Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Improve skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Improve skills - Essay Example Finally, three different ways of attaining the above skills has been presented in the project for each of the skills. Improvement Area 1 Diversity As per the survey designed to evaluate skills, diversity was the most important aspect which requires to be improved. It is realized that it is most important to inculcate diversity in the personality in order to flexibly manage the influence of external changes on the personality. The most effective way of improving on the above skill would be to adopt new ways of thinking for a particular issue. This could be possible by inculcating the best ways in which people act in various situations. The best way would be to take account of the different challenges, diverse strengths, and interests in a particular situation and resolve the same in the most effective way. This would be effective in developing a personality which would be suited for handling a wide variety of situations. The diverse nature of personality would be able to efficiently h andle different challenges and hurdles in different situations (Kinicki, 2009). Another way of acquiring diversity skills would be to work in such groups which comprises of members who are different in characteristics and nature. This would allow the adoption of a wide range of knowledge and skills which would further stimulate divergent thinking. It would help in learning to manage conflicts, handle negative emotions and enhance effective communications (Kruglanski & Higgins, 2004, p.168). Mentoring would be another possible way of enhancing diverse and developing diverse skills. Paring of a junior employee with a senior one helps to create learning and promotional opportunities for people. This could also include pairing individuals from different cultural backgrounds, races, gender, etc. This method helps to remove stereotypical behaviors, beliefs and attitudes among individuals and broaden their knowledge base (Williams, 2008, p.461). Improvement Area 2 Attitudes The development of positive attitudes was realized as one of the most important requisites of being management professionals as they play to success in many cases. First of all a person needs to know which attributes are unique to him only. It is crucial to develop and enhance that skill as it adds to the motivation for mastering the knowledge which is required to reach the goals. It is important to actively undertake responsibilities, honestly pursue them and on successful completion of the task, accept compliments from oneself (White, 2005, p.4). A person could try and overcome shortcomings in his personality. This would include developing skills in areas where the person lacks confidence and gain expertise in that field. The growth of knowledge and skills in a domain in which a person lacks expertise helps develop self confidence and develops positive attitudes in the individual (Verma, 2005, p.11). It is important to focus on hard work and think positively about oneself. The idea is to out the maximum effort in what the person wants to achieve and not to give up easily. It is also important to create better impression on others which in turn encourages them to help him (Rinke, n.d.). Improvement Area 3Â   Self Concept Self concept is based on self evaluation. It is important that the individual makes his self assessment correctly in order to develop self

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Criticisms of the positivism approach

Criticisms of the positivism approach This essay aims to explore and assess the criticisms that have been levelled at the application of positivism within human geography. It will become clear that most of these criticisms follow two interlinked themes: The idea that such scientific and quantitative approaches rely on generalisation and are shallow by nature, and that positivisms objective approach tends to refuse acknowledgement of individuals and their experiences. However, despite the numerous flaws of positivist approaches, it would be naive to ignore the useful aspects of their nomothetic direction. This paper will conclude that the divide between the positivist and non-positivist (humanistic, radical and Marxist) geographers should not be seen as a weakness in the discipline, but rather as Geographys main strength. As Ackerman (1958 p.74, cited in Johnston, 1997) noted, most geographical research has dealt with much generalisation, yet it has given meaning to other research efforts which succeeded it. In this sense it has a block-building characteristic. (p.17). The philosophical divide is therefore in fact constructive. Non positivist approaches compliment the generalisations of the previous more positivist studies through expansion and critique. Before immersing into the stark debates inherent of these criticisms though, a brief history of positivism is necessary so that the critiques that follow can be understood on a contextual basis. Positivism is a philosophical approach that can be applied to social sciences. The approach was founded upon the belief that phenomena of the human social world are no different from those of the natural inorganic and organic world (Unwin, 1992 p.31). As a result, the father of positivism (Kitchin, 2006 p.20), Auguste Comte felt that social phenomena should be studied using more scientific methodologies. Kitchin (2006) explains that this new approach, first presented in Comtes mid 19th century writings, focused on facts and truths that could be empirically proven and observed. Indeed the reasoning behind the coining of the term positivism was the approaches aim to prioritise actual truths. Comte demanded objective studies using replicable methods so that common laws could be generated, he was consequently dismissive of metaphysical and normative questions as they were seemingly impossible to answer from a scientific standpoint. As positivism grew in influence it branched into two main directions; logical positivism and critical rationalism (falsification). Logical positivism, a product of the Vienna Circle in the 1920s, revolves around the idea that a hypothesis should be set and vigorously tested until it becomes statistically true (Johnston et al, 2000). Popper (1976) on the other hand suggested the ideal that something is only true until it is disproved, therefore academics should be aiming to nullify hypotheses. In turn this becomes a more objective method as you are not biased toward satisfying the criteria within your own hypothesis. Of course there are flaws with both of these ideals. It is impossible to prove many things beyond a doubt, especially when dealing with processes as complicated as those applied to human geography; and not everything can be falsified, it is for example not possible to falsify something that cannot be directly tested. Nevertheless, these two strands of positivism played an important role in the application of the philosophy within human geography. Whilst positivism set the groundwork for the debates that are to follow, the quantitative revolution acted as the trigger. In the 1950s Geographys low reputation as a science led to an increase in positivist and quantitative approaches to human geography as the discipline attempted to legitimise itself by producing laws based on observational evidence (Unwin, 1992 p.106). Indeed geography had shifted dramatically from a traditional idiographic descriptive approach to that of a nomothetic, thriving on evidence and statistics. Of course both approaches are still present in contemporary geography, yet the rise in positivist research is undeniable. This of course leads us to the criticisms that one half of the geographical divide have levelled at their positivistic adversaries. As outlined in the introduction, most of the criticisms aimed at positivism in human geography are loosely based around its shallow nature, sweeping statements and lack of normative questions. The first major critique of the positivist approach is its over tendency to focus on space, this has been termed spatial fetishism. Livingstone (1992, p.328) goes as far as to suggest that Geographys confrontation with the vocabulary of logical positivism was a post hoc means of rationalizing its attempt to reconstitute itself as a spatial science. Geography should be covering more than just space and scales, indeed it is called human geography as its intent should be to uncover peoples experiences and interactions with the world and each other. It is certainly easy to criticise positivism if its purpose was to prioritise spatial science over other geographies. The progress of the discipline would certainly be limited if the majority of research was based only on quantitative spatial analysis a nd modelling. Sack (1980) agrees that positivistic geographys spatial feitsh has been at the expense of all other aspects of geography. Collinge (2005) argues that too much focus on distinctive spatial relations to society and social change can be deconstructive. He applauds and calls for a continuation of critique against geographies current understanding of space and society, instead suggesting that interactions between the two (the kind that can not be covered with mass generalisations) should be studied more closely with less focus on the distinction between the two dimensions. Whilst this effort by Collinge and indeed new feminist geographers is certainly noble, it is a relatively weak critique as it offers no real solution. Even so, as Collinge himself inferred, critique can actually be constructive, it does after all lead to further research and in turn further knowledge of the world. Continuing along the critique of positivist geographys spatial fetishism, Sack (1980) also claims that this focus on space actually serves to isolate space from time. This is yet another critique that suggests positivism to be deconstructive. Dynamism is at the heart of geography, particularly the human side. Quantitative studies can be taken, correlations and patterns can be observed, but the results are always going to be inherently subject to change. Indeed positivisms nomothetic approach aims to produce laws, but does not take all things into consideration. This is integral to Harveys (1973) argument as he claims that positivism ignores factors such as political and sociological shifts that can only be studied qualitively. However, that does not mean that positivism doesnt belong in geography. Even if we were to assume that positivism were only interested in spatial sciences, it is still a useful philosophy, as is quantitativism a useful tool. In a subject as dynamic as geography qualitative methods alone could not sufficiently understand the world. Whilst positivism is flawed and overgeneralising, and could even be said to be a form of spatial fetishism, quantitative research can produce quick results. This of course is vital in what is an ever changing landscape. To revert to the two main themes of critique outlined in the introduction, positivist studies are, or at least were, shallow natured both in terms of what, and how they analysed phenomena. As Spate (1960) explained, there is a need for quantitative geography, but the knowledge that is gained cannot be expressed purely in number form. It is starting now to become clear that the philosophical divide that exists within geography may not be such a bad thing after all. Positivist studies are acquiring the raw facts, all be it with at times a generalised attitude, but critics are expanding upon these facts, thus engineering a better working knowledge. Interestingly though, many of these criticisms are loosely based around the logical side of positivism. The potential usefulness of falsification (despite its flaws) in an ever changing subject is intriguing, in which case, truths need not necessarily always be truths. A second set of critiques target positivisms laissez faire attitude towards its research subjects. Perhaps the key figurehead behind this critique is David Harvey. Even in Harveys Explanation in Geography (1969, p.107), a book that wasnt exceptionally radical being one of his earlier works, saw that it would be foolish to suggest that all our outstanding substantive problems will be solved merely by the touch of the glittering wand of scientific explanation. By 1973 Harvey had become disheartened with the over reliance of positivist approaches within geography, not just because it so often failed to ask why things were as they were, but namely due to its neutrality and hence its inability to solve the problems that it so often uncovered. It was this silence and ineptitude which essentially explain(ed) the necessity for a revolution in geographic thought (Harvey, 1973). Harveys revolution namely resulted in the creation of both Marxist and Radical geographers (Kitchin, 2006). Indeed t he effects of this evolving geography are still felt today with the expansion of feminist geography amongst other groups. Once again we reach the divide within the discpilne. To quickly summarise and reiterate here, the dualism within geography and the critique of positivist approaches actually went as far as to create new branches of geography, something that can only be beneficial for research purposes as the subject has evolved to become more diversified than ever. Surely then the hunger for knowledge within geography is actually as great as it has ever been. Whilst Kwan and Schwanen (2009) argue that this antagonistic divide is only hindering progress, I would argue that based on this historical evidence, the critique between the two has actually helped geography evolve into a much more complex, and consequently more knowledgeable discipline. To return to this set of critiques though, it could be said that Harveys earlier quantitative interests (present in Harvey, 1969) only serve to show Harvey up as a hypocrite considering the radical reversal in his views. Indeed Harvey himself stated that by our theories you shall know us (Harvey, 1969 p.486). Of course if this were the case then it may serve to discredit his works. On the contrary, it actually shows the true degree to which he was discontented by the general ignorance of positivistic geography. His experience within quantitative studies actually gives extra validity to his arguments. The last of the main attacks on positivism targets the objectivity that is underpins the philosophy. Goodwin (2005) discusses the advent of humanistic geography, yet another offspring from the critics of positivism and its scientific and nomathetic approach. Humanistic geography aims to uncover the importance of ideal, cultures and languages within local geographies. Humanists argue that people cannot be modelled using sweeping scientific methodology, indeed independent thought prevents that, not to mention the fact that ideals cannot be mapped quantitatively. Ley (1974) argues that such phenomena can be mapped qualitatively though, actually visiting the areas that you wish to research. Upon researching geographies of gang culture Lay suggested that graffiti markings represent the language of space for members of the street gang culture (1974 p.218, cited in Goodwin, 2005 p.55). From a critical standpoint though, humanist geography can only ever achieve so much. There frankly arent e nough geographers, nor is there sufficient time to absolutely understand aoll of the emotional attachments and ideas that humans have relating to place, space and nature. To go back to an earlier point, geography is inherently dynamic. Positivism, if nothing else, can produce a relatively quick scientific (all be it shallow) representation of the world. Even if these laws do isolate time from space, the studies can be repeated so that new laws can be constructed. It is by no means perfect, but it is pragmatic. An example of where mass information is required is in government. With governments usually in power for just 4-5 years in the UK, actual raw figures are necessary so that policies can be planned and implemented within the partys term time. Such data is often acquired and analysed by positivist geography academics (Rhind, 1981). Of course we have to be careful not to rely solely on such quantitative studies or else important issues will go unnoticed and thus unsolved, but thanks to the evident divide, there is little chance of positivism ever totally dictating geographical research. It has become apparent that there are many critics of positivism and its application to human geography. The critiques themselves generally target the philosophies objectivity, generalising nature and and its shallow desire for fact alone. Yet there is a need for positivistic and quantitative approaches. These often sweeping studies that assume homogeneity are flawed in many ways, but they deliver actual results that are necessary for many institutions, furthermore they can quickly respond to changing laws within a dynamic environment. In conclusion it is clear that positivist approaches have become a necessary part of research within human geography, but the humanist side cannot be ignored. Much more can be learned about the world than numbers alone can ever represent. The need for a balance between quantitative and qualitative studies is obvious. Where Kwan and Shawanen claim that the confrontations between the two strands are detrimental to geographys progress, it should be contested that in actual fact the divide in opinion has been beneficial to the discipline. Critique and expansion have led to the creation of new divisions and understandings of geography, hence, wider knowledges.

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Symbolic Naturalist of The Blue Hotel :: Blue Hotel Essays

The Symbolic Naturalist of The Blue Hotel    This essay considers the perspective of James Trammell Cox as presented in his essay: An Analysis of the Blue Hotel  Ã‚   Cox begins his essay by discussing naturalism and Crane's fictional style. He suggests that Crane's technique "is that of the symbolist rather than the naturalist in that he carefully selects his details not as pieces of evidence in a one-dimensional report on man but as connotatively associated parts of an elaborately contrived symbolic structure." Basically the thrust of Cox's argument is centered around the degree to which Crane displays the characteristics of a naturalist writer. He comments on the intricacy of the story and how well Crane weaves in the details and underlying messages which give the story it's subtle complexity. Much of Crane's hidden meaning is achieved through his manipulation of imagery. Cox focuses on this imagery and picks it apart, thus displaying themes that are fairly central to the ideas behind naturalism. One of these ideas that is carried throughout the story behind the faà §ade of imagery is the idea of "man's inner nature [as] egocentric," as detailed by the contrast of the house to the storm in which the storm represents the "fundamental conflict between man and his environment." Within the house, in the central room is the stove, which is referenced frequently and can be seen as man's inner nature that "burn[s] with elemental aggressions" as the stove is described as "humming with a godlike violence." Cox then addresses the idea of natural symbolism and Crane's use of color to represent feelings and emotions and thus subtly carry them through the story. The two most central colors used are red and white, red as shown through the fire to symbolize anger, and white as shown through the snow to show fear. Cox provides examples of this such as the Swede who throughout the story shows both extremes of emotion and at one point is described, "upon the Swede's deathly pale cheeks were two spots brightly crimson.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Caribbean Slavery Essay

Slaves were people captured in war, used to settle a debt, or made slaves as a means of punishment. The Spaniards in the Caribbean had little need for African slaves in the early 1500s for various reasons. The Treaty of Tordesillas, which was a line of demarcation drawn north to south, west of the Azores and Cape Verde’s, stipulated that the areas west of the line belonged to the Spaniards and the east to the Portuguese. As a result of the treaty Africa was on Portugal’s side of the line, so in order for Spaniards to obtain African slaves they had to go through the Portuguese. During the period of the early 1500s the Treaty of Tordesillas resulted in the Portuguese being the first nation that the Spaniards granted an asiento. This was granted in 1515. These special licenses, asientos, only allowed a specific number of slaves into a diverse number of countries and limited the need for African slaves. The cost to ship slaves from West Africa to Portugal and Spain and then to the Americas proved prohibitive. There was easier access to Taino labour and it was unnecessary to spend extra money on importing slaves. Tainos were used to find and mine the gold because they were familiar with the surroundings and there were enough Tainos to mine the little gold the Spaniards had found. Indentured servants or white servants also contributed to the need for only a small number of African slaves in the 1500s. Indentured servants (contracted workers; poor people from Europe) started to migrate to the Caribbean from Europe, as the Caribbean were advertised as having prospects of a new life and jobs. Their contracts usually lasted four to five years. The islands that were found in the Caribbean needed to be developed in order to make them suitable for living. The Spaniards offered property as an incentive to attract people who would develop the islands and settle there. This was how indentured servants were coaxed into migrating. Eventually however, the Amerindians and white servants were no longer a sufficient labour force. B. The Amerindians were not used to the working conditions and thus died. Also, Old World diseases such as measles, diphtheria, typhus, cholera, scarlet fever, chicken pox, yellow fever, whooping cough, smallpox, influenza and gonorrhea affected them while some died from depression. Indentured servants were unskilled in cultivation and unwilling to work. They were unaccustomed to the conditions of the Caribbean and succumbed to various New World diseases such as syphilis and yellow fever. Africans worked harder, survived the conditions of the Caribbean better (similar conditions existed in Africa), knew how to plant tropical plants, and were more resistant to Old World diseases. They were also less costly than indentured servants and there was a more constant supply of African slaves than indentured servants. The trade winds which blew from east to west made coming to the Caribbean from Africa very easy. That is in comparison to traveling from Europe to the Caribbean which was difficult as the trade winds worked against sailing ships. Also ships had a longer distance to cover when they sailed to the Caribbean from Europe. African slaves were their master’s property. Masters could do whatever they pleased with the African slaves as they paid for them and they were their property. Offspring produced by said slaves was also their master’s property. This added to the reliability of African slaves as there would always be another generation to enslave. Indentured servants could easily escape as they had the same appearances, knew the culture and language and therefore could easily blend into the crowd and disappear with the influx of people coming and leaving the Caribbean islands. Africans could not do this because of their colour and it would be difficult for them to escape. This added to the appeal of using African slaves. Plantation owners became greedy and no longer wanted to give or offer their sugar lands so as to attract indentured servants to come to the Caribbean. The plantation owners saw the Africans as a commodity therefore did not have to give any incentive to attract them because they were their property and enslaved to them. For these reasons the Africans were seen as a perfect source of labour. Increased work resulted in increased productivity, which increased the wealth of the Spaniards. C. By the 1600s and 1700s African slaves became more popular in the Caribbean. Amerindians had died out by the 1500’s due to diseases, overwork and ill-treatment. Indentured servants had lost fervour in coming to the Caribbean as it was costly to travel and the chances of surviving the tropical conditions were slim. Some ran away, breaking their contract, to become Buccaneers. The decline in the number of available indentured servants and Tainos, and the growth of the colonies increased the need for labour. Sugar had become very popular and was in demand on the European market. The wealth that sugar brought was recognized and more land as cultivated for sugar production. The sugar revolution had begun and the Dutch saw an opportunity to sell slaves in the Caribbean as there was a rise in labour needs. The Dutch were granted an asiento in 1667, by this time Dutch trading in African slaves became very popular. Additionally, slaves were severely abused and thus many died. The rapid demise of slaves from the harsh conditions resulted in a constant need and t his also added to the â€Å"great extension of African slavery in the rest of the Caribbean in the 1600s and 1700s†.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Audit Research on Diversity

Performing research on one of the top 1 0 companies identified by Diversifying: as a company that demonstrates the business case for diversity, develop a criteria to measure the organization's diversity initiative against, some thoughtful questions on the epic of diversity that you will research about the company (you can use secondary data to assist you in formulating good questions) and conduct a preliminary literature review for their research of that company.The literature review should include sources (at least 6 in total and 4 of them scholarly) from scholarly and professional journals describing the performance of the organization as it relates to diversity, in addition to the organization's website that you are researching. The literature review should include a bibliography of sources and a brief paragraph describing the intents of the source. Part 2 is the final project paper (10 pages) – due (1 1/1 5/13) If you are using one of the Diversifying firms, include in you r research the criteria you developed, the questions you researched, the literature you used and the results of your findings.Your report should detail the strengths and weaknesses of the organization's diversity initiatives. List the criteria (one page), provide some company background/history (one page), evaluate the organization's efforts in terms of diversity, and make recommendations for improvement. Findings should include: The criteria you used for managing diversity in an organization. You can use secondary research to assist you. If you performed research on one of the top 10 business case for diversity, include a literature review of your research on that company.The literature review should include sources from scholarly and professional journals describing the performance of the organization as it relates to diversity, in addition to the organization's website that you are researching. The literature review should include a bibliography Of sources ND a brief paragraph de scribing the contents of the source. Include the list of the thoughtful questions regarding diversity used in the research. Indicate what the company newsletters, value statements, and so forth are.If you are using the Diversifying firms, include these in your research as well as any websites you visited in your research. Evaluate whatnot have learned about the company in terms of diversity, comparing it against the criteria you established. Be sure to pay attention to subtle cues (I. E. Is there evidence that they really do what they say they do). For example, a manager proudly pointed out that his large retail organization hired physically challenged workers.However, they were all assigned to work in the stockroom, where they were never seen by any customers. Or a company who is recognized for their hiring of the disabled, have no disabled employees Visible on their website. Feel free to add additional criteria that you did not think of after the interview/visit or research was co mpleted. Findings: Evaluate what you have learned about the company in terms of diversity, comparing it against the arterial you established. Be sure to pay attention to subtle cues (I. . Is there evidence that they really do what they say they do). For example, a manager proudly pointed out that his large retail organization hired physically challenged workers. However, they were all assigned to work in the stockroom, where they were never seen by any customers. Feel free to add additional criteria that you did not think of after the interview/visit. Prepare a 7-10 page paper which explains your findings in detail. The paper should be ere from spelling and grammatical errors.Make sure you cite all written web sources, journal articles and interviews in a bibliography, and contain exhibits, such as copies of the organizational value statements or company newsletters, if appropriate. To summarize, your report should detail the strengths and weaknesses of the organization's diversity initiatives. List the criteria (one page), provide some company background/history (one page), evaluate the organization's efforts in terms of diversity, and make recommendations for improvement.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Definition and Examples of Exigence in Rhetoric

Definition and Examples of Exigence in Rhetoric In rhetoric, exigence is an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak. The term exigence comes from the Latin word for demand. It was popularized in rhetorical studies by Lloyd Bitzer in The Rhetorical Situation (Philosophy and Rhetoric, 1968). In every rhetorical situation, said Bitzer, there will be at least one controlling exigence which functions as the organizing principle: it specifies the audience to be addressed and the change to be affected. In other words, says Cheryl Glenn, a rhetorical  exigence is a problem that can be resolved or changed by discourse (or language)... All successful rhetoric (whether verbal or visual) is an authentic response to an exigence, a real reason to send a message. (The Harbrace Guide to Writing, 2009) Other Considerations Exigence is not the only component of a rhetorical situation. The rhetor also must consider the audience being addressed and constraints that would present obstacles.   Commentary Exigence has to do with what prompts the author to write in the first place, a sense of urgency, a problem that requires attention right now, a need that must be met, a concept that must be understood before the audience can move to a next step. (M. Jimmie Killingsworth, Appeals in Modern Rhetoric. Southern Illinois University Press, 2005)An exigence may be something as direct and intense as a power outage, which might prompt an official to persuade everyone to stay calm or to assist those in need. An exigence may be more subtle or complex, like the discovery of a new virus, which might prompt medical officials to persuade the public how to change its behavior. Exigence is part of a situation. It is the critical component that makes people ask the hard questions: What is it? What caused it? What good is it? What are we going to do? What happened? What is going to happen? (John Mauk and John Metz Inventing Arguments, 4th ed. Cengage, 2016) Rhetorical and Nonrhetorical Exigences An exigence, [Lloyd] Bitzer (1968) asserted, is an imperfection marked by urgency; it is a defect, an obstacle, something waiting to be done, a thing which is other than it should be (p. 6). In other words, an exigence is a pressing problem in the world, something to which people must attend. The exigence functions as the ongoing principle of a situation; the situation develops around its controlling exigence (p. 7). But not every problem is a rhetorical exigence, Bitzer explained. An exigence which cannot be modified is not rhetorical; thus, whatever comes about of necessity and cannot be changed- death, winter, and some natural disasters, for instance- are exigences to be sure, but they are nonrhetorical. . . . An exigence is rhetorical when it is capable of positive modification and when positive modification requires discourse or can be assisted by discourse. (emphasis added) (John Mauk and John Metz Inventing Arguments, 4th ed. Cengage, 2016)Racism is an example of the first typ e of exigence, one where discourse is required to remove the problem... As an example of the second type- an exigence that can be modified by the assistance of rhetorical discourse- Bitzer offered the case of air pollution. (James Jasinski, Sourcebook on Rhetoric. Sage, 2001) A brief example may help to illustrate the difference between an exigence and a rhetorical exigence. A hurricane is an example of a non-rhetorical exigence. Regardless of how hard we try, no amount of rhetoric or human effort can prevent or alter the path of a hurricane (at least with todays technology). However, the aftermath of a hurricane pushes us in the direction of a rhetorical exigence. We would be dealing with a rhetorical exigence if we were trying to determine how best to respond to people who had lost their homes in a hurricane. The situation can be addressed with rhetoric and can be resolved through human action. (Stephen M. Croucher, Understanding Communication Theory: A Beginners Guide, Routledge, 2015) As a Form of Social Knowledge Exigence must be located in the social world, neither in a private perception nor in material circumstance. It cannot be broken into two components without destroying it as a rhetorical and social phenomenon. Exigence is a form of social knowledge- a mutual construing of objects, events, interest, and purposes that not only links them but makes them what they are: an objectified social need. This is quite different from [Lloyd] Bitzers characterization of exigence as a defect (1968) or a danger (1980). Conversely, although exigence provides the rhetor with a sense of rhetorical purpose, it is clearly not the same as the rhetors intention, for that can be ill-formed, dissembling, or at odds with what the situation conventionally supports. The exigence provides the rhetor with a socially recognizable way to make his or her intentions known. It provides an occasion, and thus a form, for making public our private versions of things. (Carolyn R. Miller, Genre as Social Action, 1984. Rpt. in Genre In the New Rhetoric, ed. by Freedman, Aviva, and Medway, Peter. Taylor Francis, 1994) Vatzs Social Constructionist Approach [Richard E.] Vatz (1973)... challenged Bitzers concept of the rhetorical situation, maintaining that an exigence is socially constructed and that rhetoric itself generates an exigence or rhetorical situation (The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation.) Quoting from Chaim Perelman, Vatz argued that when rhetors or persuaders choose particular issues or events to write about, they create presence or salience (Perelmans terms)- in essence, it is the choice to focus on the situation that creates the exigence. Thus a president who chooses to focus on health care or military action, according to Vatz, has constructed the exigence toward which the rhetoric is addressed. (Irene Clark, Multiple Majors, One Writing Class.  Linked Courses for General Education and Integrative Learning, ed. by  Soven, Margot, et al., Stylus, 2013)

Monday, October 21, 2019

Hypothesis or Theory (Tips on Scientific Language) - Get Proofed!

Hypothesis or Theory (Tips on Scientific Language) - Get Proofed! Tips on Scientific Language Science can be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands. According to one song, it can even cause blindness. And as a result, we need to be careful with science and scientific language. (And Thomas Dolby.) Were not sure of Dolbys scientific qualifications, though. (Photo: Arthur Mouratidis/wikipedia) The main problem (for us) is that scientists often use familiar terms in unfamiliar ways. And if you don’t know the scientific use of these words, it’s easy to make an error. So, to help out, we’re taking a closer look at three terms: â€Å"hypothesis,† â€Å"theory,† and â€Å"significant.† Hypothesis (A Testable Idea) In everyday language, we sometimes use â€Å"hypothesis† to refer to an educated guess. This is fairly close to how it’s used in the sciences, but it also has some specific requirements. A hypothesis should be: An attempt to explain something that can be observed Phrased in a way that means we can test it Once a hypothesis has been tested, it can then be accepted or rejected depending on the results. Theory (A Well-Tested Concept) A theory is a proposed explanation of something. But when people say that something is â€Å"just a theory,† they mean that it hasn’t been proven. This is because one sense of â€Å"theory† is â€Å"speculation.† However, in scientific writing, it means the complete opposite of this. A scientific theory is actually something that has been tested repeatedly and that is widely accepted as true. This makes it much stronger than a hypothesis and much, much stronger than pure speculation! This doesn’t mean that a theory can’t be disproved, but you would need to show evidence that it’s untrue or suggest a better theory. A scientific theory is never â€Å"just† a theory. Its just a theory supported by 160 years of research. Significant (Unlikely to Have Happened by Chance) To be â€Å"significant† is usually to be important or noteworthy. The opposite is to be â€Å"insignificant.† In the sciences, though, â€Å"significant† typically refers to statistical significance. The results of a test are statistically significant if we can show that they’re unlikely to be due to chance alone. The opposite of this is â€Å"non-significant,† which means that the results could have been influenced by randomness. In addition, keep in mind that something can be statistically significant without being noteworthy. There’s a statistically significant relationship between breaking eggs and making an omelet, for example, but this isn’t a hugely â€Å"significant† discovery in terms of being interesting or important. Its a scientific breakthrough! Other Scientific Language The terms above are significant (in the everyday sense) because they’re common in many scientific fields. As such, anyone reading or writing about science needs to know how they’re used. However, there are plenty of other examples. If a physicist is discussing a â€Å"flavor of quark,† for instance, they could be talking about either subatomic particles or dairy products. This is why we need to be careful with scientific language. And if you come across a familiar word being used in an unusual way, always double check its scientific meaning.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

5 Ways to Tell if Your College Crush Likes You

5 Ways to Tell if Your College Crush Likes You Have your eye on someone as a potential date? Boyfriend? Girlfriend? Or, at the least, someone to ask out for coffee or a drink, away from the college crowd? Trying to see if he or she likes you or not can be maddening. These five situations can help you gauge the other persons feelings- as well as your own- about possibly taking things to another level. 1. Go Out in a Group Is this person by you the whole night? Are you by them? Are they interested in what you have to say? Do they laugh at your jokes, wait for you when the group moves around, and pay attention when you talk? Are you frequently making eye contact? If you close your eyes and imagined the person not with the group, would your experience change? Answering yes to any of these questions might indicate an interest in you in particular instead of just common group dynamics. 2. Do Something Together Off Campus If you have to visit a local museum for your art history paper, see if this potential-date wants to come along. Their eagerness at doing so, and the chemistry that happens while you guys are out, can be a great way to see whats going on between the two of you. Of course, if youre heading off campus, make sure youre safe about it. 3. Grab a Meal Together If youre interested in someone, chances are that you have things in common and have done things together, or with a group, already. If so, try to carry that momentum into a seemingly-friendly meal together. Did you work together on a class project, seek his or her advice on your computer science program, or research similar paper topics in the library? If so, say you want to celebrate finishing by grabbing a quick meal off campus. Keeping it really casual can be the key to seeing what your dynamics are when youre alone. Running off campus for a quick lunch of a burger or dim sum has a much different feel than a nice, sit-down evening meal thats been planned two weeks in advance. 4. Ask for Help With Something If you like someone and he or she is really smart in a certain subject or has some experience in a research topic youre working on, see if they are interested in helping you. You can have a great discussion that will help expand your understanding of something you already find interesting, and you can see what this person is like on a more personal level. Have they had a lot of classes with a new professor of yours, and if so, can they talk to you about how that person grades? Are they majoring in a discipline youre taking your first class in? Can they give you some feedback on a survey you want to pass out to people in your residence hall? Then, of course, see how the conversation goes. Are they willing to help? Friendly? Interesting and engaging? Supportive? Someone youd want to have more conversations with...say, over a real college dinner date that isnt made of food you both sneaked into the library? 5. Share Some Exciting News Did you just hear that you were accepted into your summer internship program? Get an A on that project you asked for help with? Get happy news from one of your friends or family members? Share it with your potential crush and see how he or she reacts. If they are supportive, interested, and want to celebrate with you one-on-one, it might be a sign that the friendship could develop into more. A Note If You Feel Self-Conscious Around Your Crush Remember that having a crush on someone, and even putting it totally in the open, is something that should be very flattering. Anyone worth dating in the first place should be touched by your sentiments and handle them with respect, no matter what their feelings are in return. Put yourself out thereotherwise, youll never know!

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Social Media Marking Business Plan Research Proposal

Social Media Marking Business Plan - Research Proposal Example The interaction of the users and the communities in social media leads to higher interaction between the groups. The daily updates provided by the businesses on its offerings and discounts could be viewed by the customers using the online platform. Apart from this, the customers could also put up queries on the products and offerings of the business. The customers could exchange their views and share their experiences with each other using the social media network (Barefoot and  Szabo, 2009). This leads to further spread of the brand image of the companies which gains further popularity among the communities. Thus social media helps the business to enhance the prospects of marketing the products and services as per the business plan. Proposed research question The research question proposed for this study is â€Å"What are the ways in which the companies could effectively implement the business marketing plans using the social media platform?† Objective of the research probl em The research question designed for this study has the objective of exploring the different ways that could be adopted by the companies using the social media platforms for marketing their business plans. The various tools and techniques that could be adopted by the companies for marketing the products and services of the company have been identified and analyzed in this research. The findings are to be disseminated to the companies that would find these tools to be effective in implementation of marketing of their respective business plans. Literature review â€Å"Lips To Go† is a restaurant and cafe located in Iowa in the United States. The restaurant offers delicious and mouthful dishes of baked chicken, pizza, salads, soups, various other variations of chicken, lip specials, etc. â€Å"Lips To Go† is exploring the prospects of social media marketing as one of its potential business plans. The various daily updates and offerings of the restaurants are to be market ed on a daily basis. In its plight of reaching out to the customers in order to achieve the set business targets of the restaurant, â€Å"Lips To Go† could choose the several social media platforms available for marketing its business of restaurant and cafe. In order to utilize the social media platform for marketing its products and services to the customers, the restaurant needs to form a community in the social media platforms like face-book, twitter, linked-in, you-tube, etc (Evans, 2010). The social media marketing plans to enhance the restaurant and cafe business are quite significant for the features of flexibility and accessibility to its customers. The social media platforms provide opportunity for the business to market its products and offerings on a daily basis. With the help of social media platforms, the business could increase the interaction with the customers. Due to high rates of voluntary engagement by the prospective customers, the customers express their desires and concerns about the restaurants and the dishes offered by the restaurants. The restaurants advertise and promote the delicious dishes of chicken and its variations, soups, salads, pizzas, etc. The customers are able to use the social media platform in viewing the campaigns of the business and take decisions after due exchange of information. The increase in interaction leads to the spread of the brand name of the restaurant and cafe. The interface between the communities in the social med

Friday, October 18, 2019

Management Concepts - Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Management Concepts - Case Study - Essay Example With the removal of trade barriers and opening up of economies, companies no longer can have a local country-specific strategy. Two very important factors that have resulted in companies going global are: progress in information and communication technologies, the trend of deregulation and increasing competitive pressure (Mucchielli et al, 1998). One of the ways of expanding globally includes investing the returns from one country to acquire other companies (Samson and Daft, 2009). Operating in different countries is based upon various factors such as the political, economic, social, technological, and legislative environments of the country (CIPD, 2010). At the same time, expanding into different countries also calls for the existence of a thorough globalization strategy keeping in mind the above factors. It is imperative that the learnings from expansion in one country to fine-tune its strategy for expansion in other countries as well. It is also important that the HR, Finance and the IT strategy of the organization shall be aligned towards the objective of being a truly global corporation. John needs to take serious action to prevent NAB from collapsing as a business. The first thing that needs to be done is to imbibe an MNC culture amongst the employees of the organization. The bank can create a separate department which will be responsible for finding out the best fit countries to expand into over a period of time. This department can also be responsible to search for companies in those target countries. Those countries where the PESTEL factors are mostly similar to that of Australia shall be targeted first and then the rest shall be

Communication difference between men and women Essay

Communication difference between men and women - Essay Example A person’s particular upbringing, environment, ethnicity and personality type affect the way they communicate. A person’s communication style will be tempered by the gender expectations placed on them from within and by others and by the environment in which they find themselves, whether it is business or more informal. Examining the communication patterns of men and women in both of these scenarios reveals that there is indeed a distinct different between male and female communication primarily due to cultural gender expectations which is important to understand in order to be a good communicator. Persons of any race, personality, background or gender utilize an assortment of speech and conversational skills in an attempt to communicate appropriately in a specific situation. Generally speaking, a talkative person is seen as controlling and domineering. In the workplace, these personality types are more likely to be looked to as leaders, but they only keep this reputation is they have other leadership qualities like intelligence and strong problem solving skills. In most cases, these individuals are well-liked and respected †¦ if they are male. For a talkative, intelligent and well-organized woman to be well-liked, respected and seen as a leader, she must also display more stereotypically feminine behavior. She has to adopt more feminine forms of communication, take a nurturing attitude toward those around her and demonstrate herself to be warm-hearted if she wants to gain the same respect as her male equal. However, she may still not be seen as a leader. The reason for this is possibly because leaders must be understood to be competent, trustworthy and intelligent, traits that are strongly linked to a person’s communication patterns. All of these ideas of a leader are conveyed by the ‘powerful language’ that is

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Business law - Essay Example The company has grossly violated the contractual terms of the agreement they signed with Mark (Walsh, 2006, pg. 544). The grounds for Mark’s dismissal are that he refused to accept orders from his boss. It is noteworthy that the two have a long history of misunderstanding and criticism of each other’s leadership and professionalism. Whereas Mark accuses his boss for poor leadership and undue targeting with more work, Rebecca thinks that Mark is unprofessional in his attitude towards work (Walsh, 2006, pg. 544). Much as the company felt that they should dismiss Mark, they needed to follow due procedure provided for in the law and anchored in their contractual agreement. The claim that Mark shall use to win the case are many. First, Mark will need to prove that for the 12 years he worked for the company, he has never had a disciplinary issue and the misunderstanding between him and his boss are just based on dissenting opinion on how they perceive situations (Walsh, 2006, pg. 544). This is a valid reasoning because at every workplace, employees must not satisfy the perception of their bosses. Furthermore, the differences between Mark and his boss can better be resolved through conflict resolution mechanisms within the company, which were not even activated before his dismissal (Walsh, 2006, pg. 544). ... Therefore, when the company desires that Mark should work overtime, they should discuss and agreed how compensation for overtime work shall be done (Walsh 2006, pg. 212). The approach Rebecca gave Mark that he should remain behind and work overtime should have been done in a better way. There was supposed to be an agreement signed to dictate how any work that Mark does overtime shall be compensated. Furthermore, there is nowhere in the contract where Mark was to work overtime (Walsh, 2006, pg. 108). Whereas it was better for Mark to show respect for his boss, this was not going to be possible through forcing him to work overtime disregarding plans that he might have had for the evening. Thirdly, Mark shall argue against the procedure the company followed to dismiss him. Mark will show that the company violated his employment and contractual rights. The company is entitled to give Mark 12 weeks’ notice before they dismiss him according to their contractual agreement. Therefore, the company violated this agreement thus leading to wrongful dismissal (Korn and Sethi, 2011, pg. 8). While arguing this case, the mark shall need to prove that the wrongful dismissal has caused him several challenges. The dismissal has caused him to lose his source of income immediately putting him into dire financial problems. Furthermore, he has the rights to seek legal redress on this matter. Mark will need to prove that through the legal process he should be allowed to access the remedies he has. The remedies he has for a wrongful dismissal include reinstatement and compensation (Korn and Sethi, 2011, pg. 8). Therefore, this is a strong case against the company because disciplinary procedures do not form part of Mark’s contractual agreement with the company.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Environmental health job Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental health job - Essay Example An occupational health and safety specialist would be useful in inspecting such workplaces and making recommendations to ensure the noise it produces does not cause adverse effects, such as hearing loss, to workers. 3. The current population of Nepal as given by its Ministry of Industry (2014) is about 26.49 million as retrieved from the 2011 population census. Nepal is an agricultural economy with the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA (2014) documenting 70% of its population as being dependant on agriculture for livelihood and more than a third of the country’s GDP attributed to agriculture. As such, even the minimal industrial activity taking place involves agricultural produce processing. 4. Being an agricultural economy, Nepal largely depends on agricultural residue as a source of energy, hence the significance of considering the issue of indoor air quality. World Health Organisation, WHO (2014) cautions on the risk of using such fuels at home noting that it could emit fine particles 100 times more than the acceptable level, a fact that contributes to the 4.3 million deaths reported every year, a majority being women and children. The article, â€Å"Biomass as a Source of Household Energy and Indoor Air Pollution in Nepal,† reviews the postulate of biomass, commonly used to supply household energy, as a source of indoor pollution with a focus on Nepal. The study indicates that 86.5% of households in Nepal use fuel wood as a source of household energy and some other 3.7% use agricultural residue for the same purpose. Lohani (2011) further indicates in this study that these energy sources contributed to the concentration of particulate matter, PM10, total suspended particle, TSP and concentration of carbon dioxide of 8,000 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³, 8,800 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³ and 21 ppm against the set national standards of 120 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³, 230 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³ and 9 ppm

Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 129

Discussion - Essay Example First, Agile is found to be simpler and easier to follow. The phases of envision, speculate, explore, adapt and close flow better in a management process. This is different in the triangle where interconnection of tasks may result in complexities. Secondly, the triangle represents a correlation between time, cost and output as opposed to the Agile Framework which is more of a process-based framework. As opposed to the Waterfall framework, Agile defines the requirements throughout the project and hence the framework is more flexible. This means that it allows change in strategy as the project continues. Further, return on investment and avoidance of risk can be continuously monitored in the Agile Framework allowing easier control of the results. Although the Waterfall Triangle deals directly with the costs and outcomes from the beginning, it is not flexible to change. Agile Framework can be easily used in individual projects. This is because it is easy to use and follow. In addition, the constant feedback from the framework helps n making changes and controlling the outcome from within. The ease of use saves time and allow the project managers to manage

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Environmental health job Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental health job - Essay Example An occupational health and safety specialist would be useful in inspecting such workplaces and making recommendations to ensure the noise it produces does not cause adverse effects, such as hearing loss, to workers. 3. The current population of Nepal as given by its Ministry of Industry (2014) is about 26.49 million as retrieved from the 2011 population census. Nepal is an agricultural economy with the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA (2014) documenting 70% of its population as being dependant on agriculture for livelihood and more than a third of the country’s GDP attributed to agriculture. As such, even the minimal industrial activity taking place involves agricultural produce processing. 4. Being an agricultural economy, Nepal largely depends on agricultural residue as a source of energy, hence the significance of considering the issue of indoor air quality. World Health Organisation, WHO (2014) cautions on the risk of using such fuels at home noting that it could emit fine particles 100 times more than the acceptable level, a fact that contributes to the 4.3 million deaths reported every year, a majority being women and children. The article, â€Å"Biomass as a Source of Household Energy and Indoor Air Pollution in Nepal,† reviews the postulate of biomass, commonly used to supply household energy, as a source of indoor pollution with a focus on Nepal. The study indicates that 86.5% of households in Nepal use fuel wood as a source of household energy and some other 3.7% use agricultural residue for the same purpose. Lohani (2011) further indicates in this study that these energy sources contributed to the concentration of particulate matter, PM10, total suspended particle, TSP and concentration of carbon dioxide of 8,000 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³, 8,800 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³ and 21 ppm against the set national standards of 120 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³, 230 ÃŽ ¼g/m ³ and 9 ppm

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Psle in Singapore Debate Essay Example for Free

Psle in Singapore Debate Essay In this commentary, I chose my artefact as a newspaper article on PSLE stress because of many reasons. 1) I had always harbored a strong interest on what everyone is saying about this hot topic and it seemed very interesting, stating just one problem that Singapore currently face. 2) Other than that, it is a topic that is easy to research, unlike some historic things which are little-mentioned (e.g. the banana note, the merdeka talks,etc) 3) Last but not least,it is a topic that is widely discussed on and more sources can be found My view on the issue of PSLE Singaporeans have long since been debating whether to remove PSLE. I personally do not think that PSLE should be removed. On the issue of abolishing PSLE, my concern is if we do not have the PSLE, when it comes to the entrance to secondary schools, how do you decide who goes to which school? I sometimes wish we were a bit like Hogwarts in Harry Potter, where you have the sorting hat that decides which house you go to. But in reality, we do not have a sorting hat and how do we decide who goes to which school? If you did not do it according to grades and scores, how would you do it? Another way would be to do it geographically, where you go into the secondary school nearest to your home, but if you did that, everybody will be fighting to be in the primary school near the secondary school you want to be in. PSLE assess how much you have learnt over the six years in primary school and then allocates you to a secondary school according to your abilities and/or choice. If you remove it, you might as well say to remove all exams. On abolishing PSLE, lets presume we do away with it, then how do we decide who goes to which school? If which school you are going is decided on does the Principal know your father or your mother? then its not a very meritocratic system nor is it acceptable. It is totally, I think, against Singapore’s system. If it is to be decided by the distance and you live very near a very good school, can you imagine the pressure to enter a primary school that is near the secondary school you want to go to. If a sudent had done very badly, but he or she stays very near a good secondary school, he would get in, but a person who did better and stays lets say 10km away would not be able to enter if according to that policy. Imagine how disappointed he or she will feel. One question, is that fair? No doubt many people would say it is not.There is a whole range of scenarios that will come up if Singapore removes PSLE as the sorting exam. The question is how will Singapore deal with it? The real angst about PSLE is the pressure, and the real reason why you have the pressure is that parents perceive that certain schools will give the advantage of getting into university. So, the answer would maybe be to try to make sure that across the board, every school is a good school and that society should change their mindset that a child needs to get into a good school in order to get into university ( which acoording to a survey, is a goalfor many paents. One of the goals of the Singapore government would be ( I think)to make sure that no matter which school students go to, you have a chance to get into a university and even if you do not get into a university, the other options are also pathways to success. I hope that under this system, each person can be the best he or she can be, whether or not that person has a university degree. Why is PSLE bad? 1)Poor education system However, just because I do not think PSLE should be removed doesn’t mean that I totally think it should remain the same. I think, PSLE should not have such a big effect on what type of school a secondary student goes to. In PSLE, the focus tends to be on the aggregate score, which reports each students overall performance in comparison with the entire cohort. Its called a T-score, or transformed score. Its derived through a certain computation and basically provides a ranking of the entire cohort.* The T-score itself doesnt actually tell the student how well he has performed in each subject or across all the subjects. In affect, it is a queue number. Thus, I think, to put the stress off the students shoulder a little. PSLE should form only about 35% of the final grades. This system also has its benefits as the students will not be so focused on the final examination. They might slack for five years and only start to really work when they are in primary 6. I have the same opinion on all the other major exams too. Also, more weight should be placed on continual assessments, conducted on every semester. Everything is more manageable when it is broken into small parts. This will reduce stress amongst students, and allow individual topics to get the attention deserved. Right now, PSLE encourages parents and students to â€Å"spot† possible exam questions, and prepare for those to the exclusion of all else. If every years mark have a large part in the final grade, the students will be more encouraged to work hard and it will be more competitive, resulting in better and smarter young Singaporeans, allowing the country to prosper more. This can happen if we followed the education system that I mentioned other than using other means like, tuition, etc 2)Encourages poor methods of studying Also, PSLE studying and actual learning have had a bad divorce. The methods common to passing PSLE are: †¢ Ask how, not why. †¢ Dont experiment or try to be original. Follow whats worked before, and just copy. †¢ Learn only exam topics. Treat everything else as unimportant. †¢ Memorize model answers, as if theyre cheat codes for a video game. Teachers who try to stray from the path are hammered down. Theres no room for exploration, discourse, or general knowledge. Its not that students are unaware of this. They know these are bad teaching methods. But the importance of PSLE results overshadows their awareness. When an exam threatens to determine most of a childs future, fear drives the curriculum (this has happened to me before) On the topic of tuition Ideally, the aim of the education system is that you should be able to pass your exams without tuition. That said, many parents still think that it is necessary for children to have tuition in order for them to do better; not in all the schools but certainly in a percentage of them. My view is that it should not be the case that because you cannot afford tuition you should not be able to pass your exam, which is why MOE has introduced the Learning Support Programmes in schools, mentioned by Minister of education minister Heng at the last Committee Of Supply Debate. The schools are putting a lot more resources to help students who have difficulty with subjects to help them level up. People generally think that Singapore has a good education system and that we are not deprived of a good education. But I do get the sense that many people think that the learning field is not level. The running track (describing the field in which where Singaporeans learn) is the same for everybody. It is just that those from the less affluent backgrounds are coming on with the plain sneakers and the one from the better affluent ones are coming with the branded sneakers which give you more comfort and support. The idea is that, if the playing field is not equal because there are some students who come from families with better resources, then for those students who do not come from families with better resources, at least you help them to level up so that they get a chance to do well. How can Singaporeans adopt a less stressful approach to the PSLE? I like to make a distinction between status and stature. Status is about our relative importance or merit in comparison to other people, who might or might not be better than yourself; assessment sometimes will tell us about academic status. In contrast, stature is inherent, not comparative. Its about doing the best that you can, and recognising your intrinsic potential. Assessment should also help us develop our stature, and not our status. I know from my own experience how a drop of status badly affects my confidence. I hope this for every teacher and parent: To think and work hard about raising the stature of your children, and not just try to raise their status. Conclusion My conclusion for this is that the PSLE should not be scrapped but should be changed to a better and less stressful exam. So, the format should be changed to one more like the O levels. In the O levels, how well you do within a grade does not matter, just as long you get that particular grade. Once you score an A1, you will not be disadvantaged when compared to a student who has scored A1 with a higher score. I think this should be the model system for the PSLE. Thus , I end my commentary and hope (emphasis) you have enjoyed reading it.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Impact of emerging technology to organizations

Impact of emerging technology to organizations PART (A) Discuss the importance and the impact of the emerging technology to an organization You may wonder what the emerging technology is. Emerging technology is an innovative technology that is currently undergoing a large scale testing.   Over time, new topics and method are developed and opened up. Some arise due to theoretical research; others can be due to development and commercial research or new tools and discoveries. These new technologies will be developed over the next five year or even needs a longer like about ten years. If the technology is successful, it will be launch in the demonstrations field. These technologies include information technology, bio-technologies, wireless data communication, man-machine communication, and on-demand printing and also advanced robotics. Because of technologies, business has been able to advance in such ways that allow communication across to travel around the globe without leaving their respective offices and homes. They can send and receive information instantaneously. Consider how emerging technology has impacted in organization in the follow way like web conferencing. As we all know that technology advances at rapid paces each day or maybe every hour. Organization finds that web conferencing is an effective, cost-effective way to handle oversea business. They can hold group meeting, doing a real time training jus by via internet. It helps the organization to save a great amount of money in traveling cost while increasing productivity. Fiber To The Home is also known as FTTH is Fiber Optic cable is being installed from the telephone exchange to the Home. It is used to deliver communications such as telephone, broadband and digital TV. Fiber Optic Cable can be installed to replace the existing copper wire which was normally used to transfer data from the telephone exchange to the home or office. The advantages of the Fiber Optic Cable is, it is able to offer much faster speeds than copper wire and also much more bandwidth than the copper wires are able to cope with. Which is why Fiber Broadband will be the next generation broadband in the future. A report shows that in the UK, the copper wires that is currently installed are only able to offer broadband speeds up to a maximum of 24mb with ADSL2+ technology, the ADSl2+ technology is currently being installed by companies such as BE Broadband. But Fiber Optic allows broadband speeds to be around 100mb. PART (B) Research on the Open Source technology from the internet as well as other sources like journals and periodicals. What is Open Source, basically open source refers to a program or any program whose source code is made available to the general public for use or modification as users or other developers see fit. Open source code is usually created as a public collaborative effort and made freely available. Programmers improve upon the code and share the changes they made within the community. Open source is a development method which allows the software harnesses the power of distributed peer review. Open source is convenient to use as it is a open community that has self help service. The open community assists in skill transfer and it also allows the users to learn at their own pace. Open source need not to be free-of-charge. Vice-versa, free software need not be open source. Although there is large misunderstanding that when it comes to open source, most people refer it as a free ware. Let us see what are the advantages and disadvantages on open source. First, let us talk about what are the advantages in open source. Open source software is mostly high quality software and when u opens the software, the source code is available. It is also well designed and can also be efficiently used in coding. Thus it makes an ideal choice for organizations. Linux and open source solution are easily compressed and portable; it takes less hardware power to function on the same tasks when compared to hardware power on servers. This less hardware power advantage, you can get the desired results even you use cheaper and older hardware. Open source software gives you more freedom unlike those expensive license software as open source has no vendor lock-in. You also no longer need to worry about licenses as open source allows you to install several times and use at any location. With this you can minimize your expenses; you will save on maintenance fees and licensing fees. Most of the organizations that create open source software also provide support and maintenance. Now we talk about the disadvantages of open source. Open source is not highly secure thus anyone knows the code, will be able to hack. Some of the open source software is not reliable, because there is little money put into the development. Anyone can view, edit and redistribute and often no qualified support available. The only support will be from other users or via forums; this makes your open source software to be outdated very quickly. Some of the open sources are not compatible with windows and many other applications. There is a misconception that a lot people thinks that you can save money by switching over to open source. It is because more than 99% of laptops and PC come with window OS preinstalled. The most famous open source licenses are the BSD license, GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Library or Lesser General Public License (LGPL), and Mozilla Public License (MPL).Using open source software can offers various advantages like the ability to reduce costs and development time. And also to avoid being dependent on a single vendor. Therefore I believed that more and more companies and institutions will start using open source software but there risks on using open source too. After listing out all the advantages and disadvantages of the Open Source. Some of the open sources are useful for organization to use while other is for home user. I believed it is more up to the users to decide whether they want to use the open source and they are going to use it for what purpose. Reference http://www.brownfieldstsc.org/glossary.cfm?lett=E http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/emerging-technologies.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_technologies#Debate_over_emerging_technologies http://www.businessknowledgesource.com/technology/impact_on_business_and_society_of_emerging_technology_024012.html http://www.broadbandwatchdog.co.uk/ftth.php http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/open_source.html http://www.outsource2india.com/software/articles/open-source-software.asp http://ask.reference.com/information/Computers/Disadvantages-of-Open-Source-Software

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Forward To The Past - Feudalism And Communism :: Communism Essays

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites The core countries of Central Europe (the Czech Republic, Hungary and, to a lesser extent, Poland) experienced industrial capitalism in the inter-war period. But the countries comprising the vast expanses of the New Independent States, Russia and the Balkan had no real acquaintance with it. To them its zealous introduction is nothing but another ideological experiment and not a very rewarding one at that. It is often said that there is no precedent to the extant fortean transition from totalitarian communism to liberal capitalism. This might well be true. Yet, nascent capitalism is not without historical example. The study of the birth of capitalism in feudal Europe may yet lead to some surprising and potentially useful insights. The Barbarian conquest of the teetering Roman Empire (410-476 AD) heralded five centuries of existential insecurity and mayhem. Feudalism was the countryside's reaction to this damnation. It was a Hobson's choice and an explicit trade-off. Local lords defended their vassals against nomad intrusions in return for perpetual service bordering on slavery. A small percentage of the population lived on trade behind the massive walls of Medieval cities. In most parts of central, eastern and southeastern Europe, feudalism endured well into the twentieth century. It was entrenched in the legal systems of the Ottoman Empire and of Czarist Russia. Elements of feudalism survived in the mellifluous and prolix prose of the Habsburg codices and patents. Most of the denizens of these moribund swathes of Europe were farmers - only the profligate and parasitic members of a distinct minority inhabited the cities. The present brobdignagian agricultural sectors in countries as diverse as Poland and Macedonia attest to this continuity of feudal practices. Both manual labour and trade were derided in the Ancient World. This derision was partially eroded during the Dark Ages. It survived only in relation to trade and other "non-productive" financial activities and even that not past the thirteenth century. Max Weber, in his opus, "The City" (New York, MacMillan, 1958) described this mental shift of paradigm thus: "The medieval citizen was on the way towards becoming an economic man ... the ancient citizen was a political man". What communism did to the lands it permeated was to freeze this early feudal frame of mind of disdain towards "non-productive", "city-based" vocations. Agricultural and industrial occupations were romantically extolled. The cities were berated as hubs of moral turpitude, decadence and greed.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Expository Writing Essay -- Teaching Education

Expository Writing I really don't have any idea on where to start this paper, where it should go, and how it should end. It seems that I'm having a slight problem grasping the idea of expository writing. It's like when you were a kid trying to make it all the way across the monkey bars. You want to be able to reach that next rung and you try very hard, but somehow you just can't reach it. I seem to be having that problem. Right now, as I write, I'm not exactly sure I'm reaching the goal of this assignment, but this may be the best that it gets. All through elementary school, high school, and my freshman year of college, I was taught (and believed it was the only right way) that you must start your paper with a introduction, followed by the body of the paper, and wrap up your main thoughts in the conclusion. Although, in the past three weeks, I have learned that writing can go beyond those boundaries. Now, isn't that a shock after all these years of "formal education". It just doesn't seem right not to construct a paper in the way I have always done in the past, or should I say as this bad habit I've always had. But is actually bad? It always appeared to fit me just right. I am not planning a career in writing. I only want to add and subtract numbers, things that make sense to me. These are the things I understand, to some extent anyhow. There is no alternate interpretation of fourteen minus seven. It will always be seven, no matter how you look at it or who looks at it. It will always be seven. There is one definite answer and if you get it wrong, you're just plain wrong. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. No one can decide that on some particular day that fourteen minus seven is eight. It is impossible. The answer will, f... ...convey your message and get the reaction(s) you want, what is there to change? How about leaving well enough alone? If it's not broke, why fix it? As I look back through this paper, I am not certain I have met the requirements of this writing assignment. I feel as though I am still trying the reach that next bar on the monkey bars as I did when I was young. No matter how much I struggle and lunge for the next rung, it is just barely out of my reach. But in all actuality, is that what I'm really trying to accomplish? Is just reaching the next rung my main objective? No, reaching the end of the monkey bars is my goal. As for right now, I would be happy just reaching that next rung. As my first paper in approximately two years, I hope it is not too terribly bad. As the quarter progresses, I hope to improve in this writing style that is all too new and foreign to me.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Peace Cultures in Action Today Essay

In â€Å"Peace Cultures in Action Today†, the author argues that some small isolated societies manage to create a culture of peace that often ends or is severely modified when they begin interacting with outside cultures. The argument then is that the greater society of the world is less peaceful than these small isolated societies. This theory warrants further study, especially in the area of how these societies react when confronted with societies that do not have the same values. For example, when the Zuni and Inuit are confronted by the larger populace of the United States, do they become more competitive? The interesting question here then is, â€Å"Is competititiveness and aggression a learned behavior? † In the piece, â€Å"To Construct Peace† , Elise and Kenneth Boulding too argue that peaceable existence is a learned behavior and that it can be taught. Elise was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for this theory, but it does not seem particularly sound. Even their own pacifist leanings led to conflict. Though the conflict was in the court systems over the right to become a citizen without an oath to bear arms for the country and a battle over their refusal to sign anti-Communist statements during the McCarthy era, it was still a conflict based on their moral standing. Therefore, it is safe to believe that even in people who believe in and are taught to live in peace, conflict may be inevitable when dealing with the real world. Later the same peace cites Thomas Merton and his poetry and meditations against war and his disappointment that the church could support a â€Å"just war† theory. This again is an interesting position that requires more exploration. Should society allow tragic events to continue because of a belief in peace or should war become a tool of peace? The moral and social ambiguities are clear. If a person is being oppressed and his pacificits nature is being used to subjugate or eradicate him, isn’t there some point at which man must fight for his own survival? This is the point that all of the essayists seem to miss. Peace for peace’s sake is a good thing and being taught to attempt peaceful coexistence before immediately turning to aggressive behaviors may be appropriate. However, if the species is to survive, at some point base instincts overcome learning and the fight for survival becomes more powerful that the desire for peace.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

An Information Communications Technology Solutions Essay

Unified communications (UC) is a commonly used term for the integration of disparate communications systems, media, devices and applications. This potentially includes the integration of fixed and mobile voice, e-mail, instant messaging, desktop and advanced business applications, Internet Protocol (IP)-PBX, voice over IP (VoIP), presence, voice-mail, fax, audio video and web conferencing, unified messaging, unified voicemail, and whiteboarding into a single environment offering the user a more complete but simpler and more effective experience. Gartner states â€Å"The largest single value of UC is its ability to reduce â€Å"human latency† in business processes. † Unified Messaging (or UM) is the integration of different streams of communication (e-mail, SMS, Fax, voice, video, etc. ) into a single, or, unified ‘message store’, accessible from a variety of different devices. Unified Messaging was expected by many in the consumer telecommunications industry to be a popular product, first augmenting and eventually replacing voicemail. However, UM was slow to gain consumer acceptance, and UM vendors such as Comverse were badly hit when the slowdown in the telecommunications industry in 2001 made carriers wary of spending large amounts of money on technology with little proven consumer demand. Role of UM in Present Scenario Today, UM solutions are increasingly accepted in the corporate environment. The aim of deploying UM solutions generally is to enhance and improve business processes as well as services. UM solutions targeting professional end-user customers integrate communications processes into the existing IT infrastructure, i. e. into CRM, ERP and mail systems (e. g. Phoenixnet PH, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, SAP, etc. ) Unified communications is sometimes confused with unified messaging, but it is distinct. Unified communications refers to a real-time delivery of communications based on the preferred method and location of the recipient; unified messaging systems culls messages from several sources (such as email, voice mail etc. ), but holds those messages for retrieval at a later time. Unified messaging focuses on allowing users to access voice, e-mail, fax and other mixed media from a single mailbox independent of the access device. Multimedia services include messages of mixed media types such as video, sound clips, and pictures, and include communication via short message services (SMS). Components of unified communications Unified communications can include a variety of elements, such as instant messaging, telephony, video, email, voicemail, and short message services, all of which could be brought into real time and coordinated. The concept of presence is also a factor – knowing where one’s intended recipients are and if they are available, in real time – and is itself a key component of unified communications. To put it simply, unified communications integrates all the systems that a user might already be using and helps those systems work together in real time. For example, unified communications technology could allow a user to seamlessly collaborate with another person on a project, even if the two users are in separate locations. The user could quickly locate the necessary person by accessing an interactive directory, engage in a text messaging session, and then escalate the session to a voice call, or even a video call – all within minutes. In another example, an employee receives a call from a customer who wants answers. Unified communications could enable that worker to access a real-time list of available expert colleagues, then make a call that would reach the necessary person, enabling the employee to answer the customer faster, and eliminating rounds of back-and-forth emails and phone-tag. The examples in the previous paragraph primarily describe â€Å"personal productivity† enhancements that tend to benefit the individual user. While such benefits can be important, enterprises are finding that they can achieve even greater impact by using unified communications capabilities to transform business processes. This is achieved by integrating UC functionality directly into the business applications using development tools provided by many of the suppliers. Instead of the individual user invoking the UC functionality to, say, find an appropriate resource, the workflow or process application automatically identifies the resource at the point in the business activity where one is needed. When used in this manner, the concept of â€Å"presence† often changes. Most people associate presence with IM â€Å"buddy lists† — the status of individuals is identified. But, in many business process applications, what is important is finding someone with a certain skill. In these environments, presence will identify available skills or capabilities. This â€Å"business process† approach to integrating UC functionality can result in bottom line benefits that are an order of magnitude greater than those achievable by personal productivity methods alone. According to the International Engineering Consortium, unified communications is an industry term used to describe all forms of call and multimedia/cross-media message-management functions controlled by an individual user for both business and social purposes. This includes any enterprise informational or transactional application process that emulates a human user and uses a single, content-independent personal messaging channel (mailbox) for contact access. The essence of communication is breaking down barriers. In its simplest form, the telephone breaks distance and time barriers so that people can communicate in real time or near real time when they are not together. There are now many other barriers to be overcome. People can use many different devices to communicate (wireless phones, personal digital assistants [PDA], personal computers [PC], thin clients, etc. ), and there are now new forms of communication as well, such as instant messaging. The goal of unified communications involves breaking down these barriers so that people using different modes of communication, different media, and different devices can still communicate to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Unified communications (UC) encompasses several communication systems or models including unified messaging, collaboration, and interaction systems; real-time and near real-time communications; and transactional applications.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Persian Wars: Cause of the 499-404 B.C.E

The Persian wars are often compared to the Trojan wars due to the effects they had on Greek history. Athenians who were cultural and politically superior to the Greek considered the wars against Persia as some of the defining and greatest moments in their history (McKay, Hill, Buckler, Buckley, & Wiesner-Hanks, 2008a). Despite the defining effects that the Persian wars had on the history of the Athenian and the Greek, their beginning was nothing big. In mid sixth century BCE, Croesus who was the king of the Lydians took control of all Greek cities along the Asian Minor coast (McKay, Bennett, Beck, Crowston, & Wiesner-Hanks, 2008a). When the Persians conquered the Lydians around 545 BCE all states that were under the Lydians came under the rule of the Persians (McKay, Bennett, Beck, Crowston, & Wiesner-Hanks, 2008b). The Persian approach to leadership was defined by close control and they appointed officials who ruled states under a system that can only be defined as tyrannical. Citizens under the system implemented by the Persians were required to pay extremely high taxes and serve in the Persian army (McKay, Bennett, & Buckler, 2003a). Many revolution in history have generally been caused by oppressions and system that are degenerate in terms of social development. The Persian approach to government bore all the classical signs of tyranny and close governance. Under such system the mechanism that will worst affect the weak are made as effective as possible and in the Persian case this was not different. Their most effective system was the tax collection system which collected taxes in a manner that had no bearing on the earning made by individuals and the failure to submit returns could even result in hanging (McKay, Bennett, & Buckler, 2003b). The rulers were imposed on the Greeks, Lydians and Athenian and the kind of rule that such leaders used was oppressive. The rulers kept close contact with the events that happened on the ground which is a characteristic of an approach to leadership that is either oppressive or concerned with the welfare of its members; in this case the former was more relevant. The pressure placed by the Persian government led to underground revolution which were propagated by the opportunism of Aristagoras. Aristagoras sought help from the Spartans and Athenians (McKay, Hill, Buckler, Buckley, & Wiesner-Hanks, 2008a). The later helped him in though by 495 BCE all rebellious Greek cities has been restored under the Persian government. This did not spell the end of war due to the attention than the Athenians had gotten from Persia for the role they played in the destruction of Ardis. The revenge mission and the expertise that the Athenians had in Hippias who had been a member of the Persian army led to what is referred to as the battle marathon (McKay, Hill, Buckler, Buckley, & Wiesner-Hanks, 2008b). By the end of the marathon Greece began an ambitious navy building project due to the influence of Themistocles which propagated the war into a war for supremacy. In summary, the war started by the need for freedom and independence catalyzed by a leaders who was out to fulfill his personal agenda. By gaining support from other states the Persians were defeated due to their lack of commitment to the war. The marathon which served to propagate the Persian war was mainly out of the need for revenge by the Persians and its ‘marathon' stature is resultant of the resistance the Persians got from the well prepared Athenians and Persians. Towards the end of the war the objective was more about gain of supremacy. In the end, the Athenians got all the glory though the role played by the Spartans in the Persian wars can never be underestimated.

Accounting 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Accounting 1 - Essay Example The organization had elaborate risk assessment about which every employee was cognizant. The organization conducted risk awareness and emergency response training regularly. Fire extinguishers were regularly checked and replaced and there were notices providing information on what do in the event of a hazard. The management routinely supplied employees with the latest information on common and emergent risks. I realized that the organization monitored and reviewed its internal controls periodically. The petty cash was checked at the end of every week and recommendations given on what to avoid and what to improve. Internal controls that were found ineffective or failing after monitoring were replaced and others were improved in order to enhance their functionality. The organization had a comprehensive yet simple way of reporting risks to the relevant officials in which everybody knew the most immediate person to approach. The organization had good information and communication system in place. The management issued memos in good time when calling for a meeting and every employee was issued with a copy of previous meeting’s minutes with the day’s agenda. The management was respectful in the way it summoned employee for disciplinary action and they did not let other employees know about it. The most outstanding element of the organization’s internal controls was its control activities. The duties of different individuals were separated and every individual knew what they were supposed to do and what to forward to the next person. This was most evident in the accounts department where duties such as approval of purchases, reception of deliveries, approval of invoices, review, and reconciliation of financial records were handled by different people. There were clear procedures for transactional authorization where there were officers entrusted with authorizing purchases and payments. No such transactions could be undertaken

Monday, October 7, 2019

Critical Thinking in Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critical Thinking in Business - Essay Example It is recommended that the Director should immediately discuss the ground reality with the local governing authorities, the authorities should be requested for taking some remedial actions, and if not, and the authorities should be warned that the company might shun their Lagos branch. A developing country, with poor infrastructure, can not afford to lose foreign investment, and it is expected that the authorities will resolve the issue, and the malpractices of the client agents will get affected and sorted out. (Saxton, 1989) The recent studies have concluded that the application of comprehensive code of conduct and ethics had significant impact on the opinion with reference to ethical behavior in organization, and Thomas should adhere by it, the company's moral reputation should not be put at stake merely for the approval and satisfaction of client agents. It is understandable that codes of ethics can't help in solving the most difficult ethical problems in business, and it is important for the director to work out certain solution without compromising on the ethical values. If the malpractice of the company gets exposed to the international community, the company will have negative impact on its growth and operations. (Barnett, 1996) It is important to evolve and portray BIM as good business firm that is financially successful and economically efficient enterprise which would combine profit-making with social responsibility. Furthermore, it is expected that the firm provide handsome and suitable remuneration to its employees to become involved in their communities and eventually to transform into good corporate citizen. Therefore, Thomas should take some relevant measures after in consultation with the company's high management, and should provide possible and sufficient incentives to the employees, so that their personal need and greed should not make them compromise over the company's value. The question is not just about the Thomas crossing the floor, but his subordinates are likely to practice the similar approach, which is also a matter of concern, and should be avoided. The two significant consequences will reference to adoption of ethical techniques include, 1. Under modern conditions, ethics can be conceptualized in two different levels, i.e. ethics with reference to actions and ethics with reference to conditions of actions, i.e. based on rules or institutions, also called institutional ethics or order ethics. It is most important to avoid any existing or expected contradiction between the two. 2. Another important aspect is with reference to ethics under pre-modern conditions i.e. the selection of evaluation and selection of the rules. It is important to understand that adherence to common values as a foundation. In the age of globalization, the practice of agreement and consensus on values has diluted. (Davis, 2003) The Director Thomas Harvey has another option i.e. adoption of strategy for mutual advantages, such technique will surely resolved the dispute, if the involvement of the local authorities is to be ignored for any reason. The client agents and the company should bring themselves to justify ethical norms in terms of mutual advantages or benefits, in this regard; three different options can be evaluated.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Eassy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Eassy - Essay Example Globalization has significantly changed the dynamics of social structure and provided it with socio-cultural diversity that is indeed diverse in its application of ideas, ideologies and competencies across people coming from different race, culture, color and nationality. In such conditions, the role of HRM is crucial in creating a diverse workforce whose competencies are judiciously exploited for increasing organizational productivity (Gillham, Wood & Somerville, 2007). Indeed, in the transforming societal norms, cultural competencies can provide the organizations with unique competitive advantage that would be difficult to imitate. Thus, treating workforce as human capital is not only desirable but also essential in the changing environment of high competition. Moreover, environmental changes like globalization and technology are also intrinsically linked to other paradigms of business which have considerable impact on the overall performance of the firm. Computer and internet have redefined communication and provided people with huge entrepreneurial opportunities to expand their business across globe. They have diminished the geographical distances and increased the challenges for HRM. The job specifications have become more stringent and jobs less secure due to new trends of outsourcing in non-core areas of business. HR’s contribution to the human capabilities through training and development become vital facilitator of motivated workforce that generates job security and inculcates higher sense of self-worth (Zapata-Cantu et al., 2007). HRM is also responsible for creating an organizational culture that highlights cross cultural understanding, mutual respect, shared goals and strong teamwork. This is important in current times as diversity in workforce necessitates understanding of cross cultural values to inculcate mutual respect and strengthen teamwork

Saturday, October 5, 2019

How Does the American Public School Philosophy address the concept of Research Paper

How Does the American Public School Philosophy address the concept of Democracy aad the individual - Research Paper Example In this case, before undertaking to explore the role that American schools play in educating children in about democracy, it is crucial to attempt explaining the relationship between the two concepts of education and democracy. Thus, from a contemporary point of view, democracy can be considered to be that which results from and is reflective of modern day societies political and market economy, it personified by activities such as choosing political representatives and an autonomous judicially (Loflin, 2008). In these premises, school provides education to the minority future political figures, the majority to fit into their future role as consumers and producers in the society, and ultimately the decision makers in the society. Hence, such an education, will ideally involve educating them by practical activities so that they can experience democracy in their own personalized setting such as participating in their student centered committees and organizations, in their schools. This paper is an introspection of the role played by public schools in perpetuating the concept of democracy and individual through pedagogy by discussing the rationale; examining the objectives of teaching democracy in schools, the methods and implementation as well as the challenges that are encountered in the endeavor. The culture of democracy should be taught to schoolchildren for a number of reasons; prominent among them is the need to create self-awareness to them, which is instrumental in helping them take responsibility for their lives and the country’s destiny. This is because when children understand democracy, they will appreciate its importance and can easily apply it in their lives as students. This is concerning activities such as voting for prefects and student leaders as well as in simple things like solving a dispute on where to eat lunch among friends or which bus to take home (Rosenthal and Burroughs, 2003.). While these might seem like minor considerations, th ey set ground for bigger issue that the students will have to make in their adult lives, and it helps socialize them into democratically sensitive individuals. Although it is hailed and praised for facilitating legitimate governance, democracy can only be as strong as those who practice it. As a result, in America, students should be taught about democracy in order to ensure they are able to make judgments for themselves on what is democratic and what is not democratic. The process of democracy in America is often fraught with conflict and can often be messy, thus, teaching schoolchildren democracy is crucial since it helps them to appreciate the potential for conflict that result even with democracies, in order to develop democratically acceptable ways of dealing with these conflicts. In addition, youths might mistakenly assume that what happens in congress, and in national politics, is the epitome of democracy due to its lofty position. Nonetheless, the truth is that democracy is frequently abused and overstepped by politicians in their search for political mileage. Therefore, education about democracy provides learners with wisdom enabling them to contemplate the political climate and happenings critically so that they do not get mislead by these populist shenanigans. Electronic and print media has failed miserably in their attempt to convey to