Black Plague And The Black Epidemic - 1337 Words

Black Plague The Black Plague outbreak was one of the scariest events in human history. The people were afraid to do everyday activities and carry on with their normal routines. This plague is known to almost every person on Earth. Even as a kid, teachers tell their students about this plague. Even the thought of an outbreak like the Black Plague makes people’s skin crawl. I am included in that category. It has gotten to the point that when any outbreak of any type or kind of disease happens that the world gets into panic mode. All of this panic comes from the Black Death. In this synthesis and analysis essay I will cover the places the Black Plague reached, the effects of the Black Plague, and the thoughts of the people that lived in†¦show more content†¦The disease spread through eight districts in the Chinese and Mongol dynasties. The deaths were so severe that some areas didn’t even have time to bury all the bodies, so they just stacked them up against the city walls. Next, the plague spread to Europe, it arrived in Europe through trading ships. By the time the ships landed in Messina. Most of the crew members on the ships were either dead or infected. The abandon ships peaked a lot of interest and since the ships were infested with rodents, the locals that looted from the ships helped the disease spread even further. By 1348 the disease spread all the way to Genoa and Venice. Then the disease went from Italy and spread northwest France, Spain, Portugal, and England by June 1348. This is a rapid spread rate since six countries in less than a year. Although the disease was not yet done with Europe, it then spread east through Germany and Scandinavia through 1350. The last stop in Europe was Russia in 1351. The last stop for the Black Plague was the Middle East. The outbreak in the Middle East led to serious depopulation and economic structures just like the other countries. When the disease reached Mecca, the people of Mecca tried to b lame it on non-believers. The plague continued to kill people all the way up to the Seventeenth century and there have even been isolated cases as recent as 1980 (Black Death). The Black Plague had many different types of affects that it influenced on the people exposed to it.

Sonnet 72 - 1044 Words

William Shakespeare Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? amp;#9;amp;#9;a Thou art more lovely and more temperate:amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;b Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;a And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;b Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shinesamp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;c And often is his gold complexion dimmed,amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;d And every fair from fair sometimes declines,amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;camp;#9; By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;amp;#9;d But thy eternal summer shall not†¦show more content†¦The lover is described as amp;quot;more temperateamp;quot; in line 2 and therefore less prone to vary between extremes. amp;#9;The second basic idea is the idea that time ends everything. The notion of time is already present in line 1 in which the amp;quot;summer’s dayamp;quot; is mentioned, the day being one of the measures of time. Then in line 7 it says that every beauty at one time or another is affected either by chance or by the change of season (amp;quot;nature’s changing courseamp;quot; line 8), in this case the end of summer. The object of the persona’s adoration does not suffer from this finiteness. His amp;quot;eternal summer’s day shall not fadeamp;quot;, or, as described in line 10, his beauty will remain his forever and the personification of death in line 11 shall not be able to make him follow him into the realms of the dead. amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;nbsp; amp;#9;This immunity from devouring time is accomplished by immortalisation in lines of verse. These lines will even make stronger and more beautiful as time proceeds, as line 12 points out. The use of the word amp;quot;eternalamp;quot; in this line as well as in line 9 (amp;quot;eternal summeramp;quot;) contrasts sharply with the idea of finiteness attached to amp;quot;a summer’s dayamp;quot; (line 1) and amp;quot;every fairamp;quot; (line 7). The immortalisation is continued in the final lines: life will be preserved by the readersShow MoreRelatedWhat Are The Five Characteristics Of A Quest?1901 Words   |  8 Pagesand growing in strength by hurting someone else. 10.) Meaning behind â€Å"if its a square, its a sonnet† Sonnets have ten syllables and are 14 lines long, ten syllables in english is a long as 14 lines are high so a sonnet makes a square when in writing. 11.) How poets work magic on you? They use a certain choice in imaging, music in the language, content, and a play on words. 12.) Define Petrarchan sonnet First stanza has eight lines and the next has six, two separate rhyme schemes for the stanzasRead MoreJabberwocky by Lewis Carroll1600 Words   |  6 Pagesplenty oer a smiling land,† which means that land stands for people. There is personification in lines 29-32, 49-50, and 119-120. 5. There is a metaphor in lines 53-56 which compares the dead village to gems and flowers. There is another in lines 71-72 that compares flattering words to incense. 6. The syntax is more of an old fashioned conventional. Except for a few lines like lines 6, 14, 24, and 79. The diction seems to be formal. 7. The form of this poem is an elegy by title, but to me seemsRead MoreThe William Shakespeare898 Words   |  4 Pagesdevotes the major part of his sonnet sequence to a young man and the rest are devoted to a woman. The language Shakespeare used to describe his love toward these two persons is totally different. In the sonnet sequence, his love toward the young man can be described as the compassionate love. At the same time, one could characterize his love toward the lady as an example of passionate love. Shakespeare expresses his non-sexual love to the young man in his sonnets. He respects the young man andRead MoreHomosexuality : A Platonic Relationship1553 Words   |  7 PagesWomen were considered manipulative and destructive. On the other hand, some scholars argue that these men were not in homosexual relationships with one another and really considered each other a brother. But really, it all boils down to which play/sonnet. In some cases, there are homosexual relationships shown and in others it is merely a platonic relationship. It all depends on the story that is being portrayed. Theatre of the Renaissance consisted mainly of men – including the parts that were supposedRead MoreEssay on Ode to The West Wind: For Spring is Not Far Behind1224 Words   |  5 Pageslast line of the poem, â€Å"If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind†. By means of composition, â€Å"Ode to the West Wind† is an intense combination of figurative language, sentence structure, cantos, sonnets, rhyme, and the list continues. As a start, take a look at Shelley’s use of punctuation. The first â€Å"sonnet† of the poem is a single run on sentence. This is a prime example of how overwhelming and intoxicating the West Wind is to the speaker. The speaker begins to talk and then just keeps going andRead More Shakespeare the Plagiarist Essay1262 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet is one of the most re-created and re-written books to date. Hamlet is still being performed in theaters around the world. Even though many people perceive Shakespeare as a literary genius, we can not give him sole credit for his plays and sonnets. With a few exceptions, Shakespeare did not invent the plots of his plays. Sometimes he used old stories (Hamlet, Pericles). Sometimes he worked from the stories of comparatively recent Italian writers, such as Boccaccio - using both well-knownRead MoreSaul Bellow Response essay790 Words   |  4 Pagesnumber of adult Americans were not even reading one book a year. A new study examined how many 9-year-olds read every day for fun (54 percent) to the percentage of high school graduates deemed by employers as deficient in writing in English (72 percent). Among new findings, on average, Americans ages 15 to 24 spend almost two hours a day watching TV, and only seven minutes of their daily leisure time on reading. Reading scores for American adults of almost all education levels haveRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet - Workbook Assignment1594 Words   |  7 Pagesshe is Capulet and he is a Montague making it impossible to be in a relationship together. His state of mind illustrates love as a battlefield, empathizing his worry of loving with a forever lasting family feud. Question 7: In Act 1, Scene 3, lines 72 – 87, Lady Capulet informs Juliet of Paris’s marriage proposal. Lady Capulet describes Paris through a series of metaphors. Find three metaphors, explain their meaning and discuss what overall impression they create of Paris. Act 1 Scene 3 line 80Read MoreHistory Now1070 Words   |  5 PagesThrough Time Reading 1: For Everything There Is a Season Literary Elements: Parallelism and Antithesis Friday, 4/20/2012 Reading 2: Past, Present, Future: Unattainable, by Hakuin Buddhist Poetry Reading 3: Sonnet XLI, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning Tutorial: Be a Sonnet Detective Past and Future Quiz, 28 points Begin Unit: Time, Section B, Rip Van Winkle Section Warm-Up: Sleep Research Reading 4: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving Understanding the Structure of Rip Van Winkle Read MoreCompare And Contrast Different Literature Periods1452 Words   |  6 Pagesa tragic end which was death and that related to the Black Death (the plague), which spread during this period. The poets like John Donne and George Herbert even Shakespeare followed a special technique at writing their poems, which were the sonnet. A sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines using a number of formal rhyme schemes. Victorian period The Victorian age was an era in Great Britain s history, which takes its name from Queen Victoria during its reign. The British Empire in this era was the biggest

Psyschology Study On Drinking Essay Research Paper Example For Students

Psyschology Study On Drinking Essay Research Paper In response to the need for research that incorporates multiple aspects of theory into a testable framework, this study attempted to replicate and extend the results of Cooper, Russell, Skinner, Frone, and Mudar (1992). A modified stressor vulnerability model of stress-related drinking was tested in a homogeneous sample of 65 male and female undergraduate student drinkers. Total weekly consumption of alcohol was used as the criterion measure, whereas family history of alcoholism (Adapted SMAST: Sher Descutner, 1986), alcohol outcome expectancies/valences (CEOA: Fromme, Stroot, Kaplan, 1993), perceived stress (PSS: Cohen, Kamarck, Mermelstein, 1983), and coping dispositions (COPE: Carver, Scheier, Weintraub, 1989) were used as the predictor variables. The proposed modified model postulates that expectancies play a proximal mediating role in stress-related drinking, whereas gender, family history of alcoholism, and coping all play a distal moderating role. Hierarchical multiple reg ression procedures were then performed to evaluate the model. The results failed to support the hypothesized model. Specifically, expectancies emerged as a distal rather than proximal predictor of stress-related drinking, and family history of alcoholism did not moderate stress-related drinking. In contrast, gender and coping styles emerged as the most powerful predictors in the model. Despite the shortcomings of the proposed model, the present results offer an alternative interpretation as to what constitutes the stressor vulnerability model of stress-related drinking. Stress as a Causal Factor in Drinking One of the common stereotypes about the effects of alcohol involves the drugs capacity to act as a stress antagonist. Conger (1956) has proposed a theory, known as the tension reduction hypothesis (TRH) of drinking, to support this notion. Essentially the theory holds that alcohols sedative action on the central nervous system serves to reduce tension, and because tension reducti on is reinforcing, people drink to escape it (Marlatt Rohsenow, 1980). Strong evidence to support the validity of the theory comes from epidemiological findings which indicate that the prevalence of anxiety disorders in alcoholics ranges from 16 to 37%, compared to a rate of only 4-5% in the general population (Welte, 1985). Notwithstanding, there seems to be a subset of people for whom the predictions of the TRH do not hold. For instance, in a study conducted by Conway, Vickers, Ward, and Rahe (1981) it was found that the consumption of alcohol among Navy officers during periods of high job demands was actually lower than the consumption during low-demand periods. In addition, other studies (i.e., Mayfield, 1968; Mendlson, Ladou, Soloman, 1964) have shown that some drinkers actually consider alcohol as a tension generator rather than a tension reducer. Overall, when taking into account these conflicting findings, it seems prudent to find some middle ground. The solution to this p roblem than is a modified version of the TRH, specifying the conditions under which stress will lead to an increase in drinking. Moderating and Mediating Factors in Stress Induced Drinking. In addition to stress, several other variables have been shown to be crucial in determining an individuals drinking behavior. These variables include gender of drinker (gender), coping behavior of drinker (coping), and alcohol outcome expectancies of drinker (expectancies). In the following discussion, the importance of each of these variables to drinking will be considered first, followed by an evaluation of these as potential moderators or mediators of stress in drinking. Differential Gender Drinking Behavior It has been repeatedly demonstrated that significant differences exist between the drinking patterns of men and women (Hilton, 1988). In a comprehensive survey of US drinking habits conducted by the US National Center for Health Statistics in 1988, significant gender differences were found in three areas as pointed out by Dawson and Archer (1992). The first significant difference pertained to the number of male and female current drinkers. Roughly 64% of all men were current drinkers in comparison to 41% of all women. The second and third significant differences concerned the quantity of alcohol consumed. Men were more likely to (a) consume alcohol on a daily basis and (b) be classified as heavy drinkers. Mens daily average of ethanol intake (17.5 grams per day) was almost twice as high as womens (8.9 grams per day). Even when an adjustment for body weight was made (females require less .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 , .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .postImageUrl , .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 , .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:hover , .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:visited , .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:active { border:0!important; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:active , .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885 .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u00f43861847b4f7642a094ca3f1de885:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Case study of two cultures Essay

TQM Process Improvement Strategies Essay Example

TQM Process Improvement Strategies Essay Name: Course: Instructor: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on TQM Process Improvement Strategies specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on TQM Process Improvement Strategies specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on TQM Process Improvement Strategies specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer TQM Process Improvement Strategies There is an unprecedented increase in the level of competition in the various business fields and markets. This has been driven largely by the presence of technological improvements and changes in the consumer needs resulting in diversified products for satisfaction of such consumer needs and wants. Hence, in an increasingly competitive society, in the business world, there is a dire need by organizations and modern manufacturers to ensure continued evaluation of their management principles. Constant evaluation of the existent strategies of management, operation and other practices in the organization aims at providing the highest management process in line with the trends in the market in terms of changes. Hence, success in the modern business world is achieved through efficiencies brought about by improvements through total quality management. Essentially, total quality management is defined as the chronological approach used by management in continuous improvements in operations, organizational process and functions. This is usually achieved by understanding the consumer needs and wants and striving to exceed such consumer expectations through efficiencies in the organizational processes. In addition, the main objectives for the use of TQM are to ensure adequate focus on the consumer, continuous improvement of the organizational processes, and participation of all individuals in the organization, in the TQM activities (Gupta, Shakti Kant, 2). Accreditation is an essential asset to an organization irrespective of the field of operation. Hence, organizations usually select and aim for goals, which are realistic and achievable with the resources available to the organization. Establishment of standards enables an organization achieve the select goals and objectives and thus in the process ensuring the satisfaction of the consumer needs and wants. Hence, the presence of goals with respect to the existent standards provides managers in an organization with the opportunity to focus on achievement of such on a holistic platform. Hence, daily activities in the organization are relegated to the lower hierarchal executives for execution. This focus is essential as it entails the need for constant evaluation of the existent standards and goals in the organization (Imai, 19). The effectiveness or appraisal of the standards in existence, in an organization, is evaluated through the focus on either the structural aspect or the outcomes because of the existent standards. Accreditation programs in the contemporary organizations focus on three essential aspects in the execution of tasks in the organization. The first is the focus on the structural aspect of the issue of services or the development of products. The second is the focus on the process aspect in an organization. The third and last focus is on the outcome of the procedures in the organization during execution of tasks (Gupta, Shakti Kant, 5). Accreditation is usually used as a means of achievement of quality in the organization. Accreditation programs in organizations play a significant role in continued updating of standards of quality in any organization. Continued evaluation and subsequent improvements in organizational processes and products is essential for the achievement of the consumer satisfaction. This is achieved because of the guaranteed high quality, considerable costs and the delivery of the service by an organization. This is a means of seeking and subsequently achieving and ensuring consumer satisfaction. Hence, the means of constant evaluation of the existent goals and standards in organizations is a means of ensuring the achievement of competitive advantage. Thus, the improvement of quality in the organizational processes and thus ensuing that the efficiencies accrue numerous benefits to the organization such as reduced process costs, increased profitability, better consumer relationships from satisfaction through high quality goods and services and the achievement of a strong brand image. Hence, improvements are used to align the existent resources such as the skills, labor and funds with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives (Gouranourimi, 48). For instance, manufacturing organizations around the world have increased their use of Total Quality Management practices and business process re-engineering (BPR) programs aimed at achievement of the consumer satisfaction. The advantages accrued form the use of such programs is the need to ensure a strong relationship based on consumer experiences. Consumer experiences are essential in that they determine they determine the relationship of the organization with the existent consumers of the services and products issued by the organization. It is an express indication of the ability of the organization to provide high value goods and services that provide the much needed consumer satisfaction. In an organization, the management is tasked with initiating and talking up the act of decision-making in order to align the organizational processes with the organizational goals and objectives. This is considered as the provision of the strategic direction with the aim of accruing long-term results, which are usually achieved in terms of the financial position of the organization. This entails the decision-making in terms of the competitive priorities of the organization, the policies used in the various processes in the organization and other sectors, as well (Powell, 21). The second phase is the improvement planning which involves the identification and prioritization of the improvement actions, which essentially contribute to the achievement of the overall strategic goals and objectives. Improvements could take the form of new designs or ensuring continued improvements in the organizational processes to achieve the goals and objectives of the entity in its market of operation. Essentially improvement projects are selected based on their levels of contribution to the organizational efficiencies and effectiveness of the processes in the competitiveness of the organization in its market of operation. Prioritization of such essential processes provides the organization with the much-needed focus for the achievement of the strategic goals and objectives. It is also essential to ensure refined select competitive priorities, which should undergo continuous improvement (Powell, 21). This is also actualized on continued investigations into the consumer needs, wants, expectations and preferences and how such relate to the performance of the organization when compared to other organizations in the market of operation. Additionally, the processes, which are prioritized for continuous improvement, are selected based on their level of impact related competitive priorities of the organization identified for improvement. TQM is a process, which applies quantitative models and human resources to improve the resources supplied by an organization to the consumers. Such ensures that the consumers of the goods and services are the primary targets of the TQM processes and activities. The execution and implementation of the TQM strategies has several salient features. Such include the presence of a distinct approach or TQM model, elements of quality in the process, the leadership in the TQM processes, multifaceted and dimensioned approach in the TQM process for maximization of the benefits or results of the process. Leadership in an organization is essential to ensure the success of the TQM processes. Leadership is at times characterized as animalistic in terms of the approach used by the organization. Commitment from the top management of the hierarchal order of the organization in terms of provision of the direction of the TQM processes. Good management is essential in the processes to ensure the achievement of the organization’s strategic goals and objectives. Involvement of the organization’s top management falls as a critical aspect in the TQM processes because of the issue of guidance and direction in the entire process. The involvement of top management ensures the ability of evaluation of all the organizational processes to gain information of the priorities in the organization. Such priorities are related to the relationship of the organization with consumers and the entire market in general. They usually provide the direction in terms of obvious areas as which accrue larger costs to the organization. Additionally other issues such as quality of services and products rest with the various organizational departments (Powell, 27). The commitment of the management should be driven by a strong desire by the organization to ensure improved quality in the processes, services and products to consumers for eventual satisfaction of the consumer needs and wants. TQM results usually focus on the presence of long-term benefits. Hence, there is a dire need to delegate duties, responsibilities and tasks to the senior mangers for the overall achievement of the strategic goals and objectives. Such should also be replicated in the entire organization to ensure that all employees are in active participation, in the TQM processes. Top management provides monitoring and control as it acts as an oversight authority towards the achievement of the possible benefits of the TQM process. Management also provides direction in terms of the corrective actions required as well as the adoption of new processes in the organization from the TQM processes. The involvement of the top management of the organization is essential in TQM in that it enforces the gravity of the need for evaluation of the processes in the organization using TQM processes. Contemporary organizations identify that customer needs, wants and expectations in terms of the services and products provided by the organization are the primary drivers of the need for evaluation of the processes in the organization. Additionally, connection between the improvement deployment process and the strategic competitive priorities of the organization is needed. TQM focuses on the presence of incremental changes and the eventual improvement, even though gradual, of the process in an organization. Such could be considered as a forward-looking approach as it aims at the achievement of positive results (Gouranourimi, 49). The results of TQM are usually measured best from an economic perspective. Such effects could lead to bankruptcy or financial success based on the approach used in the TQM process. Results of TQM are at times determined by the resources held by an individual organization. The differences in terms of results and benefits are due to the presence of imperfect imitability. This means that organizations are exposed to different conditions and resources leading to the difference in circumstances and thus the results of the TQM process. This is brought about by the presence of what is described as isolating mechanisms. Isolating mechanisms include time compression diseconomies whereby issues such as skills and experience may take longer to accrue leading to slow realization of the benefits of the TQM process (Imai, 41). Others include the presence of connectedness of resources in that an organization might acquire resources, which might require additional resources, which an organization mi ght be unable to achieve or acquire. Hence, resources cannot be imitated by an organization resulting into varied benefits of possibly failure of the TQM. TQM requires dedication in terms of the allocation of resources by the organization for actual achievement of the goals and objectives in target by the organization. The goals and objectives should be formulated with respect to the available resources. Dedication of the resources is based on the uniqueness of the organization in terms of its ability to achieve the provided goals and objectives form the use of the TQM (Yousaf, 9). This requires adequate top management involvement, as well as the general employee population in terms of understanding their roles in the achievement of the provided goals and objectives using the TQM processes provided. Work Cited Imai, Masaaki. Kaizen (ky’zen), the Key to Japan’s Competitive Success. New York: Random House Business Division, 1986. Print. Gouranourimi, Farshad. â€Å"Total Quality Management, Business Process Reengineering Integrating Them for Organizations’ Improvement† American Journal of Scientific Research, 46 (2012): 47-59. Print. Gupta, Shakti Kant, Sunil. â€Å"Total Quality Management and Accreditation Strategic Essentials for the next Millennium† Hospital Notes, 2. 2. (April-June 1999): 1-6. Print. Powell, C. Thomas. â€Å"Total Quality Management as Competitive Advantage: A review and Empirical Study† Strategic Management Journal, 16. 1. (1995): 15-37. Yousaf, Nadeem. â€Å"Top Management Commitment for TQM-a process model† Pakistan’s 10th International Convention on Quality Improvement. (2006): 1-11. Print.

Macbeth Essays (693 words) - Characters In Macbeth, Free Essays

Macbeth Essays (693 words) - Characters In Macbeth, Free Essays Macbeth Disease as Imagery in Macbeth Imagery plays a predominant role in Shakespeares play Macbeth. This stylistic device appears in several different forms throughout the play. Imagery of animals, nature, and darkness help create a foreboding atmosphere. In particular, the imagery of disease acts as a metaphor for evil and corruption. The idea of corruption spreading in Macbeth like a disease first appears in Act 1, scene 3, in one of Macbeths first soliloquies. He states that the thought of murdering Duncan is weighing on his find so greatly that he is unable to function normally. Soon after, Lady Macbeth, in a soliloquy of her own, points out that Macbeths only illness (at that point) is his ambition. Despite the fact that he covets the throne dearly, he does not want to usurp Duncan. Unfortunately, as the disease of Macbeths mind spreads, it takes on the new form of evil. For example, by Act 2, scene 1, his heat oppressed mind sees apparitions of the dagger he will use to murder Duncan. Soon after Duncan is slain, Lennox, unaware of this dreadful deed, describes how the earth was feverous. Not only does this comment show that the natural order reflects the moral order, it is also the starting point of Scotlands downfall under the rule of Macbeth as king. In Act 3, scene 4, Macbeth has prepared a banquet that is seemingly in honour of Banquo, whom he has just murdered. During the banquet, Banquos ghost comes back to haunt Macbeth for his actions. Macbeth, unaware that he is surrounded by several Lords, openly expresses his shock when he sees Banquos ghost. Lady Macbeth quickly comes to her husbands aid, saying that he is merely plagued by a common infirmity that causes him to hallucinate. Although this revelation is entirely false, it does have some ironic connotations: Macbeth is ill with the disease of evil. As the play progresses, the imagery of the diseased Macbeth becomes more evident. In the beginning of Act 4, scene 3, Malcolm and Macduff, lament the fact that Scotland is as ill as its ruler, Macbeth, who has now earned himself the terrible title of tyrant. Malcolm even goes so far to vividly describes how his country, personified as a being, bleeds under Macbeth. This metaphor of a diseased country is extended as Macduff introduces the idea of healing Scotland, upon learning that his family has been killed. He ominously vows to slaughter Macbeth, thus curing his homeland with the medicine of revenge. Even Lady Macbeth has been affected by the spread of the malady. On a literal basis she has actually suffered a mental breakdown, primarily due to the heavy load on her conscience. Figuratively, however, she is not suffering from a sick body, but a sick soul. She is merely living in the horror of the recollection of the evil deeds that she has committed. For this reason, the doctors diagnosis is that her only hope rests on divine healing rather than physical recuperation. The Scottish nobles continue the imagery of disease to stress that their opposition to Macbeths distempered cause is justified. In Act 5, scene 2, Malcolm has been identified as the medicine for the sick country. Moreover, his men are ready to shed their blood as purge for Scotlands affliction. Back in Macbeths camp, the tyrant asks a doctor to cure both the ailing Lady Macbeth and Scotland and to find out the cause of their troubles. Ironically, Macbeth is unaware that, in fact, he himself is the root of both of these predicaments. The use of imagery in Macbeth is effective in creating suspense and establishing the atmosphere of evil lurking. The imagery of disease as a metaphor for evil and corruption is appropriate for several reasons. Firstly, Macbeths slow descent down the moral ladder is similar to a disease slowly spreading through an organism. Secondly, just as Macbeth is unable to rid himself of the thought of killing Duncan, a disease is often uncontrollable. Finally, the metaphor is extended, as Malcolm (and to a lesser extent Macduff) is seen as medicine or a healer who cures Scotland of its infirmity.

A Complete List of Shakespeare’s Plays

A Complete List of Shakespeare’s Plays Scholars of Elizabethan drama believe that William Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays between 1590 and 1612. These dramatic works encompass a wide range of subjects and styles, from the playful A Midsummer Nights Dream to the gloomy Macbeth. Shakespeares plays can be roughly divided into three genres- comedies, histories, and tragedies- though some works, such as The Tempest and The Winters Tale, straddle the boundaries between these categories. Shakespeares first play is generally believed to be Henry VI Part I, a history play about English politics in the years leading up to the Wars of the Roses. The play was possibly a collaboration between Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, another Elizabethan dramatist who is best known for his tragedy Doctor Faustus. Shakespeares last play is believed to be The Two Noble Kinsmen, a tragicomedy co-written with John Fletcher in 1613, three years before Shakespeares death. Shakespeare's Plays in Chronological Order The exact order of the composition and performances of Shakespeare’s plays is difficult to prove- and therefore often disputed. The dates listed below are approximate and are based on the general consensus of when the plays were first performed: Henry VI Part I (1589-1590)Henry VI Part II (1590-1591)Henry VI Part III (1590-1591)Richard III (1592-1593)The Comedy of Errors (1592-1593)Titus Andronicus (1593-1594)The Taming of the Shrew (1593-1594)The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1594-1595)Love’s Labour’s Lost (1594-1595)Romeo and Juliet (1594-1595)Richard II (1595-1596)A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-1596)King John (1596-1597)The Merchant of Venice (1596-1597)Henry IV Part I (1597-1598)Henry IV Part II (1597-1598)Much Ado About Nothing (1598-1599)Henry V (1598-1599)Julius Caesar (1599-1600)As You Like It (1599-1600)Twelfth Night (1599-1600)Hamlet (1600-1601)The Merry Wives of Windsor (1600-1601)Troilus and Cressida (1601-1602)All’s Well That Ends Well (1602-1603)Measure for Measure (1604-1605)Othello (1604-1605)King Lear (1605-1606)Macbeth (1605-1606)Antony and Cleopatra (1606-1607)Coriolanus (1607-1608)Timon of Athens (1607-1608)Pericles (1608-1609)Cymbeline (1609-1610) The Winter’s Tale (1610-1611)The Tempest (1611-1612)Henry VIII (1612-1613)The Two Noble Kinsmen (1612-1613) Dating the Plays The chronology of Shakespeares plays remains a matter of some scholarly debate. Current consensus is based on a constellation of different data points, including publication information (dates taken from titles pages, etc.), known performance dates, and information from contemporary diaries and other records. Though each play can be assigned a narrow date range, it is impossible to know exactly which year any one of Shakespeares plays was composed. Even when exact performance dates are known, nothing conclusive can be said about when each play was written. Further complicating the matter is the fact that many of Shakespeares plays exist in multiple editions, making it even more difficult to determine when the authoritative versions were completed. For example, there are several surviving versions of Hamlet, three of which were printed in the First Quarto, Second Quarto, and First Folio, respectively. The version printed in the Second Quarto is the longest version of Hamlet, though it does not include over 50 lines that appear in the First Folio version. Modern scholarly editions of the play contain material from multiple sources. Authorship Controversy Another controversial question regarding Shakespeares bibliography is whether the Bard actually authored all of the plays assigned to his name. In the 19th century, a number of literary historians popularized the so-called anti-Stratfordian theory, which held that Shakespeares plays were actually the work of Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, or possibly a group of playwrights. Subsequent scholars, however, have dismissed this theory, and the current consensus is that Shakespeare- the man born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564- did in fact write all of the plays that bear his name. Nevertheless, there is strong evidence that some of Shakespeares plays were collaborations. In 2016, a group of scholars performed an analysis of all three parts of Henry VI and came to the conclusion that the play includes the work of Christopher Marlowe. Future editions of the play published by Oxford University Press will credit Marlowe as co-author. Another play, The Two Noble Kinsmen, was co-written with John Fletcher, who also worked with Shakespeare on the lost play Cardenio. Some scholars believe that Shakespeare may have also collaborated with George Peele, an English dramatist and poet; George Wilkins, an English dramatist and inn-keeper; and Thomas Middleton, a successful author of numerous stage works, including comedies, tragedies, and pageants.

Ontology, epistemology and methodology in information system Article

Ontology, epistemology and methodology in information system researches - Article Example 93), ontology was considered to be the â€Å"study of the categories of things that exist or may exist in some domain.† Moreover, he states that the product of an ontology is a â€Å"catalog of the types of things that are assumed to exist in a domain of interest D from the perspective of a person who uses a language L for the purpose of talking about D.† He adds that predicates, word senses, or concept and relation types of the language L are represented by the different types in the ontology in cases when these are used to provide a discussion of the topics in the domain D (Sowa, 1993). Viinikkala (2003) defined ontology as an aged branch of philosophy, the purpose of which is to establish the truth about reality by answering the persistent inquiry of what exists. Furthermore, she shares Sowa’s goal of ontology which is to provide an â€Å"objective description of reality and any domain of objects† (Viinikkala, 2003, p. 3). Table 1. Common elements in th e philosophical definition of ontology Gruber Sowa Viinikkala What is ontology? explicit specification of a conceptualization study of the categories of things that exist or may exist in some domain branch of philosophy that establishes truth about reality Goal provide specification for a representation of a world catalog of the types of things that are assumed to exist in a domain of interest provide an objective description of reality and any domain of objects 2.1.1 Objectivity philosophy In a philosophical sense, objectivity is believing in an issue on the basis of what can be said in favor of, and against, its truth, without putting any bearing on whether one would prefer to believe the truth or not (Yandell, 1999, p. 15). Objectivity does not require for one to have any amount of feeling for the belief to be true... This paper states that the increasing interest in the subject of ontology, epistemology, and methodology in information system researches is brought about by their extensive applicability in the domains of information systems analysis and design (ISAD). As information systems are practically representations of real-world phenomena and scenarios, it is considered an important thrust to accurately and appropriately identify the entities that need to be represented and, essentially, how these should be represented. Because of the extensive applicability of ontology and, consequently, those of epistemology and methodology, it would serve the field well if these concepts and other constructs pertaining to them are properly defined. Since different sources may provide a variety of different definitions for these terms, it will be wise to draw out the commonalities from these definitions. Moreover, it is wise to note that the definitions for these concepts are presented differently on a phi losophical level, as compared with those on a technical or practical level. These differences should be noted as well in order to better unify these philosophical and practical meanings. The concepts of ontology, epistemology, and methodology are gaining extensive applicability in the information systems. While there are, to an extent, some similarities between the definitions of these concepts in a philosophical sense and when used in information system, a closer look at how these concepts are applied in the information system reveals certain significant differences.

Project Management Risk Management Case Study (Space Shuttle) Essay

Project Management Risk Management Case Study (Space Shuttle) - Essay Example Could it have been averted? In this essay today, we will look at the mishap from the perspective of Risk Management and try to critically analyze the causes, and lessons learnt from the tragedy. Launching a Space Shuttle has always been a tricky business. With so many complexities to handle and parameters to fulfill simultaneously, it involves a high level of risk. On 1st February 2003, the Flight Control Team at Columbia did not report any issues or problems related to the planned de-orbit and re-entry. The team had indicated no concerns about the debris impact to the left wing during ascent, and it seemed like any other re-entry since all the systems were normal and the weather observations and forecasts were within guidelines. However, as Columbia descended from space into the atmosphere, the heat produced by air molecules colliding with the Orbiter typically caused wing leading-edge temperatures to rise steadily. In the events that followed, a broken message was recorded from the mission commander: â€Å"Roger, uh, bu†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This was the last message from the crew. Soon after that, the space shuttle started disintegrating causing a loud boom and debris being sca ttered in the clear skies of Dallas. In case of any space program, the margin of error has to be next to nil since it not only entails billions of dollars of public money but also many precious lives. With Columbia, too, although the risk probability was extremely high, the consequences were still acceptable. So what went wrong? According to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), politics, budgets, schedule pressure and managerial complacency all contributed in causing the Columbia disaster. The CAIB report also delved deeply into the underlying organizational and cultural issues that led to the accident. However, the most apparent cause seems to be inaccurate risk assessment. In a risk-management scenario similar to the Challenger disaster of 1986, NASA management failed

The Awakening- Ednas Independence Essay Example for Free

The Awakening- Ednas Independence Essay In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, Edna Pontellier is a character who is alienated from the rest of society. She carries views which do not coincide with the norm, and in a way establishes her own idea of how women should live and be treated. Not only do her views estrange her from society, but she also physically separates herself from the life she used to live and the Victorian culture into which she was born. During this time, it was expected of a woman to be the perfect picture of a wife and mother, an â€Å"Angel of the House†. Even early on in the novel Edna is shown to be the type of woman that doesn’t fit the bill. While most other mothers, such as Adele Ratignolle, would bend over backwards to take care of their children, Edna is clearly not as much a ‘mother-woman’; her children had learned to be the type to stand up and brush off the dirt rather than run to mommy if they fell down. Her marriage to Leonce was more a social convention than it was a loving relationship, as if she only married because it was the thing to do. This was not an uncommon arrangement, but Edna’s treatment of it was- with little passion and emotional connection in her marriage, she commits emotional adultery finding companionship in the form of Robert Lebrun. Later in rediscovering music and art, she also shirks all responsibility as a wife and mother, ignoring her expected duties in order to concentrate on her painting. This is far from the picture of the perfect Victorian wife. Edna’s physical separation from her old life is symbolic of her opposing views about women and their role in the community. With her husband away and her boys with their grandmother, Edna lives as a single woman. Her choice to remove herself from the life of a mother-woman is contradictory to everything she was taught to do. Her claim of independence is unheard of, and society doesn’t know how to react. In her Victorian culture, women are the belongings of men and have no claims to their own lives, nor have they any means to their own wants and needs; this was the custom everyone had grown up on, the custom everyone was used to. Edna rebels against this belief with her nonconformist decision to live on her own, as her own being, with her own mental and emotional and sexual desires. There is an instance when Edna and Robert are discussing a future together, and Robert notes his wish to free Edna from Leonce, because he is still under the belief that she is an object to be passed from one owner to another. Edna then calls him silly for believing such things, for she is an independent person, whom no one governs but her own self. Edna’s intellectual, emotional, and sexual awakenings, though giving her the independence she craves, isolate her from the rest of society. There is one point in the novel where Edna speaks of walking, how she doesn’t mind walking to get to places farther off and how she feels bad for those women who don’t take the walk because they are missing so much. Edna knows she is the only woman who has taken the walk, taken the chance to discover living outside of societal norms and finding out how freeing it is. As much as she wants someone to join her, in her last ‘awakening’ she realizes no one will- Robert wants to marry her out of convention rather than cross the boundaries and be her lover. Edna realizes she cannot escape the chains of society’s expectations, and she is utterly alone. Edna’s isolation grows as she has more and more revelations about her life and herself. Though starting simply as the odd one out among the mother-women, she becomes the lone rebel across the societal boundaries. Her beliefs about women as independent, intellectual, sexual, and emotional beings contradict the societal views demonstrated along her journey of awakening.

Artificial Intelligence :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Artificial Intelligence "My name is Dorothy," said the girl, "and I am going to the Emerald City, to ask the Oz to send me back to Kansas."   "Where is the Emerald City?" he enquired; "and who is Oz?"   "Why, don't you know?" she returned in surprise.   "No, indeed; I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all," he answered, sadly.   "Oh," said Dorothy; "I'm awfully sorry for you."   "Do you think," he asked, "If I go to the Emerald City with you, that the great Oz would give me some brains?"   "I cannot tell you," she returned; "but you may come with me, if you like. If Oz will not give you any brains you will be no worse off than you are now."   -L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful World of Oz1 As Dorothy and the Scarecrow begin their search for a "brain," we can catch a glimpse of an issue that has been bouncing around our culture for centuries: can man make a machine think? While Baum's story does not focus on the Scarecrow as the possibility of a thinking machine, he does raise the question of whether a human brain is necessary for thinking. This question of the brainÕs vitality is first exposed to our culture with what many literary critics feel is the birth of Science Fiction, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.  Ã‚   Frankenstein is the story of dead body parts being brought to life through the use of electricity. After witnessing the creature's action readers are left asking if the human brain is sufficient for thinking or if there is more to thinking than a brain? Other Science Fiction writers took this to a different level and "created" the robot, a non-human thinking machine. Frankenstein is on the cusp of humans and non-humans and the beginning of the debate of what it means to artificially think. These imagined ideas caused others to think about making these ideas a reality. Marvin Minsky, one of the original scientists involved in establishing artificial intelligence, cites Science Fiction as one of his major motivators to enter the world of AI. It was not until the summer of 1956 that scientists felt that it might be possible to write non-fiction accounts of robots at some point in the near future.  Ã‚   During the summer of 1956 at Dartmouth College, scholars, who would later be considered the founding fathers of

Mercy killing Essay

The first reason we support mercy killing is it does relieve the pain that the patient suffer. For patients that terminally ill, there no need to make any actions to prolong their life because this may make them struggle and suffer in the last moment of their life. All those chemotherapy and medicines may prolong the patient life but also torture them physically and mentally as these treatments have side effects on human body. It is quite depressed when seeing the patients having all these treatments. It is a way for the patient to release themselves from all these pain. Another reason we support it is it will reduce the burden of the patient’s family especially from the economically aspects. From the day the patient started to hospitalise, the medical fees for the patient started to count into the bill. For patient that is not capable to carry on these medical fees, they will feel stress to find money to pay for this large amount of bill. They may start to think of selling their own properties and even loan money from loan sharks, just to pay the bill. The medical fee in a hospital is not cheap, if the patient stays one more day in the hospital, the family need to more money to the hospital. Even the patient will also feel stress when know his or her family members are funding for the medical bills. The third reason is euthanasia can save life. For example, a coma patient who has laid on bed for about 10 years. For this 10 years, he is occupying a hospital bed, medical equipment and medicine that sustain his life. As we know, almost every day, the spaces in hospital are inadequate for incoming patients. Instead of letting the coma patient to suffer and wasting a bed space, mercy killing an incurable patient can definitely save lots of life. Besides, if the organs of the patient are still functioning well, his organs can donate to other patients who are in need and have higher probability to survive. In short, euthanasia not only bring the grief suffered by a patient to an end, but this method too, can save many others lives. This reason should compensate the ethics problem that the public are discussing for decades.

“Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits” Analysis

The name of the essay is â€Å"Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits† by Suki Kim on November 21, 2009. In this essay she is telling us about a Korean girl went from being rich to her family going broke overnight. Ms. Kim is telling us about her struggles trying to adjust to a different society. She also needed to learn English and she found difficult to learn. One main point in her life was when her father lost everything overnight that ever mattered to the family. She was then moved to Queen, New York in the 1980’s where she started Jr. High. Suki had difficulty adjusting to America, especially not knowing how to speak English at all. The supporting details is when she stated that she watched reruns of â€Å"Three Company† in an attempt to learn English. She also stated that more brutal than learning English was facing poverty with a rich’s girl memory. A second main point is that immigration is meant to be the great equalizer, yet it is not easy to eradicate the divisions of the old country. She recalled at 13, is an acute awareness of the distance between her and her fellow F. O. B. ’s, and another, more palpable one between those of them in E. S. L and the occasional English- speaking Korean- American kids, who avoided them though they brought them certain undefined shame. The supporting details is that years later she learned that they were, in fact separated from them by generations. Those that sat in in huddle in that E. S. L class grew up to represent the so called 1. 5 generation. Many of them came to America in their teens, already rooted in Korean ways and languages. The writer’s purpose in genre is that she is now a Korean- American who once lived wealthy in Korea and then moved to a big city of Queens in the 80’s and really forced to learn English and adjusting to a new society. The audience is for all ages to read. The author tones towards her reader was calm when explaining her difficulties to adjusting to a new environment and going from rich to poor and having to learn how to be independent. Once she got older she became very good at speaking English that she became an interpreter for the Family Assistance Center.

Contrasts between Douglass and Chopin essays

Contrasts between Douglass and Chopin essays Douglass and Chopin, both well respected figures of literature, have different styles of diction and detail. Edna often felt dragged down by religion, and as time goes by she learns to express her disregard of the traditional duty of the clergy. The traditional set-up of the church in those times, was only for show, and there was a lack of depth in a persons service. Edna fell into this trap but she learned, as time went by, that there was something else to yearn for, and after this did she proceed. In the beginning Edna was quick to defend her status in the church with defenses such as I was a little unthinking child in those days, just following a misleading impulse without question (VII). Madame Ratignolle had asked her if she was still running from prayer and Edna quickly responded and defended her service to make sure her service in the church was well respected. Edna needed that security and that blanket of protection in order to feel wanted and cared for by something of importance. As time goes by, however, Edna loses this resolve, this passion for religion and it soon becomes a nuisance for her. A feeling of oppression and drowsiness overcame Edna during the service. Her head began to ache, and the lights on the alter swayed before her eyes (XIII). This new feeling towards religion has freed Edna of the dull monotony that church oppressed people with. The average church bores the person into obedience, but they have left no torch of light inside a persons heart, no burning desire to search out their God through sincere prayer. Edna has awakened to realize the pointless duty of attending church and has come to realize her spirituality through other methods, those of God, not those created by the hands of man. Searching out the ways of nature brings about several questions about the supernatural and things not understood by man. When a person opens up their mind to...

Lebensraum - Hitlers Policy of Eastern Expansion

Lebensraum - Hitlers Policy of Eastern Expansion The geopolitical concept of Lebensraum (German for living space) was the idea  that land expansion was essential to the survival of a people. Used originally to support colonialism, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler adapted the concept of Lebensraum to support his quest for German expansion to the east. Who Came up With the Idea of Lebensraum? The concept of Lebensraum (living space)  originated with German geographer and ethnographer  Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904). Ratzel studied how humans reacted to their environment and were especially interested in human migration. In 1901, Ratzel published an essay called Der Lebensraum (The Living Space), in which he posited that all peoples (as well as animals and plants) needed to expand their living space in order to survive. Many in Germany believed Ratzels concept of  Lebensraum supported their interest in establishing colonies, following the examples of the British and French empires. Hitler, on the other, hand, took it a step farther. Hitlers Lebensraum In general, Hitler agreed with the concept of expansion to add more living space for the German Volk (people). As he stated in his book,  Mein Kampf: [W]ithout consideration of traditions and prejudices, it [Germany] must find the courage to gather our people and their strength for an advance along the road that will lead this people from its present restricted living space to new land and soil, and hence also free it from the danger of vanishing from the earth or of serving others as a slave nation.- Adolf Hitler,   Mein Kampf   1 However, rather than adding colonies to make Germany larger, Hitler wanted to enlarge Germany within Europe. For it is not in colonial acquisitions that we must see the solution of this problem, but exclusively in the acquisition of a territory for settlement, which will enhance the area of the mother country, and hence not only keep the new settlers in the most intimate community with the land of their origin, but secure for the total area those advantages which lie in its unified magnitude.- Adolf Hitler,   Mein Kampf 2 Adding living space was believed to strengthen Germany by helping solve internal problems, make it militarily stronger, and help make Germany become economically self-sufficient by adding food and other raw material sources. Hitler looked east for Germanys expansion in Europe. It was in this view that Hitler added a racist element to Lebensraum. By stating that the Soviet Union was run by Jews (after the Russian Revolution), then Hitler concluded Germany had a right to take Russian land. For centuries Russia drew nourishment from this Germanic nucleus of its upper leading strata. Today it can be regarded as almost totally exterminated and extinguished. It has been replaced by the Jew. Impossible as it is for the Russian by himself to shake off the yoke of the Jew by his own resources, it is equally impossible for the Jew to maintain the mighty empire forever. He himself is no element of organization, but a ferment of decomposition. The Persian empire in the east is ripe for collapse. And the end of Jewish rule in Russia will also be the end of Russia as a state.- Adolf Hitler,   Mein Kampf   3 Hitler was clear in his book  Mein Kampf  that the concept of Lebensraum was essential to his ideology.  In 1926, another important book about Lebensraum was published Hans Grimms book  Volk ohne Raum  (A People without Space). This book became a classic on Germanys need for space and the books title soon became a popular National Socialist slogan. In Summary In Nazi ideology, Lebensraum meant the expansion of Germany to the east in search of a unity between the German Volk and the land (the Nazi concept of Blood and Soil). The Nazi-modified theory of Lebensraum became Germanys foreign policy during the Third Reich. Notes 1. Adolf Hitler,  Mein Kampf  (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1971) 646.2. Hitler,  Mein Kampf  653.3. Hitler,  Mein Kampf  655. Bibliography Bankier, David. Lebensraum.  Encyclopedia of the Holocaust. Israel Gutman (ed.) New York: Macmillan Library Reference, 1990. Hitler, Adolf.  Mein Kampf. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1971. Zentner, Christian and Friedmann Bedà ¼rftig (eds.).  The Encyclopedia of the Third Reich. New York: Da Capo Press, 1991.

Diversity in the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diversity in the Workplace - Essay Example The main personal tools are self-awareness, metacommunication and flexibility. Metacommunication is one of the most valuable skills that a manager can possess is the ability to communicate effectively with others (Sonnenschein 95). Metacommunication reflects and folds back upon itself bringing more information to each conversant. Metacommunication is an active process that is particularly useful in understanding persons who come from different cultural contexts. Among individuals in an increasingly diverse society, there may be more than one understanding, more than one meaning of a single reality. Individuals who come from different cultural paradigms or different hierarchical positions may perceive the same situation differently and draw different meanings from it. The role and importance of metacommunication is to eliminate cultural and language differences. Self-awareness is another tool which helps managers to deal with diverse employees and lead them. It means: "be aware of those things in your personal background that might help you do or see, or prevent you from doing or seeing thing, important your organization" (Sonnenschein 30). In this case, managers should realize the influence of culture on behavior. Like time or distance, culture is one of those concepts we all know but find difficult to put into words. Self-awareness helps managers to respond effectively to behavior and actions of other employees, understand their motives and desires (Sonnenschein 32). Flexibility can be seen as a tool which helps leaders to manage diverse workforce and sustain positive organizational culture. 'Flexibility' can be seen as an ability to find the best solution in any situation in spite of personal interests or beliefs. For instance, today men's and women's roles have become more diffuse. The division of labor is less rigid and not necessarily gender-linked. The task of the manager is to perceive these changes and apply them into workforce (Sonnenschein 94-95). The organizational techniques are conflict management, socialization and training workshops. Conflict management is an effective technique which helps managers to avoid dissatisfaction and misunderstanding between employees. Clearly, if the parties can agree on mutual objectives then the problem is far easier to resolve than if they have conflicting objectless and personal agendas. The tools used to solve the conflict can be communication and listening, respect to position of others and account of cultural differences. These strategies help a manager to separate the people from the problem; focus on interests and not positions; search for solutions which can accommodate both interests; agree objective criteria. Developing a solution is more critical and complex than ever before. Managers should use benefits of conflicts to create positive culture and climate. Socialization involves understanding of such processes as family influence, personal experience, educational experiences, peer influences, media influences and critical incidents (Sonnenschein 31). For instance, the attributes that once were operative have become less significant in a more democratic and diverse society. Redefining fit no longer means using the broad attributes seeking a deeper sense of knowing and understanding one another. That is, the more we get to know who we all are as

Organizational Behavior in a Negative or Positive Manner Essay

Organizational Behavior in a Negative or Positive Manner - Essay Example Organizational behavior helps to draw the organizational as well as industrial psychology. Key elements of organization’s behavior are people, structure, technology, environment and many other external elements. This is required for improving job performance, increasing job satisfaction, encouraging leadership, promoting innovation etc. Management will adopt various techniques to evaluate the performance, modify salary and compensation structure by using this method. There are positive and negative sides also. Benefits of organizational behavior are it is systematic study of attitude and action of people within organization. Managers can do proactive work in effective and efficient way by using this method etc. on the other hand managing work force diversity, improving quality and productivity through the existing manpower, responding to globalization etc are few challenges for using this method. Culture can be defined as such kind of behavior that is cultivated and transmitte d socially. It includes knowledge, values, religion, beliefs, relation, roles, meanings, concepts of the universe, material possessions etc. Different types of culture are pluralism, dualism, salad blow, pragmatic culture, normative culture, academic culture, club culture etc. For example it can be said that in pragmatic culture management will focus only on the customer’s satisfaction. In normative culture management of the company is strict and rigid about the company’s guidelines, rules and regulations. Three major types of culture are discussed below: Pluralism- In this culture smaller groups of individuals try to maintain their unique culture identity and their value, culture, identities are related to broader culture and tradition.

Sustainable Management Futures. Corporate Social Responsibility Assignment

Sustainable Management Futures. Corporate Social Responsibility - Assignment Example Even though, they acknowledge its efficiency, they still claim that free enterprise is inherently exploitive or unfair. Although opponents agree that free market is productive, they still argue that it produces the wrong commodities. For instance, they argue that free market produces too much of the luxury goods at the expense of public goods. The opposition to free market is not much of economic considerations as moral. For example, profit comes from the workers, but the workers are only entitled to a small pay. The profit rightfully belongs to workers but end up being denied the right. Although production from the free market can be efficient, the commodities produced do not fit what people desire. The inequalities resulting from the free market depict unethical moral standards. Individuals gain wealth unequally favouring inequality in the distribution of resources, which is morally wrong (Schumpeter, 1994 pp 68). It is in the free market that individuals dictate what people should consume and what they should earn. These considerations represent a moral consideration. These considerations are based on values and goals rather than the real working of an economy. Moral equality supports that no individual should be superior to the other and, therefore, no one can impose his value, desire, and belief on another. Since each person has his to follow his discretion in what he decides to produce or sell, there is no coercion. When there is no coercion, there is no moral wrong; hence, since free market is free from coercion, the market is then ethical. It is only in the free-market that commodities and services are worth what individuals believe they are worth. This makes individuals be willing to pay for a charge that they feel is worth the value of the commodity or service. Moral equality in a free market is emphasized by the equal right of all individuals being free to act without coercion. Involvement of government in a free economy is unnecessary and wrong ethi cally. When governments are involved in a market economy, there is coercion to doing certain things. For example, people are coerced to pay taxes to sustain inefficient bureaucracies. These violate the rights of individuals. People, who oppose free market and prefer power of government in making things done, impose their views on others, which indicate moral superiority on others. A free economy depicts a free society, where every person can live as per his own values and principles. Since people need to be free without being coerced to act, free market exists as the only market practicing ethics. Capitalism represents a system of interaction, which utilizes money as the medium of exchanging commodities and services (Nelson, 2010 pp 16). The system evolved from barter trade, where individuals traded items in terms of value. Just like a free market, there is no coercion in the trading of products and services. Each person has the discretion of producing or selling what he feels is ri ght for him. What makes capitalism a moral aspect is the presence of fair trade and involvement of voluntary transactions. Capitalism benefits the society through freeing up commerce, creation of wealth, and provides incentives necessary for technological advancements. Socialism usually exists in a parasitic association with capitalism (Mises, 2009 pp 51). It has to rely and work within a monetary system.

Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions in Australia

Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions in Australia The word culture stems from a Latin root that means the tilling of the soil, like in agriculture. In many modern languages the word is used in a figurative sense, with two meaning. The first meaning which is more commonly used is civilization, including education, manners, and arts and crafts and their products. It is the domain of a ministry of culture. The second meaning is derived from social anthropology, but in the past decades it has entered common parlance. It refers to the way people think, feel and act (Hofstede, G. Et al. 2011). According to Geert Hofstede, Culture is the collective programming of the human mind that distinguishes the members of one human group from those of another. Culture in this sense is a system of collectively held values (Geert Hofstede). Categories can refer to nations, regions within or across nations, ethnicities, religions, occupations, organizations, or the genders. He also spoke about culture as the software of the mind that guides us in our daily interactions. Another definition of culture according to Edgar Schein is, Culture is the deeper level of basic assumptions and benefits that are shared by members of an organisation that operate unconsciously and define in a basic taken for granted fashion an organisations view of its self and its environment (Edgar H. Schein. 2004). *According to Peterson (2004), Culture is the relatively steady set of inner values and beliefs commonly held by groups of persons in countries or regions and the visible impact those values and beliefs have on the populations outward behaviour and environment. Hence, culture includes many elements which include behaviour, knowledge, motives, ideas, and customs that differentiate the members of one group from another (Neelankavil and Rai, 2009). The aim of this essay is to discuss and evaluate the key dimensions of national culture of Australia using the cultural dimensions model developed by Hofstede which is based on an extensive study of how values in workplace are influenced by culture. A particular culture will be rated against five distinct categories. These dimensions are Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism versus Collectivism, Masculinity versus Femininity and Long Term Orientation (Hofsted, 2001). I will also discuss some limitations and criticism of the Hofstede Model of Culture Dimensions, concluding my discussion with a brief summary at the end. National Culture of Australia: *Australia is a well developed country making marks in the world economy. Australian Culture echoes the nations exceptional unification of different cultures. Australias diverse culture and lifestyle reflect its liberal democratic traditions and values, geographic closeness to the Asia-Pacific region and the social and cultural influences of the millions of migrants who have settled in Australia since World War II. Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences. The countrys original inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, are the custodians of one of the worlds oldest continuing cultural traditions (Australiacountrybook. 2011). Australia culture has grown to be one of the most diverse cultures of the world. Heavily influenced by Anglo-Celtic origins the culture of Australia has also been shaped by multi-ethnic migration which has influenced all aspects of Australian life, including business, the arts, cooking, sense of humour and sporting tastes. Australian culture is based on the following principles: Productive diversity- All the people should uplift the cultural, social and economic values. And Cultural respect- All the people of Australia can practice their own religion and culture. Today Australia has a population of more than 21 million people (World News Network. 2011). Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions framework of Australia Power Distance: Power distance is the extent to which less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. (Hofstede, 2001). This represents inequality (more versus less), but defined from below, not from above. It suggests that a societys level of inequality is endorsed by the followers as much as by the leaders (Geert Hofstede. (2009). In high power distance cultures the following things are observed. Those in authority openly demonstrate their rank. Subordinates are not given important work and expect clear guidance from above. Subordinates are expected to take the blame for things going wrong. The relationship between boss and subordinate is rarely close/personal. Politics is prone to totalitarianism. Class divisions within society are accepted and parents are more highly respected and corporal punishment is more common (Hofstede on Cultural Awareness. 2011). In comparison in low power distance cultures the following things are observed. Superiors treat subordinates with respect regardless of their rank. Subordinates are entrusted with important assignments and tasks. If things go wrong, the blame is generally shared or very often accepted by the superior due to it being their responsibility to manage. Managers may often socialise with their subordinates. Liberal democracies are the norm and societies lean more towards egalitarianism. Power Distance in Australia: Power Distance (PDI) in Australia is relatively low, with an index of 36, compared to the world average of 55. This is indicative of a greater equality between societal levels, including government, organizations, and even within families. This orientation reinforces a cooperative interaction across power levels and creates a more stable cultural environment (Australian Business Culture. 2011). A low power distance implies that power in Australia is spread out to everyone instead of being reserved to a few groups. This relatively low score implies that Australians believe that they are close to power, that they should have access to that power, that the powerful and the powerless should try to live in concert with each other, and that a hierarchy is an inequality of roles established for convenience (Samovar and Porter, 1991). Uncertainty Avoidance: Uncertainty Avoidance deals with a societys tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity; it ultimately refers to mans search for truth. It indicates to what extent a culture programs its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations. Unstructured situations are novel, unknown, surprising, and different from usual. Uncertainty avoiding cultures try to minimize the possibility of such situations by strict laws and rules, safety and security measures, and on the philosophical and religious level by a belief in absolute truth; there can only be one truth and we have it. People in uncertainty avoiding countries are also more emotional, and motivated by inner nervous energy. The opposite type, uncertainty accepting cultures, are more tolerant of opinions different from what they are used to; they try to have as few rules as possible, and on the philosophical and religious level they are relativist and allow many currents to flow side by side. People within thes e cultures are more phlegmatic and contemplative, and not expected by their environment to express emotions (Geert Hofstede. 2009). Some of the common traits found in countries that score highly on the uncertainty avoidance scale are as follows. They are usually countries/cultures with a long history, where the population is not multicultural, i.e. homogenous. Where risks, even calculated, are avoided in business and where new ideas and concepts are more difficult to introduce (EuroAfricaCentral Network Multicultural Communication Training. 2009). In comparison, some of the common traits found in countries that score low on the uncertainty avoidance scale are as follows. They are usually countries with a young history and where the population is much more diverse due to waves of immigration. Where risks are embraced as part of businesses and innovation and pushing boundaries is encouraged (Hofstede on Cultural Awareness 2011). Uncertainty Avoidance in Australia: The Geert Hofstede analysis shows the high level of individuality Australians hold dear. This is reinforced in their daily lives and must be considered when travelling and doing business in the Country. Privacy is considered the norm and attempts at personal ingratiation may meet with rebuff. Uncertainty avoidance is relatively low with a family centred culture and a stable society (Geert Hofstede. (2009). Australia received a score of 27 on the scale of Uncertainty Avoidance. This score implies that Australians do not like uncertainty, that they want stability for members, they strive for consensus, follow many rules, and tend to have more stress and anxiety (Samovar and Porter, 1991). Individualism/collectivism: According to Hofstede (2001), individualism/ collectivism refer to the extent to which individuals are integrated groups. *Individualism is the opposite of collectivism; together they form one of the dimensions of national cultures. Individualism stands for a society in which the ties between individuals are loose: everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family only. People in individualistic cultures emphasize their success/achievements in job or private wealth and aiming up to reach more and/or a better job position (International Business Cultures. 2010). Collectivism stands for a society in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong cohesive in groups, which throughout peoples lifetime continue to protect them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. Alexandra Giroux. (2011). Highly individualist cultures believe that an individual is the most important unit. In this kind of culture people only take care of themselves and their immediate family. People are self orientated. Identity is based on individual. It is also a kind of a guilt culture. People make decisions on their individual needs. Emphasis is on individual initiative and achievement and everyone has a right to a private life (Ann P. Copeland. (2011). *In comparison, highly collective cultures believe that an individual is the most important unit. In this kind of culture people expect absolute loyalty to a group i.e. extended family. It is group oriented and decisions are based on what is best for the group. Identity is based on a social system and it is also a kind of shame culture. Dependence on organisation and institutions i.e. expects organisations/institutions/groups to take care of an individual. There is an emphasis on belonging and private life is invaded by institution and organisations to which one belongs to. Individualism in Australia: The Geert Hofstede analysis for Australia reflects the high level of individuality Australians hold dear. The Individualism (IDV) index for Australia is 90, the second highest score of any country in Hofstedes survey, behind the United States ranking of 91. This individuality is reinforced in Australians daily lives and must be considered when travelling and doing business in their Country. Privacy is considered the cultural norm and attempts at personal ingratiating may meet with rebuff (International Business Centre. (2008). Masculinity/Femininity: This dimension indicates the extent to which dominant values in a society tend to be assertive and look more interested in things than in concerning for people and the quality of life. Masculinity is the opposite of femininity; together, they form one of the dimensions of national cultures (International Business Cultures. (2010). According to Hofstede, Masculinity stands for a society in which social gender roles are clearly distinct: Men are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success; women are supposed to be more modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life. Femininity stands for a society in which social gender roles overlap: Both men and women are supposed to be modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life. (Hofstede (2001). Masculine cultures tend to be ambitious and need to excel. Members of these cultures have a tendency to polarize and consider big and fast to be beautiful. In workplaces employees emphasize their work to a great extent (live in order to work) and they admire achievers who accomplished their tasks. Feminine cultures consider quality of life and helping others to be very important (Hideyuki SUGAWARA. (2009). A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination. A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society. Masculinity/Femininity in Australia: *The Geert Hofstede analysis for Australia in relation to masculinity reflects almost 58% population is male dominated which is just below half level at 48% compared to the rest of the world. This shows that females still are not considered equal to men in different fields of life; however, femininity equality rights are increasing rapidly in Australia according to some online statistics and reports. Long Term Orientation: Long-Term Orientation (LTO) focuses on the degree the society embraces, or does not embrace long-term devotion to traditional, forward thinking values. High Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country prescribes to the values of long-term commitments and respect for tradition. This is thought to support a strong work ethic where long-term rewards are expected as a result of todays hard work. However, business may take longer to develop in this society, particularly for an outsider. A Low Long-Term Orientation ranking indicates the country does not reinforce the concept of long-term, traditional orientation. In this culture, change can occur more rapidly as long-term traditions and commitments do not become impediments to change (International Business Centre. 2008). A long term orientation is characterized by persistence and perseverance, a respect for a hierarchy of the status of relationships, thrift, and a sense of shame. Countries include China; Hong Kong; Taiwan, Japan and India. A short-term orientation is marked by a sense of security and stability, a protection of ones reputation, a respect for tradition, and a reciprocation of greetings; favours and gifts. Countries include: Britain, Canada, the Philippines; Germany and Australia (Robert Paterson. (2003). High long term orientation cultures will show respect to traditions and longer work commitments, this is because one believe rewards will come following work even if it is not immediate. Long term rewards are expected for work done today. Low long term orientation societies do not confirm to traditions and long term rewards. Traditions and commitments in cultures with low long term orientation are likely to change with time (Confucius Institute. (2008). Long Term Orientation in Australia: Long term orientation in Australia is at 30% which is just below half level at 44% compared to the rest of the world. This shows that long term orientation is at a low level in Australia. This might also means that Australia leans more towards short term orientation than long term. Limitations of the Hofstede Model of Culture Dimensions: Even though Hofstedes model is generally accepted as the most comprehensive framework of national cultures values, its validity and its limitations have been extensively criticized. Certain criticism has been raised such as the following. Firstly, the averages of a country do not relate to individuals of that country. Even though this model has proven to be quite often correct when applied to the general population, one must be aware that not all individuals or even regions with subcultures fit into the mould. It is to be used as a guide to understanding the difference in culture between countries, not as law set in stone. As always, there are exceptions to the rule. Secondly, there is no certainty concerning the accuracy of the data. The data has been collected through questionnaires, which have their own limitations. In some cultures the context of the questions asked are as important as their content. Especially in group orientated cultures, individuals might tend to answer questions as if they were addressed to the group he/she belongs to. Lastly, the question is as to how up to date is the data considering factors such as how much does a country change over time, either by internal or external influences. Conclusion After discussing in detail, Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions framework for Australia, it can be seen that the power distance situation in Australia is relatively low. A low power distance implies that power in Australia is spread out to everyone instead of being reserved to a few groups. This also indicates that there is good equality between social level, including government, and organisations. This orientation reinforces a cooperative interaction across power levels and creates a more stable cultural environment. In relation to uncertainty avoidance, it is also relatively low with a family centred culture and a steady society. It can also be seen that Australians do not like uncertainty, that they want stability for members, they strive for consensus, follow many rules, and tend to have more stress and anxiety. It can also be witnessed that there has been a high level of individuality. The masculinity / femininity level seems to be balanced as well with both genders sharing equality in business and ethics. As for orientation, you can see both long and short term as Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences. Overall this portrays that Australia has come a long way from where it once stood has improved on many issues and fields heading towards a strong, solid and promising future in terms of culture.

Halloween And Christianity :: essays research papers

Halloween and Christianity It is often said that Halloween is not the "harmless" holiday it is thought to be, instead it is believed to be a pagan ritual which dates back to the ancient Celtic Druids. According to the article "Should Our Kids Celebrate Halloween?" in Catholic Digest Halloween's origin is very much Christian and American. Although the ancient Celts celebrated a minor festival on the 31st of October, it fell on that day because the Feast of All Saints or "All Hallows" falls on November 1st. During the 840s Pope Gregory IV gad All Saints Day to be celebrated everywhere. The day before the feast became known as "All Hallows Even" or "Hallowe'en". At the time, that day did not have any real significance. In the year of 998, the abbot of the monastery of Cluny in southern France, St. Odilo added a celebration on November 2nd called All Souls Day. The new celebration was a feast whose purpose was to recognize those in heaven and in purgatory. The tradition of dressing up in costumes on Halloween is derived from the Feast of All Souls Day in France. During the 14th and 15th centuries when Europe was hit by outbreaks of the bubonic plague, about half of its population was wiped out. Since life spans were greatly shortened because of the plague, Catholics began to focus on the after life. The number of Masses help largely increased and people of all social classes gathered to dress in different garments and lead lost spirits to the tomb in a daisy chain which became known as the "Dance of Death". Dressing up did not become part of Halloween until the creation of the British colonies in North America. During that period of time, Catholics had no legal rights in England. At times English Catholics attempted to resist. One such occasion was a plot to destroy King James I and his Parliament with gunpowder. The plan was ill-conceived and easily foiled when the guard of the powder, Guy Fawkes, was found and hung on November 5, 1605. The date became widely celebrated in England. Bands of revelers began to wear masks on that date

TKAM

A hero is a person who carries divergent qualities and abilities and is admired by others for his achievements and his brave deeds. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Tactics Finch is exhibited as man who stuck with his morals, values, beliefs and ethics regarding all situations he was put through throughout the novel. He stood on his ground, making a luminous understanding to the people of Macomb that nothing would affect his thinking.Finch is a hero through his effectuation that are underscored right through the evolve and his abilities that were demonstrated and explained through other characters in the novel. Despite all Finch took the challenge of defending a â€Å"colored† man in the time of when slavery was abolished but black people were thought to be lower than white people. In life, one is taught and influenced by many of how to approach, and solve problems. One should be capable of standing strong in his/her beliefs despite what others might not say.Ta ctics Finch was a man who believed in what was right as cliche as it might sound he did not believe in the popular convictions because according to him success was not in winning in fact he did not mind loosing as long as he put his best in the situation. Often in life, one confronts situations where they have to make a decision, a decision that will lead them to the right path and having only one chance of doing so. Sometimes in failure was where one would find their victory.Tactics Finch, a successful lawyer in Macomb, Alabama, was authorized to take up the case of defending a black or â€Å"colored† man as referred in the novel regardless of the â€Å"usual Macomb disease† that conquered the whole town. Finch's kids, Jean Louis offered as Scout and Gem, were being bullied in school for their father defending a black man that is wrong no matter what the circumstances are. They were being questioned and they questioned their father about why Finch would defend a black when it is not accepted or considered good in the people of Macomb.Tactics Finch was a well respected man of the town, he always knew what to do and what not to do. When the kids questioned he simply answered â€Å"l am simply defending a Necrosis name's Tom Robinson† (Lee 75). Tactics Finch was a man of his words, once said he put all his strength to accomplish the task. His confidence and dignity made him a heroic figure for the people in town, in fact many people looked up to him. Once the word was spread of him taking Robinsons case, the citizens knew that he might Just have s chance of being Justified.On the day of the Robinson Trial, when Tactics entered the court room people stood up for him as respect. Reverend Sykes had even demanded for Scout to stand up when her father entered the courtroom. Considering the fact that Sykes was black, all the â€Å"colored† groups stood up as well. California, a black woman who worker in Finch's home, took Gem and Scout to h er lack people church where they were not disrespected or kicked out rather was welcomed warmly. If Tactics had denied to take up Robinsons case than the situation would have been different because than the kids could have been treated the complete opposite.However, the black people completely aware that Tactics definitely possessed the traits to handle such a complicated case in a such a difficult situation which Just made them respect him and his family more. Not Just taking up the Robinsons case made Finch a hero but it was throughout how he helped others in need. Finch was known as the â€Å"One-Shot Finch† as he was the best shooter in the whole town and got his work done in one gun-shot, no more than one. Finch had been successful in saving the town from a â€Å"mad dog† by shooting at it with one shot.This was a new side to Finch that his kids were not aware of, and when witnessed it, it left them stumped. Miss Maude, a woman who always spoke with a reason, seem ed to know Tactics pretty well, she told Gem and Finch, when younger Finch was known as the â€Å"01†² One Shot† (98 Lee). That had left the kids a bit confused since they were strangers to this news about their father. Miss Maude cleared their confusion that their father was capable of performing everything. Miss Maude told them that Tactics Finch was the best checker player and had knowledge in playing Jews harp.Tactics once said muff never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them† and to Scout â€Å"As Tactics advised me to, I tried to climb into Gem's skin and walk in it† were two clear examples of showing how his kids followed his suggestions (Lee 57). Because for Gem and Scout he was a true hero in their eyes; they were so sure that Tactics Finch would give it his best regardless of how implicated the situation is. Their father was who they looked up to and knew that he was always correct.Not did he only defend a black mal e, but remained respectful to everyone in the town including Mrs.. Dubos. Mrs.. Dubos remained grouchy and mean all the time to everyone, Tactics always tried to ignore her ignorance and talk to her in a cheerful- attitude†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ You look like a picture this evening†(Lee 100). Mrs.. Dubos was not the only one that Tactics tolerated, but his sister, Alexandra also gave him, the kids and mainly California a really difficult time. Tactics and the kids thought of California as their Emily member; however, Aunt Alexandra never appreciated their presence.Also, as Tactics said † †¦ Scaloppini's not leaving this house until she wants to. She's a faithful member of this family†¦ † (Lee 137). Tactics is a major influence to others especially when he is clearly highlighted that courage and believing in one self helps to overcome any obstacle that comes in ones way. Tactics stated in the book that you must fight despite you seeing chances of loosing more than winning. He did not believe racism existed as he was the one who went out in the courtroom to defend a black despite seeing no chances of him inning.He was well aware that no matter how strong his case would be racism would always come in the way and prevent from him wining; however, that did not discourage in fact it Just made him work harder on his case and presented exceptionally well which even left the audience in the courtroom stumped. Finch believed in equality, and no matter what race you are humanity should always exist no matter what the circumstances become. He fought till the very end, from risking his life for Robinson to making a solid and strong speech which was mind blowing end to the case.Finch protected his family well which he also took pride in; ergo, he never got egotistical about it because often he doubted himself not to be a good father despite him trying so hard to be a good. He was able to give his children advice on what they were struggling on. Finch was a strong, determined man who did not tolerate any kind of nonsense and only went through decisions of his own that he thought were correct in is eyes Often in life, one confronts situations where they have to make a decision, a decision that will lead them to the right path and having only one chance of doing so.

Finance: Free Cash Flow

inance COOPERATE FINANCE| Miss Afifa| | Assignment# 4| | UMAIR ASIF11 March 2013| You submitted this Assignment on Sun 10 Mar 2013 7:21 PM PDT. You got a score of 85. 00 out of 100. 00. You can attempt again, if you'd like. Top of Form Please read all questions and instructions carefully. Note that you only need to enter answers in terms of numbers and without any symbols (including $, %, commas, etc. ). Enter all dollars without decimals and all interest rates in percentage with up to two decimals. Read the syllabus for examples.The points for each question are listed in parentheses at the start of the question, and the total points for the entire assignment adds up to 100. You are strongly encouraged to use spreadsheets. Refer to Note on Sample Cash Flow Template. Question 1 (5 points) The project with the highest IRR is always the project with the highest NPV. Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| True| | | | False| ? | 5. 00| Correct. Try now to sort this out in different contexts,| Total| | 5. 00 / 5. 00| | Question Explanation This is all about the fundamental difference between IRR and NPV. Question 2 10 points) Ann Arbor is considering offering public bus service for free. Setting up the service will cost the city $0. 6M (where M stands for million). The useful life of the buses is 25 years. Annual maintenance of the buses would cost $50,000 per year and they would need a major overhaul in year 15 that will cost a total of $350,000. This overhaul is in addition to the annual maintenance. Annual operating costs will begin at $90,000 in year 1 and grow at 2% per year thereafter. By using the buses as advertisement space, the city will generate a revenue of $75,000 in year 1 and it will grow at 4% per year thereafter.Reduced parking requirements and other benefits generated by the project will save the city $100,000/year. The salvage value (price city can get in the future after maintenance) of the used buses in year 25 is expected to be $150,000. What is the NPV of the bus proposal? Ann Arbor does not pay taxes and the discount rate is 5%. (Again, all cash flows except initial investments happen at the end of the year. ) (You are strongly encouraged to use a spreadsheet. ) Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| -10223| | | | 29847| ? | 10. 00| Correct. You apparently have thought through issues. 31222| | | | 19323| | | | Total| | 10. 00 / 10. 00| | Question Explanation A real world problem with some simplifications in cash flows. Question 3 (5 points) Alpha Inc. has the following two projects that it is considering, and it wants to choose one. Project A has an investment outlay/expense today of $1,000, and its cash flows over the next three years are $500, $600, $700. Project B has an outlay of $2,000, and cash flows of $1,000, $1,200, and $1,400. Which project should Alpha choose? (You can assume no taxes. ) Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| Project A| | | |Does not matter; both are essentially the same| | | | Cannot make a choice based on information| ? | 5. 00| Correct. What information is missing? | Project B| | | | Total| | 5. 00 / 5. 00| | Question Explanation This question is probing your comfort level and understanding of decision making; and the most common pitfall we confront all the time. Question 4 (10 points) Mango Technology has the following three projects that it is considering; it can choose only one. Project A has an investment outlay/expense today of $100M, and its cash flows over the next three years are $20M, $40M, $70M.Project B has an outlay of $110M, and cash flows of $40M, $80M, $20M; Project C has an outlay of $120M and cash flows of $0M, $20M, and $142M. Which project should the company choose if the cost of capital for similar projects is 6%? Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| Project B| | | | Project C| | | | Do not have enough information| ? | 0. 00| You do have enough information. Try again. | Project A| | | | Total| | 0. 00 / 10. 00| | Question Explanation This is an exercise in testi ng your knowledge pitted against our tendency to choose the incorrect criterion for making decisions.Question 5 (5 points) To get from net operating profits after tax (NOPAT) to free cash flows (FCF), you need to ADD back depreciation, SUBTRACT capital expenditures and ADD net working capital (i. e. , current operating assets – current operating liabilities). (Free cash flow is another name for cash flows. ) Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| False. | ? | 5. 00| Correct. You understand the nature of â€Å"capital. â€Å"| True. | | | | Total| | 5. 00 / 5. 00| | Question Explanation This is an important issue that makes you focus on differences between stocks and flows. Question 6 5 points) Last year your firm had revenue of $20 million, cost of goods sold (COGS) of $12 million, Selling, General, ; Administration costs (SG;A) of $2 million, Account Receivables (AR) of $6 million, Account Payables (AP) of $4 million and Inventory of $4 million. What will be the free cash flow next/this year if you boost revenue 6% and AR 12%, while holding COGS growth to 3% and everything else remains the same as last year? (Assume no taxes and no new capital expenditures. ) (You are encouraged to use a spreadsheet even for this specific type of question. ) Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| 4170000| ? 0. 00| Review the basics; see template and references. | 6120000| | | | 7240000| | | | 5250000| | | | Total| | 0. 00 / 5. 00| | Question Explanation Cash flow estimation for a specific year. Question 7 (15 points) Rain in Spain (RiS) is a manufacturer of high quality raincoats. Currently, the retail price of each raincoat is $70 and is produced at a cost of $45. This past year, they sold 50,000 raincoats and they expect this number to grow each year by 6% each year for the next 10 years. The operations team at RiS recently brought to your attention a new technology that could lower the cost of production.This technology requires an upfront fixed investment of $2,000,000 a nd has the capacity to produce up to 90,000 raincoats per year at a 12% lower cost per unit. There is no increased working capital need due to this new technology, and no value of the machine/technology after 10 years. What is the NPV of investing in the new technology? Ignore taxes and assume a discount rate of 14%. (Hint: Think incrementally; the difference between the world without and with this new technology! Also, ignoring taxes will be a big help if you think right. ) (Enter just the number without the $ sign or a comma; round off decimals. (You are strongly encouraged to use a spreadsheet. ) Answer for Question 7 You entered: Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| -150683| ? | 15. 00| Correct. You exhibit a clear understanding of how to conduct incremental analysis. | Total| | 15. 00 / 15. 00| | Question Explanation A probing question that is all about the creation of value; incremental value. Question 8 (15 points) Fresh off the excitement of the 2012 London Olympic Games, you decide that you want your firm to take advantage of the profits to be made for the 2016 games in Rio de Jeneiro. To do so you plan to open a factory in Brazil.After examining the idea, your CFO projects revenues next year (2013) to be $15 million and costs to be $9 million. Both of these are expected to grow at a rate of 25% per year as the excitement for the games builds. Your firms faces a 35% tax rate, a 14% discount rate and you can depreciate your new investment using the straight line method over the four years leading up to the games, at which point the value of the venture moving forward will be $5 million. (This $5 million is the terminal value that is in year 4 (that is, 2016) dollars and is the PV of all cash flows year 5 and beyond. The capital expenditure of this project is $12M. What is the NPV of the project? Assume that you have no significant working capital costs. (Enter just the number without the $ sign or a comma; round off decimals. ) (You are strongly encourag ed to use a spreadsheet. ) Answer for Question 8 You entered: Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| 9815100| ? | 15. 00| Correct. You know how to set up and execute a valuation exercise, albeit a simplified one. | Total| | 15. 00 / 15. 00| | Question Explanation A valuation exercise that includes most of the elements of a real world situation. Question 9 15 points) Starbuck's is considering opening another store in Chicago. A store is expected to have a long economic life, but the valuation horizon is 7 years. The store in Chicago is expected to create revenues of $3M in the first year and they are likely to grow at 2% per year thereafter. The cost of goods sold are $1. 2M in year 1 and they are also expected to grow at 2% per year thereafter. Selling and administration costs are likely to be $0. 5M in the first year and then grow at 5%. The tax rate is 35%. Starbucks is so good at managing its stores that working capital increases can be assumed to be negligible.But Starbucks will hav e to invest $3. 5M in purchasing a store (with land). The good news is that this outlay can be depreciated straight line over 7 years. Also, Starbucks has estimated that the terminal value in year 7 dollars will be $10M. This value is the value of all cash flows in year 8 and beyond. What is the NPV of opening this new store if the appropriate discount rate is 7. 75%? (Again, all cash flows except initial investments happen at the end of the year. Enter just the number without the $ sign or a comma; round off decimals. )(You are strongly encouraged to use a spreadsheet. ) Answer for Question 9You entered: Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| 7879584| ? | 15. 00| Correct. You are now building spreadsheet models. | Total| | 15. 00 / 15. 00| | Question Explanation It is time to do a more complete project analysis. Strongly encourage use of spreadsheets to build cashflows, though remember that you can do it step by step as well. Question 10 (15 points) Big Blue Granite (BBG) needs to purc hase a new saw for creating their top quality countertops. Saw A costs $250,000 with $4,000 of annual maintenance costs for the first year that will increase by 5% each year for the 7-year life of the saw.Saw B costs $150,000 with $10,000 of annual maintenance costs for the first year that will increase by 15% each year for the 4-year life of the saw. Which saw should BBG choose? What is the annualized cost of this choice? Assume a discount rate of 12%, and ignore all taxes. Your Answer| | Score| Explanation| (B, 46794)| | | | (B, 49983)| | | | (A, 59331)| ? | 15. 00| Correct. You know how to figure out the true annualized cost. | (A, 40367)| | | | (A, 38682)| | | | (B, 61624)| | | | Total| | 15. 00 / 15. 00| |