Education and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Education and Religion - Essay Example As the world continues to reel from the effects brought about by technological change, the religious educational community is now experiencing the challenges associated with the transition to a more learner-personalized, ICT-enabled education. Some questions reflect the search for purpose behind the technology transition: Why do we need to integrate technology into the religiosity? How can technology support learners’ religious-based educational experiences? How can technology support a more productive future in learning about Judaism? In recent years, there has been notable strategic guidance and investment in ICT initiated and sustained by various First World governments. ICT as a term has been featured as a replacement of ‘IT’. ICT represents the computing and communication facilities and features that are used to assist teaching, learning and a wide array of activities in education (Ager 2003). Other definitions of ICT relate to ICT as a capability or â€Å"l iteracy†. Based on the discussion of religious-based education, Information Technology (IT) makes up the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to utilize information and communication technologies optimally, securely, and meaningfully across the contexts of learning, work, and daily life. Similarly, ICT is referred to as"literacy" by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and is defined as: "the interest, attitude, and ability of students to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, and communicate with others in order to participate effectively in society". Thus, the integration of ICT into RE only underlines the necessity for acquiring new skills for a new age. In 2004, the first non-statutory nationwide support for teaching REwas started. This has been launched mutually by the QCA, the DCSF, key UK religious groups and RE experts, this framework: "supports the entitlement to RE for all students, regardless of race and civilization; specified national expectations for teaching and learning in RE; and provides guidance for teachers (QCA 2004). What exactly are the activities and outcomes related to quality teaching of Religious Education What about quality learning in learning Judaism Such an inquiry draws even more questions - and not surprisingly, produces multiple perspectives as to what should be deemed as "acceptable" quality of teaching-learning. The impact of ICT on religious students at all the key stages has been highly commendable. It has given them access to a new world of information and knowledge, and guided information as to which is available through their teachers. Annually, research is undertaken to demonstrate enhancement in students' comprehension, skills, and knowledge in ICT use. Religious education contributes to students' social development by giving them an opportunity to reflect on the importance, for believers and others, of a sense of community and belonging. Students have an opportunity to consider how beliefs and values underpin societies and how and why believers and others try to make the world a better place for all. Pupils gain awareness of religious and cultural diversity within society and in other parts of the world (Best 1996). They have an opportunity to consider issues, such as justice, prejudice and extremism, that impact on societies. Establishing Criteria for Quality Teaching and Learning There has been a premium attached to ICT training of all practicing teachers in first world countries. It is encouraging to note that there has been a tremendous growth in the books, online materials, and handbooks for sharing and exchanging ideas, curriculum materials and case studies (Potter 2005). As an outcome, ICT has been gaining steady popularity among teachers/learners specifically for drafting and implementing lesson plans out of the classrooms. RE forums and chat rooms are one of the best ways to share ideas with fellow RE teachers and pick up tips, as are lists of favorite or popular

How Would you physicalise a charcter from a play Essay Example for Free

How Would you physicalise a charcter from a play Essay Too physicalise a character from a play you need to have studied the specific character in a reasonable amount of detail, so you can portray them correctly. To do this effectively you need to do various exercises, all which will help you grasp the character the best you can. There are several methods which can help you to understand a character eg: Hot Seating, Spider Diagrams, and Workshops etc. In our lesson we explored the character by Hot Seating, Character Profiles and other exercises. Hot seating is an extremely effective method, as it puts you on the spot answering various questions in your characters persona. It helps lock in the information about the character you’re playing. You need to understand the questions being asked from your characters point of view so you can understand who your character is and why. We used this method in our lesson, and i found it was an effective way of physicalising a character. Another exercise we did in class which was effective was one where we were told to hold a pose in the form of our character then walk around the room in the characters style. This is a great exercise because although Hot Seating, Profiles are good they focus mainly on the psychological side, where as this focused on the physical aspect of the character. Character Profiles I believe are an essential tool in bringing a character to life. Because it allows you to go deep in to the information about the character, their background, family life, nationality etc. These aspects are what form how a character behaves and why they feel certain things. For example Stanley in Street Car Desire, has a particular hatred for being called a ‘polak’ as his family originates from Poland and deems the phrase derogatory towards them. Spider Diagrams are effective in showing your characters relations with other characters in the play. These are essential to know as it may influence why the act a certain way around someone. How did you explore the use of Verbal and Non=Verbal.

The Emotion of Fear Essay -- essays research papers

Fear Do all living things fear something? Those with minds surely have many and various fears, but even the simplest organisms must have fear, for fear is such a powerful feeling. Fear is all around us and is felt in every corner of the earth. Fear is the emotion or feeling that a living creature gets when its physical or mental life is interrupted by a change that causes the creature concern.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We humans especially, fear many different things: death, disease, old age, commitment, noises in the night, pain, responsibility, work, being too fat or too thin, or any number of other things. Some of our fears are reasonable and rationale, like the fear for our safety so we lock our doors at night, never walk alone on dark streets, and turn on lots of lights to keep the boogie man away. We fear for our health so we diet, exercise, and eat only healthy foods. Our fears can also help us make wise decisions: where to live, what to do with our money, how to raise our children, even what kind of car to drive and whether or not to drive it. Our fears may be sudden like when your kid brother jumps out behind you and yells ‘boo’. People’s fears can be built up over a long period of time, for example, during the cold war millions of people thought that at any moment they would be attacked by the Russians, so they built bomb shelters because of that fear. Some of our fears come straight from our imagination. They may appear irrational or silly to others but fear, real or imagined, i...

Life Defined by a Single Moment in Scarlet Letter, Red Badge of Courage

A Life Defined by a Single Moment in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage, and  Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment    Life can be changed by a decision made during a single moment. Despite the natural gifts of courage or intelligence of a person, a single mistake can isolate him from the rest of society. In one case this can be cause by public conception. The public believes that this person is morally inferior and singles out that person for ridicule. However, it can also be self-imposed isolation. Either way, that person cannot rejoin his society until he has redeemed himself. In Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, both kinds of moral isolation are examined. Hester Prynne is placed in the public's scorn for her adulterous act. The scarlet "A" that she is forced to wear as a penance ensures that no one, especially Hester herself, will forget what she did. Through the public's condemnation of her act, Hester eventually finds her salvation and purges herself of guilt. She becomes a stronger person because of this new understanding and gains the community's respect for her charity. Dimmesdale, on the other hand, does not face his sin publicly until ... ...no matter how intelligent or "extraordinary," can go their entire lives without making a bad decision. In order for them to return morally to the other members of their society, their redemption must contain certain factors. First, it is not necessary for a confession to be public unless the transgressor believes that it is a requirement for forgiveness. Then the person must believe that the redeeming act is equal to the mistake and that he is cleared of guilt. After he forgives himself, he is no longer morally isolated and returns to society whether or not the society has forgiven him.   

Introduction To Duty Of Care In Health Essay

I heard you were thinking of working in the Care Profession which is excellent, I just wanted to fill you in on a few things which would help you. Health and Social Care work places have what is called a duty of care which means that you have a duty of care towards the people that you are looking after that means you must do everything you can to keep the individuals you look after safe from harm. It is not only the work place that has to prioritise the safety, welfare and interests of the individuals using the service but also the care staff. Care workers must also have a duty of care towards other staff members to ensure that all working conditions are safe and suitable to deliver the best service they can. It also means being a responsible care giver for other individuals who could be too ill or physically unable to care for themselves and requires another person to assist them on a daily basis, this could include assisting the individuals with their personal hygiene, safety, meal preparation or other medical and physical needs until they are met to the highest standards that the individual is happy with. Duty of Care affects the way people work as the employer provides policies and procedures and ways of being aware of any dangers by carrying out Risk Assessments. Social Care workers and Care organisations must do as much as possible to keep individuals safe from harm, we do these Risk Assessments by looking for either a hazard which is an actual or potential such as a chemical or process that may lead to an accident, also risks a situation that can lead to a hazard and carry the possibilities of something serious happening.

living long essays

living long essays kjdfjsfk lkasjf klsafsakfjs fskfjsakfjsg fkfapf fa fjklfj afk jafkj kfj fkj kasjk kl k jsklf paper discussing the changes the four Mirabal sisters moved through on their journey from the children of a middle-class landowner in the 1930s Dominican Republic to full-blown political activists. One sister never did participate, though she was sympathetic to the rebel cause, but the other three gave their lives and became more powerful as martyrs than they were in life.paper discussing the changes the four Mirabal sisters moved through on their journey from the children of a middle-class landowner in the 1930s Dominican Republic to full-blown political activists. One sister never did participate, though she was sympathetic to the rebel cause, but the other three gave their lives and became more powerful as martyrs than they were in life.paper discussing the changes the four Mirabal sisters moved through on their journey from the children of a middle-class landowner in the 1930s Dominican Republic to full-blown political activists. One sister never did participate, though she was sympathetic to the rebel cause, but the other three gave their lives and became more powerful as martyrs than they were in life.paper discussing the changes the four Mirabal sisters moved through on their journey from the children of a middle-class landowner in the 1930s Dominican Republic to full-blown political activists. One sister never did participate, though she was sympathetic to the rebel cause, but the other three gave their lives and became more powerful as martyrs than they were in life.paper discussing the changes the four Mirabal sisters moved through on their journey from the children of a middle-class landowner in the 1930s Dominican Republic to full-blown political activists. One sister never did participate, though she was sympathetic to the rebel cause, but the other three gave their lives and became more powerful as martyrs than they were in life...

The eNotes Blog Enjoyed Ready Player One Check Out These Other TitlesNext

Enjoyed Ready Player One Check Out These Other TitlesNext Neuromancer by William Gibson With Blade Runner 2049 (2017) in theaters right now, stories categorized under the genre of â€Å"cyberpunk† have surged in popularity. Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction, usually set in technologically advanced dystopian societies, that incorporates larger themes about the ethics and implications of technology. Soon, Ready Player One will be released as a major motion picture in 2018, with Steven Spielberg set to direct. If you are the type of person who prefers to read the book before the movie, you may have recently finished reading Ready Player One. (We also have a handy Ready Player One summary and study guide on ). This page-turning tech novel, filled with 80s pop culture references and thrilling adventure, has garnered a cult following. If you’re looking for something new to read, we’ve come up with a few suggestions to satisfy the inner cyberpunk in you. Neuromancer by William Gibson Launching the cyberpunk genre, William Gibson’s Neuromancer is thought of as the novel that â€Å"started it all.† Published in 1984, it was the first novel to really explore cyberspace. Case, a data thief, is recruited by a mysterious employer. His target? A highly powerful artificial intelligence that’s orbiting Earth. With memorable characters and a unique exploration of technology, Neuromancer has changed the genre of science fiction forever. Dune by Frank Herbert Frank Herbert’s Dune follows Paul Atreides, whose noble family accepts stewardship over the planet Arrakis. Arrakis is the only supplier of â€Å"spice,† the most valuable substance in the universe. A complex novel that provides insight into religion, politics, technology, and human emotion, Dune is an epic tale and the world’s best-selling science fiction novel. Enders Game by Orson Scott Card Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game is set in a future where the human race is being threatened by an insectoid alien species. In order to prepare themselves from future attacks, children are bred and trained from a very young age to be soldiers. Ender’s tactical genius is revealed and he is sent to Battle School. There, Ender further refines his skills but also becomes increasingly isolated. A thought-provoking book that analyzes both technology in war and the human condition, Ender’s Game is a crowd pleaser among science fiction fans. Off to Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer Scott Meyer’s Off to Be the Wizard is a delightful adventure with lots of fun. Martin discovers that reality is nothing more than just a computer program, so he has fun altering and â€Å"tweaking† it. However, when he gets in trouble, Martin travels back to the Middle Ages as a wizard while he figures out what to do. Of course, this causes even more trouble. Follow Martin’s (mis)adventures and you’re sure to enjoy the ride.    Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Delving into parallel universes, Black Crouch’s Dark Matter is a thrilling, mind-bending book. Jason, a college professor with a loving family, wakes up one day in a universe where his girlfriend never got pregnant. In this alternate universe, Jason is now a world-renowned researcher where his own theory has become a fully realized technology. Jason is determined to return to his family, but wicked foes stand in his way, including the darker parts of himself. With excellent character insight and an intriguing plot, Dark Matter is one that can’t be missed.

The Problems of Pollution essays

The Problems of Pollution essays I think that pollution is a serious and growing problem throughout the world today. Pollution is the contamination of the earths environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, and natural functioning of living things and their surroundings. Although some environmental pollution is a result of natural causes, most of it is caused by human activities; therefore I believe that humans have created a problem which should be taken care of before other things. There are two main categories of polluting materials, or pollutants, biodegradable and nondegradable. Biodegradable pollutants are materials, such as sewage, that rapidly decompose by natural processes. These pollutants become a problem when added to the environment faster than they can decompose. Nondegradable pollutants are materials that either do not decompose or decompose very slowly into the natural environment. Once contamination occurs, it is difficult or impossible to remove these pollutants from the environment. Pollution has a dramatic effect on natural resources. Ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and rivers perform many important services for the earths environment. They enhance water and air quality, provide habitat for plants and animals, and provide food and medicines. Any or all of these ecosystem functions may be seriously impaired or destroyed by pollution. Moreover, because of the complex relationships among the many types of organisms and ecosystems, environmental contamination may have far-reaching consequences that are not immediately obvious or easy to predict. For example, the use of aerosols, which contain chemicals called CFCs, can damage the ozone layer. Destruction of the ozone layer is predicted to cause increases in skin cancer and cataracts, damage to certain crops and to plankton and the marine food web, and an increase in carbon dioxide due to the decre ...

Discussion Questions on Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discussion Questions on Change Management - Essay Example The planned change management approaches include the organization management approach, the change management approach, the contingency approach and the processual approach (Cummings & Worley, 2009). Organizational change management therefore depends on the type of type of approach or model that organization chooses to use. There has been intense debate concerning the use of organizational development and processual approaches. Processual approach to change management as advocated for in the journal views change as an ongoing process that should be done within a period. Processual approach gives top managers of organization the role of initiating and influencing change management processes in their respective settings. Organizational development as an approach to change management relies extensively on soft factors in order to achieve transformation. The problem with soft factors in change management is that they are unable directly influence various change management programs that ar e initiated in organizations. Although organization development approach advocates for the use of soft factors such as visionary leadership, culture, and motivation in organizational change management, they cannot successfully contribute to the implementation of transformation projects or changes in organizations. Unlike organizational development approaches, processual approaches rely on hard factors of change management. These factors can be directly and indirectly be measured by organizations, can be externally and internally communicated in organizations and they are capable of influencing change management in organizations in quick and efficient ways (Sirkin, Keenan, & Jackson, 2005). Role of Vision Vision is important in change management process as it focuses the change management process and effort towards one goal. Creation and developing change management vision is also significant as it identifies strategies and ways for the achievement of the desired organization changes . In most cases, the vision usually shows clearly how the achievement of the outlined changes will improve or benefit the organization. Vision can inspire, motivate, and engage people in organization towards the realization of change management goals (Dobbs & Walker, 2010). Vision is also significant to sustainability of organization changes since it directs people in organizations towards a shared vision by creating meaning and identity (Sirkin, Keenan, & Jackson, 2005). Effective Communication Communication enables messages to be generated, interpreted between people within the organization thus it links people, and create relationships. In processual approach, effective communication is crucial and should be an integral part of the whole process. Effective communication is required during change management process since it is the mode at which new behaviours and ideas can be imparted to employees (Sirkin, Keenan, & Jackson, 2005). During change management process in organizations , top management often communicate the vision with a view to influence and empower employees to work towards the achievement of the new vision through open communication strategy. Business leaders and top managers in organization usually use effective and continuous communication strategies to drive home the need for change in their organizations (Cushman & King, 2005). One-on-one conversations between to managers and other employees concerning the need for organizational change is an

Followership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Followership - Essay Example The author points out that leaders and followers have a symbiotic relationship. According to the author, â€Å"Today’s followers are tomorrow’s leaders† (Frisina 2005) Leaders ought to practice democratic leadership that strengthens the relationship with the followers. The author distinguishes the value of communication to the four types of generations (veterans, baby boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y). According to the author, employees in Generation Y thrive on extrinsic motivation. For example, a young nurse would most likely be tensed and have minimal experience in attending to her duties. If the supervisor provides instant gratification and rewards the nurse, she would be extrinsically motivated to work. This is unlike the veteran and baby boomers that have the experience and have achieved job satisfaction. This category of employees thrives on intrinsic motivation and job security. Different generations have different characteristics. For example, a veteran may find it easier to work in the office for the entire working hours. On the other hand, an employee from generation Y would prefer doing field work for the entire working hours. It is important to delegate jobs depending on the general characteristics of the respective generation. The most important aspect of communication is the mode of delivering information. All the four generations prefer different modes of communication. Veterans would be more comfortable with face-to-face interactions while employees from both Generations X and Y would prefer communication backed by technology. For example, a healthcare facility would open up a page on social media to reach out to the younger generation. On the other hand, veterans would prefer to visit the facility physically for

Questions on Asian History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Questions on Asian History - Essay Example The Japanese aspirations for Chinese territories culminated in 1920, when Japan invaded Manchuria and finally in 1931, established the state of Manchukuo (Thomas). The establishment of Manchukuo was only a historical precedent, which marked the beginning of the Japanese invasion of China, culminating in 1937. The relations between Japan and the United States between 1900 and 1931 are much more controversial, than the ones with China. Up until WWI, the relations between the two countries were marked by political balance and mutual trade agreements. Until 1930 Japan and the US enjoyed a tradition of good and peaceful relations. During the Meiji dynasty and the modernization of Japan, the country imported knowledge and technology, as well its political ideas from the developed democracies in Europe, but also from the United States. The tradition of friendship and support however was broken after the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1930. This act was perceived by the United States as a n act of territorial aggression, and it was controversial to the ideas of universal human rights and liberal institutionalism, which the country was fervently promoting. Japanese human rights violations in China were the main reasons for the rapid deterioration of the Japanese – US relations in the early twentieth century. The relations between Japan and China and Japan and the US between 1900 and 1931 are contrasting. The Japan-Chinese relations were historically marked by hostility not only because of the different paths of modernization that the two countries chose at the end of the nineteenth century, but because of the Japanese imperial ambitions and expansionist policies. The Japanese – American relations however were marked by traditional friendship until 1931. This changed dramatically with the Japanese invasion of Northern China (Manchuria). The invasion was considered by the US as a major violation of the general tendency towards a universal human rights agen da, which was gaining momentum after WWI. How did the Nationalist Party unify China during the 1920s? The unification of China in the 1920s was largely influenced by the ideological platform of the Nationalist Party (the Kuomintang - KMT) which was founded in 1912. This platform professed a unique blend of Chinese nationalism, ethnicity and national unification. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, China was shattered by a series of riots and civil wars between warlords. The popular demand for social and political reforms was growing. Although China did not fight many wars with â€Å"foreigners†, Chinese national identity is based on the ideal of national superiority and the spiritual uniqueness of the Chinese nation, compared to other nations (Hsu, Murphy). This historical perception of Chinese identity became the ideological base of the Chinese Nationalist Party. It was embraced and implemented as such by the first leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party - Dr.  Sun Yat-sen. His vision of a greater Chinese society, bound by the idea of the state, became the political mechanism for the unification of the country in 1928. It was also transformed into a military strategy, resulting in the so-called Northern expedition, which unified China under

Crimes in the Movie Fletch Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Crimes in the Fletch - Movie Review Example As much as his intentions are praiseworthy, he still runs into trouble. Scene #1 There is a criminal solicitation in this opening scene. According to Section 5.02 of the Model Penal Code, â€Å"an individual is only guilty of solicitation to commit a crime if with the interest of promoting what he supports, encourages or request someone else to participate in that involves committing such a criminal act (Schmalleger, 2010).† It is evident that Stanwyck tries to involve Fletch in a criminal solicitation crime, when he asks Fletch to kill him and end his suffering from cancer and save his insurance for his wife. In this same scene, criminal conspiracy as a crime is evident. When Stanwyck mentions his murder as a way of providing his wife with insurance money, it clearly portrays the conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. According to the Model Penal Code section 5.03, â€Å"an individual is guilty of conspiracy with someone else to commit a crime if with the intention of endorsi ng its plan he agrees to work or help such an individual in planning such a crime (Schmalleger, 2010). Scene #4 In this scene, Fletch doubts the condition of Stanwyck and feels that he is tricking him. To seek the truth behind this, he decides to visit the family doctor of Stanwyck for information who turns him down. Failing to get the information, Fletch disguises as a doctor and sneaks in the hospital to acquire the information. At this juncture, he violates the doctor to patient privileges. According to the Mode Penal Code section 241, impersonating a public servant, â€Å"an individual commits a crime if deceptively pretends to work in the public service with the intention of inducing someone else to give in the pretended official power†(Schmalleger, 2010). The second crime is the violation of doctor to patient information. A patient should not be full of fear of revelation and access of his information to someone else by the doctor. When Fletch disguised as a doctor and accessed the information, he committed a crime. Based on Find a Law, â€Å"Doctor-patient confidentiality is not supposed to be shared unless with the permission of the patient (Breaches of Doctor to Patient Confidentiality, 2012). If this case was to go to court, Fletch would have no defense, since it is clear that he is going against regulations. Scene #7 Fletch is making a phone call at the beach seeking to know the whereabouts of Stanwyck. He then notices a police approaching them fat. The police chase him and another black guy, gummy. After catching them, the policemen start beating Gummy and force him into the car. On seeing this, Fletch tries to stop the police, but his efforts seem futile. As the police drive away, he throws a stone shuttering the rear mirror of the car. He then goes to the newspaper's office asking for money to return to Uttah. When in Uttah, he contacts Stanwyck’s realtor and gets the truth behind the bought property. He sees that Stanwyck paid $30 00 instead of $3000000 as Stanwyck had told his wife. He then decides he needs intelligence and breaks into the realtor’s office to get concrete evidence. Fletch jumps over the fence and gets into the office to get the data. He then takes some photos of the data and gets chased by a guard dog. At the point where the police chase down Gummy, there is clear evidence of excessive use of force, which violates section 3.07 of the Model Penal Code, â€Å"

I don't understand artwork I saw Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

I don't understand artwork I saw - Essay Example malist movement of the time, choosing to indulge in her own vibrant, pulsing style of art that reflected not only her talents but her personal experiences as well (Kimmelman). Murray’s art consists of bold paintings which are usually centered around depictions of domestic objects and interiors; but these everyday objects are transformed into diverse, fluid, multi-layered designs which often carry double meanings. The paintings borrow generously from the strong canvassing of Cubism and free floating forms of surrealism to turn the objects of the art into pliable formations (Moyer). While overly humorous or even cartoonish, her paintings have a deeper edginess which stems from her negative experiences in the art world. "Theres a great deal of pain and a great deal of tragedy and a great deal of anger in her work, so she expresses that anger and that pain in forms that seem kind of comfortable ...when you get close to them you realized that they can bite." Quoted by Robert Storr, the Dean of the Yale School of Art (Sydell). Her 2005 piece is titled â€Å"Do the Dance† based on the name of a song by Ray Chalresand Betty Carter. The painting features a clear influence from the visuals of comic books and cartoon, with eye popping colors and shapes that seem to bulge and distort moving from one corner of the piece to the other. Murray counted Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso  and Jackson Pollock as her main inspirations, but her own work is a blend of the styles of these different masters and she adds her own brand of insanity to the work. The painting features some familiar objects like an overturned and over flowing bottle, faces in various stages of abstractism as well as bodies, organs and vaguely human shapes. But the overall picture is shape shifting and gives a dizzy impression to the viewer. The painting showcases the fine painterliness and strong palettes (Horsely) that Murray was known for; the edges between each object are finely defined and the shapes seem not

Crimes in the Movie Fletch Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Crimes in the Fletch - Movie Review Example As much as his intentions are praiseworthy, he still runs into trouble. Scene #1 There is a criminal solicitation in this opening scene. According to Section 5.02 of the Model Penal Code, â€Å"an individual is only guilty of solicitation to commit a crime if with the interest of promoting what he supports, encourages or request someone else to participate in that involves committing such a criminal act (Schmalleger, 2010).† It is evident that Stanwyck tries to involve Fletch in a criminal solicitation crime, when he asks Fletch to kill him and end his suffering from cancer and save his insurance for his wife. In this same scene, criminal conspiracy as a crime is evident. When Stanwyck mentions his murder as a way of providing his wife with insurance money, it clearly portrays the conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. According to the Model Penal Code section 5.03, â€Å"an individual is guilty of conspiracy with someone else to commit a crime if with the intention of endorsi ng its plan he agrees to work or help such an individual in planning such a crime (Schmalleger, 2010). Scene #4 In this scene, Fletch doubts the condition of Stanwyck and feels that he is tricking him. To seek the truth behind this, he decides to visit the family doctor of Stanwyck for information who turns him down. Failing to get the information, Fletch disguises as a doctor and sneaks in the hospital to acquire the information. At this juncture, he violates the doctor to patient privileges. According to the Mode Penal Code section 241, impersonating a public servant, â€Å"an individual commits a crime if deceptively pretends to work in the public service with the intention of inducing someone else to give in the pretended official power†(Schmalleger, 2010). The second crime is the violation of doctor to patient information. A patient should not be full of fear of revelation and access of his information to someone else by the doctor. When Fletch disguised as a doctor and accessed the information, he committed a crime. Based on Find a Law, â€Å"Doctor-patient confidentiality is not supposed to be shared unless with the permission of the patient (Breaches of Doctor to Patient Confidentiality, 2012). If this case was to go to court, Fletch would have no defense, since it is clear that he is going against regulations. Scene #7 Fletch is making a phone call at the beach seeking to know the whereabouts of Stanwyck. He then notices a police approaching them fat. The police chase him and another black guy, gummy. After catching them, the policemen start beating Gummy and force him into the car. On seeing this, Fletch tries to stop the police, but his efforts seem futile. As the police drive away, he throws a stone shuttering the rear mirror of the car. He then goes to the newspaper's office asking for money to return to Uttah. When in Uttah, he contacts Stanwyck’s realtor and gets the truth behind the bought property. He sees that Stanwyck paid $30 00 instead of $3000000 as Stanwyck had told his wife. He then decides he needs intelligence and breaks into the realtor’s office to get concrete evidence. Fletch jumps over the fence and gets into the office to get the data. He then takes some photos of the data and gets chased by a guard dog. At the point where the police chase down Gummy, there is clear evidence of excessive use of force, which violates section 3.07 of the Model Penal Code, â€Å"

Nursing Concept Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Nursing Concept Analysis - Essay Example It is concerned with promoting, maintaining, and restoring health. Nurses are committed to the goal of promoting an optimal level of functioning for all individuals, families and groups, thereby contributing to the health of the nation. It determines health status of individuals, families, and populations and makes clinical decisions regarding the appropriate action to be taken. It is important that the nurse maintains the positions that aging is normal and is not related to disease. Age is a date in time and is influenced by many factors, including emotional and physical health, development stage, socioeconomic status, culture, and ethnicity. Ageism is a negative attitude based on age. It leads to discrimination in the care given to the older adults. The nurse who demonstrates negative attitudes may fear of his own aging process or be misinformed about aging and the health care need of the older adults. The care of the aged is provided mostly in institution. Care for an individual adult is delivered in a variety of quite different settings (e.g. privately run nursing home or government institution). The care of the aged is called clinical gerontology or geriatrics .Besides the needs and problems concerned with the psychology and physiology of aging the social aspect of aging a great challenge to the caring profession especially the nurse. Back This paper was done to explore the relationship between the dependency levels of older people who are part of the community nurse's caseload and the volume and nature of nursing input required. Background. Healthcare policy has consistently emphasized the reorientation of health services from hospital to community care. It is necessary to determine ways to use nursing resources appropriately to meet service needs of an increasing older population There are various approaches to address caring for the older adults. These are: 1) Family and welfare approach: Many of the aged are reluctant to go to institutions for the care of the aged. Thus family care is encouraged. 2) Medical approach: Many hospitals are now having special units for the care of the aged both in-patient and out-patient departments where health promotional and specific Nursing Concept Analysis 3 preventive measures such as health examination for early diagnosis and treatment are provided. 3) Community approach: The elders are encouraged to participate in activities that are beneficial to health and to avoid those that are injurious. These approaches would enhance trust of older adults to their environment especially to the nursing care involved. Dignity may be defined as a concept that relates to basic humanity. Dignity consists of inherent and external dimensions, which are common for all humans and at the same time are unique for each person, relating to social and cultural aspects. The attributes of preserving dignity are individualized care, control restored, respect, advocacy and sensitive listening. Method: In order to establish an appropriate nursing care for older adults, a quantitative study was conducted using the "Community Client Need Classification System". The community nursing team recorded the amount of care time spent with each individual client for over a 4-week period. Findings: They were assessed in low and high

Women in the Workforce Essay Example for Free

Women in the Workforce Essay As a young a woman living in the 21st century I can only believe that women have every reason to be part of the workforce. In today’s world advancement we have all the technology needed to be able to create balances between our family and work life. In the old days women were viewed to be weak compared to men, because jobs required more physical abilities then mental and critical thinking abilities. Therefore, men were given the working part of the family’s establishment and women were given the care giving for the children part. Today, things are different. Jobs have turned from being only physically oriented to rather more problem solving and thinking oriented. And this makes more opportunities for women to join the workforce. Moreover, I think women should join the labor force because it is proven that when a woman in a family is working it is more likely that the family will rise above the poverty line. Studies done in Bangladesh by Mohammad Yunus, the founder of the micro financing Grameen Bank, show that when the woman in a family is given a chance to generate income for her household she always does a better job with helping her family out of poverty. Women are care givers in nature, and when given the chance to improve the living standard of their children’s lives they will do a better job managing the money and finances. My final reason is that I think in the end, woman or man, we as humans should be given equal opportunities to explore our full potential. No matter what kind of job or craft or hobby we might be doing, we should all be given the chance to thrive and prosper in this life with no restrictions. No matter what race gender or ethnicity we should all be able to do what we love.

Importance of Infrastructure Investment in the UK

Importance of Infrastructure Investment in the UK Acknowledgements In 1999, I completed the 1st year of the full-time Quantity Surveying course at Glasgow Caledonian University before moving to America in 2001. After a five-year stay, I returned to Glasgow in September 2006 and re-enrolled in the Part-time Quantity Surveying course. Ten years on from the first experience of the QS course, it gives me great pleasure and pride to be submitting one of the last pieces of work in the honours year. It has been an amazing and unexpected journey. I would not be in this position if it were not for the incredible levels of support and encouragement shown by so many and would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some of these people. First, I would like to thank Raymond McCafferty Michael Heggarty of Cruden Building Renewals for employing me and giving me this opportunity. Their continued support and encouragement throughout this process has given me the focus and drive to continually improve my work. My colleagues at Cruden also deserve a special mention for their support during the dissertation and without the laughs during the day; this process would have been so much more difficult. Thanks guys!!! I would also like to thank Halbert Mills at Glasgow Caledonian University for accepting me back into the course and believing that I had the potential to get to this stage. During the course of this dissertation, I had some challenging times when I felt like I did not know how to develop my chosen topic. I would like to give my sincere thanks to my supervisor, Dr. John Lowe, for his inspirational input when I had these difficulties. Unfortunately, I cannot name everyone but I want to thank all my friends and family who without their support I would never have completed this piece of work. Mum, Dad, Gran, thank you so much for everything. Finally, the love and support shown by my Wife, Brooke, during this process has been a major source of inspiration. We will both be glad when the late night studying and completing of projects is finally over. Peter McLellan 1. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Rationale for the Study Infrastructure forms the economic backbone of the UK. It is the fabric that defines us as a modern industrialised nation. The standard and resilience of infrastructure in the UK has a direct relationship to the growth and competitiveness of our economy. (Skinner, 2010) For the UK to retain its competitive edge, a longer-term view of investment in infrastructure must lead policy making. (Stewart, 2009) This dissertation offers an opportunity to explore and research a highly topical issue. The United Kingdom finds itself still in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in recent memory and in a period of fiscal consolidation. As a result of this depressed economic situation, difficult decisions have had to be made by all sectors within the UK to work together to drive the country out of the recession. The recent edition of the Economic and fiscal Strategy Report and Financial Statement and budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, highlights the importance of implementing measures that will promote sustainable growth. Despite modest growths to GDP of 0.4 per cent in the final quarter in 2009 (NSO, 2010), the general consensus is that the United Kingdom is in the early stages of recovery. The 2010 budget, called Securing the recovery, outlines ways in which it aims to support this vision. One of these policies, is to invest in infrastructure, including additional funding for transport and local roads and creating a Green Investment bank. (UK Budget, 2010) Also, the Eddington Report, published on 1 Dec 2006, was a study jointly commissioned by the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Its role was to analyse the long-term relationships, within the boundaries of the Governments wider commitment to sustainable development, between transport and the UKs growth, stability and economic productivity. The findings of this study will be discussed and compared to the investment required to meet the future demands of the UK. Furthermore, in a recent study carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), it revealed that inadequate energy, transport, and communications infrastructure continues to reduce the opportunity for UK businesses to grow. It also outlines that during this period when businesses play a vital role in the recovery of the economy, productivity is being affected as a result of lack of capacity, thus restricting the UKs economic potential. (BCC survey, 2010) In response to the survey carried out in 2010, David Frost, the Director general of the BCC stated the following: A countrys infrastructure is crucial to the success of its businesses. In the current environment of economic uncertainty and public spending constraints, our energy, digital, and transport networks must be up to the job if business is to deliver growth and create employment. The intriguing situation that the UK Government now face is deciding the best way to stimulate economic growth without increasing the deficit. One of the issues with increasing deficits is the Government will have to borrow to service the debt. As a result of the world-banking crisis over the last few years, there is reluctance to increase the UK debt further and therefore this might have an impact on infrastructure investment in this country. This dissertation provides an opportunity to research the level of infrastructure required in the UK and review the part it plays to the long-term sustainable growth of the UK economy. Furthermore, in doing so, the author intends to see if further investment in Infrastructure works is viable in the current economic climate. 1.2 Aim The aim of this dissertation is to assess the importance of infrastructure investment in the United Kingdom and how this impacts on the long-term sustainable growth of the UK Economy given the current economic constraints. 1.3 Objectives To review Fiscal and Monetary policy theories available to the UK Government. To review the current and future demands for infrastructure works in the UK. To understand the level of importance of infrastructure work investment to the UK economy. To understand the roles, responsibilities and options available to public and private bodies in raising capital to invest in infrastructure works in the UK. To highlight the economic and social benefits gained as a result of increased investment in chosen infrastructure sectors by utilising hypothetical cost model projections. 1.4 Outline Methodology of the Research 1.5 Dissertation Contents Chapter 2 Provides an extensive Literature review on the topic area. The author will provide a general overview of economic theory, introduction to infrastructure, and a review of the relevant studies published worldwide that reveal intellectual thoughts on infrastructure investment impact on the economy. This will be carried out in the way of both descriptive and an analytical approach to all the appropriate literature sourced to aid in this dissertation. Naoum (2007) states It is descriptive in that it describes the work of previous writers and it is analytical in that it critically analyses the contribution of others with a view of identifying similarities and contradictions made by previous writers. According to Naoum (2007), the literature review will serve two purposes. First, it allows for gathering of information to allow development of issues and themes within the chosen topic that ultimately shape the research design. Second, the literature review will help form the basis of the research design by analysing previous research designs. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 introduces the reader to the numerous research techniques available to the author and will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each and merits of each approach, before indicating the chosen methods of quantitative analysis technique Chapter 3 examines the various research techniques that were available to the author and describes the strengths and weaknesses of each of the approaches in respect to the available data. In particular this chapter presents the reasoning behind the authors decision to adopt the quantitative analysis technique and explains how this approach was applied. This chapter also describes the source of the data and highlights any potential bias or limitations that the author experienced within the analysis. Furthermore this chapter explicitly explains the process for selecting and categorising the appropriate data prior to analysis in a consistent manner. John Hannah paragraph Chapter 4 Chapter 4 builds upon the process described in the previous chapter and examines the primary source of data to assess what trends are evident with each of the particular categories. This section goes on to expand upon the original quantitative analysis and examine a series of quantitative case studies to assess the extent of early warning events and compensation events that occurred on completed projects. John Hannah paragraph Chapter 5 In conclusion, chapter 5 summarises the findings of this research and consider if the original aim and objectives have been achieved. Finally, this chapter discusses the authors findings and proposes a list of recommendations for future studies. John Hannah paragraph 2. Chapter Literature Review 2.1 Introduction The purpose of research is to make a contribution, however small, towards understanding the phenomenon being studied and ultimately towards the total body of knowledge (Parahoo, 2006) The intended purpose of the following literature review is to provide a general background to the chosen topic that will aid in the understanding of the following areas: How the UK Economy functions and what factors drive it. Description analysis of previous research on the impact of infrastructure investment on the economy. The role the construction industry plays in the UK Economy. The information presented within the literature review will enhance the readers knowledge of the topic with a view of providing clarity and understanding on the findings presented in chapter 4. Economic Theories There are conflicts of opinion on economic theory. For instance, monetarists argue that rises in the money supply cause inflation whereas Keynesians argue that it is changes in inflation which cause changes in the money supply (Stanlake Grant, 1995) Keynesian Economics John Maynard Keynes was a British economist whose ideas have been a central influence on modern macroeconomics, both in theory and practice. He advocated interventionist government policy, by which governments would use fiscal and monetary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of business cycles, economic recessions, and depressions. His ideas are the basis for the school of thought known as Keynesian economics. Keynes solution to poor economic state is to introduce impetus spending or as the US President Franklin Roosevelt described, prime the pump. Keynes argues that the government should step in to increase spending, either by increasing the money supply or by actually buying things on the market itself. A supporter of Keynesian economics believes it is the governments job to smooth out the bumps in business cycles. Intervention would come in the form of government spending and tax breaks in order to stimulate the economy, and government spending cuts and tax hikes in good times, in order to curb inflation. Alternative Economic Theories Since Keynesian economics advocates for the public sector to step in to assist the economy generally, it is a significant departure from popular economic thought, which preceded it â‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬  laissez-fair capitalism. Laissez-fair capitalism supported the exclusion of the public sector in the market. A number of laissez faire consequences are drawn from Says law. Say also advocated public works to remedy unemployment. Say argued against claims that business was suffering because people did not have enough money and more money should be printed. Say argued that the power to purchase could be increased only by more production and is also best known for coining the phrase supply creates its own demand (Curwen, 1997) James Mill used Says Law against those who sought to give economy a boost via unproductive consumption. Consumption destroys wealth, in contrast to production which is the source of economic growth. The demand for the product determines the price of the product, but not if it will be consumed. Alternatively, Keynes is an advocate of trying to stimulate consumption by government intervention. Views on Economic thoeries Cutting support now, as some are demanding, would run the real risk of choking off the recovery even before it started, and prolonging the global downturn. (Darling, 2009) If consumers, markets and businesses get the message that government wants to carry on spending and isnt serious about dealing with the deficit, they will start to conclude that the UK is no longer a safe place to invest in, spend in or build a business in, (Cameron, 2009) Importance of Construction industry to UK Economy A recent survey commissed by the UK Contractors Group and carried out by LEK Consulting to demonstrate the impacts of the Construction industry on the UK Economy was distributed September 2009. The main aim of this report was to specifically highlight the benefits of investing in construction. The report covered 3 main areas: Contribution of the construction industry at national and regional level. Key contribution that construction makes to national employent levels. The role that the construction industry plays in the broader economic and social objectives. The reports contention is that the construction industry is vital to the overall UK economy while still being in a recession as it provides the following: Construction is a major contributor to the UK DGP. Construction sector employs circa  £3m people throughout 300,000 firms. Construction is also an important driver for other sectors, without which there would be a loss of domestic production capacity and skills. The report, Construction in the UK economy: The Benefits of Investment, shows that construction is the best sector for stimulating employment. It also shows that every  £1 spent on construction leads to an increase in GDP of  £2.84, as the spending not only creates construction output worth  £1, but also stimulates growth elsewhere in the economy worth  £1.84. With the Chancellors Pre-Budget Report looming, the CBI is continuing to press the case for protecting capital spending by government. (John Cridland, CBI Deputy-Director General, 2009) A strong economy needs fit-for-purpose schools and hospitals, and it will be the construction industry that builds the new transport and energy infrastructure needed to shift to a low-carbon economy. (John Cridland, CBI Deputy-Director General, 2009) Introduction to Infrastructure Works Infrastructure investment impact: Previous Research Over the last 30 years there have been various economic models developed to help in the research of the impact of infrastructure investment on the economy. The in-depth empirical studies have mainly utilised macro-economic level data, which includes cross-state and cross-country data. (Straub, 2007) edinburgh paper According to the studies carried out by Aschauer (1989) he states that when analysing the importance of public investment to the productivity improvement and economic growth, added weight must be attributed to the public investment decisions made by the Government. Furthermore, the study indicates increased productivity and growth in the economy by investing in areas such as highways, sewers, streets, and water systems. To ascertain these findings, Aschauer took the average annual growth rates of total factor productivity and the non-military public capital stock in America over the period 1950-1985; Aschauers data indicated a close relationship between level of investment in non-military infrastructure and productivity. Put in Tables from study Further research in the United States carried out by Munnell (1990) analysed the impact of the stock of public capital on economic activity at the regional and state levels. In conclusion, Munnell found that the US states that had invested in infrastructure had greater output, increased levels of private investment, and high levels of employment growth. The study highlighted above, Aschuer (1989) estimated an elasticity of output with respect to public infrastructure capital in the United States during 1950-1985 of between 0.38 and 0.56. These results have been shown to be econometrically suspect and subsequent work suggests the elasticity is much smaller. The average elasticity across OECD countries for the period 1960-2001 has recently been estimated to be 0.2 (Kanps, 2004). Aschauers paper has, however, proved very fruitful in terms of subsequent research, which it stimulated. (Crafts Leunig, 2005) A number of empirical studies have looked at the relationship between all public infrastructure investment and GDP growth. On average these studies seem to indicate a positive elasticity of output to public capital of around 0.20. Put another way, a ten per cent increase in public capital stock increases GDP by around 2 per cent. (Eddington report 2006) The eddington report suggest that there are limitations to these empirical studies and the results should be viewed with caution. OECD (2003) argues that early empirical work on the link between infrastructure investment and economic performance overstated the magnitude of the impact on GDP and productivity growth (The sources of economic growth in OECD countries, OECD, 2003) In particular, studies that focus on public investment in capital and infrastructure in a broad sense, rather than on transport specifically, do not really distinguish between types of investment in terms of new build, upgrade, maintenance etc although some do make specific conclusions about the value of transport infrastructure investment. Later studies using more complex modelling suggest a positive, albeit weaker relationships between infrastructure and GDP. These include: Kocherlakota and Yi (1997), Demetiades and mamuneas (2002), OFallon (2003), and Nijkamp and Poot (2004). (see figure 1.5 eddington report 2006) In 1993, Easterly and Robero carried out further research to expand on the work in this field. Called Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation, it details several conclusions that support the findings expressed by Aschauers research in 1989. It tackled areas such as the rate of growth and the level of development by employing historical data and recent cross-section data. The main findings outlined that there is a strong relationship between a countries fiscal structure and the development level and that investment levels in communication and transport is consistently correlated with growth. This therefore indicates that infrastructures are important in the economic prosperity of a nation (Easterly, Robelo 1993). Put in reference Eisner (1991) highlighted that public infrastructures not only serve as an intermediate good in physical goods production, they can also be final consumption goods. For example, water and sewage systems benefit environment, better transportation saves time spent on travelling, public parks give people pleasure, etc. Canning, Fay, and Perotti (1994) found substantial effects of physical infrastructure on economic growth based on the international data set. The strategy for national infrastructure also states, The majority of empirical research indicates that there is positive relationship between infrastructure and economic growth (strategy for national infrastructure, 2010). Introduction to Infrastructure What is Infrastructure? Set-up in December 2009 to help meet the infrastructure requirements in the UK for the next 10-20 years, Infrastructure UK defines Infrastructure as key economic sectors which include: Water, Waste, Energy, Transport and communications (strategy for national infrastructure, 2010). Infrastructure networks enable people, goods, energy, information, water, and waste to move efficiently around the UK and, in some cases, across its borders. The extent, capacity and quality of these networks has a direct bearing on the economy of the UK, the environment and the quality of life of everyone who lives in or visits the UK. Infrastructure Studies in the United Kingdom Extensive research carried out in the United Kingdom has indicated the level of infrastructure required for each sector and this can be cross-referenced with studies highlighted in the previous section. For example, the findings from the research carried out by Eisner, 1991 and Easterly, Robero 1993 indicated a relationship between transportation and its impact on the growth of the economy. The Eddington report was published on the 1st December 2006 and was carried out by Sir Rod Eddington under the instruction of the UK Government. The report is an examination of the impact transportation decisions will have on the UK environment and economy. The report analyses the current global economic demands and how our current transportation infrastructure must meet the demands of the 21st century. It states that with rising population and resultant greater demands on the country, higher levels of congestion and issue with reliability will have adverse effects on the economy if the correct infrastructure is not in place. It contends that by not having the required infrastructure in place it costs businesses more money while also effecting peoples social environment (Eddington Report, 2006). As well as utilising the Eisner, Easterly and Robero findings, the Eddington Report drew on research carried out in more recent times. The studies used in the development of the Eddington Report comprised: The historical significance of Transport for Economic growth and Productivity (Crafts Leunig, 2005), Step change transport improvements (Mann, 2006), and transport and labour market strategies (Gibbons Machin, 2006) Assessing transports contribution to the economy Transport can impact on the performance of the economy in a number of different ways: Transports impact on GDP Transport can impact on the economy and will ultimately impact on overall output. Gross domestic product (GDP) is currently the best measure of the size of the economy as it measures the total value of goods and services provided. Transport can have an impact on economic output (GDP) thorugh two channels: Firstly, transport can affect GDP though a number of inputs that are used, for example transport may increase employment either by allowing greater access to labour or stimulating the creation of new firms, which can increase the number of goods and services produced and lead to an increase in GDP. Secondly, transport can improve the efficiency with which firms use inputs, in other words transport can have an impact on productivity. For instance, a well functioning transport network can raise productivity by redusing journey times. Transport investment can impact on the drivers of productivity by encouraging prictae investment through raising its profitability; facilitating labour mobility and thereby increasing the returns in investment skills; and enabling effective competition even when economic activity is geographically dispersed. Identifying the impact of transport on productivity is important because improving productivity is a key to determinant of long-term growth and living standards. These effects can either have a one -off effect on the level of productivity or a sustained impact on the growth rate of productivity. Transport can impact on the growth rate of productivity by stimulating innovation through its impact on agglomeration economies, trade and foreign direct investment. In practice these dynamics are very difficult to measure, but are nevertheless extremely valuable, as they determine how quickly the economy grows and therefore the rate of growth in GDP. Transports role in supporting quality of life Critically though, GDP measures alone fail to capture the impacts of transport on the environment or its contribution to the wider well being of society. Transports impact on the environment, for example through carbon and other emissions, can increasingly lead to unsustainable growth, as well as impacting on peoples quality of life. Transport improvements that free up wasted travel time allow people to spend more time with friends and family, and enjoy more leisure activities. An economic welfare measurement would seek to measure such broader impacts of transport on society and the environment rather than just a pure GDP measure. These benefits to general well being are known as economic welfare, or welfare. The use of existing transport networks: What benefits do provide Erenburg (1994) finds that policy measures that make more efficient use of existing transport infrastructure through pricing mechanisms or other traffic management solutions can have a significant impact on growth (linking public capital to economic performance, Erenburg, 1994) Hulten and Schwab (1996) estimate that a 1 per cent increase in infrastructure effectiveness would have an impact on growth seven times larger than a 1 per cent increase in the rate of public infrastructure investment. (the public capital hypothesis: The case of Germany, Hulten and Schwab, 1996) OECD/ECMT (2001) paper on the benefits of transport concludes that wider economic benefits may be achieved more efficiently by introducing prices which correspond more closely to costs, or by reallocating existing infrastructure more efficiently between users, or by adopting other transport policies. (Assessing the benefits of transport, European Conference of Ministers of transport, OECD, 2001) Victoria transport policy institute (2003) argues that investment in alternative modes of transport and in management strategies to encourage more efficient use of existing road capacity tends to provide greater economic benefit than expanding existing highways to reduce congestion. The study also argues that the benefits of transport improvements are heavily dependant on local circumstances, in that they will only increase economic development where inadequate transport is a significant constraint on economic activity. EVIDENCE OF CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR TRANSPORT TO IMPACT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY Caning and Fay (1993) assert that infrastructure should not be seen as a factor of production but as a condition for high growth. Kessides (1993) notes that infrastructure does not create economic potential; it only develops such potential where appropriate conditions exist, i.e. other inputs such as labour and capital are available to drive output growth. Indeed, lynde and Richmond (1993), Trinder (2002), and OFallon (2003) assert that public and private capital are complements; that physical infrastructure requires the existence of available productive private capital in order to realise economic growth potential, and that infrastructure investment can boost the productivity of such private capital. Infrastructure investment may also feed through to increased labour productivity. Canning and pedroni (1999), banister and berechman (2000), Trinder (2002) and OFallon (2003) highlight other important underlying conditions that will influence the impact of transport investment on the economy (SEE REFERENCES FIGURE 1.7 EDDINGTON REPORT) In summary, these include: Economic conditions, a stable macroeconomic policy climate, local market circumstances, agglomeration, and labour market conditions Investment conditions; available funds, timing and structure of investment, type of infrastructure investment, location of investment in terms of network structure and political and institutional conditions, decision making, planning, sources, and methods of finance, level of investment, supporting legal and organisational policies and processes, and method and governance of infrastructure delivery and provision. Funding and delivery mechanisms for UK national infrastructure The National Infrastructure is funded and delivered in a number of ways: Commercially driven, user-paid infrastructure e.g. unregulated airport and ports where it is for the developer to decide what and when infrastructure is built. Any developments is then paid for by consumers (but prices are not regulated because competition exists) Commercially driven, user paid but price-regulated infrastructure with a stronger role for Government. Regulated airports are an example. Government supports investment in additional capacity but this is a commercial decision for airport operator (and where prices are regulated to protect from monopoly power). The energy sector also largely follows this model but prices are set by the market or thorough Government intervention. Price regulated businesses where independent regulators play a stronger role in determining the level and nature of investment. For example, water, where the regulator has an input into the nature of the investment programme but infrastructure investment in funded by users. Price regulated business that is funded by the taxpayer and users e.g. Network Rail. This is a model where the business is funded both by users and taxpayers where the DfT have a central role in setting out the outputs it wants from the railways and the level of funding to achieve that. The regulator sets the efficiency targets and prices for the company. Publicly decided and publicly funded infrastructure e.g. roads. Government decides where they should go, when they should be built and pays for them. This may include some provate finance but ultimately government rather than users pay. Clearly Government enjoys much greater control over infrastructure, but only a small part of the overall picture. Infrastructure essential for supporting economic activity and growth Many key investment projects rely on private finance either as direct investment or through mechanisms such as PPPs. In the current economic climate the Uk faces stiff competition in securing investment from private investors and from within Government budgets. In this environment, there needs to be a clear vision from Government about the future and needs for infrastructure. This will be essential to persuade the provate sector to invest in the national infrastructure and, in particular, provaste sector investors need long-term certainty in order to judge whether to commit major funds. Chapter 3 This chapter gives a brief description of the methods used for collecting independent data and why they are relevant to the research objectives. Research Strategy Quantitative Quantitative research is objective in nature. It is defined as an inquiry into a social or human problem, based on testing a hypothesis or a theory composed of variables, measured with numbers, and analysed with statistical procedures, in order to determine whether the hypothesis or the theory hold true (Cresswell, 1994). This statement is expanded on further by Bouma and Atkinson (1995), who state Quantitative data is, therefore, not abstract, they are hard and reliable; they are measurements of tangible, countable,

A Comparison of A Midsummer Nights Dream and Romeo and Juliet Essay

Parallel Themes and Characters in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet Certain parallels can be drawn between William Shakespeare's plays, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and "Romeo and Juliet". These parallels concern themes and prototypical Shakespearian character types. Both plays have a distinct pair of 'lovers', Hermia and Lysander, and Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Both plays could have also easily been tragedy or comedy with a few simple changes. A tragic play is a play in which one or more characters has a moral flaw that leads to his/her downfall. A comedic play has at least one humorous character, and a successful or happy ending. Comparing these two plays is useful to find how Shakespeare uses similar character types in a variety of plays, and the versatility of the themes which he uses. In "Romeo and Juliet", Juliet is young, "not yet fourteen", and she is beautiful, and Romeo's reaction after he sees her is, "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear Beauty to rich for use, for the earth too dear!" Juliet is al... ..., not because one character has a flaw, but both families have a flaw- pride. Prohibited love, romance, controlling families, both plays have it all. With a few simple modifications, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" could have been a tragedy, and "Romeo and Juliet" could have been a comedy. Shakespeare however, uses many of the same character types, young, prudent, rebellous lovers, and controling family members, in both comedies and tragedies. The end results are character molds, along with theme molds that can be easily translated into almost any plot, in any play.

An Investigation into the Best Current Practice of Supply Chain Managem

An Investigation into the Best Current Practice of Supply Chain Management This report documents an investigation into best current practice of Supply Chain Management. Various methods of materials procurement are outlined in addition to their relevance to examples in modern industry. The report discusses the ideal characteristics of a successful supply chain. From a traditional perspective, this has proven to be based around the development of strong inter-firm relationships among the participating organisations that make up the supply chain. Additionally, a detailed strategy of materials management is proposed for a manufacturer of earth moving equipment; JCB, and a digital camera manufacturer; Sony. Management Practice Supply Chain Management Materials procurement from the 60s to the 90s Although developed prior to this period, Henry Ford introduced a strong foundation for businesses of the 1960s with Vertical Integration. Ford attempted to control all of the operations in his business by buying other companies in the distribution channel. The Ford Motor Company owned the suppliers up the channel in backward integration and down the channel in forward integration, thereby gaining total control of all stages of the process from raw material extraction to finished car showrooms. Organisations of the 1960s maintained this Vertical Integration structure, in addition to somewhat adversarial inter-firm relationships that were a prevalent characteristic among 1960s businesses. Buyers and sellers typically operated at arm's-length, independent relationships, competing for resources rather than collaborating. The primary benefits associated with the arm's length philosophy were concerned with cost effectiveness when managing external sources. This arm's length approach to merchant and customer relations was balanced with the vertically integrated structure, as primary functions of the organisation were mostly under the firm's control. Before long, this vertically integrated organisational structure began to flatten, which gave rise to the supply chain organisation. Many organisations began to sell their units acquired by vertical integration and chose to partner with other companies that provided these services. Consequently, the concept of supply chain management developed, as organisations were attempting to achieve ... ...o a lack of motivation of the organisation in ensuring the success of the relationship with the supplier. It is anticipated that this work has demonstrated the importance of the role of the supply chain manager in establishing strong relationships with suppliers. Bibliography Boddy, D. & Paton, R. (1998). Management: an Introduction., Prentice Hall, Europe. Harrison, M. (1993) Operations Management Strategy. Pitman. Lines, D., Marcouse, I., & Martin, B. (2000). The complete A-Z Business Studies, 3rd ed., Hodder and Stoughton, England. Pietrak, W. J., Rietzke, J., & Wamsher, W. (1988) Material requirements planning. APICS Online JCB Groupn http://www.jcb.com Sony Corporation http://www.sony.com Duxbury. (2004), What is Supply Chain Management?, [Online]. Available: http://www.duxbury.com/statistics_d/templates/student_resources/0534373631_shapiro/introduction/introduction.html [2004, November 21]. Minicom. (2004), Asset management systems, [Online]. Available: www.mincom.com [2004, November 22]. Seagate. (2004), Electronic Data Interchange, [Online]. Available: http://www.seagate.com/support/edi/whatised.html [2004, November 24].

Nightmare

â€Å"Do not forget to wash your legs before going to bed! † my mother used to tell me almost every night if I were at home. Noon might get a nightmare. † I never believed her until it happened to me. It was on a night at my hostel Sole Slash, when all of my housemates were going back home as It was a three-day weekend. Since my house was In Pang and it took about 4 hours to get there, I decided to stay here alone. Moreover, there were tons of assignments need to be done. I was preparing the slides for my book review presentation when all of sudden there was a blackout and It was totally dark.Only God knew how I felt on that particular moment. Thank God, It was only for only about 15 minutes. I continued finishing my slides then. I kept on doing my assignment without bothering to look at the clock. Finally, I feel very contented as the slides had done beautifully and creatively by me. I wanted to do other assignments but when I glanced at the clock, It was already three In the morning! I realized that I was really exhausted and my eyes needed some rest after hours staring at the laptop screen. I turned off the laptop and went straight into my darkened room without brushing teeth and washing legs.With the help of the dim light from the street lamp nearby my room, I saw a figure sleeping on my bed. As I got nearer, the figure suddenly threw away the blanket, got up and stared at me. It was an old woman with shiny gold teeth. She raised her claw-like fingers and walked towards me. I ran to the outside where there was a badminton court. My surroundings were slowly starting to melt: the trees, the hostel blocks around me, the sky and the pathway to a garage. It seemed that I was about to dissipate as well, becoming a puddle of glue-like substance left on the ground. I noticed the creepy old woman was already behind me.I wanted to run but was unable to. I tried to scream but found that I could not. In horror I struggled and struggled to get away from the frightful woman. She dragged me to a creepy room and I was tied on a bed that looked like similarly my bed. She then went outside of the room and sang, sang, sang continuously. Soon I drifted off into a troubled sleep. I kept hearing the woman's voice even in my sleep. The next moment I gave a muffled yell and found myself panting on my bed. I heard someone was singing happily and when I went to take a look, it was Sarah who was doing her assignment on my study desk.My goodness, what a horrible nightmare it was! Sarah wished me good morning and told me that I slept with the door unlocked so she went In and found that I was still sleeping. â€Å"You look so pale. Are you okay? † she asked me. For a minute or so I lay on the sofa not daring to close my eyes for fear of falling asleep again and continuing the nightmare. Then I sat up on my bed until the horrible feeling passed. From then on I never went to sleep without washing my legs. Nightmare By Sylvania almost every night if I were at home. Mimi might get a nightmare. † I never believed her until it happened to me.It was on a night at my hostel Sole Cassia, when all of my housemates were going back home as it was a three-day weekend. Since my house was in Pang and it took about 4 hours to get there, I decided to stay here and it was totally dark. Only God knew how I felt on that particular moment. Thank God, it was only for only about 15 minutes. I continued finishing my slides then. I kept other assignments but when I glanced at the clock, it was already three in the light from the street lamp nearby my room, I saw a figure sleeping on my bed. As I got slept with the door unlocked so she went in and found that I was still sleeping.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

A chocolate chip cookie is a drop cookie that was originally from the United States and features chocolate chips as its main ingredient. The traditional recipe contains a dough composed of butter and both brown and white sugar with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Variations include recipes with other types of chocolate or additional ingredients, such as nuts or oatmeal. The chocolate chip cookie was accidentally developed by Ruth Graves Wakefield in 1930. She owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Massachusetts, a very popular restaurant that featured home cooking in the 1930s.Her cookbook, Toll House Tried and True Recipes, was published in 1936 by M. Barrows & Company, New York. It included the recipe â€Å"Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookie†, which rapidly became a favorite to be baked in American homes. Chocolate chip cookies are commonly made with high in calorie ingredients including sugar, flour, eggs, butter, chocolates, etc. Some recipes also include milk or nuts in the do ugh. It depends on the ratio of ingredients, mixing and cooking times, some recipes are optimized to produce a softer, chewy style cookie while others will produce a crunchy/crispy style.As you can see in the ingredients, on how the cookies is baked, and the style of cookies, it can easily catch an attention of a buyer. The ingredients given are also a bit expensive nowadays. As It is said, it is full of calories. So how about the costumers that will consume the high in calorie and expensive product? How about their health and weight? Their wallets and pockets? That's the reason why the researchers come up with this research. To make a solution to these problems about chocolate chip cookies.

Communicable disease Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Communicable disease - Assignment Example A chain of infections is usually made up of 6 causing factors, these are; the infectious agent which are usually the disease causing organisms, the reservoir which is the natural environment the pathogens need for their survival, the portal of exit which is the means by which the pathogens leave the reservoir which is the infected person, the means of transmission which is usually either direct or indirect i.e. physical contact, unprotected sex, the air, or parasites, the portal of entry which is either inhalation, penetration or ingestion, and finally the new host of whom the disease causing pathogens attack. Immunity is the state of having total biological defense to fight disease as well as infections. There are two main types of immunity these are adaptive immunity and innate immunity. Innate immunity is the ability of one’s body to defend itself against infections naturally and it’s a form of body defense one is born with. However, adaptive immunity that is usually subdivided into various categories is a form of immunity that one acquires after weakened disease causing pathogen is introduced into the body making the body develop adapt and develop immunity. In September 2014 onwards, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as other partners have spent countless efforts in investigating reports among children in the USA that have developed sudden weakness in either one of their limbs. MRI scans reveal that children with such symptoms have an inflammation of the grey matter nerve cells that are usually in the spinal cord located in the vertebrate. This infectious disease is Acute Flaccid Myelitis. From the month of August to April this year, CDC has verified reports of more than 118 children in over 34 states including Florida and the county of Miami Dade that have developed the disease. Majority of the children are about 7 years of age and due to the disease have been hospitalized and put

Impact and flexure tests on hampfibre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Impact and flexure tests on hampfibre - Essay Example Before analyzing the given data, we must have a look at the basic preliminaries and definitions about the deformation, impact velocity, Hooke’s law and others, Deformation Deformation is the study in continuum mechanics which defines the transformation of an object (material) from its original (reference) shape to a newly adapted form. Deformation can be caused by the external stress (force) effects such as electromagnetic force, gravity, stress, strain and load or temperature. Impact velocity It is the relative measure of the velocity of one object to another in a very small transient time before the interaction of the two objects (interaction could be the result of applied force). In ideal scenario the velocity of the impacting object must not be reduced to 0 and it rarely happens in practical situations. velocity_(impact) = (m_1\vec v_(1f) + m2 vec v_(2f))/m_1 ~ Vec_v shows the velocity vector*. Hooke’s law Hooke’s law is a concept of classical mechanics which discusses the force needed to compress or extend the shape by an amount X (distance). Hooke’s law is also a measure of the deformation of solid bodies as long as deformation impact is small. It is also defined as the first order linear approximation or the material response studied in material science and material engineering (Bansal, 2010). Plastic region: Area under the stress-strain graph after bypassing which, the permanent change and deformation in a material starts occurring. This plastic region is shown in the stress strain graph as the highest point in the curve. Before plastic limit, there is an elastic limit under which the material does not deform itself but it remained confined in the actuality of its originality. However as soon as the elastic and the plastic limit is breached Plastic deformation take place in this deformation, upon uplifting the force and the load, the material does not regain its shape but it tends to adapt the newly deformed shape as the cons equence of the load applied to bring about the change of the shape. Stress: Any force applied in purpose to change the shape and objet and to make that object slide against its own structure. \Shear Stress: It is the force which attempts to deform an object by applying pressure on the surface of the object. Sress = Force/Area (i.e. force per unit area) Stress is not a vector. It is a tensor. Elastic Deformation: region in the stress-strain graph where the deformation take place in a transient mode. It means that the deformation in this region is temporary. Beyond this limit, the material experiences plastic deformation which is permanent. Figure #1 The above figure shows the effect of the impact velocity on the three shapes and different samples. The above figure shows that the impact velocity of the 30 degree conical and the 90 degree conical shape is nearly the same because of having a harmony in the shape (as both are conical). The next shape which is a hemispherical shape, the f igure shows that it has less impact of the relative impact velocity as compared to the rest of the figures. Because the hemisphere has a changed shape and surface as compared to the conical tip, it exhibits an elasto-plastic dynamic behavior under examination. This also relates with the hemispherical heavenly bodies and other cosmological objects who while colliding with each other do not cause any explosion or sudden disruption, but are slowly deformed resulting catastrophic vibration (seismic) activities. Figure # 2 This diagram shows the effect of the load variation and its results on the various samples of three different shapes. With the varying samples of these conical 30, conical 90 and hemispheres shapes the load is also being shown to be varying and gradually rising under the scenario of the change of the shapes. This shows that as the shapes change the ability to deform an object or bypassing its deforming threshold and the requirement of the force to perform this task var ies in accordance with the

Financial Accounting Ethics Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial Accounting Ethics Case Study - Essay Example Despite the use of various defensive tactics such as poison put, white knight, lockup, crown jewel, shark repellent and golden parachute, it has not hampered the predominance of mergers and acquisitions. However, the process of mergers and acquisitions has been engulfed with various challenges that often threaten its validity (DePamphilis, 2007). Accountants and management act incongruously to report a better value of a company’s assets, liabilities and working capital so as to gain an advantage during the merging and acquisition process. This paper shall comprehensively analyze a case study involving the Finance Manager at Home and Care Products, Lisa Michaels, and an accountant of Prestige Fragrance Company, Jeffrey Anderson, with an aim of establishing the ethical issues inherent in the case and advise Lisa on the best strategies to use in resolving and overcoming the unethicality. In the process of mergers and acquisition, accountants are supposed to use two methods; the purchase method and the pooling of interests. Under each method, assets, equity and working capital are differently valued but their valuation is standard and should be easily provable through provision of supporting documents. Various ethical issues are inherent in the case study. Firstly, the accountants are violating the principles violated by FASB and are creating unnecessary sections within the financial records. Moreover, they are inflating sales and earnings, a clear violation of the conservatism concept, so that the parent company perceives the subsidiary as financially healthy, which is far from the reality (Bushman & Smith, 2001). Additionally, Jeffrey Anderson accumulated several assets in the â€Å"Other Assets† section in the balance sheet while he could not appropriately account for the assets. The validity and nature of the assets

Super Format and Rapid Development of TV Formats Essay

Super Format and Rapid Development of TV Formats - Essay Example Additionally, with the increase in demand, a lot of investors came up with new ideas that saw the production of programs to match the demands of the customers in the markets. On the other hand, exploiters came up with the idea of exploiting the novel entrepreneurs with the idea of coming up with interesting and catchy programs that would sell and attract the attention of many individuals in the market. Moran & Malbon (2006) indicate that, with the advent of the digital technology, the global TV market indicated developments in coming up with a digital TV channel, that was directed to the consumers; thus, massive profits were indicated by the investors in the industry. TV super formats According to the research conducted by Ward (2003), TV super formats can be referred to as the elements that are in various ways completely invariable, and in which other programs are derived from. This basically refers to the derivation of many programs from a singular element, as a result of manipulat ion of systems to come up with a new program. TV super formats are, therefore, concepts derived from an original program that are reproduced in another for a different audience. With the right documentation these TV formats can be sold internationally for the original concepts to be replicated in other countries. Right documentation, here, refers to trading licenses between the seller and the buyer of the formats (Ward, 2003). With a lot of competition being experienced in the TV and broadcasting industry, there was a dire need by the broadcasting markets to diversify the rules of governing the broadcasting markets. In the long run, trade in the TV broadcasting saw the inclusion of many more traders; thus many players in the industry (Chalaby, 2011). Rapid development of TV formats Private channels Many parts of the world have experienced an upward trend in the number of channels airing programs. Research by Holmes and Jermyn (2004) shows that in prior years, national channels domin ated the television sets in various countries, whereby viewers had no choice but to view whatever programs were aired. However, this trend took a dramatic change with the privatization of channels in many countries. In their quest to win over the viewers, these channels went looking for interesting and catchy programs to draw the interest of the viewers. The most viable way to do this was to concentrate on format programs. With time, privately owned television networks increased in number and completion for audiences was rife, with each trying its best to attract as many audiences as possible. In most cases, national broadcasters lagged behind in the completion for viewership, as they did not want to air programs that supported other nation’s talents and capabilities. The battle, therefore, was among the privately owned television channels. This completion fuelled the rise and spread of format TV. The investors and entrepreneurs in of these privately owned channels are, there fore, the catalysts for the rise in TV formats. Audience Audiences all over the globe have shown a particular liking to TV format programs over original ones. According to Holmes (2004) the concept of TV formats cannot be alienated from a discussion of the communication industry as far as television is concerned. Television formats are vital in the case of journalists and viewers of

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

Scholarship application - Essay Example I was brought up in a small village in Kenya where I was inspired by my grandmother’s ability to offer herbal medicines to many villagers who could not afford or access medical services. Having moved to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, where I pursued a degree in mass communication, I witnessed how difficult it is for people to access basic services, including healthcare and sanitation. I also worked as a relief worker with Kenya Red Cross and Red Crescent at the Kakuma Refugee Camp where I learnt the basics of nursing and report writing. These experiences while in Kenya made me realize the importance of having nurses in our societies, and this fueled my desire to become one. I hold an excellent academic record that makes me best suited for this scholarship. Currently, I hold a masters degree in Public Health from Michigan State University. I graduated with a GPA of 3.76 from the Michigan State University. While at this university, I actively participated in workshops on gender, women and sexuality. I also hold a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the York University in Toronto, Canada. I not only graduated as a Deans Honor Roll member but also took extra classes in culture and gender. Among these extra classes were Ghanaian percussion, and intermediate, North Africa and Middle East Dance. Finally, have a degree in Mass Communication from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Nairobi, Kenya. While studying in Kenya, I was involved in a number of projects, including environmental health projects, girl child education and women empowerment. My academic background has helped me interact with people from various backgrounds and enhanced my understanding o f the various issues affecting humanity, including healthcare services. I have also been involved in various volunteer activities that have further helped enhance my practical knowledge and experiences. I currently volunteer at the Suburu

Modernity and Literature Essay Example for Free

Modernity and Literature Essay Modernity by itself is a very abstract concept which can be associated with all new experiences in history. It is largely temporal because what is modern today is the old or obsolete tomorrow. Modernity is said to be a logic of negation because it tends to give importance to the present over the past, and at the same time also frowns over the present with respect to the future. From a purely historical perspective however, the society which evolved in Europe after the French Revolution of 1789 can be termed as modern in so much so that there is a marked difference or break in the way of thinking, living and enterprise between the societies after and before the French Revolution. The evolution of the modern society was not a process that happened overnight. The roots of the modern society and its gradual evolution can be traced back to the beginning of the eighteenth century. In fact the period from that point in history to the French Revolution is termed as the period of intellectual Enlightenment when there was a radical change in philosophy, science, politics, arts and culture. It was on these new forms of knowledge that the foundation of the modern society or modernity was based. Defining the Traditional Many scholars have tried to analyze the basic or instinctive nature of human beings in attempts to track back how modernity could have affected the core individual. In his book Leviathan, Hobbes deduced that in an environment uninfluenced by artificial systems or in a ‘state of nature’ human beings would be war like and violent, and their lives would consequently be solitary, poor, brutish and short. Rousseau however contradicts Hobbes. He claims that humans are essentially benevolent by nature. He believed in the ‘noble savage’ or the concept that devoid of civilization human beings are essentially peaceful and egalitarian and live in harmony with the environment – an idea associated with Romanticism. Human beings have however lived in communities and formed societies since the very early ages. In what is now known as the ancient world or the world of classical pagan antiquity typical of the societies of Greece and Rome, the concept of the ‘new’ or ‘change’ was absent. Time, like the seasons, was supposed to move in cyclical order, repeating itself with regularity cycle after cycle with nothing new or changed to break away from the established order. The people were steeped in more superstitious and religious beliefs which ruled almost every aspect of their lives. Christianity brought about changes in the belief systems of the ancient world. Christianity postulated that time was linear, that it began from the birth of Jesus Christ and would end with the apocalypse and the second coming of Jesus. This was a linear concept of time that moved in a straight line and not in a cycle that kept coming back to the same point. The Foundations of Modernity It was during the Enlightenment period that the Christian concepts of time and history were secularized to give way to the modern approach to change and progress. There were many other basic changes during the Enlightenment. The key ideas which formed the basis of the enlightenment period were autonomy and emancipation, progress and the improvement of history and universalism. The development of scientific knowledge gave rise to religious skepticism. People were no longer willing to submit blindly to the dictates of ordained religion. In other words they attained emancipation from the shackles of religion that had governed almost all aspects of their lives. This emancipation led to autonomy of the individual. Individuals began to decide for themselves instead submitting to an external authority such as religion. The people now decided by themselves what kind of authority, rules and regulation would be good for them, and such authority must be natural and not supernatural. Enlightenment encouraged criticism. Enlightenment thinkers did not hold anything sacred and freely criticized, questioned, examined and challenged all dogmas and institutions in their search for betterment or progress. Thinkers such as Voltaire defended reason and rationalism against institutionalized superstition and tyranny. The belief that there could and should be a change for the better came to be a prominent characteristic of modernity. The critical attitude of enlightenment thinker to contemporary social and political institutions paved the way for scientific studies of political and social studies and subsequent evolution of better forms of such institutions. The scientific revolution during the period, culminating in the work of Isaac Newton, presented a very practical and objective view of the natural world to people at large, and science came to be regarded very highly. Scientific inquiry was gradually extended to cover new social, political and cultural areas. Such studies were oriented around the cause-and-effect approach of naturalism. Control of prejudice was also deemed to be essential to make them value free. Enlightenment thinking emphasized the importance of reason and rationality in organization and development of knowledge. The gradual development of the scientific temperament with a paradigm change from the qualitative to the quantitative is also very evident in Europe of the time. People came to believe that they could better their own lot through a more scientific and rational approach to everything. The concept of universalism which advocated that reason and science were applicable to all fields of study and that science laws, in particular, were universal, also grew roots during the period. People began to believe in change, development and progress – all basic tenets of modernity as we know it today. Autonomy to decide for their own good, gave the people the right to choose the form of authority that could lead them as a society or community towards a better future and progress. This opened the doors to the emergence of states with separate and legally defined spheres of jurisdiction. Thus we find that modernity represents a transformation – philosophical, scientific, social, political and cultural – at a definite time in history at a definite spatial location. This transformation also represents a continuum up to the present in so much so that its basic principles are inherent in the societies and nations of today. The period of enlightenment can be seen as one of transition from the ‘traditional’ to the ‘modern’ forms of society, from an age of blind beliefs to a new age of reason and rational. Different Perspectives on development of Modernity Different political and philosophical thinkers have however developed different, and sometimes contradicting, theories of the development of modernity. Friedrich Hegel and Karl Marx are two of the leading thinkers whose theories run counter to each other. For Hegel, the development of modernity was a dialectical process which was governed by the increasing self-consciousness of what he termed as the collective human ‘mind’ or ‘spirit’. According to Hegel, the dialectic process of development of the mind comprised three stages, with two initially contradicting positions synthesizing into a third reconciled position. Human beings live what Hegel called an ‘Ethical Life’ or in a social environment shaped by customs and traditions. This ethical life has three stages: the first is the family, which is dissolved in due course, the second is the ‘civil society’ that a person builds up as a result of his social interactions beyond the family and greater relations, and finally the third stage of the ‘state’ which Hegel defines as the highest form of social reason. For Hegel therefore, the formation of the modern state is the mark of modernity when human beings achieve the ultimate stage of social existence. Hegel believed as individuals or families, human beings are too selfish and self-centered co-exist in harmony and work for development. It is the state that is able to integrate the contradictions of different individuals, and not market forces. Since the state by itself is composed of political institutions, Hegel’s theory equates the development of the modern state or modern political institutions with modernity. Marx took a completely opposing view, when he asserted that material forces drive history. For him the state by itself is not an ideal entity for the integration of human beings into a cohesive whole for their development as a nation or a society. According to him it is the material forces comprising social and economic forces that drive history towards modernity. People engage in production for their means of subsistence, they bind together and form states for the sake of production. Different forms of productions create different class relations. It is to maximize production and gain the maximum benefits and advantages that people bond together in different classes in the form of the modern state. The different ways in which production is organized give rise to complex forms of social organization because a particular mode of production is an entire way of life for the people who are involved in it. For Marx social existence is not consciously determined by human beings, rather, it is the other way round: their social existence determines their consciousness. When there are contradictions between productive forces and the social relationships of production, class conflict arises. For Marx, therefore, modernity is defined by the state of social existence. Marx acknowledges that ‘capitalism has been the most productive mode of production, and it contains the most potential for the realization of human freedom’. This very dynamic characteristic of capitalism is born out of its destructiveness for all traditional social constraints such as religion, nation, family, sex, etc. But it is the same destructiveness and creativeness that creates the experience of modernity in Capitalism. This vital association between capitalism and modernity from none less that Marx himself establishes that the capitalism that evolved after the period of enlightenment in Europe has been acknowledged as the modern era of the period of modernity by Marx. Marx however states that capitalism is exploitative, and because it is exploitative, its full potential cannot be harnessed for the benefit of all. He therefore advocates communism which is a system of planned and conscious production by men and women of their won free will. This brings us to the question whether humanity has already passed through a stage of history that has been termed as modernity, and has moved on to the postmodern era (Mitchell, 2009). Another important point is regarding the placing of modernity. Modernity is understood to be a process that began and ended in Europe, and was later exported to other parts of the world. Thinkers like Marx tend to differ. He saw Capitalism emerge as a ‘rosy dawn’ not in England or the Netherlands but in the production trade and finance of the colonial system (Marx, 1967). Therefore, though the concept of modernity can be defined in various ways, it definitely refers to the process of evolution of the human mind and the society to a point where people were able to come together for their own advantage and benefit and work for unceasing development under a collectively formalized authority such as the nation state. It can also be state with a certain degree of assertiveness that the period from the beginning of the Eighteenth Century to the French Revolution in 1789 actually marked the period of active development of modernity in Europe. The concepts that were nurtured during the period bore fruit immediately afterwards in Europe and the West and later spread to the rest of the world. The world has continued since on very much the same basic principles but with far more advanced technologies and superior social, economic and political approaches. Influence of Modernity on Literature Modernity had a profound influence on literature. As people began to think differently, they also began to write differently. The modernist ideas of religious emancipation, autonomy, reliance on reason, rationality and science, and on development and progress began to find expression in the literature that developed even during the period of enlightenment and thereafter. This new form of literature came to be known as the Modernist Literature. Modernist literature tended to vent expression to the tendencies of modernity. Modernist literature, as also modernist art, took up cudgels against the old system of blind beliefs. Centering around the idea of individualism or the individual mind, modernist literature displayed mistrust of established institutions such as conventional forms of autocratic government and religion. It also tended not to believe in any absolute truths. Simmel (1903) gives an overview of the thematic concerns of Modernist Literature when he states that, â€Å"The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve the autonomy and individuality of his existence in the face of overwhelming social forces, of historical heritage, of external culture, and of the technique of life. † Examples from two Greats A few examples of Modernist literature will serve to make its characteristics more clear. Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650) is considered to be one of the early enlightenment thinkers whose literary works opened the avenues to the modern era. Known as the founder of modern philosophy and the father of modern mathematics, Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician and scientist whose influence has served to shape the beginnings of Modernist literature. In his famous work, The Discourse on Method, he presents the equally famous quotation ‘cogito ergo sum’ or ‘I think, therefore I am’, which about sums up the very principle of the basis of the modern era. â€Å"I observed that, whilst I thus wished to think that all was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who thus thought, should be somewhat; and as I observed that this truth, I think, therefore I am (COGITO ERGO SUM), was so certain and of such evidence that no ground of doubt, however extravagant, could be alleged by the sceptics capable of shaking it, I concluded that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the philosophy of which I was in search† (Descartes, 1637). In this work, Descartes drew on ancients such as Sextus Emiricus to revive the idea of skepticism, and reached a truth that he found to be undeniable. â€Å"Descartes started his line of reasoning by doubting everything, so as to assess the world from a fresh perspective, clear of any preconceived notions. In other words, he rejected man’s reliance on God’s revealed word, placing his own intellect on a higher plain† (McCarter, 2006). David Hume (1711 – 1776) was a philosopher, economist and historian from Scotland, and was considered a notable personality both in western philosophy and of the Scottish Enlightenment movement. In his works, he had a way of projecting the errors of scepticism and naturalism, thus carving out a way for secular humanism. In his most famous work, ‘An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding’, Hume asserts that all human knowledge is imbibed through our senses. He argues that unless the source from which the impression of a certain entity is conveyed to our senses is identified, that entity cannot exist. The logic would nullify the existence of God, a soul or a self. â€Å"By the term impression, then, I mean all our more lively perceptions, when we hear, or see, or feel, or love, or hate, or desire, or will. And impressions are distinguished from ideas, which are the less lively perceptions, of which we are conscious, when we reflect on any of those sensations or movements above mentioned †¦It seems a proposition, which will not admit of much dispute, that all our ideas are nothing but copies of our impressions, or, in other words, that it is impossible for us to think of anything, which we have not antecedently felt, either by our external or internal senses†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Dover Philosophical Classics, 2004) In the same work Hume also postulates two kinds of human reasoning – Relation of Ideas and Matters of Fact. The former involves abstract concepts such as of mathematics where deductive faculty is required, and the later is about empirical experiences which are inductive in nature. This postulate has come to be known as Hume’s Fork. Hume, along with his contemporaries of the Scottish Enlightenment, also proposed that the basis for principles of morals is to be sought in the utility that they tend to serve. This shows the questioning nature of modernist literature not only of religious but also of moral and social norms and values. A very visible influence of modernity is therefore seen in the works of Hume. Present-day Modernist Literature If modernity influenced literature, it also used literature to shift from a philosophical and theoretical domain into the practical lives of people. Modernity could infiltrate into the lives of people through literary works that defined and reiterated the legitimate new modes of classification. Old literary forms with traditional meanings attached to them were reworked, allowing readers to modify or contravene the older meanings. â€Å"This opening-up process allowed readers to glean new meanings that modified or contravened the older ones. In the course of these changes, words, forms, and institutions altered their meaning in British life: they, and the practices they comprised, referred differently†¦. modifying ‘reference potential’ in literature fed back into how readers responded to changes in life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rothstein, 2007) In art and literature, many critics view ‘modernism’ as a new trend in the field of art and literature, defined basically by stylistic and structural variations. They would not accept the fact that ‘modernism’, it is basic approach, was the principles of modernity rendered plausible in literature and art. Modernity has always tried to hold up the world in new perspectives. Similarly, modernist literature opens up the world in all its forms – theoretical, philosophical, aesthetical and political – for fresh scrutiny. Even in its present form, modernist literature attempts to break the objective world of the realist. â€Å"Modernist writing †¦ takes the reader into a world of unfamiliarity, a deep introspection, a cognitive thought-provoking experience, skepticism of religion, and openness to culture, technology, and innovation† (Melton, 2010). Modernist literature exhibits a fascination with the workings of the mind, and how reality is reflected by the mind. The questioning of life, with or without the presence of God, is another trademark of the philosophical and theoretical moorings of modernist literature. Charles Darwin’s work challenges God as the Creator and presents the process of natural selection in the survival of life. This led to modernist literature of time travel, of questioning the existence of individuals and the purpose of the universe. Modernism brought about a new openness in the areas of feminism, bisexuality, the family, and the mind. In the world of today, modernist literature still display much of the characteristics of the times in which it first took shape. A very important theme of modernist literature today is a feeling of being alone in the world – a feeling stemming from estrangement or alienation. Characters are often presented as being depressed or angry. A second common trait is that of being in doubt. â€Å"It may be disbelief in religion, in happiness, or simply a lack of purpose and doubt in the value of human life. Finally, a third theme that is prevalent is a search for the truth† (Foster, 2010). Then there is a third theme in which the alienated character is always in the search for truth and seeks answers to a plethora of questions relating to human subjectivity. In all these characteristics are to be found the same questioning nature, the same denouncement of blind beliefs and the same dependence on reason and rationality that the Eighteenth Century enlightenment thinkers had pursued. The character is alienated and estranged because he or she questions all that is deemed not right by his or her own mind; the character questions the beliefs of religion and other institutions which are not based on reasoning; and finally the character seeks answers and the truth. â€Å"Modernist literature encompasses the thematic fingerprints of a rebellious, questioning, disbelieving, meditative, and confident type of form, which was conceived out of a change in the belief of humanity, the mind, a God, and the self brought on by the shift from capitalism to an ever-increasing society of revolutionary changes† (Melton, 2010). References Descartes, R. , 1637, The Discourse on Methods. Dover Philosophical Classics, 2004, David Hume, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, Dover Publications Inc. Foster, J. , 2010, Modernism in Literature and History, Available: http://www. helium. com/items/743749-modernism-in-literature-and-history Karl Marx, 1967, Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, 3 vols. , New York: International Publishers, 1:703. McCarter, J. , P. , 2006, Literature of the Modern Era, The Puritans’ Home School Curriculum. Melton, L. , 2010, Modernism in Literature and History, Available: http://www. helium. com/items/809291-modernism-in-literature-and-history Mitchell, T. , 2000, The Stage of Modernity, Available: http://www. ram-wan. net/restrepo/modernidad/the%20stage%20of%20modernity-mitchell. pdf Rothstein, E. , 2007, Gleaning Modernity, Earlier Eighteenth Century Literature and the Modernizing Process, Rosemont Publishing and Printing Corp. , Associated University Presses. Simmel, G. , 1093, The Metropolis and Mental Life.