Monday, September 30, 2019

Battle of Leyte Gulf

The thesis of this essay is to find out the important decisions, planning and action taken by the American and Japanese forces during Leyte Gulf operations, which was a major event of the Battle in World War II. The important events will be depicted in the light of the Major strategic plan adopted for better use of the strengths of the forces by competent authority of both side of America and Japan.The cause of the battle and a brief history to commence major events like destruction of Pearl Harbor by Japan’s air forces, the loss of fate of Bataan Peninsula, the role of Philippines, their degrade of faith from Japanese due to defeat, etc.Will be estimated directly when considering the major achievements of General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz during effecting of the Leyte Gulf operation The essay In the greatest history of mankind, the World War II has topmost disgrace in terms of violence and the conflicts of the armed forces, where numerous innocent persons had to lose their life due to the global political strategic plan for the preparation of military strength to show their power as fascism.The operational decisions, mainly of America and Japan, were such a thoughtful act to acquire the power on each other that can be remembered throughout the history of mankind if any such things happen in future. Among various operations happened in this World War II, the operation of Leyte was very much important as any battle that occurred in Pacific war. Japanese had not stopped even after destroying the Battle Fleet of Pearl Harbor and in December 1941, their forces continued their attack on the Philippines.Bataan Peninsula was knocked down in April 1942, and in May 1942 General Wainwright along with remaining US forces and Filipino forces were bound to lay down their arms at Corregidor. After two and half year of descends of Bataan, allied forces commenced the recapturing of the Philippines with most important corridors on Leyte. The consequence and effect of this war was mainly dependent on destiny of the Philippines and the outlook itinerary of the war in opposition to Japan.Leyte, situated in the middle of the archipelago, was the central point, so the forces of Southwest Pacific controlled by General MacArthur and the forces of Central Pacific lead by Admiral Nimitz converge here to extort the Philippines from the seize of the rivals. General MacArthur had advantage of Leyte due to its reachable distance to other islands for the strike either by ground or air forces. Leyte was place were Japan would be forced to surrender in central Philippines providing launch pad for final attack against Japan.General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz were dedicated to make use of the utmost resources at their authority (Reports of General MacArthur, 197-200). It was obvious that Japan would put its best effort with all its strength up to the eleventh hours to set aside the Philippines. But Japan was continuously facing difficulties to keep hold in the battle and before reaching the end of the year 1944, the situation of this nation was very much dangerous and frantic. Almost all the allies had contracted their hand from external fringe of her defense system.According to Reports of General MacArthur (197-200), â€Å"They were now poised with their full power at the very threshold of her inner structure and if they should break through, the Homeland itself would stand dangerously exposed-an inviting target for the next invasion†. Due to behavior of the allies and the inferior qualities of the forces of Japan in comparison to America, the war had reached to a decisive stage and only one defeat of Japan would lose all the glory of empire of the century.The inhabitant of Philippines had only one chance to offer to Japan for saving from the forces of General MacArthur. Undoubtedly the Japanese forces came with all its strength and efforts to face the invasion of America. Japanese were aware with the fact that if the Philippines were defeated then there were no any chances to be in the war and the war was also lost consequently. Henceforth, they prepare a destructive plan risking their left behind surface forces offering Philippines a distant possibility of demolishing the American assault fleet and separating the Allied forces on ground on Leyte.This plan was mainly reliant on the use of decoy force, which was already, tried early as operational plan by Japan. Now Japanese carriers were prepared fully except it had no trained-aircrew, so the ships were chosen for playing the most important role of decoy. Vice Admiral Ozawa arranged four aircraft carriers together with other twelve ships from the North and siphon off the major American force. At the same time two more commanding battleship forces would infiltrate the Central Philippines and then congregate on the assault ship in Leyte Gulf.In the consequence of the combat against the Americans for the Philippines, the Japanese had to invest a great deal in terms of battle force, finance and dignity in Leyte only to lose. In this campaign they had to sacrifice four divisions and many distinct combat units. The naval force had also to lose major warships nearly twenty-six full-fledged units along with forty-six great transportation and merchantmen. The land-based air capabilities were also diminished by nearly fifty percent and Japanese had to rely on only kamikaze pilots who act was totally suicidal. But America had to face mixed result due to this campaign.As the duration for this battle was not expected to be such long, so the island become difficult for the base of the army. Other set back like quite a lot of intelligence failures including the failure of MacArthur's headquarters failure to discriminate Japanese purpose to fight a crucial battle on Leyte, made the battle unexpectedly long. This causes less air force and naval force to cover the battle troop and they could not prevent additional enemy troops to arrive at the position . This was a major drawback in planning and strategy of the battle by the American side.The valor shown by a Japanese soldier with full dedication in defensive war methods to use the difficult terrain for his own advantages and his commanders willing to sacrifice their life, cause difficulty in fighting any decisive war. When Admiral Halsey took the bait on 24th October in the afternoon, one of his search planes marked the Japanese Northern Force decoy convoy which were carrying four carriers faraway to the north of Leyte. Taking the attention toward this happening, Admiral Halsey commanded his whole third fleet into chase, he left Leyte Gulf in total exposure as Japanese had expected.By the next morning a heavy battle was fought at Cape Engano where Japanese Northern Force were lost to Halsey carrier planes of third engagement which also included battleships' guns. To fight the main combat, Halsey had to return at Cape Engano leaving that battle. In The Battle of the Surigao Strait , the Japanese Center Force along with Southern Force, had survived the air combat in the night of 24th and 25th of October and motivated on their divided paths in the direction of Leyte Gulf and MacArthur's conveys and escort carriers. In The Battle of Samar Island, Kurita's Center Force, including the super battleships viz.Yamato and Musashi, fruitfully stirred through the constricted San Bernardino Strait, after that south down the east coast of Samar Island, situated northeast of Leyte, in the range of the Seventh Fleet's softly targeted by dawn on 25th October 1944. In the Battle off Samar, the Japanese were conflicting by slighter, frivolously armored ships, which in principle had no counterpart for heavyweights of Kurita. The commander of Japanese Center Force, Kurita by mistake understood that he was betrothed with America’s Third Fleet carriers.Sprague took benefit of smoke screens and a rainsquall to decrease the visibility of Japanese and accuracy of fire. All the engagement together were known as the Battle of Leyte constituting the biggest naval battle at the time of World War II in the Pacific. This may be regarded as the largest in any history till date. The Japanese had to lose more than twenty-six vessels of warships. On the other hand America lost only six battleships including five at the Battle of Samar, in this operations.References: Reports of General MacArthur (197-200). â€Å"CHAPTER VIII, THE LEYTE OPERATION. THE CAMPAIGNS OF MACARTHUR IN THE PACIFIC VOLUME I†.August 2, 2009. http://www. history. army. mil/books/wwii/macarthur%20reports/macarthur%20v1/ch08. htm Morison, Samuel Eliot. â€Å"History of United States Naval Operations in World War II† Volume XII â€Å"Leyte† . (Little, Brown & Co. , Boston 1963) Fuller, Major-General J. F. C.. â€Å"Decisive Battles of the Western World† – Volume 3 (Eyre and Spottiswoode, London 1956) Woodward, C. Vann. â€Å"The Battle for Leyte Gulf† (Macm illan & Co. , New York 1947) Clancey, Patrick.. â€Å"Leyte-The U. S. Army Campaigns of World War II†. HyperWar Foundation. August 2, 2009. http://www. ibiblio. org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-Leyte/index. html

Sunday, September 29, 2019

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Marquez

Gabriel Marquez is famed with producing a large collection of fine literature. A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings guides readers into the depths of deep moral and spiritual truths—all done through the vision of a children’s tale; yet, it’s far from a simple short story for elementary students to digest. It’s Gabriel Marquez’s method and style that reaches out to the cultured individual as we look at point of view, character construction, and symbolism. Marquez, in fact, is very deliberate in his tone and thematic language which creates the power behind his tale. I will assess this short fiction piece and offer critical evidence to aid in dissecting how and what is the author’s true message: He blended magical realism with satirical undercurrents against the Columbian government. Marquez complicated his meaning by incorporating religion with government upheaval into Columbia, a country based in Catholicism. This steadfast government preferred to control its people instead of creating unity. The characters, too, hide their motive as Gabriel Marquez provides vivid descriptions of why the human mind has become so tainted by its own grip on material vices and following a strict higher order. Materialism and the Columbian government have put up walls, according to Marquez, between the spiritual world and the individual. In fact, an entire village in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is so blinded of the true essence of human spirit that they cannot tap into it—even when a village cages an angel in town. Yet, could this1968 publication, an early creation by Marquez instead be a satirical stab at an artist who hopes to fool a small village of simple-minded folks? This idea generates great conflict as readers attempt unravel this complicated piece. Marquez’s story stirred up religion, the Latin American government, and social disharmony. Symbolism surrounding the ideal of his vision of the Latin American government was a tricky undertaking for Marquez. The main reason that this was a risk for Marquez is that if someone were to chastise or publicly mock the Columbian government, the repercussions most often led to the arrest of an individual. The government didn’t allow free-press or speaking out against the government. Since Columbia, by-and-large, is a catholic country Marquez’s angel can be viewed as a symbol of the constant praying done by their lower-class society. They prayed for their freedom, safety, and peaceful survival. It’s very ironic how a poor community is forced to save every peso they work so hard to earn. The limited funds netted by individuals and households winds up being just enough for survival. The government, in turn, looks the other way as it pilfers every peso they can from individuals and families. It’s almost a dictatorial monarchy that could be likened to the story of Robin Hood and the problems he faced when trying to share the wealth with the less fortunate. In Marquez’s story, he showed readers that the people of this simple Columbian village prayed often and deeply to God, praying for an angel to save them from this constant torment. Many times, their prayers were focused solely on having a just government to represent them. They, however, never new what a just, fair legal system was. This small Columbian village and its political practices remained hidden from many neighboring countries. In dissecting this short story, I must look further into symbolism. Marquez also painted a picture of the poor woman in the story. The poor woman is actually the symbol of the poor Columbian people. The poor people prayed; yet, nothing seemed to be going their way—whether they held rosary beads or not. Marquez, in his compassionate, writerly ways used his poetic license when he brought an angel to this community that was in dire need of reconciliation. The angel, however, does not fit the stereotypical white-winged halo of beauty, grace, and heavenly wisdom. Here, the angel arrives on the scene in its crumpled state of near-paralysis. Even the angel’s wings are covered in stench. This stench on these heavy, infected wings is symbolic of a suffering community. Marquez wrote the following to initiate this winged-angel into the story, which created a tone of what was to come from our angel: his huge buzzard wings, dirty and half-plucked, were forever entangled in the mud. This description helps to create the theme of a troubled Latin American society. Every time a new election brings about a different government official or president, there seemed to be a need for spiritual aid for the Columbian nation. They always feel back on spiritual healing, but the healing never came to them. So, to display this, Marquez created the new government official, or president, as an angel coming to save Columbia in hopes of solving their massive problems. It so fitting, and ironic, that Marquez depicts the president as an angel. The president and government were anything but angelic toward its people. So to bring the message home, Marquez described a withered up, decrepit angel that is caged by the community—partly because they didn’t know what to make of this bird-creature. Marquez added in the short story, a poor woman who since childhood had been counting her heartbeats and had run out of numbers; the Portuguese Man who couldn’t sleep because the noise of the stars disturbed him†¦and many others with less serious ailments. Marquez further conveys meaning by creating characters that seem to have something missing. The angel, although it is a fantastic sight with its huge wings, appears to be very human, even ordinary. At best, it’s a disappointed angel that was forced into a standstill by the seeing eye of the people who yearned for a better system of government. We sense upheaval and emotions from the characters, yet he does not create concrete characters that the reader can relate to. There is a purpose to his magic, though. Our angel is described as a helpless angel, one that is caged by the people. Even though he appears to be so weak and unable to even walk, they cage him. This, in effect, symbolizes how the government has instilled decades of fear into the people, blinding them and weakening them. They cannot speak for themselves for fear of being imprisoned by the government. More irony can be seen here because the people are fearful of being imprisoned by the government rule when they are already caged by this oppressive government. The character of our angel creates the style of the story. It is, both fascinating and distressing. Readers discover an underlying source of tension by how ill-mannered they treat this angel-like creation. In reality, we know that people don’t sprout wings. So this is either some kind of monster, a cruel trick, or completely imagined. When the doctor examines this caged winged-man, he feels that the wings are perfect for this creature. He is left to wonder—since he believes the wings are a perfect fit—why God did not grace us with wings as well. They are a natural addition to the old man’s frame. When we look at the logic of the situation, we either feel it has supernatural intentions or its wings were meant to fit him. The author even has Pelayo and Elisenda overcome their own shock and dismay when they, too, feel he is a familiar creature. As readers, we are steered in the same direction and simple acceptance of this winged angel. In fact, none of the people that come to view the winged-man ever question its existence. At the end, we are left to wonder whether he was or was not an actual angel. In any event, he is, at the very least, an old man with wings. The caged angel is placed on a families’ property. The family living on the property are representations of the cabinet of the government figure. Marquez created a poor family for the angel to land on. Once the angel arrives, the family accepts it and discovers a means of generating some income. They use the angel as if the angel were a sideshow freak at a carnival attraction. The people in the village, as displayed by Marquez’s talented ability to create plot, are tainted by conventional wisdom, superstition, and ignorance. This ignorance is something that has been instilled by a government that refused to allow its people to grow and expand their individual knowledge base. Even though the angel is treated distastefully—and the angel appears pensive and even in pain—it is in no way, a bad angel or a representation of the angel of death. He is just a vulnerable creation who is plagued by the heavy burden of his wings. Again, these dysfunctional, stench-ridden wings represent the cabinet of the government that has plagued the community into submission. The following phrase written by Marquez helps signify the fact that these villagers are a people easily swayed by the voice of confidence. First, out of all the people they might call on to help decipher who, what, and where this apparent winged creature came from, the villagers called upon a fortune teller of sorts. Marquez wrote, They called in a neighbor woman who knew everything about life and death to see him, and all she needed was one look to show them their mistake. Marquez, then, related how quickly this apparent all-knowing woman comes to a conclusion about this winged man without more than a bat of her eye at the winged individual. â€Å"He’s an angel,† she told them. â€Å"He must have been coming for the child, but the poor fellow is so old that the rain knocked him down. Here, Marquez uses clever wit to state this woman as either a gifted clairvoyant or another peasant who has found a crafty way to make some money by offering counsel to people in need of aid. In closing, it’s important to remember that several techniques aided in developing the old man’s existence. Marquez used detailed sensory imagery that were visual (his wings, fading hairline, and parasites) and ocular (we could smell this angel and feel his wings brush up against us as it pressed ag ainst the cage. Furthermore, Marquez does not depict the angel as some glorified dove or eagle with thick plumage. Instead, we are given the image of the withering, stench-filled feathers of a buzzard. This, in essence, is the picture we are to visualize when we think of the Columbian government and how it treated its people. Marquez purposely goes against the stereotypical angel and makes his point in poetic fashion. Marquez presents us with a new slant on angels: What if they were real and were nothing like we expected them to be? He develops stress and apprehension between this old man’s dying magical qualities with his equally unclean human characteristics. Thus, we cannot clearly place our character in one mental state. For one, he doesn’t appear omnipotent or heavenly. He does appear to be lost and in the wrong place, unable—or unwilling—to communicate with the people of Columbian. Once again, this symbolically drives home Marquez’s point: The Columbian people are living in a harsh reality of an unjust governing body. In the end, the old man is a stubborn, dying man of flightless wings who has lost his wings of life by sucking the life out of its people.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Rhetoric of Batman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Rhetoric of Batman - Essay Example acy and its success in apprehending and stopping the mad terror that has been rampant in Gotham — makes it clear that the politics of Batman continue to echo the dark side of politics in America. Batman has been one of the most interesting of the superhero comic since his inception since, as we’ve pointed out, he’s a hero without super powers. He’s a regular guy thrust into extraordinary situations — much like politicians, who are rarely faced with issues of clear right and wrong. Unlike other superheroes, Batman’s world is full of moral ambiguities. He must often make unpopular decisions to support policies and politicians with whom he doesn’t agree because it’s the right thing for the city. And unlike other superheroes, whose difference from mere mortals moves them to an uncontested ethical sphere where political leaders essentially play a secondary role, Batman is very much a player on Gotham’s political scene — and not just because his alter ego happens to be a billionaire capitalist. Ultimately, though, Batman’s socioeconomic status probably impacts his political stance, which has historically skewed heavily toward the conservative side of things. One of the most interesting things about The Dark Knight is that in it, Batman’s strong and stated desire is to get out of politics and be an ordinary billionaire. But he’s forced by his internal desire for justice to interfere in the affairs of Gotham City, even though he know that doing so is problematic — Batman’s existence and the fact that he’s successful at shutting down crime seems to bring out the crazy in the criminals of Gotham City. â€Å"As we looked through the comics, there was this fascinating idea that Batman’s presence in Gotham actually attracts criminals to Gotham, attracts lunacy,† said Christopher Nolan, the director of The Dark Knight. (Halbfinger) It is much the way Americans felt after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which left many people

Friday, September 27, 2019

HR Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HR - Coursework Example They include cost savings, increased globalization of the economy and labour market, potential to reduce adverse impact of protected groups, and to improve efficiency of hiring system (Chapman & Webster 2003). Additionally, human resource endeavours in selecting the most qualified person. However, the method of selecting such person has been shown to differ around the world. As a result, this is likely to reduce the performance of the human recruitment practices. The method of uniform selection of personnel remains disputed around the world. The article argue that what is best is to first understand the resemblance and dissimilarity of existing hiring practices in different nations (Huo, Huang & Napier 2002). This would help the human resource manager’s researchers to gain some insight. The article intention is to establish the differences that exist among nations in terms of general use of hiring practices. The article argues that few expects human resource managers all over the world to recruit employees in a similar. However, this is not the case as different approaches are used by organization of various nationalities (Huo et al. 2002). Moreover, the article argument is whether there are universally acceptable criteria that can be used universally by human resource for recruiting new employees. Moreover, the human resource managers are faced by challenges of expatriate selection. This has resulted from rise of cosmopolitan corporations. As a result, there has been increased awareness of the use of expatriate personnel and the importance of managing such a group. This uniqueness is in the government, private, and non-government sector. The article focus is on similarities or differences in expatriate’s management practices of organizations in these sectors. This is done with respect to the selection, preparation, management or support while overseas, and repatriation, of

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Effective Approaches in Leadership and Management Essay

Effective Approaches in Leadership and Management - Essay Example They communicate this to others and develop strategies for achieving the vision. They also motivate workers and negotiate for resources and other supports aimed at achieving the organization’s goals. Managers on the other hand ensure that the organization’s resources are well organized and utilized to produce the best results (Cherie and Gebrekidan, 2005). However, due to dynamic nature of the world in which managers operates, they also need to be leaders. In health care delivery, it is common for nursing leaders and managers to apply different approaches in solving issues that affect the the health care facility. A case in point has been witnessed with regard to their approach to nursing shortage and turn-over. Carlton and the University of Colorado (2009) note that shortage of nurses is a significant crisis that impacts on the delivery of quality healthcare services. It is, therefore, very important for the nursing leaders and managers to understand the causes for the m to be able to tackle the issue. The major factors that have been singled out as the major contributors of nursing shortage include demand and supply issues such as job dissatisfaction, burnouts, and other challenges within the working environment (Carlton and University of Colorado at Denver, 2001). ... in this case entails, improving working condition and welfare of workers, improving salaries and other benefits that are competitive to instill satisfaction and motivate them. Another strategy used is carrying out recruitment immediately a shortage is realized (Cherie and Gebrekidan, 2005). 2. Compare and contrast how you would expect nursing leaders and managers to approach your selected issue. Support your rationale by using the theories, principles, skills, and roles of the leader versus manager described in your readings. Just as Carlton and the University of Colorado (2009) note, a good leader should have a sense of mission, must be decisive; charismatic and able to rally people to work together toward the achievement of a common goal. A leader must also be creative to be able to solve organizational problems and build a conducive working environment that produces satisfaction. A manager on the other hand must ensure that the institutional resources are well organized and utiliz ed towards achievement of best results (Carlton and University of Colorado at Denver, 2009). This implies that a manager ensures that things get done. With regard to the issue of nursing shortage and turn-over, I would expect the nursing leaders and managers to first address the issues that trigger nursing shortage and turn-over, especially those within their management control. This is due to my philosophy which is employee-based. This is a better strategy in my opinion and contrast with approaches of reorganization and restructuring used by some leaders and managers. This is because I believe that reorganization and restructuring alone may not motivate employees, a factor that has been identified as the major contributor of turn-over in thw nursing profession. Carlton and the University

Love- The Gaps of the dispute settlement process of WTO Research Paper

Love- The Gaps of the dispute settlement process of WTO - Research Paper Example The WTO agreements include intellectual property, goods and services2. They state the principles of liberalizations along with the legalized exceptions. They comprise of obligations of individual countries to lessen custom tariffs along with other trade obstacles and to open service markets3. The methods of settling the conflicts are also prepared by them. The agreements tend not to be static in nature, however, they are renegotiated according to the requirements and thus newer agreements can be added to the package4. It is quite significant for the government to make their trade policies quite transparent by informing the WTO regarding the laws in force along with the measures adopted as per the WTO agreements. Numerous WTO councils’ along with the committees’ main function is to check if the requirements are being followed and the WTO agreements are being executed correctly5. In order to put into effect the rules and to ensure that the trade is conducted in a smooth way, the WTO’s method for solving the trade conflicts under the Dispute Settlement Understanding is crucial6. The countries bring into notice the disputes if they feel that their rights under the agreement are being disobeyed. Judgments by specially appointed independent experts are generally based upon interpretations of the agreements along with involvement of the individuals. The members of the WTO have approved to the fact that if they feel that their fellow-members are not obeying to the trade policy then in order to settle the disputes they will make use of the bilateral system rather than taking steps unilaterally7. This implies that it is significant for them to abide by the decided methods and thus value the judgements. The WTO’s conflict settlement conformity is also referred to as the ‘Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU)’. It is the main

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 44

Marketing - Essay Example Lastly, services are intangible, meaning they cannot be touched or physically felt. This increases the hesitation in a consumer’s mind regarding the credibility, making the purchase decision harder. Thus, it is important that the services and its USP are marketed properly to increase awareness and allowing consumers to make a conscious choice according to the marketed characteristics. 2. Apple Inc. is a US based company that manufactures, markets and sell electronics, cellphones, tablets, software’s and personal computer s to the masses at a premium price. The ‘apple’ phenomenon is not a new one for this day and age where the initiative taken by Steve jobs took the world by storm. New innovative softwares, technologically advanced systems and superior user experience were some of the key differentiating factors that allowed Apple to attain the current position in the market. The targeting strategy adopted by Apple is differentiated targeted. This is because the company believes in selling high end products that offer superior customer value at a premium price. The focus of the company as per Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is to create a halo effect that leaves people craving the product once one is hooked on to it (Pride, pg 43). The availability is relatively concentrated due to the company’s aim to keep up the ‘premium product’ image. Apple differentiates its products on the basis of the features offered, the brand association and the superior experience that it promises. Apple loyalists have this concept embedded in their minds and thus they do not consider switching. It also reflects the founder, SteveJobs’s aim to make the product so superior in quality and experience that the market comes to them and they don’t have to market themselves. This is the reason why the minimalistic advertising still allows apple to gain and

Monday, September 23, 2019

What is aggression Does watching violence in television, film and Essay

What is aggression Does watching violence in television, film and video games ake people more aggressive and more likely to commit violent acts in society - Essay Example The resulting changes in everyday social relations may lead to steady escalation in aggressive actions. Because of the powerful way in which the television media has focused on violent and antisocial behavior, the media deliberately misinforms, making the viewers fearful, suspicious and cynical. Because of its bias toward bad news, the media feeds a perception that the world is a violent, dangerous place. As a result, the viewers come to overestimate the rate of violence. With these images flashing in their minds every evening, the viewers become negative, mistrustful of others and withdrawn, and cease to believe in progress. Children, who are not mature enough to distinguish fantasy from real life, television from life on the street, come to assume that acts of violence are acceptable in real life and become incapable of making appropriate judgment calls in times of conflict. Children who are repeatedly exposed to entertainment violence are also more likely to see violence as an effective way of settling conflict. However, playing violent video games may be more detrimental than view ing violent television shows or movies because they are especially enthralling, interactive, and necessitate the player to associate on a personal level with the violent character of the game. Infamous events have generated extensive debate regarding the effects of video game violence. For example, a nationwide conversation ensued regarding what connection video games had to the 1999 Columbine High School (Littleton, Colorado, U.S.) massacre where two students murdered 13 and wounded 23 before killing themselves. While many motivations were likely involved, it is not possible to identify precisely what provoked these teenagers to shoot their classmates and teachers but violent video games have been mentioned as one possible contributing factor. The two students had often played

Sunday, September 22, 2019

J.P.Morgan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

J.P.Morgan - Assignment Example Morgan 10 3.9.1 Strenngths 10 3.9.2 Weaknesses 10 3.9.3 Opportunities 10 3.9.4 Threats 10 4.0 Recommendations 12 5.0 Conclusion 12 6.0 References 13 1.0 Introduction J.P. Morgan & Co. is an investment and commercial banking organisation which is primarily based in the United States. It was established by J. Pierpont Morgan and was generally known as Morgan or the House of Morgan. In the current day context, J.P. Morgan is a part of the JPMorgan Chase. This firm is considered to be the direct forerunners of two of the major banking organisations namely Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase in the context of the United States and on a global scale. In the year 2000, J.P. Morgan was obtained by Chase Manhattan Bank and they formed into a new organisation i.e. JPMorgan Chase & Co. In the current day context, J.P. Morgan brand is utilised for the purpose of marketing definite JPMorgan Chase wholesale deals which include asset management, investment banking along with commercial banking. In or der to create efficiency, the company was found to restore its business operations in the year 2008. However, presently, the supremacy of J.P. Morgan is under risk as the organisation is facing certain issues relating to the maintenance of sustainability in the business (Alef, 2009; Chernow, 2001). 1.1 Terms of Reference The primary purpose of the report will be to analyse the current socio-political issues faced by the company. In order to analyse the current position of the company in a better way, it will also include a brief SWOT analysis to deliver a clear cut picture. Moreover, the reasons and expectations behind taking sustainability measures by the organisation would be ascertained and certain recommendations would be provided to the company so that it is able to maintain its leadership position. 2.0 Procedure In order to conduct a comprehensive analysis, secondary sources will be utilised to understand the current business strategies and expectations of the company. The inf ormation will be sourced by way of reviewing valuable secondary sources such as news articles, journals and books among others. The main reason behind using secondary sources is to minimise time along with associated costs. 3.0 Findings 3.1 Socio-Political Issues faced by J.P. Morgan In relation to the socio-political issues, it has been found that the company faced certain difficulties in this respect. Based on the current scenario, it has been determined that the company has been facing issues pertaining to the financial matters. Additionally, the company has been found to face other issues which are mainly related to the financial aspects. It has been observed that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) was looking for a US$6 billion fine from JPMorgan above mortgage claims that came into play as a result of the financial crisis. Moreover, it has been reported that the financial crisis may take up such a bad turn that the company may end up paying high amount of debts. In this similar context, it has been learnt that the range of fines may increase to a very high level that may amount to US$500 and US$600 million which the company may end up paying to the controller of credits (Perlberg & Roche, 2013; Ameresekere, 2012). Furthermore, other socio-political issues seem to take up a different picture. It has been analysed that the company engaged in certain marketing activities that were not quite apt for its sustainability perspective. It has been accused of wrongdoing in

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Writing Locations posted on course website Essay Example for Free

Writing Locations posted on course website Essay Important Notice: Anyone who is not able to write the exam on the scheduled date must provide documentation validating his/her absence, i.e. doctor’s note confirming illness and inability to write exam dated the day of the exam. Once documentation is received and approved by your professor, the value of your midterm will be added to your final exam. If valid documentation is not provided, the midterm mark will be a zero. 20 Multiple Choice questions 15 Short Answer questions, 2 to 6 marks each (80 marks total) TOPICS TO BE COVERED: The relationship between the firm and its external environment Critical success factors: what they are, why they are important, how they connect to each other Diamond-E model: key variables, connections among variables, principal logic, examples External analysis what it is, how to conduct one, general vs. specific environments, benefits and challenges of conducting one PEST factors: elements, impact on business, questions to answer from PEST analysis Porter’s five forces model: explanation of each force’s impact on industry profitability, methods of reducing the impact of each force, strategic questions it answers, industry examples Entrepreneurship what it is, what the key elements are, its significance  entrepreneurial process elements, influences, and connection with Diamond-E components of opportunity recognition  how to screen and evaluate opportunities for viability and competitive advantage high versus low potential ventures  how to access resources, bootstrapping, pros and cons of financing options social entrepreneurship: what it is, key facets, stakeholders, how it compares to traditional entrepreneurship, how it compares to charity, examples Technological Factors  opportunities and threats of technology   technology standard wars – description, impact, scope  installed base, lock-in, switching costs, complementary goods, network effects – description, importance, example key assets and strategies to win technology standards wars sustaining technologies – what they offer, who they serve, examples disruptive technologies – what they offer, who they serve, examples, why disruptive innovations can cause large firms to fail, how different types of innovations challenge existing firms tactics for small companies to succeed and for large companies to avoid failure Citing sources and APA Formatting -objectives, rules, methodology Relevant Readings/Materials Pearson Textbook: Chapters 1,2 Lab Manual:Technology Readings (directions for accessing on pg. 199) Introduction to Writing and Using Sources How to Use Sources APA Documentation Style APA In-text Citation Format Pearson resources on citing and using APA format Cases are not covered on the exam. SUGGESTED STUDY APPROACH: For each topic identify questions that may appear on the exam. These questions can fall into four general categories: 1. What is it, what are the general elements of the topic 2. Why is it important, why are the individual elements important 3. How are the individual elements related to each other? How are they related to the topic? How does the topic or its elements relate to the topics? 4. Provide an example to help explain your answers and/or illustrate the elements and topics. YOU CAN DO IT – GOOD LUCK!!!

Friday, September 20, 2019

The strategies adopted by given organizations

The strategies adopted by given organizations Any management strategy adopted by a given organization or enterprise is always aimed at producing practical results in tandem with the existing organizational goals and objectives (Galie and Bopst, 2006). Several management theories and practices have been in place since time immemorial and always undergo improvements and optimization in order to give best results. The criteria followed when selecting a given management approach is influenced by several factors such as resource availability, organizational structures, operational costs and efficiencies, types and levels of diversifications, socio-economic factors, political and cultural factors, human resource development, international relations, among others (Ma, 1999). The primary objective of this paper is to discuss the various management theories that have been in place since 1900 and the various factors that have influenced their evolution, and adoption in organizational management. For better understanding, a comparison of the organizational perspectives using the basic characteristics and properties of the mechanistic and the organic organizational designs shall be briefly highlighted in the paper. Management theories provide logical theoretical frameworks applicable in the administration and general management of organizations and business enterprises. These theories basically act as a springboard or foundations that help guide enterprises toward achieving their set goals and objectives (Weymes, 2004, 85). In most cases however, the scientific management approach has been used a model in the managerial elements of organizations. In this case, organizations and business enterprises carry out systematic analysis of this model and modify most of its characteristic aspects in order to suit specific managerial requirements (DuBrin, 2006). Precautionary measures are usually put in place to ensure the fundamentals of this management strategy are upheld at all times. For the last one century (period between 1900 and 2000), the management theory is said to assume a developmental and progressive nature that puts into consideration the emerging trends and needs (environmental and internal needs) of organizations through appropriate response and adaptation mechanisms. In this domain, there are several approaches namely the classical approach, the quantitative approach, the human resource approach, the systems perspectives, the contingency approach, and the information communication technology (ICT) approach. The Quantitative Approach In management, the quantitative approach revolves around maximum utilization of a group of techniques and methods to aid the decision making process. This approach is derived from the scientific model and is often referred to as operations research and/or management science. In operations research, several scientific and mathematical analytical tools are broadly applied in deriving optimal management solutions. Such quantitative tools include, but are not limited to linear programming, statistics, queuing theory, the game theory, network analysis, and decision trees. The managerial applications utilizing the quantitative approach include quality control, quality assurance and inventory control (DuBrin, 2006). The Classical Approach In management, the classical approach includes a general combination of both administrative and scientific management. In this regard, scientific management involves broad application of scientific techniques and approaches with the overall aim of boosting the productivity and general performance of individual workers in a given organization. Administrative management on the other hand revolves around appropriate use of best management practices in the structuring, reorganization and general management of the organization (DuBrin, 2006). The Human Resource Approach This model applies the psychological facet of human nature in organizational management. The approach puts more emphasis on people management through proper understanding of their mindsets and individual needs (Gomberg, 1985). Major characteristics of the human resource approach revolve around the Hawthorne effect which is basically the study of human behaviour in response to apparent attention from evaluators/auditors. Secondly, the human resource model utilizes various components of the McGregorà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s Theories X and Y, particularly in regard to human nature with specific reference to responsibility and work (Murphy, 2003). Lastly, this approach incorporates the Maslowà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s hierarchy of needs, spreading out from the very basic wants to those intended for leisure and self-actualization. Manpower development approaches, organizational behaviour theories and human resource management are based on the fundamental principles of this theory. The Systems Perspective This approach creates an analogy between an organization and a system made up of several intertwined features and components (Murphy, 2003). There are several management theories applicable fro the systems perspective e.g. strategic management theories of collaborative and competitive advantage, the innovation and competence theory, the human resource management and organizational behaviour, the resource-based view i.e. the theory of competitive advantage, etc (DuBrin, 2006). The systems perspective is an imperative method since the interlinking and interaction of existing capabilities, systems and internal resources can be used to give a better explanation of the changing trends and responsive nature of organizations towards their surrounding environment (Murphy, 2003). The Contingency Approach This is a management tool that appreciates the fact that no single management tool can be regarded as the best practice to effectively manage people and work in every prevailing situation. Based on this perception, this approach encourages the management teams to fully analyse situational and individual differences before settling on a given approach or solution (DuBrin, 2006). The innovation and competence theory and the strategic management theories of collaborative and competitive advantage, coupled with the perspectives of industrial organization utilize the various elements of the contingency approach in optimization and in carrying out improvements. The contingency approach also puts into consideration the different organizational and environmental structures and needs that influence an organization, together with other factors such as resource availability and capabilities with respect to individual organizations (DuBrin, 2006). The ICT (Information Communications Technology) Approach This approach has been influenced by the technological advancements in the various fields of ICT, including the internet. The developments in this field have several positive impacts on the organisational behaviour and the general conduct of managers and workers. The management theories utilizing the ICT approach include the supply chain management (i.e. procurement, distribution, logistics inventory theories), the strategic management practices and knowledge technology management (Murphy, 2003). Basic Characteristics of Types of Organizational Design The table below summarizes the two extreme ends that can be applied in organizational design and management Table 1.1: Basic Properties of Types of Organizational Design (Source: Derived from, Murphy, 2003, pp. 14) Organizational Feature Organic Mechanistic Centres of Power/ Authority Few Many Division of Labour Low High Power Base Expertise/ Merit Position Interrelations within the organization Many Few Use of Strict Rules, Regulations and Procedures Low High Primary objective / purpose Responsiveness, Adaptability, Flexibility Efficiency Based on the above discussions, it can be deduced that several management approaches can be used when dealing with various situations. There is no way one single approach can fully satisfy all the needs and demands of the organization (Robbins, et al, 2006). Compromise and optimization of all the above approaches can be utilized in deriving the best management practice that is result oriented. In scenarios characterised by complex, uncertain, ambiguous and volatile conditions, it is quite in order to restructure organizations by adopting strategies that can best fit the challenges posed by the prevailing circumstances. Conclusion

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Historical Development Of Atomic Structure :: essays research papers

Historical Development of Atomic Structure Yazan Fahmawi Sept. 30, 1995 T3 IBS Chemistry Ms. Redman The idea behind the "atom" goes back to the Ancient Greek society, where scientists believed that all matter was made of smaller, more fundamental particles called elements. They called these particles atoms, meaning "not divisible." Then came the chemists and physicists of the 16th and 17th centuries who discovered various formulae of various salts and water, hence discovering the idea of a molecule. Then, in 1766 was born a man named John Dalton born in England. He is known as the father of atomic theory because he is the one who made it quantitative, meaning he discovered many masses of various elements and, in relation, discovered the different proportions which molecules are formed in (i.e. for every water molecule, one atom of oxygen and two molecules of hydrogen are needed). He also discovered the noble, or inert gases, and their failure to react with other substances. In 1869 a Russian chemist, best known for his development of the periodic law of the properties of the chemical elements (which states that elements show a regular pattern ("periodicity") when they are arranged according to their atomic masses), published his first attempt to classify the known elements. His name was Mendeleyev, and he was a renowned teacher. Because no good textbook in chemistry was available at the time, he wrote the two-volume Principles of Chemistry (1868-1870), which later became a classic. During the writing of this book, Mendeleyev tried to classify the elements according to their chemical properties. In 1871 he published an improved version of the periodic table, in which he left gaps for elements that were not yet known. His chart and theories gained acceptance by the scientific world when three elements he "predicted"—gallium, germanium, and scandium—were subsequently discovered In 1856 another important figure in atomic theory was born: Sir Joseph John Thomson. In 1906, after teaching at the University of Cambridge and Trinity University in England, he won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the conduction of electricity through gases. He discovered what an electron is using cathode rays. An electron is the smallest particle in an atom, whose mass is negligible compared to the rest of the atom, and whose charge is negative. Though scientists did not know it at the time, electrons were located in an electron cloud rotating around the nucleus, or center of the atom. Another prominent figure in nuclear physics is a man called Ernest Rutherford, born in 1871. He also was a professor at the University of Cambridge, the University of Manchester (both of which are in England), and at McGill College

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Essay --

People say that the first step to success is finding out what you want and then giving yourself to it with all your heart. I have partly found myself by making one of the most important decisions of my life - choosing a profession, and now I study Management at YSU’s faculty of Economics. I have to admit that I haven't always been a student with top marks as I connected my goal of becoming a good specialist with an experience rather than a qualification. Now I realize that the harder I work at the university, the closer I get to my profession. However, like most of my fellow students, I dream of breaking out of my academic routine and getting skills that standard lectures will never provide. Through applying to this project I have made my decision on choosing an exchange country that fits me most, and I hope that I fit it either, with my statements that are introduced below. Several things interest me about the US as an exchange student, and I want to introduce them from practical, sociocultural and after all, a little bit â€Å"selfish† aspects. First, US Universities have much to offer me as a student by giving out an opportunity to study precisely what I’m interested in, in a more different way than I've been used to in my current university. In other words, American education methods meet students’ objectives and raise analytical thinkers with skills of a potential leader. That is part of what makes it such an interesting place to study. Besides, studying in a country with mixed culture which is also filled with international students has another advantage: that is becoming part of the Global youth and exploring my opportunities, obtaining self-confidence, as well as breaking some stereotypes through interactions and ... ...a western education they are motivated to make major contributions to the development of their countries with a clear aim of building a democratic society by sharing experience and knowledge with others. I have the qualities of struggling for the implementation of the goals that I have always wanted to achieve and even if they don’t work sometimes, at least I know that I dreamed out loud. So I would like to study in the USA by means of this program, because it teaches a lot in a short time and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thus, I am ready to be an exchange student for my willingness to continue the endeavors of Global UGRAD alumni: i.e. I have to be a good ambassador of my country, enrich my knowledge reservoir and use it for the benefit of the public sector in my community. This is my full understanding of what is required from any exchange student.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Thoroughly Modern Millie :: essays research papers

Thoroughly Modern Millie   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thoroughly Modern Millie takes place in the year 1922 in New York. At this point in history all the women wanted equal rites and wanted to have fun. The main characters in this film are Millie Dillmount, Miss Dorothy Brown, Trevor Graydon, Jimmy Smith, and Muzzy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Millie Dillmount is a totally modern woman. She’s come to the cite from the country in search of a husband. She strives to become a successful business woman and to marry well and be rich. She has every intention of marrying her boss.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Miss Dorothy Brown is an orphan new to the city from California. She’s very naive and has no friends or family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Trevor Graydon is Millie’s new boss. He is a single business man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jimmy Smith is a man in the paper clip industry. He is madly in love with Millie.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The major theme of this movie is that love doesn’t always have to include money and materialistic things. Also that not everything has to happen like they do in the movies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Millie Dillmount lives in a hotel and Miss Dorothy Brown from California moves in. They automatically become friends. The house mother, Ms. Meers, is a middle aged Chinese woman who runs an illegal work ran by kidnapped white female orphans. Miss Dorothy is a target because she doesn’t know a soul. Millie meets Jimmy Smith and he falls in love with her. She feels the same only she wants to marry her future boss whom she hasn’t met quite yet. She’s looking for love and money. When Millie finally gets a job her boss, Trevor Graydon, is a handsome, charming man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One day for an outing Jimmy takes Miss Dorothy and Millie to his friend Muzzy`s house. Muzzy is a multi millionaire who becomes close friends with Dorothy and Millie.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Miss Dorothy meets Trevor Graydon and its love at first sight. Later that night Miss Dorothy is kidnapped by the Ms. Meers and taken to slave with the other white women. Jimmy, Millie, and Trevor figure out what’s going on and come up with a plan.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jimmy dresses up as a woman and gets a hotel room at the hotel and he makes it quite clear that he is an orphan and all alone in the world. He gets kidnapped and Millie follows as he leads the way to the others. Their plan works and everyone gets set free and Millie realizes she loves Jimmy.

African-Americans Volunteer to Join Ww1 Essay

I am happy to write on behalf of Jorida Petritaj. As her English Language Learner’s teacher for the past three years, I have gotten to know her well, and can appreciate what an extraordinary person she is. Jorida has worked very hard these past three years I have known her, and I have seen her grow not only in her English proficiency, but in her academics across the board. She has set high standards for herself, and maintains these standards consistently throughout high school. She has earned the respect of teachers and peers. Jorida came to Affton High School her freshmen year of high school from Albania, and in spite of her limited English proficiency has excelled in each of her classes, and has chosen to take honors classes as well. She works very hard, and helps other ESOL students who are new to Affton. In spite of all of the difficulties that a high school student endures both socially, and academically, Jorida has matured and made choices that have given her excellent opportunities in the Affton community. As an outstanding citizen, I have seen her assist other students during the school year. She genuinely has a desire to see others learn when they are struggling. Her empathy is evident in the way she engages with other students. She has worked during her high school years to help her family. Her family made the decision to come to America so Jorida and her little brother Gledi would have greater academic opportunities. Jorida has taken full advantage of this gift by following her dream of working in the pharmaceutical field by attending South County Technical’s Pharmacy School. Jorida will be an asset to any program that she attends. She will thrive in any setting: academically, socially, and professionally. Your consideration for this deserving student is deeply appreciated.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Cesar’s Mourning Essay

The book subject of this paper is the classical literary work of Oscar Hijuelos titled: â€Å"Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love†. The book revolves around the lives of two musically inclined brothers who migrated to America from Cuba. The brothers were Nestor and Cesar. As found in the book’s title the central theme was â€Å"love†. The book has expressed different forms of love for different kinds of relationships. It expressed unconditional love for a brother, like what Cesar and Nestor had for each other. It expressed love for the woman you married, like how Nestor felt for Dolores. It expressed love for a woman you know you can never have, like how Cesar felt for Dolores or how Nestor felt for Maria. These interplay of emotions provided for the central theme of the book which also made way for the resolution of the question why Cesar can’t mourn for Nestor. This paper will seek to answer such question through the use of a structured argument. In order to be able to support its contention that Cesar cannot truly mourn for Nestor for two reasons: because unconsciously or consciously he knew he was better of without Nestor and because Cesar was responsible for making Nestor unhappy (Thesis Statement). The line of thinking pursued by this paper may be dark and offensive to some. Still an open mind will find that when they look closer this contention is in fact meritorious. Cesar cannot truly mourn for Nestor. One cannot truly mourn for someone else if he knows that he is better off without him. This is easy to see. Imagine the life of Cesar if Nestor had died. The woman he loved, Dolores, will be his for the taking. He would no longer have to deal with pulling the weight of a younger brother who had no ambition but to open a bar and come back to his Maria. True that the book never expressed that Cesar felt like this. However, a careful look and examination of the story itself will show us that this line of argument is very much tenable. The loss of someone when beneficial to us denies us from the emotion of mourning. It is true that when one experiences joy when another one passes away is devious and callous. However not mourning for someone is not necessarily devious and callous. Let us presuppose that Cesar was sad that Nestor passed away. He may indeed be sad that the brother he loved so much passed away. But can he mourn for him? No, because consciously or unconsciously he knew that the death of Cesar would benefit him. This is a sadistic and cruel interpretation of the emotions of Cesar. Sadistic and cruel it may be but tenable and meritorious it still is. One of the statements in the book that professed this fact was: â€Å"The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important to be great the rare individual who satisfies this angle will hold people in the palm of his hand. So even the undertaker will regret his death† (Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, Hijuelos) The second reason why Cesar cannot truly mourn for Nestor is the fact that Cesar was the reason why Nestor ended up that way. Cesar was very ambitious and for everything he wanted to do he needed Nestor to be there. On the other hand Nestor was more laid back and simple. Nestor only dreamt of a simple life a small bar in Cuba would have been enough for him. However Cesar’s ambition was insatiable. Cesar’s insatiable ambition caused Nestor’s unhappiness. In the book to quote Cesar said: â€Å"There’s no dream, it’s our life† (Mambo Kings Plays Songs of Love, Hijuelos). This is one of the reasons why Cesar cannot truly mourn for Nestor. Cesar cannot truly mourn for Nestor because he knew that Nestor was not happy. Cesar knew that when Nestor died his life was empty and incomplete. Considering this fact is it possible for Cesar to feel mourning for Nestor? No, because the emotion that lingered with Cesar on Nestor’s death could not have been mourning. The emotion that lingered with Cesar is guilt and not mourning. He felt guilty for driving his brother to unhappiness. He felt guilty for leading his brother to a life his brother never wanted. Carrying these kinds of emotions will not allow us to mourn for anyone. If anything this kind of guilt will drive us to anger for ourselves. However these kinds of emotions will not elicit mourning. Mourning is a word we often carelessly use to describe someone’s feeling when someone important to them passes. However, as argued and contended by this paper just because someone we love dies does not necessarily imply that the emotion we feel is mourning. There are a lot of other emotions one may possess when someone passes away. More often the emotion that we feel is not mourning. This argument however does not devoid or considers that one does not feel mourning when someone close to them dies. On the contrary it submits that mourning is indeed an emotion felt by anyone of us for the loss of someone but does not necessarily apply for all cases. The story of Cesar and Nestor is one example where a brother cannot truly mourn for another because of envy and guilt. The clearest expression of guilt instead of mourning was when Cesar said: â€Å"I would trade places with him right now, if I could.. † (Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, Hijuelos) Works Cited Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, Oscar Hijuelos

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Choose a Career

Passion or Money Does money make people incentive toward their career or job selection? The pressure of the dream life in which everything is achieved can drive people to select a carrier or a job that isn’t their favorite. Robert Sullivan in How to Choose a career that will not get you rich discusses how society had driven people to choose something that they don’t love by saying, â€Å"These days, a good education is a must if you planning on working your entire life and ending up with little or nothing†(Sullivan 407) .A good career is consider on how much that person will earn, that is why sometimes students aren’t motivate since what they love isn’t going to pay them as good as other careers. â€Å"How to Choose a Career That Will Not Get You Rich No Matter What Anyone Tells You† by Robert Sullivan argue that people should choose majors or jobs depending on what they are really interested in. Sullivan expresses his opinion with a sarcasti c humor to poke fun of the attitude of society by given examples of mediaeval literature, wildlife biologist, and traditional music.Sullivan states that medieval literature is â€Å" Wonderful area of essentially not-for-profit study, and, indeed , a study of just medieval poetry will only reinforce the improbability of retiring on what you will earn, even though you may see the world as more beautiful, and , through the sight of such beauty, you will be stock-poor but soul-enhance† (Sullivan 408). In other words if a person decide to become a poetry nothing touchable will be earn however passion and love will be always present. What happens is that students start to study in career that assures them money without thinking if that is going to make them happy.If a person goes to Nurse School just because the high salary rate but they don’t like it is not worth it. There must be a balance between what is loved and what will pay the bills. Further, Sullivan states that â €Å"the one universal important thing to keep in mind when choosing a career that will not be making you loaded is to choose a field assured of not getting rich† (Sullivan 411). Doing what is loved is more important than doing something hated. Society needs to understand this balance and let people to choose something they want to do.In the reading â€Å"Traditional Music â€Å" is used to shown how personal interest like becoming a pianist is opposite of someone choosing a career that statistics indicate will manage to keep him or her alive, career such as health care, education and engineering. In this society economy health is important to survive and some careers are unsafe. Work Cited Sullivan, Robert. â€Å"â€Å"How to Choose a Career That Will Not Get You Rich No Matter What Anyone Tells You†, James S. Acting Out Culture, Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s,2011. 300-307. Print.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Cooperative learning Change of Leadership for Differentiated Education

Concerted larning refers to work done by pupil squads bring forthing a merchandise of some kind ( such as a set of job solutions, a research lab or undertaking study, or the design of a merchandise or a procedure ) , under conditions that satisfy five standards: ( 1 ) positive mutuality, ( 2 ) single answerability, ( 3 ) face to confront interaction for at least portion of the work, ( 4 ) appropriate usage of interpersonal accomplishments, and ( 5 ) regular self-assessment of squad operation. Extensive research has shown that comparative to traditional single and competitory manners of direction, decently implemented concerted larning leads to greater acquisition and superior development of communicating and teamwork accomplishments ( e.g. leading, undertaking direction, and struggle declaration accomplishments ) . Gregory ( 2008 ) The technique has been used with considerable success in all scientific subjects, including chemical science. The benefits of concerted acquisition are non automatic, nevertheless, and if amiss implemented, the method can make considerable troubles for teachers, most notably dysfunctional squads and pupil opposition or ill will to group work. This paper offers a figure of suggestions for organizing squads, fulfilling the five specifying standards of concerted acquisition, and minimising the jobs. Harmonizing to Gregory ( 2008 ) Teachers who have ne'er used the attack are advised to travel into it bit by bit instead than trying a all-out execution on their first attempt, and to increase the degree of execution in subsequent class offerings. To an increasing extent, they should see the larning benefits promised by the research, and as their expertness and assurance in implementing the method continue to turn, pupil ratings of the squad experience should better at the same time. Most si gnificantly, instructors who are successful in utilizing concerted acquisition in their categories will hold the satisfaction of cognizing that they have significantly helped fix their pupils for their professional callings. There are several grounds why concerted acquisition plants every bit good as it does. The thought that pupils learn more by making something active than by merely watching and listening has long been known to both cognitive psychologists and effectual instructors and concerted acquisition is by its nature an active method. Beyond that, cooperation enhances larning in several ways. Weak pupils working separately are likely to give up when they get stuck ; working hand in glove, they keep traveling. Strong pupils faced with the undertaking of explicating and clear uping stuff to weaker pupils frequently find spreads in their ain apprehension and make full them in. Students working entirely may be given to detain finishing assignments or jump them wholly, but when they know that others are numbering on them, they are motivated to make the work in a timely mode. The proved benefits of concerted acquisition notwithstanding, instructors who attempt it often encounter opposition and sometimes unfastened ill will from the pupils. Bright pupils complain about Begin held back by their slower teammates ; weak or unassertive pupils complain about being discounted or ignored in group Sessionss ; and bitternesss build when some squad members fail to draw their weight. Knowing and patient teachers find ways to cover with these jobs, but others become demoralized and revert to the traditional teacher-centered instructional paradigm, which is a loss both for them and for their pupils. Gregory ( 2008 ) However I believe concerted acquisition is more than merely inquiring pupil to acquire in a group and work on an assignment together. Most research workers and practicians of concerted larning emphasis that it is a formal instructional theoretical account in which instructors carefully design lessons and activities that are suited for usage by squads. These squads are little, stable, and heterogenous, and have been adequately prepared for working together. When utilizing squads in the schoolroom, I see faculty as holding to direct their attending to six different countries: climate-setting ; squad formation ; teambuilding ; concerted accomplishments development ; lesson design ; and classroom direction.Climate SettingWhile many of my pupils are enthused about the chance to larn with and from their equals, it is non uncommon for me to meet pupils who are loath to take part in any kind of group activities. So, how does one take a category of pupils whose feelings about concerted acquis ition scope from love through indifference to downright ill will and turn them into a community of scholars? The first ( but by no means the merely ) measure is to work on making a category clime that encourages cooperation. My suggestions include: aˆ? Communicate clear outlooks to pupils about Cooperative acquisition on the first twenty-four hours of category. I recommend that you inform pupils that you plan to utilize concerted acquisition, why you use it, and what it means to them. Will they be graded on category engagement? What happens if they come to category unprepared? It ‘s peculiarly of import to allow pupils cognize about your policies on group classs. It ‘s besides a good thought to admit that some people would prefer to work entirely, and to indicate out the activities and assignments they ‘ll be working on independently.aˆ? Problem SetsStudents complete some or most of their prep assignments in squads. The squads are encouraged to include merely the names of existent participants on the solution set that they manus in. The pupils are ab initio disinclined to go forth anyone ‘s name away, but finally they get tired of allowing nonparticipants ( â€Å" hitchhikers, † in concert ed acquisition idiom ) acquire good classs for work they did n't make and get down to exclude names, at which point many hitchhikers-unhappy about acquiring nothings on assignments-start cooperating. The squad gets a class for the assignment, but finally the public presentation of each squad member should be assessed and the consequences used to set the mean squad prep class individually for each squad member. In decision there are many route blocks that may happen throughout the journey to cooperative acquisition. Not all pupils take their duties earnestly plenty. Many feel that their slack will be picked up by the others in the group. Some pupils may be excessively strong of leaders and smother the parts of the other members of the squad. Conflict is a natural byproduct of cooperation. When pupils are asked to work together, it is with the purpose that they will each supply a differing position and or sentiment. When differing sentiments are joined together to make one merchandise, struggle is certain to originate. Conflict can be a really healthy springboard to larning. When pupils dialogue and debate their sentiments they might reenforce their thoughts or disregard them. The ability to listen and be flexible to new positions is perfectly indispensable to the success of a group. Delegating functions may besides assist to ease the instability of attempt. The pupils who do n't lend adequate attempt should foremost be encouraged by their groups. If this proves unsuccessful, the teacher should step in and mediate. It is perfectly unjust to penalize a group for the ineffectualness of one member. Students should make everything possible to stay a concerted and cohesive unit, but if all efforts fail they should be allowed a opportunity to reconstruct a new unit. It should besides ne'er be the duty of the strongest member of the squad to transport the others. Teachers can non presume that all group struggles should be resolved entirely. Classroom mold of effectual group work and role-playing of struggle state of affairss should be directed by the instructor. However many old ages of research and legion surveies can non be denied concerted acquisition is an effectual method for understanding and retaining information. Industry experts can non be ignored when they province that being able to work efficaciously in a squad is an imperative accomplishment. Concerted acquisition is non a replacing for the schoolroom instructor. It is intended to complement the direct direction by doing pupils to be confident minds and active scholars.

Friday, September 13, 2019

The Role of Afro-Cubans in the 1898 War of Independence Essay

The Role of Afro-Cubans in the 1898 War of Independence - Essay Example Cubans used discrimination and the fable of cultural impartiality to repress the Afro-Cubans. In 1868, Liberation for Africans imprisoned in Cuba was a multifaceted procedure that had started on a striking level with the initiation of "The War of Independence" in opposition to its colonist, Spain. Oriente, Cuba, was the focal part of the Independence progress. The War of Independent initiated in October2. The basic, well-liked seize on this occasion sets off like a white landlord and slave proprietor, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes presented a speech identified as the "Grito de Yara", unchained his slaves and integrated them into his unsystematic armed forces as he confirmed battle against the Spanish kingdom. This is a trick that appears to be an attempt to cover Cespedes as a kind and caring white that acquired action as the consequence of being familiar with his natural racial discrimination and having a change of heart in the direction of slavery. Cespedes was born into a famous farm family that had be established their lands in 1517. As Carlos Manuel de Cespedes is well-known as a central character of the War of Independence, his contribution was merely after eastern Cuba's monetary endurance in jeopardy. Additionally to his prominent speech, he right away affirmed anybody inducing slaves to fight back would be punished to death. In Cuba, as there are quite a few Latin American states, white influential dishonesty was founded on fallaciously sustaining the fable of ethnic fairness in the country to seize on to defend the present social constitution of white supremacy. At the same time, the farmer's curiosity in the revolution in opposition to Spain was economic and motivated by selfishness and greediness. The Afro-Cubans were progressively more caught up in a severe attempt on the way to liberty and independence. The white farmers occupied in the revolution postponed sooner than they declared the elimination of slavery in th e rebellious region1. These same influential were unwilling to take in previous slave and free Afro-Cubans into the revolution. However, there was conflict from western and central Cuban farmers due to the elimination and imprisoning the revolution to eastern Cuba.3 The War of Independence ended with the notice of the Pact of Zanjon in 1878. Though, a lot of the Afro-Cuban activists discarded the deal on the floors as it did not achieve the objectives of the revolt which was to finish slavery and attaining sovereignty from Spain. Apart of the disappointment for the revolt was due to the deficiency of thriving union, but it must be cited that the willingness of the United States to trade the most up-to-date armaments to Spain but not to the Cuban revolutionaries did have an impact. One more cause was that some of the revolutionaries, who discarded the agreement, did on the basis of that it was a fake pledge that would not be kept back and time did demonstrated this measurement to be

Thursday, September 12, 2019

A 2,000 report exploring and critically analysing the complex needs of Essay

A 2,000 report exploring and critically analysing the complex needs of offenders and rehabilitative practices which promote desistance - Essay Example These may include substance abuse problems, unemployment or financial problems, difficult family backgrounds, homelessness, or even psychiatrist problems. It is important for the institutions management to acknowledge that these factors are interlinked in most cases and will vary mostly along age and gender lines (David 2004; Warr 2002). Theoretical evidence affirms that a combination of individual and social factors can be linked to an increased probability of reoffending and should be routinely reassessed. Also referred to as ‘criminogenic’ needs, they can be attributed to certain types of crime. For example, heroin use is closely linked with shoplifting and other acquisitive offending while alcohol binge drinking is often associated with violence and other petty crimes. These factors can be further classified into static or dynamic. Factors such as employment, drug misuse, or education are subject to change and are thus, classified under dynamic while strong predictor s of reoffending such as gender, age, or criminal history are static. So, what helps individuals stay away from crime? Maruna et al (2008) propose that desistance can only work out if the complex needs of the offenders are met. As such, there is a strong correlation between the social or external aspects of an offender’s life (such as the support of those around them), as well as, the psychological or internal (what they subscribe to and what they want to achieve with their lives) and relapsing or desisting. Factors that might work in favour of desistance are such as: i) Family and relationships: studies have suggested that establishing supportive bonds with spouse or family members appears to boost chances of desisting from crime on condition that the family members are not involved in crime or substance abuse themselves. These good relationships are crucial to recidivism owing to a number of reasons. First, they minimise the amount of time and interactions spent with

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

ETHICS, LAW AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

ETHICS, LAW AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example Although, the augmenting complexity of business, because of the extensive transformations and developments of the technologies and globalization offers an apparent indication that now we have in an extremely complex business environment and is turning out to be more complex due to novel ethical, cultural, social and legal transformations (Maniam & Teetz, 2009). Business and corporate â€Å"Ethics† is an everyday incidence in the business world as well as in someone’s life. Business ethics is the similar to a normal ethics. These both kinds of ethical practices offer us to identify, what is wrong or right, or else we are in process of discovering what is wrong or right in the environment in which one is concerned. An ethical matter can not have a tangible response; therefore a persons preference can rely on that persons state of affairs. This can take place for the reason that "business and corporate ethics is a large and murky area as well as the place of work is full o f ethical problems and issues. As a result, workers reaction to force to perform can resort to unprincipled decisions so as to convene the objectives they experience are difficult. This can take place at some level of administration (Tutor2u, 2009). This report presents the detailed analysis of the Wal-Mart business and its associated ethical factors. The Wal-Mart is acknowledged as the king of marketplace because of its huge size. It has driven lesser retailers out of commerce; forced companies to be well-organized, frequently leading these suppliers to move industrial jobs overseas; and changed the method that up till now large and established productions do business. Wal-Mart has existence or death decisions over all the customer supplies industries that survive in the US, for the reason that it is the number-one supplier-retailer of the majority of our customer goods, not still toys, clothes, shoes but home applications, electronic goods,

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

The power of Sovereignty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The power of Sovereignty - Research Paper Example Inequalities in the exercise of power and disregard to justice are even more evidenced in the political scene in various regions around the world today. Such always stem from the need to advance once own course by ignoring and disregarding other people who they consider rather inadequate. Stigall, Blacksley and Jenks argue that an interesting scene is always created where people especially the government authorities always insist on maintaining their rights while at the same time violating and stepping on the rights of their own subjects. (Stigall, Blacksley and Jenks, 2009). This is a common occurrence experienced with most of the sovereignties around the globe today. The aspect of exercising single handed rule on the subject population is mostly experienced in dictatorial countries such as Syria, Egypt, Iraq, alongside other Arab countries famous for dictatorial cases. This is contrary to what Hobbes refers to in his social contract theory, leaving the state of nature and looking a t the advancement of one’s own course at the expense of the others in the territory (subjects). According to the social contract theory, it is those in higher social ranks who seem to deserve their rights while those of the lower social ranking are often considered incapable of demanding for any form of rights. As a result of this, their rights are always abused in a bid to preserve those of the power in the society. This paper will look at the effects of electing a sovereign with regard to the protection of state rights and the protection of the people under this rule with reference to the Arab countries and democracy in these regions. Hobbes proposes in his theory that the election of a sovereign in any state always results in the creation of the state of nature in the regions under the control of the sovereign (Saul, 2008). This theory, I think does not hold enough water in as much as I know and believe given the many atrocities which have been experienced in many of the A rab countries such as Syria and Egypt in the recent past. Having the sovereigns in these states has done nothing much other than inflicting a lot of troubles and augmenting the rise in cases of inequalities in these states. These happen as the sovereigns strive to uphold their own rights at the expense of the other citizens. Many people have succumbed to death in these countries as they try to protest to regain their rights. The question in this case therefore is whether this is what Hobbes refers to as the creation of a state of nature. The state of nature according to my understanding with regard to the social and political contexts is when the ruling authority strikes a balance with the citizens under her rule to allow the participation and full regard of the subjects in state affairs. It is far from having the central government designing and deciding on every aspect of leadership. The contrary is however the truth in most of the sovereign ruling systems as in the cases of Syria and Egypt we have mentioned above. Brown and Hamzawy note that â€Å"The tragic developments in Lebanon and Palestine- all with weak or failed state institutions- have enable Arab democracy pessimists dismiss easily any talk about positive political reforms as the fantasy of the western well- intentioned humanists- or misguided ideologues- who do not understand the real

Monday, September 9, 2019

Impacts of the metropolitan person of the rise of the post-modern Essay

Impacts of the metropolitan person of the rise of the post-modern urban condition - Essay Example Within the US, a range of regional planning processes have designed place-type models to help the public and policy makers during the patterning of redevelopment and urban expansion. These model place-types will ordinarily indicate the land use mixtures and the densities, and in some cases, street patterning and building forms. Through the proposals, decision-makers can estimate the environmental and transportation impacts of optional area place-type blends, using I-PLACE3S and GIS-based software. However, irrespective of new attention to large-scale urban design, some suburbanization histories and the classic examination of urban forms throughout history; the developments of urban expansion for cities in North America have not been charted out in a systematic way. This report will detail a study of the evolution of spatial developments across the Sacramento urban area, using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software to map the growth and the changes that came with the growth. Ad ditional research from secondary sources will offer more information on the history of the urban area and the triggers of growth. The report aims to provide the morphological growth of the region, pointing out the full range of constructed landscapes created through its history, which will help in the management of urban growth. Related Literature The commonly available historical accounts of suburbanisation and urbanisation tend to emphasize the general aspects of growth, and the forces triggering urban development, compared to giving information on the systematic growth of urban forms. Most times, these accounts depict an impressive history, and may assume a normative outlook; Mumford’s â€Å"the City in History† of 1961 is among the iconic examples of both areas. The main focus of these accounts includes financial, cultural and the institutional factors that trigger growth. Others like Hall (2002) focus on the planning ideas and the visions of urban areas. Additiona lly, some scholars emphasize the urban histories of the urban areas, and many others have reviewed the historical account of certain cities (Abbott, 2008). Although, many of the works mentioned before focus on demographic, sociological and cultural change, some iconic planners, geographers and historians have directed more attention towards form. Through the analysis of official maps and designs, which are supported by other sources of graphic evidence, the information is used to offer information on the changes that have taken place in economic needs, cultural values and governmental purposes. Other accounts like Kostof (1992) focuses particular features of design of the city, throughout history, emphasizing on the reflection of purpose and meaning from patterns. Lynch (1981) pointed out the significance of different spatial aspects of a city, including edges, paths, nodes, districts, and grain, going further to explore the ways in which they affect the lives and the experiences of visitors and the residents of the region. Vance (1990) reviewed function and form in urban settlements in human history, directing special attention towards the stages of development, the location of cities and their connectivity – with reference to transportation and trade. Recent literature has been highly systematic in analyzing form, by developing models of form at

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Two problem questions on constitutional law of European Union Essay

Two problem questions on constitutional law of European Union - Essay Example The UK believes the section of the Directive has been drafted in too broad terms and it, along with a number of other member states, has been seeking clarification as to the technicalities of the possible operation of the guarantee scheme. There has never been any legislation in the UK on protecting workers pension payments by establishing financial guarantee institutions. A recent change of government, along with a worldwide recession, also mean that the UK is now opposed to the pension protection scheme in principle and, if it introduces the pension protection scheme, it will legislate to limit protections up to a ceiling of 5,000 pounds and restrict claims to those made within two weeks of an employers insolvency. The Commission has been examining the questions from Member States but has confirmed that it expects Member States to meet their obligations under the whole of the Directive. Adils security guard company becomes insolvent and he is made redundant after 30 years service and pension payments. He is told his pension fund is at risk and that he cannot pursue his employers in court for his pension guarantee as there is no money left in the pot after the company was wound up. A law student has told him that he may be able to enforce his EC law rights by other means. He comes to you for legal advice. Adil has been working in the security guard company for about 30 years. The fact that the specific firm had to be dissolved – because of the lack of funds for the continuation of the business activities – cannot justify the loss of pensions of employees – at least such a case would not be fair for employees that have invested all their pension funds on a specific corporate pension scheme. The problem is that existing UK law does not provide a specific legal framework that protects employees in cases of insolvency of their firm. Currently, the pensions of employees in Britain

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Comparison of the TV Bra for Living Sculpture and the Olympia Essay

Comparison of the TV Bra for Living Sculpture and the Olympia - Essay Example Comparison of the TV Bra for Living Sculpture and the Olympia Art will always remain part and parcel of life. It has been there since time immemorial and there are several household names that are known for various pieces of art. The Olympia and the TV Bra for Living Sculpture are such pieces of art that have brought some form of controversy in the subject matter that they have and will be the focus of discussion in this paper. The Olympia was done by Edouard Manet, a French painter in 1863. This painting caused such uproar when it was presented at the Salon in 1865 and the authorities at the Salon were forced to put it further up and put two armed guards to prevent the painting from being damaged by the public. The painting encompasses a reclining nude woman being tended to by a black maid while a black cat is on the far right of the bed where the woman is lying gazing rather mysteriously to the viewer of the painting. The TV Bra for Living Sculpture is a piece of work done by Nam June Paik in 1969 and is found in the Walk Art Center. It is made of video tubes, television, rheostat, Plexiglas boxes, vinyl straps, foot switches, cables and copper wire. All these were connected to resemble a bra, which is a pi ece of cloth used by women to hold their breasts in place. According to Salter, p.116, it is used to portray how electronics can be humanized since it entails the use of a TV as a bra; a bra is something that is considered intimate to the female human being, and it is so unlikely that a TV can be used as a bra. That being, the idea was to stimulate the fantasy of finding a new, imaginative and humanistic use of technology. Both artists, Edouard Manet and Nam June Paik are renowned artists. This is mostly due to the style of art that they engage in, for example, Manet was known for a series of paintings featuring naked women such as the Le Dejeuner sur I'Herbe. On the same scale, Nam June Paik did a number of electronically inspired arts throughout the 1960’s such as the TV chair, Opus paintings, TV cello and TV garden among others (Smithsonian American Art Museum, p.2). All these pieces of art encompassed electronics being portrayed in a unique way. While the Olympia is made of oil paint the TV bra for living sculpture is made of various electronic devices such as copper wires, cables, switches and a TV screen. These two pieces have different materials but this does not make them any less desirable. The Olympia measures 130.5 by 190 centimeters and Manet used strong brush strokes which many people considered to be unfashionable at that moment since it was the kind of painting that little children used to practice their painting skills (Courtesans, p.1). The painting has a great contrast between the dark part that is on the background and the lighting on the foreground. The lighting gives focus to the woman lying on the bed as opposed to the other components of the painting such as the maidservant that is serving the lady as well as the cat that is on the bed (Courtesans, p.1). This serves to give the painting a desirable effect in addition to contributing to the thematic concern of the paint. The composition of the Olympia is not very different from oth er pieces of its time. However, the only unique aspect of its composition is that Manet took what was a classical composition and put it in a contemporary setting that could be referred to everyone else (Wallace, p.1). This was achieved by the use of the woman of a common origin bringing a sense of immediacy to the painting. On the other hand, the composition of the TV bra for living sculpture is rather unique since it encompasses the use of modern

A Guide in Analyzing Movies Essay Example for Free

A Guide in Analyzing Movies Essay Watching movies is one of the best ways to relax, enjoy, and learn. Some people watch movies for recreational purposes, while others do this to learn new ideas or things. However, as a movie progresses into its climax, one would notice that he or she is getting involved in the movie by thinking how the conflict will be resolved. After watching the movie, a reaction or feedback is drawn as one tries to communicate or narrate the story to someone who has not watched the film. Reactions are mostly about the content of the movies and little on its technical aspect. This is true especially if the movie is based on a real life story, romance, or a story of nationalistic concern. If the theme of a movie is scientific or an adaptation of a fictional novel, most audience critics the film based on the technical aspect of the production. Whether the audience is reacting positively or negatively on the content of the movie or whether the audience is critiquing the film’s technical production, he or she is already in the process of analyzing the film. There are different approaches from which to analyze a movie, and these approaches may depend on the genre of the film one had watched and wanted to analyze. Yet, in order for one to write a movie analysis, he or she must first know the different components of a film which include the theme, story, plot, characters or actors, acting, cinematography, and technical aspect such as lightning, music and sound effects, camera shots, and editing. Feedback about the film depends on the mixture of these components; such mixing is done by the film director. He or she acts as if he or she is cooking a delicacy that will be judged by his or her customer. This essay discusses the basic guideline on how to analyze a film and how meaning in the film should be interpreted. Again, this guideline may vary depending on the type of the movie one is trying to analyze. A cine-magazine, for example, contains different topics; thus, there is little unity on the scenes. Uniformity of style and treatment are not given too much consideration because cine-magazine contains different stories. The scenes in an educational film, on the other hand, have greater unity because it is normally devoted to a single subject, such as the evolution of man or the process of respiratory system. A documentary film, in contrast, goes further. It has a single subject that presents or advances an argument. Having these in mind, the critical consideration when analyzing a movie lies on the theme (message or relevance of the film), story (which include the plot, storylines and dialogues, characters, and other symbolic elements such as costume and set up), cinematography and screenplay, and technical components like music, lights, camera shots, and transitions due to editing. Analyzing the Content of a Movie In analyzing the content of a film, critics must look deeply into the movie’s theme, story, plot and storyline and dialogues. Moreover, he or she must also consider the characters and their relationship with the story and other actors, the setting where the shots took place, and the sequence of scenes. The Theme The theme is important, for this shows the relevance of the film in the current time. This also represents the purpose of the director or the goal that the film is trying to communicate to the audience. Boggs and Petrie (2008) identified some goals the movies try to convey. This includes entertaining the viewer, providing a character sketch of a renowned personality, or increasing the audiences awareness on a certain issue of nationalistic or personal concern. Meanwhile, if the movie is in abstract terms wherein the movie tends to create confusion on its theme, one may just describe or narrate the movie to someone who has not watched it, and the theme will come out. As Boggs and Petrie (2008) put it, when an audience narrates a story they have just read or watched, the tendency is that they will describe first the events that made the strongest effect or impression to them. Aside from the major theme, some movies have minor themes which are not substantive enough to be regarded as a full theme. Movie critics call this motif. Motifs are ideas or symbols which are repeated throughout the movie but are not identified as a major theme. Examples of motifs are personalized advertising, identity recognition, technology validation, and symbols which embody all-seeing beings. These are mostly evident in a company or organization-sponsored movies. In the movie â€Å"Knowing† which stars Nicholas Cage as John the Cosmology professor, the major theme is about knowing or predicting events (usually accident or tragedy) that will occur in the near future. Events are predicted through the use of a number arranged in a pattern on a written paper. After decoding this pattern, John tasked himself to solve the mystery, warn the public, and stop the predicted tragedy from taking place. Motifs seen in the film are the repeated appearance of unusual beings (aliens who look like human) and the appearance of black stones. The repetitive appearance of these two could not be regarded as a major theme such as alien invasion; instead, they serve as a clue for John to solve the mystery (Blumenthal, Tisch, Black Proyas, 2009). The Story After identifying the theme of the movie, the critic can now proceed to dissecting the story that the film is trying to narrate to the audience. A film story is composed of the plot, the characters, and the symbolic element. In analyzing a movie story, one must carefully and critically look at the storyline and dialogues that were used in the movie. Moreover, to analyze a story is to look whether the plot flows easily from one scene to another, thus making the film realistic or believable. According to Boggs and Petrie (2008), in analyzing a plot, one should explore the time element used in the movie (linear, nonlinear) and the relationship of the scenes portrayed in the climax and in the ending of the film. Are the use of time element and the scenes believable? Does the plot convey a universal truth about the world or human nature, or is it just a fantastic adaptation of truth? One should also take into account if the actors are being realistic on their actions, facial expressions, delivery of dialogue, and manner of wearing their costume. Are the characters credible in making the audience believe that they are part of the whole reality? This is important because even if the movie has a fascinating and catchy cinematography, the movie will result in a catastrophe if the dialogues are not appealing or interesting and the dialogue delivery by the actors is poor and not convincing. In the film â€Å"Knowing,† the plot was presented in a linear (time) manner in which the scenes developed from less complicated to more complex portrayal. The film was able to explain how the conflict arrived (this was narrated in the first part of the movie), and the solution to the conflict, as expected, was presented in the denouement. However, the incorporation of the alien beings in the story makes it unbelievable, and the given solution to the problem was not viable. In the film, aliens were portrayed as the savior of mankind. They are the ones predicting the occurrence of the tragedy or accident and communicating it to human beings with the use of numbers. They were also the ones to decide who will die and who will be saved to continue the race of the living (Blumenthal, Tisch, Black Proyas, 2009). On the other hand, the characters in the movie are presented effectively such that their actions and dialogues depict the theme and the story of the movie that the filmmakers are trying to relate to the audience. John is a cosmology professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His son is Caleb, a seven-year old boy with a hearing defect so he is using hearing aid. John’s wife died in a fire tragedy, which made him believe that in the randomness of the occurrence of events, meaning that there are no specific relationships of events; everything that happens is purely coincidence. He lived with this belief until the day Caleb received the letter written by Lucinda Emerly (a gifted girl who was used by aliens to predict the future) from the time capsule buried in Caleb’s school 50 years ago. This letter was composed of numbers arranged in a pattern. As John was trying to decode the numbers, he found out that the numbers represent the dates, specific locations, and number of people who died in different tragedies, but there were events that are yet to happen. This urged him to solve the mystery. In the process of unraveling the mystery behind the numbers, John sought Diana, the daughter of Lucinda. Incidentally, Abby, daughter of Diana, also happened to inherit her grandmother’s gift, and like Caleb, she can also hear the voice of the aliens who seemed to be whispering into their heads. Thus, in the movie, the portrayal of the characters was in accordance to what is needed by the prophecy. John is an intelligent professor of science and Caleb is a gifted boy, while Diana and Abby are both related to Lucinda, the one who wrote the numbers. The story of Knowing revolves around these characters each of who play a part in solving the mystery. The two men have the intelligence or information that could be helpful in solving the problem while the two ladies have the history of Lucinda (Blumenthal, Tisch, Black Proyas, 2009). The setting or background used in the film is also important to analyze. A film with a fascinating story, good characters, appealing dialogues, and uniform scenes but was shot in a location not adequate to its portrayal is a disaster. Thus, film directors are careful in choosing shot locations which would enhance not only the cinematography of the film but also the story as a whole. Scientific films mostly have research laboratories as setting; environmental films are set in forest and seas; and horror films are shot in a scary location such as a haunted house. Familiar locations could made films appear realistic and could also establish relationship with the audience. To analyze the setting, one must look at the storyline and the portrayals of actions. Lastly, symbolisms are used in the film to add depth to the story or reinforce the film’s theme. According to Boggs and Petrie (2008), symbols are repeated to emphasize the theme of the film. They could be metaphoric in nature, for their value in the story surpasses the value they normally signify. In films, actors can give specific value of an object to increase its significance to the audience. Critical reception of symbolism in movies depends on whether the symbol is novel or a cliche. In the movie â€Å"Knowing,† numbers are symbols of components (date, location, number of victims) of events that need to be interpreted by actors and the audience. Moreover, the black stones are signs where the solution for the given problem could be found. The hearing aid of Caleb malfunctions when the aliens are near him and when they are trying to communicate something. The Genre To find out whether one is doing the right thing in analyzing the film, one should take into consideration the genre of the film. Genre classification of film could be science fiction, action, comedy, horror, drama, romance, character sketch of a renowned personality, and social or political representation of an issue, among others. The recognition of a film’s genre can help the film critic to distinguish the truths presented in the movie. For film critics, a movie which has lots of symbols and metaphors, is not novel (same old stories), has no originality, and relies too much on cliches is merely a junk. It is also important to note that there are films which cannot be categorized into one particular genre. The movie â€Å"Knowing† falls under the genres science fiction, drama, and action (Blumenthal, Tisch, Black Proyas, 2009).