Media Influence Essay

The Mass Media is a unique feature of modern society; its development has accompanied an increase in the magnitude and complexity of societal actions and engagements, rapid social change, technological innovation, rising personal income and standard of life and the decline of some traditional forms of control and authority. There is an association between the development of mass media and social change, although the degree and direction of this association is still debated upon even after years of study into media influence. Many of the consequences, either detrimental or beneficial, which have been attributed to the mass media, are almost undoubtedly due to other tendencies within society. Few sociologists would refute the importance of the mass media, and mass communications as a whole, as being a major factor in the construction and circulation of social understanding and social imagery in modern societies. Therefore it is argued that the mass media is used as â€Å"an instrument†, both more powerful and more flexible than anything in previous existence, for influencing people into certain modes of belief and understanding within society. The question of medias influence on society and its cultural framework has often been debated upon from leading theorists to anyone with any form of media connections, but to contemplate that a character in Coronation Street or Eastenders can have an influence on an audience members attitude, beliefs or interpretations of society is a very simplistic and debatable version of the truth. The media does influence, but using more diverse and subtle roles of impact. Some theorists suggest that it is even a case of society influencing the media and not the more widespread and presumed version. History In the early 1930’s, the Payne Studies study took place into the effects and influences of the mass media on the society as a whole using, at times, theories or beliefs that dated back to the late nineteenth century. This is regarded as one of the first in the area of or notion that the mass media has an affect on the societal attitudes and beliefs of that time. This was soon follow around about a decade later in 1941 by Katz, Berelson, and Lazarsfeld who also decided to research into the topic of media effects, a research which produced the now commonly known ‘Minimum Effects Model’. The main aspect of this research being to investigate any possible link or factor that may influence voting behaviour. As has been described in numerous literature it’s ‘discovery’ was that the mass media played little or no part in the process of the formation of any political opinion, attitude or preference. They came to the conclusion that the biggest factor influencing people was not the media, but other people. By the 1960’s, there was a revival of Marxist attitudes, and so the work of Katz, Lazarsfeld, and Berelson was largely dismissed in favour of re-examining the model of research into media effects, due to the modifications the mass media had undergone in the post 1941 period, to consider another way in which to investigate the influence and the effects of the media. Influence, society and individuals As Jane Root wrote in the book â€Å"Open The Box†, which delves into the possibilities of media influence, â€Å"It has a role in defining what we think of as a natural†¦it helps to map out who we think we are†. To look at the medias effect and influence, there is an underlying need to define influence as we understand it in relation to society and it’s overall effect. Media is a major piece within society that is often linked to the notion of social influence. Society understands the notion or concept of being influenced as an â€Å"external force† (the media) linking itself or connecting with a personal action or viewpoint of the recipient. (John Corner: 2000: 378) The forces of influence that have been described as a major power in media effects are those that are circumstantial and directed, those which can be placed within a framework or model, for example â€Å"uses and gratifications†,  those of a generic function but ultimately those which state perspectives, interpretations, and measurements which can lead to evidence and proof. Uses & Gratifications Model A systematic and widely used model in social sciences study of media influence over the effects on an audience concerning behaviour, attitudes and beliefs, is the theory of uses and gratifications. This theory can be linked to the notion of social belonging and how an audience can be deceived into believing that this concept can be achieved. The tenet underlying this approach to studying audiences was that individuals actively consume and use the media in order to meet certain needs. In reality, with the power belonging in the focus of the media, it can be defined as a tool of subliminal persuasion. (O’Sullivan, Dutton, Raymer: 1998) Blumler and Katz (1974) concluded that audience’s fulfilment of needs came within the broad generalisation of four desires: * Diversion – a form of escape or emotional release from  everyday pressures. * Personal Relationships – companionships via television personalities and  characters and sociability through discussion about television with other people. * Personal Identity – the ability to compare one’s life with characters and  situations within programmes, and hence explore personal problems and perspectives. * Surveillance – a supply of information about what is going on in the  world. It is believed that this need to gratify its audience with the pursuit of an idealistic social fulfilment provides the media the opportunity to convey subliminal messages that may influence our opinions, interpretations and understanding of societal factors. The thought that the media is an overwhelming force that influences their audiences through the means of appealing to their desires and needs, must be examined in contrast with the notion that â€Å"every one is free†. Meaning that the mass media’s audience can resist being controlled, simply through choice. An individual always has the option of simply not watching that programme or not reading that particular newspaper. An individual makes the choice, and the selection that is made will merely underpin the views and inclinations that they already have. Television Violence It is believed that the most prominent sign of the mass medias influence is the link to violent programmes and violence within society. Some, technological determinists extend to the belief that the television has altered the world, and it is an â€Å"evil thing that rots the minds of youth†. Television characters are repeatedly recognized as heroes, due to the gaining of respect and numerous other rewards through their actions, they are especially likely to be imitated. For instance at the height of it’s British dominance of children’s television, The Power Rangers were the cause of a large number of accidents, injuries and quarrels that its young audience endured due to the imitation of the characters movements and actions. It may also act as a cue to aggressive behaviour, through desensitisation, uninhibitedness and stimulation. Scenes of violence in a horror film allegedly influenced the two accused ten year olds involved in the infamous James Bulger murder, in which a young boy was abducted and killed. It is  said that they undertook the resulting actions after becoming intrigued and excited by the violent scenes within the horror movie Childs Play. At the accused’ trial the defence made an attempt to present an argument that their actions could be explained through their fascination to television and films which distorted their understandings of society, reality and moral values. Also, it has been noted that naturally aggressive people may simply choose and prefer to watch more violent programmes than of any other nature. Friedrich and Stein found that aggressive-prone children are likely to become even more aggressive after watching violent television. A report made by the United States Surgeon General concluded that television violence is influential, as many as 25% of child viewers may be affected. But what it doesn’t take into account is that other research undertaken had shown, that from over 300 studies using numerous amounts of children, there was no direct effect of the violence portrayed through the mass media on the youth of contemporary society, though there is considerable disagreement between different studies. For instance it could be concluded that violence can never be considered the sole cause of delinquent behaviour, it may possibly just act to reinforce or affect those that are already prone to such tendencies. These examples have been noted as possible indications of the effects of the mass media through the means of expression of television violence, but the media is accused of also acting in more subliminal ways when looked at through the vehicle of the print based and television news. News The mass media present a stereotyped picture of life, which can often lead to undesirable prejudices within not just national, but international, society. The mass media and in particular the television and print based news are often accused as being a significant source, in wide ranging and varied ways, of enhancing common stereotypes. It is argued now that in the case of women, ethnic groups, the disabled, certain professions, the old, the  physically unattractive and even nationalities are all presented according to accepted stereotypes. As â€Å"the war on terrorism† in Afghanistan rages on the news that has come from that region has had exactly the same type of subliminal messaging that was continually occurring in the Gulf War press. The aim of that journalism was to distinguish the language concerning both sides that were at war. During the Gulf War the descriptions given to the opposite sides were of a distinct nature as to enhance the British reputation and to condemn the Saddam regime. British troops â€Å"took out†, â€Å"suppressed† and â€Å"eliminated† their opposition because of an â€Å"old fashioned sense of duty† because they are â€Å"professionals†, â€Å"brave† and â€Å"lion-hearted†, whereas Saddam’s army simply â€Å"killed† and â€Å"destroyed† because they â€Å"feared Saddam† and were â€Å"cowardly† and â€Å"Bastards of Baghdad† (O’Sullivan, Dutton, Rayner: 1998:80). These binary oppositions are used as a form of media propaganda, the conscious manipulation of information in order to gain political advantage. By using the media as a tool of manipulation the Conservative government of the Gulf War era and the Labour government of the present day have effectively stereotyped the opposition in order to provide national unity and enhance their own political agendas. Studies have also been carried out to study the effects of television on political behaviour, with Blumler (1970) as just one, concluding that television had little or no discernible influence over the viewer. Construction of the news is another way in which the mass media can have an influence over the masses. Through the placement of certain aspects of, for example, a news feature or the selective process made by editors it preserves the notion of media influence continually. Television and print based news, due primarily to their fixation with crime and violence arguably has a pessimistic impact upon our societal behaviour. The news can be described as being an oxymoron; giving us the skin of the truth stuffed with a lie. I personally do not concur with this as I consider that generally news does not lie, except it does not inform the audience of the entire truth by omitting the less interesting and dramatic parts. A news program is  primarily focused on the facts, but for the purposes of television and the print based media they tend to emphasise on the dramatic, generally violent stories and images to capture and sustain its audience, under the facade of keeping it informed. The med ias influence through the news is that it affects the public both consciously and subconsciously, and in some cases sends us about our lives unnecessarily fearing the remote dangers that we see excessively portrayed in the news. Stereotyping Children’s programmes especially have a tendency to amplify stereotypes, presenting â€Å"goodies† and â€Å"baddies† within episodes. The confirmation of their stereotypes may makes children feel more comfortable with themselves if they can place someone within a group. Also some children often only have their contact with some minority groups through the television. Greenfield (1984) found that Sesame Street’s use of ethnic and disabled minorities has had positive affects on children, particularly those from the minority groups who feel greater cultural pride and self-confidence. Certain events are over-reported, such as violent or sex crimes, and this acts to alter public opinion. Cohen (1965) suggests that the media creates moral panics by widely reporting an initially minor event, which leads to further comprehensive reports, detection of causes or troublemakers. Radio Cantril (1940) is often referred back upon as a classic example of how the mass media can influence through the gaining of trust. It refers to an incident in the late thirties that caused a widespread public panic in America after a radio station broadcast of H.G.Wells’ fictional narrative War of the Worlds. The production involved a series of news bulletins in which the reporter gave a â€Å"live† account of a Martian invasion. A lot of listeners had tuned in a few moments after the show had begun and so, apparently unaware that the program was of a fictitious nature, believed what they were hearing was the truth and so began becoming hysterical, with some taking to the streets and others even packing up their belongings as  quickly as they could and driving off in order to avoid the attacks. Cantril’s study was the documentation of media-social relations at the time and so the â€Å"invasion† pointed towards the influence that the radio had over the masses, as they truly believed the broadcast. The primary factor in the â€Å"invasion† was the trust that the public had in radio journalism being unwittingly extended to a practical simulation. What was evident from this episode was the steady, gradual and routine influence that the mass media as a whole had exerted, led to the radio broadcasts listeners faith that they were being attacked (Corner: 2000: 385). This case has been cited as being an excellent example of the â€Å"Hypodermic Needle Model†, a hypothesis which asserts that the media are dominant agents of influence, capable of â€Å"injecting† ideas and behaviours directly into fairly inert audiences of isolated individuals. It could also be marked down as not only showing the behavioural changes that can arise from a single piece of media output but also the underlying example of media influence that experts have looked for through experiments or fieldwork. Conclusion In closing, there are perceived to be constantly changing views on the influence that is exerted by the mass media. At first there was the attitude that the media was forcing itself upon us in such a way as to exert its influence and shape our beliefs, actions and values. Now though as time has moved on, theorists are thinking about this area of research in other ways and through diverse approaches. There was a shift in the perspective of researchers within audience reception in the seventies and is evident none more so than in the statement made by James Halloran (1970): â€Å"We must get away from the habit of thinking in terms of what the media do to people and substitute for it the idea of what people do with the media.† The technological determinist view, which states an overemphasis on the part of the mass media as the major, if not solitary cause of societal and  cultural changes, which have effected actions and beliefs, is not the view that I personally would concur with. In my opinion the mass media is an incredible tool of persuasion and could influence somebody undoubtedly. Mass media audiences are arguably on the whole not passive, and so the amount of influence that is exerted upon the recipient depends entirely on the individual. As most pieces of media output are â€Å"polysemic† in nature, meaning that it is capable of having different meanings and readings from person to person (O’Sullivan, Dutton, Rayner: 1998:327), the way in which, or by how much, an individual is influenced is entirely through choice. Bibliography * O’Sullivan, Dutton, Rayner: (1998): Arnold Publishers â€Å"Studying The Media: Second Edition† The following authors were cited from â€Å"Studying The Media: Second Edition† James Halloran (1970) Blumler and Katz (1974) James Curran & Michael Gurevitch: (2000): Arnold Publishers â€Å"Mass Media And Society: Third Edition† Chapter 19: John Corner: (2000) Within Chapter 19, written by John Corner the following authors were cited: Cantril (1940) Blumler (1970) * John Eldridge, Jenny Kitzninger, Kevin Williams: (1997): Oxford Uni. Press Inc â€Å"The Mass Media & Power In Modern Britain† The following authors were cited from â€Å"The Mass Media & Power In Modern Britain†: Greenfield (1984) Friedrich and Stein United States Surgeon General Report Cohen (1965) * Jane Root: (Unknown): (Unknown) â€Å"Open The Box†

Acct1101 Exam Final Sample

Venue____________________ Seat Number________ Student Number|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Family Name_____________________ First Name_____________________ Venue____________________ Seat Number________ Student Number|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Family Name_____________________ First Name_____________________ This exam paper must not be removed from the venue School of Business SAMPLE EXAMINATION ACCT1101 Account for Decis Making This paper is for St Lucia Campus students. For Examiner Use Only QuestionMark 1| | 2| | 3| | 4| | | | MCQ| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Total For Examiner Use Only QuestionMark 1| | 2| | 3| | 4| | | | MCQ| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total Examination Duration:120 minutes Reading Time:10 minutes Exam Conditions: This is a Central Examination This is a Closed Book Examination – specified materials permitted During perusal – write only on the rough paper provided Materials Permitted In The Exam Ve nue: (No electronic aids are permitted e. g. laptops, phones) Any unmarked paper dictionary is permitted Calculators – Casio FX82 series or UQ approved (labelled) Materials to Be Supplied To Students: x 14 Page Answer Booklet Rough Paper 1 x Multiple Choice Answer Sheet Instructions to Students: * Answer all questions using the writing book and the Multiple Choice Answer * Sheet provided. * This sample exam is intended to be an indication of the content of the main and final exams. It is not intended to be a complete indication of the content of the supplementary exam, as this exam also assesses all course content Question 1 Go Stop Limited is preparing its budget for the quarter beginning 1 January 2013. The bank balance at 1 January is expected to be $10,000,000.The directors have a policy to purchase just enough to cover that month’s expected sales. Purchases are to be paid for by the end of the following month. Sales are on credit as follows: Receipts:| | Current m onth| 60%| month before| 30%| 2 months before| 10%| Total| 100%| | | Budgeted Sales are: $,000| $,000| $,000| $,000| $,000| November| December| January| February| March| 46,800 | 48,000 | 50,000 | 52,000 | 56,000 | The firm’s gross profit margin is 30%. The following fixed monthly expenses are all paid on cash terms ($, 000): Wages| 15,000| Rent| 6,000| Rates| 3,000| Insurance| 1,500|An expensive piece of equipment was paid for in February, costing $1,200,000 Required: 1) Prepare the company’s cash budget for the three months beginning 1 January showing the balance at the end of each month. Show workings. Use the proforma cash budget sheet that follows 2) Advise the management on the forecast cash position 3) Advise management of the importance of Cash Management Answer Sheet: Go Stop Limited | January| February| March| Total| | $,000| $,000| $,000| $,000| Receipts:| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Total Cash receipts| | | | | | | | | | Payments:| | | | |DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PROFORMA IN THE EXAM:USE AS A GUIDE ONLY AND WRITE YOUR ANSWER IN THE NORMAL GREEN ANSWER BOOKLET| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total cash payments| | | | | | | | | | Net cash flows| | | | | | | | | | Opening Bank Balance| | | | | Closing Bank Balance| | | | | Question 2 Given below is a table that sets out the annual budgeted income statement for a large clothing retailer, together with actual performance figures. The retailer has several stores located all over Australia and New Zealand. Sales are made directly over the counter and also by mail delivery Income statement| for year ended 30 June| Budgeted $,000| Actual $,000| | | | Sales| 4,200,000| 5,000,000| Cost of sales| 3,640,000| 3,430,000| Marketing| 12,000| 40,000| Distribution costs| 10,000| 23,000| Administration costs| 213,000| 316,000| Interest expense| 104,000| 110,000| Abnormal expense| 0| 25,000| Net profit| 221,000| 1,056,000| Required: i. Calculate the variances for each item and state whet her they are Favourable (FAV) or Adverse (ADV) ii. Comment on each variance in light of the information given about the company and suggest further investigation that will be necessary to better ascertain the cause of these variances iii.Comment on the company’s overall performance during the year and discuss the key areas that the business should be considering Question 3 James Wilson, process engineer, had been given the task of redesigning an existing process to improve environmental performance. He knew that the acceptance of a more environmentally efficient process would depend on its economic feasibility. The process design required new equipment and an infusion of working capital. The equipment would cost $450,000 and its cash operating expenses would total $90,000 per year.The equipment would last for seven years but would need a major overhaul costing $45,000 at the end of the fifth year. At the end of 7 years, the equipment could be sold for $30,000. The annual depr eciation for this equipment using the straight line method would be $60,000. An increase in working capital (Current Assets – Current Liabilities) totalling $45,000 would also be required at the beginning. This would be recovered at the end of seven years. On the benefit side, James estimated that the new process would save $202,500 per year in environmental costs by eliminating fines and clean-up costs.The cost of capital is 10%. Required: 1. Prepare a schedule of relevant net cash flows for the proposed project. 2. Calculate the NPV of the project. 3. Should the new process design be accepted? 4. What factors should James consider other than environmental ones when deciding whether to go ahead with this project? Question 4 Sailaway Limited is a small yacht builder. It has operated successfully for many years from a factory that allows for production of 40 yachts per year. In most years the company can sell all the yachts it can produce. The selling price of each yacht is $1 2 600.Variable labour and materials costs are $7 750 per yacht, and the fixed costs associated with running the business from the present factory are $58 200. The company's directors are meeting to discuss a proposal to increase the business's production capacity. A neighbouring factory has become vacant and it would be possible to rent the additional space in order to produce more yachts. The additional capacity in terms of production would be 20 yachts. The sales director is confident that, with the growth in the leisure yachting market, he will be able to sell the additional yachts.Variable costs per yacht will remain the same because the same labour and materials are used. However, the expansion would produce an additional $14 550 in fixed costs. Required: 1. Advise the company’s directors on whether to go ahead with this proposal 2. What would be the break even in number of yachts: a. Without the proposal b. With the proposal 3. What is the margin of safety in number of yachts and percentage of yachts c. Without the proposal d. With the proposal From this comment of which is the riskiest alternative Multiple choice questions:Answer these questions on the separate multiple choice answer sheet Each question carries one mark 1. One of the approaches to setting budgets is known as the ‘top down' approach. This is best described as: A| production budget set first and working from this to other budgets. | B| setting the sales forecast and working from this to other budgets. | C| budget targets set by senior management. | D| budget targets set at the lowest level of management. | 2. High operating gearing refers to: A| an activity with relatively high variable costs compared with its fixed costs. B| an activity with relatively high fixed costs compared with its variable costs. | C| an activity with relatively low fixed costs compared with its variable costs. | D| an activity with fixed costs equal to its variable costs. | 3. The decision rule for th e accounting rate of return method of assessing investment projects is to accept all projects with: A| a positive return. | B| the highest return subject to a minimum required return. | C| the highest return. | D| none of the above. | 4. A disadvantage associated with the use of the accounting rate of return method for assessing investment opportunities is:A| it is a method that is not widely understood by business. | B| it is based on an accrual approach rather than cash flows. | C| it ignores the time value of money. | D| B and C. | 5. The time value of money is an important concept in investment decisions as it takes into account that: A| a dollar received tomorrow is more valuable than a dollar received today. | B| a dollar received today is equal to a dollar received tomorrow. | C| it takes time to earn profits. | D| a dollar received today is more valuable than a dollar received tomorrow. | END OF EXAMINATION

People who contribute to social security should have the right to Essay

People who contribute to social security should have the right to choose how their money is invested - Essay Example Neither is social security a financially secure program as the office itself has a problem collating funds in order to fund itself. The program is basically bankrupt. Knowing that social security is in dire straights due to the U.S. economy, one cannot help but wonder, maybe the system will be better off if it is privatized and the members are given the opportunity to invest the money they contribute to the system themselves? With the annual return of social security contributions pegged at about 1.2. % this means that is has the lowest ROI prediction of all the retirement investments of an individual. The expected ROI from the stock market averages 6.34 %. As such, if a social security account is converted into a private account, the FICA taxes could give a maximum return on the investment upon the retirement of the member. The social security system would then actually be in a position to help supplement the retirees income in a significant manner. (â€Å"Should Social Security be Privatized?†). ... y accounts were privatized by allowing individuals to have their own private accounts, the member will be able to maximize the full potential of his membership with the system. Keep in mind that when the Social Security Act was set into place by congress back in 1935, Pres. Franklin Roosevelt signed a document that merely stated that the program would provide old-age benefits for its members. This was amended in 1956 to include disability benefits for its members (Agresti James, & Cordone Stephen â€Å"Social Security Facts†). The structure by which the program is created shows that the system is not in the control of the members, but rather in the hands of politicians who have the ability to format and reformat the program as they deem fit. To be clear (Tamny, John, â€Å"The Ugly Truth About Social Security is Revealed†): ... the money we pay into Social Security is not ours, meaning politicians can reduce or confiscate the dollars withheld from our paychecks as they see fit. They can also reduce our retirement by simply raising the retirement age. And then as evidenced by the collapse of the dollar since 2001 (a dollar in ’01 bought 1/250th of an ounce of gold, today it buys 1/1600th), another way they can eviscerate their obligations is to debase the dollars they are presumed to owe. Our politicians are not currently in the position to invest our hard earned dollars in any system that is meant to help alleviate the lives of the people. It was too much governance in the financial aspect of individual lives that brought us to this point in this first place. The government has shown us that they cannot even work together to put together a cohesive budget for our country, how can we trust them to develop a cohesive investment plan for the future and current retirees of

Politics and the English Language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Politics and the English Language - Essay Example The fall of English language from its pre-eminent place is described by Orwell, in his typical style. He writes, â€Å"It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.†(5) As far as I can think, Orwell has correctly linked the decadence of his civilization with the collapse of the language. Language is the important tool with which humankind shapes its own purposes, and if the language fails on that count, the purpose of life is going to be directionless and destination-less. The connection between language and politics is intimate. If the former declines, the latter is influenced, either for good or bad. When the thought currents of politicians are not noble, one cannot expect his language to be noble. The language will be caught in the vicious circle. Orwell explains the predicament in his inimical style. â€Å"A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks.†(5) It is necessary for a politician to think correctly and that will set the process of regeneration of politics. Orwell has done well to substantiate his arguments by providing five specimens of English written badly. The present downward spiral of the knowledge of English should not be allowed to go unchallenged. The decadence must halt. So the fight to rejuvenate the language is free for all but purposeful fight in which the politicians, the professional writers and the common people are involved. They all must have the will to enable the English language to grow and only then grow it will! Bad language is due to the vices generating in a bad

Using Educational Research as a Lean for the Wire Paper

Using Educational as a Lean for the Wire - Research Paper Example Using education research as a lean for the wire The articles talks about the different in relationship between families and students at various school studying levels. The factors, which regulate the relationship, are also extensively discussed and expounded in the article. The good relationship between schools, families, and the community is the core contributor to the students’ success in many parts of the world. International studies have proved the grave of the school parent relationship to the success of the student at all academic levels. However, as students grow older, the relationship between the school and the parent decline systematically. There are various reasons that facilitate the decline of the relationships between the families and the students.The complexity in the secondary school learning environment also confuses the parents on the areas to be involved. In The Wire, community and parents involvement are less valued in the early child life development. Students squarely rely on their teacher for guidance and counseling during their early school life. Nevertheless, at the advanced school age, the community involves itself fully in the student’s life. At this level, they are regarded as a potential investment in criminal activities. Therefore, the differences in the level of family involvement in the student life between the society discussed by the article and society in The Wire show how different societies value differently the lives of the children and youths. In reference to the article, there are various conditions that control and influence the families’ involvement in the teenagers’ education in high school. The family time and material resources, the nature of the parent teenager relationship, and the family take on the involvement are some of the factors responsible of the parents’ involvement in the student high school education (Simon 186). Additionally, the community way of living has a role in the parents’ involvement in school life. T he excising ties between communities and the teenagers’ determine the magnitude of the parent involvement in high school activities (Todd 17). In this area, the article fits The Wire. In the series, there are intimate relationships between the community and high school students. However, students at this level are negatively involved by the society for community’s self-gain. The similarity is decidedly essential in the contemporary world. In all societies, there is a need for mutual relationship between the teenagers, the families and society. Teenage age is a transitional period in human development and entails a lot of challenges which demand the support of the family and community. Teenagers require social, professional, and developmental guidance and counseling at this time, to necessitate positive development. Therefore, the barriers that disregard the families’Â  student involvement should be overcome for the benefit of the student and the entire society. However, the manner in which community and families are involved in the students life need to be controlled. The immoral relationship between the high school students and the community should be discouraged. Appropriate measures should be agreed upon to necessitate a controlled relationship. The article

Describing myself in terms of the 5 factor model Essay

Describing myself in terms of the 5 factor model - Essay Example Each human being has different and unique personality traits. Psychologists usually take tests to find out the personality type. These tests contain a list of objective questions that find out the behavior, insight, opinion and reaction of human beings in different situations. It finds out the way human being differ with each other in their enduring emotional, interpersonal, experiential, motivational and attitudinal style. According to the answers provided in the test, a score is calculated for every personality dimension and seen in respect of general population. (McCrae & Oliver , 2006) I also took the IPIP Personality test online from http://www.personal.psu.edu/~j5j/IPIP and found out my results. Let's look at each of the five factor model according to my personality and then match my take on these with the results of the test. OPENNESS: Openness to experience relates to one's flexibility to new ideas and openness to change. It signifies that the person welcomes and accepts new ideas, experiences, people, thoughts and situations. People who are 'open to experience' usually appreciate arts, science, music, emotions, and adventure. They tend to be very imaginative, creative, and like to have a variety of different experiences. They are less conservative and stick more to traditional ways. They are usually suspicious about newer ideas and are not comfortable with abstract thoughts and ideas. I think I am slightly more 'open to experience' than general people. I love creativity and new experiences. Throughout my school life, I have been involved in various different experiences. I have participated in debates, I have studied psychology and have taken huge interest in studying business as well, I have been in sports and I am also into reading. This all combines to make me a person with diverse set of experiences. I am thrilled by newer ideas. Whenever I take up a project, I look for creative and out-of-the-box ideas. I believe that one thing can be done in seve ral ways and I always give it a try. I love to travel and go on adventures. Although I am a little afraid of heights but the idea of mountain climbing, hiking and adventurous sports thrill me. Sometimes I hold back due to fear but then I try to calm myself and give these things a go. It is because I love to have thrill and excitement in my life. My being openness to change however does not mean that I do not stay with my traditional values. I am a firm believer of my religion and I like sticking to rules. I like adventure and new ideas but only if they do not contradict with my beliefs. For example I like to have thrill in my life but I would never break rules to do so. I also enjoy the traditional events and festivals with the people around me. My Results: "My result for Openness to Experience is average, indicating that I enjoy tradition but are willing to try new things. My thinking is neither simple nor complex. To others I appear to be a well-educated person but not an intellec tual." My score is 41. The result signifies that I have an average Openness to experience or change. This is slightly different from what

Porter's Five-Force model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Porter's Five-Force model - Essay Example It is crucial for any international business to critically study the competitive environment of the industry. The number of close substitutes, availability of resources, buying power of the consumers, threat of new entrants and the level of rivalry between existing firms must be studied closely to determine whether the industry would present the firm with a favorable and profitable environment. Porter’s Five forces model allows a firm to critically analyze each and every factor in the respective elements of industry competitiveness noted above (Swaan et al, 1999). Porter describes five forces which affect the industry’s competitiveness. The Threat of Substitute Products available in the market determines the power which a business may have in the industry. If the product is a generic one which has high substitutes in the market, the industry will be considered as highly competitive. Similarly, high level of close substitutes means that the buyers’ cost of switching is low and imposes a high threat to the firms. Besides this factor, all the factors are included in Figure 1 (Swaan et al, 1999). Likewise, if the buyers in the industry have a high negotiating power, the firms will be lead to lower their profit margins and the prices. A high negotiating power means that there would be less number of buyers as compared to the number of sellers in the market. Also, switching costs would be low and the products would be common rather than differentiated. Simultaneously, when there are fewer suppliers in the market who sell highly technical or hard to procure raw materials, they would have more negotiating power (Swaan et al, 1999). The ability and the ease of new entrants in the market also say how much competition a firm can expect in the future. With all these specifics, comes rivalry between firms. If one promotional campaign is followed aggressively by competing firms, the rivalry would be high. Similarly, the level of product

Family in Europe History Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 5

Family in Europe History - Coursework Example However, kinship ties were also important to people who were poor. They kept up connections with family in the mother country when they traveled abroad for work and even when slaves were separated from each other. Kinship was thus important as a last means of sustenance when things went bad or as a responsibility for those who had done well. Among the lower levels of society, kinship ties seem to have been traced only about as far as they are traced today, from the grandparents down through the parents, aunts and uncles to the children – the siblings and first cousins of the nuclear group. Beyond that, or beyond the village in which they were born, most people tended to forget their kinship ties unless it was to some grand house elsewhere. Much of the importance of kinship at this level was determined by how to disperse the property following death and who should be invited to important social occasions such as weddings and funerals. Blood lines were important because they suggested an unbreakable link backwards into the distant past of the family. Those who shared the same blood could not deny kinship with others of the same line. This carried weight in that noble blood, once noble, would remain noble even if family circumstances brought them low. Blood linkages were recognized in terms of inheritance and in social practices, such as the passing down of the family name. Women often kept track of their bloodline as well, perhaps more so because of the need for her to relinquish her family name and home upon marriage. This was also more true in areas where lineages had been more traced through the female line in the distant past. However, marriage ties were also important because they were able to forge desired connections between family. Sometimes they took the place of blood ties such as when a sonless farmer’s daughter married and the resulting son-in-law gained the status of a true-born son to inherit the family lands.

SPSS for analyzing data with one IV and more than one DV & one-way Essay

SPSS for analyzing data with one IV and more than one DV & one-way between subjects MANOVA - Essay Example at the multivariate test results, all the four multivariate tests reveal significant results and hence it is okay to conclude that group membership effects on the psychological aspects evaluated, even after the test effects of item difficulties are controlled on performance of people in the three areas. Statistics for univariate comparisons of means are designs with only one dependent variable (DV). By comparison, statistics for multivariate comparisons of means have more than one dependent variable. The MANOVA may be either one-way (one IV) or factorial (more than one IV). For these analyses, there is more than one DV. The different DVs, which are at least moderately correlated, are combined into a composite variable called a variate. The combined DVs serve to predict the between-group differences of the scores for the conditions of the IV. A challenge arises in a research design that features only one IV with only 2 conditions. If a researcher desires to analyze two or more moderately correlated DVs rather than using a t-test with one DV, the multivariate Hotellings T2 can be used instead of separate t-tests for this situation.   Instead of the null hypothesis for a t-test (M1 = M2), the null hypothesis for the Hotellings T2 is that the vectors of means for group A are the same as the vectors of means for group B. The value of Hotellings T2 can be transformed into four F-values: Wilks lambda, Pillais trace, Hotellings trace, and Roys largest root. When these F-values are significant at the alpha level determioned for the study (e.g., ï  ¡ = .05), the researcher can reject the null hypothesis.   Usually the finding of significant multivariate effects is followed by analyses where the relationship between the IV(s) and each of the DVs is analyzed separately, using a univariate method to compare means (e.g., a t-test, a one-way ANOVA, a factorial ANOVA). Because there are multiple tests for multiple DVs, every test distorts the actual alpha level. That is, the

The Boston Tea Party Essay Example for Free

The Boston Tea Party Essay The Boston Tea Party was protested by American colonists. They stood up against Great Britain. In this paper i will closely examine the boston tea party. The hard-fought American Revolution against Britain (1775-1783) was the first modern war of liberation against a colonial power. The thirteen American colonies wanted to be free from rule by Great Britain. The war was resulted with the victory of this thirteen colonies, and Americans reached to the independance. American Revolution is a result of forcing American Colonies to pay more and more taxes by King of England, George III, and this will be the starting point of a new civilization. There were too many acts before the revolution get started. These are Sedicion Act, Alien Act, Quebec Act, Tea Act and Sugar Act. The most important act is Tea Act. The occurrence of the Boston Tea Party on 16 December 1773 was perhaps the most significant event in the period of disagreements between the British Government and American Colonists from 1763 to 1774. It effectively came about when Lord North decided to allow the East India Tea Company to sell tea in America through agents, rather than the traditional public auction system. For financial and political reasons, the Colonists opposed this new development and the crisis exploded at the port of Boston when 90,000 pounds of tea were thrown into the harbour. Whether justified or not, the Colonists felt the British Government were taking away their right to govern themselves. From that point until mid 1772, The Revolution was still unlikely, calmer heads had prevailed despite the undying efforts of Massachusetts native and cousin of John Adams, Samuel Adams. Sam Adams traveled throughout Massachusetts and the Colonies establishing what he called Committees of Correspondence and called for a formal separation from Britain. These Committees were designed to provide a superior communications system between the separate Colonies. Then, beginning in June 1772, a number of events took place which carried all Americans, whether they willed it or not, across the line from malcontent, to revolution, and eventual freedom. One evening in June, near the port of Providence, in Rhode Island the British schooner Gaspee grounded herself and was set upon by a group of Colonists who put ashore English crew and then burn her to the waterline. In the following months Virginia and a number of other colonies establish official Committees of Correspondence in order to keep other colonies appraised of English activities in their respective lands. In May the English passed the Tea Tax, granting a virtual monopoly to the East India Tea Company in order to bail it out of debt and thereby avoid a massive domestic economic tragedy. The tea is not only taxed higher than before, but now the East India Tea Company is able to price gouge without any threat of competition or governmental retribution. All over America, mass meetings are held in regard to what should be done about the tax. Following two meetings in Boston where Royal Governor Hutchinson orders the citizenry to pay the tea tax. On the night following the second meeting, Sam Adams an a number of his followers attacked the tea freighters in Boston harbor. Disguised as Native Americans, they overpowered the crews and threw their loads of tea into Boston harbor. This event was to become known as the Boston Tea Party. In Annapolis, Maryland a similar event occurred resulting in the burning of both ships and cargoes. (â€Å"Prelude to Revolution†The American Pageant) In response to the Boston Tea Party, an enraged parliament passed the Intolerable Acts of 1774. They were designed to punish the whole of Massachusetts, and especially Boston. Worst of all was the Boston Port Act which closed Boston harbor until the lost cargoes were paid for and order was fully restored to the city. Coinciding with the ratification of the Intolerable Acts was the passing of the Quebec Act. The Quebec Act was a skilled move by the English to appease the conquered French in Canada. It allowed them to retain their old customs, the Catholic Religion, and gain large tracts of land extending all the way south to the head of the Ohio River. In French Quebec, it was not expected that people would be able to elect legislative assemblies nor that a jury would be hired for civil cases, the British kept this aspect of the French-Canadian government and was seen by the Quebeckers as just and fair. To the Americans who valued their juries, suffrage, western lands, and often despised Catholicism, it was seen as yet another attack on them and their liberties. It seemed clear in the Colonies that the time for action had arrived. (â€Å"Prelude to Revolution† The American Pageant â€Å"The Revolutionary War†) On March 5, 1770, a mob of Bostonians harassed Red Coat guards outside a customs house and when the harassment became unbearable, a soldier opened fire and the others followed suit. This event, the Boston Massacre, inspired one of the most effective pieces of patriotic propaganda that were becoming popular in newspapers. Paul Revere created an engraving depicting that night showing how brutal the Red Coats were, although it was the colonists who instigated it. These propagandas were important because they influenced the common beliefs of what would define patriotic Americans. The Bostonians were against the new Tea Act, which put a heavy tax on tea. One night, a group called the Sons of Liberty led by such patriots as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and John Adams, dressed up like Indians a dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This famous night called the Boston Tea Party infuriated the British government who demanded that Massachusetts pay for the lost tea. When Massachusetts refused, Britain punished Boston with the Intolerable Acts. The ports of Boston were shut from any ships coming or going. The town meetings were forbidden. Boston was put under martial law and any soldier who misbehaved was to be sent to England to be tried because Britain thought they would not get fair trial in America. The Americans perceived this as the Englishmen getting away with their wrong doings because they were unlikely to be convicted in London. The Americans began to call George III a tyrant. The Sons of Liberty were the first to talk about separation and were the biggest threat to British sovereignty. They began to lose a respected connection with England and would rather govern themselves like Mather Byles who would prefer to be ruled by his own countrymen (black, j 1994). Within a month after Boston was shut down, Virginia contacted the other colonies to meet in Philadelphia. Five people were killed by British soldiers, and Britain’s harsh military tactics also angered the colonists, because even those who were not involved in revolutionary tactics were accused of rebelling against the British. The Boston Massacre exemplifies how British military measures backfired and allowed the colonists to gain a sense of unity in working towards a common goal of independence. Therefore, militarization was also a factor which led colonists to the outbreak of war with Britain, and help towards the dispute between the Britain and its American colonies. The boston tea party led to the so first Continental Congress. Fifty-six delegates assembled at Philadelphia and talked about the issue with Boston. The colonies gathered supplies to be sent and help relieve the citizens of Boston (Black, J 1994). This was a sign of unity and concern for their fellow colonies. During the Continental Congress, the delegates wrote another Declaration of Right and Grievances asking that all laws passed by Parliament after 1763 be repealed. George III wouldn’t even receive the document though. They also began to prepare their military by organizing their militias, gathering weapons and training men. They also established the Continental Association which would not trade with Britain. The American were uniting against there new common foe and becoming Americans (David, D 1990). In the events that led up to the revolution, a sense of unity was definitely acquired, but an American identity was not as prevalent. Although there was a strong opposition to the British government, it did not represent the entire population of the American colonies. Colonists felt the British were trying to take the power away from their colonial assemblies to govern them. They were also angry because they believed they should not be taxed simply to raise revenue for Britain. Therefore, in conclusion, I think that rhetoric of liberty and representation were the predominant issues in the dispute between Britain and American colonies, between 1763 to 1776. Who was to blaim for the boston tea party and the ensuing masacre is up for debate. However, other factors also had an important part, but all of the other factors which have been looked at above, always angered the American colonies because they felt these factors took away the colonists liberty, and felt that it wasn’t fair for Britain to have such control over them if the colonies had no representation. Works cited 1 Black,Jeremy. War For America. New York:St. Martin’s Press,1994 2 Davis,David Brion. Rvolutions. London:Harvard Universtiy Press,1990 3 The American Pageant. Prelude to Revolution 4 From Revolution to Reconstruction. Common Sense Index I. (odur. let. rug. nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/paine/CM/sense01. htm)

A standard costing and variance analysis

A standard costing and variance analysis Study suggests that many companies use standard accounting to determine costs and for measuring performance. However, there has always been speculation on standard costing being the most effective measurement. The actual cost usually differs from the standard costs, which is based on calculations and assumptions. Standard accounting takes into account various factors like price, specifications, quantity and quality of the material. The estimations involved in analyzing and setting standard costs involve the efficiency of the management. If a difference between the actual cost and the standard cost is observed, an investigation is required since it suggests the inefficiency in the calculation of estimates. Relevance of Standard Costing and Variance Analysis The standard costs are calculated according to the following flowchart and the variance is monitored and recalculated at every interval to reduce cost variance. Definition of standard cost: a pre-determined cost calculated in relation to a prescribed set of working conditions, correlating technical specifications and scientific measurements of material and labor to the price and wage rates expected to apply during the period to which the standard cost is intended to relate, with the addition of an appropriate share of budgeted overhead (CIMA [ICMA] definition) The standard costs are to be set by the management after a set of calculations. These calculations can either be based on historical records or on engineering studies. Depending on the type of company and volatility in costs, a great deal of care is to be taken into setting standards. Standard costing is usually applied in conjunction with other costing methods (or variance analysis): Absorption and marginal costing Job and process costing Budgeting and budgetary control Advantages of Standard Costing The costing standards are helpful in establishment of prices, budgets and production schedules. The employees are motivated to maintain efficiency to reduce errors in achieving a target. Management by exception is allowed to be practiced by variances. Record keeping and stock evaluation are harmonized and simplified due to a standard set of costing used across the system. Responsibility is defined with the help of variance analysis. The technical analysis necessary to set standards will result in better methods, greater efficiency and in cutting costs. The standards provide essential control information which help in comparing the actual costs to the standards. Disadvantages of Standard Costing Firstly standard costing will not be very efficient for companies that use a lean system. In lean production, the volumes produced are lowered and the inventories re consumed only after the determining amounts of the quantity demanded. Secondly, there might be changes in the working practices, the prices and volumes of the raw materials, which reduce the standards and are misleading and inappropriate. Many costs are incurred in maintain and calculating the standard costing systems. Over assumptions of costs in an urge to make the standard costs favorable may lead to high cost variances. This may also lead to non-productive work like measuring and completing forms. Standard costing is overly focused on statistical data and thus there might be a conflicting boundary between the standard cost and estimated cost. For example the overheads may require running at full efficiency even though the excess production is not required. Standard costing maybe applicable in larger firms with high production lines and bigger resources, but for smaller firms, the basic thumb rule methods are more appropriate for use in control. Alternative methods Activity Based Costing In this method, the costs are recognized due to the cause and effect relationship between the activities and costs that drive the company costs. This method can theoretically be used in any industry due to its flexibility in determining costs at different levels. ABC, just like the other traditional costing systems, it often results in recognizing indirect costs on easily identifiable figures such as direct labor hours. It often results in inaccuracy in assigning the costs to its relevant activity. However, this method is used effectively in complex companies where certain costs are not easy to record and evaluate. It is used in companies which are not completely service based. Balanced score card The balanced score card is used as a performance measure and for strategic planning in major organizations. It was invented by Dr. Kaplan and David Norton that analyzed measurements in a combination of traditional and strategic method to give a more balanced view to the management. The balanced scored had four main perspectives: Learning and growth perspective The scorecard considers learning as one of the most important perspectives in the case of employees and at an organizational level. Funds can be adequately allotted by managers to ensure the training needs of a worker since the developing industry requires a continuous improvement in the skill level. Business process perspective In this perspective, metrics are used to allow the managers to understand the importance of their internal business and whether the products and services are capable of satisfying the customers needs. The metrics for a business process are best when designed by a highly experienced internal manager. Customer perspective The constant increase in the market trend from a customers perspective has increased companies to use metrics to define customer satisfaction levels. If the quality of the products and services reduce, the customer satisfaction would drop and thus he would switch to a more competitive company. Hence, frequent measures such as the scorecard and customer feedbacks have to be used to understand the customers requirements. Financial perspective A company needs to constantly calculate its financial data and create a capacity to fund the current projects. The accuracy involved in this data will help the managers create a planned and organized expenditure. Data such as the risk assessment and cost-benefit data has to be identified in this perspective. The standard costing requires accuracy in calculating this data since any errors could cause a large cost variance and affect direct labor and direct material cost. Target costing Target costing is a cost management tool for reducing the overall product cost in a production life cycle. This approach is most commonly used in Japanese companies along with Six Sigma, Kaizen and various other approaches. Unlike traditional methods, target costing takes a very proactive approach to pricing. It analyzes the costing information of the product and suggests the best possible price upfront. This saves the wastage in time and costs involved in re-engineering and design. In particular, target costing concentrates on phase wise reduction of costs in a product life cycle. The decisions involve a large team a multi-level team of staff from production, engineering, etc. to determine the acceptable market price. Just-in-time method The JIT method is one of the lean methods used in the new production systems. It is very efficient in supply chains and production units in determining the quantity of products to be produced depending on the customer requirements. However, JIT method also results in a few disadvantages such as purchasing inventory that is not required immediately. Due to the stock up of inventory, there are chances of the goods being damaged or lost. Also, the more assets a company is holding, the higher premium it has to pay. Thus having excessive assets is not an efficient option. Assets include both cash and inventory, but cash is more flexible and helps in precluding loans which means lesser liabilities for the organization. When the demand increases, the orders would have to be rushed and thus greater staffing working in overtime is required. This would lead to an increase in the direct labor costs and also would reduce employee satisfaction. The company would also have to manage the orders in a short period of time which create a lot of trouble for the middle level management. This change in costs further affects the standard costing of a company. Total Quality Management Total quality management involves the continuous improvement of products and services while also involving the managers and employees in a quality management approach. TQM is aimed at increasing the quality while reducing the wastage in production of goods. Some of the popular companies involved in the adaptation of TQM include Toyota motor company, Ford motor company, Phillips semiconductor and SGL carbon. TQM involves the continuous improvement of a process, and thus improving the future results of a process. It contains a combination of quality management tools which helps in increasing the quality at pace with the improving market standards. Kaizen methods Kaizen in Japanese stands for improvement in simple terms. When the word is split, kai means change and zen means good. The most important aspect of a kaizen method is to standardize your process. Most of the companies that follow the kaizen method use a PDCA life cycle. One of the leading motor companies using this method efficiently is Toyota motors. Toyota has extensively implemented the continuous improvement strategy in its lifecycle. The basic steps of the kaizen method involve the Plan-Do-Check-Act life cycle. As the title suggests, the first step of the process involves planning the costs and estimating the costs accurately. The next step involves measuring and implementing the costs and the effectiveness using various measuring techniques. The third phase involves checking whether the standards are optimal and efficient and if not act accordingly towards continuous improvement. After achieving the new results, these are set as the new standards and thus create accuracy. The cycle repeats itself continuously improving the process. Pricing decisions in service sectors Most healthcare organizations do not realize the benefits of standard costing in an organization and thus result in high cost variances. The application of standard costing systems used in such organizations can help in realizing the losses in unrecovered overhead on time and hence take corrective action. In todays world, customers in the service sector demand the prices to be lowered and a better cost information system. The most effective way to deal with this is to use standard costing and variance analysis. Full costs per unit should be measured in advance of providing a service. The variable costs can thus be easily estimated since the facilities in the service sector directly use the pricing process.

Analysis of Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews Essay -- Flowers in t

Analysis of Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews Flowers in the attic that’s what four children thought of themselves. They were born so brightly colored, but fading duller as their long dreary nightmarish days, held prisoners of hope, and kept captive by greed. The Dollengangers were a loving and happy family. Chris had meet Corrine when she was fourteen. After she turned eighteen they eloped. They had four beautiful children. They all had blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Christopher was the oldest. He was very bright for his age making straight A’s and wanted to become a doctor. Cathy, the next oldest was not as smart as Chris was, but she did well in school too. She dreamed of becoming a dancer. The twins were only four then. Their mother stayed home, and their father was a sales man who was gone most of the time. The children couldn’t wait till he came home always bringing them a gift. Then one day their father was killed in an auto accident, and that’s when the horror began. After their dad was killed, their house was reposed. Corrine called her mother, who allowed them to come live with them. Corrine told the children how rich their grandparents were, and they would never need anything again. She told them their new home would be the grandest they ever lived in, but they would have to be locked up in one room till she won her fathers heart back. When they arrived in the middle of the night, their grandmother was there to let them in. All four of the ch...

Seven Samurai :: essays papers

Seven Samurai Kurosawa creates a masterpiece with the Seven Samurai. This film was created in 1954, it is a Japanese film and it has English subtitles. The Seven Samurai is a story about a small farming village in 16th century Japan that is under constant threat from traveling groups of outlaw bandits. The elders that live in the village decide to hire a defense force to protect them from these outlaws. They enlist a variety of samurai for hire and samurai are willing to work for their food. The mission of the seven samurai is to protect the village against almost impossible odds. These people who live in the village need the samurai, but they also fear the samurai. What is really interesting about this film is the difference between the simple farming people and the more experienced samurai. The samurai have lived a life of violence and confrontation and the farming people have lived a very simplistic lifestyle. The farmers and the samurai must now depend on one another to survive which forces them to have relationships that would not normally take place. This film had spectacular performances from the actors, especially Takashi Shimura, who plays Kanbei. Kanbei is a seasoned samurai and he was first chosen by the elders of the village. Toshiro Mifune’s plays Kikuchiyo who is an abrasive samurai who bridges the gap between the warriors and the people who live in the village. Kurosawa’s final battle scene is climatic. Kurosawa helps the audience to understand the battle. This film was completely filmed in black and white and the sets, costumes, acting and cinematography all created in this battle scene to show us how a battle scene should be portrayed.

How the Catholic Church Survived Two Thousand :: Essays Papers

How the Catholic Church Survived Two Thousand Introduction On theDay of Pardon in the Year of Jubilee, 2000 years after the birth of JesusChrist, Pope John Paul II and several other high members of the Catholic Churchperformed a prayer of forgiveness and confession, apologizing for all thewrongdoings of the Church. The Pope said later that they had been preparing todo this for several years, but had chosen the year 2000 Further, the Popeactually apologizing for the wrongdoings of the Church poses several questions:â€Å"Why did the Pope need to apologize: what ills did the Church, itsofficials and it followers commit that required the Pope to publicly clear hisconscience by apologizing for them? Further, to what extent did the Churchembody both human and divine e! lements in the past, and to what extent does ittoday?† To understand the Catholic Church today it is essential tounderstand the society it was born into and how the culture and politics of thepast 2000 years have shaped the Church and the Bible itself. After oneacknowledges the behavior and dogma that dominated the papacy in theChurch’s history (including the papal infallibility clause stating thatthe Pope being God’s voice on earth, can do no wrong), one can see howrevolutionary these speeches really were. TheEarly Church Effectivelyunderstanding the Catholic Church today requires one to unders! tand how theculture and politics of the Roman Empire shaped the structure of the Church andthe Bible itself. Jesus lived in what is modern day Palestine, which was partof the Roman Empire. Judaism and Hellenistic Greek traditions were the dominantreligions of the day. Several sects of Jews existed but although they agreed onthe basic tenets of Judaism —there is only one God, God’s peopleought to follow certain guidelines and God would fulfill his promise—they spent most of their time bickering over how to serve God. Theearly Church faced several struggles such as maintaining the purity ofChristianity, defining the structure of the Church and surviving the constantattacks on Christians by the Roman Empire. One of the Church’s firststruggles! was to define itself vis-à  -vis the Jewish tradition and theRoman World. Both Paul and the Book of Acts reveal questions and issues theearly Church wrestled with. For example: â€Å"Should Christianity be its ownreligion or a new sect of Judaism?† â€Å"Which books should be includedin the Bible and which were the works of heretics?†

The Geology of Seattle

The Geology of Seattle Seattle is located in the state of Washington in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is metropolitan and has a population of nearly 3. 5 million. Seattle’s climate changes from wet and cold during the winter months to dry and hot during the summer months. The coast of Seattle is responsible for the growth of its economy, due to the large number of commercial ports. Seattle is in the destructive range of several volcanos within Washington, most prominently, Mt. Rainier. Topography Seattle is surrounded by large bodies of water and mountainous terrain.The city itself lies on top of several hills, which include; Capitol Hill, Second Hill, Denny Hill, Beacon Hill, and Queen Anne Hill. From the center of Seattle you can find shoreline to the north, Bainbridge Island to the north-west, The Puget Sound to the west, Vashon Island to the south-west, Tukwila to the south, Renton to the south-east, Lake Mercer to the East, and Lake Forest Park to the north-east. Past th e Puget Sound lie the Olympic Mountains. Seattle owes its specific structure due to glacial scouring and deposition and tectonic activity, subsequently modified by landsliding, stream erosion and deposition, and human activity.Geological hazards Seattle is threatened by several geological hazards, such as earthquakes, flooding, volcanos and landslides and shore erosion. Perhaps one of the most prominent hazards to Seattle is the Massive volcano, MT. Rainier, which lies 54 miles southeast of Seattle. MT. Rainier stands at an elevation of 14,411  feet and is very topographically prominent. Rainier is considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanos. The composition of Rainier is very andesitic and upon it eruption could cause a violent explosion.The glacial ice that sits atop the mountain can also cause massive lahars that could cause major damage to Seattle’s infrastructure as well as its economy. Although MT. Rainier displays no signs of imminent eruption, it ha s gone through several major eruptions in the past 3000 years. These eruptions include the Twin Creek eruptive episode 1,500 years ago, the Fryingpan Creek eruptive period 1000 year ago, the Electron Mudflow 500 years ago, and several small eruption plumes in the 1800’s which caused black smoke to be seen to the early pioneers of the area.It is projected that the potential damage to Seattle and the surrounding area would be catastrophic if MT. Rainer were to erupt. Geoff Clayton, a geologist working for a company called RH2 Engineering, was asked by Seattle Weekly to estimate the damages to the Settle area. By using a computer program, he reached a conclusion that the result of Mt. Rainer spawning lahars would be a devastating natural disaster. Clayton then quoted that,† Before approaching Seattle, a lahar, he says, would have â€Å"wiped out Enumclaw, Kent, Auburn, and most of Renton, if not all of it. Clayton went on to say that if such a massive lahar could potentia lly cause tsunamis in Lake Washington and the Puget Sound, effectively flooding the port of Seattle. It is needless to say that if Seattle were to lose its commercial ports, the economic consequences would be dire. Another geological hazard that presents itself in Seattle is the risk of Earthquakes. Seattle lies within the ring of fire and is at risk of experiencing a crippling earthquake. The Seattle area has experienced several significant earthquakes in the past.The most recent notable quake was in February 28, 2001 when a magnitude 6. 8 earthquake ravaged Pioneer Square. The quake caused significant property damage but no fatalities. More powerful earthquakes have occurred farther in the past. On  January 26, 1700 the area was struck with a staggering 9. 0 magnitude quake, and on December 14, 1872 Seattle was struck again with a 7. 3 magnitude quake. A few more semi-powerful quakes occurred between 1940 to the present day, however, fatalities were minimal. To predict the poten tial loss cause by another 9. earthquake hitting modern day Seattle, FEMA used â€Å"Hazus† (a computer program used by FEMA) and found that such an earthquake would cause billions of dollars of property damage, thousands of deaths and even more injuries to the population. The aftereffects of the earthquake would be equally devastating. The earthquake would trigger tsunamis form the surrounding water bodies, as well as fires and landslides. Effects such as these would be devastating and would take decades to repair. Seattle has hundreds of miles of waterfront surrounding the city.With such a large amount of water around the city, flooding is a major concern to the residents of Seattle. Although tidal flooding from the Puget Sound and Lake Washington is a concern, the real threat of flooding comes from the system of undeveloped creeks and river that run through the city. These floods most often occur in the fall and winter due to the increased rainfall. Thornton Creek in north west Seattle and Longfellow Creek in west Seattle are two creeks that are notorious for flooding during the winter months.Thornton Creek has caused major water damage urban areas that border the creek when it has flooded in 1967 and again in 2003. Another flood of importance occurred in 2006 when record rainfall caused flash floods that swept through the city during rush-hour. Although the floods in the Seattle are wide spread and intense, they cause few deaths. Landslides are another geological hazard that is common to the Seattle area. Landslides in Seattle can be caused by any number of factors, either natural or manmade. Landslides occur in areas that exhibit clay-sand contact or any other adverse soil and groundwater conditions.Seattle has a large database containing many of the landslides it has experienced since the 1800’s. Using this data, the city has compiled a list of areas that are the most prone to landslides, the list is as follows: Northwest Seattle * Burke-Gil man Trail * Inverness * Laurelhurst * Southwest Magnolia * Southwest Queen Anne * East Queen Anne * Northwest Queen Anne * North Capitol Hill * Lakeview Boulevard * Interlaken * Madrona * Rainier Avenue S. E. * West Beacon Hill (I-5) * West Marginal Way * Alki * Admiral Way * Beach Drive S. W. * 47th Avenue S. W. Seola Beach * Pigeon Point * Cheasty Boulevard S. Here is the corresponding map: The most notable series of landslides in recent history occurred in January of 1997. Over 100 landslides were reported throughout the Seattle area within several days and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. A study showed several factors that contributed to the incident. During the spring of 1997, the Seattle area experienced much more precipitation that usual. A cold spell in the spring caused ice crystals to form and melt in the soil, increasing its porosity.The several day of intense rainfall between late January and early March are what triggered the series subsequent landsl ides. Geologically economic activities Present day Seattle relies in its ports for economic growth, however, in the 1800’s coal was Seattle’s main export. Coal was discovered in the Seattle area in 1833. The development of the railroads in Washington spurred the growth of the coal market. At the time, locomotives primary fuel was coal, and coal required the use of the railways to be exported. The coal market continued to grow in Seattle. In 1918 Seattle was delivering 4. million tons to California each day. The coal market began to fail when locomotives started switching from coal to petroleum and natural gas. Coal mines began to shut down as the demand for coal diminished until the last active coal mine closed down on November 27, 2006. â€Å"Live-ability of Seattle† At a glance, Seattle seems as good as a place as any to live. However, there are several factors to consider for anyone looking to take up residence in the Seattle area. To the human perspective, h azardous geological incidents seem too far and few between to see as a threat.If one were to look at all of the geological disasters in the Seattle area on a geological timescale, they would see just how prone to disasters Seattle is. Approximately every five hundred years Seattle experiences a 9. 0 earthquake. Any seismic activity on that scale would also cause tsunamis to devastate the area. Seattle is also under the constant threat of MT. Rainier erupting and spawning a massive lahar that would destroy downtown Seattle. Seasonal floods are a major threat to the residents of the Seattle regardless of the lengths the city has gone to prevent flood damages.All of these geological hazards are especially dangerous due to the fact that Seattle is a large metropolitan area. With all this in mind, I consider Seattle a dangerous place to live. Bibliography * http://www. seattleweekly. com/2005-10-19/news/the-super-flood. php/ * â€Å"Geological Hazards In Seattle† by Donald W. Tubb s and Thomas Dunne * †Landslides In Seattle† by Donald W. Tubbs Prepared in cooperation with United States Geological Survey 1974 * â€Å"Coal In The Puget Sound Region† HistoryLink. org Essay 5158 * http://www. nps. gov/mora/faqs. htm

Home Food VS Fast Food Essay

Homemade food is often treated as a privilege. Low cost of fast food and its nutrition value become a solution for many families who have neither time not money to cook at home. Warnings that fast food is not healthy do not stop Americans who treat it as an essential part of their daily diet. As a result, the prevalence of obese and overweight people plummets. If we look at what is behind attractive pricing strategies and delicious tastes offered at fast food chains, all facts support the idea that homemade food is a better choice. The articles _Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?_ by Mark Bittman and _Fast Food Versus Slow Food_ by Nancy Folbre provide enough facts to motivate people to cook at home. Out of these two articles, Folbre’s specific approach to argumentation makes her writing extremely persuasive and logical advocating cooking at home. One of the biggest advantages of fast food is that it is really fast. People do not spend much time ordering their food and eating it on the go. People tend to work more and cook less than they used to 50 years ago (Folbre). Technological development simplify people’s attitude to food and cooking; all they need is to heat their meals in the microwave oven. Moreover, accessibility of fast food restaurants is becoming better and better. Contrary to this, cooking at home seems less attractive due to the routine related to this process. Grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning up, and developing cooking skills are required. Because time is the most expensive thing in the world, not all people are ready to spend it on cooking. Many  Americans treat cooking as a job and they are confused that they are not paid for it. Complaints of many Americans about lack of time for cooking are common; however, the popularity of food shows is on the peak (Folbre). Instead of cooking, people prefer t o watch how others cook. According to Bittman, there are five fast food restaurants per each supermarket in the United States. If people eat at fast food restaurants, they forget about such chores as cooking and cleaning up and have more time to relax after work. Overall, it is difficult to argue that fast food restaurants are not convenient. In fact, they are life-saving for many people who work long hours and have no time to care about what they eat. Bittman states that average American family watches TV 1.5 hours a day; it means that they have enough free time. They lack motivation to cook and use ‘affordability’ argument to convince others that their behavior is right. A strong belief that cooking at home is expensive stops people from researching the issue in detail. Many of them even do not try to cook at home before they complain that it requires much money. Folbre uses a strong and persuasive argument to prove that home food is not as expensive as people think about it. She finds that people need 30 minutes to cook a burger at home. This time includes time spent on shopping, washing up, cooking, and serving. While an average burger costs around $4, the cost of ingredients for a burger is $1. Folbre states that 30 minutes spent on cooking can be easily compared to driving to a fast food restaurant or standing in line to buy a burger. Homemade burgers become even more affordable is they are cooked for the family because it still takes a bit more than 30 minutes and four burgers are ready as a result. Folbre’s experiment proves that people can afford to eat at home and it can be economical for their budget. However, time spent on cooking is the reason why many people prefer to eat out. Additionally, fast food is expensive according to both Bittman and Folbre, purely organic food is also very expensive because it requires special care and conditions to be produced. At the same time, fast food and organic food are two extremes; there are many other food products which are not too  expensive and healthy. Bittman challenges ‘affordability’ argument providing a list of alternatives which are budget-friendly. Rice with a simple salad costs less than McDonald’s dinner. It does not require developed cooking skills and much time to be ready. There are many TV-shows, YouTube channels and cook books which offer a number of different recipes for all life occasions. Cooking can be fun if people stop perceiving it as a chore. Bittman tries to catch the issue as a whole; as a result, his article complexly argues for home food benefits. Nutrition value of fast food is high; poor people believe that they need calories and eagerly consume fries and soda drinks. According to Bittman, Americans consume more calories they need a day; as a result, it leads to health issue related to weight gain. Fast food is addictive; even when people are full, they feel hungry after a while. There are special chemicals and flavors added to fast food to intensify its taste and make it desired for people. Ordinary home food contains less fat and sugar which makes it more useful for people. People who cook at home always know what ingredients they use to cook their meal which allows them making healthier choices. Also, it is very diverse and all people can find something simple to cook but delicious. In summary, both writers agree that people who experience lack of time and money often eat at fast food restaurants because they believe that it is cheaper than cooking at home. Some of them complain that they do not have time to cook daily. People always have time but set different priorities; some of them prefer to watch TV in the evening and it is their choice. While Bittman tries to persuade people making his argument global, Folbre focuses on the economic side of the issue and creates a solid line of argumentation. I like this specific approach to persuasion more than generalizations sprinkled by random statistics in Bittman’s article. Folbre successfully proves her point of view with the help of her experiment; she rationally counts money and time spent of home cooking to show that it can be economical and fast. Her research persuades me that cooking can be economical showing real examples in life situations. Bittman only lists alternatives while Folbre uses them and checks their relevance. Moreover, it  can be healthier, more nutritious and delicious. Home food contains less sugar and fat while fat is the main source of calories in fast food. People need to try and decide what is better for their health, schedule, and purse. Works Cited Bittman, Mark â€Å"Is Junk Food Really Cheaper†Ã¢â‚¬  Everything’s an Argument with Readings. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. 660-665. Print. Folbre, Nancy. â€Å"Fast Food Versus Slow Food†. _The_ _New York Times._ July 29, 2013. Web. July 24, 2014.

Benefits of Conducting a Business Online Essay

What benefits do you think Knight Enterprises Ltd and their customers could gain from conducting their business online? An online presence for Knight Enterprises Ltd is a powerful marketing and communication tool, an incredible source of cost-efficiency, an environmentally friendly way to work, a sign of professionalism and pretty much a requirement today. Benefits for the organisation The first benefit identified that organisation have an advantage of from internet marketing is that is it cost effective – this is because using the marketing on the internet can reach a wide range of audience from one and businesses would not need to promote themselves over other marketing mediums that cost more than using the internet. Businesses based only online are able to make profits by saving money on promotions and also just being based online is another way of saving money as they do not need to pay for buildings (includes rent, bills etc). Knights Enterprises Ltd will also be able to save money which they use for other expanding business methods which can attract various customers. The organisation could benefit from an online presence because the opportunity is given to use social networking, emailing, their website, banner ads as their marketing strategy which is much cheaper and also easier than other marketing techniques that does not involve the internet. It is also cheaper to get more customer awareness for their business as their internet marketing (website, ads) can be seen all over the world and now their products will available for international customers as well as national. A website can be changed anytime, so businesses are able to update their online view anytime to stay with the latest trend etc. The business can constantly add more products to their collection and update their business. With internet marketing available the organisation is able to do this anytime making it cheaper and quicker. A forum can also be added to the website for customers where they can comment and give opinion and the organisation will reply to them instantly like an online conversation giving them the advantage of gaining customer awareness; attracting more customers; retaining their customers they have already and gaining their trust Two-Way Communicative Marketing The two way communication is second advantage of online business because they can get their feedback really quickly and also can improve their Customers service and products. Cheap Market Research Market research is information about consumers, competitors and the effectiveness of marketing programs. Small business owners use market research to determine the feasibility of a new business, test interest in new products or services, and improve aspects of their businesses. Improve credibility The website gives the organisation opportunity to tell potential customers what their company is all about and why customers should trust them have confidence when they use website. Growth Opportunity A website serves as a great place to refer potential investors to, to show them what your company is about, this will provided all the information about the company to the customers, how well the company is doing, in terms of profit, revenue total sales etc. We can also guess from their customer’s reply how much better they are than before. Awareness Internet marketing enables businesses to see and compare with other businesses and compete with them more easily. They can view how much customers they have whether they are female or male and can use this to segment their targeted audience and market their business and products in ways that suit their customers. 24/7 Presence One of the biggest advantage of online business is that they don’t have to worry about time because they are available 27/ 7 no risk of losing customer. The website can provide all the information that customers need can see the latest product been offered; it also saves people travel cost they can do shopping anytime with even thinking about day and night. They can gain more customers by this as customers that aren’t able to go to the shops in person at a certain time can access a business website anytime. Benefits for the customers Offer Convenience This is more convenient then going somewhere else to buy or find out something because it’s just one click of a button and all the information will come in front of the screen we need; it’s much better than ringing a company and waiting in the queue talking to or asking them about their product. Some customers prefer website rather than taking or travelling which is quicker and best service. 24/7 Shop One needs not to worry about the closing time of a store as it 24/7 online. They can whenever they feel like. Online business now meets people’s lifestyle. There is no need to worry about leaving work then popping into stores. People now have the opportunity to shop within the comfort of their own home. †¢People with disabilities or other special needs can stay at home and make orders. †¢Discounted prices and voucher savings.

Administering Desktop Clients

Course number CIS 293, Administering Desktop Clients, emphasizes Windows client administration tasks in a network-based environment. Topics discussed include installation and configuration of desktop clients, user management, resource management and security.These topics are the subject of a number of Microsoft Certified exams I have taken, all of which have training and experience requirements attached. I believe that my training and experience as a Microsoft Certified Professional, including the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer endorsements, is an exceptional demonstration of my competence in the topics covered in CIS 293.The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification, which I achieved in 2005, included two exams, as well as credit for previous exams I had taken. The first, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 (Exam number 70-292), included mos t of the topics included in CIS 293.The second exam, Planning, Implementing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment (Exam number 70-296), also covered the content of CIS 293. Previous knowledge of administering desktop clients was included in the tests and training taken to achieve my MCP and MCSE certifications.In addition to the exams required for the MCSA certification, I was also required to have live experience administering Windows 2000 or 2003 in a medium to large scale networked environment.The first exam for my MCSA certification, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment, was an updated exam available because I had previously achieved the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification on Windows 2000.In order to be eligible for the exam, I was required to have experience administering client and network operations in a medium to large-scale computing environment of 250 or more users, including responsibility for network servi ces, messaging, email and print services, proxy servers, firewall, Internet and intranet connectivity, and client computer management, as well as remote user connectivity.This exam covered areas such as administering user, computers and group accounts in a Windows 2003 Active Directory-based environment, using the Group Management Console to enforce group policies, resource and security management, Terminal Services, and Software Update Services.User management training for the exam included learning how to create and modify user accounts, singly and in groups; change passwords; and use Active Directory to manage users. Additionally, the exam covered use of the Group Management Console, a Group Policy tool that allows for easy management of user groups.Resource management training included discussion of NTFS file permissions and ways to change the owner of a file or directory; it also included such tasks as creating and using security templates and using security templates to config ure NTFS file permissions and using the Security Configuration and Analysis utility to audit and correct current security settings.Terminal Services configuration and control was also included in the MCSA certification exams. The training included such tasks as using Remote Desktop Client to troubleshoot user problems and using Software Update Services to keep all clients on a network up to date and functioning properly.The exam Planning, Implementing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment covered a number of areas included in CIS 293. A substantial portion of this exam consisted of learning to plan, implement and troubleshoot User and Group policies.It also included such client administration duties as Active Directory planning, execution and maintenance, and design of an authentication strategy including such possibilities as a SmartCard reader. Security monitoring, certificates and public key infrastructure design were also discussed.My certification as a Microsoft Cer tified System Administrator indicates experience in administering desktop clients that is both broad and deep, encompassing all aspects of system administration, including those listed in the course description as well as many more.I have training and experience configuring and using desktop clients, remote troubleshooting using Remote Desktop Client as well as using other Terminal Services tools, using Active Directory and other methods to create and modify users and user groups, using the Group Management Console to create and maintain groups, administering resources and designing and implementing security policies and many other client-based administration tasks as well.On the strength of my multiple Microsoft Certifications, as well as the training, experience and knowledge required to gain these certifications, I believe that I should receive credit for the course CIS 293: Administering Desktop Clients.

DHL supply chain security analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

DHL supply chain security analysis - Essay Example Disruption in supply chain management can negatively impact the overall value chain performance of companies. In such context, Closs and McGarrell (2004, p. 8) elaborated the concept of supply chain security management as â€Å"application of policies, procedures, and technologies to protect supply chain assets (products, facilities, equipment, information, and personnel) from theft, damage, or terrorism, and to prevent the introduction of unauthorized contraband, people, or weapons of mass destruction into the supply chain.† Considering the mentioned definition, Thai (2009) stated that supply chain companies need to coordinate with government bodies in order to improve security measures to prevent issues like counterfeit, theft, terrorism, missing of merchandises etc. Sarathy (2006) also pointed out that security related threats can occur at any point of supply chain activities including freight carriers, people associated with the transportation facility, factories, goods, v ehicles. Occurrence of any security threat can cause both financial and physical loss to companies hence companies logistic companies like DHL, FedEx and others provide significant importance to improvement of security in supply chain activities. ... conomic Operator (AEO) and Customs-trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) in order to increase security measures of international supply chain management and movement of cargo. Consideration of the research works of Gutie?rrez and Hintsa (2007) reveals six attributes of supply chain security analysis such as cargo management, information management, facility management, management of human resources, disaster recovery & crisis situation management and business network of the company. Up to this point, the essay has used theoretical arguments of various research scholars in order to prepare the background for conducting supply chain security analysis of DHL. As DHL is the focus organization in the paper, the research will cover pertinent issues regarding supply chain security in context to business operation of the company. In the next section, the essay will analyze five areas of supply chain security in context to business operation of DHL such as 1- supply chain policy, 2- Se curity Policy, 3- Technology Policy, 4- Government Regulations and 5- Sustainability. However, Yang (2011) suggested that supply chain security analysis should include issue like personnel control, inventory control, transportation root map analysis but covering these issues is beyond the scope of this paper. Supply Chain Policy-DHL According to report published by Asian Development Bank Institute (2013), DHL uses certain customer centric policies not only to improve supply chain efficiency but also achieve forward and backward value integration. In case of DHL, supply chain policy is not derived in overnight manner rather the company customizes supply chain policy in accordance with underlying business issues and needs of customers. DHL (2013a) reported that DHL generally integrates issues