Modern Adaptation of Oedipus Rex (Scene)

Oedipus Rex Adaptation Original Scene: Laius meets the oracle and learns that his own son will kill him and marry his mother. Laius orders Jocasta to kill the baby. Jocasta hesitates and gives the baby to a servant so he could kill the baby. The servant leaves the baby to die in the sun. *A shepherd saves the baby and names him Oedipus. *optional to adapt Characters 1. King Laius / Lionel von Hudson – Jared Lionel von Hudson is a wealthy and powerful businessman. He comes from a line of elites and his family holds tremendous economic power in New York. . Queen Jocasta / Cassandra von Hudson – Ravina Cassandar von Hudson is the wife of Lionel von Hudson. She also comes from a long line of elites from the Hamptons. She is unwilling to kil her first born child. Sometimes, she’s also conceited and proud. 3. Oracle / Gypsy lady – Ratna A gypsy fortune teller who receives a vision and prophecy on the fate of the von Hudsons. Carries her fortune telling crystal w ith her. 4. Servant / Sherry the Attendant – Farah Sherry is the von Hudson’s attendant who act as both driver and personal bodyguard.A religious person but also fears her employers. She believes in fate. 5. * Corinthian Shepherd / Plumber – Jared A plumber who takes care of the sewer pipes. A person with a good heart. Setting: Modern day Upper East Side Manhattan, New York Scene 1 Setting: Outside Lionel’s office building Props: 2 chairs (car) and a â€Å"crystal† ball Lionel ask his driver to pull over at the office for a meeting. Lionel : Now, Sherry, the meeting will be till 2. I will be back at about 2:30. Sherry : Yes Mr. Lionel. I will be here. Have a good meeting Mr. Lionel, Mdm. Cassandra.Lionel and Cassandra exit the car and walk towards the office entrance when they were stopped by a gypsy lady with a crystal ball. Gypsy Lady : The couple there. Mr and Mrs von Hudson. [walks over to Lionel and Cassandra] Cassandra : Oh Lord woman. How do you know our names. But then again, we’re all over the news anyways. Gypsy Lady: I come with news, news you must hear, regarding your child and your fate. For I see your future. You are doomed Mr. von Hudson, doomed to death by the hands of your son. And you, Mrs. on Hudson, incest be upon you for when death befalls Mr. von Hudson, you will marry your child. Lionel: What nonsense. You foolish gypsy. Shut your mouth and stop this rubbish. I’m late for my meeting and you’ve just ruined my mood. Cassandra: I shall not believe in this nonsense either. Let’s go Lionel. Let’s leave this foolish lady. Lionel and Cassandra walks away. Gypsy Lady: [shouts] HEED MY WORDS VON HUDSON. FOR TRAGEDY WILL BEFALL YOU TONIGHT AND WE’LL SEE WHO THE FOOLISH ONE IS.Cassandra looks over her shoulder at the gypsy lady, a tinge of worry on her face. Scene 2 Setting: Elevator to the von Hudson’s penthouse. Props: none Lionel: What foolishness. That gypsy sur e knows how to get on my nerves. I’m still angry just thinking of her. Cassandra: Lionel dear, let’s not worry about her and open ourselves a bottle of champagne tonight. A fool will be a fool. DING! Elevator door opens. Lionel and Cassandra looks at their penthouse in horror and shock. Lionel : What in the world could have done this?! Look at our apartment.It’s trashed. Cassandra : Oh no. What if the Gypsy Lady was right? Lionel : SHERRY?! Sherry comes running in. Sherry : Yes, Mr. Lionel†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. [looks around in horror] I’ll get the maintenance to clear this up. Sherry runs out. Cassandra : Oh Lionel, what are we to do. She was right. Lionel : We have to save ourselves Cassandra. I will leave for a business trip tomorrow. When I’m back, I want the boy gone. Kill him before he kills us and land you in sin. Cassandra : But†¦ but he’s our flesh and blood. Lionel : It will be as I say. Scene 3Setting : Penthouse (clean again) Prop s: â€Å"baby† Cassandra : [on the phone] Sherry, could you come up here please. DING! Sherry : Yes, Mdm. Cassandra? Cassandra hands Sherry the baby. Cassandra : You have to do it Sherry. I can’t. Sherry: Do what madam? Cassandra : Kill him. Before he grows up and kill Lionel. Sherry : I†¦. I can’t†¦. Cassandra : You must. Cassandra covers her face and sobs. Scene 4 Setting: Sewers Props : â€Å"baby† Sherry : I’m sorry young master. What ordeal has come upon such a tiny soul. Oh God. Why?! I could not bring myself to do it.If it’s your fate to live, young master, then, may God send someone to save you. But if it’s your fate to die, let the crocodiles come to you first. Sherry leaves the baby on the ground and leaves. *optional Plumber walks in. Plumber: Now, where is that broken pipe? [hears baby’s cry, looks around and spots the baby] Oh dear god. Why? To an infant soul? [picks up baby] You poor thing. But I’ m too poor. I do hope that Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein would take him? They’ve been trying to have a child for ages. [looks at the baby, smiles] Hello there, Alfie.

Accountancy 2258

Written Macro Assignment Solutions True/False Questions. Read each statement carefully, and neatly write the word TRUE on the line next to the statement if you believe the statement is true, or neatly write the word FALSE on the line next to the statement if you believe the statement is false. FALSE1. Do†¦Loops are used in macros to repeat lines of code a specified number of times. TRUE2. The area where macro code is displayed in Visual Basic is called the Code Window. TRUE3. A macro name is not required when creating a private macro. TRUE4. When declaring a variable, Dim stands for â€Å"define in memory†. FALSE5.Objects, Variables, and Actions are used to write macro code. TRUE6. One way to create a new macro is to use Record New Macro. TRUE7. The If†¦Then†¦Else†¦End If code allows code to be conditionally executed depending on whether a specified logical condition has been met. FALSE8. The last line of code for a private macro should be End Private Sub. FALSE9. The formula for a user-defined function must be entered in quotation marks. TRUE10. A public macro/procedure is activated by the user pressing the shortcut keys or clicking on a button. Problems. Read each problem carefully and follow the instructions given. 1.Open up Excel. Go to Cell E9 and use the Name Box to name this cell â€Å"Winter†. Then go to the Developer tab on the Ribbon, and click on the Record Macro button in the Code group. Name your macro â€Å"Referencing† and give it a shortcut key of â€Å"R†. After clicking OK to close the Record Macro dialog box, do the following: †¢ Select Cell C7 using absolute referencing (do not select the Use Relative Reference button). †¢ Using the drop-down arrow to the right of the Name Box, select â€Å"Winter†. †¢ Click on the Use Relative Reference button in the Code group on the Developer tab to use relative referencing, and then select Cell A4. Click on Stop Recording button in the Code group on the Developer tab. After you have performed these steps, view your code in Visual Basic Editor, and answer the following questions: a. What code was written when you selected Cell C7 using absolute referencing? Range(â€Å"C7†). Select b. What code was written when you selected the cell named â€Å"Winter† using the Name Box drop-down menu? Application. Goto Reference:=†Winter† c. What code was written when you selected Cell A4 using relative referencing? ActiveCell. Offset(-5, -4). Range(â€Å"A1†). Select Remember that ActiveCell.Select is the basic format used when writing macro code using relative referencing. Also, please note that when writing out the VBA code to move from one cell to another using relative referencing (as we did above) the Range(â€Å"A1†) portion of the code is not necessary. It shows up automatically (as displayed above) when we are recording a macro and moving from one cell to the next using relative r eferencing, but if you are just writing out the macro code, you do not need to include that portion of the code. 2. Assume Cell B3 is the current cell you are in on your Excel spreadsheet.Write the appropriate VBA code to perform the following: a. Move from Cell B3 to Cell E8 using relative referencing ActiveCell. Offset(5,3). Select Note that I did not include Range(â€Å"A1†) before . Select, as this is not necessary (see my note above). b. Move from Cell B3 to Cell A1 using relative referencing ActiveCell. Offset(-2,-1). Select c. =Move from Cell B3 to Cell J10 using absolute referencing Range(â€Å"J10†). Select 3. Write the necessary code to define a variable in Visual Basic named Age to store whole numbers with no decimal places.Dim Age As Integer 4. Write the necessary code to define a variable in Visual Basic named Expenses to store dollar values. Dim Expenses As Currency 5. Write the necessary code to define a variable in Visual Basic named City to store text values. Dim City As String 6. Write the appropriate code to create a dialog box asking the user to enter their employee ID number. Give the dialog box the title ID. Your code should place the user’s response in Cell A5 on your worksheet. Then create a loop around your code that will loop while Cell A5 is blank.Do Range(â€Å"A5†). Value = InputBox(â€Å"Please enter your employee ID number†, â€Å"ID†) Loop While Range(â€Å"A5†). Value = â€Å"† 7. Assume the employee ID number entered in the above dialog box is expected to be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 99999. Rewrite your loop so it requires the user to enter a number that is equal to or between 1 and 99999. Do Range(â€Å"A5†). Value = InputBox(â€Å"Please enter your employee ID number†, â€Å"ID†) Loop Until Range(â€Å"A5†). Value >= 1 and Range(â€Å"A5†). Value 9999 and ActiveCell. Value

A Problem Of Rivarly Through The Advertising

A Problem Of Rivarly Through The Advertising Is competitive advertising a good way to present your advertising of your product to the public? Diagnosis of the problem The problem is that the companies compete with each other through advertising and in the advertising they tend to criticize their competitors. Comparative advertising. When they start advertising in this way the start a chain reaction. The first company makes the first advertisement which criticizes the second company and they will react on this with a lawsuit. The third company will profit from this with their own advertising and lawsuits. And this results in bad advertising and a lot of lawsuits. If you look at this case you see that Burger king started with a comparative advertising. Burger King compared their hamburger with the hamburger from Mc Donalds. Mc Donalds reacted with a lawsuit. This gives Mc Donalds and Burger King free publicity witch resulted in Wendys reacting with their own lawsuit. Although this war of words give the companies free publicity it also creates negative publicity. The lawsuits also generates bad publicity and will reverse the effect the advertising had in the first place. The lawsuits creates costs which results in a higher selling price for the costumer. The costumer will not appreciate this and will buy less hamburgers (in this case). Which result in less profit for the company. In this case the companies in the end profited from the advertising war. But as I said in the last paragraph this is not always the case. The three companies showed an increase in sales after everything was over. People say that bad press is better than no press at all. After this case you can ask your self the question whether the companies had planned this war of words. I think that this is possible but highly unethical. I think that it is unethical because you mislead the customer. They get fooled by the information put forward by the fast food companies. In my opinion companies should be honest and ethical in their promotion. This is not the case here. I think it is not ethical to criticize a product from another company to promote your own product. Competitive advertising is in my opinion not the best way to advertise the product. I think that advertising should be positive. If you compare your product to that of an other company you give the advertisement a negative ring to it. You say that you are better that the competition. But you make the customer think about the competition at the same time. It is better to use only your own product and promote it through advertisements focusing on your own company and product. A positive advertising has more effect on the public than a negative one. In Belgium it is not yet allowed to use comparative advertising. This is with the intention to protect consumers but also competitive companies against unlawful advertisements. In Belgium it is seen as unethical and misleading to use comparative advertising. This is why something like the hamburger wars would not occur in Belgium. In Belgium they use positive advertising to promote their products. Fast food in Belgium Fast-food restaurants are defined as restaurants that are specialised in food that may be prepared and served quickly. Fast food is designed for ready availability, use or consumption. Food such as hamburgers, pizzas or fried chicken, that is prepared in quantity by a standardised method and can be dispensed quickly at inexpensive restaurants for eating there or elsewhere , are usually recognised as fast-food restaurants. Next to that we also consider the traditional Belgian Chips shops and the healthy fast-food restaurants as major competitors for Burger King. Sandwich bars (e.g. Panos), soup bars, Asian or other foreign food (e.g. WokAWay, pita, pizza, Thai or Chinese etc ) are getting more and more popular in Belgium. Still Mc Donalds and Quick would remain the biggest competitors in the fast-food industry of Belgium. Both of them are strongly present in Belgium, Food is a major component of the Belgian culture. This is evidenced by the fact that they spend about 20 percent of their disposable income on food and beverages. The Belgian fast-food franchising market is growing at an estimated annual rate of about 10 to 12 percent. Beside that, this sector is also one of the fastest growing sectors in Belgium (from 1997 till 2001). The fast-food concept is now beginning to provide an alternative format, especially for the lunchtime consumer, tourists and those on tight budgets. Strengths Mc Donalds Leader in Europe Ranked as 2nd in the hamburger market in Belgium. Mc Donalds restaurants highest concentrations are in the Flanders and the Brussels Central regions. Nowadays there are 56 restaurants in Belgium, of which 55 are local franchised (with a 24 franchise- owners in total). Play centres for young children Fast and friendly service, clean facilities, good food and an affordable price A strong brand image in the local community Environment-friendly (clean restaurant in-outside/ minimum fragrance and noise/ recycling, well checked detritus oil) Global knowledge Varied menu (hamburgers, salads, ice-cream, Mc Veggie, Happy Meal) Drive-in, Take-away Quick Market leader in Belgium and France The GIB Group has surpassed its original goal of having one Quick per one hundred thousand people in Belgium or one hundred Quick outlets for the Belgian population of ten million. Now 105 outlets. Quality of the ingredients (fresh bread, no genetically modified ingredients,) Application of the severe norms concerning food safety Respect for the environment (e.g. packaging) Total transparency against his customers A know-how in service for co-workers and partners Varied menu Quick Express service, which is a revolutionary concept that involves selling hamburgers on the streets to pedestrians Many Quick restaurants are located in the parking lots of hyper- and super-markets of the GIB group (GB) The use of Belgian meat for the hamburgers The benefit from their strong reputation of being Belgian Weaknesses Mc Donalds Has been a target for animal rights demonstrations over the past few years Has been the focal point of these economic frustrations resulting in protests, acts of vandalism Quick Only represented in few European countries and a few non-European countries (Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Hungary, Morocco, China) No/low market share (except in Belgium and France) No really relevance in international experience Opportunities Mc Donalds In the next two to four years: multiply the current 64 restaurants to over 100 this implies the creation of 3,600 new jobs. They want to be more present in Belgium in the future, with 70% of McDonalds new investment in the Flanders region. Quick Advertising stunts / promos (free Maxi menus for everybody who comes in cowboy outfit including horse) New receipts for the next years Cooperation with Kinepolis (Reduction for Kinepolis members) The Belgian retailer GIB is researching several options concerning the future of its fast food chain of restaurants Quick. GIB owns 57.9 % of Quick, and is reportedly looking for a strategic partnership for its ailing chain. GIB is considering several options: it could be an operational partnership, or a financial partnership, or even one that offers both aspects. Several names of other fast food companies are already circulating, including those of Wendys and Burger King of UK-based drinks giant Diageo. Threats Both will deal with the following threat ; growing fast food franchising. More and more fast food restaurants will have possibilities (opportunities), not only the hamburger restaurants. Mc Donalds Quick is market leader in Belgium with 105 outlets Mc Donalds had planned to have one hundred restaurants by the year 2000. But because of a combination of high real estate costs combined and significant difficulties in obtaining site permits this has not happened. The big obstacle remains the one of the labour cost issue. In labour intensive restaurants, the problems of job classification and minimum wages have the effect of increasing labour costs. Quick No awareness outside Belgium, France and Luxembourg No/low market share (except in Belgium and France) Less financial vehicles then their competitors Difficult years till 2002 (different years of crisis). 2002 was the year of recovery Despite the fact that Quick is the largest hamburger chain, American companies have set the pace in the Belgian fast-food market. Fast-food only represents about 5 percent of restaurants sales, which means that the Belgian fast-food sector still lags behind many of its European neighbours. This could be seen as an opportunity for expansion, as Belgium diversifies its traditional eating habits influenced by increased population mobility in a changing Europe. Next to that, Belgium has one of the highest percentages of inbound franchises as a proportion of franchise systems in the European Union, which helps to contribute to the strong competition present in the fast-food sector. Although the most popular fast-food items are hamburgers and pizzas, Belgians continue to have more healthy eating habits. There is a preference for sandwiches, soups, etc This is a result of the dioxin crisis of 1999; Belgians remain septic about food in general. Beside that Belgians are open for new eating concepts and are willing to support new fast food concepts. As the Belgians are having less time for lunch, a quick meal could be the ideal solution, taking into account their preferences. Articles promoting the health problems linked to fast food may have an important impact on social behaviour of the Belgian population (e.g. obesity, illness,). These well-known health problems are not really relevant for the Belgian consumer, because it is fact that the American eating behaviour is different from the Belgians, e.g less fat products, smaller portions, not as frequently visiting fast food chains. Also, Belgians are quite sensitive to the quality of food in general because of previous health dramas the last 4 years (BSE, Bird-plague, etc). It is important that people wont loose their faith in our quality labelled food. Environmental concerns are growing in Belgium; hence foods packaged in earth-friendly biodegradable materials make up a growing segment of the market. Next to that it is important for restaurants to state that the food they offer is not made from genetically modified ingredients. Operational problems increase because it is difficult to obtain planning permissions and licenses in Belgium. The labour costs are also excessively high. This results in a big disadvantage because fast food restaurants are labour intensive. It is of high importance to notice that Belgians believe in their Belgian national pride (as they are a small country). Belgians tend to perceive the United States as a culturally imperialist country. The biggest chance for a hamburger chain to enter the Belgian fast food market would be, offering a value added product in this market. Making each burger according to the customers wishes might appeal to this necessity. By doing this they distinguish themselves from other already existing chains like Quick and McDonalds Two possible niche markets might work; hamburgers at home and hamburgers booth on wheels for festivals (concept of hot-dog booth). This because home delivery is a service well accepted by the Belgians. Secondly, because Belgium is a festival country (Gentse Feesten, Rock Werchter, Beachrock, Pukkelpop, ). The two possibilities can give an added value to the fast food concept, taken into consideration that, extra precautions and new equipments will be necessary. Another possibility is positioning the hamburger restaurant near or at a petrol station or a railway station. The investigation ordered by Rik Daems, minister of Telecommunication and Government Organizations, pointed out some economical facts which might be of interest. One of this is the increasing importance of petrol stations within the Belgian out-of-home-market. The petrol stations are within that market one of the fastest growing segments. Shops, annexed to petrol stations have become strong values within the food service landscape. In these shops, the traditional assortment became broader with more (fresh) impulse articles that anticipate on the on-the-move eating behavior of actual consumers. (Bake-off, pizza, ) Belgium has one of the highest percentages of inbound franchises as a proportion of franchise systems in the European Union, which contributes to the strong competition present in the fast-food sector. Nowadays, Belgium has a high unemployment rate. This might be an opportunity for a new hamburger restaurant, knowing that each restaurant creates new job opportunities inside the region where it would implement (about 70 employees/ restaurant). There are three reasons why I think it is not a good idea for a new fast-food chain to enter the Belgian market. First because Quick and Mc Donalds are the key players in the hamburger market in Belgium. Second, the Belgian market is relatively small compared to other European markets such as Germany or the UK. Third, there are already too many fast food opportunities in Belgium. Nevertheless, if I really would like to play a significant role in the Belgian fast food market, I should think about some methods of strategy development. I could choose between internal development, M A or joint developments and strategic alliances. Mergers and acquisitions are out of the question, I assume that the key players, Quick and Mc Donalds, are not willing to give up their brand name to me a new fast-food restaurant. Joint developments and strategic alliances can be considered. My main reason for this strategy is the cost/risk spreading. The Belgian fast food market is very competitive and difficult. Therefore, I think that I should establish a joint venture, strategic alliance or partnership with other fast food chains in Belgium, e.g. with Panos or Carestel. Panos is present in the Belgian railway stations, known as Panos rail. Since there are just a few hamburger restaurants in the stations, it is an opportunity for me to be the first hamburger chain to be large-scale present there. Carestel, established on 40 different places along the high ways in Belgium and Luxemburg, offers breakfast, traditional Belgian meals, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Starting up a joint venture with Carestel would put me in a unique position to be present along the Belgian highways. The existing platform of Panos and Carestel can be used to accelerate the growth of the brand in Belgium and even across Europe. The size of Panos and Carestels operations and the availability of immediate locations will enable rapid development of a new fast-food restaurant in Belgium. The essence of a joint venture is the synergy effect of two different entities merging. Such an international business strategy will attempt to; solve many logistic problems such as access to good quality meat and other supplies, ease the access to the Belgium market, share risk with a local entity, and finally serve as a sign of commitment to the host government increasing goodwill. In addition, due to the complexity of many barriers to entry into Belgium, a potential partner with sufficient contacts/networks with government agency officials may smoothen the process of setting-up operations in the nation. The potential joint-venture partner should be large, well established, provide excellent distribution channels and have personal network access to government officials. It should also have modern equipment and a good management record. It is recommended that a partner is found by backwards integration. In other words, it is a good domestic meat supplier. In order to ensure total commitment and balance of power between the two partners, a 55/45 joint venture, with me as the dominant partner should be set-up. A joint venture will also significantly ease the entry to the Belgium market. In addition, local business customs and laws can be quicker understood and the local knowledge of culture, language and geography is beneficial for any entrant into a relatively unknown market. Concerning a joint venture with Panos rail, I see this concept more like one location where we are both present and where the consumer can choose between a sandwich or a burger. The reason for the shared site is only practical. Suppose a group of people coming for a snack but they have to be dining separately, is not nice. The consumer can choose in which section he wants to sit, even with a burger is should be possible to sit in the Panos rail area. The fact that the consumer is offered additional choices and varieties on one site is the major commercial advantage. For Panos this would be a unique opportunity to try this concept, and if the joint venture succeeds, Panos could implement this strategy in other European countries. Currently, they only have one franchise abroad, namely in the Netherlands along the A6 in a Q8 petrol station. I think that the best way of promoting my product when it is present at a railway station is in my opinion giving price reductions or free coupons to potential customers by combining the promotion with the train ticket. When a person buys a ticket they will get a coupon or something like that to persuade them to visit my restaurant and buy something. Concerning Carestel, situated along some petrol station on the Belgian highways, we can set up a joint venture. On the current sites of Carestel we could create a burger section and similar like in the railway stations, the dining area should not be separate. It is obvious that these restaurants only have to be established along the busy highways like E 19 Antwerp-Brussels, E 17 Antwerp-Ghent, E 420 Brussels-Charleroi, which is already the case for Carestel. In this case the promotion will probably be in the form of billboards present at the highway or at the sign of the petrol station. I will also try to establish an agreement with the petrol station for coupons and promotion related items to be placed at the counter to make the customers aware that I am there and to persuade them to visit me and try my products.

Risk management and insurance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Risk management and insurance - Assignment Example (Yahoo Finance 2013) Professional liability insurance is a specialized form of liability insurance which indemnifies a professional who causes a loss to his or her client due to the negligent performance of their duties or which is not up to the professional standards stipulated by the professional association regulating the particular professional. For example, if a real estate agent arranged the sale of a property to a buyer on the basis that it would provide a specified level of rental income and it failed to do so, the real estate agent could be held liable for the shortfall on the basis of negligent misrepresentation. The article goes on to state that Great American Insurance Group’s Professional Liability Division launched earlier this year with offices in New York and Pennsylvania. Great American Stock Performance The following material was obtained from http://ir.greatamerican.com/stockquote.htm. It was obtained at 2:06 pm. ET Nov. 22, 2013. Last Price Change Open Day High 52 Week High $0.26 $0.00(Down 7.63%) $0.26 $0.26 $0.50 Volume Previous Close Day Low 52 Week Low 11,500 $0.26 $0.26 $0.15 Year End Stock Prices Stock Price ($) $3.70 $0.49 $0.12 $0.31 Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 The website goes on to stipulate that the above information is intended for informational and not trading purposes and is provided by a third party and not Great American. Description of Company Great American Insurance Group is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses and in the sale of traditional annuities.(Great American Insurance Group) The Property and Casualty Group (P and C) is among the oldest in the US, dating from the founding of the Great American Insurance Company in 1872. The website advises it has about 30 specialty lines of insurance to meet the needs especially of a variety of small and mid sized businesses. (Presumably this is because larger companies tend to have sufficient resources to self insure for many of the risks.) The site also claims that the company builds relationships with the markets and the communities it serves so that they can concentrate on their core business rather than on the risks they may face. While this is likely true, it must be remembered that companies too small to have their own risk manager tend to rely on their insurance broker for sound impartial advice concerning what insurance coverage they really need and what risks can be dealt with more economically by other means. The website also quotes high financial strength ratings by such agencies as Standard & Poors and Moodys. There are also various kinds of reinsurance coverage available within the Great American Group. There are 4 accounting ratios important to the financial health of a company. Unfortunately I was unable to obtain precise figures for Great American, only the reference to their overall â€Å"A† rating by agencies indicating that this company is in good standin g financially. However I will explain the calculation and the importance of each of the ratios. The first one is the loss ratio which is losses (claims paid) plus adjustment expenses

Experiment #1 North Circumpolar Motion of Stars Lab Report

Experiment #1 North Circumpolar Motion of Stars - Lab Report Example Yes, in addition to the obvious motion that brings about change of location, they also change the orientation. The stars seem to exhibit two kinds of motions that is one from the central position and its orientation It is common knowledge that the earth moves from east, north, west and south. However, such motion is similar to the stars because they appear to move from the north toward the west, comparison of the stars location reveals that those observed in the first experiment appeared far from the west than those observed later on. Yes, stars move across the space, in fact all stars move across the space from one location to another (Craig, 1). The only difference between the motions of the stars with that of the earth is that direction depends on the individual star. As a result, there is no universal direction for the stars’ movement. Different stars move in the different direction either toward or from each other. For instance, if the stars were fixed we would expect the movement of the earth to portray the stars to simulate motion in the opposite direction. As such one would think that the stars move from the north to east and south. However given that both the earth and the stars move in the same direction, it is evident to seek stars changing position. Movement of the stars does not depend on either the seasonal motion of the earth or the daily seasons. Their motion is independent of these parameters. In fact, stars move independently in space. Motions of different stars do not take defined direction as many would expect but rather may move in any direction in the space. Craig, Brown.. The Little Dipper and the Earth’s Tilt and  Rotation, 2012. Retrieved from https://craigssenseofwonder.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/the-little-dipper-and-the-earths-tilt-and-rotation/

The benefits that a company can gain simply by implementing the Essay

The benefits that a company can gain simply by implementing the sustainability concept - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that sustainability is one of the most emerging concepts that have gained a lot of attention in a couple of decades. In a wider sense, sustainability refers to the improvement of society and the environment. The sustainable environment is considered more than a responsibility by most of the multi-national company and for these companies providing high-quality life to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is a priority. It means that sustainable environment is improving the quality of life in the present without harming or compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their needs effectively. To make the point more clear regarding the sustainable environment it could be said that all the resources that the business needs in order to operate eventually comes from the environment but meeting the eternal needs of the customers, the businesses are ultimately moving in such directions that would perish the resources. This would not only create hurdles in improving the lives of the people but also for the future generations to meet their needs efficiently. It has become a necessity for every business to make their contribution towards the environment so that the future needs of the people could be met while maintaining the balance between the environment and its resources. It is essential to take certain steps that would ensure the elimination or reduction of those factors that could create hurdles in the achievement of a greener and better future. For businesses, it is essential to make contributions in the development of sustainable environment as it contributes the most in damaging the environment. Sustainability is not just linked to the reduction of waste or pollution but in a broader sense, it is concerned with enhancing those practices that would reduce the damage on the environment that would ultimately lead the business to be completely sustainable.

Do Computers and Other Information Communication Technologies Increase Essay

Do Computers and Other Information Communication Technologies Increase or Decrease Social Connection - Essay Example Their mobile phones may have a way of binding the Japanese together, but the same gadgets serve only a divisive purpose outside of their area of the world. Let us not forget that alongside the innovative Smart TV sets that are being marketed these days, the Smart House is also being developed in some corners of the world. Bill Gates, one of the most prolific technological inventors of the modern era, already claims to be living in a Smart House. Yet somehow that does not seem like a hopeful thought for most people. The more gadgets we create in the pursuit of excellence in entertainment, socializing, and the like, the more it seems like we are developing ways and means to eliminate social contact with other people while in the past, we thrived as society in terms of social interaction. This is evidenced by the proliferation of coffee machines these days. These machines have taken over the functions of your favorite coffee barista of yesteryear: Does your cappuccino-maker always make perfect cappuccinos? How much time does it take? Does your neighborhood cafe make perfect cappucinos? If you had the time where would you prefer to have your cappucino? Is your neighborhood cafe run by a computer? Would it be better if it was? Where did you meet your wife (husband, lover)? (Gold) Most people these days are so on the go that even the formerly trendy social interaction of going to the nearest Starbucks for that cup o' Joe in the morning has almost been totally banished to oblivion. These days, the barista machines exist to make cheaper and faster coffee for everyone. Just pop in a coffee table and hit the button, presto, coffee perfect-o! You are ready to jump into your car and start your day. You just skipped the need to interact... This essay stresses that alongside the innovative Smart TV sets that are being marketed these days, the Smart House is also being developed in some corners of the world. Bill Gates, one of the most prolific technological inventors of the modern era, already claims to be living in a Smart House. Yet somehow that does not seem like a hopeful thought for most people. The more gadgets we create in the pursuit of excellence in entertainment, socializing, and the like, the more it seems like we are developing ways and means to eliminate social contact with other people while in the past, we thrived as society in terms of social interaction. This is evidenced by the proliferation of coffee machines these days. This paper makes a conclusion that most people these days are so on the go that even the formerly trendy social interaction of going to the nearest Starbucks for that cup o' Joe in the morning has almost been totally banished to oblivion. These days, the barista machines exist to make cheaper and faster coffee for everyone. Just pop in a coffee table and hit the button, presto, coffee perfect-o! You are ready to jump into your car and start your day. You just skipped the need to interact with real people – first thing in the morning which normally would provide you with a much needed natural energy boost as you talk to your friends or co-workers who happen to be in the same line at the coffee shop. That is definitely another technological innovation that successfully helped isolate us from the others in our social circle.

Follow the materials Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Follow the materials - Essay Example The two targeted audiences are the board of the school and the students. These audiences are different in several aspects (Longaker, 2011). The board is an official body that deals with the school management. This board is in charge of making decisions on matters concerning the school and student welfare. This board has the power to change laws within the school and should be approached with care, using all the writing ethics that are applied in official communication. The second audience consists of students. They are the ones affected by the school policies and laws. As mentioned in the letter to the board, the change in the fee structure will have a huge impact on the way the students function. This audience has no direct effect on the setting of school laws and policies. The final decisions do not lie in their hands, and they have to depend on the board to make important school decisions for them. The two audiences affect the way in which the communication decisions were made. The board implies the need of being official in the communication, bringing up the need to write an official letter. The message is effective because the board can be addressed as a single entity. This means that a single letter can be sent to the entire board instead of writing individual letters to Board members. It is also difficult to get the board to an interactive meeting as most of its members are difficult to reach. Hence, it is easier to write them a letter, which can be read to the entire board whenever they meet. The students, on the other hand, are available during school days and getting them into one sitting is easy. It is easier to communicate to them through mass presentations such as PowerPoint and website presentations. Thus, the decision to use a site presentation was driven by the fact that the students could be addressed quickly and informally. Using letters with them would require that multiple letters be written, one for each student. The letters are also

Service operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Service operations - Essay Example In between 1900 to 1950 concept of industrial society came into the picture. Each and every organization was concentrating towards increasing their production. Manufacturing maximum number of goods in small price was the industrial trend. In 1950 the economy observed a metamorphic change where services industry emerged as the main sector for American people. It was famously known as post industrial era. During this period, 50%-80% of American people were engaged within the services industry. Currently the trend is almost same. The sector is highly dominated by health, education entertainment industry. With the changing era organizations also have changed their criterions related with workforces. Theoretical reasoning, creativity and judgment have become more important than mere execution of plans. Previously numbers of manual workers were two times higher than white-collar person but since the post industrial era the situation has changed while now the scenario has reversed. Services industry generates maximum numbers of employment than any other sectors. Operation is the most important and generally the largest functionality of any service providing organization. Even in a university or in a financial firm there is also importance of operation because employees which are carrying out different services are the parts of operation. In simple words, operation is the inseparable backbone of any service organization. A manager of a top service organization has to depend upon the works of his workforces and without their operations providing services are impossible. Modern world has changed a lot. Increasing productivity and efficiency of the workforce is the need of the hour for different organizations in the world. Modern day service industry in US is highly competitive. Every organization is competing hard to provide good quality services to their customers. In this

Antisemitism in Mein Kampf Essay Example for Free

Antisemitism in Mein Kampf Essay Mein Kampf is a book of two volumes authored by Adolf Hitler. The first volume was written whilst dictated to Rudolph Hess and Emile Maurice in Landsberg prison where Hitler was sentenced to following the failure of an attempted coup d’etat of the Bavarian government in 1924. Mein Kampf is significant amongst historiography as it is thought to be an insight into the mind of Adolf Hitler. This book is not only autobiographical but full of memoires and political ideologies, which have subsequently sparked debate as to whether this piece of primary historical evidence can be regarded as the blue-print for Hitler’s future ambitions. An intentionalist view by Historians’ such as Lucy Dawidowicz, argues that the Holocaust was the result of Hitler’s long term plan, whereas the functionalist perspective by Historians’ such as Christopher Browning is of the result of a competing agents within the Reich to answer the Jewish question. Chapter 11 of Mein Kampf: Nation and Race, shows to comprehend with the intentionalist interpretation that this did indeed set the foundation for Holocaust as a propaganda medium. Chapter 11 of Mein Kampf is a race rhetoric that advocates social-Darwinism in favour of the German Aryan race and even justifies war with the ‘racially lower’. This chapter refers to natural selection within humanity as the will of nature and of God. The word ‘Nature’ is emphasised being mentioned 20 times within the passage purveying it as a natural process. The mixing of genes with ‘lesser’ races are referred to as a sin against God, in which context Jews are included. Language used in this passage has been described as using metaphors to enforce racial prejudice, although evident is how the use of language has not only been used for easily digestible comparisons, but also as graphic and horrifying, such as ‘blood poisoning’ when describing breeding with a ‘weaker race’. Also described are the consequences of the integration of races and given examples of how this would be catastrophic for humanity. In regards to the book as a whole, anti-Semitism is consistent throughout Mein Kampf and is evident of Hitler’s hatred of the Jewish people, with quotes of ‘real’ Germans surviving in the war if a great number of Jews had been killed with poison gas. Mein Kampf was written at a time when Hitler was banned from public speaking. This indicates that the production of Mein Kamp as composed as a method in which Hitler could communicate with the public legitimately. Volume 2 of Mein Kamp is also said to be written in plain spoken language. This indicates it was written for all people to be able read, proving it as a propaganda tool. After Hitler’s Chancellorship in January 1933 Mein Kampf was eventually introduced into schools, placed on trains and presented to every bridal couple. The mass circulation of this book again proves only t o show it as a propaganda medium. Anti-Semitism was not unique to Mein Kampf and was a keen topic of Hitler’s in many political statements given in meetings. Hitler exclaims in September 1919 that the Jewish people are a race and not a religious community, and how this race are corrupt and disliked by a large section of ‘our people’ through emotion. A year later he states that a German citizen can only be one of German blood. As head of the Nazi party Hitler placed Joseph Goebbels as the head of Nazi propaganda, who wrote in the anti-Semitic newspaper ‘Der Angriff’ from 1926. In here is written how Jews’ are destroying the German community and how they must be removed from the community or they will ever corrupt it. Hitler’s ‘last will and testament’ written hours before his suicide tells of a hatred for Jews and also blaming the Jews for the war. These sources prove that Mein Kampf was not just a unique rant of anti-Semitism, Hitler believed in this hatred of the Jews’ evident here as early as 1919, days after his first attendance at a DAP meeting. This reinforces Mein Kampf as weapon of anti-Semitic propaganda at a time when Hitler could not address the public in person. Another element that points to this being a blue-print for the Holocaust was that Hitler wrote (or dictated) Mein Kampf with the intention of becoming a fascist style leader, but not only a leader, the chosen one and almost messiah-like. The failed Beer-Hall Putsch in Munich was directly influenced by the success of Benito Mussolini’s March on Rome which had immediately led to his appointment of Prime Minister of Italy; proving Hitler’s ambitions before he authored Mein Kampf. This shows Hitler always had the ambition of become a fascist style leader in Germany who would have had the power, with support from the nation, via propaganda, to eliminate the Jews from Germany. Although the ‘chosen one’ notion comes into play when in Mein Kampf it states that â€Å"Fate will someday gift the nation with a man endowed with the purpose of leading the nation out of a great depression and elimination of a bitter distress†. The elimination of a itter distress can only be regarded to ‘the Jewish problem’ as anti-Semitism is a recurring theme in the book, but Fate sending this man who is made for the job sounds messiah-like, which with Hitler’s proven ambition to become this leader would mean that if this propaganda was effective, he would become the ‘chosen leader’ and his book of propaganda regarding anti-Semitism and social-Darwinism would almost become a gospel. Joseph Goebbels exclaimed in 1941 that one of his notable achievements in propaganda was giving the nation complete confidence in Hitler by giving him a metaphoric halo of infallibility. An edition of Der Angriff from 1935 entitled Der Fuhrer’ by Joseph Goebbels states of how the Fuhrer is divine as â€Å"all of his actions stand under the power of a higher power† and Fate has provided the German people with Adolf Hitler. Again here it is evident of Adolf Hitler being propagandised as divine, and a divine leader would command the subordination of his subjects who would in return strive to please him. Mein Kamp is an intentional method of propaganda to be used at a time when Adolph Hitler was unable to communicate verbally with a gathering of people. Mein Kampf advocated Anti-Semitism, and Chapter 11: Nation and Race with a dramatic use of language strongly advocates social-Darwinism and justifies a war with the ‘lower races’ of peoples. Hitler always had, before and after Mein Kamp, an ambition to become a fascist style leader in which he had total control, which was propagandised during the construction of Mein Kampf as being appointed by higher powers and made out as messiah-like. This reinforces the intentionalist view of the Holocaust to be a result of Hitler’s long term plan. Historian’s in future research may want to consider the ‘divine leader’ messages propagandised by Hitler, in regards to the intentionalist/functionalist argument. This analysis of Chapter 11 of Mein Kampf has evaluated the context of the chapter within the book, the message within as well as examined the language used. The significance of the document as well as the purpose of it has been considered, as well as having reinforced a current historiographical debate.

The Ontology And Epistemology Psychology Essay

The Ontology And Epistemology Psychology Essay Research has been perceived at different angles ranging from utilitarian, technical and professional views, while some see it as a mere gathering of information or ordinary fact finding exercise, others see it as a process of moving facts from one form to another. However, according to Cohen and Manion, 1994 (in Nicholas Walliman, 2001 pg 10), Research is a combination of both experience and reasoning and must be regarded as the most successful approach to the discovery of truth. Meanwhile, in order to carry out a successful research, a researcher needs to plan and devise a suitable methodology and design a proper research instrument by properly considering various research approaches, paradigm, processes, values as well as matter of ontology and epistemology as all these suggest the framework for the research project. Richard Fellows and Anita Liu (2008) state that theory provides the framework for the research project rather like a structural steel or reinforced concrete frame is used in a building. It will also determine the data that should be collected and further theory will determine appropriate methods and techniques of data collection and analysis. Therefore, this essay looks into various research theories, approaches and paradigm, critically analyze them to decide which and which is congruent to a desired nature of research in the field of architecture and finally itemize substantial research plan a researcher must put in place in order to achieve the desired aim and objectives in the field of architecture by itemizing how the data about a chosen phenomenon is to be collected, analyzed and used with a proof of practicability of the research methodology since only feasible methodology gives birth to a feasible research. RESEARCH THEORY AND PHILOSOPHY Before a research is embarked upon, three questions has to be kept in mind, the motivation for the research; relevant interest, experience or expertise one bring to bear in the subject and finally the desired product which should be a thesis that is defendable or useful research report within a particular period of time, all these will suggest the type of approach researcher should embark upon since there is no generally acceptable single correct approach to enquiry (Nicholas Walliman, 2001). A researcher therefore needs to analyze the terms described in this section and determine their relevance or otherwise to his research objectives. Ontology and Epistemology Ontology is described as the study of being, the nature of reality or existence, as well as the structure of reality (Michael Crotty, 2005). Researchers position regarding ontology will determine how answers questions about the nature both social and political reality to be investigated (Jonathan Grix, 2002), this means that a researchers ontological view of the task ahead of him goes a long way to determine the focus of his study, the chosen methods and how data is gathered, interpreted or analysed. According to Blaikie, 2007, ontological claims are claims and assumptions that are made about the nature of social reality, claims about what exists, what it looks like, what units make it up and how these units interact with each other. In short, ontological assumptions are concerned with what we believe constitutes social reality (Blaikie, 2007,). Ontological positions can be expressed in terms of objectivism and constructivism also known as subjectivism; the objectivism is of the opinion that social phenomena and their meanings exist in a way that is independent of social actors while subjectivism is the other ontological argument affirming that social phenomena and their meanings are determined by social actors.( Jonathan Grix, 2002). Blaike (2007) suggests that while carrying out a research, a researcher has to choose from being a shallow realist, conceptual realist, cautious realist, depth realist, idealist realist or subtle realist which are the six categories of ontological assumptions that are available for him. A researcher who is subjective in his ontological assumption believes that awareness of our social condition can be achieved through experience and interaction with the environment and as such tends to gather qualitative information for his research, meanwhile, a researcher with objective assumption believes that there are certain principles that guide the occurrence of events and as such, they can only be tested through quantitative approach; by using data, measurement, statistics and calculation to test the theory and hypothesis governing the principle. On the other hand, Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that concerns the origins, nature, methods and limit of human knowledge (Richard Fellow et al, 2008). It is the theory of knowledge, and is interested in the origins and nature of knowing and the construction of knowledge, and the assumptions that are used about what made the nature of knowledge (Longino 1990; Dalmiya and Alcoff 1993) in Goodson et al,2004. According to Blaike, 2007, epistemology which is a core branch of philosophy that deals with the theory of knowledge, validation of the knowledge and likely ways of gaining knowledge of social reality and whatever it is understood to be. In short, epistemology is concerned with how what is assumed to exist can be known (Blaikie, 2007). Two contrasting epistemological positions contained within the perspectives, positivism and interpretivism, it is clear that choosing one of these epistemological positions will lead the researcher to employ a different methodology than what he would have employed, were he to choose the other. It is also clear that a researchers ontological and epistemological positions can lead to different views and opinion about the same social phenomena. Put simply, knowledge production relies heavily upon the ontology of the researcher their definition of reality; their epistemology what they count as knowledge depends on what they want knowledge about, while the kind of knowledge that they seek determines their methodology (Jones 1993, in Goodson et al, 2004). Jonathan Grix(2002, ) established a further relationship between ontology and epistemology by claiming that ontology is what is out there to know while epistemology deals with what and how can we know about it. Research Paradigm Research paradigm can be described in terms of how researcher thinks about the development of knowledge. According to Nicholas Walliman and Bosmaha Baiche 2001, paradigm is a term not only to describe a particular type of theoretical statement, but rather to indicate the overall effect of the acceptance of a particular general theoretical approach often expressed as law or theory Cohen, Manion and Morrison, (2000) describe research paradigm as a broad framework which entails perception, understanding and belief of several theories and practices that are applied to conduction of research. It is also described as a precise procedure, which comprises of various steps through which a researcher establishes a relationship between the research questions and research objectives. Although many researchers have used them interchangeably, research philosophy on can be described as the development of the research background, research knowledge and the nature of research (Saunders and Thornhill, 2007). The importance of paradigms is that they determine the views to be adopted, as well as the approach to questioning and discovery of truth (Richard Fellow, Anita Liu, 2008).There are several major types of research paradigm catalogued by different writers as they differ on how they categorize them, Norman Blaikie, 2010 suggests ten, Goodson et al, 2010 state that four major paradigm structure research: positivist, post-positivist, critical and interpretive, each providing flexible guidelines that connect theory with method and help to determine the structure and shape of any enquiry. However, for the purpose of this study, three major research paradigms are critically evaluated: positivism, critical realism and interpretivism. Positivism A positivist approach argues that the properties of the world can be measured through empirical, scientific observation, any research results will be presented as facts and truths(Claire Taylor et al, 2006). Positivist argues that the methods and procedures of natural science may be applied to a research and its result can therefore be generalized as an expression similar to those that are developed for natural science, as such, a clear interpretation and analysis can therefore be achieved based on testable and verifiable data (Nicholas Walliman, Bousmaha Baiche, 2001). Positivism is of the opinion that human behaviour can be codified into law when underlying regularities is identified, as such that society can therefore be studied from an impartial viewpoint of the researcher. Positivism stands upon values of reason, validity and truth, it focuses purely on facts, gathered through observation and experience, measured empirically using quantitative methods -surveys and experiments and statistical analysis (Blaikie, 2007). Alan Bryman and Emma Bell, 2007 emphasize that positivism stress beyond testing of data, it also believes that knowledge confirmed by sense can genuinely be warranted as knowledge (phenomenology), the purpose of theory is to generate hypothesis that will allow explanation of the law(deductivism), science must be value free (objective), all these are categorized as distinctive features of positivism. (Alan Bryman and Emma Bell, 2007 ) The positivist approach has brought with it a useful legacy of sound experimental design and an insistence upon quantifiable, empirical enquiry, this means that a positivist tends to gathering of quantitative data capable of logical or mathematical proof rather than from human or moral consideration, in short, a positivist approach will tend a research towards collection and analysis of quantitative data. Meanwhile, various authors have also considered the concept of post positivism which is believe to share most of the views of a realist that is later discussed in this section. Interpretivism In this paradigm, researchers acknowledge that there is no single objective reality and that different versions of events are inevitable, its focus is on natural settings, with theory developing from data after research has begun, not as the result of a predetermined hypothesis (Claire Taylor et al, 2006). Interpretivist believes there is a fundamental difference between the subject matters of the natural and social sciences and that the methods of the natural sciences cannot be used in the social sciences, due to this, they assert that the study of social phenomena requires an understanding of the social worlds that people inhabit, which definitely they have already interpreted by the meanings they produce and reproduce as a necessary part of their everyday together activities. The interpretive paradigm is more likely to be employed in qualitative research (Richard Fellow, Anita Liu, 2003), and it is wholly anti-positivist and argues that the world is interpreted by those engaged with it, the perspective is aligned with a qualitative approach, with researchers concerned to understand individuals perceptions of the world (Claire Taylor et al, 2006). It believes that all knowledge is relative to the knower and as such interpretivists work along with others as they make sense and meaning from events and create their realities in order to understand their points of view, and to interprete these experiences based on the researchers academic experience (Hatch and Cunliffe, 2006). In summary, interpretivist paradigm sees human action and involvement meaningful in a research, its truth is social construct, believes that there is no single objective reality'(ClaireTaylor et al, 2006) that is, subjective, tends toward qualitative and theory building/inductive in nature and hence it is contextual and not easily generalisable (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2007). Induction and Deduction Induction and deduction are theory that are paramount in research projects, while induction is otherwise known as research then theory approach, deduction is known as theory then research approach. It is possible to investigate the authenticity of a theory, which is a speculative answer to a perceived problem by investigation and experiment, this is known as deduction; if our experience makes us to arrive at a conclusion which we later tend to generalize, this is referred to as induction. (Nicholas Walliman and Bousmaha Baiche,2001). According to Bill Taylor et al, 2006 deduction is a reasoning process starting with a self evident principle towards a particular case, it starts with theory, hypothesis or concept usually drawn from scholarly literature and proceed to test its applicability or otherwise in a context; induction starts with empirical data and proceedings in order to arrive at a generally acceptable conclusion from such data. For instance if a researcher is interested in a particular theory or model and wish to test its practicability or otherwise in an organization, he tends towards deduction; if a researcher is interested in a particular exploratory research programme concerned with things like motivation, he may form data and attempt to form a working hypothesis on the factors that affect motivation, in that instance, he is using the induction process (Bill Taylor et al, 2006). Although, the concept of induction and deduction seems opposite in the sense that while we use deduction to test theory and hypothesis or explain some future phenomenon induction is used to generate theory, one is general to particular and the other is particular to general (Rajendra K. Sharma, 2008); yet they are both important in research as the choice of induction or deduction will greatly depend on the nature of research and hence they complement each others. The choice between the two methods is greatly important in research, this is because of the fact that it helps to analyze and decide on strategy to use and as well prepare for likely constraints during research process. (Hilary Collins, 2010).In the words of Bergman and Manfred Max, 2008, neither qualitative nor qualitative method is totally known to be better than the other, the nature of research problems and what the researcher intend to find out determine appropriate data to be collected as well as tools and technique fo r data analysis (Nicholas Walliman and Bousmaha Baiche 2005). Reliability, validity and applicability of result and conclusion is the most important in research work irrespective of the method employed; qualitative, quantitative or even mixed method (Richard Fellow, Anita Liu, 2008). Approach to research can be expressed in terms of research strategies cataloguing experiment, survey, archival analysis, historical and case study research (Nicholas Walliman, 2005), and in some other texts, problem solving and observational; or in terms of the method employed, that is, qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, hence, the type of data collected partly determine the method to be employed in a research project in order to provide suitable answer to research problems. The three methods are analysed and critically evaluated in this study.Quantitative and Qualitative methods. Qualitative and quantitative research are not only differ in their methods, they also differ in terms of problem p erception, data requirement, collection and analysis of data. Quantitative research involves application of measurement or numerical approach to an issue under consideration, data gathering and analysis. (Julia Brannen et al, 1992). It is an objective method of research that relates to positivism philosophy and seek together factual data which is further analysed to produce quantified result and conclusion testing theories and findings of a previously conducted research. (Richard Fellows and Anita Liu, 2008). Theory is used at the beginning of research not to develop the theory but to test its originality, the theory thus serves as a framework for the entire study, an organizing model for the research question or hypothesis and for data collection procedure. (Creswell, 1994 in S.G Naoum, 2007). Qualitative research on the other hand is the method of research that seek to understand peoples behavior, attitude and experience (Bergman and Manfred Max, 2006), through the use of back and forth approach between each stage without necessarily having a pre-defined step by step approach, it involves interaction and interconnection among different design component. (Joseph A. Maxwell, 2005). It is a subjective research method that allows the researcher to change definition of general concept during research process towards diagnosing a situation and discovery of new idea or evaluation of peoples opinion about a particular factor; this is possible because qualitative researchers use themselves as research instrument in addition to obtained data; hence, it is a theoretical and participant observation method rather than the opposing descriptive theory testing, method (Julian Brannen et al, 1992). Qualitative research is less structured and makes use of such approach like interview or focus group with the aim of getting in-depth opinion from participants. Unlike the quantitative method, qualitative research does not place theory at the beginning of research process, although theory may be used during the research process as a tool for comparison with other theory, meanwhile, a quantitative research generates theory that can further be tested with the use of quantitative method (S.G Naoum, 2007).

The Case Against Capital Punishment Essay -- Death Penalty Essay

  Ã‚  Ã‚   This country is determined to prove that killing someone under certain circumstances is acceptable, when in all reality there can be no rationalization for the taking of another human life.   Killing is murder.   It is as simple as that.   There have been so many different controversies surrounding this debate that often, the issues become clouded in false statistics and slewed arguments.   The basic fact remains that killing is morally and ethically wrong.   This fact does not disappear by simply changing the term "murder" to "capital punishment".   The act is still the taking of a life.   On these grounds, the death penalty should be abolished. Proponents of capital punishment believe that killing criminals is a moral and ethical way of punishing them.   They feel there is justification in taking the life of a certain criminal, when in fact that justification is nothing more than revenge.   They also feel that the death penalty deters crime, although there have been no conclusive studies confirming that viewpoint (Bedau).    Most death row inmates are members of minority groups that tend to be poor.   The fact they are on death row can be explained as a direct result of their marginal economic status.   These alleged criminals receive legal representation that is not adequate for the serious crimes of which they are accused, simply because they cannot afford to pay for expensive defense attorneys (The Death Penalty).   In virtually all cases of indigent defendants, underpaid and less experienced Public Defense attorneys are appointed by the court to represent the accused.   Investigative monies are usually limited or nonexistent.   This is one reason why minorities are over-represented on death row.   More affluent white defen... ... clearly support the argument against capital punishment.   There can be no justification for the taking of any life, no matter what the transgression.   By taking that life we, as society, have chosen to become as monstrous as those whose heinous crimes we abhor.    Works Cited ACLU Briefing Paper No. 14:   The Death Penalty.   ACLU http://www.aclu.org/library/DeathPenalty.pdf   04/26/00 Bedau, Hugo A.   The Case Against the Death Penalty.   Ethics Updates. http://ethics.acusd.edu/Bedeau.html#Opinion   04/26/00 Issues and Controversies:   The Death Penalty.   Issues and Controversies on File   http://www.facts.com/cd/i00015.htm#I00015_b   05/01/00 Radelet, Michael L., updated by the Death Penalty Information Center.   Post-Furman Botched Executions. The Death Penalty Information Center http://www.essential.org/dpic/botched.html   04/27/00

Succot: The Jewish Holiday :: essays research papers

Succot: The Jewish Holiday After the Exodus from slavery in Egypt, the wandering Jews lived in tents or booths, called Succots. They were pitched wherever they happened to stop for the night. Today it is called the Succot the festival of booths remembering both the ancient agricultural booths and those of the Exodus. The harvest festival of thanksgiving, Succot, begins five days after Yom Kippur, and lasts for eight days. The first two days are the most holy, during which most Jews do not work. The families construct the booths and decorate it with branches, and leaves, fruits, and other designs. The roof is covered lightly, so the stars and the sky can still be seen. Most Jewish families eat all their meals in the Succot, while some even sleep in them. During the Succot festival, thanks are given for all growing plants by using four plants which are symbolic of all the rest. These four plants also represent the Jewish people. The Etrog, or the citrus fruit, stands for the people who are educated in the Torah and who do good deeds. The Lulav, or branch of the date palm, stands for the Jewish people who have knowledge but no good deeds. The Hadas,or myrtle, symbolizes the people who do good deeds, but are not educated. The Aravah, or willow, stands for the people who have no good deeds and no education. These plants are carried around the synagogue in a procession while prayers are recited for blessings on the land and fruit of Israel. In biblical times, the willow, the palm, and the Etrog were used in decorating the Succot. At the end of the Autum harvest, on the fifteenth day of Tishri (September-October) Succot is celebrated. It is believed that the festival originated with the ancient Canaanite celebration after the grape harvest at the end of the annual dry season. During this time rites were performed to incourage the rains. Boughs of fruit trees and evergreens were made into little booths which the early Jewish farmers lived during the festival. The last day of Succot is called Simhat Torah. It means the "rejoicing of the Torah." On this day, the reading of the Torah is completed, and is then Succot: The Jewish Holiday :: essays research papers Succot: The Jewish Holiday After the Exodus from slavery in Egypt, the wandering Jews lived in tents or booths, called Succots. They were pitched wherever they happened to stop for the night. Today it is called the Succot the festival of booths remembering both the ancient agricultural booths and those of the Exodus. The harvest festival of thanksgiving, Succot, begins five days after Yom Kippur, and lasts for eight days. The first two days are the most holy, during which most Jews do not work. The families construct the booths and decorate it with branches, and leaves, fruits, and other designs. The roof is covered lightly, so the stars and the sky can still be seen. Most Jewish families eat all their meals in the Succot, while some even sleep in them. During the Succot festival, thanks are given for all growing plants by using four plants which are symbolic of all the rest. These four plants also represent the Jewish people. The Etrog, or the citrus fruit, stands for the people who are educated in the Torah and who do good deeds. The Lulav, or branch of the date palm, stands for the Jewish people who have knowledge but no good deeds. The Hadas,or myrtle, symbolizes the people who do good deeds, but are not educated. The Aravah, or willow, stands for the people who have no good deeds and no education. These plants are carried around the synagogue in a procession while prayers are recited for blessings on the land and fruit of Israel. In biblical times, the willow, the palm, and the Etrog were used in decorating the Succot. At the end of the Autum harvest, on the fifteenth day of Tishri (September-October) Succot is celebrated. It is believed that the festival originated with the ancient Canaanite celebration after the grape harvest at the end of the annual dry season. During this time rites were performed to incourage the rains. Boughs of fruit trees and evergreens were made into little booths which the early Jewish farmers lived during the festival. The last day of Succot is called Simhat Torah. It means the "rejoicing of the Torah." On this day, the reading of the Torah is completed, and is then

Aldous Huxleys A Brave New World Essays -- Technology A Brave New Wor

Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World The New World, a man-made Utopia, governed by its motto, Community, Identity, Stability (Huxley 3). A man-made world in every way. Human beings fertilized in bottles. Identity, gender, intelligence, position in society, all predestined. Human beings classified in the order of precedence: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. Every one conditioned to be a certain way. Every one works for every one else (Huxley, 74). All man-made to ensure social stability. Is society in the New World truly better than in the 2000s? Are people in the New World truly happier than we are in the 2000s? Do we in the 2000s have any thing in common with the New World? Are there significant sociological differences between the 2000s and the New World? These are questions I found myself pondering as I lay down Aldous Huxley's brilliant A Brave New World. We have tremendous expectations of our Mothers. In the 2000s , our ideal Mother give life to her child, provides unconditional love to her child, and nurtures her child. There is a special bond between a Mother and her child. We have learned to recognize, respect, and appreciate the self-sacrifices and hardships that a Mother endures for her child. Those of us less fortunate, craves the love, care, and attention of a good Mother and good parents. To provide good parenting to our children are the goals and concerns of every good parents. Parental affection and guidance, or lack thereof, plays a vital role in our lives. We promote childbirth as a natural, fulfilling experience for women (Lamaze International, Online). In the New World, Mother is a smutty word (Huxley 36). Mothers, parents, and families were taught and understood as viviparous. Our 90s society woul... ...itics, the social instability. Should we sacrifice the good of the 2000s for the social stability of the New World? I want to say that I can not be certain, for I do believe in different systems, different values. But I can not say that. I live in the 2000s society and I grew up with my own set of belief. My own ideology. Therefore I have my bias opinion. Isn't social instability the path to finding true happiness? Without the bad, how will you recognize the good? If every thing is predestined, what is the purpose of life? If there is no individual love, what is there to live for? Self-happiness verses state-happiness. If self-happiness is selfish - then I am. Works Cited Huxley, Aldous. A Brave New World. 1932, 1946. National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) 10 February 1998 . Europe Against Drugs (EURAD) Date Unknown . Lamaze International Date Unknown .

PHI – Employee Health Information

Employees of an organization should expect for their health information to remain private. Just as the government has found it necessary to create laws to protect employees from discrimination, they have had to create laws to safeguard an employee’s protected health information (PHI). These laws include: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHAct). While each law explicitly protects employee health information, it also allows employers to use certain PHI to meet certain requirements of each law and to ensure the safety of employees. What is Protected Health Information? What is protected health information? According to Davis and Salver-Malyska, protected health information is defined as individually identified health information transmitted electronically or maintained or stored on any electronic media (2003, p. 31-32). In the United States the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows employers if acting as Plan Administrator to obtain certain PHI. There is no way around this, because the administrator must ask the employee’s doctor to complete certifications and provide back the employers. Companies that have an HMO and also have Workman Compensation, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Short-term and Long term Disability plans will require the doctor or the employee to provide medical certifications that support the need for the employee to be on leave or restricted duty. Under the FMLA, companies are required to also get PHI for an employee’s family member is the leave is requested to take care of a sick or injured family member. Other types of PHI collected by employers include, pre-employee physical information, drug testing prior to employment and random testing. This information is required as part of the hiring process or company liability coverage depending on the nature of the business or job. According to Cascio, the employer is required to indicate if a leave is FMLA and the reason for the leave (2010, p. 9). Ethical and Trust Issues At issue with each type of PHI collected or reviewed there is the potential of the employee’s privacy being compromised? If companies to not set standard, required policies and procedures for those employees requesting and handling the PHI, then there could be major breaches. Once the breach as occurred, an employee’s trust is eroded. Managers and supervisors should be provided training, as most of the information for Workman Comp, FMLA or STD claims is already provided to the employee’s management. But even still, employers cannot directly ask health care providers the nature of an employee’s situation unless the employee has provided or agreed to release the information. According to Colquitt, Lepine and Wesson, trust by an employee is their implied and explicit agreement to allow themselves to be vulnerable to a trustee (2009, p. 219). Just the thought of PHI being made accessible to individuals who may not be trustworthy creates considerable distress by the employee. An example, of distressed trust, would be an employee who is HIV positive, who is required to take a pre-employment physical. While in theory and supposed practice, an employer is not to request a pre-employment physical until after the offer I made. Nonetheless the employee would still have feelings of reluctance to allow the testing just to get a job. Another example includes the employee who is covered by the ADA, where a company must make reasonable accommodations for the employee’s disability. Which means management and HR must ask the question and place into service, the items or accommodations they employee need to meet the projected expectations. In January 2009, the Bush administration published updated FMLA regulations. One key section clarifies the rules regarding who may request additional information about an employee’s FMLA certification—and how it should be sought†. Recommendations In my experience as a manger, I refrain from asking employees PHI regarding them or their families. When you have employees who have small children, elderly parents and a disabled spouse, managers must ensure that they never ask an employee â€Å"what is wrong†? Not only should HR provide training on basic requirements for Workman Comp and HIPAA. Each manager must put safeguards in place to ensure employee records are not compromised. My company has established a process that removes the need to certify or review medical information for return to work instances. Employees submit items directly to an HR professional and not to the manager or supervisor. By doing this it removes the possibility of deliberate or unconscious violation of the employee’s privacy rights. References Colquitt, J. A., Lepine, J. A., & Wesson, M. J. (2009). Organizational Behavior;Improving Performance and Committment in the Workplace. New York: McGraw Hill. Cascio, W. F. (2010). Managing Human Resources: Productivity, Quality of Work Life, Profits. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Davis, V., & Silver-Malyska, T. (2003). Employers Liability for Use and Disclosure of Individual Health Information: HIPAA Privacy and Employer Functions. Benefits Law Journal, 16(2), 29-46.

Further Reflections on the Public Sphere Essay

The text is about relationship of state and civil society, the origins of and prospects for democracy and the impact of the media. A kind of rethinking of Habermas’ first major work, The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere published in 1962 and translated into English in 1989 which describes the development of a bourgeois public sphere in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as well as its subsequent decline. Habermas admits, his theory has changed since then and he reminds readers of these changes. 1.The Genesis and Concept of the Bourgeois Public Sphere The public sphere (Ãâ€"ffentlichkeit ) is an area in social life (standing in-between private individuals and government authorities) where individuals can meet to freely discuss public matters, exchanged views and knowledge and through that discussion influence political action. A vibrant public sphere serves as a positive counterweight to government authorities (are out of the state control) and happens physically in face-to-face meetings in coffee houses and public squares as well as in books, theatre etc. The public sphere emerged first in Britain and in the 18th century in Continental Europe. The newspapers, reading rooms, freemasonry lodges and coffeehouses marked the gradual emergence of the public sphere. Habermas mentions Geoff Eley’s objection to his earlier depiction of bourgeois public sphere is an idealized conception. Habermas admits now the coexistence of several competing public spheres and groups, that were excluded form the dominant public sphere – the so called „plebianâ€Å" public sphere (like Jacobins, Chartist movement). Habermas influenced here by Guenter Lottes and greatly by Mikhail Bakhtin, who opened his eyes to the culture of common people as a violent counter project to the dominant public sphere. Habermas now views quite differently the exclusion of women as well. Habermas asks himself – were women excluded from the dominant public sphere in the same fashion as the common people? He answers himself with „noâ€Å" – the exclusion of women had structuring significance, as it was happening not only in the public sphere, but also in the private sphere. At the end of this chapter Habermas summons up: his bourgeois public sphere was formerly conceived too rigidly. In fact, from the very beginning a dominant bourgeois public collided with a plebeian (and female) one. As a result, the contrast between the early public sphere and the today’s decayed public sphere is no longer so deep. 2.The Structural Transformations of the Public Sphere: Three Revisions This chapter traces the transition from the liberal bourgeois public sphere to the modern mass society of the social welfare state. Starting in the 1830s, a transformation of state and economy took shape. Clear borderlines between public and private and between state and society became blurred, as a result of interventionist state policies. The increasing re-integration and entwining (mà ­senà ­ se) of state and society resulted in the modern social welfare state. In the subchapter 1 Habermas deals with the impact of these developments on the private sphere. Civil society was formerly totally private, there was no difference between social and family life. This changes with the emancipation of lower strata (workers), a polarization of social and intimate sphere arrives. Habermas describes a dispute among two schools in the 1950s, that of conservative Carl Schmitt school (and Ernst Fortshoff) and Marxist Wolfgang Abendroth, that influenced his considerations at that time, though today he distances himself from his approach. In the subchapter 2 Habermas is concerned with changes in the structure of the public sphere and in the composition and behavior of the public. The infrastructure of the public sphere has changed due to changes in media, advertising and literature that has become oriented to new social groups (workers) as well as due to the collapse of the liberal associational life. Since the 1960s, when Habermas book was published, the opportunities for access to public communication became even more difficult. The public sphere is today dominated by the mass media., which turned the critical public into a passive consumer public and caused a decay of the public sphere. Nevertheless, Habermas says his old concept of a unilinear development from a „culture-debating to a culture-consuming publicâ€Å" was too simplistic and pessimistic. Habermas explains this by general situation of media effects studies at that time – he relied on Lazarsfeld’s behavioristic research and had no information brought later by Stuart Hall (audience does not simply passively accept a text). Subchapter 3 deals with the legitimation process of mass democracy and two diverging concepts of public opinion – an informal, nonpublic opinion and a formal quasi public opinion (made by mass media), that often collide. 3.A Modified Theoretical Framework The mass democracies constituted as social-welfare states can continue the principles of the liberal constitutional state only as long as they try to live up to the mandate of a public sphere that fulfills political functions. It is necessary to demonstrate how it may be possible for the public to set in motion a critical process of public communication. Habermas asks himself, weather there can emerge a general interest of the kind to which a public opinion can refer to as a criterion. Habermas could not resolve this problem before. Today he is able to reformulate the question and give an answer. The ideals of bourgeois humanism function today as a utopian vision, which makes it tempting to idealize the bourgeois public sphere too much. Therefore Habermas suggests the foundations of the critical theory of society be laid at a deeper level and beyond the threshold of modern societies. In the 1960s Habermas believed that society and its self-organization was a totality (celek) controlling all spheres of its life. This notion has become implausible today – e.g. economic system of a society is regulated independently through markets. Later emerged his dual concept of society – the internal subjective viewpoint of the â€Å"lifeworld† and the external viewpoint of the â€Å"system†. The aim today as he sees it is to erect a dam against an encroachment (naruÃ… ¡ovà ¡nà ­) of system on the lifeworld, to reach a balance between the social-integrative power of solidarity (lifeworld) and money + administrative power (system). Communicative action serves to transmit and renew cultural knowledge, in a process of achieving mutual understandings. It then coordinates action towards social integration and solidarity. This can be met in traditional societies. Less often in posttraditional societies with their confused pluralism of various competing forms of life. Habermas criticizes Rousseau for his utopian concept of the general will of citizens in a democracy as a „consensus of hearts rather than of argumentsâ€Å". Habermas sees the solution in the process of public communication itself. Therefore democracy is rooted in public reasoning among equal citizens. State institutions are legitimate only when they establish a framework for free public deliberation (debata). Such a rational debate is the most suitable procedure for resolving moral-practical questions as well. The question remains how such a debate can be institutionalized so that it bridges the gap between self-interest and orientation to the common good (between the roles of client (private) and citizen (public)). Such a debate must meet two preconditions: presumption of impartiality and ability to transcend initial preferences. These conditions must be guaranteed by legal procedures (institutionalized) and they themselves shall be subject to the law. New institutions should be considered, that would counteract the trend toward the transmutation of citizens into clients (i.e. toward alienation of citizens from the political process). Democracy shall be not restricted only to state institutional arrangements. They shall interplay with autonomous networks and groups with a spontaneous flow of communication, that are the one remaining embodiment of the altogether dispersed sovereignty of the people. Democratic public life cannot develop where matters of public importance are not discussed by citizens. However, discourses do not govern – the responsibility for practically consequential decisions must be based in an institution. 4.Civil Society or Political Public Sphere Political public sphere is characterized by two processes: 1) the communicative generation of legitimate power 2) manipulative power of mass media. A public sphere need more than just state institutions – it requires a populace accustomed to freedom and the supportive spirit of differentially organized lifeworlds with their critical reflection and spontaneous communication – voluntary unions outside the realm of the state and the economy (church, independent media, leisure clubs etc.) They are not part of the system, but they have a political impact, as was seen in totalitarian regimes, e.g. in the communist states of Eastern and Central Europe. In Western-type democracies these associations are established within the institutional framework of the state. Habermas asks himself the question, to what extent such a public sphere dominated by mass media can bring about any changes. This can be answered only by means of empirical research. He concludes with reference to a study No Sense of Place by J.Meyrowitz, who claims that electronic media dissolve social structures and boundaries (like in primitive societies). Habermas disagrees – new roles and constraints arise in the process of using electronic communication.

7 Army Values: the Standard Behavior of a Soldier Essay

Army basic training has two main stages in the process of building a Soldier. The first five weeks are to break you down, and the last five weeks are to break you down, building you into a Soldier. While a Soldier is being is being built they instill something called the Seven Army Values into you. The values are something that I lived by in the Army, and to this day I still live by them. I can take these values and apply them to everyday life. They are the standard for behavior, not only in the Army, but in any ordered society. Loyalty: â€Å"Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S constitution, the Army, and other soldiers†. This can be applied to my role as a student as I will be loyal to my fellow classmates and teachers. In my personal opinion, Loyalty means being a person that others can count on, so when the time comes, I will be there to do what needs to be done. Duty: â€Å"Fulfill your obligations† Accept responsibility for your own actions and those entrusted to your care. As a student I will accomplish the task that needs to be done, no matter how much I would rather be doing something else. If I do not fulfill my duties on a regular basis, then those around me will have to pick up the slack, and any sense of loyalty begins to become tarnished. See more: Homelessness as a social problem Essay Respect: â€Å"Treat people as they should be treated†. How we consider others reflects upon each of us, both personally and as a professional organization. I will respect everyone in my class and also my teachers. I would want them to treat me the same way. With respect we can get a lot accomplished and complete things as a team. Selfless Service: â€Å"Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own†. Selfless service leads to organizational teamwork and encompasses discipline, self-control and faith. In college and in life I will commit to go a little further, and get the job done right the first time. Honor: â€Å"Live up to all the Army values†. I will encompass all the values into one and apply them to everyday life as a College student and my life in general. I believe these values are important to live by. Integrity: â€Å"Do what is right, legally and morally†. Be willing to do what is right even when no one is looking. I have a real bad self conscience so I would not be able to cheat. I am an honest person and I will always be this way. Personal Courage: â€Å"Our ability to face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral courage†. I will take responsibility for my decisions and actions and accept responsibility for my mistakes and shortcomings. I will try my hardest not to make mistakes but no one is perfect. These are the values that I live by every day. They are what I stand for. In everyday situations I can apply one of these values.

Educational Implications Essay

The educational implications of Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky are very precise and distinctive. These three articles focus on the application of cognitive, social and psychosocial theories and their implications within an effective classroom. Each individual psychologist puts into practice learning practices that can be executed within a classroom to increase student’s success and achievement. Piaget’s article stresses the educational practices of peer learning, and depicts possible outcomes from this strategy. Vygotskys article highlights the importance of developing an efficient social climate within the classroom, whereas Erikson draws our attention to teaching children of diverse cultures. Piaget: Implications of Piaget’s Ideas about Peer Learning Peer-learning has great significance in the classroom settings and can be considered imperative in its usage in the classroom. The essential function of peer learning is to sharpen academic skills and manage interactions with classmates (De Lisi, 2002). DeVries stated that student learning is extended when teacher generate an environment of mutual respect in their classrooms. When mutual respect is established in the classroom peers demonstrate a higher probability to freely exchange ideas that later lead to deeper understandings and positive reception of individual personalities. The article also suggested that peer learning occur in the classroom rather than being extended outside of the classroom. This suggestion is made because of differences in social-moral contexts outside of the classroom; however teacher can require particular individual parts. Piaget suggested that developing knowledge as a relationship between a child’s current cognitive system and the object, task, or problem at hand. When this relationship is balanced the cognitive system is engaged in its entirety and essential components of the problems are addressed. Balanced problem elements and cognitive system foster deeper levels of understanding and comprehension of problems. When the components in the task and problem is outweighed by the child’s cognitive system the child will most likely become imbalanced in their thinking by develop various individualistic interpretations. In these instances details are often ignored and overlooked, resulting in no change of understanding. When problem elements dominate the cognitive systems minimal engagement is acquired (De Lisi 2002). An example of an unbalanced developing knowledge is in the instance of two students working on a reading assignment. If the assignment is above one of the student’s ability level there is high likely chance the student will copy off of the student and never comprehend author’s purpose. The article also addresses preconceptions about peer-learning among students personally. Students possess feeling and consciousness about these particular experiences. Feelings provide motivation for actions, while thoughts draw up the margins of their potential on an assignment. Intentional teachers must fashion clearly designed socially interactive components in peer learning activities to ensure positive experiences. Teachers can amplify the growth of innovative and critical thinkers through calculated peer learning activities. Weather peer-learning occurs in or outside that classroom it can produce many beneficial outcomes. Erikson: Teaching the Immigrant Child Immigrant children are immensely populating our classrooms requiring a change in earlier used strategies. These strategies are now proven to be obsolete and no longer effective. English languages Learners (ELL) are students who are learning English while speaking other languages including their native tongue (Onchwari, etl 2008). A great amount of this population of students derives from poor families and homes where there is limited education which produces greater obstacles for teachers and students. In the scenarios educators must be sensitive to the students needs and look for ways to foster high self esteem and incorporate their personal cultural beliefs. According to Erickson’s theory, children progress through eight universal psychosocial stages. Immigrant children battle through the first three stages of Erikson’s theory; trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, and initiative vs. guilt. As educators create an atmosphere of cultural respect, children develop acceptance which leads to additional confidence in their abilities (Onchwari, etl 2008). Teachers can learn about a child’s culture and teach acceptance, in result immigrant and non immigrant students ill learn cultural differences. Vygotsky: Developing Tools for an effective classroom. This article focuses on cognitive and social constructivism to produce an effective classroom. Cognitive constructivism is constructed through a personal process, while social constructivism is where ideas are constructed through interaction with teachers and peers. After Piaget describe his theories on cognitive constructivism Lev Vygotstky later followed these theories with his belief in social interactions and its fundamental role in learning. Vygotsky’s main theory is the zone of proximal development or ZPD. This is the part that controls how a child learns. ZPD is the area where learning occurs when a child is assisted in a concept that is being expressed in the classroom. Research proves consistently that learning is smooth when it occurs within this zone and others are involved (Vygostky, 1962) ZPD focuses on the different psychological functions that emerge as a child grows and occurs when a child is helped in learning a concept in the classroom (Vygotsky, 1962). Once the skill has been mastered, the child’s ZPD increases. As a result of this, the child is able to do more activities independently and with less teacher guidance. Vygotsky’s theory also includes the concept of scaffolding. Scaffolding takes place during the ZPD stage to help the child understand skills taught by the teacher. The teacher works closely with the student to solve problems and complete tasks After reading these articles I was able to grasp a better understanding of the positive impacts these theories have on student learning and achievement. Each theorist are diverse in their approach but their research merits great positive outcomes. All three theories incorporate diversity, communication, engagement, language, and inquiry base learning. Jesus in the New Testament established a new command that stated we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Teachers must keep in the forefront of their minds that located inside of each student is a heart; a heart that has different motivations, beliefs, values, goals and feelings. That same heart is to be love and cultivated because each one is an individual.