Environmental Decision Making Applied to Decommissioning Essay

There are three major risks that I worry about on a daily basis in my life. These risks are listed below in order of severity: 1. Depression – Six years ago I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Depression is a progressive and pathological disease that affects the hippocampus and other areas of the brain. There is no single cause of depression. Depression may be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, or biochemical causes. In my case, I believe my depression is partly hereditary and related to the traumatic childhood event of my father’s premature death. Depression has also been linked with changes to levels of chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and norephinephrine. There are two widely used treatments for depression that have varying degrees of success. Psychotherapy is one treatment that may help some people who suffer from depression. For many people psychotherapy is an ineffective treatment. Anti-depressant drugs are another treatment that is often used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Although there is no scientific evidence that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression there is abundant scientific evidence that anti-depressants are an effective treatment for depression, but not necessarily a cure for depression. I currently take three different anti-depressants to control my depression. The risks associated with depression are great. The number one risk is suicide. A person suffering from depression is stricken with feelings of hopelessness and Environmental Decision Making Applied to Decommissioning Page 2 great emotional pain. Suicide is always in the back of a depressed person’s mind as a way to escape the world and depression. It has also been proven that men suffering depression have a 50% more likely chance of dying from cardiac disease than men who are not depressed. This is due to the overflow of stressor hormones that are released in a depressed person’s body. 2. Driving – Driving back and forth to work five days a week is an increasingly risky proposition as the highways become more and more congested with traffic. I have been in one serious accident over the last two years and have been in several near accidents. As more people use their cell phones while driving the risk for all drivers increases. Some states have outlawed the use of cell phones while driving and I believe all states should enact laws like this. Because my commute is fifty miles per day, my perceived sense of risk of having a fatal accident is high. 3. 401(k) Plan – With the economy in a deep recession and the stock markets at ten year lows, my 401(k) plan has suffered huge losses. If the economy and stock markets do not recover in the second half of 2009, then I will have to postpone my early retirement planned for the end of this November. This will definitely have an effect on my depression. Key Risk Without question the key risk for me is depression. As noted above this is a progressive disease and each year that goes by it is getting worse. In order to live a happy and Environmental Decision Making Applied to Decommissioning Page 3 fruitful life this is an unacceptable risk but there is not much I can do about it except continue to take my medications. There is no way to really quantify this risk in terms of numbers. Some factors that influence this risk are my job and my marriage. I have a very stressful job and my marriage is not a happy one. These two factors contribute greatly to my depression. If I can retire early this year, then I will feel much better without the daily grind of a stressful job. Perhaps then I can concentrate on improving my marriage and, thus, reducing my stress and depression further. Environmental Risk Environmental risks associated with driving will be reduced greatly if I can retire early this year. I estimate that without having to come to work each day my yearly mileage will be reduced to 4,000 miles per year from the current 11,000 miles. The risk of having a serious accident will be greatly reduced the less time I spend driving my car. Eliminating the working environment from my life will also reduce the stress in my life and could greatly improve my health by allowing me to spend more time exercising and doing other projects that I would like to do. This will, hopefully, have a profound positive affect on my depression.

Main features of the five sector circular flow model Essay

The five-sector circular flow model represents an open economy like Australia’s, and demonstrates the important relationships between the different sectors in the Australian market economy. It is the last circular flow model because it does not have any assumptions that need to be left out such as governments and trade. The five parts of the model: households, firms, finance, Government and overseas sectors work collectively to form the economy. The inter-relationships between these sectors create market economic conditions that affect every Australian. The model of the economy demonstrates that it literally works as a flow or a cycle. It can the be further defined to include two flows, one, a flow of goods and services and the other, a flow of money. The flow diagram demonstrates that when one sector is at risk it puts economic market conditions in jeopardy because they are all reliant upon one another. The Australian Economy is open, which is its open to flows of goods, services and capital from overseas using different currencies (with fixed exchange rates). In the open economy income is used for consumption, savings, tax or spent on imports. The new feature in the five-sector model is the overseas sector that includes imports and exports – Trade. The same principles apply to this model as the imports are represented as spending, however the money goes out of the economy. Money spent on imports by households or firms reduce income spent in the economy and are therefore classified as ‘leakages’ from the model. Imports can be categorised as the consumption of goods and services from the rest of the World and they reduce income, expenditure, output and employment from the Australian market economy. Importing goods mean that fewer Australian resources are utilised and production falls. Thus, the level of income decreases and the flow of money becomes smaller. Eventually however the flow would return to equilibrium but at a lesser rate and the circular flow would have contracted. Furthermore, exports of goods and services generate income for exporters from overseas households or firms who pay for these exports. An Australian export is essentially a product or service that is produced here and sold to  another country generating income for Australian businesses. Exports are therefore a form of injection of income into the circular flow without using Australian resources to produce them. With both imports and exports taking place as the new addition to the five-sector economy the circular flow is again complete. All income is consumed, saved, taxed and now can be used to purchase imports. The economy is in equilibrium when income equals output equals expenditure or simply, Injections equal Leakages. The open economy will be in equilibrium when savings plus taxation plus imports equals investment plus Government spending plus exports. However, this does not mean that savings has to equal investment only that the total of S plus T plus M equals the total of I plus G plus X. However equilibrium is not necessarily a desirable or non-desirable thing. Being at equilibrium is fine or at the point where savings, tax and imports are less than investments, Government spending and exports where this will cause a boom or expansion in economic activity however, being the opposite of this will cause a recession or contraction in economic activity. On a chart this is represented when the supply and demand curves intersect at the point where supply and demand are equal. The price at which the number of products that businesses are willing to supply equals the amount of products that consumers are willing to buy at a specific point in time. Governments can stimulate or contract economic activity depending on the current state of the economy, world issues (including other economies around the world) and political matters. When the economy is at equilibrium they can choose to stimulate the economy by being at a point of budget deficit, which would increase spending, they can also do this by lowering taxes. If they want to reduce economic activity they can increase taxes, which may create political instability at the same time, or they can generate a point of budget surplus which would slow spending. Governments only have so much impact on the economy using this method. To have more influence and impact they produce some goods their self, they do this by owning large companies or shares in them such as Telstra and Australia Post which have a large amount of economic influence. Not only do these companies have a large  amount of monetary influence every Australian relies on atleast one of their companies/services everyday . The circular flow diagram can be used to analyse the position of the Australian economy. To do this you must first understand how the diagram works. The diagram flows in a cycle. Look at a point on the diagram and follow the arrows to see where it has come from and where it can go. Research economic current economic conditions in Australia and then see what affect this can have overall by looking at the sectors flowing to and away from it. Problems have an overall effect on every part of the circular flow model however, because if one thing goes wrong then it effects everything throughout the whole cycle until it returns to where it began. The five sector circular flow model is very useful is helping to easily understand the way an open economy such as Australia works. It is a complete model including all possible sectors leaving nothing to assume. On a more careful analysis it even becomes possible to workout ways of stimulating and suppressing the economy using assumptions and simple equations. This model is especially helpful to students seeking an easy way to understand the way an open economy functions and the different affect certain problems can bring about.

Strategic Management Wk3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategic Management Wk3 - Assignment Example The methods and strategies aim at making a business dominate its market space. Competitive advantage management is, therefore, an integral part of a business plan. This paper explores value creation and competitive advantage. In particular, the paper discusses key steps in creating value and importance of competitive advantage. In addition, the paper highlights how a multinational company maintains competitive advantage over its competitor. According to Bamford & West (2009), creating value and competitive advantage in a business calls for, as the first step, an understanding of competitive advantage type an organization wishes to employ in. Based on Michael Porter’s analysis, competitive advantage, as a firm’s strength, is categorized as either differentiation or cost advantage (Bamford & West, 2009). Cost advantage occurs when a company delivers similar products like its competitors but at low costs, while differentiation entails delivering high quality products than those of a rivaling business. The second step involves assessing available resources in a business. Available resources determine whether a business applies one type of competitive advantage or both. Third step involves evaluating strengths or abilities of a business (Bamford & West, 2009). Strengths of a company are vital in planning for steady progress of an organization. From abilities and resources, a business realizes its distinctive c ompetencies. Identified skills facilitate efficiency, innovativeness, and quality customer-business relation. The final step involves deciding on when and how to apply formulated strategies. Wal-Mart is an example of a multinational company that has successfully applied the concept of value creation and competitive advantage to win its competitors. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. runs numerous chains of warehouse stores and large discount retail shops worldwide. According to Fishman (2006), the company is considered as among

Markting 3000 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Markting 3000 - Essay Example For example, IPhone functions depend on the mobile network such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, Call, SMS etc. Without these features there is not much use of IPhone and hence by distributing IPhone through AT & T, Apple is enhancing the value and use of IPhone for consumers. Similarly, the value chain for customers buying online is that segment of market which resides outside the USA. Hence, they cannot use AT & T in their country, so it much feasible for them to buy IPhone online and use it in their country on their choice of mobile network. The value they get from buying online is cheaper product as compared to if it bought from AT & T. The return value channel will be reselling IPhone back to Apple, which will refurbish them and then sell them again in the market at a higher price. The reverse value will be that when people buy refurbish sets they will know that the product is being checked by Apple itself and hence it will be more reliable than other second hand IPhones available in the market. This will result in refurbished IPhones selling at a higher price as result of reverse

Interview a supervisor or manger Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Interview a supervisor or manger - Essay Example Budgeting is an important tool to run a business operation effectively. Proper planning and analysis is necessary before preparing a budget. According to my experience, a budget should be realistic; the capital you need to raise and the revenue you expect should all be included. 3. What methods have you developed to improve operational efficiency? Operational efficiency can be improved in many ways. We provide employees with â€Å"constant access to information† (10 Tips 2013). A secure and reliable infrastructure is maintained for network facilities. 4. Can you recall any problem among the employees that you recently solved and how you have done it? One problem that I recently came across is that of work distribution. Experienced workers expect a better position in the enterprise and provide satisfactory output, whereas less experienced workers provide lower outputs. This was solved by recruiting employees according to their experience level for each particular task. 5. How d o you go about delegation of tasks and ensuring that it is successfully completed? In delegation of a task and ensuring it’s successful completion, first step is to choose the right employee for the task. Before delegating a task, we make sure that he/she completely understands the task and can independently perform it. Delegation of a task should necessarily be followed with giving the authority to take control upon the task. 6. While assigning a task, can you describe how you demonstrated confidence in that employee? As I stated earlier, giving the employee complete control over the work delegated provides the necessary motivation to carry out the task effectively. 7. Have you motivated your employees by giving incentives and rewards? Incentives and rewards are frequently used to motivate employees for achieving certain criteria in the tasks assigned. For example, incentives are given for ensuring high quality of work, for providing good leadership in group work, etc†¦ . 8. Can you describe an occasion when the need to motivate a member of your Staff has risen? The need to motivate Staff arises on different occasions. Under-performance, un-becoming behavior in the work place, non-compliance with the rules, procedures and policies of the organization, etc., are to name a few such occasions. 9. When do you provide training to the staff? Firstly, induction and orientation training is imparted to new employees. Training is also provided at several other stages. For instance, when performance needs to be improved, when employees need to be made aware of any changes and new developments, etc training is provided. 10. What do you think to be most challenging in being a Manager? As a Manager I would say the most challenging work is management itself. This is challenging management is totally different from the work of an individual performer. Managing others and coordinating them to achieve a common goal is a difficult task. The success of this coordinati on is in the hands of an effective and knowledgeable Manager. Discussion of the Interview: From this interview, I learnt that performance evaluation may be utilized efficiently to recognize, develop, reward, redirect and document the functioning of the employees. The four steps used to evaluate the employee performance are collect and select, describe and document, develop and review and conduct and summarize. Collect and select the data desirable to impact workers’

Macroeconomics Problem Set 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Macroeconomics Problem Set 3 - Assignment Example d. What will the capital-output ratio be at the Golden Rule steady-state? (Hint: recall from Chapter 3 that for the Cobb-Douglas production function, the capital-output ratio is related to the marginal product of capital). 1. In this question, we examine how the goals of the Federal Reserve influence its response to shocks. Suppose that in scenario A, the Fed cares only about keeping the price level stable whereas in scenario B, the Fed cares only about keeping output and employment at their natural levels. Explain how in each scenario the Fed would respond to the following: A decrease in velocity causes a downward shift on the aggregate demand. Prices are fixed in the short run meaning only output decreases. To ensure output and unemployment are at their natural rates Fed B should increase the money supply to attain the initial equilibrium where prices and output will be constant. Fed, A should also increase the money supply to shift the aggregate demand curve upwards since this is the only way to ensure stable prices at their original equilibrium. This results to an upward shift of the supply curve. To ensure stable prices, Fed B should hold aggregate demand constant since prices will rise in the short run and then fall in the long run achieving the natural rate of unemployment. This might however result to a recession. To keep output and unemployment at their natural rate Fed B should increase the money supply hence shift the aggregate demand curve upwards. This results to a new equilibrium at higher prices, but there is no loss in output. Based on the quantity equation MV=PY, if Fed reduces the money supply by 5% the aggregate demand curve will shift downwards. A decrease in M will hence result in a decrease in PY provided V is constant. In the short run, the assumption is that the price levels are fixed meaning that that the aggregate

Poe's The Cask of Amontillado Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Poe's The Cask of Amontillado - Essay Example "The Cask of Amontillado" is an ultimate tale of revenge which explores how pride can overwhelm a person causing him to pervasively obtain the revenge he believes he and his family is worthy of as well as how pride can become the ultimate instrument for a person's death. Through his artistic skill of combining various literary techniques, Poe portrays why a person overwhelmed with pride is in a grave danger. It should be noted that pride solely controlled the actions of the main characters, Montresor and Fortunato. The pride of Montresor has become his main motivation in plotting his horrific revenge. The opening statement of the story justifies this: "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge." Even though the story fails to clearly identify how Montresor was insulted by Fortunato, it becomes apparent that the former regards himself very highly enough for his pride to be severely hurt and stung because of this. This pride motivated him not only to punish but "punish with impunity." Thus, Montresor states, that he should not "fail to make himself felt to him as such to him who has done him wrong." The murderer is overwhelmed by his self-righteousness, justifying even a horrible crime like murder. Montresor's murder of Furtonato can also be interpreted as his quest of redeeming the pride of his great family.

Marxist view on globalisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marxist view on globalisation - Essay Example People and states get more and more freedom in choosing their behaviour and the way of life in general, however everyone should understand that such freedom involves certain responsibilities. According to a typical definition, globalization is "the intensification of economic, political, social and cultural relations across borders" (Holm and Sorensen, 1995). Speaking about the bases of this phenomenon it is possible to note that some features of modern globalization have a long history. Roots of this process are in the epoch when colonial empires have laid the foundation of the first basis of the international economic relations in this millennium. However the modern international economic relations underlying globalization essentially differ from those that have been generated from the beginning of an epoch of Great geographical discoveries and foundation of colonial empires. Globalisation is an all-round rapprochement and integration of all countries of the world in technological, informational, cultural, economic and political spheres. Though, the term 'globalization' is rather new and "begs for clearer conceptualization and more precise empirical application" (Krieger, 1999: xii), the given phenomenon has its own history. Tendencies to integration and rapprochement between the states existed always, but most considerably these tendencies were presented in two historical periods: first, in the middle of the nineteenth century before the World War I, and secondly in the 1990s years of the twentieth century. Technological basis of the first wave of globalization were phone and telegraph in the sphere of communications, railway construction in the sphere of transport, assembly line production in industry. Technological shifts have caused economical ones expressed first of all in the strengthening of economic interdependence and formation of the uniform world economy. About constantly amplifying internationalization (globalization) of economic development testifies also the fact that the world trade grew more quickly than world production, so the role of the international economic relations constantly increased. Since 1970s of the nineteenth century alongside with export of goods grows export of the capital. Economic globalization in the second half the nineteenth - the beginning of the twentieth century has also pushed integration processes in other spheres. During this period appeared the first international inter-governmental (The Universal Postal Union, International Telecommunication Union) and non-governmental (the Red Cross) organizations. People have started to conduct international sports competitions that have led to revival of the Olympic movement and creation of the international sports federations. But most of all globalization manifested itself in the political sphere. Alongside world economics it is now possible to speak about world politics. So let us oppose the Marxist view of globalisation to that of liberalism, using their assessment of the North-South divide in the contemporary global world. The North-South divide is just one of the "global economic challenges we have to confront in the twenty-first century. Economic scarcity' in the form of shrinking global markets and increasing production costs is intensifying economic rivalries. Technology races and various forms of commercial warfare have replaced the arms race of the Cold War days. According to Japanese politician Isihara Shintaro (Japan

Commercial and financial management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Commercial and financial management - Essay Example Financial accounting focuses on providing information for people outside the firm like creditors and outside investors. Management accounting on the other hand focuses on giving internal decision makers information which aids them in making financial and operational strategies (Horngren, et al. 2002). Accounting and business finance are closely interrelated. The business arena often refers to accounting as "the language of business" implying that a better understanding of the accounting language will aid making better financial decisions (Horngren et al. 2002). Thus, in general, accounting is a prerequisite in understanding the important concepts used in financial accounting. Basic knowledge in accounting is imperative in understanding finance. As stated earlier, concepts which are commonly used in accounting appears in financial management. For instance, a company which needs to determine the profitability of an investment needs to be acquainted with the effects of different transactions on the income statement of the business organization. ... Thus, decision makers need to be adept in speaking the language of business in order to be able to come up with financially efficient business decisions geared to help in attaining the financial goals of a firm. In the early part of this paper, the classification of accounting according to users has been discussed. It should be noted that these two different fields of accounting has different relationships with business finance. Financial accounting which is more concerned with the reporting of historical financial information becomes a reflection of the how the financial aspect of business is managed, while managerial accounting is almost identical in function with business finance as it directed toward the future of the firm (Finance 2006). The company's financial statements are the product of financial accounting. These documents clearly show how the business organization is performing in terms of income, capital structure, asset growth and other numerical information (Horngren et al. 2002). It should be noted that the company's financial performance is a direct result of how business finance is conducted by decision makers. The profit or loss in the financial statement, the growth in total assets, and how they resources are financed becomes an indication of how well a business organization is attaining its financial goals. Financial accounting is a yardstick revealing how business finance is achieving its goal of maximizing shareholder value. With this, financial accounting is very important in ascertaining the efficiency of financial decisions in a company. Business finance can be further modified or improved by looking at a firm's various financial statements. Management accounting takes a step further by having a

The Survival Lottery By John Harris Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Survival Lottery By John Harris - Essay Example Harris also assumes that no organs are available from the already dead so as to make the ethical choice sharp and clear.Lastly ,an obvious assumption is that the transplantation technology has achieved the status of ensuring complete success and that ill individual would live after the transplant. If organ donation was perfect and there was no difference between killing and letting die. Then we should adopt the Survival Lottery. The proposition by John Harris can be seen as an argument against Utilitarianism, although Harris himself often makes Utilitarian claims in his work. Let us adopt the famous illustration of Harris viz. that of three persons A,Y & Z.A is healthy and is potential target for organ transplant and Y & Z are both terminally ill and can be saved by organ(s) donation from A and subsequent 100% successfully done transplant(s). Simply speaking why not kill A to make Y and Z surviveOr should we allow Y and Z to perish.There are two arguments against letting Y and Z perish.One is the Utilitarian argument and the other the Fairness argument. The former says that we should do that which will have the best consequences and it is a better consequence if more people live. Therefore even if we intentionally kill a healthy person, doing so will save at least two unhealthy persons who otherwise would have died, more people will live thanif we refuse to kill the healthy person. So, we ought to intentionally kill a healthy person when doing so will save at least two unhealthy persons who would have died otherwise. The latter argument says that we shou ld not unfairly decide to kill anybody-it has to be on a fair basis.If we refuse to kill A then we have presumably decided to kill Y and Z and vice versa.Therefore an outright decision not to kill A ought not to be taken.Survival lottery proposition while agreeing with utilitarian argument that more lives are better than one suggests a "fair basis" to select the person to be killed from the available lot of healthy people viz.through random lottery. Arguments Against the Survival Lottery The Survival Lottery would undermine our security, something which all desire reasonably. The Survival Lottery fails to 'respect individuality' because it treats A, Y, and Z 'merely as interchangeable units.' The Survival Lottery involves 'playing God with men's lives.' The Survival Lottery involves us in killing, whereas refusing to practice the Survival Lottery only involves us in letting die. And killing is worse than letting die. The Survival Lottery is inconsistent with recognizing that every person has a fundamental right to self-defense. Harris's argument is based on the "maximizing lives" theory, as he believes there is value in numbers and that two lives are twice as valuable as one. As a consequentialist it does not matter to Harris how the

English paper Essay Example for Free

English paper Essay Will Durant, a U. S author and historian, writes, â€Å"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. † This means that all the knowledge people once had is misleading to what the truth really is. Similarly, in Plato’s â€Å"Allegory of the Cave† and Frederick Douglass’s â€Å"Learning to Read and Write† a painful process of gaining knowledge through all the ignorance is described. Plato describes a prisoner going on a journey to gain knowledge that is behind him, after he was stuck staring at a wall of shadows his whole life. He goes back to tell the other prisoners of his discoveries and they want to kill him. Douglass is a slave who learns to read and write, going through stages to achieve each step. As he begins gaining knowledge he finds the truth about slavery which startles him. Socrates’ idea that gaining knowledge is a difficult journey to undertake because by doing so it changes the way people see the world, as proven by Douglass’ experiences. In Plato’s â€Å"Allegory of the Cave†, Socrates illustrates a metaphorical story about attaining knowledge. He describes a cave with men who are chained, prisoners of the cave. They face a wall; that is all they can see because they cannot move their heads. They cannot even look behind them to see a walkway and a fire. As a person passes on the walkway, a shadow is projected onto the wall in front of the prisoners; this is all they know. Only the shadows are what is real to them because it’s all they have ever known. Socrates says, â€Å"How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads? † (Plato 479). The main point is that people cannot understand anything except what is being projected right in front of them. Socrates’ point is that society has a limited understanding of knowledge, and is ignorant about what is beyond the surroundings. To acquire knowledge of the truth beyond the cave, one prisoner is freed. As his eyes adjust to the light, he starts to see the real objects from the images that are projected onto the wall. He understands how the shadows were a false truth and just an illusion and he feels bad for the other prisoners still stuck in the cave. He understands that they are not seeing the truth. Socrates states, â€Å"What he saw before was an illusion†. So the  prisoner returns to tell the others about his knew knowledge, but they couldn’t understand what they were being told. The other prisoners will not accept the knowledge the escapee has learned and my even put him to death. But the chained prisoners don’t understand that the whole world outside the cave is more real than the false illusions, or the shadows being projected onto the walls. Society doesn’t want to accept knew knowledge; people often resist changing what they know. Socrates’ prisoner goes through stages or the process of knowledge, which is also shown in Douglass. In the allegory, when the prisoner first leaves the cave he stares at the sun and cannot see; it takes time to get accustomed to the brightness. Socrates describes, â€Å"And first he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in the water, and then the objects themselves† (Plato 480). In time the prisoner will begin to understand the â€Å"realities† (Plato 480) that he is facing by going through the stages. This is shown in Douglass as well. Douglass is first taught to read by Mistress Hugh, but then she refuses to teach him. So Douglass turns to kids that he makes friends with to finish teaching him to read. Douglass Sates, â€Å"The light broke in upon me by degrees† (Douglass 73); in other words, education is being achieved in stages. This is like the prisoner going through a process of gaining knowledge. Once Douglass is introduced to reading, he teaches himself to write by tricking the white boys into helping him learn. The process endured outside the cave by the prisoner- or the process endured by Douglass- will be â€Å"tedious† (Douglass 74), and take time, but steps must be taken to gain any knowledge. The process of gaining knowledge can be painful; Socrates idea of pain by being enlightened is played out in Douglass. When the prisoner is in a cave he is comfortable with the shadows on the wall and his surroundings, but if the prisoner is freed he will feel pain: â€Å"And if he is compelled to look straight at the light, will he not have a pain in his eyes which will make him turn away to take refuge in the objects of visions which he can see† (Plato 480). The new knowledge that he will gain is so different than what he is used to. This can be seen likewise in Douglass as well. When Douglass learns to read he learns the truth of slavery which â€Å"tormented† (Douglass 71) him. He writes, â€Å"It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but no ladder upon which to get out† This is similar to the prisoner leaving the cave. He understands slavery and his rights are taken away, they ways that they are taken from their homes and made into nothing is so cruelly wrong. This causes him great pain; the only thing he has to look forward to is the hope of being freed. Because becoming enlightened is a painful process, many will resist or challenge what they believe, as illustrated by Socrates and Douglass. After the prisoner goes on his journey of being enlightened, he goes back to the cave to tell his friends what he has learned, but they reject him. Socrates says, â€Å"If any one tried to lose another and lead him up to the light, let them only catch he offender, and they would put him to death† (Plato 482). The other prisoners think he is being â€Å"ridiculous† (Plato 481) and want to put him to death for his story about life outside the cave. They don’t understand that they are the ones trapped in ignorance and the freed prisoner is telling them the truth. This also plays out in Douglass. Mistress Hugh began by being a caring lady and teaching Douglass how to read, but slavery soon made a big impact on her. â€Å"I have had her rush at me with a face made all up of fury, and snatch from me a newspaper, in a manner that fully revealed her apprehension† ( Douglass 70). The violence she projected toward Douglass when snatching the paper from him shows the resistance she now has toward him being educated. Many will resist being enlightened because society doesn’t like to change what they already know. While society tends to resist enlightenment, those who are enlightened cannot return to their former ignorance, and pities others who are stuck there; which is shown in Plato and Douglass. When the prisoner went on his journey after being freed from the cave he learned all about the false notions he was living in the cave. Socrates says, â€Å"And when he remembered his old habitation, and the wisdom of the den and his fellow-prisoners, do you not suppose that he would felicitate himself on the change, and pity them? † (Plato 481). The prisoner feels bad for the others because they are trapped in ignorance and cannot see the truth like he has. This is also shown in Douglass.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay Hamlet by William Shakespeare is one of the most famous plays of all time. Of the many themes and representation of the human condition in this play, one of the most debated questions among critics and lay readers alike is the issue of Hamlet’s sanity. While sanity and insanity can be defined in many different ways, many critics point to Hamlet’s keen observations and clever manipulations as not insanity but confused grief in an otherwise extremely intelligent, albeit sensitive, man. Hamlet tells his friends in Act I of his plan to feign madness. After the ghost’s revelation and call to Hamlet to get revenge, Hamlet decides to assume an air of insanity to allow him a wider range of words and actions around the King and Queen. He tells Horatio of his intention to â€Å"put an antic disposition on† (I,v, 177). Individuals who are insane rarely plan their insanity. In fact, Hamlet knows that people who are crazy are more apt to get away with odd words and activities. This proves true, for he is not punished for appearing half dressed in Ophelia’s chamber or for his taunting of Polonius with references to â€Å"fishmonger† and â€Å"Jepthah. †His plan appears to be working. The King and Queen set to finding out the cause of Hamlet’s lunacy which throws them off the path of his knowledge of the murder. â€Å"He acts the part of madness with unrivalled power, convincing the persons who are sent to examine into his supposed loss of reason merely by telling them unwelcome truths and rallying them with the most caustic wit† (Bates 22). His intelligence almost gets him in trouble. His admission to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that â€Å"I am but mad north-northwest. When the wind is southerly, I / know a hawk from a handsaw† (II,ii,384-385). While these two do not catch his meaning, the more clever Claudius does. He notes, â€Å"Nor what he spake, thout it lacked form a little, Was not like madness† (III,i,167-168) and â€Å"Madness in great ones must not unwatchedgo† (III,i,192). Of course Hamlet is consumed with grief. His choice of dark clothing and brooding countenance is apparent when the reader first meets him. This is understandable upon the death of a father and not something that Hamlet becomes clinically insane about. His depression cannot be compared to psychosis. â€Å"The mental disturbance which it causes becomes apparent while he thinks aloud, almost as soon as the ghost has disappeared; but he is not mad either in the popular or in the physiological sense; it is merely the mental derangement of a noble, but not an heroic, nature, sinking beneath a burden which it cannot bear and must cast away† (Bates 29). Hamlet is depressed, even distraught, after learning of the true fate of his father, but he is not insane. Later, after the play, Hamlet confirms his sanity to his mother in order to convince her of Claudius’ guilt and to implore her to stay away from him. Yes, his Oedipal obsession with his mother is odd for many readers, but coupled with his father’s death and the ghost’s appearance, his desire to save her is more in the realm of understandable. He tells her â€Å"It is not madness/That I have uttered. Bring me to the test,? And I the matter will reword, which madness / Would Gambol from† (III,iv, 146-150). He wants her to know that he is not crazy and to choose his side, which she does. This is one of Hamlet’s goals. Many critics focus on the To Be, or Not To Be soliloquy in which Hamlet considers suicide for the second time as being proof of his insanity. Again, a closer look at Hamlet’s words show this to be false. This soliloquy is an organized, parallel, and logical debate on the issue of suicide. A mad individual would not possess the logic to provide such a point-counterpoint style. He lists all of the vices of the world and sets them up against all the unknowns of the afterworld and concludes, logically, Thus conscious does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pitch and moment With this regard their currents turn awry And lose the name of action. (III,i, 84-89). Hamlet carefully weighs the pros and cons of suicide, for him, and concludes that the fear of the unknown keeps him alive. This is not an insane man. In fact, Hamlet’s supposed insanity can be compared to Ophelia’s actual insanity. Ophelia, after the death of her father and Hamlet’s mean treatment of her, has truly gone insane. She is singing songs about her dead father and about losing her virginity in front of the entire court. She is handing out flowers to the King and Queen, and eventually she â€Å"drowns† in inches of water. One critic notes how Hamlet â€Å"differs surprisingly from the pathetic inanities of the gentle Ophelia† (Blackmore 59). This contrast further shows Hamlet’s sanity. â€Å"The mad role that Hamlet plays to perfection, is certainly a proof of Shakespeares genius, but by no means a surety of the insanity of the Prince† (Blackmore 57). Hamlet is shown to be sane in this play. That is not to say he is not grieving, angry and depressed at various moments, but textual and critical support show that he is not insane. Works Cited Bates, Alfred, ed. The Drama: Its History, Literature and Influence on Civilization. Vol. 14. London: Historical Publishing Company, 1906. pp. 20-34. Blackmore, Simon Augustine. â€Å"The Real or Assumed Madness of Hamlet. † The Riddles of Hamlet and The Newest Answers. Boston: Stratford Company, 1917 Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Evanston, IL: McDougal/Little, 2003.

Erasmus Program Of The European Union Education Essay

Erasmus Program Of The European Union Education Essay In 1995, Hanze University of Groningen was stimulated by the Erasmus program of the European Union to start their internationalization by getting exchange partners within Europe. They had only four partner universities from Germany, Spain, Sweden and England in 1996. Now, only the School of Communication and Media (SICM) has 83 partner universities around the world.  [1]   In this section, the clear and complete description of the assignment and objective from the clients perspectives will be defined. The client is Ryan Schepers, the International coordinator of SICM. Ryan has indicated the following issues: the overall requirements of the current partner universities do not correlate with those of SICM; in some of the partner universities, the curriculum language is not English; the academic curriculums do not correlate with the ones at SICM; both BA and Master programs are not always available to the students, a great number of partner universities are not universities of applied sciences. Besides that, SICM only had one or two incoming and outgoing teachers last years. These issues impact students motives, aspirations and choices of a particular university for their exchange period. SICM aims to exchange teachers with partner universities. Although SICM has a large number of partner universities (which is necessary because all international communication students are obliged to go abroad), the client is not satisfied with the quality of some partner universities. Therefore, Mrs Schepers emphasized the necessity for a more structured and effective network. Due to unbalanced partner universities, Mrs Schepers made clear her wishes that it is necessary; To exchange teachers and work on common projects with partner universities. To have and update the existing website contains only Partner universities names in order to provide more information about each partner university exchange programmes, accommodation, life style, etc. To have more employees who can work between partner universities and SICM in order to communicate efficiently. To select a number of partner Universities according to their academic curriculums that match with SICM criteria. To establish an effective communication between SICM and its partner universities. To find an effective communication in order to influence students motives to opt a particular host university(NEEDS TO BE A SENTENCE OR PARAGRAPH) The primary aim of SICM is to select the number of partner Universities according to their academic curriculums that match with SICM, thereby acquiring a more international aspect. As Mrs Schepers indicated in the meeting, the main goal is to create a balanced university network fulfilling ICM standards through the analysis of partner universities study programs, SICM students and teachers interests and the current network features. 3.Organizational Background This chapter will give you a detailed overview about the School of communication and Media. The SICM is one of the 20 schools of the Hanze University. The SICM has over 400 international students from more than 40 countries and has 143 employees which primarily consist of teachers that are supported by staff. (Hanze University, 2012). The SICM consists of four degree programmes; IC (International Communication), CO (Communication, Dutch version), CS (Communication System) and IDM (Information, Management and Service). Although SICM has four different degree programmes, more than 90% of the exchange students come from IC programme which is the international programme. This explains why SICM has a great number of partner universities. Next to that, SICM offers 6 different majors to its around 2000 students within three fields of study: CO, CS and IDM. The communication programme offers two majors: IC, CO and CS offered three majors in Dutch; Multimedia Design Branding, Game Design Development and Web Mobile Services. IDM offers only one major IN Dutch; Media Information Management. (Loves Spakman,2010,p.7) SICM offers 9 Exchange/Certificate Programmes as minor and specialization for its own and international incoming exchange students; Creating Communication campaign, Journalism, Game on, Information Innovation, International Aid Development and Public Affairs which runs from the beginning of September until the end of January as the first semester. In the second semester, between the beginning of February and till the end of June, it is offered; Creating an International Event, International Aid Development and International Business Communication. (Hanze University, 2012) Mission and vision of SICM The mission of SICM gives focus to its activities: The Institute for Communication and Media trains entrepreneurial, socially-responsible and internationally oriented professionals for careers in the field of Communications, Information Management and Media, and contributes to knowledge circulation and innovation on an international level. (OudshoornKempen,2012,p.4) This means that our programmes provide students with opportunities to develop into socially responsible and internationally oriented professions in the future, and that also give opportunities to all students in order to make individual study choices to profile individually themselves as a distinctive professional. The school of communication and Media absolutely facilities this by providing an effective study programmes for students to explore and develop their own competencies which are certainly important step for their future chosen career path. (OudshoornKempen,2012,p.4) The vision of SICM; Share your talent. Move the world. This means that through communication you can build awareness and help people improve their quality of life. (Hanze University,2012) The four degree programmes are on the way of improving their own quality and being international oriented with their minors and majors. The IC already shows the importance of international vision of SICM by having a high number of partner universities from different countries and a high number of international students compare to other degrees (CO, CS and IDM) . Mrs Schepers would like SICM to expand the focus on internationalization not only for IC but also for other degrees of SICM which has Dutch students and teaching language is Dutch. Therefore; as Dutch people should understand the meaning of Internationalization and be part of it , it is of importance to place them within other European Countries or outside the Europe. Key stakeholders;(MORE DETAILS, DESCRIBE THEIR ROLE AND TASKS CLEARLY) As this research is focused on the SICM department of Hanze University of Groningen, the following organizational both internal and external analysis will be focused on the SICM department. The Internal stakeholders are Ryan Schepers, country coordinators, SICM second and third year students and teachers. And the external stakeholders are partner universities. Mrs Schepers is the international coordinator of SICM and working effectively with country coordinators for incoming and outgoing exchange students.ACC COUNSELLORS INFORM SECOND YEAR STUDENTS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE OF THE STUDY ABROAD KIND OF PREPARATION FOR THE STUDY ABROAD) Internal key stakeholders External key stakeholders Country coordinators ISO Client Partner universities Second year students Third year students ISID 3.2.3 Current situation of the organization (stick to the key stakeholders and analyze everything only about the key stakeholders) As can be viewed in the SICM organizational chart  [2]  , the SICM organizational structure is horizontal meaning that for internationalization purposes the country coordinators who are at the same level and the International Coordinator of SICM share their ideas and suggest solutions in order to bring the internationalization of SICM to a better level and the International Coordinator of SICM in turn reports to the dean of SICM. There are 8 country coordinators who are providing information to second year students and monitoring 3rd year outgoing exchange students. They also communicate with partner universities minimum once or maximum two times in a year. These country coordinators are the lecturers of SICM who are very busy with lecturers, assignments, students and other issues related to study. Thats why; they hardly spend time in order to communicate with partner universities. Also, it is very difficult to deal with outgoing exchange students individually. The last few years, ISID (International student Info Desk) was providing information for the second year students of IC, CO, CS and IDM for the exchange semester. There were only interns working as employees for a semester. And every semester they had different semester who are always new for the position. The name of the office has been changed to Global Links (ICM External Affairs Office) but again, Interns are working as employees and every semeste r different interns take this responsibility. Next to that, Country coordinators are not able to visit partner universities because of lack of facilities they got from SICM. But in near future, SICM hopefully will provide facility for country coordinators to be able to visit the partner universities. Therefore, country coordinators should make a plan to visit the partner universities per year. (SHALL I REMEVORE THIS PARAGRAPH OR NOT Apart from country coordinators, International student office (ISO) has been working as a link between SICM (country coordinators and students) and Partner Universities. ISO has been taking care of all international outgoing and incoming exchange students of the Hanze University regarding enrollment, visas, and insurances, housing and finances issues. Structure;(COMBINE STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT STYLE AND CULTURE IN ONE PARAGRAPH AND RELATED TO ONLY RELEVANT ENVIRONMENT AND RELEVENAT STAKEHOLDERS) Next to that, SICM organizational structure is not strictly hierarchical, just like other schools of the Hanze employ upwards and downwards communication simultaneously, meaning that employees at the top of the hierarchy communicate with the ones at lower levels and vice versa. This actually makes it easy for every staff member to communicate with the upper level members since they are communicating indirectly with team leaders and coordinators. Management style The communication of the management team is a two-way flow of both communication and information in order to maintain the quality of cooperation. As communication tools, word of mouth and meetings take an important place. Next to that, an electronic learning environment is one of the most important ways of communicating faster. The management team invests in the education and training of teachers, in order to facilitate personal and professional growth of the team members. Culture According to Cornelissen, the culture of SICM is a combination of a person oriented culture, which reflects the importance of individual development, and a task oriented culture which is focused on team work for the projects (Cornelissen, 2008). The person culture is focused on individuals who are staffs and it is very hard to manage as they work on their own. For instance; country coordinators who are working on their own and dealing with not only partner universities, but also students, lectures, and working also as academic counselors. Next to that, SICM has a strong task culture as can be seen in all degree programmes of SICM, focused on team works staff, teacher and students in projects. 3.3 Communication analysis When students wish to acquire information about a particular partner university, Student are directed to go to study abroad links via internal SICM website, where students receive direct links to the official websites of the universities. It is unclear, however, whether and how the courses of the partner university match the ones at the SICM; there is no information available on this subject that would help facilitate the students decision making process. According to interviews with students from SICM (see appendix, interview transcripts), the current partner network features are very important, for them to choose where to go and which program they would like to study. Furthermore, the financial issue takes an important place to make students choices. . Some of the students only make their choices according to their financial situation. After returning from the exchange university, the students are required to complete an ACC8 assignment, where students can share their experiences from the study abroad. But the questions are limited and are not included important questions, which would result in a more comprehensive evaluation system for the SICM partner university network. The outgoing students are very important as well as the incoming students. Since the incoming students are monitored by SICM, there are enough data regarding accommodation, the study program they chose, etc. In the meantime, there is a link call student experience to reach the students evaluations after they come back from their study abroad semester. It is a new facility for the second year students. Moreover; there is a website which only contains partner universities but it is not functioning very well. The website should contains not only partner universities names and official website links but also, their offered courses, university information, accommodation, study programmes, living in a country etc. this will help country coordinators not to be overlapped with a bunch of questions from students and also useful for student motivation and help to opt a partner university. 4.3.1 Internal Communication Internal communication, which refers to the exchange of information between the management and the internal public groups of an organization, is the backbone of every functional organization. The objective of internal communication is reaching organizational and/or individual goals. Unprofessional and neglectful internal communication can lead to misunderstandings, loss of employee motivation, false rumors, criticism and even minor crisis. (Herle Rustema, 2005). Cornelissen points out that traditionally, internal communication is defined as communication with employees internally within the organization (Cornelissen, 2008). SICM employs both formal and informal channels of communication. The formal ones include email, internal memos and briefings, etc. The informal channels include talks during lunch breaks or at the coffee machine, rumors etc. The main communication aids are the meetings to give structure to decision making and further development of the issue. Since the country coordinators are busy with their own busy schedule like lectures, students, etc. , it is important to make an appointment in advance to discuss the third year students curiosity about their host country and university. As Ryan indicated, each country coordinator can only spend 8 hours per year for responding to student questions, contacting partner universities and having meeting with Ryan Schepers. This is absolutely not enough time for the development and expanding the partner universities to be internationalized. This also causes inefficient communication internally. External communication The main external stakeholders that are paramount to the fulfillment of SICMs internationalization policy are the current partner universities. It is therefore important that SICM should provide each stakeholder group with specific information and build a strong reputation across exchanges with all of these stakeholders (Cornelissen, 2008). The current communication is not enough with partners; several partners are inactive in the SICM partner university network. It is known that communication is insufficient and ineffective with current partner universities. Next to that, the SICM currently has insufficient data to assess whether the linguistic and curricular criteria of the partner universities are compatible with the ones at SICM. Not having clear partner network and their respective curriculum selection criteria creates unclearness and hinders successful future partner network selection. Cornelissen (2008) defines stakeholders as any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the organizations purpose and objectives. The key external players regarding the SICM internationalization policy are the current partner universities and the representatives of those universities (i.e. the ones who also deal with partnerships and exchange). A comprehensive stakeholder analysis can be seen in the Power-Interest matrix  [3]  . Situation analysis According to a Desk research, the academic curriculums and linguistic requirements at partner universities dont correlate with the ones at SICM; There are only 10 current partner networks which are university of applied sciences out of 83 partner networks; Currently 63 partner universities which teach in English; Not all partner universities have both BA and Master academic programs. As indicated, there has been an ongoing increase in the number of exchange students in the last five years (see appendix 9.4). The result of incoming exchange students last five years  [4]   In year 2007/2008, there were 46 incoming exchange students from 34 partner universities. In year 2008/2009, there were 44 incoming exchange students from 40 partner universities. In year 2009/2010, there were 56 incoming exchange students from 52 partner universities. In year 2010/2011, there were 67 incoming exchange students from 64 partner universities. In year 2011/2012, there were 82 incoming exchange students from 83 partner universities. The result of outgoing students last five years  [5]   In year 2007/2008, there were 63 outgoing exchange students to 34 partner universities. In year 2008/2009, there were 47 outgoing exchange students to 40 partner universities. In year 2009/2010, there were 59 outgoing exchange students to 52 partner universities. In year 2010/2011, there were 100 outgoing exchange students to 64 partner universities. In year 2011/2012, there were 63 outgoing exchange students to 83 partner universities. Discernibly there is a misbalance between incoming/outgoing exchange students and the number of partner universities. It is a result from a lack of communication within SICM and with current partner universities. SICM only provides 8 country coordinators to be responsible for 83 partner universities which cause ineffective communication with current partner universities. This result in a lack of information about the motivations behind the decisions that second year ICV students and SICM staff make about their study abroad. Hence, it affects the external communication with current partner universities. As the communication is ineffective in communicating with partners; SICM is not aware of the current relationship with partners since several current partners are inactive. Theoretical framework This section will explain the theoretical framework which will be used for this research. The research will be based on qualitative research and theoretical background with the definitions of some concepts. The primary research questions are formulated according to three main sub problems. The sub questions will help reveal the overall issues surrounding the main research area. Moreover, the relevant communication theories will support the research for a theoretical approach to the solution of the problem. In Order to limit the research, each primary research question has a subsection has been selected. (see table 1.) Based on this analysis, I will advise Mrs Scehepers to create a balanced university network enhancing ICM standards. This brings up the main question; How to create a balanced university network enhancing ICM standards through the analysis of SICM student and teacher interest, study programs features, current partner universities features? Sub- sections Main research question: How to create a balanced university network enhancing ICM standards through the analysis of SICM student and teacher interest, study programs features, current partner universities features? Motivations Sub problem for RQ 1 Unknown 2.nd year students and teachers motivations/reasons for choosing a particular partner university Primary RQ1 What are the current CO, CS, IC and IDM students and teachers profiles alike for the exchange period in year 3? Curriculum Sub problem for RQ 2 Large number of partner universities due to unclearness in past SICM selection Criteria Primary RQ 2 What are the correlative academic curriculums (and official study languages) of each partner university of SICM? Network Sub problem for RQ 3 Insufficient communication with current partner universities due to the high number of partner universities. Primary RQ 3 How can SICM restructure their partner network and create more effective communication approach? The following sections will describe the most essential theories and concepts based on the primary research questions/ sub sections for the actual outcome of this research. Motivations and Reasons This research dimension is the interest of student and teacher related to their motives and choices to create a balanced university network enhancing ICM standards through the analysis of SICM student and teacher interest? Student and teacher motivation is the primary focus in the first primary research area. The meaning of motivation is a complex amalgam of all factors at work at a given point in time that influence an organisms movement toward a goal. Like all animals, humans respond to drive states that are governed most basically by hormonal and neural processes (Leise, 2006). Hence, in order to understand student and staff motives, the motivation theory will be applied. The following theories related to this section will answer the primary research question 1(see table 1.) Moreover, the related theories helped to prepare the semi structured interview questions for both second and third year students. Cognitive Decision Making Theory and Pull-Push theory The purpose of the first sub problem is to analyze the factors which influence the motives of students and teacher in choosing a particular partner university. Since it involves qualitative research, there will be a combination of two theories: cognitive decision making theory and push-pull theory for the decision making process. Cognitive decision-making (CDM) is human-like decision-making, it is more like a mental process. This process can be a continues process while interacting with an environment. It can include the most important information about them and the possibility of their application. The theory approaches the understanding of students and teacher interest, their choices and analyzes how they make their decision. Gadomski, A. M. (2006). The pull-push theory has a big role on decision making process and selection of particular university. The research also identifies the pull strategy of partner universities that students and teachers make their choices according to the certain criteria which match ones at SICM. Apparently, both cognitive decision making and pull-push factors have a big role on the students choices. (Mazzarol Soutar,2001) 6.1.2 Sociology theory Moreover, this is also supported by sociology theory. As a theoretical point of view, Sociology is actually defined as a science that studies the behavior of large populations like any kind of groups and their own point of views. For many years, students are sent or received in every country for a higher education. The exchange student and staff of SICM are influenced by demographic, economic, geographic, political and social differentials between sending and receiving countries that push student to leave their home countries and that pull them to countries that students and staff perceive better opportunities. (Gitzer Ryan, 2011). I combined this theory with push and pull theory to give better understanding of students choices and factors that are influenced by. (see table 4) Dervin (sense making approach) The concept of sense-making approach has been used during the interviews with second year students of SICM. The theory was developed by Dervin(1989) and this helped answering the primary research question 1; What is the current CO, CS, IC and IDM students and teacher profiles alike for the exchange period in year 3? and finding an approach to solve the sub problem. Unknown 2.nd year student and teacher motivations/reasons for choosing a particular partner university. The sense making is a focus of the approach, how people make sense of their worlds. The sense making attempts to provide a systematic approach to listen to the audience as how they see their situations, past, present, future and how they move to construct sense and make meaning of these situations.(Dervin,1989,p.77) Person treat information as means to ends and not ends in themselves: Their seeking and use of information is best predicted based on how their situations, the constraints they face, the gaps they need to bridge and the kind of bridges they would like to build across their gaps. (Dervin,1989,p.77). Dervin(1989) points out that the essential part of the sense making approach is the gap and how people analyze and bridge the gap in their life. The gap means is the problem that students dont know to which university they want to go for an exchange semester. So applying this to the research area, students define their problems of the situation and constructing a bridge means that they solve this problem. At the stage of bridging the gap, students gather information and absorb it to understand. Then they create ideas which help them to bridge the gap in their life. Elaboration Likelihood Model(ELM) In 1993, Elaboration Likelihood Model was presented by Petty and Cacioppo. This theory is a model of persuasion, about the way attitudes are formed and changed and this theory also helped answering the primary research question 1; What is the current CO, CS, IC and IDM students and teacher profiles alike for the exchange period in year 3? and finding an approach to solve the sub problem. Unknown 2.nd year student and teacher motivations/reasons for choosing a particular partner university. The main point of this theory is the overall Elaboration from inactive thinking to active thinking which causes changes in attitudes. There are two different ways which students make their decisions and thus get persuaded by those decisions. According to the extent of the elaboration, Petty states that there are two ways; the central route and the peripheral route to make decision which facilitate persuasion (Petty and Cacioppo,1986,p.217) The central route involves message elaboration in which one thinks carefully about an issue contained persuasive communication. People using the central route are scrutinizing the ideas, and trying to figure out whether they have true merit, and mull over their implications. (Petty and Cacioppo,1986,p.217) Most of the students are changing their attitude according to the information they received from a speech or an advertisement which contains a message. Then students are become motivated to think actively and consciously to make decision. And hence they get persuaded which cause changes in their attitude permanently. The peripheral route do not involves any message elaboration. It only offers a shorthand way to accept or reject a message without any active thinking about the attributes of the issue or the object of the consideration. (Petty and Cacioppo,1986,p.217). Students think of a situation of where to go, what to study or whether should go for study abroad or not without paying attention to any arguments. This leads to make quick decision by relying on a variety of cues that allow them to make quick decision. These cues are; Social proof everybody thinks the same, Authority it is as he says, Scarcity get it before it is too late. Students who are motivated can take a further and right decision by thinking consciously and make their decision. This can happen with the way of Central route. However; students who stay away from an argument and think surface features of the message that they support the speech or not. It is also related to the emotions. If a student in a good mood and have the idea of where to go strongly, he will make a quick but temporary decision by taking the peripheral route. On the other hand, student will take the central route by doing cognitive work if he is not sure where to go or what to study and this lead permanent change in attitudes. In this case, student take the peripheral route for the decision making process. Curriculum This research is aiming at creating a balanced university network enhancing ICM standards through the analysis of study program features. Besides the motivation of students and teachers, Curriculum is one of the most important areas needs to be analyzed whether SICM should keep all the current partner universities or not according to their study programmes. This bring up the primary research question 2 What are the correlative academic curriculums (and official study languages) of each partner university of SICM?. The term Curriculum literal translation is a course in Greek. The meaning of curriculum was a racing chariot; currere means to run. A clear and concise definition of the concept of Curriculum is provided by Kerr All the learning which is planned and guided by the school, whether it is carried on in groups or individually, inside or outside the school.(quoted in Kelly1983: 10; see also, Kelly 1999). In regards, Philosophy is part of the curriculum decision as argued by Ornstein(1991); with a framework of organizing schools and classrooms. It provides answers to the questions: what are the schools purposes? How do students learn and what methods and materials to use for this purpose? Etc. Philosophy also enables the students to determine the goals of education, its organization, subject content, and learning and teaching process; generally Philosophy fosters and facilitates experiences and activities to uptake in schools and classrooms. (Ornstein, 1991,p.102) As Schepers stated that SICM is an international oriented applied sciences university; mix of international and national students in a class, teaching language is in English, teaching intercultural competencies, they have international dimensions in international education with their educational Philosophy. This links to the Intercultural dimension, stands for teaching, learning and research in the context of

followers Essay -- essays research papers

Followers plan an active role in the process of leadership. By being a follower, it does not mean that one is inferior to a leader, but that they simply play a different role. Webster’s dictionary defines follow as to come or occur after, but it does not necessarily imply a causal relationship with what goes before. A follower is part of the team. A quarterback cannot win the game without the efforts of the entire team. He can throw or run the ball but without his team members blocking, he will not make the touch down. Much like a game, team players are imperative to the success of the organization. There are five different types of followers as stated by Frisina (2005) in the article Learn to Lead by Following. The types of followers Frisina identified include â€Å"yes people†, sheep, survivors, alienated followers, and effective followers. â€Å"Yes people† are those followers that always agree to what the leader is saying. As Wojcicki (2001) wrote in his article, A Role for Followers in These Extraordinary Times, followers must give leaders the time and freedom to develop plans of action. John Kennedy said though, that our role as followers is sometimes only to consent. After the plan is in motion, or an order is given, the role of the employee is to carry out the plan, not argue the strategy. Being a â€Å"yes person† means that there is never any disagreement between a leader and a follower. Sometimes a follower might have a better idea and thinks outside the box. A good leader shou...

Feng Shui in the Far East Essay -- essays research papers

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Feng Shui has been practiced in China for centuries. Throughout ancient China, masters of Feng Shui â€Å"were highly respected meteorologists, astronomers, and other scientists and who were charged with sustaining the good fortune and prosperity of the royal court. It has been guardedly passed down the generations through very specific lineages† (Feng Shui Advisors). It was widely practiced in modern-day China until the Cultural Revolution when Chairman Mao utilized mass force to destroy those with different ideas (Craze 9). It has evolved to be both a science and/or an art, depending on whose opinion is being given or taken. The science comes from the calculations and methodology used to analyze the space/site that one lives or works in. Some consider it an art because there are many aspects to it, and, ultimately, it is up to the person living/working in the space to determine whether it â€Å"feels right† for him/her. Chuen states, â€Å"It is an analytical system developed, not by one person, but by a centuries-old cumulative tradition based on meticulous observation and experimentation† (8). Feng Shui is also described as an â€Å"art of arranging one’s life in accordance with the forces of the universe,† and it â€Å"stretches back over at least 7000 years and probably far further† (Chuen 14). Feng Shui literally stands for wind and water: two of the most bas ic forms of life’s energy. â€Å"Without air we die within seconds.† â€Å"While we can live weeks without food, without water we soon perish† (Chuen 14).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The I Ching, or â€Å"Book of Changes† is an ancient Chinese divination manual and book of wisdom. It is a sacred text that ancestors of ancient China received through their meditative and spiritual practices. Made up of eight trigrams, or gua (kua) and sixty-four hexagrams (combinations of two trigrams) the symbols of the I Ching are known for its oracular qualities (Chuen 24). Each of the eight trigrams, or gua (kua) is associated with an element and a set of specific qualities, polarities, colors, etc. The I Ching, combined with the five elements theory, form the foundation of many Chinese arts, including martial arts, medicine, music, and of course Feng Shui. The I Ching is important to Feng Shui because it contains the â€Å"64 hexagrams [that] are important as they combine the eight house directions ... ...earchers and authors of Feng Shui literature. This was an enormous problem for me because half of what I read said one thing, and half said something different. I believe that the discrepancy may have come when the principles and rules of Feng Shui were translated from Chinese to English. For future study, one could compare all of the different discrepancies, and try to find the original belief or principle. References Chuen, Master L.K. (1996). Feng Shui Handbook: How to Create a Healthier Living and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Working Environment. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc. Craze, R. (1999). Feng Shui Made Easy: An introduction to the basics of the ancient are   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  of feng shui. New York: Godsfield Press. Feng Shui Advisors. (1999). What is Feng Shui: A brief Feng Shui introduction. Internet   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Source. Last Modified 03/09/2002. Internet Explorer April 2, 2002. Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.168fengshui.com/Articles/whatis.htm Weightman, B. (2002). Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Asia. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Sarah Orne Jewetts Miss Tempys Watchers :: Sarah Orne Jewett Miss Tempys Essays

Sarah Orne Jewett's Miss Tempy's Watchers Sarah Orne Jewett was born in Berwick, Maine, 275 miles away from Oakfield, where my grandmother lives. Jewett’s story, â€Å"Miss Tempy’s Watchers,† takes place in a small farming town in New Hampshire, yet as I read the story for the first time, I was certain it took place in the small northern Maine town, and my grandmother was a subject of the author’s study. Jewett makes use of the dialect New England is known for by following very broad rules as well as the pickiest details one might never notice unless one were looking with ultimate scrutiny or from personal experience. Jewett chose certain phrase structure to make her characters’ speech genuine. Sarah Ann Binson, one of Miss Tempy’s watchers, describes how Tempy â€Å"never did like to hear folks goin’ about themselves.† To some this phrase may be foreign, but to an older New Englander it means to speak of oneself braggingly. Another syntactic trait of the speech is the frequent regularization of verb forms. Mrs. Crowe, the other watcher, says, â€Å"Tempy come right up after they rode by,† and Sarah Ann later asks if Mrs. Crowe made cupcakes â€Å"while you was home to-day.† These are both obvious grammatical errors, but the two women were only trying to make sense of a very complicated set of rules. To two women of middle and upper-middle class who are not particularly familiar with a true upper class where the English language is treated with greater care, they were only speaking in a manner that seemed most natural. Something else worth mentionin g is when Sarah Ann asks Mrs. Crows if she remembers a certain girl. Mrs. Crowe answers, â€Å"Certain,† and Sarah goes on about her. A stickler for grammatical perfection would insist she say, â€Å"Certainly,† or at least, â€Å"For certain,† but in the New England dialect of the older generation, there is nothing wrong with just â€Å"certain.† Sarah Ann Binson, the less wealthy of the two watchers, uses the word â€Å"ain’t,† but Mrs. Crow, the one of slightly higher class, never lowers herself to such unsophisticated speech. Sarah Ann also adopts a typically Acadian dialect (owing to her location in a New Hampshire farming area) when she tells of how Tempy once said, â€Å"I’m only a-gettin’ sleepier and sleepier.† The reader can’t be sure if it is a direct quote or if the structure is her own, but it is clear it is not entirely foreign to their ears.

Alan Freed and the Payola Scandal Essay

In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, during a time of shifting cultural identity, many Americans who held conservative views found themselves caught in a socio-cultural predicament. The social dynamic of urban communities had begun to change as more African-Americans moved from the Southern United States into the Northern and Western regions of the country. This diaspora meant better jobs and homes for African-Americans and ultimately translated into more spending power among this portion of the population. While many sectors were positively impacted by this increase in African American spending power, participants of exclusionary practices were destined to suffer. An example of this suffering was evident in the music industry where the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) had monopolized the music licensing industry until the Broadcast Music Incorporation was formed and began to provide affordable music licenses to those musicians previously excluded by ASCAP. This development signaled a â€Å"changing of the guard† and the ASCAP found that the change was ultimately not in their favor (Hood-Ancklewicz 3). The individuals who supported and encouraged the proliferation of this social revolution were labeled responsible for the growing lack of â€Å"social stability† and would be contended with under the guise of a quest for morals and justice. In 1959 the House Subcommittee launched an investigation into the existence of rigging in popular game shows and at the urging of ASCAP expanded that probe into the music industry. Given his nonconformist attitude, unapologetic support of rock n’ roll music, interracial dance parties and â€Å"frenzied† stage shows, Alan Freed became the most popular fatality of the payola scandal. Alan Freed was not the only person guilty of accepting â€Å"payola†, but he was among the most visibly linked to the promulgation of rock n’ roll. Alan Freed has been credited with being the first to popularize the title Rock n’Roll in relation to this particular music genre. Additionally, he was the first to encourage integration by hosting wildly successful interracial Rock n’ Roll stage shows with solely African American performers. Freed also made no attempt to control the pandemonium created by his exhilarating lineup of performers, which generally resulted in teens dancing in the aisles, screaming wildly at performers and storming venues for the opportunity to participate by any means necessary. The â€Å"firsts† associated with Freed helped to solidify his image as the Father of Rock n’ Roll and conversely sealed his fate as the scapegoat of the payola scandal. Mainly targeting radio stations and well known deejays and record executives, including Freed, the â€Å"clean cut† Dick Clark and, others linked to the popularization of rock n’ roll music. The payola investigations made radio executives across the nation nervous. Many of the stations began to enact measures to ensure that they would not be implicated in any wrong doing and as a result began to require that their disc jockeys sign disclosure statements, divest themselves of questionable outside interests and cooperate with investigators as necessary. Those disc jockeys that refused to do so were fired. Many deejays resigned some suggesting that payola was as much a part of the system as any other widely held production practice, while others simply confessed to accepting cash and other gifts in exchange for promoting records. Alan Freed refused to sign documents on the moral grounds that doing so would negatively impact his â€Å"reputation for integrity† as a result Freed was fired from the radio station (Segrave 110). Freed admitted that he had accepted valuable gifts but, he explained â€Å"not in front. If I’ve helped somebody, I’ll accept a nice gift but I wouldn’t take a dime to plug a record. I’d be a fool to; I’d be giving up control of my program† (Segrave 80). The end of the payola scandal dawned with Alan Freed disenfranchised from his livelihood. Freed was forced out of the concert promotion business, blacklisted, arrested, fined three hundred dollars and given a six month suspended sentence and though by modern standards this punishment may seem mild, compared to the punishment of other deejays it was among the most calculating and exacting punishments delivered. While some critics argue that the scandal did not end Freed’s career it is clear that â€Å"justice† was not doled out equally among all offenders (Palmer 136). Dick Clark, who was also investigated, was questioned about outside interests that he held with various publication houses, record presses, talent firms, etc. Clark minimized the number of investments reported to the committee, his employers supported his claims that he had divested those interests. Following the investigation it was learned that the claims of divestment were not only false but that Clark had also deflated the number reported to the subcommittee. Clark was ultimately exonerated and never seemed to be in any real danger of losing his livelihood, while Alan Freed was left destitute (Segrave 110). By many accounts Freed’s success in the music industry was instantaneous and was bolstered by the unwavering support of his interracial teen audience. In 1952 when Freed held the Moondog Coronation Ball an estimated 30,000 teens stormed the venue causing the event to be closed down by the local police department. Soon after this incident Freed took his stage shows on tour and was arrested and charged with inciting a riot after a similar occurrence in Boston. Freed moved from Ohio to New York where his success continue to grow exponentially (Palmer 23). Of note among Freed’s perceived â€Å"shortcomings† was the fact that all of Freed’s performers were African-American and even when â€Å"sanitized† versions of African-American songs were available Freed still preferred and continued to promote the original versions (Palmer 136-139). The image of rock n’ roll (leather jackets and sideburns) upset the sensibilities of larger society and as a result when the investigations into payola, a practice that had existed in various formats for years, became public knowledge and the House Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight had the support and the fuel necessary to effect change, Alan Freed became target number one. Rock n’ roll was shunned by the more conservative personalities in American society and as a result was blamed for many societal ills. Few expected the genre to last, disgusted by the lack of perceived merit in the rock n’ roll genre, many of the ASCAP members and conservative American public denied its â€Å"staying power†. In her1956 article for the Miami Herald, Phyllis Battelle quotes an unnamed source as saying â€Å"Perhaps the only hopeful thing about rock n’ roll is that it’s so bad. It cannot endure indefinitely† (Batelle 4C+). This sentiment comforted few Americans while others focused on the reasons why rock n’ roll was not a viable music form. Rock n’ roll on the other hand continued to reinvent itself, to influence and morph into different genres. The influence of rock n’ roll is heard clearly in other genres now and has become as intrinsic to the American cultural legacy as payola in the music industry. Though rock n’ roll waned for a short period of time it ultimately was revived by the British invasion which also revived the folk and R&B genres (Hood-Anklwicz 4). Ironically the integrationist mentality that was once a part of rock n’ roll music faded in the early sixties undoubtedly influenced by the newly sanitized radio and broadcast environment, the loss of charismatic personalities such as Alan Freed and the stress of the continuously changing cultural dynamic in American society. Fears like those expressed in segregationist propaganda like the American Nationalist went unfounded as rock n’ roll eventually became racially segregated once more. Dick Clark’s clean cut presentation of rock n’ roll minus the tilting pelvises and gyrations, minus the dancing in the aisles and frenzied pandemonium, minus the leather jackets and sideburns was to become the popular music among whites while African American performers performed for largely African-American audiences (Palmer, 146). Many African American performers of the rock n’ roll era have credited Freed with the breaking of social barriers and have recognized his attempt to encourage integration among young Blacks and Whites. Before concluding that Alan Freed was ultimately made the example for being all things rock n’ roll, it is imperative to note that the practice of payola was never absent from the music industry, it â€Å"has never been and is not now illegal†. The 1960 law passed, did not make the practice illegal but made the failure to report payola illegal (Segrave,vii). While the concept of payola presents an ethical flaw in the system it is nonetheless a flaw that is as inherent to the music industry as is manipulation to the industry of politics. The great professor and historian, Lord Acton, is quoted as saying, â€Å"power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely†. This notion is evident on both ends of the rock n’ roll spectrum on one end Alan Freed was said to â€Å"be drunk with power† (Palmer 23), so much so that he failed to see the danger in overbooking venues, was charged with encouraging riotous behavior among teens and a general failure to realize the detriment that would come to his livelihood if he continued to challenge the prescribed social norms of the 1950’s. On the other end of the spectrum is the American government who continues to support censorship and participate in the creation of scapegoats when suitable to the larger political agenda. Overall, Alan Freed was a trendsetter who was perhaps â€Å"before his time† and thereby was punished accordingly for going against the grain. He lived as the champion of rock n’ roll firsts and died tormented by opportunities unrealized.

Sample Financial Plan Description

We grow created a financial excogitate to eithereviate you retire at the age of 62 and afford to send your watchword, Sam, to college. After looking at at the information you gave us regarding your income and expenses, we came up with the best solution for your financial prospective. Weve picked emerge profitable rough-cut finances for your watchwords college, as closely as retreat sit floorings. We also incur effectuate disparate methods of saving breeds for your retirement and future educational activity for your son. We believe that at that grade testament be a corking pull in to having a financi entirelyy stable future.We understand with Sam serveing a quadruple-year university, the cost lead be capacious on with the need for saving m angiotensin converting enzymey for this to doing financially. Grand Valley as undisputable University volition decl atomic number 18 oneself an excellent education for your son, along with benefiting him for his f uture. Overall, it go out cost $189,750 to attend Grand Valley State University for tetrad years. We do, however, understand that the cost to attend the university whitethorn concern you at fall-back, but in that location atomic number 18 methods of assistance that argon available, such as practiceitures and nest egg broadcasts.Investing in specific funds, with good exertion history, will have a huge payoff in acquiring the money for your son to go to college. We strongly advise investing a portion of your discretionary income into coarse funds. Your discretionary income would be the follow of your income that is go away over, after revenue enhancementes and expenses have been paid. Investing in uncouth funds, rather than other investment options, will eliminate the stress and difficultly of essay to time the market. We invested 46% of your discretionary income into four-spot different types of usual funds, which will provide diversification for your investme nts.Using a MET and/or a MESP nest egg device will create many an(prenominal) advantages that will benefit you in sending your son to college. Both, the MET and MESP nest egg plan, are 529 plans. These are tax-advantaged nest egg plans specifically designed to encourage saving for future college costs. You are not able to eliminate money that is invested into a 529 plan unless it is an entitled college expense. We feel as though it is a benefit for most beca hire it allows the money to increase without disturbance. The Michigan Education Trust (MET) is a way to serve up pay culture and authorization fees at Michigan prevalent colleges.The plan allows for years of college tutorship to be purchased for the future hire of a assimilator at todays price. For example, you could taint four years of tuition at present at 2011 prices, which would be $189,750, for Sam to use when he enters college in 2028. Some advantages the MET offers are a maintain tax tax deduction and a tax- bring out harvest-festival. The sole(prenominal) issue that we want to bring to your attention is that you only have fifteen years to use the tuition benefits, un interchangeable the MESP, which has no finis go out. The Michigan Education Savings aim (MESP) is an advantageous way to allow your family to salve for the expenses that come along with college.The MESP is a 529 college nest egg plan which allows families to save for tuition, room & board, mandatory fees, equipment, and required books for any qualified cosmos in the nation and some abroad. When the disciple is ready to use the funds in the MESP, whatever has been accumulated is what they have to work with. Some benefits of the MESP include a state tax deduction, tax- rid emersion, and it allows for un employ benefits to be transferred between members of the uniform family. We would preach this plan over the MET to your family.The MET will cover tuition fees although, it lacks the flexibility to pay for other associate expenses, such as books, supplies, and other confused items. A mutual fund is an investment in which a company brings unitedly money from many investors and invests it in stocks, nonpluss or other assets. coarse funds are a good long-term investment, such as for your retirement. The risk level depends on the type of mutual fund it is. In your case, we chose the mutual fund with the best performance out of each different type.We recommend fetching the remaining portion of your discretionary income, which would be 54%, and invest it bonny as we did for your sons education. 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A 401k is a retirement savings plan for employees in which a desired amount of your check is taken out to begin with tax deductions and placed into your 401k account. We understand that you have a pension plan through work, but your wife does not. This type of savings plan would be a great way to save for retirement. 401k is the favorite plan for corporate America today, due to its many advantages. Many employers will match, up to a certain percentage, the amount in which you place into your 401k.Invisible savings is one of the biggest advantages to the 401k savings plan. The money saved is taken today out of you check weekly, even forward the income tax is withdrawn. In doing so, this makes the money calculate invisible to your eyes, and to your financial pocket book. in that location are other beneficial savings plans available, which can be used along with the 401k. Roth iras are after- tax IRAs. They grow tax free and offer many more(prenominal) choices than the blueprint IRA. Roth IRAs are a good choice when it comes to saving for retirement. make up though you contribute after-tax dollars into a Roth IRA, all withdraws are completely tax free if you are over the age of 59 ? and have had the account for 5 years. With Roth IRAs, unlike a tradition IRA or a 401k plan, there are no required minimum distributions. require contributions can be withdrawn at any time as well. Roth IRAs can be set up on top of already existing retirement plans as well the assets can be passed onto beneficiaries after death, accordingly leaving an inheritance for your family. We are sure that we have supplied you with a detailed overview in helping you to be financially plug a way now and in the future.In taking the advice that we have given you with these many different investment ideas, you will find yourself more than content financially. We can guarantee that down the road, you will not have to occupy about your financial status. Although in actuality, it is chief(prenominal) to remember that building wealth takes time. However, the achievement of your financial contentment will be well worth your time. We hope, here at L&N Financial Planning, that providing you with this earn will give you the financial tranquillity of mind that you and your family deserve.