Written by The Prophet Essay Example For Students

Written by: The Prophet Essay Edited by: The MetallianLebanon, a nation that once proudly called itself the Switzerland of theMiddle East, is today a country in name only. Its government controlslittle more than half of the nations capital, Beirut. Its once-vibranteconomy is a shambles. And its society is fragmented so fragmented, somebelieve, that it may be impossible to re-create a unified state responsiveto the needs of all its varied peoples. Lebanon lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranea n Sea, in that partof southwestern Asia known as the Middle East. Because of its location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa Lebanon has been the centerof commerce and trade for thousands of years. It has also been on theroute of numerous conquering armies. With an area of 4,015 square miles, Lebanon is one of the smallestcountries in the Middle East. It is smaller than every state in the UnitedStates except Delaware, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Lebanon issandwiched between Syria in the north and east and Israel in the south. We will write a custom essay on Written by: The Prophet specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The maximum distance from the nations northern border to the southern oneis only 130 miles. And the maximum distance from the Mediterranean Sea tothe Lebanon-Syria border is 50 miles. In the south, along the border withIsrael, Lebanons eastern border is only 20 miles from the sea. Although a tiny land, Lebanon boasts a great diversity in its landscapewhich makes it one of the most picturesque countries in the world. Thecoast line is br oken by many bays and inlets of varying size. At somepoints, the mountains wade silently right into the sea then climbsuddenly tier on tier away from the Mediterranean to the sky. Because ofthe limitation of flat agricultural land, all but the steepest hillsideshave been patiently and neatly terraced and planted with garlands oftwisted grapevines. The mountains lend a great variety of hues palepink, rosy red, forest green or deep purple to the landscape. Dependingon the time of day, they never appear the same twice, and from time to timewhipped white clouds hide all except their snow-capped peaks. Even on thedarkest night, the lights of the villages perched on the mountains shine insmall clusters as a reminder of their presence. On c loser view, themountains become a jumble of giant gorges, many of them over a thousandfeet de ep, with rocky cliffs, steep ravines and awesome valleys. Theseunassailable bastions have offered a secure hideaway, throughout history,for hermits and persecuted groups seeking refuge. Lebanon has four distinct geographical regions: a narrow but fertile coastal plain; two roughly parallel mountain ranges that run the fulllength of the country the Lebanon, which rises in the west to an alpinehei ght of 11,000 feet while the eastern range, the anti-Lebanon, iscrowned magestically by the snow-capped Mount Hermon at 9,232 feet. Thetwo chains of mountains shelter between them a well-cultivated plateauextending seventy miles in length and fifteen miles in width. Thistableland is called the Bekaa. This is a fertile strip of land 110 mileslong and six to ten miles wide. Zahle, the third largest city in thecountry, is in the valley. The countrys two most important rivers, theLitani and the Orontes, rise in the northern Bekaa near Baalbek, a citythat dates to Roman times. The Litani flows southwest through the BekaaValley and then empties into the Mediterranean Sea north of Tyre. Itswaters are used for irrigation, so it becomes a mere tr ickle by the timeit gets to the sea . The Orontes rises not far from the Litani, but itflows northward between the two mountain ranges, wending its way intoSyria. Beyond the Bekaa and the anti-Lebanon mountains, the Syrian desertonly stretches east f or about 800 miles to the valley of the Tigris andEuphrates rivers. This geography has been a determining factor formillenia in keeping Lebanon turned toward the West. The landscape cannot be described without mentioning the most celebratedtree o f Lebanon, the cedar. Called by the Lebanese Cedar of the Lord,this famed tree retains somewhat of a sacred aura this day. It has becomethe symbol of Lebanon and appears in the center of the flag, on the coins,and often on postage stamps. Since an cient times the cedar constituted avaluable export which provided King Solomon with timber for theconstruction of his Temple, the Phoenicians with wood for their seafaringgalleys , the Egyptians with lumber for their palaces. Unhappily only afew grov es of these stately trees have survived the ax of the builder, theseeker of fuel, or the hunger of goats. Cedars generally grow on thehighest mountain tops so it is not surprising to find an ancient grove of450 trees nestled under the highest peak. Th is grove, the only remaininglarge one, may be seen as small dark specks on the bare face of themountain side from a distance of many miles. A few of the existing treesm ay be 1,000 years old, and it is estimated that twenty of them have grownfor more than 400 years. The largest measure about twelve feet incircumference, eighty feet in height and their branches spread anunbelievable 100 feet. .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 , .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .postImageUrl , .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 , .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:hover , .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:visited , .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:active { border:0!important; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:active , .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082 .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub47efb0739e4c051dd26d1e859b9d082:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Effects Of HIV Mutations On The Immune System EssayThe olive, another tree closely associated with Lebanon, is extensivelycultivated, and old gnarled oli ve groves cover many of the lower hills andvalleys. For centuries olives have been a staple in the diet while theiroil has taken the place of butter among the peasants who still firmlybelieve in the medicinal benefits of warm olive oil applied to stra ins,sprains and earaches. The diversity of soil and the elevation produce agreat variety of other trees including oaks, pines, junipers, firs, cyprus,sycamore, fig, banana, acacia and date palm. Orange, lemon, apple andother fruit trees have been ra ised commercially in recent years. Besidessupplying the local market with a great variety of delicious fresh fruit,the harvest is exported to neighboring countries and provides Lebanon witha main source of income. The narrow plain along the Medit erranean coast is the most denselypopulated part of Lebanon. Here and there the Lebanon Mountains push downto the sea, and thus there is no coastal plain. In other spots the plainis so narrow that there is barely enough room for a road. However, in anumber of places the coastal plain is wide enough to accommodate populationcenters, and it is here, between the foothills of the mountains and theMediterranean Sea, that two of Lebanons most important cities Beirut andTripoli- are located. Be irut Lebanons capital, largest city, and majorport is located at about the midpoint of the countrys coastline. Today,much of Beirut lies in ruins. It has been a battlefield on which thecontending forces of have warred to see who could cause the greatestdestruction. But before 1975, when the civil war erupted, Beirut was thenations cultural and commercial heart and on of the most beautiful andprosperous cities in the Middle East. Lebanons second largest city,Tripoli , is also on the c oast, some 40 miles north of Beirut. Because mostof the people in this city are Sunni Moslems, it had, until 1983, escapedthe destruction brought to Beirut by the Moslem- Christian fighting. But inlate 1983, warring factions of the Palestine Liberati on Organizationfought their battles in and around Tripoli. Hundreds of Lebanese werekilled, buildings were destroyed, and oil-storage tanks were set ablaze. Alarge part of Tripolis population fled the battle area, but returned inDecember 1983 after the PLO forces loyal to Yasir Arafat were evacuated. Other important cities on the coastal plain are Juniye, Sidon, and Tyre. Sidon and Tyre are south of Beirut and have been occupied by Israeli troopssince the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. In 1984, the population was estimated at 3,480,000 Lebanese (these areestimated because no poll has been officially taken since 1932). Almostall of these people, whether they are Christian or Moslem, are Arabs, andLebanon is an Arab country. Mo st of the people can speak French orEnglish or both, but Arabic is the national language. However, thenational unity that usually comes from a common language and heritage haseluded the Lebanese people. In many ways, the country is less a nationthan a collection of fuedal- like baronies based on religious lines. Eachreligious community has its own leaders and its own fighting force, ormilitia. It is reminiscent of China during the early years of thetwentieth century, when that nation had a weak central goverment and wasruled by various warlords scattered throughout the country, each seekingpolitical and economic dominance. The Moslems, who now constitute more than half the population, aredivided into three major sects: the Shiites, the S unnis, and the Druse. The Christians include the Maronites, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics,Orthodox and Catholic Armenians, and Protestants. But neither theChristians nor the Moslems are truly unified; throughout their historyMoslem and Christian se cts have fought for political and economic gain. The Moslems, who in 1932 were in the minority, now make up 56 percent ofthe population in Lebanon. The Shiites, the poorest of the Moslem sects,number about 1 million. They are concentrated in West Beirut and in thecitys southern suburbs, as well as in southern Lebanon in and aroundBaalbek in the Bekaa Valley. The Sunnis number about 600,000 and are concentrated in West Beirut,Tripoli, Sidon, and Akkar, in the northernmost part of the count ry. Rashid Karami, a former Lebanese prime minister, is the leader of theSunnis in Tripoli and the most influential Sunni in the country. Themilitia, Morbitun, a force of 5,000 well-trained fighters, is stationed inWest Beirut, Tripoli, and other Su nni areas. The Druse, a secretive Moslem sect, number about 350,000, but theirinfluence is greater than these numbers would indicate. The Druse liveprimarily in the Shuf mountains and in other areas to the south and east ofBeirut. They now have close ties to Syria, where there is a large Drusecommunity. The Syrians have supplied the Druse with a large assortment ofweapons, including artillery and tanks. The Druse militia numbers about4,000 men and has joined forces with the Shiite militia i n and around WestBeirut to battle the Christian-dominated Lebanese army and the Christianmilitias. .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 , .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .postImageUrl , .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 , .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:hover , .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:visited , .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:active { border:0!important; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:active , .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665 .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua2e4e1bc93e0a1ad0b652d2fdb011665:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Mary Rowlandson EssayAnother major Moslem force in the country and a constant threat to it are the 500,000 Palestinian refugees and the remnants of the PLO. Their leader, Yassir Arafat, and thousands of his troops were forced out of Beirutby the Israelis in 1982 and out of Tripoli by Syrian-backed PLO dissidentsin 1983. The dissident PLO forces no longer recognize Arafat as theirleader because of his lack of mili tancy in the fight with Israel. TheSyrians, in addition to controlling these dissident members of the PLO,also control the 3,500-man Palistine Liberation Army. The Christians, who in 1932 made up a majority of the Lebanesepopulation, are now only about 44 percent of the population. The largestChristian sect and thus far the dominant one in the nations politicaland economic life are the Maronites. They number about 580,000 and makeup 38 percent of the Christian population and 17 percent of the nationalpopulation. The Phalange party, headed by Pierre Gemayel, is the most importantMaronite political group. The Phalangist militia is the largest of theChristian militias. It controls East Beirut, the area along the coast justnorth of the capital, and some areas in southern and central Lebanon. Thismilitia has been heavily armed by the Israelis. Each of these peoples has played an important role in Lebanese history. Moslems and Christians have lived in harmony for long period s of time, butthey have frequently engaged in bitter warfare, much as we are seeingtoday. For nearly a decade this hapless nation has suffered continuous civil waramong its various religious and ethnic groups. It has been invaded twiceby Israel, which now controls all of southern Lebanon, and it has beenoccupied by Syria, which controls most of eastern and northern Lebanon. Nearly 500,000 Palestinians refugees from the Arab-Israeli wars live inLebanon, where they have formed a state with in a state. And a successionof peacekeeping forces Arab, United Nations, and Western have not onlyfailed to establish peace, but have exacerbated the already horrificsituation. Why havent the Lebanese people been able to put aside their sec tariandifferences to work toward a stable government that represents all of thepeople? The complete answer to this question lies deep within the uniquehistory of Lebanon. In 1943, the year that France, which ruled Lebanon asa League of Nations manda te, reluctantly gave the nation its independance. As independence approached, the nations two most populous and powerfulsects, the Maronites and the Sunnis, formulated what is known as theNational Pact an unwritten agreement that spelled out the cou ntryspolitical makeup as well as its general orientation in foreign affairs. The National Pact allocated political power to Lebanons religious sectson the basis of population. The census in 1932 showed that the Christianshad the majority with j ust over 50 percent of the population. As aresult, it was agreed that the President of Lebanon would always be aMaronite Christian and the prime minister would always be a Sunni Moslem. Other important positions were given to other sects. The Preside nt of theChamber of Deputies, for example, would always be a Shiite Moslem and thedefense minister would be a Druse. In addition, the Christians were tohave six seats in Parliment for every five seats held by Moslems. Thissystem guaranteed the Maron ite Christians control of Lebanon. This system worked well enough for fifteen years. From 1943 until 1958the nations economy boomed and Beirut was transformed into the showcasecity of the Mediterranean. The government seemed stable enough, but th erewere problems boiling beneath the surface and in the mid-1950s the systembegan to come apart. For one thing, the Moslems, especially the poorerShiites, had a substantially higher birthrate than the Christians; manypeople believed that the Shiites had surpassed the Maronites in population. But the Christians would not allow a new census to be taken, for this wouldhave meant a reallocation of the nations political power, with the Moslemsects gaining at the expense of the Christians. With their hopes forpolitical gains dampened, the Shiites became disenchanted. Why is this once prosperous nation on the verge of total collapse? Thereare a number of reasons, but the primary one is that the Lebanese peoplebelong to at least fifteen differe nt religious sects and their loyalty tothese sects is greater than their loyalty to a united Lebanon. Had thepeoples sense of nationhood been stronger, they would not have sufferedthe destruction of the past decade.

Bill Become A Law Essays - Statutory Law, Law, Government, Bill

Bill Become A Law Essays - Statutory Law, Law, Government, Bill Bill Become A Law Rewrite #1 As a bill is on the highway to become law, there are two great obstacles that stand in the way of this process. The first hurdle being the power of many top committee chairs to delay voting and even pigeon hole bills. The second hurdle is for the president to sign the bill. These are the two main hurdles that stand in the way of a bill becoming a law. After a bill has reached a committee, the main obstacle that stands in the way is the committee chair. The chair has the power and authority to pigeon hole a bill or simply put it aside and delay the opportunities for debate on the bill. This allows for the opposition to not have to deal with the bill for a sustained amount of time. For instance since most bill die in committee, one of the focuses for a bill that is likely not to be passed is so the supporters can get publicity and can say they acted on or did something for the bill and its purpose(s). While in the committee, the chair is the figure with the most control and ability. If he/she opposes a bill, then the likelihood of its passing becomes less and less. This is a major obstacle because of its supreme role in the whole process, and as a result many of the bills introduced into committees, never make it out. The second major obstacle is the signing of the bill by the president. The president usually acts in the manner most favorable to his party, so it is that party that recieves the benefit of his holding office. However the president also acts in the manner most favorable to the nation, so he has the ability to control many bills. For instance many bills that that embody a clear, appealing idea (stop drugs, help old folks), usually make out quite well by the time it makes it to the presidency. But those bills that have been passed by a party that is opposite the president may often be vetoed. Thus causing a momentary stop in the entire process in becoming law. The presidency is an extremely unique and important step in the process, because he has the final say on the billuntil it may go back for the 2/3s override. These two obstacles are quite different, one is at the very forefront of the whole process while the other is at the possible endyet these two areas do share a common bond. That is they both are hurdles in the act of a bill becoming a law.

Explanation of Indirect Objects for ESL Learners

Explanation of Indirect Objects for ESL Learners Indirect objects are persons or things who receive the benefits of an action. In other words, when somebody does something for someone or something the person or thing it is done for is the indirect object. For example: Tom gave me the book.Melissa bought Tim some chocolate. In the first sentence, the direct object book was given to me, the indirect object. In other words, I received the benefit. In the second sentence, Tim received the direct object chocolate. Notice that the indirect object is placed before the direct object. Indirect Objects Answer Questions Indirect objects answer the questions to whom, to what, for whom or for what. For example: Susan offered Fred some good advice. To whom was advice (direct object in a sentence) offered? - Fred (indirect object) The teacher teaches the students science in the morning. For whom is science (direct object in a sentence) taught? - the students (indirect object) Nouns as Indirect Objects Indirect objects can be nouns (things, objects, people, etc.). Generally, however, indirect objects are usually people or groups of people. This is because indirect objects (people) receive the benefit of some action. For example: I read Peter the report. Peter is the indirect object and the report (what I read) is the direct object. Mary showed Alice her house. Alice is the indirect object and the house (what she showed) is the direct object. Pronouns as Indirect Objects Pronouns can be used as indirect objects. Its important to note that pronouns used as indirect objects must take the object pronoun form. Object pronouns include me, you, him, her, it, us, you, and them. For example: Greg told me the story. Me is the indirect object and the story (what Greg told) is the direct object. The boss lent them the start-up investment. Them is the indirect object and the start-up investment (what the boss lent) is the direct object. Noun Phrases as Indirect Objects Noun phrases (a descriptive phrase ending in a noun: a beautiful vase, an interested, wise, old professor) can also be used as indirect objects. For example: The composer wrote the dedicated, poor singers a song to perform. the dedicated, poor singers are the indirect object (noun phrase form), while a song (what the composer wrote) is the direct object. Relative Clauses as Indirect Objects Relative clauses which define an object can also function as indirect objects. For example: Peter promised the man, who had been waiting for an hour, the next tour of the building. In this case, the man is defined by the relative clause who had been waiting for an hour both of these make up the indirect object. The next tour of the building (what Peter promises) is the direct object.

I am the One who has been Taught how to Dream Essay

I am the One who has been Taught how to Dream - Essay Example However, there is also an image in the poem that shows the father’s love for his son. My own dad is a tough father but he also loves me too. The father in "My Father Teaches Me to Dream'' is a tough father, and this displayed in a variety of images. For example, the rhythm of the poem has an ordering rhythm. The father tells his son what to do and what not to do. In addition, n lines such as "You get up. You get on the bus," "You don't look from side to side," and "You keep your eyes straight ahead'' show that the father didn't allow his son any space to think or to be creative. Also, in the line en he said "You get off the bus. You work all day," the father shows his son how tough the world is he doesn’t allowgive any time for leisure time. Furthermore, the father broke his son’s heart when he said "All other stuff you're looking for—it ain't there." This line deprived the son of the last drop of hope that he was hanging on. Also, the father told his son to be very precise and not to do any more than what he is told to do. This kills creativity in the son; it will not make him creative and he will likely grow up to becomes him an average man. The last line of the poem, â€Å"Work is work,† is quite simply yet it shows something of the father’s personality or background. ... This might not actually be the personality that the father has, but this is what is portrayed in the poem. However, despite the toughness that the father displays towards his son, he also shows his son some love in this poem. For example, the line "That way nobody will bothers you—see?" shows how the father does care about his son because he does not want anybody to bother him or make him feel uncomfortable. This is the true value of a father because any father should show so much concern for their son that they would want them to live a life free of trouble. Also, the line "There's no handouts in this life" could be explained as the father caring about his son; he is just trying to teach him that he has to work for everything that he wants in this life because no one will give him any freebies. While this could be perceived as mean, this is just a harsh reality of life and the sooner that we get used to it the quicker we can do something with our lives. Furthermore, when the father said "You do the same thing again," it could mean that if you are trying to work hard to accomplish a dream and it does not happen right away, it does not mean that you should stop; you should keep trying until you finally reach your dream. This could be seen as the father wanting a boring life for his son, but all he wants is for his son to find a successful formula in life and stick to it. This way, the son will always be pleased with his life and he should hopefully pass this important piece of advice onto his son. This line shows how the father wants his son to reach his dream and also that he did not envy him. The father wants his son to still have an opportunity to reach his

Money Management Final-1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Money Management Final-1 - Essay Example After analyzing own risk profile, the investment decisions will be made, that in which investment vehicle I need to invest. This report will focus on the investment strategy and objectives need to be adopted, difference between ETFs and the mutual funds and how to manage the portfolio risk in order to experience good flow in investing. Further, it will also take into consideration the financial instruments which are accessible for investments, the role and influence of the main players in the financial markets, relationship between the financial markets and the macroeconomic forces and the benefits and risks of investing in different investment vehicle. Analyzing Risk Profile All investors have contradictory attitudes towards risk, so when it comes to investing, it is essential that we need to judge our own risk profile including that the returns on my investments could fluctuate broadly from year to year and also how comfortable I am with the likelihood of losing money. Understandin g personal risk tolerance will provide assistance in selecting a suitable asset allocation. My asset allocation includes stock, mutual fund, cash and property. It depends broadly on the time horizon and my risk tolerance ability. So, in order to judge own risk profile, following points need to be taken into consideration: Investment Experience The investment experience will indicate my understanding of financial markets such as just started investing or know the basics of investing or investing for several years or have enough knowledge of financial markets and have been making investment decisions boldly (See Appendix A). So, my experience is that I understand the fundamentals of investing. Risk Tolerance In order to ascertain an investment strategy that suits my risk profile, first I need to think about the likelihood that my investment value may decline although this may be temporary and must be prepared to admit the probability of negative return at any time for the purpose of l ikely higher long term returns. It will focus on the factors that whether I will neglect short term losses or interested in collecting regular income from investment or long term growth in investment value or want protection against inflation. So, I consider neglecting any short term losses and if in any case, the investment value fell by 20% in a short time then I would like to hold the investment and sell nothing (See Appendix B). Investment Goals and Objectives The investment goals include capital growth, purchase of new car, to purchase a new plot of land, to get a house and a young child’s education in future. My investment goals are for long term, so I afford to take some risk for a higher return. My investment objectives include investing in mutual funds because of its diversification benefits, property and stocks because they offer higher returns than fixed interests. It also includes investing in cash because it is highly liquid

The Strategic Role of HR in a State Government Essay Example for Free

The Strategic Role of HR in a State Government Essay In a growing number of organizations human resources are now viewed as a source of competitive advantage (Human Links, 2007). For human resource to be competitive, it entails competencies that are â€Å"obtained through highly developed employee skills, distinctive organizational cultures, management processes and systems† (Human Links, 2007). The presence of these distinctive competencies marks most of the high-performance organizations. But the need for such organizations is not limited only to the private sector. Government organizations, particularly state and local governments, â€Å"are becoming increasingly accountable for results and the cost-effective use of taxpayer money spent on programs and services† (TechRepublic, 2007). Government organizations are like businesses; businesses that may not be run for profit but rather are organized to meet a social goal in an effective and efficient manner (Mathys, 2006). Such said, â€Å"Government organizations must be responsive, use their resources well, and provide good value to the user and account ­ability to the taxpayer† (Mathys, 2006).   It is in this context that strategic human resource management has become just as important in the public sector. Strategic human resource management has been defined as ‘linking of human resources with strategic goals and objectives in order to improve business performance and develop organizational culture that foster innovation and flexibility’ (Human Links, 2007). The whole process of strategic human resource management includes the measurement of the impact of actions and decisions.   Pressures on governments around the world have contributed to the rising adoption of â€Å"performance management and measurement† – a focus on program and service outputs and outcomes, and on â€Å"managing for results† (TechRepublic, 2007). One method that has had significant demonstrated success to improve process efficiency, timeliness, and customer satisfaction in business is the balanced scorecard (Mathys, 2006). The Balanced Scorecard is a â€Å"performance measurement that seeks to combine strategic planning with performance measurement† (Rogers, 2007). Robert Kaplan and David Norton published works on the Balanced Scorecard in 1991 and considered four areas in assessing the effectiveness of an organization in meeting its vision and strategy. These four areas or â€Å"perspectives† include: Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes, and Learning and Growth. According to Mathys, Kaplan and Norton’s model explains that visions and strategies are translated into objectives, measures, targets, and initiatives that answer the questions in each of the four categories: Financial, the main question is: â€Å"To succeed financially, how should we appear to our shareholders?† Customer, the focus is: â€Å"To achieve our vision, how should we appear to our customers?† Internal business process focuses on the question: â€Å"To satisfy our shareholders and customers, what business processes must we excel at?† Learning and growth category focuses on answering the question: â€Å"To achieve our vision, how will we sustain our ability to change and improve?† Essentially, this framework â€Å"balances the value of strategic inputs (leading indicators) with financial outputs (lagging indicators) to enable an organization to improve the way it plans, measures and communicates success† (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). It is now being applied by hundreds of successful organizations, in the public and private sectors, to align people, strategy and performance (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). In 1999, the State of Illinois embarked on a strategic planning initiative (SPI) to initiate change using the balanced scorecard (BSC).   The initial goals were performance management and public accountability, which required viewing the Illinois public as a customer whose opinion of government performance was of paramount importance (Lang, 2007). The State of Illinois translated its goals and strategy into different measures of success Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes, Human Resources Systems Development (learning and growth). In this context, the Human Resources (HR) Department has a critical role in facilitating the whole process of instituting a comprehensive public governance system using this measurement system. People management is an important function of the HR Department and can play an important role in an organizations financial performance as well as the service it offers its customers (Yahoo! Answers, 2007). People management includes managing recruitment selection, turnover issues, employee benefits, and acting as an information resource in HR issues for the organization (Yahoo! Answers, 2007). First, it is important that the HR department views the state government as well as its constituency as its customer. The HR Department ensures that loyalty among employees towards the organization is intact and also that the final constituents or the general population of the state government therefore are benefited. Second, the HR department looks into the other departments within the state government and assesses their goals and strategies as well in contributing to the achievement of the primary goal of the state government. This can be viewed particularly on learning and growth concerns such as how the various capabilities of various employees can be built up and enhanced so they can very well respond to the goals of the organizations, among others. This entails for example employing a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) tool so that employee capabilities may be surveyed, consolidated and aptly tapped. Knowledge of employee skills, abilities and aptitude could save the organization from investing on capability building trainings that do not address the real needs of employees. Third, in terms of internal business process, the role of the HR Department is to â€Å"indicate how much each employee contributes to the organization such as revenue generated minus the cost of salary, benefits and training† (Yahoo! Answers, 2007). This basically looks into the productivity of the individual employee as well as the consolidated output of such individual productivity levels with which the HR Department also has that function to design a merit and rewards system to increase again such productivity. This is vital to keep the bureaucracy lean. Fourthly, in financial terms, the HR Department shall be able to perform a rationalized system of recruitment because it sees fit which employees to hire based on the scope of work and job specifications. Aside from recruitment, HR also could do regular employee performance evaluations so as to determine which employee has actually continually met the specifications of the job. Again, this saves the state government from unnecessary hiring of staff and checking of redundancy, among others, since the staffing needs of the organization has been streamlined. With the HR Department using these four perspectives, it helps the government administration to keep â€Å"track the value of activities (e.g. human resource development) which previously had not been audited effectively and had not been regarded as contributors to the bottom line (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). As in many private corporations, HR Departments of state governments shall have to use hard data in measuring performance. This can be done by linking â€Å"employee competencies with behavioral objectives to align job specifications, recruitment, promotion, appraisal, and reward systems† (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). A number of HR measures or benchmarks can be employed to check on performance and these include: â€Å"Applications per vacancy, Internal promotions, Hours training, Peer group reviewing, Cross-functional projects, Knowledge sharing, Employee turnover, Cost per hire, Employee satisfaction,† among others (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). The HR Department can also assist the various departments of the state government in targeting and developing milestones that keep its focus on the goals.   The goals of the state government must be cascaded to every department with the help of the HR Department. In the end, some of the following questions may serve to measure the four perspectives: Customer/Constituency. What services have been delivered to the constituents in order to secure their welfare and how do these relate to people’s expectations towards the state government? Learning and Growth. Have the skills and competencies of officers and staff have been upgraded and in what manner? Internal Business Processes. What desirable levels of effectiveness and efficiency have been achieved in serving the constituents? Financial Resources. What revenue generating options have been tapped and which government services have already been provided at a reasonable price? In all these, the role of HR should be to facilitate rather than dictate the targets and outcomes. Keeping the measurements simple allows it to be more understandable and adaptable. If it is not seen to be fully integrated with the business imperatives of the Chief Executive it will not be given the attention it deserves by operational managers (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). List of References Chaturvedi, Siddharth. October 2007. Strategic Human Resource Management. Retrieved October 2007 from http://www.humanlinks.com/manres/articles/shrm/htm. Lang, Sandra S.   January 2007. The CPA Journal. â€Å"Balanced Scorecard and Government Entities Moving Forward at the Illinois Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 2007 from http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2004/604/essentials/p48.htm. Mathys, Nicholas. February 2006. Managing for Performance Results Series 2006. â€Å"Using the Balanced Scorecard: Lessons Learned from the U.S. Postal Service and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.† Retrieved October 2007 from http://www.businessofgovernment.org/pdfs/MathysReport.pdf Rogers, Martha. June 2007. â€Å"Balanced Score Card Usage in Local Government Audit Shops.† Retrieved October 2007 from http://www.governmentauditors.org/content/view/311/123/. Strategic Management Partners. January 2007. Briefing Papers: Using the HR Balanced Scorecard. Retrieved October 2007 from http://www.consult-smp.com/archives/2005/02/using_the_hr_ba_html. TechRepublic. October 2007. Whitepapers: Using the Balanced Scorecard to Improve State and Local Government Performance. Retrieved October 2007 from http://whitepapers.techrepublic.com.com/webcast.aspx. Yahoo! Answers. October 2007. What is Balanced Score Card in HR?. Retrieved   October 2007 from http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070927202545AAwkQix.

Brave New World Introduction Essay -- essays research papers fc

BRAVE NEW WORLD Introduction This novel was written by Aldous Huxley in 1932. It is a fable about a world state in the 7th century A.F. (after Ford), where social stability is based on a scientific caste system. Human beings, graded from highest intellectuals to lowest manual workers, hatched from incubators and brought up in communal nurseries, learn by methodical conditioning to accept they social destiny. The action of the story develops round Bernard Marx, and an unorthodox and therefore unhappy alpha- plus ( something had presumably gone wrong with his antenatal treatment), who vivits a new Mexican Reservetion and brings a savage back to London. The savage is at first fascinated by the New World, but finally revolted, and his argument with Mustafa Mond, world controller, demonstrate the incompability of individual freedom and a scientifically trouble- free society. In Brave New World Revisted 1958, Huxley reconsiders his prophecies and fears that some of this might be coming true much sooner than he thought. In Brave New World, he turned to the apologue. It was a descion that has profound consequences upon his novels and upon his critical reputation. In a 1961 interview Huxley explained his conception of Brave New World. "The new forces of technology , pharmaceutics, and social conditioning can iron modern humans into a kind of uniformity, if you were able to manipulate their genetic background. if you had a government unscrupulous enough you could do these things without any doubt.we are getting more and more into a position where these things can be achieved. And it is extremely important to realize this, and to take every possible precaution to see they shall be not achieved". One of the novel ´s chief rethorical strategies is to make all readers recognize what so few characters can comprehend : that preserving freedom and diversity is necessary to avoid suffering the repressions fostered by shallow ideas of progress. Huxley makes his ironic stance clear from the beginning by contrasting the book ´s title with the action of his first scene : counterpoint to the novel ´s opening at the central London Hatchering and Conditioning Center, a factory that creates on a conveyor belt the citizens for the Brave New World. BNW is one more memorable and successful for its overall portrayal of a society that for its delination of plot or psy... ...rminated by the State. The individuality of BNW is systematically stifled. A government bureau, the Predestinators, decides a prospective citizen ´s role in the hierarchy. Children are raised and conditioned by the state bureaucracy, not brought up by natural families. Respect belongs only to society as a whole. Citizens must not fall in love, marry or have their own kids. The individual ´s loyalty is owed to the state alone. BNW, then is centered around control and manipulation. Conclusion Those fears where the expectations of Aldous Huxley for a not too far future. His predictions got close of what is doing today science, clones... Those are predictions that are getting fulfilled as prophecies and we should warned all this, because who knows if one day some of us become Alphas and others Betas and so on... Bibliography: GRAN LAROUSE UNIVERSAL Barcelona.Ed. Plaza & Janà ©s,1992 Concise Companion to English Literature. Edited by Drabble and Jenny Stringer Revised Edition.Oxford University Press. New York, 1986 BAKER,PH. EMERSON,G., Et Al. Concise Companion of English Literature Biography. Modern Writers, 1914-1945. Vol. 6. Gale Research Inc. Detroit,MI.

How do Victorian attitudes to marriage and respectability underpin the comic elements of the importance of being Earnest? Essay

Marriage is loveless, wealth and background takes priority over most things, Algernon supports this with a quote (once again hes the rebel) Marriage is the end of freedom, Cecily wants to break free, very curious woman who looks at society differently. takes a liking to Algernon because of this. Quote below Secret lives of the boys, humour in the peter pan like qualities quote: â€Å"A man who marries without knowing Bunbury [an excuse for pleasure] has a very tedious time of it.† â€Å"I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time.† â€Å"You won’t be able to disappear to London quite so frequently as your wicked custom was.† â€Å"I think some preliminary enquiry on my part would not be out of place.† In the importance of being Earnest written by Oscar wilde, he gives us two characters Jack and Algernon these two characters live double lives to get out of situations that they do not desire to be in, In Victorian society men and woman would have to uphold there respect and duties at all time. The two men create â€Å"Bunburying† which allows them to misbehave without upsetting there piers and letting go of their high moral standards of the upper class. Jack creates Ernest his sick brother to get out of situations that he doesn’t want to be in. Its ironic for jack as he creating a false image of himself in that people would see Jack as far more moral and responsible then he actually is. Algernon however uses â€Å"bunbury† to escape to the country side in peace, while playing it off that he is doing work for poor Christian charities, it was common for the upper class to do this in Victorian times as their moral duty however Oscar Wilde specifically gives these two men these alter egos to represent Victorian hypocrisy , From the very start the humour of both characters is shown through this light and would be humours to the contemporary audience as its true. People of that time error would of bigged themselves up in front of their peers and did things just for the sake of it. The comedic effect is how Oscar Wilde portrays this. The Victorian society above all valued duty and respect. Both men lead double lives but as long as things are done properly and they make sure that there appearance is respectable then society at the time would turn a blind eye to whatever was going on. Wilde in the play asks if it is really a concern that appearance is that important and isn’t just a trivial matter. Gwendolyn is a character that respects her value’s so much that she says â€Å"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.† as long as it looks good to Gwendolyn and here peers that its fine. She says that the sincerity of matter just isn’t important at all. There’s humour in just how bizarre of a comment that actually is from Gwendolyn to a modern audience now that seems so absured that someone could be so obsessed by how other people view her role that she would look so far past the importance of said question or matter. Marriage is a stable for Victorian society and the author Oscar Wilde represents it in a different pure true like manor of what it would have been at the time period. Lady Bracknell is a central figure honour and respectability in the play, although every character we meet has some kind of foolish humour to them, Lady Bracknell is very witty and quick with her lines just like Algernon who coincidentally is her nephew. She is brutal with her lines, for instance when Jack has proposed she goes on to say â€Å"I think some preliminary enquiry on my part would not be out of place.† this line may not appear extremely comical but to some classes at the time it would, Jack is meant to be a upper class gentlemen who is respected by many, however the audience knows that he was born in a train station and lives a parallel life to get out of his daily responabilites. Its the background humour of society that Oscar Wilde creates which makes the whole conversation very clever but at the same time humours. Gwendolen is what seems to be a traditional woman of the time period should look and act, although Gwendolen isn’t like this she is very naturally curious. This is properly due to the fact that she has never had the chance to be free like Jack and Algernon. She says to Algernon â€Å"I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time.† its from this line she is curious in him, she hasn’t seen what its like outside the boundary of her life and delivers a very ironic and humours line to Algernon. Gwendolen also desires to marry a man named â€Å"Earnest† she quickly falls in love with jack who she thinks is of course Earnest, she really doesn’t mind if he doesn’t possess the quality’s of someone actually called Earnest which means a seriousness which again is ironic for Jack. Furthermore Jack eventually becomes Earnest and Ernest and becomes a symbol of Victorian Hypocrisy. Oscar Wilde uses humours situations like this in his play that aren’t telling the audience to burst out laughing but to underpin the humour, the author is trying to break the mould of society and gently pushing the audience and peoples mind sets to look at how funny and at the same time how wrong the world they lived in was. He is using the humour of some situations to outline flaws. The true comedy in this play comes from how it is written and how the author takes blows at how society is working at the present moment, he never creates a conflict between the characters without humour so he can push his message across to the contemporary audience. The whole play is based around Marriage and responsibilities, from the very start to the end they are never far apart in conversation. In fact the whole play is a debate on whether or not marriage is just â€Å"Business† or â€Å"pleasure† Although I feel as if Oscar Wilde intended this message, he is constantly poking fun and using humour as a cover to take jabs at how society works and is meant to be viewed. the audience watches the whole journey of these two men which is where the comedy comes from, their views and opinions to the modern day traditional Victorian at the time would seem bizarre to an audience member and create laughter.

Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine Use

The Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine Use Tobacco and alcohol use are common addictions amongst Americans. Each of these products are easily accessible at any convenience store and are perceived to be pleasurable activities as a result of their prevalence in American society. Both drugs also have significantly adverse effects on an individual's health and overall well-being. However, tobacco and alcohol consumption are quite different in the nature of the addiction, and the risks each drug pose to one's health. Tobacco has been present even before the establishment of America.In 1492, Christopher Columbus was offered dried tobacco leaves from the Native Americans he encountered. By 1600, tobacco was used for its assumed healing qualities and was often used as currency. Not until 1826 was the pure form of nicotine finally discovered and labeled a dangerous poison. During the 1980's, many lawsuits were filed against tobacco companies because of the harmful effects of their products. Smok ing became politically incorrect and more businesses began to prohibit smoking on their premises.Despite this, cigarette consumption in America is still common. Today, Marlboro is considered one of the most valuable brands of any product in the world, valued at over 30 billion dollars. (NCSU Libraries) Although the supposed health benefits of tobacco have been promoted by both a variety of cultures and corporations alike, the physical effects of nicotine on the body are now indisputable. In as little as ten minutes after consumption, nicotine can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and constrict blood vessels,thus increasing the chance of heart attack and stroke.Habitual use has been linked to cancer of the lung, throat, mouth, esophagus, bladder, cervix, kidney, larynx, and stomach. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Even casual use is accompanied by increased coughing, congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Aside from the havoc wrought internally from the frequent us e of tobacco, it also causes negative changes to one's physical appearance. These changes include, but are not limited to, tooth decay, gingivial recession, halitosis, stained fingers, and an unpleasant odor on one's person. University Health Center at the University of Georgia) According to the American Heart Association, in as little as one cigarette, a user may be addicted to nicotine. Nicotine addiction is recognized by the uncontrollable cravings to consume tobacco products. An addict may feel anxious about the next time they are able to use, and may be very irritable until their craving has been satisfied. As a user decreases their use of tobacco, they begin to withdrawal. Indications of withdrawal are different for each individual.A person will generally be cantankerous, and may suffer physical ailments, such as headaches, nausea, and cold like symptoms. Increased appetite, impaired work performance, and depression are additional symptoms linked to nicotine withdrawal. (Natio nal Library of Medicine) Alcohol has been a prevalent substance in human culture since 6400 B. C. According to Dr. William L. Smith, excavated clay jugs dating back to neolithic periods suggest the intentional fermentation of alcohol. Alcohol most likely originated in Middle Eastern regions, and was used primarily for its healing, antiseptic and religious purposes, often as a gift to the divine.Alcohol has always been a part of American culture, as it was first brought over by English settlers. One of the first laws regarding alcohol was passed in early seventeenth century Virginia. The law prohibited public drunkenness, as it was a threat to society. Though, the first alcohol related laws did not prohibit the substance itself. In 1920, National Prohibition took effect, consequently the 18th Amendment of the United States Constitution. However, in 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the prohibition, legalizing the creation, sale, and consumption of alcohol. WWW2 Webserver) Laws in reg ards to alcohol had to be placed into effect in order to ensure the safety of America's people. Whether or not the alcohol use is routine, the array of symptoms that may be exhibited have the opportunity to be devastating to the user and to the public.In one night of drinking, the intoxicated individual has already put themselves at risk for alcohol poisoning, miscarriage, violence, and death. One of the least tolerated criminal offenses of today is driving while intoxicated (DWI), or driving under the influence (DUI), which is defined by a blood alcohol content level over . 8%. A few sips of an alcoholic beverage can debilitate the driver, causing them to careen in and out of lanes, run red lights, and other dangerous driving practices. Alcohol is also a common factor in regards to risky sexual behaviors. The impaired ability to make responsible decisions increases the chance of accidental pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Heavy alcohol use over the lifetime causes ann ihilating physical and psychiatric damage to the body. The user becomes at risk for a variety of health issues, including cirrhosis, dementia, liver disease, and stroke.Long term use also puts the individual at risk for mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon cancer. While the internal damage is taking place, the individual is slowly using their ability to function in society. The daily drunken stupor or hangover prohibits the person from excelling in the work place and in the classroom. Stomach pain, headache, and irritability are common symptoms that hinder the usefulness of the individual. If these characteristics persist, job loss and expulsion will occur. Aside from the regression of skills and potential successes, an alcoholic will induce detriment upon their family and friends. Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Alcoholism is, according to the University of Maryland Medical center, a â€Å"chronic, often progressive disease in which a person craves alcohol and dri nks despite repeated alcohol related problems, like losing a job or a relationship. † The disease is often accompanied by a significantly high tolerance to alcohol, drinking in order to feel â€Å"good† again. An addict may sneak or hide drinks, plan activities around drinking, or drink to escape life's hassles. Family and friends of the victim may notice personality changes, mood swings, and broken promises.The addict may feel troubled by how much they are consuming, and may be quick to defend themselves with confrontations regarding their drinking habits. When an alcoholic is unable to drink as much as need be, they suffer from physical withdrawal symptoms that inhibit them from feeling well. Nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, are all common signs of alcohol withdrawal. Insomnia, hand tremors, and fatigue are additional symptoms that may be experienced. (University of Maryland Medical Center) Alcohol and tobacco products are commonly used in not only American s ociety, but in cultures around the globe.They have each continued to be advertised as enjoyable experiences, thus their social acceptability. Despite their prevalence and media allure, scientific evidence is irrefutable. Single and habitual use of nicotine and alcohol both affect the body in significantly negative ways. These substances are both linked to a variety of cancers, amongst other health issues. The forgo of these drugs results in mild to severe emotional discomfort. Typical behaviors include depression, irritability and apprehension. In addition, visible cues such as sweating and shakiness are common in withdrawal.Based upon scientific study, alcohol and tobacco use are practices not to be taken lightly. Their toxic effects on the human body are disregarded in American culture, however, it is imperative that every user understands each substance in its entirety. A nicotine addiction is quite different from an alcohol dependency, as nicotine seems to be primarily a physica lly unhealthy habit, and alcohol becomes a lifestyle. Nonetheless, each addiction is completely detrimental to one's health, and all risks should be considered before taking that first sip or smoke.

Why did the British Government decide to evacuate children f essays

Why did the British Government decide to evacuate children f essays In 1939 Britain evacuate millions of children from its major cities and towns. Evacuate began on 1st September, roughly two days before Britain went to war. The Government wanted its children out of the way before the war started. Evacuation was voluntary, the Government expected over 3.5 million people to leave for the safety of the countryside. In fact, only 1.5 million did and, of those, 735,000 were children travelling alone. So, why did the Government undertake an extremely hard task to evacuate 3.5 million children in 1939? The first causes were long term starting at World War 1. In the beginning, the first ever reason for evacuation was at the end of World War 1. At the early stages of WW1 most important an aircrafts were airships that were huge bags of lighter-than-air hydrogen gas. The British mainly used these for escorting ships and for hunting German U-Boats. However, the German airships were much more advanced and widely used than ours, called Zeppelins that were able to fly much higher and faster. The Germans realised the potential of Zeppelins as bombers and the first raids hit British towns in early 1915. During the course of that war, 1400 civilians were killed in just over 100 raids. Even though this was a major turning point to the new type of Warfare, the Zeppelins could not carry enough bombs to do any serious damage, but did achieve psychological damage. The citizens of Britain, generally secure from enemy action for almost 1000 years, now found themselves vulnerable, and became m ore so with each advance in aviation technology. This was said that this War was the first ever Total war. I think that this cause was quite important because it was the first ever signs of evacuation and air raids. Even if Zeppelins had not of used bombs, than later someone like Hitler or another Germany President would have thought of doing it. By 1919 air technology had improved dramatically and f...

Pros and Cons of Whole Group Discussion

Pros and Cons of Whole Group Discussion ​ Whole Group Discussion is  a method of teaching that involves a modified form of classroom lecture. In this model, the focus is shared between the instructor and the students throughout the information exchange. Typically, an instructor will stand before a class and present information for the students to learn but the students will also participate by answering questions and providing examples. Pros of Whole Group Discussion as a Teaching Method Many teachers support this method as whole group discussions typically provide greater interaction between teacher and students. It provides a surprising amount of flexibility in the classroom, despite the lack of the traditional lecture. In this model, instructors give up the format of dictating the lecture and instead control what is being taught by steering the discussion. Here are a few other positive outcomes from this teaching method: Auditory learners find them appealing to their learning style.Teachers can check on what students are retaining through questions posed.Whole group discussion is comfortable for many teachers because it is a modified form of the lecture.Students have a tendency to stay focused on the lesson because they might be called on to answer questions.Students may feel more comfortable asking questions during whole group discussions. Cons of Whole Group Discussion as a Teaching Method: Whole group discussions can be unsettling for some teachers, as they require setting up and enforcing ground rules for students. If these rules are not enforced then there is a possibility that the discussion could quickly go off-topic. This requires strong classroom management, something that can be a challenge for inexperienced teachers. A few other drawbacks of this option include: Students who are weak in note-taking skills will have trouble understanding what they should remember from group discussions. This is even more so than in lectures in many cases because not only the teacher but fellow students are talking about the lesson.Some students may not feel comfortable being put on the spot during a whole group discussion. Strategies for Whole Group Discussions Many of the strategies below can help prevent the cons created by whole class discussions. Think-Pair-Share:  This technique is popular in the lower elementary grades to encourage speaking and listening skills. First,  ask  students  to think  about their response to a question, then ask them to pair up  with another person (usually someone nearby). The pair  discusses their response, and then they  share that response with the larger group. Philosophical Chairs:  In this strategy, the teacher reads a  statement that has only two possible response: to agree or to disagree. Students move to one side of the room marked agree or to the other marked disagree. Once they are in these two groups, students take turns defending their positions. NOTE: This is also an excellent way to introduce new concepts to the class to see what students know or do not know about a particular topic. Fishbowl: Perhaps the most well-known of classroom discussion strategies, a fishbowl is organized with  two-four students who sit facing each other in the center of the room. All the other students sit in a circle around them. Those students seated in the center discuss the question or predetermined topic (with notes). Students on the outside circle, take notes on the discussion or on the techniques used. This exercise is a good way  to have students practice discussion techniques using follow-up  questions, elaborating on another person’s point or paraphrasing. In a variation, students on the outside may provide quick notes (fish food) by passing them to students on the inside for use in their discussion. Concentric Circles Strategy:  Organize students into  two circles, one outside circle and one inside  circle so that each student on the inside is paired with a  student on the outside. As they face each other, the teacher poses a question to the whole group. Each pair discusses how to respond.   After this brief discussion, the students on the outside circle move one space to the right. This will mean each student will be part of a new pair.  The teacher can have them share the results of that discussion or pose a new question.  The process can be repeated several times during a class period. Pyramid Strategy: Students begin this strategy in pairs and  respond  to a discussion question with a single partner. At a signal from the teacher,  the first pair joins another pair which creates a group of four. These groups of four share their (best) ideas. Next, the groups of four move to form groups of eight in order to share their best ideas. This grouping can continue until  the whole class is joined up in one large discussion. Gallery Walk: Different stations are set up around the classroom, on the walls or on tables. Students  travel from station to station in small groups. They perform a task or respond to a prompt. Small discussions are encouraged at each station. Carousel Walk:  Posters are set up around the classroom, on the walls or on tables. Students are divided into small groups, one group to a poster. The group brainstorms and reflects on the questions or ideas by writing on the poster for a specific duration of time. At a signal, the groups move in a circle (like a carousel) to the next poster. They read what the first group has written, and then add their own thoughts by brainstorming and reflecting. Then at another signal, all groups move again (like a carousel) to the next poster. This continues until all the posters have been read and have responses. NOTE: The time should be shortened after the first round. Each station helps students to process new information and read the thoughts and ideas of others.   Final Thoughts: Whole group discussions are an excellent teaching method when used in conjunction with other methods. Instruction should be varied from day to day to help reach the most students possible. Teachers need to provide their students with note taking skills before starting discussions. It is important that teachers be good at managing and facilitating discussions. Questioning techniques are effective for this. Two questioning techniques that teachers employ is to increase their wait time after questions are asked and to only ask one question at a time.

The biomedical model of health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The biomedical model of health - Essay Example Although it has been introduced in the nineteenth century, the roots of the model date back to the 17th century when Cartesian dualism existed. After its introduction the model replaced the previously famous Humoral paradigm in the twentieth century. The discovery of antibiotics proved to be a breakthrough in the approval of the model. However in the late twentieth century some of the sociologists again started questioning the integrity of the biomedical model of health as they considered the social wellbeing of an individual to be as important as the biological well being (Curtis 2002; Taylor 2008; Lovallo 2005; Havelka et al 2009). Biomedical Model of Health The biomedical model of health takes its roots from the Cartesian dualism which is dated back to the seventeenth century in the times of Descartes. Cartesian Dualism revolved around the aspect that both mind and body are two separate entities irrespective of their functions. In a similar fashion the model considers physical cau ses to be the main reason for the disease. The model has replaced the previously followed Humoral Paradigm which was formed by the Greeks. According to this paradigm the diseases in a human body are caused because of a certain abnormality in the four basic fluids of the body. In those times the four basic fluids of the body were believed to be blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. The treatment of this paradigm also revolved around the maintenance of these four basic fluids. One thing common about the Humoral paradigm and biomedical model of health is that both of them consider bodily factors to be the cause of the disease (Curtis 2002). The biomedical model of health revolves around certain factors which have to be present. The model states that for a person to be unhealthy he has to have some sort of biological abnormality. It also states that every disease has some specific cause which has to be diagnosed by the doctor in order to cure the patient. It also involves the proce ss of treatment and states that the human body can be reversed back to the normal condition if the right treatment is served to the diseased person. It states that psychological and social processes do not take part in the disease causing process. Moreover it also assumes that mind and body are two different entities that have no such relation with each other. And lastly the health of the whole society is dependent on the resources that are available to the medical society as a whole (Taylor 2008). The model is largely followed all over the world and its principles are also seen to be the most convincing these days. It is because of this model that researches are being conducted on the biochemical and genetic processes of the body to find out about the different diseases. Moreover all the doctors being trained these days are trained on the principles of this model as they have to learn about the internal environment of a human being so that they can treat them. In other words they h ave to understand the human body so that they can intervene in the process of disease that may be causing harm to the patient (Curtis 2002; Taylor & Field 2007). It has helped to carry out several projects have proved to be a breakthrough in treating various diseases occurring in the society. The Human Genome Project is an example of the advantages of this model. Human Genome Proj