Three Qualities You Value in True Friend free essay sample

There are many ways to value quality of true friend. Personally, I highly value three qualities of my true friend. True friend is a kind of person who difficultly to find in your whole life. He or she is a person who cries or has fun with you. The three qualities that I would like to a true friend has such as trust worthy, dependable, and unselfish. The first important quality of a true friend is trust worthy. In friendship, true friend should able to keep secrets or promises. When you have problems, you go to talk with him or her and he or she will not do around talking a bout you. Second true friend should be honest in friendship. Without honesty the friendship will be fall a part. To be honest, true friend should tell the truth that is the third point. Your friend has better not lie each other so, it will not have suspicion in friendship. We will write a custom essay sample on Three Qualities You Value in True Friend or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To sum up, trust worthy is a important quality that can not be lacked in friendship. The second important quality is dependability. I look for in a friend who can help each other. Friend should be helpful with each other when you have problems. Plus, friend needs to give thoughtful advice to friend who is in trouble and he or she help you to corrects your mistakes. Additionally, forgiving is the necessary in friendship. A dependable friend should forgive or do not mind with small problems. To summarize, dependability is consequentially required in your friendship. Unselfishness is the last important that I determine in a true friend. Your friend should be a kind person. Sharing is the best example for kindness such as sharing food or sit. Moreover, supportability is a good thing that true friend always do to his or her friend. When your have problems, true friend will stay by your side and encourage you. The last point is envy. If he or she is a really your friend, he or she will not be jealous with you, but he or she should be happy for you. In summary, unselfishness is a good thing that a true friend should has in his or her mind. All in all, the qualities I highly value in a true friend are trust worthy, dependable, and unselfish. If you have a really true friend, your life might not loneliness or boredom. I believe these qualities are really necessary for friendship. They are also a great foundation of being a true friend.

Choosing the Best Economics Graduate Program For You

Choosing the Best Economics Graduate Program For You As the About.com economics expert, I get quite a few inquiries from readers about the best graduate schools for those pursuing an advanced degree in economics. There are certainly quite a few resources out there today that claim to give the definitive ranking of graduate programs in economics around the world. While those lists might prove helpful to some, as a former economics student turned university professor, I can say with great certainty that choosing a graduate program requires so much more than arbitrary rankings. So when Im asked questions like, Can you recommend a good economics graduate program? or What is the best economics graduate school?, my answer is usually no and it depends. But I can help you find that best economics graduate program for you. Resources for Finding the Best Economics Graduate School Before moving forward, there are a couple of articles you should read. First is an article written by  a professor at Stanford, titled Advice for Applying to Grad School in Economics. While the disclaimer at the start of the article reminds us that these tips are a series of opinions, but that is generally the case when it comes to advice and given the reputation and experience of the person giving the advice, I would have to say, have no dear.  There are plenty of great tips in here. The next recommended piece of reading is a  resource from Georgetown with the title Applying to Grad School in Economics. Not only is this article thorough, but I dont think there is a single point I disagree with. Now that you have these two resources at your disposal, Ill share my  tips for finding and applying to the best economics graduate school for you.  From my own experience and the experience of friends and colleagues who also have studied economics at the graduate level in the United States, I can give the following advice: Take Advantage of Your Undergraduate Resources: Ask the professors who are writing you recommendation letters where theyd apply if they were in your position. They usually have a good idea of the schools at which youll do well and which ones may not be suited to your strengths and interests. Of course, it never hurts when the selection committee at a school knows and respects the person writing your letter of recommendation. Even better if your reference writer has friends or former colleagues on the selection committee at that school. I do have one disclaimer on this subject: Dont choose an undergraduate reference solely based on their reputation or their network. An honest and personalized letter from someone who can specifically speak to your strengths as a candidate is always better than an impersonal one with a famous signature.Rankings Arent the Most Important Decision-Maker:  That is to say that I dont suggest that you apply to just the highest ranked schools. In fact, many would agree when I say that this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in the application process. If youre interested in studying time-series econometrics, apply to schools that have active researchers in that area. Whats the point of going to a great theory school if youre not a theorist? Dont Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Apply to as many graduate schools as reasonable. Id recommend applying to about ten schools. Ive seen a lot of terrific students only apply to top-ranked schools or their first choice and not get accepted  to any of them. Find your dream school(s) and your more reachable schools and build your list from there. And while you certainly dont want to focus on possible failure, make sure you have some backup plans. Have an idea of what you might do should you not be accepted into a graduate this year. If pursuing an advanced degree in economics is your dream, make sure that your plan B is something that only strengthens your candidacy for the next application cycle.Do Your Research:  As an economics student, you should be no stranger to research. But your economics graduate school search should not be limited to the internet or your undergraduate college counseling office. Talk to current graduate students at the school youre thinking about attend ing. Theyll usually tell you how things really work in their department. While talking to professors can also be enlightening, make a mental note that they have a vested interest in you applying to their school, which can greatly influence their opinions and advice. If you do choose to talk to a member of the faculty, try to get some sort of introduction. Contacting a professor unsolicited can a great source of annoyance, and why take a chance when this person might wield the power to say yes or no? Consider Size:  In my opinion, the size of the school can be just as important as its reputation. When approached for advice, I generally encourage prospective students to consider applying to larger schools. This is not to say that smaller schools are not worth your consideration, but you must always weigh the risks and rewards. Smaller departments are more likely to be negatively impacted with the departure of one or two key faculty members. So go ahead and apply to the program that boasts your dream professor among its ranks, but also look for schools that have three or more active researchers in the area you are interested in. That way, if one or two leave, youll still have an advisor you can work with. More Things to Read Before Applying to Graduate School So youve read the articles from Stanford and Georgetown, and youve made notes of my top bullet points. But before you jump into the application process, you may want to invest in some advanced economics texts. For some great recommendations, be sure to check out my article Books to Study Before Going to Graduate School in Economics.  These should give you a good idea of what you need to know to do well in an economics graduate school program. It goes without saying, best of luck!

Chosse from the following Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Chosse from the following - Essay Example Mulvey’s Ideas on Hollywood’s Depiction of Gender According to Mulvey, males prove to be very dominant in society. This dominance has existed for the longest time in society, with many people adopting the attitudes that concur with and foster the spread of male dominance (Hein 58). In her article ‘visual pleasure and narrative cinema’ Mulvey highlighted that the popularity of Hollywood movies has resulted because of the existing social patterns. These existing social patterns serve as a reflection of the male dominance that is evident in society. With the combination of two analytic procedures, this article highlights the reflection of unbalanced gender in Hollywood, and outlines how the viewer reacts to the movie (Hollinger 12). A semiotic analytic method of cinematic works helped Mulvey understand the depiction of patriarchy in Hollywood products. On the other hand, psychoanalysis revealed the perception of the viewer as determined by the existing social patterns (45). The article outlined a link between the viewer and the Hollywood products, with psychoanalysis helping the author to decipher the subconscious contribution to the understanding of the viewer. The most compelling idea that becomes evident in Mulvey’s article is the fact that Hollywood uses women to offer visual pleasure to the men. According to this author, Hollywood adopts a masculine view while making women an object of the gaze. Hollywood depicts men as heroes and this grants them measurable pleasure. The movies depict the undying desire of men to satisfy their ego even if that compels them to maker women object As a result, the man represents the active individual in the movie while the woman has her take as the passive individual. The man employs all his efforts in demystifying the female figure or fetishization of her by according her a goddess position. Through these strategies, the man manages to avoid any chances of the woman surpassing him and silencin g his voice. On the other hand, the role of the woman in Hollywood movies appears paradoxical (Hollinger 13). She seems to confuse herself with the power of attraction and her inherent desire to get past the man, silencing him. ‘The Loneliest Planet’ Through this movie, she tells the story of a young optimistic couple, Alex and Nica. From the initial cuts of the movie, the couple has a level of intimacy as the producer highlights that they are sexually involved. However, it is evident that despite this intimacy, the couple takes time in understanding each other well. However, there is a level of comfort in the couple and after their engagement; they are looking forward to getting married. This optimistic couple decides to visit the mountains of Georgia and explore their beauty. The viewer can expect that the hike will bring the couple closer, at least a notch higher than what they appear to be (Nelmes 280). Since they are unfamiliar with the place, and there is an obvio us language barrier, the couple decided to hire a guide, Gato. The movie depicts the strangeness of the place, and then exposes the possibilities of the adventure that the couple would experience. As expected, the adventure comes with multiple challenges for the couple. Loktev takes the initial half of the movie to illustrate how the couple managed to cope with the numerous challenges of the hike through the

Environmental audit Tesco Plc Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Environmental audit Tesco Plc - Coursework Example The company chosen for study is Tesco Plc which is the biggest multinational general merchandise and grocery retailer in United Kingdom. The company operates in over 2,315 stores globally with over 1,875 stores in UK. It also has significant presence in North America, Asia and Europe. The total revenue of the company for the year ending 2013 was over  £ 64.8 billion while net income after taxes was over  £ 120 million. Tesco PLC was founded by Jack Cohen in 1919 as a group of market stalls. The company is listed on London Stock Exchange and has over 6350 stores globally. It is also a constituent of FTSE 100 Index. The company is headquartered in Chestnut, Hertfordshire of England. The company has huge geographical diversification into areas like clothing, furniture, electronics, financial services, retailing of books, internet services, software, music downloads, DVD rental, and so on. Tesco Stores Ltd is a subsidiary of Tesco PLC in United Kingdom. ... 64.8 billion while net income after taxes was over ? 120 million. Tesco PLC was founded by Jack Cohen in 1919 as a group of market stalls. The company is listed on London Stock Exchange and has over 6350 stores globally. It is also a constituent of FTSE 100 Index. The company is headquartered in Chestnut, Hertfordshire of England (TESCO, 2013, pp.3-16). The company has huge geographical diversification into areas like clothing, furniture, electronics, financial services, retailing of books, internet services, software, music downloads, DVD rental, and so on. Tesco Stores Ltd is a subsidiary of Tesco PLC in United Kingdom. The company offers a wide range of personal finance services both offline and online. The relative position of Tesco’s market share with respect to other foremost players in the market is depicted as follows: (Source: t1ps.com, 2012) External Business Environment Analysis Global recession during 2007 to 2009 has substantial impact on the overall retail indust ry across the world. During the year 2012, retail growth was only 1.2% and it was the third lowest in the history retail industry of UK in last 40 years. Thus, the macro-economy significantly influences organizations’ strategy by influencing the surroundings of the industry. The external environment determines the outlook of industry and hence it is very important to analyze the external environment in order to formulate appropriate strategy for the organization (TESCO, 2013, pp.8-9). PESTEL Analysis The macro-economic environment is evaluated using the PESTEL analysis that identifies key drivers that influence the company’s strategic decisions. The objective of this analysis is to reveal the impact of various external factors upon a business as well as the industry

How Important is it for managers today to have a good understanding of Essay

How Important is it for managers today to have a good understanding of the process of globalization - Essay Example (Steger, 2003: p. 37) With regards to the large supply of available work force in the labour market, medium- and large-scale businesses are taking advantage of hiring competitive employees. Likewise, it is also crucial for businesses today to actively participate in the trading of goods and services in the world market. As part of discussing the valid reasons that makes it important for modern managers today to have a good understanding of the process of globalization, a literature review will be conducted in the study. To give the readers a better understanding of the subject matter, the first part of the literature review will discuss about the general information and the main purpose of globalization followed by analyzing the factors that makes it important for modern managers to have a good understanding of the globalization process. To determine how well modern managers understand the globalization process, a structured personal interview with two selected managers combined with a Globalization is â€Å"a process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments of different countries which is driven by international trade and investment through the use of information technology.† (The Levin Institute, 2008) Basically, the concept of globalization allows business people to maximize their available financial resources by taking advantage of the low-cost products and services that are readily available from developing countries. Because of the differences in monetary exchange rate, large-scale businesses from developed countries are able to purchase more homogenous products and highly competitive human resources at a much lesser price. Therefore, large multinational companies could easily compete with small-scale local businesses by being able to offer homogenous products to its target

Factors of Absenteeism and Impacts on Organizations

Factors of Absenteeism and Impacts on Organizations It create a big problem in an organisation when employees misses too many days off from work and in these situations other employees have to cover their work who are off from work and the work simply does not get gone in a well manner. The company must find out that the absence is involuntarily or voluntarily because involuntarily means any kind of illness or any unavoidable reason by which the employee is unable to come on work. Voluntarily means when an employee is absent from work without any reason manager need to worry about this kind of absence of employee need to get any documentation. Some time the absence may be excessive in this case manager should compare the employees attendance record with the other employees if the record of one employee is bad then the other means he was too many days off from work then it may be excessive absenteeism. So the manager should discuss all the matter to the employees very friendly to improve the performance of the company the employees must aware of this thing that their absence is affecting others. Manager should give a written notice to the employee who is absent too many days from the work to warn him/her Basically absenteeism occurs when an employee of any organisation does not come to work due to several intentional or unintentional reasons like illness, injury, or any other habitual reason. Absenteeism affects the business in the terms of lost productivity. According to U.S. bureau of the census and U.S. bureau of labour statistic up the direct losses about $40 billion a year and social security administration determined that, annually workers missed more then half a billion days. http://www.enotes.com/biz-encyclopedia/absenteeism Types of absence There are many reasons why people off from work. Some those can be categorised as: Short-range sickness absence (uncertificated, self-certificated, or covered by a doctors fit note which replaced the sick note from April 2010) Long-standing sickness absence Unofficial absence or persistent lateness Other absences:  for example,  annual leave; maternity, paternity, adoption, or parental leave; time off for public or trade union duties, or to care for dependents; compassionate leave; educational leave. How much does absenteeism cost your business? The workers which are absent from the work cost the business a lot and decrease the revenue of the business Especially unplanned absence from work cost a lots to business like casual sickness of employee casual absence can affect per day productivity of business. This is a common problem of organisations in every organisation employees have 5.4 unplanned absence in 1 day. According to Mercer,  Absences, the total cost of absence can equal as much as 36% of payroll (compared to 15.4% for health care coverage). Of that figure, 9% accounts for unplanned absences. Planned absences, like vacations and holidays, average 26.6%. For a midsize business, this unplanned absence can account for as much as $4.5 million dollars per year. (http://www.super-solutions.com/CostofAbsenteeism.asp) Employer of the business must look upon the direct and indirect expenses incurred by the employee absent from work. Direct cost are the cost which are normally paid to the employee as a benefit during the absence form work it include sick absence, paid holidays or vocations. But the real impact of the absence of employee comes in the form of indirect cost which are represented by: The absence of employee affect badly in the completion of any project or can slow it down If the employee us absent from worker the a temporary worker or the employees supervisor have to cover the work of the absent employee The absence of the employee slows but does not stop bleeding The replacement of employee is less efficient in an organisation it can be percentile as follow: 71% as efficient during unplanned incidental absences 79% as efficient during planned absences 80% as efficient during extended absences The work output of 4 to 8 co-workers was reduced by 19% Normally non attendance can cost as much as about  £1000 to business per employee every year one person is taking day off from work might be not seem like a big issue but when we add up the sum it cause the decrease in the productivity with the increased strain on other areas of the business. The fact is that it should not be taken lightly. What if you need to hire in a temporary worker to pick up the workload? What if someone who is covering the work needs to be paid overtime? What if their absence means a suggestion doesnt get in on time resulting in a lost contract? Indeed, absenteeism can take a financial toll in several companies for that matter in different respects. The most obvious cost in the sector of sick leave benefits provided that the business offers some benefits but there are many hidden costs as well. These are some hidden charges which cost to business in the case of absenteeism as follow: Lost productivity of the absent employee Overtime for other employees to fill in Decreased overall productivity of those employees Any temporary help costs incurred Possible loss of business or dissatisfied customers Problems with employee morale More over IHC estimates that 13.4 million working days a year are lost to stress, anxiety and depression, and 12.3 million to back and upper limb problems. And the overall cost to UK industry? A whopping  £11.5bn in 2002 was paid out in wages to absent employees and on additional overtime and temporary staff cover, according to the CBI. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3563609.stm Numerous factors Taking a one-off sick may not seem a problem to the employees in a organization but they all add up to a major cost to a organization as well a industry of any country So much so that according to a report by healthcare consultancy IHC, 40 million days are lost each year in the UK to workplace absenteeism. And 93% of employees was absent from work due to colds and flu IHC says that in reality at least half of all workplace absence has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with health. People decide to stay away from the office personal or domestic issues. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3563609.stm Motivation Many employers attempt to clear out on unwarranted absenteeism through tighter control. They ask employees to attend a meeting with their supervisor straight away upon their return to work, they demand a note from a doctor or use some other ways that targets the symptoms of absenteeism rather than its underlying causes. But the problem remains the same because they must concentrate to cut the roots of the problem the only thing that must do is to motivate. They must start by creating a relaxing an secure environment in which to communicate must create a point one where the shop floor workers can meet management without any pressure n discuss the problem which they are facing . Employers must communicate it is very important task in motivation which tell the views and happiness of everyone in the business Performance = function (ability x motivation) There are number of different views of different people that what can motivate the workers. The most common theory of Herzberg is discussed follow: Motivational Theory: Herzbergs Two Factor Theory Herzberg found many aspects of that what factors please the employees or displease the employees about their work place. He developed the motivation hygiene theory in which he called the motivators and the dissatisfiers to using hygiene term in the sense of to maintenance factors which are very important to avoid dissatisfaction. Herzberg theory of motivation was based on two factors hygienic factors and motivator factors Hygiene Factors which can demotive when the employee is not present. Hygiene Factors influence the dissatisfaction of a person, but are rarely  identified as creating job satisfaction.   Supervision Interpersonal relations Physical working conditions Salary Company car Security Relation with subordinates Personal life Motivation Factors which will motivate when present.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Job dissatisfaction isnt  usually  caused by a lack of Motivation Factors, but they are  identified as the cause of job satisfaction. achievement advancement recognition responsibility work itself The factors that motivated them in the workplace These all are the factors that gave the employees an motivation to work to resultant in job satisfaction. These are also known as motivators these motivators increased the job satisfaction of the employee towards his work and further increase the efficiency Those factors that prevented job dissatisfaction These factors are those that banned the job dissatisfaction. These factors did not make the employee happy or have job satisfaction it just removed the un happiness out of working. They are also know as hygiene factors these factors effect on the efficiency of the employees or it reduce the performance of the employee in work Herzberg believed that all factors include into one of these categories and therefore had separate cost. Some factors include into both categories although they held a stronger position in one of them. Attribution theory Attribution theory suggests that we observe a persons behaviour and then try to establish whether internal or external forces caused it. If it is a judged to be internal it is seen as being under the persons control if it is judged to be external it seen as a result of the situation. Attribution is said to be subjected to a number if consideration because we judge actions in a context. For example we judge how distinctive behaviour is and whether behaviour is unusual for a particular person. If for example the person is absent from and the circumstances are that his or her attendance record is exemplary then the behaviour could be considered unusual and an external cause (that is that the behaviour is outside the control of the individual) will be attributed. If the absenteeism fits in with the general pattern of behaviour then an internal attribution will be attached (that is it will be seen as being under the persons control. We also judge how consistent the behaviour is if it is consistent then we are most likely to attribute the behaviour to internal causes. (Organisational Behaviour and Work 3rd edition Fiona M.Wilson 2010) Measurement HOW TO MEASURE ABSENTEEISM: The most clear way to measure employees absenteeism is to make records of the attendance of the employees that how many days have employee not have came to work in many companies there is some sort of clock in or accountability set up to record the attendance of the employees working there when we have the proper record then we can easily know that how many employees are ill. Another key element of measuring the absence effectively is accurate measurement and monitoring. An organisation must measure if it has a problem with the absence issue its extent and the best way to solve or control this issue. There are just a fewer organisations which have set the target to reduce the absenteeism There are different measures that can be used to calculate the absence each of the measure provides the different aspects of absence. Lost time rate This measure show the overall percentage of the total time available which has been lost due to the absence of the employees of organisation For example:   10 one-day absences: 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000   1 ten-day absence: 1 x 1 x 10 = 10   5 two-day absences: 5 x 5 x 10 = 250   2 five-day absences: 2 x 2 x 10 = 40   The trigger points are normally different in many organisations. As for all types of absence, the underlying causes will need to be identified. This measure  shows the percentage of total time available which has been lost due to absence of employees: Total absence (hours or days) in the period  x 100   Possible total (hours or days) in the period   For example, if the total absence in the period is 124 person-hours and the total time available is 1,550 person-hours, the lost time rate is:   124  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   x 100 = 8 %   1,550   It can be calculated separately for individual departments of the organisation or groups of employees to reveal particular absence problems. Frequency rate    The measure access the average number of absences per employee, it access as a percentage. It does not give any sign of the length of each absence period, nor any sign of employees who take more than one spell of absence:   No of spells of absence in the period  x 100   No of employees   for example: If we take the record of organisation of one month so employed on average 80 workers, and during this time there were a total of 16 of them was absence, the frequency rate is:   16  x 100 = 20%   80   by counting the total number of workers who take at least one day absence in one period rather than the total days of absence this measurement will show the individual frequency rate Bradford Factor The Bradford Factor identifies the constant short range absence for individuals, by measuring the number of days of absence, and is therefore a useful measure of the disturbance by this type of absence. It can be calculated using the formula:   S x S x D S = number of absents in 52 weeks taken by an person   D = number of absents in 52 weeks taken by that person For example:   10 one-day absences: 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000   1 ten-day absence: 1 x 1 x 10 = 10   5 two-day absences: 5 x 5 x 10 = 250   2 five-day absences: 2 x 2 x 10 = 40   the trigger points will be different for all of the organisations. As for all types of absence, the underlying causes will need to be identified. Steps to Control Unauthorized Absence There are different theories which explain the causes of the absence and by which we can realize that we cannot solve the casual absence issues and other types of absence but we need a comprehensive approach to reduce the issue of absenteeism. There are three steps on which the company or employers must concentrate to avoid or control the absenteeism Step 1: The employers must make a absence policy in an working order. Not only the absence policy but also they must use other systems to make sure the rules and regulations of the absenteeism policy are implemented to employees in well manner such as: We must train the manager about the cost of the absenteeism and how to overcome it Make an policy or more rules regards to reduce the money if the employees gone absent and communicate with them that how much money they have lost it will force them not to be absent without any reason but the most important thing we have to check the local legal regulation and policy before this method Must record the attendance of the employees and there should any kind of reward for the employee who was on work all the days in a period or who containing the maximum attendance let all the employees chose the winner for that We must make an absence policy align to the other policy specially which is related with the employees benefits. Such as we can create rules to not to give any kind of incentive or any loan to the employee whom attendance is not good Step 2: We must make sure the employment system and the selection system consider absence issue such as: The recruiter for employees should mention the medical and health conditions as an main concern We must make sure in interviews or in start that the candidate has an positive attitude towards the attendance importance It is very important to check not only for competency fit he must be checked for job fit which includes the interest and personality of the candidate according to the nature of the job Step 3: Some of the problem of absenteeism is related to the job problem. If there is any poor performance of any employee then we must take action: We must make the elastic working time arrangements like if employee have any kind of problem to go on Monday for domestic demands they can easily replace Monday to Saturday or any other day or if the employee attend the half day then he can work additional hours tomorrow to cover the missing hours We must put some interesting aspects in the job by enlarging the responsibilities by changing the nature of the job by making it challenging to the subordinates or by providing the additional trainings or coaching. What actions a manger should take for absence The important challenge for managers is to make people happier at work. This is a fact if the people are happy on the work then there will be less day off from work every time they wake up with a stuffy nose. Managers need to become more tuned to their employees they have to take care of several things like emotional needs and find out what really motivates them. To reduce the amount of absence they must take some good decisions: Pick the right person for job by interviewing and selecting people Give more time to or pay more attention to the applicants human side other then the qualifications. Find out what makes the employees happy and make sure about the views of them that they think positive and sure about it that job suits them Should motivate your people and coach them in different ways . As with all theories there is not even any guarantee that it will work very time but the majority employees are responsible people and if the we treat them in a good manner them they attitude towards the work will be positive manner. Mostly some of the employees need to know about their performance in the organisation if we want to really motivate them then we must give them the feedback and must guide them how they can improve their work more efficiently. Managers can make the job more interesting to employees by giving them the responsibilities, challenges, giving them new projects for work, or trainings. We should regularly communicate with them formally and informally and must involve or organize the staff meetings.

AIDS in Africa :: HIV AIDS essays research papers

The AIDS epidemic has reached disastrous proportions on the continent of Africa. Over the past two decades, two thirds of the more than 16 million people in the world infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, live in sub-Saharan Africa. It is now home to the largest number of people infected, with 70 percent of the world’s HIV infected population. The problem of this ongoing human tragedy is that Africa is also the least equipped region in the world to cope with all the challenges posed by the HIV virus. In order understand the social and economic consequences of the disease, it is important to study the relationship between poverty, the global response, and the effectiveness of AIDS prevention, both government and grass roots. Half of the world’s cases are found in what is referred to as the AIDS belt, a chain of countries in eastern and southern Africa that is home to two percent of the global population. The main vehicle for spreading HIV throughout Africa is heterosexual intercourse. In contrast, this is the opposite compared to the U.S. where the virus is usually transmitted through homosexual intercourse or contaminated syringes shared by drug users. Besides heterosexual intercourse, HIV transmission through transfusion and contaminated medical equipment is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Africans infected with HIV die much sooner after diagnosis than HIV infected people in other parts of the world. In industrialized countries, the survival time after diagnosis of AIDS ranges from 9 to 26 months, but in Africa the survival time for patients is 5 to 9 months (UNAIDS 3). Factors, such as lower access to health care, poorer quality of health care services, poorer levels of average health and nutriti on, and greater exposure to pathogens that cause infection all contribute to the shorter survival in Africa. It is difficult to stop the flood of AIDS cases in Africa because it is not yet known by researchers the factors that contribute to outstanding prevalence of the disease among heterosexuals. This diagnosis will help determine how likely it is that heterosexual epidemics will spread to Asia or the West. Even though AIDS is heavily researched, its origin still remains a partial mystery. It is know that HIV is a zoonosis, a human disease acquired from animals. The virus evolved from a Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV): a type of slow virus found naturally in monkeys and apes which, while not harming the host, produces diseases in other primates (Caldwell 97).

Religious Education Coursework Assignment Essay

COURSEWORK QUESTION: a) (i) What is Hajj? (ii) Describe and explain why a Muslim would take part in Hajj and what this involves [40] b) (i) Explain the meaning and significance of the events of Hajj for a Muslim. (ii) What difficulties might there be for a Muslim performing Hajj? (iii) How might participating in Hajj affect the life of a believer? [35] c) â€Å"A true pilgrimage is really a journey within.† Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Islam in your answer. [25] A (i)Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, a Muslim-only city. Tourists aren’t welcome to Makkah; Hajj is for Muslims to get closer to God and isn’t meant to be a tourist attraction. It is the duty of every healthy and financially stable Muslim to complete Hajj once in their lifetime. It is a deeply spiritual journey for the millions of Muslims who complete Hajj every Muslim year, between 8 and 13 Dhul-Hijjah – the final month. Some Muslims may prefer to visit Makkah on a pilgrimage at another time in the year, but this is not considered as important as Hajj, and is called Umrah. Because so many Muslims want to experience Hajj for the first time, those who have done it before often do Umrah instead. Hajj is the fifth of the five pillars of Islam; the basis of the religion. It is meant for the sane and mature Muslim mind, and it is usually considered an honour to die during one’s Hajj, as it is widely believed burial in the city of Makkah will bring Muslims clo ser to their God, and is a good indication of their dedication to Islam. A (ii)Hajj is widely considered essential in order to be a devout Muslim. It is one of the five pillars of Islam which are the biggest and main requirements of the religion. It is considered that Hajj is something of a ticket to heaven in the afterlife. The pilgrimage is to show ones self to Allah, and let him be the judge of character. With a good Hajj comes a peaceful afterlife and paradise. It is not just a physical practice, for true meaning a pilgrim must enter a whole new mindset and way of living, at least for the days of Hajj. This was of living is called Ihram, and is the first obligatory rite of Hajj. All men must wear two white unhemmed sheets so that all look alike, and wealth, age and status in general is not even considered. Whilst in Ihram, Muslims should not argue, swear, kill (even insects!) or participate in a sexual relationship even accompanied by husband or wife. Ihram creates an equilibrium and purity for Hajj. It unites every pilgrim and crates a pure mental canvas solely ready to think about nothing but God. The physical part of Hajj is all about recreating significant and very old events in Islam. First the pilgrims all run or walk quickly around the Ka’bah seven times, if close enough they will touch or kiss it. They then pray close to the Ka’bah, near Maqam Ibrahim. Next the Muslims rush between Marwah and Safa, two hills; seven times. The hills are linked now by a corridor for convenience and safety. After doing this, the pilgrims must make their way to the plain of Arafat, around 20km from Makkah. The pilgrims stand under the sun from midday until sunset praying to Allah, and asking for forgiveness. After this the pilgrims go to Muzdalifah to pray, collect stones and camp overnight. In the morning the pilgrims go to Mina to throw seven stones at three walls. After stoning the walls pilgrims make a sacrifice, often through companies nowadays. The sacrificed animal is the either frozen for future use or given to the poor Muslim community to eat. Men then shave their heads, and women cut off a lock of hair, usually a small amount; a few centimetres or a quarter. Muslims are then allowed to exit Ihram, changing into their normal clothes. They camp at Mina for three nights, and then return to Makkah to walk around the Ka’bah once again. They then drink water from the ZamZam well and their Hajj is complete. They are then a male Hajji, or a female Hajjah. B (i)Carrying out the actions of Hajj is not meaningful without a proper understanding for the ideas behind each procedure. It is all about representing the past and having empathy for Muhammad (PBUH), Ibrahim his son Ismah’il and others. The Ka’bah is a cube-shaped building supposedly first constructed for God by the first man Adam. It was washed away in Noah’s time, but Ibrahim and his son Ismah’il rebuilt it. It is covered in a black cloth called kiswah with verses of the Qu’ran stitched into it. The Ka’bah is rebuilt on the same foundations by the same method when it needs to be, and the cover is re-made every year, after it is cut up and given to some lucky pilgrims as a memento of their journey. The Ka’bah is the very first house of God and many prophets have visited it. It is for this reason that pilgrims feel such closeness and representation to God when they visit it during Hajj. Tawaf is the circling of the Ka’bah seve n times. To begin, the pilgrims can kiss the Black Stone al-hajar-al-aswad or just raise their hands towards it (on the east corner of the courtyard) and recite a prayer. After this the Pilgrims rush around the Ka’bah seven times to represent the fact that their lives revolve around God. It is the first thing that the pilgrims do when they arrive in Makkah. Tawaf is the second rite of Hajj, after Ihram, mentioned earlier. The second event is called the sa’i, where pilgrims rush between the hills Marwah and Safa, to show perseverance and patience. This is what Ibrahim’s wife Hajar did as she desperately searched for aid as her and her thirsty son came close to death in the desert. This part of Hajj can be very tiring and difficult under the blazing sun, despite there being a modern corridor built especially for sa’i. Hajar’s patience was rewarded by God with a spring of water that appeared at her son Ismah’il’s feet, which was named the ZamZam well; today it is in the courtyard of the great Mosque in Makkah. Sa’i is not a compulsory part of Hajj but is usually included in the pilgrimage, and has a deep meaning. The pilgrims travel to Mina, a city of tents near the plain of Arafat. In Ihram, the Muslims are united and equal; they sleep side by side often grouped only by language if anything. All of the pilgrims sleep in tents in their Ihram clothes, poor and rich sleep aside each other as the devout, proud and fellow Muslims of Hajj. The following day the pilgrims travel to Mount Arafat for the most important part of Hajj, where they stand before Allah and ask forgiveness for all of their sins. This is the third obligatory rit e of Hajj. Mount Arafat is also known as the ‘Mount of Mercy’ and is supposed to be where God forgave Adam and Eve for their sins and reunited them, after previously separating them for wrongdoing. Here the Muslims stand before God, the wuquf. The pilgrims stand from midday to sunset praying, weeping and meditating, all under the searing Saudi sun. The afternoon of wuquf is purely concentrated on Allah, and some pilgrims have to rush to make the stand, as without it their Hajj is invalid. Everyone is expected to stand alone and analyse every wrong doing individually, and pray to Allah for forgiveness for their sins. In this rite, repent is essential, and if pilgrims are truly sorry for their sins, it is said they will be completely purified and forgiven by Allah, and can start again, as pure as the day they were born. It is an unforgettable experience and is savoured by every pilgrim. After wuquf, pilgrims travel to camp in Muzdalifah in time for prayers in the evening. Here they usually collect 49 pebbles for the ramy al-jamarat (stoning of the devil) the following day. In 2004 Saudi authorities got rid of the pillars and replaced them with long walls, to make the stoning the devil process easier and therefore safer. Hund reds of people have died in the large crowds all trying to get a good shot at the pillars. On the first day of the process, after a night in Muzdalifah, the first wall is stoned 7 times. The following days each of the three walls has to be stoned 7 times for two consecutive days. This means 49 pebbles are required, but if the pilgrims miss any shots they may need at least 21 extra pebbles to stone all three walls 7 times the following day. This seems like a strange ritual when no background is supporting it, but there is good meaning. Ibrahim was told by God one day he had to sacrifice his son Ismah’il. Ibrahim made his way to the place of sacrifice, abiding Allah’s instruction, after consulting his son who told him to do what he had to. On the way the devil appeared before him first to try and tempt him not to sacrifice his son, and the angel Gabriel, the messenger of God told him to â€Å"pelt him†. Ibrahim threw 7 pebbles at the devil and it disappeared. It soon reappeared along the way, this time representing the temptation of Hajar to stop her husband sacrificing her son to God, and Gabriel told Ibrahim to â€Å"pelt him† again. He did what he was told and threw 7 stones at the devil who once again disappeared. The devil appeared a third time along the road, to tempt Ismah’il to avoid being sacrificed. Gabriel’s order to â€Å"pelt him† was followed by Ibrahim, and the devil then disappeared for the final time. Ibrahim’s loyalty and resistance to the devil was rewarded by God when Ibrahim was told to stop as he prepared to kill his son. He was told by God to sacrifice a ram instead, and Ibrahim’s resistance to temptation paid off. Ramy al-jamarat shows the pilgrim ’s dedication to God’s wishes, and rejection to the temptations of the devil. Most Muslims make a sacrifice after stoning the devil, to recreate Ibrahim’s experience as closely as possible. Because there are so many pilgrims who want to make a sacrifice, there are special companies, who make it on their behalf and feed the poor. What cannot be used immediately to feed the poor Muslim community is frozen and used later. After making a sacrifice, male pilgrims have their heads shaven by a person who is not in Ihram and women have usually around an inch cut off. Pilgrims usually change into their normal clothes and do a single Tawaf; this is the fourth obligatory rite of Hajj. After doing this single Tawaf the Muslims are now officially Hajjis or Hajjahs as a female. They can then return home but most choose to stay and visit other places such as Medina, where the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was buried. B (ii)There are many factors to prevent Muslims going to Hajj. It is said Allah excuses these factors. It is intention or niyyah that counts with the pilgrimage, and when there is something to prevent Muslims from attending it, they will be excused by Allah. The most common circumstance is poverty. There are around 1.4 billion Muslims in the world, and many live in poverty. Lots of Muslims will save up most of their life to do Hajj, and by the time they have enough money to go, they are of old age and aren’t physically able. In this case the Muslim can pay another existing Hajji to attend on their behalf, or donate their savings for Hajj to charity. If they do this they will be blessed as fully as if they had completed Hajj themselves. For those who can’t afford Hajj, they can donate their available savings for Hajj to charity. They will receive the full Hajj benefits also. If a Muslim passes away on their way to carry out Hajj, they will receive the full blessing also, they have died making a commitment to their religion, this shows devotion and niyyah if anything does! Of course there are difficulties that could occur during Hajj. Because around two million pilgrims undergo Hajj every year, and are all dressed in near identical garments, it is very likely that groups will be separated for the period of Hajj. This may seem like a panicking time but Muslims in Ihram will be very sympathetic and helpful with each other in such circumstances, and probably take on new members into their travel groups. The overwhelming feeling of closeness to God on Hajj is enough to eliminate any feelings of worry for the meantime anyhow, so separation doesn’t cause much of a fright. Those unfortunate enough to die during Hajj are proud. It is a blessing to be buried in or near Makkah, close to God. Passing away making commitments to Islam is an honour, and a will is usually written before leaving for Hajj anyway. For those who fear the physical strain of Hajj, or are encouraged not to repeat the journey if they have already, Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage which can be carried out all year round. It involves the seven rotations of the Ka’bah (Tawaf), the Sa’i (Between Marwah and Safa) and a halq or taqsir; which is to cut the hair. Taqsir is shortening hair; halqis the complete head shave. B (iii)Hajj creates equilibrium, and a sympathetic atmosphere among the pilgrims who share the highs and lows of the journey. For most, the journey strengthens and confirms their commitment to Islam. After Hajj, a Muslim is more likely to be more courteous to people in general, and more at ease with life. Once a good Hajj is completed, the afterlife should be more peaceful and happy. Some Muslims like the experience of the pilgrimage so much they move to a Muslim country if they do not live in one already, as they like the convenience and feeling of togetherness and empathy. Hajj strengthens the belief of many Muslims, and if they weren’t a very good Muslim before Hajj, they might feel the need to be more committed to their faith, and practice Islam more regularly. Although for most the pilgrimage of Hajj is a blessing experience, some may have felt let down and disengaged during the journey. For those who could not get into a good Ihram, or feel true belief in God on the mount of mercy; their belief in Islam and Allah may have been hindered. C To me, this statement means that although all of the processes of a pilgrimage are physical, the true idea is the thoughts within the pilgrim’s mind and the intention, empathy and symbolism of what they are doing in the pilgrimage. The vast majority of Hajjis find the sacred journey to Makkah nourishing and feel they have found forgiveness from Allah. As they travel around the different rites of Hajj they cherish the experience and remember the meaning of each process, going back as far as the time of Adam and Eve. They enter a new realm as they stand before God on the Mount of Mercy, are unable to hold in their tears and are swept with emotion. On the other hand, Hajj is purely a physical process for some pilgrims. It isn’t supposed to be, but some can’t get into the frame of mind which is intended during the pilgrimage. The journey is supposed to be emotional, deeply thoughtful and soul cleansing. To some Muslims, their belief may be slightly hampered by the fact they struggle to get into a real Ihram. They will get their money’s worth on the trip and see people from all different cultures following the same rituals, but not feel truly engaged in the experience. Some people might argue that if you go on Hajj, and carry out the same processes as the prophets did, that is adequate in displaying your devotion to Allah and Islam. Some may say the fact that so much is physically required of them in Hajj, that alone shows they are a devout Muslim. Personally, I fully agree with the statement, because I would say that Hajj is a journey to Makkah to carry out the rites, and a true Hajj is a deep and thoughtful journey not only to Makkah, but to the bottom of a pilgrim’s heart. Although carrying out Hajj is a blessing experience cherished by Muslims, it is not truly meaningful unless they feel a certain dedication and spiritual enrichment on their journey.

Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty

Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is the lawful imposition of death as punishment for a crime. In 2004 four (China, Iran, Vietnam, and the US) accounted for 97 percent of all global executions. On average, every 9-10 days a government in the United States executes a prisoner. It is the Eighth Amendment, the constitutional clause that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, that is at the center of the debate about capital punishment in America. Although most Americans support capital punishment under some circumstances, according to Gallup support for capital punishment has dropped dramatically from a high of 80 percent in 1994 to about 60 percent today. Facts and Figures Red state executions per million population are an order of magnitude greater than blue state executions (46.4 v 4.5). Blacks are executed at a rate significantly disproportionate to their share of the overall population. Based on 2000 data, Texas ranked 13th in the country in violent crime and 17th in murders per 100,000 citizens. However, Texas leads the nation in death penalty convictions and executions. Since the 1976 Supreme Court decision that reinstated the death penalty in the United States, the governments of the United States had executed 1,136, as of December 2008. The 1,000th execution, North Carolinas Kenneth Boyd, occurred in December 2005. There were 42 executions in 2007. Death Row More than 3,300 prisoners were serving death-row sentences in the US in December 2008. Nationwide, juries are delivering fewer death sentences: since the late 1990s, they have dropped 50 percent. The violent crime rate has also dropped dramatically since the mid-90s, reaching the lowest level ever recorded in 2005. Latest Developments In 2007, the Death Penalty Information Center released a report, â€Å"A Crisis of Confidence: Americans’ Doubts About the Death Penalty.† The Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty should reflect the conscience of the community, and that its application should be measured against societys evolving standards of decency. This latest report suggests that 60 percent of Americans do not believe that the death penalty is a deterrent to murder. Moreover, almost 40 percent believe that their moral beliefs would disqualify them from serving on a capital case. And when asked whether they prefer the death penalty or life in prison without parole as punishment for murder, the respondents were split: 47 percent death penalty, 43 percent prison, 10 percent unsure. Interestingly, 75 percent believe that a higher degree of proof is required in a capital case than in a prison as punishment case. (poll margin of error /- ~3%) In addition, since 1973 more than 120 people have had their death row convictions overturned. DNA testing has resulted in 200 non-capital cases to be overturned since 1989. Mistakes like these shake public confidence in the capital punishment system. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that almost 60 percent of those polled- including almost 60 percent of the southerners- in this study believe that the United States should impose a moratorium on the death penalty. An ad hoc moratorium is almost in place. After the 1,000th execution in December 2005, there were almost no executions in 2006 or the first five months of 2007. History Executions as a form of punishment date to at least the 18th century BC. In America, Captain George Kendall was executed in 1608 in the Jamestown Colony of Virginia; he was accused of being a spy for Spain. In 1612, Virginia death penalty violations included what modern citizens would consider minor violations: stealing grapes, killing chickens and trading with Indians. In the 1800s, abolitionists took up the cause of capital punishment, relying in part on Cesare Beccarias 1767 essay, On Crimes and Punishment. From the 1920s-1940s, criminologists argued that the death penalty was a necessary and preventative social measure. The 1930s, also marked by the Depression, saw more executions than any other decade in our history. From the 1950s-1960s, public sentiment turned against capital punishment, and the number executed plummeted. In 1958, the Supreme Court ruled in Trop v. Dulles that the Eighth Amendment contained an evolving standard of decency that marked the progress of a maturing society. And according to Gallup, public support reached an all-time low of 42 percent in 1966. Two 1968 cases caused the nation to rethink its capital punishment law. In U.S. v. Jackson, the Supreme Court ruled that requiring that the death penalty be imposed only upon recommendation of a jury was unconstitutional because it encouraged defendants to plead guilty to avoid trial. In Witherspoon v. Illinois, the Court ruled on juror selection; having a reservation was insufficient cause for dismissal in a capital case. In June 1972, the Supreme Court (5-4) effectively voided death penalty statutes in 40 states and commuted the sentences of 629 death row inmates. In Furman v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment with sentencing discretion was cruel and unusual and thus violated the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In 1976, the Court ruled that capital punishment itself was constitutional while holding that new death penalty laws in Florida, Georgia and Texas- which included sentencing guidelines, bifurcated trials, and automatic appellate review- were constitutional. A ten-year moratorium on executions that had begun with the Jackson and Witherspoon ended on 17 January 1977 with the execution of Gary Gilmore by firing squad in Utah. Deterrence There are two common arguments in support of capital punishment: that of deterrence and that of retribution. According to Gallup, most Americans believe that the death penalty is a deterrent to homicide, which helps them justify their support for capital punishment. Other Gallup research suggests that most Americans would not support capital punishment if it did not deter murder. Does capital punishment deter violent crimes? In other words, will a potential murderer consider the possibility that they might be convicted and face the death penalty before committing murder? The answer appears to be no. Social scientists have mined empirical data searching for the definitive answer on deterrence since the early 20th century. And most deterrence research has found that the death penalty has virtually the same effect as long imprisonment on homicide rates. Studies suggesting otherwise (notably, writings of Isaac Ehrlich from the 1970s) have been, in general, criticized for methodological errors. Ehrlichs work was also criticized by the National Academy of Sciences - but it is still cited as a rationale for deterrence. A 1995 survey of police chiefs and country sheriffs found that most ranked the death penalty last in a list of six options that might deter violent crime. Their top two picks? Reducing drug abuse and fostering an economy that provides more jobs. Data on murder rates  seem to discredit the deterrence theory as well. The region of the county with the greatest number of executions- the South- is the region with the largest murder rates. For 2007, the average murder rate in states with the death penalty was 5.5; the average murder rate of the 14 states without the death penalty was 3.1. Thus deterrence, which is offered as a reason to support capital punishment (pro), doesnt wash. Retribution In Gregg v Georgia, the Supreme Court wrote that [t]he instinct for retribution is part of the nature of man... The theory of retribution rests, in part, on the Old Testament and its call for an eye for an eye. Proponents of retribution argue that the punishment must fit the crime. According to The New American: Punishment- sometimes called retribution- is the main reason for imposing the death penalty. Opponents of retribution theory believe in the sanctity of life and often argue that it is just as wrong for society to kill as it is for an individual to kill. Others argue that what drives American support for capital punishment is the impermanent emotion of outrage. Certainly, emotion not reason seems to be the key behind support for capital punishment. Costs Some supporters of the death penalty also contend it is less expensive than a life sentence. Nevertheless, at least 47 states do have life sentences without the possibility of parole. Of those, at least 18 have no possibility of parole. And according to the ACLU: The most comprehensive death penalty study in the country found that the death penalty costs North Carolina $2.16 million more per execution than a non-death penalty murder case with a sentence of life imprisonment (Duke University, May 1993). In its review of death penalty expenses, the State of Kansas concluded that capital cases are 70% more expensive than comparable non-death penalty cases. Conclusion More than 1000 religious leaders  have written an open letter to America and its leaders: We join with many Americans in questioning the need for the death penalty in our modern society and in challenging the effectiveness of this punishment, which has consistently been shown to be ineffective, unfair, and inaccurate...With the prosecution of even a single capital case costing millions of dollars, the cost of executing 1,000 people has easily risen to billions of dollars. In light of the serious economic challenges that our country faces today, the valuable resources that are expended to carry out death sentences would be better spent investing in programs that work to prevent crime, such as improving education, providing services to those with mental illness, and putting more law enforcement officers on our streets. We should make sure that money is spent to improve life, not destroy it...As people of faith, we take this opportunity to reaffirm our opposition to the death penalty and to express our belief in the sacredness of human life and in the human capacity for chan ge. In 2005, Congress considered the Streamlined Procedures Act (SPA), which would have amended the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA). AEDPA placed restrictions on the power of federal courts to grant writs of habeas corpus to state prisoners. The SPA would have imposed additional limits on the ability of state inmates to challenge the constitutionality of their imprisonment through habeas corpus.

Free Essays on Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock, â€Å"The Erosion Begins† Elephant Rock is a unique rock formation located on Prince Edward Island. I went ahead and pasted pictures of Elephant Rock in order from 1976 to the fall of 1998 (Gaudet, 1998). I want to talk about how this rock was formed and the erosion that took place until the rock crumbled. Elephant Rock, 4 (nautical) miles NNW of the mouth of the Olifants River, is one of the Proclaimed Guano Islands. It is a good radar contact. It is a rocky islet, 15m high, lying just over a cable from the mainland, to which it is joined by a sand bar over which the surf breaks at low water. Some above-water and submerged rocks lie close to this bar, and a reef extends 1 cable to seaward of the islet. In 1948 a steel cableway was erected between the islet and the shore to enable sealers to cross over in all weathers. The original name of the rock was Morrell’s Island, so called by the sealer Captain Banjamin Morrell who, early in the nineteenth century, landed there and made a good haul of seals after he had tried unsuccessfully to enter the Olifants River (Gaudet, 1998). The first thing that I noticed from these pictures was that the rock’s location was on an ocean side. The lithification (or process of becoming a rock) of this rock seems to originate from the conglomeration of sediments thus creating the sedimentary rock, sandstone. One can see this by first noticing the location of the rock. It is located in a region where there is lots of wind, ice-burgs, and by being at the base of a river, there is high action of water. With all of these factors contributing to the deposit of sediments, they gathered, conglomerated, and over time the Elephant Rock was created. In the pictures, I noticed that at the base of the rock there are what appear to be small, gravel-like fragments. These fragments further support the notion that the rock is sedimentary (Western Development). Even more support for this would be tha... Free Essays on Elephant Rock Free Essays on Elephant Rock Elephant Rock, â€Å"The Erosion Begins† Elephant Rock is a unique rock formation located on Prince Edward Island. I went ahead and pasted pictures of Elephant Rock in order from 1976 to the fall of 1998 (Gaudet, 1998). I want to talk about how this rock was formed and the erosion that took place until the rock crumbled. Elephant Rock, 4 (nautical) miles NNW of the mouth of the Olifants River, is one of the Proclaimed Guano Islands. It is a good radar contact. It is a rocky islet, 15m high, lying just over a cable from the mainland, to which it is joined by a sand bar over which the surf breaks at low water. Some above-water and submerged rocks lie close to this bar, and a reef extends 1 cable to seaward of the islet. In 1948 a steel cableway was erected between the islet and the shore to enable sealers to cross over in all weathers. The original name of the rock was Morrell’s Island, so called by the sealer Captain Banjamin Morrell who, early in the nineteenth century, landed there and made a good haul of seals after he had tried unsuccessfully to enter the Olifants River (Gaudet, 1998). The first thing that I noticed from these pictures was that the rock’s location was on an ocean side. The lithification (or process of becoming a rock) of this rock seems to originate from the conglomeration of sediments thus creating the sedimentary rock, sandstone. One can see this by first noticing the location of the rock. It is located in a region where there is lots of wind, ice-burgs, and by being at the base of a river, there is high action of water. With all of these factors contributing to the deposit of sediments, they gathered, conglomerated, and over time the Elephant Rock was created. In the pictures, I noticed that at the base of the rock there are what appear to be small, gravel-like fragments. These fragments further support the notion that the rock is sedimentary (Western Development). Even more support for this would be tha...

How Business ethical problem effect economy Essay

How Business ethical problem effect economy - Essay Example Sweatshops are mainly concentrated around regions like South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and so on. Most employees of sweatshops are denied sufficient salaries and are, in most cases, bound to the messy quarters that are cramped with machines and other equipments. These quarters also serve as homes for these workers where they sleep and eat. Because of their poor conditions, sweatshops impinge on the fundamental liberties of labors and are a serious violation of human rights which is why they present an ethical issue. They provide convenient and cheap sources of labor for high-end clothing and apparel manufacturers, which is why they continue to exist in the present century although strict laws regarding labor exist. After Nike, Zara has also been caught in a commotion regarding sweatshops where it had to pay a fine for operating sweatshops in Brazil (Sum of Us, n.pag.). However, the fine does not seem to have inhibited the capitalistic endeavors of Zara. The sweatshop issue is not a new one and their existence can be traced back to the early 20th century when women and children were the most common forced laborers (Rosen, 1). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights developed by the United Nations clearly mentions the rights of workers to healthy working environments. Thus, in the light of the UDHR, companies must pursue a policy of good practices providing a workable environment with appropriate wage rates and stipulated working hours. With bonded labor, various sweatshop workers are forced to work in bad environments which include long working hours and no breaks in between. To top this, workers are paid very little money to live on and mostly live in the same quarter they work in. So sweatshops characterize poor working places with overworked and underpaid labors. So, the companies are able to acquire very cheap labor out of sweatshops. The main ethical concern regarding sweatshops is

Soft Systems Methodology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Soft Systems Methodology - Essay Example This action research-based, interpretive approach is strongly influenced by Vickers' (1968, pp.59,176) description of the importance of appreciative systems in dealing with human complexity. Checkland (1981), and Checkland and Scholes (1990) have attempted to transform these ideas from systems theory into a practical methodology that is called Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Soft Systems Methodology developed by Professor Peter Checkland is a way of dealing with problem situations in which there is a high social, political and human activity component. (Checkland, 1981) This distinguishes SSM from other methodologies that deal with hard problems which are more technologically oriented. Thus, SSM can be a useful research tool for understanding problematic ELT situations. (Holliday, 1990) Hard problems are problems characterized by the fact that they can be well defined. The assumption is that there is a definite solution and we can define a number of specific goals that must be accomplished. Soft problems, on the other hand, are difficult to define.When we think of soft problems, we don't think of problems but of problem situations. It is the classic situation of it not being a "problem" but an "opportunity". Soft Systems methodology was developed for the express purpose of dealing with problems of this type.His "Soft Systems Methodology" was created through a number of research projects in industry and its application and refinement over a number of years. A leading SSM specialist in Japan, suggests that SSM can be a useful research tool in the educational context, and argues that it can be applied to any messy, problematic human situation that requires decision-making aimed at improvement (Kijima, 1999) The most important feature of this analysis of data, informat ion and knowledge is that the act of creating information is a human act, not one which a machine can accomplish. It is the human being who can attribute meaning to the selected data. (Checkland, Holwell, 1998)SSM is divided into seven distinct stages. These are; 1. Finding out about the problem situation. This is basic research into the problem area. Who are the key players How does the process work now etc. 2. Expressing the problem situation through Rich Pictures. As with any type of diagram, more knowledge can be communicated visually. A picture is worth a 1000 words. 3. Selecting how to view the situation and producing root definitions. From what different perspectives can we look at this problem situation. 4. Building conceptual models of what the system must do for each root definitions. You have basic "Whats" from the root definitions. Now begin to define "Hows". 5. Comparison of the conceptual models with the real world. Compare the results from steps 4 and 2 and see where they differ and are similar. 6. Identify feasible and desirable changes. Are there ways of improving the situation. 7. Recommendations for taking action to improve the problem situation. How would you implement the changes from step 6. Step 1: Problem situation unstructured The initial stage consists simply of managers and/or employees (problem owner) deciding that a review or change of tasks and the way they are performed is required, and an analyst (problem solver) is called in to review and provide recommendations. Step 2: Problem situation expressed Step 1 is basically that people of the organization think there