their talents, perspectives and all forms of experiences. In so doing, the company has emphasized the celebration of everyone’s uniqueness (Dyer, Fredrick& Rowena 2004). Methods Methodological perspectives In this research, to distinguish different ways multinational companies use to manage diverse cultural differences, qualitative research methodology will be mainly applied. Managers of various companies from the selected samples will be interviewed to shed light on how they cope with diversified cultural workforce; the effects of diversified cultures on productivity and various hurdles that are countered in the process of managing the diverse culture. Employees will also be interviewed. Research design Research design deals with a logical problem. The evidence needed on this issue is to show that diversified cultures adversely affect the production of a company. Case study will therefore be used as a logical structure of inquiry. This will create the appropriate module on which the methods will effectively be applied. Population This research aims at critically assessing how multinational business firms manage diverse cultural differences. For this study, the population will be multinational companies cutting across the line of production. Sample or subjects The sample will contain four multinational companies engaged in diverse business ventures namely, soft drinks-Coca-Cola, clothing-Calvin Klein, farm equipments-John Deere and software manufacturing-Microsoft. This will verify whether these companies have employed similar methods of management. The data collected will be used to classify and categorize the effects of efficient and non-efficient methods of managing multinational companies based on cultural differences. Data collection methods Questionnaires will be issued to the different managers to fill on the specific guided questions, this is more preferable than interviewing them since appointment will consume a lot of time and thus a wide area will not be covered in the desired period. On the contrary, employees of whom it is easier and more convenient to have audience with, will be interviewed to find out whether they are satisfied with their organizational management among many other things. However, this is limiting since some might not conversant with the language of the interviewer. Data mining software can also be employed if need be. Data analysis methods The data collected will be empirically analyzed and computed to verify there is consistency, and whether new knowledge has been attained. Inductive and deductive logic will be applied to show whether the conclusion is consistent with the premises. Inductive logic involves the testability of the results with truth constructed; to flow from universal general to universal particular while deductive will be used to come up with universal general from universal particular. Reference List Bergermann, R. 2004. Managing Cultural Diversity in the Work Place . Web. Dyer, D,. Frederick D., and Rowena, O. (2004). Rising Tide: Lessons from 165 Years of Brand Building at Procter & Gamble . Boston, Harvard Business Press. Gomez, M,. Palich, L. 1997. Journal of International Business Studies Palgrave Macmillan Journals. Karimi, J. 1991. Journal of Management Information Systems. Opp.com 2011. Challenges in Managing Multinational Company . Web. Raisinghani, M. Fashori, S. Not dated. Cross-Cultural Teams in A Global Market: A Project Risk Management Perspective . Web.

ESSAY: Ways through which space is defined by cultural ornamentation Essay Introduction In architecture and decorative art, ornamentation is a decoration used to embellish parts of a building or object. Monumental sculpture and their equivalent in decorative art are excluded from the term; most ornaments do not include human figures, and if present, they are small compared to the overall scale. The most common types of architectural ornaments even with the advancement of technology since civilization remain the imitative ornament, applied ornament, and the organic ornament. The imitative ornament as the name suggest, is a decoration embedded on the structure imitating a form of definite meaning and with a symbolic significant. The applied ornament generally adds decorative beauty in the structure and forms bearing with them. The organic ornaments on the other hand are the inherent decorations of the art representing the piece of art in its organic form. Of these three major categories of architectural ornaments, the applied architectural ornament remains the most common and widely used form of architectural ornamentation. Different cultural societies have continued to use the applied ornament symbolically to express their cultures and poster their communities globally through their fine arts and decorations. Architectural ornament can be carved from stone, wood or precious metals, formed with plaster or clay, or painted or impressed onto a surface as applied ornament creating the impression of beauty as aforementioned. Wide varieties of decorative styles and motifs have developed for architecture and the applied arts including pottery, furniture, metal works. In textiles, wallpaper and other objects where the decoration maybe the main justification for its existence, the term pattern or design are more likely to be used. Textile, especially decoration and design, play an important role because different cultures and communities prefer specific fabric decoration and designs with specific colors and patterns. These specifications for communities over time have led to easy identification of these communities from the mode of their dressing particularly the traditional attire. For wallpapers, solemnly made for decoration, their designing determines their attractiveness to the target group and therefore expanded demand in the market. Textile and wallpaper decoration designs and patterns have changed with time since civilization as it has been with the architectural decorations due to the changes in technology. In a 1941 essay, the architectural historian, Sir John Summerson, called it “surface modulation”. This particularly meant that, the application of the common form of architectural ornamentation on the surfaces of structures led to the modulation or modification of the same surfaces creating attractiveness. Decoration and ornament has been evident in civilization since the beginning of recorded history, ranging from Ancient Egyptian architecture to the apparent lack of ornament of the 20 th century modernist architecture. Style of ornamentation clearly comes out in studying the cultures of different communities that developed the decorations and ornaments from their preceding cultures or modified unique decoration forms from other cultures. Architectural decoration started in ancient Egypt, where civilization started. The first decorations on the walls of buildings with pure natural theme dominated with figures of animals and plants. Not all welcomed this advancement of decoration and ornamentation. Some critics of the then architectural technological advancement did not imagine that decoration was necessary. Adolf Loos wrote his famous essay, “ornament and crime” in 1908, dismissing embellished ornaments as merely unnecessary decoration. According to Adolf, there was nothing important in decorating buildings and to him; anyone doing decoration was a criminal and a degenerate in the society. Furthermore, Adolf compared decorating a building to a person doing tattoo in their faces, which was crime; at least to him. Decorating objects created by people were like tossing them from sides until they ruined and wracked. The ban proclaimed against this extremely harmonious formal language this intersection between high art and folklore, prevailed for almost a century. Only since the return of the millennium, ornament has reestablished itself as decorative and yet subversive and allusive elements, abstract, and floral patterns adorn and dominate works in the contemporary visual arts. Bespeak beauty and seduction and they also always refer to society and gender – the way reality is constructed. Culture is looked upon as living ways of various groups of individuals, which may consist of aspects like interaction, social activity, spirituality, thought, Sciences, and arts (Smyth, 2001, p.56). These may be explained as follows: Interaction refers to human contact and social aspects, which include give-and-take, regarding conversations, protocol, negotiations, and socialization. These are useful aspects regarding living ways because individuals are usually dynamic and social in nature; therefore, they have to involve themselves in various interaction types with each other within their environments (Low, 2005, p.15). During these interactions of cultures, people copied decorative and ornamental forms which they modified coming up with better-decorated ornaments. Social activity is shared pursuits and experiences in cultural communities, which are usually demonstrated, by various life-celebrating and festivity events. These social activities including the celebrations and festivities provide an opportunity for different cultures to interact, exchange ideas, and learn from each other in terms of ornamentation and decoration among other things. Spirituality refers to belief systems, which help to build moral codes that are usually passed on through generations, which promotes human beings’ well-being. In addition, spirituality is usually highlighted through actions and languages. Thoughts are expressed ways through which people understand, interpret, and perceive the world around. Sciences and arts are looked upon as the most refined and advanced human expression forms (Smyth, 2001, p.48). Science and art promoted the expression of the skills that different cultures had in their possession and those learned from others during their regular interactions and festivities. Language refers to the earliest human institution or expression medium which is usually sophisticated. These aspects indicate that culture is usually very important within society because it makes it possible for people to understand the various living ways, which exist among individuals. Cultural studies may be perceived as an area of great importance because of its ability to offer appropriate principles for understanding and explaining human behavior. It is usually among the unique elements regarding contemporary social thought and it is very essential in contemporary social science research and specifically for the study of anthropology in particular. Ornaments can be conceived in many ways; they appear in different places, colors, scales, and patterns depending on the culture from where the ornaments originate for cultures have distinct and unique colors and patterns symbolizing different themes. In most cases, these ornaments are worn on specific times for a meaning and by a particular class of people. Various are also the reasons to use ornaments, sometimes they are planned, sometimes they occur unintentionally – certainly, however, they are part of the local culture. Ornamentation on the other hand is usually looked upon as the process or act of embellishing, adorning, or decorating (Low, 2005). Especially where a combination of both color and pattern decoration are applied, the patterns on the form or structure or figure adds interest in form of beauty more so where the image intended is solely imagination. These decorations and ornaments differ from culture to another and from one community to the other. This brings to our attention that cultural ornamentation is the aspect, which makes it possible for various cultural aspects to be embellished, adorned, or decorated. This implies that cultural ornamentation involves processes, which make it possible for cultural aspects to be attractive or appear as midpoints of interest (Winch, 1997). It therefore becomes apparent that, different cultures bear different decorative forms, which consequently express different cultural aspects. From the aspects brought to light above, it is apparent that space according to cultural ornamentation is usually perceived as the various cultural differences, which are experienced amid various cultures (Low, 2005). It is apparent that culture or living ways vary from place to place and these variations are the ones, which are typically perceived as cultural spaces. The variations in this case are experienced in interaction, social activity, spirituality, thought, Sciences and arts as well as language. These may be put to light as follows. For instance, interaction modes have been perceived as main cultural aspects because individuals have been found to be dynamic and social in nature and they end up involving themselves in various interaction types. These interactions among different people of different cultures involve also interaction and copying of cultures themselves between the people interacting. These interactions have been found to vary from area to another and therefore cultural spaces exist between various areas. Secondly, social activities also vary from place to another and therefore justify cultural space existence amid communities (Smyth, 2001). These social activities give a platform or a better forum for the different cultural societies gathering to express fully their arts. It is apparent that various societies have varying social activities and the felt differences in this case are cultural spaces. Living ways of various communities are highly influenced by factors like surrounding environment and interaction with other communities. Research has highlighted that, communities that highly interact with other communities end up incorporating their living ways and therefore the cultural spaces between them may end up being trimmed down. However, minimum interaction among cultures brings about limited learning regarding other individuals’ cultures and therefore they end up bringing about increased cultural spaces among them (Low, 2005). Increased cultural space makes it difficult for individuals to understand cultures exhibited by other individuals due to the limited interactions between them whereas reduced cultural space brings about situations whereby easier understanding regarding various cultures is experienced across cultures. This insight becomes clear in that the more the societies and cultures interact, the less the space between them reduce. The differences in sophistication of the arts from the two or more interacting societies show the space between the societies. The regularly the cultures interact; the great the understanding between the two cultures exist. This is usually very essential due to its ability to sustain successfully the respect from other cultures because of the understanding, which is experienced among various cultures or individuals with varying living ways. Spirituality varies from one culture to another; therefore, it may be used to express cultural space meaning. In spirituality, different people from different cultural backgrounds have different ways of carrying out their spiritual activities and the different forms of arts in their places of worship. Spirituality in this case is value systems, which are usually passed on through generations (Winch, 1997). These value systems highly determine aspects, which are considered bad or good. Individuals from varying cultures may end up perceiving cultural spaces among them because they hold varying value systems. African art, for example constitutes one of the most diverse legacies on earth. Though many casual observers tend to generalize “traditional” African art, the continent is full of people, societies, and civilizations, each with a unique visual special culture. The definition also includes the art of the African, such as the art of African Americans. Despite this diversity, there are some unifying artistic themes when considering the totality of the visual culture from the continent of Africa. The human figure has always been the primary subject matter for most African art, and this emphasis even influenced certain European traditions. Most Europeans admired the cultures portrayed by the beautiful pieces of arts of African human figures and opted to adopt them, because the theme portrayed by these figures shows a rich African culture. In most cases, these figures in their making signify a particular important cultural aspect for the community from which the piece of art comes from. The human figure may symbolize the living or the dead, may reference chiefs, dancers, or various trades such as drummers or hunters, or even may be an anthropomorphic representation of a god or have other votive function. Another common theme is the inter-morphosis of human and animal. African artworks tend to favor visual abstraction over naturalistic representation. This is because many African artworks generalize stylistic norms. Ancient Egyptian art, also usually thought of as naturalistically depictive, makes use of highly abstracted and regimented visual canons, especially in painting, as well as the use of different colors to represent the qualities and characteristics of an individual being depicted. African artists tend to favor three-dimensional artworks over two-dimensional works. Even many African paintings or cloth works were meant to be experienced three-dimensionally. House paintings are often seen as a continuous design wrapped around a house, forcing the viewer to walk around the work to experience it fully; while decorated cloths are worn as decorative or ceremonial garments, transforming the wearer into a living sculpture. Distinct from the static form of traditional Western sculpture African art displays animation, a readiness to move. An extension of the utilitarianism and three-dimensionality of traditional African art is the fact that much of it is crafted for use in performance contexts, rather than in static one. For example, masks and costumes very often are used in communal, ceremonial contexts, where they are “danced.” Most societies in Africa have names for their masks, but this single name incorporates not only the sculpture, but also the meanings of the mask, the dance associated with it, and the spirits that reside within. In African thought, the three cannot be differentiated. Often a small part of an African design will look similar to a larger part, such as the diamonds at different scales in the Kasai pattern at right. Louis Senghor, Senegal’s first president, referred to this as “dynamic symmetry.” William Fagg, the British art historian, compared it to the logarithmic mapping of natural growth by biologist D’Arcy Thompson. More recently, it has been described in terms of fractal geometry. The origins of African art lie long before recorded history. African rock art in the Sahara in Niger preserves 6000-year-old carvings. The earliest known sculptures are from the Nok culture of Nigeria , made around 500 BC. Along with sub-Saharan Africa, the cultural arts of the western tribes, ancient Egyptian paintings and artifacts, and indigenous southern crafts also contributed greatly to African art. Often depicting the abundance of surrounding nature, the art was often abstract interpretations of animals, plant life, or natural designs and shapes. In Islamic art, unless space is infinite, whatever goes on in that space will have to end at some point. Many have commented on what is taken to be a horror vacuity in Islamic ornamentation. A dislike of the empty, and this accounts for the ways in which space is filled up so comprehensively in Islamic art. Yet space cannot be filled up entirely, for if it were, there would be no ornamentation. Geometric patterns are often said to be empty of content, and so to stimulate the mind to think of a deity existing without companions. However, it could also get the mind to think all sorts of thing. How geometric shapes are infinite? There is nothing infinite about a square or a triangle; on the contrary, such a specific shape is precisely finite, with recognizable and visible limits that define it. That is not to suggest that in Islamic art these forms of ornamentation are not used effectively to produce beautiful designs and consequently objects, but whether they are really supposed to produce particular ideas in us, their viewer, is questionable. There is no reason to think that we have to see geometrical design as having any religious meaning whatsoever. There is a saying in Arabic, ‘al-fann ihsas’ (‘art is feeling’). In addition, thought expresses cultural space because individuals from varying communities express varying views regarding various aspects (Winch, 1997). Thought refers to expressed ways through which people understand, interpret and perceive would which surrounds them. It is apparent that individuals within varying localities and cultures have varying understanding, interpretation, and perception regarding various aspects. Sciences and arts are looked upon as the most refined and advanced human expression forms. Human expressions differ from community to community, location to location, and among individual groups (Smyth, 2001). These variations are called cultural spaces among the various communities or groups. Human expression forms are usually influenced by various factors including environment and interactions with other individuals holding varying cultures. It is apparent that substantial interactions among individuals brings about trimmed down cultural spaces whereas minimum interactions yield increased cultural spaces. Language refers to the earliest human institution or expression medium which is usually sophisticated (Low, 2005). This expresses cultural space because various communities have various opinions regarding varying cultural aspects and they hold varying importance to them. The experienced variations are therefore expressed as cultural spaces among the various communities. Conclusion From the various aspects exposed above, it is apparent that space according to cultural ornamentation is the variations experienced regarding cultural aspects from one culture to another. The cultural ornamentation aspects, which determine cultural variations, include interaction, social activity, spirituality, thought, Sciences and arts as well as language. Various individual groups experience varying cultural aspects and therefore the variations demonstrate cultural variations. Cultural space may be either narrow or wide depending on experienced interactions among individuals. Extended interactions regarding individuals from various cultures have the capacity to trim down cultural space whereas minimum interactions yield wider economic spaces. This phenomenon happens for the obvious reasons that the more people stay together, the more they tend to understand each other; therefore, in the wake of different cultures associating, the cultural space melts down and vanishes without anyone noticing. Culture can define art by determining the type of art produced, by genre or the medium. In the light of this acknowledgement, it suffices to concur that different cultures will have different types of art, genre and medium and because culture defines all these elements, then it (culture) becomes a determinant and a defining element of art. Art and culture are intertwined. References Blackmun, M. (2001) A history of Art in Africa, visiona et al . Prentice Hall, New York Low, S. (2005). Rethinking Urban Parks: Public Space and Cultural Diversity . Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. Piotrovsky, M. & J. Vrieze (1999) Art of Islam: Heavenly Art, Earthly Art, ed. London, Lund Humpries Smyth, G. (2001). Space and the Irish Cultural Imagination . New York: Palgrave. Winch, S. (1997). Mapping the Cultural Space of Journalism: How Journalists Distinguish News From Entertainment . Westport, CT: Praeger.

ESSAY: Web Communication and Advertising Problem Solution Essay The development of online technologies has transformed marketing strategies of many companies; in fact, nowadays it is difficult to find a product that is not advertised via Internet. However, many organizations still underestimate the benefits offered by the World Wide Web. This paper aims to develop an Internet marketing strategy for such a product as mineral water. It is normally advertised through television, radio, and billboards but online channels are seldom used. There are several objectives which have to be attained: 1) to raise the customers’ awareness about the product; 2) to allow the customers make online purchase; 3) to increase the customer base of the company. This internet advertisement will target two types of clients: 1. Individual customers who may be willing to learn more about different companies selling mineral water. 2. Private companies: restaurants, hotels, snack bars, fast food chains that will make wholesale purchase. At this point we can discuss several aspects of online advertising and their importance. One of them is direct e-mail . We are going to use in order to inform our returned customers, most likely, they will be wholesalers, restaurants, hotels about new products, benefits and discounts. It is also necessary to compile a list of prospective companies that may require this kind of product and send them newsletters. One should note that customers should be contacted via e-mail no more than two times per month; otherwise these mails can be regarded as spam. The major benefit of this approach is that it enables the company to raise awareness about the products and about other offerings. Additionally, direct e-mail enables companies to maintain long-term relations with returned customers. Cross-media advertising is another aspect of Internet advertisement that one should utilize. Overall, this approach can be regarded as combined use of television, radio, print and video (Chaffey et al, 2009). The distributers of mineral water can successfully adopt this strategy with the help of Internet since nowadays there are many online radio stations or online newspapers; furthermore, one should not forget about online television. Additionally, there are also many video-sharing websites where companies can post their commercials. The producers of mineral water can promote their products through each of these media. Cross-media advertisement is important for the attraction of new customers. By adopting this approach, the companies can reach a wide target audience (Chaffey et al, 2009, p 180). The companies, which produce and sell mineral water, can also rely on banner advertising . These banners should be placed at the websites of online newspapers and Internet forums. The banners should emphasize some distinguishing properties of the product such as the benefits for health of the consumers, its taste and certainly the price. In this case, the main objective of this strategy is to attract the customer’s attention to the product (Belch & Belch, 2009). Furthermore, the banners must provide links to the website of the company. It will be particularly relevant for private companies that may be searching for the information about different producers of mineral water. In this way, they will be able to make online wholesale purchases. Banner advertising is important to that extent that it serves different purposes at a time: first, it enables the company to increase people awareness about the company and most importantly form the customers’ initial perception of the product. Prior to launching an Internet marketing campaign, the company should accurately determine the target market . As it has been mentioned before, the producers of mineral water should address the needs of individual clients and profit organizations like restaurants, hotels. The potential consumers of this product can be of different age, sex, income level, values or occupation. Therefore, one should not give preference to only one type of websites. Thus, the advertisements should be placed at forums, social networks, web directories, website of different newspapers, etc. The identification of target market is crucial for a company because one has to understand the purchasing habits of the customers. The key advantage of Internet marketing is that it can allow us to target different groups of customers, depending on their age or occupation. We need to mention some other elements of an Internet marketing strategy; they are public relations (PR) and promotions . The manufacturers of mineral water should maintain their public image by providing information about themselves at their websites. They need to focus on such issues the technology that they use, the quality standards, health benefits that they offer to the customers. In the age corporate social responsibility PR management can play the most crucial role. Its purpose is to ensure that customers take positive attitude to the firm. PR campaign has to convince them that the company cares not only about profit-making but also about the community. At the beginners companies producing mineral water should choose above the line promotion which means that they need to pay a specific agency (online newspaper, forum, social network, video-sharing website) for the placement of the commercial (Jones, 2007). At this particular stage, they need to attract the customers’ attention to the brand. The selection of promotion strategy is crucial for the formation of brand identity; in other words, they aim to make the name of the company as well as its products recognizable. The enterprises which intend to sell mineral water have to conduct Internet marketing research. In particular it is necessary to conduct survey among the customers and ask them about those qualities which they value most in this type of product or why they select a specific product among many others. Secondly, it is vital to learn what kind of websites they regularly visit. Internet marketing research can shape the outcome of a marketing campaign because it will give the company insights into the values and habits of customers. Finally, one has to speak about the search engine registration . The producers of mineral waters create official websites that would be accessible through different search engines like Google, Yahoo, AltaVista, MSN etc. Search engine can improve the visibility of the company and its products. This is why one should not disregard them. Therefore, in this paper we have demonstrate how producers of mineral water can benefit from Internet marketing and its various aspects. The key advantage of this approach is that it allows to target a wide audience. Moreover, it is less expensive than traditional marketing. Reference List Belch, G. and Belch, M. (2009). Advertising and Promotion. (8th ed.). NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Chaffey D. Chadwick F. Mayer R. & Johnston. K. (2009). Internet marketing: strategy, implementation and practice. NY: Pearson Education. Jones M. (2007). Customer Communications. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

ESSAY: Web Quest of Employee Business Analytical Essay Each person searches for self-realization and strives for self-development and a dream job is all about it. Every day you should feel happy when getting up and going to work because your profession is a significant and inherent part of your life. In this our group seeks any possibilities to fulfill our potential in the sphere of finance management. We sought to find jobs in various companies to be employed at the most respectable and prestigious ones, such the Olayan Group, NCB, or Goodman & Company. We believe that a profession of financial analyst is quite responsible and privilege and we plan to browse the Internet to select the best job where all our skills and abilities could be fulfilled. Individual Statements Muneerah realizes that it is really difficult to find a good job in Saudi Arabia due to the high unemployment rates. She hopes to carry on business in the sphere of traditional cosmetics and sell products online. The company she plans to work for should be the leading one in producing high quality products. Amnah is fond of psychology because she wants to understand human behavior. So far, she dreamt of teaching psychology in King Faisal University in Alhas. But later she decides to select finance as her major to work in bank. She believes that with the help of websites, it is possible to critically evaluate all benefits and drawbacks of working as a banker. Esra strongly believes that Human Resource management is exactly the field where she can fulfill herself. Therefore Human Resource consultant is the best opportunity for revealing her talents because this is a chance for her to meet with new people and analyze specific techniques of organizational development. Therefore, she wants to carry out the webquest to find financial company where she could realize her potential. Fatima seeks to join a big and prestigious organization and dreams of becoming a highly qualified financial analyst. She has chosen this profession because it is closely related to her major and provides people with necessary assistance in making various investment decisions. Some Internet sources were used to research this dream job and to get a clear idea of why the profession of a financial analyst is worth attention and recognition . In particular, we seek to find the company specializing in financial analysis. Fatima Alarbesh is dreaming to get pleasure from her job, but she believes that human resources are the best and post her work in the future. She believes that webquest will help find valuable information about various professions in the sphere of finance. It is also important for Fatima to find herself in a friendly social environment. She also strives to work not only for personal benefit, but for the benefit of other company’s members. Group Findings We use Google for searching the best companies with such key words as “ financial companies ” and “ jobs in finance ” and received 404 000 000 and 424 000 000 respectively. Certainly, the result is quite general because it presents various career perspectives all over the world. Due to the fact that is quite difficult to find the appropriate and more specific information, we decided to present the following rubric: * Big Companies; Interested * Respected * KSA * Analyze the best known companies; Not Interested * Searching for irrelevant job; (not in area of interest) We created this rubric to find six appropriate sites. Due to the fact that our goal is to work in a prestigious company, we have found three websites about opportunities of employment in Saudi Arabia and three sites outside the country. In particular, we believe that such site as the Olyan Group, Guardian Jobs, Careers in Finance, National Commercial Bank, Top USA Jobs, and Financial Analyst (n. p.). After an in-depth analysis of those six websites, we have chosen the following three websites: the Olayan Group , National Commercial Bank , and Goodman & Company . We have sorted out these three websites because they provide us with important information about the leading companies in Saudi Arabia and about the basic challenges and difficulties that a young specialist might face while entering the professional terrain of finance. Hence, we have decided to consider the Olalyan Group because this company is represented at the International level and, therefore, it has respectable partners offshore. The website provides sufficient information about opportunities, goals, and missions that meet our requirements. We believe that this organization can provide excellent perspective for personal growth and development. The second website infuses information about the major Bank in Saudi Arabia where it is possible to find its private policies and strategies. Our group strives to examine job opportunities offered by this bank. The members are confident that this banking establishment can ensure good professional perspectives. What is more important is that gaining a job in this bank allows to stay at Saudi Arabia and to develop our knowledge and experience in the sphere of banking and finance. Finally, the third site has been chosen for inquiring more information about the major principles and scope of professions in finance. The article presented on the site outlines the main goals and mission of the company in the sphere of financial analysis and accounting. The analysis for the Companies’ Websites The Olayan Group The site presents official information about the International Company called the Olayan Group, a multinational enterprise composed of 50 companies that are engaged in manufacturing, distribution, investment, and services (The Olayan Group n. d.). The subsidiary in Saudi Arabia participates in the activities of over 40 companies and establishes multinational relationships. At the international level, the company provides global investments. Judging from the presented information, we believe that the position obtained in this company is a real treasure because an employee is presented with a wide range of professional opportunities that Olayan Company provides it, for example working in consumer product manufacturing, financial and investment services, project management, real estate and property management and supply chain management. Exploring the world market and conceiving the basics of a successful business. Besides, due to the fact that the company carries out global business operations, a position of a financial analyst is a real dream job for use. When we clicked the search button, we managed to read the information about latest opportunities for seekers in the sphere of finance and investment, such as a possibility for self-realization and development in the sphere of foreign relations and financial analysis. National Commercial Bank We have been attracted by the website page because it has displayed information news about the National Commercial Bank, including their logo and objectives (NCB n. p.). The web site is well-organized and offers such categories for inquiries as Personal Banking, Wealth and Asset Management, Business Banking and Private Banking. When we clicked the career page, we have managed to see the list of current professional opportunities, such as a number of vacant workplace connected to the sphere of financial analysis. The page also contained the space where could insert our email and apply for a job. The website is very easy to explore because it contains a lot of links and categories. Apart from registering, the site provides some Job Search sections where an applicant will help a possibility to find an appropriate position in accordance with posted date, job location, and other preferences. It also provides information about student training. There is a section where the viewers can read about various programs and courses for their employees. Goodman & Company The website is created not only for finding valuable facts about the scope of the profession (Accounting for Your Future n. p.). It also allows specialists to search for the best positions in this field. What is more important is that the site provides an algorithm of becoming an outstanding financial analyst. In particular, it informs about the main opportunities the company could provide and steps to be taken for becoming a great financial analyst. Therefore, this site is very helpful for those who have just graduated from a college or university. Young specialists can find much information about career planning and the key components of successful career promotions. Conclusion Summing up, our group has considerably benefited from the webquest because it has managed to find a lot of valuable information related to our dream jobs. We also believe that our search can contribute to our faster application for our dream positions and deeper explorations of the major professional challenges. More importantly, our group has now far clearer understanding what a dream job is. Although our purposes and goals are a bit diverse, we have still enjoyed browsing the Internet and searching for the most prestigious companies and job positions. In addition, each member of the group has now clearer ideas about their professional preferences and goals in life. Finally, we believe that the sites selected by us will enrich our experience and narrow our requirement for our dream jobs. The webquest has provided us with valuable experience and knowledge about recent trends in promoting careers in the sphere of financial analysis. In the process of searching for company’s website we have also found various possibilities for self-development. While analyzing the chosen sites, we have found that there are a great number of opportunities for online application and checking you professional skills at home, in front of you monitor. Therefore, if we work as financial analysts in the above-presented companies, we could provide work at the international level and gain experience while communicating with other international partners. Bibliography Finance Jobs . Guardian Jobs.Web. Accounting for Your Future. Goodman & Company. 2010. Web. NCB. AlAhli.com. 2010.Web. The Olayan Group . Olayan. A Diversified Multinational Enterprise.n. d. Web. Top USA Jobs. Financial Analysts Jobs. Web. Welcome to Careers-in-Finance.com . Careers-in-Finance. Web.

ESSAY: Weight Loss Alternatives: Viable Options for Losing That Extra Weight Analytical Essay Introduction Since the onset of this century, one of the most prevalent problems that has afflicted the society, especially in the developed countries, is that of obesity. Hendrick asserts that up to 63.1% of adults in America are suffering from this health anomaly (Hendrick, 2010). This figure implies that two out of every three American adults are obese. This finding suggests that thousands of Americans are at risk of contracting medical conditions such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and heart attacks. This is primarily the reason why the focus of numerous television advertisements, according to Grannis (2008), has shifted towards alternative weight loss solutions for Americans. Some of these solutions have occasionally come under heavy criticism, probably due to competitive reasons, yet, they seem to be viable options for losing that extra weight. This article gives some of these alternative solutions, their pros and cons, and a conclusive argument about each method. Controlled Breathing As a common exercise during regular Yoga classes, controlled breathing seems to be the least of the alternatives that can assist a person to lose weight. Nevertheless, latest studies reveal that breathing in a controlled fashion burns excess body fats. How does this occur? A big portion of body fat constitutes fragments of oxygen, carbon and hydrogen. According to WeightLossfor All (2010), addition of oxygen to the body through inhalation will inevitably break down the fatty compound into water molecules and carbon dioxide and secreted through urination and exhalation respectively. For a normal human being, taking deep breaths that lasts five seconds in the inhalation process, then exhaling through the mouth, is a sure way of achieving this goal. The same article advises that one should exercise this procedure at least eight times every minute to burn the fat in the body. Asthanga is a Yoga related treatment that uses this breathing technique (Carter, 2010). Scientists have made discoveries that suggest that this hypnosis method converts fats conceived through stress, thyroid issues and poor eating habits into body waste. For athletes, using the same method to relax after vigorous activity also helps in burning extra fats in the body. There are certain advantages that are associated with controlled breathing methods. The most outstanding advantage in using this method of losing weight is how cheap it would possibly be. According to the mentioned sources, the person engaging in this alternative method will only have to subject himself to controlled breathing. Nevertheless, Carter also points out that there is some information from Yoga experts that one needs to be aware of while practicing these techniques in order to have the desired effects. Other advantages mentioned by Carter include the holistic cleansing of certain systems of one’s body. While performing this procedure, she claims that the colon as well as the digestive system receives purification. Large amounts of oxygen in the body works well in detoxifying the internal organs in one’s body. Another system that receives cleansing is the respiratory system, whereby eradication of toxic substances that sublime along the lungs takes place. One of the disadvantages of using this method as an alternative weight loss method is that it is slow. It will take a lot of time for a normal person to lose a significant number of pounds. In addition, there is a lot of external influence that may hamper this method, including eating habits, day-to-day activities and stresses and strains of life. These factors have to play to the person’s advantage in order for controlled breathing methods to take effect entirely (iloveindia.com, 2010). Another disadvantage is the fact that it can play as a muscle builder, rather than a relaxation procedure for athletes. This is not particularly a disadvantage for all athletes, but some sports require minimum muscles in certain body parts. Continuous controlled breathing, according to WeightlossForAll increases the rates at which the heart pumps blood to the body. This may be hazardous to people with weaker cardiovascular mechanisms. Overall, controlled breathing seems to be quite a working method of losing weight. Though it may require constant practice and patience, the advantages of doing this along other weight reduction methods do bring the desired results. The use of Lipozene There are certain pills called Lipozenes that may assist in loss of weight in a quicker way than the methods mentioned earlier. Lipozene is made from konjac, a plant with tough fibers. It has the ability to make the user feel full by slowing down the food digestion process (Monson & Schoenstadt, 2009). Nevertheless, Monson in his review asserts that there is a need for much research to determine the degree of its effect in reduction of weight loss in a normal human being. Primary suggestions show that Lipozene contains a certain ingredient, glucomannan, which has an effect on the fatty tissue of the human body. According to Grannis, there are suggestions that seem to validate the above theory by stating that glucomannan has the ability to reduce the sugar level of the user (2008). In addition, the article mentions that it also lowers cholesterol and fat qualtities in the body. On face value, the drug seems to give quite an innovative way to coerce the human being into reducing fats in the body. The direct advantage of using Lipozene is that the pill itself is a supplement. This means that the drug contains all the advantages that supplements have, that is, it is a fiber. As stated earlier, fibers assists in the digestive system of the body by cleaning it up. The other advantage is that fiber in the digestive system reduces the amount of food that one consumes. Hawarth, a specialist in nutrition as mentioned in Askville (2008) asserts that 14 grams of fiber each day in the diet can reduce the amount of real food that the person would otherwise consume by 4 pounds. This significant reduction in the end gives us our second advantage; controlled eating habits. Finally, the chemical within this ingredient has some medicinal value. Glucomannan, as stated earlier does not only reduce a person’s weight, but also assists the body through reduction of blood sugar and cholesterol (Kennedy, 2010). The balancing of these two factors in one’s body is necessary, and since overweight people suffer from these imbalances, this chemical content might be of value in their recovery. Natural ways Natural ways of losing weight are the steadiest and most consistent ways of according to some health experts. The body itself can burn the fat that an overweight individual has in their body; it only takes healthy and permanent changes in how one perceives food. Instead of removing unhealthy foods from ones diet abruptly, one can begin by adding healthier foods to their diet. This will ensure that they are full and will have less space in their stomach for the unhealthy foods. Increasing ones protein intake helps them to feel full for longer periods because they increase the amount of time it takes the food to reach the stomach (Nicks, 2010); vegetables and fruits also provide vitamins and phytonutrients that make one full. Eating healthy boosts one’s energy leading them to start exercising, this helps in naturally burning accumulated fats as well as boosting more energy. New research has shown that exercises release a hormone that suppresses ones appetite naturally. Physical activity lowers the risk of high-blood pressure, heart disease and heart attacks, and, at the same time, lowering the cholesterol levels in the body, which lead to clogged arteries (Mayo, 2010). One down side to going to the gym or jogging to lose weight is that it can lead to many injuries incase one is using the equipment in the wrong way or if they strain themselves too much. In addition, incase ones schedule becomes too busy and stop the exercise that they had begun, it will lead to one gaining weight all again. Aromatherapy The word aromatherapy seems as if it has nothing to do with weight loss. On the contrary, Aromatherapy motivates one to diet or even go for exercise. Smell therapy also stimulates some feelings as well as memories (Ehrlich, 2009). For example, the use of grapefruit oil is a common exercise motivator for people who want to keep fit. On the down low, aromatherapy is an extremely expensive form of healing that requires a lot of equipment, a lot of knowledge in chemistry and it consumes a lot of time. The aroma of some foods motivates people to eat, as is the case where one enters a restaurant and orders something because it smells appetizing. This can lead to overeating and thus a person ends up adding more weight. Acupuncture The Chinese have used this approach as a form of therapy for many centuries. The most experienced acupuncturist studies how energy flows in the body and how it impedes or controls digestion. It has been proven that metabolism impediments can be unblocked if needles are applied in the specific body regions (Helmz, 2006). This procedure also helps the body in controlling a raging appetite as well as keeping the individual on track in their goal for weight loss. Acupuncture though being low-risk can have some dangers associated to it. Failure to sterilize the needles can cause disease transmission having in mind that the transmission of Hepatitis B and C is possible even when using sterilized needles. Placing the needles carelessly can cause damage to the brain, lungs and other organs incase deep needling is done in these areas. On a less serious note, some people have complained of headaches, fatigue, and nausea or even in other cases, a worsening of the symptoms after acupuncture. Drinking water The kidneys need a lot of water to be able to clean up the blood (Donald, 2010). If there is not enough water, the liver performs both of these roles, a function that will lead to it lowering productivity reduction, which is converting fats to energy. The above inefficiency leads to the body storing up fats and leads to weight gain. Some experts say that drinking cold water enhances burning of fat, which eventually leads to weight loss and in addition, drinking a lot of water leads to a loss of appetite, which is a step in the right direction for anyone who wants to look lean and healthy. Giving the body a lot of water makes it to eliminate the water that it had stored in places like the ankles, thighs or even around the belly in order to create a balance. This can be a disadvantage because if one goes through a long period without water, the body will have no reserve to depend on. Detox and Raw Diets Detox diets are those diets that get rid of impurities in the body, the body’s inability to remove these toxins leads to illness. Toxins are poisonous substances that interfere with the bodies normal functions (Wong, 2010). Raw diets are meals that are made up of uncooked foodstuff. These diets lead to fast and natural weight loss that improves people’s health at the same time boosting their energy. Though they have many advantages, these types of weight loss alternatives require total commitment; detox diets usually lead to cases of low immunity and nutrient deficiency; some foods gain nutritional value after being cooked. Some people’s digestive systems cannot handle raw foods because of the nature of the foods despite having all the enzymes they require. Colon cleansing The colon is a vital part in the digestive system, but if toxins clog it with wastes and fecal material, it does not work effectively because the body gets tired quickly and lacks the energy to burn the fat. When a colon is cleansed the necessary nutrients and vitamins can be absorbed more easily and incase one is on a diet, they can follow it without difficulty. This practice supplies a person with additional energy, reduces the weight and enhances metabolism. Colon cleansing is specific to an individual. One can lose a lot of weight from a colon cleanse diet while another may not. Some factors that lead to this disparity include eating habits, metabolism, and exercise routines. Some colon cleanse diets like the lemon juice stipulates that no solid foods are allowed for a period of ten days, during this time, one has to take a salt-water flush while during the afternoon they take laxative tea each morning. These diet requirements are quite a challenge and force many people to quit a few days after they have started the weight loss program. Bariatric Surgery This surgery places a physical obstacle to the calories that one can take over a period. Some procedures act as early signs of fullness while others act as a barrier. This leads to an individual eating less food and then their body turns to the excess fat that it has stored as an immediate source of energy. The common types of this surgery are gastric bypass, gastric banding and gastroplasty. Many patients have successfully gone through these procedures making it a remarkably safe and effective weight loss method. However, like every other surgery, it can get complex and has its own risks. Conclusion There are very many ways of losing weight, whereby each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is in the hands of whoever is losing the weight to choose the method that is most suitable and convenient for them. Someone ought to be extremely careful in choosing which method to employ, giving preference to those that have the least risks as compared to their effectiveness. References Askville. (2008). How does lipozene work to assist users in losing weight? Web. Carter, D. (2010). Yoga Weight Loss A Healthy Alternative: Penetration of Disaster . Web. Donald, S. (2010). The Water Health Report : How eight glasses a day keeps the fat off! Web. Ehrlich, D. (2009). Aromatherapy. Medical Center. MA: University of Maryland. Web. Grannis, J. (2008). Effective Lipozene alternatives for losing weight quickly. Helium:Diet and Weight loss. Web. Helmz, M. (2006). Doctor, what’s this Acupuncture all About. Web. Hendrick , B. (2010). Americans Are Eating Poorly, Exercising Less, and Getting Bigger, Survey Finds . Web. Ilonveindia. (2010). Yoga for Weight Reduction : Yoga Benefits. Web. Kennedy, D., (2010). What Are the Benefits of Lipozene . Web. Mayo, C. (2010). Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure . Web. Monson, K., and Schoenstadt, A. (2009). Lipozene . Web. Nicks, J. (2010). How to Fix a Slow Digestive System . Web. WeightLossForAll. (2010). Can breathing really affect potential weight loss. Web. Wong, C. (2010). Learn About the Detox Diet . Web.

ESSAY: Balanced Diet and Proper Exercise as Weight Lost Foundation Descriptive Essay Unlike in the past, many people the world over have become conscious of their body weight and now they are going to great extents to keep healthy and keep off the extra calories. This is perhaps in the last couple of years; many people have been dying as a result of what has come to be known as lifestyle diseases. These are diseases that come about due to the lifestyle that one is leading. Failure to have a balanced diet and lack of proper exercise has been cited as the greatest danger for today’s person. Most people are however not sure on the best way to go about the whole procedure without starving themselves or interfering with their health. This discussion focuses on the best ways of ensuring that you have the proper body weight and that even after shedding off the extra weight, you are able to maintain a thorough intake of the right kind of food. Tips to Remember Diet The first thing to note when losing weight is that it is a process which is supposed to happen gradually; you therefore lose the extra calories with time and not drastic. It is also important to remember that weight gain is brought about by intake of heavy amounts of protein rich foods. Usually, when we eat food, the body absorbs only what is required to provide energy, the rest is either removed from the body through waste products or stored as fat. Therefore, always eat enough; not too much and not too little. It is also important to always ensure that the kind of diet you eat is balanced. A lot of weight gain that many people experience is as a result of eating one kind of food more and not maintaining a balanced diet. Carbohydrates and other foods that are rich in sugar and fats should be taken in small portions and must be equal to the rest of the portions so as to maintain a balanced diet. Exercises It is of great importance that any person intending to lose weight embarks on exercising, as this is the other way that one gets to lose some of the weight in the body. When exercising, it is important to note that you are expected to maintain a well balanced diet. When exercising, pretty much energy is used, and thus there is a tendency for one to increase the intake of food. However, for effective weight loss, one needs to maintain the same kind of diet which is well balanced. Exercising takes various forms; one can enrol in a gymnasium where one will be guided by an instructor on the various ways to go about weight loss. Other than the gym, one can engage in sporting activities like running, cycling, swimming or even walking. All these activities help reduce greatly the amount of unwanted calories in your body. When choosing a sporting activity, go for an activity that you are likely to enjoy; this is because weight loss is a process and if you go for an activity that you do not derive fun from, then you are likely to give up halfway. Reduction of Calorie Intake It may be somewhat frustrating for someone looking forward to lose weight while at the same time maintaining a high intake of calories even after the process of weight loss has begun (Amen 77). This clearly entails that one needs to reduce gradually the amount of calories they take. This is done by looking for alternative foods that do not contain many calories. For instance in place of fizzy drinks which have high concentration of sugars which have calories, one may take water (Thomson Medical Company 77). Milk that is unprocessed can be replaced with one that has been skimmed. In place of sugar in your tea, you may use honey whose sugars are natural. The Actual Work Making a decision on weight loss is easy but the actual process of weight loss is easier said than done. In order to achieve good results, one must be disciplined and well organised. The first step therefore is to come up with a plan of how you intend to exercise. Give yourself targets, for instance you may write in your plan that for the first week, you will only have one bar of chocolate and not five as is usually the case or just two bottles of beer and not more than that. Ensure that you strictly stick to the plan (Levine and Linda 87). Weight loss is process, and any process takes time before tangible results can be seen. Therefore, be patient with yourself because you might not notice any changes with your body after a week, but you will surely do if you keep up with the plan. Why Lose Weight Other than having a perfect body and a healthy one, weight loss is also important as it helps protect one from diseases like coronary diseases. Ailments like heart attack come as a result of excessive fat around the heart preventing proper blood circulation in the body. Good health is in our hands and we have the power to live a good and productive life if we want to. Works Cited Amen, Daniel. The Amen Solution: The Brain Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Keep It Off. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2011. Print Levine, Judith and Linda, Bine. Helping Your Child Lose Weight the Healthy Way: A Family Approach to Weight Control . London: Citadel Press, 2001. Print Thomson Medical Company. Lose weight the healthy way: bran-slim diet plan . California: Thomson Medical Company, 1972. Print

ESSAY: What Does Husserl Mean by Individualized Consciousness? Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Husserl and individualised consciousness 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited Introduction Debate has been going on for a long time to establish whether phenomenology (individualised consciousness) is a method or a philosophy. As a result, we have two schools of thought one believing that individualised consciousness is a philosophy, and the other believing that it is a method. Nevertheless, the idea of individualised consciousness being a philosophy appears weightier than when classified as a method. Different definitions by different philosophers have given individualised consciousness different meanings. The paper examines the meaning of individualised consciousness as proposed by Husserl Edmund. Husserl and individualised consciousness According to Husserl Edmund, individualised consciousness is the scientific study of fundamental compositions of pure consciousness, a discipline of essential being. Thus, from this definition, Husserl assures that if we can identify those compositions, then we are sure of assurance-something that philosophy has constantly hunted. In essence, Husserl wants us to understand that the sphere of pure consciousness is by far distinctive from that of real experience. This means that individualised consciousness is a theory that deals with pure experiences and not necessarily facts. Consequently, according to Husserl, there is a great dissimilarity between essential being and actual existence (Woodruff 1). There is also a concept of phenomenological reduction, which according to Husserl is a method of delineating the fundamental quintessence of a psychological phenomenon. Thus, an individual exercising his pure consciousness must dangle empirical subjectivity in order to describe its indispensability and unreservedness. Under phenomenological reduction, an individual ought to exhibit empirical intuitions based on personal ability and not philosophical inquest. An individual should also refrain from making judgements on empirical intuitions. Husserl also asserts that by suspending inquest (bracketed judgement) an individual will be in a position to place facts in their rightful place, that is, under essential being. According to Husserl, it is important to note that realities or facts form the basis of empirical intuition. On the other hand, Husserl asserts that essences act as the basics of essential intuition. The two types of intuitions, that is, empirical intuition and essential intuition, are vital in explaining the meaning of individualised consciousness. However, according to Husserl, empirical intuition can sometimes initiate essential intuition but there is a limit for such a case. If such a case occurs, then the resultant essential intuition is either insufficient or sufficient of lucidity and clarity. Husserl goes further to explain that individual consciousness is premeditated since it involves a reference towards an entity. However, it is also important to note that consciousness involves and occurs in two phases, intentional and accidental. Nonetheless, the concept of intentionality is the one responsible for individual consciousness together with its intent significance (Woodruff 1). Husserl does not leave it here either. He goes ahead to explain that the phrase “I think” exhibits the attitude of pure ego. Pure ego is a significant thing in explaining the meaning of individualised consciousness. At least, according to Husserl, pure ego carries out the proceedings of consciousness. Husserl further explains that pure ego projects towards a certain destination transcendentally or immanently. Under immanently fixed proceeds of consciousness, the individual’s ego revolves around the objects that are within the precincts of the matching ego. On the other hand, transcendentally fixed proceeds of consciousness appear opposite of immanently fixed consciousness. As for the transcendentally acts, an individuals’ consciousness revolves around object of consciousness completely falling outside the ego. Explicitly, the two differences also give “being” two different meanings, first, as an experience, and secondly, as a thing. In general, immanent objects show logicality, while transcendent objects lack of logicality (Husserl 132-133). Conclusion In conclusion, according to Husserl, individual consciousness is the descriptive analysis of a person as conscious being able to exercise empirical intuitions based on personal ability and not philosophical inquest. Works Cited Husserl, Edmund. Ideas: General Introduction to Pure Phenomenology . Translated by W. R. Boyce Gibson. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. 1931. Print. Woodruff, David. Phenomenology. 2008. Web. < https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/phenomenology/ >

ESSAY: What Every Business Graduate Should Know Before Entering the Business World Report Executive Summary The report entails an analysis of the various factors which should be considered with regard to business communication. The report is aimed at equipping graduates with various concepts relating to the job market with regard to job searching. Some of the factors considered include dining etiquette, business attire, job preparation, interview questions and organizational culture. Maintenance of acceptable dinning etiquette can contribute towards an individual’s success in his or her career. Dinning etiquette entails observance of table manners. On the other hand, the dress codes can depict an individual’s ability to do the job and the level of professionalism. Preparing for the job is also important since it equips the individual with vital information regarding the firm. Job preparation entails researching, updating the resume and conducting a self assessment. Familiarizing oneself with interview question is paramount in developing confidence when answering the interview questions. This entails identification of both expected and unexpected interview questions. Consideration of organizational culture is also paramount considering the cultural diversity amongst organizations. Finally a conclusion and a set of recommendations are given. Introduction Considering the competitive nature of the job market, it is paramount for individuals to develop their competitiveness. This will increase the probability of being hired by organization. Currently, organizations are searching for individuals who will fit in the firm in an effort to ensure the firm’s success. One of the issues being considered is the information portrayed by the job seekers via communication. This report was authorized by the Ministry of Labor in an effort to determine how job seekers can succeed in securing a job. Literature review was the main method used in obtaining the information. Purpose The aim of the report is to analyze the factors which job seekers should put into consideration in an effort to secure a job. Scope The report analyzes the various factors which should be considered with regard to business communication. Some of the factors evaluated include dinning etiquette, business attire, job preparation, interview questions and organizational culture. Finally a conclusion and a set of recommendations are given. Dining Etiquette Dining etiquette is a critical element in an individual’s job search and the success of an individual in a particular career [1] . In most cases, employers consider it important to observe how employers conduct themselves in social situations. This is mostly applicable if the job demands maintenance of certain standards amongst the clients and superiors [2] . Some interviews may extend through mealtimes. As a result, tome employers may find it appropriate to host the interviewees for the meals. The meal time is considered to be an important time to interact. Therefore, it is important for an individual to realize that his or her conduct and table manners are subject to scrutiny by the management. It is therefore important to consider the following issues. Sitting Down The interviewee should not place objects such as sunglasses, cell phones, bags, briefcases or purses on the dining table 2 .In addition, the utensils should retain their position which means that they should not be rearranged in any way [3] . It is also important to wait for all the expected parties to be settled at the dinning table so as to begin eating. This depicts an element of patience 1 . Ordering In case of any doubts, it is important for the interviewee to consult the host. Employers prefer hiring individuals who portray a certain degree of refinement and those who will interact well with other executives. This depicts good interpersonal relationship 1 . When placing an order, it is important for the interviewee to peruse the menu so as to order a meal that is easy to eat. In addition, the meal ordered should be moderately priced. Place Setting “It is important to ensure that all the solids such as forks, butter plate and napkin are placed to your left 1 ”. On the other hand, “liquids, glasses, spoons and knifes should be on your left” [4] . The outside-in model should be adopted when using all the utensils. Appendix 1 gives a classic example of the table setting during business meals. Business Attire Attires are of critical importance within the business world. What an individual wears portrays much about him or her. Therefore, one can increase or decrease the probability of success in his or her career in business as a result of the dress code. There is a general perception amongst those in executive positions that the quality of an individual’s work is directly related to his or her appearance. Various factors should be put into consideration with regard to business dining etiquette. Revealing factor Business attire for both genders should not reveal their body parts. This means that individuals in the business world should consider the length of their attires. ‘Wearing offensive clothes within the work environment is offensive 3 .’ On the other hand, wearing revealing clothes in work environment also depicts lack of professionalism in the individual [5] . In addition, revealing clothes can lower an individual’s reputation amongst the coworkers. The resultant effect is that the individual’s image and quality of work are tarnished (Guffey & Loewy 26). On the other hand, wearing clothes that do not reveal the body parts is a sign of respect which is an important element in the success of an individual’s career. “Dressing inappropriately such as wearing revealing clothes in some organizations are considered as violation of the business attire policy which can result into termination of an individual’s services [6] ” No Comic Pictures or Language Apart from revealing an individual’s body parts, the revealing factor should also be put into consideration with regard to language 3 . Attires that reveal an offensive language should be avoided in the workplace [7] . It is vital for individuals to realize that in business, an individual does not get second opportunity to make up for the first impression [8] . This means that the first impression is paramount. Cleanliness Cleanliness is an important factor to consider with regard to business attire. “The attire selected for business purposes should be neat and in line with the organization’s dress code [9] ”. In addition, the attire should be well ironed and pressed [10] . “Cleanliness is a core element in businesses’ effort to deliver high quality products and services to its customers 3 .” Job Preparation Job preparation increases an individual’s confidence. “Preparing for interviews makes an individual to be ready to answer various questions [11] ”. Self Assessment It is important for an individual to conduct a self assessment prior to a job interview (Wallace 45). This should entail evaluation of accomplishments, reassessing current skills and achievements which are in line with the job 7 ”. Researching Gaining information regarding the firm is important. “An individual should make use of all the available time to learn about the firm and the position 7 ”. “Various sources of information such as the internet, journals, newspapers and the public library should be utilized” [12] . “Information such as the firm’s competitors and its market position should be considered” [13] . Updating the Resume Updating the resume is important in an individual’s success in his or her career. ‘More emphasis should be paid to accomplishments’ 7 . “Updating the resume increases the chances of one being called for the interview” [14] . Action verbs should be put into consideration when updating 4 . Interview Questions There are a number of questions that the individual may be asked at the interview. It is important for the interviewee to practice possible interview questions. Expected questions The interviewee should identify the most expected questions. ‘He or she may be asked, questions which are aimed at gauging his or her accomplishments and future expectations’ [15] (Guffey 523). ‘Other questions may relate to his or her interest in the company, the field and the particular position applied for’ 14 . Unexpected questions There is a high probability that the interviewee will be asked expected questions 14. Some of these questions relate to the individual’s strengths and weaknesses 15 . In addition, the individual may be asked to account for his or her job record. This is aimed at identifying the interviewees’ trend with regard to job hopping [16] . Scrutinizing your clarity The interviewer should ensure that he or she is audible and clear when answering questions. Therefore, practicing with a friend is important. Practicing helps in eliminating nervousness and fear. Chaturvedi is of the opinion that practicing helps by increasing the level of energy and enthusiasm. In addition, it also increases an individual’s level of alertness. Organizational Culture Currently, intercultural communication has become a key component in the success of business. It is therefore important for an individual to respect the cultural diversity existing within the organization. Use of gestures Gestures are a common method of communication. During a job interview, it is important for the individual to research on the generally accepted gestures. Some gestures may result into misunderstanding [17] . This will improve his or her communication effectiveness. Body language As one of the non-verbal communications, body language should be considered during interviews 11 . Various organizations have different understanding of different body languages. Some of the key considerations relate to the posture, eye contact smiling and nodding the head. It is important for the interviewee to understand that he or she should be relaxed when conducting the interview 7 . Conversational Guidelines It is important for the interviewee to adhere to various conversational guidelines when communication with business executives 1 . Some of these relate to greetings and making introductions [18] . This is important in drawing the individual’s attention 14 . Conclusion and Recommendation The success of an individual in his or her career is dependent on his effectiveness in communication. This entails both verbal and non-verbal communication. When searching a job, it is paramount for individual’s to consider the various aspects with regard to communication. This arises from the fact that communication creates an impression regarding the individual. When searching for a job, it is important for individuals to consider various aspects of communication. Most of these aspects relate to an individuals’ behavior. In addition, effective preparation for the interview is paramount. Bibliography Amos, Julie. Handling tough job interviews: be prepared, perform well get the job . Sydney: How To Book Limited, 2004. Print. Beamer, Linda and Varner, Iris. Intercultural communication in the globa workplace . Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Print. Brody, Marjorie. Wardrobe wisdom for men and women .New York: Marjorie Brody and Brody Communication Limited. 2010. Web. Career Services Centre. Business dining etiquette . Delaware: University of Delaware Press. 2007. Web. Casperson, Dana. Power etiquette: what you do not know can kill your career . New York: AMACOM Div, 1999. Print. Chaney, Lilian and Martin, Jeanette. The essential guide to business etiquette . Chicago: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. Print. Chaturvedi, Andrew. Business communication: concepts, cases and application . Sydney: Pearson Education, 2006. Deluca, Mathew and Nanette, Deluca. 24 hours to the perfect interview: quick steps for planning, organizing and preparing for the interview that gets the job . Sydney: McGrawHill Publishers, 2004. Print. Fleischer, Charles. HR for small business: an essential guide for managers, human resource professional and small business owners . London: Source Book, 2009. Print. Garman, Thomas and Forgue, Raymond. Personal finance . New York: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print. Guffey, Mary and Loewy, Dana. Essentials of business communication . New York: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. Hartley, Peter and Bruckmann, Clive. Business communication . New York: Routledge, 2002. Print. Kirk, Alan. Clothing that is inappropriate for work and business . Washington: EHow Incorporation. 2010. Web. Lock, Robert. Job search: career planning guide . New York: Cengage Learning, 2004. Print. Mitchell, Mary and Corr John. The complete idiot’s guide to etiquette . New York: Penguin, 2000. Print. Policy and Procedure. Policy on professional business attire . Carolina: University of North Carolina. 2006. Web. Taylor, Shirley. Communication for business: a practical approach . New Jersey: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. Wallace, Richard. The national job bank 2005 . Oxford: F and W Media Inc., 2004. Print. Appendix 1 Source: (Etiquette Scholar) https://www.etiquettescholar.com/index.html Footnotes 1. Garman, Thomas and Forgue, Raymond. Personal finance . New York: Cengage Learning, 2007. Print. 2. Career Services Centre. Business dining etiquette . Delaware: University of Delaware Press. 2007. Web. 3. Hartley, Peter and Bruckmann, Clive. Business communication . New York: Routledge, 2002. Print. 4. Casperson, Dana. Power etiquette: what you do not know can kill your career . New York: AMACOM Div, 1999. Print. 5. Kirk, Alan. Clothing that is inappropriate for work and business . Washington: EHow Incorporation. 2010. Web. 6. Policy and Procedure. Policy on professional business attire . Carolina: University of North Carolina. 2006. Web. 7. Lock, Robert. Job search: career planning guide . New York: Cengage Learning, 2004. Print. 8. Brody, Marjorie. Wardrobe wisdom for men and women .New York: Marjorie Brody and Brody Communication Limited. 2010. Web. 9. Fleischer, Charles. HR for small business: an essential guide for managers, human resource professional and small business owners . London: Source Book, 2009. Print. 10. Mitchell, Mary and Corr John. The complete idiot’s guide to etiquette . New York: Penguin, 2000. Print. 11. Amos, Julie. Handling tough job interviews: be prepared, perform well get the job . Sydney: How To Book Limited, 2004. Print. 12. Deluca, Mathew and Nanette, Deluca. 24 hours to the perfect interview: quick steps for planning, organizing and preparing for the interview that gets the job . Sydney: McGrawHill Publishers, 2004. Print. 13. Wallace, Richard. The national job bank 2005 . Oxford: F and W Media Inc., 2004. 14. Chaturvedi, Andrew. Business communication: concepts, cases and application . Sydney: Pearson Education, 2006. 15. Guffey, Mary and Loewy, Dana. Essentials of business communication . New York: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. 16. Taylor, Shirley. Communication for business: a practical approach . New Jersey: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. 17. Chaney, Lilian and Martin, Jeanette. The essential guide to business etiquette . Chicago: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. Print. 18. Beamer, Linda and Varner, Iris. Intercultural communication in the global workplace . Sydney: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Print.

ESSAY: What Is It to Live in Time: Observing Nature and Society Analytical Essay Introduction Theoretical issues can be of primary importance for making certain decisions because theoretical ideas are implemented in practice. Observation of nature and society can clarify the issue of living in a certain period of time and experiences the processes that take place in natural environment, in society, and interact with other individuals. As some conclusions can be based on observations, it is necessary to consider the work by Engels and Marx that analyses the relationships between individuals in society in terms of their connections to each other and types of interactions; Freud focuses on the role of an individual in a society in terms of its relations to the civilization, and Darwin emphasizes the relations of individuals in terms of natural environment and other living species that inhabit the same territory. Examination of Sources The Communist Manifesto by Engels and Marx “A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of communism” (Marx and Engels, Preamble). The first statement of the manifesto identifies the relation of people towards the period of time they live in and characterizes the relations between people. As communism is described as specter, people are either unaware or afraid of it. However, the next passage clarifies the issue and analyzes that people were aware of communism but did not know exactly the peculiarities of regime and its consequences for the world. So, one of the prominent features of this work can be considered an idea of observation enlarged on while writing. For instance, the author described the ways of production and their adjustment to the needs of contemporary people hence thinking about changes that should be made in every situation when time comes, some time is necessary to see the necessity of changes and take appropriate steps: “The feudal system of industry, in which industrial production was monopolised by closed guilds, now no longer sufficed for the growing wants of the new markets” (Marx and Engels, Chapter 1, para. 7). Thus, the author analyzes the actions of people and relations between different classes in society by observing the history and inferring from events that happen all the time. Repetition of events is the main concept that can be emphasized from Marx’s observation of society in a long period of time. Civilization and Its Discontents by Freud People need those ‘regulations which adjust the mutual relationships of human beings in the family, the state and society” (Freud 59). This is one of the examples that demonstrate how the author used observation of nature and society to infer from things he saw. The work is aimed at analysis and interpretation of the major reasons and preconditions for creation or appearance of civilizations. Freud noticed that all individuals have something in common and that every period of time can be marked with certain peculiar features that can be tips for creation of civilizations though every change requires a lot of time. Moreover, he analyzed the events that took place in the era such as the World War I where all technological innovations were used and the nature of order: “The benefits of order are incontestable. It enables men to use space and time to the best advantage…” (Freud 70). Freud tried to explain that time is the only concept that is important because people adjust to certain life situations after experiencing difficulties. On Natural Selection by Darwin Chares Darwin contributed greatly to the development of evolutionary theory and clarified some aspects of natural selection: “We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see superabundance of food; we do not see, or we forget, that the birds which are idly singing round us mostly live on insects of seeds…” (Darwin 1). In this respect, the whole concept of theories was built using the method of observation that enabled the author to see differences and similarities in certain areas of nature and society and analyze the importance of species, selection (that was mostly compared to breeding), and evolution. The author claims that nature can make more obvious changes in the look of species than do men by breeding because of time needed for greater differences: “…adding up in any given direction mere individual differences, so could Nature, but far more easily, from having incompatibly longer time at her disposal” (Darwin 22). In other words, Darwin could demonstrate every point and every concept of his theories, suggestions, and hypotheses using society and natural environment as examples because the structure of the natural societies such as prides, shoal, packs, and other groups is very similar to the structure existing in human society. A long period of time was necessary to infer from observing nature and society. Conclusion Different researchers used the method of observation to examine the world, its structure, and minor groups and concepts existing in it. Thus, Darwin was not the only to focus on the origin of species but one of the first to implement the analysis of species to human beings. Freud analyzed the interactions between people as he saw the war and wanted to explore the reasons and peculiarities o individuals and civilizations. So, every observation needs a long period of time to make logical and adequate conclusions concerning the nature and society and relations between these concepts. Works Cited Darwin, Charles. On Natural Selection . New York: Penguin, 2005. Print. Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents . New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2010. Print. Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels. Manifesto of the Communist Party . Marx/Engels Internet Archive 1987, 2000. Web. < https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch01.htm >.

ESSAY: What is the government’s involvement? Essay (Article) Table of Contents 1. Why is home ownership decreasing? 2. What is the way forward? 3. Personal opinion 4. Work Cited The American dream of owning a home is slowly turning into a dreaded concept with all the hardships it brings along with it. Many people have taken mortgages in order to buy houses simply because the incentives given to them by the government are very lucrative. The federal government has promoted home ownership through programs that entail “tax incentives for first-time buyers and mortgage interest deductions” (Depaul 1). Mortgage interest deduction though beneficial to home owners, will have a heavy toll to the tax revenue. Future projections have shown a “$131 billion” reduction in 2012 (Depaul 1). However, the polls carried out by Allstate/National Journal/Heartland Monitor show that the Americans are divided concerning whether the government should continue with these programs or not (Depaul 1). Current statistics prove that home ownership is on the decline. Why is home ownership decreasing? As of February 2011 there were only 250,000 sales made which is a “record low” and this translates to a 16.9% decline in the “annual rate of new single-family home sales” (Depaul 1). There have been different views expressed by experts and analysts some of whom have attributed this decline to: “uncertainty in labor market, falling home prices, tight credits and high unemployment” (Depaul 1). Tom Wilson, Allstate Chairman and CEO, claimed an imbalance between demand and supply. Though the government had all good intentions in encouraging home ownership, this has had a negative impact on some families. It is known that as a result of mortgages, there is increased debt and also “soaring foreclosure rates” which in general destabilizes the community. Deliberations are still being made on the best course of action to be taken. What is the way forward? Jared Bernstein, chief economist and advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, commenting on the issue of governments’ involvement, suggested that government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) should be reduced and that the government’s contribution should have been one that encouraged a more “sustainable home ownership” and not creating more problems for the individuals and even the economy. A unanimous agreement by other panelists was that mortgage- interest deductions should not to be altered at the moment until the housing market is a bit stable. Pete Domenici and Alive Rivlin together in their report on “deficit reduction” suggested that mortgage interest deduction be applicable to loans under $500,000 only. Henry Cisneros, “a former Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development and a member of the Domenici-Rivlin Debt Reduction Task Force” (Depaul 1) on the other hand proposed “replacing the mortgage deduction with a refundable 15% credit” (Depaul 1). He also added that changes on mortgage interest deduction were mainly going to be influenced by the Congress and that he only expects changes to the “home interest mortgage” and not its elimination. Personal opinion Individuals, in America and elsewhere should cultivate a saving culture in order that when the appropriate time comes, then one can easily purchase the home of their choice. This will even ensure that they do not incur any debts as in the case of obtaining mortgages and they will even be protected from the increasing foreclosure rates. When one starts to save earlier in life, then the American dream will definitely become a reality, free of debt. Work Cited Depaul, Jennifer. Homeowner Tax breaks; Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? The Fiscal Times, 2011. Web. < http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/03/25/Homeowner-Tax-Breaks-Questioned >

ESSAY: “What is the Meaning of Life?” in the Works of Gilgamesh and Agamemnon Analytical Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. What is the meaning of life? 3. Gilgamesh and Agamemnon 4. Life reciprocates proportionally 5. So, what is the meaning of life? 6. Reference Introduction Men and women alike have tried to define the purpose of life in vain. Trying to answer the question ‘what is the meaning of life?’ has been one of the hardest tasks for humanity. In this article, I will make an attempt to briefly shade some light on this question. I will heavily borrow from the works of Gilgamesh and Agamemnon in trying to answer this question. I view these two works to be quite relevant in answering the question as the events taking place in the two works have an accurate reflection of the present day life. What is the meaning of life? Answering the above question needs a deep reflection. From the religious point of view, a person has a divine purpose which he/she ought to accomplish in his/her lifetime. Does that therefore mean that one’s life is predetermined? And if it is predetermined, then why should we struggle to accomplish missions which will somehow be accomplished – since they are predetermined! Gilgamesh and Agamemnon Examining the works and lives of the Gilgamesh and Agamemnon one is left wondering why a person in a prestigious position should undergo so many miseries. Is it justified to suffer for the sake of gaining fame? This is what we mostly see in the lives of Gilgamesh and Agamemnon. Gilgamesh goes to all lengths to gain fame. In the course of doing this, there are a number of people who suffer because of his quests: Enkidu died miserably as a result of the conquests of Gilgamesh. It is a pity to see Gilgamesh trying to make the afterlife of Enkidu smooth by trying to appease the gods to accept him (Mack, 1997). Is it not ironical that at the end of his great conquests, Gilgamesh and Enkidu have bitter endings? One readily gets attempted to ask the question, ‘is life meant to have a bitter ending after a sweet lifetime?’ If the answer is yes, then what is the meaning of life? Life reciprocates proportionally Arguing philosophically we can claim that one determines the fate of his life. With respect to this view, then the meaning of life will be what you want it to be. In other words you determine what meaning your life will have. I find this argument quite practical in the present life as well I find it quite applicable in the two works being discussion in this article. Gilgamesh is seen seeking fame by trying to dethrone some gods and exalting himself above them, what does he expect back? This is also very evident in the life Agamemnon. Agamemnon gets involved in heinous activities, what does he expect back? Agamemnon’s miseries clearly have roots in the evils committed by him and those close to him. This argument leads us to the point of knowing that life reciprocates proportionally to what we do. So, what is the meaning of life? Now that we know that life reciprocates proportionally to what we do then what does that mean. From the above arguments I have made above, I believe that life is a chance one gets to make the world a better place or at least to participate in making the world a better place. Logically, then life is chance for one to experience his/her own actions. This calls for the need for every person to be accountable for what he/she does. If we embrace hearts of good faith towards our neighbors including the environment then we are more likely to find life a bit enjoyable. We are less likely to face misfortunes which often make us wonder what life means. Reference Mack, M. (1997). The Norton anthology of world masterpieces. New York, NY: Norton.

ESSAY: What Mississippi means to me Essay Mississippi, a state in the southern United States, was named after the Mississippi River which flows along one of its boundaries [1] . It is a heavily forested area and it is one of the states where farming is among the primary state resources. Characterized by one of the lowest alcoholism and criminal activities prevalence rates in the country Mississippi to me is an indication that high moral levels can easily be maintained at state level as long as the law enforcement authorities and the citizens are well committed this achievement at a personal level. However, even with all these strengths Mississippi’s development has dragged behind other states owing to challenges brought about by high school dropout rates, a weak maternal healthcare system, high levels of lifestyle diseases such as obesity (which in turn leads to high death rates by cardiovascular diseases) and a high incidence of poverty [2] . This is in contrast to the days when cotton farming was at its greatest and Mississippi was among the top five wealthiest states in the United States [3] . However, challenges and difficulties are meant to be overcome and therefore the Mississippi hardships are to me indications of roadblocks on the way to triumph. The way that Mississippi fell from grace to grass is the same way that through the collective individuals of citizens in the state it can rise to reclaim its spot among the country’s economic giants. From history, the Mississippi area was ruled by individuals of Spanish, British and French descent and it was these variations in the origins of the authorities that encouraged the growth of the state into a multicultural region with each and every individual enjoying all the human and civil rights [4] . Even at the time when racism was at its peak in the rest of the United States, persons of color in Mississippi were enjoying substantial freedom. Drawing from this fact Mississippi, to me, is an indication of radicalism and the development of fundamental changes in the societal framework. Mississippi is one of the states that have made great contributions to American music with various genres including country, jazz, blues and rock and roll all either having been created or finding public relevance amongst the region’s audiences [5] . It is after the aforementioned genres of music found public acceptance in Mississippi that they began spreading to other states in the United States and the rest of the world. Elvis Presley, one of the greatest music icons of all times thanks to his contribution to the growth of rock and roll originally came from Tupelo in Mississippi. Aside from music, the state also has a significant presence in the rest of the arts with the United States International Ballet Competition having been incepted in Jackson, Mississippi state capital [6] . It is therefore only appropriate for me to accept that Mississippi to me means innovation and global entertainment. Mississippi is fundamentally a Christian domain. However, other religions including Islam, Judaism have some slight presence in the region [7] . Each individual has the freedom to choose his/her religion and this in essence means the Mississippi is one of the states that symbolize citizen harmony occasioned by the respect of the freedom of worship. Reference List Ready, Anna. 2002. Mississippi. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications United Health Foundation. 2009. “America’s health rankings: Mississippi”. UHF, https://www.americashealthrankings.org/ . Footnotes 1. Anna Ready, Mississippi (Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2002), 26 2. United Health Foundation. “America’s health rankings: Mississippi” [article], (UHF,2009) 3. Ready, Mississippi , 30 4. Ibid., 30 5. Ibid., 46 6. Ibid., 68 7. Ibid., 81

ESSAY: Imperialism and Globalization Definition Essay Table of Contents 1. On Imperialism and Globalization 2. The USA and Haiti: Surviving Hard Times 3. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Canada and Haiti 4. Conclusion: The Reconciliation 5. Works Cited On Imperialism and Globalization One of the modern world’s greatest concerns at present, the issue of globalization has affected certain countries and states much more than one can imagine. Bringing numerous changes to people’s life, their state’s policies and economy, globalization mixed with imperialism creates a fusion that can affect people’s lives in the most negative way. In spite of the fact that Haiti is already past the threatening state of affairs that it experienced at the times of imperialism, it still survives the aftereffects left by the reign of the latter. Although imperialism and globalization are rather widespread terms, they are quite hard to define, since they embrace a number of various phenomena and issues. However, incorporating certain ideas, scientists managed to find the definition for these all-embracing terms. Unifying the political, economical and social ideas, one can produce a definition that could encompass all the spheres that these notions touch upon. With help of this approach, one can find the most suitable definition for the abovementioned notions. Thus, it can be considered that globalization can be defined as an attempt to make the world states work in unity, whereas imperialism can be considered an aggressive attempt to capture the territories of the other state. The USA and Haiti: Surviving Hard Times One of the most famous examples of imperialism can be considered the relationships between the USA and Haiti. Though it was quite logical that the United States applied such approach to the Haitian territories, the fact of the imperialistic aggression could not be denied. According to what Social Studies School Service says, the reasons for such behavior in the distant 1915 were quite clear: “The U.S. certainly doesn’t want a German naval base come close to the United States and the Panama Channel” (194). As Renda marked, “By 1913 President Wilson and his advisers were searching for a way to translate that position into definitive control” (30). Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Canada and Haiti Another case of imperialistic behavior towards the Haitians was registered as the Canadians made attempt to intrude into the policy and economics of Haiti. It is quite peculiar that this event took place in the XXI century, namely, in 2000-ies. As UTA Edco emphasized, “One of the most retrograde tendencies occurring within the Canadian non-profit sector has been its increasing collaboration with Canadian imperialism, notably in Afghanistan and Haiti” (188). It is worth noticing that such step was rather unexpected for the entire world. Because of the Canada’s joining the imperialistic ideas, Haiti faced certain threat. Indeed, some time later the imperialistic Canada attempted to intrude into the state and impose their policy and their economics on the state and its citizens. According to UTA Edco, The Canadian Haiti Action Network has been extensively involved in exposing Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funding and support for pseudo-human rights groups that have been used by the occupation forces and comprador Haitian elite to justify the detention of political prisoners such as Father Jean Juste in Haiti. (188) Conclusion: The Reconciliation Fortunately, the bone of discord that has remained for so long between Haiti and Canada, as well as Haiti and the USA, is now long forgotten. Trying to establish new relationships with each other and attempting to integrate into a single entity with help of the globalization process, people feel much freer nowadays. However, globalization, as the process involving certain hardships, must demand much time. Thus, it will take another couple of decades for the states to reconstruct their relations. Works Cited Renda, Mary A. Taking Haiti: Military Occupation and the Culture of U. S. Imperialism, 1915-1940 . Chapel Hill, NC: UNC Press Books, 2001. Print. Social Students School Service. Imperialism and Progressivism. Culver City, CA: Social Studies School Service, 2007. Print. UTA Edco. Upping the Anti #6. Toronto, CA: Thistle Printing, 2008. Print.

ESSAY: Who Moved My Cheese Essay: Book Summary, Analysis & Real Life Examples Table of Contents 1. Who Moved My Cheese Book Summary 2. Who Moved My Cheese Analysis 3. Who Moved My Cheese: Conclusion 4. Work Cited Change is inevitable, and Spencer Johnson knew this very well when he wrote Who Moved My Cheese . This short dramatic story addresses change in life, exploring how one could handle it in the workplace and day-to-day life as well. Positive change comes when one can sense, expect, and adapt to it by responding appropriately through action. After executing all these measures, change becomes enjoyable and life more interesting, with better results in work and life. This summary essay on Who Moved My Cheese shall provide a critical analysis of the main characters of the story and their attitude to changes.. Of all other things in life, change is the only constant thing, and by learning to adapt to and enjoy it, life stops being a puzzle and becomes one enjoyable adventure. With full knowledge of these facts about change, Spencer wrote Who Moved My Cheese from personal experience to help others accept and adopt change in life. Laying down strategies in handling change is of the essence of this book. Who Moved My Cheese Book Summary The book opens by stating the four major characters, Scurry and Sniff, the two mice and Haw and Hem, the two little people. “Sniff…sniffs out change early, Scurry…scurries into action, Hem…denies and resists change as he fears it will lead to something worse, Haw…learns to adapt in time when he sees changing can lead to something better!” (Spencer 1). Into the plot, Spencer adds a maze, which represents the workplace or the place where people look for the things they desire. Cheese is used as a metaphor in Who Moved My Cheese for the things that people look for in life like food, health, wealth, among others. Having put this in place, the author starts the story. The two mice and the two little people live in a maze where every morning, they run to Cheese Station C and get enough cheese for everyone’s needs. With time, self-satisfaction sets in, and Hem and Haw start taking their cheese for granted. Fortunately, Sniff and Scurry are ever serious with their cheese, and they keep on investigating its source to see whether the supply is diminishing. One day, these characters run to the station only to find the cheese is gone. Scurry and Sniff, being little creatures void of intelligence and reasoning, are not surprised by the absence of the cheese. They look for another cheese somewhere else in the maze. However, Hem and Haw employ their intelligence to determine who might have moved their cheese. They cannot accept the fact that cheese is gone, so they end up wasting many days staring at the empty station. In other words, the two little people with their intelligence cannot accept and adapt to change easily, while the two mice notice the change, adapt to it, and move on to find new cheese. After many days of staying at the empty station , Haw decides to leave and search for another source of cheese. However, he finds the idea of leaving the station tempting, especially after listening to negative Hem, who sees it risky to leave it. Consequently, Haw decides to join Hem in staying at Station C wishing and waiting for a miraculous reappearance of their lost cheese. Finally, Haw gets the idea that, if they do not do something, they will perish; therefore, he decides to move in search of new cheese. For some time, he feels lost, but after many days of persistence, he starts feeling better about his exploits even though he has not gotten new cheese yet. He is convinced that, imagining that he has a new cheese will lead him to one, and this is precisely what happens; he finds a new cheese station, which is almost empty. Despite this misfortune, Haw learns a lesson. Staying for long at this station causes Haw to miss the next cheese supply. He concludes, “The quick you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese” (Spencer 17). From a loving heart, Haw goes back to the station with some new cheese to replenish Hem. Unfortunately, Hem is still in denial, and he refuses Haw’s offer of a new cheese; he maintains that he wants his cheese back. Hem maintains, “I want my own Cheese back and I’m not going to change until I get what I want” (Spencer 17). After realizing he cannot persuade Hem to leave Station C and search for new cheese, Haw leaves and continues his search for new cheese supplies. In his adventures, Haw realizes change is not bad after all; consequently, he adopts the motto, “when you change what you believe, you change what you do” (Spencer 18). Therefore, to start with, Haw changes the way he believes and writes on a rock, “Old beliefs, do not lead you to new cheese” (Spencer 18). Within no time, Haw realizes his new thinking pattern is producing new useful behaviors. Importantly, he notes he no longer goes back to any of the stations without cheese; instead, he searches through the maze to find new cheese-loaded stations. Finally, his positive attitude pays back as he comes to Cheese Station N. To Haw’s surprise, Scurry and Sniff are already at this station. Haw observes Sniff and Scurry have grown fat making him conclude they have been around this cheese station for quite some time. Despite the time he wasted along the journey, Haw is thankful he has learned vital lessons. To be on the safe side, he applies his new lessons daily. First, he investigates the station every morning to notice any changes in supply. In addition, he explores the whole maze to see if there are other sources of cheese supply in case the supply at the station runs out. As the story closes, Haw hears a sound and only hopes Hem has finally broken loose from his negative mentality to find the new station. Thus, it can be concluded that the four characters of the story represent people’s different attitudes to problems and changes. Who Moved My Cheese Analysis A number of lessons come out clearly in this story. The vital thing to do when change beckons is to acknowledge it and take decisive action that lines up the change to work for one’s benefit. Denying change will lead to extinction or mediocrity, an unproductive life characterized by commonness, void of adventures and thrills. Regarding the real life examples of Who Moved My Cheese characters, those who take after Sniff and Scurry in today’s world reap big from change; those who take after Haw benefit, although after a long struggle while those who take after Hem remain surrounded by fear of the unknown. The fundamental rule in the maze that is life is to acknowledge and take action towards utilizing change that comes one’s way. However, actions without a proper implementation strategy might lead to wasting a lot of time in the maze for no reason. Sniff and Scurry, “had noticed the supply of cheese had been getting smaller every day, they were prepared for the inevitable and knew instinctively what to do” (Spencer 8). The preparedness that Scurry and Sniff had symbolizes the strategy that people should have in life to counterchange. The two mice would investigate the cheese everyday to note any changes in supply. Likewise, people should notice any little changes and strategize on how to counter the same. In addition, during change, one needs to maintain a positive attitude. For Haw, he realizes, “Imagining myself enjoying the cheese even before I find it lead me to it” (Spencer 17). One has to set goals and then align his/her thoughts towards the positive realization of those goals. As the old saying asserts, ‘as a man thinks so he is,’ thinking of having achieved the set goals will lead to their realization. As the conclusion of Who Moved My Cheese proves it, positive adaptation of change requires one to abandon fear and self-satisfaction. Just like Haw, it might seem hard to leave what one is used to; nevertheless, experience dictates that without leaving the seashore, one will never discover new oceans. Ignoring the facts does not change them; therefore, it is good for people to accept change because change is unavoidable. Who Moved My Cheese: Conclusion The adage asserts that ‘change is the only constant thing’; consequently, adapting and repeatedly enjoying change is the best thing to do. As is clear from this summary essay on Who Moved My Cheese, Spencer wrote the story to illustrate the effects of denying change or accepting it. Acknowledging, strategizing for, acting on, and enjoying change, underlines Spencer’s work. The ‘Hems’ of today should learn from and emulate the ‘Sniffs’ and ‘Scurrys’ to avoid extinction or mediocrity. Work Cited Spencer, Johnson. Who Moved My Cheese?. N.d. Web.

ESSAY: Why it is Safe to Say that Northrop’s Book Exposes the Roots of Racism in America Argumentative Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The Main Thesis. White People Racism 3. Conclusion 4. References 5. Footnotes Introduction Nowadays, it is being commonly assumed that racism is nothing but simply one among many extrapolations of people’s simple-mindedness, which in its turn, implies essentially irrational subtleties of a racialist worldview. Such point of view endorses the application of environmentalist approach to deal with the issue – political activists, affiliated with ‘eracism’ agenda, never cease suggesting that the key to eliminating racism in America is education. At the same time, the very concept of education, as we know it, is also being increasingly criticized on the account of its ‘euro-centrism’. Nevertheless, given the fact that racial tensions continue to affect the dynamics within American society, it will only be logical to hypothesize that the emergence of white racism has been predetermined by objectively existing laws of historical dialectics. In this paper, we will aim to substantiate the validity of such our suggestion at length, while referring to the book The White Man’s Burden: Historical Origins of Racism in the United States by Jordan Winthrop, because this book offers a rather comprehensive historical insight into discussed subject matter. And, it is namely by assessing the significance of racism from historical perspective that one will be able to gain a better understanding of racism’s actual essence. The Main Thesis. White People Racism The foremost thesis of Winthrop’s book can be outlined as follows: the reason why, throughout the course of 17 th -18 th centuries, white people were growing increasingly intolerant towards blacks is that, at the time, there was a plenty of objective reasons for them to draw parallels between blacks and apes – after all, upon being encountered by European explorers in Africa, African natives were pursuing with essentially savage mode of existence, while going as far as cannibalizing each other in routinely manner. [1] Throughout the course of Exploration Era, Europeans used to embark upon lengthy voyages to the furthermost corners of the Earth, and yet, with the exception of what it used to be the case with Chinese, Japanese and Native Americans, they were often realizing that local populations had failed to advance even beyond the Stone Age. And, the fact that the extent of these populations’ visual ‘darkness’ appeared to correlate with the extent of their civilizational achievements in counter-geometrical progression, confirmed the validity of European view of colored people as being somewhat less human. Nowadays, even some Afro-American historians subtly recognize the fact that, prior to being discovered by Europeans, African blacks did not have much of a history worthy of mentioning, which is why they imply that the very concept of Black History should be assessed within the context of how blacks contributed to America’s well-being, rather within the context of what represents black cultural and scientific achievements. [2] Therefore, just as we have suggested in introduction, white racism in America should not be referred as the consequence of white people being inheritably wicked per se , but rather as the result of them being endowed with an ability to rationalize life’s emanations. And, as we are being well aware from the lessons of history, one’s ability to address life’s challenges in rationalistic manner rarely correlates with his or her tendency to choose in favor of ‘moral’ mode of living. Given the fact that the principle of scientific inquiry, upon which Western science continues to be firmly based even today, is being concerned with researches establishing dialectical relationship between causes and effects, it was only natural for white intellectuals, throughout the course of 17 th -19 th centuries, to point out at black people’s anthropological closeness with primates as the foremost reason for their cultural backwardness: “It was virtually impossible, in fact, to discuss gradations of men without stressing the closeness of the lowest men to the highest animals”. [3] Whatever ironical it might sound, it was specifically the process of Western science freeing itself out of intellectual imprisonment of Catholicism, which instigated the rise of racialist sentiment within Euro-American scientific circles. What also contributed to the rise of racism in America, before the policy of political correctness had achieved an officially endorsed status, is the theological essence of Protestantism – the religion closely associated with the process of America’s colonization and with ‘nativist’ movement among America’s whites, during the course of 19 th century. It is important to understand that white Protestants have traditionally considered themselves ‘chosen people’ – in literal sense of this word. And, according to Bible, ‘chosen people’ are being at liberty to treat ‘heathens’ and ‘savages’ as lesser beings and to even exterminate them, if circumstances call for it. As Winthrop had put it: “The Puritans’ fondness for the Old Testament and their stress on the depravity of man and the selectivity of salvation… have led them toward embracing racial slavery with open arms”. [4] This is the reason why white Protestant slave owners in 17 th century’s America did not think that there was anything inconsistent between them owning black slaves, on one hand, and simultaneously taking pride in the strength of their beliefs in Jesus Christ, on another. [5] Conclusion The context of what has been said earlier implies a fallaciousness of a suggestion that in his book, Winthrop had failed at pinpointing the exact causes of white racism in America. It is a truth that in White Man’s Burden , author does provide readers with information on a variety of seemingly racism-unrelated subjects, such as religion, cultural behaviors, physiology, anthropology, science, medicine and sociology. Nevertheless, by doing it, Northrop had succeeded in exposing the roots of white racism as such that originate in the very workings of white people’s mentality, which in its turn, explains the phenomenon of a so-called ‘subtle racism’ among today’s even most progressive white people, who despite their publically proclaimed loyalty to the ideals of multiculturalism, still prefer to reside in secluded white suburbia. Apparently, just as it is being the case with animals and plants, throughout the course of known history, the representatives of Homo Sapiens specie never ceased being subjected to Darwinian laws of evolution, which explains the phenomenon of people’s intellectual, cultural and socio-political inequality. Given the fact that, ever since having freed New World from British colonial oppression, Americans had set themselves on the path of rapid cultural and scientific progress (which had turned America into the greatest country on Earth), and also the fact that the very notion of progress is being conceptually opposite to the notion of enforced tolerance, the rise of racialist sentiment within American society was bound to occur. To paraphrase George Orwell’s famous saying – all people are equal, but some of them are being more equal than the others. Therefore, whatever politically incorrect it might sound and, regardless of whether we like it or not – the concept of Western civilization, as we know it, is indeed being synonymous to the concept of white racism. And, since America is an integral part of Western civilization, the fact that many white Americans continue to be affected by ‘subtle racism’ does not come as a particular surprise. We believe that such our conclusion fully substantiates the validity of paper’s initial hypothesis. References Billings, Warren. The Old Dominion in the Seventeenth Century: A Documentary History of Virginia, 1660-1689. ed. Thomas C. Holt and Elsa B. Brown, Major Problems in African-American History , vol. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000. Harding, Vincent. On the Differences Between Negro History and Black History, 1971, ed. Thomas C. Holt and Elsa B. Brown, Major Problems in African-American History , vol. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000. Winthrop, Jordan. The White Man’s Burden: Historical Origins of Racism in the United States. London: Oxford University Press, 1974. Footnotes 1. Jordan Winthrop. The White Man’s Burden: Historical Origins of Racism in the United States (London: Oxford University Press, 1974), 14. 2. Vincent Harding, On the Differences Between Negro History and Black History, 1971, ed. Thomas C. Holt and Elsa B. Brown, Major Problems in African-American History , vol. 2 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000), 8. 3. Winthrop, The White Man’s Burden, 103. 4. Winthrop, The White Man’s Burden, 94. 5. Warren Billings, The Old Dominion in the Seventeenth Century: A Documentary History of Virginia, 1660-1689. ed. Thomas C. Holt and Elsa B. Brown, Major Problems in African-American History , vol. 2 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000), 156-157.

ESSAY: William Bradford’s personality Essay William Bradford was born to an influential and wealthy English family in 1590. In his childhood, Bradford had to endure the loss of several of his close family members. His father died when he was barely a year old and his mother died when he was seven years of age. It is claimed that his lack of close family bonds may have led to the development of his determined personality later in life. For example, his joining the nonconformist religious group, which would later be referred to as the Pilgrims, may have resulted from this. Throughout his life, Bradford exhibited a resolute personality in what he believed in. Since both his parents had passed away, Bradford went to stay with his uncles who had the intention of him helping them on their farm. However, because of his sickness he was unable to work and turned to reading spiritual books. This also played a critical role in the development of his intellectual inquisitiveness and his ultimate liking of the Separatist congregation. When Bradford was twelve years old, a friend introduced him to a separatist congregation who believed that the Church of England needed strict reforms so as to do away with every vestige practice of the Catholic church. Consequently, in search of religious freedom, the group, together with Bradford, relocated to Holland in August 1608 (Doherty, 26). After living there for about eleven years, the Separatists, with the assistance of Bradford, planned for the Mayflower’s voyage to America in 1620. In order to restructure the movement into a political body, he assisted in the formulation of the Mayflower Compact en route to the New World. Upon arrival, he assisted in choosing the best site for the establishment of the colony. One year after arrival, he was unanimously given the responsibility of serving as the colony’s governor (Bradford and Davis, 10). He held that position for thirty years between 1621 and 1656. “His remarkable tact, honesty, and political ability proved indispensable in assuring the colony’s survival, and he helped avert numerous potential disasters. He was instrumental in establishing and fostering the principles of self-government and religious freedom that characterized later American colonial government” (“Mayflower Compact,” para. 2). The success he had in the leadership position was largely due to his resolute personality. Even though Bradford did not have adequate training in formal education, he had a native literary capability that made him write a number of books. His most renowned literary work is Of Plymouth Plantation , which was an elaborate description in manuscript form of the events that took place in the early years of the establishment of the Colony. The book was published in 1865, two hundred years after his death. Received well by his contemporaries, the book demonstrates his determined confidence in the Pilgrim Mission (Bradford and Morison, 3). Besides this, he also wrote poems, which mostly criticized the self-interest of the new generation. Bradford’s Dialogues , written in the form of conversations between the old and the young people, are a dramatization of his thoughts concerning the differences between the old and the new generation. In conclusion, Bradford demonstrated a resolute personality throughout his life. He was part of the persecuted separatist congregation who fought for religious freedom. His position as one of the longest serving Plymouth governors was successful because of his unwavering character traits. In addition, his literary works also testify of this. Works Cited Bradford, William, and Davis, William T. Bradford’s history of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646. Chestnut Hill, Mass. :Elibron Classics, 2005. Print. Bradford, William, and Morison, Samuel E. Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 . New York : Knopf, 2006. Print. Doherty, Kieran, William Bradford: rock of Plymouth. Brookfield, Conn. : Twenty-First Century Books, 1999. Print. “Mayflower Compact.” C-Span . American Writers. 2010. Web.

ESSAY: William Faulkner: Literature Works Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Major Works and Themes 2. Critical Reception and Reputation 3. Works Cited 4. Bibliography 5. Studies of the author: Major Works and Themes William Faulkner is considered to be the most prominent writer among the representatives of the Southern literature not by chance. Having created an imaginary country, Yoknapatawpha, in Mississippi State, Faulkner used it for discussing different problems connected with the life of people in the South of the country. The author considered numerous themes devoted to the social problems and personal characteristics of people who used to live in the southern part of the USA. It is important to note that most works written by Faulkner are different and sometimes they are too complicated for simple readers. There are many different stories and novels which may be considered. Taking into account social problems and characteristics of a person, A Rose for Emily short story should be considered. The main idea which is discussed in the story is the irrelevance of the personality to what the whole society thinks about this person. Matthew DeMartino writes that the story “explores the notion of complete individuality paired with an over-watchful community” (par. 2). It is impossible to be independent in the dependent society where everyone is connected to someone. Moreover, people are tightened by traditions, social and moral principles. Emily Grierson was one those who managed to remain free and independent while others thought her to be like all. One of the main focuses of the story is morale and traditional vision of social relations which “reflect history’s unwillingness to advance, evolve, or progress” (Aboul-Ela 18). Emily Grierson and Homer Barron used to be a couple, but when Homer made a note that “he was not a marrying man” (Faulkner and Cowley 398) all Emily’s hopes seemed to be ruined, but, still, she created a plan which worked. The whole city thought that she was a pretty good citizen as the whole city went to her funeral, but as it came out she killed her lover and slept with his remains for several years. The theme the author considers is related to the inability of a person to cope with the ideas implemented in the society but still the desire to be the part of that society. One more specific feature of the story is that the story became possible only after the death of the main character. People lived their lives and only when Emily Grierson died (the beginning of the story) people began to talk about her. The material in the story is presented in a specific way, first person plural. This is one more feature which makes the stories written by Faulkner different. It is also reflects the main themes discussed in the story. People did not talk about each other, they were not interested in the life of people while they were alive. It may be concluded that only the death of a person could cause people become interested in his/her life. Wolmart says that Faulkner “assimilated and expanded upon the aesthetic and philosophical breakthroughs of the early twentieth century… and depicted the South’s cultural redefinition in the post-Reconstruction era” (Wolmart 409). The post-Reconstruction era is the war and after war period as the author thinks. There are a lot of works devoted to the problem of war. Faulkner writes Soldiers’ Pay as the description of the life of a wounded aviator who returns home after the World War I. The same plot has the story Sartoris , where after war South is the focus of attention and the same aviator who returns home after the war. The consideration of this topic may be explained by the personal desire of the author to go to the war. The authorities refused him and then he decides to enter flying school, but the war is finished and the author does not have an opportunity to go to the war. Still, the dreams follow the author and he decides to discuss those in short stories and novels. All the themes Faulkner dwells upon touch social problems on the background of life of people in the South. There are a lot of other stories and novels written by the author which deserve attention. It should be noticed that Faulkner began his career as a writer much earlier before her got a Noble Prize, but the he became popular only after this prominent event. Critical Reception and Reputation Dwelling upon the perception and the reputation of William Faulkner, it is impossible to omit the fact that the main works the author wrote were published in 1920s-1930s, but the population among readers came to Faulkner after he had received the Noble Prize in 1949. Nevertheless, critics have been always interested in the works presented by the author. Ted Atkinson, for example, has created the whole book which he had devoted to the expression of aesthetics, ideology, and cultural politics in the works by Faulkner. Atkinson states that the most productive years of the author were those when the whole country was deepen into Depression. This tendency is definitely seen as there had been too many social and ideological problems which had to be reflected. Faulkner managed to cope with the task and show the ideology of the South from different angles (Atkinson 2). It is important to notice the fact that Faulkner’s Absalon is considered to be “a counterpoint to the romanticized narratives of the war, grappling intensely with issues of historiography and race ideology in ways that anticipate the textual anxieties of poststructuralism as well as the vexes historical consciousness of postmodernism” (Atkinson 226). Searching for the information devoted to the criticism of Faulkner’s works, it may be noticed that critics and scholars pay more attention to Absalon rather to other stories and novels written about Civil war. One of the main explanations of this fact is that this piece of writing is devoted to the Depression but it is referred to historical and cultural narration (Atkinson 227). Aboul-Ela categorizes Faulkner as a modern writer who presents his vision of colonization in the South. However, he states that the works written by the author should be better related to historical category as Faulkner fails to face fully “how thoroughly the Mississippian’s life and work were implicated in a network of spatial inequalities highly comparable to those characterizing the contemporary dynamic globalization” (Aboul-Ela 3). Wolmart managed to see two different people in the stories. On the one hand, Wolmart saw Victorian Faulkner who managed to “adhere to the ‘Cavalier myth’ of the Southern planter aristocracy, which is marked by entrenched hierarchies and rigid oppositions along liners of class, race, gender, and religion” (Wolmart 409). On the other hand, Wolmart saw a Modernist who “eschewed the provincialisms of the Old South in favor of heterogeneity and liberation from rigid and oppressive cultural codes” (Wolmart 409). Having considered these two different people in one author, it is possible to say that the Modern author managed to “assimilate alterity” (Wolmart 409) in the same way as another kind of the author managed to reject. This may be one of the explanations why people still managed to perceive the novels and short stories after so much critical works have been written. Dwelling upon the writing style of the author many critics agree that sometimes the techniques the author uses help to see the collapses of the past closer than the present events discussed in the story (Atkinson 227). This method may explain the readers’ interest in the works written by the writer in spite of the fact that they are considered to be complicated for perception. The first short story written by the author saw the world in 1919, but the readers became interested in southern stories only after 1949 after the writer received the Noble Prize for literature. Thus, it may be concluded that the author seemed to be too complicated to people to read his stories that is why not much readers’ attention is paid to Faulkner’s woks. Still, seeing the literary value of those pieces of writing, critics began to consider the stories and novels written by the author. The aesthetic, ideological and cultural peculiarities have been thoroughly considered in the novels and short stories in the descriptive manner. Faulkner’s works are easy to read, still, to understand their real meaning, to comprehend them is rather difficult. Works Cited Aboul-Ela, Hosam. Other South: Faulkner, Coloniality, and the Mariategui Tradition . Pittsburg: University of Pittsburg Press, 2007. Print. Atkinson, Ted. Faulkner and the Great Depression: Aesthetics, Ideology, and Cultural Politics . Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2005. Print. DeMartino, Matthew. “Short story reviews: A Rose for Emily, by William Faulkner.” Helium.com. Helium 2010. Web. Faulkner, William and Malcolm Cowley. The portable Faulkner . London: Penguin, 2003. Print. Wolmart, Gregory. “William Faulkner (Book).” Mississippi Quarterly 54.3 (2001): 409. Web. Bibliography Works by the author: Faulkner, William. Soldiers’ Pay . New York: Liveright, 1996. Print. Faulkner, William. Mosquitoes: A Novel . New York: Liveright, 1996. Print. Faulkner, William. The Sound and the Fury: The Corrected Text. London: Vintage, 1991. Print. Faulkner, William. Sartoris . New York: Random House, 1956. Print. Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying: The Corrected Text . New York: Modern Library, 2000. Print. Faulkner, William. Light in August (The Corrected Text) . London: Vintage International/Random House, 1991. Print. Faulkner, William. Go Down, Moses . London: Vintage, 1991. Print. Faulkner, William. Collected Stories of William Faulkner . London: Vintage, 1995. Print. Faulkner, William. A Fable . London: Vintage, 1977. Print. Faulkner, William. Vision in Spring . Austin: Univ of Texas Pr, 1984. Print. Studies of the author: Aboul-Ela, Hosam. Other South: Faulkner, Coloniality, and the Mariategui Tradition . Pittsburg: University of Pittsburg Press, 2007. Print. Atkinson, Ted. Faulkner and the Great Depression: Aesthetics, Ideology, and Cultural Politics . Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2005. Print. Bauer, Margaret Donovan. William Faulkner’s Legacy: “What Shadow, What Stain, What Mark . Gainesville: Univ. Press of Florida, 2005. Print. DeMartino, Matthew. “Short story reviews: A Rose for Emily, by William Faulkner.” Helium.com. Helium 2010. Web. Fargnoli, Nicholas, Golay, Michael, and Robet Hamblin. Critical Companion to William Faulkner: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work . New York: Infobase Publishing, 2008. Print. Marius, Richard and Nancy Anderson. Reading Faulkner: Introductions to the First Thirteen Novels . Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 2006. Print. Meyer Jr., William E. H. “Faulkner, Hemingway, et al.: The Emersonian test of American authorship.” Journal of American Culture 21.1 (1998): 35. Print. Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 7: William Faulkner.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide . 2010. Web. Towner, Theresa and James Carothers. Reading Faulkner: Glossary and Commentary. Collected Stories. Mississippi: The University of Mississippi Press, 2006. Print. Wolmart, Gregory. “William Faulkner (Book).” Mississippi Quarterly 54.3 (2001): 409. Web.

ESSAY: Willy Loman as a Tragic Hero: Character Analysis Essay Is Willy Loman a tragic hero? Why did he kill himself? Find here the answers! This essay focuses on the essay Tragedy and the Common Man in which Artur Miller gave the reasons why Willy Loman should be considered a pathetically tragic character. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Willy Loman Is a Tragic Hero 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited Introduction A tragic hero is person who usually appears in romantic literature. To make it clear, it should be mentioned that the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is created in Romanticism genre as the main character has visions which divide his life into two parts, real where Willy Loman and his sons are unable to achieve success in sales, and unreal, where everything is great. Willy Loman’s family got used that he talks to himself and do not react to this anymore. There is a statement that Willy Loman is a tragic hero according to Arthur Miller’s definition of what a tragic hero is in his famous essay Tragedy and the Common Man . To make the situation clear, we are going to discuss the main features which confirm the statement and make Willy a tragic hero. Is Willy Loman a Tragic Hero? The essay Tragedy and the Common Man written by Arthur Miller presents the main characteristics of a tragic hero in romantic literature. One of the main features is the referencing of a hero to a common person. Miller states that “the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were” (Miller ‘Tragedy’ 1461). Willy Loman is a simple person who used to work as a salesman, but due to age and health problems he wants to settle less active life. This is the first argument which proves that Willy Loman is a tragic hero. Arthur Miller also believes that a hero becomes tragic when he is “ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing – his sense of personal dignity” (Miller ‘Tragedy’ 1462). This is exactly what has happened with Willy when he got to know that all he was trying to reach (to make his children be successful by means of making them good salespeople) was ruined, he did not manage to achieve this goal. Thus, he understands that he is not a person, that he has not fulfilled his life goal. “Nothing is planted. I do not have a thing in the ground” (Miller ‘Death of a Salesman’ 122). Saying these words, Willy means that all his life is spent in vain and there are no results of it. Willy understands that salesman is not the best profession and his desire to sacrifice his life for the benefit of his family is nothing but the desire to save his dignity and do not declare in public that all he has been planning was ruined. This is the second argument in support of the idea that Willy Loman is a tragic hero. Arthur Miller is sure that one of the main characteristics of a tragic hero in the play is the understanding of the difference between real and unreal worlds. He says, “The quality in such plays that does shake us, however, derives from the underlying fear of being displaced, the disaster inherent in being torn away from our chosen image of what and who we are in this world” (Miller ‘Tragedy’ 1463). The main character is a tragic hero as he has been torn away from the world of illusion where his sons are successful salespeople and has been put in the reality where they have failed to become wealthy and have nothing to do. He realizes that he was a bad father, except for the imaginary world where he was the best. The tragedy of the hero is characterized by the fact that he was torn from his imaginary world and put in cruel reality where his dreams were not realized. This is the third argument in support of the fact that Willy was a tragic hero. Reading an essay Tragedy and the Common Man by Arthur Miller, it is possible to state that concluding statement about a tragic hero is exactly what can be seen in Willy Loman, a character of his play Death of a Salesman . The author writes that the main essence of a tragic hero is “intent upon claiming his whole due as a personality, and if this struggle must be total and without reservation, then it automatically demonstrates the indestructible will of man to achieve his humanity” (Miller ‘Tragedy’ 1464). This is the main characteristic feature which shows Willy as a tragedy character, as searching for something in his life, he has failed to become a personality. Conclusion To sum it up, it should be mentioned that the ideas Arthur Miller presents in his essay Tragedy and the Common Man are perfectly reflected in his play Death of a Salesman . The main character of the play, Willy Loman, is a tragic hero as it is stated in the author’s essay. All the reasons the author provides in the essay are confirmed by the character’s description in the play. It seems that the author tried to reflect all this ideas about a tragic hero in Willy Loman to show the reader that such characters exist. Works Cited Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman . New York, NY: Penguin, 1998. Print. Miller, Arthur. “Tragedy and the Common Man .” Discovering Literature . Eds. Hans P. Guth and Gabriele L. Rico. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1993. 1461-1464. Print.

ESSAY: Wisconsin Senate to Vote on Anti-Union Bill Essay The protesters are opposed to a legislation that will deny them labor rights by stripping them of their collective bargaining rights through workers union. The worker’s rights in Wisconsin are protected by the Federal legislation of 1936 that caters for County and Municipal workers while the nonfederal workers in Wisconsin are protected by the 1959 similar legislation. This legislation has been useful in championing for the rights of workers and bargaining for better payments for the nonfederal employees. The introduction of an anti-union proposal, which curtails the collective bargaining for state, county, and local workers with exception of the police, firefighters and state patrol, has led to mass protests. The bill introduced a week earlier by Governor Scott Walker, passed through the Legislative budget committee amid opposition from the Democrats committee members and now the bill is destined for voting in the Assembly and the Senate. The labor history of Wisconsin is set to undergo major changes as Walker and the GOP has majority numbers in both the Assembly and the Senate. The Democrats, due to their inferior numbers have been powerless to stop the bill with Sen. Bob Jauch D-Poplar raising an alarm over the impact the bill will have on democratic process. The proposed bill limits the workers union’s collective bargaining rights and makes workers to contribute to the pension scheme and health insurance cover. President Barrack Obama feels that eliminating the worker’s union bargaining role is not a good move but acknowledges that budget cuts are necessary. The bill will lead to a rise in employee’s contributions to the pension scheme and healthcare insurance cover. The unions still represent workers but their role is limited and cannot seek pay increment above the Consumer Price Index terms. The legislation prevents the unions from deducting the employees any monthly contributions and has a provision that the unions should conduct elections annually in a bid to improve their performance. The bill has majority support, as most of the senators are Republicans both in the Senate and in the Assembly. The bill sailed easily through the Legislative committee, as majority of the members are Republicans. Walker supports the legislation as the best effort to solve the current economic crisis to help in the running of state operations including prisons. The legislation protects the workers against any layoffs and retrenchments by organizations but does not allow the unions to negotiate on behalf of the workers concerning their plight. In an attempt to solicit for the worker’s union support for the bill, Walker indicated that he would advocate for massive loss of employment of state workers. The Legislative committee Wednesday recommended a number of changes to the proposed bill. It has for a provision on how public workers should extend their grievances. The legislation offers for the establishment of a body with an oversight role to oversee the privatization of public power plants. However, the proposed legislation faces public opposition characterized by many protests against it. Many protesters opposed to the bill filled the Wisconsin state Capitol prior to its passage into law. Huge crowds of protesters, mostly teachers and school-going children, assembled outside the Senate Chamber on to demonstrate against the passage of the bill. Schools remained closed as students and teachers joined the protesters. The protesters also included university students who kept a nightlong vigil ahead of the bill’s passage day.

ESSAY: Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths among Us Essay Summary The book discusses issues revolving around psychopathic patients living within our society. It describes the situation as the most dangerous form of personality disorder. The discussion is based on an extensive study of the world of psychopaths. It is worth noting that the author uses empirical literature characterized by various anecdotes. The author further describes psychopaths, their characteristic behavior from film and literature. Also the author discusses such issues as they appear in the press. There are also particular celebrated cases that include Clifford Olson and Ted Bundy that are mentioned in this book as some of the ways in which the study can be done using these figures. Oprah Winfrey and Jack Abbott are also mentioned in this book. Many individuals who have been mentioned in this book shared a number of behaviors which have a common theme. The author describes the psychopathic minds as characterized by egocentricity, recklessness and contentment. Other characteristics of psychopathic behaviors are grandiosity and lack of conscience. The author gives three messages about how to treat psychopathic individuals. The first thing is that the parents of such people must not be blamed for the conditions of their patient relatives. Instead, such parents or spouses should consult the services of clinicians (Hare 1999). The clinicians must be able to offer special diagnostic expertise and use specific strategies for certain special cases. The second message the author gives is that it should be known that the personality of a psychopathic patient is unlikely to change. Their behavior will change only in a situation where there is diminution with age. Also, the treatment efforts may not be quite effective simply because the patients are content of themselves. The third message given by Hare is related to the way in which one might protect them from being mistreated by other people. This aspect of perspective is known as street proofing for adults. The book however seems to contradict in certain specific aspects. The author appears to make suggestions that emanate from common sense. Some of his suggestions also emanate from clinical insight and folk wisdom whereas he warns against relying on such sources. A good example of this scenario is when the author describes the fixate stare of the patients as one that can be identified by eerie anecdotes. The author goes ahead to contradict himself by saying that this method is unreliable since it does not give accurate results. Sometimes, the author describes things in a way that can be viewed as a promotional piece. This is exemplified especially when it depicts the convention of PCL as the only way in which the patients can be diagnosed with their conditions. This statement contradicts his earlier thoughts of a developed structured interview protocol. The other contradictions by the author are that sometimes the book seems to read like a public service announcement. The announcement is further viewed as aimed at protecting the society from the menace of psychopathic situations. Various human personalities of a psychopath are described by the use of anecdotes. Such features are actually translated by Hare as behavioral action and victimization. The author sums up by presenting his views as a form of litany of tales that have mixed emotions. Thus, the tales are a mixture of fascinating and sorrowful senses. The author clearly states that many people have a limited understanding of psychopathic patients. He therefore recommends an in-depth and rigorous scientific research coupled with investments into the study of psychopaths. Reference List Hare, R. (1999). Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths among us. Guilford Press, New York.

ESSAY: Women and Beauty Essay Beauty has been a subject of discussion for a long time. However, the debate has climaxed in the twentieth and the twenty first century. Although the word has been defined differently, it generally means qualities or sum of qualities that give pleasure to senses. That basically means that any quality or characteristics of an individual which is pleasurable can be defined as beauty. More often than not, beauty is linked to women’s characteristics. As a result, most women have become obsessed with it and they do all in their power not only to look attractive, but also beautiful. Since it has been mostly linked to outside characteristics, there are lots of beauty products in the market meant to improve the aesthetic value of women. Sontag is one writer who has written on the issue of women and beauty in one of her essays ‘A woman’s Beauty: Put Down or Power Source?’ She discusses the plight of women in the contemporary society in relation to beauty. More specifically; Sontag discuses some sensitive issues concerning women and beauty. For instance, on the section of Put Down or Power Source, Sontag explores the responsibility of men on women’s obsession to beauty. In addition, the author still seeks to explain the extent women are responsible for the same. With that background in mind, this essay shall discuss the summary of Sontag’s essay and argue on the issue of responsibility of men and women towards women’s obsession on beauty. Although Sontag has generally spoken on beauty, there are numerous themes which have been discussed concerning the same. Sontag majors on explaining on the difference between intrinsic beauty and the outward appearance. The author points out that it is possible to find a beautiful woman walking in the streets but the same woman may lack some important characteristics that can add to her goodness. However, Sontag is not all against beauty especially in women. She explains that it is the duty of women to maintain their beauty. Nevertheless, Sontag describes a different way of maintaining beauty apart from talking care of the outside appearance. She says that someone can add more to beauty by working hard in career and also in other areas like the business (DiYanni pp. 332). Sontag compares different perspective of beauty in the contemporary society with the historical perspective. For instance, she considers Greeks who were knowledgeable on various issues and maintained that intrinsic characteristics were more valuable than outward characteristics. For example, Plato who was a renowned philosopher was not beautiful on the outside but was still attractive due to the knowledge he possessed. In addition, Sontag mentions that early Christians did not value outside beauty compared to the current Christians who condone even some beauty products like use of perfumes. In the contemporary society, women are faced with a great need to appear beautiful. The condition has lowered their status because compared to men; they are viewed as people who care more about their outside looks other than being concerned about their real identity. According to Sontag, women’s concern about their looks just signifies lack of power. The fact that the society has made women to view themselves as objects of pleasure makes them to be come anxious about their looks and that is why they are always strive to measure up to the standards of the society. Sontag points out the main difference between men and women in relation to beauty. Although men contribute to the women’s obsession on beauty, they are more confident and sure of themselves. Most importantly, their beauty does not emanate from outside looks but to their overall characteristics. Sontag ends her essay by a call on women to distance from beauty and instead concentrate more on feminine characteristics like gentleness, and being humble which are equally attractive. No one can negate the fact that women currently are obsessed with beauty. The availability of wide range of beauty products in the market is a clear indication of the extent of women’s obsession on beauty. Apart from that, women are even going for plastic surgery to change their outlook, to look more beautiful and to maintain their youthful skin. It is quite unfortunate for women because as Sontag says, the society views them as objects that are valued for how they look rather than for who they are. More often than not, women are treated as objects of pleasure. For instance, many magazines and movies as well as advertisements use women’s beauty and their body parts to achieve their objectives. Therefore, beauty is trivializing women and there is little they can do about it since society has socialized them to believe the same (DiYanni, 26 & 331). At this point, the main question is who is to blame for this trap of beauty that women have gotten in to. First and foremost, women have a great need of being appreciated. Therefore, their effort to beautify themselves is for the sole purpose of attracting men’s attention. Moreover, men are visual beings and are mostly attracted to what they see. As a result, women have no opinion other than to do all in their power to attract the attention of men. As much as men are to blame to some extent due for women’s obsession on beauty, there is a high probability that the problem is caused by some inborn characteristic of women. As Sontag has illustrated, there is a difference between women and men. For instance, men are more confident compared to women and they may not need to exaggerate their outside appearance. It is also possible that women and men view beauty differently. Interviews which have been conducted on men indicate that men value characteristic such as being happy and healthy. Therefore, it is possible that it is women’s outlook on beauty that makes them to spend a lot of time on make ups and fail to work on the inner characteristics. On the other hand, men consider inner beauty more and that is why they are more committed on improving such characteristics. For that reason, it is possible that, the plight of women on beauty in the contemporary society is a problem of their own making and has little or nothing to do with men. Beauty is defined differently in on different cultures of the world. However, it is important to note that due the emergence of a global culture which has been accelerated by globalization, there are similarities on some ideas concerning beauty. Since the American culture is considered superior to other cultures, it has proliferated to almost all parts of the world. Nevertheless, there are still some notable differences. In some continents like Africa, plump women are considered to be more beautiful compared to United States where a beautiful woman has to be tall and slender. In most cases, although women have a role to play, men are chief determinants of women’s obsession on beauty since in almost all communities; women are always aimed at pleasing men. Therefore, as it is the case in United States, men have contributed greatly to women obsession on beauty. Beauty as it is often defined as an attribute that is not only admirable, but also good and pleasurable. It ought to be cultivated by everyone in the society, men and women equally. Nonetheless, as Sontag has illustrated in her essay, the idea of beauty has become a trap, not only for women but also men. Currently, outside beauty is carrying more weight than intrinsic beauty which is equally important. The issue is accounting to the current issue of women putting on more makeup to change their appearance. The role of women in the society as wives and mothers contribute greatly to the women’s obsession on beauty as they are only more concerned on how they look rather than on their intrinsic value. Therefore, it will not be an understatement to conclude that the society which includes men and women, has contributed greatly to the plight of women as well as to their obsession on beauty. Works Cited DiYanni, Robert. Fifty great essays. New York : Pearson/Longman, 2004.

ESSAY: Women Studies and Its Impact on the Perception of Women Cause and Effect Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Conclusion 3. Works Cited Introduction Women have always been instrumental in various development activities in our societies yet very little is known about them. Until the second half of the 20 th century, many scholars never bothered to talk about women in their writings. The few scholars that wrote about women simply mentioned them in passing, but they never gave them a critical analysis. “Women’s studies were first conceived in the late 1970s, as the second wave of feminism gained political influence in the academic circles, through students and faculty activism” (Austen and Pearce 12). Women studies became part of ethnic studies in the United States. The scholars who became interested in studying women had to endure myriad challenges. This paper therefore seeks to discuss women studies and its effect on our perception of women. Lack of evidence on women activities was a serious challenge in women scholarship. This is because many people who wrote the ancient history of their societies never mentioned anything to do with women. For example, many scholars only gravitated on men’s superiority and their writings mostly portrayed women as house helps. Therefore it was not easy to get information especially on women’s engagement in economic and political activities, which were predominantly men’s domain. Oral tradition and interviews were therefore used at large by the scholars that studied women. These sources failed to give a complete analysis of women. Many Europeans were really affected by the problem of racism and this was manifested in their historical writings about other races. For example, African history was mainly reconstructed by scholars from Europe and other countries, who had a negative feeling on African women. They therefore gave a biased account of women. Scholars who started women studies had to rely on European documents to study women in different places. This was met by many challenges since they could not distinguish between genuine and biased information from those sources. Scholars who studied the activities of women always received much criticism from gender biased people who never so the importance of those studies. They saw women studies as a competition against their history. Scholarship requires a lot of resources especially when one gets involved in a new academic field which is unpopular. It was therefore difficult for the women scholars to get funding because of lack of interest by some people. Women scholarship has really changed our understanding of the past in many ways. First, we have been able to get a better understanding of the political activities that happened in the past. Before women studies began, it was generally believed that men were the only people that engaged in politics. This perception was changed. Women indeed participated in politics at various levels. In some communities they had a complete control of their territories, while in some societies women took leadership positions in the government. Economic history has been reconstructed by the help of women studies which also reveals that economic activities in the past were partly developed by women. Such studies have indicated that women were part off trading and agricultural activities. Even during the colonial America, women went a head and engaged in black smith trade that was believed to be a men’s activity. Women studies have generally revolutionized our perception and attitude toward women. Through these studies we have been able to engage more women in politics (Kerber 189). This has enabled us to improve our governments since the decisions made by women politicians have proved to be equally important as those of men. Democracy has therefore been enhanced through women studies. Gender equality has been promoted by women studies which have reveled that women still remain largely marginalized in many ways. This has led to formation of interest groups that now fight for women empowerment and gender equality. Gender equality has enhanced efficiency in our societies because decision making and distribution of resources has become better due to women participation in politics. “Susan Antony ones said that women bring a new perspective in politics”. This statement has been adopted by many leaders and they have changed their attitudes toward leadership roles. Conclusion Information about women remained obscure for a long duration, but it has now changed since the introduction of women studies in the academic circles. Today many scholars acknowledge the fact that women were important in the developments that took place in our communities. “John Edward Philips, in his book ‘Writing African History,’ mentioned that his ignorance of women in his writing of African history gave him an incomplete picture of the African situation” (Philips 120). Women studies has also brought paradigm shift from male dominated politics to equal political representation in many countries today. For example, “Ellen Joseph Sir leaf who was appointed as the first female president in Africa greatly changed our perception of women” (Austen and Pearce 204). With this change in perception about women, we therefore envisage a better future free from gender discrimination. We also hope that women will be empowered even more in all spheres of life. Works Cited Austen, Jane and Joseph Pearce. Pride and prejudice. Berkley: Ignatius Press, 2008 . Kerber, Linda. Women’s America: refocusing the past. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Philips, John. Writing African history. New York: University of Rochester Press, 2005.

ESSAY: Women’s Participation in World’s Development: Importance of Understanding Critical Essay Table of Contents 1. Thesis 2. Body 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited For a long period of time, society suffered because of inabilities to develop proper relations between the minorities, genders, and nations in order to promote the development of different spheres of life. There were a number of attempts to influence the style of life and make people evaluate their possibilities and demands. However, it was hard to define one common goal for each nation and take the right steps. However, “the prospect of war was a welcome occasion for national unity in the face of the mounting class – and gender-based conflicts of European society” (Strayer 981). The changes which had to be accepted by people during the war and when the war was over made people look through their lives and decide what style of life should be better chosen under new conditions with new abilities. With the help of the literary works created by Leila Ahmed, Carolina Maria de Jesus, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, and Vera Brittain, it is possible to take a look at the activities which had to be taken and the emotions which fulfilled people. The common thing for all these women was the necessity to act and think due to the possibility to become more educative (Lacey 65), still, they were bound by some duties and obligations which could not be neglected. Moral and ethical values did not play an important role, still, they remained to be an issue that influenced human lives. Still, the world as well as women has been changed (Waugh 114) and human achievements should be defined. In this paper, the attempt to evaluate the major developments of modern world history will be made. Thesis Jesus, Ahmed, Pandit, and Brittain offered their writings to show how unfair and wrong world’s position was for a long period of time and how miserable human actions could be in case they were not understood by the society; loses and grieves of four women are described in their works and help to comprehend it is sometimes enough to admit the necessity of change to improve personal life. Body Vera Brittain and her grief caused by the war . The life of Vera Brittain as well as her writings was based on grief because of which she suffered for a long period of time. Of course, the development of world history is impossible without some radical changes and improvements, still, the changes which had to be experienced by this woman seemed to be a bit cruel and hard to live with. “When the Great War broke out, it came to me not as a superlative tragedy, but as an interruption of the most exasperating kind to my personal plans” (Brittain 68). This work shows how unfair the destiny was to this woman: her lover and brother were killed in action, and she had to take care of other soldiers who were in need as she joined the VAD and helped voluntary other nurses. The conditions under which she had to live were new and hard to comprehend (Brittan 67). The events which happened to her changed her life radically, and she could do nothing but live with her heart “sinking in a sudden cold dismay” (Brittain 115). The aftermath of the war promoted numerous cultural and social changes (Strayer 985), still, these changed could hardly make people happier. Multiculturalism as a hedge that prevented Ahmed’s success . Though the idea of cultural discrimination emerged during the World War I (Ahmed 248), the writing by Leila Ahmed helped to understand that it was not the only one problem for the representatives of different majorities. The author tries to hide her roots and her nationality in order not to provide people with another opportunity to react in a negative way, to suspect, or to spit at her. Though women had the rights to vote and to make choices independently after the war (Strayer 985), Arabic women were deprived of such chance and had to prove their right to survive in this world. This is why it is not a surprise to define anger as the “key emotion” of a person who is identified as an Arab (Ahmed 270). Human prejudice is a terrible weapon: it is impossible to destroy it without certain efforts and it is difficult to convince people reject its usage. In spite of the fact that people try to support the idea of development and overcome misunderstandings and failures, they are week to neglect the words which carry “entire histories” (Ahmed 266) and achieve the desirable success. Powerful still too prejudiced ideas offered by Ahmed discover another side of human history and human uncertainty. Family relations and success in the political sphere demonstrated by Pandit . One of the most important things in life is a successful development of relations in family. If a person is lucky enough to have a strong family where each member is going to support and protect, it seems to be easier to overcome all challenges around. In her work, Pandit defines her family as “a form of social security and insurance and no one was abandoned” (440). A proper union of the family is a human side and a source of courage that helps to cope with any social barrier. In this work, it is possible to observe the missions which had to be complete by each person to support the idea of improvement. Police, for example, may enter the house and take anything in case a person could not pay for living (Pandit 451) and the boycott movements raised in numbers where women were used as the main sources of persuasion (Pandit 452). In fact, Indian style of life is not easy to comprehend due to constant measurement of autonomy and human rights (Strayer 634), still, modern world history would be incomplete if this side of life was omitted. Jesus’ attempt to improve the political aspect of human life . Ideas offered by Carolina Maria de Jesus are probably the brightest and the most captivating among the rest as she tried to evaluate the conditions of the political field being a simple peasant who lived in slums. It was not another opportunity to cry about personal discontents; it was an attempt to “treat people… with more consideration” (Jesus 39). Human development is based on the desire to improve living conditions, provide more opportunities, and assist poor people in emergency cases. However, the point raised by the author is politicians’ inability to realize the essence of problems as they do not have access to them: “people do not tolerate hunger. It’s necessary to know hunger to know how to describe it” (Jesus 39). She was not afraid to tell the truth as she had nothing to lose. She could not support the idea of development because there was no leader who knew his people good enough to understand their needs (Jesus 49). Fair evaluation of the events helped her describe the world from the inside, define the worst aspects that prevented the desirable success, and contribute the history in a good way. Common threats under different backgrounds of the authors . It is necessary to admit that all four authors introduce rather interesting images of society and its abilities to improve the life. Each author has her own social status and may declare personal ideas with a certain attitude, still, it is not easy for all of them to be heard. All of them have a common desire to help other people realize their weakness and shortages to be ready to take steps and look at the world from another perspective. Their backgrounds and relations could not prevent them from dangers created by society, still, their self-confidence and passion made their recognizable by the readers and respected by the world. Conclusion In general, all four writers share their own ideas on how it is possible to change the world and how it is necessary to treat to the idea of development. Leila Ahmed, Carolina Maria de Jesus, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, and Vera Brittain are the women whose actions were observed by many people. They were not afraid to say a word and protect their rights; they were courage enough to admit their pain and fear; they were smart enough to give strong argumentation before offer something. Their works turn out to be captivating sources of information about life, development, and history the evaluation of which should help to improve the present and the future of any nation without taking into consideration the inequalities existed. Works Cited Ahmed, Leila. “On becoming an Arab.” A Border passage. New York: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 1999. p. 243-270. Print. Brittain, Vera. “Testament of youth: an autobiographical study of the years 1900-1925.” In Jill Ker Conway Written by herself: volume 2: women’s memoirs from Britain, Africa, Asia, and the United States . New York: A Vintage Original, 1996. p. 66-116. Print. Jesus, Carolina, M. “Diary: 1958”. In Beyond all pity . London: Souvenir Press, 1962. p. 39-56. Print. Lacey, Greg. Revise modern world history for OCR specification 1937 . Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 2002. Print. Pandit, Vihaya, L. “The scope of happiness: personal memoir.” In Jill Ker Conway Written by herself: volume 2: women’s memoirs from Britain, Africa, Asia, and the United States . New York: A Vintage Original, 1996. p. 438-488. Print. Strayer, Robert. Ways of the world, volume 2: A global history with sources. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press, 2010. Print. Waugh, Steve. Essential modern world history . Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes, 2001. Print.

ESSAY: Woody Allen’s “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy” Analytical Essay Woody Allen’s “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy“ is a light comedy film about love, fate and sexual complexities that are shown in a captivating way. It is a clear representation of how love and lust entangle relationships, even friendship cannot hinder. The movie depicts the importance of time, the realization of the love that was lost and how one yearns to regain that love and hopes to have a victory over it. The film embodies the art of comedy, which portrays how humans manage to laugh and accept the diversities of life and on how to cope with the painful experiences that somehow contribute to the character of the person. The desires to win back a girl and to delve into the love triangle because of the romantic mix-up all the way to the silly human weaknesses make the movie entertaining. The story is rooted in the early 1900’s. It is set at the Victorian country house, home of Andrew, played by Woody Allen, where he and his wife Adrian invited two pairs of guest for their weekend getaway. The flying bicycle where Andrew is inviting Mia to meet up with him adds to the comical scene of the movie. The atmosphere greatly blends with the romance that sparks up among the characters in the movie. The twist in the plot illustrates how the characters yearn and eye after everyone else’s partner. These explore the themes of wanting, betrayal and the sexual desires that the movie entitles the viewer to see. The rural location, the lush scenery of the forest, the blithering brooks and clouded moons contribute to the beautiful effect of the film. These remarkable sceneries add to the modernity of the classic comedy flick. Regardless of the American setting, the characters slightly embody the European style. The location of the movie complements with the personality of the characters and their manner of dressing which coordinates with the turn of the century apparel where women wear a long flowing Broderie Anglaise dress. The men, on the other hand, wear white suits, suspenders and boaters that accentuate well with the women dresses. All these contribute to the artistic quality of the film. The delivery of every dialogue in the film is clearly enunciated and express in a natural, carefree way with a mix of humor and wit. This is the reason that the comic skits have been welcome by the viewers. The wisecrack express by the characters coordinate well with the film’s statement of a love story outreaching to the simple romance that will adequately sweep the mood of the audience and will surely consider it a timeless piece of the century. The post world war gives birth to the suburbanization around America on the twentieth century. This is where the countryside shows significant historic resources where suburb development emerged and become an important trend. The movie showcases the best of the countryside and depicts how such historical context influences the setting and story of the movie. Existentialism is a 20 th century philosophy (Existentialism-A Philosophy. Retrieved from www.allaboutphilosophy.org / existentialism.htm) where it reasserts human individuality and to achieve a fulfilling life, which plays a great impact in the movie and gain popularity in the artistic community. A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy is a classical comedy of innocence, love and lust, a clear influence of Ingmar Bergman’s to the Woody Allen’s style and gives a humorous and modern touch to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Although the movie is set at the early 20 th century, Woody Allen does not aim to produce a historical movie, but instead find its way to create a subtle comedy film.

ESSAY: Work and Private Life Argumentative Essay The major changes taking place in the job market across the globe are pushing organizations and governments all over the U.S. and the U.K. to rethink their approaches to dealing with the workforce. Big and small organizations alike are compelled to apply policies that seek to create a good balance between work, family and social life. It is imperative that employers realize that their employees are people with a life away from work. The European Union for example, is encouraging the implementation of guidelines that benefit the organization while at the same allowing employees to meet deal with out of work responsibilities. Advances in technology are also forcing organizations to undergo radical transformations in the way they transact business. The recent global economic meltdown destabilized both employers and employees throwing all into panic and uncertainty of what the future holds. With reduced income and production going down, organizations were left with no option but to carry out massive lay offs. This frightening phenomenon led to the emergence of other challenges that are now pose new threats to the social settings within the community. Job insecurity for example, would raise alarm at home as families begin to worrying about how to make ends meet. This has seen an increased number of women taking full time employment to supplement husbands’ efforts to provide for families. Negatively, this has increased the rate of divorce and an upward surge of the number of children growing without parental guidance. In addressing this dilemma, most governments are struggling to create healthy work environments that are appealing to employees. Similarly, organizations are working hard to redesign human resource operations with clear intentions of retaining high caliber staff. Flexibility is increasingly becoming a preference for both employers and employees as both parties see work and private life as being inseparable. Most employers are now more concerned about their employees out of work problems are willingly to listen and make it easy for staff to create a balance. According to the EFILWC (2006), these issues are very critical to both the employees and the employers. This paper discusses stress and how it affects work and social life. It also examines how organizations can get flexible enough to create interesting work environments as they seek to maintain employees for longer periods. Stress in Organizations Stress Defined Many definitions exist to explain what stress is but generally, stress is defined as a response to some form of pressure or interruption. In the book by Cartwright & Cooper (1997), stress may lead to worry, nervousness or anxiety. Sources of Stress Stress may be the end result of working for very long hours and in poor conditions, having unhealthy work relationships, ambiguity in work roles, and stagnated career development or even non-work related cause. Some of the problems associated with stress are; loss of man hours as absenteeism becomes the order of the day, workers committing suicide, and alcoholism which may lead to even more serious troubles. A number of organizations in the U.S. and the U.K. have had to be subjected to massive losses that are directly linked to stress. Valuable employees have died from stress related causes. Due to the rising costs of dealing with the consequences of stress, organizations are resolving to fight the root causes of stress at work. There is need to invest enough time and resources to reduce the effects of stress. A great number of companies in the U.S. are now paying close attention to the well being of employees so as to avoid incurring so much in healthcare. Being overworked can also act as a source of stress. Poor time management and lack of skills necessary to do the job are some reasons why employees get overworked. Too much time is therefore spent to accomplish the given tasks. This leads to crises that only worsen the situation by draining the employee’s energy. Usually, those overworked are managers or professionals in various fields who have to answer to the needs of others time and again. Sadly, these employees will be working while at home or even when on vacation. If left unchecked, this could have a serious negative impact on family relations. Any understanding employer knows not to interfere with an employee’s family life. They will instead encourage employees to enjoy every moment they have with the family. Galinsky & Backon (2004) conclude that the employees should be advised to see to it that any vacation serves the intended purpose. Effects of Stress Stress and work pressures do not only affect an employee’s performance at work. More often than not, the effect trickles over to the home as it is very difficult to separate work from home life. For most people, managing organizational and family demands can get quite tricky leading to important family relations getting really messed up. Damaged family relations in turn, negatively impact on the employee’s performance at work and the result is a vicious cycle that unless dealt with, will not end. Work disturbing home and home affecting work. Though, home is generally regarded to be a haven of peace where employees can get support and encouragement, a crisis at work easily finds its way into the home and creates instability as it is almost natural and employee to carry work related fears to the home life. When this happens, it weighs down on the spouse who may then not be able to provide the much needed support to produce a relaxing environment at home. In a case where job loss is eminent for example, a non-working spouse may have to look for employment to enable her assist her worried husband. In the end women are faced with an even bigger task as they have to work while at the same time they are expected by their husbands to manage the home environment. Dealing with Stress For better results, both the employer and the employee should be involved in the fight against stress. A number of strategies can be adopted by organizations to deal with stress and one such solution is to ensure that all employees have their jobs clearly defined to avoid any doubts and conflicts. This makes it easy for everyone to know what is expected of them and in a way, help to build employee confidence. Social events organized by the organization can also play a big role in relaxing and re-energizing employees. On their part, employees can aid the war against stress through proper time management, building self confidence through whichever means are available, and engaging in healthy practices among others. Organizations and Flexible Forms Background Information To remain relevant and competitive, it is mandatory that companies devise attractive working arrangements. With more and more employees now willing to place carriers in the back burner as they pursue the benefits of healthy family relations, employers have to do quite a lot to attract and keep the best employees. A big number of employees would love to have a job that is challenging, can present opportunities for growth and more importantly, able to offer more time off. A strategy being used by most organizations is to formulate mechanisms that give workers an opportunity to achieve a good work-life balance. Simply put, companies are leaning more towards providing a flexible work environment for their workforce. Top on the list of flexibility is having an environment where employees can work but also have room to attend to non-work related matters without fear of punishment. A great number of employees are now using this as a measure when assessing the prospects of a new job. Most employees, especially male are getting tired of missing out on private life and as a remedy, will sneak out of work during the day without the bosses knowing to participate in family. The reason this is happening is because most companies are still managed in a way that separates work and family life. Oblivious of the fact that employees can actually be at work but completely disengaged, some organizations are still under the false impression that employees will consider work to be a priority over family, or other private engagements. Companies quite unrealistically expect workers to always be available to deal with work matters anytime when called upon. Flexibility in Organizations Flexibility has gained popularity over time as an important component of success at the workplace and is seen as a means to give an answer to the changes the discussed above. For success to be realized, flexibility must be seen to benefit both the employer and employees. Employees subjected to flexible working environments are more likely to propel the growth of the organization. Usually, they are satisfied with their jobs, exhibit better mental health and are more willing to stay with their employer much longer. According to Peeters and colleagues (2005), numerous changes affecting families and the subsequent increment of women working full time, have made it difficult to draw a line between work and home life. This is further aggravated by technological advancements that have led to possibilities of performing work related tasks from anywhere. A job is generally considered more attractive if it can assist the employees to meet family obligations. Workers making use of the available work-life balance options provided by employers are able to stay longer with the employer than those who do not. The strong relationship between flexibility and commitment is a major reason why flexibility should be a clear choice for both the employee and the employer. Flexible work practices also help to reduce stress, which is a major contributor to absenteeism at work. Employees with high quality jobs and more supportive work environments have been found to be much more relaxed and less stressed. They return home in better moods and ready to give to the important people in their lives. Work can therefore help to enhance life off the job but this is if and only if work and family life are well balanced. The way people manage work and personal life is closely linked to how people assess and decide on priorities. Most flexible organizations recognize the value of employees and consequently put the needs of employees ahead of any other. Employee with pressing family issues to deal with must be given time off and any action to the contrary is unacceptable for a flexible working culture. This springs from the fact that when employees are happy customers too will be happy making the organization profitable in the end. Flexibility is strongly supported by the use of existing technologies such as mobile phones, computers and the Internet. Employees can be allowed to work wherever they are using laptops and incase communication with the office is needed, teleconferencing can be used. Working from home, they may be able to take care of parental duties, or even look after a sick relative. To further reinforce the achievement of a flexible environment, part time schedules can also be agreed upon. Although there are times when flexible arrangements have failed to work, proper use of a flexible work environment will benefit both the employer and the employee. To advance the use of flexibility, organizations have followed different approaches. Some have allowed employees to work from home one day a week arguing that it is possible for one to concentrate more when phones are not ringing. Others will guarantee workers time of after they have worked for a certain period of time. Given that work-life balance is the need of the hour, organizations are now required to work out systems that enable workers to effectively deal with work-private life pressures. Currently, adopting a flexible working culture is seen as the only way out as organizations strive to retain dependable employees and remain competitive. In the study done by Miller (2006), however, most managers are afraid that a flexible worker may not be trusted. This type of management would prefer to see employees seated and doing work from workstations provided for them at the workplace. Conclusion In as much as most employees favor a job that allows them to strike a good balance between work and private life, all these will not bear much fruit without good management policies that guarantee a strong foundation for success. It is therefore important that an organization develops helpful work-life balance programs. Besides, the organization’s culture must be one that strongly supports these initiatives and uses them to the advantage of the organization as well as the employees. If this is not recognized as a way of working in the organization, even the best designed work-life programs are bound to fail. There is also a need to put in place laws that compel both employers and employees to abide by the use of such available flexible programs. There are instances where some employees have not taken advantage of the flexible options offered by their employers simply because the organizational culture does not allow for this to happen. Others, however, have failed to use work-life balance plans out of fear that their jobs could be affected in one way or another. In the U.S. for example, the Family Leave and Medical Act allows fathers to take twelve weeks of paternity leave. Sadly, only a small percentage of eligible men request for this. Similar arrangements in the U.K. have not resulted into any tangible benefits. While most employers offer the work-life balance programs as a way of recruiting and retaining staff, some offer the initiatives to improve production and employee commitment levels. More importantly, some employers use these programs to support employees and their families. It is worthwhile noting that even if a company does not support work-life balance, it is possible for workers to go around the system and to attend to pressing family demands. This rat race can be avoided if companies can appreciate the fact that work and private life are indivisible and greatly complement each other for the success of the employees. People who consider work and personal life to be equally important have been found to be more fulfilled, successful and less stressed. By setting tight boundaries between work and family life, they are able to concentrate on what matters most at any given time. One strategy employed to achieve this is to leave work at work. It does not help to transform home into an office. It is important to make sure that when one is at home, he is really at home an emotionally engaged. Another helpful tactic is to take time for rest and recovery. Also, one can ensure that their priorities are clear set. What is important should be treated as such and must not in any way, be undervalued. It is about being intentional as far as how one wants to live is concerned. Employees operating on extremes emphasizing work more than personal life or vice versa often feel dissatisfied with work and life. Reference List Cartwright, S. & Cooper, C.L., 1997. Managing Workplace Stress . California: Sage Publications. Web. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EFILWC)., 2006. Reconciliation of work and family life and collective bargaining in the European Union . Loughlinstown. Web. Galinsky, E. & Backon, L., 2007. When Work Works . New York: Family and Work Institute. Web. Miller, H., 2006. When Work and Life Balance, Everyone Wins. Michigan: Herman Miller Inc. Web. Peeters, M. C. W., Montgomery, A. J., Bakker, A. B., & Schaufeli, W. B., 2005. Balancing Work and Home: How Job and Home Demands Are Related to Burnout. International Journal of Stress Management , 12 (1), pp. 43–61. Web.

ESSAY: Work-Life Balance in the Military Research Paper Abstract The purpose of this research is to establish the main concerns work-life balance in most of the organizations and fields of employment such as the military, business enterprise, health care facilities just to mention but a few (Eales, 2010, p.1 ). The research looks at how workers are able to maintain a balance between work and their personal life without limiting the concentration of one. It further goes down to establish the importance of having a proper work-life balance to the employee as well as the employer and the organization at large (Bloom et al, 2006, p. 154). The impact of work-life balance issues on current organizational behavior and future goals are also looked at to establish the positive or negative impacts that could result after proper and poor work-life balance respectively. Last but not least, the research ends by a critical analysis of ways through which an organization can pro-actively address the issue to minimize the potential of negative impact. Introduction Employment is one of the biggest challenges in life when it comes to balancing the two. According to studies conducted in the year 2005 by a research scientist by the name Lowe showed that 6o percent of the surveyed population had conflict between family and work (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 270). This therefore shows that most people are facing the challenge of correlating work and family issues. However, there are those fields of employment that increase the chances of conflict between the two. Some of these include people working in the military, health care facilities, mines, manufacturing industries just to mention but a few. The reason behind this is the fact that most of the aforementioned working institutions require a lot of devotion especially in terms of time (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 272). Take for example a military soldier who goes on a peace mission for a period of three or even more years or on the other hand a medical practitioner who is called for an emergency case at the health care facility during odd hours of the night. In both cases, it calls for a good balance between work and family one of the two will be greatly affected. Work-life balance is therefore the act of giving family or work issues proper priority so as to establish a clear balance between the two. It can thus be deduced that work-life balance is an important issue in the contemporary business environment responsible for the reward and fulfillment of a healthy career. This paper is therefore an in-depth analysis of the importance of work-life balance and the impact it has on current organizational behavior and future goals as well as a discussion of how the organization can proactively address the issue so as to minimize negative impacts. Work-life balance in the Military Work-life balance entails a broad spectrum of many concerns about family and personal life such as leisure, health, spiritual development among others. The military on the other hand is among the many fields of employment where some of these personal life experiences are rarely achieved if any. For a long time, military workers have been having the difficulty of balancing their life in the military and that of their families and even their own (Britt et al, 2006, p. 89). The main reason behind this is the fact that, life in the military is itself of its own given the terms and conditions accorded to it. For example, the military is one place where a worker will stay for a very long time away from their homes or rather families. At the same time the military is prone to many risks such that those who work in the military have to make a lot of sacrifice to accept to work there. In most cases, the decision to join the military is usually a crucial hence requiring discussion among the family members. This is because of the simple of the devotion and sacrifice that the individual as well as his or her family should make to allow them to join the military. The issue of balancing life and work in the military comes about due to the concerns of time, risks involved among other factors. Time is however the most conflicting issue because they have to choose between spending time in the military cruises or family. If one chooses to spend their time in the military, their personal life and that of the family is neglected. Cases of fathers in the military who have come back home to find their children fully grown up without even a single trace of who their father is, are not any knew to the society. At the same time, women in the military have ended up being spinsters or having marital issues because of they lack time for the family. Other than time, the numerous risks of being prone to dangers of being killed or hurt are also an issue of concern (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 278). Families that have their members in the military are always expectant of anything like, they may come back dead or alive. In addition to this, the stress the military workers face during their service is a possible cause of the suicide cases rampant in the military. Thus, military entails make a lot of sacrifices which at times are not worth making because of the possible outcomes. As part of my research, I had a lengthy counseling session with a senior enlisted soldier who explained to me that he had fully committed his life to his career in the military while neglecting that of his family. He explained to me how he had difficulty balancing the two since work in the military was very demanding. He was very sorry, due to the fact that his career has separated him from his family such that he rarely spent any time with them thus creating a poor relationship with his wife and children. I specifically explained to him the benefits of balancing the two since both were important part of his life. For one, I explained to him the way he could possibly achieve a balance between his life in the military and that of his family. This would be by for example spending as much time possible with his family during his leave periods or off duties. Frequent communication back at home while at work would create a feeling of unity and oneness despite the distance involved (Matsch, 2010, p. 78). Last but not least would be the issue of proper care for his family to make them feel that someone was still responsible for them. All this I said because I had heard of several spouses to the military workers who had been neglected hence leading miserable lives. The subject of balancing life not only entails taking care of the family life but also that of the work itself (Holden and Renshaw, 2004, 104). Workers ought to be responsible enough to take care of their jobs by spending the required time allocated and doing the work perfectly. For example, a military worker who decides to stay at home with their family instead of going to their work place will not be properly balancing the two and will be prone to be sacked. Thus work should be respected while at the same time having healthy family time. Importance of work-life balance Work-life balance has been a conflicting issue having impacts on the employers, employees, family and the society at large (Abercromby, 2007, p.1). As mentioned above, workers are having the problem handling their responsibilities in work places, homes and even volunteering programs for the society. However, it is possible to balance the two thus having a comfortable. The balance can be achieved through the following, * Proper time management whereby work and family time is clearly distinguished without having to encroach to the time set for a specific duty. * For those who go home on daily basis, it is important that they do not take home work assignments as this will prevent them from having adequate family time. * Dealing with the issues and concerns of family and work separately such that the stresses at work do not affect the family life and those from home do not affect the output at work (Martin, 2011, p.1). These are just but few ways through which general work-life balance can be achieved. Despite of the difficulty involved, a balance between the two is very important because of the following. The most important benefit of achieving work-life balance is that of being flexible to comfortably handle obligations (Eales, 2010, p.1). This is whereby, a worker will be very effective at work and at the same time his or her family life is good. At the same time, Effectiveness in work is achieved when the worker has had some time off from the work duties. That way workers would be able to meet their targets since they have had relaxation time thus coming back to work with high stimuli. The workers will also be able to have quality time with their families as well as having time to develop their personal skills and hobbies something which is healthy for the mind as well as providing satisfaction (Eales, 2010, p.1). Impact of work-life balance issues on current organizational behavior and future goals The human resource departments of most business organizations have the obligation of making sure that their employees maintain a proper work-balance. The issue of work-life balance of the employees has many impacts on the current organizational behavior and its future goals (Kalliath and Brough, 2008, p. 325). This is because an organization that fosters a good balance between work and the personal life of their employees enjoys the benefits of having high rated and qualified employees. The positive impacts of employees who have a balance of work and life could include; * Good reputation of the organization in the society. This is to mean that the society will be applauded for the great job they have done to initiate their workers positively. The organization will also be praised for producing all rounded and effective workers who are able to have a clear cut and control of the work life and personal or family life. * Equality of time – The fact that the workers will have the capability of balancing the time they spend at work and life issues, they will in the long-run acquire essential skills that will be applied in the work environment. Take for example an accountant who is burdened with the office work as well as external work such as audit meetings. For people without the skill of proper balance of duties, they may end up failing to attend the audit meetings which are a crucial part of the accountant’s job. Therefore an organization that has workers that are able to effectively spend their time will be higher on the ladder unlike those without such employees. * Satisfaction- Job satisfaction encompasses a number of things. If employees are given time to be with their families as well as handle their private life matters, they will have the feeling of job satisfaction (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 273). Thus, if employees achieve satisfaction in the work place they will be highly productive hence leading to the attainment of the future goals of the organization. * Measure of control- Having proper work-life balance is an indication of the ability to have control of even the pressing matters. Thus, this indication will be in turn reflected in the work of the employees which will have much contribution to the achievement of organizational goals. On the other hand, organizations that offer their employees with the opportunity to have a balance between work life and personal life will not be practicing good human resource practices thus will have negative impacts as a result. Some of these impacts include; * Poor reputation- Most fields of employment that do not provide a proper work-life balance for their employees usually end up having a bad reputation in the society despite the positive things they might be doing. For instance, despite the life saving assistance that most health care facilities give to the public, they still end up receiving a bad reputation in the society just because their workers spend more time in the facilities unlike at home with their families. This could in the long-run affect the aims of the organization. * Stress- If employees fail to have a balance between their work life and personal life; they may end up experiencing stressful moments. They may experience stress either at work or at home whereby their family members and especially their spouses may retaliate due to the neglecting they get due to the worker’s preference of work to family. This may affect the productivity of the workers hence affecting the organization as well. * Burn out- Hard work is complemented but hard work without rest leads to burn out of the workers. If the organization does not provide room for the employees to have some time on off duties, they will experience burn out. Burn out is one of the main causes of poor or low productivity of workers which in the long-run will lead to poor performance of the organization thus not achieving the set organizational goals. How an organization can pro-actively address the issue to minimize the potential of negative impact As per the negative impacts evidenced above, all organizations will be working hard to ensure that their employees are maintaining a proper work-life balance. This is because the negative impacts have detrimental effects on the achievement of the set organizational goals (Mercer, 2004, p.95). Therefore, organizations can pro-actively address the issue of work-life balance so as to minimize the potential of incurring the negative impacts. This can be achieved through a number of ways including; * Provision Conducive working environment: As seen above in the case of the military, the working environment matters a lot to the employees. Therefore, if at all the organizations want to minimize the potentials of negative impacts as a result of work-life balance, they should be able to provide their employees with a conducive environment to work in. This way, the employees will increase their productivity to benefit the organization. A conducive work environment involves off-duties, rewards, leaves, trips just to mention but a few. * Health and well-being- An organization should yearn to providing their employees with god health and well being so that they can minimize the potential of incurring negative impacts. For example, if workers are subjected to health hazards during their duty of service, they may have problems balancing their work and personal life. * Avoid burn out- Employers should be on the watch so that their employees do not experience burn out. They can do this by making that their employees are not overworked but given adequate time to relax which they can use for personal and family matters. * Effective leadership- Other than the aforementioned factors, the management of human resource should be done by effective leaders (Eales, 2010, p.1). Effective leadership ensures that the employees are properly managed towards the achievement of the goals of the organizations without being biased on the workers. By effective leadership providing good work-life balance means that they will be minimizing the potential of experiencing the negative impacts associated with poor work life balance. Conclusion The above discussion has been an enlightenment of the issue that comes in hand with work life balance of employees in organizations. As mentioned, despite the fact that all organizations can be reasons for poor balance between life and work, there are those that have the highest degree of such occurrences. These are for example the military and health care facilities regardless of the great contribution they provide to the society. The contemporary business is also prone to issue of work life balance just like most of the other organizations. It has also been discussed that the way a worker manages their work life and personal life has great impacts on the organization as well as themselves. Proper work and life balance has many advantages to those of achieving organizational goals and should thus be encouraged. Given the possible effects of poor balance of work and personal life, the human resource departments of organizations should ensure that they practice the aforementioned proactive measures so as to minimize the effects which have an impact on the organizational objectives. Thus it will be advisable that workers are educated on proper work and personal life balance so as to attain the organizational objectives. Reference List Abercromby, M. (2007). A report on the Importance of Work-Life Balance . Web. Bloom, N., T. Kretschmer, and J. Van Reenen. (2006). Work life balance, management practices and productivity. London: Centre for Economic Performance. Britt, T. Adler, B. and Castro, A. (2006). Military Life: Military performance. ABC-CLO. Eales, J. (2010). The Importance of Work/ Life Balance. Web. Holden, R. and Renshaw, B. (2004). Balancing Life and Work. Dorling Kindersley. Kalliath, T. and Brough, P. (2008) Work-life balance: A review of the meaning of the balance construct. Journal of Management & Organization 14(3): 323-327. Martin, J. (2011). The Importance of Maintaining the Right Work-life Balance . Web. Matsch, M. et al. (2010).Perceptions of Work-Life Balance Among Military Law Enforcement Personnel and their Spouses. Journal of Police and Criminology Physiology. Volume 24. Mercer, S. (2004). Extending working life: UK experiences. London: International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics . Parkes, P. and Langford, P. (2008) Work-life balance or work-life alignment? A test of the importance of work-life balance for employee engagement and intention to stay in organizations. Journal of Management & Organization 14(3): 267-284.

ESSAY: Addressing the Causes and Effects of Workplace Violence Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Scope of Work Place Violence 3. Causes of Violence in the Work Place 4. Impacts of Workplace Violence 5. Implication of Workplace Violence in Managing Human Resources 6. HR plan 7. Implementation of the HR Plan 8. Works Cited Introduction Work place violence can be defined as violence caused by employees on their fellow employees or vive versa. It may include abuses, threats, intimidation, and physical abuse among others. Work place violence is a serious issue that can even lead to a reduction in production in an organization. It also results in increased costs especially when physical violence is used. Normally, a work place is supposed to be a place where people from diverse geographical areas converge to meet the specific needs of an organization. This is a place where we expect to find peace and tight safety measures because the people employed are actually working to earn a profit. However, this is not always the case and most of the times some cases of violence are reported. In every organization we have employees who never feel satisfied with what they do or get and will constantly involve themselves in gossiping their fellow workers or the employer. This amounts to violence because such things can get to the person in question and they may cause him distress. Work place violence is a serious offense that is punishable by law. If the organization is reported to have been abusing the employees, it is liable to pay certain fines and may be forced to compensate the person being abused. There are various types of work place violence which include but not limited to physical abuse, intimidation, threats or abuse, and the use of more aggravated weapons such as knives, furniture, guns among others. Physical violence is the use of force on someone else it may include kicks, punishments, or slaps. Most violence cases in the work place increase the costs that an organization incurs because of paying medical bills and fines although some costs are indirect for instance destruction of the organization’s image among others. This paper will look at some of the causes of work place violence, the impacts it has on the performance of industries, and its impacts to the management of human resources. It will go further to include a HR plan that can be used to address this problem and conclude by giving recommendations for the implementation and management of the proposed HR plan. Scope of Work Place Violence Work place violence is a problem that is present in almost all industries. It does not affect specific industries but is a common issue in almost every work place. However, the extent of violence differs from one industry to the other because there are some industries with tight security measures and it would be very easy to stop violence because if aggravates. In other industries, employees have been ignored and few are the times when the employer seems to care about what actually goes on in the workplace. it is worth noting that, it is the responsibility of every employer to ensure that employees are provided with a secure working environment. This includes providing them with necessary training on safety so that they are able to take care of themselves (King 10). Failing to train employees on safety measures amounts to workplace violence and an employee who has been denied this has a right to sue the employer if something bad happens to him while in the course of carrying out his daily responsibility. But the question is how man industries provide their employees with the necessary training on safety before they commence their duties? The answer is, very few of the industries we have actually enlighten their employees on such issues. This kind of work place violence is referred to as negligence. We have witnessed a number of industries where the employers are the ones who abuse the innocent employees. This includes government institutions where employees are forced to have sexual intimacy with their bosses if they want to retain their positions. Others have to part with a certain amount of money if they are to receive promotions. Corruption has increased in the work place and people who deserve to be rewarded are not, but instead these rewards go to employees who do deserve. In other places, employees are exploited by their employers where they are required to work for many hours with no payment of overtime. Most of these companies are private entities where employees are threatened in case they try to sue the company (King 10). It is not only employers who cause violence on the employees but fellow employees also cause violence on other employees. This mostly occurs if the employee causing violence is in a high position in the organizational structure. These are the employees who misuse their position to intimidate, abuse, or even threaten other employees. In some cases, they force their subordinates to perform duties that they have not been assigned. Others are abused physically if they refuse to oblige to their request. The abused employees may fail to report such instances because they fear losing their jobs. Causes of Violence in the Work Place There are many reasons that can trigger employees or employers to cause violence on other employees. This includes anger, hatred, and grudges, among others. The causes of violence can be well understood through analyzing the common types of violence in the work place. There are mainly four types of work place violence; criminal violence, service user violence, worker-on-worker violence, and domestic violence. Criminal violence is caused by individuals or groups of people who do not have a direct relationship with the organization (Bensimon 26). The main aim of this kind of violence would be to steal cash, stocks of other properties in the premises of the organization. While this is taken place, employees may be injured trying to protect the organization’s property while others may even be killed if they fail to comply with the criminals instructions. The other type of violence; service user violence is also caused by individuals or groups of people who do not have a direct relationship with the organization but are in one way or the other indirectly related to it. This includes customers or other service users who consume the products or services of a certain organization. These people many cause violence if they are frustrated with the organization’s products/services or if they feel as if their grievances are ignored or there are given substandard services. Worker-on-worker violence can be caused by grudges, hatred, or can be caused by an employee who feels that he has received unjust disciplinary actions. In other cases, it can be a protest to imposed redundancy. Last but not least, domestic violence is caused by persons who are not employees or employers in a certain organization but are in one way or the other related to employees who work for the organization this includes spouses, partners, or friends. This kind of violence can be caused by family disagreements and it is perpetrated in the work place simply because the wrongdoer has knowledge of the place where the targeted individual is at that particular time (VanBuren, Anderson and Sabatelli 480). Impacts of Workplace Violence The results of work place violence can be detrimental to an organization since they increase costs and cause a reduction in performance. Most of this violence reduces the morale of workers and their motivation to work reduces. It may cause death of some employees, others may be become disabled as a result of physical violence. It can even cause a lot of pain and distress on employees who may feel frustrated with their work and start looking for other places. The result of this is poor performance both on the side of the employee and the organization. To some extent, workplace violence can be an increased cost to an organization in terms of increased rates of absenteeism. As violence increases, the work place becomes an unsafe place for many workers who may opt to absent themselves from job rather than face the frustrations that present themselves every day (VanBuren, Anderson and Sabatelli 471).Others may take the option of sick leaves even when they are of sound health. The organization has to incur increased insurance costs, medical bills or even pay fines if the abused sue it in court. Work place violence may also cause an increase in employee turn over, requiring the organization to incur additional costs every now and then while looking for other employees. The recruitment and selection process is not only expensive but can result in reduced sales revenue because of the appointment of unskilled workers. Implication of Workplace Violence in Managing Human Resources Human Resource Management is an indispensable element in the performance of a corporate organization and works together with other departments to achieve the organization’s goals. There are certain agencies that are required to create and maintain a workplace that is free from the threat of violence. This is done through the development of policies and procedures which should be implemented in the work places through the human resource department.. These policies expect the agency to; * Communicate a policy statement that prohibits workplace violence * Appoint a coordinator who is responsible for overseeing that workplace prevention programs are implemented Develop and implement a crisis management plan * protect employees who might be victims of violence * Establish a mechanism that would allow employees to report any case of violence * Train managers and supervisors on how to identity a condition that can lead to violence and how to address such a situation On the other hand the human resources department is responsible for providing regular training on workplace violence prevention and management and assists agencies in developing and implementing workplace violence programs and plans. It is worth noting that, the main function of the human resource department is to prevent workplace violence and at the same time, this is the department that is the main target of threats of workplace violence (Bensimon 26). HR plan Human resource planning involves analysis of skills of current workforce, forecasting manpower, and being responsive of customers demand. Human resource planning is important in every organization because it helps the top management to view HR practices in relation to business decision. Human resources become cheaper because HRM can foresee future problems and solve them before they become uncontrollable To address the issue of workplace violence, I will create a plan which I think should be adopted by all organizations. The purpose of this plan is to prevent workplace violence from occurring and it also outlines the process that should be followed if cases of violence are reported. It is the responsibility of all employees to refrain themselves from cases of violence although they are instances when violence occurs with having intended to do so. This plan has various departments as named below: 1. Workplace violence prevention team- this team is made up of a group of employees and serves as a sub committee in the prevention of workplace violence. This team is composed of the director of safety and security, human resources manager and other senior staff. The main purpose of this team is to carry out regular reviews related to workplace violence and provide recommendations on the training or education programs that should be adopted to prevent the problem 2. Safety and security office-This office is responsible for receiving all complaints related to workplace violence and respond to the same in a prompt manner. It also has a duty of maintaining all records of violence. 3. Human resources office- This office is responsible for providing training to managers and supervisors on topics such as conflict resolution, teamwork, and discipline. It is also responsible for offering training and educational awareness to the other members of staff on ways of preventing violence, respond to violence and the importance of team work (Kirk and Franklin 523). 4. Supervisors- It is the responsibility of supervisors to ensure that, employees are provided with a secure working environment. In case of threats or incidents of violence, supervisors are supposed to notify the safety and security office so that prompt measures are taken. 5. Employee assistance- An employee assistance program should be put in place to ensure that, employees’ needs, grievances, and request are met at all times. They should so be provided with training of how to respond to anger, resolve conflicts, among other things (Kirk and Franklin 523). The purpose of this plan is to ensure that, Workplace violence is prevented, all complaints of violence are addressed promptly and to provide employees with a safe working condition. By providing the supervisors, managers, and employees with training and education awareness on workplace violence, they become more responsible and cases of violence reduces. Implementation of the HR Plan To ensure that the plan is properly implemented I would recommend the workplace violence team, safety and security office and the human resources office to work in coordination in providing training to all employees, in ensuring that education and awareness is provided to all members of staff, including the support staff. All cases of violence should be reported to the safety and security office and more severe cases reported to the nearest local authority. The office of safety and security should carryout investigation to ascertain the causes of violence and the human resources office should be informed of the same so that appropriate disciplinary actions are taken. The safety and security office should then go ahead and file all cases of violence for reference in future. This plan should be included in Employee orientation handbook and in annual security reports for awareness and proper monitoring. Works Cited Bensimon, Helen Frank. Violence in the Work place. Training & Development, January 1994, Vol. 48 Issue 1 P26, King, Robert O. Work place violence: A growing liability for employers. South Carolina Business journal, November 1994, Vol. 13 Issue 10, p10 Kirk, Delaney J. and Franklin, Geralyn Mcclure. “Violence in the Workplace: Guidance and Training Advice for Business Owners and Managers”, Business and Society Review 2003 108: p523 VanBuren, Trachtenberg Jennifer; Anderson Stephen and Sabatelli, Ronald. Work-home conflict and domestic violence: A test of a conceptual model. Journal of family violence, October 2009, Vol. 24 Issue 7 P471-483

ESSAY: Rwanda’s Economic Development Analytical Essay Abstract Global competitiveness is important in identifying a country’s stage of development and what it requires to move on. This paper considers world economic forum’s indices for 2010/11, in which Rwanda, was ranked 80 th even though it is in the first stage of development. The paper considers Rwanda’s economic developments along with factors that have improved its growth. ICT project has been identified as one of such factors. The paper explores ICT and its benefits to the country’s infrastructural development. Introduction The world is continually shifting in economic dynamics with the world economic forum emphasizing the need for a better world. To achieve this, they have been encouraging countries, especially those in developing world to focus on development projects that would improve their status and hence better the state of this world. Global financial crisis that was witnessed has played a major role in dragging back economies which had started making progress like India and Rwanda, among others. Achieving these objectives has been worsened by the aftermath of economic crisis, which trickled down to major economies like the United States and the rest. This has slowed major infrastructural developments as well as the focus on facing a looming global worming crisis. This paper will explore Rwanda, a country that has gone through turmoil ranging from internal conflict to economic difficulties but now stands stronger to emerge as a state a rapidly growing economy. Global economy Global economy concerns it self with the economic state of countries of the world. To achieve this, it considers the level of performance in businesses, societies as well as different governments of the world. They take it upon themselves to encourage and present challenging tasks to these groups along with charting ways of assisting them. Countries are encouraged to focus on sustainable economic development projects that would mitigate global risks, spearhead development of viable infrastructure, and enhance health services that are accessible to all, as well as transform themselves into formidable economic powers. In this regard, the World Economic Forum has strategically identified areas of great concern to countries and that require immediate attention to help spur economies into responsible capitalism. These areas include social development, health for all, economic growth, financial structures and environmental sustainability. In dealing with the chosen areas of concern, specific objectives have been designed to spur each state of development. For instance in their quest for improved economic growth, the forum has chartered an objective of reshaping capitalism, promoting free flow of goods as well as people, rethink of infrastructural development as well as building and sustaining economic growth. Factors such as Food security, global warming and economic crisis have made it much difficult to have sustainable food supply. About one billion people are estimated to face food crisis and this does no go well with environmental sustainability. The forum for economic growth focuses on sustainable financial systems that are long term and of great benefit to countries; it therefore aims to strengthen financial systems and international monetary as well as ventures on mobile financing to help sustain lending. Among key goals of the forum are to create and sustain accessible health services, this they have tired to achieve by fostering partnerships, dialogue along with advocacy. The other factor is sustainable social development that would encourage business growth. These issues are evaluated yearly to determine their levels of improvement or otherwise with each country rated based on their developments and prospects. The results are usually published on an annual Global Competitiveness report coving all emerging economies. These rankings began in 1979 and have since continued to spur improvement in economies. In this report countries are ranked based on their economic performance with each one placed on its most probable stage of development. 2010/11 report gave the highest number of countries occupying stage one, followed by stage 3, through stage 2, then to the transition between stages 1 and 2, and finally to the transition between stages 2 and 4. This shows how difficult it is for countries to transit from one stage to another and that it requires great focus. This paper consider Rwanda, a country rated to be in stage 1, but making great progress especially in ICT to achieve sustainability. Rwanda Rwanda is a tiny country in the east-central Africa and is surrounded by Uganda, Tanzania, Congo DRC as well as Burundi. It has a population of about 11.2 million according to the 2010 survey. Its population density is among the highest in the continent. It is a landlocked country and has a temperate climate with savanna being among the predominant vegetation. Its original inhabitants were the Twa, although they now make minority, with more predominant communities being the Hutu and Tutsi. Rwanda has undergone great turmoil that ranges from internal conflict to economic instability. The genocide, especially, led to widespread deaths, looting of businesses, destruction of infrastructure and drop in cash crop farming that had been the country’s main economic drive. Their GDP dropped drastically as the conflict worsened. About one million Tutsi and moderate Hutus are believed to have died in the genocide. Its ability to attract and sustain external and private investors was dealt a big blow. The GDP dropped to a record low of $390 during the conflict in 1994, but this has strengthened to $981according to 1998 results. The 2010/11Global competitiveness report showed a great improvement in Rwanda with its global competitive index at 4.00 and ranked 80th, above countries like Egypt. This is very encouraging given its initial economic state after the war. Its improvement was noted as this marked its first entrance into GCI (Global competitiveness index). This was mainly due to the strength of its institutions, which according to world economic forum are well-functioning. It has very low level of corruption and a very successful security that is conducive for business growth and investment (Transparency International 1). Rwanda’s efficient labor markets as well as improved financial markets have spurred its rapid growth. It has also shown very high innovative capacity which is quite surprising given its level of development (World Economic Forum 10-50). However, the country faces several challenges that may peg its global competitiveness if not tackled as quickly as possible. These factors include its poor telephony and electricity infrastructure which has slowed its otherwise encouraging economic growth, Poor health service program for its work force which has ranked it 130 th with a life expectancy of just 50 years. Other challenges include education in which very low number of enrolments into secondary schools and universities pose a bleak future as more influx of workforce is registered. To spur further growth, the country needs to major on improving these weaknesses so as to have sustainable growth that would move them through the stages of development. It is expected that with continued growth, Rwanda will move through several stages of development to enhance its global competitiveness (Infoplease 1). Development Projects in Rwanda Rwanda’s service sectors are right on their feet after a challenging period during the 2000 recession. It ha s turned into the largest sector in Rwanda since 2010 and commands 43.6% of Rwanda’s economy. Perceived as one of the safest countries in Africa, its tourism sector has received a great boost. The largest earner of foreign exchange is Tourism, which has booted the service sector in the country. Rwanda’s infrastructure is another area that is growing rapidly. After the war, Rwanda received aid from countries such as United States, Japan as well as the European Union, which has enabled it to invest heavily on infrastructure beginning with road networks. Rwanda is progressing in its development of reliable infrastructures for electricity as well as telephony. However, the next level of growth that would make it more viable is none other than ICT infrastructure. This has been noted by the international community as well as their current president Paul Kagame, who has promised significant transformations to ICT infrastructure and development (Kagire 1). ICT Project According to Rwandan president, the best way to achieve socio-economic development in Rwanda is by developing ICT infrastructure throughout the country for easy access. In his statement, the president maintained that they can use available invention and innovations such as information technologies to move Rwanda thorough stages of economy. Through ICT projects, the country expects to observe improved creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, among others. The country recognized importance of information technology to their economic competitiveness. The Rwandan government has instituted several ICT projects throughout the country aimed at making access to information systems and technology easy. This has been boosted their partnership with the international community as well as private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to see to it that ICT development is a success (ACDI/VOCA 1). Rwanda has a vision to become a middle income country by 2020; this vision is heavily pegged on ICT development and technology. The country’s remote areas are still lagging behind in communication technology, but this is what the country is working to change. The country aims to move into the 21 st century information system and technology systems. They are trying to achieve this by establishing more knowledge based ICT canters. Its ICT structures are still very weak with low tele-density, however the launch of two e-gov projects instituted in the country are steps towards ICT infrastructure development (ACDI/VOCA 1). E-gov Projects Rwandan government has established these projects with the main objective of improving service delivery to its citizen. They plan to use these projects as a way of reducing poverty through further improvements in internal governance. The government also uses ICT as an input for both transformation and development. In this regard, the government has developed an ICT policy and Strategy that is aimed at assisting Rwandan information agency RITA to improve on standards. To achieve this, the government has instituted a strategic plan to train high ranking government officials on ICT and the internet, mid-level officials on telecommunications along with ICT and web information (Cannata 1-13). They have also started training of other government staffs on basic computer literacy such as internet and email, among others. Furthermore, the government has instituted an elaborate plan to hire and send at least 10 graduates annually to gain experience on current ICTY practices with the United Nations, NGOs among others, to develop an innovative culture. These projects have enhanced development of infrastructure which was noted as weak in the global competitiveness index. Improved ICT sector will definitely improve the country’s growth (World Economic Forum 10-50). Benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Rwandan Economy ICT has led to development of infrastructure, which includes telephony, intranet, electricity and data link; this is expected to spur economic growth. Another benefit has been accessibility to tele-centers, computers and training, which has contributed to improved communication and knowledge for creativity and innovation (World Economic Forum 1). Summary World economic forum aims to better the state of this world. To do this, they encourage countries to improve their economies and assist them with innovative ideas as well as financial aid. To achieve economic sustainability, countries need to invest in their areas of concerns as much as they strengthen strong links. Every year the World economic forum ranks countries based on their stages of growth, Rwanda was ranked 80 th for the first time on their entrance to global competitiveness and has challenged other countries that lag behind. Their institutions have been praised for functionality and their weak infrastructures are continually improving. Their focus on ICT to spur growth is already reaping benefits as communication networks improve leading to creativity and innovation. Electricity is slowly moving into remote areas as e-gov project take effect as well as NGOs and private sectors. Rwanda’s economy is therefore benefiting from ICT projects as they improve their status globally (World Economic Forum 10-50). Conclusion World economic forum strives to enhance economic growth that is sustainable by encouraging countries, businesses and the society on ways of improving social welfare and mitigating global risks, among others. Rwanda was ranked 80 th in the latest global competitiveness index and are employing emphasis on ICT to move through stages of development. ICT has made great impacts in Rwanda’s communication network and education with further improvement expected. Works Cited ACDI/VOCA. “Information & Communication Technology (ICT).” Acdivoca.com . Web. Cannata, Arleen. “Report from the Field: Two e-gov Projects in Rwanda”. Worldbank.org . Web. Infoplease. “ Rwanda: History, Governement, and Culture ”. Infoplease.com . Web. Kagire, Edmund. “ Rwanda: ICT Will Accelerate Development-Kagame ”. The New Times . Web. Transparency International. “ Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 Results “. Transparency international . Web. World Economic Forum . “Issues: World Economic Forum Issues”. World Economic Forum. Web. World Economic Forum. “ WEF: Global Competitiveness Report 2010-11 ”. World Economic Forum . Web.

ESSAY: World in the Balance: The People Paradox Essay The DVD documentary, World in the Balance: The People Paradox, is a fifty-six-minute analysis of three regions of the world where different social and economic forces have played a pivotal role in generating severely different population profiles. In India, the DVD reveals that women still give birth to an average of three to four children and they do not have control over their reproductive lives because it is a patriarchal society in which all the decisions concerning sexual reproductive health left for the men. The southern part of India has a birth rate of two children, which is different from the rest of the country’s higher birth rate. The practice of arranged marriages, dowries, and burnings of women who do not give birth to sons has resulted in the subcontinent’s population explosion; as a result, it is likely to surpass China as the country with the most number of people in the world. In Japan, the DVD reveals that there is a growing concern of the lower reproduction rates in the country, which is at 1.3 children per family. More females have become members of the Japanese corporate culture that has increased their role in society; consequently, they are unable to get the time to have children and care for them. Besides, Japan is also faced with the problem of “parasite singles.” It is said that these individuals do not want to become “Christmas cakes” at the age of twenty-five. In Japan, individuals, particularly the females, are required to look after their aging parents; as such, there is not enough time for the women to look after their children. The Japanese government is trying to solve this problem by giving women incentives to persuade them to give birth and avert possible future issues such as pension and productivity predicaments. Lastly, in sub-Saharan Africa, the DVD exposes that that similar to India, the region still has a high birth rate. However, the AIDs pandemic has resulted in a “knob” style population pyramid, particularly in Kenya in which the disease has taken a heavy toll on adults between the age of twenty and sixty. This has left the very old and the young to find their means of sustaining themselves. Further, in Kenya, where the birth rate is at four children per woman, there is an unmet need for family planning, and cases of adolescents getting pregnant and aborting their babies are increasing. In my opinion, something has to be done to address the imbalance of the world’s population problems. About the DVD, individuals in more impoverished societies conduct themselves according to the familial requirements of their cultures while the individuals in the more affluent nations have other alternatives for achieving self-satisfaction, and this trend leaves those who are unable to have children to be considered as potential moral parasites. I think that the future population of the richer countries in the world is threatened towards a dead end since the majority of their population is aged and the low reproduction rate in the states is well below the replacement rate. Thus, more initiatives should be taken to address this looming problem. And, for the developing countries, such as India and Kenya, more initiatives should be adopted to lower their high birth rate such that the resources they have can be channeled effectively for meeting the demands of a reasonable population level.

ESSAY: World Literature Syllabus Argumentative Essay The syllabus for world literature should be composed so that the studying of certain works of literature provide students with the understanding of literary, cultural and historic context of the period when they were written. Moreover, the earning of these works should develop students’ critical and analytical thinking. The study of every work of literature should start with the introduction in the époque when the work was written and its peculiarities. Students should be aware of the greatest writers who worked during this period and, if necessary, with manifests that give general idea about the aims and beliefs that the writers followed. The next step is to get acquainted with the biography of the author and what historical and cultural events influenced on the formation of his/her literary style. The final step is to focus on the textual study of a particular work of literature. The syllabus that includes such works as Ambrose Bierce “Chickamauga”, Tadeusz Borowski “Ladies and Gentlemen to the Gas Chamber”, Henrik Ibsen “Hedda Gabler”, and Anton Chekhov “The Lady with the Dog.” Should be aimed at providing students with understanding of different styles of writing of the 19 th century literature. Each of the writers is originated from different countries and each work is written in definite historical and cultural context. Thus, students will have a profound understanding of the literature of the 19 th century period from different perspectives. Ambrose Bierce “Chickamauga.” This work is devoted to the horrors of war and its psychological effect on the human soul. The work is important in context of developing pupils’ understanding of good and evil. It provides real information about personal drama that was not rare during was. It is important in psychological, cultural, historical and philosophical context. Tadeusz Borowski’s “Ladies and Gentlemen to the Gas Chamber” is another work of literature recognized as a masterpiece of world literature. It is one of the best works devoted to war. The story is passed on the author’s personal experience of living in the concentration camp. It presents real pictures of violence that took place at that time. The work is the exploration of people’s values. It is also very important in the historical context, as it is a record of true events. Students will be able to learn more about World War II, and the events that occurred in different countries. The author presents his own vision of the war and, in their turn, students will be able to formulate their personal opinion as well. Anton Chekhov’s “The Lady with the Dog.” Is one of his most famous works. It shows the relations between two people. However, it has a deep social context and perfectly shows the Russian society with its norms and beliefs. The work is a profound analysis of the human soul and contradictions of a person and society. Henrik Ibsen “Hedda Gabler”. It is a famous and most controversial play by a Norwegian writer. The author used the best dramatic techniques in order to explore the characters of man and woman. The major focus of Ibsen’s works was on the exploration of the woman in the society. This work is another example of such analysis. From the critical point of view, this work is about one’s unwillingness to resist the social norms applied to our gender. The work is valuable in the context of learning social norms of the 19 th century period, as well as it is very important for understanding of the authors main themes and techniques of writing.

ESSAY: Judaism, Islam and Christianity: Differences and Similarities Research Paper Beliefs and practices Judaism Jews believe in ethical monotheism; that is, one God. God is the controller of life and the human actions on earth. Judaism is governed by the Torah (Biblical books of Moses). Torah illustrates God’s will to the people and it guides their lives. Jews believe in the Hebrew Bible (Steinberg 51); they interact with God through prayers and worship in Synagogues. They have three holy festivals which include the Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot and several holy seasons. They have different denominations with significant variations in beliefs. Islam Muslims are rigorous monotheists; they believe in one God, Allah and his prophet, Mohammed. They believe in angels, as the messengers of God. They believe in books which are contained in one Holy book, the Quran (Nigosian 85). They believe in prophets such as Moses, Jesus and Abraham. Muslims believe in resurrection and judgment after death. The judgment day is called Qiyama . There are five basic pillars or acts of Islam that guide all Islam undertakings. These pillars include daily prayers, almsgiving, pilgrimage, the creed, and fasting. Muslims pray three times a day in a Mosque. They believe in Sharia law and Jihad. Family is the basic unit of Islam and polygamy is legal in Islamic religion. Christianity Christians believe in one God and His son, Jesus. Christians also believe in holy trinity, that is, the three personalities of God- the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Bible is the word of God through which people get to understand His will. They also believe that through death and resurrection, Jesus saved the world. They believe in life after death where people will live eternally. They worship God in Church through prayers and songs of praise. The religion has several denominations (Price and Collins 21). They believe in prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. They also believe in angels as messengers of God. Polygamy is strictly prohibited. They have holy festivals such as Christmas and Easter. To Christians, angels are messengers of God. Formation Judaism Historians believe that Judaism was formed by the Israelites whom Moses led in exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land, Canaan. They believe that Abraham was the first Hebrew (Steinberg 57). The Israelites were the children of Jacob, son of Abraham. When Moses led these people from Egypt, God gave them the law or Torah on their way to Canaan. Scholars refer it as the laws of Moses. On arrival to Canaan, these people built a temple for God to thank Him for taking them to the Promised Land, Canaan. In this temple, people kept Torah which formed the basis for Judaism. From then, people built temples to worship their God guided by Torah which led to the spread of Judaism. Islam Muhammad, a trader in Mecca City, began to receive revelations from God in form of Quran in 610 CE. As a result, he started to preach and convert the people of Mecca into Muslims. In order to avoid persecution by the Mecca authorities, Muhammad fled to Medina with most of his followers in 627 AD. He had preached for 12 years in Mecca and had garnered a good number of followers (Nigosian 87). In Medina, Muhammad fought the Jews and those who opposed Islam. In 629 AD, he had acquired all the desert tribes around Medina. Muhammad died in 632 AD having spread Islam and conquered the Arabian Peninsula. He is indeed the father of Islam. Christianity The Apostles of Christ developed Christianity from the Jewish sects of 1 st century. Before then, Jewish authorities persecuted those who glorified God. Christians’ end of persecution in 4 th century by Constantine I and the subsequent “Theodosius’ enactment in 380 AD resulted into establishment and recognition of Christianity as a religion in the Roman Empire” (Price and Collins 26). Since then, Christianity has spread to all over the world. Differences The three major world religions viz. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have different perception on marriage and family. Polygamy is illegal in Christianity, whereas it is legal in Judaism and Islam. Islam and Judaism emphasize on purity of women before marriage, whereas Christianity emphasizes on purity of both sexes before marriage. The culture of architecture and eating habits varies among these religions. Christians have the Roman based architecture; Muslims the traditional Medina architecture and Judaism use the ancient Jewish architecture. Christianity and Judaism have denominations with varied teachings unlike Islam where the teaching is universal. Christians believe in Holy trinity while Judaism and Islam believe in God as one. Muslims pray at designated times whereas Christians pray at volition. Jews pray at the synagogues led by prayer leaders; Muslims pray facing Mecca, as the origin of their religion while Christians believe in universality of God’s presence and therefore they do not face any specific direction when praying while Jews pray facing the sacred altar usually at the front of the synagogue. Similarities They all have holy places of worship; that is, Church, Mosque and Synagogue for Christians, Muslim and Jews respectively. They all believe in Monotheism. They have Holy books, the bible for Christians, Hebrew Bible and Torah for Jews and Quran for Muslims. They believe in prophets; Jews believe in Moses, Abraham and their descendants as God’s messengers, Christians believe in Jeremiah and Isaiah while Muslims believe in Jesus and Muhammad as God’s prophets. Prayer is the means of communication with God for all the religions. All the religions have Holy annual festivals and seasons; Christians have Easter and Christmas; Muslims have Ramadan and Hajji, while Jews have Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as holy seasons. Works Cited Nigosian, Shah. Islam: Its History, Teaching, and Practices . Indiana University Press, 2004. Price, Matthew, and Collins, Michael. The story of Christianity . New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1999. Steinberg, Milton. Basic Judaism. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1947.

ESSAY: Burning Copies of the Koran Research Paper The event of protest covered in this 25 th august 2010 New York Times was the planned burning of copies of the Koran by members of a small Florida based evangelical church led by their pastor, Terry Jones. They had planned to conduct their protest so it would coincide with the 10 th anniversary of September 11 th , 2000 terrorist attacks on the United States. Burning of copies of Islam’s holiest book was supposed to be the strongest denunciation of Islamic faith, which Pastor Jones unequivocally condemned as a faith “full of lies” and “a religion of the devil”. Another equally instrumental factor that contributed to the decision of the church to burn copies of the Koran was the plan by the Islamic Center in New York to build within the vicinity of ground zero an “Islamic cultural center”, which was widely seen as a mosque, as part of commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attack. This was completely unacceptable to the pastor and his congregation. The article portrays the planned event of burning copies of the Koran by the pastor as a momentous event which would have produced possibly previously unseen and far reaching consequences. In regard to the burning of copies of the Koran, Cave in his opening statement poses a critical as well as deeply engaging question to the reader. He challenges his reader to imagine the magnitude of controversy that would ensure from an act burning copies of the Koran. For Cave, such an act would definitely raise a storm that would totally overshadow the controversy surrounding the planned construction of a mosque near ground zero [1] . The planned act of burning of copies of Koran had caused a huge controversy not only in the U.S but across the world. On one hand, critics of the act ranged from those who mainly viewed it as a culmination of religious intolerance, to Islamic jihadists who read it as pure blasphemy besides being an unacceptable act of scorn towards Islam. On the other hand were supporters of the act of protest who ranged from those who cited freedom of expression guaranteed in the American constitution as their reason for supporting the act, to those who, like Jones himself, perceived Islam as an evil religion and an enemy that should be destroyed. Amidst this controversy, Cave – in general- appears to take a soft stance against the planned act, and more so its mastermind [2] . He tends to paint the pastor as an ordinary but uninhibited American who deeply cherishes the freedom of expression provided for in the constitution. The evangelical pastor is even remotely painted as a victim for “political correctness” by both secular and a group of Christian Americans, as well as of, ironically, religious intolerance from Islamic faithfuls from across the world. In regard to portrayal of the Jones as a victim, the article clearly points out the fact that the pastor is forced to walk around with a gun at all times [3] . Besides, Jones was ordered to immediately repay an outstanding balance of 140,000 dollars he owed his bank on mortgage of the church [4] . The article also notes that, consequent to him announcing his planned act of protest, insurance cover for his property was cancelled. Alleged death threats directed towards Jones are clearly brought to the fore too. Cave even goes on to suggest that Jones seemed “largely oblivious of the potential consequences of his plans” [5] . However, looking at it from another slightly different perspective, the overall picture of the planned controversial burning of Korans presented by the article is that the act of protest was largely unacceptable to the greater contemporary society. Considerable amount of space is dedicated to voices of disapproval, more so from the political class and non-Christian religious groups. Regarding balance of coverage of opposing perspectives, Cave does a commendable job in the article for he gathers credible and equally weighty sources in writing about the controversy surrounding the planned burning of copies of the Koran. The views of those rejecting the idea of burning the copies of the Koran are cleverly pitted against opinions of individuals supporting the planned event of protest. One part, however, that the article scantly touches on is the background to the contemporary issue. Cave does appear to have written the article with the assumption that his audience had superior knowledge of the background to the situation at hand. The article would have been more informative had the author provided a broader background to the highly controversial event. In conclusion, the article clearly portrays the planned burning of copies of the Koran by Jones and his congregation as a momentous event which would have produced far reaching consequences. It concisely highlights the fact that religious intolerance/tolerance is still a huge obstacle to the full exercise by Americans of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. As such, the article indicates that the general agreement in the contemporary society with respect to the controversial burning of copies of the Koran seems to be “let the lying dogs lie”, or what is more commonly termed as “political correctness”. Bibliography Cave, Damien. “Far From Ground Zero, Obscure Pastor Is Ignored No Longer.” The New York Times , (New York, NY), August 25, 2010. Footnotes 1. Damien Cave, “Far From Ground Zero, Obscure Pastor Is Ignored No Longer,” The New York Times , (New York, NY), August 25, 2010. 2. Ibid 3. Ibid 4. Ibid, 2 5. Ibid

ESSAY: Writing and Editing a Reflective Essay Introduction The main problem facing most people when it comes to writing is procrastination. Doing the assignments at the last-minute causes people to rush things, and therefore making many mistakes. As a result, one believes that he is not a good writer. Like most people, I believe that there are people who were born good at something, and in this case, there were born writers. This mentality may keep other people from learning to be good writers, but I believe that the struggle to achieve good results is not much of a burden. In writing my research paper, i had to come up with strategies to make sure that I completed it in time, and that it was satisfactory, according to the instructions provided. I believe that my success was attributed to great planning and organization skills. In addition to this, I took my time to research and obtain the most appropriate resources, before writing my paper. After completion, I proof read the paper, making the necessary grammatical and spelling mistakes (Hyland, 2000). Writing and editing strategies Planning Every assignment issued requires a certain amount of time, which is determined by the lecturer. The most important thing after viewing an assignment and looking at the time frame to complete it is planning. One aspect of planning involves the development of an outline that helps to organize the research paper. The outline was very important as it helped me to stay focused on the objectives of the paper, without deviating from the main topic. The outline was also helpful in obtaining meaningful resources that reflected on the various sections of the paper (Lester & Lester, 2009). Research This is another vital part of writing a research paper. The research conducted on a particular topic requires one to have great understanding of the topic at hand. Understanding of the topic narrows down the research options, to only those that provide relevant information. In my research, most of the information I used was from online books and journals. With a library card it is possible to access some libraries like Ebscohost and Proquest. Some information was from web sources, but paraphrasing helped to avoid plagiarism (Lester & Lester, 2009). Challenges in preparing the paper Arranging the research paper based on my sources was a challenge, in order to avoid plagiarism. I had to include quotation marks and parenthetical citation for the sources in instances where I copied material. For paraphrased sentences, I included the citations at the end of the sentences, as well as at the end of the paragraphs, since most of the information in the research paper was borrowed (Hyland, 2000). Revising the paper The research paper had three drafts before submitting it. The first one was beneficial in rectifying the structure and organization of the research paper. In reviewing it, I observed the relevance of the material to the thesis statement as well as the ease of understanding the information, when viewed by other parties. I corrected the grammatical errors in the second draft, and used the final one to observe any errors that may have been missed (Turabian, Wayne, Colomb, & Williams, 2007). Conclusion In tackling the research paper I gained some knowledge regarding writing. I learnt to manage the time assigned for the paper based on the outline that I prepared. To ensure that the research occupied the requested pages, I learned to ensure that the material used was accurate and easy to understand. Through the research paper, I was also able to polish up on my parenthetical citation (Turabian, Wayne, Colomb, & Williams, 2007). References Hyland, K. (2000). Disciplinary Discourses: Social Interactions in Academic Writing. Harlow: Pearson Education. Lester, J., & Lester, J. (2009). Writing Research Papers (Perfect) (13th Edition). Harlow: Longman; 13 edition. Turabian, K., Wayne, B., Colomb, G., & Williams, J. (2007). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). Chicago: University Of Chicago Press; 7th edition.

ESSAY: Sex Education Class Compared to Science Class Descriptive Essay Introduction Different subjects are taught in different courses at different levels. Some of the subjects are definitely better than others depending on personal interests or the method and mode of presentation of the subject. Sometimes someone may be faced with a chance of choosing between two or more options of subjects or class. Sex and science are some of the most widely taught subjects in all levels of study. Given a week of study in either sex education class or science class, would you prefer the sex education class as opposed to the science one? This paper justifies why sex education class is far much worthwhile as compared to science class. Sex education class are better Have you ever imagined a world without moral integrity, where everyone does what he or she wants in terms of sexual immorality? The whole world would be full of sick people and everyone would be suffering from either one or another sexually transmitted diseases. The population would increase at an alarming rate, young girls will drop out of school before they even become scientists, and the worst of them all how many people do you think will die of HIV and AIDS? Would there be any importance of science in a totally rotten society? You will definitely agree with me that a minute spend in a sex education class is by far more valuable than years spend in a science class. 1 st Argument Given one week I would prefer the sex education class due to all the benefits that are to be gained within such a short time. Sex education classes are rare as compared to science classes that are common in all levels of study starting from elementary level all the way to university level. This makes the sex education class very important and therefore it is very advisable for someone to take the golden opportunity and attend the sex education class. It is also possible to argue that science is always present in our day to day learning with most of the subjects taught in schools having some percentage of science in them and as such it would be a total waste of precious time attending such classes only to be taught things that we already know or are currently learning in other subjects. You agree with me that sex education class is most preferred (Jones 1). 2 nd Argument Sex education is absolutely important in that it empowers people with information about sexuality, relationships puberty, adolescence, and intimacy. It also gives lifetime skills that enable the young to make wise decisions and choices in regard to life issues. As they say information is power and as such this education will enable one to deal with issues to do with sex abuse and harassment, exploitation, early marriages and unplanned pregnancies. Everyone definitely needs this kind of information if he/she is to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life. It is hard and very difficult to attend a science class when suffering from sexually transmitted infection (Avert 1). 3 rd Argument It is evident that most of the issues affecting the society today arise from lack of sex education and empowerment of the community. A report by UNESCO claims that “at least 111 million new cases of curable STIs occur each year among young people aged 10 to24” (UNESCO 13).The same report also claims that “2.5 million girls aged 15 to 19 years old in developing countries have abortions and Eleven per cent of births worldwide are adolescent mothers” (UNESCO 13). All these staggering and worrying figures are more than enough to convince anyone on the importance of timely sexual education class. 4 th Argument Our parents have a duty and obligation to raise well modeled and morally upright successful individuals who will take the society to the next level. It is amazing that there is such a high number of people in the society that totally believe that sexual education classes should be a requirement in schools due to their importance. A recent study focusing on the issue of sexual education classes in the state of California claims that “89 percent of Californians believe their local school districts should require sex education in both middle and high schools” (PCF 7) the same report also claims that “86 percent of evangelicals in California prefer sex education programs that also teach children about obtaining and using contraceptives” (PCF 7). These statistics only represent a fraction of the whole global community that has seen the importance of sexual education class and which you and I support. 5 th Argument The modern society has proved beyond any reasonable doubts that the world cannot survive without sex education classes. This follows from the recent occurrences of shameful sex scandals and related offences from some of the most influential personalities such as Tiger Woods, the late Michael Jackson among others. These cases could otherwise have been prevented by attending the important sex education classes. It may be true that science class would be good but what use will they be if the society is full of learned but immoral people. Sex education class would be far much better. Opposition Come to think of it. How much is one likely to gain from a science class given such a short time? The truth of the matter is, very little. Science is such a wide subject covering almost all aspects of life. Offering science class for a week is like dropping a coin in the ocean. There would be no any meaningful impact in the lives of the attending students. Compare this with a week in the sex education class. Student will learn so much about different issues concerning sexuality in the short given time. A single lesson learned in a sex education class will remain relevant for a life time. I am definitely sure that you would prefer the sex education class (McKeon 1). Science class might be important but only for the few students that may have future interests in pursuing careers in science based disciplines. The class would be totally useless to other students who have or may decide to take other social and humanity related disciplines. However, it is important to note that sex education class will benefit all the students that will attend and will equip them with knowledge and important information that will help them now and in the days to come. Sex education class is thus like a building block of life by which one cannot live without. Conclusion Sometimes in life we have to make choices. It has been discussed and proved beyond any reasonable doubts that a week in sex education class is by far much better than a week in a science class. Student are likely to gain valuable life time skills in sex education class as compared to a science class where one is not likely to gain any meaningful knowledge within such a short time. You will therefore agree with me that a moment in a sex education class is far much worthwhile than a week in a science class. Works Cited Avert. Sex Education That Works. Avert , 2011. Web. < https://www.avert.org/learn-share > Jones, Jan. The Importance of Sex Education . Helium, 2009. Web. McKeon, Ben . Effective sex education . Advocates, 2006. Web. < https://advocatesforyouth.org/ > PCF. Sex Education in Schools Organizing Kit. Prochoice, 2006. Web. UNESCO. International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education. UNESCO , n.d. Web. < https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000183281 >

ESSAY: Zen Buddhism and Oneida community Compare & Contrast Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Oneida community practices and beliefs 3. Zen Buddhism practices and beliefs 4. Comparison and contrasts 5. Conclusion Introduction Various communities have emerged from religions each with its own beliefs, practices, and purpose. Examples of these communities are the Zen Buddhism and Oneida community. These two communities share certain beliefs and differ in others. Zen community and Oneida community were formed with the objective of creating a community where people would live on earth without suffering. The founders of these two communities established the cause of suffering, and then found ways of eliminating it. Oneida community practices and beliefs The Oneida community was established by John Humphrey Noyes in the name of “free love.” Love was expressed through sexuality. Noyes was against the normal marriage because of two reasons, marriage made a woman a productive drudge and secondly, it was an obstacle to true Christian community because of the issue of staying as couples. To solve this issue, Noyes created a method where men would restrain themselves as a method of birth control and members of Oneida community had liberty to have sexual relations with the opposite gender. In addition, monogamous marriage was not allowed. Noyes stated that his teachings came from the bible. From the book of Genesis 1-3, sexuality served the purpose of expressing love and also that of recreation. However, after the fall, harmony between human beings was no more and this resulted to sufferings. As a result of this fall, human beings experienced financial struggles in catering for their families while women suffered in giving birth. Men separated from their wives in such of support for their families. The purpose of the Oneida community was to bring back the love that was lost between man and wife. People worked as a community for short hours, therefore reducing the burden of working. The path taken to live a life without suffering was, first, eliminating sin, shame, and then the burden of child birth. Zen Buddhism practices and beliefs The Zen community followed Buddha’s teachings. They had many practices such as zazen, where a person sat in meditation. Through this process of meditation a person experienced harmony. During meditation, thoughts passed through the mind but did not remain there. In this state of mind, everything that a person did came from natural impulses. A person was able to fully concentrate in his actions without interactions. Koan was another practice done in Zen tradition. Koan used a question that puzzled the brain of a person. One was made to view the world in its original form. To understand a koan, one focused on it without reflecting on it, interacting directly with it. The significance of koan was to bring the understanding that every person was an interdependent whole of the world. The purpose of Zen practice was enlightenment, or satori. One felt the harmony of all beings by realizing that everything was whole. Every living thing became valuable and at the same time invaluable. This enigma was understood only with consciousness rather than intellectuality. Comparison and contrasts The founders of both communities were human beings. The initiator of Buddhism was Shakyamuni. He was fully enlightened through meditation and opened ways of spirituality and liberty. The initiator of Oneida was known as John Noyes. He formed Oneida community in the name of love. They two founders had one main objective of reducing suffering in human beings. Though Zen Buddhism and Oneida community shared common values, they also differed in some beliefs. Buddhism believed in no supreme power. Furthermore, they did not worship Buddha. Buddhism was not a religion of God; instead it was of wisdom, insight, and kindness. Oneida community believed in God, who was the creator of the universe. Oneida community believed that salvation came through confession of sin; however, Buddhists believed that salvation and enlightenment came through meditation and taking away of defilements and illusion. Oneida community believed that there God lived separately; while Buddhists believed that Buddha was inherent in them. The Buddha did not pay attention to aspects such as the soul, life after death, or how the earth was formed. Buddhists focused on the things that existed such as birth, aging, death, suffering and how they could be eliminated from people. The teachings of Buddha were facts of existence and the way to freedom; nirvana. The Oneida community believed in life after death, where they stated that the kingdom of heaven would come to earth. According to Buddha, life was about suffering which came from the desires of humans, and could end through the Noble Eightfold Path. Therefore, Buddha was neither negative nor positive about life. Buddha outlined ways that would liberate people from suffering. The Eightfold Path gave procedures to eliminate past mistakes, abstain from keeping any wrongs, and forming values for a good rebirth. One step in this path was to know reality perfectly. This was done through knowing the four noble truths. Every action was controlled by the mind. Therefore, the actions of people could either produce happiness or suffering. The second aspect was to have the right intention, then right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness, and the eighth factor right meditation. According to John Noyes, suffering began with the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. From that time onwards, women suffered during child birth, while men had to toil hard to support their families. This separated men and their wives, and the love that existed before ceased. To stop this suffering, Noyes formed a community of “free love.” People worked as one, therefore reducing working hours. Men restrained themselves as a method of birth control, therefore reducing the suffering of women in child birth. Zen Buddhism and Oneida community differed in their view of birth and death. In Buddhism, a changing form of being provoked another into motion. Every good or evil deed created another personality with time which was realized after death. For freedom to occur even after death, people had to live a life without desires. A liberated person experienced an eternal, calm, and permanent state. Oneida believed in eternity which would be on earth. Conclusion Zen community and Oneida community shared common values and differed in others. Both were formed with the intention of reducing suffering in human beings. Buddha gave teachings to its followers that acted as guidelines to a liberal life. The main idea of these teachings was to flee from desires, which was the main cause of sufferings. On the other hand, John Noyes who was the founder of Oneida community stated that suffering began with the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and this suffering would end through birth control and a complex marriage. However, the Zen and Oneida community differed in various aspects. The Zen community was non-theists, while Oneida community believed in God. The Oneida community followed biblical teachings while Zen community followed Buddha’s teachings.

ESSAY: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess Analytical Essay Introduction The structure of Anthony Burgess’s novel “A Clockwork Orange” makes it an entertaining material with a theoretical and philosophical tale indicating the struggle between evil and good. It shows the use of believes and the ability of human beings in making free choices over their struggles. Today, the lifestyle of human beings faces various challenges concerning sexuality and violence as depicted in the reading. The structure shows the existence of controversies regarding the governmental social solutions and its support to the individual’s choice regarding moral decisions. The tale represents an ironic dissertation of governmental achievements in the dystopian world regardless of the evidential facts of unworthy lifestyles, shaped through the prosperity of evil and destruction. The structure is a full commentary depicting that life completely depends on the individual’s freedom of choice of good over evil. The annotations as represented in the book indicates that creation or registration of good is not possible because it is emerges from deep within personality and assists in making choices. Attempts to foster morality from external forces impinge on the individual choice thus having an effect on humanity. The structure takes the character of young Alex as the narrator as well as the criminal protagonist with the main aim of showing the importance of allowing people to make their personal decisions regardless of the results; detrimental or depreciating. There is a shouting aspect of criminals acting as protagonists but the novel does not consider Alex as a Clockwise Orange because such a fixation never exists. The structure of the novel takes a three-part basis with seven chapters in each part. The writer, “Anthony Burgess”, intentionally outlays the structure because the twenty-one chapters symbolize human maturity towards responsibility. (Burgess, introduction) In the first part of the story, Alex is in a group that terrorize the society as they aim at controls. They group collapses as the members fight for the leadership posts. Alex betrayal and abandonment occurs during the normal invasion that turns sour. His arrest and charges involves assault of an elderly woman who later succumbs to the injuries inflicted during the raids. Alex thus faces charges of murder and is subject to a sentence of fourteen years imprisonment. The second part of the writing shows Alex’s attempt on making the best out of prison life despite the mishandling by the warders and inmates such as rape attempts. He spends viable time in the prison workshops making matchboxes and later works through religion to become the prison’s “Mass Stereo Operator (aka Charlie)” for the chaplain (Burgess, 93). This dwelling in the bible shows his stereotype bloodshed mongered individual through his love over such depicting stories in the Book. Blame of the death of a new inmate through the prison fights falls on Alex. He is therefore guilty of two madders and thus taken to the governor for a torturous procedure meant to cure him of ultra-violence and blood shed mentality. Part three of the novel indicates his freedom from the violent addiction. The torture causes him to become ill and his new character portrays a humble, kind and begging personality. The part also involves his release to unfamiliar and unfriendly world to a point that forces him to consider suicide but he escapes with severe breaks. He then faces a reverse of the reclamation treatment with a “Deep Hypnopaedia” treatment at the hospital by the same governor due his negative opinion regarding the public and political pressures. The story ends as he finds a new band falling back to the old lifestyle of ultraviolent behaviours. He then realizes the reality of life and makes the personal decision to quit violence. Conclusion The three parts intertwines to show that Clock Orange grows as a dystopia and people do not create well being from the social or technological advancements but through freely choosing humanity of goodwill over evil. The text is a true indication that authenticated righteousness in inborn and cause effects to the external forces as shown by the reclamation procedure in the writing. (Burgess, 140) From the “A Clockwork Orange”, the indication is that human beings have the freedom of choice. Works Cited Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange. Penguin Classics Publishers 1972

ESSAY: A Critical Discussion of the Family Medical Leave Act Essay Outline Objective To critically discuss the FMLA, including how it relates to other labor laws and leaves in New York State. Body (1) Discuss: Basic federal regulations of FMLA, guidelines for eligibility (employers & employees) and benefits Body (2) Discuss how the FMLA is related to other laws such as the short-term disability act in New York State. Its relationship with other types of leaves such as vacation, maternity and paternity leaves is also discussed Conclusion FMLA has greatly assisted employees to balance their work roles with other family or personal needs Prior to the introduction in 1993 of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), many workers in the United Sates of America were ostensibly unable to achieve an adequate balance between their work-related responsibilities and other obligations outside of work. However, workers can now adequately achieve a near balance between work and non-work related roles, thanks to this specific Act which was signed into law in February 1993 by the 42 nd president of the U.S., Bill Clinton, and took full effect on August 5 2003 (Cartmell, 2010). The FMLA recognizes the ever rising need of balancing work roles with family obligations, and guarantees many protections and benefits to workers. It is the object of this paper to critically discuss the Act, including how it relates to other labor laws and leaves in New York State. In its most basic level, the FMLA is a federal labor law that requires large employers to avail to eligible employees a 12 week job-secured unpaid leave on an annual basis due to a multiplicity of legitimate reasons which may incapacitate an employee from performing his or her job-related responsibilities (Meyers, 2005). An employee is eligible to request for the leave in the event of a serious health condition, illness of a close family member or relative, or to care for a new-born child that may either be biologically related to the employee or adopted. According to Vikesland (2006), “…FMLA can be taken on an intermittent basis allowing the employee to work on a less than full-time schedule” (para. 3). The Act, though applied differently by various states across the U.S. due to divergent regional regulations, is guided by similar underlying principles. For instance, FMLA only applies to organizations that employ over 50 members of staff within 75 miles of their physical location or worksite (Vikesland, 2006). However, all public agencies are required to avail FMLA to their employees regardless of the number employed. It should be noted that prior to passage of the Act into law, the provision of leave for private, family, or health reasons was holistically left to the discretion of individual employers, who could not only deny employees an opportunity to proceed on leave for any reason, but also sack or discriminate upon those who proceeded on leave for family or medical reasons. Still, employees were not sure if their requests to proceed on leave would be treated consistently in the event of changing jobs within the same organization, and were also not certain if they would be readmitted to the same job ranks and benefits upon return from leave (Vikesland, 2006; Aitchison, 2003). To be eligible for FMLA, a worker must first and foremost be employed by a company which has already employed 50 or more workers within a 75-mile radius of their location or worksite, or be employed by a public agency such as schools, police department, public hospitals, and other state, local, and federal organizations (Vikesland, 2006). The employee must also have offered services to that particular employer for a period not less than 12 months, and must have worked for the employee for at least 1,250 hours within the last calendar year. However, the 12 months period do not necessarily have to be consecutive. The FMLA comes with guarantees, protections and benefits for employees. For instance, eligible workers taking the leave must be restored back to the same job position upon leave termination or be offered with a position that is considerably equivalent in pay, benefits, and responsibilities in the event that the employee’s former position is no longer available (Aitchison, 2003). In addition to protection of employee benefits when the worker commences leave, he or she is also entitled to restoration of all the benefits that were entitled to the individual prior to commencing leave. What’s more, the Act not only protects the rights of employees against interference by the employer, but also protects them from retaliation by an employer or company for exercising their rights as envisaged in the Act. However, an eligible worker must furnish the employer with 30 day advance notice for predictable circumstances. In New York State, FMLA is inherently related to other state labor laws and leaves such as Short-Term Disability Act, sick time, paternity leave, maternity leave, and vacation leave for personal, family or medical reasons. Employees who are temporarily unable to handle their job-related roles for medical reasons may receive a paid leave of up to 26 weeks in a calendar year, while those seeking leave due to pregnancy, childbirth, and other related exigencies such as seeking time to bond with children or to adopt a new child are entitled to a partial wage of not less than 50% of their salary, paid by the state temporary disability insurance (Taylor, 2010). Owing to the fact that the FMLA is an unpaid leave, many employers are confused on how to treat other leaves such as the paternity and maternity leaves, and only pay benefits entitled to employees in the event that the employee had already used the maximum number of days allowed for FMLA. According to Guerin (2010), an employee “…can always use accrued paid leave that is characterized as vacation or personal leave… [and may] substitute accrued sick or family leave for FMLA” (para. 8). In addition, the employer has the mandate to request an employee to use accumulated vacation or personal days during the unpaid FMLA leave. All in all, it can be argued that the FMLA has so far remained effective in balancing employees’ work-related responsibilities with their personal or family needs. Reference List Aitchison, W. (2003). The FMLA: Understanding the Family and Medical Leave Act . Portland, OR: Labor Relations Information System. Guerin, L. (2010). Taking Family & Medical Leave . Web. Meyers, L. (2005). What every employer needs to know about FMLA leave: What is an employer’s obligation to designate requested leave, even when the employee doesn’t request it? Web. Taylor, A. (2010). New York State Family Medical Leave Act Laws . Web. Vikesland, G. (2006). The Family & Medical Leave Act: Balancing work and family. Web.

ESSAY: A Critical Evaluation of Criteria for a Successful Presidency from a Citizen’s Perspective Analytical Essay There exists a popular adage that argues that ‘leaders are born, not made.’ This adage, though used extensively by civilizations across the world, has been proved wrong by systematic studies, which have generated a body of knowledge and evidence indicating to the contrary. Today, more than ever before, the standards or criteria of what constitutes a successful presidency are within our realms, and we now know that many of these qualities are instilled through socialization and life experiences (Thomas & Crawford 11). It is the purpose of this paper to critically evaluate the criteria for a successful presidency from a citizen’s standpoint. A successful presidency must have a strong and clear mandate to govern the electorate (Steuerle para. 1). President George W. Bush’ second term at the helm of the US presidency is a stark reminder that a clear mandate is needed for one to enjoy a successful presidency. The president had just lost the popular vote to his competitor, Al Gore, but went on to win the Electoral College votes in an election that was largely viewed as controversial. Bush failed to achieve noteworthy policy changes during the last four years he was at the helm despite having all the state resources at his command since he couldn’t be described as a president for all American people. A successful presidency must be able to lead the citizens in all important facets of life. We have witnessed administrations, especially in Africa, that have ascended to power as a result of being politically correct, but without any leadership qualities whatsoever (Thomas &Crawford 25). For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Kabira transferred the presidency to his first son, who had no previous record of leading at any level. Several years on, the result of this irresponsible decision can be clearly witnessed as the rule of law has been eroded and replaced by despotic leadership. It is, therefore, imperative that the presidency is led by an individual who is a leader in his or her own right if any meaningful success is to be achieved. A successful presidency must be led by a strong-willed and charismatic president. Here, President Obama seems to capture the mood for this particular criterion. People will trust you more if they know that they can confide in you all their fears and anxieties, and keep their trust in you as their leader that you’ll help them achieve their stated objectives (Thomas & Crawford 127). This is what Obama used to win the presidency – strong will and charisma. Whether he leaves behind a successful presidency is subject to debate, but all indications suggest that he will be much more successful than many other former presidents. He has already succeeded in rallying American lawmakers to support the Health Bill, an immeasurable achievement that had eroded other U.S. presidents. The president must always have a strong will, that is, he must be an individual who can never be swayed by money, influence, or power. A successful presidency must be led by an individual with strong oratory prowess. Again, President Obama provides a good example about the power of speaking. The president must be someone with an immense capacity to convince other lawmakers and stakeholders about his intentions, and why such moves are important for the country (Thomas & Crawford 18). This particular characteristic is particularly important for aspiring presidential candidates in the U.S. as they have to convince the Congress into signing important bills for the prosperity of the nation. This particular criterion goes hand in hand with the standards of image and ethics. An individual aspiring to have a successful presidency must cut across a smart public image, and must always tell the truth no matter the consequences. Another criterion used to evaluate a successful presidency is knowledge and understanding of international relations, including affiliations with other countries. An individual aiming to have a successful presidency must have a very clear and sharp understanding on international relations. He must be viewed as a peacemaker within and outside his country, and at no time should he be viewed as a war monger since such a title seriously compromises credibility and authority of the presidency (Thomas & Crawford 70). A successful presidency must be led by an individual who employs diplomacy when dealing with international conflicts to the last ounce; one who would only go to war with other countries when all other avenues have been exhausted. George W Bush was not particularly at home with this standard as he made more international enemies during his tenure than he made friends. All in all, there appears to be a huge barrage of criteria that could possibly be used to evaluate the presidency. An informed vision for fellow countrymen and excellent listening skills are also key ingredients towards a successful presidency. An informed vision is particularly important if the country is to make any headway in terms of social-economic and political development (Thomas & Crawford, 72). Admittedly, from a citizen’s point of view, the standards stated above appear to be most fundamental for a successful presidency. Works Cited Steuerle, C.E. Steps towards a Successful Presidency. 2001. Retrieved from https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/steps-toward-successful-presidency Thomas, H., & Crawford, C. Listen up, Mr. President: Everything you always wanted your President to know and Do. New York, NY: Scribner. 2009. ISBN: 1439148155

ESSAY: A Critical Evaluation of Qualitative & Quantitative Research Designs Compare & Contrast Essay A wealth of literature demonstrates that research is a discursive practice that must be carried out using meticulous and systematic means so as to meet pertinent norms and standards, especially in regard to its validity, reliability, and rationale (Lankshear, n.d.). Equally, good quality research must have the capacity to elucidate strong evidence in the form of quantitative or qualitative data that is relevant to a phenomenon or variable under study. The development of an effective procedure or guideline of undertaking the research is of paramount importance in the context of allowing objective data to be collected, organized, analyzed and presented in ways that will allow people to acknowledge that the findings are not only informative, but the inferences drawn upon them are logical. This paper purposes to evaluate some of differences and characteristics between quantitative and qualitative research designs. Both qualitative and quantitative research studies have unique characteristics. To start with, it is imperative to note that qualitative researchers are mainly concerned with studying the subject matter in the natural settings in an effort to make sense of, or to understand, observable occurrences in terms of the meanings attached to them by people (Patton, 2002). One of the characteristics of a qualitative research study, therefore, is that it is interested in studying real-world situations or occurrences as they unfold naturally without controlling or manipulating any variables. In essence, it is not predetermined as is the case with quantitative studies. The second characteristic is that most qualitative studies utilize purposive sampling procedures. Specifically, cases designated for study are selected by virtue of the fact that they have the needed information and provide valuable manifestations of the phenomenon under study. In most qualitative studies, sampling of cases is aimed at getting more insight about the phenomenon under study, not empirical generalization from a sample of subjects to a population as is the case in quantitative studies (Patton, 2002). The third characteristic of a qualitative research study is that the design adopted must be open and flexible enough to enable the researcher adapt to new inquiry depending on the level of understanding needed. A qualitative design must have the capacity to accommodate new situations as they emerge in addition to allowing the researcher pursue new paths of discovery as opposed to a quantitative design, which utilizes rigid, unresponsive design (Patton, 2002). Quantitative studies, on the other part, are basically undertaken by means of developing a testable hypothesis or research questions, and collecting data, which is then ordered and statistically analyzed to come up with findings. Finally, the inferences from the findings will differentiate whether the original hypothesis is supported by the evidence collected from the field (Creswell, 2003). One of the unique characteristics of a quantitative study is that the researcher is independent from the phenomena under study as opposed to qualitative study, where the researcher must always interact with the phenomena under study. The second characteristic is that reality in a quantitative study is viewed in an objective and singular manner, intricately separate from the researcher (Creswell, 2003). A qualitative study, however, views reality in a subjective manner. Finally, the facts collected from the field must be value-free and unbiased, but in a qualitative study, the facts are often value-laden and prejudicial. The type of research design adopted by the researcher to a large extent influences the sampling method to be used for the study (Patton, 2002). A sampling method, according to Creswell (2003), is basically a technique employed in drawing samples from a larger population in such a way that the sample drawn will assist in the determination of some observations or hypothesis concerning the population. There exist different types of sampling methods, each with its own practical importance in relation to the kind of research design employed for the study. As such, most quantitative research designs utilize probability sampling procedures, which includes random, systematic, and stratified sampling techniques. It is imperative to note that in probability sampling procedures, every subject within a population has an identified non-zero chance or probability of being selected (StatPac, 2010) In random sampling method, the nature of the population must first be defined to allow all subjects equal chance of selection. This is the purest form of probability sampling, and greatly assists quantitative researchers to come up with objective and unbiased data from the field (Creswell, 2003). In stratified sampling technique, a stratum or a subset of the population that is known to share some common aspects is used to select the sample, thereby reducing sampling error. When the relevant subsets are identified by the researcher and their actual representation in the population known, random sampling is then employed to select adequate number of participants from each subset. This type of sampling is helpful to a quantitative researcher since it allows him or her to study the subgroups in greater detail while in their own naturalistic world and free from value interferences or bias (Marshall, 1996; Creswell, 2003). Still, this type of sampling assists the quantitative researcher to study some unique subsets within a population that may have low or high incidences of a particular phenomenon relative to the other subsets (StatPac, 2010). Systematic sampling, on its part, works more or less as random sampling, but selects every Nth member of an already predetermined sample. The technique assists a quantitative researcher to remain objective, and it is also simple to use. Most qualitative research designs employ non-probability sampling procedures, with the most common type being the convenience and purposeful sampling techniques (StatPac, 2010). It is however imperative to note that some non-probability sampling techniques such as convenience sampling can be used in quantitative research and some probability sampling techniques such as stratified sampling can also be used in qualitative research (Creswell, 2003). In a convenience sample, subjects are selected by virtue of being at the correct place at the right time. In short, subjects are selected based on convenience. This is helpful to both quantitative and qualitative researchers since it does not only saves time, but also money (StatPac, 2010). Due to the depth of information required in qualitative studies, most researchers employ purposive sampling technique to get the participant who is well placed to offer comprehensive and detailed information about a case or phenomena under study (Creswell, 2003). As such, this technique is not interested in calculating numbers about sampling errors and sample representation as is the case in samples used in quantitative research; on the contrary, a purposive sample is interested in gaining an in-depth analysis of something, and therefore may be value-laden and subjective. However, these externalities form the basis of qualitative research. As such, it can be said that a sampling method such as random sampling will assist in quantitative research since the nature of the research design is more mechanistic and only interested in coming up with results that can then be generalized to the wider population. However, a sampling method such as purposive sampling will serve qualitative studies well since they are interested in providing illumination and understanding of complicated issues that can only be answered by the ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions (Marshall, 1996). Such questions can only be answered by someone who is knowledgeable enough about the case under study, thus the use of purposive sampling. Second, it is known that for a true random or stratified sample to be selected, the unique aspects under investigation of the whole population must be known before hand. This is only possible in quantitative studies, but is rarely possible in many qualitative studies (Marshall, 1996). Third, random or stratified sampling mostly used in quantitative research is likely to generate a representative sample only if the underlying characteristics of the study are generally distributed within the population. However, “…there is no evidence that the values, beliefs and attitudes that form the core of qualitative investigation are normally distributed, making the probability approach inappropriate” (Marshall, 1996, p. 523). Lastly, it is clear that individuals are not equally good at perceiving, understanding, and interpreting either their own or other people’s actions and behavior. This translates to the fact that while some sampling methods such as random sampling are best suited for quantitative research since the studies are only interested in coming up with results that can be generalized to a wider population, it would appear more plausible for a qualitative researcher to employ a sampling technique such as purposive sampling, which will enable him obtain information that is richer in context and insightful. Reference List Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Lankshear, C. Some notes on the nature and importance of research design within educational research. Web. Marshall, M.N. (1996). Sampling for qualitative research. Family Practice, 13 (6), 522-525. Web. Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods, 3 rd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. StatPac. (2010). Survey sampling methods . Web.

ESSAY: A New Dawn: The Abolishment of Slavery in the USA Creative Writing Essay Today promises to be a new day if the new law proposed by congress proves to be any good. It will be a new dawn for me, my family, my clan, indeed, my entire race. For me, the only country that I have ever known and called home has been the United States, but the fact that my skin color is different from that of my master compounded with the reality that I am a slave suggest to me that this has not always been my home. According to the tales that my grandmother constantly barrages us with as we sit late into the night by the fireplace, our home is a place called Africa, a land thousands of miles across the great ocean on the east. Our forefathers were the victims of the exploits of one John Hawkins, the British sea merchant and voyager whose act of acquiring slaves off the Guinea Coast and selling them off to the Spaniards formally introduced the English to slave trade, a phenomena which invariably led to an influx of slaves to the new world (Conrad 11). In the earlier days of colonial America, the need for black slaves was minimal since the native Indians and the settlers provided all the labor that was required by the colonists. However, with time the natives succumbed to plagues such as smallpox which were brought to their land by the new arrivals. The fact that a Negro was more resistant to these ailments and could do the work of four or five natives greatly appealed to the new world which had a deficit of human labor. And that has been the fate of my family through three generations. We have toiled in the fields of Master Smith who acquired our great grandparents for a pitiful sum of money from the slave ships. Our task has been to ensure that his vast cotton fields are well tended and to attend to the needs of his household. Through the years, I have witnessed my relatives die off from diseases which are mostly as a consequent of the overworking and the poor living conditions that we are subjected to. Our days begin at five o’clock in the morning and we’re ill dressed for the biting cold which greets us. In the summer, we have to work through the scorching sun under the pitiless eyes of the slave drivers. However, all our misery and hardship promises to be a thing of the past. Today is the 8 th of April 1864 and the news around town is that a bill has been passed by congress under President Abraham Lincoln which formally abolishes slavery. The new amendment declares that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States and congress shall have power to enforce this law through its legislative arm (Holcombe 121). As such, I can consider myself a free man as from today. No longer shall the traditionally established notion of the inferiority of the Negro which has up to this point been used to justify slavery and its inherent cruelties be used as a basis to enslave me. In anticipation of the opposition that is no doubt bound to arise following our freedom, the Union army has been mandated to offer protection to us ex-slaves from our masters and anti-slavery abolishment activists who will go to great lengths to undermine this law (Rochester). I reckon the days ahead are going to be hard as we try to make a living as free people with no money and little support from our white neighbors. However, I am optimistic that someday we will prosper and shall coexist peacefully with our former masters as brothers in harmony. In that time, our history as slaves shall be as a tiny drop in the ocean of memories, all but entirely forgotten. Works Cited Conrad, Cecilia. African Americans in the U.S. economy . Rowman & Littlefield, 2005. Print. Holcombe, G. Randall. From liberty to democracy: the transformation of American government. University of Michigan Press, 2002. Print. Rochester . Life After The 13th Amendment . 2006. Web.

ESSAY: A Practical Handbook for the Actor: Gained Knowledge to Become an Actor Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Discussion 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited Introduction A Practical Handbook for the Actor is a book by Melissa Bruder and her team, where the ideas on how to strengthen actor’s skills, necessary acting techniques, and main concepts of acting craft are perfectly presented and improved by means of powerful examples. The peculiar feature of this book is that it is full of interesting and, what is more important, truthful ideas about what is expected from an actor. “An actor knows he must develop a body that will do whatever is asked of it” (Bruder et al. 4), this is why if a person makes a decision to become an actor, he/she mush be ready to different challenges, auditions, and disappointments. The authors of this book call all actors both professionals and beginners upon to define clearly their purposes and their duties. It is very important to comprehend what has to be done and what never has to be done. Only in case when a person is able to control words, actions, and even thoughts, the success of the career of an actor is possible. Discussion It is known that “the actor can do nothing without the target” (Donnellan 13), this is why one of the significant points of the book under discussion is Bruder’s desire to help an actor define his/her target and succeed in his/her job. The authors of this book explain properly that the purpose of this book is to teach the reader about acting craft and to provide several ideas on how to improve personal acting skills and not to be afraid of challenges and disappointments. First lesson: time cannot influence acting craft, A Practical Handbook for the Actor is a book of 1986, so, all those hints, helpful ideas, and experiences came from the past century. At first, it is possible to believe that these ideas cannot be used for our times, because our modern life requires considerable changes, and living conditions differ considerably from those of the previous century. However, from the first lines, it becomes clear that the suggestions of these sophisticated writers have to be taken into consideration anytime. “Acting requires common sense, bravery, and a lot of will” (Bruder et al. 6). In this book, each of the above-mentioned concepts and their possible usage are clearly explained. For example, the reader learns that the idea of common sense is helpful for those, who want “to translate whatever you are given into simple actable terms” (Bruder et al. 6). Bravery is also important “to throw yourself into the action of the play despite fear of failure, self-consciousness, and a thousand other obstacles” (Bruder et al. 6). Finally, any actor should keep in mind his/her own will in order to respect personal ideals. This lesson is one of the most important ones that may be learnt from the book. Second lesson: understanding of techniques is important for the craft . To succeed in acting, a person needs to comprehend the most significant techniques. The authors of the books focus reader’s attention on two major points: action and moment. An action is an actor’s object: you go on the stage in order to perform some action and complete your task. An actor has the right to become someone from a make-up team or operating team (Diggles 143) in order to improve the situation and use everything to present successful results. The actions of actors need to be well-coordinated with the rest of the team, and this lesson has to be remembered as well. Moment is another concept that is worth attention, because it depicts everything that is depicted in the scene. This is why it is obligatory to appreciate every moment and be able to change something if it is necessary. Third lesson: truth of theatres . “When truth and virtue are so rare in almost every area of our society the world needs theatre and the theatre needs actors who will bring the truth of the human soul to the stage” (Bruder 7). People are always eager to find the truth and use it in their every day lives, however, it becomes harder and harder to find it out. This is why some people still believe that some kind of truth may be found in theatres. Actors need to take this fact into consideration and realize that their functions become more significant day by day. With the help of theatres, people get a chance to believe in something, to open their eyes and accept the reality as it is. Theatre is not cinema, where many things, actions, and words remain to be behind the scene, it is not a book, where each word is edited for many time. Theatre is the life, the life of actors, the reality. Actors are responsible for clear representation of this truth, and to become brilliant actors, they have to remember about this truth. Conclusion Being an actor of a theatre is a gift that has to be used by any person if he/she has this chance. Not everyone is able to grasp all the necessary techniques of being an actor. A Practical Handbook for the Actor is of one of the sources, where the reader may learn interesting material and use it further. It is not necessary to know something about theatre and acting; it is obligatory to feel the necessity of being an actor, and the authors of this book present the necessary information, educative material, and powerful grounds for those, who want to become an actor. Works Cited Bruder, Melissa, Cohn, Lee, M., Olnek, Madeleine, Pollack, Nathaniel, Previto, Robert, and Zigler, Scott. A Practical Handbook for the Actor . New York: Random House, Inc. 1986. Diggles, Dan. Improv for Actors . New York: Allworth Communications, Inc., 2004. Donnellan, Declan. The Actor and the Target . London: Nick Hern Books, 2005.

ESSAY: The Virtue of Moving Forward in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner Critical Essay Life is an ongoing process, and in its ever-changing rhythm people have to adapt to new conditions and assume new view and attitudes. Flexible people generally succeed in following the right way in the developing course of existence, while more conservative ones find themselves stuck in the past and too outdated to be full-fledged members of contemporary society. The necessity for moving forward and not clinging to the past was voiced already in the biblical story of Lot’s wife, and the topic has been actual ever since. The misery of those who are unable to accept the reality and to get free from the influence of the past is the main theme of William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily”, where the protagonist, Miss Emily Grierson, becomes a white crow and an object of both ridicule and pity due to her fanatic devotion to the ideals of the past. The theme a person trapped in old time is developed by Faulkner through a whole set of literary devices, among which symbolic images play a substantial role. To emphasize Miss Grierson’s belonging to the Pre-Civil War South, Faulkner surrounds her by objects that symbolize that past. The first and foremost symbol is the house she lives in: a large mansion situated in the once “most select street”, it is furnished with once fashionable objects that now start to decay (Faulkner 90). This miserable decay prompts an idea that the whole bygone splendor was not due to the owners themselves, but due to the everyday slave labor which once eliminated left the house to sink into the past. Faulkner implies bitter irony to describe the pitiful state of the Griersons mansion, the only neighbors of which are now not the estates of same grandeur but simple “cotton wagons and gasoline pumps” indifferent to the majestic culture of the old society (Faulkner 90). Enhancing this museum-like state of the Griersons mansion, Faulkner introduces images and symbols of the same past into the house. Representative of the Pre-Civil War epoch is the Negro butler who had worked for the Griersons throughout his life and left only with Miss Grierson’s death. The influence of Miss Grierson’s father, who had oppressed and dominated her when he was alive, did not recede with the time, as after his death (which she stubbornly refused to admit) his crayon portrait was one of the main focal points in the parlor. This dominance and arrogant attitude of the Griersons towards the surrounding society (they had always “held themselves a little too high for what they really were “) can also be traced in the fact that Miss Grierson’s only suitor came from a society different than that of Jefferson and that the description of his ways quite coincides with the way the Griersons are portrayed in a picture: “his hat cocked and a cigar in his teeth, reins and whip in a yellow glove“ (Faulkner 93–94). Miss Grierson’s conflict with the present unfolds itself through her interaction with the contemporary society. She demonstrates a total obsession with old-fashioned ideas and principles when she refuses to pay taxes, motivating it with permission obtained from Colonel Sartoris — a man long dead but still alive in Miss Grierson’s imagination (Faulkner 92). She opposes and rejects new postal rules, refusing to put up a number and a post box on the front door of her mansion (Faulkner 94). Last but not least, she ignores the public opinion and has things her own way secretly poisoning her disloyal suitor and thus preserves the reality the way she wants to see it. Desperately fighting for preservation of her bygone past, Mrs Emily “prefers rather to murder than to die” (Fetterley 57). Thus she reveals her helplessness in face of contemporary society which she can neither accept nor put up with. Her conservatism is her tragedy, since it leads to her misery and destructively influences everything and everybody that gets in Mrs Grierson’s way. Works Cited Faulkner, William. “A Rose for Emily.” Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing (8th ed.). Ed. Michael Meyer. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. 90–96. Print. Fetterley, Judith. “A Rose for “A Rose for Emily”.” William Faulkner: Critical Assessments (Vol. I). Ed. Henry Claridge. East Sussex: Helm Information Ltd, 1999. 50–58. Print.

ESSAY: Paris and Its Tourist Places Report Paris is fondly represented as a city where romance thrives and it is for this reason that visiting and the sites and city is appealing. Paris is often a venue of many entertainment and social events such as large fashion shows and movie launches among others. The city is the capital of France and is relatively small by the standards of most capital cities of the world. This provides would be visitors with a major advantage since the sites are mostly within walking distance and allows the visitor to take in as much of the city as possible. It is reported that the French are stylish and flirtatious, the architecture is memorable and the nightlife and restaurants are well suited for the pursuit of pleasure and romance. The city is split by the Seine River into the left and right banks and is divided into 20 districts which spiral from the center. With a city map easily available in the town book stores, visitors can stroll to their hearts desire visiting the museums, landmarks and numerous restaurants in Paris (HotelTravel.com). According to history, the city was founded around the 3 rd Century BC on what is today referred to as “lle de la cite” (HotelTravel.com). The origins can be traced to a tribe of Celtic Gaul’s known as Parisii. After decades of conflict between the Roman’s and the Gaul’s, the Roman’s took the city and in 52 BC and later introduced Christianity in the 2 nd Century AD. The Roman’s were overrun by the Frank’s in the 5 th Century AD in 508 AD, the conquerors (Frank’s) united Gaul as a kingdom and made Paris the capital renaming it after the original inhabitants. This marked the beginning of the city that has survived numerous revolutions and global events to date. The Parisian climate is best at springtime, despite the fact that it may at times be a bit wet; the city is usually very vibrant during this season. The winter also has plenty of activity with many cultural events taking place. During the summer, the weather and the city in general are usually warm and lazy; many Parisians leave the city for the beaches located to the west and south of France. However, this trend has changed in recent years and the city is not quite as desolate as it used to be a few decades ago (HotelTravel.com). Paris is a very popular tourist destination receiving over 30 million tourists annually (Places in France.com).For entertainment the city offers a wide variety of options, it has two popular opera houses, the spectacular Stade de France which hosts large sporting events such as the World Cup in 98, the unique cabaret shows of the Moulin Rouge and many other attractions. Indeed a trip to Paris would be incomplete without a visit to the famous Eiffel Tower. The tower built on the Champ de Mars by Gustav Eiffel stands at 324m high and is among the most recognized structures in the world. Other beautiful and memorable sites that are a must see include the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Avenue de Champs-Elyees, Place de la Concorde and the Luxor Obelisk. The city indeed has a lot to offer including museums, boat rides, amusement parks and much more (Places in France.com). Travel Item Approx Cost Air Fare – London Paris Return (CheapFlights.com) 56 Pounds Car Rental – economy form7 days (arguscarhire.com) 198 pounds Hotel – 1 star cost per day bed and breakfast Approx 330 pounds X 6 Days = 1980 pounds Suggested Activities Visit Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Avenue de Champs-Elyees, Place de la Concorde, and Luxor Obelisk. Enjoy a meal on a boat on River Seine. Visit the amusement parks. Sample Parisian nightlife. Approx 25 pounds daily X 6 = 150 pounds Total Cost Approx 2400 pounds Works Cited ArgusCarhire.com. Argus Carhire. Web. CheapFlights.co.uk Cheap Flight s. Web. HotelTravel.com. Hotel Travel. Web. Places in France. Travel Guide to Paris the Capital City of France . Web. Travelpack. Travelpack . Web.

ESSAY: Abortion as a Controversial Issue Argumentative Essay Without any doubts, an abortion is one of the most controversial issues people may face with. Some people can easily agree to abortion and do not think about the consequences, possible future, and the life, taken from a non-born baby. Jay Budziszewski is a Professor of Government and Philosophy at the Texas University. He is an author of What We Can’t Not Know. In this article, he analyzes whether an abortion is wrong or not and presents clear evidences of his ideas and standpoints. He makes a wonderful attempt to distinguish the idea of moral realism and a kind of belief in natural law. His points of view are rather clear and comprehensible; he prefers to analyze then present some concrete ideas. Budziszewski may say “Yes” to abortions, taking into consideration certain moral principles and situations; I cannot agree to his position because baby’s killing not can be but should be stopped any way, as no one has the right to take a life away, specially, the life of your own baby, who even has no opportunity to breath. An abortion is one of the biggest crimes any person can ever commit. Unplanned pregnancy is so frequent nowadays, and people have a wonderful opportunity to choose whether they are ready to have a baby or not. If the answer is negative, the result is obvious: it is high time to visit a doctor and sign for abortion. Is it right? Hardly! There are lots of countries, which permit abortions, however prohibit “nontherapeutic” operations at the end of the first trimester. (Shrage, 4) Of course, one of the brightest discoveries of people living in the XX century is the right of choice. People do not have to do something they do not really want. However, is it possible that people do not want to have babies? Who has the right to decide when abortion may be allowed and when it may not? It is quite possible to agree to abortion “but not in the last trimester.” (Budziszewski, 89) Is it really correct? Do people have the right to make such kinds of decisions? Babies, who are not born yet, are also humans, and have the same right for living. Lots of women can find a wonderful reason to have an abortion: they are not experienced enough to create families and bring up children, they want to entertain much more time, and they do not want to be obliged to keep an eye on someone so soon. Due to the fact, that people have such a right not to do what they do not want, an abortion turns out to be rather a good way out. “Many people oppose abortion on moral grounds without considering it to be a violation of rights, which should be addressed by law.” (McElroy) To my mind, it is one of the good reasons to prove that abortions are not right. In the fight that takes place between the opponents and opponents of abortions, any fact costs a lot. If it is possible to connect the prohibition of abortions to the law, it is high time to take this step. Let us try to imagine the situation, when women, who have the right to decide whether to give birth to a baby or not to give, always find another reason to continue their living without babies and to entertain a bit longer. Population will decrease; manufacturing will decrease; people will lose their money and even start starving. Is it what women want to bring our society to? Women cannot even imagine that their unwillingness to have babies and the right to have abortions may lead to such terrible consequences, which may destroy the world we live in. One of the reasons to support abortions is physical condition of a future mother. “Women should always have the right to preserve their life or health when it is threatened by the continuation of a pregnancy.” (Balkin, 291) When medicine is unable to save both a child and a mother, the only person, who should decide is the mother. It may also happen that the mother is unconscious. In such case, the closest person should make this terrible decision and provide doctors with the decision. It is always very difficult to decide who should be saved and who should be lost, however, our life is not easy, and people have to make such decisions from time to time. Budziszewski underlines the importance of natural law. Sins, which made by people during abortions, cannot be forgiven. However, he tells that the time, when the nation may repent, will come. (Budziszewski, 94) Is it possible to be repented after the suicide is committed? Who will forgive all those sins? A mother, who has already made a mistake? A father, who did not have enough powers to stop it? Grandparents, who may not even know about the pregnancy? Or, a child, who was deprived of the opportunity to become a part of this world? People always make mistakes, and an abortion is one of the most unforgettable sins. Even a woman survives it, she will never forget about it; and this is why it is crucially important to think millions of times about whether an abortion is worth such emotions or not. Works Cited Balkin, Jack, M. “Abortion and Original Meaning.” Constitutional Commentary 24:2, (2007) 291. Budziszewski, Jay. “What We Can’t Not Know.” Human Life Review 22:4 (Fall,1966), pp.85-94. 29. Web. McElroy, Wendy. “Abortion: A Principled Defense of a Woman’s Right to Choose.” Individualist Feminism. 2008. Web. Shrage, Laurie. Abortion and Social Responsibility: Depolarizing the Debate. Oxford University Press US, 2003.

ESSAY: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Maximum Input and Output Analytical Essay A long list of theories that attempt to explain human’s personality traits have been put forward by psychological theorists especially of the 20 th century. Some of the prominent theorists include Sigmund Freud, B. F. Skinner, and Abraham H. Maslow (Newman & Newman, 2007). Maslow was an American psychologist who was born and grew up in Brooklyn in New York. He is greatly honored for conceptualizing a theory about the trend of human development which is popularly known as “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”. Being a humanistic psychologist, Maslow optimistically believed that all human beings have an inherent desire to realize and achieve their given potential to the highest possible level, which he referred to as self-actualization (Newman & Newman, 2007). This essay seeks to discuss, in summary, the five major levels of human needs that Maslow arranged in a hierarchical manner. It will then provide its applicability to the professional practice. The Hierarchy of Needs model has withstood the test of time as a very instrumental tool for understanding human motivations. This model takes a pyramidal shape with the basic needs at the broader base and the need to self-actualize at the apex (Newman & Newman, 2007). Maslow believed that people are motivated most by physiological needs which are inherent and include; the need for air (oxygen), water, food, rest, comfort (excretion), sleep, need to avoid pain, and to have sex. The second layer of the pyramid is the need for safety and security. Once the physiological needs have been met to acceptable minimum, a person moves to satisfy the second layer. The person is motivated by the need to be in a safe environment, as well as assurance for security in life like job security, retirement benefits and or constant care. The sufficient satisfaction of the first two layers paves way for the third which is the need for love and sense of belonging. One starts being motivated by the need for friendship, a lover, general affectionate needs, the need to have children, and a sense of association. This strong need can push one into all sorts of groups ranging from good to the worst. This level also defines the need to pursue a given career. The fourth level, the need for esteem, follows immediately once the first three have been largely met. This involves the search for self-esteem. The first category is the need for the respect for others, fame, glory, attention, reputation, dignity, dominion, recognition, and appreciation. The second category is the need for self respect through feelings like; confidence, achievement, independence, competence, and freedom. The first four levels are characterized by unique negative effects if they are not met and therefore, Maslow referred to them as deficit-needs or otherwise ‘D-needs’. This implies that one will be motivated as long as there is a deficit (Griffin & Moorhead, 2009). The fifth and the last level is the self-actualization need. People in this level are motivated by the need to grow and ‘being’ needs. A person is driven to fulfill his or her optimum potential. Due to the challenge that exists in meeting the lower needs, a very small percentage of the people in the world reach the summit of the hierarchy/triangle. Self-actualized people are characterized by their reality-centeredness, problem-centeredness, and are not conventionally convinced by the idea that the end justifies the means. Basically, they are nonconformist. This model of considering human developmental needs has proved useful and is applicable in virtually all human engagements. In the professional practice, for instance, the Hierarchy of Needs has been employed by leaders and executive officers to motivate their employees to ensure maximum output from the professional workforce (Maslow & Stephens, 2000). This will largely depend on how each employee/professional is treated through the type of leadership used, plans for compensation, clear definition of roles, and company culture. Under physiological motivation, the workforce should be allowed to have adequate breaks as well as providing salaries that can enable them to buy essential things in life. Safety needs should be taken care of by creating an environment which is safe and free from threats and feelings of job insecurity. Generating a company or professional culture that encourages feelings of acceptance, community, and belongingness through the use of group dynamics will go a long way in addressing the social needs. The chance for professional advancement like study leaves and promotions should also be provided at this level. The fourth level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs can also be applied to professional practice quite effectively. The esteem motivation can be exploited by recognizing individual achievements, assigning key projects, and ensuring that the workforce feels valued and upheld. Self-actualization motivation of professionals can be achieved through the assignment of high level projects or assignments/tasks that are quite challenging and demanding a lot of creativity, and innovation in the quest to reach the set goals (Griffin & Moorhead, 2009). The essay has provided a summary of the five key levels of needs as laid out by Abraham Maslow. It has also explained how the motivational theory can be effectively used in the professional world to ensure maximum input as well as output from professionals and workforce in general. References Griffin, R. W. & Moorhead, G. (2009). Organizational Behaviour: managing people and organizations (9 th ed.). Cengage Learning Maslow, A. H. & Stephens, D. C. (2000). The Maslow business reader . John Wiley and Sons Newman, B. M. & Newman, P. R. (2007). Theories of human development (4 th ed.). Routledge

ESSAY: Accounting and Finance: Importance of the Studies in Today’s Society Essay The world of accounting and finance is very interesting from different perspectives: first, accounting and finance help to develop new services and improve people’s living conditions; second, these two concepts are the major needs for decision makers; and finally, these current studies may be stimulating and rewarding at the same time, because accounting and finance are the key elements in many organizations. Accounting and finance play a significant role in today’s society, as they deal with economics and information science and provide rather strong background for professional careers in the sphere of business. The importance of these current studies is obvious, because accounting and finance are much more than just simple gathering and analyzing information and control of markets; these studies are the centers of many organizational systems, the support for many decision making practices, and their understanding is considered to be an important step in carrying out all possible management tasks. First, in order to comprehend why these current studies are important for today’s society, it is necessary to clear up the essence of each of these terms. Accounting is regarded as “a part of the business’s total information system, whose role is to provide information to ‘clients’” (Atrill and McLaney, 9). Finance, in its turn, helps people make proper decisions and provides them with a chance to achieve success in numerous business activities. Lots of people, both who are involved and even who have little in common with business, admit that accounting is some kind of business language, awareness of which provides communication between organizations. Finance focuses on possible risks and returns: individuals realize the essence of money and capital, are aware of different forms of finance, and are able to evaluate and overcome the risks, which are inherent finance. It is considered to be a good start for those, who want to become important figures in the sphere of business. The major point of finance and accounting is that people face these two concepts very often nowadays. People read newspapers and watch numerous TV-programs about the chances in economy, money problems, and business competitions. The vast majority of people do not actually understand that finance and accounting are not similar, and have absolutely different purposes. This is why comprehension of information from media may be wrong because of poor knowledge about finance and accounting. This is the reason number one, why the current studies are important in today’s society. Another significant issue concerning the importance of the studies is the constant changes, which happens on the field of finance and accounting. Financial markets offer more and more opportunities and services for their customers; this is why to get the necessary profits and benefits, people should know enough about capital markets, their peculiarities, and money making. They should also be ready to make decisions and deposit and invest properly, analyzing possible consequences of their activities. So, it turns out to be preferable to study accounting and finance. The last point that has to be mention is people’s passion to money. It goes without saying that people like money and cannot imagine their lives without spending and earning money. However, to be able to spend money properly, people have to learn to make it. With the help of finance and accounting studies, it is possible to lend money in business successfully; these studies offer numerous credit facilities; and finally, managers get possibilities to enter contracts and buy services. The importance of finance and accounting in today’s society is also closely connected to cooperation of these spheres with other spheres of life. Even such institution as family may be improved by proper understanding of finance and accounting. Husbands earn money, wives offer the ways to save or spend it, and children always ask it to satisfy personal desires. If families do not aware of the general issues of such studies like accounting and finance, the financial situation of such families will hardly become successful. Business, personal relations, and even education in modern society is closely connected to money, this is why awareness of how money is made is crucial. Education, in general, plays a very important life in any sphere of life. When a person is educated, it becomes a bit easier to use offered possibilities, to improve personal positions, to get good jobs, and earn enough money to enjoy this life. The studies connected to finance and accounting are significant indeed for today’s society, as people always want to know more how to develop their business, how get more benefits, how to make decisions with less harm to own incomes. This is why the importance of these studies becomes obvious, the only thing that has to be evaluated right now is how to pick out the best ways to study finance and accounting at a proper level, to gather necessary financial and accounting information, and to be ready to evaluate critically the roles of finance and accounting and find out their strengths and weaknesses. Works Cited Atrill, Peter and McLaney, E. J. Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists. England: Pearson Education, 2006.

ESSAY: Accounting in business Essay Accounting is referred to as “the language of business”. It is an art of recording, classifying and summarizing information about a business entity in relation to economic resources that are used in finding out the causes of success and failure in business. Due to its relevance in business it has been developed into two models; Management accounting, which deals with reporting financial information to the business stakeholders inside the organization to enhance taking managing and operating decisions; and financial accounting which provides useful information to potential and would-be stakeholders in the organization. This has affected accounting as it has enabled easier provision of information to different groups of people through assortment of data to be handed to the financial accounting and management accounting (Sterling & Bentz, 54). Accounting provides a body of rules and legislations that directs reporting of financial information referred to as “Generally Accepted Accounting Standards”. These accounting guidelines are adopted by many organizations and provide a standardized platform for businesses to present their financial information to the interested parties. Jurisprudence application affects accounts and finance in accordance to the culture, religion, race and political background of the region. This is so as the laws govern the type of financial system regarding to spending, saving, investing, giving, property ownership and business marketing (Smith, Keith & Stephens, 78). It is assumed in business, that a company cannot manage what it cannot measure. This is where an accounting system comes in handy. Without an accounting system a company cannot ascertain whether it is operating profitably or at a loss; it cannot budget cash flows in a given period; and also it cannot manage customer’s turnover or flow of inventory. Accounting helps businesses to report accurately business transactions. In an accounting system, axiomatisation is used to show how propositions can fit in a deductive and logical system as they not only exist, but there are methods of creating them. This is through checking all measures and risk available and frequency of the object for easier description. Accounting tends to facilitate intuitive thinking rather than of rational understanding as it is created with its purpose. This is so as accounting work is elusive, impetus, refractive at classification as they can be acknowledged in more than one way and has different interpretations. Accounting does not regulate as it is has no limits which govern it. This is so as it has no rules and regulations as what to account for or not to due to its diversity in the market of business (Power, 23). Application of physics fundamentals has enabled development of current accounting technology, for example, accounting softwares and cloud computing. Most companies and institutions are implementing cloud accounting over the use of spreadsheets in accounting. This offers an easier method of maintaining financial records and also offers real time access to information (Kirkland & Howard, 89). However the accounting field has been faced with numerous problems and challenges in attaining its objectives. Accounting has allowed fraudulent behaviors to go on at the expense of the involved parties. In current times a lot of accounting scandals have been witnessed as a result of loopholes in the accounting systems. More recently was the Madoff scandal which fleeced investors billions of dollars due to failure of legislations within the profession to address issues. Other scandals include Sunbeam, Qwest, Worldcom and Arthur Andersen frauds. Accounting as a profession has been faced by the problem of malpractice by the accountants and lack of proper legislations to guide the professions. Accounting has primitives only on ungrounded standards as the techniques are not founded as it is extensive and thus requires wide research work. Accounting is a complex subject and involves expertise and necessary infrastructure to maintain an effective accounting system. Many small and medium businesses do not maintain a proper accounting record due to the rigorous process and also it is expensive to acquire the necessary personnel and infrastructure (Ketz, 203; Yamey, 154). Works Cited Ketz, Edward. Accounting Ethics: Crisis in accounting ethics . New York: Routledge Publishers, 2006. Print. Kirkland, Keith & Howard, Stuart. Simple and practical accounting with computers: a guide to the benefits of computerised accounts . London: Kogan Page, 1998. Print. Sterling, Robert & Bentz, William. “Accounting in Perspective: Contributions to Accounting Thought by Other Disciplines ”. The Accounting Review , Vol. 46, No. 4. Oct., 1971. Print. Power, Michael. Accounting and science: natural inquiry and commercial reason . London: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Print. Smith, Jack, Keith, Robert & Stephens, William. Accounting principles . Sabine: McGraw-Hill, 1983 Yamey, Basil. Art & accounting . New York: Yale University Press, 1989. Print.

ESSAY: Adult Learning and Education Research Paper Introduction Adult learning and its evaluation has a long history and has divergent opinions. Adult learners differ from the young children and therefore the pedagogical learning cannot be effective in their learning. The characteristics of adult learners form the basis for the foundation of the principles which govern their teaching and learning process. Unlike the case of children, adults are propelled and intrinsically motivated to learn hence many theorists have tried to explain the manner in which adult learners experience learning and the influences of such learning. It is worth appreciating the fact that the concept of adult learners extends to the society since they are employees, employers, parents and with other societal obligations. The purposes of adult learning are worth evaluating. Specifically, there is need for the analysis of concepts as they are applied in adult learning taking into consideration the characteristics of such adults. This leads to the question of the roles played by adult educators and learners with the influences of the context of learning determining the nature of adult learning. Consequently, the application of adult learning is linked to its purposes and is worth evaluating as a means of assessment of the process and its contribution to the learners, education system and society as a whole. Purposes of Adult Education Jarvis (2004) points out that adult learners are very unique in terms of their characteristics. He points out that they are usually self directing and with the desire to control their learning process. Further, they are intrinsically motivated to learn and the learning is based on the importance it gives to the adult learner particularly in its application in solving daily tasks hence their desire for a problem-centered approach. This means that the purposes of adult education to the learner are based on the extent to which such learning can help them in their lives (Knowles, Holton & Swanson, 2005). This is mostly linked to job responsibilities or aspirations and other daily task management. Such purposes however differ from one learner to another depending on their learning requirements, objectives, age and other socio economic factors. However, it is worth noting that some adult learners engage in education to achieve their dreams or advance their careers while others engage in education to make their lives better. For example, Londell (2009) asserts that his purpose of learning was linked to getting to understand his job responsibilities. Adult education in the setups of training programs especially at the work place is designed to make employees more knowledgeable thus more effective in their job duties (Wlodkowski, 2008). Due to their desire to be self directed, adult learners use education to become enlightened. For example, adult learners may take up financial literacy classes to manage their finances better, or health training to improve their lives and those of their children. Concepts in Adult Education Adult education is based on various principles of adult learning one of which is that assessment should not be based more on grades but on coaching and guidance to ensure success in the tasks involved (Merriam & Brockett, 2007). This elicits the need for evaluating concepts such as knowledge and value which for pedagogical learning are assessed through evaluation of learning topics and issues such as morality. Children are perceived to be tabula rasa thus the instructor imposes the knowledge and explains it to them. Unfortunately, this is not applicable to adult learners since they are independent and have their own set of opinions, beliefs and value systems (Merriam, Caffarella & Baumgartner, 2007). Knowledge in Adult Education Despite the unique characteristics of the adult learners, it is my personal opinion that learning is a continuous life-long process. The fact that one has vast past experience does not limit his/her acquisition of new knowledge. Thus knowledge based on adult education in my opinion as an adult educator is the overall result of a learning process which enlightens a learner, challenges beliefs and is applicable to help the learners achieve their goals for the learning process (Wlodkowski, 2008). For example in the training of employees, knowledge is the result of their ability to apply the content learnt in their operations. It may range from acquisitions of skill, new content, a different perspective to content or overall general knowledge acquired from a learning process (Pratt, 2002). Moral Education in Adult education Morality is quite a subjective topic and requires an evaluation of various opinions and the support and evidence factors that justify such an opinion. While Jarvis (2004) points out that adults have their own founded beliefs, opinions and values concerning such topics as morality, the educator has to respect such opinions and allow for the challenging of such beliefs while ensuring that the adult learners do not judge their counterparts or dismiss their beliefs (Merriam et al., 2007). This would require evaluation from different perspectives such as scholarly, philosophical, religious or personal convictions. Value in Adult Education Value is also subjective but in the context of adult learning, it entails the ability of a learning program to fulfill its objectives (Pratt, 2002). This is a challenge in adult education since the needs of the learners and the expectations of the learning process vary from one party to another. Value is based on the issues of quality through benchmarking to ensure that the learning process meets the required expectations. Value from an individual learner’s perspective would mean the ability of the learning process to fulfill the learner’s requirements and needs (Jarvis, 2004). Role Analysis Roles of adult educators Adult educators are crucial in the adult learning process. While the adult learners are self directed, they also require coaching especially with issues of age and other factors which limit their learning process (Knowles et al., 2005). Educators thus act as guides to the learners. They set up the instruction plans for learning and objectives and goals of the learning based on the needs assessment of the learners. They also oversee the running of the learning process and act as evaluators at the end of the learning period. They also act as communicators by providing feedback as is needed by the learners especially in evaluation (Merriam & Brockett, 2007). Roles of adult learners Adult learners are self directed and control their learning (Jarvis, 2004). In the learning process, they play the role of learning and take initiatives for their own learning that range from research to doing assignments and other requirements expected of them by the educators and the education system. They take part in the learning process since they are self directed. With the vast knowledge they are endorsed with, they act as resources in the learning process for the educator to use (Pratt, 2002). Further, they act as negotiators especially in the development of the instruction plan through communication on what they would like included and the learning activities expected. Influences of Context on Adult Education The context of adult learning influences the level of learning, programs in place, objectives of learning and the outcome (Pratt, 2002). The context ranges from socio-economic, political, education, cultural, and technological factors among others. The socio-economic factors are very crucial in adult education. This is because of the varied responsibilities of the adult learners such as their financial obligations. This determines the level of income that the adult learner is able to generate to join school. Political influences are also represented by such issues as the financing of the education process. In some countries, for example, the state plays a key role in the financing of adult education which to an extent acts as an incentive for the learners. Educational context ranges from such issues as the course requirements, duration and other prerequisite knowledge among others (Jarvis, 2004). For example, enrolling for a masters degree for an adult learner would require a Bachelor degree thus limiting such learning to that category of adult learners. Culture influences adults in terms of opinions, beliefs, values and attitudes as well as expectations (Knowles et al., 2005). This encompasses gender and age among other factors which influence the enrollment and the learning needs. Additionally, cultural context also entails the level of education culturally accepted and past history. Technology plays an important role in adult learning. It not only forms the context of adult learning but also limits its use to literacy in such technology use. Technology has influenced educational programs through such learning as distance learning and e-learning which form different contexts for adult learning (Merriam et al., 2007). Application of Adult Education to Practice The application of adult education depends on the principles of adult learning. In adult training, adult learners in the business related fields desire to have applications in their own situations at their work places. For example, in teaching the influences of the financial crisis and the strategies for countering such crises, the learners prefer discussion based on their fields of work and career. The adult learners also desire to engage in learning that they perceive important and which can help them in their daily lives. In the educational training field, adult learners enroll for the financial literacy courses which include aspects of financial management, accounting as well as budgeting from all fields with the desire to manage their finances better. Further, adult learning is based on the purposes and objectives of the learning (Pratt, 2002). In the context of offering training programs for employees, the instructions set are based on what is expected of them from the program. However, evaluation is limited and applied to the individual organization for which the training is entailed (Merriam & Brockett, 2007). Conclusion Adult education is a broad field that elicits the interests of psychologists, employers, government and policy makers. This paper has evaluated the purposes, concepts, roles of educators and learners, influences of context and its application to practice. The discussion is based on the characteristics of adult learners as well as the principles of adult learning. Reference List Jarvis, P. (2004). Adult education and lifelong learning: theory and practice. New York: Routledge. Knowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2005). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education & human resource development. New York: Butterworth-Heinemann. Londell, J. (2009). Revisiting adult learning theory through the eyes of an adult learner. Adult Learning, 20 (3/4), 20-22. Merriam, S., & Brockett, R. (2007). The profession and practice of adult education: An introduction. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3 rd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Pratt, D. D. (2002). Five perspectives on teaching in adult and higher education. Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company. Wlodkowski, R. (2008). Enhancing adult motivation to learn: A comprehensive guide for teaching all adults. New York: John Wiley & Sons Publications.

ESSAY: African American Studies Essay The introduction of African American Studies in the curriculums has had a lot of support as well as disapprovals regarding the content coverage. This paper forms an analysis of the challenges and the right Trans or multi-disciplinary approaches required to contribute to growth and development of the studies. The first challenges the researchers of these studies have to face include the Geographical boundaries. Evidently, most analysis and writings of the studies have dealt with the African Americans in the United States thus losing the discipline’s global significance. This come within reach of truth shuts the historical, social and cultural influences of African heritage outside the U.S.A. The studies ought to apply distinctive and appropriate analytical techniques that assist in studying of specific circumstances that captures and accounts for experiences of all the major societies of the African Diaspora especially outside the American setting. (Green, 2001) Secondly, the worldview of African-American studies need well representation and understanding. African worldview consists of values and believes of people with African decent to shape their inter-personal relationship. There studies ought to dwell upon the relationship of people and the environment without denying the wide variation regarding values and believes that assist to distinguish them from people of different origin. According to Irele (2001), the notion regarding African worldview entails the mode of expression for the shared values or believes without uniformly basing the studies upon particular system or a set of practices. The challenge most Africana researchers and writers have to tackle today entails ways of combating a notion that “traditional African beliefs are historical relic of pre-modern life.” (Irele, 2001) A lot of writing has distorted experience of African Americans. The procedure of examining the extent of evolution involving variants of African origin would be a strategy to addressing of the human problems among people of African origin without confinement to a specific region. There is need for a more accurate understanding of the complexity involved in the experiences of the African people. This is a measure to understand the history and contemporary efforts of people. They are shaping their destiny, as opposed to the perception that Africa-Americans are people who wait to consume the western ideas or products. The paradigm of unity is an important aspect of the African-American studies and many writers/researchers have taken it as a major contributor to the social studies discipline. It is an important feature that offers periodical perspective of the Black people. The adequacy of the paradigm requires great thoughts due to the flow required in a text and the fact that the aspect requires constant updating thus continuous research findings. In line with Green (2001), there is need to introduce and embrace the interdisciplinary approach of teaching the subject by enabling a foundation that supports major expansions especially in the upper division of the graduate or undergraduate level of studies. The current curriculum follows the department based structure of the academic organization especially in most higher institutions of education that have familiar chapters like the history, social science, or politics. The conventional wisdom is not enough to acquaint the readers with all the required detail. The alternative ways such as hypothesis and other data sourcing procedures that assist in interpreting experiences not considered within the boundaries of the subject. There is a wide distinction between the various approaches used for instructing scholars with respect to the Africana studies. People must differentiate between interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary procedures of blending or integrating theories of a study. Multidisciplinary process of studying entails a conscious effort to examine the subject matter using various approaches either sequentially or in a parallel format. For instance, a research topic tackled by various contributors form different disciplines. On the other hand, interdisciplinary approach entails blending of theories and methods from various disciplines of an individual study. Both the methods are reactive in relation to the boundaries set by the traditional disciplines. Today, people should decide to adopt trans-disciplinary approach that rejects the existing disciplinary boundaries to diversify the subject and synthesize various approaches of understanding the world to acquire extra information. This is a big challenge because the current trends of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches continue to shape the Africana studies as a study subject lacking progressive interpretation of the culture. (Green, 2001) There have been great omissions of literature concerning women in the past African-American studies. Current research studies ought to address appropriate strategies to enhance the contributions or manifests of women. The contribution should not be gender biased but treated in parallel by fully integrating the women side of events rather than picking their study as an add-on to that of male. Women have widely contributed to the liberation struggle and today it is evident that they equally and possibly playing the role of leadership in a better way especially in areas pertaining education, maintenance of the family, working and politics. Lastly, the biggest challenge requires clear articulation concerns the name used for the studies. Various titles vary from Blacks studies, African studies, Afro-American studies, Africana, Africa-logy and the most common African American studies. The terms are different and possibly portray different meaning while they cater for the same discipline. Lingual perceptions of suffixes and prefixes bring about wide differences and the unmodified topic gives people too much room to diversify the studies beyond the requirements. References Green, Charles. (2001). Manufacturing powerlessness in the black Diaspora: inner-city youth and the new global frontier Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira press Publishers Irele, Abiola. (2001). The African imagination : literature in Africa & the Black Diaspora.\ Oxford; New York: Oxford University press Publishers

ESSAY: After the Oil Crisis, a Food Crisis? Global Rising Food Prices and Their Effects Report (Assessment) This article talks about the rising food prices being experienced globally and their effects. She gives facts and figures to show that the inflation is being experienced everywhere, both in developing and developed countries. However, the effects discussed largely concentrate on developing countries. The author also discusses possible causes and effects of this global phenomenon. She argues that the world’s food prices have increased steadily due to increased price of energy (especially oil) and an increase in the demand due to population growth. The other issue cited as a cause of rapid food inflation is the use of biofuels, especially the diversion of food crops for use in energy production. Additionally, she talks of global warming having a negative effect on food production. The first idea is that the food price increase is real. She states, using figures that the prices have increased everywhere, both in the developed and developing countries. However, the price increase varies from place to place. It is more in poor, food importing, developing countries than in other countries. The second idea is that oil is the largest cause of food inflation. She states that high oil prices have resulted in increased food import prices. The specific way that oil drives up prices has not been discussed in depth. Thirdly, the use of biofuels has affected the demand side of the equation. These biofuel products are also food crops, mainly cereals. By using them for fuel, they constrict the availability of food, causing the price to increase. Lastly, she gives other causes of increased food prices. They include increased pressure from growing economies China and India, and the effects of global warming. Global warming has led to extreme weather, causing a drop in food production globally. Demand: this has been dealt with in respect to food demand. The law of demand has been seen in this case with an increase in price of food due to increased demand. Supply: this has also been dealt with in respect to food availability. The scarcer the food has become, the more expensive it is. Supply has also been constricted by the fact that the product has found multiple uses: it is both used for food and fuel. When supply and demand interact, they produce the equilibrium that sets the price level. Production costs: oil is used in the production process of food. An increase in oil prices causes an increase in the price of input and thus an increase in the cost of production. Therefore food prices are directly proportional to the price of oil, the input product. Substitute products: biofuels are seen as a substitute product for oil. The price of oil causes an increase in demand for cheaper substitute, biofuel. The increased demand for biofuel causes an increase in its price. Inflation: the changes in the global economy have caused an increase in the price of food. Demand: the willingness and ability to purchase a specific good or service at a particular time Supply: the total quantity of a good or service that is made available for buyers in the economy Production costs: the total value of the inputs (both goods and services) used in the producing of a good or service. Substitute good: this is a good or service that can replace another good or service because it satisfies the same need. Inflation: this is the general increase in the price level in an economy. I think the article has a valid argument, that oil prices, biofuels and global warming affect the price level of the food output. I agree that increased demand for food from emerging economies would drive up food prices internationally. However, I think the predictions do not take into account other factors that affect food production and energy, such as technology and innovation. If innovations in agriculture like GM foods are applied, the supply curve may be shifted to the left due to an increase in supply. Additionally, I think that biofuels would bring balance to this equation. If biofuels are properly used with other energy alternatives, they could cause a drop in the demand for oil. This drop would cause a drop in the price of oil and a drop in the cost of energy. In the end, commodities that depend on oil as an input, including food would benefit.

ESSAY: Al-JAZEERA “Arabic Television Network” Research Paper Table of Contents 1. About Al-jazeera 2. History of Al-jazeera 3. Al-jazeera’s Mission 4. Is Al-jazeera Independent? 5. Availability 6. How Al-jazeera acquires videos from extremists holding hostages. 7. Other content aired by Al-jazeera apart from the news 8. Works Cited About Al-jazeera Al-jazeera is probably the most successful news television network, with an Arabic origin, in terms of number of viewers. In fact, it is arguably the most watched news television channel in the Arab world. It has a rising viewer following in the rest of the world especially in the English speaking developing countries. The channel originated from Qatar under the funding of the Emir of Qatar who wanted to create an independent news channel (“Who is Aljazeera?”). He wanted his country to be different from the traditional Arabic countries. The word Al-jazeera is an Arabic word meaning the island and the naming of this television channel was after its origin, Qatar that is an island. The naming may be symbolic in that the channel claims to be the only politically independent television network in the Middle East and thus an isolated case in the Middle East television world. Most of the other Arabic networks are heavily controlled by the political regimes of the respective regions. Having been founded and funded by a non-democratic government, one may wonder how it can be politically independent. Can the Emir fund it and still allow it to carry out broadcasts without bias? Such questions and the controversial content of the channel make most people doubt its editorial independence. However, over the years Aljazeera has acquired the trust of many of its viewers especially from the Middle East although a notable portion of the rest of the world also trusts the channel. The approach taken by Aljazeera in collecting and broadcasting information may be controversial but more people are appreciating and trusting Aljazeera. The channel has no editorial control center and therefore each section is allowed to air its contents independently. Two scholars, El-nawawy and Powers carried out a study of Aljazeera. They concluded that the television network is able to air controversial issues in a way that does not create more disharmonies. History of Al-jazeera Al-jazeera was first launched in 1996 and the station aired all its broadcasts in Arabic until 2006 when an English version of the channel was launched. Earlier in 2003 before the launching of the English-language version (Al-jazeera International), an Aljazeera English site had been created and featured an English translation of the networks content. The contents of Aljazeera Arabic and Aljazeera English channels are not at all similar and represent different news and comments. Initially, Aljazeera was categorized as an alternative media but media scholars have argued that Al-jazeera is a transformation of the alternative media. It is more inclined towards the mainstream media category. Most of the staff members of Aljazeera are western trained and some have previously worked in the mainstream channels like BBC, CBC and CNN. Since the channel was founded after the shut down of BBC world service’s Arabic television network, it absorbed most of the workers left jobless by this action. It therefore took off on talent recognized and developed by the BBC. With the Emir of Qatar providing the necessary funds, Al-jazeera was able to pouch talent from the established western media networks. In fact, the managing director of Aljazeera English, Tony Burman was previously the head of CBC’s news and current affairs operations (“Directors and Deputy Directors”). This is why scholars categorize Aljazeera as a mainstream channel. Alternative media channels hire ‘native’ reporters who are not experienced and well-trained journalists. Al-jazeera was very popular with the Middle East residents in its early days of operation. It had brought about something the Middle East population had not seen before. They were used to national television networks that were heavily censored by the government. However, Al-jazeera was providing uncensored information and even criticizing and challenging the governments’ actions. Al-jazeera also aired confrontational shows where it allowed guests to speak out their opinions. Caller sessions were also integrated in the shows further drawing the viewers’ interest. The channel however received criticism from some of its viewers and authoritarian bodies. After the 2001 September 11 terrorist attack on the US, the channel aired videos from Osama and other extremists resulting in a lot of interest from the Americans (“Who is Al-jazeera?”). During the Iraqi war, it aired live coverage from its offices in Iraq. This catapulted it to international recognition. The channel was also the first to air the cell phone video covering the hanging of Saddam Hussein and footages of other situations, which mainstream news channels like CNN and BBC, were unable to cover. These footages led to many criticisms towards Aljazeera. The Iraqi government accused Aljazeera of fuelling the war by airing videos depicting violence. Most Americans also accused Aljazeera of collaborating with terrorists since they could not understand how Aljazeera could obtain and air videos of terrorists like Osama Bin Laden making anti-American threats and other extremists holding hostages and making demands. Al-jazeera continued to air videos from Al-jazeera amid disapproval from the American government. Following this, Al-jazeera was regarded as the terrorists’ mouthpiece and Bin Ladens’ channel of choice. These controversies led to Aljazeera increasing its viewer base but generating a lot of criticism from the same viewers. Al-jazeera’s Mission In the Middle East, it is believed that the news channels are not independent from the government’s influence and these governments censor any content aired. The media cannot therefore air anything that is against the government and even the slightest anti government broadcast is considered as treason. When Aljazeera was founded, it was aimed at being free media that will provide accurate and impartial news to the world with a global perspective. With the backing of the Emir, the channel has continued to criticize other regimes. It also provides opportunities for individuals and bodies including terrorists to air their opinions. The channel has also been providing a much in-depth coverage of conflicts in the developing countries and the Middle East, which may not be covered to such an extent by the western mainstream media bodies. Is Al-jazeera Independent? During its early broadcasting days, it was hard for Americans to trust Aljazeera. This is because very few Americans understood Arabic and they could not trust what they do not understand. After the launch of the English version, more individuals that are non-Arabic could understand the broadcasts and make their own conclusions on whether they are independent or politically biased. Perhaps the most direct indicator that Aljazeera is politically independent is when it was banned from various Arab world countries, for example, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, for criticizing and challenging the host governments. On the other hand, Aljazeera has been criticized for not broadcasting hard-hitting news originating from its host country Qatar. Aljazeera has been critical of most Arabian regimes. However, it barely covers politics in Qatar (Byrd and Kawarabayashi, 8). Availability Aljazeera English is available in the Middle East via satellite. It can be viewed in any Middle East country where it has not been banned. In the United States, it is available through subscription television and free to air DVB-S on galaxy 25 and galaxy 23 satellites. In Canada, it is provided by CRTC. Aljazeera Arabic is only available to the Arabic speaking countries via satellite. In Australia and UK, Aljazeera is available through satellite at no cost. Online, Aljazeera English is available from their official website, Aljazeera.net and through YouTube where sections of broadcasts are uploaded. Aljazeera English section is providing live broadcasts worldwide. The Aljazeera online services through its official website are available at a subscription fee. The Availability of Aljazeera through the internet enables people without satellite television to access their broadcasts. In the US and many other English-speaking countries, especially the developing countries, it is available without restriction and any one can view the broadcasts. How Al-jazeera acquires videos from extremists holding hostages. In the past, Aljazeera has broadcasted videos of extremist holding hostages and terrorists like Osama bin laden making anti-American threats. Some people even termed Aljazeera as the terrorist media (“terror television”). However, Aljazeera has defended itself by claiming that it does not air some of the videos, which it deems fanatical. All these videos are made available to the channel officials by either the terrorists or the kidnappers indirectly. The extremists for example drop the tapes near the gates of the stations office. The tapes are also sent to the channels offices anonymously such that the senders cannot be traced. Aljazeera journalist may also offer the extremists conditions of anonymity to be able to acquire the video tapes but this is just speculation and no evidence is available to prove it. There have been claims that Aljazeera maintains a website for contacting extremists. Other content aired by Al-jazeera apart from the news In addition to news, Al-jazeera offers other interesting features. It has interesting talk shows where it features diverse types of guests and they are usually confrontational. They were the initial sources of attraction from the Middle East residents. The talk shows integrate caller sessions where uncensored calls are put through the guests from the viewers. Al-jazeera English has of late launched other services apart from the news section in order to provide diverse content to its viewers. The increase in content diversity is probably meant to increase its viewer base. The new services launched include: Al-jazeera sports, Al-jazeera live, Al-jazeera children’s channel, Al-jazeera documentary channel and Al-jazeera training channel. Al-jazeera sports’ is a sport channel that covers major sporting events and has obtained a large viewer base in the Middle East. This sports channel has several sections that air different sports events. It has become the most popular sports channel in the Middle East countries. Al-jazeera live also known as Al-jazeera mubasher is a channel that broadcasts live conferences. The conferences are not broadcasted without any editing, commentary or translation. Subtitles are used in case any translation is needed. Al-jazeera children (JCC) as the name suggests is directed towards children. It is meant to be an education and entertainment channel for children. Works Cited Byrd, Kahil and Kawarabayashi, Theresse. “ Aljazeera-The Opinion and the Other Opinion .” MIT’s Media in Transition 3. 4 May 2004. Web. “Directors and Deputy Directors”. About US. Aljazeera English. 23 Oct. 2009. Web. El-nawawy, Mohammed and Powers, Shawn. “Aljazeera: Clash of Civilization or Cross Cultural Dialogue.” Aljazeera English Research Project . n.d. Web. “Who is Aljazeera, What is Aljazeera, Where is Aljazeera.” Aljazeera- Discussion and Encyclopedia Article . 2009. Web.

ESSAY: An Adventure with My Pet Pit-Bull Dog “Tiger” Essay They say that a dog is man’s best friend. While I cannot establish the universal truth of this declaration, I have no doubts that the statement holds true to me concerning Tiger, my 5 year old Pit Bull. Tiger is a brown, thickly muscled medium sized dog. His agile nature combined with his broad cheeks which conceal powerful jaws no doubt make him very intimidating to most people. Quite on the contrary, Tiger is a gentle creature who enjoys playing and is very eager to please. I first met my dog at a dog shelter as my friend and I were shopping for a pet. A staff at the shelter informed me that Tiger was one of the victims of an illegal dog fighting syndicate that breeds dogs for illegal fighting. A look at the dogs battered face and scarred body affirmed this. One look at the dog’s friendly smile and warm eyes and I decided to adopt him. Since then, I have had numerous adventures with my dog and many lucky escapes. One of the incidents that quickly springs to mind is from an evening late last year. I was taking Tiger on his regular evening walks when I decided to venture into the forest that borders the park. Tiger was very grateful for this treat for I normally kept him on a short leash and rarely let him venture anywhere near the woods. Judging by the yelps from the dog and the regular jumping up and down, I could tell that Tiger was enjoying this outdoor experience very much. Since I still had the leash on him, I decided to release him from this so that he could enjoy himself even more. No sooner had I unclipped the chain than the dog sprung off into a well concealed path that I had not noticed before. I called out for the dog to come back to me but my calls went unheeded. Now this was an unlikely behavior since Tiger was a well trained dog and he would never disobey my commands. For some minutes, I stood still contemplating whether to rush after my dog or to leave him to himself. After deliberating for a while, I decided to follow after him although I made a mental note to punish the dog for being disobedient. Having decided that, I sprinted off in the direction that Tiger had taken and after about ten minutes, I made out the Pit Bull moving in a slow and deliberate manner towards an opening. I assumed that his movement was in an effort for stealth and so I followed his example and gently moved forward and at last I could see what was making Tiger so cautious. Below us lay two log cabin houses that had definitely seen better days. However, that was not what fascinated me. It was the young couple who were trussed against a tree outside the cabins that caught my attention. Before I had time to make sense of what I was seeing, a menacing looking lanky man came out wielding a sharp dagger. It was then that I realized that Tiger had just uncovered a kidnapping incident. The lanky man got to the couple and after a short exchange, the tied down woman cried out in what I could only assume was pain. Tiger barred his great teeth and I had no doubt that he was willing to run off and fight the enemy to the death if I commanded him to do so. However, I decided that it would be better if we informed the authorities. As luck would have it, I had left my cell phone at home and therefore had no means of communicating to the police. One look at Tiger and I knew that we were not going to leave the hapless couple to the mercies of the scary man. I therefore signaled for Tiger to distract the kidnaper while I made attempts to free the couple. Tiger whisked off to the other end of the compound and after a few minutes, he let out a loud howl that got the attention of the kidnapper for in an instance, he ran off in Tiger’s direction. With the man out, I took to my heels and headed in the couple’s direction. A closer look revealed that the man had also gagged them. I therefore proceeded to remove the gags and the first words that came out of the man’s mouth were to inform me that the kidnapper had a gun. By now it was too late to retreat and so I went on to untie the ropes that held the young couple captive. I could still hear Tiger’s angry barks and I was sure that there was an ugly show down between the kidnapper and Tiger. Having untied the couple, we rushed off into the woods and I prayed that my brave Pit Bull would survive his dangerous encounter. We were still making out way out of the woods when I looked back and saw Tiger running towards us. His fine coat was bloodied but save for that he seemed to be in good shape. We got to the park safely and after taking my contacts amidst copious thanks, the couple went to report the matter to the police. Tiger and I made our way to our home and on our way, we received curious looks from people who were wondering about our worn out looks. I smiled back and thought to myself that they would never have imagined the adventure that my heroic dog Tiger and I had just had.

ESSAY: An Analysis of Michelangelo’s work Term Paper Michelangelo’s work has been the subject of criticism from experts and art admirers all over the world. As one of the most celebrated artists of his time, he produced hundreds of works most of which are existent to date and as such it will be very difficult and almost impossible to analyze all his work in one sitting. This essay identifies two of his most popular works and isolates them for review. First is the sculpture titled, The Pieta which the artist got frustrated with and destroyed, though it was later reconstructed (Wallace 233). The second piece of artwork is the sculpture of David as he attacks Goliath. In the essay, a detailed analysis of the Pieta shall be given particularly criticizing an error that Michelangelo had made in the design of the sculpture. In the second part, a brief review of the sculpture of David shall be provided as well as a comparison of the sculpture with a similar one by his peer, Lorenzo Bernini. The Pieta (1498-1499) This is a marble sculpture located in the St. Peter’s Basilica in Italy (Jameson 37). It was the first commissioning of a number of artworks by the same theme that Michelangelo did. The statue was paid for by a French cardinal in Rome called Jean de Billheres. The statue had initially been intended to be used as the funeral monument for the cardinal but was moved relocated to the position where it currently rests.This famous piece of art shows the limp body of Jesus laying in the arms of Mary, his mother after being unhooked from the cross. This piece of artwork has been the subject of constant criticism based on its improper proportions. Unlike other Michelangelo’s figures which have strong and robust limbs, the pietta presents Jesus with disproportionate and fragile lower extremities. He (Michelangelo) heavily exaggerated the dimensions of the limbs, as well their complexity in an effort to present an appreciable beauty. Exaggerated strength and stability has come to be noticed as the hallmark of Michalengelo’s style-this is the impression that people get when they hear the name Michelangelo (Crawford 319). The Pieta can easily be identified as Michelangelo’s work based on the strength and robustness of the arms (Schiller, 179). The most clearly discernable mistake which Michelangelo made on this piece is in the folded leg of the man. He made it so small and without any strength to the extent that it disappoints the viewer. This leg looks like that of an old man and makes Jesus look almost paralyzed. At the time Michelangelo did the sculpture he was very old and his body had withered. This has led to the fronting of the argument that Michelangelo could have used his own body as a model for his work. Most critics cannot understand the lapse of aesthetic judgment that befell Michelangelo as he did the sculpture. The leg is also folded at a very unrealistic acute angle. It has always been known that curves are the elements of beauty. Of course, some angles cannot be avoided but of all Michelangelo’s sculptures the Pieta is the only one that has such a profound under-looking in structure. This leg has also been described as offensive to the principles of composition by some analysts and critics because it does not appear to offer support the general weight of Jesus’ body. The sculpture is on average top-heavy with all the attention of the sculptural group being congregated in the region four feet from the surface of the ground. The base of any good sculpture must have some sort of structure to take care of the weigh of the piece. This base has to handle the force of gravity generated by the material used to design the structure as well as account for the fictional gravity presented in the composition. In the Pieta, fictional gravity has been taken care of effectively in a number of ways. Nicodemus has been positioned in such a manner that he appears to hold up the body of Christ. This body also rests slightly on Mary’s (Jesus’ mother) lap. Mary Magdalene in her positioning to the right of offers the impression that she is there to offer support to the body of Jesus should it fall her way (Schiller, 180). Unfortunately, there is no weight that has been allocated to the right folded leg. As far as the real gravity is concerned, the only support that can be identified is the crooked leg. This is very unconvincing and from the composition, Christ’s body is falling off Mary’s lap so it is very difficult for one to believe that Nicodemus is the one offering all the support against gravity. Michelangelo has given very many reasons for destroying the sculpture but unfortunately he never gave the unconvincing leg as one of them. As artists, it isdisappointing that we have to believe that one of the master artists who the world looks upto could approve such a mistake. The sculpture of David In the sculpture of David by Michelangelo, he (David) is portrayed on one part as the ideal man, and as an adolescent youth in the other part. Unlike his predecessors who depicted David with the macabre head of the slain giant under his foot (Nordlander 2967). Michelangelo sculpts David in the instance that he is just facing the giant before the attack. It is almost as if he believed that this was David’s moment of unchallenged courage. The sculpture is based on a drawing of the masculine human figure and has one leg receiving the whole weight of the sculpture alongside gravitational forces while the other leg rest a few inches infront. One hand holds the sling to the back of the figure while the other hand rests on the side. The head and torso are slightly larger than the proportions of other elements within the lower body. Comparison between Michelangelo’s David and the one done by Gian Lorenzo Bernini Michelangelo’s David is a clear representation of the average sculpture from the Renaissance period. It does not necessarily show any creativity in the sense that it is an almost exact representation of the real person and scene-it is just a portrait sculpture. In Roman copies of ancient Greek statues, some sort of structural support has to be provided for the sculpture and this one by Michelangelo is no different. The sculpture of David is presented in contrapposto, with some sort of tension and watchfulness in his face. Michelangelo gave this sculpture an almost child like face clear of any emotion. He (Michelangelo) showed movement in only one arm of the sculpture and some little motion in the turning of the head. Gian Lorenzo Bernini on his part created a dramatic representation of the hero. He not only shows the anger that is boiling within him (David) but also provides the insinuation that he is ready to confront the danger that is ahead of him. In the sculpture, David is on the attack with a loaded sling on his hand. The muscles on his upper arms are tense and an almost mocking grimace is shown on the face. Unlike Michelangelo’s work, the sculpture of David by Bernini looks exactly his age, and has some little clothing on; Michelangelo’s David is totally naked. Bernini took time to show movement in the head, the arm and the torso while doing the sculpture. Conclusion It is worth noting that Michelangelo may well be the most celebrated artist of the 17 th century. This is probably why any small mistake in his artwork cannot go unnoticed as has been illustrated by the analysis of the Pieta above. Many of his peers also went ahead to try and do similar work to his; for example, Bernini’s imitation of the sculpture of David. However, history has gone to prove that his (Michelangelo’s) work could not be duplicated as Bernini’s David, though arguably superior to Michelangelo’s has never attracted much audience. Finally, as has been revealed in this paper analyzing a great artist’s work will take more than a few pages and that convincing the entire world to have a particular point of view as regards the work of a master artist is impossible. Works Cited Crawford, Francis. Ave Roma immortalis: studies from the chronicles of Rome. United States : Macmillan Co., 1899. Print. Jameson, Anna. Legends of the Madonna: as represented in the fine arts . United States: Kessinger Publishing, 2006. Print. Nordlander, Brage. “Michelangelo’s David has a squint.” Medline 102.41. (2005): 2967. Print Schiller, Gertrud. Iconography of Christian Art . London: Lund Humphries, 1972. Print. Wallace, William. Michelangelo, Life and Early Works: Selected Scholarship in English. United Kingdom: Garland, 1995. Print.

ESSAY: An Enemy of the People Analytical Essay Characters’ positions on the problem of the springs. How are they fulfilling their moral obligations as representatives of their institutions In Arthur Miller’s play “An Enemy of the people,” Dr. Tom Stockmann represents the science institution found in our society. Although he made a discovery that he thought may be of assistance to the people, they turned against him as he pressed for changes to be made to the polluted Kirsten Springs. He is idealistic and excitable and his duty to his profession takes precedence over his duty to his family and employer. In this matter, Stockman is the only one who is right since he does not compromise his moral obligations to the society, although he is branded “an enemy of the people”. His brother, Peter Stockman, who is the mayor of the town, represents the government. He does not appreciate the seriousness of the problem. In fear of the people, he turns town the proposed solution saying that it could come at a considerable cost to the town. He fails to fulfill his moral obligations to the community since he hides the truth from them. He is a traitor to the town. As a representative of the government, he fails to acknowledge the crucial role that scientific experts play in a democratic community. Since he lacked a special knowledge in science, he allowed his ruthless political views to take precedence over his moral obligations to the community. Therefore, even though he succumbed to the wishes of the people, he cannot be given any credit because as a leader one has to stand for what is right regardless of the political consequences. Hovstad, who is the editor of the town’s leftist newspaper, represents the media in the society. Although he wanted to publish the truth behind the problem at the Kirsten Springs, the mayor convinced him otherwise. Therefore, he concealed the truth so as not to upset his subscribers. In doing so, Hovstad attacked Dr. Stockman’s freedom of speech and self-respect, especially since the town needed the right advice from a qualified professional. The author depicts that those who are in positions of power and influence, like the editor and the mayor, can presume what interests the majority and then tailor their services to please them. However, Hovstad was not fulfilling his moral obligation to the society. Instead of telling the people the truth, although it was a threat to the interests of the majority, he sided with the authorities in hiding the unpopular opinion. A rich old man, Morten Kiil, who is the adoptive father of Dr. Stockmann’s wife, represents the business people in the society. He is the owner of most of the tanneries that the town doctor implicated as a source that contaminated the waters. He has agreed to assign a good deal of his wealth to the family of Dr. Stockmann upon his death. In this saga, he sees the position that Dr. Stockmann has taken as a threat that can ruin his businesses. He fails to fulfill his moral obligation to the society by allowing his love for money to take precedence over the lives of the tourists who will be visiting the waters. The citizens of the town did not accept Dr. Stockmann’s claims. They turned against him en masse, denouncing him as a lunatic. They allowed themselves to be deceived by their leaders, instead of acknowledging the role of scientific experts in advising them in case of a crisis. This implies that the majority of people in society are ignorant since most of them believe the politicians more than they believe the scientific experts. Therefore, since the majority usually rules in a democracy, they have the right to choose their leaders. Mrs. Catherine Stockmann, Dr. Stockmann’s wife, is depicted as being loyal and practical. He often motivates her husband to put his family forward. However, Tom Stockmann allows his duty to his profession to take precedence over the wishes of his wife. How government, business, the media, the scientific community and the people are fulfilling their moral and ethical obligations in today’s world In our current society, the government, business people, the media, the scientific community, and the people are fulfilling their moral and ethical obligations in different ways. The government is charged with the duty of providing safety to its citizens from environmental hazards that can harm their lives; that is, it has the ethical obligation of enacting necessary measures to ensure their protection from dangers. The business people are fulfilling their ethical obligation by selling to the consumers’ products that cannot harm their lives. In case their services are likely to endanger the lives of their customers, they have the moral obligation not to let their love for money to take precedence over the lives of the people. The media has the ethical obligation of giving the public the correct information, which is not distorted to satisfy the interests of some people in positions of authority. In today’s world, the media is obliged to provide an avenue for unpopular opinions, even if it will threaten the interests of the majority. For example, the sexual scandal that involved President Bill Clinton received unbiased media coverage. The scientific community is obliged to provide people with appropriate direction that can avert a crisis from taking place. Since the scientific experts have enough knowledge, they are better placed to make decisions concerning various global challenges, such as pollution, environmental degradation, and nuclear energy. The people are obliged to trust the direction given by the scientific experts. And when there is a conflict between the politicians and the experts, they are to embrace the ideas of the latter since they seek to protect their lives. However, it is important to note that as much as everyone is trying to fulfill his or her moral obligations, the world is in a mess because people do not want to acknowledge one another’s moral obligations. Everyone feels that he or she is right, and inevitably, rampant confusion sets in. Our moral obligation to other people and other living things should not have any boundaries since we should strive to meet their needs without any bias. Every one of us should do his or her best in making the world a better place to live in. This cannot be achieved if we maintain an individualistic or egocentric worldview.

ESSAY: Analysis and Review of the Decisions made in the Simulation of the Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care (LHAC) Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Summary of the Simulation 3. Analysis of the Decisions Made in the Simulation 4. Identification of the root cause 5. Establishment of Airway 6. Benchmarking Partner 7. Process Improvement Strategies 8. Summary and Conclusion 9. Reference List Introduction Organizations in the society exist in an environment that requires comparison with other similar organizations for improvement purposes. Depending on the objectives of an organization, performance benchmarking has proved to be an effective way of ensuring that they maintain a competitive advantage in the industry. The health sector is not an exception. Through simulation, performance benchmarking is done to ensure that health organizations maintain quality service, the safety of the patients, staff and other people in the sector while fulfilling the standards of the regulators. The health sector is faced with various issues that require to be addressed. The online simulation process in the health sector is crucial in the training of personnel, making their decision making process easier and ensuring the safety of the patients while making use of innovations in this case. This paper addresses the decisions made in the online simulation of Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care. Summary of the Simulation The simulation carried out on Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care was to address the increases in the nosocomial infections. These infections are a threat to the hospital due to its role in ensuring the safety of the patients and other personnel and people involved in the process (Jarvis, 2008). The increases proved to be unsustainable from a liability perspective since the personnel and other resources were concentrating more on them yet they originated from the hospital practices. The costs involved in their treatment and management proved to be inefficient. The infections also proved unsustainable from a quality perspective since LHAC was questioned on its quality maintenance and assurance in the process. This was done through performance benchmarking to identify the root causes of the problem, the establishment of airway recommendations and identification of process improvement strategies. The simulation identified the root causes as the equipment practices that were rather inefficient in the hospital and offered recommendations based on effective sanitation and the incorporation of the functional strategy to the business strategy. Analysis of the Decisions Made in the Simulation This section addresses the decisions made from the simulation classified as the root cause, the airway recommendations established, the benchmarking partnership and the process improvement strategies. Identification of the root cause The Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care (LHAC) has experienced increases in the rates of nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infections as Jarvis (2008) assert comes as a result of transmission of an infectious disease which could be contagious or caused by a pathogenic organism. The types of these nosocomial infections range from surgical related infections, central nervous system infections, skin infections, blood stream infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections which all are facilitated by the conditions and practices at the hospital facilities (Health Grades Inc, 2010). The process of addressing nosocomial infections is critical due to the diagnosis that is sensitive and the fact that some of them turn out to be drug resistant. The identification of the root cause of the infections was the most prudent way of addressing the issue to avoid recurrences and reduce costs in management. The simulation on Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care (LHAC) identified the root cause of the nosocomial infections increase as the equipment practices in the hospital that were inefficient. This cause was motivated by the exposures to diseases and environmental pollutants in the hospital (Health Grades Inc, 2010). The inefficient use of facilities was related to lack of homogeneity in the use of equipment in the various departments, sharing of the equipments among departments, poor sanitation of the equipment, the fact that the equipment was not enough while personal responsibility and proper use of the equipment was limited. The infections thus spread even as the number of patients in the departments increased. The infections were further encouraged by lack of coordination of equipment use. For example, two or more different departments could be using the same equipment in their diagnosis of conditions, which could lead to the easier transmission between patients due to exposure to contaminants. The hospital also lacked tracking systems to monitor the use and care of equipment (Thornton, De Rosa & Craven, 2002). In addressing the root cause of the problem of nosocomial infections, personally, I could include more monitoring systems and checks of the environmental pollutants and training process of personnel to be able to identify whether their lack of experience with the equipment caused them to be unable to use them or whether it was out of negligence and ignorance and provide the necessary recommendations accordingly. Establishment of Airway The identification of the root cause of the nosocomial infections being inefficient handling of equipment at Lenity Hospital, there was a need to offer recommendations that would seek to ensure proper management of the equipment and an environment of safety and caution. The recommendations offered were on the basis of the risks they posed through contamination to patients, staff and visitors at the hospital. They were also based on the regulations requirements for health safety in the health sector as a way of improving the health care and quality health (Moller & Sonntag, 1998). The recommendations offered include the effective training of personnel on the use of the equipment and increasing their awareness of the nosocomial infections (Lack, 1996). This recommendation is necessary since the equipment in the health care facilities do require knowledge in the use and maintenance. The skills on the use of the equipment would make the personnel aware of their contributions in nosocomial infections and provide ways of minimizing them. Another recommendation was the use of a tracking system. This system would serve to ensure the sanitation of the equipment. The sanitation would be necessary to ensure safety through avoidance of sharing of equipment that poses a high risk of infection (Cohen, 2006). Additionally, the system would require accountability of inventory. It is also recommendable that Lenity hospital ensures the availability of equipment and distribution through out the departments and also ensures reliability where the equipment would be available when needed to avoid the use of other equipment that would increase the risk of infection. Further, the equipment that is very risky would require being disposable to avoid contamination through reuse due to the sensitivity of the equipment (Moller & Sonntag, 1998). For example the equipment dealing with the injections blood and so on. The outcome of the recommendation was impressive. Lenity management set up a tracking system for the sanitation of the equipment. They additionally, instituted inventory controls with the employment of inventory clerks. The clerks have the mandate of ensuring that the inventory bought meets the safety requirements and minimizes the risk of infections as much as possible. They also have the responsibility of ensuring that the equipment is supplied in the hospital in due time and track the stock levels to ensure that the equipment is bought in time. The hospital management also sought on reducing infection through the use of disposable equipment and the maintenance of a sterilizing department to oversee the safety after the cleaning of equipment before reuse. In doing of the simulation for another time, I could have followed the steps and measures I took in this current one since it was conclusive and the recommendations proved feasible and would not only ensure safety and reduce nosocomial infections, but would also improve the reputation of LHAC and reduce the costs of operation (Zulch & Rinn, 1999). Benchmarking Partner The benchmarking partner chosen for this simulation was the information services department of the Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care. This was based on the reason that this was part of the LHAC and so would provide internal information regarding the safety. Additionally, the department would offer statistics to base the simulation on and provide the resources of the best practice in the sector (Cohen, 2006). The department proved reliable in providing the information needed on the safety levels, use of the equipment, data on nosocomial infections as well as the comparisons with the industry since LHAC covers a great share of market in the health sector. In doing the simulation again, I would incorporate the safety department to assess the levels of safety and comparisons with the safety expectations of the health sector. Process Improvement Strategies The functional strategy was chosen to be incorporated in the overall business strategy since the strategy is feasible and applicable in the reference area of ensuring the management of equipment. This strategy emphasizes resource productivity and uses specialized work force (Thornton et al., 2002). This is recommendable to ensure that the use of equipments at Lenity Hospital is by specialized people to avoid misuse and increase the sensitivity to safety. It was observed that there is need to incorporate the functional strategy to the overall business strategy (Jarillo, 1993). This would be by emphasizing the need for safety and proper management of equipment in every department and the endeavor to reduce the nosocomial infections from a departmental basis. Summary and Conclusion The simulation carried out on Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care revealed the root cause of the increasing nosocomial infections as the inefficient equipment practices. This scenario is common not to LHAC only, but in major health care facilities. The inefficient equipment practices are attributable to the strategies of safety and management, lack of awareness in the use of the equipment or lack of personal responsibility. The simulation recognized the need to address the nosocomial infections as a way of reducing the costs involved in the treatment and management, the improvement of the reputation of LHAC and the fulfillment of the industry safety and legal requirements. The recommendations provided were the establishment of a tracking system, effective training of personnel and the increase in sanitation practices. The benchmark partner used for the simulation was the information services department of Lenity Hospital while the functional strategy was emphasized with the need to ensure that the overall business strategy acts as the guide in this. The simulation was effectively done without the need for major changes in the approach although the benchmark partner would further incorporate the safety department of Lenity Hospital. Reference List Cohen, S. (2006). Virtual Decisions. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publications. Health Grades Inc. (2010). Nosocomial Infections . Web. Jarillo, C. (1993). Strategic Networks: Creating Borderless Organizations . Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Jarvis, W. (2008). Bennett & Brachman’s Hospital Infections. London: A & C Black Publishers Limited. Lack, R. (1996). Essentials of Health and Safety Management . New York: CRC Press. Moller, J., & Sonntag, H. (1998). Systematic analysis and controlling of health care organizations lead to numerical health care improvements. Health Manpower Management, 24 (5), 178-182. Thornton, D., De Rosa, F., & Craven, D. (2002). Nosocomial pneumonia: emerging concepts in diagnosis, management, and prophylaxis. Current Opinion in Critical Care, 8 (5), 421-429. Zulch, G., & Rinn, A. (1999). Simulation based performance analysis and benchmarking. International Journal of Business Performance Management, 1 (2), 200-218.

ESSAY: Analysis of Businesses Effort to Become Carbon Neutral Report Introduction Background to t he study Over the recent past, there has been an increment in the degree of sensitivity with regard to corporate social responsibility amongst the large and small enterprise operating in various economic sectors. According to Epstein (2008, p.288), management teams of firms in different economic sectors are becoming more concerned with the stakeholders and other social issues. As a result, they are committed towards ensuring that they improve the publicity of their business enterprises thus becoming good corporate citizens. The shift has resulted from an increment in pressure by either the stakeholders or due to an increment in government regulation. In addition, the shift has also been occasioned by the high rate of globalization. Fisher (2009, p. 1) is of the opinion that the high rate of globalization is culminating into an increment in the rate at which the world economy is becoming integrated. This presents numerous opportunities for firms to exploit. However, a new set of dynamics have also resulted. Some of these challenges are relate to climate change. There has been increased criticism towards business as being one of the major contributors towards various environmental issues being experienced currently. One of these issues relate to global warming. This is evident in that businesses have a significant contribution in the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted to the environment. These gases are a major factor in the rise rate of global warming which is a major reason for the current climate change. In an effort to minimize environmental degradation, various governments have formulated climate change strategies and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to a particular baseline within a given period. In addition, other policy packages which firms are required to implement include adoption of cleaner technologies and emission trading. Some countries such as the United Kingdom have established energy tax which is charged on firms depending on the amount of carbon they emit (OECD, 2002, p.81). The objective of these policies is to ensure that firms become carbon neutral in their operation. The major driving factor why firms are emphasizing on becoming carbon neutral is to be “clean” in their operation. The resultant effect is that firms will be able to attain their profit maximization objective via reduction in the cost operation and improvement in their publicity. As a result, firms in different economic sectors have adopted the concept of carbon neutrality in their operation via incorporation of various strategies. Given the level of awareness with regard to the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, various firms have implemented strategies aimed at attaining carbon neutrality in an effort to comply with the environmental regulations. The strategies being implemented play a significant role in reducing the amount of carbon they emit into the environment. Businesses are making adjustments either to the inputs used or their quantity so as to reduce the amount of waste generated. For example, firms are adopting cleaner technologies in their operation. Some of these technologies utilize green energy in their operation. The resultant effect is that there is significant reduction in the treatment of the resulting waste. In a quest to become carbon neutral, various firms are making changes to their corporate strategy. The core objective of these changes is to minimize carbon emission. According to Howe and Gerrad (2010, p.306), increased incorporation of these strategies has led into firms claiming to be carbon neutral. Not only is the credibility of claims by firms being carbon neutral evident in their operational strategies but also in the product they supply to the consumers. For example, Dell Company which deals with technology products supplies cost saving and environmental friendly products. In addition, the firm has also invested in renewable energy such as solar energy. These claims are credible considering the significance of the strategies in enabling a firm to attain carbon neutrality. Aim The report is aimed at analyzing businesses’ effort to become carbon neutral and whether the claims made by businesses indicating that they are carbon neutral are credible. Scope The report is organized into a number of sections. A discussion illustrating the importance of sustainability in business operation is outlined. The various ways through which the environmental regulations implemented are influencing business actions are discussed. In addition, the concept of carbon neutrality and its benefits to businesses is analyzed. The role of intermediaries which can help organizations attain carbon neutrality is evaluated. The report also discusses the concept of offsetting. Finally, conclusion and a set of recommendations are outlined. Sustainability In order to cope with changes in the environment, it has become necessary for firm’s management teams to formulate a new set of operational strategies which would enable the firms to survive in the long term. The resultant effect is that firms would be able to attain the concept of corporate sustainability. The term sustainability is used differently according to the phenomenon being described. For example, environmentalists use term ecological sustainability while business individuals use the term economic sustainability. On the other hand, sociologists use the term social sustainability. Considering the dynamic nature of business environment, it has become vital for management teams to consider integrating the concept of corporate sustainability planning. Fisher (2009, p.2) defines corporate sustainability planning as the process of ensuring that there is a balance between a firm’s economic growth, its commitment towards environmental protection and ensuring social equity. Attaining carbon neutrality is one of the ways through which a firm can consider to be committed towards environmental sustainability. Corporate sustainability is currently being considered as a new management philosophy. In the 21 st century, the concept of corporate sustainability planning is being appreciated by businesses of all walks. According to Fisher, one of the reasons why the concept of sustainability is gaining so much attention is associated with firm’s effort to operate cost effectively (2009, p.1). By being carbon neutral, a firm can be able to be cost effective in its operation. This arises from the various strategies being implemented such as utilization of renewable energy. In addition, via incorporation of corporate sustainability, it is possible for firms to address key aspects of its existence as outlined below. * Organizational growth * Profitability * Social justice * Environmental protection * Equality in terms of environmental, social and economic issues Fisher asserts that by being conscious of the environment in which the firm is operating, every firm will be committed towards reducing their waste disposal. The resultant effect is that the firm is able to save money while at the same time protect the environment. In addition, the concept of sustainability enables the firm’s management team to align its organizational goals such as its profit maximization objective with environmental principles. This means that sustainability presents a classic opportunity for firms to maximize profit and minimize cost while at the same time improving the planet and the livelihood of its people (2009, p.2). Increased attention on sustainability amongst business enterprises is highly warranted. This is mainly so with regard to the environment. Currently, the world is experiencing numerous challenges. A report by the World Bank (2008, p.11) asserts that environmental issues are one of the major concerns in the world. All countries around the world have increased their environmental concern especially with regard to carbon emission. However, it is the less developed countries which are hardest hit by changes in the environment and climate change. The World Bank has been a major advocate in ensuring that firms incorporate the concept of environmental sustainability. The current environmental damage is a cause for concern amongst business enterprises. As result, it is right for environmental sustainability to be of priority amongst business enterprises. According to Wilhelm (2009, p.12), business leaders are considering for more comprehensive ways through which they can gain a better understanding on the impact of climate change on their businesses. This would enable them to develop effective strategies to deal with environmental changes. This arises from the fact that environmental damages and challenges arising from climate change present a threat to a countries economic growth. Wilhelm (2009, p.3) is of the opinion that both businesses and individuals have started to feel the effects of climate change. For example, the resultant effect of a decline in a countries economic growth is that the consumer’s disposable income would be significantly reduced. As a result, individual’s consumption behavior would be negatively affected. The businesses economic sustainability would be hampered via a reduction in businesses profitability. Therefore, it is important for business enterprises to consider ways through which they can increases their profitability while at the same time address issues related to climate change. According to Dunphy, Griffitths and Ben (2005, p. 3), some of the challenges being experienced due to climate change and environmental degradation are as a result of business enterprises. Dunphy et al (2005, p.3) asserts that business enterprises are an important part of the society. The current success being witnessed in business enterprises over the past decade have had a phenomenon impact on the world through exploitation of resources. In their operation, businesses continue to impact the world. It is therefore imperative for businesses to be concerned with the environment. According to a report by the World Bank on climate change, both firms operating in the private and public sector must collaborate to in order to ensure effective mitigation of various environmental issues. This would be of significant benefit to business enterprises. According to Willard (2005, p.10), sustainability presents numerous opportunities for businesses. For example, via sustainability, business enterprises are presented with new avenues with regard to product innovation and development and maintenance of stakeholders’ relationship. Ways in which environmental regulation is influencing the action being taken Various regulations aimed at controlling business operation with regard to the amount of carbon they emit into the environment have been formulated. This arises from the fact that there is a strong correlation between environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality. According to Jenkins, Barton and Hesselberg (2007, p.21), increased environmental regulation presents a challenge to businesses with regard to loss of competitiveness. To cope with these challenges, businesses can implement various strategies in an effort to maintain their competitiveness. For example, businesses may exaggerate the impact of such regulations to prevent it from being implemented. For example, a study conducted by the Canadian government with regard to carbon emissions by firms in the pulp and paper industry indicated that the firm’s incurred a compliance cost of $4 to $5 for every ton. However, firms in this industry were complaining that the cost was four times higher. In another case regarding regulation of sulphur-dioxide emission in the United States, the cost was found to be half what was estimated. The main reason for such overestimation with regard to compliance cost is to ensure that firms conduct their operations as usual. Increased environmental regulation has stimulated firms to take various actions. Some of these strategies relate to their corporate strategy. For example, one of the strategies being integrated by firms in their operation entails inclusion of carbon foot-printing strategy in their operation. This refers to a form of control mechanism which helps business enterprises to baseline the amount of greenhouse gas that they emit. The framework below gives an illustration of carbon footprinting process. Carbon foot-printing requirement have made firms to adjust their corporate strategies. Through carbon foot-printing, firms’ management teams are able to gain a comprehensive understanding of their operations which are considered to be carbon contributors. This strategy is an essential component in a company’s effort to reduce the amount of carbon emission. As an environmental regulation strategy, carbon foot printing has a significant influence on the action being taken. Through carbon foot printing, it has become possible for management teams to identify other areas of inefficiency in their organizations systems. This means that this form of environmental regulation does not only enable a firm to reduce its carbon emission but also to operate cost effectively (Wilhelm, 2009, p. 12). This means that businesses can be able to make the necessary changes to their systems thus attaining their environmental sustainability objective. Ensuring effective implementation of carbon foot-printing as a form of environmental regulation is paramount. To achieve this, business organizations are required to formulate and implement a carbon foot-printing process. Implementation of this process is having significant influence on the actions being taken. Three main steps are involved. These include; * Planning, * Developing * Managing A number of activities are undertaken with regard to planning. These include setting the boundary, determination of the operations to be measured and setting the baseline year. With regard to setting the boundary for the process, the firms’ management teams have to make a decision which aspects of its operations will be included. For example, the firms’ management teams have to make a decision whether its leased assets will be included in the process. The firm is at discretion to include such assets even if it is the actual owner. Decision to include these assets in the carbon foot-printing process lies in the fact that it is the firm’s which is responsible for the resulting carbon emissions as a result of its operation. In addition, the management team has to set a boundary whether to include other components of its supply chain such as the suppler and customers. According to Wilhelm (2009, p.14), most business enterprises are starting small with regard to carbon foot-printing. However, it is important for firms to include as many aspects as possible in the initial phase. This will enable the firm to identify other areas of carbon emission resulting from its operation thus reducing the cost. Setting the boundary will also involve the firm determining the various sources of its carbon which result from its operation. Some of the sources include from transportation and freight methods such as via air, train, ship and trucks, solid waste such as garbage, office disposals such as office papers. A baseline with which the firm will track its carbon emission has to be established. The baseline may be backdated to a particular event such as when the firm undertook a merger or setting in of the century. According to Wilhelm (2009, p.17), this decision is left for the company to decide on itself. Collecting the required data is challenging since the firm may not have sufficient mechanism to track all carbon related information. After completing the carbon calculation, the firm has to set clear reduction goals and formulate a strategy to attain them. In order to achieve this, the management team has to ensure that a timeframe is well established. In most cases, the reduction target selected is dependent on the firm’s goals, size and its maturity (Wilhelm, 2009, p.18). Upon completion of the process, the management team has to communicate the results obtained to the employees. This has to be done in such a way that the employees and other stakeholders will understand. Carbon neutrality Improving their publicity In their operation, businesses are charged with the mandate of ensuring that they operation in responsible manner. In order to attain this, firms have integrated the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This means that firms’ operations should not have a negative impact on the environment. Effective implementation of the CSR results into a firm improving its publicity. This means that the probability of the firm surviving in the society as a going concern entity is improved. The need to improve their publicity is one of the reasons why firms are incorporating the concept of carbon neutrality. This arises from the fact that business enterprises are a major contributor towards the change environmental change which is currently being experienced. Via improving their publicity, businesses can be able to continue with their operation due to reduction in the intensity of criticism. The resultant effect is that the firms will be able to attain their profit maximization objective. As a result of the financial crisis which occurred in 2008, there has been a shift in individuals’ consumption behavior. Most of the consumers are developing preference of products which they consider to be more sustainable. In addition, consumers are becoming more conscious of their health. In order to attract and retain customers, it is paramount for firms to be conscious of their impact on the environment (Wilhelm, 2009, p.147). In the 21 st century, the concept of carbon neutrality has been integrated within the firm’s CSR profile. Carbon neutrality refers to the concept whereby the amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere is equivalent to the amount removed from the atmosphere. According to Tolhurst, Pohl, Matten and Visser (2010, p. 57), carbon neutrality is attained via offsetting the amount of emissions via a number of ways. Some of these include investing in technologies which have minimal carbon emissions such as renewable energy projects and planting trees. For example, HSBC which is a public limited company operating in the banking and financial services industry in United States invested $ 4 million towards implementation of a programme aimed at minimizing its energy consumption and also to reduce its carbon emission via utilization of green energy for all its energy needs. In addition, the programme would also enable the firm to plant trees. Despite the increased incorporation of the concept of carbon neutrality by financial institution, most individuals perceive this as a publicity stunt. This arises from the fact that activities of these institutions contribute significantly to environmental degradation. However, the effort of firms to adopt carbon neutrality in their operation should be applauded rather than be criticized. Intermediaries which help firms to become carbon neutral Becoming carbon neutral may be a challenge to both large and small business enterprises. This arises from the fact that these firms may not have the sufficient mechanisms to become carbon neutral. In a quest to become carbon neutral, there are a number of intermediary organizations which assist firms to become carbon neutral as discussed below. The CarbonNeutral Company The firm was established in 1997 and has managed to become a global leader with regard to provision of services aimed at reducing carbon. Since its inception, the firm has helped approximately 300 large business enterprises and thousands of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) (The CarbonNeutral Company, 2010). In its operation, the firm is committed at ensuring that its customers attain value from its services. In order to attain this, the firm has formulated comprehensive carbon management strategies. The firm provides tools to enable firms’ management teams to develop an effective carbon reduction programme. In addition, Carbon Neutral Company helps its clients to set their reduction targets. In pursuit of carbon neutrality goal, it is crucial for firms to communicate the results of the programme to all the relevant stakeholders. In order to attain this, there has to be a well developed communication mechanism. The management team has to ensure that all the parties understand. As an intermediary, The Carbon Neutral Company provides management team with the most effective communication mechanism. Beyond Neutral This is a firm which was established in 2007 in Australia and operates on an international scale. The core objective of the firm’s establishment is to provide businesses with meaningful ways through which they can deal with the challenges of sustainability and climate change. Beyond Neutral helps other organizations to improve their sustainability credentials while at the same time reduce its greenhouse emissions. With regard to carbon neutrality, the firm helps its clients in the identification, tracking, verifying, validating and auditing its carbon emissions. As a result, businesses are able to take advantage of market opportunities and avoid the negative impacts of greenhouse emission. In an effort to ensure that firms attain carbon neutrality, the firm provides its clients with a carbon offset portfolio. The portfolio entails a variety of offsets which are obtained from different projects (Beyond Neutral, 2009). Commitment to the environment in pursuit of carbon neutrality, necessary changes and investment To achieve the concept of carbon neutrality, businesses must be totally committed towards attaining environmental sustainability. In order to attain this, firms should analyze the impact of their operation on the environment with regard to carbon emission. According to Kollmuss, Lazarus, Lee and Polycarp (2010, p.1), it is a must that emission of greenhouse gases be reduced by 80% by mid of the 21 st century in order to abate the risks of climate change. This means that it is vital for firms to undertake drastic changes in some of their practices. In addition, these changes will require a significant investment of resources for them to be effective. For example, some carbon emission resulting from the firms’ operation cannot be avoided. However, pursuing the concept of carbon neutrality requires that there should be zero carbon emission coming from the firm’s operation. Carbon neutrality relies on ‘offsetting’ There is a strong correlation between carbon neutrality and offsetting. To attain carbon neutrality in their operation, firms will be required to purchase carbon offsets. These are financial tools specifically designed for projects aimed at preventing carbon being released from various activities from entering the earth’s atmosphere. In their commitment to attain carbon neutrality, firms will be required to incorporate a portfolio of offsets. In addition, a considerable amount of investment will be required in the implementation of technologies which are carbon-saving in nature. In addition, firms will be required to change some of their practices. For example, with regard to the firm’s energy needs, it is paramount for firms to incorporate green energy and other types of renewable energy. This will play a significant role in the firm’s effort to become carbon neutral and hence its commitment to the environment. Kollmuss et al (2010, p.1) assert that carbon offsetting is gaining attention amongst individuals and organizational policy makers as one of the most effective ways through which firms can address the challenges associated with climate change. Incorporation of carbon offsets is paramount in a firms effort to attain carbon neutrality and hence its environmental targets. This arises from the effectiveness with which carbon offsets avert carbon emission. According to Taiyab (2006, p.3), carbon offsets neutralizes the carbon dioxide equivalent (one ton) which is emitted at one place. This is achieved either by absorbing another tone of carbon dioxide equivalent released elsewhere or preventing its release. The offsets are developed via various projects. Some of these include; * Renewable energy * Destruction of industrial gases * Energy efficiency For example, if a particular business enterprise emits approximately 20,000 tones of carbon dioxide every year, it can offset its emission by planting trees which will absorbs an equivalent amount within the same time period. Alternatively, the firm can invest in a renewable energy project or energy efficient stoves which would be supplied to the poor. Through such projects, a firm is able to offset the amount of its carbon emissions thus becoming carbon neutral (Taiyab, 2006, p.4). In addition to that, carbon offset projects have the capacity of absorbing other greenhouse gases from the environment. This makes it to be an effective strategy for firms in their effort to achieve their environmental target. Conclusion The concept of sustainability has proved to be very important amongst businesses in the 21 st century. This is due to the fact that it is one of the ways thorough which businesses can maintain their competitive advantage amidst numerous challenges. There are various aspects of sustainability applicable to businesses. One of them includes environmental sustainability. In their effort to achieve environmental sustainability, business enterprises are increasingly incorporating the concept of carbon neutrality. This arises from the fact that businesses are a major contributor of the carbon emissions which is one of the key causes of climate change via global warming. Therefore, the priority being given to sustainability as an environmental issue is warranted. Incorporation of carbon neutrality will play a significant role in businesses effort to attain sustainable development hence surviving into the future as going concern entity. In addition, attainment of carbon neutrality will also enable businesses to attain their profit maximization objective. This arises from the fact that business organizations will be able to improve their publicity. This arises from the fact that the society will develop a positive attitude towards the firms hence considering the firm to be a part of the society. As a result, there is a high probability of businesses attaining customer loyalty. As a result of being carbon neutral, firms will be able to operate cost efficiently. In order to for firms to be regarded as being carbon neutral, there are a number of changes that the firms’ management team will be required to undertake. Despite the cost involved during the change process, the firm will benefit from being carbon neutral in the long run. Recommendations In order to be carbon neutral in their operation, it is paramount for the firm’s management team to consider implementing the following recommendations. * Firms should ensure that they incorporate the concept of carbon footprinting in order to determine the amount of carbon they emit into the atmosphere as a result of their operation. * If the firms do not have all the necessary mechanisms to undertake carbon footprinting, they should outsource these services from other intermediary organizations. This will enable the firm to be effective in measuring the amount of carbon it emits into the environment. * In an effort to achieve carbon neutrality, it is paramount for firm’s management team to consider integrating the concept of carbon offsetting. This will enable the firms to prevent carbon emissions and at the same time operate social responsibility. The concept of carbon offsetting will require a substantial amount of investment. It is therefore important for the firm to rely on its own reserves other than sourcing the required finance externally. Reference List Beyond Neutral. (2009). Company profile. Retrieved from http://beyondneutral.com/what-we-do/ Dunphy, D.C., Griffiths, A. & Benn, S. (2005). Organizational change for corporate sustainability: a guide for leaders and change agents of the future . London: Routledge. Epstein, M. (2008). Making sustainability work: best practices in managing and measuring corporate social, environmental and economic impacts. Greenleaf: Sheffield. Howe, J.C. & Gerrad, M. (2010). The law of green building: regulatory and legal issues in design, construction, operation and financing. Massachusetts: American Bar Association. Fisher, D.C. (2009). Corporate sustainability planning assessment guide . New York: American Society for Qualit. Jenkins, R., Barton, J. & Hesselberg, J. (2007). Environmental regulation in the new global economy: the impact on industry and competitiveness . Camberley, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Kollmuss, A., Lazarus, M., Lee, C., Lefranc, M., Polycarp, C. (2010). Handbook of carbon offset programs: trading systems, funds, protocols and standards. London: Earthscan. OECD. (2002). Implementing domestic tradeable permits: recent development and future challenges . London: OECD Publishing. Taiyab, N. (2006 ). Exploring the market for voluntary carbon offsets . New York: IIED. The CarbonNeutral Company. (2010). The CarbonNeutral network of companies . Web. Tolhurst, N., Pohl, M., Matten, D. & Visser, W. (2010). The A to Z of corporate social responsibility . New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. Wilhelm, K. (2009). Return on sustainability . New Jersey: Dog Ear Publishing. Willard, B. (2005). The sustainability advantage: seven business case benefits of a triple bottom line. Canada: New Society Publishers. World Bank. (2008). Environmental sustainability: an evaluation of World Bank group support . New York: World Bank Publication.

ESSAY: Analysis of the reading experience for the “Framing Class” Essay Part 1 The writer of the essay introduces and actually bases most of the opening paragraphs of the essay on how the media frames the issue of class distinction in society. With proper usage of examples, it is easy to see how the media defines the rich, the middle class and the poor. This part of the essay is very interesting to read and it is easy to understand what the writer is trying to propose. The challenge comes in the paragraph introduced by the title “ The realities of class ” (Kendall, 236). By introducing the facts and figures, the author seems to contradict herself. Reading through at first, it almost seems that the writer is trying to argue that the statuses of individuals is determined by economic forces in a real-life situation and not dictated by the media as she had earlier said. The creative piece that had preceded this section looses its substance though it had initially made a lot of sense. While reading through the paragraphs embodied in under the sub-title “ The realities of class” the smooth flow of ideas from the initial part of the essay is interfered with. It becomes easy to lose focus and most of the time I found myself getting tempted to skip this section altogether. The part with the statistical data was the most difficult to try and focus on and it was not until I got to the later paragraphs that I realized its connection to the development of the entire essay. However, even then I still did not find it absolutely necessary and I reached the end of the essay thinking that the author could have made her point without getting into the intricacies of economics. Part 2 In order to understand the section titled “ The realities of class” I had to devise a strategy that would enable me connect it with the rest of the essay. This plan involved some personally crafted approaches to enable me make sense of the section. These approaches included: 1. Since I already knew that this paragraph was coming, I would spend some time to carefully read the section and try to understand the importance of every sentence in the section. I should be prepared to expect some change in the flow of the essay when I get to this section and will therefore not get disappointed to find it almost fully different from the initial paragraphs of the entire essay. 2. The section contains facts and figures which on the face of it could be slightly intimidating. However, in order to understand the section, I will try not to get scared by the numbers and will spend time to find their relation to the general topic. This after all is not an economics paper and it would be safe to assume that the author did not intend for the figures to confuse the average reader. Therefore, chances are that it will not take a lot to make sense of the data. 3. I will try and avoid the temptation to get over with this section of the essay and move on to the next part. This will be achieved by setting out from the onset to only proceed once I have completely understood the author’s intention in including it in the essay. Sentences that did not initially make sense will be read through attentively and if need be, they will be re-read until that point where I am satisfied that I have made sense of them. Part 3 After applying this strategy, the message of the author has now become clear. Contrary to initial opinion, the writer is not trying to deviate from the topic but is instead using the numbers to emphasize her argument that the media should try to positively cover issues of the poor and the middle class. For instance the percentages of people in the different categories of wealth have been used to emphasize the point that a majority of the population is in the middle and the low class sub-groups. With the super rich and the very rich altogether making a measly 1% it does not make sense for the media to dedicate a huge percentage of their airtime and paper space to address the issues of the people in this class. This essay is targeted at illustrating how improperly the media have framed the issue of class differences and it is supposed to come up with recommendations on how they can improve their performance. It therefore makes sense for Diana Elizabeth Kendall, the author, to use facts and figures from general society in order to support her argument. Failure to do this would have made the essay lose all the credibility. Using the strategy in analyzing the essay has made me aware that it is not wise to ignore some parts of a reading on the premise that they do not rhyme with what had been initially read. The strategy will definitely come in handy in analyzing other pieces of literature and will be used again to enhance understanding. Work Cited Kendal, Elizabeth. Framing class: media representations of wealth and poverty in America. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, 2005. Print.

ESSAY: Formative Assessment: Gauging the Outcome of Educational Activities Analytical Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Formative Assessment 3. Purpose of formative assessment in reading 4. Conclusion 5. Reference List Introduction Educational evaluation is the methodical measurement of educational activities in order to determine the outcome. The starting point of evaluation is based on the instruction program adopted, the goals of education and the initiative of the school towards education. Educational evaluation aims at assessing the merits of educational programs as well as the impacts of the initiatives. One way through which evaluation of skills can be achieved is through test administration. There are various types of assessment both formal and informal which can be used by educators to gauge the outcome of educational activities such as reading. Formative Assessment This is a type of assessment where the results of evaluation are used for revision purposes with the aim of improving the performance of learners. This process of assessment is diagnostic in that it provides feedback to teachers as well as learners in the course of instruction . As a result, the skills tested in reading are improved with time (Center for Educational Research and Innovation, 2005, p. 251). Purpose of formative assessment in reading A teacher will often want to know the progress of the students during a reading session. Formative assessment offers grounds for identification of the learning outcome of the students in time. Therefore it is possible to determine their performance. When the teachers are aware of the students’ progress and the problems arising from comprehension, they can use this information in making essential instructional improvements such as remedial teaching, change of instructional methods or reviewing instructional objectives (Boston, 2002, p. 3). Formative assessment is also significant in identifying and helping students who are low achievers as well as those with learning disabilities. This is successful when the teacher adopts different methods which facilitate effective learning for such students. In administering formative assessment, teachers are interested in getting feedback of the learning activities. This feedback helps the learners to be aware of the existing loop holes in relation to the set goals and their current position in terms of skills, knowledge and comprehension. As a result, the student is motivated to take the necessary action directed towards achieving the set goal. In administering formative assessment, there are specific considerations to be observed. These include the level of students to be assessed, the content to be assessed and the resources available for assessment. All these determine the strategies to be used in an assessment (Boston, 2002, p. 4). In reading, the basic skill measured is on the student’s understanding of the read text. A teacher can use brainstorming prior to reading a text for the students to have a picture in mind related to the text. After reading, well ordered questions can be asked concerning the text to gauge the understanding of learners. For instance, in Pollock’s story, ‘Betsy Brandon meets the president’, a brainstorm session would require learners to respond to questions regarding a meeting with a very important person and how they would feel if they were to meet the president. With regard to test 1, of Pollock’s story, the questions are well ordered testing from those which require simple recall of facts by the student such as question one and two. The teacher then goes to question three which tests the student’s vocabulary development and finally to question four, five and six which require the learner to go further by giving a simple critique to test their analysis of the story. In a formative assessment test such as test 1, every response from the leaner is reinforced by verbal praise or other forms of rewards to encourage participation of learners. Conclusion Evaluation in education is an important aspect worth incorporating. Reading comprehension and formative assessment help both the students and the teachers to know their position in the academic endeavor. Educators should therefore make use of this type of assessment so as to improve learner’s comprehension skills in reading. Reference List Boston, C. (2002). The concept of formative assessment. Journal of Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation . 8(9): 1-5. Center for Educational Research and Innovation, (2005). Formative assessment. Improving learning in secondary schools. Paris, France: O.E.C.D.

ESSAY: Approaches To Capacity Planning And Control Essay Capacity planning and control entails the research techniques for addressing the issue of scheduling business applications, planning the allocation of resources, controlling inventory through routing or queuing and having the problem solving techniques in place for various departments. The planning and controlling approaches include optimization techniques. The function in this approach is diminishing or maximization of business elements to meet the least expenditure objectives within a constrained operating environment. A big problem is broken down to ease complexity and thus speeding up computation. A problem can decompose to allow efficiency in and ability to handle the uncertainties adequately. Secondly, dynamic approach allows the business owner or analyst to make decisions sequentially in a multi-stage pattern. A problem is recursively related to solutions come up with most effective results or conclusion. A complex problem can be decomposed to various sub-problems and the solution to one problem create a sequentially dependent framework such that the solution of a sub-problem emerges from the preceding solution meaning that the whole problem is one, broken into various parts but the preceding resolutions are independent of each other. The other approach entails sensitivity analysis. The management have to analyze hypothetically, logically or substantially, the most important functions of the firm. This must be the key element of the business that triggers major changes in the business performance and examines the most important factors for the revolution. The definition of this approach is a procedure of examining impacts over changes and their effects as outputs. (Dodds, 2008) One has to evaluate reasonable limits for change or the individual impact on other independent measures of business quality. This approach rarely features independent usage because it has the sole purpose of challenging other business points for optimal performance. Its main usage occurs after other approaches, to determine their viability or validity. Lastly is the probabilistic and risk analysis approach. This represents a major departure from the main deterministic view. The analysis has a subjective basis on judgements made by the experts, business planners or analysts. The consideration entails correlations along with uncertainties to gauge cost and performance. Compared to deterministic or fixed-point approaches, the probabilistic approach offers additional information of chances and range sensitivity. These approaches entail some common techniques and the business manager ought to base their decisions on the method to implement, by checking on the primary functionality of optimisation or delineation of the differences in the approaches. They can also support their decisions on simulation based on the systems dynamics, analysis of scenarios, sensitivity and the probability of a risk. The last basis is upon decision analysis using various theoretic techniques. The main aim of these approaches is to analyse uncertainties in a business such as risks to develop comprehensive understanding on demands and create awareness within the business. Measuring capacity entails finding the distinction between the inputs or output measures of a business capacity. The best approach therefore finds the real capacity that depends on the exact mix of activities to be undertaken. The effective capacity management is dependent on the disaggregate nature of the demand thus the reason for some adjustments to accommodate detailed planning. Today integration of various approaches is in use with the aim of meeting the unique specification of a certain demand and at the same time integrates all of them to function as a single unit. Arguably, the best fitting approach to most business would be dynamic approach to solutions incorporated with sensitivity analysis. References Dodds, B. (2008, March 31). Pandemic Planning and Business Continuity . Retrieved from https://ezinearticles.com/?Pandemic-Planning-and-Business-Continuity&id=1080616

ESSAY: Argumentative Paper on the Pros of the Death Penalty Argumentative Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. A case for the Death Penalty 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited Introduction The survival of any civilization hinges on the establishment of laws and codes of conduct and the subsequent obeying of the same by the society’s members. Due to the fact that not all members of the society are going to follow the law on their own accord, forms of punishment for wrongs done may be used both for retribution and deterrence purposes. In the United States, capital punishment has been used as the most harsh form of retribution for the society’s most vicious offences. However, not all people believe that the death sentence is justifiable notwithstanding the brutality of the crime that a person may have perpetrated. This paper argues that the death penalty is not only necessary but also the most efficient means for deterring future offenders. The paper will reinforce this proposition by delving into the merits of the death penalty. A case for the Death Penalty An article on “Public Support for the Death Penalty” indicates that the support for capital punishment has risen over the years with 77% of Americans supporting capital punishment. While this statistics do not in any way offer justification for the death penalty, they do show that many Americans are of the opinion that the death penalty is a just retribution for the evils perpetrated by the accused. In most of the states, capital punishment is only issued when the accused party is convicted of crimes such as first degree murder or treason. Capital punishment therefore affords the federal state with a means of dispensing justice. The public and the parties affected by the accused actions can therefore find some solace in the fact justice has been served. The most desirable function of punishments should be to act as a deterrence to would be criminals. In an ideal environment, punishments should never have to be executed but their mere presence should cause all to abide to the rules and regulations in place therefore peacefully coexist. Capital punishment presents the highest level of deterrence since death is indeed the ultimate punishment. This is especially so in cases where the criminal feels immune to the other forms of punishment such as restriction on freedom of movement or even hard labor. “Televised Executions” indicates that executions, in this case televised ones, serviced an important social purpose of deterrence as the public is afforded a glimpse as to the fate that awaits those who engage in despicable acts thus making would be future offenders think twice about the results of their acts. According to “Update: Death Penalty”, one of the most unique attributes of capital punishment is that it irrevocably protects the society from repeat offenders. This is an especially significant point since convicts have been known to reenter society either as a result of parole or more dramatic happenings such as jail breaks. The death penalty ensures that some of the society’s most vicious criminals; murderers, arsons, etc. are rid off the society for good. The society can therefore continue without fear of there undesirable elements every coming back and causing chaos. From an economic point on view, the cost of maintaining prisoners in the correctional facilities is fairly expensive. Opponents of the death penalty propose that in its place, life imprisonment without parole should be implemented. What this boils down to is that the prisoner will have to be maintained in the penitentiary for his entire life. This is a very costly affair and the brunt of it is bore by the taxpayer. Capital punishment as executed by methods such as the lethal injection is not only radically cheaper but it also spares the state of the resources it would have utilized to ensure that the prisoner is maintained for a lifetime. While most of the opponents of the death penalty point to its execution being inhumane and hence torturous to the victim, a report on “lethal injection” indicates that not only is the lethal injection method (which is greatly favored by most states) almost entirely painless but the method presents a great advancement from past methods such as hanging and the use of the gas chamber. As such, capital punishment provides a cheap and human and relatively human method of dealing with criminals. Conclusion This paper has argued that the death penalty possess numerous advantages that make it a necessary tool in the justice system. It has been articulated that through the death penalty, retribution is served and the society is purged off its most vicious criminals. In addition to this, capital punishment presents the strongest form of deterrence to would be offenders as an example is made of those who have already been convicted. While some people do contend that the death penalty should never be imposed on anyone, regardless of their crimes, it can be authoritatively stated from the above discussions that capital punishment does serve a significant role in the society and as such, it’s use should be perpetuated albeit with a lot of caution so as to avoid subjecting innocent parties to this ultimate form of punishment. Works Cited “Lethal Injection.” Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 19 Oct. 2007. Web. “Public Support for the Death Penalty Remains Strong (sidebar).” Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 29 Dec. 1995. Web. “Televised Executions.” Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 11 May 2001. Web. “Update: Death Penalty.” Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 1 Apr. 2004. Web.

ESSAY: Art History: Female Figures in Ancient Greek Sculpture Expository Essay The ancient Greeks were one of the oldest civilizations in the world. It thrived more than 4,000 years ago. The years between 2000 B.C. and 146 B.C. were the years of the Ancient Greece Empire’s prosperity. Greek culture, ideas, religion, and art were spreading all over the world day by day. Ancient Greek sculpture deserves attention because of its uniqueness and richness. Greeks had a wonderful opportunity to use different kinds of marble, bronze, stones, and wood. There were several periods in ancient Greek sculpture, and each of them had its own characteristics. The most known periods were Archaic (650 – 480 BCE), Classical (480 – 431 BCE), Late Classical (404 – 323 BCE), and Hellenistic (323 BCE – 1 st century AD). The development of female figures in ancient Greek sculpture was noticeable during those times; each period added something new; the influence of other countries and their cultures was reflected in almost each piece of work, and female sculptures were one of the brightest examples. Ancient Greek sculpture was characterized by numerous works of nude women. However, it does not mean that Greek men had a kind of disrespect to their women. Ancient Greek women were portrayed rather respectfully. If nudity is considered to be a sign of sex or predilection for sex, it is necessary to admit that ancient Greek sculptors used males as sex objects oftener than they used females. Most of the sculptors in Ancient Greece were men, and the role of women was to inspire their men. Men used women as models for their sculptures to present the images of real women, real life, with its advantages and disadvantages. The Archaic period started in 650 BCE and lasted until 480 BCE, and it was one of the earliest periods in ancient Greek art. The ancient Greek sculptures of the Archaic period had lots in common to those of Egypt sculptures. Egypt influence reflected on both male and female sculptures. “During this period of intense creativity, the great traditions of monumental stone sculpture and temple architecture appeared.” (Davies 159) Female figures of the Archaic period were usually called ‘kore’ (maiden). The peculiar features of the figures of that time were draped clothes and read hair. One of the brightest examples of archaic sculptures was Draped Female (created in about 530 B.C. Special attention was paid to female haircuts – new hairstyles were elaborated for each sculpture. After 550 BCE, stone was changed into bronze; such changes allowed sculptors to play with light and impress the viewer. Women nudity was one of the most brilliant devices, which were used to underline the realism. The Classical period in ancient Greek sculpture presented the most exciting pieces of art. In spite of the fact that the Persians Wars blew up the economical and other spheres of the Empire, Greek found out new technologies and methods to improve the situation. The classical Greek style was characterized unbelievable freedom of movements and feelings. Greek sculptures represented people’s life with its speed, changes, and emotions. Even if female Greek sculptures could not move, the artists, as magicians, made people believe that at the beginning, that sculpture moved, and now it was frozen, for those, who observed it. Women’s nudity was not forgotten as well. In order to help own husbands, women spend days and nights posing. Such idea to present moving people raised ancient Greek sculpture once again and proved that talented people can save their country and its traditions even by means of art. “The sculptures of the classical period show an obsession with the human figure and with drapery.” (Hellander et al. 71) The Late Classical period in the ancient Greek sculpture was known as a period of artistic decline. The Peloponnesian War was the major reason of why Greece lost its supremacy. The influence of Christianity made lots sculptors create less naked sculptures (and it was the key of all Greece sculptures ever). During the Late Classical period, the large components of all sculptures were portrait statues. Sculptors paid more attention to people’s features. It was a novelty for those times. After people paid attention only to female’s bodies, naked bodies, such changes turned out to be rather significant. It became more popular to present males’ portraits. Lots of sculptures were devoted to men, who defended the Empire. The image of women was almost forgotten. In 336 BCE, it was Alexander, who saved the Empire and spread the influence of Greece all over the world again. The Hellenistic period started in 323 B.C. and lasted until the end of the first century of A.D. It was a kind of revival of Greek sculpture. This period is usually compared with the Classical one. Greeks again started portrayed young women and created nude figures using marble and bronze. They had a chance to appeal to the lower preferences of their masters. This is why, the Hellenistic period was also known by its ugly, comical, and sensual themes. The major purpose of art was to represent the world as it was during that concrete period of time. One of the brightest examples of the sculptures from the Hellenistic period is The Venus de Milo , a representation of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. The role of women is crucial indeed. It does not matter whether we regard a woman as a wife, friend, mother, or muse. Without women, this world would be dull and boring. Even in sculpture, women play a very important role. Specially, it concerns Ancient Greece, to be more exact, the ancient Greek sculpture. Greek sculptors got used to create male figures to underline their power and significance for the country. However, the role of female figures still remain considerable. Each period of ancient Greek sculpture created certain limitations and added something new. The material for sculptures changed as well. First, it was wood and stone, with time, Greek sculptors started to use marble and bronze. Such changes provided people with the opportunities to enjoy colours and lights for lots of years. Works Cited Davies, P. J. E., Denny, W. B., Hofrichter, F. F., Jacons, J. F., Roberts, A. M., and Simon, D. L. Jason’s History of Art: The Western Tradition. Prentice Hall, 2006. Hellander, P., Armstrong, K., Clark, M., Deliso, C., Hannigan, D., and Kiriakopoulos, V. Greece. Lonely Planet, 2008.

ESSAY: ART VITALIS The New Jersey New Music Forum – CONCERT REPORT Reflective Essay First of all, I would like to consider the concert performance “Trio For Flute, Clarinet And Piano” which I was lucky to listen at Ars Vitalis concert recently. After this I’ll pass to another pieces performed that night. This piece was performed by three musicians who played exquisitely. This was a play of three instruments: flute, clarinet and piano. I would characterize the pitch of the whole performance as high, because the major part of the piece was played in high pitch and tempo. Piano playing at low pitch and slow tempo opened up the performance; this part was very peaceful and produced a considerable contrast to the subsequent climax of the piece. Another significant slowing down took place almost in the end of the piece, the music flew in a slow tempo and deep pitch, the instruments went out of the performance one by one: first the flute became silent first, then the clarinet stopped playing, only piano continued performing and in the end all the instruments at once thundered at a very high pitch. And this use of pitch produced a very strong ending, and made the whole performance quite vigorous. As for the instrumental parts it is necessary to point out that piano was a kind of continuous background, but flute and clarinet were producing different effects: changed the pitch and the whole mood of the piece. I’d like to mention here that flute and clarinet produced mysterious effect on me through the whole performance, and in the climax of the performance these two instruments created the presentiment of uncertain danger, at least this was what I felt at that moment. When flute and clarinet stopped playing, letting piano finish the performance (which was quite logic), the music was so peaceful, just like at the very beginning; but the instruments came into play again to put a period to the performance. As I mentioned above it produced a very strong affect and imparted the sensation of completeness. Another point which, to my mind, enhanced the effect of the piece was the way of performance. The musicians revealed corresponding emotions through the whole performance, their body language made me feel deeper the music performed. When the music was slow performers were gentle, when music tension grew they became more expressive. Now I would like to characterize in few words the rest of pieces performed, which, though didn’t strike me as the first one, but still are worth of mentioning. So “Ballad for cello and piano” can be characterized by slow tempo and quite mysterious mood produced by violin, cello and guitar. Another piece “String Quartet No. 4, Op. 103” was performed by four people, of course, who played viola, 2 violins and cello. This piece produced a mysterious effect on me and, to my mind, it was violin which added some mystery to the piece. The following piece “100 Greatest Dance Hits”, to my mind was the easiest part for listening. The performance was mild, without high pitch or too fast tempo, so it was quite relaxing. “Piano Trio” was a performance of three people, three instruments: violin, cello and piano. This piece can be characterized as energetic and mysterious. Thus, after attending this concert I plunged into the beautiful world of music, which enabled me to obtain a little bit more mystery in my life.

ESSAY: ‘Sociometric Stability and the Behavioral Correlates of Peer Acceptance in Early Childhood’ Essay (Article) Many educationists are in agreement that a positive environment for social, psychological, and moral development is one that promotes peer interaction. In equal measure, children’s behavior in the peer setup has proven to be a reliable pointer of their social competence (Blume & Zember, 2010). Although extensive research has been conducted to prove these assertions in mid-childhood, few studies have being commenced to evaluate the effects of peer interaction in young children. Towards this objective, Australian researcher Sue Walker undertook a study named ‘Sociometric Stability and the Behavioral Correlates of Peer Acceptance in Early Childhood,’ aiming to broaden understanding about behavioral associations of rejection and neglect on preschool-aged children. In addition, the researcher aimed to evaluate the stability and constancy of social status classification on the children over a period of 6 months (Walker, 2009). One of the researcher’s main hypotheses was that behaviors that are predictive of neglect or rejection are comparable for both younger and older children. Also, the researcher presupposed that interventions for preschool-aged children that are grounded on a holistic understanding of the aspects contributing to acceptance or rejection by peers are more likely to assist the victims cope with the challenges (Walker, 2009). The researcher was mainly interested in critically evaluating three factors of social functioning that are closely associated with peer-related social competencies for pre-scholars, namely ability to engage voluntarily and effectively in play; pro-social quality of interactions; and communication competence. In addition, play behavior, emotional expression, verbal communication, and stability of social status among the young children were used as independent variables. According to the article, the researcher utilized “…10 suburban, community-based preschools serving predominantly Caucasian, middle-class families in Queensland, Australia” to draw a sample of 187 participants ranging in age from 4.5 to 5.5 years (Walker, 2009, p. 343). However, the article makes no mention on the techniques used to sample the population. The research made use of participatory approach, whereby the researcher spent 6 months interacting and experimenting with the children in a preschool setup. Photographs of the preschool-aged children were taken, and the participants were later asked to select photographs of children with whom they most liked to play with. Also, individual sociometric interviews were done on the subjects after they had spent 3 months in the program with the purpose of rating their interactions. The study utilized the Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and descriptive statistics to generate findings. When the ‘play behavior’ variable was analyzed, it was found that, “…children classified as popular were more likely than those classified as rejected or neglected to engage in cooperative play and less likely…to engage in parallel play, onlooker behavior or alone-directed behavior” (Walker, 2009, p. 348). On the contrary, rejected or neglected children neither socialized with their peers nor engaged in any form of play. In affect, popular children were more likely to show positive affect than rejected or neglected preschoolers. Indeed, according to the findings, rejected and neglected children were more comfortable displaying neutral affect. In verbal communication, popular children engaged in considerably more outgoing and connected conversation than rejected and neglected children, and were more likely to succeed in conversational initiations and responses. Popular children also excelled in stability of social status at the expense of rejected and neglected children. As such, many of the findings for the stated objectives and variables were largely consistent with the researcher’s expectations. The findings of this study therefore supported preceding studies which revealed that introverted and immature play patterns among preschool-aged children are hallmarks of rejected children, while high levels of play are hallmarks of popular children. This notwithstanding, more research needs to be undertaken to evaluate factors outside the preschool environment that may affect the quality of children’s peer relationships. Also, the relationship between play behavior on one hand and social acceptance on the other needs further investigation. Reference List Blume, L.B., & Zember, M.J. (2010). Peer Relations in Middle Childhood . Retrieved from https://www.education.com/ Walker, S. (2009). Sociometric stability and the behavioral correlates of peer acceptance in early childhood. The Journal of Genetic Psychology , Vol. 170, Issue 4, p. 339-358.

ESSAY: Evaluation of Operant Conditioning Theory by B.F. Skinner Today, more than ever before, there exist a multiplicity of theories and conceptual frameworks aimed at explaining human development. The broad area of human development has received keen interest from psychologists, sociologists, educationists and other theorists over the last couple of millennia due to its huge importance in understanding developmental phases, viewed as critical in assisting the individual to adapt and learn in the prevailing environmental conditions (Lave & Wenger, 1991). B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory is among the learning theories that have been continually used in a wide allay of disciplines in the hope of understanding how learning takes place. It is the purpose of this essay to critically evaluate how this theory can be of relevance to the professional practice of instructional development. In summary, Skinner strongly believed that the essence of human learning and development is tied to the continued acquirement of new sets of behavior. According to the psychologist, the learned behaviors are inarguably controlled by external stimuli in the form of reinforcers and punishers. The basic idea is that the learning process in individuals is a function of change in overt behavior (Boeree, 2006). In their daily interactions, individuals encounter a particular kind of stimulus known as the reinforcer. The theory posits that this particular stimulus has the capacity to increase a certain pattern of behavior occurring just before the individual meets the reinforcer. The above is what Skinner referred to as operant conditioning. According to the psychologist, the behavior is always pursued by a consequence which incessantly modifies the individual’s inclination to repeat the behavior in the future depending on the nature of the consequence (Boeree, 2006). In other words, the individual is conditioned to respond in a distinctive way if the stimulus-response relationship or pattern is reinforced through rewards or restricted through punishments. In the light of this, reinforcement of behavior is the key element in Skinner’s operant conditioning theory. A reinforcer should be viewed as anything that galvanizes the desired behavior such as verbal praise, feelings of satisfaction or good performance in school. A negative reinforcer is any form of stimulus that results in enhanced occurrence of a response or reaction when such a stimulus is withdrawn (Tauber, 1988). Skinner’s operant conditioning theory has been extensively applied in various facets of professional practice, including clinical settings, teaching, and instructional development. For instance, the theory has far-reaching implications in the professional practice of instructional development, also known as programmed instruction development. In its application, educators generally stress that classroom practice should assume the form of question – answer framework so as to adequately expose the students to the subject under study in measured steps (Ormrod, 2002). As such, the question represents the stimulus while the answer represents the response. To effectively utilize the theory in classroom setting, the learner is required to make a response for every question – answer frame and receive instant feedback from the instructor. It is the function of the instructor to arrange the questions (stimulus) in such a manner that the learners start by answering the easy tasks so that the answers (responses) given will always be correct to occasion a positive reinforcement (Ormrod, 2002). The instructor must also ensure that exemplary performance in a lesson or any other classroom activity is always paired with a secondary reinforcer such as good grades, awards and verbal praise. One of the principles behind this application is that behaviors or actions that are positively reinforced will most definitely reoccur in the future. Indeed, intermittent reinforcement is particularly effective in a classroom setting. Another principle is that information in a classroom setting should be offered in small quantities so that responses coming from the learners receive the desired reinforcement. All in all, Skinner’s operant conditioning theory has received wide recognition and usage as far as the professional practice of instructional development is concerned. Reference List Boeree, C.G. (2006). B.F. Skinner 1904-1990 . Retrieved http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/skinner.html Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 0521423740 Ormrod, J.E. (2002). Educational psychology: Developing learners . Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0130887048 Tauber, R.T. (1988). Overcoming misunderstanding about the concept of negative reinforcement. Teaching in Psychology , vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 152-153

ESSAY: Navigating Failure: How Bankruptcy Works? Essay According to Sandage (2006), bankruptcy can be described as the inability of an individual or business entity to pay debts owed to them. When an individual or entity files for bankruptcy and they are declared so, they can be exonerated from major debts that they owe. There are times in history when cases for bankruptcy have been high, depending on the economic status at the time. For example, according to Irby (2010), bankruptcies increase during times of economic hardships. There are different types of bankruptcies in the United States of America and elsewhere in the world. In the United States of America, bankruptcies are named according to the chapter of the bankruptcy law that they fall under (Balleisen, 2001). There are three main classifications of bankruptcies under this classification. These are chapter 7 bankruptcy, chapter 11 and chapter 13 bankruptcies. There are different eligibilities for these bankruptcies. Chapter 7 is the most common of these bankruptcies, and it is what most people refer to when they talk of personal bankruptcy. Silverman & Grabianowski (2010) also refer to this as the straight bankruptcy. In this type of bankruptcy, the assets of the debtor are sold and the proceeds are used to pay the creditors (Silverman & Grabianowski, 2010). When this happens, the creditors hold no right pertaining to the earnings that may be made by the debtor in the future. For a person to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, several criteria must be met. An individual residing in the United States, or who owns property or business in the country, is eligible for this bankruptcy (Reeder, 2010). The intentions of the individual filing for bankruptcy under this chapter should not include getting out of debt. An individual who has no residual funds apart from expenses of his basic living is also eligible for this bankruptcy, given that they are indebted (Sandage, 2006). Balleisen (2001) is of the view that a borrower with history of chapter 16 or 7 bankruptcies in the past six years is not eligible for this bankruptcy. Also, if the individual have tried to file for the same bankruptcy but which was unsuccessful in the last six months, they become automatically ineligible for this bankruptcy (Sandage, 2006). There are many reasons that make people file for bankruptcy in the United States and other countries in the world. The borrower may do so if they wish to exonerate themselves from legal obligations to settle their debts. If the debt involves mortgage on a house, the individual may file for bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure of the same (Irby, 2010). The borrower may also have the intention of stopping the creditor from repossessing their property. A person who was in debt when in employment, and after losing their employment feels that they may not be able to settle their debt, may also file for this bankruptcy (Reeder, 2010). Bankruptcy has far reaching effects on the individual’s interest rates on loans and credit cards. This is given the fact that the borrower’s credit score card is negatively affected by a bankruptcy history (Sandage, 2006). This is especially so considering the fact that the records of a bankruptcy remain on the individual’s credit file for at least ten years. This being the case, the individual is labeled as a high risk for future defaults, this means that interest rates on loan and credit cards are high to cover for this risk. Irby (2010) is of the view the interest rates on credit cards may surpass 25% levels. For other loans, such incentives such 0% pay on APR is eliminated (Sandage, 2006). In conclusion, it should be noted that individuals and organizations file for bankruptcy to prevent creditors from taking legal actions against them. While the idea behind the introduction of bankruptcy laws to protect the borrower may have been noble, there are cases where borrowers abuse the same. This is for example when an individual files for bankruptcy after every seven years (Irby, 2010). This abuse makes it hard to recognize individuals who are genuine about bankruptcy filings. References Balleisen, E. (2001). Navigating failure: Bankruptcy and commercial society in Antebellum America . Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. Irby, L. (2010). Basic types of personal bankruptcy: Personal bankruptcy options for consumers . Web. Reeder, C. (2010). How bankruptcy affects interest rates on loans and credit cards . Web. Sandage, S. A. (2006). Born losers: A history of failure in America . Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Silverman, J., & Grabianowski, E. (2010). How bankruptcy works . Web.

ESSAY: The Bates Numbering System of Document Branding Essay In the process of document/image storage, it is imperative that proper identification systems be developed in order to making cataloguing and searching easier. This essay shall focus on the Bates numbering system of document branding. To this end, a definition and explanation of the basic steps that the procedure entails shall be provided. Aside from this, an example of the usage of the identification system shall be provided. Bates numbering is an identification system utilized in various professional fields such as medicine and law. It basically involves putting identifying digits alongside dates and the specific time of branding on documents and pictures as they undergo scanning or other forms of processing. This technique can also be utilized in marking and identifying pictures with copyright symbols by impressing acceptable legal marks such as company logos on them. Aside from identifying images and documents, this technique also provides protection and security for them. In legal documents, there may be need for identifying each page of a given document. In this usage, the Bates numbering machine gives random and unique tags to each and every page of the document. The identification marks may comprise digits or a combination of digits and letters. In other words there is no standardized format for the technique. The Bates numbering machines can either be electronic or manual. The manual machine is a wheeled stamp which updates itself upwards every time the stamp is put into use. This stamp mainly comes with 3, 4 or seven wheels and also has a mechanism for re-inking after each usage. It is however worth noting that the manual Bates numbering machines are gradually becoming extinct as the world moves onto digital technologies. The electronic Bates numbering system is basically a computer application entrenched in various software such PDF readers. They operate in the same incremental way as the manual system such that documents or document pages are assigned uniquely different identification marks. A common usage of the Bates numbering system particularly since the advent of computer technology is the branding of PDF documents. For instance, if an individual has a single page or one PDF document that needs tagging, all that he/she needs is to select the Bates numbering feature from the appropriate tab depending on the type of software used. Several adjustments will be required including the digit at which to start the numbering as well as the font properties and layouts. The procedure is the same for more than one document/ pages except that most if not all PDF software will require one to specify that there are multiple documents in the series for the numbering to come out as desired. In summary, it can be said that Bates numbering is a basic system of document organization operating on the principle of clearly embedding documents and images with unique digital or manual identifiers. The system can be used to arrange individual documents based on their particular types or can isolate the individual pages of one document in such a way that it is easier to go directly to the page that is needed. The most common usage of the Bates numbering system is the stamping of PDF documents with special identification numbers using a specially designed tool that comes with the relevant software for this particular purpose.

ESSAY: Drawing Lessons for Beginners Essay Table of Contents 1. Lesson 1: How to Hold a Pencil 2. Lesson 2: Exploring Mark Marking 3. Lesson 3: Wire Drawing Lesson 4. Lesson 4: Blind Contour Drawing 5. Lesson 5: Pure Contour Drawing 6. Lesson 6: Cross Contour Drawing 7. Work Cited Primarily, this art involves the utilization of lines to depict mostly two-dimensional medium. The art requires the draughtsman to have a number of tools or instruments, which are compulsory for completion of any work of art in this field. This paper will discuss drawing lessons for beginners, with emphasis on the nature of material important in different drawings, amount of time required, and procedures that any draughtsman must use, for success in drawing ventures. Lesson 1: How to Hold a Pencil Any venture into this world of art begins with the handling of materials; mostly pencils, necessary for completing sketches. Depending on one’s preferred method of holding it, practically there is no method that the art recommends for use but rather, the mechanism of holding depends on individual preferences. It is important for all individuals to note that, use of forced holding methodologies can be disastrous, hence the importance of adopting a strategy that is the most comfortable. One of the most ordinary methods of holding a pencil is the basic tripod grip. This is the commonly used methods by majority of individuals in their normal writing practices. The method requires individuals to position their fingers in a manner that will ensure the middle finger, thumb and forefinger form a shape, which almost resembles a triangle. For achievement of such a shape, individuals must use their ring finger and pinkie to sustain the shape. The primary aim behind use of all these fingers is to ensure there is full management of the pencil orientation hence, ensuring achievement of required shading pattern using the tip. In undertaking the entire exercise, because the hand will always rest on the same page one is using, it is advisable for one for one to use an extra piece of paper; a practice aimed at minimizing effects resulting from skin oils and stains. Sometimes, depending on the nature of hand movements involved; primarily the elbow, it is advisable for individuals to ensure they place their elbows on the border of the surface they are using. Another second common method is the extended tripod grip. To some extent it uses the same idea as the basic tripod technique however, in this method individuals must elevate the positions of their pencils; a practice aimed at writing easiness. In addition, this method requires individuals to ease their holds, to ensure they achieve superlative outcomes. The third practical method, which individuals can use, is the overhand grip. This method is the most appropriate in any sketching exercise. It primarily involves supporting of the pencil with fingers; primary the flat section of the thumb, whereby, the grip orientation depends on the hand proportions. In addition, this method works best, when individuals are using vertical surfaces, in sitting or standing positions hence, giving the hand some movement liberty. Contrary to this, the underarm grip requires individuals to raise their thumbs a little bit higher whereby, the pencil rests on the palm, in the space existing between the thumb and index finger. Success in this first lesson requires a minimum of five minutes whereby, an individual has to have a pencil and some piece of papers for practice. Lesson 2: Exploring Mark Marking Regardless of the type of pencil owned by individuals, it is important for all individuals to explore the how different writing materials work. The primary method of ascertaining the working mechanisms of different drawing materials is mark marking. This method involves basic scribbling, with no intent of creating a meaningful drawing. Through such basic scribbling, draughtsman will build the required confidence in their resources. Success in this undertaking requires an individual to take at least five minutes of their time whereby, they must have the writing material they want to test; charcoal or pencils, and some writing surfaces, which are mostly pieces of papers. The entire exercise involves simple scribbling using different grades of the writing materials, which one is intending to use. Although it may sound like an easy exercise, it is important for all individuals to bear in mind that, success of this exercise depends on how serious individuals take their scribbling ventures. That is, whichever the orientation preferred, individuals should do the whole exercise with one goal in mind; to discover how different materials work. The most meaningful scribbling orientations that one can use include drawing of oval, wavy, light or heavy lines. In addition, this involves varying the shading patterns; from light to dark ones, through scribbling varying marks and lightly erasing them. This is important in ascertain the most appropriate pencils for erasing with little smudges, materials with the best impressions, and which materials are appropriate in creating specific impressions. In ensuring maximum learning from this lesson, individuals require a minimum of five minutes whereby, it is important for individuals to conduct a critical analysis of the quality of their scribbling, in terms of orderliness, gentleness, and neatness. Lesson 3: Wire Drawing Lesson After ascertaining the effectiveness of the working materials, individuals now can venture into the drawing exercise, whereby such exercises involves drawing with little significance on impression. The entire practice may require a time span of about fifteen to thirty minutes whereby, it is important for individuals to have materials such as a piece of wire (flexible one), some drawing surface; primarily pieces of paper, pencils, or pens, and some wire bending instruments for example, a pliers. The main purpose behind using a flexible piece of wire is that, all obtained shapes from different wire twists are theoretical however, they are crucial in helping individuals learn to synchronize their eyes and hand. To achieve good results, it is advisable for individual to avoid bending the wire into shapes that are common in nature but rather, they should embrace the concept of randomness in their shapes. In addition, there is need for individuals to try to form both two and three-dimensional shapes. In three-dimensional shapes, the depth concept is very important; hence, to achieve this, individuals should use the lightweight concept of drawing. It is important to note here that, the primary aim behind this lesson, is achievement of desired shapes of wires hence, the individuals should lay little attention of the shadow effect, which may result. On the other hand, in wire drawing, the concept of the realistic concept of drawings is of less significance but rather, what individuals should make sure is that, their lines are continuous and embrace the drawing relaxation concept. It is important for all individuals to avoid the use of uncertain strokes, because in most cases they make many drawings to have a bad look. Lesson 4: Blind Contour Drawing Although Wire drawing lesson is important in ensuring there is coordination between the eyes and hands, it achieves little as compared to blind contour drawing. This is because; this is a classic undertaking, aimed at ensuring individuals train appropriately their eyes and hands to coordinate in any drawing venture. The entire exercise requires a time span of about fifteen to sixty minutes whereby, it is compulsory for individuals to have some drawing materials for example, pieces of paper; A4 sketch paper and pens or pencils. It primarily involves drawing of outline representations of various objects in mind, while avoiding staring at the drawing surface. It is important for individuals to note that, regardless of the nature of the outcomes, the main idea behind this lesson is individuals to develop the ability to synchronize ideas in their eyes and put them down using their free hand. That is, individuals must be able to look at the subject hence, draw what their eyes have observed. Lines are very important in this level, whereby one should at least capture some concepts of the real objects in their drawings. In addition, for individuals to ensure they embrace the continuity concept in their drawings, it is important for them to minimize chances of lifting scribbling materials from drawing surfaces. To obtain a perfect shape, individuals should draw simple shapes like their hands by making sure that their writing materials are at appropriate positions on the drawing surface. After ensuring that, they should look at the objects they want to draw, conceptualize them, and then commence sketching them, while avoiding staring at them. As one draws, it is important for one to ensure they follow all the curves and bumps, something that is achievable by being keen on every available feature. After finishing this exercise, it is important for individuals to analyze their pictures, mark all the mistakes hence, try to repeat the same for accuracy purpose, using a variety of shapes. Lesson 5: Pure Contour Drawing This form of drawing also applies the concept of outline drawing; however, the method is advanced in that, it is necessary for the drawing to depict the visible ends of the object drawn. This form of drawing can utilize either pure lines or clean contours depending on the artist’s preference. To achieve this lesson’s objectives, an individual will require a time span of almost thirty to forty five minutes; whereby, it is compulsory for individual to have important materials for example, pencils, erasers and some writing surface, preferably a piece of paper. The primary goal of this form of drawing is to provide a vivid depiction of the edges of an item, in pictorial representation. Primary qualities, which most drawings of this form should have, include strength, easiness, and lucidity. To achieve this, it is advisable for individuals to limit their use of color, highlight, and shadow; primarily to achieve edge clarity. In these drawings, individuals can represent edges in different forms for example, in plain forms; for edges with clear starting points and endings or in line-implied forms; in most edge bending or flattening out cases. The main aim behind these two forms is to help the picture observer to clearly see some concepts of form in pictures; a point that is achievable through consistence in representing identical bends. In addition, individuals can represent surface change over using either dotted or a series of broken lines. On the other hand, in cases where individual do not want to use the two, they can use the line weight concept, which depends on the amount of energy used in pressing the pencil. Primary line forms for use include signatory lines; a feature that embraces the uniqueness concept, depending on an artist and calligraphic lines; a line feature that aims to express the thoughts. Although a good a good drawing method, this method has limitations, which primarily depend on the features of an object. That is, most complex drawing will vividly give the required characteristics of an object, a feature that is rare in simple pictorial representations; more so in three-dimensional objects. Lesson 6: Cross Contour Drawing In addition to blind and pure drawing, there exist cross contour drawing, which encompasses both the concepts of value and line drawing. In addition, this method is very important in drawing of objects in three dimensions in that, it provides a mechanism of creating the three-dimensional effect. To obtain the three-dimensional effect, artists must draw traverse lines on the form, which can be either horizontal or vertical. It is important for individuals to note that, the angular inclination of such lines varies, depending on the effects the artist wants to bring out hence, forming a pattern, which resembles the grid lines of a globe; but which are a little bit wavy. The contours in this form of drawing have some linear characteristics whereby, through wrapping a specific form, these lines help in providing a three-dimensional form of an object. For individuals to ensure they provide a mechanism of understanding the three dimensional concept of an object, it is important for them to show the direction of the contours; a fact that will aid the brain’s imaginative power, in interpreting the picture. In addition, it is important for individuals to note that, it is not necessary for these contours to have the mechanical property, but rather all they need is the ability of having the expressive effects on individuals. On the other hand, it is important for individuals to ensure their drawings have the expressive power, which is crucial for understanding of the implied form. One main application of this form of drawing is during hatching whereby, the artist may decide to cover the entire form with lines, or select a few sections to use them, in either a wavy or a straight manner. This strategy is important even in scenarios where individuals prefer shading primarily because, correct use of contours can help to create a shade effect hence, creating the desired effects dimensionally. To achieve this, an individual requires almost thirty to forty five minutes whereby, it is necessary for one to have an item to sketch, a drawing surface, a pencil, and an eraser. Work Cited Helen, South. Learn to draw-beginner lessons . About.com. Web.

ESSAY: Behavior Modification in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Introduction Report Introduction Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder that is associated with hyperactivity, inattentiveness, impulsivity, excessive motor activity and distraction. It affects people of all ages. ADHD is diagnosed in childhood from the age of seven and adolescents and most adults with the disorder link it to their childhood where it was either noticed or ignored. The causes of ADHD are not established concretely in research studies although it is linked to genetic, hereditary or biological factors as well as environmental and social factors to a certain extent. Addressing ADHD in children is significant since early diagnosis and treatment of the condition during childhood can alleviate it. The prevalence rates of ADHD are high in children and if not dealt with during childhood it usually creates more problems in adolescent stage. Sufferers of ADHD are at risk of engaging in negative behaviors such as substance abuse as well as the onset of depression. The use of behavior modification in addressing ADHD is very important since the medication alone cannot transform the sufferers whereas monitoring it is very difficult. This research project establishes the use of behavior modification in dealing with ADHD in children. Summary of Articles Relevant to the Research Project Article 1 Chang, H., Chang, C., & Shin, Y. (2007). The Process of Assisting Behavior Modification in a Child with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Nursing Research, 15 (2), 147-154. The authors of the article are Chang Hsin and Chang Ching of the National Cheng Kung University as well as Shin of the nursing department in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. The objective of the article is to offer a description of the process of behavior modification for a child diagnosed with ADHD. The research involved a child who had not reported positive effects despite undergoing treatment of ADHD using medication. The child was subjected to behavior modification together with medication for the next year with the medication based on the prescription of the doctor. The behavior treatment was based on the drafts of the doctors and experts with major techniques being punishment and skillful reinforcement. The information was collected from interviews with parents and teachers and other observation. The results from the research were: 1. The child improved in self discipline in his daily life. 2. His social interactions with friends improved. 3. He finished his school work and games on time. The research establishes that behavior modification when carried out together with drug treatment improves the daily lives of children with ADHD. Good communication with parents and the psychological preparation are important in behavior modification while the overall support of the teachers and other social interactions are necessary for such children. Article 2 Coles, E., Pelham, W., Gnagy, E., Burrows-Maclean, L., Fabiano, G., et al. (2005). A Controlled Evaluation of Behavioral Treatment with Children with ADHD Attending a Summer Treatment Program. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 13 (2), 99-112. This study was done by ten authors identified above. The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for children suffering from ADHD. The research study involved the manipulation of the presence of behavioral treatment for four children of ages 11 to 12 years. The children involved in the research were enrolled at the Center for Children and Families located at the State University of New York in Buffalo for the summer treatment program of 2001 for duration of eight weeks. The behavior treatment conditions were varied and changes in the behaviors in and out of the classroom assessed together with the levels of productivity in their academic work. The behaviors recorded included: obedience to activity rules, daily rates of compliance, interruptions, conduct problems, complaining, negative verbalizations and violation of rules. The findings were: 1. John showed a low rate of complaining during treatment which increased with withdrawal. 2. Anne’s classroom seatwork and rule violations worsened with the withdrawals but stabilized during the last three weeks of the project. 3. Trevor reduced negative behavior but never returned to his initial treatment level of functioning after the withdrawals. 4. Jeremy’s classroom rule violations were also low initially when behavior modification was being used, but the rate rose when it was withdrawn. The study demonstrates the positive impact of behavior modification on children with ADHD but it is limited in terms of the sample size and the individual differences. Article 3 DuPaul, G., & White, G. (2006). ADHD: Behavioral, Educational and Medication Interventions. Education Digest, 71 (7), 57-60. The study was done by DuPaul of Lehigh University Pennsylvania and White of Education Leadership program. The purpose of the report is to provide a guideline to educators on ways of dealing with children with ADHD. They report that educators spend much time dealing with students with special needs such as children with ADHD. The article suggests that medical and psychosocial treatments help but responses to medication vary with individual differences hence requiring monitoring. They suggest the need for staff to be updated with medical research with behavioral interventions in the classroom of antecedent based strategies such as modified lengths of assignments, posting of rules and peer tutoring among others, and consequent strategies based on reward systems and reinforcements as well as academic interventions. They suggest the establishment of a support system for children with ADHD which includes increased time during testing, preferential seating in class, choice of a quiet place for testing purposes and increased length of assignments. Article 4 Ibrahim, E. (2002). Rates of adherence to pharmacological treatment among children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Human Psychopharmacology, 17 (2), 225-231. The author of the article is Ibrahim El-Sheikh, a psychiatrist based at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. He asserts that although the pharmacological interventions for children and adolescents with ADHD are effective, the failure to comply with prescribed medication poses a great challenge to children and adolescents. The objective of the research was to investigate the rate at which the children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and involved in the research were able to adhere to prescribed medication. The research involved a total of 51 children and adolescents of ages 7 to 16.6 years diagnosed with ADHD. The research entailed interviews and the checklists provided to the parents and teachers for compliance. The results of the research were: 1. There were high rates of adherence to treatment reported by the patients for the one week and three months period. 2. After the three months period, the reports of the parents showed stability in the adherence of the children and adolescents to the medication. The implications of the findings were that the characteristics and functioning of the families played a key role in the adherence and the behavior modification therapy lessons attended by the participants. The whole research establishes the need for behavioral modification when coupled with medication. However, the study was limited to participants from intact family structure while the duration of three months was short and did not allow long term evaluation. Article 5 Logan, A. (2007). Controlling ADHD. Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition, 9 (229), 86-88. The author of the article is Logan, a lecturer on depression, learning, nutrition and behavior at the Harvard medical school. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the alternative care that is given to children suffering from ADHD. The author asserts that the alternative care provides relief in the long term compared to the remedy of pharmaceutical medication. The alternative care includes behavioral modification in the form of reinforcements and rewards systems which can be used by teachers and parents. According to the author, the alternative care not only enables children with ADHD acquire coping skills but also adaptive thinking, improved communication skills and management of emotions. The author also suggests that adherence to proper diet and nutrition serves as a form of treatment for children suffering from ADHD. Conclusion The research project under consideration involves children suffering from ADHD due to the complexity of the condition that results from a lack of clear cause, mixed symptoms and high prevalence. ADHD is treatable in childhood but failure to be diagnosed and treated earlier in life causes more adverse effects especially as the sufferers advance to the adolescent stage. This paper has provided the summary of the relevant scholarly articles for more in depth analysis and evaluation of the condition. The general consensus from the articles is that behavioral modification program is an effective way of managing ADHD in children especially if the program is coupled with medication. Reference List Chang, H., Chang, C., & Shin, Y. (2007). The Process of Assisting Behavior Modification in a Child with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Nursing Research, 15 (2), 147-154. Coles, E., Pelham, W., Gnagy, E., Burrows-Maclean, L., Fabiano, G., et al. (2005). A Controlled Evaluation of Behavioral Treatment with Children with ADHD Attending a Summer Treatment Program. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 13 (2), 99-112. DuPaul, G., & White, G. (2006). ADHD: Behavioral, Educational and Medication Interventions. Education Digest, 71 (7), 57-60. Ibrahim, E. (2002). Rates of adherence to pharmacological treatment among children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Human Psychopharmacology, 17 (2), 225-231. Logan, A. (2007). Controlling ADHD. Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition, 9 (229), 86-88.

ESSAY: Why Is Bilingual Education Important Research Paper Introduction Considering the diversity nature of students in any classroom scenario, it is important for the teaching orientation to adopt a variety of mechanisms, which will ensure there is satisfaction of all learner needs. In addition, because the quest for education goes beyond national borders, it is important for different governments to adopt appropriate teaching mechanisms in their educational curriculums, which are important in ensuring the set curriculum meets both the local and international students’ needs. On the other hand, it is important for all individuals or governments to note that, most nationalities base their curriculum on the English language; something that is discriminatory to some extent, on students whose primary language is not English. Considering this, and the fact that any educational curriculum; regardless of the country, aims to achieve equality and prepare learners for future their roles; in a competitive and ever-changing job market, it is important for governments to accept the bilingual education concept. This is because it, integrates the cultural diversity concept, which is essential for survival in any cultural environment (Spring pp. 204-215). Why Adopt Bilingual Education Majority of schools, colleges, and higher learning institutions; be they national or international, offer educational curriculums, whose language of presentation is primarily English. Considering this, one question always lacks appropriate answers; do such curriculums encompass the needs of learners whose first tongue is not English? Although majority of individuals may argue that, some schools have English orientation classes for such students; still another question arises; what is the appropriateness of such orientation programs, considering their straining nature and time needed for such programs? Yes, the argument that majority of bilingual programs lack appropriate measurement criteria, and that most of them have additional costs is right; however, is the cost worth the quantity of knowledge learnt, in case a government integrates such a course in its curriculum? One main objective, which any educational curriculum should aim to achieve is promotion of learners’ inherent abilities, hence, making it a necessity for such programs to integrate the diversity concept in all their curriculums. From an ethical dimension or humanly arguing, it is utterly wrong for any educator to constrain learners’ inherent abilities, only because an educational curriculum discourages the adoption of bilingual education. This is because; failure by such curriculums to provide the language diversity concept not only violates learners’ educational rights, but also to a larger extent affects the nature of relationships between different nationalities, societies, and families (Baker pp. 99-112). Cultural diversity is one of main concepts, which determines the productivity of any society, whereby communication is necessary. Therefore, because language plays a central role in any cultural scenario, it is important for societies to encourage the integration of other languages in their cultural practices. This is because; such integrations are very important and counter-productive not only to the natives of such minority societies, but also to the host communities. This is due to the fact that, such integrations give such communities opportunities of actively participating in global social-economic activities. On the other hand, it is important to note here that, such integrations are crucial elements for globalization to achieve its goals (Porter, pp. 87-93) In all spheres of life, it is very important for individuals, governments, and even organizations to respect all individuals’ rights, where learners’ educational rights are not an exception. National identity is one of the primary concepts that any society should embrace; hence, making it necessary for all policy makers to encompass the bilingual concept in any curriculum formulated. In addition, Mother tongue languages are primary aspects of any cultural identity; hence, discouraging adoption of such a concept to some extent, may contribute to racism; because of the cultural superiority concept within most global societies. On the other hand, the concept of bilingualism is very important, when it comes to development of ability in learners. This is because; the entire concept gives learners an opportunity of having a deeper comprehending of concepts as they go through all the stages of learning. In addition, the concept is crucial in the language developing process, for it gives them a chance of contrasting what they know and what other language expresses, as concerns the organization of reality. It is also important to note that, mother tongue forms the basis of any “foreign” language development. This is because; research findings show that, native languages give a foundation for vocabulary formation, owing to the fact that, there exists a great interdependency between an individual’s primary and secondary language (Baker pp. 143-156). The argument by many antagonist of bilingual education that, adoption of such a system may have negative impacts on the development of primary institutional language is wrong. This is due to the fact that, success of any bilingual education programs depends on the adopted implementation measures, which are primary determinants of the nature of outcomes from such a system. In addition, such an argument may be wrong primarily because, there is some equivalence in learning of concepts in both languages. That is, concepts in the native languages give learners potentialities of developing academic abilities, which are crucial for second language concept acquisition. On the other hand, it is important to note that, most bilingual education programs run parallel to the normal English learning or such programs are only there to enhance or boost the acquisition of the secondary language. Practically, it is very hard for any individual to learn new concepts without having to correlate them with previously acquired knowledge in such fields. Hence, in most cases, it is very hard for “foreign” students to learn appropriately in a foreign setting, communication being the primary determinant of any curriculum success (Baker pp. 261-284). In classroom scenarios, the achievement of learning objectives depends on the level of motivation of students. In addition, student attitudes also play an important role, when it comes to achievement of classroom objectives more so in learning of a secondary language. Considering these facts, it therefore becomes necessary for government to integrate the bilingual concept in their education curriculum primarily because, mastery of the secondary language depends on learners’ attitudes towards the culture such a language is trying to assimilate them to, as concerns its concepts. This goes hand in hand with self-esteem development in that, suppressing the expression of their native languages implies that, such learners will have low self-esteem towards learning due to likelihoods of inferiority concept (Corson and Cummings pp. 132-134). Conclusion In conclusion, although this form or education receives a lot of antagonism, it is important to note that, adoption of this teaching orientation is not only important to the minority groups within the society but also to the society itself. This is because; such a system guarantees any society’s native citizenry a chance of acquainting themselves into the global markets. In addition, there is a lot that a native society can learn from such minority groups within its environs (concepts that most individuals more learners will find important in their future, as they endeavor to utilize their expertise in any global market). On the other hand, because the success of such programs depends on the implementation policies, it is very important for governments to reformulate and adopt workable policies, which must go hand in hand with enough funding and support. Primary mechanisms that governments can use to ensure such programs succeed include adopting such programs using the immersion orientation; where an instructor can use a number of languages in expressing concept whereby, incase this fails, it is important for minority students to have support-learning programs. Reference List Baker, Colin. Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (4 th e.d). Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2006. Print. Corson, David and Cummins, Jim. Bilingual education. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997. Print. Porter, Rosalie. Forked tongue: the politics of bilingual education . New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 1999. Print. Spring, Joel. The intersection of cultures: multiculturalism education in the United States and the global community (3 rd e.d). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2006. Print. A Synopsis of These Books Baker, Colin. Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism (4 th e.d). Bristol: Multilingual Matters, 2006. This book gives the foundation of most basic concepts associated with bilingual education and the concept of bilingualism. In its chapters, the author has critically analyzed how societies have interpreted this concept, and how such interpretations have affected the acceptance of the concept in such societies. To make the reader fully, understand the concept of bilingualism, the author explores the concept from four main perspectives namely: childhood development and bilingual education, concepts of bilingual education and general effects in a classroom scenario, the ideological perspective, and the political concepts associated with the concept. Through these different interpretations, the author makes the concept clear to the reader hence, posing a challenge to the reader on whether to accept the concept or not. Corson, David and Cummins, Jim. Bilingual education. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997. The book explores the interdisciplinary nature of language in relation to education whereby, it presents current research findings on bilingual education; hence, clarifying most issues that individuals associate with bilingual education. To educate the reader on the concept of bilingual education, the authors of the book have explored the concept from a multi-cultural dimension, by comparing the success and failures of this form of education in various countries. In addition to adoption of bilingual education to a classroom of “normal” learners, the author explores the concept from a perspective of learners with disabilities; hence, clearly illustrating the importance of such form of education in all classroom scenarios. On the other hand, the book also has discussed mechanisms, which governments can use for this form of education system to work hence, not only is the book valuable to students, but also its important to other scholars and policy makers. Rosalie. Forked tongue: the politics of bilingual education . New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 1999. This book offers fist hand information on failures of bilingual education. Through analyzing her personal experience in a school and class that used the bilingual education orientation, the writer presents a strong argument in opposing this form of education, although at some point she supports it. Although to the author, such a system is cumbersome, the book explores ways in which schools can integrate concepts of bilingualism in their daily endeavors, as schools endeavor to embrace the equality concept. In addition, the book discusses the role of politics in either failing or making sure the system succeeds in whichever country the system is operational hence, a good book for both learners and policy makers. Spring, Joel. The intersection of cultures: multiculturalism education in the United States and the global community (3 rd e.d). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. The books main objective is to provide a guideline to policy makers and schools, on how to implement the bilingual education concept successfully. It achieves this by exploring this concept from a multi-cultural perspective; whereby, the author discusses both the cultural and educational significance of bilingual educations. This books can be an important resource to teachers who teach in schools, which have adopted this form of education primary because, it gives guiding tips on the implementation of this form of education is any multi-cultured classroom.

ESSAY: Black Americans in the Revolutionary Era Essay Introduction The American Revolution is typically depicted as a major step in the realization of liberty and freedom for all. When the lives of African-Americans who lived during the time of this important event are considered, however, our view becomes quite complicated. Liberty came about as the American colonists pursued freedom and independence from rule of the English. The black Americans were not left behind and thus they adopted the attributes of the revolution with undeterred zeal in a bid to win their freedom. The main objective of revolution was to achieve a society that enjoyed freedom from the oppressive rule and also to enhance equality in the American society. This paper discusses the intricacies of the revolution era and looks into the motivating effect that the revolution had on black Americans. As it has been mentioned above, the revolution that was characteristic of the revolutionary era was engineered by American patriots, most of whom had black American slaves (DeCond.45). The determination that these patriots fought for their freedom from the rule of the English people had to have a long-lasting impact on the black Americans. This is because the black Americans were the ones facing the most problems prior to this period and thus complaints by the patriots made them realize that they had been oppressed for far too long. They therefore pursued the ethos of the era which were basically attaining freedom and achieving equality in the American society. This response by the black Americans towards the things that were happening at the time made them fight relentlessly for their freedom and rights which, in turn, has shaped the history of America and enabled America to be the society it is today. How the enslaved African-Americans sought freedom during the Revolutionary era In as much as the colonists were determined to make a difference in the American society, being involved in the war was not easy for them. A good number of them maintained a neutral position during the revolution era (Woody 76). Two major changes that occurred in America during the stated revolutionary period are establishment of the Afro-American community in America and the provision of the institutions that would help them live free lives. Afro-Americans were also accepted as part and parcel of the American society (Smith 109). The stated facts have been upheld for decades and consequently, the contemporary American society, undoubtedly, exhibits them. The Black Americans were contrarily interested in their freedom and thus they were ready to trade anything for their freedom. Consequently, they gave support to the armies that were likely to give them freedom from captivity .They realized the importance of supporting the army other than fighting them after fighting in vain for freedom. This was after the long period of time they had been captives. Through their union with the British army, they were in a position to be defended from slavery hence freed from captivity. Freedom was possible as the British army had the notion that the black Americans had now surrendered to join their camp. Another way through which the African- Americans could seek freedom was by being servants for a short period of time thereafter being set free. The service included working for the Britain without remuneration but in the end set free after the term. At other times they could only get freedom dues which included basic commodities like food, clothing and homes or land. The worst was when other slaves were meant to serve a lifetime even leading to passage of the slavery down the family tree such that slaves could be inherited and their siblings continue being slaves. The African-Americans use of the rhetoric of the Revolution to persuade white revolutionaries to oppose slavery The issue of Racism greatly influenced slavery during the American Revolutionary period. This issue was therefore eliminated through the use of the rhetoric of the revolution by the African- Americans (Shortell 78). By this the black slaves were considered inferior but not to be put into slavery. Rhetoric meant the use of suggestive signs other than one on one conversation to indirectly voice out their issues. The rhetoric of the revolution also emphasized on the fact that the Black Americans were supposed to be pitied and sympathized with. It is also through the use of the rhetoric that the slaves were able to achieve the freedom from being denied the chance to access certain social and public amenities (Woody 132). They were now able to get education, medical facilities, and job opportunities within the country as well democratic rights in their country. A good example of the rhetoric of the revolution was the use of fighting words. These words were aimed at passing their message or claim to the leaders of the country. The words also played a great part in uniting the people of the nation including the slaves. The slaves also used newspapers to publish their opinions as well as express their grievances. The antislavery campaign through newspapers proved successful as it paved way to peaceful discussions which ended slavery. The advantages and disadvantages of the American Revolution Despite the fact that the African- Americans suffered a great deal during this period, there were some benefits that came as a result of the American Revolution. The major benefit of the American Revolution was the freedom and liberty it brought to the Africans. The African- Americans during slavery were able to work together in unison so as to concur the British army (Smith 109). This taught them how to be self-protective. They were also privileged to learn several positive things from their colonialists which would help them develop their own nation after slavery. However, a keen look at the occurrence of events during the revolutionary period depicts that the British attained more privileges as compared to the African- Americans. On the other hand this revolution came with its own disadvantages which include high taxation rates imposed so that the government could generate enough money to pay the large number of army it had acquired. It also led to the decline in the economic development of their country hence making them dependant on aid. This was the case as they were not able to produce for their own country and instead worked for their colonists (Shortell 90). Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the American Revolutionary era was an important phase of the global history. Its occurrence taught many lessons to the people of the world. Indeed, it brought about many changes as mentioned above which were rather of great importance. However, the greatest of all was the freedom of the African- Americans that lastly came after a great tug of war (DeConde 67). This freedom is what is enjoyed up to this time whereby the Blacks are now independent in their own country. This was the end of slavery and oppression. The aforementioned benefits of the American Revolutionary also support the fact that it was necessary for it to occur. The mentioned demerits are also important if looked at on the other side of the coin. It was thus a good lesson for both races since equality was in the long run achieved. Works Cited DeConde, Alexander. Ethnicity, Race, and American Foreign Policy: A History. Boston, 1992 Shortell, Timothy. Social Science History – Volume 28, Number 1, Spring 2004, pp. 75-120 Smith, Tony. Foreign Attachments: The Power of Ethnic Groups in the Making of American Foreign Policy. Cambridge, Mass., 2000, pp 109 Woody, Holton. Black Americans in the Revolutionary Era . California. Barnes Noble, 2009. Print.

ESSAY: Black Boy By Richard Wright [Text Analysis] Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Plot Summary 3. Characters in the Book 4. Themes in “Black Boy” 5. Objects and Places of Significance in Black Boy 6. Conclusion 7. Works Cited Introduction The novel Black Boy by Richard Wright is his autobiographical story from childhood through his teenage and was published in 1945. Wright was born in 1908 and lived until 1960 and has been exclaimed as a great novelist, non-fiction writer, poet, and short-stories writer. His works of art are widely read and still relevant to modern-day society. This essay shall perform Black Boy text analysis and explore its main themes. Wright writes more about his life from early childhood dealing with racial relations and unsettlement to social isolation, clashes with religion, problems with employers of the white race as well as political issues. The book forms part of American non-fiction works in modern-day literature. Wright’s work of Black Boy is the novel of study in this paper. The paper analyzes the book’s plot summary, characters, themes, quotes, objects, and places mentioned and their significance to the author. Plot Summary The story opens with one of the earliest memories of the author in a rural Natchez, Mississippi plantation as a child of four years, standing near the fireplace. Since he had been warned to stay quiet, he plays with fire and accidentally burns down the family house. This causes his mother to beat him up almost to the point of death (Jones and Wright 4). They later move to Memphis, where his father abandons them, and his mother Ella struggles to provide for the family while the family falls into perpetual hunger and poverty (Andrews and Taylor 15). As is clear from the summary of Richard Wright’s “Black Boy,” Ella’s hard work causes her to develop health problems leaving Richard with the option of looking for odd jobs to provide for the family. At this point, education is not a priority for Wright and his brother. The family then moves to Elaine, Arkansas, to live with Maggie, Ella’s sister, and her husband Hoskin, where life is much better due to the success of the saloon business run by Hoskin. Hoskin is later murdered out of sheer white jealousy, and the two women run away with the two children to West Helena, Arkansas, where life is excellent due to their combined financial efforts. Maggie leaves for Detroit, forcing Ella and the children to experience hard economic times. They later travel to Jackson, Mississippi, to live with Richard’s grandmother. Alan, Richard’s brother, goes to Maggie’s place in Detroit, Ella lives with her mother in Jackson, while Richard chooses to live with Uncle Clark in Greenwood, Mississippi. Richard later goes back to his granny’s place, despite the problem of hunger but faces another challenge of strict religion from his granny and Aunt Addie, who force him to attend religious classes. His Uncle Tom comes to live with the family in Jackson. Richard joins the school with an interest in writing upon graduation. He joins the work-life at an optical shop in the post office and other jobs and keeps his struggle with racism. The story comes to a close as he leaves the Communist party and also the south region still determined to continue his writing work (Felgar 37). Characters in the Book Wright is the central character of the novel, with the story revolving around him. He is presented as a four-year-old child who progresses with the story in his childhood to early adulthood (Briones 4). As a young child, he refuses to accept the notion about his color, lack of religion, and develops intellectual curiosity. Wright is presented as not only believing in his own worth and capabilities, but also as a stubborn, willful, independent and a rebellious youth who challenges parental authority, refuses to adapt to strict religion, stands up to his aunts and uncles even challenging them to physical violence, refuses to read the script required by his school principal and stands up to the whites at his workplace (Wright 156-167). Wright is willing to express himself, and this makes him experience emotional isolation and physical violence, which fuel in him an urge of creativity and love for reading and writing (Felgar 700). He is a non-conformer with a strong-willed character despite his background, social status, and racism. He is willing to stand to his principles but has negative traits when he lies, steals, and engages in physical violence and shows some weakness and inferiority towards some whites. He is not closely connected with people, especially his family though he loves humanity (Bell-Russel 115). Due to his age, his character traits are dynamic, depending on the circumstances. Ella Wright is Richard’s mother. The story captures most of the moments when she is sick and suffering. However, she presents parental authority when she disciplines Richard and is compassionate and independent due to her ability to take care of the family when her husband abandons them. She is tolerant and affectionate, especially in her support of Richard’s writings (Gallantz 88). The author uses her suffering nature to present the issues of family relationships, poverty, racism, hunger, and injustice. Nathaniel, Richard’s father, is introduced briefly as a selfish man who abandons his family and later on as a sharecropper who represents slavery (Felgar 39). Granny, with her white hair, is compassionate as she takes Richard and his family to live with her. Her strict religion and hot temper stand out as she acts as a dictator who forces Richard to religion, uses it as an excuse for her anger, and stands in the way of Richard’s curiosity (Felgar 700). Addie and Tom are presented as dependent living with their mother, but Addie is strictly religious, fearful, and a conformist. Maggie is a hardworking lady, married to Hoskin, and on his death remarries, thus representing her dependence while still compassionate and affectionate as she takes Alan to live with her. Reynolds and Pease, who are whites, and Nealson and Ed Green, who are black communists, are racist, rigid, and intimidating ( Dinnerstein 81). The female relatives stand out in the life of Richard from his mother, who disciplines and supports him, his Aunt Maggie with whom Richard gets well along, his granny who is hot-tempered and religious, and his aunt Addie who teaches Richard the religious classes. Richard’s brother does not seem significant in Richard’s life. He does not share in Richard’s rebellion and later goes to live with their aunt Maggie in Detroit. The school principal is a conformist and dictatorial who tries to force Richard to change his speech. Themes in “Black Boy” Black Boy outlines several issues, most of which are connected to Richard. Racism forms the central theme, which Richard associates with discrimination and injustice (Young 695). While growing up, he witnesses a black boy beaten by a white man. Hoskin is killed out of jealousy of the whites. His principal wants him to give a speech to please the whites. He encounters Reynolds and Pease and eventually leaves the Southern region due to racism (Felgar 701). Family life serves as a one of the themes in “Black Boy” by Richard Wright presenting it as living a deprived life with no support, especially emotionally and financially, when the father leaves them and the criticisms experienced from the relatives who want Richard to conform to their expectations (Briones 5). During his childhood days, Richard experiences miserable living conditions, poverty, hunger, constant resettling of the family, lack of emotional support, and hunger, among others, which make him more hardworking and determined (Nexuslearning.net). The family, however, proves supportive through the willingness of the relatives to help Richard’s family during his mother’s illness and her support for his writing work. Religion is presented in Black Boy. Richard is of the opinion that religion is oppressive and meaningless though there are some images and stories of the same he finds attractive. Richard perceives religion as a way of silencing curiosity and a questioning attitude to maintain the status quo of racism (Wright 100). Isolation is presented in the book through the life of Richard, most of which he spends alone. These times provide him with strength and happiness, out of which his love for writing, reading, and creativity is developed. Black Boy also presents the theme of rebellion based on the behavior and attitude of Richard from his childhood to his early adulthood. Richard rebels against and challenges both parental and other forms of authority (Wright 2). Despite Richard Wright’s parents’ demands toward him, he refuses to fit in their racial expectations and rebels against religion from his granny, he attempts physical violence against his aunt Addie and uncle Tom, refuses to read the speech as directed by the principal and goes against the party expectations and those of his fellow employees. Objects and Places of Significance in Black Boy As is evident from the theme essay on “Black Boy,” the novel Black Boy places emphasis and significance in certain places and objects in society. The places start at home, the church, Beale Street, the school, the church, and the communist party (Felgar 699). Richard portrays the home as a place of high emotional conflict with him being criticized for his rebellion, his father leaving them, and having to work at an early age (Wright 7). However, the home is also presented as a place of support where Ella can get help from the family during her poor health condition while she also supports the writing of Richard. Richard’s family perceives Beale Street as evil, yet contrary to this, Richard meets Moss his landlady and daughter who welcome and show interest in him by suggesting that he marries Bess since to them he is a nice person. Black Boy presents the place of the hospital, whereas a custodian dealing with animal tests, his black friends are not able to handle the experiment since the white doctors had not taught them, causing them to cover up for their mistake. This is presented in the working life of Richard since whites do not mind blacks stealing or lying as long as they maintain their places in authority (Andrews and Taylor 77). The church plays a significant role in the book that granny and Addie use to discipline Richard. The church has transformed them into faith and belief that causes them to believe that the church is the one that can change Richard, who to granny is sinful and rebellious. Granny perceives the word of God as law and hence cannot be questioned while Richard is not interested in it. Black Boy presents the church as one way of increasing racism (Dinnerstein 82). The school presents as a significant place that enables Richard to get away from his family and reveals his desire for reading and writing. It presents a platform for Richard to be able to express himself, for example, through being able to give a speech and write “The Voodoo of Hell’s Half-acre” published in the local daily. However, the aspect of racism is also presented where the principal demands that Richard presents a different speech than the one he wanted to create a good impression and appease the white audience to maintain his job. Later on, in his professional life, Richard joins the communist party, which gives him a platform for his writing career (Bell-Russel 116). The party helps him realize that racism is not common to everyone, with some people just able to help others with human perspectives and have the zeal for realizing their full potential as usual human beings. Richard realizes that these kinds of people try to transform not only themselves but also the world through the use of politics. He finds like-minded people, but they are suspicious, ignorant, with human fears and insecurity, and they criticize him based on intellectualism. Richard experiences another moment of isolation, and he later leaves the party to maintain his values (Wright 389). Conclusion As the Black Boy text analysis shows, the novel by Richard Wright comprehensively presents the story of the author in his childhood through to his teenagehood. The relevance of the book has been enhanced through the use of first-person narration. This paper provides a review and analysis of the novel based on the plot summary, characters, themes, objects, and places mentioned in the story, thus revealing its creative and orderly manner. Works Cited Andrews, William, and Douglas Taylor. Richard Wright’s Black Boy (American hunger): a casebook. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Bell-Russel, Danna. “Richard Wright: Black Boy.” Library Journal, 1 (1997): 115-116. Briones, Matthew. “Call and Response: Tracing the ideological shifts of Richard Wright through his correspondence with friends and fellow literati.” African American Review, 37.1 (2003): 53-64. Dinnerstein, Leonard. “The Viciousness of Racism.” Labor History , 40.1 (1999): 81-82. Felgar, Robert. Understanding Richard Wright’s Black boy: A Student casebook to issues, sources and historical documents. Westport: Greenwood Publishers, 1998. Gallantz, Michael. Richard Wright’s Native Son & Black Boy. Woodbury, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, 1985. Jones, Edward, and Richard Wright. Black Boy . New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2005. Nexuslearning.net. From Black Boy by Richard Wright, 2010. Web. Wright, Richard. Black Boy (P.S) . New York: Harper Perennial Publications, 2007. Young, Robert. “The Politics of Reading Richard Wright: Black boy as Ideological Critique.” The Western Journal of Black Studies, 29.4 (2005): 694-701.

ESSAY: Blanchard and Fiedler Leadership Models Compare & Contrast Essay As opposed to Taylorists who opined that there was a single way of proper management and leadership for that matter, Fred Fiedler (born 1922) stated that the efficacy of one as a leader was solely dependant upon situational contingency (DuBrin, 2009). Situational contingency according to him was broken down as to relate to the style of leadership and the favorableness of various situations. This theory differs from the situational model which was first set out as the life cycle theory of leadership. In the latter theory, Ken Blanchard is of the opinion that an interaction between the maturity of the leader and the requirements of a task are important in establishing a superb leadership style (Blanchard & Johnson, 1982). These two theories are similar in the sense that they both suggest that there is no specific one leadership style that is to be universally accepted as “the one.” Rather different situations will call for managers to operate in different ways. The two theories both negate the traits of the leaders, something that was previously theories majorly focused upon. Forsyth (2009) expresses that Fiedler’s theory introduces situational control; something that is also present in the Blanchard’s Situational theory. However the latter incorporates directing, coaching, supporting and delegating as the key roles that leaders should utilize to influence their followers. DuBrin (2009) states that in Fiedler’s model, he introduces the least preferred co worker scale that is used to identify the task orientation level s and friendliness of the leader. Basically, he categorizes leaders as being task oriented or people oriented. Bipolar scales of between 1 and 8 are utilized by Fiedler. In this, leaders are asked about the workers they have worked with and rank them in terms of cooperation accorded, friendliness and supportive levels among other traits. Results will establish whether a leader is people oriented or task oriented. Blanchard on the other hand focuses on how well a leader tells, sells, participates and delegates tasks (Blanchard & Johnson, 1982). The higher the flexibility expressed in these tasks, the better the leader. Maturity levels are also relevant where Ken gives them a scale of M1 to M4. At M1 specific skills are absent and the willingness to work. As someone moves to M4, experience, skill and comfort at work will keeps increasing more. An evaluation of Waldinc International shows that human relations leadership model is more applicable. This is because the organization being a management consultancy firm, more emphasis is given to serving our clients the best way we can be and be sensitive to their specific needs. Our staff therefore needs to be comfortable and in the correct mind state at all times so that service to our clients will be best. Human relations model is the best to achieve this. As an organization we need to continually improve and this will call for a learning organization so that feedback from our employees will be high. We need to create an environment of innovation, creativity and free flow of information and so we consider that the human relations model of Fiedler would work best for our firm to achieve these. Further for easier diagnosis of problem areas in our organization, we consider that by use of this style, the employees would be able to open up easily to us so that we can exchange more information and keep improving in our provision of management consultancy services. References DuBrin, A. (2009). Leadership: Research Findings, Practice, and Skills . New York: Cengage Learning Institute. Forsyth, D. (2009). Group Dynamics. New York: Cengage Learning Institute. Blanchard, K. & Johnson, S. (1982). The one minute manager . New York: Morrow.