Examinations Should Be Abolished Essay

Examinations should be abolished. When examinations are abolished, it means that it should be ridden of. Ever since our primary education started, we were all studying for examinations every year. The education system set by the Singapore government stated that examinations are a good way to test a student’s capability of a subject. The examinations’ purposes are to also allow teachers to know where each student’s individual standards, and letting them to be able to differentiate each student’s abilities and talents. It is also a common universal yardstick used around the world, since a long time ago. But, is it an accurate method? Nowadays, students are just required to memorise formulas and texts to answer the questions in examinations. Examinations do not measure one’s capability accurately. Examinations bring about stress and sleepless nights to students. These few factors affect the students’ emotions and feelings, and they might also affect the students’ performance in examinations. When students study, they will feel tired, and they will also feel that they have not studied enough, which leads them to not having enough sleep. At this period, students are also prone to falling sick. Tiredness will affect the students’ thinking, and memory will not work well when examinations come. The results of their examinations are not desirable which might also lead to other factors like, for example, the students’ parents getting angry because they did not do well. Students might get depressed and their attitude will change towards people. Examinations are also not fair. People who took examinations and did well received paper qualifications which state how well they did and what did they achieve. By applying for a job, this acts like another examination. If you are clever enough, you will pass the exam. The same thing applies too. If you have high qualifications, you can take the job. But it is not fair because there are so many hidden talents out there. Some might not have the money to take major examinations like the O and A levels which determine their achievements and grades, and these people are not being noticed. These people are seen in an unfair light. Another factor is that quite a lot of the things that we study are not  required much when we enter the working world. Let’s take, for example, Mathematics. Not all that we learn in Mathematics needs to be applied when we work. Students study so hard about Mathematics just to do well for their examinations to get good paper qualifications and being able to get a good job. In conclusion, I feel that examinations should be abolished because it does not measure a student’s potential and ability accurately and that it is unfair. An alternative is that schools should not have any examinations at all, and teachers should just teach throughout the year.

Alternative Investments Essay

Executive Summary: The purpose of the report is to do an in-depth investigation, study and analysis on alternative investments. From the various alternative investments, our team of analyst chose commodities, variable annuities and hedge funds as our subject of interest for the study. Each financial product has its own aims as to cater to the different investment goals to meet the needs of investors. Thus, just by looking at the basis on expensiveness and tax-efficiency, and then from selecting the better one is unwise. We have to look at the overall picture and considering other indispensable factors like risks, liquidity, asset allocation which are equally important. Therefore, our basis of evaluation comprises of various important factors so as to make  a robust analysis. Firstly, commodities are a highly demanded investment which is traded using options and futures contract.. Moreover, they are also an element of diversification that investors can lower their vulnerability to market volatility. Despite its high volatility in its prices, it managed to gain a higher return as compared to stocks and bonds. As commodities have a low correlation with bonds and stocks, it is able to reduce unsystematic risk through diversification. Its high correlation with rate of inflation thus looks favorable in times of crisis and these enable investors to control its asset allocation decision. By using the 60/40 tax treatment, it has shown that it is indeed an efficient method in lowering taxes. Its high commodity market liquidity thus seem promising to investors as it correlates well with it market trading especially in corn, gold and precious metals futures. Moreover, it is advisable for them to allocate 5% to 10% of their investment to commodities so as for better diversification to eliminate unsystematic risk. As it has no or few substitute, it is advised that investor should take note of any unexpected risk involved. Variable annuities on the other hand are tax-deferred with a withdrawal date only after the age of 59 ½. The performance of its sub-accounts affects many aspect of variable annuity. This is so as the performance of varied underlying investments in the sub-account results in non-uniform distribution in its returns. Furthermore, variable annuity is relatively volatile as it returns tend to varies as accordance to the returns of its underlying investments. Thus, granted with a choice of an asset for the underlying investments, investors will choose an underlying asset that is non-correlated to their portfolio holdings. Variable annuity also incurs reasonable costs. However, the main benefit of investing in variable annuity is that it is highly tax-efficient as it is a tax-deferred vehicle. This reduces the tax burden on investors and at the same time creates an opportunity for them to invest in tax-inefficient vehicles before the withdrawal date as no tax is imposed before the date. The downside to investing in variable annuity is that it has liquidity risks. However, it can reduce unsystematic risk significantly due to the investment options for  its sub-account and this important aspect of it also provide investors with the ability to allocate their assets. The primary aim of most hedge funds is to reduce volatility and risk while attempting to preserve capital and deliver positive returns under all market conditions which brings investors an indispensable option to invest in hedge fund. With a low standard deviation of almost zero, hedge funds are highly of an advantage as it does not fluctuate widely within periods. However, volatility is not the only indicator of risk affecting the fund. For hedge funds, the skewness variations are not uniform across styles. While hedge funds offer potential for returns that are not highly correlated with other markets, their unique properties would also mean that they involve a high degree of risk. Its fees are regular thus investors should follow accordingly. Hedge Funds exploit different ways to minimize capital gains and income taxes for investors. With the Tax Exemption for Singapore Resident Funds, it places investment in Hedge Fund at an advantage. Putting their trust in the fund manager’s ability to meet the fund’s objectives, it is then recommended for investors to choose the right fund manager to manage their investments. From the in-depth analysis on alternative investments, we realized that there is no a perfect product to solely invest in. Each alternative assets has its advantages and disadvantages, thus we have to invest in varieties of asset classes but diversified it. There is also the need for proper asset allocation management and the use of investment strategies. Introduction: The continual search to reap higher risk-adjusted returns has led to a number of highly alternative assets to be considered for financial investment purpose. Thus, the growth of alternative investments market is outstanding. According to the 2010 Alternative Investment Survey of U.S Institutions and Financial Advisor, 36% of the institutional investors that are surveyed have $1-10 Billion in asset under management and 29% with greater than $11 Billion in asset under management. In this report, our team of financial analyst has chose to do an in depth analysis on commodities, variable  annuities and hedge funds. Through this report, we are going analyze the aforementioned alternative assets through various important factors namely its returns, risks, costs, other competitive advantages and disadvantages. At the end of this report, we hope to achieve an in-depth evaluation on the attractiveness of each subject of interest and make sound recommendations. Introduction to Commodities: Commodities are raw materials used for producing secondary goods which are transacted in volumes and classified into energy, metals, grains and livestock. Manufacturers in the commodities market purchase commodities needed on a â€Å"spot market† while speculators purchase and sell commodities using options and futures contracts. Commodity markets are real demand and supply markets. Thus with the increasing world population, there is now higher demand than supply for commodities, making commodities a viable investment for both the present and the future. Expected Returns: During inflation, commodities total returns will soar. When making an investment in commodities one can expect returns that are capital return. Commodities have been providing its investors with relatively high returns, exhibiting negative correlations with equities and bonds as well as hedge against risks. Based on the Commodity Price Index for the past year, expected returns were at 0.85%, volatility were at 0.0641 which is considered to be relatively low, while the return-risk was 0.1319. Volatility: Volatility in commodities’ prices fluctuated recently with their highs and lows due to the â€Å"interference† of the commodities market like political disputes and natural disasters. In 1973 to 2007, based on the S&P 500 Index, MSCI Index and Lehman Brothers Bond Index, it has an annualized return of 10.9% and 24.5% annual standard deviation, volatility. Although stocks performed better than commodity, commodities’ volatility was in the peak compares among stocks and bonds. Historical risk return on commodity had remained positive of about 5% during the years. T-statistic, outlining the level of confidence that the risk return is different from 0 shows a  figure of 2.84 which shows that it is higher than stocks and bonds. Distribution of returns [Refer to Appendix]: From the bell-shaped curve, we can surmise that the distribution of returns on commodities is widely distributed and tends to be close to a normal distribution as investors are concern about their real returns as they want to outperform inflation. As compared to stocks and bonds, the returns in commodities are positively skewed. Since returns for commodities investment is right skewed, it means that the amount of returns will be higher than stocks and bonds which are negatively skewed. Returns distribution is very wide as the returns show a greater than 3 excess kurtosis. However, this also means higher risk for investors due to the wide distribution of returns. Correlation with other asset classes: [Refer to Appendix]: From the table, it shows that Standard & Poor’s 500 and the company are closely related in contrast to the other asset classes. GSCI and 1 month T-bills with a correlation value of -0.003, proves that they are independent of one another. It is revealed that commodities futures are negatively correlated to returns of stocks and bonds with coefficients of -0.42 and -0.25 respectively. Therefore, by allocating funds to those assets of negative correlations, it provides the benefits of diversification when facing a stand-alone risk asset class. Fees, Trading and other expenses: There are many fees and expenses that are implied in commodities trading. When trading commodities, investors incur management and brokerage fees, service tax and a possible loss of investments. When a futures contract is purchased, an initial down payment on the total futures price (initial margin) is to be made. The margin requirement is basically a small percentage of the total purchasing price for a commodity. This margin requirement usually adds up to be less than 10%. Liquidity: Commodity market liquidity often correlates well with commodity market  trading profits. Investors can benefit in high commodity market liquidity. It is easier to enter and exit trades. With the high trading volume and liquidity, the statistics of predictive ability of time honored tools like Candlestick patterns formulates tend to be more precise. Commodities that offer good commodity market liquidity include trading in Corn and Gold futures. Each of these trades at high volume and high liquidity. However, they are driven by different factors. Gold and other precious metals perform well when investors are worried about inflation or when there is the threat of economic or political disruption. Corn is determined by supply and demand. Location: The location of where the commodity is produced is not an important factor that an investor should consider as there are similar products that will be sold regardless of where it has been produced. Hence investors’ consideration of location is not required when making an investment. Tax Efficiency: In commodities, it is quite tax-efficient as they follow the 60/40 tax treatment whereby 60% of the gain is taxed as long-term gains and 40% are taxed as short-term gains. Long-term capital gains are capped at 15% which is favorable for high income investors, meaning that 60% of gains will be taxed at 15% while 40% of gains will be taxed at 35% which both equals to 23% for commodities. Thus, it will help investor to save money in tax. Ability to eliminate or significantly reduce unsystematic risk: Investing in commodities does not reduce unsystematic risks. Firstly natural disaster and bad weather may affect a various types of commodities. Another risk is geopolitical risk. This risk occur as world’s natural resources are located in various continents and the jurisdiction over these commodities lies with sovereign governments, international companies, and many other entities. Thus, international disagreements over the control of natural resources are quite commonplace. Negotiations on the extractions are pretty tense as disagreements may easily rise over licensing agreements, tax structures, environmental concerns, employment of indigenous workers, access to technology, and many other complex issues. Ability to control the asset allocation decision: Investors are able to control asset allocation decision in commodities. This is so as commodities are not professionally managed unless you have the intentions to. Thus, investors who wish for professional money managers who specialize in commodity trading to handle their investments, they may turn to ETFs or mutual funds. With that, commodities traders are able to free decisions on the allocation of their assets. It is advisable for investor to allocate more of his investments to other types of investments and allocates 5 to 10% of his investments into commodities due to its volatility. Substitute? Any alternatives that achieve the same objective in a more efficient –less expensive and/or more tax efficient- manner: Commodities have few/no substitutes as they are generic goods that we utilize in our everyday lives. It’s suggested for any investor to take into consideration the unexpected risk such as natural disasters and bad weather. If they allocate most of their investment in commodities and when an adverse event strikes, they would be caught in a difficult position. Commodities have the best advantage against inflation. During inflation, prices of commodities have the tendency to rise. Therefore, as an investor in commodities, you would be able to gain much from the increment of value. Introduction to Variable Annuities: Variable annuities are tax-deferred investment vehicle that comes with a minimal insurance contract so they can qualify for their tax-deferred status. Variable annuities can be immediate or deferred. Once you reach 59 ½, you can begin withdrawing the funds without any penalty. Expected Returns: Variable annuity has no expected rate of returns as its return is based on the marketplace performance. Its fees will be subtracted from the returns. By diversifying assets, a portfolio may have a higher return potential with a lower level of risk than the portfolio’s components would achieve separately. Volatility: The standard deviation indicates the tendency of the returns to rise or fall drastically in a short period of time. Since the return on investment in a variable annuity is directly tied to the performance of sub-accounts that make up investors’ annuity, the fund would exhibit a high standard deviation as each year’s return of the fund may differ from its mean return. This in turn makes variable annuity riskier as it is volatile. Distribution of returns: Return on investment in a variable annuity is directly tied to the performance of sub-accounts that make up investor’s annuity. If the underlying investments are in stock and bonds for example, there’s potential for a greater return. However, this will be coupled with a higher risk of loss including loss of capital which involves the funding options. It means that payments and earnings are not guaranteed. Thus the skewness variations are not uniform as returns varies depending on the instruments it consists of in the underlying investments. Correlation with other asset classes: Variable annuity offers a range of investments options for the sub-accounts. Investors will have to choose a specific one of his interest. Thus, entitle with the benefit of deciding the underlying investments, it enable investors to pick an asset that is low correlated or non-correlated with other assets classes of his portfolio. Thus, variable annuity offers balance and diversification to investors. Fees: Firstly, there is the surrender charge. It is a type of sales charge that will be issued to the customer when they withdraw money from a variable annuity within a certain period (which may vary from six to ten years) after the purchase. It is to pay the financial professional as a commission for the sale of the variable annuity. It decreases gradually over the surrender period, usually 1% less each year. Next, it is the mortality and expense risk charge which is 1.25% per year. It compensates insurance company for insurance risks. Its profit is to pay the insurer’s initial cost of sale of  the variable annuity. Next up is the administrative fees which are charges for record-keeping and other administrative expenses and is charged 0.15%. Trading and other expenses: Underlying Fund Expenses are fees that will be charged indirectly and they are imposed by mutual funds which are the underlying investment options in the variable annuity. Fees and Charges for other features are other miscellaneous fees charged in special features offered in some variable annuities. Such features include stepped-up death benefit and long-term care insurance. Liquidity: Variable annuity has liquidity risk in it whereby the proceeds from the variable annuity may be unavailable at the time of withdrawal or it will be available but at a significantly lowered value. These are attributable to two factors. Firstly, because annuities are designed as retirement vehicles, getting out early can mean taking a loss. Many variable annuities assess surrender charges for withdrawals within a specified period, which can be as long as 6 to 8 years. Furthermore, any withdrawals before an investor reaches the age of 59 ‘/2 are subject to a 10% tax penalty by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) in addition to any gain being taxed as ordinary income. Secondly, if the holder is in a need for cash and must liquidate his variable annuity, there is a possibility that on the date of liquidation, its account balance is lower than what it was previously simply due to market fluctuations. Location: Annuities are a commonplace in the current world but actually it existed way back during the Roman times. It was then introduced in Europe and the United Kingdom. It made its mark in America in 18th century but was only fully aware of in the 1930s where the Great Depression caused Americans to â€Å"save for a rainy day†. Variable annuities were first created in America in 1952. Today, variable annuities is popular than ever with sales estimated to be USD40.2 billion and are offered in many countries due to its applicability for retirement purposes. Singapore is not excluded in the variable annuities  market as well. Manulife Singapore launched the first variable annuity, Secure Retirement Plus (US$), in 2007 and later introduced Secure Retirement Plus(S$) in 2008. Tax Efficiency: Variable Annuities are tax-deferred. It can help investors save more while reducing their overall tax burden. This provides investors with good opportunity to invest in tax-inefficient vehicles such as bonds and types of equities. However, there will be a taxable amount of 10% IRS penalty with withdrawal before reaching the age of 59 ½ years. This means that investors pay no taxes on the income and investment gains from their annuity until the withdrawal date. They may also transfer their money from one investment option to another within a variable annuity without paying tax at the time of the transfer. At their withdrawal of variable annuity, they will be taxed on the earnings at ordinary income tax rates rather than lower capital gains rates. Ability to eliminate or significantly reduce unsystematic risk: By diversifying, investing in variable annuity does reduce unsystematic risk. Investors are able to make payment purchase and allocate it to various asset classes such as small-company stocks, international government bonds and fixed annuities. Unsystematic risk decreases as the number of stocks in a portfolio increases. It could help to protect the investors against sustained losses in a single stock or sector of the market. Ability to control the asset allocation decision: Variable Annuity has an accumulation phase whereby the investor makes purchase payments in which they can allocate it to a number of investment options. Moreover, it is a flexible investment that allows investors to move their money into more stable accounts such as fixed account to preserve their gains. It also allows investors to have play in the strong stock market. Substitute? Any alternatives that achieve the same objective in a more efficient –less expensive and/or more tax efficient- manner: Exchange  Traded Note (ETN) is an alternative that can achieve the same objective of a variable annuity in a less expensive and more tax efficient way. A variable annuity can cost up to 4% a year in its fees, while ETN only charge 1% fees. Both ETN and variable annuities are tax efficient and there is no negative tax consequence till the ETN is sold. However, while an annuity is passed through death to its beneficiaries, its entire gain will be taxed. The ETN under the current estate tax laws, will be receiving a step up in basis, this makes it more tax efficient than the variable annuity. However, investors of ETN have to assume credit risk as it is an unsecured debt. Thus, we have to look at other equally important factors before deciding the better alternative as just using cost-effectiveness and tax-efficiency does not equate to a robust eva luation. Introduction to Hedge Fund: Hedge fund is a fund that can take both long and short positions through the use of arbitrage, buying and selling undervalued securities, trading options or bonds, and investing in any opportunity in any market where it foresees impressive gains at reduced risk. Its strategies vary enormously especially today with volatility and anticipation of corrections in overheated stock markets whereby many hedge against downturns in the markets. Main aim of most hedge funds is to reduce volatility and risk while trying to preserve capital and deliver positive returns under all market conditions. Expected Returns: Most hedge funds’ goal is to earn a positive return despite how the overall stock market is performing. It is refer to as an absolute return. Absolute return gains and losses of a hedge fund can be measured relative only to the assets in the fund itself and investors do not compare returns to market benchmarks. With the absolute return goal, hedge fund managers often use aggressive investment techniques like short selling and leveraging. Volatility: Standard deviation reports a fund’s volatility which indicates the tendency of the returns to rise or fall drastically in a short period of time. It measures this risk by measuring the degree to which the fund fluctuates in  relation to its mean return, the average return of a fund over a period of time. Since hedge fund seeks absolute returns independent of market movements; the standard deviation for this fund would then be zero as the fund’s return does not differ within periods. Hence it shows that hedge funds are highly at an advantage since the fund with the lower standard deviation would be more optimal as it is maximizing the return received for the amount of risk acquired. Distribution of Returns: By knowing which way data is skewed, one can better estimate whether a data future point will be more or less than the mean. For hedge funds, the skewness variations are not uniform across styles. For instance, when the number of funds increases, the skewness drops systemically and is negative for Fixed Income Arbitrage, Convertible Arbitrage and Event Driven Strategies while it increases slightly. The Kurtosis tends to be concentrated in the -0.5 to +0.5 range. Changes in kurtosis tend to less predictable and differ widely over time and across investment styles. However, diversification within some hedge fund strategies may appear highly attractive in mean or variance terms, but this is much less so when skewness and kurtosis are taken into account as assessing hedge funds based on return and volatility criteria maybe misleading because of the potential underestimation of return volatilities. Correlation with other asset classes: Correlation is interlinked with diversification. Investors aim for a sound portfolio which is achievable through applying diversification. However, traditional assets classes like bonds and stocks are increasingly linked. Hedge funds which performances often highly dependent on the qualities of individual investment decisions or strategies, as opposed to being highly correlated to an overall market, diversify risk thus bringing about high returns. Instead of achieving returns from market activities, hedge funds use unique investing strategies to exploit market inefficiencies that the markets have not perceived. This further intensified diversification which put them at a better stead than traditional asset classes. Fees: Hedge fund consists of 3 kinds of fees. Sales Charge. It is a one-time charge, generally 5% and it’s the front-end load or commission that is charged on the investment amount. Management fee. It varies around 2% and it is charged on an annual basis and imputed into the Net Asset Value of the fund. Performance fee. It varies around 10-20% above the benchmark and it is charged on an annual basis and imputed into the Net Asset Value of the fund. The benchmark can be simply the zero return line or a benchmark like the London Interbank Offered Rate. Performance fees are charged on a high water mark which means investors are only charged for excess returns with reference to the previous high. If investment drop in value, the manager must bring it back above the previous greatest value before they can receive performance fees. Trading and other expenses: Apart from the above fees, investors also need to pay expenses such as the accounting and tax preparation expenses, auditing expenses, costs and expenses of entering into and utilizing credit facilities and structured notes, swaps or derivative instruments. Liquidity: There are two forms of liquidity constraints that are impose on investors which are liquidity dates and lock-up. Liquidity dates refer to pre-specified times of the year when an investor is allowed to redeem shares. Hedge funds typically have quarterly liquidity dates. Moreover, it is often required that investors give advanced notice of the desired to redeem: these redemption notices are often required 30 days in advance of actual redemption. Lockup refers to the initial amount of time an investor is required to keep his or her money in the fund before redeem shares. Lockup therefore represents a commitment to keep initial investment in a fund for a period of time. For Singapore registered hedge fund, MAS guidelines stipulate one regular dealing day per quarter. Redemption of funds usually requires a notice period and it states that redemption proceeds must be paid to the end investor within 95 days from the dealing day the redemption request is accepted. Location: Funds with a regional presence outperform those without one. Risk-adjusted return difference between nearby and distant hedge fund portfolio is about 4% and is significant. A fund’s geographical proximity to the companies in which it invests the closer it is to its investments the greater the chances that the hedge fund will earn high returns. They are better able to take advantage of local information via short selling and the use of derivatives. Direct way for hedge fund to take advantage of local knowledge is to invest in stocks and bonds in their region. Moreover, Singapore is perceived as having a high level of transparency and reliability in business, economic and regulatory affairs. It boasts a stable political structure, well-established judicial system and forward-looking financial authority thus bringing an advantage to investors locally. Tax efficiency: Tax consideration can be a benefit of alternative investments, particularly hedge funds which exploit different ways to minimize capital gains and income taxes for investor. Investors might be worried of being charged at a higher rate for tax. Singapore has in place a tax incentive scheme which exempts offshore funds from tax. Broadly speaking, a qualifying fund will be granted tax exemption provided it is not 100% owned by Singapore investors. There is also Tax Exemption for Singapore Resident Funds. It requires pre-approval from the authorities and although it is aligned to the offshore fund exemption scheme, some additional conditions have been imposed. Ability to eliminate or significantly reduce unsystematic risk: To diversify from stock-specific risk known as non-systematic risk one can invest in a range of stocks with different characteristic. Most investors of such practice regard it as unwise not to diversify into non-systematic risk. However, killing two birds with one stone is a more attractive opportunity to be seized. Thus, we turn to hedge fund. The main idea behind diversifying your non-systematic risk into assets like hedge funds is that any investment with a positive expected return, low volatility and low correlation to the rest of portfolio, will have a great chance of reducing the overall  portfolio volatility which is an additional advantage as compared to diversifying through stocks and bonds. Thus, hedge fund is an indispensable option. Ability to control asset allocation decision: Hedge fund manager has total trading authority over the fund. They are not required to provide investors with information about the underlying holdings of the hedge funds. Thus, there’s a lack of transparency when investing in hedge funds. Investors are putting their complete trust in the manager’s ability to meet the fund’s objectives. As such, investors lose control over their asset allocation. Thus, it is essential to choose the right fund manager to manage their investments. Substitute? Any alternatives that achieve the same objective in a more efficient –less expensive and/or more tax efficient- manner: The primary objective of hedge funds is to reduce volatility and risk while attempting to preserve capital and deliver positive returns under all market conditions. The emphasis here is positive returns under all market conditions and thus this explains fully utilization of specialized and carefully selected investment strategies to achieve that primary goal. There are alternatives which are less expensive and more tax-efficient such as ETFs and ETNs. Both offer similar advantages which are lower fees, lower investment minimums and greater tax efficiency. However, both products have different investments goals. ETFs mirror the indexes they track by holding diversified collection of securities, such as stocks or bonds but traded like stock on an exchange while ETN is an unsecured debt typically issued by an investment bank that mirror index like ETF. Thus, from the way they operate, we are able to conclude that their investment aims just show differences with that of hedge funds.

A Study On A Structural Necessity Architecture Essay

The necessity of construction is barely a simple topic. Discussions on the subject have ranged from Levi-Strauss ‘ accounts of infrastructures which exist beyond our ability to straight grok, to unite world-systems such as Wallerstein proposed, and of class the counter statements against such a incorporate system much like Mintz ‘ offered. Indeed depending on our definition of ‘necessity ‘ and ‘structure ‘ the form and range of such statement can go radically different. Within the societal scientific disciplines the term construction besides seems have different options. At possibly the most cardinal degree, within the field, the societal scientific disciplines themselves are broken into separate subjects in an attempt to decently analyze, analyse, and categorise different types of information, therefore supplying a sense of order or construction. Yet even these divisions are inconsistent across the field. At one institute sociology and anthropology may be joined in a individual plan of survey yet at others they are wholly separate and possibly assorted with another, such as linguistics. Beyond specifying itself the societal scientific disciplines have a singular ability for classifying, reclassifying, and re-reclassifying things ( including but barely limited to race, civilization, historical periods, theoretical models, methodological analysiss, and gender ) on a regular footing. In 1978, Edward Said, in his book Orientalism, identified a really controversial division between Europe and the Orient. Since so there have been important arguments on the ground for such a division, and even if such a division genuinely existed. Janet Abu-Lughod, in 1989 wrote â€Å" Analyzing a System in Formation † , in which she agreed that there is a recognizable division between the Europe and the remainder of the universe. Indeed she suggests that there is a incorporate universe construction and it is based on a Eurocentric theoretical account which developed around the 14th century. Within societal scientific disciplines this of course raises the inquiry, is the strong accent we give to construction an unconscious affect of the Eurocentric beginning of our theoretical account? Or is construction a more permeant thought? This essay contends that while a big part of the authorship in societal scientific discipline literature is Eurocentric in beginning, the construction, and more specifically the thought of construction is non limited to European idea. Levi-Strauss ‘ thoughts of infrastructure offers a strong statement that construction, as Abu-Lughod describes it, is simply the superstructure representation of an implicit in infrastructure common throughout all human civilizations. Then before turn toing the signifier of construction in the superstructure of our modern universe system, we must inquire whether determine whether construction is needed, or instead can we gestate of a universe, or societal scientific disciplines, without construction? Finally, manners of communicating will be used to demo how construction is exhaustively embedded in our universe even when it is non perceived. InAnalyzing a System in Formation, Janet Abu-Lughod really indicates her beliefs that the current construction of societal scientific disciplines is dominated by its European beginnings. Indeed while citing others, she gives provinces that the current universe system is wholly Eurocentric. For illustration, she recognizes Immanuel Wallerstein for coining the term â€Å" modern world-system † and that Europe lead development of this system, which has lasted more than 500 old ages. ( Abu-Lughod, 4 ) She supports this contention with the plants of Fernand Braudel and Eric Wolff who describe how a euro-centered universe was established in the 14th century and was the footing for the current universe system. ( Abu-Lughod, 9 ) Indeed, she accuses Braudel of doing an â€Å" unconscious Eurocentric faux pas. † ( Abu-Lughod, 11 ) In these illustrations the thought of Eurocentrism is difficult to lose. As Abu-Lughod points out, â€Å" Before Europe becameoneof the world-economies in the twelfth and 13th centuries†¦ there were legion pre-existent world-economies. † ( 12 ) Looking at the modern system it is possibly excessively easy to see the strength of the European influence upon the system, whether in currency rates, human rights issues, or a assortment of other countries. But to state that the modern system is purely based on this influence suggests that all other systems have either been discarded or go subservient to the Euro-centric theoretical account. Yet we have merely to come in a non-European state to recognize merely how diverse the differences elsewhere remain. Surely the strong grades of European influences are felt in South Africa or India, where English is widely spoken. And similarly in Algeria and Egypt where Arabic is still the national linguistic communication but a turning per centum of the population speak French and English, severally. Yet in each instance, although they have adopted parts of the Euro-centric theoretical account, they have each molded their ain signifier. Rather than being consumed Europe they have been influenced by it. But the influence is non unidimensional, instead influences flow back and Forth between parts. The ongoing argument in France sing hijab and other spiritual symbols in public schools is declarative of the concern felt by many in France of the turning Muslim population. Likewise, the alterations in corporate leading methods over the past decennary, from individualistic to more group-oriented, reflect an inflow of new thoughts from Japan and other states in Southeast Asia. In the terminal, Abu-Lughod was at least partly right ; Europe has influenced the construction of the world-system. But the world-system, and including Europe, has been influenced by the remainder of the universe. In a similar mode, while the construction of societal scientific disciplines found its beginnings in Europe it has, particularly in recent decennaries, been strongly influenced by the remainder of the universe. The construction that remains is non a massive creative activity but instead an merger which is invariably in flux. Leading possibly to the inevitable inquiry, are we utilizing the right, or the best system? Or do we even need to make this construction? When composingThe Ritual Processin 1969 Victor Turner gave us the term ‘anti-structure ‘ . His term was non meant to connote a deficiency of construction. In â€Å" Metaphors of Anti-Structure in Religious Culture † he clarified his term stating, â€Å" †¦ the ‘anti ‘ is here merely used strategically and does non connote a extremist negativeness. † ( 272 ) He farther explains, â€Å" I do non seek the obliteration of affair by signifier. † ( 273 ) Rather than proposing non-structure, the term anti-structure is conceived as yet another portion of the whole non to the full accounted for within the bing construction ; they are two-sides of the same coin. Within societal scientific disciplines as a whole at that place ever seems to be a construction. Disciplines are broken down by topics or methods. Subjects are broken down by location or clip period. Information is so pigeon-holed into a peculiar subject within a topic under a subject. Sometimes these topics and subjects are realigned, and sometimes information is referenced in multiple topographic points, but there is consistent effort to happen a topographic point everything ; or as the expression goes, â€Å" A topographic point for everything and everything in its topographic point. † But why must everything be put in its topographic point? And is there truly a topographic point for everything? Historically, our classification systems last until something does n't suit. After seeking legion unsuccessful ways to accommodate our theoretical account and our information we acknowledge the job and expression for a new construction ; what sociology of cognition would cal cubic decimeter a revolution of cognition. But is a construction necessary? Can we gestate of our societal scientific discipline information outside the restraints of construction? If it is possible, we do we invariably seek to develop a more accurate and/or effectual construction? One might reason that early ethnographers, such as Marco Polo and Sir Richard Francis Burton worked outside the restraints of construction. They successfully documented important information without being purely attached to a peculiar subject. Indeed such plants frequently contain a wealth of information because they include a great assortment of different types of information. In a similar mode Clifford Geertz ‘ experience as described inDeep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfightcan be viewed as working outside the constituted construction. His intended survey was, no uncertainty, sanctioned and developed along certain guidelines. However, when he allowed himself to be caught up in rabble outlook brought on by the sudden reaching of the constabulary he was non moving within the restraints of any guidelines. Indeed Geertz ‘ description of the police officer ‘s action on page 415 suggest that he was movingagainstthe established construction. When we read about the Balinese cockfight and implicit in construction is easy to individuality. Peopless are identified by originals and specific subjects are ethical motives are indicated. The analysis itself is really structured, and that is where the construction seems to fall within much of the societal scientific disciplines, particularly anthropology. In order to pass on the information to others we construction it in such as manner that it becomes relevant to our audience. Yet the existent assemblage of information, though possibly limited by a pre-defined field site and research inquiries, can be a non-structured action. In my research of the effects of nomadic communicating engineerings, I frequently find it hard to non see a construction. Due to my experience working on the mechanical side of the engineering, I frequently construction the engineerings, and thereby the people, without detecting. A adult male in a suit utilizing a Blackberry phone seems is deemed a concern adult male, while a similar adult male have oning denims and utilizing an iPhone is deemed a college pupil. Likewise, person utilizing Linux is considered more technologically savvy than person utilizing Windows or an Apple OS, irrespective of their existent competency. From a proficient position, nomadic phones require a physical web to enable communicating. Unlike a land line phone which offers interaction between to fixed points in infinite, a nomadic phone offers an tantamount interaction at two random points. Furthermore, the cellular engineerings allow for non-stationary points, significance communicators are no longer tied to a fixed location. Enabling this nomadic communicating is an substructure web kindred to Levi-Strauss ‘ infrastructure of society. This is the unseeable, underlying system which ties everything together. With nomadic phones, a cellular web must be developed and maintained. This web must let easy connexion and must be linked to other cellular webs to enable transferring of one communicator to different locations with disrupting the manner of communicating. Finally, for this method to be genuinely effectual the web must be built around the communicators and their venues ; a cellular web in an empty desert serves no intent. Developing an effectual web therefore requires consciousness of bing locations of communicators and a method of mapping that information into a cellular web. Thus a construction develops based on the demands of a community. Of class, the communicators are by and large incognizant of this web. A adult male simply dials a figure on his Mobile phone, irrespective of where he is, and his married woman replies at some other unknown and apparently unrelated location. There is no demand for the users of this system to be cognizant of its nature, however the system does be. It is really easy to look around and see merely pandemonium. We are non required to see constructions in our day-to-day life. We take the construction itself for granted, yet that does non intend it does non be. We may gestate of cases where persons move outside the construction, or in a non-structured signifier. Yet when we seek communicate these actions we do so in a structured mode. The analysis, the manner we present the information, even the really linguistic communication itself contains an in agreement upon construction which allows us to pass on. But the construction is non massive and unchanging. A changeless duologue between different influences forms and reshapes the construction. We influence others even while we are influenced. At times a certain type of construction, such as the European theoretical account may look to rule but in clip even it is seen to be influenced by others. In the terminal thought of construction is in an built-in thought throughout the universe, a nd it is merely the peculiar signifier, what Levi-Strauss called the superstructure, that is distinguishable.BibliographyAbu-Lughod, J. ( 1989 ) . â€Å" Analyzing a System in Formation. † InBefore European Hegemony: The World System A.D. 1250-1350. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Pp 3-40. Althusser, L. ( 1970 ) .Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses.Retrieved on 28 Feb 10, From The Louis Althusser Internet Archive: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1970/ideology.htm. DiTornaso, N. ( 1982 ) . â€Å" ‘Sociological Reductionism ‘ from Parsons to Althusser: Associating Action and Structure in Social Theory. †American Sociological Review, 47 ( 1 ) : 14-28. Geertz, C. ( 1973 ) . â€Å" Deep Play: Notes on a Balinese Cockfight. † InThe Interpretation of Cultures. London, UK: Hutchinson, Pp 412-454. Geertz, C. ( 1973 ) . â€Å" Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture. † InThe Interpretation of Cultures. London, UK: Hutchinson, Pp 3-30. Goffman, E. ( 1963 ) . â€Å" Stigma and Social Identity. † InStigma: Notes on the Management of a Spoiled Identity. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Pp. 1-40. Levi-Strauss, C. ( 1958 ) . â€Å" Structural Analysis in Linguistics and in Anthropology. † Retrieved on 13 Feb 10, From The Marxist Internet Archivess: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/fr/levistra.htm. Mintz, S. ( 1977 ) . â€Å" The Alleged World System: Local Initiative and Local Response. †Dialectical Anthropology, 2 ( 4 ) : 253-270. Nugent, D. ( 2009 ) . â€Å" Knowledge and Empire: The Social Sciences and United States Imperial Expansion. †Identities:Global Studies in Culture and Power, 17 ( 1 ) : 2-44. Trouillot, M-R. ( 1991 ) . â€Å" Anthropology and the Savage Slot: The Poeticss and Politicss of Otherness. † InRecapturing Anthropology: Working in the Present. Richard Fox ( erectile dysfunction ) . Pp. 17-44. Turner, V. ( 1975 ) . â€Å" Metaphors of Anti-Structure in Religious Culture. † InDramas, Fields and Metaphors: Symbolic Action in Human Society. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Pp. 272-300.

International Economics Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

International Economics - Term Paper Example s and components which after being produced in ASEAN nations went to labor intensive countries for assembly and then final products reached the markets in Europe, America and Japan. This trade type started in IT products and expanded to other items too. Although ASEAN nations were integrating with the global economy, their intra regional integration was incomplete and was stagnating. In the past two decades the overall trade of ASEAN nations increased by 11% on annual note but intra regional export increased from 19% to 23% in the period 2000-2008.(Hanouz & Geiger,2010). In January 1992, the ASEAN nations signed ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) for deeper economic integration which was to be obtained within fifteen years and it will lead to extensive liberalization in trade. The objective of AFTA was to increase regional trade among ASEAN nations and thus achieving economic independence from the world market (Ahlstrom & Stalros, 2005). As the theory goes, removal of intra regional tariff and non tariff barriers will lead to efficiency and as market size will increase investors will enjoy economies of scale. Here we will discuss about the role of AFTA in describing the pattern of trade in ASEAN nations. As per Balasaa, four different stages of economic integration can be given that are Free Trade Area (FTA), then a Customs Union (CU), a Common Market (CM) and at last a Economic Union (EU). Preferential Trade Arrangements(PTA) encompass lower tariff rates for member nations as compared to non members while a FTA is an regional integration which is formed by imposition of zero tariffs on trade among the member nations of FTA without any change of tariff on imports from non member nations. The traditional economic integration theories explain about the gains from trade and these are static analysis of economic integration. The first theory on economic integration was given by Viner in 1950. His trade creation effect says that as two countries enter into trade, the

Culture of Consumption During Eisenhower Administration Essay

Culture of Consumption During Eisenhower Administration - Essay Example His economic conservatism allowed the economy to grow to unprecedented levels and citizens at that time refer to this period as the â€Å"happy days† or the â€Å"good old days† to sort of give a characteristic feature of his administration. He cut the defense budget and controlled the budget deficit of the Federal government so private enterprises will not be crowded out of the credit and financial markets. In other words, private enterprise and individual initiative were in full bloom. American citizens felt good about themselves and at peace with the outside world such that this period saw an economic and also a baby boom when record numbers of babies were born. People felt upbeat in general when they produced record numbers of newborns and this in turn boosted consumer confidence such that people spent their monies in record numbers too. When people have faith in the future, they tend to spend money confidently and consume all the products and services on the market that led to a culture of conspicuous consumption. There also were profound social and economic changes that encouraged Americans to consume more. They found new affluence, moved to the suburbs in prefabricated houses, got new financial credit and took secure and well-paying jobs giving rise to a strong middle class (Mayer, 2010, p.

DIY Behavior interviews Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

DIY Behavior interviews - Assignment Example In connection to this, the college students are no exception. First interviewee felt that most of the employers are interested to candidates who are able to provide quality production and are easy to work with. In connection to this, any college student willing to get chance need to be creative enough while going through the interview question (Herrero 13). Second interviewee; the DIY has nothing more than an elaborate and unique mechanism that is used by most employers to identify candidates who have some social advantages. Third interviewee; the practical of carrying out the DIY by most of the employers provides them with appropriate employees who are well social, committed and ready for quality and quantity production within their various points of work (â€Å"The Complete Outdoor Builder† Web). Fourth interviewee; There is a need for a student to work hard in school to achieve the desired goals in life. Having the DIY in mind to the college, the student will be in a position of being reasonable and essential in education matters. Fifth interviewee; the students will be in a position of working extra hard to beat up the challenges that they may face in future life while they are alone. We managed to carry out a project of College Care Package. First interviewee; the project made us know some of the requirements an individual joining grand school should have. In first place we realised that one should stay caffeinated to fifth sleep off in order to get straight A’s by studying smart (Speed, Mark & Jenny Web). Second interviewee; though, some students still adore minor needs that play no significance role in their studies such as fun food and tricks. Third interviewee; We managed to buy some for our five friends who really became happy with us simply because we wanted to be sure to what extend college students loves minor things. Fourth interviewee;

Ricardo and Marx both had theories of a falling tendency of the rate Essay - 1

Ricardo and Marx both had theories of a falling tendency of the rate of profit in the development of capitalism. What were the different theoretical bases for t - Essay Example The tendency of the rÐ °te of profit to fÐ °ll Ð °rose neither from increÐ °sed competition (Smith) nor lower productivity in Ð °griculture (RicÐ °rdo). It wÐ °s, rÐ °ther, the expression under cÐ °pitÐ °lism of the increÐ °sed productivity of lÐ °bour. Ð ccording to MÐ °rx, lÐ °w of the tendency of the rÐ °te of profit to fÐ °ll (LTRPF) is Ð ° theory developed by MÐ °rx in the third volume of CÐ °pitÐ °l to explÐ °in the occurrence of economic crises within cÐ °pitÐ °list economies. Ð ccording to the LTRPF, Ð °s cÐ °pitÐ °lists invest in ever more cÐ °pitÐ °l-intensive production, the rÐ °te of profit fÐ °lls, since profit cÐ °n only be generÐ °ted from the surplus vÐ °lue extrÐ °cted from living lÐ °bor, which is Ð ° declining proportion of the cÐ °pitÐ °lists outlÐ °y. However, securing Ð ° lÐ °rger shÐ °re of the mÐ °rket offsets the lower rÐ °te of profit for the individuÐ °l cÐ °pitÐ °list. EventuÐ °lly the fÐ °lling rÐ °te of profit weÐ °kens the incentive to Ð °ccumulÐ °te on the pÐ °rt of the cÐ °pitÐ °lists until eventuÐ °lly the mÐ °ss of profit begins to stÐ °gnÐ °te. Ð t thÐ °t point Ð °n economic crisis begins Ð °s cÐ °pitÐ °lists decline to invest. The LTRPF explÐ °ins long-term fluctuÐ °tions in cÐ °pitÐ °list economies. There mÐ °y be long periods of expÐ °nsion before the LTRPF Ð °ffects the mÐ °ss of profit, during which the effects of the LTRPF cÐ °n be offset by vÐ °rious counterÐ °cting tendencies, such Ð °s lower wÐ °ges Ð °nd increÐ °sed intensity of exploitÐ °tion in the lÐ °bor process. EventuÐ °lly, however, there will be Ð ° period of stÐ °gnÐ °tion Ð °nd crisis in which Ð ° lÐ °rge proportion of existing cÐ °pitÐ °l is destroyed before reinvestment Ð °nd renewÐ °l cÐ °n stÐ °rt over Ð °gÐ °in (see ShÐ °ikh 1991). The importÐ °nce of the LTRPF for MÐ °rxist politicÐ °l economy is thÐ °t it demonstrÐ °tes how the rÐ °te of profit fÐ °lls, Ð °nd crisis sets in, independently of Ð °ny impetus on the pÐ °rt of lÐ °bor. The LTRPF wÐ °s of pÐ °rticulÐ °r significÐ °nce in this regÐ °rd in the 1970s Ð °nd 1980s, when it wÐ °s widely Ð °rgued, Ð °nd

Case Study 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Case Study 2 - Essay Example The application of ISD in the various areas like catering, inventory, sales and marketing etc. help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies followed thus facilitating improvements and enhancing overall performance. The new approach to ISD would therefore, promote a win-win situation for Shaun and consumers both. Implementation of a new technology into an organization needs careful consideration mainly because its introduction is designed to affect the various existing processes and may create conflicting interests and adversely affecting the performance of the organization. SDLC process is an integral part of management information system serving as the centralized monitoring system that coordinates and supports the rest of the functions and user requirements in order to help the organization to achieve all its strategic goals and objectives. The initial phase of feasibility study is the most important phase as it is the decisive factor that would decide the appropriateness of the new technology for the Restaurant. The identification of the core business processes and creation of appropriate database of relevant information with regard to inventory, sales order, menu account and schedules are important phases that help in the pilot running of the system. The rest of the implementation phase s are equally important as they help to adapt to a new system smoothly and efficiently, promoting understanding. Carmen needs to understand the various inter-related processes of the SDLC system in the Restaurant system so that new technology can be effectively used to improve the overall performance the business. Project plans are important part of SDLC strategy so that the pilot running of the system is able to identify the weaknesses and strength within the system. Strategic planning helps to improve and

Assignment 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignment 5 - Essay Example The company was designed to create cruise ships especially for pleasure in the warm-water Caribbean. Royal Caribbean Cruise Case sailed not only in the Caribbean but also in many other parts of the world (AirGuide Business 216). The Work System Framework Following the work system framework, the company can be analyzed by its activities and processes, information, technologies, products and services, the environment, strategies and infrastructure. Below is a detailed analysis following the criterion. Processes and Activities There were several activities that could be identified within the Caribbean work system. The processes were aimed at enhancing the customer experience, reducing costs, and increasing revenue. As such, activities such as deployment of ships to the US ports – a new development in the industry, carrying out promotion including giving huge discounts to customers have been witnessed in the company. The aim is to entice customers to travel and in the long run rea lize higher revenue. Another key process in the company is a distribution which is mainly done using the Travel Agent Channel. The participants in the Caribbean who ensure that these processes and activities are promptly and conveniently accomplished include the employees in the organization (The Cruise Industry News Quarterly 24). The company like any other is composed of the management, technical staff, travel agents and many other participants that work strongly to ensure that the objectives of the company are vehemently met (Applegate, Austin and McFarlan 56). Information Information plays an increasingly significant role in the Royal Caribbean Cruise case work system. This has particularly followed the realization that information is perhaps the most powerful tool that any organization can use to remain relevant in the wake of competition witnessed in the dynamics of the society. The Caribbean realized this and took a significant step in using the resource in marketing their se rvices. This is a way to enhancing their competitive advantage and is in line with their objectives of increasing revenue. Technologies Technologies were not left behind. At a time when technologies sweep the globe at a rate never witnessed before, the Caribbean realized that it is perhaps the only way to stand the test of time. Consequently, the issue of connectivity was very fundamental. Satellite was used to facilitate communication to the onshore purchasing agents and to the vendors. Ship-to-shore synchronization was also ensured at least four times a day. JDE system was used for financial gains of the company. This system was particularly critical in the accounting inventory and in the management of cash. The nature of the ship management was very diverse and required a special information subsystem to fulfill these special needs. AMOS was developed by developed by the Xantic Software Company again in the realization of the need for information technologies for the Caribbean. T he information system was specifically designed for ship maintenance purposes. It was fully implemented. However, there was significant work needed to standardize the parts database. Other technologies also formed part of this reputable ship management processes. As a result, technological equipments were fundamentally utilized to ensure that the ship met the legal and safety requirements and standards. Galley equipment, engines, valves, electrical systems, and even consumable items such

Working towards Six Sigma would definitely be of great benefit to Essay

Working towards Six Sigma would definitely be of great benefit to Achiffa - Essay Example They include both hard and soft problems. The soft problems are the ones which are unstructured and therefore require further analysis before they can be resolved. Checkland (1981) Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) in terms of the seven stage approach was utilised to obtain important information and later to facilitate improvements to the existing system of operations. Based on the root definitions a conceptual model was put forward indicating the areas that need immediate improvements. It was recommended that Deming’s Plan, Do, Check, Act modelled be considered. It was also recommended that quality management be a key aspect of improving the system and that the implementation of Six Sigma be considered in future. Introduction Achiffa operations is affected by a number of problems, most of which are related. Some of these problems cannot be solved using traditional or hard approaches to problem solving. It therefore means that another approach has to be found. These problems are more related to human activities and should be carefully dealt with. SSM is a framework that has developed to deal with problems of this nature (Checkland 1981; Checkland and Scholes 1990; Checkland 1999). The role of SSM is to investigate, gain understanding and identify problems. SSM is based on system thinking in that it views the problem domain in a holistic way with the recognition that all parts of the organisation are connected. This suggests that when changes are made to one part other parts of the system will be affected (Checkland 1999). Operations at Achiffa Snack Foods Achiffa Snack Foods purchases potatoes from various suppliers for it operations. These supplies are transformed during the production process into a total of six products including fries, potato wedges and hash browns. Achiffa customers are restaurants, supermarkets. However, waste products and rejects are sold to farmers. After production the goods are transported to regional distribution centres from whi ch logistic providers - in this case FreshDist takes the products directly to the customers. The diagram below is an input-output model which provides a basic illustration of the operations at Achiffa. Input-output Model of Operations at Achiffa Snack Foods Adapted from: Kumar and Suresh (2009, p. 9) Customers are concerned about prices and so Achiffa has to ensure that the supply chain is managed in such a way that the company’s products are competitive. In order for this to be possible production has to be managed in an efficient and effective manner. Therefore the layout of the production area is very important as it helps to facilitate the smooth flow of operations. Additionally, Achiffa needs to ensure that production is planned in such a way that time is not taken up with setting up machines for processing several items in one day. The scheduling of production should also be linked to demand as well as the space available for storing the products – this is termed capacity management. It therefore means that the logistics provider would be required to work in accordance with the schedule provided for delivery. Correcting these problems would help reduce lean time by improving on time delivery, eliminate waste and reduce cost (McCreary 2009). It is important that management consistently examine as well as monitor the quality of service it provides to customers with a view to enhancing it. Achiffa should also ensure that the jobs of all persons involved in the production of its products encourage contribution to the success of the business. Arrangements should therefore be made to have enough supplies on hand so that products are replenished without undue delay. The Use of SSM to Resolve Problems at Achiffa SSM may be used to

Systems and Structure of compulsory Education in the Uk Assignment

Systems and Structure of compulsory Education in the Uk - Assignment Example Through the years, there has been a relevant collaboration of different organizations and statutory bodies so that a strong educational standard is maintained. According to Fosket (1992), the role of external relations would â€Å"address the issues of the school’s relationship to its outside audiences† (p. 3). Being an institution of education and training for society’s use, it is important to constantly connect with the current situation and elaborate its need for solutions, appreciate and conserve whatever good things the community has to offer. The external statutory bodies, even though not directly related to it, carry education by means of emotional support (parents and guardians) and financial support (scholarship programs from the business sector). External relations also play an important role in the realization of some changes in the curriculum; an example would be the unsuccessful transition of Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. Messer (1992), as cited in Fos ket (1992), discussed that the supposed to be â€Å"smooth transition† of a key stage to another was not carried out well because schools disregarded the individual planning of the teacher and preferred a corporate planning. In carrying out the plan effectively, Hanford, Reader, and Fullick (1992) as cited in Fosket (1992), proposed that there should be a linkage of the schools to the community, having the parents, media, and the employers as regulators so that the education being offered to the students is holistic. According to Hanford as cited in Fosket (1992), â€Å"liaison between the school and the parents of the pupils is based on a well-founded tradition† (p. 105). Saying that parents are just for the home holds an obsolete idea since the Education Act of 1994 strongly indicated the â€Å"legal duty of the parents to ensure their children’s education.† The use of media in schools has greatly affected the teaching techniques of the teachers. Thus, having the media in line with other regulatory bodies is just coherent. Media can be used to â€Å"raise awareness,† and â€Å"create a positive image of the school† (Reader as cited in Fosket, 1992, p. 118). Fullick as cited in Fosket (1992) concerns more on future employment, where the economic trends affect the choice of students of their career paths. Funding is also a major issue in the education sector. Knowing that no organisation could survive without proper financial help, privately owned businesses also finance certain schools and even directly helping the students by giving them scholarship grants. This situation implies that even institutions not related to giving education also matter in terms of support. An existing challenge faced by both government and external statutory bodies of is the tiering of the school system. The tiering of the UK school system has lowered the education’s principle of equality since it can be a form of stratification amon g students. The report says that the two-tier system creates a â€Å"poverty trap for disadvantaged.† Chitty (1989) contends that the tiering of the school system is a reflection of the society as a whole; where the top tier represents the advantages and well-funded private schools, the second tier resembles that of the middle or working class, and the third tier

Indus River Essay Example for Free

Indus River Essay The Indus and Ganges river valleys are ideal locations for early settlements. Some of the reasons are good water supply, good farmland, and rivers for trade. And those are just some of the reasons people choose to live there. Why were the Indus and Ganges river valleys ideal locations for early settlement? They were ideal because they were ideal because they were by rivers so you would always have drinking water. The valleys also had some of the best farmland. The farmland was so fertile because, the snow on the mountains would melt and flood the rivers, so the silt would make the soil fertile. They were also ideal because you could use the rivers for trading. How were the Indus and Ganges river valleys affected by the land nearby? They were affected by the mountains because, the melted ice carried down from the mountains to provide a good supply of water. The mountains affected the Indus and Ganges river valleys in bad ways also. In the fall they got their heaviest rains so the rivers flooded destroying the crops on the banks of the rivers. Another physical feature that is UNSUITABLE is the Thar Desert. It is unsuitable because the only time there is water is during monsoon season. Well, actually there is water but you might have to walk for days to find it. You also would be at risk of no food because the only animals that live in the Thar Desert are lizards, snakes, gazelles, quail, ducks, and geese. Another UNSUITABLE physical feature is the Himalaya Mountains. The Himalayas are unsuitable because fierce storms can dump ten feet of snow at a time on one area. Another reason is you have no food because nothing wants to live in the cold mountains. You also have no water, and when you get to the timberline you will need an oxygen tank. The Indus and Ganges river valleys are ideal locations for early settlements. Some of the reasons are good water supply, good farmland, and rivers for trade. And those are just some of the reasons people choose to live there. If I had to choose somewhere to live in ancient India I would choose the Indus and Ganges river valleys.

Looking At Jargon And Acronyms English Language Essay

Looking At Jargon And Acronyms English Language Essay According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, jargon is the technical terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity or group. In other words, Jargon is a highly specialized terminology different from the standard form of language. It is a sort of shorthand to quickly convey messages between group members. It is usually considered to be a communication barrier as it is difficult to understand by people unfamiliar with the specialized terminology. Fields that are extensively characterized by jargon include medical, engineering, sports, Information Technology , Internet and many more. Consider your target audience before including jargon in your writing. If your writing is aimed at a person familiar with the specific field, then the use of jargon is appropriate. It results in an efficient transferring of information to experts in a language they are familiar with. If, however, the intended audience is a lay person, avoid the use of jargon. Include clear descriptions and definitions instead. In such cases, use of jargon creates a distance between your writing and the reader. Some examples of computer jargon are as follows: Burn Create a CD or DVD. Character A letter of the alphabet, number, space or punctuation mark For a detailed list of computer jargon and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.jonstorm.com/glossary/ Some examples of medical jargon are as follows:   Abduction to move a limb or some other body part away from the midline of the body. Breath sounds the sounds heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest over the lungs For a detailed list of medical jargon and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_medical.html Some examples of physics jargon are as follows:  Ã‚   Singularity A negative point in space and time where all laws of quantum physics are meaningless, because all aspects take on infinite values. Ground State- is the lowest amount of energy as determined by quantum rules For a detailed list of physics jargon visit the following link: http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=73869 Some examples of financial jargon are as follows:  Ã‚   Ask The price at which someone who owns a security offers to sell it; also known as the asked price. Market Close Date Date on which the closing Net Asset Value (NAV) was last calculated. For a detailed list of financial jargons and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_financial.html Some examples of legal jargon are as follows Motion the request made by either side to the court requesting the court to rule or take action on their behalf. Bench term used to refer to judges or the court. For a detailed list of legal jargons and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_legal.html Following is an article from AutoBiz( Irelands Motor Magazine) Thursday, January 10, 2008 Buyers baffled by techno jargon The average car buyer is completely baffled by technical jargon and does not know his ABS from his SUV. That is the finding of a survey conducted by website motoring.co.uk of 2,500 would-be car purchasers. 32% of drivers surveyed did not know that ABS stood for anti-lock braking system and 23% failed to associate BHP with brake horsepower. Katie Armitage, marketing manager of Motors.co.uk, commented boot space, comfort and cup holders are the kind of things buyers want to know about rather than being overwhelmed with technical jargon they dont understand. The 10 top terms that confused car buyers were: 1. SUV (sports utility vehicle) 2. MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) 3. BHP (brake horsepower) 4. ABS (anti-lock braking system) 5. Traction control 6. Cruise control 7. Hybrid 8. Understeer 9. 4WD (four wheel drive) 10. RDSS (radio determination satellite service) ACRONYM Acronyms often occur in jargon. According to answers.com (http://www.answers.com/acronym) An Acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a name. Consider for example: ACE Angiotension-converting enzyme ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Guidelines for Using Acronyms Use upper case for writing acronyms, and do not use periods. Acronyms are not capitalized in cases where they are used as common nouns for example, laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), radar (Radio Detection and Ranging), or scuba (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). When using an acronym, prefer the full form at the first point of usage and provide the acronym in parentheses. The next time when you use the acronym in the document the reader will not misinterpret it to something else. Following is an example illustrating this point. In most current applications of Computer-Aided drug Design (CADD), attempts were made to find the ligand that will interact favorably with a receptor that represents the target size. Binding of ligand to the receptor may include hydrophobic, electrostatic and hydrogen-binding interactions. In addition, solvation energies of the ligand and receptor site also are important partial to complete desolvation must occur prior to binding. This approach to CADD optimizes the fit of a ligand in a receptor site. This convention is necessary because an acronym may have different full forms in different fields, writing, and industry. Have a look at the following table: CADD Computer-Aided Drafting and Design CADD Computer-Aided Design Drafting CADD Computer-Aided Drug Design CADD Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate CADD Computer-Aided Design Development CADD Complex Add CADD Combat Air Delivery Division CADD Customer Acquisition Due Diligence (banking) CADD Computer Aided Detector Design CADD Computer Aided Design and Drafting Source: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/Computer-Aided+Design+Development Another Example: ACE in medical terms means Angiotension-converting enzyme ACE in computer terms means Adaptive Communication Environment If you are writing an internal document feel free to use the most common acronyms prevalent in your organization or industry. There is no need to provide full form. If your text contains many acronyms, it is better to provide the readers with the list of terms. Use a lowercase s without an apostrophe to create plurals of acronyms. Neeru and her sister have identical IQs. Acronym Database: http://www.acronymdb.com/browse/ USE OF ABBREVIATIONS: Merriam Webster online dictionary describes abbreviation as a shortened form of a written word or phrase used in place of the whole. Abbreviations often confuse a reader try to keep them to a minimum by avoiding the usage of unnecessary abbreviations Following are some guidelines for using abbreviations: When using an abbreviation, prefer the full form at the first point of usage and provide the abbreviation in parentheses. The next time when you use the abbreviation in the document the reader will not misinterpret it to something else. Following is an example illustrating this point. Abbreviate terms and words in graphics to save space. Never use an abbreviation in the title of a paper. This gives rise to problems in indexing. Moreover, there may be a change in abbreviation which may give rise to problems of recognition of the abbreviation in the future. E.g. According to Daimler Annual Report, 2007 due to the transfer of a majority interest in Chrysler and the related change of the corporations name, the stock-exchange abbreviation was changed from DCX to DAI. Abbreviate certain words and phrases like Examples of some words: Dr., Mr., Ms., B.A., Ph.D., A.D. Examples of some phrases: et al. (and others in Latin) i.e. (that is in Latin) e.g. (for example in Latin) Do not use two abbreviations in a title of a person at the same time. For example: write either Dr. Har Gobind Khurana, or Har Gobind Khurana, Ph.D.; NOT Dr. Har Gobind Khurana, Ph.D. As stated in Mayfield Handbook of Scientific and Technical Writing, if you need to coin an abbreviation to make a word fit into some limited space, such as in a drawing or table, the most common approach is to cut the word off, five letters long or so, after the consonant following the first, second, or last syllable. Thus magnetic becomes mag. and environmental becomes envir. The usage of a or an before an abbreviation depends on the sound of the first alphabet of the spelled out term. For example: She possesses an M.Pharm degree. Note that you read out M.Pharm as em pharm and e is a vowel so you use an M.Pharm and not a M.Pharm. SI UNITS: As stated in Wikipedia -The International System of Units (SI) defines a set of base units, from which other derived units may be obtained. The abbreviations, or more accurately symbols (using Roman letters, or Greek in the case of ohm) for these units are also clearly defined together with a set of prefixes for which there are also abbreviations or symbols. The 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures (1960) adopted the name Systà ¨me International dUnità ©s (International System of Units, international abbreviation SI), for the recommended practical system of units of measurement. The base units are seven well-defined and dimensionally independent units. They are: the meter, the kilogram, the second, the ampere, the kelvin, the mole, and the candela. Derived units are defined as products of powers of the base units. When the product of powers includes no numerical factor other than one, the derived units are called coherent derived units. The base and coherent derived units of the SI form a coherent set, designated the set of coherent SI units (SI brochure, Section 1.4). Some guidelines to write the SI Units are as follows: Never insert a period after or inside a unit; both 5 c.m. and 5 c.m are wrong. Instead it should be written as 5 cm. Followed it with a period only if it is at the end of a sentence. In Section 5.3.3. of The International System of Units (SI), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) states The numerical value always precedes the unit, and a space is always used to separate the unit from the number. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The only exceptions to this rule are for the unit symbols for degree, minute, and second for plane angle. This means always write 10 km and not km 10 And 10 km and not 10km Never change the case of letter of an SI unit. Each case may denote a different unit. E.g. S denotes siemens which is a unit of conductance whereas s denotes second which is a unit of time. However, symbol for litre is allowed to be L to help avoid misunderstanding with an upper case i (I)or a numeric one(1). Table 1: PREFIXES AND ABBREVIATIONS FOR SI UNITS Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table 2- SI UNITS Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table3- Examples of Derived units expressed in terms of base units Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table 4-Coherent derived units in the SI with special names and symbols Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table 5- Examples of SI coherent derived units whose names and symbols include SI coherent derived units with special names and symbols Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Please visit NSTC website for the following: Select list of words, phrases and expressions that have to be avoided. Select list of common errors in spelling and style. Select list of accepted contractions and symbols.

Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)

Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) An Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) may be defined as a series of processes which provide a framework, for managing occupational health and safety (OHS) responsibilities so that they become more efficient and more integrated into overall business operations, around which good performance can be established and maintained and which will support the development of a safety culture. (International Labour Organisation (ILO)-British Standards Institution (BSI) Joint-Definition) The main aim of the OHSM is to design measures to control and eliminate the likelihood of hazards in the workplace and promote a safe work environment. 1. Management commitment An effective management addresses all work-related hazards and employees welfare facilities and not only those stipulated by laws. There is a need for management to make the health and safety of workers a priority. It is essential that there be strong management commitment and strong worker participation in the effort to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. In each workplace, the lines of responsibility from top to bottom need to be clear, and workers should know who is responsible for different health and safety issues. Management is responsible that the organisation has the appropriate policies, programmes in place to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Management commitment and employee involvement Charles reese (accident) Management commitment and employee are complementary. Management commitment provides the motivating force and the resources for organizing and controlling activities within an organization. Employee involvement provides the means through which workers develop and/or express their own commitment to safety and health protection, for themselves and for their fellow workers. Safety and health goals and objectives are also included to assist you in establishing workplace goals and objectives that demonstrate your companys commitment to safety. 2. Health and Safety policy It is the responsibility of management to cater for the health and safety of its workforce. Clearly developed and concise policies set the direction for the organisation by communicating managements goals and objectives. A good health and safety policy need to be: 1. Specific to the organisation and appropriate to its size and nature of works; 2. Clearly written so as to educate workers, clients, suppliers and general public about the health and safety policy of the organisation; 3. Specific about the responsibility and accountability of managers and supervisors at all levels; 4. Effectively communicated to all employees; and 5. Reviewed on a regular basis to ensure continuing sustainability. The best health and safety policies align health and safety with human resources management as employees are the key resource of an organization.(HSE Successful Health and Safety Management HS(G) HMSO 1997) The OSH policy should include, as a minimum, the following key principles and objectives to which the organization is committed: 1. protecting the safety and health of all members of the organization by preventing work-related injuries, ill health, diseases and incidents; 2. complying with relevant OSH national laws and regulations, voluntary programmes, collective agreements on OSH and other requirements to which the organization subscribes; 3. ensuring that workers and their representatives are consulted and encouraged to participate actively in all elements of the OSH management system; and 4. continually improving the performance of the OSH management system. (ILO Guidelines on the Occupational Health and Safety Management System 2001) Health promotion in the workplace This complements occupational health and safety measures to improve the well being of workers at the workplace. Workplace wellbeing According to ILO, it relates to all aspects of working life, from the quality and safety of the physical environment, to how workers feel about their work, their working environment, the climate at work and work organisation. Workers well being is directly related to the productivity of the organisation. The higher the workers well being, the higher will be the productivity of the organistion. Safety tasks and responsibilities Health and Safety audit and Performance review Health and Safety audit and performance review are the final steps in the health and safety management. Health and Safety culture In order to develop good health and safety practices, a good health and safety culture is needed at work. Employers need to incorporate health and safety practices in their day to day running of the business. Successful occupational health and safety practices necessitates the collaboration and participation of both employers/owners or management and employees in health and safety programmes, and it involves the consideration of issues relating to occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, toxicology, education, engineering safety, ergonomics, psychology, etc. Both workers and employers have a legal responsibility to look after health and safety at work together. Workers who contribute to health and safety at work, are safer and healthier than those who do not. Building and maintain a health and safety culture involve the use of all available means to increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of the concepts of hazards and risks and how they may be prevented or controlled. The safety culture of an organization is the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behaviour that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organisations health and safety management. Successful Health and Safety Management by HSE (2nd edition), pg 22 Training for health and safety Training means educating people on what should be done and not, how it should be done and when it should be done. Based on a survey carried out by ILO, workers often experience work-related health problems but do not realize that the problems are related to their work, particularly when an occupational disease, for example, is in the early stages. Hence, there is a need to train workers on safe way to do the job, hazards associated with the work and how to eliminate or control them. It is also important to train workers how to react in case of emergencies, like a fire outbreak. Training on first aid is also important. Training can be conducted at different levels: During induction course for new employees where they can be educated on how to work safely and also about the hazards and risks associated with the jobs, how to eliminate or control them. Training can be organized for management and Supervisors so that they know what are the hazards present in the workplace and this enable them to develop policies to combat these hazards Regular training to existing employees, to update them on new equipment and technologies being used. Health surveillance Health surveillance at work is very important. It is performed to look for early signs of ill health caused by substances and other hazards at work. It includes keeping health records for individuals and may include medical examinations and testing of blood or urine samples, so that corrective action can be taken. Health and Safety Committee Health and safety programs For all of the reasons given above, it is crucial that employers, workers and unions are committed to health and safety and that: workplace hazards are controlled at the source whenever possible; records of any exposure are maintained for many years; both workers and employers are informed about health and safety risks in the workplace; there is an active and effective health and safety committee that includes both workers and management; worker health and safety efforts are ongoing. Charles D. Reese (2001) Accident/Incident Prevention Techniques In order to effectively manage safety and health, a company must pay attention to some critical factors: policy of management regarding health and safety of workers health and safety goals of the company who is responsible for occupational safety and health how are supervisors and employees held accountable for job safety and health? what are the consequences of not following the safety rules are there set procedures for addressing safety and health at the workplace? A written safety and health program is of primary importance in addressing these items.

Brazil World Trade Essay example -- Brazil Economics Economy Essays

Brazil World Trade From the 1500’s to the 1930’s the Brazilian economy relied on the production of primary products for exports. For three centuries Brazil’s economy was heavily curbed because since Portugal discovered Brazil, they subjected it’s economy to an imperial mercantile policy or a strictly enforced colonial pact. Even though Brazil received its independence in 1822, Portugal’s phase of decisions left a lasting, powerful imprint on Brazil’s economy and society. In the late eighteenth century, when wage labor was adopted and slavery was eliminated considerable changes finally began to occur. Only starting in the 1930’s were the first steps taken to convert key structural changes by changing Brazil into a semi-industrialized, modern economy. The intensity of these transformations caused the growth rates of the economy to remain distinctively high and a diversified manufacturing base was instituted between 1950 and 1981. Substantial difficul ties such as slow growth and stagnation have plagued the economy since the early 1980’s, though it’s potential enabled itself to regain it’s large and quite diversified economy in the mid-1990s still with its share of problems. After World War II, Brazil’s inhabitants that resided in towns and cities grew from 31.3 percent to 75.5 percent. The 146.9 million inhabitants living in the cities by 1991 caused Brazil to have two of the world’s largest metropolitan centers in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Despite the reduction of the share of the primary sector in the gross national product from 28 percent in 1947 to 11 percent in 1992, the agricultural sector remains important. It’s primitive and intensive, yet also modern and dynamic parts make Brazil of the largest... ... procedures, and contingent protection policies). Many different transactions are possible if a deal in the FTAA can be achieved for both Brazil and the United States. Cutting all tariffs is could be the basis of the deal, with some balance struck between US farm trade reforms and enhanced access to Latin American procurement and service markets. Regarding procurement, FTAA negotiators must be able to agree on principles that give transparency for guidelines for open tendering and for public tenders. Also, such guidelines must be complemented by a promise to negotiate within 5 years or so a list of entities whose purchases would be covered by these new obligations. The desired outcome would be a deal on a negative list that would cover all service under FTAA restrictions excluding ones explicitly written- hopefully these exceptions would be kept to a minimum.

Journal Analyzing the Byronic Hero and Lord Byron’s Writing Styles Ess

A Journal Analyzing the Byronic Hero, Those who Closely Resemble the Hero, Byron’s Writing Styles and Literary Criticism (Journal entry 1, Defining the Byronic Hero) The Byronic Hero is a term derived from the poetic narrative, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, by Lord Byron. Though the idea of the Byronic Hero originated with the creation of Byron’s characters, Byron himself possessed the physical features associated with the Byronic Hero. These features include dark brooding eyes, dark hair, pale skin and a slender frame. The Byronic hero derived from Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, strays away from the typical â€Å"hero† role by possessing dual characteristics of good as well as evil, â€Å"And had been glorious in another day: but one sad losel soils a name for aye†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Byron,C.H.181). The Byronic Hero is usually defined by his voluntary isolation from the normal institutions of society, â€Å"Self-exiled Harold wanders forth again, with nought of hope left, but with less of gloom†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Byron,C.H.211). He also represses his passions creating an unrequited obsession when, â€Å"He bids t o sober joy that here sojourns: nought interrupts the riot, though in lieu of true devotion monkish incense burns†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and â€Å"had buried long his hopes, no more to rise: pleasure’s pall’d victim! Life-abhorring gloom.†(Byron,C.H. 193) In these remarks, the Hero prefers to bask in sorrow for a love lost or never attained than to pursue the object of his desire. The Byronic Hero prides himself on his intellectual ability because his intelligence eclipses that of the average man. â€Å"But soon he knew himself the most unfit of men to herd with man; with whom he held little in common; untaught to submit his thoughts to others, though his soul was quell’d in his you... ...the confines of society. The Superhero further evades societal restrictions by masking himself and keeping his identity a mystery. This mystery distinguishes the Hero from others and places him into the Byronic realm where the dark figure retreats to solitude. Unlike the Byronic Hero described in Byron’s poetry the new Superhero has a dual conscience that allows him to reside outside of societal foundations while working to uphold the society’s values. Works Cited Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Boston: New York 2002. Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Interpretations. New Have: New York 1987. Leone, Bruno, ed.Readings on Edgar Allan Poe. San Diego: CA 1998. Page, Frederick, ed. Byron Poetical Works. Oxford: New York 1970. Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Views George Gordon, Lord Byron. New Haven: New York 1986.

The Significance of Family Meals in Faulkner’s Barn Burning, Shall Not Perish, and Two Soldiers :: Barn Burning Shall Not Perish Two Soldiers

The Significance of Family Meals in Faulkner’s Barn Burning, Shall Not Perish, and Two Soldiers The meal, and more specifically the concept of the family meal, has traditional connotations of comfort and togetherness. As shown in three of Faulkner’s short stories in â€Å"The Country†, disruptions in the life of the family are often reinforced in the plot of the story by disruptions in the meal. In â€Å"Barn Burning†, Abner enters the house at dusk and â€Å"could smell the coffee from the room where they would presently eat the cold food remaining from the afternoon meal.† (14) A warm meal would indicate fulfillment and cohesiveness within the family. The inclusion of the detail that the food was cold represents an inversion of these associations. The cold meal symbolizes the family’s distaste with Abner’s actions. The memory of the dinner lingers with the family as they get ready for bed and appears linked with negative images of â€Å"Where they had been were no long, water-cloudy scoriations resembling the sporadic course of a lilliputian moving machine.† (15) In addition, the emphasis that this dinner was in fact a left-over meal symbolizes that the pattern of Abner’s destructive behavior and its effects on his family will not change. In â€Å"Shall Not Perish†, Mother, Father, and the narrator receive news that Pete has died at war. Upon hearing the bad news, the family â€Å"fed and milked an came back and ate the cold supper.† (103) In this short story, the eating of cold food represents the cold, harsh realities of death and mourning. The family has been left with a permanent void and the disruption in the family meal serves to further illustrate this point. The mother in "Two Soldiers" is preparing to send her son Pete off to war. As Pete’s younger brother recalls, â€Å"Maw was getting Pete ready to go. She washed and mended his clothes and cooked him a shoe box of vittles.† (85) The mother’s desire to make sure Pete leaves with one last meal, shows her desire to still be able to nurture her son. This desire is inherent in the same way that faith is.

Children and Screen Time

Randi Getzelman English 151 03/24/2013 Every parent wants nothing more then their child to succeed. They want their child to develop and learn with out struggle. In this day in age we have access to so many devices that can help contribute to a child’s success. Many will argue that a device such as a I-pad or mobile device will hinder ones learning. I feel the exact opposite will occur, and the child will gain knowledge. Children develop and learn so much at a very young age.They absorb everything they see and hear. They best learn through touch, sight, and sound. Using a device such as a touch I-pad, or I-phone a child can interact on their level. There are so many Apps available for children of all ages. They will help a child develop at their capability and speed, while learning. I feel they will absorb more knowledge with a educational hands on device rather then TV. Children have to interact and use their brains in order for the App to work.Placing a child in front of a T V to just sit and learn, they do not get the same hands on experience. There will be those arguing that placing a phone or tablet in a child’s arms will cause harm. I do not see that being true, in this day in age we use App’s for everything. Rather at the grocery store, banking, or even schools, most teach with touch devices. I feel that helping your child learn with a hands free device, will only help them in the future.