Nursing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 15

Nursing - Assignment Example Nursing research like any other research encompasses the content of quantitative and qualitative reports. This paper answers four questions about nursing research based on the Burns and Grove text Yes, findings from a single study may be used to change nursing practice. Findings in most instances generate conclusions which reflect the current situation in the nursing field. According to Polit and Beck (2008), nurses are expected to use the most current practice, and for nurses to determine what the current practice is, they must read research critically and if possible embrace the latest findings. According to Polit and Beck (2008) statistical significance refers to the fact that the observed mean differences may not have been caused by sampling error. Statistical significances often occur even where very small population differences are observed if the sample size is large. Practical significance on the other hand examines whether the difference between the observed mean is large enough to be practically of a value or have a real meaning. Nursing research findings should be communicated to health visitors, senior nurses, midwives, managers, educators, researchers, advanced nursing students, and the whole nursing fraternity. The mechanisms that can be used to communicate these findings to them include; the use of journals, reports, posters, online databases, memos, and through implementation of policies. Poster presentation in nursing is the art of conveying message about findings from nursing research findings (to Burns & Grove, 2009). This presentation is normally prepared after a nursing research abstract has been accepted. In conclusion, nursing research is essential to the nursing practice and the healthcare fraternity as a whole. This because it ensures that nurses offer the most current services and are able to

Education - Teacher Essay Example for Free

Education Teacher Essay Discussion of aim of education is a function of the philosophy of education or educational theory. The aim of education in the fullest and deepest sense of the word is in keeping with the nature of the human personality or human nature. Human nature is defined in terms of the cultivation and development of perceptive intelligence based on experience i. e. creative intelligence. Creative intelligence or intuition combines reason of understanding with wisdom of compassion depends on human awakening or enlightenment. aim of education is to cultivate creative intelligence required for adaptation to changes in the social environment i. e. adaptability. Life is very complex and complicated. But an aim in life can make the complex life simple and purposeful. Aims give us direction to work and without aim, destination, or objective life becomes incomplete and haphazard. Individual has different interests, attitudes and needs. Every individual wants to achieve certain goals in life. But a clear-cut aim makes the road of life easy. Educational aims are varied. They have their different role in different fields. Some specific aims are listed below: (i) Knowledge Aim: The aim of education is the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. It helps to adjust properly in one’s own environment. Knowledge helps the man to overcome the nature and satisfy human wants. It links the teacher and taught with social situation. It helps with certain skills to live in a society as human being and civilized one. Philosophers and educationists of the world believe in knowledge. It is the valuable asset of life, which helps the individual to overcome misery and problems of life. (ii) Vocational Aim: Knowledge aim of education is narrow by nature. The theoretical knowledge will never meet our basic needs of life. We need bread and butter to fill up our belly. We can get it if education is vocationalised. Gandhiji realized it in 1937 when he introduced Basic Education. Vocational aim develops the social efficiency of the individual. It reduces mental tension after completion of education. Those who are lower, intelligence in vocational education or training are a blessing for them. Realizing this aspect. Indian Education Commission (1964-66) introduces work-experience in the curriculum. (iii) Character Building Aim: The Indian concept of education believes in self-realization. Self-realization is possible through moral education. So the individual should cultivate moral virtues or values which constitute character. Swami Vivekananda said, â€Å"We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. † (iv) Complete-Living Aim: The individual has various aspects to be developed. Every aspect of the personality is reflected in various activities to be performed. Education should help the individual to fulfill the various needs and necessities of life like self-preservation, fulfilling necessities of life, rearing and bearing of children, performing civic responsibilities and utilizing his leisure time properly. Firstly, the individual must know the art of self-preservation. Secondly, education should enable to him to earn his living. Thirdly, he should know how to take care of his own children. Lastly, he must have the idea how to utilize the leisure hours properly in a profiting manner. (v) Harmonious: Development of the personality aim- Gandhiji said, â€Å"By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man-body, mind and spirit. † The meaning itself indicates to develop all-round aspects of individual-physical, intellectual, social and spiritual. All these aspects of the individual should be harmoniously developed. True education is development of 3H’s instead of 3R’s. The development of Head, Heart and hand of an individual makes him happy. (vi) Democratic Aim of Education: One of the important aims and objective of education suggested by Secondary Education Commission (1952-54) is to develop the democratic citizenship. India is a democratic country. Even citizen must have to realize the duties and responsibilities carefully. So the aim of education is to train carefully the future citizens. Training should be provided to develop the following qualities of the individual. (i) Capacity for clear thinking (ii) Receptivity of new idea (iii) Clarity in speech and writing (iv) True patriotism Further the democratic aim of education develop vocational efficiency, personality and leadership quality. Indian Education Commission (1964-66) under the chairmanship of Dr. D. S. Kothari suggested the following as the aims of education in a democratic set-up. (i) Increasing productivity (ii) Developing social and national integrity (iii) Making education modernized and (iv) Cultivating of social, moral and spiritual values. Each individual teacher has an opinion about what the aim of education should be, not only in their own classroom but also in school in general. Many issues occur when differing opinions about the purpose of education collide. It is important to recognize that other people, including many of your coworkers, administrators, and your students parents might have a different point of view concerning what education should be all about. Following is a list of different aims of education that individuals might espouse. 1. Knowledge to Get By. This old school belief holds that school is important in providing students with the knowledge they need to get by in their day-to-day lives. They need to know how to read, write, and do arithmetic. Even though these core topics form the foundation of a students education, most educators today would probably not agree that this should be the extent of a students school career. 2. Knowledge of Subject Matter Being Taught The purpose of education to some teachers is to impart knowledge about the subject matter they are teaching without much thought to other classes. When taken to the extreme, these teachers focus on their own subject matter as being more important than what students are learning in other classes. For example, teachers who are unwilling to compromise their own subject matter for the good of the students can cause problems for the school at large. When the school I taught at tried to implement senior projects, we got push back from a couple of teachers who were not willing to change their lessons to include cross curricular activities. 3. Desire to Create Thoughtful Citizens. This might be considered another old school belief. However, this is held by many individuals, especially within the larger community. Students will some day be a part of a community and need the skills and mores to exist within that society as thoughtful citizens. For example, they will need to be able to vote in presidential elections. 4. To Gain Self Esteem and Confidence While the self esteem movement often gets ridiculed, we do want our students to feel confident about their learning abilities. The problem comes in with inflated self esteem not based on reality. However, this is often cited as an aim of the educational system. 5. To Learn How to Learn Learning how to learn is one of the key elements of education. Schools need to teach students how to find information they will need once they leave school. Therefore, the specific subject matter being taught is not as important for future personal success as is the ability for students to understand how to find answers for any questions and problems that might arise. 6. Lifelong Habits for Work. Many of the lessons that schools teach are necessary for success in their students future lives. As adults, they will need to be able to get to work on time, dress and behave appropriately, and get their work done in a timely manner. These lessons are reinforced on a daily basis in schools around the nation. Some individuals see this as one of the main reasons for sending students to school. 7. To Teach Students How to Live Finally, some individuals look at school in a more holistic manner. They see it as the means towards right living for the rest of their lives. Not only do students learn information in their individual subjects, but they also learn life lessons in and out of class. As previously explained, proper work etiquette is reinforced in the classroom. Further, students have to learn how to deal with others in a cooperative manner. Finally, they learn about how to learn information they might need in the future. In fact, one of the things that many business leaders cite as being necessary for future workers is the ability to work as part of a team and problem solve.

Stagecoach Essay -- essays papers

Stagecoach An Interpretation of 'Stagecoach' In 1939 John Ford masterminded a classical western film by the name of Stagecoach. This film has the integrity of a fine work of art. Being that it could be considered a work of art, the impression left on a viewing audience could differ relying on the audience's demographics. However, it is conceivable to all audiences that Ford delivers a cast of characters that are built on stereotypes and perceptions conjured from 'B' westerns that preceded this film's time. Each character is introduced to the audience in a stereotypical genre, as the film progresses, these stereotypes are broken down and the characters become more humanized. This is apparent with a handful of characters being portrayed better than others. One can investigate each individual character to correlate such a pattern. The characters are, in no particular order: Curly, Hatfield, Gatewood, Peacock, the stagecoach driver, Dallas, Lady Mallory, and of course Ringo. Robert Slotkin writes in Gunfighter nation, " . . . by 1890 it was clear that the industrialization of the economy had produced a social order in which wealth and power would increasingly be concentrated in the hands of relatively few men . . . "(p 31). It was this social order that influenced iconography of many 'B' westerns. Such iconography would create the ideal of the crooked banker, or the shoot em' up outlaw and even a brothel prostitute, all of which are found in Ford's Stagecoach. The social classes that each character can generally be categorized as an upper, middle and lower class. In Stagecoach the upper class is composed of Gatewood and Lady Mallory. Gatewood is first introduced as a stern and modest character and part remains to be for most of the film. He exemplifies the 'B' western icon of the crooked banker in every manner. His crooked behavior is not revealed until the end of the film climaxing at his arrest as the stagecoach reaches town. His actions are arrogant and always in line with a financial mind set. His main focus was bag full of money, nothing else. Even as the stagecoach was under siege by the savage Indians, the audience could catch a glimpse of Gatewood clasping his bag rather than brandishing a firearm. Gatewood's character is one of those that does not stray from the 'B' side icon. He is clearly plays the stereotype of the financia... ...le and by Curly. On the contrary when Ringo is first seen in the movie he is not violent nor is he much of a menace. He seems to be a real gentle man, as one may have noticed in his actions toward Dallas even after finding what her line of work was. He is not ill mannered nor tempermental. He is on a mission to seek revenge as any man rightfully would. He is a far cry from his gun toting tobacco spitting counterpart in the ‘B' westerns. The stagecoach driver is the last of these unique characters. Typically, he is charactered in ‘B' westerns as being filthy, blockheaded and offensive. Despite his crackled voice and foolish nature, the stagecoach driver was anything but these descriptions. Granted, at times he may not have said the smartest of things or have been the bravest of men during the film, but he does come off as a sensible good minded man. Every character of Ford's Stagecoach was derived from the ‘B' westerns to years before. Each one is usually introduced in that genre of the ‘B' western. Ford has a unique way he portrays these characters. He shed new light on stereotypes that are not commonly broken. It truly was one of the many factors that made this film unique.

Rabbit Proof Fence Filming Techniques Essay

At the start of the movie we are given Molly speaks to us in her traditional language, during this duration we are given beautiful shots of Jigalong, and after them we are shown Molly and her family I believe this was made for background information but also to keep the viewers at their seats at the same time. We are also given close ups o the main characters which obviously communicates to us that the character is the one being spoken about. Phillip Noyce manages to tell so much information in such a little story. There are also a variety of close ups during this movie for example when the man takes Maud’s children we receive close ups of Molly, Daisy, Gracie, Maud and Maud’s mother. Close ups are generally used for suspense or to change what we should be attended to such as when we are shown Mr Neville at the start we are given a frontal close up obviously to frame a picture of Mr Neville in his personality and also the type of man he is. We are also shown close ups of Molly when she talks about the ‘Bad people’ that the doesn’t like During the film we are also shown many, many long shots such like when Molly is running early in the morning we are shown a long shot of her running in the morning trying to get to her mother in time. This was used to make a dramatic sequence at the start of the scene, make it feel like there is a chase like something is happening and if you were bored by the movie before you are now. This is also a transition to let people know that these girls are still in danger. After watching the film you realise there is one filming technique which people usually leave out, and that is symbolism The use of symbolism in Rabbit Proof Fence is used to explore the concept that the journey matters and not the destination does not really. Symbolism the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities the spirit birds presence in the story speaks the importance of religion to these girls and the importance of the journey to the girls. The spirit bird in a partial scene of the movie, when the spirit bird appears over an exhausted Molly and Gracie and arouses them from their sleep. This is used to refer to hope and provides in indication that they will make it home, and will have benefited from their journey in a spiritual way. The use of symbolism lends to the notion that it is indeed the journey and not the destination that matters. Another point in the film  worth mentioning is the use of lighting, Different lighting techniques enable the notion of the journey being the thing that matters to be conveyed to the viewer. They use a technique in lighting to create lighting specific to the girls’ moods and this can infer location, time, emotion and the general changing nature of the journey; from a stealthy slow chase to a sprint for their lives; from starvation or unrelenting temperature change to nourishment. After reviewing the film many times I have realised that during the journey there is a punitive brightness throughout most of the journey this could be used to symbolise the unforgiving and harsh conditions of the walk that need to be overwhelmed before the girls can complete their journey.

Facebook vs Twitter Essay

But one question is who will be on top? Synopsis of the Situation Who is better than who? Or one could say who is going to be the king of the hill? Facebook has tried to purchase Twitter with no success. It is hard to say who will come out on top or who will be the ultimate winner of the social war. Until on or the other purchases their competitor or they just decide to merge and rule the social network, we will have to wait and see who will win. Key Issues Facebook and Twitter are both free sites and are both popular. Facebook and Twitter are both time conversations, but Twitter is a little faster. They both seem to have their good and bad qualities. Twitter has a character restriction and has no popups. Twitter users can also post to their Facebook page. Facebook does not have a character limit. They both can post pictures and videos. Facebook has a better privacy blocking system (if you can find it and get them set right). A lot of users (me included) are not aware of this option. Facebook allows businesses to advertise and reach more people faster. Facebook makes there revenue off the ads on their site, witch keeps it free for their users. Facebook has games for their user to play also. These games also generate some of their revenue. Twitter has no games and the only source of revenue is its investors. Define the Problem The main problem for Facebook and Twitter at time is each other. The other thing is that there are other social sites that are starting to catch on. They are both trying so hard to out due each other they may just get stepped on by someone else. They both need to set some goals and do what will help them in the long run. Alternative Solutions Alternative 1- There is room for both of them on the World Wide Web. Competition is good. They need to keep going like they are; yes sooner or later one will be better than the other. It is like the burger wars (McDonalds and Burger King) one might be on top but the other is right behind. Alternative 2 – They could always merge and rule the social networking site as one. Alternative 3 – They could merge and Facebook can be the everyday personal social network site and Twitter can be more of the business network site. Selected Solution to the Problem Alternative 1 – Let the users decide which site works best for them. Compatiotion is good for both of them and the users. It makes them improve their products and in turn this makes a better product for the consumers/users. Despite the politically right way, there is going to be a winner and a loser. Implementation The best way to implement the solution is to advertise and to start improving their sites right away. The faster they improve them, the faster they get ahead. Recommendations Twitter should find a way to make revenue. They might need to start selling advertising space or charging a nominal fee for users. Facebook needs to become more users friendly and maybe make it easier to use.

The Definitive Guide to the Xiggi Method for SAT Prep

The Definitive Guide to the Xiggi Method for SAT Prep SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The Xiggi Method was written by a popular member of the forum CollegeConfidential. After scoring well on the SAT, he wrote 10 pages of his top tips for SAT prep. The value in the Xiggi Method, however, is not just in reading the guide, but in understanding how to put it into action in your own study plan. As he notes himself, "there are no earth-shattering secrets...it's mostly based on common sense." Therefore, to get the most out of the Xiggi Method, you need to understand critical ways that it may not apply to you and know how to move forward to guide your own SAT prep. Read on for our detailed guide to the Xiggi Method and how to use it. If you don't already have the Xiggi Method document, click here to download it. Note that all these points work equally well for the ACT. Instead of the Official SAT Study Guide mentioned below, you'll need to buy The Real ACT. The 7 Major Points of the Xiggi Method Let's start with the key points from this SAT study guide: Why prep for the SAT? Because the SAT is unlike anything you've ever taken in school. The questions are different, and the skills tested are different from what you've learned. Brilliant students can do poorly on the SAT, and weak students can do extremely well on the SAT. Therefore, familiarizing yourself with the test will dramatically raise your score - if you study the right way. When taking full-length practice tests, use only official tests published by the College Board. No other company publishes tests as realistic as the College Board. Take your first practice tests without a time limit. Spend 30 minutes taking a section, then spend 30 minutes reviewing your answers. Review both correct and incorrect answers - try hard to understand every question in detail! Most other books not published by the College Board aren't very good. They give "strategies" that seem like they'll help on the test, but actually aren't very effective. They're mostly helpful for people scoring in the lower ranges who don't have a good grasp of the underlying content. Vocab studying isn't as important as it used to be. Don't memorize giant lists of thousands of words - your time is better spent elsewhere, like in getting better at passage questions. If you want to study vocab, study it over a long period of time so that the words stick in your memory. Most nationwide test prep chains like Princeton Review and Kaplan are way more expensive than they're worth. At $800-1600, you'll sit in a class with an inexperienced instructor who's just rehashing the $30 book you can buy on Amazon. When you've learned more of the underlying content and understand the SAT in more detail, then you can schedule timed,full-length exams to get familiar with the endurance and energy needed for the 4-hour test. You'll need to face timing pressureto know how the real test will feel. In his SAT guide, Xiggi goes into more detail in each of these points. His main points are sound advice, and we agree with them on a high level. However, there are a few critical ways that the Xiggi Method may not work well for you... 5 Warnings about the Xiggi Method and You (Important) If You're Not Motivated The Xiggi Method is most applicable for highly motivated students driving for a top score. If you find it hard to motivate yourself to study, you will benefit from having more structure in your prep. You may need someone else to remind you to study and to hold you accountable, or a study program that gives you clear step by step instructions on what to do. If You Find it Hard to Learn From Your Mistakes If you find it hard to learn from your mistakes, you'll need someone who can teach you. The most important part of SAT prep is understanding where you're going wrong and how to avoid those mistakes in the future. If an answer explanation on a page often doesn't help you understand your mistakes, you need to find a person who can guide you. Do NOT "Buy As Many Books As You Can" Even though Xiggi suggests it, you should NOT buy 'as many books as you can.' In fact, this will waste a lot of time and money as you spread yourself too thin. Focus on the Official SAT Study Guide published by the College Board, and one or two supplemental books that teach you underlying content and strategies. When I was studying for the SAT, I used three main books: The Official SAT Study Guide, Barron's SAT, and another book of practice questions. I went through all of them and scored a 2400. It was my quality of studying, not the number of books, that earned my full score. Look out soon for our comprehensive guide to the best SAT/ACT books. You Need to Schedule Enough Time to Study You need to schedule time to study. There's no way around it. The SAT is so expansive and covers so many types of questions that to get familiar with all of them, you need to encounter them over and over again. We recommend that you study at least 40 hours to have the best chance of raising your score. If You're on a Tight Budget The method relies on buying books, which can amount to $100 or more. If this is out of your budget, here are two methods to find those books so you can study. 1) Visit your local library or school library and see if they have the books. Check them out and work on paper so you can return the books. 2) Visit your local bookstore, which is very likely to have the books mentioned in this article. You can sit in the bookstore and work from the books without buying it (just don't spill coffee or make marks in the book!) What To Do Next: Following the main points of the Xiggi Method is a great way to get your feet wet in SAT prep. Here's a step by step guide on what to do: Buy the Official SAT Study Guide by the College Board, if you haven't already. Take Test 1, section by section, without a timer. After each section, review all your answers, even the questions you got right. Aim for equal times taking the test and reviewing: about 30 minutes for each section, and 30 minutes reviewing. Reflect on your progress. Were you able to finish Step 2 within one or two weeks? If not, you likely need more motivation to put in enough study time. Were you able to understand every single answer choice, correct and incorrect? If not, you'll need clear answer explanations, or a tutor who can guide you through your mistakes. Adapt your study plan according to your reflection. Keep reading to learn even more SAT prep strategies. Read More: Month-by-Month; A one-year study schedule for serious extended SAT study. What is a good score on the SAT? Start Improving Your SAT Score Today:

influences of art essays

influences of art essays When it came to showing my feelings and emotions through artistic expression, I was lacking immensely. In a sense, I was a very secretive and emotionless artist, which made it easy for me to draw, photograph, or write about a given topic that I didnt necessarily have feelings for, but at the same time I was acting as if I knew a lot about these things when I really knew little or nothing. I was given an assignment to photograph death and I had two weeks to do it. It seemed simple enough, I figured I would go to a cemetery and take a picture of Headstone of some child who died from a horrible drunk driving accident, or something of that sort. So I did and thought nothing of it. In the early morning of September 15, 2000 my cousin, who I was very close to had been found in an alley, raped and murdered. I was so angered when I found out, I couldnt stop myself from crying for days and to make things worse, the media slandered her name with ignorant lies, as if they were trying to justify her death. I remember goin to school that week, not wanting to talk to anyone or do anything, especially a photo assignment on a local band for my school newspaper - but I did it anyway. On my way to the cafe where the band was playing I passed by the alley where my cousin was murdered. I dont know what made me want to see the place where someone had been brutally murdered, but when I did see it, I was overwhelmed with feelings that I physically, couldnt handle. I fell against a wall and just sat there for a while thinking, but not about my cousin; I was thinking about how censored I was living my life, and how I never put effort into anything I did that had to do with what I considered my passion. I went back to the alley later that week to take pictures, and while I was looking through my camera at the alley, I began to truly understand and feel what I was doing, and why I was doing it. I began a ...

Pronouncing Words that Begin with WH

Pronouncing Words that Begin with WH Pronouncing Words that Begin with WH Pronouncing Words that Begin with WH By Maeve Maddox Maria Cypher wrote: Can you weigh in on whether the h in -wh- words (e.g., whether, white, overwhelmed) should be pronounced? This seems to be a regional thing, but I say yes, yes, yes! (And then my friends and relatives mock me.) Im with you, Maria. At least I am on many words that begin with the letter combination wh. Many of our wh words descend from Old English originals that began with the spelling hw: hwa (who) hwaem (whom) hwael (whale) hwaether (whether) hwit (white) The sound [hw] is an aspirate, rather like the sound one makes when blowing out a candle. Its a sound I teach for the phonogram wh. Even if one speaks a dialect that pronounces the spellng wh [hw] as [w] in words like white and whet, learning the wh as a phonogram distinct from the letter w and applying it as a spelling pronunciation is useful in learning to spell correctly. Not knowing the difference can result in writing that startles or misleads: By 1600, the British and Dutch had broken the Spanish and Portuguese naval hegemony, freeing up the spice trade. But trade in spices did not wet the North American palate for hot chili peppers.YaleGlobalOnline WordNavigator.com lists 941 English words that being with the wh spelling. Many of them are different forms of the same word, for example whistle and whistling. Many are words of interest only to Scrabble players. Eliminating the Scrabble words, multiple forms of the same word, and obsolete spellings, I narrowed the list to 70 or fewer. Of this short list, some are words in which the wh has mutated to an h sound (delabialization of /hw/), ex. who, whom, and whore. (I can remember the first time I came across that third wordI was in high schooland went around trying to pronounce it with a [hw]. Talk about being laughed at†¦) Words like white, whet, and whale belong to whats called the wine/whine merger. For most English speakers, the wh in these words is pronounced as a plain w [w]. Maria and I are in the minority. And Id guess that we dont pronounce the same wh words alike. In reviewing my short list of wh words, I find that Im not at all consistent. For example, I would pronounce whizz with the [hw] in this sentence†¦ The arrow whizzed through the air. †¦but Id probably pronounce it [w] in this sentence: Charlie stepped behind the hedge to take a whizz. The only reason I can think of is that I heard the second use of the word in conversation before seeing it written. Then theres whiz as in whiz kid. That, for me, would probably take a [w] sound. Here are some words that I know I pronounce with the breathy [hw] sound†¦ whale whinny whine while whether whisper whistle whiskers †¦but I think I may pronounce these words with a plain w sound: whisky whey whittle white Ah, the mystery of language! Heres a link to all you could ever want to know about The Phonological History of wh. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:7 Types of Narrative ConflictList of 50 Great Word Games for Kids and AdultsI wish I were...

Skate America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Skate America - Essay Example Two of the most prevalent online competitors are A1 Skateboards and Element Skateboards. A1 Skateboards uses person marketing, taking it a bit farther with customization options. Skateboards and accessories are also offered by product line or brand, just as with Skate America. Element Skateboards takes a different approach, using event marketing. Information about X-Games dates and locations takes up most of the home page with its severe black and red color scheme. Though this online retailer is listed as a skateboard supplier, the product list and links are difficult to see. Skate America does an excellent job in design, theme and presentation of its web site. Attractive, yet not too busy, the site provides links to brand or professional line products, as well as others. Graphics are pleasant and eye-catching, without distracting viewers. Its red, white and blue scheme works well with the design and fits its short and easily recongnized name. Strengths for this online seller are des ign and appropriate selection of products. Weaknesses are lack of personalization such as the customizable skateboards that A1 Skateboards offers and failure to promote skateboarding and skating, by providing topics or information of interest. Skate America attempts to direct its efforts toward all skateboarders and skaters. While the product and brand offerings are more than adequate, its difficult to determine who the intended audience with its generic feel.

Film Studies (Realism) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Film Studies (Realism) - Essay Example Before I refer to the film of my choice which is deemed a visual translation of Brechtian thought into celluloid it's important to give due recognition to the man behind the magic and the very definition of critical realism. When you begin to delve deeper into what realism is about you can begin to comprehend that it actually attempts to explore the relationship between consciousness (thinking and, as consciousness is embodied, feeling) and consciousness of the social conditions (our social being, as Marx put it) shaping our consciousness. Moreover the theme that remains predominant all throughout a movie that makes it Brechtian or subject to critical realism is its reflexive quality that shines through each frame. Especially not in a narrow stylistic sense, but in the sense that it explores the relation between consciousness and its material ground. What is perhaps important is that the goal of a critical, dynamic and a realistic movie remains that it spins and kick starts the think ing mind to connect webs that pull consciousness and the social being closer together. Magnolia-released in 1999, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a movie that beautifully narrates about all the things important to us. Two parallel stories are in motion that dramatizes men about to die; who in spite being different are both estranged from a grown child and their attempts at making contact with their children seems to fail miserably. What remains consistent throughout this movie is the choice in its three forms-the present, the past and the future, made by different age groups and how we come to either succumb to one over the other, or sometimes completely negate logic and take a different route. Earl Partridge's son is charismatic, Jimmy Gator's daughter on the other hand is a on drugs. The story progresses with a nurse's intervention in Earl's life who helps him in reaching out to his son. In an almost similar fashion through outside interception an upright officer meets Jimmy's daughter, bringing more calm and piece in her life. In all these variations and r ole reversals, Earl's young wife, with two whiz kids-one grown and battling with life, the other wonderfully young and pressured are shown to be coming to term with their own ghosts and problems, in various permutations and combinations. Another common component that sustains itself, throughout in the characters, is the emptiness that gnaws at them. We also find in the same breath a common thread in the two distinct characters-that of regret. The thought that drives the movie is real and critical to each frame, the way the movie takes shape because it talks about what most of us have to face up to everyday. It doesn't seem like an alien concept, which one cannot relate to. What it does achieve is, connect. An awesome plot where two lives, share the same transitions and the same conflicts. It is reminiscent of how things usually take shape, for people depending on the choices they make in life-completely real in all its reel magic. Although many lives seem to be woven into the movie, they seem like voices from the field of life. The film actually begins with a narrator and then moves into three lives, based on the rather debatable them of coincidence. From there on, we meet

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 48

Summary - Essay Example Kenner makes the viewer realize the fact that USDA and FDA, which are the government regulatory agencies designed to guarantee the quality of food we eat, are not playing their actual role in assigning the corporations this responsibility to consider the consumers’ interest beyond personal and financial interests. This brings the future of the American farmer at stake along with threatening the worker’s wellbeing and the environment’s stability. The documentary makes us think why there is such a high a level of sickness today as compare to past when there were no genetic engineering and artificial methods to protect and preserve the food. Today, tomatoes are being genetically engineered so that they do not get rotten, and many other dubious techniques are being used to harvest and process the food that people are falling ill at a much higher rate than ever. The meat we consume comes from the animal which is corn-fed and given antibiotics to stay in good shape til l they reach slaughter houses and processing factories. An estimate in the documentary says that 73,000 Americans are falling sick every year thanks to the potent strains of E. coli. There are more obese children and more diabetic adults today. The investigative journalism, through this documentary, peeps into the real causes of larger chicken breasts, fresh tomatoes and hamburger, and disease-resistant soya beans. The film succeeds in making the viewer feel like an abused species that is being physically tortured by the food corporations. The greedy face of the food industry is revealed. The film calls the viewer to stand up and raise his voice against this abuse that is being given to him through chemically treated food, so that the government thinks about alternatives to this junk we are eating and provides us with healthy food leading to an improved

Thinking Through Religions. Humans and the Sacred Essay

Thinking Through Religions. Humans and the Sacred - Essay Example The paper will discuss two of those places and discuss how union is attained through uniting the exterior state and an individual’s interior state. The Golden Earth as the middle place Native Americans attach all their wealth or richness to the earth and the earth remains Golden to them – the greatest treasure. For instance, the most respected myths, Cibola’s seven villages are located at the middle pace of the earth- a place where natives entered completely into a relationship with the earth – land, (Bauer 45). The attachment to the earth-soil as source of nurture forms a theme very crucial to spirituality of Native Americans. To respect and honor the earth with the whole of an individual’s sense is central to the theology of Amerindians grounded in the concrete and sensate world. Additionally, an individual’s relation to the land is a way of making subtle linkage with the holy and one’s consciousness with the world is prevalent Nativ e Americans culture as a way of uniting the interior state and the exterior state (Lane 73-94). The sweat lodge This is an individual’s vision place; it is a symbolic location set aside for having close contact with sacred and a place designed to invite the holy, for instance, a ceremonial Hogan or a Pueblo – sacred places for soliciting totemic spirits presence. The significance of the sweat lodge is to have a godly encounter because they are restricted and dark. In these places, the spirits of the living things are unified; - the purifying water, fire, and earth qualities join to provide new visions and life to the people entering the places. People associate with the lodge the sacred place, which forms a crucial dreams landscape and people perform various rituals such as dances to connect to the supernatural, (Versluis 12). 2. Heaven and earth are threads of one loom This means that all spatial relationships and normal experiences would turn out to be sacramental ma king an extensive and increasingly powerful reality. For instance, the geographical configuration of various villages of Shaker with many families, structures, and main meeting places would indicate an order inspired from beyond and shapes, angle and colors all shows an apocalyptic vision. All structures and actions are just allusions to the archetypal reality in their midst, for instance, the meetinghouse was painted white with heavenly blue interior trim. Similarly, the house was covered with a roof of gambrel, its sloppy edges indicating heaven dome. There are various thoughts in support of Shakers spiritual correspondence theory, for instance, the Swedenborgian and Puritan spiritual correspondence idea has a great influence. In their school of thoughts, the reciprocal spiritual and natural world overlaps would be analyzed. The theology of Puritan with the focus on the New England commonwealth as an Old Testament typology fulfillment had focused on this aspect as divine represent ative or emblematic, archetypal event. The transcendentalists like his friends and Emerson furthered this notion and argued that each world piece is able of being fitted to various spheres. His nature contemplation led to a universal awareness of being, just as Plotinus has discovered in himself the correspondence images to the distant constellations, (Walters 96). Swedenborg also focused on human instrument divine inspiration through the second coming reality and had envisaged himself persistently existing between the natural and spiritual experience worlds. Generally, Shakes idea serves to draw a connection between the two experiences – the natural and spiritual world. For instance, they argue that the light established in invisible universe is highly linked to the earth’

Sample Items Form the Multifactor leadership questionnaire(MLQ)Forms Personal Statement

Sample Items Form the Multifactor leadership questionnaire(MLQ)Forms 5X-short - Personal Statement Example A broad range of leadership styles is measured through Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. For example, behaviors like active versus passive leadership may be an agenda of measurement through the standard multifactor scale which is preset or prescribed. It helps in discovery of traits of discrete transformational leadership behavior as well as individual measurement to assess them. The entire package is consisted of four major leadership assessment areas, which are transformational leadership, transactional leadership, passive or averse and outcomes of leadership. These qualitative variables are further quantified in to number scales in order to get discrete results. In the four heads, there are forty five statements in total which are used to infer the results in self rater form. There are five quantitative scale readings to identify the Here a person needs to take the questionnaire that leads to a standardized benchmark system to develop the assessment of individual leadership behaviors. It is a leadership report which provides road map to get a brief progressive report. When I took the test so far, I was more concerned to know my team work behavioral report. It was quite shocking as well as very much relevant to what I was seeking. The leadership is a behavioral trait which is not commonly found in everyone. When we talk about transactional leadership, contingent or conditional reward system and management by exception active turns in to action. There are several up shots of the transactional and transformational traits which are intended to check out. Leadership attributes individualism versus collectivism and attitudes are considered in the category of transformational leadership style. In organization, a leader always needs to talk about collective interests rather than his or her personal goals. Averse leadership behavior is so bad and boring for company’s development and well-being. No matter how adverse is the situation or scenario?

Thinking Through Religions. Humans and the Sacred Essay

Thinking Through Religions. Humans and the Sacred - Essay Example The paper will discuss two of those places and discuss how union is attained through uniting the exterior state and an individual’s interior state. The Golden Earth as the middle place Native Americans attach all their wealth or richness to the earth and the earth remains Golden to them – the greatest treasure. For instance, the most respected myths, Cibola’s seven villages are located at the middle pace of the earth- a place where natives entered completely into a relationship with the earth – land, (Bauer 45). The attachment to the earth-soil as source of nurture forms a theme very crucial to spirituality of Native Americans. To respect and honor the earth with the whole of an individual’s sense is central to the theology of Amerindians grounded in the concrete and sensate world. Additionally, an individual’s relation to the land is a way of making subtle linkage with the holy and one’s consciousness with the world is prevalent Nativ e Americans culture as a way of uniting the interior state and the exterior state (Lane 73-94). The sweat lodge This is an individual’s vision place; it is a symbolic location set aside for having close contact with sacred and a place designed to invite the holy, for instance, a ceremonial Hogan or a Pueblo – sacred places for soliciting totemic spirits presence. The significance of the sweat lodge is to have a godly encounter because they are restricted and dark. In these places, the spirits of the living things are unified; - the purifying water, fire, and earth qualities join to provide new visions and life to the people entering the places. People associate with the lodge the sacred place, which forms a crucial dreams landscape and people perform various rituals such as dances to connect to the supernatural, (Versluis 12). 2. Heaven and earth are threads of one loom This means that all spatial relationships and normal experiences would turn out to be sacramental ma king an extensive and increasingly powerful reality. For instance, the geographical configuration of various villages of Shaker with many families, structures, and main meeting places would indicate an order inspired from beyond and shapes, angle and colors all shows an apocalyptic vision. All structures and actions are just allusions to the archetypal reality in their midst, for instance, the meetinghouse was painted white with heavenly blue interior trim. Similarly, the house was covered with a roof of gambrel, its sloppy edges indicating heaven dome. There are various thoughts in support of Shakers spiritual correspondence theory, for instance, the Swedenborgian and Puritan spiritual correspondence idea has a great influence. In their school of thoughts, the reciprocal spiritual and natural world overlaps would be analyzed. The theology of Puritan with the focus on the New England commonwealth as an Old Testament typology fulfillment had focused on this aspect as divine represent ative or emblematic, archetypal event. The transcendentalists like his friends and Emerson furthered this notion and argued that each world piece is able of being fitted to various spheres. His nature contemplation led to a universal awareness of being, just as Plotinus has discovered in himself the correspondence images to the distant constellations, (Walters 96). Swedenborg also focused on human instrument divine inspiration through the second coming reality and had envisaged himself persistently existing between the natural and spiritual experience worlds. Generally, Shakes idea serves to draw a connection between the two experiences – the natural and spiritual world. For instance, they argue that the light established in invisible universe is highly linked to the earth’

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Globalization - Essay Example First, a firm may choose FDI rather than exporting when it wants to regulate cost uncertainty, as well as demand uncertainty. Through FDI, the international firm will meet the shifting local demand more quickly than when the firm uses exporting; this will improve the profits of the firm. Therefore, the firm may decide to internationalize business activities through FDI rather than exporting when the cost uncertainty is lower than the demand uncertainty. Moreover, firms that engage in the production of products that may be less similar may choose foreign direct investment as an entry strategy in foreign markets than the use of exporting. Another circumstance that may prompt a firm to use foreign direct investment rather than the other methods like exporting includes government policies. These may entail policies that discourage exports as a way of conducting international business. For example, nontariff as well as tariff barriers may discourage firms from choosing to export as an entry mode in international business. High taxes that may be levied on the exports may compromise the profits of the business enterprise. As a result, firms may choose to make direct investments in the foreign markets with an aim of maintaining productivity and profits. Tariffs may act as barriers to international trade, especially when firms depend on exports as a mode of entry in international markets. Another circumstance that may make a firm make a direct investment in a foreign country through FDI includes marketing concerns. This may entail the distribution, logistics, image of the firm, and responsiveness to the customers' needs. Firms that require quick and immediate feedback from the customers tend to choose FDI as the mode of entry in international markets (Markusen 2004, p. 287). Through FDI, the firm takes advantage of its presence in a foreign market to engage in widespread marketing of the products, which it produces. Thus, Foreign Direct Investment could be more favorable than exporting, licensing, and franchising in a situation where the firm wants to engage in enormous marketing of its products (Moran 2002, p. 100). Firms may also decide to internationalize their business activities through foreign direct investment where logistical considerations play an essential role in the activities of the firm. An example includes the costs attributed to internationalization th rough exporting (William 2004, p. 246). While firms decide to internationalize through exporting, some costs such as packaging, warehousing, distribution, and transporting costs will be incurred. Thus, in circumstances where firms want to avoid these costs, it will be more

Peer Assessment Essay Example for Free

Peer Assessment Essay This paper discusses the implementation of peer assessment strategy that I carried out in a primary school in Dar es Salaam during my practicum. It consists of a background, rationale, the implementation process and conclusion. The challenges encountered and their possible solutions on how to overcome them.. Background Black and William (1998) define assessment as all those activities undertaken by teachers, and students in assessing themselves, which provide information to be used as feedback to modify the teaching and learning activities in which they are engaged. There are two major types of assessment, formative assessment and summative assessment. And thus, Peer assessment is one of the forms of formative assessment. Besides, Higher Education Academy- UK, (2006) is an alternative form of assessment in which learners are given the opportunity to measure and evaluate each other’s compliments of the specified learning outcomes. It is used to involve students more closely in their learning and its evaluation and enable them to really understand what is required of them. (Phil et al 2006) This is a form of formative assessment which teachers can use in class assignments, tests, presentations, project based work and practical tasks. These tasks can be performed by learners either in pairs, by multiple assessors’ or in groups. It is where learners consider and specify the level, value or quality of a product or performance of other equal status learners (Topping, 2008). This therefore means that learners are able to learn better because they assess their peers work and give appropriate feedback which helps them to improve their own work. It also leads to a number of benefits in terms of the learning process for instance encouraging thinking, increasing learning and increasing students’ confidence Gardner (2006), students find it easier to make sense of criteria for their work if they examine other student’s work alongside their own. It is uniquely valuable because the interchange is in language that students themselves would naturally use, because they learn by taking roles of teachers and examiners of others (Saddler, 1998) Rationale Eckstein and Noah (1992) argue that teachers teach to the test therefore leaving out some non-examinable but important skills set out in the curriculum. This is evident because most schools in the developing world concentrate on exams which is summative assessment and because of the backwash of this type of assessment, it impedes rather than promote social justice by locking many young people out of the education system, (Cunningham 1998). This summative assessment limits potential in enhancing teaching and learning which makes learners not to get prompt feedback to help them improve on their performance (Brooks, 2002). PA saves the teachers’ time because it takes a shorter time to mark and grade assignments using it than when a teacher marks all the books. This gives the teacher ample time to prepare for other lessons. By using PA, the teacher is able to give feedback to the pupils in a littler time than when the teacher uses traditional method of marking. PA was introduced with an intention to encourage students to take responsibility for their learning. It makes them feel valued because their suggestions are put into account. According to Irons (2008) PA encourages dialogue between the teacher and learners themselves as they negotiate the best assessment criteria when making a rubric to evaluate their work. This makes students really understand what is required of them. Phil Race et al, asserts that students learn deeply when they have a sense of ownership of the agenda and if PA is done using the students design, there tends to be a sense of ownership of the criteria used than when they apply the tutors’ criteria. Furthermore, PA allows students to learn from each other’s successes. In some instances students notice that the work they are assessing is better than their own efforts, therefore they can benefit from the work of the most able in the group. Similarly, it helps students to learn from each other’s weaknesses too. When they discover mistakes in their peers work, it is usually good for them as the awareness of ‘what not to do’ increases and therefore refrain from making the same mistake. (Phil et al 2006) Development My practicum was in a primary school in Dar es Salaam city. I was allocated standard seven to teach English. Standard 7A is rather a large class with a roll of fifty three pupils. Boys were twenty eight while girls were twenty five. All were present. This was a double English lesson of forty minutes each. The Topic was Comprehension, Sub-topic; The library; Lenders and Borrowers. My main objectives were; by the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to read, understand, formulate questions, discuss and be able to evaluate their peers work using a rubric. I made a detailed lesson plan showing the teachers and learners activities. My teaching and learning resources were standard seven text books, dictionaries, flash cards with new words written on them, pictures of a library. The lesson started at 8.00am to 9.20am. Implementation I introduced the lesson with a vocabulary song as a brainstorming activity that was led by one of the pupils. I explained what I expected of them throughout the lesson, then used the self-selecting method to form groups of six and told them to choose a leader. We went through the guidelines that they would follow in their discussion groups. The passage had six paragraphs so I gave each group a paragraph. The learners read the passage as they listened to one another, noted down difficult or new words, and then generated three questions from their assigned paragraph. I assisted to organise the groups and how they would present. One member quickly read their paragraph as the rest of the class listened, other members gave new words that they came across and the three questions they had formulated. As they presented their findings I was writing on the blackboard the new words they had encountered, and the questions they had constructed. Together we discussed meanings of these words as pupils tried using them in sentences and checking them out in the dictionary. I noted that discussions were being led in Kiswahili though it was an English lesson. Cummins in McKay (2008) and Ellis stated that the first language (L1) is important because sometimes learners first think in it to make meaning in English. However, the discussion was very lively and everybody tried to participate. It also concurred with Goetz (2002) that different views from learners influence the direction of a lesson creating new learning experiences for both the teacher and the learner. As a class, we discussed the questions on the blackboard then I asked them to write the work in their exercise books, collect and put them on the teachers table. Together we discussed and made a marking criterion on the blackboard. I asked the class prefect to distribute the books to the learners making sure that one did not mark his or her own book. They carefully used the rubric to mark their peers work, then returned them to the owners to check and in case of any complains i moderated and explained to their satisfaction. Finally I gave each a foolscap and asked them to write down what they felt about the new method of assessment. This exercise was mainly to analyze the learners’ reflections and to evaluate myself as a teacher. Challenges My first challenge was the English teacher assigned to me was not co-operative. He was not willing to hand over a candidate class to me. I made him understand that my input would be beneficial to his professional development and the students’ grades. During group work, some learners took it for story telling time. I had a rough time controlling the noise and putting them back to focus. The chosen group leaders helped me have order in the groups and ensured participation of all members. Code switching was common as I related with the learners and as they interacted in their discussion groups. It was a challenge because they did not have the confidence to express themselves. Very few picked courage and participated in English. The rest when picked upon would request to speak in Kiswahili. I encouraged them to have confidence and to continue speaking in English because practice makes perfect. The learning environment was not very conducive. The floor was dusty and had pot holes. This was likely to cause health problems and injury. Due to the large class, desks were not enough. Learners shared four or five per desk which was quite uncomfortable. I advised the administration to discuss the matter with stakeholders so that the class would be repaired and desks added. This class did not have any teaching learning materials on the walls. They only had text books which were inadequate in a ratio of 1:5. Sharing was a problem because not all could access them. I advised the teacher that teaching and learning aids helped students to construct knowledge for themselves and develop effective learning strategies, thus laying a solid foundation for life-long learning. I also urged him to improvise teaching aids by using locally available materials for example, carton boxes to write on vocabularies and sentence structures and hang on the walls. I realized that peer assessment can be time consuming if practiced in a large class. Grouping learners, discussions, presentations and awarding marks consumed a lot of time which affected the next lesson. Since the school had extra classrooms, I encouraged him to create an extra stream and transfer some learners from 7A and 7B to the new stream if learners were to benefit from this kind of assessment. This is because a class of fifty three was too large putting into consideration the slow learners and learners with special needs who needed special attention. Conclusion Peer assessment had good impact on the teaching learning process where the learners and I jointly got involved in the assessment process hence owning the entire peer assessment procedures integrated in the lesson. This resulted into meaningful learning where feedback was instant. However, there were some challenges which we jointly addressed with the learners. For PA to be successful, meaningful procedures have to be put in place. References Black, P. William. (1998).Assessment and classroom learning: Assessment in education,principles, policy and practice in Irons, A. (2008). Enhancing learning through formative assessment and feedback. London: Routledge. Cunning,G.K. (1998).Assessment in the classroom: constructing and interpreting tests. London: RoutledgeFalmer. Irons, A. (2008).Enhancing learning through formative assessment and feedback. London: Routledge. Race, P., Brown, S. Smith. (2006). 500 Tips on assessment (2nd edition). London:

Sande Society and the Sowei Mask

Sande Society and the Sowei Mask Political, Educational, and Gender Aspects of the Womens Society of the Mende The Sowei Mask of the Sande Society is a symbol for the Mende people of Sierra Leone representing the ideals of feminine beauty, but the Sande Society also plays a key role in the nurturing, livelihood, and induction of young women into adults. This mask defines a goal for young women as well as symbolizes their transition from children to adults and, the Sande are the tools behind the Sowei which shape and mold the initiates of their society into women capable of managing marriage, political power, and even spiritual secrets. The Sowei Mask itself is carved from wood carefully with close attention to detail. Each mark is made with a greater picture in mind and at the end of the process the mask will epitomize the Mendes idealities of grace, beauty, and serenity. After the carving, the mask is painted and polished to a black, glossy shine. There are many Sowei Masks, all of which possess the black, glossy shine, but each mask can differ in many areas. The Sowei Masks can possess rolls of fat on the neck, scarification patters on the face, elaborate hairstyles, raffia around neck, and many other qualities which give it the elegance that it possesses. (Cosentino 17) The particular mask on display in the Stanley Collection has two small scarification patterns in low relief on either cheek of the mask, a beautiful hairstyle with a small bird perched on top. The mask is full of curves and the light catches off the surface to accent the slight cuts made along the hair of the figure give it a life like quality wh ich complements the serenity of the masks expression. Not only does the mask represent outer beauty, but also references the beauty of a womans inner strength and character. (Becker 82) The encircling ridges of a Sowei Mask which represent rolls of fat also are part of the origin of the mask. When a Sande society member who is particularly renowned for her choreography and dancing skill she is said to dream of diving into a pool, which is the dwelling place for female spirits. As she rises from the water, the ripples of the water on the surface form the rings around the base of the mask. The often complex and always elegant hairstyles of Sowei Masks are said to have come from Sande officials falling into water and emerges with a beautiful hairstyle.(Textbook 180) In performance, the Sowei is danced by the ndoli jowui alongside a second mask, the gondei, which is the antithesis of the Sowei. The gondei is sometimes a discarded Sowei Mask which has been worn down or broken. Occasionally pieces of trash such as tin cans or shells are attached to the gondei, further separating it from the Sowei. It is only when we see both masks that we separate the beauty and grace of the Sowei further from that of the grotesque and hideous form of the gondei. By having the two masks juxtaposed, we can see the grace and elegance in which the Sowei is danced in comparison with the ugly, stumbling dance of the gondei. The performance itself occurs in the weeks before the public portion of the Sande initiation. When the Sowei emerges from the bush to dance, she is admired and greeted by the entire town. (Cosentino 16-7) When the initiates themselves are present at the dance, they wear braclets of palm leaf fibers and body nets with small iron plates. Their faces ar e smeared with animal fat giving them a more youthful appearance. (Newland 125) To the Sande the Sowei Mask as a manifest of power from the spirit world. It is for this reason that while the Sowei Mask is the integral piece to bring the power needed to invest the initiates with everything they will need to marry, the mask also can appear in other places. Smaller versions can appear on the staffs and other objects used by higher ranking members of the Sande and small figures also are common. These objects represent the medicine of the Sande and their connection with the spirits. (Textbook 180) The Sande society itself is enormous; each village usually has its own Sande society governed by a council of elders. (Ellis 200) These elders are not only in charge of initation rites into the Sande society, and thusly into adulthood, but also the birthing, education, circumcision, political aspects, and spiritual aspects of the initiates underneath them. Once puberty is reached, the initiates are taken into the bush and taught the things they need to know to become adult women. Topics such as sex, dancing, fishing, cooking, and secrete medicines are discussed and generally a clitoridectomy, a female circumcision, is performed. After the initiates complete their training, they are eligible to marry and invested with fertility (Leach 58), but are taught that jealousy for ones co-wives is greatly discouraged. Initiates are also called and described by sex-specific terms from the moment they graduate into full genderhood. Men are forbidden from the Sande bush just as the women are from the Poro, the mens secrete society, bush. It is the responsibility of the Sande elders to punish any man who takes an initiate from the bush severely. The Soweis medicine is feared and when a man is pointed out as having broken a Sande law there is a fine or some other penalty which an elder determines. (Newland 125) Elder Sande officials are still susceptible to medicines which can affect their ability to deliver children, circumcise the initiates, and other tasks which are key to their position. The Poro and Sande societies together govern Mende ideas about gender and men and womens lives. Both genders have gender-specific tasks that are used to define a persons masculinity or femininity. Each group gives access to specific male and female medicines and social and political support. Both groups also give elders of the societies access to a higher status position in the villages. This status is known as a big man or big woman. The title comes with the responsibility of caring for the political or financial assistance of others. In Mende society both men and women can become a big person or numu wa. While the Sande will protect women from exploitation, abuse, and give them political and social support, the society also produces asymmetry. The high-ranking members usually gain their position from descent, and by controlling the important knowledge of the Sande, they are able to elicit loyalty or even material goods from the initiates and their families. In this way, the Sande s ociety acts as a driving force in socio-political structures in what would otherwise be a male dominated society. With the polarized and parallel powers of the Poro and Sande societies, women are not considered inferior to men, they are only considered different. (Leach 59-60) The Sande serve as mentors for young girls becoming women, but they also serve as friends and colleagues. Every woman who is considered an adult in Mende culture has been initiated and graduated from the Sande society. The initiates they graduate with become their social system of support and the society leaders are there to protect them as well. It is in this way that we see that all Mende women are connected. In summary, the Sowei Mask demonstrates the inner and outer beauty of the perfect woman, which every initiate of the Sande society and thus every woman considered an adult, strives to attain. Not only do the Sande teach young women about life, but also provide them with a network of support for the rest of their lives. In this way, the Sowei Mask represents not only the Sande, but all adult Mende women and their unavoidable connection to each other.

Miss Fozzard in Alan Bennetts Talking Heads Essay -- Papers

Miss Fozzard in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads The video, â€Å"Talking Heads Two† was made in 1998. It is a collection of six dramatic monologues by various different actors, each one telling their own story. Bennett wrote a series of monologues in 1988 for BBC 2 at a time when they were having financial difficulties. Monologues were chosen as they only required a few actors and cameramen. They were successful and Bennett decided to write a second series of monologues, the one which I am going to study is called â€Å"Miss Fozzard finds her feet† and I will be discussing how Alan Bennett creates her character and how her story is told. The monologues were written for, and shown on television. The use of the â€Å"talking head† as a dramatic device is effective as the audience sees the expression on the actors face and then feels the emotion the actor is portraying in their role. The effect of using the monologue form is effective as there is only one character so the audience can connect and understand the character better. In the collection of monologues there are no special effects used i.e. flashbacks, distractions also helps the audience understand the character. The audience also has to use their imagination as other characters are only spoken about and not seen so the audience has to imagine what they look like. Also, as the monologues are only set in one scene, for example Miss Fozzard’s lounge, the different locations described by the characters also have to be imagined. The purpose of the monologue is to entertain, however there is a limit to which effects the producers can afford to use however, many wouldn’t be used in a monol... ... tone of voices of the unseen characters used by Patricia Routledge (the actress) creates a successful character. I think her characters exterior seems boring to someone who takes a first glance, but as you get to know her throughout the monologue her character evolves into someone interesting and funny. If I was a member of the audience I think I would find Miss Fozzard inoffensive and quite eccentric. However, I think these qualities in a person are often amusing, as we frequently find in the monologue, and her prejudice views may be at times questionable, but are mostly harmless and funny. The audience would feel that this is only due to Miss Fozzard’s old fashioned manner and this is what she has been brought up to think. Overall, her character is excellently created and brought to life and I enjoyed the monologue.

Comparing Quality With Quantity Of Education For Development Economics Essay

Education plays a major function in the part of economic development of any state. Education is considered to be really of import as it generates demand for high rates of labour ingestion and labour productiveness. It besides helps in deriving big economic returns through higher productiveness and incomes of the people. Education besides enhances accomplishments and cognition of the work force ( Woodward et al. , 2000 ; OECD, 1994 ; Bloom et al. , 2006 ) . The states with good developed instruction systems besides benefit by increasing the proportion of the working population and promote them to stay in the work force. A good instruction system in a state besides helps to keep competitory place in the planetary economic system and minimizes the impact of unemployment than states that have non invested in such preparation ( World Bank, 1990 ; Economic development indexs, 2007 ) . Education besides helps in accomplishing a higher criterion of life and enhances the accomplishments and cognition of people. It besides contributes and benefits the population from the scientific and technological progresss in the signifier of new merchandises and procedures which may in bend consequence in higher net incomes of people and lead to economic development ( Stevens and Weale, 2003 ) . However, it can non be denied that people need to better and update their accomplishments and cognition to vie in the progressively knowledge based economic system, as a consequence of which it becomes necessary for people to set about both qualitative and quantitative instruction and preparation ( Woodward et al. , 2000 ) . The quality and measure of instruction offered may change from state to state, but instruction is considered to be really of import as it is considered to be a major subscriber of economic growing. Even in Australia, instruction is one of the largest industries which contribute to about 6 per centum of GDP and the sum spent by the politicians and educational curates in Australia is based with the quality of end product. The authorities bursary on instruction during the 90 ‘s was about $ 17.6bn and the outgo made by persons and houses was about $ 4.7bn. Australia ‘s instruction system is besides considered to be of good quality criterion and besides attracts big pupils from different states. ( Becker and Lewis, 1993 ; Burke, 1992 cited in Marginson, 1993 ; Australian authorities, 2008 ) . However, there has been a batch of argument in the literature as to whether the quality of instruction is of import of the measure for a state ‘s economic development. ( Link and Ratledge, 1975 ; Marginson, 1993 ; Woodward et Al, 2000 ; Bloom et al. 2006 ) states that, it is of import for people to hold high quality of instruction as it encourages the population to achieve more instruction which will take to economic development of a state. This is because ; high quality of instruction helps people to develop more accomplishments and cognition and therefore, increases the productiveness of people which in bend has big impact on the net incomes and economic growing. The writers further provinces that, in order to acquire accurate estimations of returns from the quality of instruction, it is of import to mensurate quality which can be done by quantitative indexs i.e. graduation rates or achievement tonss of people. One of the states that illustrate the importance of quality of instruction is Singapore, where the per capita GDP grew at the rate of 6.7 per centum between 1970 ‘s and 1990 ‘s. The chief ground for the addition in the GDP was due to the alterations in the instruction policy. The authorities ‘s policy was focused on upgrading the quality of instruction and increasing the productiveness by bettering the accomplishments of people by using the school larning to existent universe jobs. This policy resulted in increased engagement of work force in the labour market with high cognition and accomplishments and therefore, the quality of instruction contributed into the economic system by bring forthing a cognition driven work force taking to the economic development of the state ( Kozma, 2005 ) . However, ( Cheng and Ghulam, 1997 ; Lee, 2005 ; Barro, 2001 ; Sianesi and Reenen, 2002 ; Dowrick, 2002 ) contradicts this and states that measure of instruction contributes to about 0.44 per centum growing in a state ‘s per capita GDP for every extra twelvemonth of schooling. Measure of instruction helps people attain more old ages of instruction and can gain higher rewards. Achieving more old ages of instruction is besides of import as higher degree of instruction is needed to run into the challenges of altering demands which are originating out of advanced cognition and engineerings. In developed states like Australia, more accents is being laid on the quality of instruction which leads to economic growing as at that place does non look to be much of a relationship between the degrees of instruction attained i.e. measure and economic growing. In such states more importance is given on the quality of instruction. This is because, people who do non possess plenty cognition and experience i.e. quality while go forthing or graduating from high schools and colleges find it hard to run into the demands of the labour market. These people may besides hold low productiveness and net incomes which may in bend have low impact on the economic development ( Pianalto, 2004 ; Bosworth and Collins, 2003 ; Arcaro, 1995 ; Marginson, 1993 and Barr, 2002 ) . However, ( Access Economics, 2005 ; World Bank, 1990 ) contradicts these positions and provinces that at that place seems to be a relationship between achieving higher degrees of instruction and economic growing. This is because, what a population learns may be different from what the employers may demand in the labor market. Achieving a low degree of instruction may besides gain really low returns to persons and to the economic system, while more old ages of instruction i.e. measure consequences in more skilled work force. Such skilled work force, in bend consequences in higher productiveness, higher engagement of people in the work force and higher employment in the state. The work force with more instruction brings a higher degree of accomplishment to the work topographic point. Hence, it increases the productiveness. It increases engagement of people as workers with higher accomplishments degrees are more likely to work. Hence, it increases engagement. Peoples who attain mote ins truction are more likely to be employable and bask lower unemployment rates. The writer further adds that people who do non achieve more degrees of instruction, they are likely to gain lower norm returns as compared to those people who have attained more degrees of instruction. For illustration in Australia, in 1999, people who did non complete twelvemonth 12 earned about 20 per centum less than those who completed. While people who attained university instruction earned about 40 per centum more than those who completed twelvemonth 12 and about earned 75 per centum more than the least educated. Education delivers high wage to Australians Beginning: OECD Net incomes of people by increased degree of instruction Average pay of those who finish school =100 ( Nam et al. , 1994 ; Temple, 2000 ; Muffels, 2008 ) further adds that, people with low old ages of instruction i.e. measure are more likely to acquire a impermanent occupation, peripheral occupation due to the deficiency in the accomplishments and cognition. This can ensue in lower productiveness and lower net incomes of persons. While people who attain high degrees of instruction are more likely to hold a positive consequence on labor market and acquire lasting occupations, nucleus occupations. This is because, though the procedure of instruction takes clip and involves chance cost, nevertheless, the result from the investing in the old ages of schooling can be considered to be certain in a sense that those persons who undertake who attain higher degrees of instruction will be skilled laborers in future which will increase productiveness and lead to economic growing. But ( the economic experts, 1992 ; Link and Ratledge, 1975 ) are of the position that, both quality and measure are of import for economic development as a big proportion of uneducated may ensue in unemployment and people who do non finish their schools do non hold important impact on their net incomes. The people who attain quality of instruction besides better the accomplishments of people and as there is a mismatch between the accomplishments offered by the people and the accomplishments needed by labor markets, there is a demand for people to achieve measure degrees of higher instruction. In order to increase the quality and measure of instruction it is besides of import to account that, who pays for instruction. ( Woodward et al. , 2000 ; Harrison, 1997 ) states that the authorities should bear the cost of instruction because if the authorities wages of instruction so it will better the quality and measure of instruction as more figure of people will be encouraged by the authorities to set about instruction. The sum of subsidy given by the authorities besides may impact the fees that persons pay for acquiring educated and therefore, will increase the demand for instruction. But if the authorities does non pay for instruction, it may impact the quality of instruction and besides may increase inequality in instruction. This is because ; if persons have to pay for instruction so they may see instruction as outgo and non as investing and hence, see a secondary issue which may raise poorness and unemployment in the state, which may restrict the economic growing of the state.

Lord Chamberlain Polonius Gets Murdered By Prince Hamlet Essay

Polonius, who was at one time, a useful, high ranking state officer, much respected by the late king, is murdered by Prince Hamlet. He has worked his way up through a lifetime of service to the court, culminating in duties which involved the effective management of the royal household. After the death of Hamlet’s father, he was loyal to the new king, Claudius, to the utmost. Throughout his career he was at the centre of affairs and respected by the royal couple despite his garrulity. His unsubtle view of life, his persistence in his opinions, and his ever-readiness to intrude in the affairs of others had gained him quite a good number of enemies. Polonius, who was hiding behind an arras in the queen’s closet, was answering to her call for help. This was when prince hamlet ran his sword through the curtain and thus Polonius who was behind that curtain was murdered. Throughout his career, he was equal to a summary of some pious book of moral precepts, full of appropriateness and sound common sense. OPHELIA DIES A MARTYR TO HER LOVE FOR HAMLET Ophelia, daughter of Polonius and Prince Hamlet’s lady-love, dies a martyr to her love for Hamlet and her devotion to her father. She was weak in mind and of a clinging kind. She looked to Hamlet as a support to herself in her life but he failed miserably in reciprocating her pure and true love. Frustrated in her love, her state of mind got aggravated by the murder of her father. Bereft of any support in life, she went mad singing rhymes to herself all around. She was brought up in complete submission to her father, and was always a most obedient daughter to him. Her noble nature persisted till her last breath. The persons who saw her last remembers that she left the scene with a prayer for all Christian souls. Her death was a blow to her brother Leartus for whom she was â€Å"rose of May. † She was impressionable, sensitive, graceful, innocent and very down to earth. Her innocent beauty and youth will definitely linger in the minds of all those who loved her.

Human Papillomavirus Essay

The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been established as a substantial threat to public health among the sexually active youth of America. HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease that primarily affects women. It is also responsible for thousands of cancer related deaths each year. There are about 20 million Americans each year that are currently infected with HPV and nearly 5 million people will become newly infected this year with the virus. There are over 100 different strains of HPV, however only four are primarily responsible for causing substantial health complications such as genital warts and cervical cancer. Nevertheless, recent efforts to eliminate these most dominant strains have proven to be extremely victorious with the development of a unique vaccine that can exhibit an extraordinary level of efficiency. As a result, the pervasiveness of HPV has begun to slowly dwindle, but the virus still continues to violently infect millions of sexually active individuals who still remain unexposed to proper vaccination. Of the 100 different HPV strains, types 16 and 18 have been proven to cause cervical cancer. Although cervical cancer is able to be prevented, it is the second most common gynecologic cancer worldwide and the third most common cancer amongst women in the United States. In 2008 alone, 11,070 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the United States, and among these, 3,870 cases were fatal (Linton 235). In order to effectively protect themselves, it is necessary that women frequently obtain regular cervical cancer screenings and Pap tests to detect any precancerous lesions early on and subsequently prevent any instance of invasive cervical cancer from taking a potentially fatal course. Ultimately, the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are much higher among women who do not obtain these regular screenings. Pap testing is an effective strategy for reducing the risk of invasive cervical cancer. Pap smear screening involves taking cells from the cervix to identify the presence of any abnormal or precancerous cells. In an effort to combat the growing number of cervical cancer cases among young women in the United States, the Center for Disease Control recommends that women receive a Pap test within the first two years following their first sexual encounter (Roland 8). Moreover, since the virus infects women ages 14 – 24 more prevalently than any other age group, it is vital that every woman receives at least one pap smear before they reach 21 years of age, followed by regularly scheduled annual screenings until the age of 30 (Roland 9). In doing so, young women can substantially decrease the prevalence of the virus while also decreasing their risk of contracting cervical cancer through early detection of the cellular abnormalities caused by HPV. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that even the mere act of performing a Pap smear can produce an inflammatory, immunologic response to HPV which subsequently initiates the body’s defense mechanisms that could potentially lead to clearance of the virus. As a result, Pap testing has proven to be an extremely effective method for reducing the incidence of cervical cancer among women exposed to the virus (Roland 9). In addition to HPV prevalence among women, the virus can also affect the overall health of infected males. Although the male is generally considered an asymptomatic â€Å"silent† carrier of HPV, the virus can produce lesions or warts on the male genitalia and can even lead to penile cancer (Rosa 1032). However, currently there is no cost effective test designed to detect the virus in male carriers. The only methods of detection consist of a peniscopy followed by a second-generation Hybrid Capture test. In this process, acetic acid solution is used to identify any lesions on the genitals so that a biopsy can be taken from all infected areas (Rosa 1033). Unfortunately, this manner of detection is far too complex to be performed on a mass scale. Consequently, male carriers continue to spread HPV unknowingly to their sexual partners and subsequently increase the prevalence of the virus throughout the sexually active community. Due to this asymptomatic spread of the virus by male carriers, it is paramount that a male vaccine is developed to further combat the growing prevalence of HPV among young sexually active individuals. On June 8th 2006, the FDA introduced Gardasil, a gender specific quadrivalent vaccine which prevents the initial infection of the four most dominant and high risk HPV types, 6, 11, 16, and 18. Consequently, the vaccine not only directly prevents the development of cervical cancer in women but also defends against the lower risk types 6 and 11, which are generally known for causing genital warts in both genders. The Gardasil vaccine is very unique because it appears to be the only 100 percent effective vaccination ever created. Furthermore, there is no live material inside the vaccine. Instead, it is made up of the virus-like proteins which coat the outer portion of the HPV virus. The vaccine cannot treat individuals already infected with the virus, but it will protect the infected female from attaining any of the other strains in the vaccine (McLemore 559). The vaccination is a three dose process, with followup doses at two and six month intervals from initial vaccination. Furthermore, the observed side effects are minimal but can include fever, nausea, respiratory tract infection, insomnia, and several other complications. Ultimately, the Gardasil vaccine is recommended for women ages 9 – 26 in an attempt to effectively decrease the prevalence of HPV among the sexually active community and also directly lower the related incidence of cervical cancer in young women (McLemore 559). However, even with the development of this vaccine the human papillomavirus still continues to infect millions of Americans and is responsible for thousands of cervical cancer deaths each year. It is absolutely paramount that young sexually active women not only become vaccinated with Gardasil, but also continue to maintain regular Pap test screenings annually with their doctor. In doing so, women can substantially reduce their incidence of cervical cancer and effectively fight to combat the growing prevalence of the HPV virus in the United States. Ultimately, the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are much higher among women who do not obtain these regular screenings, and therefore fail to identify HPV abnormalities and precancerous cells early in their development. REFERENCES Linton, D.M. (2009). Cervical cancer screening interval. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 13(2): 235-7. Roland, K.B., Benard, V.B., Saraiya, M., Hawkins, N.A., & Brandt, H. (2009). Assessing cervical cancer screening guidelines in patient education materials. Journal of Women’s Health. 18(1): 5-12. McLemore, M.R. (2006). Gardasil: introducing the new human papillomavirus vaccine. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 10(5): 559-60. Rosa, N.T., De Carvalho, J.J., & Syrjanen, K.J. (2007). Identification of males at increased risk for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among patients referred for urological consultation. Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. 39(11-12): 1029-37.

Topics in cultural studies Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Topics in cultural studies - Research Paper Example Western civilization was often founded on the ideal of the existence of some form of hierarchy that determined the manner in which cultures related on the score of power. Stronger cultures have a tendency of influencing weaker cultures in the multiple discourses that bring both cultures into contact with each other. On this score, it is often assumed that cultural expression of one culture will necessarily determine the nature and extent to which such a culture expresses its own values with other cultures. Western cultures adopted a central perspective in which they assumed that all other cultures were essentially inferior. The discourse of culture was considered in terms of the hierarchy that existed between western cultures and the other cultures (Hause & Maltby, 2004). The manifestation of the struggle often entailed an active engagement with the hierarchical determination of the relative strength and weaknesses between the cultures. As a result, only the cultures that had their i nternal structures managed to overcome the stifling influences of western cultures. The power of cultural expression worked in a manner that brought together the various discourses that embraced western cultures and non-western cultures. ... Western civilization adopted philosophies that determined perspectives on other foreign influences. It might be argued that some of the discourses that defined the world outside the boundaries of western civilization essentially determined the manner in which these civilizations engaged with other forms of civilization. The discourses of orientalism, racism, and colonialism were necessarily conditioned by cultural perceptions of the presumed superiority of western civilization to other forms of civilization (Sherman, 2006). For instance, the west considered the East within the discourse of orientalism. There was a sense in which the East was considered as an alien culture and necessarily inferior to western culture. Such perceptions also underpinned the desire to conquer and subdue any other cultures that were perceived as inferior. The deliberate misrepresentation of cultural facts was meant to make the other cultures subordinate to western civilization. Such cultural perceptions ju stified the need to conquer foreign lands and to subdue other races that were defined by the relative weaknesses of cultural civilizations. Matters of cultural superiority might be considered in terms of the manner in which they engaged with processes that determine the relative strength between cultures. Essentially, other cultures were considered as inferior and deserving to be conquered and subdued. It might be necessary to consider the element of civilization within the broad perspective of cultural relationships. Assumptions of strength within the framework of cultural expression were considered as the pivotal point, which determined the kind of relationship between the west and

The course called organizational behavioral Essay

The course called organizational behavioral - Essay Example Every organization has its own culture that acts a code of conduct and shapes the behavior of all the people that are part of the organization. All the attitudes including office etiquette, social life, interaction with bosses and colleagues including the way of greeting comes under organizational culture. Organizational culture is different not only in different organizations but also in different geographical locations. Hence this sometimes causes employees to alter their behavior considering the different organizational culture in order to fit into the new culture and thereby avoiding any action that is considered inappropriate. A form of greeting in most workplaces is a common gesture used in communications that are occurring face to face and it varies from culture to culture. It is a common business communication behavior in the United States to shake hands while people first meet which is used as a form of greeting. This goes for all business situations as well as some social s ituations and is regardless of the gender of both hand shakers. However, in countries like Saudi Arabia, it is prohibited for male employees to shake hands with female employees or vice versa due to religious reasons. Hand shake or for that matter, any act involving physical touching between men and women is considered a taboo and therefore is prohibited. Having been employed in an organization in the United States, where interaction between male and female coworkers is very common, and then later moving on to an organization in Saudi Arabia, there is the need to change behavior in order to ‘adapt’ in to the new organization. Since hand shake is common in the US and prohibited in Saudi Arabia, the personal comfort zone is quite different from the zone of appropriateness in the new workplace. This situation results in no or minimal overlap between the personal comfort zone and the Saudi Arabian zone of appropriateness leading to authenticity challenges regarding being co mfortable with the new setting and environment. There is difficulty in connecting with other coworkers along with feelings of low self promotion. Of course this gap between the two zones can be overcome thereby creating a zone of optimal performance (Molinsky ch. 4, para. 11). One way this might be done is to try to customize your own behavior by adopting the new culture by taking on its code of behavior. Having an experience in working at particular Saudi Arabian workplaces could have also helped in adapting to the new environment. Another similar situation involving negotiation styles is considered where there are different negotiation approaches in different cultures even though negotiation styles may vary within cultures as well. Every person may negotiate differently even though they belong to the same culture depending upon the sector, time, setting and so on. Hence there might be generalizations while considering cross cultural negotiation styles. Cultural negotiation styles take into account the time orientation, space orientation, non verbal communication, hierachical structure, and so on (LeBaron "Culture-Based Negotiation Styles"). For an effective negotiation, it is important to understand the negotiation approach of the other party and adjust accordingly for mutual benefit. Negotiators in the United States have a greater sense of independence as they see themselves as self governing, that is, they use the individualist approach of communication. They do consult others but they

Equal Importance of Reason and Emotion in Justifying Moral Decisions Essay

Equal Importance of Reason and Emotion in Justifying Moral Decisions - Essay Example However moral values are always theoretical. Consequently, there had been a difference of opinion among the scholars and philosophers, while defining moral values. In addition, there had been widespread debate over the applicability of reason and emotion to justify moral decisions. One such philosopher, David Hume argued that reason can be construed as a slave to the personal emotions. In contrast to this, Kant addressed the importance of reason in the process of taking moral decisions. Antonio Damsio, the author of Descartes’ Error, had maintained that the theories of Hume and Kant cannot be correct, because reason and emotion do not oppose each other diametrically. He also stated that the processes that take place in the brain were intertwined and complicated (Ingham). The human brain plays a key role in the moral decision making process, whenever the situation warrants such a decision. The brain acts according to the situation in which the moral decision had been taken. In situations, where it is necessary to take some action with regard to a moral dilemma, several factors have to be taken into consideration, before arriving at a correct resolution for the moral dilemma. Furthermore, it is important to apply the highest possible rational deliberation (Moral Judgment Fails Without Feelings). In certain situations, there could be a need to take immediate decisions. In such circumstance the emotions would take an active part in resolving the issue on hand.