Methods for Database Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Methods for Database Security - Essay Example The main part of this paper discusses the ways that an organization can use to counter the threats identified in the previous parts of the paper. The methods to be used include data encryption, web-based data security, authentication and access control, timeliness and security in real-time database systems, SQL Injections, negative databases, data security policies, and database auditing policies. Database Security Database security has become one of the most important issues in today’s world of technology. Many organizations depend a lot on their databases for the storage of their information and assets. Like all assets that any company treasures, the database is probably one of the most important assets, since it is used to store a myriad of information (Burtescu, 2009). The increase in technological advancement has allowed companies to be interconnected in ways that were not possible in the past, and with the growing technological link, so does insecurity grow. The increased connectivity has brought a number of benefits to organizations, but with it is an increased vulnerability to the security of the information accessible from the database (Burtescu, 2009). The core point in database security is the restriction of unauthorized access into databases, which can be done in a number of ways. In this case, security is used to refer to the policies or mechanisms used to prevent the threat and the asset coming into contact, where the asset referred to is the database. This means that database security is mainly concerned with protecting the database from unintended activity, be it from insiders, outsiders, or unwanted programs. Since the database is mainly a store of information, database security is concerned with preventing the loss of this information to unauthorized personnel (Burtescu, 2009). The building of a secure database is focused on improving traditional DBMS measures and providing an extended platform to the security measures in the modern organization. The main aim of this paper is to outline the main security threats that an organization can face in relation to the database, outline the importance of database security, and provide detailed explanations of the main types of database security issues. Therefore, it can be seen that the main objective in the paper is to provide an explanation of the database security methods available to an organization. A s already stated, the databases in organizations are mainly used to store important information, information ranging from financial information to customer information to product information. This means that the database is one of the most important features of the organization. It is, therefore, important that an organization keep track of the security issues that affect their databases. This indicates that the main importance of database security is to prevent unauthorized access t oinfo4mation stored in the database, which includes unauthorized modification and access. Database security systems are also put in place to ensure that data kept in the database stays confidential, since most of the data is of a sensitive nature. For example, customer information stored in a telephone company database can be sued maliciously if accessed by the wrong individuals; therefore, organizations have to ensure that their databases are kept secure. Database security is also emphasized by organiz ations to ensure that information integrity is secured, since tainted data can influence many mechanisms in the organization. However, despite the growing need for database security, many security threats come up in the growing technological atmosphere, some of which are described below.

Accounting for Small Business Essay Example for Free

Accounting for Small Business Essay ABSTRACT SMEs play a very important role in Indias economy and have a great potential for strengthening the real sector in India. But there has not been appropriate infrastructure yet which is accounting system to show the business feasibility. Traditional business in Indian Villages had been started by a family and ancestors, but has gotten bigger now. This business has many strengths and weaknesses. Based on the condition and background, the proposed-accounting system has been developed. It has been also successfully tested for a month transaction and revised. Adding knowledge management into accounting system is an alternative way to develop the proposed-accounting system. The four modes of knowledge creation will facilitate the business and its owner to add some modules in accounting system and to reengineer the business process. See more: Distinguish between problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping Essay INTRODUCTION: Small business plays a very important role in Indias economy, particularly in aspects increased employment, income generating, economic development. In addition, this sector is considered as a driving force for the rural economy. But until now there are still many problems to hinder the small business growth. Facts in the Asia Pacific region revealed that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) employ about 60 percent of the workforce. Only 10 percent of the total companies in Asia Pacific which is a big business, the rest are SMEs. For India, according to Small Medium Business Corner (SMBC) data in 2012 the numbers of micro, small and medium enterprises develop into 130 Lakhs (http://www.smeindia.net/export_schemes/OverviewofMSME.html) by giving employment to 410 Lakhs people and able to contribute to the total national GDP amounted to 8-9 percent in 2012. Basic problem of management in small business is inability of owners to determine their management style that appropriate with the business need and development stage. In early stage of business, family management style leads to one-man show. According to improvement of business environment, that conventional style could not be pushed longer. Especially in financial management, the business owners could not be able to separate the financial management of business and family yet. Besides, they have not well planned, managed and reported periodically yet. It is caused by there is no appropriate infrastructure which is accounting system. The impact is that the owners of small business have difficulties to cooperate with external such as bank or another financial institution. The owners have difficulties to show their feasibility business when they want to propose credit or make a business contract with another business. Based on the importance of an accounting system, this research results a proposed-accounting system which can be applied by owners of small business in India. The proposed-accounting system is a generic model of purchasing and selling system that should be enhanced according to business need and by refer to the knowledge management approach. LITERATURE REVIEW: ACCOUNTING SYSTEM: According to Gillespie, accounting system is an organization of document, form and report which is managed to provide information for management. Based on that definition, elements of accounting system are documents, forms and reports, but still concern with procedure and internal control. Therefore, proposed-elements in this study will refer to it. SMALL BUSINESS: Under the law of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (2008), definition of SMEs in India is explained by the table below. Based on the definition, the research object is categorized as a small business. DEFINITION OF SMES IN INDIA Enterprises engaged in providing or rendering of services (i) A micro enterprise is an enterprise where the investment in equipment does not exceed Rs. 10 lakh; (ii) A small enterprise is an enterprise where the investment in equipment is more than Rs.10 lakh but does not exceed Rs. 2 crore; and (iii) A medium enterprise is an enterprise where the investment in equipment is more than Rs. 2 crore but does not exceed Rs. 5 crore. Enterprises engaged in the manufacture or production, processing or preservation of goods (i) A micro enterprise is an enterprise where investment in plant and machinery does not exceed Rs. 25 lakh; (ii) A small enterprise is an enterprise where the investment in plant and machinery is more than Rs. 25 lakh but does not exceed Rs. 5 crore; and (iii) A medium enterprise is an enterprise where the investment in plant and machinery is more than Rs.5 crore but does not exceed Rs.10 crore. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT: System development in this study will follow the three main steps a.System analysis: Activities in this stage are initial study, feasibility study, requirement definition, and specification system arrangement. b.System design:   After finishing system analysis, the next activities are system design, system building and system testing. c.System implementation:   Based on system testing, a revised system will be established. Finally, system is implemented and operated. At this stage, company will conduct maintenance activity. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Since this study wants to develop a proposed-accounting system, â€Å"Research and development† approach which is applied in this study is a research program that is followed by a development program. It is a combination of descriptive study that describes the actual phenomenon in an object and exploratory research that develops a proposed -accounting system. A proposed-accounting system is focused on purchasing and selling system since those are the main activities in the business. The location of this study, Traditional small business in Indian Villages, was chosen on purpose, because this business in the Villages has significantly improved in sales and human empowering, also government is paying attention by giving assistantship for both management and technology. Primary data of this study was the results of guided interviews and observation. The steps of this study are designed as follow: a.Initial study Preliminary research was conducted to comprehend previous studies and literature, guided questionnaire drafting, and Traditional business understanding. b.System requirement defining At this stage, the data was obtained by interview with business owners and observation directly to the business. By understanding the research object condition and background, also the strength and weakness, the accounting system requirement could be defined. c.Development of proposed-accounting system At this stage, development of proposed-accounting system was managed by interviews, observation, and group discussion among owners, researcher and government, related to main accounting system elements, which are document, form and report. In its development, knowledge management approach was proposed to use since it can facilitate business daily operation into business standard operation. The result of this stage was a proposed-accounting system. d.Testing and implementation Testing was accomplished by implementing the proposed system to handle a month transactions. Owners and their staff used it to run transactions of purchasing and selling for a month. By running the system, problems were found and then they were used to revise the system. At this stage, a revised-accounting system was established. e.Conclusions and recommendations In the final stage of this study, conclusions and suggestions from all research processes were stated. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: PROFILE OF TRADITIONAL BUSINESS IN INDIAN VILLAGES: India is one of the major exporter and supplier of handicrafts and gift products to the world market. The Indian handicrafts industry is highly labor intensive and decentralized, being spread all across the country in rural and urban areas. The sector is considered as the second largest employment-generating sector after agriculture with numerous artisans engaged in craft work on a part-time basis. The industry offers employment to over 6 million artisans, including a large number of women and people from the weaker sections of society. The present day handicraft tradition of India is a perfect example of assimilation between the traditional designs and modern techniques. The fast growing demand for Indian handicraft and gifts products have made this sector a full-fledged large scale organized industry that is growing day by day. History The rich history of India’s craft tradition has evolved over the centuries offering a legacy of Indian culture promising everything beauty, dignity, form and style. The variety is comprehensive and ranges from age-old stone carvings to modern handicrafts making use of glass flints and mirrors. The most popular crafts, include metalware, earthenware, pottery, sculpting, woodwork, hand-printed textiles and scarves, embroidered and crocheted goods, shawls, zari products, stone carving and imitation jewelry. There is a myriad of art and craft traditions in India that depend on social, economic and regional factors. The present status of the sector in India owes much to the rich crafts history and tradition of the past. Majority of the crafts from the past continues to flourish due to their utilitarian characteristics, availability to the common people and popularity in domestic and global markets. Today, some of the sectors within the craft industry have even become full fledged industries in their own, like carpet weaving, traditional textile (Banarsi silk sari, Chikankari etc), gem cutting and polishing, jewelry making, the world famous diamond cutting and polishing industry, brassware, jute products, etc. The growth of these industries is due to their ever-increasing demand and the popularity of Indian crafts in the domestic market and overseas. Gems and jewelry, carpet making, metalware, leather products, jute products etc. are some industries, which are growing rapidly.

Impact of the Industrial Revolution

Impact of the Industrial Revolution Can you imagine life without these machines? Introduction At the dawn of the 18th century, technological and scientific advancements led to England being one of the most powerful and successful maritime power in the world. Foreign trade had scaled new heights and the demand for manufactured goods had increased. As a result of the use of machinery for agriculture, there was not much work in the rural areas. People migrated to towns looking for opportunities for work. Manufacturers attempted to find ways to increase production to meet the new demands. All these factors, among others, led to what was later termed as ‘The Industrial Revolution’ by historian Arnold Tonybee. Onset of the Industrial Revolution Life before the Industrial Revolution was tough. For centuries, man had relied on animals and himself, to do all the work and make objects of daily use. With new technological advancements, man started to rely on technology to perform similar tasks – quickly and efficiently. This change from an agrarian economy where hand tools were used, to one, where machines such as the seed drill, steam engine, etc. were invented, factories were established, resulting in complete change in the life of the people is termed as the Industrial Revolution. Features of the Industrial Revolution One of the most important features of the Industrial Revolution was the various inventions made during the time that went on to change the course of history forever. Eli Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin helped separate the cotton from its seed approximately fifty times faster than before. Jethro Hull, a farmer, invented a seed drill which planted grains very efficiently. Increase in the production of raw material meant that there was loads of raw material to be processed, especially in the case of textiles such as cotton. A weaver named James Hargreaves gave the much needed breakthrough by inventing the spinning jenny, a machine that spun many threads at once, though they were thick. Richard Awkright, invented the spinning frame, also known as the water frame. It spun thicker thread into thinner and stronger ones. It was Samuel Crompton’s spinning mule that made the large scale production of yarn possible. Edmund Cartwright invented the power loom that further incr eased the production of cloth and reduced labour costs as well. Inventions of machines led to the formation of factories for production of cloth. Mass production of cotton and cotton fabrics led to a great reduction in the prices. These inventions changed the socio-economic structure of England as weavers and workers were able to earn good wages and lead a better life.  Ã‚   Although the cotton mills marked the beginning of the Industrial revolution, it is the invention of James Watt’s steam engine that powered and continued it. The steam engine used the force of steam to power engines. Invention of this machine brought about many changes in England. Factory owners realised that they could now build factories where people lived and need not construct them it near a water source, as they did earlier. It was Abraham Darby’s ability to cast iron in a coke-fueled furnace that enabled inventors like Thomas Newcomen to have his steam engines cast by Darby[3]. Henry Bessemer’s invention of the Bessemer Converter enabled inexpensive manufacture of steel abundantly. The transportation system was completely overhauled when steam powered trains and other locomotives were built. The transformation of roads and railways made travel and shipping of goods fairly comfortable and cheap. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] The invention of the steam engine, usage on iron and steel in ships was useful in manufacturing ships that were much faster. Ships started voyaging through oceans which in turn increased trade even further. This period of intense industrialisation witnessed a major change in architecture and infrastructure. New towns came up that boasted of town halls, libraries, gardens, concert halls, etc. [9] Another important feature of the Industrial Revolution was the change in the socio-economic life of the people. As factories were set up and towns formed, people moved to towns in search of employment which made urbanization, a common feature of the Industrial Revolution. Historians are of the opinion that although some women stayed at home to look after the children, many worked in factories with their husbands. Sometimes, children were made to work in factories as well. In general, the Industrial Revolution improved the standard of living of the people as they were able to afford the basic necessities of life and could indulge in leisure activities during their free time. People read books, went on vacation, enjoyed concerts or spent days on the beach, educated themselves, etc. to pass their time. People started to take an active part in politics as well. [10] Why did the Industrial Revolution originate in England? Having read about the different features of the Industrial Revolution, it now becomes imperative to read about certain conditions that came together to set the scene for its inception. Colonies like India were a good source of raw material such as cotton for their factories in England. The colonies were good markets too as they sold their manufactured goods there. Being a supreme maritime power with one of the largest ships in the world, it was easy for England to transport the raw material and the finished products. A stable government at the centre, with few restrictions on the economy, helped the industry and commerce to thrive. Laws made by the government favoured the companies that set up factories and businesses. Natural resources such as coal and iron were available in abundance to be used in factories. Streams and rivers in England were used to generate power and served as a medium of transportation of goods and raw materials. England, to begin with, was a prosperous country and people had extra money to spend on other things besides the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.[11] Impact of the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution became the most noteworthy ensemble of social, cultural and economic change that affected human history. Let us discuss some of them. There was a tremendous increase in population during the Industrial Revolution as the standard of living improved and fewer people died due to diseases. The Industrial Revolution led to capitalism, that is, the business was owned privately and operated primarily for profit. The industrial revolution divided the society into different classes the factory owners who owned the factory and the workers who worked for him. The owners of the factories exploited the workers to maximise their profit. New cities and towns came up as the factory owners established factories closer to where they lived. People who worked in factories had to leave their houses and shift to these places, often with their families. The Industrial Revolution completely changed the lives of the workers. From being a craftsperson who worked using hand tools, he was merely reduced to a machine operator. Weavers and other craftsmen who tried to make a living by making goods at home found it difficult to sell their products as their hand-made goods were more expensive than the machine-made ones. The Industrial Revolution gave rise to imperialism. England was faced with two problems during the Industrial revolution – Procuring of cheap raw materials and a market for their manufactured goods. They solved these problems by gaining political and economic control over weaker countries. [12] Though the Industrial Revolution began in England, it gradually spread to the other countries of the world as well. Imperialism Industrialisation stirred the aspirations of England. They wanted to maximise the profit of their industries. England wanted resources to fuel their production as well as a market to sell their goods. Weaker countries such as India were the perfect target. This policy of England to acquire political, economic and social control over a weaker country is known as imperialism. Imperialism was one of the worst impacts of industrialisation. England sourced the raw materials of their products from these countries and sold the manufactured products in these countries itself at exorbitant prices. Imperialism involves the use of power, military or otherwise to exercise control over the weaker country. [13] Imperialism destroyed the culture and the local industries of the colonies. Inexpensive foreign goods destroyed the markets of local indigenous products. No effort was made to modernize the colonies. Agriculture was also affected as the imperialists allowed the colonies to grow those crops that were beneficial to them, whether or not it was conducive to the locals. We shall study about the British policies and plans in India later in the book. Peep into the Past Iron Bridge The World’s first Iron Bridge built on River Severnin England is one of the most famous industrial monuments in Britain. Shropshire, the area in which it was built was famous for its coal deposits. The steep Severn gorge posed a problem for transportation of people and goods. Architect Thomas Pritchard suggested ironmaster John Wilenson make the iron bridge. Though Wilkenson started the project in 1777, the iron bridge was completed by Abraham Darby in 1779. It was opened to the public on January 1, 1781. The bridge was used for over 150 years before it was shut down for vehicles in 1934. The Iron Bridge was designated as an ancient monument. It is now a World Heritage Site. [1] http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/publications/online_research_catalogues/paper_money/paper_money_of_england__wales/the_industrial_revolution.aspx [2] World Socities – Mckay Hill – pg – 747, 748, 749 [3] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/151458/Abraham-Darby#ref219821 [4] HOLT, Human Legacy, Page 634, 635, 636, 637 [5] World Socities – Mckay Hill – pg – 750-751-752 [6] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/143809/Samuel-Crompton [7] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/151458/Abraham-Darby [8] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/642887/Eli-Whitney [9] http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/publications/online_research_catalogues/paper_money/paper_money_of_england__wales/the_industrial_revolution/the_industrial_revolution_2.aspx [10] HOLT, Human Legacy, page – 649, 650, 651, and http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/publications/online_research_catalogues/paper_money/paper_money_of_england__wales/the_industrial_revolution/the_industrial_revolution_3.aspx [11] HOLT, Human Legacy, pages – 633, 634, 635 [12] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/287086/Industrial-Revolution [13] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/283988/imperialism

Essay --

SARATU ELRUFAI M4 DANGOTE PLC Provides us with our needs†¦. Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Board of directors†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Strength†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Weakness†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Opportunities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Threats†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. INTRODUCTION Dangote is one of the largest and most successful companies in Africa. The company is owned by the famous billionaire Aliko Dangote .The business is controlled by a great management team which consists of the President Ali`ko Dangote, Vice president, Sani Dangote, Executive director, Abdu Dantata, chief operating officer, Okakunlew Alake and other group directors. It has a reputation for outstanding business operation and products ‘quality. (Dangote, 2013) .The headquarters is in the western part of Nigeria, Lagos. The company’s enterprises include salt, sugar, cement, flour, pasta, real estate, noodles, fertilizer, spaghetti, oil, gas, steel, macaroni, logistics and poly products and runs in fourteen African countries. The following are their brands: Dangote sugar Dangote cement Dangote macaroni Dangote spaghetti Dangote Noodles Dangote flour Danvita Petit tomato paste Dangote salt Dangote snacks Mowa water Ziza milk Dansa juice Dangote rice STREGHTS The company has the second largest sugar refinery in the whole world. Dangote is the only company in Nigeria that provides all those goods and Nigeria depends on the company a lot. People in Africa prefer dangote because of their good quality products and that is the main advantage they have to others. The group consists of a good management team, which is also strength to them. The main character the group shows is loyalty. Dangote is well ... ... [online] Available at: http://www.blackentrepreneurprofile.com/profile-full/article/aliko-dangote/ [Accessed: 19 November 2013]. African Business Review (2013) Company Reports: Dangote cement plc.[online] Available at: http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/reports/dangote-cement [Accessed: 19 November 2013]. Dangote (2013). Dangote Group [online] Available at: http://dangote.com/aboutus/managementteam.aspx [Accessed: 19 November 2013]. Mail and Guardian (2013)Nigeria’s dangote uses $3.3bn loan to build Africa’s biggest oil refinery .6:23.Available at: http://mg.co.za/article/2013-09-05-dangote-33bn-refinery-to-turn-nigeria-into-oil-exporter [Accessed: 5 September 2013] Cement china (2013). Dangote invests $28M in Ghana cement packaging plant.[Online]Available at: http://www.cementchina.net/news/shownews.asp?id=7442[accessed November 21 2013]

Siddhartha

Many novels and other pieces of literature, contain a main character that has difficulty finding happiness and solutions to their problems. In Siddhartha, the main character Siddhartha, is born into his fathers social class but finds himself not pleased with his religion nor happiness, so he goes on a journey hoping to find comfort within himself. Like Siddhartha the main character in the Razors Edge, Larry Darnell questions his religion, and everyday decisions. Both Larry Darnell and Siddhartha break off from their original society to go on expeditions in hope to find answers to their unanswered concerns, and to find enlightenment. Both characters willingly give up things in order to reach their goal. Siddhartha leaves his father and his father’s power in their community.†¯ Siddhartha’s father, a Brahmin leader, has much power which makes him able to provide for Siddhartha well.†¯ Siddhartha does not like the ways his father is living and is dissatisfied with his father’s religious beliefs because he sees that his father and his followers are not reaching enlightenment so he feels that it would not make sense to follow a method that obviously is not working.†¯ He and his best friend, Govinda, decide to commence on a journey to find a way of life that is satisfying to them. Making the decision to leave his family and home must have been a very hard choice to make for such a young man to make. Later on in the book, Siddhartha leaves even more of his loved ones behind in his exploration for enlightenment.   He departs from his friend Govinda when Govinda feels that he is content with the samanas and their teachings and Siddhartha feels that he must experience life for his own in order to find inner happiness.   Govinda is Siddhartha’s best friend and was with him through the toughest of times. Siddhartha loves Govinda, but knows that it was in the best interest of both of them to part ways. Additionally, Siddhartha feels the need to let his only child, whom he loves dearly, to go off on his own and experience life’s qualities for himself just like how Siddhartha did during his own childhood. Although he knows it is the right thing to do, Siddhartha feels a natural love towards his newly discovered son and is dreadfully heartbroken by his absence.   Likewise, Larry Darrell willingly gives up a lot of things for his hunt towards world knowledge and inner happiness. Larry gives up Isabel, the woman he’s known and loved since he was a child with no parents, because she wanted a life of luxury and wealth.   Larry did not want that because he wanted to live a modest life where he lives off of the rush that comes with learning and living freely and not trapped in a life full of materialism and capital gain.   He believes that money is not necessary and even goes to the extent of declining a lavish job offer from his best friend’s father. He would have been one of Mr. Maturin’s stock brokers and he would have been practically guaranteed huge sums of money and would have been able to support Isabel to the standard of living that she is used to.   Also, Larry gives up his friend Yosti to focus on his goal.   He and Yosti become great friends when they room together at the mines and go looking for farm work together.   Larry feels that it is his time to move on and abandons Yosti at a farm.   Though in the end it paid off, both characters willingly gave up things in order to reach enlightenment. Both characters gain knowledge while on their quest.   Siddhartha learns a lot from his young son. His son taught him about the true meaning of love. Siddhartha started out on his journey with the thought that you do not need to love everything because some things just are not lovable. His son taught him that you must love everything and yourself to respect the world and everything inside of it.   Siddhartha feels a natural love toward his son and was utterly heartbroken when the time came when he had to let his son go. His son is not the only person that affected him, for the river also had quite an impact on Siddhartha.   The river showed him that time does not really exist and that everything always comes back around. Siddhartha is relieved by this idea because the stresses that time brings are now suddenly lifted off from him.   The idea that everything comes back around is paralleled to Siddhartha’s life because he left his father to go and explore life on his own and now his own son does the same. Siddhartha also learns the difference between knowledge and wisdom and the difference between seeking and finding.   He comes to the conclusion at the end of the novel that â€Å"Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom† (Hesse 142) and that â€Å"Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal† (Hesse 140).   Correspondingly, Larry is affected by people as well. He meets a yogi and brings him questions about god and evil. The yogi teaches him about the Hindu religion and explains to Larry that â€Å"evil is as a direct a manifestation of the divine as the good† (Maugham 114).   Larry is greatly affected by the yogi and takes the information that the yogi shared with him for the rest of his journey. He is also influenced by reading books. He gains worldly knowledge from reading and uses it to his advantage.   He reads about all kinds of philosophies and ideas that bring him to question religion and God.   Larry also learns from experiences.   He decides to leave his friends in Chicago and live in Paris to simply clear his mind and get his thoughts straight.   He also goes to work in a coal mine, a job of which many people would despise having, just to see what it’s like to have some manual labor under his belt.   Most â€Å"people would think [he is] crazy† (Maugham 46) for doing unnecessary hard labor like Larry does, but that doesn’t seem to bother him.   He later went on a 5 year expedition starting in a monastery in Germany and ending with a Hindu yogi in India where he lived â€Å"with calmness, forbearance, compassion, selflessness, and continence† (Maugham 279). This makes him decide to ditch Christianity and makes him very open to Hindu beliefs.   Larry also learns a lot from his time served in World War I.   He was a pilot and him and his best friend, Patsy, got into a dogfight in the air and Patsy literally took a bullet for Larry and died. This event is truly when Larry begins to question religion and God.   Overall, Larry and Siddhartha are greatly influenced by others while going through his journey and learn a lot along the way. Siddhartha and Larry have great effects on other people on their path to enlightenment.   They never seem to shy away from sharing their knowledge with those who will listen. Siddhartha influences his longtime friend Govinda by explaining to him all that he has learned on his voyage. He tells Govinda the meaning and importance of love, seeking and wisdom. When Siddhartha goes in depth about love he describes how a person must love themselves in order to be grateful for anything else that exists in the world. Siddhartha picks up a rock acknowledging how he loves this rock: â€Å"it is a stone, because today and now it appears to me a stone. I see value and meaning in each of its fine mark ings and cavities in the yellow in the gray in the hardness and the sound of it† (Hesse 145).   This lesson has a huge impact for Govinda, and he â€Å"bow[es] low. Incontrollable tears trickl[e] down his old face† (Hesse 151).   Govinda is truly inspired by the teachings and his knowledge about the world. Govinda is just one of the people that he influenced. Siddhartha has an effect on his friend Kamala. Kamala is a very materialistic person and Siddhartha opens her eyes to the idea that material goods are not the most important things in life. She is inspired by this thought and takes a page from his book to further her learning.   She then becomes pregnant with Siddhartha’s son and raises him under Buddhist beliefs and eventually dies in an attempt to travel to meet Buddha himself.   In general, Siddhartha has a positive effect on people that he has encountered with along his journey. Equally, Larry has positive effects on several people along his journey. Larry affects Isabel when she sabotages her own plan to make Larry think that she was pregnant. She thinks of him as being too innocent and sweet to do anything menacing to him. He also makes her question her marriage with Gray because she still loves Larry.   Furthermore, Larry makes a strong attempt to change Sophie.   After her husband and child’s sudden death, Sophie turns to drugs and alcohol to ease her pain. Larry puts Sophie’s problems on his back and helps rehabilitate her and even asked for her hand in marriage.   She accepts his proposal but then relapses and goes back to her bad habits. Although he ultimately failed, Larry still put in a great effort in helping Sophie.   Larry also affects Suzanne by taking her off of the streets and taking care of her when she needed it the most.   Larry finds her and feels that he is obligated to help her so he briefly gives her and her young daughter a home to live in, money and accompanies them through all of this to ensure that they are all right. Larry gives Suzanne hope and the two of them become very close, close enough that Larry tells her about his scarring experiences in World War I. Towards the end of their relationship they have sex and then the next morning Larry decides that Suzanne is ready to get back on her feet and leaves her with money and good people to surround herself with. He leaves her with a pleasing life which she greatly appreciates. As a whole, Larry and Siddhartha are influential in many people’s lives and truly become teachers. People reach enlightenment in different ways.   Siddhartha reaches enlightenment by experiencing all aspects of life and being very open minded so he is not a seeker and is a finder.   Larry Darrell reaches enlightenment by reading, loafing, helping others, questioning religion, and keeping his personal space.   Both characters learn, teach, and sacrifice during their journey towards happiness and both characters evidently reach their goal in the end.

The Travels of Ibn Battuta and essays

The Travels of Ibn Battuta and essays Why do we travel? Many years ago explorers traveled to explore the many different places and cultures that would establish our futures. Now when we travel we learn of our past history and many other different cultures history. Traveling now however has evolved so much more since the beginning of time. In the 13th and 14th centuries, they traveled by ships, camels and horses, and even by foot. However, technology over the years has improved our traveling options. Now we have cars, trains and buses, and even planes and jets, that get us from one place to another in a matter of days or hours depending on the way you travel. Journeys in the past took weeks, months, and even years. There have been many explorers who have learned the geography of the universe. Explorers such as Ferdinand Magellan, Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Galileo, and many more have contributed a great deal to the history of our universe. Although all of these men have been successful in the ir explorations, I will concentrate on the travels of Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. In this reading we will see the world as these two travelers saw when they began their journeys. Both of these travelers experienced the many dangers which come along with being an explorer in an unfamiliar place (or places in their cases), but they kept on traveling for it was there destiny. Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta were two travelers who traveled long and challenging distances to trade, explore, and record the differences of eastern countries. It is evident from the recordings that these men were very observant and interested in the discovery of other society practices. Ibn Battuta was a famous 14th century traveler. Born in Tangier, Morocco in 1304 and died in 1369. He started his travels when he was just 20 years of age. His main goal for traveling was to go on a Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca, as all good Muslims want to do. However, his travels went on for abou...

Freakonomics †A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything †Book Review

Freakonomics – A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything – Book Review Free Online Research Papers Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Book Review By now we have all heard an interview or two on NPR with journalist Stephen J. Dubner and economist Stephen D. Levitt. Or perhaps a friend talking at work or school about this fascinating book: Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. I was given this book before a weekend trip and I stormed through the 200 pages twice. Once on the plane trip there and again 2 days later on the trip home. It was one of those books that I wanted to talk about with all my friends. As a student I have taken macro and micro economics but the concept of incentives never hit home until I read this book. The idea that economics is a holistic study of humans and an organizations choices was hard to understand. However, in this book the authors explore some interesting questions that are a far cry from the typical corporate scandal article. For example, there are chapters that discuss: How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real estate agents? What makes a perfect parent? If drug dealers make so much money, why do they still live with their moms? I recommend this book for anyone who is curious about how the world works. I imagine for an economist there is nothing in this book that is shocking. However, for the average person they will find it full of delight. Perhaps because economics makes so much sense for the first time or perhaps because they feel better about their decision to not become a drug dealer. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and anxiously wait for Dubner and Levitt’s next book Super Freakonomics. Research Papers on Freakonomics - A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything - Book ReviewBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenTrailblazing by Eric AndersonThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationMind TravelPETSTEL analysis of IndiaStandardized TestingThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use

Balancing work and family Essays

Balancing work and family Essays Balancing work and family Essay Balancing work and family Essay From the really beginning, it is truly of import to understand that work life balance does nt intend to give equal period of clip to the work and household. Work life balance is a wide construct which includes proper prioritising between work and life. Work includes Career, aspirations, work burden, work duties and functions etc. Life includes household, Health, pleasance, religious development, kid attention, household functions and duties etc. Working life includes both, on occupation and off occupation lives of employees within their life-time. Employees off occupation functions and duties should non be ignored as it has immense impact on the work of the employees on occupation. It non merely has impact on work life, but besides has impact on the overall quality of life ( Sambasivan A ; Md-Sidin, 2010 ) . Therefore, any organisation should see employees off occupation issues and work- household struggles. However, no fixed definition has been defined of t he work-life balance. Different research show assorted definitions. Lazar, Osoian, and Ratiu ( 2010 ) specify Work Life balance as a satisfactory degree of engagement or fit between the multiple functions in individual s life. Work life instability may do to emerge assorted issues such as occupation dissatisfaction, less employee engagement, less engagement, less commitment towards organisation, low productiveness, hapless occupation public presentation, employee aggression towards organisation, household struggles and many more. Work life instability is a beginning of occupation dissatisfaction and backdown attitudes within employees ( Hughes A ; Bozionelos, 2005 ) .Thus, work life balance has become important subject of involvement for many organisations. The work life balance is a wide subject of country therefore this literature reappraisal will chiefly concentrate on inquiries like- what is the importance of work life balance? What are the Work life instability effects? What are the assorted current schemes practiced by organisation? What are the barriers while accomplishing work life balance? What are the deductions for Human Resources? The deductions for pull offing people have besides been discussed, based on the research. Importance of Work life balance Many surveies found assorted benefits and advantages of proper work life balance. Bilal, Rehman, and Raza ( 2010 ) suggest that, better work life balance reduces absenteeism, turnover rates and improved occupation satisfaction, working status, work environment, productiveness and public presentation. If there is a work life struggle, it has direct impact on single degree. There are assorted grounds which can do work life instability, such as long and inflexible hours, over work burden, work force per unit area, equal force per unit area, force per unit area from direction, working conditions, work struggles, household struggles etc. Therefore, work life balance has become really important issue for any organisation that should see many things whilst practising work life balance. Work household struggle is associated with employee s burnout, substance issues, mental wellness issues etc. Thus, work life balance is an of import issue for any industry in footings of organisational effect ivity and occupational wellness excessively. One survey besides found that work life balance lead to a more flexible, loyal and motivated work force, which are really of import facets of any organisation s fight ( May A ; Lau, 1998, p. 213 ) . The chief competitory advantage of any organisation are their employees. Work life balance increases employee s trueness towards the organisation. It increases the committedness towards organisation. Work life balance is associated with the mental and psychological wellness of an single employee. Obviously, proper work life balance makes employees happy and satisfied from their work which straight leads to actuate them. For the organisation success, motivated and committed work force is important and a competitory advantage. Proper work life balance makes the work force more motivated, happy, satisfied, and committed and loyal towards the organisation. Effective work life balance pattern leads to cut down absenteeism and lateness within employees. It improves the overall productiveness. By supplying proper work life balance to the employees, it will assist to enroll and pull more endowments from the endowment pool and it besides enhances the organisation image and becomes the employer of pick. Furthermore, work life balance increases keeping of staff employees and reduces turnover rates. Work life balance has assorted advantages to the employees every bit good as it reduces occupation emphasis and additions occupation satisfaction.The assorted benefits of work life balance are as follows ( May A ; Lau, 1998, p. 213 ) . Benefits to organisation Benefits to Employees Beginning: Lazar, Osoian, and Ratiu ( 2010 ) Work Life Imbalance Consequences Low productiveness One of the work life instability effects is a low productiveness. Body of research which includes, studies, surveies and literatures, clearly supports that there is a relationship between work-life balance and the productiveness. Quality of work life balance influences the productiveness of employees. It has been found that higher quality of work life balance encouragement productiveness. Long on the job hours are mark of lost in productiveness and efficiency ( Fenton, 2007 ) . Work life instabilities addition concern cost. A study conducted in Hong Kong, indicates that employees work an mean 51 hours/week which is 25 per centum higher than the maximal on the job hours set by the International Labour Organisation. The consequence of this survey shows that a 3rd of respondents said their productiveness has been affected due to long on the job hours and therefore these were doing them many wellness jobs. Therefore, flexible working agreements has become really common in many industries , which has been subsequently on discussed in this literature reappraisal. Similarly, one study has conducted in UK and 597 working parents were used as a sample for the survey. Lazar et Al. ( 2010 ) suggest that this survey investigated a correlativity between self-related productiveness, flexibleness and satisfaction with work life balance, and between satisfaction with work life balance and employee enjoyment. Beginning: Lazar, Osoian, and Ratiu ( 2010 ) The above figure demonstrates the relationship between work-life balance and the productiveness. It clearly indicates that if employees are really satisfied with their work-life balance so their productiveness degree is 42 % . The productiveness degree lessenings if they are less satisfied with their work-life balance Job dissatisfaction and backdown attitudes Employees, who have instability between work and household, are enduring from occupation satisfaction. One survey found that there is a strong positive relationship between work household struggle and occupation dissatisfaction ( Hughes A ; Bozionelos, 2005 ) . Employees, who have work household struggle, are more disgruntled from their work and more likely to discontinue the occupation. Harmonizing to this survey consequences, there is a clear relationship between work household instability and their backdown attitudes including high turnover and non echt ill absence. Organizational committedness Another effect of work life instability has found is organisational committedness. Work life Imbalance may take to diminish the employee s committedness towards the organisation. One survey was conducted to look into the relationship between work household struggle and the organisational committedness within the Malayan houses. This survey found that there is a positive relationship between work life struggle and the organisational committedness ( Daud, 2010 ) . Those employees, who have a higher degree of work household balance, have strong degree of organisational committedness. Those employees, who have more work household struggle shows lower degree of organisational committedness. Job public presentation Quality of work life balance has impact on employee s mental wellness and their occupation satisfaction. Therefore, it has indirect or direct impact on the employee s public presentation excessively. One survey investigates the relationship between quality of work life balance and occupation public presentation by utilizing questionnaires to study. 475 directors have been used as a sample in Malaysia. The consequences of this survey show that there is a positive relationship between work life balance and occupation public presentation. The consequences and grounds of this survey shows that work life balance is an of import factor like others that has direct or indirect impact in finding the public presentation of employees such as occupation satisfaction, committedness. It besides indicates that it has besides impact on the employees creativeness, invention and committedness in footings of their occupation ( Beh A ; Rose, 2007 ) . This diary shows how quality of work life influence s any single occupation public presentation. Furthermore, deductions for organisation have besides been discussed in this literature. QWL is found to significantly cut down absenteeism, minor accidents and discontinuing. Quality of life Md-Sidin, Sambasivan, and Ismail ( 2008 ) suggest that, work life struggle has a relationship with the quality of life. Quality of life includes quality of work life and quality of non-work life. This conducted to look into in Malayan houses, to associate the work household struggles with the quality of life as a whole. This survey found that the work-family struggle has a important negative relationship with the quality of work, quality of non-work and quality of life as a whole. This survey found that Quality of work life and quality of non work life has a strong positive relationship with the quality of life. Furthermore, the consequences of this survey indicate that the work household struggle has a strongest relationship with the quality of work life. Therefore, it is rather clear that the work household influence an person s personal life and working life and the quality of life as a whole. Work life balance schemes Lazar et Al. ( 2010 ) suggest that it is truly of import that the Work-life balance patterns should see as a strategic human resource direction determinations that can interpret into improved single and organisation public presentation. Due to demographic and workplace alterations, work-life balance patterns becomes more complex and strategic. For case, more adult females are coming in work force. Whist, implementing work-life balance schemes, an organisation should see many things such as work force alterations, workplace alterations, organisation size and civilization etc. An organisation should implement assorted schemes in order to implement the work life balance pattern to better its overall Quality of Work life. There is a broad scope of pattern that an organisation can implement such as flexi clip, compressed work hebdomads, telecommuting, portion clip work, occupation sharing, on side kid attention installation, parental leave etc. Furthermore, the organisation may supply ass orted installations and benefits to the employees such as wellness insurance for employee and dependent, assorted plans or services such as gym or yoga Centre, which improves employee s mental and physical wellness, assorted plans that supports their kids s instruction etc. Such patterns are discussed as bellowed. Flexi clip Flexi clip allows employees to find their start and finish clip. They are more flexible to their starting and finishing clip. Flexi clip pattern allows employees to concentrate on their household or personal life. This can let them to run into their societal committednesss and exigencies and let them to react to the predictable or unpredictable fortunes. This strategy can implement by assorted ways such as the employer may let employees to flexible timing. For instance.. Arrive for work between 7:00 am to 10:00am Lunch interruption between 12:00pm to 2:00pm ( flexible tiffin hr ) Leave between 5:00pm to 6:30pm The hours an employee work between these timings can recognition to that employee s peculiar history. Many strategies besides allow employees to recognition or debit borders. For blink of an eyes, if employees are supposed to work 50 hours per hebdomad and he/she really worked merely 40hours, so he/she will owe the employer 10 hours. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.borer.co.uk/pages/case_studies/flexitime.shtml ) . Telecommuting Lazar et Al. ( 2010 ) suggest that telecommuting allows employees to make some of the work from at place, instead than merely at office. Many organisations practising Telecommuting , as it is going really common these yearss. This gives an advantage to employees to equilibrate between their work and their personal life. This pattern can besides gives benefits to the employees such as cut down emphasis degree, let them to work in more comfy environment, cut down going costs and transposing clip and it is besides clip effectual as it reduces the traveling clip. This pattern is besides called as telework . By supplying these installations to the employees, they are more likely to work efficaciously and it will better their productiveness. However, there are besides such issues. The organisation may be concerned by the initial implement costs. Furthermore, it is besides hard to oversee the employees as they will be working at place. This pattern may impact the commitment degree of emp loyees towards the organisation. Compressed work hebdomads The strategy of Compressed work hebdomads , allows employees to work longer hours in a displacement and in exchange they can acquire a twenty-four hours off and cut down their figure of working yearss. For case, they work more hours in a hebdomad to acquire twenty-four hours off in a following hebdomad. This allows employees to acquire yearss off, so that they can pass more clip with their households. This allows employees to acquire long weekend or mini holiday. Again, it besides depends on the organisation civilization and size. For case, this pattern can work efficaciously where employees ca nt afford to cut down the working hours, but want to cut down the figure of working yearss in a hebdomad. This can be besides good for organisation in order to maximise production, better operational efficiency or constitutions of longer working hours that can supply good client service. Part clip work Part clip work improves skill development and allows employees to acquire some experience in their field. It will be good for employees with the wellness job or disable. Those employees who have had career interruptions can besides re enter in to the work force. For illustration, female parents who stayed at place to raise their kids. Lazar et Al. ( 2010 ) suggest that organisation benefits include it gives a flexible work force to an organisation, it besides helps to maximise the usage of Human resources. Job sharing It allows employee to portion their occupation. Two or more employees can work at the same clip on one undertaking. This pattern can be suited to a workplace where chances for portion clip occupations or other agreements are limited. There are assorted benefits of occupation sharing like it besides gives to employees more clip for other committednesss. It besides improves the development of partnership. The bonding between employees can go strong and employees can larn from each other. It besides improves staff keeping and it besides increases the productiveness as it combines broad scope of accomplishments, cognition and experiences in a individual occupation. Barriers while accomplishing Work life balance Managerial support Managerial support required for any organisation in order to implement a successful work life balance pattern. Directors play an of import function in order to better work household schemes, because their place has a really immense influence on employees to promote or deter. If director is more enthusiastic and supportive, so the employees are more willing to accept the work life balance pattern. The director must understand an single individual s issues to supply echt concerns. Some organisations are really much concern about managerial support in order to implement successful work-life balance schemes. For case, in organisation called Napp Pharmaceutical , all directors are expected to retrieve names of every worker at the production degree, their family name, their spouses name and their personal issues. This enables them to be more apprehensible and supportive to their employees ( McCartney, 2002, p. 36 ) . Career effect Lazar et Al. ( n.d. ) suggest that, successful execution of work life balance pattern can increase in organisation committedness, but merely those employees who felt free to utilize this pattern without any fright of calling harm. An American saloon association studies that although 95 % of the American houses have portion clip employment chance, merely 3 % of attorneies are utilizing it due fright of calling harm. Organizational clip outlook Another barrier in implementing the work life policies is the organisation outlook of the Numberss of hours employees are expected to work. For case, does the organisation let employees to take work at place? Many surveies found that long on the job hours refers as organisation committedness, success, productiveness and motive. Lazar et Al. ( n.d. ) suggest that, Fortune 100 company in the concluded that If one has to win, one has to be at work, one has to be at that place for long hours and one has to continuously perpetrate to work as a top precedence. Colleague s support One of the barriers of work life patterns is co worker s support. Many surveies suggest that workers who use of work life patterns are enduring negative perceptual experience from colleagues and supervisors. Workers who use work life balance patterns frequently fear from the negative perceptual experience from their colleagues or supervisors. Colleagues and supervisors may believe that the individual who is utilizing work life balance patterns, holding low degree of organisational committedness. Due to this perceptual experience from colleagues or supervisors, employees who use the work-life balance pattern frequently think that it will impact on their working calling such as, farther publicity chances or wagess like inducements or salary addition. Deductions for HRM Traditionally the HR attack to Work life balance is to back up employees in day-to-day work life issues and challenges, and supply advice to them. But HR approach these yearss is truly different and became more strategic. Human resources play an of import function in order to implement successful execution of work household balance schemes. There are assorted deductions for human resources. HR must develop appropriate policies for the on the job environment, which best tantrum with the pattern of work household balance. HR must develop such policies and implement those policies. HR must guarantee that those work life balance policies are invariably revised and reappraisals. They besides formalized, work household balance pattern are the portion of continues public presentation direction system or procedure ( Akdere, 2006 ) . In add-on of implementing policies, preparation and development besides supports to heighten the quality of household work balance pattern. It is truly of import that the HR should supply preparation and development to the employees in footings of work life balance. Furthermore, HR must develop a strong, appropriate and effectual enlisting and keeping system. They must enroll single whose values closely match with the civilization of the organisation. For illustration, If the Human resource direction at the enlisting degree, is non sing the work life balance patterns while enrolling employees, so the work life balance pattern will non be effectual to those employees whose values and belief is non fiting with the needed values of the work life balance pattern. Furthermore, communicating is besides of import in order to implement better work household schemes. HR must supply advice and preparation and development to their employees. It is truly of import that the current work force of the administration should cognize about the administration s policies and schemes. Employees should hold cognition of the current policies of work life balance. HR should guarantee that employees have a proper cognition and information of the work life balance policies. If the employees have a good cognition and information sing policies of work life balance, so they will be more supportive. Therefore, it is truly of import that the HR must pass on the policies to the employees ( McCartney, 2002, p. 37 ) . The HR attack towards work life balance is depends on many things like organizational construction, organisation s policies, organisation civilization etc. It may besides differ in different states as Work life balance is non the same in one state or one industry. Human resource direction should see such issues emerge from work life balance pattern, in footings of pull offing people. Changing Workforce Changing work force is one of the chief deductions that HR may hold to confront and should non be ignored. The work force is altering and going more diverse. The Numberss of adult females workers are increasing twenty-four hours by twenty-four hours. More adult females are come ining into the industry. These alterations in work force must be considered by the Human Resource direction. The issues of work life balance has gained new dimension, in that it involves such facets of gender, work and household dealingss, gendered clip, etc. For case, harmonizing to the white paper issued by the Australia Human Resource Institute, the current Australia work force is altering quickly. There are younger Asiatic Australia come ining in to the work force and going major portion at the workplace. Equally far as workplace is concern, the Asiatic civilization could be different. They are like more relationship oriented ( White Paper , 2010, p.42 ) . HR should see these work force alterations while implementing Work Life balance patterns. All these facets have impact on issues such as staff keeping, employee motive, portion clip works, long working hours, and leave from work for particular occasions. All the household responsibilities including kid attention are still more likely a adult females s duty. Furthermore, the household construction is besides altering. These alterations in household construction, manners of work and adult females s duty such as kid attention, have a meaning impact on the organisation.

Why is civilty dead Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why is civilty dead - Essay Example These are the indications from the media, the public and political life. Admittedly, people have to have the freedom to speak for themselves, however the era of mass information and technology made our sense desensitized. After off the cruelty pouring out from the media it is difficult for us to control ourselves and to express our feelings without passing the border of the good manners. We are used to watching and listening to politicians who try to discredit their opponents on the public space. We also know that their verbal disruption polarizes and poisons the debate. We no longer perceive political animosity as something unusual. By now we heard how the Congressman Joe Wilson yelled to President Obama and called him "liar". However the lack of courteous behavior in politics is not the most troubling one, now that it moved to the public realm. Television helped a lot in showing foul language and numbing our sensibility with constant broadcasting of rude behavior. In addition the anonymity of the internet allows people to launch freely their anger. Mass media likes to focus its attention on nasty personal attacks performed by celebrities. The U.S society has a deep fascination with celebrities and I believe that their world- wide broadcast of indiscretions forced society to ask if civility is no more.

Research Method - Feasibility Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Research Method - Feasibility Study - Essay Example As one of the most common mental health disorders, it is important for nursing staff to have a good understanding of bipolar disorder and how it affects the patient and their health. The most common pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder is lithium salts, used as a mood stabilizer (Peacock, 2000). However, one of the most common side effects of taking lithium is that it increases appetite and thirst, and thus can cause significant weight gain in some patients. Some patients therefore request medication for their bipolar disorder that is not linked to weight gain, and thus the following PICO question (Chiappelli, 2010) was formatted: P – patients with bipolar disorder worried about weight gain I – other medication used in the treatment of bipolar disorder that are not associated with weight gain C – weight gain using lithium salts for bipolar disorder treatment O – control psychiatric symptoms whilst reducing the likelihood of weight gain The purpos e of this investigation is to search the existing literature on bipolar disorder and various medications to see if there are any that can be used to reduce mania, depression and weight gain. Discussion The literature chosen for this topic was found using the databases MEDLINE and OVID, two well-respected databases providing access to detailed and current nursing information. To complete the search, the search terms ‘bipolar disorder AND treatment AND weight gain’ were chosen, because this returned results providing the information necessary to complete the task. The search returned 6642 results, ordered by relevance. The five articles chosen were selected because they each discussed how a type of medication used for the treatment of bipolar disorder (not lithium salt based) affected patient weight and their symptoms of the disorder. As the search results were ordered by relevance, so results at the top were assumed to be the best for the research of weight gain and bipo lar disorder, although it would be impossible to brose 6642 results to ascertain whether this was the case. A search using ‘bipolar disorder AND medication AND weight gain’ was also conducted but the results from this search were not used because it returned many more results (over 10,000) and the returned results seemed to be irrelevant or all secondary sources. It seems that it would be extremely possible to complete a dissertation on this topic. The fact that 6642 results were returned from these two databases suggests that there is existing research on the topic that can be used to answer the PICO question in detail. It also suggests that the topic is of interest to those working in clinical situations, and that the weight gain aspect of lithium salts is bothering to many patients. The five articles suggested each describe a different type of treatment and how they can be used for bipolar disorder and how they affect the metabolism and weight changes within the body , and there were many more describing different treatments that may possibly be equally effective in treating bipolar disorder but avoid weight gain issues. The fact that there were so many resources in the literature also means that information can be found easily and used to the advantage of a dissertation. There were issues when conducting the search. There do not seem to be comparisons within the literature between lithium salts and the other types of medication suggested

The Syrian Civil War and the Regional Stability Essay

The Syrian Civil War and the Regional Stability - Essay Example Bashar al-Assad revealed to the citizens that he will abolish the party after he entered into power, in 1970 (Hirsch 35). However, he never abolished the party, but rather transformed it. Assad structured the Ba’ath party in order to make it fit in the dictatorial format of his presidential regime. The Syria government deployed the Army in order to control the Syrian uprising and they ordered soldiers to control and take action on any public protest. However, the demonstrations evolved later into a serious armed rebellion and some of the groups became armed terrorist. These created the commotion and crushes across the nation; thus impacting the regional stability of the Syrian nation. Thesis: Despite the political issues of the Assad dynasty and unapparent end of Syria crisis, politicians have emerged with political agendas regarding the way they can solve the political impact of Syria civil war on the regional stability of Middle East. Impact of Syria Civil War on the Regiona l Stability of the Middle East The Syria Civil War has contributed to varied impacts on the regional stability of the Middle East. First, the Syrian uprising is a threat to socio-economic development of the Middle East. ... The Middle East has become the home for multiple ethnicity and religious conflicts including the Kurds, Muslims, Arabs people, Christian community, Assyrians and many others. The conflicts has been sparkled by the Syrian Civil War; thus creating national disasters in the Middle East. Activist claims that more than 30 000 Syrians have lost their lives while others have lost their properties in the Syria uprising, which started on March of 2011 up to the present (Handler 42). This, many people from these regions have economically and politically felt the impact of the instability in the Middle East economies. Secondly, the harshly domestic war in Syria has contributed to local displacement and international isolation of many people. The international isolation revealed some signs of lessening after France and Russia made significant efforts of bringing the issue of Middle East conflicts back to the international fold. However, the Syrian violated the UN verdict that led to the banning of Lebanese militia, which also contributed to the annex of US sections on the war issues. The debate is now on the way US can respond to the escalating Middle East crisis that have led to increased internal displacement of many people. The IDPs have increased because Syrian uprising has impacted the stability of the Middle East economies; hence causing heavy constraints on the economic resources of Middle East economies. The Syria war has tremendously contributed to refugee problems and the internal displacement of people is further expanding. Pollack, Brookings Institution., Institute for the Study of War and American Enterprise Institute for Public

How do the child figures in The Tempest' contribute to our Essay

How do the child figures in The Tempest' contribute to our understanding of Prospero as a Renaissance leader - Essay Example Thus they contain down-to-earth characters who appeal to the working classes, side-by-side with complexities of plot which would satisfy the appetites of the aristocrats among the audience† (Geraghty, 2002). The progress of mankind can be traced through numerous different venues, not the least of which is humankind’s identification with and understanding of what constitutes the supernatural. These ideas of the supernatural are reflected in the way in which the various characters of these works interact with the world of the supernatural as it relates to the self. At the same time, it has been suggested in a number of different ways and in a number of different cultures that the fundamental nature of the parent can be seen to some degree in the fundamental nature of the child. This nature can also be revealed to some extent in the various ways in which the parent relates to the child. Literature, in telling us stories of different people, can often reveal much more detail regarding what is meant when one refers to a particular character type such as the renaissance man by how this figure is revealed through his or her relationships with others, particularly those who are most dependent on them. To illustrate how this might occur, it is possible to look to the child-like characters in William Shakespeare’s play â€Å"The Tempest† to gain an understanding of the renaissance man as he is represented in the figure of Prospero. The term Renaissance Man is often thrown around as if it should be widely understood by those within hearing. It is used in statements such as â€Å"Jim is a true Renaissance Man,† and thus presented as self-explanatory. A film featuring the name â€Å"Renaissance Man† was created in 1994 that sheds some light on the term as the actor Danny DeVito struggles to teach relatively uneducated military recruits how to think by having

Monologue of Winston Smith from the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by Essay

Monologue of Winston Smith from the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by author George Orwell - Essay Example Is it the hour of doom for Oceania? Perhaps not, as Oceania troops are ready for their retreat soon†¦ (p.157) Why have I taken such a distasteful clove-saccharine, which always turns me pale and disgusting? Why the unbidden waiter has placed chessboard, along with refilling my empty glass? Perhaps they are familiar with my financial position these days..... Yes, I possess money in plenty, more than enough to carry out my needs...! Here I’m, playing chess alone; but I’m not alone altogether, as the great Big Brother is my associate every time, and does not leave me alone. However, why it so happens that white always win over the black, by leaving black at sorry state of affairs subsequently.....; is it the same struggle between evil and good, where the latter turns out to be triumphant without taking the time period of the game into any consideration? (p.158) Why I feel so worried and perturbed for the eventual defeat and trouncing of the Oceanic forces at the hands of Eurasia? Should I get absorbed into the struggle to two big powers, which could bring death, destruction and defoliation in the wake of the division of the world and the Part as well? Should I feel gloomy at the ultimate defeat of the Big Brother?..... Alas, contrary to Julia’s big claims, the Party has intruded into me by penetrating into my heart eventually.....! (p.158) How did it happen, where the Party has taken the place of my beloved, and declining our interest in each other? Why was the passion not igniting during our March meeting as it used to be before our arrest in the flourishing month of April, as our enthusiasm has abated in the same manner as the downtrodden individuals belonging to the Outer Party and the Proles lead their life in a state of deprivation and senselessness!!! The cruel totalitarian system has captured our minds, along with all the thoughts prevailing in them... the hearts have

Criminology -Differential Association + Institutional Anomie Theories Essay

Criminology -Differential Association + Institutional Anomie Theories - Essay Example Agnew assumes that individuals from all social classes engage in crime, as all are geared towards success and economic fulfilment. In fact, the general strain theory should not be confined to economic fulfilment as whether from a low social class or higher, individuals would rebel if what they own is taken away from them and their success therefore hampered or in cases of negative emotions. In such a case therefore, the poor will have to steal or rob in order to recover the lost property or be at the same social level with the rest of the members of the community, while those in a higher social class would engage in fraud or embezzlement of funds, in most cases at the work place so that they can keep being rich; so as to be able to deal with the negative emotions that are as a result of the strain they experience. He further argues that an individual’s inability to achieve the success they aspire, in terms of money can lead to strain and therefore push someone into engaging in crime. He also says, â€Å"Many middle and upper class people in the United States want more money than they can have and obtain through legitimate channels†. Therefore, this strain on an individual to attain monetary success is what pushes them to engage in white-collar crime so that they can deal with the strain completely; mostly in cases where they are not offered solutions for the strain they are experiencing. An individual may for instance fake various documents in order to land a new lucrative job they have always wished to have. This is fraud, which is a white collar-crime. In relation to the general strain theory, white collar crime, just like any other criminal activity is as a result of the negative emotions one has when what they want or need is not being achieved. Fraud and embezzlement of funds for instance in most cases takes place in

How do the child figures in The Tempest' contribute to our Essay

How do the child figures in The Tempest' contribute to our understanding of Prospero as a Renaissance leader - Essay Example Thus they contain down-to-earth characters who appeal to the working classes, side-by-side with complexities of plot which would satisfy the appetites of the aristocrats among the audience† (Geraghty, 2002). The progress of mankind can be traced through numerous different venues, not the least of which is humankind’s identification with and understanding of what constitutes the supernatural. These ideas of the supernatural are reflected in the way in which the various characters of these works interact with the world of the supernatural as it relates to the self. At the same time, it has been suggested in a number of different ways and in a number of different cultures that the fundamental nature of the parent can be seen to some degree in the fundamental nature of the child. This nature can also be revealed to some extent in the various ways in which the parent relates to the child. Literature, in telling us stories of different people, can often reveal much more detail regarding what is meant when one refers to a particular character type such as the renaissance man by how this figure is revealed through his or her relationships with others, particularly those who are most dependent on them. To illustrate how this might occur, it is possible to look to the child-like characters in William Shakespeare’s play â€Å"The Tempest† to gain an understanding of the renaissance man as he is represented in the figure of Prospero. The term Renaissance Man is often thrown around as if it should be widely understood by those within hearing. It is used in statements such as â€Å"Jim is a true Renaissance Man,† and thus presented as self-explanatory. A film featuring the name â€Å"Renaissance Man† was created in 1994 that sheds some light on the term as the actor Danny DeVito struggles to teach relatively uneducated military recruits how to think by having

Criminology -Differential Association + Institutional Anomie Theories Essay

Criminology -Differential Association + Institutional Anomie Theories - Essay Example Agnew assumes that individuals from all social classes engage in crime, as all are geared towards success and economic fulfilment. In fact, the general strain theory should not be confined to economic fulfilment as whether from a low social class or higher, individuals would rebel if what they own is taken away from them and their success therefore hampered or in cases of negative emotions. In such a case therefore, the poor will have to steal or rob in order to recover the lost property or be at the same social level with the rest of the members of the community, while those in a higher social class would engage in fraud or embezzlement of funds, in most cases at the work place so that they can keep being rich; so as to be able to deal with the negative emotions that are as a result of the strain they experience. He further argues that an individual’s inability to achieve the success they aspire, in terms of money can lead to strain and therefore push someone into engaging in crime. He also says, â€Å"Many middle and upper class people in the United States want more money than they can have and obtain through legitimate channels†. Therefore, this strain on an individual to attain monetary success is what pushes them to engage in white-collar crime so that they can deal with the strain completely; mostly in cases where they are not offered solutions for the strain they are experiencing. An individual may for instance fake various documents in order to land a new lucrative job they have always wished to have. This is fraud, which is a white collar-crime. In relation to the general strain theory, white collar crime, just like any other criminal activity is as a result of the negative emotions one has when what they want or need is not being achieved. Fraud and embezzlement of funds for instance in most cases takes place in

Dance script Essay Example for Free

Dance script Essay Dance is something that everyone knows about, but not many people understand. As an avid dancer and competitor for over ten years, I’ve learned to embrace the many forms of dancing in this world. It’s hard to put a single definition on dance – ‘it is graceful, it is feminine’ – because there are just too many types of dancing, each with a unique style. What I can say right now, is that dance is a discipline that requires immense control of the body to accurately communicate the intent of the dance, but it is also flexible enough to allow individual emotions and personalities to shine through. Today, I would like to explore with you four very different types of dance: ballet, Chinese, ballroom, and hip hop. 1 Ballet is an art form that originated in the 15th century during the Renaissance. As you can see from the picture, the ballerina wears pointe shoes – basically regular ballet shoes (hold shoe) with a box on top. The ballet shoe is usually made of satin or regular cloth, is sometimes covered with leather on top, and has leather soles for good traction. The ballerina also wears the tutu, which used to be heavily adorned (and therefore very heavy), but designs have been simplified and streamlined as much as possible to give the feeling of weightlessness. An important component of ballet is the line. Just as in math, lines go on forever, ballet enforces the concept of line both in the hands, in the legs (hence the importance of pointing), and in the combination of the two. People traditionally think that ballet is an exclusively female art form, but through the years, men have been able to add a combination of gymnastics and other stunts to make it a dramatic experience. 2 Chinese dance is something that I find very hard to pinpoint with one description – as you may know, China’s history huge, and there are many different types of Chinese dance from the different Chinese regions. One thing I can confidently say is dancing with props is common. In this picture, the girl dances with ribbons that are usually over ten feet long for each arm; in the next picture, a Mongolian dance, the dancers dance with real porcelain bowls and often with cups (like these), and chopsticks; in this picture, a Dun Huang dance, though the dancers are empty handed right now, it is very common for them to pick up a flute or another type of Chinese musical instrument. Another thing that is emphasized in Chinese dance is femininity. While in ballet, the chin is always up, the body extended to the most extent, in Chinese dance, the chin is usually tucked to symbolize a sense of shyness. That’s not to say that Chinese dance is not as dynamic as other types of dance†¦maybe another short clip may help? 3 Ballroom is honestly one of my favorite types of dances, and today, I’ll be talking about Latin dance specifically. Latin dances are made up of samba, rumba, chacha, jive, and pase doble. The difference between the dance styles is the emphasized beat, (give example), and therefore, its rhythm. One of the biggest differences between ballroom and other forms of dances is its emphasis on hip motion, how the hip controls the leg action, and vice versa. Also important is the process through which the weight is transferred between feet – vertically or horizontally. Speed and sharpness are factors that are crucial to being a good ballroom dancer, and part of the agility comes from the interaction between the partners. Resistance from the male (not even a push), signifies changing direction, lowering the hand preps for a turn, and such. Costumes are generally tight and minimal, but usually decorated with sequins and tassels, to make sharp turns more noticeable. 4 Finally, hip hop is a form of dance that originated on the streets of cities, and is closely connected to breakdancing. For many dancers, shoewear only includes sneakers, but more professional dancers often use danzsneakers, which provide good ankle support, arch support, and a flat top for toe stands. Hip hop often focuses on bodily isolations and gymnastic feats – backflipping is common. Mostly, hip hop conveys a sense of attitude and independence. It’s a very new art form in comparison to the others, and we are yet to see where it will take us. 5 So we’ve talked about four different types of dance – ballet, Chinese, ballroom, and hip hop. But keep in mind that there are so many more – jazz, modern, lyrics, just to name a few. Next time you see a dancer, don’t immediately dismiss their art as just a girl sport, but realize that it is a discipline that takes an entire lifetime of practice and training to reach a grace and flexibility unparalleled in most other sports. Perhaps you may want to try dance yourself†¦I’m sure it will be a life changing experience.

The Forbidden City and Buckingham Palaces Architecture

The Forbidden City and Buckingham Palaces Architecture What makes a building outstanding and became a typical logo of the city, and even the country? It’s not easy for a architecture to attract the travel enthusiasts and the travelers all over the world. Many of the buildings and structures featured are famous for their beauty. Others have become famous for their ingenuity or their historical significance. There are many similarities and differences between Eastern and Western architectural. Their building style, history, materials, function and even significance and influence are form more and less difference. Take Chinese Forbidden city and the Buckingham Palace for example, they both represent the representative building of their country and impact occurred on modern architects design. As for architectural style, the Forbidden city and Buckingham Palace reflected the Eastern and Western’s cultural differences. Infected by their culture, the architectural style of Chinese traditional style with special emphasis on linear beauty, pay attention to the flow lines of melody. The Forbidden city’s beams, columns, roof can express line artistic appeal, as in the rest of the top of the mountain building eaves intentionally made slightly to the sides form a high rise, but made clear the warped corner section, rather steep roof upper and lower more gentle, so both for rainwater drainage, but also conducive to the sunshine and ventilation. Pursuit of mood and thought heavy ethics embodied in the Chinese ancient buildings very apparent when architectural style, tend to their social content and symbolism prominent position on the influential, while also focusing on practicality. It’s obviously that the structure contacts the special Chinese culture and is pr actical. In the same context, the Buckingham Palace styling emphasizes form United States , originated in classical Greek aesthetics that the United States in the form of objects. Both Forbidden city and Buckingham Palace has long history. In the Middle Ages, the site of the future palace formed part of the Manor of Ebury. Owners included Edward the Confessor and his queen consort Edith of Wessex in late Saxon times, and, after the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror. William gave the site to Geoffrey de Mandeville, who bequeathed it to the monks of Westminster Abbey. In 1531, Henry VIII acquired the Hospital of St James from Eton College, and in 1536 he took the Manor of Ebury from Westminster Abbey. These transfers brought the site of Buckingham Palace back into royal hands for the first time since William the Conqueror had given it away almost 500 years earlier. Eventually, in the late 17th century, the freehold was inherited from the property tycoon Sir Hugh Audley by the great heiress Mary Davies. Likewise, the Forbidden city got through a long period too. Beijing Forbidden City began construction of Emperor Yongle in AD 1406, was rejected Yuan air tra nsport, basically not built on the basis of most of the Yuan Dynasty palace, rather eastward 150 m, re-created from the palace, the palace walls of the palace, including all were re-built, larger than most of the palace, slightly less than the Forbidden City in Nanjing, a former designer for artisan craftsmen Queen Kuai Xiang, inaugurated in 1420 AD, built from 1420 to about 500 in 1911 between the Qing emperor to abdicate, Ming, A total of 24 Emperor Qing dynasties lived in the Forbidden City. The distinction on the building materials is also a different factor of the building style. In ancient times, Chinese architects used wood as the main building materials while Western architects used masonries as their main materials. The most materials of the Forbidden city are wood, but because of Forbidden City choice 15 kinds of precious and timber corrosion, it still protect completely and won’t cause trouble. On the other hand, Buckingham Palace’s facade decoration materials are the Bath limestone. These two kind of material selection make the building have different appearance. Many visitors surprised at these completely different architectural style building from their own country, the choice of the wood and stone greatly depend the difference of Eastern and Western architecture. With the time fly, the choice of materials change a lot and until now, Eastern country and Western country not only retained their selection featured on colleagues, but also learn from each other’s specialist, the designer using different building materials to create a more creative and distinctive architectural. The Forbidden City and Buckingham Palace’s function change but they are still be used now. Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britains sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors every year. The Palace is very much a working building and the centrepiece of Britains constitutional monarchy. It houses the offices of those who support the day-to-day activities and duties of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and their immediate family. The Palace is also the venue for great Royal ceremonies, State Visits and Investitures, all of which are organised by the Royal Household. Although Buckingham Palace is furnished and decorated with priceless works of art that form part of the Royal Collection, one of the major art collections in the world today. It is not an art gallery and nor is it a museum. More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and the Royal Garden Parties. On contrast, the Forbidden city has apply for World Heritage and it is open for tourists. Forbidden City, two thousand years of development in China and East Asia pinnacle of classical architecture, has been affecting the subsequent development of Chinese architecture, as well as providing inspiration for many works of art. The significance and influence of the Forbidden city and Buckingham Palace is Considerable. Their architecture is a model for modern structure designer. Walking in the Forbidden City, the artistic effect of the kind of space sequence level by building depth treatment group obtained. Like a Chinese scroll appreciate it, to start with the picture of piecewise, people always with a sense of anticipation, looking forward to the culmination and crowning touch screen show, thus enhancing the appeal of the work of art. It is for this reason, the building generated after leaving their old age, still can connotation artistic charm. To open a new era of peoples minds casement, giving the joy of beauty. Ancient buildings across time and space is like a bridge connecting the deceased and present, giving the thick atmosphere and beauty. http://wenku.baidu.com/view/0f86042d0066f5335a812165.html

Virginias SOL Testing. :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The abbreviation SOL stands for, Standards of Learning. The Standards of Learning is a test that was devised in the spring of 1998 to provide information on the progress of students toward meeting achievement levels. To me as a citizen of Virginia, and as a student, I think this test is a burden on most students in all grade levels, and should be eliminated. Because first, the number of tests being administered to student each year is outrageous, second, the penalties a student has to face for failing are too harsh, and third, it puts the school in jeopardy of losing its accreditation which is a no win situation. Virginia’s Standards of Learning has come under much criticism over the past couple of years, and I for one think it deserves to be criticized. Each year student in every school district across America have to take two or more test such as, the (LPT) Literacy Passport Test, the Stanford-9 exam or the (SOL) Standards of Learning, depending on the grade level. In two out of these three tests, students are required to pass in order to graduate, and judging by last years test scores, most students future would be endangered if they are unable to bring there score up. This has led to the question, â€Å"are we testing our students too much†? This question was bought up at a General Assembly meeting in March of 2000, the Virginia Board of Education responded by saying they would move the Stanford-9 exam from the spring to the fall, so it would not interfere with the spring SOL tests. But this still is not enough for me, because all of these tests are designed to do one thing, and that is to evaluate a student’s comprehensive knowledge of a certain subject. So what I don’t get is, why do a student have to take two or more test a year just to evaluate his understanding of a certain subject.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since this test has been devised, the number one question everybody is asking is, â€Å" isn’t it unfair to base a student’s entire future on one test, when he or she simply could have had a bad day when taking the test†? The president Kirk T. Schroder of the Virginia Board of Education, answer this question by saying, â€Å"First of all, these tests are untimed, so no student is under arbitrary time pressure in taking the test.

September 11 Exposed the Weaknesses of a Complacent Superpower Essay

The unthinkable events of September 11 have called into question things that once seemed indisputable about America. The end of the Cold War brought with it notions of American supremacy economically, militarily, and in intelligence. The only challenge to this supremacy had been the Soviet Union, and its collapse ensured that the United States was safe to take its place as the world's only superpower. However, in the decade following the end of the Cold War, America has not been willing to accept the responsibility that accompanies this position. The weaknesses exposed by the attack all point to a need for America to abandon its perception of itself as invincible, because that attitude is precisely what made it so vulnerable. America needs to be willing to constantly reevaluate itself and question whether or not it is acting responsibly, as a superpower should. Â   What constitutes a superpower? This is a question that must be answered in order to determine where America stands after September 11. There is no question that America is the dominate force in the world both militarily and economically, and both of these factors play an important role in defining it as a superpower. However, these are two factors that are only relevant when looking at the whole world. Internal factors also play a role in defining a country as a superpower. First of all, the country must have a feeling of safety. People living in a superpower feel that they are untouchable and that as long as they stay under the security blanket that their government offers, no harm will come their way. In addition, the strong superpower will be held up by a strong infrastructure. Intelligence should be a top priority to ensure the safety of the people of the supe... ...g to join. Â   The events of September 11 have changed the America forever. Undoubtedly, the age of American innocence is over. However, the question remains: does the end of innocence mean the end of superpower status? The reevaluation of American hegemony is inevitable, but will this reevaluation signify the end of the hegemony? Undoubtedly, America dominates the world scene, even after the attack, but it must begin to understand better what it means to dominate this ever-changing world. America must never again sink into the complacency that had taken over in the past decade. It is only through constant reevaluation that America will ever truly understand the huge responsibility that accompanies being the world's lone superpower. Sources CNN, "Anthrax victim urges Americans to 'stand together,'" http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/11/05/anx.anthrax.facts/