Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) - 1569 Words

Over the past 40 years, the rate at which diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occur has seen a dramatic growth in numbers. With diagnoses for ASD increasing, more siblings are also being found to have grown up with a sister or brother with autism spectrum disorder. Previous studies have shown no consensus on whether or not siblings of persons with ASD are at risk for negative effects. However, patterns of anxiety among these siblings are being examined to see if characteristics of a child with autism spectrum disorder and their parents can predict anxiety. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychological disorders found in childhood and research has shown that they can have a negative impact on a child’s current and future development if left untreated (Cartwright-Hatton et al. 2006; Johnson et al. 2000; Visu-Petra et al. 2010; Vitiello and Waslick 2010). About 80% of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder have one or more concurrent anxiety disorders (de Bruin et al., 2007). Research suggests that they may be a link between anxiety disorders and impairments in daily living skills (Drahota et al., 2010). Anxiety does not just put children with ASD at risk but also has an impact on family members as well. In a study done by Shivers, Deisenroth, Taylor (2013), they hypothesized that siblings of individuals with ASD would have higher rates of anxiety than normal and from these siblings, girls would have higher levels of anxiety than boysShow MoreRelatedAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1722 Words   |  7 Pagesin every sixty-eight births are diagnosed with the Autism spectrum disorder in other words (ASD), which is about one percent of the world’s population. And that more than three point five million people in America live with a person who has the Autism spectrum disorder. We all know that Autism is a spectrum disorder in which an abnormality is developed in the brain. It is a long life condition that has no cure for itself. People who have Autism face many difficulties in their communication and theirRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1441 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder. Like many other psychological disorders, it is commonly misunderstood in popular culture. Many allude to it casually, often equating it with crippling social awkwardness and disability when it is in fact a spectrum disorder with many degrees of severity. It is somewhat of an enigma within the scientific community as well; there are many things we do not know about ASD and there is ongoing research to learn moreRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1535 Words   |  7 PagesHow Autism Influences the Interactions with Others There is a little boy that gets up every morning and goes to school. He goes home to his parents after school each day. He eats, sleeps, and plays just like any other child. There is one difference. He sees the world in a unique way than most other children not affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The boy’s life and actions are a bit different and can be challenging for him. He needs understanding parents, family members, and teachers. Autism SpectrumRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1444 Words   |  6 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder Dustin S. Staats University of Central Oklahoma â€Å"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) formerly known as just Autism, is a disorder that affects about 1 in 68 children here in the United States.† (Facts about ASD) This is a pretty high prevalence and the number is continuing to rise. â€Å"Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant impairments in behavioral, communication, and social aspects of everyday life.†(Facts about ASD). The intellectual functioning ofRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1369 Words   |  6 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Introduction I don t think people understand how unique children with Autism are or the demands of caring for a child with Autism is. In order to grasp the effect of this disability has on a child or their family it is important to understand the characteristics of a child living with Autism. So for you to understand I will be talking about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism in a childs life. I will be talking about what autism is, the history and descriptionRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1587 Words   |  7 Pages Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder  (ASD) Purpose: My audience will learn the importance of recognizing early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children. Thesis: It is important to understand the early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and why early intervention is the best treatment. Introduction: Gain/maintain attention There is a television show I like to watch called â€Å"The Big Bang Theory, maybe some of you have seen it. This show focuses on the relationships between a group of friends, someRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) Essay1168 Words   |  5 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder, as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction (ninds.nih.gov). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a very complex developmental disorder and the term ‘spectrum’ was added to the original term simply known as ‘Autism’ due to the wide range of symptoms associated with the disorderRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1852 Words   |  8 PagesThe following paper is going to cover the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using research and data collected from various authors and journalists the paper will describe the different variations of autism and discuss the impact autism has on a person- in society, at home, in the classroom, and in their careers. Beginning at infancy, autism has a major impact on not just the child but their family’s life as well. The child’s lack of ability to interpret social cues, gestures, and expressionsRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of conditions grouped under the neurodevelopmental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013 (Kress Paylo, 2015). Those who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder must present two types of symptoms: 1) Deficits in social communication and social interaction and 2) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities (APA, 2013). The DSM-5 merged all autismRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1285 Words   |  6 PagesIntroductions: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined as a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or environment and their interaction with other people. The word ‘spectrum’ is the description of a range of difficulties that people with autism may experience and the degree to which they may be affected. Not everyone with autism have an accompanying learning disability and require continued specialist support because some people with

Aspects of Poetry Free Essays

To be able to explain the aspects of poetry to you all, I thought I would break the mini lesson down into two parts. It will help you understand the differences between a poem and a sonnet, and will make it easier to absorb all of the components involved. First we will start with a sonnet. We will write a custom essay sample on Aspects of Poetry or any similar topic only for you Order Now Let’s start by talking about just what a sonnet is. â€Å"Before Shakespeare’s day, the word â€Å"sonnet† meant simply â€Å"little song,† i. e. , a short lyric poem† (poetry. about. com, 2010). By the 1200’s, the sonnet had come to be known as a form of poetry that is comprised of 14 lines. The first type of sonnet was the Italian version, also known as the Petrarchan sonnet. The Italian sonnet is separated into two segments by two different clusters of rhyming sounds. The first 8 lines are called the octave and it serves as the question. The remaining 6 lines are called the sestet. The sestet serves as the answer to the octave, or the question. Later we came to know the English version, or the Shakespearean version. The English sonnet differs from the Italian sonnet in the way is broken down. The English sonnet has four divisions, not two. You will notice the breaks between the divisions. The first three parts are called the quatrain, and the last part is called the couplet. The couplet is an observation of the first three parts, or quatrains. I will be breaking down the aspects of a sonnet. We will discuss the theme, the language usage, and the metaphorical references that are found within the sonnet that I have chosen. It was a tough decision, but the sonnet I chose to discuss is â€Å"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways† by Elizabeth Barrett Browning [1806 – 1861] Here is the sonnet: The first aspect we will tackle is the theme. Common themes can be related to love, death, war, and others. The obvious theme in the chosen sonnet is love and the sonneteer’s feelings towards her husband to be, Robert Browning. It is a beautiful sonnet and shows just how intense her love is for her partner. The second aspect we will discuss is the use of language in the sonnet, or figures of speech. You will regularly see the use of metaphors, similes, personifications and irony in sonnets. An example of a metaphor in this sonnet is when the author states â€Å"I love thee freely, as men strive for Right† she is comparing the depth of her love with the passion a man can feel when he is defending his rights and beliefs. On the very next line, the author uses simile by stating that â€Å"I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise†. She is sizing up her love with her faith, or religion. Lastly, I believe that the author displays personification when she writes that â€Å"the ends of Being and ideal Grace† she is personifying her love with life and religion. It is the main theme that pops from the sonnet. By and large, the sonnet is just a beautiful work that expresses extremely deep and intense feelings about love for another person. I will be discussing the importance of word usage in poem. The poem I chose to discuss is â€Å"To My Dear and Loving Husband† by Anne Bradstreet [c. 1612 – 1672]. Word choice in a poem is the one key aspect to get the message across in a poem. I admit that there are some poems that you have to read over and over again to begin to get an idea of what the author is talking about. Anne Bradstreet created a lovely tribute to the husband and she is expressing just how deep and intense her love is for her partner. By using words that really bring home the powerful sentiments, the reader can comprehend almost immediately what the author is expressing. Bradstreet writes â€Å"I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. she is helping the reader understand how big her love is by making a comparison to a monetary concept. She also writes â€Å"My love is such that rivers cannot quench†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. here she is making a comparison of the extreme love she feels for her husband with a physical thirst that not even a river can satisfy. That statement is intense! Lastly, Bradstreet writes â€Å"Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere†¦That when we live no more, we may live ever†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Such is the adoration for her husband that she is expressing that their love will continue even in death. Using an effective word choice in a poem will make or break a poem. It is the wording that will help get the author’s point across to the reader. â€Å"Words are capable of creating beauty or ugliness, creating mood, creating imagery, sounds, and smells† (Taylor, M, 2006). After reading this poem over and over again, I can say that I feel the love that Bradstreet is expressing. This is a great example of using the right words to get a point across. Whether you’re reading a poem or an epic novel, if you are not choosing the right words, you will not grab your readers. References: Holman, B. Snyder, M. (2010). Sonnet. Retrieved from http://poetry. about. com/od/poeticforms/g/sonnet. htm Taylor, Marilyn. â€Å"Tips For Finding the Right Words. † Writer 119. 12 (2006) Warn, E. (2010). Anne Bradstreet: â€Å"to my dear and loving husband†. Retrieved from http://www. poetryfoundation. org/learning/poem-guide. html? guide_id=238168 How to cite Aspects of Poetry, Papers

Accident Analysis and Prevention

Question: Discuss about the Accident Analysis and Prevention. Answer: Introduction: There is an increasing trend in the drinking habit and drug addiction within the youths globally. Their drug addiction and drinking habit often becomes a problem for them as well as for the other people in the society. In addition, people are now addicted with their mobile phones so much that they use it even while driving (Armstrong et al., 2014). This report tries to focus on the need for spreading awareness amongst people so that they can take care of their life. Through this, report the need for the NGO named Beyond Blue to be engaged in social marketing and awareness has been focused. The report starts with a brief survey of the existing literature in this regards and then highlights the focus of the campaign. A SWOT analysis has been done followed by the reason behind choosing the targeted market has been provided. A catchy message and the effectiveness of that message have been evaluated. Through a concluding stanza the findings of the report has been summarized. Chosen Organization and Academic Literature: The Australia based non-profitable organization named Beyond Blue has been chosen for this report. It has been in operation since October 2000. The birth of this organization has been through the initiative of territory governments and the Australian Federal. The main motto of this organization is to deal with the depression, mental disorder and anxiety of the different age-group of people (www.beyondblue.org.au, 2017). According to the report published by Federal Trade Commission, around 4,700 youth die from consumption of alcohol. Globally around 10,322 people died and 345000 people were injured because of impaired driving (www.tac.vic.gov.au, 2017). Literature on this topic also suggests that drunk driving or driving while using mobile phone is not only fatal for the person but also causes moral hazard (Khezhie Srivastava, 2016). In spite of the fact that there have been several deaths over the years due to these two factors, still very few literatures have been able to capture the true essence of the actual loss caused by these two factors. The gap lies in the literature, as the life of people needs to be converted in monetary terms to capture the loss. Different nation gives different weight-age to peoples life and thereby the gaps exist in the literature. Campaign Focus: Beyond blue is going to organize or launch a new campaign named Alive Today, Alive Tomorrow. The campaign has been named as Alive Today, Alive Tomorrow as only if binge drinking can be controlled, the number of accidents can be reduced and thereby the youths would get a scope to live in tomorrow. Through this campaign, it is going to focus on the betterment and raise awareness amongst youths engaged in binge drinking and addicted towards their mobile phone. This is going to be a new campaign for the organization. There is a serious need to implement proper marketing strategies for the organization working for a social cause (Vaucher et al., 2016). This concept of social marketing involves development and integration of various concepts of marketing to influence the behavior of the people and drive their conduct in the betterment of the communities (French Gordon, 2015). This upcoming campaign is going to focus on two arenas, namely to identify the addicted youths and make them aware of the consequences. In addition, this campaign also focuses on providing guidance through which the parents of the adolescents and the youths can understand the ways in which they should communicate with their growing kids. SWOT Analysis: The internal factors existing within the organization, which helps in identifying the gaps of the organization, can be done through SWOT analysis. In case of Beyond Blues the SWOT analysis has been presented below: Strength The main strength of this NGO is that it has been built up with the initiative take by the Australian government. The organization has been involved in dealing with people of different age-groups. Last year in 2016, this organization has been recognized within the top 3 organization in Australia (www.beyondblue.org.au, 2017). Weakness Beyond blue does not have any prior experience to campaign for the cause of drunk driving and technical addiction (www.tac.vic.gov.au, 2017. Since, the organization has not yet dealt with this factor, therefore, the organization lacks in the infrastructure that is needed to take care of rowdy, drug addicted youths. Opportunity Being listed as amongst the top 3 organization in itself is a great opportunity to attract funding which can smoothen their functioning (www.beyondblue.org.au, 2017). The organization has been dealing with peoples depression and anxiety. This is greatly related to the new campaigning that they are going to introduce. Threats There are several NGOs working in Australia who possess a tough competition to this organization (www.tac.vic.gov.au, 2017). For this upcoming campaign, the organization faces the threat of unacceptability amongst the youths who are engaged in drinking and breaking law and orders. Justification of Target Market: According to data published by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, it has been observed that on an average an Australian takes their first dose of alcohol between 16 and 17 years of age (www.aihw.gov.au, 2017). In addition, the report published by National Drug Strategy Household Survey also states that average Australian get into their habit of smoking in during this age (www.aihw.gov.au, 2017). This clearly indicates the fact that young adults and youths are the most vulnerable section of the society. They are also under peer pressure and have the notion of following the trends blindly (Klauer et al., 2014). This is the primary reason behind Beyond Blue to target the youths in their campaign. In addition, the youths are the future human capital of an economy and the pillars of the society. Hence, their bad habits are going to hamper the society in general and the upbringing of the future generation (Dibbs, 2014). Social Marketing and 4Ps: The approach through which any organization plans to develop strategies focusing on the peoples behavior and tries to channelize their behavior in the benefits of others is known as social marketing (Inoue Kent, 2014). Through this report, the 4Ps of marketing has been highlighted which the chosen organization is going to adopt in their upcoming campaign. Product: The first Ps in any marketing strategy is Product. The concept of products includes anything that can satisfy the utility of the consumer. It can be both tangible and intangible in nature. The product for the upcoming social campaigning is not any tangible commodity but the service provided by the employees of the organization. Here, the employees and the volunteers are highly enthusiastic in service and catering to the well-beings of the people. The range of services that they are going to provide to the Australians through their campaign starts from highlighting the consequences of drunk driving and usage of mobile while driving (WHO, 2013). On the next step, they are going to select the regions with the highest record of accidents caused due to drunk driving took place. In those regions, they are going to identify the youths and try to make them more responsible through counseling and rehabilitation (Livingston Jiang, 2013). The final service that they are going to provide to the Australians is to set up an interaction zone whereby the parents of youths can interact and learn the ways in which they would communicate with their growing kids. Recent news suggests that there have been several drunk driving cases recorded in Australia (Olding Levy, 2016). This may prevent or reduce the death toll caused by drunk driving. Price: According to famous sayings, Theres no Free-Lunch, the service provided by the non-profitable organization is not free of charge. Like every other things it also has a price but the difference is that the price is not borne by the Australian people who is going to be benefitted from this service. The price or cost of organizing a campaign varies in many directions like cost incurred in advertisement, venue cost, cost incurred on the day of campaigns and few other such costs The organization is going to raise funds, which is going to cover up their costs. In addition, Beyond Blue is going to request the Australian Federal to provide them with the necessary grants. Place: Place is an important factor in any marketing strategy. If the product is not placed strategically then it cannot catch peoples attention. In this case, Blue Beyond should start their campaigns in densely populated cities of Australia. They are going to held open-air campaigns and street plays too attract youths and convey them the social message. In addition, the campaign is going to be held in different university campuses and during the social gatherings in any high schools and university programs. Promotion: There is a subtle need for advertisement about the campaigning. In todays world advertisement through social media is the best way to reach out to mass people. The targeted market of youths always remains active in different networking sites and henceforth they can be made aware of this campaign through it. In addition to it, the different other types of media can be engaged to promote the social cause. Advertisement through print media, television media can be utilized optimally to reach out to targeted audience as well as to the whole society (Stephen et al., 2017). The news can also be spread to the people by putting up a electronic board carrying the message which would be set up beside different major traffic signals. Catchy message: A short message along with jingles can help to spread awareness and promote the campaign that is going to be held by Beyond Blues. The message that they want to spread is: Alive Today, Alive Tomorrow Evaluation of the effectiveness of message: In order to understand the success of any marketing strategy, the organization implementing it must go through post implementation evaluation program (Scott-Parker Oviedo-Trespalacios, 2017). In this case, the NGO is going to evaluate the effectiveness of their advertisement after two months of its first publication of the advertisement. The NGO is going to check out the accident statistics from the localitys cops and from the local government. A significant reduction in the number of drunk driving cases is going to imply that the message has impact on the society (Macy et al., 2016). Conclusion: The report can be summarized by stating that there has been a increasing trend in the accidents caused due to drunk driving and texting while driving. Social marketing of the chosen organization and the campaign that they plan to launch may be helpful in reducing this mishap. Beyond Blue is going to focus on the youths through their different strategies. They are going to spread awareness, help in reducing life loss and help the youths to maintain a healthy relationship between their family life and social life. References: Armstrong, K. A., Watling, H., Watson, A., Davey, J. (2014). Profile of women detected drink driving via Roadside Breath Testing (RBT) in Queensland, Australia, between 2000 and 2011.Accident Analysis Prevention,67, 67-74. beyondblue. (2017). Beyondblue.org.au. Retrieved 25 January 2017, from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Chambers, G. (2016). Mums car hits baby in pram. Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/baby-dies-after-car-driven-by-mother-hits-pram-in-woodridge/news-story/4958aa4e05f005ca46e7a688000ae232 Data (AIHW). (2017). Aihw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 January 2017, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/data/ Dibb, S. (2014). Up, up and away: Social marketing breaks free.Journal of Marketing Management,30(11-12), 1159-1185. Drink driving statistics - TAC - Transport Accident Commission. (2017). Tac.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 25 January 2017, from https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/summaries/drink-driving-statistics Effective drink driving prevention and enforcement strategies: Approaches to improving practice. (2017). Aic.gov.au. Retrieved 25 January 2017, from https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/461-480/tandi472.html French, J., Gordon, R. (2015).Strategic social marketing. Sage. Inoue, Y., Kent, A. (2014). A conceptual framework for understanding the effects of corporate social marketing on consumer behavior.Journal of Business Ethics,121(4), 621-633. Khezhie, P., Srivastava, A. (2016). Mobile Phone Addiction among College Students.Int. J. of Multidisciplinary and Current research,4. Klauer, S. G., Guo, F., Simons-Morton, B. G., Ouimet, M. C., Lee, S. E., Dingus, T. A. (2014). Distracted driving and risk of road crashes among novice and experienced drivers.New England journal of medicine,370(1), 54-59. Livingston, M., Jiang, H. (2013, August). Alcohol consumption and traffic and non-traffic accidents in Australia, 1924-2006. InInternational Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (T2013), 20th, 2013, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Macy, M. L., Carter, P. M., Bingham, C. R., Cunningham, R. M., Freed, G. L. (2014). Potential distractions and unsafe driving behaviors among drivers of 1-to 12-year-old children.Academic pediatrics,14(3), 279-286. Olding, R. Levy, M. (2016). Family mourn uni student Nicole Lewanski, killed in Wolli Creek crash. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2017, from https://www.smh.com.au/nsw/family-mourn-uni-student-nicole-lewanski-killed-in-wolli-creek-crash-20161214-gtbjj3.html Scott-Parker, B., Oviedo-Trespalacios, O. (2017). Young driver risky behaviour and predictors of crash risk in Australia, New Zealand and Colombia: same but different?.Accident Analysis Prevention,99, 30-38. Stephens, A. N., Bishop, C. A., Liu, S., Fitzharris, M. (2017). Alcohol consumption patterns and attitudes toward drink-drive behaviours and road safety enforcement strategies.Accident Analysis Prevention,98, 241-251. Vaucher, P., Michiels, W., Lambert, S. J., Favre, N., Perez, B., Baertschi, A., ... Gache, P. (2016). Benefits of short educational programmes in preventing drink-driving recidivism: A ten-year follow-up randomised controlled trial.International Journal of Drug Policy,32, 70-76. World Health Organization. Violence, Injury Prevention, World Health Organization. (2013).Global status report on road safety 2013: supporting a decade of action. World Health Organization.

Wrestling and Literature Essay Example For Students

Wrestling and Literature Essay The theme of wrestling is one that relates to literature directly. Many famous authors have written about wrestling or fighting. Wrestling relates to life in the storylines it produces. This theme can relate to any PSAT words that are negative or positive. Those are just a few of the numerous reasons why wrestling is an excellent choice as a theme. Wrestling is a very interesting topic that many readers enjoy reading about even if they are not wrestling fans. Mick Foley is a former wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation. He is now the comissioner there and schedules all the matches. Earlier this year he wrote an autobiography titled Have a Nice Day! A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. The book was a New York Times #1 Bestseller and sold over 700,000 copies. He tells about how he got started wrestling in his backyard and eventually rose to superstar status when he became the WWF Champion in December 1998. He tells in the book about getting injured and how wrestling is not as fake as everyone believes it is. Inside it lists his numerous injuries. Similar books have been written by other wrestling superstars in other wrestling federations. We will write a custom essay on Wrestling and Literature specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Wrestling is a mirror image of life. Many times wrestling superstars will get injured while fighting an opponent. In June of 1998 Mick Foley was the persona Mankind. He was booked to wrestle a wrestler called the Undertaker. The match was to take place in a steel cage. At the last moment Mankind decided to climb up the cage and fight on top. While he was up there, Undertaker threw him off of the twenty foot cage and Mankind dislocated his left shoulder. They took him off on a stretcher but he battled back only to have a tooth driven through the roof of his mouth up into his nose. He could not call time out during the match although he most likely wanted to. He had to keep wrestling eventhough he suffered from a concussion from the fall off of the cage. That relates directly to life in the fact that you cannot call time out if you get hurt, the world will not stop for something, it just keeps going and people have to just go with the flow. Wrestling is loved and admired by over a million people all over the world. There are usually around 50 different countries airing a WWF pay-per-view once a month. Millions of wrestling fans extol their favorite wrestler. Tim Orton used to wear a flannel jacket everyday in honor of Mick Foley. There are t-shirts that have the words FOLEY IS GOD on them. When wrestling does not come on people will call up their television stations and complain because their lives revolve around wrestling. Any PSAT word can be related to wrestling just because wrestling is so versatile. There are good guys and there are bad guys and everyone has their own little gimmick that they carry out even in the real world when they are confronted by the millions and millions of fans they have. Bibliography:

Free Essays on WW II

1. Nuremberg Laws The Nuremberg Laws were passed on September 9, 1915. They were 3 laws. The first law was the law of the Reich citizen, the second was the law for the protection of German blood and German honor, and the third was the Reich Flag Act. The law of the Reich citizen stated that only individuals of â€Å"German blood† could be citizens of the German Reich (state), therefore depriving German Jews of their citizenship. The law for the protection of German blood and German honor formalized barriers between Jews and Germans, forbidding marriage and sexual relations between Jews and â€Å"Aryans.† The Reich Flag Act deprived Jews from being able to raise the German flag or wear German colors. 2. Warsaw Ghetto In late 1940 the Germans established a walled Jewish ghetto in Warsaw and herded Jews from the city and the surrounding region into it. Over the next two and a half years hundreds of thousands of Jews were forced into the ghetto and then sent to concentration camps. Atrocious living conditions, including overcrowding, lack of proper health services, and meager food rations, resulted in a high death rate among the inhabitants of the ghetto. In 1941 more than 20 percent of the population of the Warsaw ghetto died of starvation or disease. In April 1943 the Jews of the ghetto staged a heroic month-long struggle. In all, about 500,000 Warsaw-area Jews died. 3. Nuremberg Trials The Nuremberg Trials were on October 18, 1945. It was when the chief prosecutors lodged an indictment with the court charging 24 individuals with a variety of crimes and murders, including the planned instigation of aggressive wars, extermination of racial and religious groups, murder and mistreatment of prisoners of war, and the murder, mistreatment, and deportation to slave labor of hundreds of thousands of residents of countries taken by Germany during the war. Twelve defendants were sentenced to death by hanging, seven received prison t... Free Essays on WW II Free Essays on WW II 1. Nuremberg Laws The Nuremberg Laws were passed on September 9, 1915. They were 3 laws. The first law was the law of the Reich citizen, the second was the law for the protection of German blood and German honor, and the third was the Reich Flag Act. The law of the Reich citizen stated that only individuals of â€Å"German blood† could be citizens of the German Reich (state), therefore depriving German Jews of their citizenship. The law for the protection of German blood and German honor formalized barriers between Jews and Germans, forbidding marriage and sexual relations between Jews and â€Å"Aryans.† The Reich Flag Act deprived Jews from being able to raise the German flag or wear German colors. 2. Warsaw Ghetto In late 1940 the Germans established a walled Jewish ghetto in Warsaw and herded Jews from the city and the surrounding region into it. Over the next two and a half years hundreds of thousands of Jews were forced into the ghetto and then sent to concentration camps. Atrocious living conditions, including overcrowding, lack of proper health services, and meager food rations, resulted in a high death rate among the inhabitants of the ghetto. In 1941 more than 20 percent of the population of the Warsaw ghetto died of starvation or disease. In April 1943 the Jews of the ghetto staged a heroic month-long struggle. In all, about 500,000 Warsaw-area Jews died. 3. Nuremberg Trials The Nuremberg Trials were on October 18, 1945. It was when the chief prosecutors lodged an indictment with the court charging 24 individuals with a variety of crimes and murders, including the planned instigation of aggressive wars, extermination of racial and religious groups, murder and mistreatment of prisoners of war, and the murder, mistreatment, and deportation to slave labor of hundreds of thousands of residents of countries taken by Germany during the war. Twelve defendants were sentenced to death by hanging, seven received prison t...

Top 10 Events in Race Relations This Decade (2000-2009)

Top 10 Events in Race Relations This Decade (2000-2009) The first decade of the new millennium saw extraordinary strides in race relations. New ground was broken in film, television and politics, to name a few. Just because accomplishments have been made in race relations doesnt mean theres no room for improvement, though. Tensions continue to run high over issues such as illegal immigration and racial profiling. And a natural disasterHurricane Katrinarevealed that racial divisions remain strong in the United States. So, whats in store for race relations between 2010 and 2020? Judging from the events on the race relations timeline of this decade, the skys the limit. After all, who in 1999 couldve guessed that the new decade would see Americas first black president ushering in, what some have called, post-racial America? Dora the Explorer (2000) Which cartoon characters did you grew up watching? Were they part of the Peanuts gang, the Looney Tunes crew or the Hanna-Barbera family? If so, perhaps Pepe Le Pew was the only animated character you came across who spoke two languagesin Pepes case, French and English. But Pepe never became as famous as his Looney Tunes companions Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird. On the other hand, when Dora the Explorer arrived on the scene in 2000, the series about an adventurous bilingual Latina and her animal friends proved so popular it has grossed billions of dollars. The popularity of the show proves that girls and boys of all ethnic groups will readily embrace Latino characters. It has already paved the way for another animated show with a Latino protagonistGo Diego Gowhich features Doras cousin. Dont expect Dora to be upstaged by Diego, or any other animated character, for that matter. As her audience evolves, so does she. Doras look was updated in early 2009. Shes grown from tot to tween, wears fashionable clothes and includes mystery-solving among her adventures. Count on Dora to be around for the long haul. Colin Powell Becomes Secretary of State (2001) George W. Bush appointed Colin Powell Secretary of State in 2001. Powell was the first African American to serve in the role. A moderate in a conservative administration, Powell often clashed with other members of the Bush administration. He announced his resignation from the position on Nov. 15, 2004. His service was not without controversy. Powell came under fire for his insistence that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction. The claim was used as justification for the U.S. to invade Iraq. After Powell stepped down, Condoleezza Rice became the first African-American woman to serve as secretary of state. Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks (2001) The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001 left nearly 3,000 people dead. Because those responsible for the attacks were from the Middle East, Arab Americans came under intense scrutiny in the U.S. and continue to be today. Arguments arose over whether Arabs in America should be racially profiled. Hate crimes against Middle Easterners rose markedly. Today, xenophobia against individuals from Muslim nations remains high. In the 2008 presidential campaign, a rumor spread that Barack Obama was Muslim to discredit him. Obama is, in fact, Christian, but just the insinuation that he was Muslim cast suspicion upon him. In November 2009, the Middle Eastern community braced itself for another backlash when Major Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded dozens in a murderous rampage at the Ft. Hood military base. Hasan reportedly shouted Allahu Akbar! before the massacre. Angelina Jolie Puts International Adoption in the Spotlight (2002) Transracial adoption was nothing new when actress Angelina Jolie adopted son Maddox from Cambodia in March 2002. Actress Mia Farrow adopted children from various racial backgrounds decades before Jolie, as did singer-dancer Josephine Baker. But when the 26-year-old Jolie adopted her Cambodian son and went on to adopt a daughter from Ethiopia and another son from Vietnam, she actually influenced the public to follow suit. Adoptions of children in countries such as Ethiopia by Westerners went up. Later Madonna would make headlines for adopting two children from another African nationMalawi. International adoption has its critics, of course. Some argue that domestic adoption should be prioritized. Others fear that international adoptees will be forever disconnected from their native countries. Theres also the notion that international adoptees have become status symbols for Westerners much like designer handbags or shoes. Halle Berry and Denzel Washington Win Oscars (2002) At the 74th Academy Awards, Halle Berry and Denzel Washington made history by winning Oscars for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively. While Sidney Poitier won a Best Actor Oscar for 1963s Lilies of the Field, no black woman had ever won a top acting honor from the Academy. Berry, who won for Monsters Ball, remarked during the ceremony, This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll . . . its for every nameless, faceless woman of color who now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. While many were elated by the groundbreaking wins of Berry and Washington, some in the African-American community expressed dismay that the actors won Oscars for portraying less than admirable characters. Washington played a corrupt cop in â€Å"Training Day,† while Berry played an abusive mother who moves in with the white man who participated in her late husband’s execution. The film features a graphic sex scene between Berry and Billy Bob Thornton that also garnered criticism, including from actress Angela Bassett who said she turned down the part of Leticia (the character Berry plays) because she didn’t want to be a â€Å"prostitute on film.† Hurricane Katrina (2005) Hurricane Katrina touched down in southeastern Louisiana Aug. 29, 2005. One of the deadliest hurricanes in American history, Katrina took more than 1,800 lives. While residents with the means to leave the area evacuated before the hurricane hit, impoverished residents of New Orleans and surrounding areas had no choice but to stay put and rely on the government for assistance. Unfortunately, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was slow to take action, leaving the most vulnerable residents of the Gulf region with lack of water, housing, healthcare and other necessities. Many of those left behind were poor and black, and President George W. Bush and his administration were criticized for not taking swift action because impoverished African Americans were apparently not a priority to them. Rallies for Immigrants Take Place Nationwide (2006) Although the United States is a nation of immigrants, America remains divided over the surge of immigrants into the country in recent decades. Opponents of immigration, particularly illegal immigration, regard immigrants as a drain on the country’s resources. Many resent having to compete for work with immigrants willing to work for extremely low wages. Supporters of immigrants, however, cite the many contributions newcomers to America have made to the country. They argue that immigrants don’t tax the nation’s resources but, in fact, boost the economy through their hard work. In a show of support of immigrants to America, a reported 1.5 million people demonstrated from coast to coast on May 1, 2006. Immigrants and their advocates were told to stay home from school and work and not patronize businesses so that the nation could feel the impact of what life would be like without immigrants. Some businesses even had to shut down on May Day because their companies depend so heavily on immigrant labor. According to the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington D.C., about 7.2 million undocumented immigrants hold jobs in the United States, making up 4.9 percent of the overall labor force. About 24 percent of farm workers and 14 percent of construction workers are undocumented, the Pew Hispanic Center found. Each year on May 1, rallies continue to be held in support of immigrants, arguably making immigration the civil rights issue of the millennium. Barack Obama Wins Presidential Election (2008) Running on a platform of change, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama wins the 2008 presidential election to become the first person of African descent chosen to run the United States. A multiracial, multigenerational coalition of volunteers helped Obama win the campaign. Considering that African Americans were previously denied the right to vote, forcibly segregated from whites and enslaved in the United States, Obama’s successful presidential bid marked a turning point for the nation. Anti-racist activists take issue with the notion that Obama’s election means that we’re now living in a â€Å"post-racial† America, though. Gaps between blacks and whites remain in the education, employment and healthcare sectors, to name a few. Sonia Sotomayor Becomes First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice (2009) The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States paved the way for other people of color to break ground in politics. In May 2009, President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor, raised by a single Puerto Rican mother in the Bronx, to the Supreme Court as a replacement for Justice David Souter. On Aug. 6, 2009, Sotomayor became the first Hispanic judge and the third woman to sit on the court. Her appointment to the court also marks the first time judges from two minority groupsAfrican American and Latinohave served on the court together. Disney Releases First Film With Black Princess (2009) â€Å"The Princess and the Frog† debuted nationwide Dec. 11. The film was Disney’s first with a black heroine. It opened to largely positive reviews and topped the box office its opening weekend, grossing approximately $25 million. Despite its relative success in theatersthere are reports the film hasn’t doesn’t as well as recent Disney features such as â€Å"Enchanted†controversy surrounded â€Å"The Princess and the Frog† before its release. Some members of the African American community objected to the fact that Princess Tiana’s love interest, Prince Naveen, wasn’t black; that Tiana remained a frog for much of the film rather than a black woman; and that the film portrayed Voodoo negatively. Other African Americans were simply overjoyed that someone who resembled them was joining the ranks of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and the like for the first time in Disney’s 72-year history.

Watercolor Prints Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Watercolor Prints - Essay Example The procedures for this class are; Step 1: Children will sit down on the floor (white coloring sheets on the floor) instead of having a canvas in front of them. (Children will not get tired holding their hands in the air). Step 2: Asked to brush colors on canvas without any restrictions Step 3: teacher will go up to each student and tell them specific points about their painting so they could make it better. Step 4: Let them be. Let them use their imaginations and create whatever pleases them. Step 5: they will be briefed about specifics of painting later so they would take short notes. Step 6: They are supposed to write about their own piece. Step 7: Next day, they are supposed to repeat the process in the hopes of improvement. Purposes of the Lesson The purpose of the lesson is to teach students how to read and express emotions through water painting. Estimated Duration Estimated duration for this course is 5 days; daily 4pm to 10pm. Pre- Assessment Just the basic understanding of water colors would be considered sufficient to enroll in this class. The thing about this class is not much about teaching but letting students express themselves through water paintings.

What is the correlation between the factors in purchasing soap and the Research Paper

What is the correlation between the factors in purchasing soap and the the education level of the person making the purchase - Research Paper Example The level of education are; high school, associate degree, undergraduate degree, graduate degree and dnr. Burger and Cooper 2012, develop an urge for control factor impacting the purchase of the soaps, and the level of education of the persons that are purchasing the soaps. According to Burger and cooper 2012, many people agree that the factors that cause the purchase of the soaps are the cost, the brand of the soap, the label on the soaps, availability and ingredient of the soaps. It also believed that, education and other factors might influence the purchasing of the soaps among the people in the society (Wood and Clapham, 2005). Different people differ on how they view the causation. Some group appears to draw conclusion based on the events they observe or connect between cosot and other factors. In this study, a survey was conducted to determine what the correlation between the factor impacting the purchase of the soaps, and the level of education. The data was obtained from a survey at a public fair. My area of interest was, what factors play a role in how people chose to buy soap. The surveys were collected at the end of the day and a spread sheet was made of all the survey questions. In the survey, they complete several classic illusions of control tasks. We try to answer if some people are prone to an illusion of control than others based on their personal beliefs. From the chi- square analysis, it can be observed that the value of chi-square is 60.333 with a p- value of 0.000 which is significantly less than 0.05 level of confidence. This means that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that the hygiene of the soap is influencing the purchase of the soap In this study, the relationship between the factor impacting the purchase and the education level will be examined through a regression analysis, and the correlation analysis between the two variables. The

Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay It is hard to divorce the subject of the gods in discussing Oedipus’ tragic flaw. In Sophocles’ time, the Greeks’ way of life was determined by the gods. They would not dream of calling practices such as consulting the Oracle or the procession as superstitious. Similarly, it is difficult to discuss Hamlet’s madness without relating it to the Ghost. Shakespeare’s England, fresh from experiencing the Reformation, also had its own sets of superstitions. In the same way that peoples’ lives in those times were powerfully affected by superstitions and the supernatural, the decisions of several characters in the plays mentioned above were also influenced by superstitions and the supernatural. Although it is often thought that the plots of Oedipus the King and Hamlet revolve around the manner in which Oedipus and Hamlet use human reasoning and rational thinking to fashion themselves as heroes, the purpose of this essay is to argue otherwise, since both heroes are fashioned by superstition and the supernatural that provide the heroic codes that they must follow, dictating them how to live their lives as heroes. The plots of both Hamlet and Oedipus the King revolve around solving the evils in Thebes and Denmark, respectively. The supernatural reveals the causes of these problems and the actions that the heroes must take in order to put balance back into their worlds. For the heroes to do this, they must complete a superstitious task. As one might see, the tasks of both heroes are strangely similar. For Oedipus, it is taking â€Å"the son’s part† (280) and punishing the murderer of Laios. For Hamlet, it is avenging his father’s murder.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Oedipus the King, the cause of the plague is revealed through the Delphic Oracle. Due to the on-stage absence of the gods in the play, oracles and Teiresias function as their voices. Both of these are essential for truth and revelations. They represent the supernatural. In the play, the truth means power, as Teiresias affirms as he argues Oedipus, â€Å"[†¦] there is power in truth† (390). Teiresias knew that the truth itself can kill Oedipus. The drama evolves through revelations about Oedipus’ fate and his apparent blindness to it. Oedipus, as a tragic hero complete with characteristics such as hubris, hastiness and blindness, tries to shift the center to himself as a god-like problem-solver, declaring â€Å"I, Oedipus, who bear the famous name† (8). He follows the mystery to the end until his eventual fall, causing him to inflict the punishment upon himself in order to appease justice. Though Oedipus is no slave to fate, he was a victim of it since he could not avoid his fate. Though fate can be seen as the will of the gods, it is maintained that Oedipus alone is responsible for his actions, as the second messenger pointed out: â€Å"The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves† (1283). The concept of fate is complicated, but it is very similar to the Protestant doctrine of predestination, where one is destined to be somebody or do something even when one has free will. In the first scene, the chorus asks why Oracle does not divulge the identity of the murderer. Strangely, Oedipus himself provides the explanation for this: â€Å"[†¦] no man in the world can make the gods do more than the gods’ will† (296-297). Teiresias also insisted that â€Å"[†¦] there’s no help in truth† (334), but Oedipus forces him into saying it. He insisted on knowing out of his own sense of piety and justice. That is his downfall. It is too late when Oedipus realizes this: â€Å"He [Apollo] brought my sick, sick fate upon me, but the blinding hand was mine own!† (1386-1387). Even in the end, superstition limits what he could do to himself. It prevents him from committing suicide, since in Hades, he does not know how to face both his father and mother (1419-1422). The modern reader would most probably wonder why Oedipus is subjected to such a fate. One may not answer that completely and accurately for the Greeks would argue that it is not any mortal’s business to ask that. In the play, moral characters’ lives are contrasted with the gods’ immortal lives. Through the gods, the Greeks are reminded of their mortality seeing â€Å"how our lives like birds take wing† (183). Oedipus’ story also reminds them of this lesson. The play concludes with that same thought: Let every man in mankind’s frailty Consider his last day; and let none Presume on his good fortune until he find Life, at his death, a memory without pain (1581-1884). In Hamlet, it is suggested that the superstitions and the supernatural have a real hold upon the characters. The appearance of the supernatural, in this case, the Ghost, tells the characters that â€Å"something is rotten in the state of Denmark† (1.4.90). Like in Oedipus the King, superstitions provide explanations for certain scientifically unexplainable events and occurrences. The Ghost first appears on the first scene of act one where Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo were waiting for it. It doesn’t utter a word so one could only visualize the Ghost through what the trio says of it. From Horatio, the audience learns that it looks like the dead king and that he is wearing the armor that he wore when he â€Å"smote the sledded Polack on the ice† (1.1.59-63). As he tried to question the ghost, he referred to three more popular superstitions to explain the reason behind the Ghost’s appearance: it seeks someone whose action will enable it to rest in peace (1.1.130-131), it knows of a future disaster in store for Denmark (1.1.133-134) or it seeks buried treasure â€Å"extorted† when alive (1.1.136-137). The Ghost vanishes as the cock crows. Horatio is not the only superstitious character in the play. Hamlet meets the ghost on the fourth scene. Though he knew not whether the ghost is of heaven or hell, he calls it â€Å"Hamlet,† his father (1.1.44-45). As the Ghost beckons him to a remote place, Horatio and Marcellus urge Hamlet not to follow it for fear that it might â€Å"draw him into madness† (1.1.75). True enough, that is exactly what will happen in the next scenes and acts. The Ghost doesn’t speak to Hamlet until the next scene. It introduces itself as Hamlet’s father, hinting at the terrors of the afterlife (1.5.9-13).   It asks him to â€Å"revenge his foul and most unnatural murder† (1.5.25). Strangely enough, Hamlet is not completely surprised, even guessing the murderer as his uncle (1.5.40-41). In this scene, the Ghost acts and thinks like Hamlet who also condemns his â€Å"most seeming virtuous queen† (1.5.46). In its last words to Hamlet it cries â€Å"remember me† (1.1.91). Hamlet does remember him throughout the play. It is this rite of revenge that he will enact until the last act. He has to do it at the right moment, as superstition dictates. The scene where Claudius prays is not the right time for his death. The Ghost and its memory guide his actions and decisions, though invisible. In Hamlet’s confrontation with his mother, the Ghost appears again in a more domestic garb, preventing him from harming his mother. It is strange though that in that scene, Gertrude doesn’t see the ghost. One may never know if this is a sign of her moral blindness or if this is only a projection of Hamlet’s madness as Gertrude thinks. The Ghost causes Hamlet’s â€Å"dread of something after death† (3.1.78). This is exactly the subject of Hamlet’s most famous speech. Because of the terrifying vision of the Ghost, death becomes an â€Å"undiscovered country† (3.1.87). Hamlet doesn’t know where he will go after death, so he doesn’t commit suicide. Conscience, or the lack of it, makes a â€Å"coward† of him and therefore, â€Å"lose the name of action† (3.1.96). When finally Hamlet does avenge his father, all is set aright. As Hamlet dies, he elects Fortinbras as the new king of Denmark, who like him has also lot his father. It is through this deed that Hamlet becomes a fully fledged hero. Like his father in death, Hamlet also appeals to Horatio â€Å"draw thy breath in pain to tell my story† (5.2.183-184). Thus, he passes the call for remembrance. Superstitions and the supernatural indeed provide the heroic codes which shape the plots of these dramas. Although Oedipus and Hamlet both conform to their periods’ respective notions of heroes, the concept above runs the same for them. In the endings of both plays, the audiences come face to face with visions of mortality. These visions are intended for them, as well as the characters, to remember life itself.       Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. Folger Library Shakespeare. NY: Washington Square Press, 1992. Sophocles. â€Å"Oedipus Rex.† The Oedipus Cycle. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. San Diego and NY: Harvest/HBJ, 1977.

Three Stages of Thunderstorm Formation Essay -- Exploratory Essays Res

Three Stages of Thunderstorm Formation The kind of thunderstorms that produce our summer rains are called ordinary thunderstorms, or air mass thunderstorms. They form when warm, humid air rises in an unstable atmosphere. Warm air cools down as it rises, and once it becomes colder than the air around it, it will begin to fall back down. In an unstable atmosphere, the temperature of the surrounding air decreases faster with height than the temperature of the rising warm air. This causes the warm, moist air to continually be warmer than the atmosphere, and continue rising to large heights. When this happens, we have the basis for a thunderstorm. Thunderstorm formation occurs in three stages - the cumulus stage, the mature stage, and the dissipating stage. The updraft of humid, warm air into the atmosphere starts the cumulus stage. The air cools as it rises and condenses into one cumulus (small puffy) cloud, or cluster of cumulus clouds. At first, these clouds cannot get very tall because the air surrounding the cloud is very dry, and causes the water droplets to evaporate quick...

Poverty and Income Inequality in South Korea Essay

South Korea is counted among the world’s leading economies alongside giants such as United States and Germany (Wiseman & Nishiwaki, 2006). Before the financial crisis hit Asia in 1997, South Korea was among the fastest growing economies of the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate exceeding 5 percent (Kakwani, Khandker, & Son). Kwack & Lee (2007) report that income inequality had been reduced across the country before the financial crisis. Moreover, between the years 1965 and 2005, income inequality had not significantly increased. All the same, between the years 1998 and 2005, South Korea experienced a rise in income inequality seeing that the Asian financial crisis was massive in its scope (Kwack & Lee, p. 20). Also, between the years 1990 and 1997, the percentage of South Korean people classified as poor had steadily decreased from 39. 6 percent to 8. 6 percent (Kakwani, Khandker, & Son). South Korea was coming to be known as an â€Å"economy with relatively equal distribution of income and with full employment† (Kakwani, Khandker, & Son). But, the Asian financial crisis naturally increased the number of poor people in the country. In fact, the percentage of poor increased to 19 percent in 1998; it was 13. 4 percent a year later (Kakwani, Khandker, & Son). According to a study conducted by Kakwani, Khandker, & Son, the poor of South Korea were disproportionately affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Even though the South Korean economy started to grow again immediately after the crisis, the benefits of growth did not reach the poor as they did the rich. Then again, the government of South Korea introduced new welfare programs for the very poor during that time. The poor people of the country did not benefit from these programs, however. It was only the very poor that were positively impacted (Kakwani, Khandker, & Son). What is more, contrary to the interpretation of income inequality statistics as presented by Kwack & Lee, the International Monetary Fund has expressed great concern over this problem in South Korea during the present era of globalization (â€Å"Widening Inequality: IMF Acknowledges Downsides of Globalization,† 2007). A report published in Korea Times in October 2007 reads: †¦Many South Koreans believe the nation has no other choice but to pursue the international trend in a bid to survive fiercer competition with other countries. Policymakers are trying to open the local market wider to foreign products, while promoting sales of Korea, Inc. , under the spirit of freer trade. They go all-out to attract foreign investment by setting up free economic zones and international business towns. Businesses are also expanding their overseas networks for production, sales and investment under the motto of globalization. †¦In this regard, a recent IMF report caught the attention of economic policymakers, company executives, citizens and anti-globalization activists. Last week, the international body published its semiannual economic review, the World Economic Outlook, before the IMF and the World Bank meeting scheduled for Oct. 20-21. The IMF said in the report that technology and foreign investment are making income inequality worse around the world. The review tries to figure out why income inequality has widened in both rich and poor countries in the past two decades. It is the first time that the IMF has come up with such a report admitting to the negative effects of globalization. â€Å"Over the past two decades, income inequality has risen in most regions and countries,’’ the report said. We can learn much from the report. We have to admit that South Korea has experienced widening income inequality, especially following the Asian financial woes. The income brackets have already been divided into 20 percent rich and 80 percent poor. That is the nation’s middle class has crumbled because the gap between the rich and poor widened. The 20-80 ratio is on the verge of moving to a 10-90 ratio, further worsening the income gap. In addition, businesses have exploited non-regular workers and migrant laborers from foreign countries who suffer from low wages, poor working conditions and other discrimination. A law protecting non-regular workers took effect in July, but little progress has been made to guarantee their equal rights. Policymakers will have to take bolder measures to narrow income inequality and tackle other negative effects of globalization. (â€Å"Widening Inequality: IMF Acknowledges Downsides of Globalization†) It is oft stated that globalization is accompanied by a widening gap between the haves and have-nots of the world. When a Korean farmer suddenly appeared during a meeting of World Trade Organization and committed suicide, the problems facing the global political economy were highlighted – that, in fact, the interests of the poor must be heeded, better than before. The farmer was wearing a shirt that read, â€Å"WTO KILLS FARMERS† (Cho, 2008, pp. x). After all, it is not uncommon for experts and non-experts alike to claim that the World Trade Organization does not represent the interests of the rich and the poor equally. Nevertheless, there is a limit to how much the World Trade Organization can do for the poorest people of the world. It is, in fact, for the government of South Korea to bear greater responsibility for poor Koreans. According to another news report published in South Korea in the year 2007, The wage disparity of the lower 10 percent of earners versus upper 10 percent rose to a factor of 5. 4 in 2006 from 4. 8 in 2001, meaning that wages for the top decile of earners were nearly five-and-a-half times greater than those of the lowest decile of earners†¦ (â€Å"A Look at South Korean Society, 20 Years after Democracy,† 2007) It is for the South Korean government not only to improve income distribution in the country but also to implement policies to end abuse as well as discrimination of the poorest workers. Individual income in South Korea rose fivefold between the years 1987 and 2007. But, South Korea has not made progress to end income inequality. The Gini coefficient is typically the statistical measure of choice to assess income distribution. A Gini coefficient of zero indicates perfectly equal income distribution, while a coefficient of 1 indicates perfectly inequality. In 1987, the year that South Korea became a democratic country, its Gini coefficient was 0. 31. By the year 1997, South Korea’s Gini coefficient had been reduced to 0. 28 as the country had made strides in reducing the gap between the haves and the have-nots. But then the Asian financial crisis ensued. By 2006, South Korea’s Gini coefficient was back to 0. 31. Although the size of the economy had grown from $500 billion to $800 billion, income distribution had been reduced between 1997 and 2006. Unsurprisingly, the poorest people of South Korea are confronting discrimination and abuse. After all, the rich are getting richer at the expense of the poor. As a matter of fact, exploitation of labor is reality in South Korea (â€Å"A Look at South Korean Society, 20 Years after Democracy†). Robert J. Barro, a professor of economics at Harvard University, explains that living standards across South Korea were raised with its dramatic rise in GDP. As examples, the infant mortality rate fell from 8 percent to 0. 8 percent and life expectancy rose from 54 years to 73 years. Additionally, income distribution in South Korea has been more equitable as compared to the United States and Japan. When individual income rose in South Korea, low-income groups were beneficiaries, too, and poverty was reduced (Barro, 2003). Then again, as we have already discussed, the Gini coefficient of South Korea in 2006 was the same as in 1987. This reveals that although the poor people of South Korea have higher wages now than before, the gap between the haves and the have-nots has not been narrowed. So, Professor Barro suggests that South Korea must work on improving its education system. If the poor people of South Korea have access to good quality education, it would be easier to improve income distribution. Moreover, the country needs to enhance corporate governance (Barro). These changes are sure to enhance working conditions and living standards of poor workers. Then again, South Korea may not be able to support half of its â€Å"elderly households† living â€Å"in a state of ‘relative poverty’† with these improvements (â€Å"Korea Highest in Elderly Poverty,† 2008). In fact, the income of these households is lower than 50 percent of average household income in the country. Although South Korea has a pension scheme for the elderly, the percentage of the poor that may benefit from the scheme is small. Because the traditions of South Korea demanded of children to take care of their parents upon reaching adulthood, the country does not have a developed social insurance system for the elderly. What is more, South Korea is aging fast. At least 7 percent of its poor are over 65 today (â€Å"Korea Highest in Elderly Poverty,† 2008). At the same time as social welfare programs remained underdeveloped, South Korea generated 3100 more people owning at least U. S. $1 million worth liquid assets between the years 2000 and 2001 (â€Å"Asian Millionaires: A Tough Bunch,† 2002). According to Australian Banking & Finance, among the reasons for this rapid production of millionaires is increasing income inequality (â€Å"Asian Millionaires: A Tough Bunch,† 2002). To put it another way, corporate leaders are raising their organizational revenues, thanks in part to globalization, even as the poorest workers of their organizations continue to be paid low wages. In the year 2007, South Korea experienced the widest gap between the haves and the have-nots since the Asian financial crisis. In fact, the annual income of 20 percent of South Koreans earning the highest incomes was 5. 44 times greater than the annual income of the 20 percent that earned the lowest incomes. In 2006, the rich were earning 5. 38 times more than those that earn the least (â€Å"Income Gap at its Widest Point since 1999 Financial Crisis,† 2008). Analyzing the statistics, The Hankyoreh reports that income and wage gaps between 20 percent of the highest earners and 20 percent of the lowest earners had actually widened by 7. 9 percent and 11. 7 percent respectively between the years 2002 and 2007. What is more, statistics on income distribution in South Korea reveal that the richest people of the nation are earning more than the people of developed countries, while the poorest South Korean households have incomes that are equivalent to those of households in less developed countries. Even the World Bank has confirmed that poor South Koreans have the same living standards as those of the citizens of El Salvador or Gabon. Rich South Koreans, on the contrary, have the same living standards as New Zealanders and Australians (â€Å"Income Gap at its Widest Point since 1999 Financial Crisis†). Professor Barro’s analysis of income disparity in South Korea must be considered incomplete for the reason that there is no â€Å"decline in the burden of consumption on low-income households† (â€Å"Income Gap at its Widest Point since 1999 Financial Crisis†). These households pay their cellular phone and Internet bills with twice as much of their incomes as do rich households. Despite the fact that wages have increased – according to Barro – income disparity continues to widen. Son Tae-jeong, one of the researchers at the LG Economic Research Institute in South Korea, stated that salaries increased between the years 2006 and 2007 to boot. However, the poorest workers do not seem to have availed the benefits of the rise in salaries across the country (â€Å"Income Gap at its Widest Point since 1999 Financial Crisis†). South Korea has introduced necessary legislations to strengthen its social welfare programs. There are social security schemes which are insurance based and applicable only to certain occupational groups. These schemes cover pensions and healthcare among other things. The government of South Korea also offers subsidies for housing on a limited basis. But, most social security programs in the country only offer benefits related to earnings. Furthermore, these social security schemes are structured in a way that limits income redistribution from high-income to low-income groups (â€Å"Social Welfare in East Asia: Low Public Spending but Low Income Inequality,† 2008). Even though there are organizations across the country that continue to retain their unproductive workers, there is no way for them to cure the plague of poverty afflicting the elderly poor of South Korea (â€Å"Social Welfare in East Asia: Low Public Spending but Low Income Inequality†). The poor elderly South Koreans cannot be financially supported by their grown up kids because even though labor productivity and GDP have risen together, real wages have lagged behind (Chung, 2007, p. 228). Poor workers have low standards of living in any case, seeing that corporate leaders must focus on raising their own living standards even if they offer support to unproductive workers. Of course, as Barro has stated, education and corporate governance may work wonders in eradicating the problem of poverty facing the worker and his or her elderly parents in South Korea. Uneducated people usually have low living standards (Savada & Shaw, 1990). Moreover, in the workplaces of South Korea, these people are â€Å"treated with open contempt by university graduate managers† (Savada & Shaw). Increasing numbers of South Korean workers have migrated from agricultural farms to industrial establishments in recent years. Nevertheless, poverty has not been eradicated (Savada & Shaw). Rather, the differences between the haves and the have-nots have remained. The Asian financial crisis had negatively impacted both the rich and the poor of South Korea. But, as mentioned before, the poor were disproportionately affected. Poor South Koreans had to reduce their spending by 9. 8 percent in the year 1998. The rich only reduced their spending by 0. 6 percent. Additionally, as soon as the Korean economy was back on its growth track, the rich are known to have greatly increased their spending. In point of fact, the consumption of luxury goods rose to the extent that sales of golf equipment were increased by 357. 6 percent between 1998 and 1999 (Yim, p. 32). The poor South Koreans, on the other hand, were left to their living standards resembling those of people in underdeveloped countries. Of a certainty, the government of South Korea must be formulating and implementing the kinds of policies required to resolve these structural economic issues once and for all. The country possesses the capacity to grow beyond expectations. But, at the same time, income inequality and poverty create such a burden that a South Korean farmer came to commit suicide at a meeting of the World Trade Organization. The rich capitalists of South Korea pay low wages to workers who go on increasing their productivity nevertheless. Furthermore, poor, uneducated workers are abused and exploited in the South Korean workplace. By instituting good corporate governance programs, the government of South Korea may very well correct this problem. After all, it is because of the poor workers’ motivation to increase productivity that has made South Korea one of the most important economies in the world today. The country would not be able to sustain its economic position if it fails to heed its workers’ needs. References A Look at South Korean Society, 20 Years after Democracy. (2007, Jun 8). The Hankyoreh. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. hani. co. kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/214664. html. Asian Millionaires: A Tough Bunch. (2002, Oct 15). Australian Banking & Finance. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_hb4849/is_18_11/ai_n28954879. Barrow, R. J. (2003, Jun 9). South Korea: How to Keep the Miracle Going. Business Week. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. businessweek. com/magazine/content/03_23/b3836031_mz007. htm. Cho, Y. (2008, Oct 10). Participatory Democracy in the Global Public Sphere: Scale, Media Events, and the Body. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, Sheraton New York, New York City, NY Online. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. allacademic. com/one/www/www/index. php? cmd=www_search&offset=0&limit=5&multi_search_search_mode=publication&multi_search_publication_fulltext_mod=fulltext&textfield_submit=true&search_module=multi_search&search=Search&search_field=title_idx&fulltext_search=Participatory+Democracy+in+the+Global+Public+Sphere%3A+Scale%2C+Media+Events%2C+and+the+Body. Chung, Y. (2007). South Korea in the Fast Lane: Economic Development and Capital Formation. New York: Oxford University Press. Income Gap at its Widest Point since 1999 Financial Crisis. (2008, Feb 15). The Hankyoreh. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://english. hani. co. kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/269809. html. Kakwani, N. , Khandker, S. , & Son, H. H. Poverty Equivalent Growth Rate: With Applications to Korea and Thailand. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://siteresources. worldbank. org/INTPGI/Resources/13984_Hyun_Sons_paper_pro-poor-final. doc. Korea Highest in Elderly Poverty. (2008, Nov 8). The Korea Times. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. koreatimes. co. kr/www/news/nation/2008/11/113_34066. html. Kwack, S. Y. , & Lee, Y. S. (2007, Dec 31). Income Distribution in Korea in Historical and International Prospects. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. kdi. re. kr/kdi/report/report_read05. jsp? 1=1&pub_no=10341. Savada, A. M. , & Shaw, W. , eds. (1990). Social Classes in Contemporary Society. In South Korea: A Country Study. Washington: GPO Library of Congress. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://countrystudies. us:80/south-korea/. Social Welfare in East Asia: Low Public Spending but Low Income Inequality. (2008, Jul). Center for Analysis of Social Exclusion. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://sticerd. lse. ac.uk/dps/case/cb/CASEbrief7. pdf. Widening Inequality: IMF Acknowledges Downsides of Globalization. (2007, Oct 19). The Korea Times. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. bilaterals. org/article. php3? id_article=10033. Wiseman, P. , & Nishiwaki, N. (2006, Jul 23). Income Inequality Shrinks Japan’s Middle Class. USA Today. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. usatoday. com/money/world/2006-07-23-japan-usat_x. htm. Yim, S. Geographical Features of Social Polarization in Seoul, South Korea. Retrieved Mar 20, 2009, from http://www. lit. osaka-cu. ac. jp/geo/pdf/frombelow/0308_frombelow_yim. pdf.

Panel Discussion on K+12 in Phil Essay

A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. A joint press conference instead is held between two or more talking sides. Definition of ‘Press Conference’ A meeting organized for the purposes of distributing information to the media and answering questions from reporters. Normally the press conference is led by the company’s executive management or their appointed press liaison. Given the media’s limited resources, it may be difficult to attract major media attention to a press conference unless the company has a truly unique or newsworthy announcement to share. Press conferences can also be issued in response to addressing public relations issues. Have you ever turned on the news and seen a person speaking to members of the press about a new product, a new player just signed to your home team or the president announcing a new policy? Maybe you saw Michael Vick apologize to fans and dog lovers after he pleaded guilty to the dogfighting charges brought against him. If so, then you’ve seen a press conference in action. A press conference is a staged public relations event in which an organization or individual presen ts information to members of the mass media. Along with the press release, public relations professionals use press conferences to draw media attention to a potential story. Press conferences are typically used for political campaigns, emergencies and promotional purposes, such as the launch of a new product. Presidents have been using press conferences since the Wilson administration to alert the country to their stance on issues or to calm public fears. Political activists hold press conferences to state opinion on proposed legislation, and candidates use them to communicate their stance on important issues. Emergency press conferences are held in response to a crisis or disaster. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the mayor of New Orleans, the governor of Louisiana and the president all held multiple press conferences to keep the country abreast of events that occurred, as well as the steps being taken to resolve the situation. Emergency press conferences serve a dual role as both public service and public relations, since those responsible for the crisis can use the press conference to regain public trust. Promotional press conferences are among the most common. Public relations professionals use press conferences to make important announcements to gain coverage in newspapers, magazines, blogs and on TV news broadcasts. Reasons to hold a press conference include: * Introducing a new product * Revealing a new scientific breakthrough * Unveiling a new advertising campaign * Announcing a charity event with a featured celebrity * Acquiring a new player on a sports team * Releasing company financial statements Promotional press conferences offer several advantages, such as the ability to reach all media outlets at the same time while controlling the message. A press conference also can build excitement or anticipation about an event. Press conferences can waste time and money if the story isn’t newsworthy or the press conference is poorly organized and executed. In this HowStuffWorks article, we’re going to explain the ins and outs of planning a press conference, walk you through the key steps, and then explore the emerging trend of Web conferences. Planning a Press Conference Step One: Choosing a Story Not every news or event announcement deserves its own press conference. Press conferences require journalists to travel and set aside time from their busy schedules, so they should be reserved only for stories that are compelling and newsworthy. For a story to be newsworthy, it should satisfy one or more of the following five requirements: * Timing — It’s happening right now * Significance — It’s affecting a lot of people, especially the target audience * Proximity — It’s happening locally or to people with whom the audience relates * Prominence — It’s happening to a famous person or organization * Human Interest — It’s emotional, such as homeless pets or children living with cancer. * A dramatic location that adds to the story * Strong visuals and good photographic opportunities * Having all the key players in one location to make statements and answer questions * Opportunity for individual, post-press conference interviews with key players Step Two: Choosing a Time and Location Journalists work under tight deadlines. If you hold a press conference too close to when a reporter must file his story, he won’t be able to attend. It’s important to research the deadlines of local journalists and plan accordingly. Avoid Mondays and Fridays, because these days are likely to be the busiest for journalists. Mornings are always preferable, since it gives daily newspaper and broadcast journalists more time to write their story. A press conference location is equally important for attracting journalists and serving their professional needs. On-location press conferences can add a dramatic, visual backdrop for an announcement. For example, if a company is donating money to clean a local river, it could hold the press conference at a scenic spot next to the water. Some locations make it difficult to meet the technical and logistical requirements of the media. Some of these are: * Having enough parking for important people and media, including room for large TV production trucks * Availability of a stage, podium and audiovisual aids to present information * Adequate seating for journalists and guests * Enough electrical outlets to plug in computers, cameras and audiovisual equipment * Ample room for TV cameras to set up their shots; perhaps on a raised platform in back * A mult-box that allows media to receive direct audio feeds from one microphone To meet these requirements, it’s sometimeseasier to hold press conferences in dedicated conference rooms, either at an organization’s headquarters, a hotel or in a local press club

Childhood Essay

Childhood Essay Childhood Essay 4.2 describe how laws and codes of practice promote pupil well being and achievement Data protection act 1998 – is to make sure children’s and young people’s records, reports and information are kept secure and only shared on a need to know basis and only be disclosed to people who are authorised. It is to make sure all information is current and of importance. This helps children’s achievement and well-being as it instills trust and a sense of security. Children Act 2004 the school will have a procedure which they will have to follow, which could then lead to them being referred to social services or another association who is better equipped to

Accounting Theory and Development Essay Example for Free

Accounting Theory and Development Essay ? The methodology is often be â€Å"going from the general to the specific† as the research must develop a logical structure for accomplishing the objective then, which based on the definition and assumptions. The validity of any theory developed through this process is highly dependent upon the ability of the researcher to correctly identify and relate the various components of the accounting process in a logical manner. Induction is a method of reasoning by which a general law or principle is inferred from observed particular instances. Inductive approach emphasis making observations and drawing conclusions from it and is often be â€Å" going from specific to general, because the research generalizes about the universe on the basis of limited observations of specific situations. The inductivist is to draw theoretical and abstract conclusion from rationalizations of accounting practice. Applied to the accounting, the inductive approach begins with observations about the financial information of business enterprises and proceeds to construct generalizations and principles of accounting from those observations on the basis of recurring relationship. Reading 1. 2 – Accounting theory and development Accounting Theory Construction with Inductive and deductive approach Normative theory vs. Positive theory Normative theory attempts to justify what ought to be, rather than what is. The major criticism of normative theories is that they are based on value judgments. Positive (Descriptive) theories attempt to find relationships that actually exist. Deductive systems are normative and inductive systems attempt to be descriptive. The deductive method is basically a closed, non-empirical system. Theory verification Theory verification or validation is an integral part of theory construction. According to Popper, the testing of deductive theories could be carried out along four lines. There is the testing of the theory by way of empirical applications of conclusion, which can be derived from. This step is necessary to determine how the theory stands up to the demand of practice. If its predictions are acceptable, the theory is said to be verified otherwise, the theory is said to be falsified. Aspects of theories, their construction and verification Figure 2 Distinguishing features Accounting Theory and Development. (2018, Nov 13).

Los angles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Los angles - Essay Example However, the once underdeveloped city started experiencing exponential growth after the construction of the Santà © Fe railway lines. Consequently, Los Angeles would emerge as an economic base in farming and the oil refineries. Additionally, tourism and real estate started gaining prominence in the city. Notably, the production of movies and the location of Hollywood in the city have made Los Angeles and California in extension a prime location for local and international visitors. Today Los Angeles is best known for the production of movies, music, video games, and TV shows boost the city’s fame worldwide. Los Angeles boasts of other attractions such as the popular walk and the famous Getty Museum. A visit to the Los Angeles fulfills ones dreams and presents an experiment of a lifetime. Things to do in LA include; the thrill of visiting Hollywood is an opportunity one can exploit while alive, this chance presents a visitor with a unique occasion to share the moment with celebrities. A visit to the Disney Concert Hall offers Disney world one of the most established children entertainment theaters and indoors entertainment and sporting events (Jonson’s 2012, p.134). In Disneyland, tickets for adults goes for $99 and $93 for children per day. However, young ones who love theme parks will also enjoy Universal Studios. Moreover, the walk of fame makes every visitor feel famous; the chance to share this moment with family and loved ones presents a relaxed moment in the middle of the city. Further, LA ensures that a tourist get a unique chance to live his or her handprints encrypted forever in the Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The Beverly Center is a classic ambiance for c hildren and the family. The Grand Park in the civic center is filled with benches and open area where a family day out is well spent with a magnificent view the fountains. Tourists get a unique taste the of the culture in LA by visiting museums such as the Getty Museum, and the

International Business news analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Business news analysis - Essay Example e art† mathematical models currently used by economists which presupposed that household and ideal firm optimize their behavior with perfect rationality. In the end they revert back to Ricardian and Smith’s principle as a more plausible law to govern the market and international trade. Adam Smith originally meant that the mechanism of the invisible hand is a result of the market settling the distribution of goods and the prices between what the producers want to produce and what the consumers chooses freely what to consume within a given economy and across economies. As a result, producers will have to create goods that are cheaper to produce undermining competition and gain market share. On a bigger picture, Adam Smith’s invisible hand is comparable to David Ricardo’s idea of Comparative Advantage which is the guiding principle behind globalization of free trading across economies. Ricardo posited that countries will be better off if certain goods and services will be exported by countries that can produce them most efficiently. This is the main principle of outsourcing where a poor country will naturally have a cheap labor serving as its comparative advantage and would be willing to work for wages lower than those their rich counterpart countries which may have been more expensive if done in other countries. As a result, industry will naturally move to these countries as they make more profits by discounting on the labor cost as afforded by the poor country. This is the invisible hand at work in international trade whereby the invisible hand will â€Å"guide† and regulate international trade in the most beneficial manner by directing goods to be produced by more efficient countries so that everybody can benefit from it at a lower price and higher quality. The article however proposed a scenario what if invisible hand and its mechanism of comparative will no longer work because some economists thought of some brilliant mathematical models that

Traditions of Western Religion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Traditions of Western Religion - Research Paper Example All the world’s major religions contain sects within it; some comingle with ease while others seem to share only mistrust and disdain. Much as Catholics and Protestants fought bloody battles for centuries, Sunni and Shiite Muslims are fighting territorial and political battles throughout the Middle East. This discussion will first address the similar history of all Muslims then the circumstances of the split. It will concentrate on Sunni, Shia, the Druze, a Shiite off-shoot belief and Wahhabism, a derivative of Sunni. The final section explores the contemporary conflicts of Islam’s two main sects. The central belief of all Muslims is that the Prophet Muhammad, who died in 632 AD, was Allah’s (Arabic for God) messenger. His revelations are recorded in the Qur’an and are followed by Muslims of all descriptions who also look to sayings of Muhammad, hadith, for inspiration and guidance. The concepts of justice, goodness and piety are essential to Islamic practices and belief system. Furthermore, all Muslims are directed to live their lives according to the five pillars of Islam: â€Å"(1) shahada—recital of the creed â€Å"There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet†; (2) salat—five obligatory prayers in a day; (3) zakat—giving alms to the poor; (4) sawm—fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan; and (5) hajj—making a pilgrimage to Mecca once during a lifetime if one is physically and financially able.† (Blanchard, 2009) The chief role of Muslim religious leaders is to interpret shari’a, or Islamic law. There are no strict codes or wording of laws such as westerners are accustomed. Rather, for both Shiite and Sunni Islam, shari’a allows for wider legal interpretations to fit the circumstance and greater flexibility for sentencing. The Sunni/Shiite split occurred near the begin nings of the Islamic religion. The main disagreement concerns the Prophet Muhammad’s successor and the type of leadership that would guide Muslim society. The long-standing and significant dispute centers on whether the leader(s) should be a direct descendant of the Prophet or could be a qualified, virtuous and devout person who would adhere to the customs of Islam. This issue was initially decided when Abu Bakr, a friend of the Prophet, was selected by community leaders to be the successor, or Caliph. While most Muslims accepted Bakr, a minority supported Ali ibn Abi Talib, a cousin of the Prophet’s and his son-in-law. Bakr was married to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet. The term Shi’at Ali translates to â€Å"Ali’s helper.† Another important distinction that relates to modern times is the amount of reverence paid to the respective leaders of the two Islamic sects. Sunni Muslims give exalted status only to the prophets of the Quran and not to present day leaders. Shiites bestow imams with this lofty status. The Sunnis religious hierarchy is not adorned as elaborately, as highly esteemed and is not as politically powerful as the Shiite leadership. Because of this distinction, Sunnis tend to be more accommodating in permitting lay people to serve as spiritual leaders. Sunni religious leaders, as opposed to Shiites, have historically been subject to control by the state. Shiite leaders have enjoyed greater autonomy. (Blanchard, 2009) The Druze is a fairly populous yet little known yet sect of Islam because they want it that way. This mysterious group, numbering nearly one million in Syria alone, has endeavored for many centuries to shield their cultural lives from outsiders and keep their religious views secret. Druze prefers to live in isolation. They are

Evaluating Theories of Motivation in Project Management

Evaluating Theories of Motivation in Project Management Introduction Banking sector continues to be one of the most important economic sectors and one of the most rapid growing businesses in Albania in the last 10 year (Bank of Albania, 2010, www.bankofalbania.org ). Societe Generale Albania (SGAL), previously named Banka Popullore, started its activity on 1st of March 2004. In April 2007, Societe Generale Group acquired 75.01% of the shares of this bank. SGAL has its head office in Tirana and is present allover Albania with 41 operation branches. At the end of 2009, the bank had 379 employees, both Albanian and French nationality (Annual Report 2009, 2010, www.societegenerale.al ). The case study Being one of the most important economic sectors has created enough space for operation of 17 Banks in a relatively small market like Albania. With such a high competition it is very important that banks stay always in line with economic developments and react fast toward customer needs for new products or adaptation. Societe Genereale Albania Bank is quite small and there are frequently high pressures for sharing resources in order to complete in time and with budget different operational or business initiatives. These needs has made mandatory for bank management to apply a matrix organizational layout. Matrix organizational structures are quite complicated when it comes to management and control of staff performance. They bring the employee in front of two managers, the usual department manager and the temporary project manager. There a lot of researches and studies for motivation in standard organizational structure, but the topic is considered as less explored when it comes to project management (Dwivedula and Bredillet, 2009). Theories of motivations Motivation is the driving force within individuals that compels them physiologically and psychologically to pursue one or more goals to fulfill their needs or expectations, (Lam and Tang, 2003). There are currently a lot of theories to explain the nature of motivation and help mangers on addressing it according to their needs. These theories do not conflict between them, which means the manager can use any of them or even combine them (Birnberg, Luft and Shields, 2007). This assignment will be focused in two theories; The hierarchy of needs as one of the first ones and most well known by all kind of managers and the dual-structure theory since it was developed based on a research on engineers and accounts, which is about the same environment and employee nature as in SGAL Bank. Another reason for selecting these theories is the fact that both of them have as a starting point the fulfillment of basic human needs and in the development countries we meet a high demand of these needs. The Hierarchy of Needs The theory is well known and was developed by Abraham Maslow in 1940. According to this theory the needs are organized in five main groups of needs that stay together in the form of a pyramid (Maslow, 1943): Physiological Needs; they stay in the bottom of the pyramid and include the basic needs of every human being such as: the need for food, drink, education, medical care, etc. Every organization can provide these needs by providing good working condition and a salary to their employees. Security Needs; includes the need for feeling safe and secure, having a secure job, having a home and a future. The organization can satisfy these needs by offering job continuity, health insurance and retirement plans. Belongingness Needs; includes the needs of humans to love and be loved, to be accepted by others, to take and give friendship. Most of this needs get satisfied by the family ties, but this is not enough since we spend a considerable time of our life in our works. Managers and direct supervisors can play a significant role to satisfy these needs by encouraging the work in group, enhance their communication with employees and provided basis for social interaction between employees. Esteem Needs; the needs of this group can be divided into two major needs, the need for self respect and the need for being respected by others. Both department managers and project managers can satisfy this by giving the staff a job title, awards, recognition of merits, benefits etc. Self-Actualization Needs; is the highest level of the hierarchy and includes the need we have to be the one we want to be in order to be self fulfilled. If all the other levels of the hierarchy are fully satisfied, it does not remain a lot for the managers to do to satisfy this need. All they need to take care is to make sure the individual has a challenging job and that other needs of lower level do not become deficient. According to the theory the needs of each level should be satisfied before going to the next level until we reach the self-actualization needs, however if during our road to the top of hierarchy, a lower level of need become deficient again, the individual returns to that level (Moorhead and Griffin, 1995). Despite the fact that the theory is well recognized among many organization and managers due to the intuitive logic and easy understanding, the theory is not fully validated either by Maslow or any other research, in contrary many deficiencies have been identified (Wahba and Bridwell, 1976) The most common criticism is the limited number of people used in his research and coming out with conclusions which applies to everybody (Boeree, 2006, http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html). Such a conclusion of course does not look very scientific. Another important one are the constrains that Maslow put on the self-actualization. He pointed out that the self actualization is in the top of his hierarchy and can be reached only when all the other needs are satisfy. In opposite to this there are many examples where people show outputs of self-actualization by being fare from fulfillment of their basic or belongingness needs (examples of artists and scientist). It is important to mention that if we carefully evaluate the hierarchy we see that the most basic needs, up to the third level, are usually satisfied by the government and/or organization rules and regulation. If we go up in the hierarchy of needs, we see that there are direct supervisors and team members who help to satisfy the needs and turn them in motivators for improving job performance. The Dual-Structure Theory The theory was developed by Herzberg on late 1950s based on a research with a couple of hundred engineers and accounts (Herzberg, 1968). The finding of this research proved that different set of factors were connected with different feelings about work. The motivation of an employee goes in a two step process, first satisfying the employee (eliminate any factor which may bring dissatisfaction, fulfill the hygiene factors) and second go with motivation factors. The motivation factors would result at the end with satisfied and motivated employees who can have a long term and positive job performance. The hygiene factors (salary, company policies, competence, interpersonal relations, working conditions, etc) when they exist, they are in placed by the company strategy and/or governments rules and they are not directly related to the performance and ability of the employee. In opposite with them, the employee can get the motivation factors (recognition, achievement, work itself, advancement, and responsibility) by his involvement and his work but also by the ability of his manager to give them (McCrimmon, 2008). The combination of these factors can set employee in four situations (Herzberg, 1987): Satisfied and motivated employee. It is a target situation for having the best performance, there is not a lot to be done if you have employee being in this status. Satisfied but not motivated. If the employees are in this status, it means the hygiene factors are all accomplished and the managers should find the way to apply motivation factors and change the status; otherwise the de-motivated employee will bring low productivity and bad quality. Not satisfied but motivated. In this case it is the company who should change its policies and rules and try to change the situation. An employee is not expected to stay longer in this status. Not satisfied and not motivated. The worst situation, both company and managers have a lot to do. These employees will bring to the business apart from the low productivity and bad quality a lot of complains, strikes and no communication. The theory has been analyzed more than any other theory in the field of organizational behavior (Pinder, 1998) and the results are quite contradictory. Studies and researchers which use the same method support the theory, other ones criticize it for the research population used, which is limited only to accountants and engineers. The theory does not take into account the individual differences, since a motivation factor can depend on individual age and/or organizational model (House and Wigdor, 1967). Herzbergs theory states that money does not motivate employees but only satisfies them (Herzberg, 1968), due to this statement the theory is widely discussed and analyzed in studies and researches about the rewarding and motivation (Beel, 2007).The rewords supporters are totally against it and they say it does not have evidences to prove that money is not a motivation. Another aspect of critics is the fact that the theory does not take in consideration the circumstances, what does motivate an employee today, not necessary satisfy and motivate another one tomorrow (Robbins, 2005). Visual presentation of the dual structure theory (http://www.tutor2u.net/business/people/motivation_theory_herzberg.asp, Nov 2010) As displayed in this graphic the theory goes though two major phases, first eliminate the dissatisfaction by providing all the hygiene factors and then start applying motivation factors and have motivated employee and high performance. Motivation in Project management PRINCE2 manual defines a project as: a management environment that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to a specified business case. Another definition is: a temporary organization that is needed to produce a unique and pre-define outcome or result at a pre-specified time using pre-determined resources. Being a temporary organization and with specific targets, the project organization is a different structure than a normal organization unit and different rules and practices are applied in every aspect of organizational behavior, including motivation. Description of case study In 2008, Societe Generale Albania started a fifteen months project for migration of existing core banking system. The project team was composed by more than twenty high qualified employees coming from different departments and sectors, different education and different professional background. Many different positions were defined as part of the project such as; translators, business analysts, IT developers, organization and even a public relationship specialist. The bank knew since the beginning that such a challenging and multidimensional project could not succeed within the specified time and budget without a motivated team. To achieve a motivated team, SGAL manly considered the assumption that people are motivated by money. This assuming was coming from their experience with the sales force in the branch network and missing of experience on running projects. They provided project staff with a simple bonus schema based on their performance with a maximum of one monthly salary. The bonus was delivered once in the middle of the project and once in the end of it. In addition to this bank has tried to provide good working condition, apply policy on compensation and benefit, apply payment of social and health insurances, apply Global Employee Share Ownership program, so staff has not only the status of employee but also have a shareholder status (BHFM/SGO/REF, 2007), and also apply some flexibility working hours. Analysis It is important to highlight since the beginning that motivation in project is different from motivation in standard organization infrastructure. There are 2 major differences (Schmid Adams, 2008), the first one is related to the fact that in projects, tasks and leaders are temporary. Considering that projects are a temporary organization, than can a project manager do something to motivate its employee, even if the organization motivation is not in the required level? The second difference is that each project goes through some main phases; planning, executing, monitoring and closing, so different factors should be used to motivate the team in different project statuses. If we get back and see, company has already addressed most of the hygiene factors, but because of the no experience on the field the bank has totally under evaluated the job security factor. A few months before the end of the project, two key persons, data migration manager and accounting business analyst resign from the project. The main reasons for that were the missing of a clear view for their position in the bank at the end of the project and continues overload. According to the Herzberg theory, if job security factor is not addressed the result is to have dissatisfied employee, and a dissatisfied employee can not stay with the company for a long period and either have a good performance. There are two issues coming from this: the management of the bank failed to provide the security for the job continuity and the project manager failed to plan a proper work-life balance and properly manage the overload. Failing in providing these factors had become precedent for staff leaving the project and the company just before the closing phase of the project and causing delays and increase lack of self-confidence among other members. As a result of this, high qualified staff found themselves de-motivated. If we go up in the hierarchy of needs we dont see evidences for fulfill the social needs of the project team. SGAL management did not organize any social activities during the project. Only at the end of the project, when the success was evident, the company organized a party. The project management from the other side attempted to do some socialization between team members, but that was on a limited number of people and not on regular basis. According to Dwivedula and Bredillet (2010) a positive work climate of the group is achieved when all members have task interdependence, one common objective to achieve and of course a good relationship and constant communication with each other. Social activities are important to have a positive work environment, but the project manager has to be very careful and evaluate each situation so, if one person intrinsic motivation is alienated then it may bring the spillover effect and de-motivated the entire team (Schmid and Admas, 2008). From Herzberg dual-structure theory we know that satisfied employee is not enough to have motivated employee. Project and organization management had addressed the recognitions and achievements factors by establishing an internal magazine distributed monthly to all bank staff and fully dedicated to the project team and their achievements. We indicated above that SGAL management allowed some of the project team members to have flexible working hours, this was a very positive thing, which properly addresses the status factor by making them fill different and appreciated. How where the staff selected to be part of the project? Where they volunteering or just appointed without their will? Most of the team was appointed to the project. According to a research made by Aller, Lyth and Mallak (2008) the creation of project team using co-mingling method (volunteering to the project positions) gives an interest and motivated team. By selecting this method there are also chances that the project staff has the appropriate skills and abilities to make the job. Despite the fact that this research is addressed to the setup of teams in university projects, it can be useful and applicable in creation of every project team. When used and combined with other methods this would help on achieving of a high job satisfaction level of the team members. Conclusion Employee performance is determined by three main components: ability to do the job; work environment; and motivation (Griffin, 1990, p.437) The first two ones can be better addressed by the permanent organization of the bank as most probably they need time and investments. Staff not being able to perform an activity may need to be trained to do so, good working environment also need investments and time to be in placed. Motivation from the other side is something which can immediately improve the performance if managed properly. Projects by definition are a temporary organization; this automatically excludes or reduces them from addressing ability and work environment and totally focus on the motivation. To motivate staff means to provide them with a motive to do the tasks. A successful project manager is somebody who is able to find the motives which apply to each employee and turn them from common worker to extraordinary ones. Maslows hierarchy of needs and Herzbergs dual-structure theory are valid models of motivation in project management and in development countries. These models should not be seen as frozen theories; they should be properly evaluated, used and interpreted by each project manager to stimulate team members, growth their individual development, reach projects goals and increase productivity in organization. However we should always keep in mind that some people may have exceptions form this hierarchy. The bank can help its project leader by performing surveys which would tell what the employees preferences for job motivation are. Often the strongest motivators for employee are the things they miss more in their job.