Monday, September 30, 2019

Social Learning Theory

By definition the term Social learning theory is an approach that emphasizes on the role of modeling otherwise known as imitation or observational learning, in the development of behavior (Matlin, 85). The behavior in which children learn is typically gender-related meaning that they will act based on their gender for example, girls will learn how to act in a feminine way and boys will learn how to act in a masculine way. The way children learn how to act gender appropriate is through their parents, peers, media, and finally school. The first factor in the Social leaning theory is the child’s parents, their first teachers.Even though parents may not be consciously aware of it, they tend to teach their daughters and sons differently when it comes to gender characteristics. For one, take the activities that children tend to take part of whether it varies from chores to the toys they play with, parents will encourage the appropriate gender behavior. When it comes to chores a fema le will more likely to have to do more of domestic chores such as cleaning the living room and the bathroom while on the other hand a male will more likely have to the heavy duty chores such as taking out the trash and repair items that are broken.Once again parents encourage children to participate in the activity that is â€Å"appropriate† by using positive and negative reinforcement, they discourage the activities that they believe will be inappropriate based on the child’s gender and encourage those they believe to be appropriate. The book mentions a study by Campenni done in 1999 that states that parents are more scared of their male child becoming sissies then their female child becoming a tom boy. Another way parents influences gender-type activities is through the conversations in which they have with their children.The book states a study done by Fivush and Buckner in 2000 showed that 21% of mothers will discuss anger with their sons in a conversation that wil l last a half an hour where as 0% of mothers will discuss anger with their daughters but, they will discuss fear and sadness with them (Matlin, 90) Even though some parents prefer to talk about aggression to their daughter some boys might learn how to be aggressive through their father by imitating them which again is what the Social learning theory is about. Peers are a big factor in the Social Learning theory in which a child will learn how to behave in a gender type of way.During the time a child begins school he or she will fall into their â€Å"Peer Group† in which will be the group of children that is the age as them. Children tend to encourage gender typing by rejecting the child that is acting in an â€Å"inappropriate† way. Young children to fall into two groups: boys and girls, and with the separation of genders they treat each other differently. First, if a female child comes to school with baggy jeans and baseball cap on her peers will reject by either not playing with her or tease her for being different.Once Again, the book states that in 2003 Judith Blakemore asked children from the age 3 to 11 if they would be friends with someone who clearly violated traditional stereotypes. The results shown that children particularly dislike a boy who wears a girl hair style and played with a Barbie doll and will judge girls less harshly for the same violations of traditional stereotypes. Children tend to isolate themselves from the opposite gender and associate with the same gender. When boys participate in gender segregation they tend to develop a feeling of entitlement which means since they are male they deserve better and greater things.Another way aspect that helps shape gender typing is the media. The media can consist of books and televisions. When it comes to children’s picture books, females are clearly depicted as invisible leaving the main characters to be mostly males. As stated by the book Ochman (1996) created a study in w hich children watched a video tape of an actor reading different books where each story required the main character to solve a problem which would result in the enhancement of the character’s self esteem.Over a 6 week period a of a group of 7 to 10 years old listened to the stories but, half heard the story where the main character was a male and the other half heard the story where the main character was a female. The results shown that the girls who heard about the female character had a higher increase of self esteem and boys showed the same result when the main character was a male (Matlin, 100). The finally aspect that shapes gender typing is school. Even when it comes to school males are treated more valued then females.Even the teacher behavior supports that males are treated better than females, where girls are not given equal treatment. The activities of the classroom are typically to appeal to boys rather than females. Females are even less shown in text books. Boys tend to get a positive feedback in the class room since they will be called upon more, praised for their creativity, and included more in class discussion. Take for an example if a question was asked and the a female raised her hand and gave the correct answer and then a male an answer that is â€Å"wrong† the male will receive recognition for that answer (Sadker, 97)There are many aspects that can contribute to the Social learning Theory. The first will be Parents since they are the child’s first teachers and the first people in the child’s life to give them positive and negative reinforcement. The second aspect will be their peers which consist of the children they pay with. Those children will mostly likely encourage appropriate gender behavior more than inappropriate behavior. The media and school are last aspects of the Social learning theory.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Bloodlines Chapter Twenty-Two

CLARENCE DIDN'T WANT to talk to us about what had happened. In fact, he adamantly denied anything was wrong, claiming he'd scratched his neck while shaving. â€Å"Mr. Donahue,† I said as gently as I could, â€Å"this was made by a surgical tool. And it didn't happen until Keith visited.† â€Å"No, no,† Clarence managed in a weak voice. â€Å"It has nothing to do with him.† Dorothy stuck her head in just then, carrying a glass of juice. We'd called for her shortly after my arrival tonight. For blood loss, the remedies were the same for Moroi and human alike: sugar and fluids. She offered the glass to him with a straw, her lined face filled with concern. I continued my pleas as he drank. â€Å"Tell us what your deal is,† I begged. â€Å"What's the arrangement? What's he giving you for your blood?† When Clarence remained silent, I tried another tactic. â€Å"People are being hurt. He's giving out your blood indiscriminately.† That got a reaction. â€Å"No,† said Clarence. â€Å"He's using my blood and saliva to heal people. To heal sick humans.† Saliva? I nearly groaned. Of course. The mysterious clear liquid. Now I knew what gave the celestial tattoos their addictive high. Gross. Adrian and I exchanged glances. Healing certainly was a use for vampire blood. The tattoo I wore was proof of that, and the Alchemists had worked long trying to duplicate some of the blood's properties for wider medicinal use. So far, there was no way to synthetically reproduce it, and using real blood simply wasn't practical. â€Å"He lied,† I replied. â€Å"He's selling it to rich teenagers to help them with sports. What did he promise you for it? A cut of the money?† Adrian glanced around the opulent room. â€Å"He doesn't need money. The only thing he needs is what the guardians wouldn't give him. Justice for Tamara, right?† Surprised, I turned back to Clarence and saw Adrian's words confirmed on the old Moroi's face. â€Å"He†¦ he's been investigating the vampire hunters for me,† he said slowly. â€Å"He says he's close. Close to finding them out.† I shook my head, wanting to kick myself for not having figured out sooner that Clarence was the blood source. It explained why Keith was always unexpectedly here – and why he got so upset when I showed up without warning. My â€Å"fraternizing with vampires† had had nothing to do with it. â€Å"Sir, I guarantee the only thing he's investigating is how to spend the money he's been making.† â€Å"No†¦ no†¦ he's going to help me find the hunters who killed Tamara†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stood up. I couldn't stand to hear any more. â€Å"Get him some real food, and see what he'll eat,† I told Dorothy. â€Å"If he's only weak from blood loss, he just needs time.† I nodded for Adrian to follow me out. As we walked toward the living room, I remarked, â€Å"Well, there are good and bad sides to this. At least we can be confident Keith's got a fresh supply of blood for us to bust him with. I'm just sorry Clarence had to get hit so – â€Å" I froze as I entered the living room. I'd simply wanted to go there because it would be a familiar place to discuss our plans, one that was less creepy than Clarence's bedroom. Considering how my imagination often ran wild while I was in this old house, I'd found that few things came as a surprise. But never in my wildest dreams had I imagined the living room would be transformed into an art gallery. Easels and canvas were set up all around the room. Even the pool table was covered by a big roll of paper. The pictures varied wildly in their content. Some simply had splashes of color thrown on them. Some possessed astonishingly realistic depictions of objects and people. An assortment of watercolors and oil paints sat around amidst the art. For a moment, all thoughts of Clarence and Keith disappeared from my head. â€Å"What is this?† â€Å"Homework,† Adrian said. â€Å"Didn't you†¦ didn't you just start your classes? How could they have assigned this much?† He walked over to a canvas showing a swirling red line traced over a black cloud and lightly tested to see if the paint was dry. Studying it, I tried to decide if I really was seeing a cloud. There was almost something anthropomorphic about it. â€Å"Of course they didn't give us this much, Sage. But I had to make sure I nailed my first assignment. Takes a lot of tries before you hit perfection.† He paused to reconsider that. â€Å"Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try.† I couldn't help a smile. After watching Adrian's moods oscillate so wildly in the last couple weeks, it was nice to see them on the upswing. â€Å"Well, this is kind of amazing,† I admitted. â€Å"What are they? I mean, I get that one.† I pointed to a painting of a woman's eye, brown and long-lashed, and then to another one of roses. â€Å"But the others are open to, um, slightly more creative interpretation.† â€Å"Are they?† asked Adrian, turning back to the smoky painting with the red streak. â€Å"I figured it was obvious. This one is Love. Don't you see it?† I shrugged. â€Å"Maybe I don't have an artistic enough mind.† â€Å"Maybe,† he agreed. â€Å"Once we bust your buddy Keith, we'll discuss my genius art all you want.† â€Å"Right,† I said, growing serious again. â€Å"We need to search his place for evidence. I figured the best way to do that is if I lure him out and you break in while he's gone. To get through the lock – â€Å" Adrian waved me off. â€Å"I can pick a lock. How do you think I got into my parents' liquor cabinet in middle school?† â€Å"Should've guessed,† I said dryly. â€Å"Make sure you look everywhere, not just in obvious places. He could have compartments hidden in the walls or in furniture. You want to find vials of blood or metallic liquid or even the tool that pierced Clarence.† â€Å"Got it.† We hashed out a few more details – including who he should call when he found something – and were about to leave when he asked, â€Å"Sage, why'd you pick me to be your partner in crime in this?† I thought about it. â€Å"Process of elimination, I guess. Jill's supposed to be kept out of trouble. Eddie'd be a good asset, but he needed to go back with her and Lee. Besides, I already knew you didn't have any moral qualms about breaking and entering.† â€Å"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me,† he declared with a grin. We headed out to Keith's after that. All the lights were on in the first floor of his building, dashing a last-minute hope I'd had that maybe I wouldn't have to lure him out. I would've actually liked to help with the search. I dropped Adrian off and then drove to a twenty-four-hour restaurant that was outside the opposite side of town. I figured it would be perfect for keeping Keith away from his home. The driving time alone would provide Adrian with extra searching time, though it meant Adrian had to wait outside for a while until Keith left. Once I finally arrived, I got a table, ordered coffee, and dialed Keith's number. â€Å"Hello?† â€Å"Keith, it's me. I need to talk to you.† â€Å"So talk,† he said. He sounded smug and confident, no doubt happy at pulling off the last-minute tattoo sale. â€Å"Not on the phone. I need you to meet me.† â€Å"At Amberwood?† he asked in surprise. â€Å"Isn't it after hours?† It was indeed, but that was a problem for later. â€Å"I'm not at school. I'm at Margaret's Diner, that place out by the highway.† Long silence. Then: â€Å"Well, if you're already out past curfew, then just come here.† â€Å"No,† I said firmly. â€Å"You come to me.† â€Å"Why should I?† I hesitated only briefly before playing the card I knew would get him, the one thing that would make him drive out here and not raise suspicions about the tattoos. â€Å"It's about Carly.† â€Å"What about her?† he asked after a moment's pause. â€Å"You know exactly what.† After a second's pause, Keith relented and hung up. I noticed that I had a voice mail from earlier in the day that I hadn't heard come in. I called and listened. â€Å"Sydney, this is Wes Regan from Carlton College. Just wanted to go over a couple things with you. First, I'm afraid I have some bad news. It doesn't look like I'm going to be able to retroactively admit your brother from auditor status. I can enroll him next semester for sure if he stays in good standing, but the only way he can keep taking classes now is if he continues to do so as an auditor. He won't be able to get financial aid as a result, and in fact, you'll actually need to pay the auditing fee soon if he's going to stay in the classes. If he wants to drop altogether, we can do that too. Just call me and let me know what you'd like to do.† I stared at the phone in dismay when the message was over. There went our dreams of sliding Adrian into fully enrolled student status, not to mention his dreams of getting financial aid and moving out of Clarence's. The next semester probably started in January, so Adrian was facing four more months at Clarence's. Adrian would also be facing four more months of bus-riding and taking classes without college credit. But were the credits and financial aid really the most important things here? I thought back to how excited Adrian had been after only a couple classes, how he'd thrown himself into the art. His face had been radiant when he stood in his â€Å"gallery.† Jill's words also echoed through my mind, about how the art had given him something to channel his feelings into and made the bond easier for her to cope with. Those classes were good for both of them. How much was an auditing fee? I wasn't sure but knew it wasn't as much as tuition. It was also a onetime cost that I could probably slide into my expenses without raising the attention of the Alchemists. Adrian needed those classes, of that I was certain. If he knew financial aid wasn't an option this semester, there was a good chance he'd just drop them altogether. I couldn't allow that. He'd known there might be â€Å"a delay† while the financial aid came together. If I could keep him going to Carlton a little longer, then maybe he'd get invested enough in the art that he'd stay on, even when the truth came out. It was a sneaky thing to do, but it would benefit him – and Jill – in the end. I dialed back Wes Regan's office, knowing I'd get his voice mail. I left him a message saying that I'd drop off a check for the auditing fee and that Adrian would stay on until he could be enrolled next semester. I hung up, saying a silent prayer that it would take a while for Adrian to find out any of this. The waitress kept giving me the evil eye over just having coffee, so I finally ordered a piece of pie to go. She had just set the carton down on my table when an irritated Keith entered the restaurant. He stood in the doorway, looking around impatiently until he saw me. â€Å"Okay, what's going on?† he demanded, making a big show of sitting down. â€Å"What's so important that you felt the need to break school rules and drag me halfway across town?† For a moment, I froze up. Looking into Keith's eyes – real and artificial – triggered all the conflicting feelings I'd had about him this last year. Fear and anxiety over what I was trying to pull off warred with the deep hate I'd long carried. Baser instincts wanted me to make him suffer, to throw something at him. Like the pie. Or a chair. Or a baseball bat. â€Å"I – â€Å" Before I could say another word, my phone chimed. I looked down and read a text message from Adrian: GOT IT. CALL MADE. ONE HOUR. I slipped the phone into my purse and exhaled. It had taken Keith twenty minutes to get here, and during that time, Adrian had been dutifully searching the apartment. He'd apparently been successful. Now it was up to me to delay Keith until reinforcements showed up. One hour was actually a lot less time than I'd expected. I'd given Adrian Stanton's phone number, and she would've dispatched whatever Alchemists were closest. I'd figured that would mean Los Angeles, but it was hard to say with the scope of our jobs. If there were Alchemists on the east side of the city, they'd get here very quickly. It was also possible they could cut time by simply flying a private jet in. â€Å"What's that?† asked Keith irritably. â€Å"A text from one of your vampire friends?† â€Å"You can stop the act,† I said. â€Å"I know you don't really care about me ‘getting too close' to them.† I hadn't intended this to be the topic that distracted him, but I'd take it. â€Å"Of course I do. I worry about your soul.† â€Å"Is that why you called my dad?† I asked. â€Å"Is that the reason you wanted me out of Palm Springs?† â€Å"It's for your own good,† he said, putting on that holier-than-thou air. â€Å"Do you know how wrong it was that you even wanted this job in the first place? No Alchemist would. But you, you practically begged for it.† â€Å"Yeah,† I said, feeling my anger rise. â€Å"So Zoe wouldn't have to do it.† â€Å"Tell yourself that if you want. I know the truth. You like these creatures.† â€Å"Why does it have to be so cut-and-dried? In your view, I either have to hate them or be in league with them. There's a middle ground, you know. I can still be loyal to the Alchemists and on friendly terms with vampires and dhampirs.† Keith looked at me like I was ten years old. â€Å"Sydney, you're such an innocent. You don't understand the ways of the world like I do.† I knew all about his â€Å"ways of the world† and would've said as much if the waitress hadn't come by to take his drink order just then. When she was gone, Keith continued his spiel. â€Å"I mean, how do you even know you're feeling the way you do? Vampires can compel, you know. They use mind control. Spirit users like Adrian are really good at it. For all we know, he's been using his powers to endear himself to you.† I thought of all the times I'd wanted to shake some sense into Adrian. â€Å"He's not doing a very good job, then.† We bickered back and forth about this, and for once, I was glad of Keith's obstinacy and refusal to see reason. The longer he argued with me, the more time the Alchemists had to get to his apartment. If Stanton had told Adrian one hour, she probably meant it. Still, it was best to be safe. My breaking point came when Keith said, â€Å"You should be glad I'm looking out for you like this. This is about more than vampires, you know. I'm teaching you life lessons. You memorize books but don't understand people. You don't know how to connect to them. You're going to carry this same naive attitude with you into the real world, thinking everyone means well, and someone – some guy, probably – will just take advantage of you.† â€Å"Well,† I snapped, â€Å"you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?† Keith snorted. â€Å"I have no interest in you, rest easy.† â€Å"I'm not talking about me! I'm talking about Carly.† So. Here it was. The original purpose of our meeting. â€Å"What's she have to do with anything?† Keith kept his tone steady, but I saw it. The slightest flicker of anxiety in his eye. â€Å"I know what happened between you guys. I know what you did to her.† He became very interested in stirring ice around with his straw. â€Å"I didn't do anything to her. I have no idea what you're talking about.† â€Å"You know exactly what I'm talking about! She told me. She came to me afterward.† I leaned forward, feeling confident. â€Å"What do you think my dad would do if he found out? What would yours do?† Keith looked up sharply. â€Å"If you're so certain something terrible happened, then why doesn't your dad already know? Huh? Maybe because Carly knows there's nothing to tattle on. Anything we did, she wanted to, believe me.† â€Å"You are such a liar,† I hissed. â€Å"I know what you did. You raped her. And you will never suffer enough for it. You should've lost both of your eyes.† He stiffened at the reference to his eyes. â€Å"That's harsh. And has nothing to do with any of this. What the hell's happened to you, Sydney? How'd you turn into such a bitch? Maybe making you associate with vampires and dhampirs has caused more damage than we realized. First thing tomorrow, I'm going to call Stanton and ask that they pull you now. No waiting until the end of the week. You need to be away from this dark influence.† He shook his head and gave me a look both condescending and pitying. â€Å"No, you need to be re-educated, period. It should've happened a long time ago, as soon as they caught you busting out that murderer.† â€Å"Don't change the topic.† I spoke haughtily, though he'd again woken a sliver of fear in me. What if Adrian and I failed? What if the Alchemists listened to Keith and hauled me away? He'd never have to worry about me again in a re-education center. â€Å"This isn't about me. We were talking about Carly.† Keith rolled his eyes in annoyance. â€Å"I'm done talking about your slutty sister.† That was when my earlier impulse to throw something at him won out. Lucky for him, it was only my coffee and not a chair. Also lucky for him: the coffee had cooled considerably. There was still a lot of it left, and it managed to splash everywhere, drenching his unfortunate choice of a white shirt. He stared at me in astonishment, sputtering to get his words out. â€Å"You bitch!† he said, standing up. As he started moving toward the door, I realized that my temper might have just blown the plan. I hurried over and caught hold of his arm. â€Å"Wait, Keith. I-I'm sorry. Don't go.† He jerked his arm away and glared at me. â€Å"It's too late for you. You had your chance and blew it.† I grabbed him again. â€Å"No, no. Wait. There's still lots we have to talk about.† He opened his mouth with some snippy remark and then promptly shut it. He studied me for several seconds, his face growing serious. â€Å"Are you trying to keep me here? What's going on?† When I couldn't muster a response, he pulled away and stormed out the door. I quickly ran back to the table and tossed a twenty on it. I grabbed the pie and told the bewildered waitress to keep the change. The clock in my car told me I had twenty minutes until the Alchemists were supposed to show up at Keith's. That was also the time it would take to get back there. I drove right behind him, making no effort to hide my presence. It was no secret now that something was going on, something I'd lured him away from home for. I blessed every red light that stopped us, praying he wouldn't arrive too early. If he did, Adrian and I were going to have to delay him. It wouldn't be impossible, but it also wasn't something I wanted to do. We finally made it back. Keith pulled into his building's tiny lot, and I parked uncaringly in a fire zone out front. I was only steps behind him as he ran to the door, but he hardly seemed to notice. His attention was on the lit-up windows of his building and the dark silhouettes barely discernible beyond the heavy drapes. He burst in through the door, and I followed a moment later, nearly running into him as he came to a complete standstill. I didn't know the three suited men there with Adrian, but I knew they were Alchemists. They had that cold, polished feel that we all strove for, and their cheeks were emblazoned with gold lilies. One was going through Keith's kitchen cupboards. Another had a notepad and was talking to Adrian, who was leaning against the wall and smoking. He smiled when he saw me. The third Alchemist was kneeling on the floor in the living room near a small storage cupboard in the wall. A tacky painting of a shirtless woman's back lay nearby, which apparently had been used to hide the compartment. Its wooden door had clearly been forcibly opened, and various contents were strewn haphazardly around – with a few exceptions. The Alchemist was going to great pains to sort one pile of objects: metal tubes and needles used to drain blood, along with vials of blood and small packets of silvery powder. He looked up at our sudden entrance and fixed Keith with a cool smile. â€Å"Ah, so glad you're here, Mr. Darnell. We were hoping we could take you with us for some questioning.† Keith's face fell.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Texas Tech Acceptance Rate: What Does it Take to Get In?

A large research university located in Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University offers 150 undergraduate courses of study across 13 schools. Just what does it take to get in? Here’s what you should know. In order to apply to Texas Tech, you’ll need to submit your: *SAT and ACT are superscored . Texas Tech does not require the writing supplement for either test. Students who meet the following criteria are guaranteed admission into Texas Tech: If you do not meet the assured admissions requirements, Texas Tech â€Å"strongly suggests† responding to Essay Prompts A and/or B listed in the essay prompts and submitting three recommendations. Although these application components are not required, you should submit them unless you meet the criteria for assured admission. Texas Tech University recommends that applicants complete the Foundation Curriculum with the Distinguished level of achievement as outlined by the Texas Education Agency . Students who receive automatic admission on the basis of being in the top 10% of their graduating high school class must present a Distinguished diploma. The recommended high-school curriculum is as follows: Language Arts (4 Credits) English I, II & III Advanced English Course Options include English IV, Creative Writing, Humanities, & Advanced Journalism Mathematics (4 Credits) Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Advanced Math Course Options include Precalculus, AQR, AP Statistics & Engineering Mathematics Science (4 Credits) Biology IPC or Advanced Science Two advanced Science Courses Options include Chemistry, Physics, Forensic Science, & Astronomy Social Studies (3 Credits) U.S. History U.S. Government (.5 credit) Economics (.5 credit) World Geography or World History Foreign Language (2 Credits) Both credits must be the same language Note: Some programs have additional foreign language requirements Physical Education (1 Credit) Fine Arts (1 Credit) Electives (6 Credits) With an acceptance rate of 69.2%, Texas Tech is somewhat selective. The average GPA for admitted students in 2.85. The middle 50% of SAT and ACT scores for the freshman class are 1158-1240 and 22-27, respectively. Estimating your chance of getting into a college is not easy in today’s competitive environment. Thankfully, with our state-of-the-art software and data, we can analyze your academic and extracurricular profile and estimate your chances. Our profile analysis tool can also help you identify the improvement you need to make to enter your dream school. Texas Tech notes that it evaluates applicants based on their: While the overall admissions rate signifies that admissions are not as competitive at this university compared with some of its peers, you should keep in mind that some programs, such as the Honors College, are more rigorous and have lower acceptance rates than others. You should also bear in mind that not only can your test scores and GPA guarantee you admission into Texas Tech, but they can also qualify you for scholarships that significantly reduce your college costs. â€Å"Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.† This makes it clear that Texas Tech looks for curious, passionate students. In your essay and other areas of your application, you should demonstrate a talent that sets you apart and displays your innovation and creativity. Perhaps you’re a creative writer and will demonstrate that through both writing-related extracurricular activities and a dynamite essay. Or maybe you’re a star oboe player. Whatever your hook is, make sure it’s obvious on your application. â€Å"What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.† While many colleges seek out a diverse student body, Texas Tech goes a step further by asking you to consider how your roots have shaped your identity. This should be a cohesive theme throughout your application: how your community—in whatever way you define it—has contributed to your identity as a person. You might, for example, describe your unique upbringing, being very close to members of your extended family, or participating in your religious or cultural community. Keep the assured admissions criteria in mind. If you meet the assured admissions criteria, Texas Tech can be a secure safety school for you. Otherwise, you will need to put extra effort into the other aspects of your application, such as your essays. Texas Tech provides tips to follow , and you should read ours as well. You should also send teacher recommendations and ensure that your extracurricular profile is strong to make up for weaker grades and test scores. Being denied admission to any college, particularly one of your top choices, is disappointing. Still, it’s important to take a step back and regroup. If you get rejected from Texas Tech, here’s what you can do: Take a gap year or transfer in. If you had your heart set on Texas Tech or received bad news from the other colleges on your list, one option is to take a gap year and reapply next admissions cycle. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you have a productive plan for the year. You might undertake a research project, volunteer, study to improve your SAT scores, or take classes at another college. You can also matriculate at another college and transfer to Texas Tech. As with first-year admissions, the university has assured transfer admission criteria (applicable to your college GPA and credits): Transferable Hours GPA Requirements 12-23 hours 2.50 cumulative   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   24 or more hours 2.25 cumulative Individual schools and majors within the university have additional assured transfer admissions criteria: Architecture: 3.0 GPA Biology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Microbiology: 2.5 GPA Business: 15 hours + 2.75 GPA Community, Family & Addiction Sciences: 2.5 GPA Engineering: 24 hours + 3.0 GPA Honors College: 3.5 GPA Human Development & Family Studies: 2.5 GPA Interior Design: 2.7 GPA Kinesiology/Sport Management: 2.5 GPA Note that if you don’t meet these requirements, Texas Tech will evaluate you based on other criteria. Keep it in perspective. Even if TTU was your top choice, chances are, you’ll find a way to make a college that did accept you work. College really is what you make of it, and if you put effort into adjusting to another school by joining clubs, working hard in your classes, and cultivating a social life, you’ll likely find that you can make a fulfilling college experience for yourself, even if you end up at a college that wasn’t your top choice. When you sign up for our program, we carefully pair you with the perfect admissions specialist based on your current academic and extracurricular profile and the schools in which you’re interested. Your personal application specialist will help you with branding, essays, and interviews, and provide you with support and guidance in all other aspects of the application process.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Socio-ultural influence on the increase in consumerist behavior among Essay

Socio-ultural influence on the increase in consumerist behavior among Indians in U.S - Essay Example One of the most important after effects of globalisation is the influence it have caused to base the consumer choice on the materials being provided to them rather than understanding of their buying requirements. This is notwithstanding the ongoing debate on theoretical explanations given on the modern consumer behaviour.But from the experiences gained on the market behavior during the 21st century, the pervasive market performance has covered every material in the market place. This is obvious from the ways the brand building has been followed in various products like segregating the consumers considering their age and also their cultural influence.Exclusive adult product or products for curly haired are the symbols of such market delineation to enhance the consumer acceptability and thus leading to the burgeoning their business. At the same time the market based economy have failed to eliminate large number of beliefs and customs.The fears arising from the religious beliefs are nev er offset even by the well planned and creative intervention in the market Also, the impact of the culture of the dictating the market principles has also not been fully justified. The dominant component among all the existing market forces in a typical scenario would probably be elite population whose options usually dominates the market. The majority of the mass are less influential in the market economics as they are found to undertake the actions that is most necessary for them as it would be highly fantasy for this group of the population in the regions to opt for any luxurious mode of lifestyles. Thus the basic understanding has been those who fail to get what they require embraces the scarcity while those who have the ability to procure all they need tend to move to the extend of highly disordered consumption styles.. Thus the evidence have been given to come to a conclusion on the effect of culture on the consumer behavior. Most of the studies or research have focussed on the effect of the consumer tendencies on a static population level. But the globalization which have resulted in the free transfer of commodities across different countries also have resulted in the large-scale manpower movements. Thus the effect of cultural impact this has created on the consumerist behavior is necessary. The study undertaken here is to understand how the change observed in the consumer pattern within a newly migrated or relocated group of people. The investigations would also include the factors that influence such group of people to change or withstand the change. Thus the study would give a new dimension to the research issues on the consumerist tendencies in the post-globalized period. Literature survey It is widely understood that the social stratification has been aggravated as a result of the strong hold of the capitalist social structure (Cohen and Roosevelt, 2002). The factors like negative consumerism emerging from the continuous denials of acquiring various products have lead to the re-look into various aspects of value based consumer theories (Feather stone, 2007). Thea earlier studies have shown that an inclination to well established brand names existed among all the young university students. A comparison mad across the Nokia and Siemens show that the enhanced credibility created to the consumers with the support of well-tailored campaigns and highly transparent knowledge sharing have helped Nokia to go far ahead of the rival Siemens (Anderman et al, 1999). In another situation, the business organization often identifies the most important cultural aspects of the target groups and hence plan their marketing programme accordingly. The consumer demarcation on these social d ynamics have yielded good amount of success. Some of the well known cases are Volkswagen for the working woman, Saga Holidays for the young elderly, the Pink pound for gay men (Lee,

Thursday, September 26, 2019

What are the factors that influence consumer behavior towards choosing Essay

What are the factors that influence consumer behavior towards choosing mobile phone brands - Essay Example A mobile phone is an electronic device which is used in two way communication. To make use of a mobile phone, connection to a cellular network is required which is an interconnection of base stations through which signals are transmitted, hence the mobile uses those signals to forge and maintain connection. A user using a mobile phone can make or receive telephone calls to and from other cellular networks and also fixed line phones worldwide. Each mobile phone holds a subscription with a cellular network which then connects it to a mobile network operator and thus let’s communication to flow freely. With the influx of countless models of mobiles in the UK market, with minor or significant differences in features, generally they are categorized into two groups. We have feature phones, which are normally characterized as low end mobile phones having less functions, whereas at the other extreme we have Smartphone which are high end phones with sophisticated, computing capabilities. Hence the focus of this report is to discuss a Market Research Study with the aim of providing readers with a comprehensive insight into the factors that influence the consumer behavior when it comes to choosing mobile phones, particularly for UK market. Once the factors have been determined, this report will further shed light on the market research objectives as well as the main purpose and procedure for this proposed market research study. In addition to the aforementioned topics in this report you will also find ample information regarding how to conduct a qualitative and quantitative market research study explaining the finer points in detail. Also a proposed reporting research schedule and timing, fees and credentials will be a part of this report. The report’s prime focus will be on the consumer influences because it is these factors that aid the consumer in making a rational choice when given several alternatives to choose from. The

Analysis of Nursing Leadership Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Analysis of Nursing Leadership - Term Paper Example Transformational leadership occurs when a leader put the interests of his employees first without overlooking the consciousness and recognition of the purpose and mission of the group. It also encompasses a leader who encourages employees to look beyond self interest but instead prioritize organizational goals. In doing so together, dedication and finely tuned capacity of the organization will lead to increased overall productivity. The so called transformational leader focuses on raising people from low level of need to, considered to be needed to survive state, to high level. They not only encourage their people to transcend their personal interests for other collective purpose, but also help them achieve a many personal needs as well. Transformational leaders are known to foster conviction, gratitude, commitment and respect amongst their followers. This calls for the leaders to perceive their followers or staff as whole people but not just as employee. This has made it possible fo r both the leaders and their followers raising each others ethics and motivations to levels which could not have been possible. Understanding of a transformational leader can be best through the outcomes. ... It is done by heightening follower’s keenness to environmental variations and challenges. For the case of a hospital, involving other stakeholders to give their mind on the services will be a better tool for gauging the success of this institution. Inspiration speeches given by transformational leaders to their followers makes them look forward to a new and better future. This needs ideological perception rather than just economical terms. This can be achieved by involving the whole staff in shaping and reshaping the hospitals strategic plan on a habitual basis. Surveillance on the staff in order to establish their needs will be advantageous to the workers as this makes them perform their duties with minimal destruction. Achievement of shared vision will be realized through coaching offered by transformational leaders. Working with a transformational leader instills sense of urgency. Collaboration need to be advocated for and self esteem be promoted. The existing environment h as to be one which is conducive for knowhow creation and sharing. Leaders who recognize their followers based on the achievement instill self confidence amongst their followers which helps in improving the overall productivity. Incorporating change into the system goes along way in encouraging hard work amongst followers or staff. This can be done through monitoring advancement, changing evaluation and prize systems, and hiring employees with an obligation of collaboration. For the case of working without a transformational leader, all the above mentioned privileges will not be enjoyed by the workers. Prospects of growth that are linked with the efforts of transformational leaders will never be achieved in their absence. The overall productivity of the

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Physical Architecture Layer Design Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Physical Architecture Layer Design - Coursework Example It involves the plan for the hardware and software used in the system, security of the system, communication infrastructure and global support. It is at the physical layer architecture design that a decision on the type of physical architecture of the system is made. The architecture can be chosen from server-based, client-based or client –server architectures depending on the system to be designed. Architectural components The components of a physical layer can be widely grouped in two categories, mainly hardware and software (application). Hardware components may include the computers (clients and the servers) and the network used in the system while the software components comprise data storage, data access logic, application logic and presentation logic. Software components are as vital for the running of the system as the hardware.(Wixom, 12) Among its many functions are: data storage; achieved by documenting data in the CRC cards, presentation of the information to the u ser while accepting the user commands through the application logic and processing needed to access data like database queries through data access logic. The hardware components on the hand include the physical computers and the networks connecting the computers to form a distributed system. The computers can either be sever or client. Different arrangement of the computers gives different physical architectures. Physical architectures Physical architectures are composed of clients (I/O hardware used by user, PCs and terminals), servers (mainframes, minis or micros) and network (hardware and software to connect client to server) and are grouped in three categories namely client based, server based and client server based. (Denis, 2) In Server based architecture, the server performs all the four application functions presentation logic, data access logic, application logic and data storage. The client only need basic hardware like the monitor and keyboard to communicate with the serv er. Upgrading this type of architecture can be quite expensive beside the fact that the server can become overloaded since the server does everything which may result to system failure. (Kendall, 8) As opposed to Server based architecture, in Client based architecture the client does most of the work as the server just deals with data storage functions. All the logic resides in the client computer while data is stored in the server computer. All the data must travel over the network to the server for processing which may lead to a lot of network traffic. This type of architecture is simple to develop but hard to maintain. Client-server architecture is more preferable as compared to server and client based architecture since it balances processing between the client and the server unlike the two other architectures. It is the mostly used architecture in modern system among the three architectures. The client computer mainly deals with the presentation and application logics while dat a access and data storage logics are handled by the server computer. There are two or more tiers available for this architecture depending on the partitioning of the application logics. Scalability is one of the major advantages of client-server archi

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Social Responsibility of The Athletes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Responsibility of The Athletes - Essay Example They have an influential power that can bring people from different cultures or religious to come up with amazing strategies in the society (Smith, 2013). They can allow the people through their different activities related to the society. They should be confident, honest and supportive. They have to get past to athlete’s association and personal advisers and think about what is best for the people of their nation. Athletes stand a better chance of making the world a better place. This is attributed to the fact that they are public figures and command a great following. The less fortunate people in the society are as much important as the athletes themselves, their coaches as well as their fans. Athletes have the responsibility to fight for social justice. They should be ready to part of their huge salaries for the sake of recognition of the people’s rights and better living condition. Some of the top earners in sports include; Aaron Rodgers, North American who plays football for Green Bay Packers earns 43 million USD per year, Drew Bees, the North American football player for New Orleans Saints earns 40 million USD per year, just to mention but a few (Neto, 2013). These players can give the portion of their salaries to charity or projects and programs aimed at helping the needy. They should be ready to stand by what is right and what they believe even if they are criticized. Athletes can change lives through social responsibility. The reason is that athletics have the power to bring about strong emotions and encourage health, friendship, and respect. They are able to support and inspire people with intellectual disability through sports. Sports help them to improve physical fitness, show courage, and be involved in the sharing of gifts; talents and friendship. The Union of European Football Association’s (UEFA) social responsibility partners see this as an outstanding job.

Monday, September 23, 2019

The Ethics of Samsung Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Ethics of Samsung - Research Paper Example New management encompassed the encouragement of employees to adopt changes in the company and strive to become more ethical for others. Therefore, qualitative performance at Samsung is preferred over the quantitative terms. In the presence of these efforts, Samsung Electronics admitted breaches of the labor regulations in the way of the excessive working hours. Repeated use of child labor at some factories of Samsung was also observed. However, Samsung takes measures to correct these violations including revising hiring policies, overtime practices and work hours. Welfare and health protection were among other measures (Mundy 2012). Compliance program of Samsung is intended to guarantee the legal compliance of self-governing and network of compliance officers supports and represents all departments. Compliance officers dispense advices and provide legal resources to employees. This compliance program is developed to ensure that Samsung’s employees comply with governmentâ€℠¢s regulations, laws and other policies to mitigate the risks of the unanticipated legal fallouts. Talking about vision and mission statement of Samsung, it is stated in the motto that creates the world by inspiring the world. Samsung is committed to inspire the communities by leveraging the key Samsung’s strength in the innovative products, new technology and creative solutions and also promoting the values of Samsung’s employees and partners. Samsung also declared that company responded to the internal changes as well as a new development. However, change in the mission statement was intended to keep the pace of growing international operations. New mission statement is focused to devote the technology and human resources to create services and superior products towards contributing the global society. Enhancing the well being of people all over the world is another point of Samsung’s mission statement (Lee, 2006). Code of ethics of Samsung did not mention the ethics office, but most companies of Korea had the ethics officer (Samsung Engineering, 2013). Samsung like other business companies requires the mechanism for transmission of practices and values on the corporate, social responsibility and ethical business. Samsung Engineering continues to educate and communicate the employees on the Samsung’s compliance management through training of employees and encourage employees to participate in the practices of the compliance program. The training contains the points of legal compliance and relevant laws on corruption prevention, and fair trade. In fair trade at Samsung, no employee is allowed to do unfair transactions and provide the improper influence to others. No employee in the future is allowed to provide the unfair and false information. Employees of Samsung cannot involve in acts of receiving the money, any service or benefits from undue advantages. They are also strictly prohibited to receive rebates or do doubtful transact ions. Cyber education has been provided to all Samsung’s employees on the understanding of ethical management. Samsung Electronics knows very well about the development of compliance culture and create core values for top management and employees. A zero tolerance principle is ensured in all cases of unethical and misconduct of business conducts. A pledge of compliance is signed by executives

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Teachers Day Essay Example for Free

Teachers Day Essay ?In our country 5th September is celebrated as Teachers day. 5th September is the birthday of a great teacher Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the president of India in 1962. It would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers day. The request showed Dr. Radhakrishnans love for the teaching profession. From then onwards, the day has been observed as Teachers Day in India. On this day, we gratefully remember the great educationist Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose dream was that Teachers should be the best minds in the country. Hence, Teachers Day is very important for all our people, for our students and even for all the parents, as the teachers lay the foundation for creating enlightened citizens for the nation. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, Education is that by which character is formed, strength of the mind is increased, intellect is expanded and which enables a person to stand on one’s own feet. But in the present scenario, the privatization and commercialization of education has changed the meaning and values of education. In fact, the aim of education is not the acquisition of information, although important or acquisition of technical skills though essential in modern society but the development of that bent of mind, that attitude of reason, that spirit of democracy which will make us responsible citizens and good human beings. To produce an enlightened human being, the procedure is three fold. One is moral value system. That a student gets from his parents. Secondly, the teacher becoming a role model. Not only does the student learn, but the teacher shapes his life with great dreams and aims. Finally, the education and learning process has to culminate in the creation of professional capability leading to confidence and will power to make a design, to make a product, to make a system, bravely combating many problems. Dear Teachers: Every one of us in this planet creates a page in human history irrespective of who he/she is. I realize my experience is a small dot in human life, but that dot has a life and light. This light, let it light many lamps. My best wishes to all of you on this occasion of Teachers Day. Thank you. Dr. Krishan Kant.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Analysis Of The Porter Forces Theories Commerce Essay

Analysis Of The Porter Forces Theories Commerce Essay Porter 5 forces analysis is a business strategy development to determine competitive intensity and attractiveness of market. Porter 5 forces deals with external factors which influence the nature of competition. It is helpful to understand an organizations strength and weaknesses. Besides, it also assists to understand the current competitive position as well as to cope with competition. It consists of suppliers, customers, new entry, substitute and rivalry. Threat of substitute Analyzed that Porter theory was helping FedEx to take fair advantage of its strength as well as avoid wrong steps. Instance of case study, FedEx (1973) provided overnight products delivery and next-day delivery, it to avoid threat of substitute of post which take longer time between normal delivery. This service could satisfy customers who are time-sensitive. Besides, FedEx also used airborne delivery to replace the marine shipping in early years. Thus, FedEx updated their facilities to match todays environment. Bargaining power of suppliers In FedEx, packaging equipment suppliers and oil suppliers also have strong bargaining power because FedEx have to rely on them to package all the products for delivery services or in case of improvement of fuel prices. In case study, FedEx planned to reduce the bargaining power of suppliers, thus its invested heavily in IT development and in year 1984, PowerShip systems provided label printing, online package pick up requests, package tracking and others. It helped FedEx to save costs and to be independent on its operation. 1 Rivalry In the year 1979, FedEx used COSMOS system to manage vehicle, people, and others. This system helped FedEx to process the data on package movement to a central database. FedExs PowerShip programme also aimed to improve their operation efficiency and monitor the process. FedEx practice is to cope with rivals to decrease the high strategic stakes, high existing barriers, high fixed costs and others. FedEx is able to become the strongest in this logistic field and make more profits. *Kindly refer appendix 1 2 The Porters value chain is described as interrelationship of the value activities for the firm (Remenyi, D Remenyi, B, 2009). The value activities help to classify the operation into two categories which is technological and economical, thus the operation can be performed well. All the products and services have to pass through all the value chain activities and are evaluated by each activity. In addition, it could increase the organizations effectiveness and efficiency. Primary activities One of aspects of FedExs value chain activities is operation through 24 hours and is called Global Operations Command Centre. It was able to provide efficient gathering and spread of real-time data. According to case study, FedEx decided to restructure its internet IT infrastructure under Project GRID in year 1998. The network computers linked over a Global Internal Protocal network aimed to enhance the quality and quantity of FedExs services. This will bring FedExs operation into good control and ensure that a coherent set of actions are implemented which are consistent. Support activities FedExs value chain analysis also focused on technology development. Under Smiths leadership, the company had set a few records with breakthrough technology. Based to case study, FedEx invested heavily on IT development and promoted the globalization of commerce to generate operation efficiencies, reduce costs and improve the services. *Kindly refer appendix 2 (509 words) 3 Question 1.b FedExs success in logistic field is having strong core competencies and capabilities. The core competencies and capabilities include leadership, innovation and technologies, services, facilities and others. FedEx Corporation is having advanced technologies, which is COSMOS (Customer Oriented Services and Management Operating System). Its a global shipment tracking network based on a centralized computer system to manage vehicles, routes and weather scenarios on a real-time basis (Wit, BD Meyer, R, 2004,p.650). The advanced technology assists FedEx to improve their efficiency (speed, packaging, process, time). For example, FedEx used advanced technology system to help National Semiconductor Corp to have control over the goods sent out in shorter duration, save cost and achieve customers satisfaction. In FedEx, facilities are part of the tools to attract customers, and its aim to success. FedEx corporate served nearly 210 countries around the world; manage over 10 million square feet of warehouse space worldwide, 648 aircraft and more than 60,000 vehicles, with a staff of nearly 200,000 (Wit, BD Meyer, R, 2004, p.649). FedEx has good facilities in their operations and it is able to deliver the products to wherever the customers require and with the less time and cost. So, other competitors (GD express, Nationwide Express) didnt have ability to replace or influence FedEx market, because GD express has less facilities to compare with FedEx Corporation. *Kindly refer to appendix 3. 4 FedEx has strong leadership skills and provide proper guidance to lead the employees to be smart. Good leadership skills include good planning, good thinking and good management, good teaching and correct investment. Based on case study, Fred Smith is the chairman of FedEx Corporate. It comes out with a good plan to shorten the duration of order cycle and improve cash flow. According to Jones, PB, leadership development is helpful in an organization because it may assist the organization to limit employee turnover, increase productivity, and provide better vision to obtain great performance in the organization. FedEx Corporate focused in services area, and provides excellent quality of services to the customers. The excellent services are operating business 24 hours via internet, high speed and reliability of delivery system and responsibility. Besides, FedEx provides overnight delivery service and optional services of delivery through aircraft, ship, and truck; its quite flexible to the customers who make decision. According to case study, FedEx provide value added service which is pick up documents from customers homes and has document safety hand-held scanner. For example, the staff use hand-held scanner to make sure whether, the document is legal or illegal, and will pick it up as an order with the purpose to protect public safety. (394 words) 5 Question 1.C International trade is defined as trade between two or more countries with exchange of goods and services, that is, exports and imports. No matter which country is, the importance is to find something that can be produced cheaper than other countries (http://www.wordiq.com/definition/International_trade). One of the benefits of FedEx in international trade is enjoy economies of scale (http://www.myownbusiness.org/s13/#4). Exporting product is an excellent ways to enjoy pure economics of scale. It will increase the quantity of production and decrease the average cost of product. According to case study, FedEx operates other centers in Colorado Springs, Orlando, Singapore and Brussels to enjoy lower cost of employees and material. Next benefit for FedEx in international trade is reducing dependency on existing market, because existing market will be limited on sales and opportunity. So, FedEx going globalization might be getting more new markets and opportunity. Besides, it is less affected by fluctuations in the home countrys marketplace and economy, because their business which is spread out overseas does not fully rely on domestic market. For example, FedEx aimed to achieve business-to-consumer (B2C) electronic commerce market in the world, and reduce dependency of business-to-business (B2B) market. Another benefit is being able to be leader of logistic corporate and gain the global market share, able to control the entire market share, have power to give any suggestion and gain good reputation everywhere. FedEx in year 1998 was leader in global logistic field, and it offered the delivery services to 211 countries that comprised 90% of the worlds GDP (Wit, BD Meyer, R, 2004, p.649). 6 The disadvantage of international trade for FedEx is different culture and language, high risk, government barriers (tariffs, quotas, and embargos), it brings a lot of difficulty to FedEx to operate business. (http://www.rajputbrotherhood.com/knowledge-hub/business-studies/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-foreign-trade.html ). One of the disadvantages of FedEx in international trade is high risk, because of large investment capital in system, services, transportations and marketplace. Besides, it will bring high risk to FedEx during operation; it may lose in the first few years. For example, FedEx investments at overnight delivery system with excellent packages, but because of high invest and make losses in the first three years of operation. Disadvantage of FedEx in international trade is hosts country government policy (tariffs, quotas, and embargos). Besides, FedEx will get less profit and cannot smoothly expand their business. For example, Malaysian government will impose high tax to foreign organization during the trading; government aim is to protect domestic organization. (http://www.mida.gov.my/en_v2/index.php?page=taxation-2) The disadvantage of FedEx in international trade is facing different culture and language during the transaction. Even though, FedEx website has provided many different languages for customers to choose. But, during verbal communication its no helpful, because employees disable communication with customer. So, it will affect the organization profit and sales. For example, Japan is used own language Japanese-language. (453 words) 7 Question 2 Question 2.a Strategy Development In FedEx Corporate, strategic development helps to establish the right structure to achieve their objectives. It assists FedEx to determine the condition and position as well and use the correct steps that decide with visionary and conceptual. Strategy development and planning is upgrading the organization with intention to increase the potential of organization. One of the strategy development used by FedEx is Whittingtons perspective. Classical perspective Classical perspective is one of the strategies that classified into Whittingtons perspective. It is used at the beginning of the operation and will more secure and helpful to stabilize the future operations. In the process strategy management for classical perspective is conceived as deliberate, predetermined, planned, programmed movement from now to the future. Assuming an organization without any deliberate plan for each operation, it will have huge amount of losses for the company. It had shown the importance why an organization have to use this strategy as due to the security to the company and is helpful to save cost and time. FedEx Corporate used deliberation as a strategy because it helps to save costs and time from any wrong steps. Deliberation all plans and go through all the relevant survey, it make the corporate confident and more secure to make any decision. Based on case study, Smith was acquired to improve their transportation fleet to avoid any control by third parties, while not like other competitors to sub-contracting to third parties. 8 Evolutionary Perspective In the evolutionary perspective, an organization might become victim or banned by the market when it is over dependent on its environment. Why is this strategy important to an organization? The reason is it includes emergent, flexible, adaptation and evolution. Commonly discussed, an organization surely has to be aware of any unexpected issue, and randomize to cope with the issue or adapt it and evolve for it. An emergent strategy is the process of becoming apparent. Simultaneously, it is a pattern of action that develops over time in an organization in the absence of a specific mission and goals. (http://planningskills.com/glossary/154.php) Where there are no plans, but their behavior is still strategy. In this strategy, it is to develop a manager with no prior intention and experiences, to expose him/her to learn and piece together a consistent set of behaviors over time (Wit, BD, Meyer, R, 2004, p.113). For example, FedEx could not predict the unexpected, but shall retain enough mental freedom to cope with this as they emerge. In the case study, FedEx invested heavily on technologies development and introduced electronic data interchange (EDI) and built relationship between one-to-one with their customers. Thus, it resulted in efficiency and it is a perfect circumstance to match supply to demand without wastage. (429 words) 9 2.2 Question 2.b FedEx used these perspectives to succeed in its operations in the international market and both are helpful in efficiency and controlling the operation. Classical perspective helps FedEx to plan on the operation and operate as well as save on costs and time. Without objectives and plans, an organization would be adrift. Plans are the programming all organizational activities in advance. Classical perspective was helpful in FedEx to operate the logistic services. Evolutionary perspective is an important strategy to FedEx too. With this strategy, FedEx has solved and coped with all unexpected issues. In emergent strategy, it consists of opportunism which copes with unpredictable issues, flexibility, learn by experimentation and others. It makes sense to FedEx to operate successfully in its logistic field. Evolutionary perspective is the best choice that is preferable for FedEx. It provided significant contribution in increasing efficiency during process and operation. Evolutionary perspective was selected as best performance for survival in other markets, especially managerial labor markets, markets for capital and corporate control (Whittington R, 2001, p.16). FedEx is able to maximize the operational areas in a short period with perfect performance against their environment. Besides, this perspective does not rely on managements ability, but expect markets to secure profit maximization for the organization. It does not necessarily utilize planning methods, it rather argues to do best perform for the organizations to survive. Managers need not be rational optimizers because evolution is natures cost-benefit analyses. For Business to Consumer (B2C) areas, FedEx should do survey on customers needs and come out with a plan of promotions to match their needs and satisfy them as well. For example, FedEx also needs to match with todays event such as FIFA World Cup event, therefore, FedEx may create an attraction for those consumers who purchase FedEx delivery services more than three times and above within a week, they are provided lucky draws of free flights to South Africa to enjoy the live FIFA World Cup final show. Thus, an organization survival in a competitive environment depends on strategies of differentiation. (335 words) 10 Question 3 Processual perspective is one of the strategic management which pays attentions to. It defined as characterized by pluralism with means concerning more than one, as well as it not unitary and viewpoint are disagreeing constantly. Processual perspective is a strategy as result of process in political activity for concerned between manager and stakeholder. In Ralph Staceys integrated model, seems the issues of the connection among change context and decision making modes. Besides, it is an implication for strategic management with four loops as following: Rational loop Overt politics loop Culture and cognition loop Covert policies loop * Kindly refer to appendix 4, 5, 6 7 The rational loop According to strategic management, UOS (2004, p.157) stated Ralph Staceys integrated model, the rational loop is a classical starting point of the strategy management. It has to be unitary and everything has to be supported by strong evidence and logical argument. So, every transaction and process is fixed by organization. The processes are strictly based on discover-choose-act, an organization has to discover its position with environment and make choice for necessity, thus, act with to the final requirements. Thus, processual perspective is a strategy that influences the decision making of rational loop but there is shown low. Because every transaction and process are fixed and its needs logical argument to support with strong evidence. So, everyone could not process any transaction without the rules and regulation which are set by the organization. Even top management would not get special offers to enter the transaction. 11 For example, in the Penang Swimming Clubs rules of 40 (c), a member has to settle his/her account within 14 days from the defaulter period. If the account still remains in the unpaid status, membership will be ceased. Even the President is bound by the rules. After cessation, he has to pay RM1000.00 as deposit to reinstate his account to active status. There are no any discounts for committee or even the President of the Club. All the procedures are set by clubs rules, and all members have to follow it strictly with no short-cut procedures. * Kindly refer to appendix 8 The overt politics loop Based on strategic management, UOS (2004, p.157) stated this loop shows reality and overt to the organization resources as well. Nevertheless, the resources in an organization might be limited and possibly inadequate. Therefore, the implementation option in stage of choice, which courses of action, possibly can threaten and subvert the organizations current environment. Besides, some will use their power to bargain with each other to get the resources in the organization to achieve their goals. Processual perspective is acceptable in overt politics loop because there is limit and scarcity of resources. It could give rise to conflicts and make environments challenging each other. So, each department will come to challenge the decision making of the organization with a purpose to obtain the resources prefer to. They could to use different methods to get the resources from the organization, however, use their power to obtain from the organization. For example, in Sime Darby Corporation, those facing financial instability and limitation of capital because of economic crisis in year 2008, each departments proposal to obtain the limited resources, could make the organization get into confusion of decision. Processual perspective is helpful in this situation and to assess every proposal with requirements in details. It makes a difference to an organization to decide where the resources are supposed to go and might make a loss if there are any wrong decisions, due to limited resources. 12 The culture and cognition loop In culture and cognition loop, its to sustain unitary organization in its shared mental of model. As long as everyone is having same organizations thinking and culture, it will bring the organization to be peace and stable. In culture and cognition loop, its depends on the organizations employee culture whether is unitary of non-unitary. Once the organizations employees thinking are not unitary, the processual perspective will shown high, with occur issues or conflict between each other during meeting or propose the ideas to the management. So, processual perspective is acceptable to reduce the conflicts and analyze the problems, thus management able to solve it with better ways. In this loop, the organization needs to provide relevant training and development courses to help the employees become more cooperation attitude and have similar thinking and knowledge as well. Because, when the employees are having equal knowledge for their performance tasks, it will be unitary in their ideas and conflicts will be reducing naturally. Covert Politics loop Based on strategic management, UOS (2004, p 160) stated this section is regarding the psychology of an individual who respond to contradiction and conflict. Obviously, majority of individuals are afraid to something new as they feel threatened to go out of their current environment and situations. Some people fear failure and challenges. Even refuse the new reality once they have lost their confidence for it. 13 Assume as an example in the tailoring industry, the manager planned to replace the entire old machines with new and high technology machines. Some new staff feels good to learn new things, but some old staff would disagree with this because they fear the challenge of new technology. Thus, management could apply processual perspective to estimate and evaluate the issues of the disputation. With processual perspective, it has shown there is high of processual perspective because it had influenced management to manage the old staff with these new machines. Finally, management made the final decision that they should have leader who is able to cope with challenges and is willing to learn. This leader has to guide all staff, especially old staff to train with new machines. Therefore, a leader is must be able to reduce their anxiety and lead to pluralism in an organization. (904 words) 14 LIST OF REFERENCING Electronic Publications Anon, 2007, Emergent Strategy, viewed 29 June 2010 Anon, 2008, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, viewed 29 June 2009 . Anon, 2009, Porters Five Forces Model, viewed 18 June 2010 Anon, no date, International Trade-Definition, viewed 20 June 2010 . Anon, no date, My Own Business: Advantage and Disadvantage of International Trade, viewed 21 June2010 . Anon, no date, Planning Skills, viewed 24 June 2010 . Anon, no date, GDEX, viewed 24 June 2010 Jones, PB 2008, Five Benefits of Leadership Development For Your Organization, viewed 27 June 2010, Morrison, D, no date, Product Management and Value Chain Analysis, viewed 19 June 2010 Palekar, A no date, Rajput Brotherhood, viewed 27 June 2010 . 15 Book Penang Swimming Club, 2007, Penang Swimming Club Rules, Georgetown Penang, Malaysia. Strategic Management (2004), 2nd version. The University of Sunderland Whittington, R, 2001, What is Strategy- and does it matter?, 2nd edition, Thomas Rennie, London. Wit, BD, Meyer, R. 2004. Strategy: Process, Content, Context. 3rd ed. West Publishing Company. E-book Remenyi, D Remenyi, B. (2009) How TO Prepare Business Cases. [e-book]. Elsevier Ltd, Burlington USA. Available from: http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falsepg=PT119HYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falsedq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelHYPERLIN K http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falsehl=enHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf= falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falsesa=XHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseoi=book_resultHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf =falsect=resultHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseresnum=8HYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ve d=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseqHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falseHYPERLINK http://books.google.com.my/books?id=9rH_SZ6NJsgCpg=PT119dq=michael+porter+5+forces+modelhl=enei=vPcrTKXDAY-TkAXC1eWYCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=8ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepageqf=falsef=false [Accessed 14 June 2010]. 16 Appendix 1 Porter 5 Forces analysis Sources : http://notesdesk.com/notes/strategy/porters-five-forces-model-porters-model/ 17 Appendix 2 Porters Value Chain Sources : http://allaboutproductmanagement.blogspot.com/2007/04/michael-porters-value-chain-analysis-is.html 18 Appendix 3 Competitor of FedEx Corporation GD Express Sdn Bhd (GDex) was formed in 1997 to provide express delivery service for both the domestic and international markets. It operates a network of 96 stations, comprising 53 branches, 2 affiliate stations and 41 agents throughout East and West Malaysia. GDex has a fleet of more than 280 trucks and vans used primarily for hauling of documents and parcels between stations and the National Hub (termed line-haul fleet) for local pick-ups and deliveries. The companys express delivery service operations are structured along the principles of the Hub and Spoke concept whereby customers packages are collected by the branches, sent by trucks to a Central Clearing Hub for sorting and then redirected to their ultimate destinations. The group currently employs more than 1300 staff. GDex is the first local express delivery company to obtain ISO 9001: 2000 (Quality Management System) certification for all its entire 25 departments in 2003. In November 2009, GDex upgraded its (Quality Management System) to ISO 9001: 2008. In its quest to be a world class service provider, the company has embarked on a world class excellence training programme called the Prime Minister Quality Award programme (PMQA) to equip its employees for world class performance in express carrier service and operations. GDex is listed on the Mesdaq market of Bursa Malaysia through its holding company GD Express Carrier Bhd in May 2005. Sources: http://www.gdexpress.com/history.php 19 Appendix 4 Rational Loop Sources : Strategic Management (2004), 2nd version. The University of Sunderland 20 Appendix 5 Overt Politics Loop Sources : Strategic Management (2004), 2nd version. The University of Sunderland 21 Appendix 6 Culture Cognition Loop Sources : Strategic Management (2004), 2nd version. The University of Sunderland 22 Appendix 7 Cover Politics Loop Sources : Strategic Management (2004), 2nd version. The University of Sunderland 23

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Scopes Monkey Trial :: American America History

The Scopes Monkey Trial      Ã‚  Ã‚   In a tiny courtroom in the county of Dayton Tennessee, the jury settled into their seats, ready to return the verdict in the most controversial case of the 1920’s, the scopes â€Å"monkey† trial.   Up to this point, the trial itself had been a media spectacle; the lawyers, the witnesses, even the defendant had become media icons in the commercialism of the twenties.   The trial itself was set up to be a media demonstration to challenge the constitutionality of the butler act.   This act  prohibited the teaching of â€Å"any theory that denies the story of the divine creation of man as taught in the bible,† and in particular, the theory of evolution.   the American civil liberties union petitioned for a teacher to challenge this statute; john Thomas scopes, the local high school track coach and science teacher accepted the challenge and stood trial for teaching evolution the previous spring.   Over the course of the trial Charles Darrow an d William Jennings Bryan, the attorneys on the case, debated each other profusely.   Eventually Bryan even testified to the truth of the biblical story, even though he was massacred by Darrow upon examination.   Despite all that the trial stood for, the most lasting aspect of the trial was that it brought the media into the courtroom, and the courtroom into the daily life of the American citizen.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The most common association with the trial is as an example of the debates that raged during the 1920’s; this case particularly described the battle between the conservative religious movement and the new liberalized ideas of evolution. The case is most often referred to for, and most commonly associated with, the debate between science and religion. The scientific revolution had its roots in the arguments of the trial. â€Å"Because of this, scientific thought becomes very prominent and also with this, self consciousness is elaborated upon. With the clear understanding of why mankind is self conscious, commercialism and consumerism start booming like never before!† (Gerstein 14) the monkey trial opened people’s eyes, as well as their pocketbooks; consumerism flourished more so now because people could use reasoning to justify the spending that they did. Every religion in the world preaches some form of love for others and respect for humanity, w hile science, and especially evolution, advocate the survival of the fittest organism. By developing a scientific outlook on life, people felt less indebted to their contemporaries and instead found themselves concentrating on material possessions. The Scopes Monkey Trial :: American America History The Scopes Monkey Trial      Ã‚  Ã‚   In a tiny courtroom in the county of Dayton Tennessee, the jury settled into their seats, ready to return the verdict in the most controversial case of the 1920’s, the scopes â€Å"monkey† trial.   Up to this point, the trial itself had been a media spectacle; the lawyers, the witnesses, even the defendant had become media icons in the commercialism of the twenties.   The trial itself was set up to be a media demonstration to challenge the constitutionality of the butler act.   This act  prohibited the teaching of â€Å"any theory that denies the story of the divine creation of man as taught in the bible,† and in particular, the theory of evolution.   the American civil liberties union petitioned for a teacher to challenge this statute; john Thomas scopes, the local high school track coach and science teacher accepted the challenge and stood trial for teaching evolution the previous spring.   Over the course of the trial Charles Darrow an d William Jennings Bryan, the attorneys on the case, debated each other profusely.   Eventually Bryan even testified to the truth of the biblical story, even though he was massacred by Darrow upon examination.   Despite all that the trial stood for, the most lasting aspect of the trial was that it brought the media into the courtroom, and the courtroom into the daily life of the American citizen.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The most common association with the trial is as an example of the debates that raged during the 1920’s; this case particularly described the battle between the conservative religious movement and the new liberalized ideas of evolution. The case is most often referred to for, and most commonly associated with, the debate between science and religion. The scientific revolution had its roots in the arguments of the trial. â€Å"Because of this, scientific thought becomes very prominent and also with this, self consciousness is elaborated upon. With the clear understanding of why mankind is self conscious, commercialism and consumerism start booming like never before!† (Gerstein 14) the monkey trial opened people’s eyes, as well as their pocketbooks; consumerism flourished more so now because people could use reasoning to justify the spending that they did. Every religion in the world preaches some form of love for others and respect for humanity, w hile science, and especially evolution, advocate the survival of the fittest organism. By developing a scientific outlook on life, people felt less indebted to their contemporaries and instead found themselves concentrating on material possessions.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton :: essays research papers

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton "A texts setting and structure will normally be used by writers to develop and convey its themes." The novel Cloudstreet, by Western Australian born novelist Tim Winton is essentially a story revolving around how two rural families have come to live together at number one Cloudstreet. This novel’s themes are about finding one’s place in the world and the search for the meaning of life. As in this instance, Winton has successfully used setting and structure, crucial factors in any prosperous novel to help create a feeling of a real-life type atmosphere and perspective. This essay will demonstrate how Winton has used setting and structure to help develop and convey his themes. The story follows the lives of the Pickle family and the Lamb family and how they have come to grow, develop, love and change over a period of twenty years, while living with each other. Unfortunately, both moves coincided with different family disaster’s. For the Lamb’s, the unfortunate event takes place in the form of the near drowning of Samson, or as he is better known as Fish. While for the Pickles, it occurs with the loss of Sam’s (the father’s) fingers in a fishing accident. The reader can relate these events it to the biblical story of ‘Samson,’ and how he gained his strength through his hair. Meaning that by losing some of their strengths, (like Samson’s hair cut,) both Sam’s where able to gain new insights and opportunities. For Sam Pickles, this meant the move into the city from the outback, brought him his own home and a steady job at the mint. A rather large irony, as Sam is a compulsive gambler, more often than not short of cash. Although for Fish, losing his mental faculties and the ability to communicate to others, in his near drowning experience, gave way for his unimaginable bond with water and his abilities as a visionary. As Oriel Lamb said after Fish was rescued, "To the child who had hovered on the brink of drowning and who returned to life, though not all of Fish Lamb had come back," (found on Page 32) that other part of Fish Lamb it seems is the omniscient narrator of the novel. Spirituality is also important in Cloudstreet as it relates to the meaning of life and the exploration of community. We can see this in the opening lines of the novel "Shall we gather at the river Where bright angels feet have trod†¦.

Evolution of Ideas and Practices From Ancient Times :: essays research papers

Evolution of Ideas and Practices From Ancient Times   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Plato’s symposium is a array of speeches on what love meant in the society. Although the term â€Å"homosexuality† was not present in ancient times, it was something that was well practiced. Men and women still shared intercourse, but it was not thought of as wrong, or out of the norm, for there to be male and male interaction, and sometimes female and female interaction. Love, the kind shared between two males, came from physical attraction, emotional attraction and mental attraction. Love, the kind shared between a man and a woman came from emotional and mental attraction, and a need to procreate. After the times of Plato female homosexuality was completely forbidden, although male homosexuality was deemed acceptable. Marriage was often just for procreation, but there was also love involved. Homosexuality in modern times is often thought of as wrong. It is thought of as completely inappropriate for two men or for two women to be together in a sexua l way. It is interesting to see how the idea and practice of homosexuality and the practice of love and marriage has evolved through the times.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There was much male and male interaction in the times of Plato. Older men often took younger men â€Å"under their wings.† An older man would teach younger men about the world of love, politics, business etc. in return for sexual favors. In the beginning of â€Å"Symposium† Agathon requests that Socrates be seated next to him so that â€Å"I may touch you,† he said â€Å"and have the benefit of that wise thought which came into your mind in the portico...† Agathon believed that he were to touch Socrates and be with Socrates he could learn Socrates’ many wisdoms. It would not have been uncommon for the other men in the room to witness a sexual interaction between males, for they themselves surely participated in it. Although it is later learned that Socrates is not a enthusiast of sexual pleasures, he looks better upon stimulation of the brain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Who is really to say which kind of love is the true kind of love? Aristophenes tells a story of a different people, and â€Å"Androgynous† people. In the beginning a human was one being with four arms, four hands, four legs, and four feet. This being even had two faces, on either side of the one head it shared. The being was egotistical and upset Zeus, and so Zeus cut it in half and made two of one in an attempt to humble this being.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Charles Perkins

Essay â€Å"The Tyger† by William Blake is a lyric poem that depicts the nature of the creator and his creations. The poem is more about the creator of the tyger than it is about the tyger. In contemplating the terrible ferocity and awe-inspiring symmetry of the tyger, the speaker is at a loss to explain how the same God who made the meek, innocent lamb could create a horrifying creature such as the tyger.This essay will provide a detailed analysis of William Blake’s â€Å"The Tyger† paying particular attention, firstly to the extended metaphor in stanza’s 2, 3 and 4, secondly, to the poetic significance of repetition, in particular to the phrase â€Å"fearful symmetry†, thirdly, to the role that the rhythm and metre play in creating an urgent need to address the succession of the questions and lastly, the evocation of the sublime emotion of terror in Blake’s depiction of the Tyger. Firstly, the extended metaphor in stanza’s 2, 3 and 4 , is comparing the creator and his creation of the Tyger to a blacksmith and his creations.A blacksmith that makes use of tools, such as the â€Å"Hammer,† â€Å"chain,† †furnace,† and â€Å"anvil† in creating objects out of hot metal. The blacksmith represents a conventional image of artistic creation; here Blake applies it to the divine creation of the natural world. This is evident in Line 5:†In what distant deeps or skies†, refers to an otherworldly (â€Å"distant†) place, perhaps a kind of hell (â€Å"deeps†) or Heaven (â€Å"skies†). The â€Å"distant deeps or skies† bring to mind the concept of hell being underground and heaven being in the sky.Since the Tyger may have been created in either hell (deeps) â€Å"or† heaven (skies), it remains ambiguous as to whether the Tyger is good or bad. Blake was essentially an artist. His Tyger is therefore a painting in words. The tyger in this poem is rather a magical, mystical creature. This is an artist’s impression of the animal, almost an alien creature with glowing eyes and stripes. Blake does not depict good and evil as opposites but rather different aspects of the nature of God. Good and evil are different and do matter in the natural world, especially in the way that men react with God’s creation.The very first words expressed by Blake suggests that this tyger has been a â€Å"forged† creation â€Å"In the forests of the night† nevertheless describes the dark, mysterious, cloaking and hiding fiery figure of the tyger. The â€Å"forging† of the tiger suggests a very physical, painstaking, and intentional kind of making; it emphasizes the remarkable physical presence of the tiger and precludes the idea that such a creation could have been in any way accidentally or haphazardly produced. The word â€Å"forge† means to create or form is a smith term as well as another name for a smithâ€⠄¢s furnace.The smith reference also ties into all the fire imagery associated with the Tyger, and emphasizes the energy and danger in the design of the Tyger. However the third stanza depicts a parallelism of â€Å"shoulder† and â€Å"art,† that it is not just the body but also the â€Å"heart† of the tiger that is being forged. Therefore, this is not merely a physical forgery but also a psychological. Hence â€Å"In what furnace was thy brain† moreover suggests that the mind of the tyger is also shaped and twisted under this extreme heat and energy the fire in the â€Å"furnace† kindles.In the process of constructing this tyger it therefore becomes the beast that it is thus is â€Å"framed† to be; both terrifying and similarly remarkably elegant. Therefore what this tiger symbolizes is not the typical, blood thirsty predator who possesses purely animalistic characteristics. Unfortunately Blake’s â€Å"tyger† is a symbol of th e darker side of life, the overwhelming struggle of mankind against the brute force of reality. With this struggle comes growth and maturity. The lamb and tyger, although opposites, are nevertheless each synonymous with the struggle of life, from innocence to harsh experience.The tiger symbolizing nature red in tooth and claw, the tiger poses the question of the origin of evil and the nature of its creator. The perennial problem of believing in a benign Creator while viewing a malign universe has been the most agonising of all dilemmas. The tyger is seen the ultimate terror, just as the lamb is the final reassurance for the child of innocence that the universe and its Creator are benign. The rhythm throughout the poem is one of stressed followed by unstressed syllables, creating the effect of the blacksmith beating the â€Å"hammer† onto the â€Å"anvil† and thereby forging his creation out of steel.There are also references made to â€Å"fire† throughout the po em: â€Å"burning bright†, â€Å"burnt the fire†, â€Å"seize the fire† and â€Å"furnace†. These words again are images of a supreme â€Å"immortal† being that the speaker compares to a black smith. In romantic poetry poets often contrast aspects of nature with the inventions of mankind. Lastly, the evocation of the sublime emotion of terror in Blake’s depiction of the tyger is offering good instance of how Blake himself stands somewhere outside the perspectives of innocence and experience he projects.Another poem is â€Å"The Lamb† which is by William Blake is a poem like child’s song, in the form of a question and answer. The first stanza of the poem is descriptive which makes it very easy to understand, while the second focuses on abstract spiritual matters and contains explanations and analogies. The poem connects religion with both the human and natural worlds, being associated with the rugged fields and valleys as well a s livestock. The Lamb portrays three main themes: childhood (innocents), human nature and spiritual truth. The Lamb begins with a child asking a little lamb a question.One must understand the innocents of the boy when reading, because at first when reading one could think that the boy’s question is naive. Especially when the child is talking to a lamb as if could understand him. But the child who narrates this poem clearly belongs to the world of innocence. The child is excited about everything around him. Which one can peace together when one reads: Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing woolly bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice (5-8). The boy finds joy in natural creation. It does not matter that he is talking to a lamb.The child’s question is of the Lambs origins. William Blake makes it clear about this question when the child says: â€Å"Little Lamb, who made thee / Dost thou know who made thee† (1-2). Blake leaves n o room for speculation in this poem. The question expands open the timeless questions that all human beings have about their own origins. The story of the lamb's making is probably a distant illustration to the creation of the world talked about in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. After one takes the idea of human origin into account, it takes the child’s somewhat naive question and makes it profound per say.Who made thee is a question that many have asked. The question, of course, has taken different forms and has been the subject of philosophy. Blake would answer that a creature could only exist because a creator has made them. In this poem, Blake leaves no other answer but that somebody made everything. This is a great analogy to the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. Blake agrees with the church, that the God of the universe and everything in it, and who gave one life, food, and clothing is the Lamb. Christ was called the Lamb many times in the New Testament, one example is in Revelation 5:8-13: â€Å"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain . . Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever (Rev. 5:8-13). † One can now see the connection of the Lamb to Jesus Christ. The Lamb is also a prominent figure in the church, not only representing Jesus but God's human children. One should also see the correlation of the Lamb, Jesus and the child. The child also says Jesus calls himself a lamb and how he came to earth as a child. The Boy points that out to the lamb on line 17 â€Å"He became a child. †Biblically Jesus who is part of the trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is sent as a part of God to be a child. In this poem as well, the Lamb becomes a child, to show purity and innocence from a child-like heart essentially the same as the innocence of Jesus. Blake makes the poem of The Lamb very descriptive and made a beautiful analogy of the lamb and Jesus Christ. Bake was able to conn ect region in a with humanity that made it very easy to understand. The Lamb is a great poem by William Blake with its themes of childhood (innocence), human nature and spiritual truth.A third poem is The Chimney Sweeper (Innocence), The speaker of this poem is a small boy who was sold into the chimney-sweeping business when his mother died. He recounts the story of a fellow chimney sweeper, Tom Dacre, who cried when his hair was shaved to prevent vermin and soot from infesting it. â€Å"The Chimney Sweeper† comprises six quatrains, each following the AABB rhyme scheme, with two rhyming couplets per quatrain. The first stanza introduces the speaker, a young boy who has been forced by circumstances into the hazardous occupation of chimney sweeper.The second stanza introduces Tom Dacre, a fellow chimney sweep who acts as a foil to the speaker. Tom is upset about his lot in life, so the speaker comforts him until he falls asleep. The next three stanzas recount Tom Dacre's somewh at apocalyptic dream of the chimney sweepers’ â€Å"heaven. † However, the final stanza finds Tom waking up the following morning, with him and the speaker still trapped in their dangerous line of work. There is a hint of criticism here in Tom Dacre's dream and in the boys' subsequent actions, however.Blake decries the use of promised future happiness as a way of subduing the oppressed. The boys carry on with their terrible, probably fatal work because of their hope in a future where their circumstances will be set right. This same promise was often used by those in power to maintain the status quo so that workers and the weak would not unite to stand against the inhuman conditions forced upon them. As becomes more clear in Blake's Songs of Experience, the poet had little patience with palliative measures that did nothing to alter the present suffering of impoverished families.What on the surface appears to be a condescending moral to lazy boys is in fact a sharp criti cism of a culture that would perpetuate the inhuman conditions of chimney sweeping on children. Tom Dacre (whose name may derive from â€Å"Tom Dark,† reflecting the sooty countenance of most chimney sweeps) is comforted by the promise of a future outside the â€Å"coffin† that is his life’s lot. Clearly, his present state is terrible and only made bearable by the two-edged hope of a happy afterlife following a quick death.Blake here critiques not just the deplorable conditions of the children sold into chimney sweeping, but also the society, and particularly its religious aspect, that would offer these children palliatives rather than aid. That the speaker and Tom Dacre get up from the vision to head back into their dangerous drudgery suggests that these children cannot help themselves, so it is left to responsible, sensitive adults to do something for them. The last poem is Chimney sweeper (Experience), When compared structurally to the companion piece from So ngs of Innocence, it is obvious that this poem is half as long as its counterpart is.In addition, many lines are much shorter by one or two syllables. The voice of the young chimney sweeper is similar to that of Innocence, but he clearly has little time for the questions put to him (hence the shorter lines). This poem starts with the AABB rhyme scheme characteristic of innocence and childhood, but as it delves deeper into the experience of the Chimney Sweeper, it switches to CDCD EFEF for the last two stanzas. The final stanza, in fact, has only a near rhyme between â€Å"injury† (line 10) and â€Å"misery† (line 12), suggesting an increasing breakdown in the chimney sweeper's world, or the social order in general.The entire system, God included, colludes to build its own vision of paradise upon the labors of children who are unlikely to live to see adulthood. Blake castigates the government (the â€Å"King†) and religious leaders (God’s â€Å"Priestâ₠¬ ) in similar fashion to his two â€Å"Holy Thursday† poems, decrying the use of otherwise innocent children to prop up the moral consciences of adults both rich and poor. The use of the phrase â€Å"make up a Heaven† carries the double meaning of creating a Heaven and lying about the existence of Heaven, casting even more disparagement in the direction of the Priest and King.