Thursday, October 31, 2019

An analysis of google ( or apple , amazone) & cloud computing Research Paper

An analysis of google ( or apple , amazone) & cloud computing technology - Research Paper Example Cloud Computing with the virtual setting of softwares and hardwares, provides a effective IT network or Information system (IS) to the business firms, thereby even making their own network slightly redundant. Because of the growing potential, many more firms including Amazon are jumping into this field by setting up their own Cloud Computing environment and then commercially renting it to other business firms and clients. So, this paper will focus on the IS of Cloud Computing, discussing how it impacts Amazon’s, and how it has various applications, although there are some challenges while implementing and running it. The world of today is being ‘run’ mainly with the aid of technology, as it having applications in various facets of human life, starting from day to day activities to key applications in organizational or business environment. Technologies have evolved in various sectors, particularly Information Technology (IT) or Information Systems (IS) have evolved optimally aiding existing business firms in running, expanding, improving and even transforming their operations. Sizable numbers of business firms in various sectors are integrating IT in every aspect of their operations. From carrying out simple operations like opening a door or even authorized entry door to aiding in the accomplishment of complex processes, IT or IS are becoming an all-pervading entity in many of the business firms. The key fact is that emerging technologies or IS has many capabilities to optimally aid the business firms in improving their data storing, sharing as well as communication, which can aid t hem in carrying out all their organizational processes effective, providing them higher productivity and profits. Among the many emerging ISs, the technological or virtual concept of Cloud Computing can provide optimum benefits to the business firms who are using that concept, or if aptly said, are part of the â€Å"Cloud†. At the same time, this Cloud Computing is also positively

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Ethical and psychological Egoism Essay Example for Free

Ethical and psychological Egoism Essay Egoism is the theory suggesting that the motivation and goal of a particular action is the self. Egoism in a general context has two variants, normative and descriptive. The concept of the descriptive variant suggests that egoism as a factual description of human affairs and cannot be described any other way (Moseley, 2006). The normative side gives a conception that individuals should be motivated, without consideration to their current state of motivation (Moseley, 2006). The two variants conflict in principle alone which insinuates a debate on the rightness or wrongness of particular human acts throughout history. Ethical Egoism Ethical Egoism is a normative ethical standpoint which implies moral people should act in accordance to their self-interest. Ethical egoism has three formulations; personal, individual and universal (Waller, 2005). Individual ethical egoism stresses that a person should do what is most beneficial to them (Waller, 2005). Personal ethical egoism suggests that actions should be grounded on a persons own self-interest without concern to what others around him should do, while the concept of universal ethical egoism holds that everyone should act in the basis of their own interests (Waller, 2005). All in all, virtues that suffice an individuals self-interest is egoistic, otherwise it is non-egoistic (Waller, 2005). The strong version of Ethical egoism suggests that the promotion of an individuals own good is moral, not promoting ones own good is deemed as immoral (Moseley, 2006). The weak version still holds that morality is the promotion of ones own good, however, it does not necessarily mean that it is immoral (Moseley, 2006). There are just implications of conditions that the evasion of personal interest has a possibility to be moral (Moseley, 2006). Psychological Egoism Psychological Egoism, on-the-other-hand, posits that every human action has an underlying selfishness, and even altruistic acts have inner selfish motivations (Hazlitt Cook, 1991). Psychological Egoism is a form of egoism under the descriptive variant, suggesting how people should go about themselves. The principles of psychological egoism and its assumtive nature are acquainted to several criticisms that are very crucial (Moseley, 2006). The fallacy of Psychological Egoism  The detractors of Psychological Egoism ground its fallacy on the rejection of the notion that the theory is flawless, that it is structured in such a way that it cannot be approved or disapproved (Hazlitt Cook, 1991). It is evident on the Psychological egoists advocacy that altruism is a mere act of acquiring a good feeling for doing altruistic actions. In a broader scenario, the person doing an act, either selfish or unselfish, is doing what interests him or her which makes the act ultimately selfish (Moseley, 2006). In another note, the fallacy of psychological egoism lies in the suggestion that people only do what makes them feel good. In this context, the description of a Psychological Egoist may project an unselfish person (Moseley, 2006). Furthermore, there is confusion in the concept of psychological egoism found in the object of desire and the subsequent results of the fulfillment of that desire (Moseley, 2006). The Difference between Psychological and Ethical Egoism It is of vital importance to distinguish the two from one another since the two forms of egoism conflict in advocacy, motivation and goal. Ethical Egoism per se, postulates that the promotion of an individuals own good conforms to the standards of morality (Waller, 2005). In contrast to the Psychological Egoist claim that focuses on how people act, not on how they ought to act. The doctrine of motivation for Ethical Egoism lies within self-interest, while Psychological Egoists are motivated by the rational self-interest, even in an act that tends to be altruistic in nature. Self-Interest and Selfishness Self-interest is defined as an agent that stimulates an individuals concern over a particular issue or matter. Self-interest is the element that governs human action. Selfishness, meanwhile is the devotion to satisfy ones own end and interest. It is simply an individuals concern for personal welfare. Philosophically, the two terms may be synonimous to each other as the two terms may refer to the placement of personal needs above others, however, self-interest and selfishness can be deemed independently as self-interest is a subjective element in a persons perspective which can be directed to the self or for others.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Online Ticket Booking System Information Technology Essay

Online Ticket Booking System Information Technology Essay Apart from the efforts of me, the success of any assignment depends largely on the encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the successful completion of this assignment. I would like to show my greatest appreciation to Lecturer, Ms. Nayeema Rahman. I cant say thank you enough for his tremendous support and help. I feel motivated and encouraged every time I attend his meeting. Without his encouragement and guidance this assignment would not have materialized. Abstract The purpose of the online ticket booking system is to provide another way for purchasing cinema tickets in advance. It is an automatic system. This paper presents a formal use of the Object Oriented analysis and Design, we will illustrate our system by providing Use Case Diagrams with Specifications, Activity Diagrams, Class Diagrams, Sequence Diagrams, State Machines and Communication Diagrams on the functionalities of the system, also we will provide some process description and data dictionary. The goals of our system are: Record performance details Record customer details Record tickets sold Print tickets Print address labels for telephone booking Task 1: Functional Modelling Identification of Actors Use Cases Analyzing the existing system we figured out that, there are two main scopes to be covered in the system. The scopes are Performance Planning and Ticket Booking. We used the below table to identify the Actors and the Use Cases for the system. User Role Use Case Theatre Manager Performance planning Define the type of the performance and name it. Performance scheduling Define date and time of the performance. Artist booking Book an artist for the performance. Ticket pricing Determine a price for the ticket. Clerk Check schedule Check the performance schedule for a particular show on a date. Check seat availability Checks for available seats Capture customer information Record customer details Check ticket price Check for ticket price for particular show. Sell ticket Record tickets sold. Print ticket Print ticket for the customer. Print address label Print address label for telephone booking. Use Case Diagram Following diagram shows the overall view of the Ticket Booking System for Theatre. Figure 1: Use Case Diagram (Performance Planning Ticket Booking) Use Case Specification Table 1: Use Case of Performance Planning Number: UC01 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Performance Planning Status: Actors: Theatre Manager Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Goal: Defining the performance type and naming it. Use Case Relationships: Extend:UC02, UC03 Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User enters the name of the performance. 2 User enters the type of the performance. 3 System checks for all required data entry. 4 System connects to the database. 5 System writes data into the database. 6 System shows a confirmation message after successful database writes. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 3.1 Enter required information. A 4.1 Check network connectivity A 4.2 Check database connectivity A 4.3 Check database user role A 5.1 Theatre manager gets notification of unsuccessful operation. Table 2: Use Case of Performance Scheduling Number: UC02 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Performance Scheduling Status: Actors: Theatre Manager Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Performance planning (UC01) should be inserted into the system. Goal: Define date and time of the performance. Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects the desired performance from the system. 2 User enters the date of the performance. 3 User enters the time of the performance. 4 System checks for all required data entry. 5 System connects to the database. 6 System writes data into the database. 7 System shows a confirmation message after successful database writes. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 3.1 Enter required information. A 5.1 Check network connectivity A 5.2 Check database connectivity A 5.3 Check database user role A 6.1 Theatre manager gets notification of unsuccessful operation. Table 3: Use Case of Artist Booking Number: UC03 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Artist Booking Status: Actors: Theatre Manager Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Performance planning (UC01) should be inserted into the system. Goal: Book an artist for the performance. Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects the desired performance from the system. 2 User enters the name of the desired artist. 3 System checks for all required data entry. 4 System connects to the database. 5 System writes data into the database. 6 System shows a confirmation message after successful database writes. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 3.1 Enter required information. A 4.1 Check network connectivity A 4.2 Check database connectivity A 4.3 Check database user role A 5.1 Theatre manager gets notification of unsuccessful operation. Table 5: Use Case of Schedule Checking Number: UC04 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Schedule Checking Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Performance scheduling (UC02) should be inserted into the system. Goal: Check the performance schedule for a particular show on a date. Use Case Relationships: Extend: UC01 Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects a desired performance and a date. 2 System shows a confirmation message for the availability of the performance. 3 System allows the user to perform the next event (UC06). Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 1.1 System notifies the user that the performance is unavailable on the desired date. Table 6: Use Case of Check Seat Availability Number: UC05 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Check Seat Availability Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Schedule checking (UC05) should be performed by the user. Goal: Checks for available seats. Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects a desired performance and a date. 2 System shows a confirmation message for the availability of the seat. 3 System allows the user to perform the next event (UC07). Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 1.1 System notifies the user that the seat is unavailable for the desired performance. Table 7: Use Case of Capturing Customer Information Number: UC06 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Capture Customer Information Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Seat checking (UC06) should be performed by the user. Goal: Record customer details. Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User enters the name, address and telephone number of the customer. 2 System checks for all required data entry. 3 System connects to the database. 4 System writes data into the database. 5 System shows a confirmation message after successful database writes. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 2.1 Enter required information. A 3.1 Check network connectivity A 3.2 Check database connectivity A 3.3 Check database user role A 4.1 User gets notification of unsuccessful operation. Table 8: Use Case of Checking Ticket Price Number: UC07 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Check Ticket Price Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Ticket pricing information (UC04) should be entered into the system. Goal: Check for ticket price for particular show Use Case Relationships: Extend: UC01 Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects a desired performance form the system. 2 System shows the defined pricing for the ticket. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 2.1 Price not found is notified to the user. Table 9: Use Case of Selling Ticket Number: UC08 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Selling Ticket Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Check ticket price (UC08) should be performed by the user. Goal: Record tickets sold. Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects the desired performance from the system. 2 User enters ticket selling date and the ticket price for the desired performance. 3 System checks for all required data entry. 4 System connects to the database. 5 System writes data into the database. 6 System shows a confirmation message after successful database writes. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 3.1 Enter required information. A 4.1 Check network connectivity A 4.2 Check database connectivity A 4.3 Check database user role A 5.1 Theatre manager gets notification of unsuccessful operation. Table 10: Use Case of Printing Ticket Number: UC09 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Printing Ticket Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Check ticket price (UC08) should be performed by the user. Goal: Print ticket for the customer Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User triggers the print command for the sold ticket. Alternatives: Index Actor Event A 1.1 Printer not found notification will be given to the user. Table 11: Use Case of Checking Ticket Booking Type Number: UC10 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Check Ticket Booking Type Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Print ticket (UC10) should be performed by the user. Goal: Determine the ticket booking type. Use Case Relationships: Extend: Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User selects the booking type to identify whether the ticket was booked over phone. Alternatives: Index Actor Event Table 12: Use Case of Printing Address Label Number: UC11 Req. Doc Ref: Name: Print Address Label Status: Actors: Clerk Pre-requisites: User should be logged in the system. Ticket booking type (UC11) should be performed by the user. Goal: Print address label for telephone booking Use Case Relationships: Extend: UC11 Include: Association: Generalization: Description: Index Actor Event 1 User triggers the print command to print the address label. Alternatives: Index Actor Event Activity Diagram Based on the system observation, a high level activity diagram is drawn modelling the process of ticket booking for theatre. The activity diagram will bring everybody on a common ground for understanding the system functionalities. Figure 2: Activity Diagram (Performance Planning Ticket Booking) Task 2: Structural Modelling Class Diagram (attributes operations) The following diagram depicts the relationships between the classes for Ticket Booking System along with the attributes and the operations. Figure 3: Class Diagram (Performance Planning Ticket Booking) Task 3: Behavioural Modelling Sequence Diagram The following diagram is a sequence diagram for buying ticket. There are few things I want to state, that this is just one of the sequences of buying ticket. There could be more alternative sequence for buying ticket. For example, we can choice a performance before buying ticket. But the overall structures of all buying ticket sequence are similar, so, others sequence will not be shown. Figure 4: Sequence Diagram (Create Performance) Figure 5: Sequence Diagram (Schedule Performance) Figure 6: Sequence Diagram (Set price) Figure 7: Sequence Diagram (Sell tickets) State Machine Diagram Below diagram is used to give an abstract description of the behaviour of the ticket booking system. This behaviour is analyzed and represented in series of events that could occur in one or more possible states. Hereby each diagram usually represents objects of a single class and tracks the different states of its objects through the system. Figure 8: State Machine Diagram (Performance Planning Ticket Booking) Communication Diagram Communication diagram is similar to sequence diagrams, but it provides an overview of the relationships between objects, rather than focusing on the order of messages between objects, as the software executes. Figure 9: Communication Diagram (Performance Planning Ticket Booking) Task 4: Data Protection Law Introduction In Bangladesh Cyber Acts are in a process to be implemented. The Government of Bangladesh has formed National Council for Science and Technology (NCST). The Executive Committee for NCST has also been formed to implement policies formulated by the Council. Currently NCST is working with the general boundaries to protect the ICT industry and specific laws are yet to be decided. For our application we can follow the acts and regulations from UK. Laws, Regulations and Best Practices The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to know what information is held about them. It provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly. The Act works in two ways. Firstly, it states that anyone who processes personal information must comply with eight principles, which make sure that personal information is: Fairly and lawfully processed Processed for limited purposes Adequate, relevant and not excessive Accurate and up to date Not kept for longer than is necessary Processed in line with your rights Secure Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection The second area covered by the Act provides individuals with important rights, including the right to find out what personal information is held on computer and most paper records. Data protection laws should be adequate enough to maintain the below options at a minimum- How to access information This allows one to find out what information is held about him/her on a computer and within some manual records, such as medical records, files held by public bodies and financial information held by credit reference agencies. Correcting information This allows one to apply to a court to order a data controller to correct, block, remove or destroy personal details if they are inaccurate or contain expressions of opinion based on inaccurate information. Preventing processing of information This means one can ask a data controller not to process information about him/her that causes substantial unwarranted damage or distress. The data controller is not always bound to act on the request. Preventing unsolicited marketing This means a data controller is required not to process information about one for direct marketing purposes if he/she asks them not to. Preventing automated decision making This means one can object to decisions made only by automatic means. For example, where there is no human involvement. Claiming compensation This allows one to claim compensation through the courts from a data controller for damage, and in some cases distress, caused by any breach of the act. Exempt information This allows one to ask the information commissioner to investigate and assess whether the data controller has breached the act. There should be a committee (in our case NCTS could be the choice) that will have legal powers to ensure that organizations comply with the requirements of the data protection laws. It is notable here that these powers are focused on ensuring that organizations meet the obligations of the act. To promote best practices the regulation- The committee should carry out consensual audits with data controllers to assess their processing of personal information. The committee should see auditing as a constructive process with real benefits for data controllers. The committee should adopt, wherever possible, a participative approach including working closely with the data controller to agree the timing and scope of the audit. Comply with Data Protection Law A short checklist can help us to comply with the data protection laws in our system. Maintaining all the items in the checklist does guarantee compliance but it should mean that we are heading in the right direction. We should store only the related information about the customer and the personnels involved with the system. And we need to make sure that we know what we are going to do with the information. The person should know, what are the information we are holding. He/she should understand what it will be used for. Information should be held securely whether its on the paper or on computer. The system should prevent any unwanted access of its resources. The information should be deleted as soon as there is no need for it. Access control list should be created with a strict need to know to prevent data access from all kind of users of the system. We should train the stuff in their duties and responsibilities under the act that we are putting them in to practice. Recommendations Being a strategic regulator means that, in so far as we have a choice, we have to be selective with our interventions. We will therefore apply our limited resources in ways that deliver the maximum return in terms of a sustained reduction in data protection risk. That is the risk of harm through improper use of personal information. There are priorities we have to set. We need to focus most attention on situations where there is a real likelihood of serious harm. We also need to focus on situations where our intervention is most likely to make a long term as well as a short term difference. When we intervene we must do so in a way that gives us the best possible return and remember that we will often be at our most effective when working closely with others. We are entitled to have legitimate expectations of those who are in a position to influence data protection risk. Our effectiveness depends on them seeking and welcoming our reasonable interventions. Furthermore we have an important international role. Data protection risk in the Bangladesh is increasingly influenced by events worldwide. Our risk-based approach is in line with good regulatory practice. It does not mean that we seek to remove all data protection risk. We do what we can to moderate the most serious risks and protect those who are most vulnerable to improper use of their information. But we will not try to take away freedom of choice and will remember that individuals themselves ought to be best placed to make decisions about their own interests. Part of our job is to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to enable them to make their own well-informed decisions about the use and disclosure of their personal information. Being a strategic regulator also means extending our approach beyond simply improving (through guidance, persuasion and regulatory action) the behaviour of organisations that handle personal information. We also have a legitimate role in informing and influencing the market or political environment in which they operate. Thus we will seek to have long term influence over government and the legislature at Westminster and in the devolved administrations as well as over representative bodies and other stakeholders, to ensure privacy friendly outcomes. We will also seek to influence the legal framework that governs our own work to ensure that data protection requirements are simple, meaningful and proportionate and that we have the flexibility and tools to regulate effectively. Building public confidence in data protection is the key in our approach. We protect people, not just information. This means we need to engage with the public and explain what we do in a way that they can easily understand and relate to. This commitment is at the heart of how we approach our job as data protection regulator and will inform all our data protection tasks including complaints handling and the provision of advice. Task 5: Ticket Printing Produce Tickets To protect the tickets from being forged or copied we can use a barcode on each ticket. Well print a unique 10-digit number as a barcode on the tickets, which will be checked at the entrance with the software and a simple barcode scanner. As each barcode can only be used once to enter, copied or forged tickets are rejected and the revenues are protected. By default, the tickets will be labeled with random numbers with 10 digits, which will serve as copy protection. Figure 10: Sample barcode to print on tickets Seat Allocation Tickets will be printed with seat numbers, with serial numbers. Section names can be in different colours to facilitate orientation. For sections with an aisle a seat description can be added to the seat number (e.g. left, right), which helps the visitor to find the seat. Figure 11: Sample barcode to print on ticket with seat no. Hardware for printing tickets There are numerous tickets available in the market but I found D-Link printers suitable for our system. Below are the details of the hardware- Description: With the DSA-3100 and the DSA-3100P Ticket Printer, businesses and organizations can provide free or fee-based broadband Internet access to their customers or members. No complex billing system is required, guaranteeing a quick and convenient Internet experience for operators and their hot spot users. The DSA-3100P is hassle-free hot spot ticket printer that communicates with the DSA-3100 Public/Private Gateway to generate and print log-in usernames and passwords for the hot spot customers. Patented for easy loading, the DSA-3100P is connected to the DSA-3100 gateway via its RS-232 serial communication. With the DSA-3100P, the DSA-3100 gateway can manage and store up to 2,000 user accounts in its internal database and support up to 50 logged-in users at any time. Features: Printing Method: Thermal Dot Line Printing Print Speed: 80 mm/Second Connectivity: RS-232 Serial Compatibility: D-Link DSA-3100 Public/Private Gateway Specification: Manufacturer D-Link Manufacturer Part # DSA-3100P Device Type Thermal Line Label Printer Media Handling Media Type Receipt Paper Max Media Size 2.2 Max Printing Width 1.9 Roll Maximum Outer Diameter 3.3 Total Capacity 1 Roll Connectivity Interfaces 1 x RS-232 Serial Included Cables 1 x Serial Cable Power Requirements Power Supply External, 3.5 V DC Dimensions(H X W X D) Unit 4.6 x 3.8 x 6.3 Weight Unit 0.9 lbs Price: $375 Figure 12: D-Link DSA-3100P Ticket Printer Task 6: Database Design Database Design Figure 13: Database Design (Performance Planning Ticket Booking) Data Dictionary Table: Artist Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table ArtistID Integer Yes ArtistName Varchar 100 Table: Performance Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table PerformanceID Integer Yes PerformanceName Varchar 100 TicketPriceID Integer TicketPrice ArtistID Integer Artist Table: TicketPrice Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table TicketPriceID Integer Yes PerformanceID Integer Performance TicketPrice Numeric (18,2) Table: PerformanceSchedule Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table ScheduleID Integer Yes PerformanceID Integer Performance PerformanceDate Date Table: Customer Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table CustomerID Integer Yes Name Varchar 100 Address Varchar 250 Telephone Varchar 20 Table: Sales Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table SalesID Integer Yes PerformanceID Integer Performance ScheduleID Integer PerformanceSchedule TicketPriceID Integer TicketPrice CustomerID Integer Customer BookingType Boolean Table: SeatAllocation Attribute Data Type Length Primary Key Ref. Table SeatID Integer Yes SalesID Integer Sales SeatNoFrom Integer SeatNoTo Integer Task 7: Object-Orient Approaches vs. Standard Approaches Standard Approaches Standard approach includes many variations based on techniques used to develop information system with structured and modular programming. Standard analysis and design techniques are a software engineering methodology for describing systems as a hierarchy of functions. Below are the characteristics of Standard Approaches. Approach for structured analysis consists of the following objects: Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) Shows processes and flow of data in and out of these processes. Does not show control structures (loops) Contains 5 graphic symbols (shown later) Uses layers to decompose complex systems Can be used to show logical and physical Is a quantum leap forward to other techniques at the time, I.e. monolithic descriptions with globs of

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Role of Historians :: essays research papers

The Role of Historians Professional historians spend their lives pursuing the meaning of the past for the present." Everything that exists in today's world has some origin coming from the past. Everything that exists today and seems to be unique of its time has some basis from the past. It is a known fact that history has a tendency of repeating itself, and so to prepare us for the future we need to understand the past. History can give a person an answer to almost everything that is going on in the present, with what we call a historical investigation. History not only states facts but explains disciplines such as sociology, religion, psychology, anthropology and so on. It explains to us why certain events happened, such as the reason why six millions Jews died in the Second World War. The reason history gives us is anti-Semitism. The Nazis were a group that had as a goal to purify the world of what we call minorities and so to keep it a White, straight, Christian world. History explains the evolution of things, people, beliefs, laws and many more in order for us to understand why certain things are the way they are. In this article, we come across a few major points. Each of them is introduced in a very original way. The author uses a literal journey into the past as a means of comparing it to the present. One of the many points is an in depth definition of history related profession. What are they trying to accomplish and how they work to get what they are looking for. "Professional historians spend their lives pursuing the meaning of the past for the present." Historians study facts and records that previous generations have left, to find out what kind of lives they led and how they solved their problems. The way a historian works is very determined and simple to understand. A historian needs to first choose an important question he wants to answer. Then he needs to find research on the subject that already exists and which he can get access to. Next he has to judge the source that he has obtained, is it credible? Is it genuine? The article explains that there are two basic forms of historical evidence that exist, primary and secondary. Primary evidence records the actual words of someone who participated or witnessed the events in question. Or it can also be newspaper accounts, diaries, official statements, photographs, videotapes. Secondary evidence, on the other hand, records the findings of someone who did not observe the event but who investigated primary evidence,

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy Essay

Abstract This is a case conceptualization of a client referred to a Residential Treatment Facility by Family Court for treatment and evaluation of intellectual, academic, and behavioral performance. The client presents with several issues. In the client interview, the counselor hypothesizes that client has difficulty with anger, aggression, and low frustration tolerance. The client’s current behaviors are affecting his home and educational environments. The client’s early experiences will be explored only as it relates to current behavior and beliefs. During the therapeutic process, the client and the counselor will explore his inability to respond appropriately when frustrations occur. Exploration would include disputing irrational thoughts and beliefs, and exercising more appropriate positive replacement behaviors. This case conceptualization will create a hypothesis of the client’s aggressive behavior. Using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy framework, the counselor will explore the client’s issues and create a treatment plan with goals that pertain to the client’s presenting issues. This conceptualization will also include support that will show the benefits the client should gain with application of this theory. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Case Conceptualization of Michael Michael is a 14-year-old African American male. He has been referred to a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) for an evaluation of intellectual, academic, and behavioral assessment. While in the treatment facility, Michael must undergo therapy to address his presenting problems. Michael presents himself as a very well dressed and engaged young man. Despite the fact that he is court-ordered to be in a treatment facility for an undetermined length of time, he was cooperative during the interview. During the interview, the counselor speaks with Michael and his adoptive family about the details of the court documents, the responsibility of the client (Michael) and the facility. The counselor, Michael, and the adoptive parents have completed the intake process and the time was scheduled for his first session. Biological and Environmental Factors Michael’s biological parents are reported to have been heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol. His mother reportedly abused multiple prescription drugs and cocaine during her pregnancies. It is also reported that the mother was Schizophrenic. Both parents have lengthy criminal records. Michael did not experience a nurturing environment. At age four, Michael and his younger brother were removed from the biological parents by child protective services. The brothers were placed in separate foster homes. Michael has had four foster care placements in two years prior to going to his adoptive parents. During his placements, it is suspected that Michael experienced neglect and sexual abuse. His maternal aunt and her husband adopted Michael. They also adopted his younger brother. They have two biological children. Michael did not adjust well to the new environment. He became more aggressive and exhibited hoarding behaviors. By age seven, he had been placed in a psychiatric hospital and other RTFs to receive treatment. Michael and his adoptive parents have sought counseling services through their church and local mental health agencies. Michael had been diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, ADHD, and ODD. He has poor sleep patterns and is on several medications that have little effect. Michael has self-harmed for attention, but denied suicidal thoughts. Michael has a history of violent and aggressive behaviors in school and home. Michael has very weak and superficial relationships with peers. Case Conceptualization Michael’s presenting issues and previous history is suitable for Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT). REBT focuses on environmental and biological factors that affect rational thought and emotional behavior (Murdock, 2009). Michael’s early history will offer insight in evaluating his current behavior, but otherwise have no relevant bearing on Michael’s treatment plan. Michael often experiences events that cause him to react in a negative manner toward his peers and relatives. The counselor theorizes that Michael’s early exposure to violence, unstable home environment, and inconsistent relationships may have contributed to his inability to rationalize his experiences. These outbursts have increasingly become more violent. One incident resulted in Michael choking another resident at a previous RTF placement. Michael states that he often felt agitated prior to his outburst. Later, he would be confused, sad, and even angrier that he lost control (secondary disturbance). In session, the counselor listens for the ABCs of the REBT therapy framework. Michael rehearses several events that occur prior to his outbursts and violent attacks (Consequence) (2009), the counselor notes that Michael often feels that â€Å"people are trying to get over on him† or â€Å"messin’ with him† (Antecedent behavior, irrational thought, faulty thinking) (2009). Michael voiced that people should just leave him alone† (faulty belief) (2009). Michael perceives his peers think he is â€Å"stupid† (irrational thought) (2009). When asked why he thinks this, Michael responds, â€Å"Maybe I am. I always get the questions wrong in class when the teacher calls on me† (faulty belief) (2009). Michael’s demands: self-demandingness, others demandingness and world demandingness (2009) are not being met, therefore creating a psychological and emotional disturbance for Michael (2010). The counselor also hypothesizes that Michael has low frust ration tolerance (LFT) (2010) with peers who he perceives do not treat him fairly or give in to his demands (other demandingness) (2009). Michael rehearsed that in the classroom the teacher never listens to him. She always tries to embarrass him in front of the class. Michael often stated that the teacher frequently called on him to prove he was â€Å"dumb† (awfulizing) (2009). Michael perceived the classroom environment was unfair and intolerable and hated going to school (maladaptive thought) (2009) because all the teachers hate him. Michael felt that he should be left alone, especially when he was not â€Å"bothering† anyone (world demandingness) (2009). The result was to defend himself through acting out, aggression, or defiance. Michael believed that he needed to be aggressive to prove his peers, teachers, and family members wrong, which led to further frustration. Michael explained that behavior made him feel like he was not â€Å"good enough† for people (self-demandingness) (2009). The counselor hypothesized that Michael is relying on irrational thinking to draw irrational conclusions (2009) which lead to irrational behavior. Michael’s negative thinking and behaviors influenced his home life. Michael describes that he upsets his adoptive mother when he fights (antecedent) (2009) and that he will never be able to make her happy (irrational thinking) (2009). Michael believes this makes him a bad person on the inside (faulty belief) (2009). This belief makes him angry and irritated (secondary disturbance) (2009), which causes him to become violent toward his younger siblings (consequence) (2009). Treatment Goals and Plan Michael’s goals toward survival and happiness (2009) are thwarted by his irrational thoughts and absolutions (Harrington, 2007) that life should be easy and painless (2007). Michael becomes frustrated with events at school and home frequently when he does not get what he wants. The counselor understands that frustration with particular events in itself is not the cause of the violent outburst, but is the result of wrong views of the event (2007). Michael has an additional belief: his reality must conform to his wishes. When this fails to occur, intolaration results (faulty belief). Hence, this creates the violent outburst (consequence). In other words, frustration intolerance arises, because the wish for a different reality collided with the demand for it (Harrington, 2011). Michael’s therapeutic goals will include teaching him the three unconditionals of acceptance (Barry, 2009): 1. Unconditional self-acceptance-I am not a bad person. I can make good choices, even if it does not always turn out right. 2. Unconditional acceptance of others- Everyone does not have to like my ideas or me, they can have each have our own opinion. People will not always treat me the way I want to be treated. This does not mean they want to harm me or do not care for me. 3. Unconditional life acceptance-Life is not fair. I can take the good with the bad. I can choose to enjoy the moment. I cannot control every circumstance, but I can control my reaction and thoughts toward it. Michael will also be taught to do a behavioral assessment (2009) of his thoughts and beliefs during the course of his treatment. This will include the use of a journal (between session homework) (2009) to track antecedent events, his emotional state prior to the event (calm, engaged) and immediately following (irritated, angry, and sad), and his beliefs toward the given circumstance. The counselor will actively model appropriate behaviors when frustrating moments occur in counseling. The counselor will use exaggerated behavior (2009) to demonstrate Michael’s behavior (sudden outbursts/aggression) when frustrating events occur. It is the hope of the counselor that Michael will see that his behavior can be considered extreme. Michael may even see some humor in the extremity of his outbursts in minor occurrences. The counselor will be direct with Michael in modeling (2009), an â€Å"it’s-not-about-you/me† stance in session. Michael will be consistently confronted during sessions with questions that will challenge him to consider when this attitude begins to surface (Shanahan, et. al. 2010). The counselor will model humor (2009) when appropriate to demonstrate when Michael’s irrational thoughts grow beyond reason. The use of coping skills can dispute irrational thoughts (self-talk, humor, relaxation techniques) (Harrington, 2011) and create a self-monitoring tool for Michael between sessions. The counselor will actively dispute irrational thoughts during the session using philosophical interpretation—demonstrating this is interrupting his goal to be happy, empirical evidence—asking for evidence that supports his belief or offering evidence that counteracts his belief, logic, and functional—helping him evaluate â€Å"always and never† statement (2009) relationships between the perceived disturbance and the reality of the unconditional. Behavior strategies can also be implemented. Michael should learn behavior (violence and outbursts) management through: 1. Reward (engaging in a pleasurable activity after enduring an uncomfortable/frustrating circumstance), and penalty (restriction of pleasurable activity) (2009). 2. The use of imagery of frustrating or uncomfortable situations, and unhealthy negative emotions (and behaviors) to reframe and rehearse rational beliefs and responses (Harrington, 2011). The counselor will use multiple resources (music, TV, and movies) and actual events for scenarios (Harrington, 2011). 3. Coping mechanisms (2011) will also be implemented when frustration arises. This will include relaxation techniques (2009) and removing Michael from the frustrating situation until he is able to respond appropriately. Eventually, Michael should be able to endure an uncomfortable circumstance (2011) without having to leave to regain composure. In summation, throughout the course of Michael’s sessions, he should be able to recognize irrational thoughts and dispute them immediately. Even when challenged with frustration, Michael should be able to evaluate the reality (reframing) (2009) of the circumstance and respond appropriately. Conclusion The counselor concluded that REBT is appropriate to use in this counseling scenario. REBT addresses thoughts and beliefs of an individual. These thoughts and beliefs create the behavior response. When an individual has irrational thoughts motivated by faulty beliefs, it is typically followed by a negative response. The counselor’s goal is to teach the client to evaluate irrational thoughts and faulty beliefs concerning the antecedent event in order to create a more appropriate consequence (response). Michael’s core faulty beliefs are found in the three unconditionals. Michael feels he is entitled (Fives, et al. 2010) to fair treatment and getting his way. Michael believed that when this entitlement was not fulfilled, it was appropriate to respond with aggression (2010). This response (consequence) created a cyclical event: antecedent event (fight/defiance)—irrational thought (my teacher is trying to embarrass me or he’s trying to intimidate me) — faulty belief (that teacher should leave me alone/ I will not be intimidated). After the fight/defiance, Michael often feels guilty, sad, or more frustrated (secondary disturbance) because he is a failure and cannot get it right (which disappoints his adoptive mother). As a result, Michael experiences more frustration and anger. Using REBT, the counselor hopes to effectively teach Michael to dispute his negative/irrational thoughts and faulty beliefs. Therefore, this will reduce frustration intolerance and create a more appropriate consequence to the antecedent event. REBT is logical, workable, and teaches the client realistic skills to cope with life’s circumstances (Minor, 2007). In cases like Michael’s, REBT is effective with including the family in the framework of the therapy (Bernard and DiGiuseppe, 2006). Michael’s adoptive parents will be taught to identify his (and even their own) irrational thoughts and faulty beliefs and the behavioral relationship. This equips them with knowledge needed to address the behavior. Most importantly, it helps with the long-term success of the child client in identification and appropriate response of frustrating circumstances (Fives, et al., 2010). REBT does not focus on the person, but the behaviors the person demonstrates (Levinson, 2006). This approach will be beneficial to Michael because his faulty thinking and irrational thoughts have been attached to his personhood. He perceives himself as â€Å"bad† and â€Å"inadequate† (Jones, et al, 2011). REBT should teach Michael it is not he or â€Å"the event, but the thoughts about the event† (Ellis) that cause his issues. This should encourage Michael to evaluate his thought and belief patterns frequently. REBT utilizes psychology, examining how thoughts cause emotional disturbance. Philosophically, REBT suggests that life views influence emotions. Lastly, REBT incorporates education that should provide Michael with the necessary tools to manage his thoughts, beliefs, and responses to frustrating events (Banks and Zionts, 2008). This will be an on-going process for Michael. Michael will experience success and failure throughout the application of REBT. The counselor will be diligent in explaining this reality to Michael. The counselor will reiterate this is a part of the three unconditionals. Michael will experience the reward of recognizing the ABCDE’s of REBT. Michael should understand the final stage of REBT is effectively (the â€Å"E†) (2010) disputing (the â€Å"D†) irrational thoughts toward the event, therefore, causing an appropriate response. Michael will learn when he is not successful, he can accept it and the consequences without becoming aggressive. References Banks, T., & Zionts, P. (2009). REBT Used with Children and Adolescents who have Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Educational Settings: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Rational Emotive Cognitive-Behavior Therapy , 51-65. Bernard, M. E., & Diguiseppe, R. (2006). REBT assesstment and treatment with children. Rational Emotive Behaviors approaches to childhood disorders, theory, and practice , 85-113. Fives, C. J., Kong, G., Fuller, J. R., & DiGuiseppe, R. (2010). Anger, Aggression, and Irrational Beliefs in Adolescents. Cognitive Theory Research , 199-208. Harrington, ,. N. (2007). Frustration intolerance as a multidimentional concept. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy , 191-211. Levinson, M. (2006). Anger management and violence prevention: A holistic solution. et Cetera 187-199. Minor, J. (2007). Why I use REBT in my private practice and personal life. et Cetera , 320-323. Murdock, N. (2009). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Shanahan, S., Jones, J., & Thomas-Peter, B. (2010). Are you looking at me, or am I? Anger, aggression, shame and self-worth in violent individuals. Journal of Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavior Therapy , 77-91.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Compare and Contrast of Florida and Hawaii

During the summer and winter, many families like to go on vacations to tropical locations in order to take in the beautiful and amazing sights that they might not be able to experience at home. Two popular places to visit are Florida and Hawaii. While many believe that one beach community is as good as any other, there are many differences between Hawaii and Florida that make them suited for different people, depending on what kind of vacation they want to experience. In particular there are differences in the cultures, weather, and attractions of these two beach communities. Although both Florida and Hawaii are tropical locations, their cultures are far from similar. Florida has a very â€Å"typical† American feel to it. It is rich in busy streets, screaming kids, rude and unfriendly people, and fat-filled restaurants with a cheeseburger always on the menu somewhere. Besides everyone being in a bikini everywhere on a hot, summer day, the people in Florida are really no different than you and I. It may seem like everyone goes to Florida for a vacation to get away from their everyday lives, but they really are going to the same problems in a different location. In Hawaii, however, you become a part of a brand new experience that you have probably never experienced before. Beaches there are not lined from end to end with restaurants and rental shops; instead, they are lined with palm trees and all of their untouched, natural wonders that have been there since the islands formed. In Hawaii, you get away from the â€Å"real† world and get a chance to experience the rich island culture that you might never have known about. The hustle and bustle of the inner city life and the monotonous nine to five job of the suburban life are not seen in Hawaii. It is very relaxed, and every day seems like it is a new adventure waiting for you to discover it. The food in Hawaii is also a departure from something that you could get any other day. There are numerous island foods that you would never find anywhere else, like poi, a bread that is made out of purple potatoes, or Hawaiian shave ice, where they combine beans with a variety of flavors of ice cream. Also, pineapple is a very popular addition to just about anything you could imagine, and the food is usually made to be â€Å"volcano† hot. As far as an escape goes, Hawaii is the perfect place to go to experience an amazing new culture. Even if you cannot tell the difference between the cultures of Hawaii and Florida, the weather easily sets the two apart. As far as tropical locations go, many people expect the weather to be warm and sunny, looking for a perfect day to go to the beach and relax next to the ocean. In Florida, though the heat and humidity is almost unbearable. It makes you want to immediately jump into the ocean to try a cool off under the hot sun. Unfortunately, with the sun beating down on the ocean and the humidity in the air trapping all of the heat, the ocean also heats up very quickly and it becomes more like a hot tub, which is not the most relaxing of choice in the middle of a warm, summer day. With all of the humidity in Florida, it is also very common for a sudden downpour to erupt and leave you soaking wet like you have been in the ocean all day. Despite these flaws in the perfect, tropical weather you expect, when you do get a nice day in Florida, it makes you wish the day would never end and that you would never have to leave. Hawaii’s weather makes the best days in Florida seem like a hot, humid day in Missouri in the middle of August. It barely rains in Hawaii, always leaving you with a nice day to go to the beach or go on a nature hike. Even though it may reach up to 90 degrees, there is very little humidity, so even the hottest of days feels like a comfortable, cool, breezy afternoon. Also, when you want to jump into the ocean and cool off, it is nice and refreshing. Hawaii truly displays the typical weather you would expect out of a tropical island and leads to a relaxing getaway for anyone who wishes to enjoy it. One of the biggest differences between Florida and Hawaii are the attractions they have to offer and what you can do with your time in either place. As you may expect, the major attraction of both Florida and Hawaii are the numerous beaches that populate the two states. Beyond the beaches, however, both Florida and Hawaii offer unique attractions that will amuse people of all ages. In Florida, one of the major attractions is Disney World, a resort designed to let your inner child loose and experience the world of cartoons that you watched as a kid. While many people see Disney World as an amusement park for kids, the park can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There are many other amusement parks in Florida that are â€Å"hot spots† for vacations, such as Sea World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens. Another big travel spot in Florida is the Florida Everglades and Everglades National Park. The Everglades is a massive wetland ecosystem in the southern portion of Florida that offers many people a chance to explore a place they couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. While Florida may have amusement parks and some natural exhibits to visit, though, it cannot compare with the beauty of Hawaii. Hawaii may not have amusement parks, but it makes up for it with all of its amazing, natural attractions. The beaches are beautiful, with crystal clear water that allows you to watch a lot of undersea life without ever putting on a scuba suit. Some of the nature walks that you can go on in Hawaii are simply breathtaking because of all the beautiful scenery that you pass along the way. You can ride horses on the beach, take a submarine ride through the ocean, and, if you are brave enough, even go to the top of a volcano and experience all of the beautiful landscape that actually grows around it. Furthermore, major attraction in Hawaii is the Pearl Harbor naval base and memorial. People from all over the world, even from Japan come to the memorial to see what is left behind from a great American tragedy. You can still see the oil left in the ocean in some spots, and you can walk over a glass bridge that allows you to look down and see a sunken battleship. No matter what you choose to do, you are guaranteed to find something in Hawaii that you could not find anywhere else in the world. Whether it is the food that you eat or the weather you experience, there is a lot that separates Florida and Hawaii. Both places offer a unique experience that you normally would not have in your everyday life. However, you can visit Florida and go to an amusement park with your family and friends; I would recommend seeing Hawaii and experience a culture you may have never seen before.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The eNotes Blog Nothing good gets away Advice from John Steinbeck onLove

Nothing good gets away Advice from John Steinbeck onLove John Steinbeck adored his two sons, Thom, the eldest, and John (better known by his nickname, Catbird). Â  After a tumultuous divorce with his second wife, Gwyn, the mother of the boys, and a long and usually loving marriage but also difficult relationship with his first wife, Carol, Steinbeck had found true love with his third wife, Elaine. The two were married until his death, from 1949 to 1968. My dissertation is on Steinbeck and in my research, I have spent months perusing his vast collection of personal letters, most of which are housed in the Special Collections at Stanford University. In addition to the disciplined daily composition of his novels, Steinbeck typically wrote six to eight letters a day: to friends, family, and colleagues. Almost everyone kept the letters. I got to know the relationship between Steinbeck and his sons very well through those letters. He was a marvelous father. When he saw traveling could offer his boys a better education than traditional schooling, he took Thom and Catbird with him and Elaine to Europe and elsewhere. Their tutor was the very young playwright, Terrance McNally. Here is a letter that fourteen-year-old Thom received from his dad, before those traveling years, when Thom was at boarding school in Connecticut and was just beginning to be interested in girls. Â  It has been widely published before, but it is such a beautiful thingeveryone should read it. Dear Thom: We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers. First - if you are in love - that’s a good thing - that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you. Second - There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you - of kindness and consideration and respect - not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had. You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply - of course it isn’t puppy love. But I don’t think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it - and that I can tell you. Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it. The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it. If you love someone - there is no possible harm in saying so - only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration. Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also. It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another - but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good. Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I’m glad you have it. We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can. And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away. Love, Fa There are many things I love about the letter: he is to expect a response from Elaine, as a womans point of view will also be helpful; that he is wise enough to know to not dismiss Thoms feelings, just because he is young; that he can tell him in language a boy of that age can understand, and really, speaks plainly to anyone of any age, about the types of love. Â  There is not just one kind; some are negative and destructive, some are positive and constructive. And in closing, he does not forget the object of Thoms affection. He acknowledges her by name and welcomes her. Here is a recent picture of Thom Steinbeck, who, like his father, also became a writer (The Silver Lotus, Down to a Soundless Sea)Â  and favors John in many ways.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

The Vows Are AChangin Essay Example

The Vows Are AChangin Essay Example The Vows Are AChangin Essay The Vows Are AChangin Essay Christopher Solley-Mead Professor Julie Brinson ENGL11104 3 November 2013 These Vows Are A Changin An Examination of the Role of Marriage through Literary Analysis Marriage it is what brings us together today Princess Bride Its not a lack of love but a lack of friendship that makes marriages unhappy. Friedrich Nietzche You know its never fifty-fifty in a marriage someone always falls in love first puts someone on a pedestal first someone is Just along for the ride. Jodi Picoult If you want to start a heated, contentious argument, ask someone their opinion about arriage. Should homosexuals be afforded the right? Should persons be able to divorce on no-fault grounds, or should marriage be dissolved only under the greatest duress? Is marriage a purely religious institution, a sacrament if you will, or does it fall under the stature and design of the state? Few other topics find such disagreement. The purpose of this paper is to examine exactly what is marriage, from a legal and religious standpoint, and how it has evolved from the medieval period to that of the modern day. The other purpose is to examine specific literary eferences throughout different periods in time, and offer perhaps a glimpse as to why responses in type mirror what has changed in society at large. Marriage, in the classical view, finds its roots in the early medieval period of Europe. While it does extend roots to the late Roman era through Augustine, its true birth is a product of the death of culture within the civilized world. Augustine does provide the basis for classical marriage, that being procreation, fidelity, and permanence (Reid 462. Simply put, marriages purpose was noted as the production of linage, and to sustain that line a sustainable family unit was needed. Neither comfort nor convenience of the immediate parties was of importance, but rather the procreation of a progeny was the order (Reid 463. ) Of course, the need for progeny was to the father but as the wife had no claim beyond doweristic property, this is expected. Fidelity, mutual support and assistance were intertwined into this need; if one partner chose to dally around; the potential for other progeny could disrupt, and perhaps destroy the bonds needed to continue a line maturely. This is, again to say, that the husband may choose to dally, but should the wife be found with the stain of nfaithfulness, well, the result could destroy what was so carefully built. Permanence, closely connected with fidelity, existed more of a political status and of fundamental supremacy to not only the church, but to that of society as well. It was in the medieval period that a break in whom was bestowed the power to dissolve the bonds of marriage, that being the state or the church. Both noted that the power to dissolve said bonds were where one party failed to perform essential obligations of the marriage contract (Reid 467. Remarriage was seen as much as a detriment to marriage (468) in that it disrupted he society; the very questions of responsibility and loyalty that modern families face were simply avoided. Other issues, such as homosexual marriage, were simply not an issue as they could not fulfill the primary obligation of the marriage contract; there was no opportunity f or procreation. The Victorian/Gilded view of marriage carries over from that of Augustine; the purpose of progeny, structure and state/church control remains the forefront of the marriage agreement. Love, commitment and affection were desirable, yet, the device of marriage as a social mobilizer remained of paramount importance. We also see, as the world of industrialization takes hold: the lathe replaces the plow, the city replaces the farming community, and the family is replaced by the company. Marriage itself is placed into question. In the place of property, marriage allowed aforementioned social-stratification and solidification among the middle and upper class, yet the lower socio-economic rungs find marriage suffocating. It is also, as economic independence allows growth into Maslowian self-actualization among the upper classes, the burgeoning thought-school of feminism begins to question the ery nature of marriage as a restriction upon the feminine. Of particular interest is the means of which these initial treads occurred, through veiled literary references. Stokers Dracula, Chopins Story of an Hour and Wildes Lord Arthur Saviles Crime all address the issues immerging within the question of marriage. Each addresses this matter differently, each skirting the gaze of the censor Just enough to fire the crucible of social revolution. Of particular interest is Story of an Hour, Chopins three-page indictment of marriage as the death of self-actualized life. Her heroine, Louise Mallard, finds herself brutally removed from the bonds of Victorian matrimony, and in the place of mourning finds she awakened to the potential of life without his husband. Now, this freedom may be more than Just the emotions, as suggested by Chongye: although Mallard wanted to have a change, it seems that she has already experienced this through some affair, be it emotional or physical ith [Mallards] brother-in-law Richards (92. ) It is here that we see the beginning of the break-down of the marriage needs; for it is the wife, Louise Mallard, which feels the lack of commitment and fulfillment in her gainst the supremacy of men in the patriarchal Gilded Age society. Upon learning of her husbands death, Mallard finds herself free of ALL ties (406) and thus: [She] bursts into tears [of happiness]. (Chongye 93) It is as if the heavens have opene d to her, and she hears the world around her for the first time. Her affair with Richards, another man, could not bring about the life that singular existence offers, and thus it is when all ties to all men are removed that she is able to express such emotion. Now, is it the institute of marriage that changed, or is it the needs of the people and society? Is Mallard, the voice of Chopin so unhappy that is takes the death of her ties with mankind to become truly alive? What about Nina Harker, forced to remove herself from traditional society, and her husband, in Dracula? Hacker suggests that, there is a need to reorganize marriage to fit [new] economic and political institutions (153. So, perhaps marriage, as defined by Augustine, no longer provided a basis for societal structure. If this question existed at this point in history, would it not be so much more into the progression of social revolution within the twentieth century. As the Victorian/Gilded Age come to an end, and as the modern era began with start of a new century, marriage found itse lf on the cusp of questioning. Society found old ways no longer surviving, two great wars made sure of that. As the Roaring 20s came about, a distinct questioning of what were the roles of gender would remain, and which would require change. Daisy of Fitzgeralds Great Gatsby often refers to her marriage of that ofa bruised finger (175,) annoying and barely tolerable. Gone are the veiled references of happiness without a spouse in love; now love and companionship are that is required. It is society that requires marriage, as Delaney notes in her commentary on a publication of the era 🙠 Girls Own Annual 1927 demonstrates a distinct construction of womanhood at odds with the 1920s view. (29) Marriage was still noted as the stabilizing force[ ][that] improve[d] the moral state of the nation[ (Delaney 41) but it was no longer needed by the rebellious generation of the 1920s. Thus, is marriage still needed at this Juncture? Or more precisely, was the Augustan model of marriage; progeny, fidelity, and reliance still apparent and viable? Despite the metronomic return of pseudo-Victorian values uring the 1950s, the societal constraints that marriage afforded seemed no longer needed, or even desired. Divorce grew from on e in nine marriages in 1920 (Delaney 30) to nearly one in four by emergence into the 1960s. What had changed? Thus we return to the modern day, where divorce has risen to almost fifty percent, granted on the most frivolous of grounds; yet there are those who beg for the right to be miserable. Is the classic definition of marriage stated above serviceable, or is a major re-alignment required? This is the question that now stands before each state, and very well before our nations highest court. Definitions of state-driven marriage, to the benefit of social beneficiaries (Reid 476; et al. ) exist in Hawaii and Vermont. Adultery, while a crime-in-writing, no longer stands as the legal and societal pariah. Propagation is now nothing more than paying to be impregnated; so where does marriage stand? As this discussion continues to hamper other discussions, it is the beneficiaries, society or the couple themselves. Marriage can no longer be seen as the neat bow of life (Levenson 161), the happily ever after. Marriage may be a discipline and means of grace (Good 52), but that is no longer enough in the odern context. Thus, in order for society to move forward, marriage must be forced to adapt, and the Augustan laws that so shaped it for over a millennia no longer apply. It is with a new definition and a new status within society that it may regain a toehold into the realm of importance it once held, and provide status to those who have been too long denied. : Chase-Levenson, Karen. Happiness Is Not A Potato: The Victorian Cultivation Of Happiness. Nineteenth-Century Contexts 33. 2 (201 1): 161-169. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. Delaney, Lesley. Little Women, Good Wives: Victorian Constructions Of Womanhood In The Girls Own Annual 1927. Childrens Literature In Education 34. (2003): 29-45. A Academic search premier. web. 29 oct. 2013. Fritzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 2013. Print. Good, Deirdre J. , et al. A Theology Of Marriage Including Same-Sex Couples: A View From Tile Liberals. Anglican Theological Review 93. 1 (201 1): 51-87. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. Hacker, Helen Mayer. Marx, Weber And Pareto On The Changing Status Of Women. A American Journal Of Economics Sociology 12. 2 (1953): 149-162. Business source premier. web. 29 oct. 2013. LOWY, Dina. Love And Marriage: Ellen Key And Hiratsuka Raich? ¶ Explore Alternatives. Womens studies 33. 4 (2004): 361-380. Academic search premier. web. 29 oct. 2013. Maslow, A. H. A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-96. Accessed http://psychclassics. yorku. ca/Maslow/motivation. htm Web. 29 Oct 2013. Reid Jr. , Charles J. The Augustinian Goods Of Marriage: The Disappearing Cornerstone Of The American Law Of Marriage. BYU Journal Of Public Law 18. 2 (2004): 449-478. Academic search premier. web. 29 oct. 2013.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Achieving Competitive Advantage In The Biotechnology Sector Commerce Essay

Achieving Competitive Advantage In The Biotechnology Sector Commerce Essay Biotechnology can be generally defined as the use of living things to create products or to do tasks for human beings. Biotechnology or biotech is used in industry, medicine and agriculture to produce foods, medicine, and test for diseases and remove wastes. (Biotechnologyonline, n.d) As such, there are different types of biotech such as green technology, red technology, and white technology and Bio fuels. In this report, we will have an insight into each of these branches of biotech and use various analytical tools to evaluate how knowledge management is playing a role in creating competitive advantage for companies in the sector. In so doing, we shall look at the Green biotech, Red biotech, White biotech and bio fuel respectively. Green Biotechnology Green technology, otherwise known as plant or agricultural technology is a branch of biotechnology (biotech) which â€Å"involves the introduction of foreign genes into economically important species, resulting in crop improvement an d the production of novel products in plants†. (123biotech, n.d.). To better understand the role of knowledge management in harnessing a competitive advantage in this branch of biotechnology, we will take Monsanto as case example. Monsanto is the world’s leading green technology company ahead of rival such as DuPont. (SmartMoney, 2009). The company specialises in breeding (improving the genetic base through technology of crops thus increase yield and genetic engineering (by enhancing generic traits in crops such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance and drought-tolerance). (SmartMoney, 2009 and Monsanto, n.d.) As with its sister braches such as bioinformatics, white technology(industrial biotechnology), red technology(pharmaceuticals) as well as biofuels, green technology and companies associated with it like Monsanto, are not left unscathed by critics. For instance, Monsanto and its counterpatrs , through its use of plant technology has been criticised of endangeri ng human, the environment and socio-economic.( Friends of the earth, 2006). Significance of Green Technology However, the following advantages are beign celebrated by its supporters: Protection of Crops: for instance, the AT-DBF2 gene from Arabidopsis Thaliana crop injected into plants to enable them withstands Osmotic stress such as drought, salt and stress. (PNAS, n.d.) Increase Crop yield: during the teething years of biotechnology in term of Genetically Modified Food, there has been a widespread criticism of GMO claiming that GM Crops do not increase crop yield, that on the contrary it, reduces it. (Truth about Trade and Technology, 2009). These claims were dismissed by the then USA president Jimmy Carter who stated that, â€Å"responsible biotechnology is not the enemy; starvation is.† (Biotechnology Industry Organisation, n.d.)His favourable stance towards green biotechnology because of organisms like the Bacillus Thuringiensis used to produce the BT-corn. Introduces in 1996, the â€Å"Bt corn has the potential to simplify management and effectively control corn borers throughout the season† thus increasing its yield. (College of Agriculture, n.d.) Improved Food Quality: an example of this was the invention of the Golden Rice by Prof Potrykus and Prof. Beyer of ETH-Zurich and University of Freiburg respectively. The Golden rice is believed to alleviate Vitamin A deficiency in young people especially in the developing world. (Golden Rice, n.d.) Another example is the Maltogenic Amylase used for â€Å"Retardation of staling in baked food†, such as bread and cakes. (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 1997)

Friday, October 18, 2019

Explore Canadian cultural developments and further examine those which Essay

Explore Canadian cultural developments and further examine those which would impact the investment plans of a German-based luxury car manufacturer - Essay Example However, the country’s recent economic prosperity and the ability to be at par with the competitive world are some affirmations of this conservatism. According to Bill Currie, Deloitte’s chair, the Canadians feel they are good and do not need to take risks that are not comfortable with them. In a report produced by Deloitte Company, uncertainty and risk were noted as the greatest obstacles to the Canadian business owners. In addition, other Canadian business leaders claim that the high cost of labour is the primary cause that is restraining their capabilities to invest in research and development (OVSEY, 2012). According to OVSEY (2012), Prof Peridis disagrees with their claims noting that the Germans despite their high labour costs can still sell their products. They produce knowledge-intensive products and adds that a culture of modesty cannot be changed overnight. Thus, for Canada to become a serious contributor to the business globe, it needs time to change that conservative culture. Audi is among the top luxury car producing company in Germany. The Audi manufacturers are known for their numerous innovations in the automotive industry. For this reason, Audi can be termed as a risk taker in the global business world due to their willingness to venture their business worldwide. Furthermore, plans to invest globally in the Chinese and American markets are underway by the Audi automobile company. These plans were triggered by the developments in both countries and the need to sell their products worldwide to develop economically (BOUDETTE, 2014). Despite the facts that Canadian companies are conservative and do not love innovation, the Canadian country can be a good market for the Audi to sell their cars. As well, this is because the locally based companies are very reluctant in innovating anything new. As a result, Canadians may be willing to break the monotony in their countries and try to import

HIST 1400 essay 1 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

HIST 1400 1 - Essay Example This diverts from the key purpose of the French revolution. Moreover, French Revolution is more radical, cruel, and violent. The French Revolution has disputes involving Europe, Kings, and the Church. Many promises and targeted achievements during the old regime and this period have not been achieved. Church disputes are clear when Martin Luther criticizes the Catholic Church saying that he is enlightening the people. In his 95th thesis of the year 1517, he suggested that his main aim is not to suppress the church (The Protestant Reformation 1). Martin Luther argues that he hopes to see it reformed. He identifies that churches were driving their believers away from the Creator. However, he is rude while addressing the situation. He openly talks of the Catholic leaders in a negative manner. These enlightening ideas suggested by Luther cause much suffering to the citizens. The revolution betrays the people. It destroys and divides the people pretending to enlighten them. The Roman Empire extends up to France. Consequently, most of the people in France are Catholics. According to Martin Luther, he explains that the Romans have three walls that protect them such that not anyone who tries to reform them is able (The Protestant Reformation 4). He does not put into consideration whether the Christians are satisfied about their religion. First, it is agreeable that Martin Luther believes that the temporal power is always below the spiritual power (The Protestant Reformation 2). He does not support most of the pope’s ideas. Only a pope would call for a council at any time. He argues that many people’s rights are violated because they are not able to overcome the rules strategized by the Catholic rulers. The French Revolution is against the Catholic Church. Consequently, it longs to see the end of this religion in France. There is a great intention to weaken the people through the French Revolution. However, this is only achievable through

Population based nursing care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Population based nursing care - Essay Example These endeavors are not aimed at a selected group of people or are characteristic of individualized care; rather it is aimed to make the health status of the entire identified populations better (Maurer & Smith, 2005). A point to be noted is that the term based here does not refer to any place or a setting. On the contrary, it means that on which care is going to be provided (Maurer & Smith, 2005). The main purpose of public-based care is to provide the community healthcare in conditions that are deemed as healthy by the people. Moreover it constitutes organized endeavors aimed for the population as a whole. Generally community is regarded as a group of people with some element common to them. Community derives from the Latin munus, meaning gift, and cum, meaning together (â€Å"Community†, 2010). Therefore it community is a group of people with some shared interests. More specifically, it is defined as a group of people who live together, have the same government ruling them and common cultural and historical heritage (Hart, 1998). Description of a community usually entails a peaceful, egalitarian social form, sharing their values and life and engaged in a social interaction (â€Å"Community†, 2010). In order to provide care to the community, one needs to use the available resources and the assets of the population on the defined community and to evaluate the capability of that community to meet the required health targets (â€Å"Population-Based†, 2003). In order to provide population-based care, one needs to identify and take into account the health determinants that can impact the delivery of healthcare. Such determinants can be social, environmental and behavioral. The provision of population-based care also necessitates the identification of issues that are pertinent to the delivery of healthcare in the population and can subsequently affect the health outcomes. Nurses and healthcare

Thursday, October 17, 2019

My role in this project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My role in this project - Essay Example arners acquire the language the language acquisition skills of the learners and how they the manner and ways in which they differ in terms of their optimisty optimism and attitudes towards learning a particular language. Teachers in different various fields, therefore, are required to possess a high degree of should awareness regarding such widespread individual differences which exists among the learners of learners’ individual differences in order to have a clear understanding of how to deal with different students with variable age and abilities in monolingual and multilingual classrooms. Learning style theme has been always an issue of second language acquisition. In our second project s, we dealt with learning style among of some a group of Arabic students. 20 of our participants were Saudi males and 6 Saudi females. My role in this project was divided into three parts. First, I was assigned to summarize an article by Angus Duff The titled of this article is (The Revised Approaches to Studying Inventory (RASI) and its Use in Management Education, 2004). As for the second part, Rasha and I were assigned to find participants and gather information from them. Since we did the survey online on (SurveyMonkey) Website, I sent the link of the survey to 20 of our participants. I know those participants and their educational background as well as to their current educational positions. The third part was analyzing the data. I tried my best to understand how the SPSS work. Adel and I persistently strived tried many time to analyze the data using the SPSS. Although, I encountered several obstacles during the process in achieving a perfect understanding of the mode of operation of the program, I At some point I stuck and could not perfectly understand how the program works but I got managed to get a general idea about it. This project helped me to get acquire some valuable knowledge regarding understanding of how the manner in which data are analyzed by either

Java applets and JavaScript scripts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Java applets and JavaScript scripts - Essay Example There are few links to visit java applets: java.sun.com/applets and csis.pace.edu/~bergin/Java/applets.htm Java Applets presents a rich familiarity on the user/client area as well as there are a lot of activities they are able carry out like that graphic manipulation, custom data streaming, advanced GUIs and threading. The Java is able to talk to JavaScript by means of the Live-Connect Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) (AjaxProjects, 2009). Java Applets are utilized to give interactive distinctiveness to web applications that can not be presented by using HTML. They are able to have powers that counter to the client input, as a result re-computing the given web based graphic content. This creates Java-applets well appropriate for visualization, expression as well as teaching reasons. Java Applet is able to as well make use of JFrame to go away the devoted area as well as execute like detached window (Ackermann, 2002). For the commercial settings of the Java applets Java application developers are able to debug and build up an applet straightly and basically through developing a major routine. This main routine is built in applets class or in a different class as well as call start () and init () on the applet, for that reason permitting for development and customization for the commercial setting in their preferred J2SE development setting (Sosnowski, 2009). The most important commercial settings of the Java applets we can use same applet that will work on "every" installed edition of Java at the similar time, and will carry out same activities in all operating system working environments (Ackermann, 2002). Java script is an interpreted language that facilitates a programmer to insert dynamic components and interactive elements to a web page. These elements consist of alert messages, animations, drop down menus, scrolling text, data input forms, interactive

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Population based nursing care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Population based nursing care - Essay Example These endeavors are not aimed at a selected group of people or are characteristic of individualized care; rather it is aimed to make the health status of the entire identified populations better (Maurer & Smith, 2005). A point to be noted is that the term based here does not refer to any place or a setting. On the contrary, it means that on which care is going to be provided (Maurer & Smith, 2005). The main purpose of public-based care is to provide the community healthcare in conditions that are deemed as healthy by the people. Moreover it constitutes organized endeavors aimed for the population as a whole. Generally community is regarded as a group of people with some element common to them. Community derives from the Latin munus, meaning gift, and cum, meaning together (â€Å"Community†, 2010). Therefore it community is a group of people with some shared interests. More specifically, it is defined as a group of people who live together, have the same government ruling them and common cultural and historical heritage (Hart, 1998). Description of a community usually entails a peaceful, egalitarian social form, sharing their values and life and engaged in a social interaction (â€Å"Community†, 2010). In order to provide care to the community, one needs to use the available resources and the assets of the population on the defined community and to evaluate the capability of that community to meet the required health targets (â€Å"Population-Based†, 2003). In order to provide population-based care, one needs to identify and take into account the health determinants that can impact the delivery of healthcare. Such determinants can be social, environmental and behavioral. The provision of population-based care also necessitates the identification of issues that are pertinent to the delivery of healthcare in the population and can subsequently affect the health outcomes. Nurses and healthcare

Java applets and JavaScript scripts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Java applets and JavaScript scripts - Essay Example There are few links to visit java applets: java.sun.com/applets and csis.pace.edu/~bergin/Java/applets.htm Java Applets presents a rich familiarity on the user/client area as well as there are a lot of activities they are able carry out like that graphic manipulation, custom data streaming, advanced GUIs and threading. The Java is able to talk to JavaScript by means of the Live-Connect Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) (AjaxProjects, 2009). Java Applets are utilized to give interactive distinctiveness to web applications that can not be presented by using HTML. They are able to have powers that counter to the client input, as a result re-computing the given web based graphic content. This creates Java-applets well appropriate for visualization, expression as well as teaching reasons. Java Applet is able to as well make use of JFrame to go away the devoted area as well as execute like detached window (Ackermann, 2002). For the commercial settings of the Java applets Java application developers are able to debug and build up an applet straightly and basically through developing a major routine. This main routine is built in applets class or in a different class as well as call start () and init () on the applet, for that reason permitting for development and customization for the commercial setting in their preferred J2SE development setting (Sosnowski, 2009). The most important commercial settings of the Java applets we can use same applet that will work on "every" installed edition of Java at the similar time, and will carry out same activities in all operating system working environments (Ackermann, 2002). Java script is an interpreted language that facilitates a programmer to insert dynamic components and interactive elements to a web page. These elements consist of alert messages, animations, drop down menus, scrolling text, data input forms, interactive

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Customer Service Supervisor Training Program Essay Example for Free

Customer Service Supervisor Training Program Essay KSA requirements  Ã‚   Program Objectives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At the program’s conclusion participants should: Knowledge   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   * be familiar with relevant university, state and federal policies, systems, procedures and regulations to ensure customer satisfaction Skill   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   * have all personal computer skills required to effectively work in the assigned work unit * be able to diffuse a variety of hostile and unpleasant customer situations * be competent in managing staff and the customer service work unit Ability * identify and adapt to different customer communication styles and cultural backgrounds and to recognize and resolve their needs      * adopt excellent time management procedures while adhering to relevant rules, processes and directives * assume effective problem solving procedures Program Agenda    Module and rationale Goals Training Methods 1. Policies and Procedures In order for a CSS to effectively operate within the work unit he/she must first be familiar and be able to work within   required polices and procedures. understand and work within the constraints of relevant university, state and federal policies, systems, procedures and regulations 1 day workshop PPT., individual, pair and group activities. (Participants will be provided with a folio all documentation for future reference.) 2. Personal Computer Skills In order for a CSS to effectively operate within the work unit he/she must be informed and able to use university information systems and databases, together with a number of software applications. obtain a competent working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, university information systems and databases, software applications 1 day workshop PPT, hands-on computer tuorial 4 ongoing weekly online tutorials 3. Understanding Customers and their needs Customers possess different styles of behaviour and learning how to adjust to those differing styles improves customer service and communication. understand the process of communication and the cultural differences that prevail, develop skills in overcoming barriers to communication, understand the importance of body language in communication,  ½ day workshop PPT, individual, pair and group activities  ½ day in the work unit role plays 4. Action Leadership    To be an effective leader,   a CSS needs to develop their own leadership skills and personal authority, as well as investigate tactics for building a strong and supportive team, handle difficult problems competently, and take accountability for end results. understand how to be an effective leader, understand how people are motivated, be better able to use the talents of individual members within the work unit, be able to develop realistic action plans 1 day workshop PPT, individual, pair group activities Take home ‘action plan’ assignment’ 5. Time Management    One of the biggest challenges a CSS has to face is managing their time.   They are often inundated with questions, queries and wants form all sides staff, customers and management.   The ability to identify and focus their attention on the most important tasks is often the difference between a successful or unsuccessful CSS. understand the importance of time in the role of CSS, identify priorities, allocate time between various activities, develop time schedules, deal with the unexpected . 1 day workshop PPT, individual, pair and group activities 6. Managing Conflict and problem solving    Not all customers are easy to manage and an effective CSS must develop effective conflict management and resolution skills to ensure customer satisfaction. These skills will also carry across to conflict issues within the work unit. understand the approach to problem solving, encourage prompt problem-solving through prompt personal action, evaluate the choices and choose the optimum solutions, understand the principles of negotiation  ½ day workshop PPT, individual, pair and group activities     ½ day in the work unit role plays       Evaluation    Participants will be given a series of scenarios, and at specific points they will be asked to indicate how they would respond. The scenarios will be realistic, using pictures, sound files, background information and video clips. In this was, a variety of behavioral measures will be gathered in a short period of time, and the process will not be dependent on the subjective judgments of examiners.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Ulysses program in price water house coopers

Ulysses program in price water house coopers The Ulysses Program is a leadership development program that is partnering with PricewaterhouseCoopers to enhance leadership potentials. The incorporation of Ulysses to PwC has lead to emergence of a diversified team in the global field (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2000). There are several competitive challenges that motivated PwC in developing the Ulysses Program: Q1 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and other partners saw a need to initiate a new design in the leadership training that could help in bringing up executives, who would fit in the global diversity and transnational nature of the operations of the firm in late 90s (Storey 2003). The firm needed to orient people to become leaders who had a wider scoop in the leadership skills that did not only fit a particular situation but rather could handle any arising challenge across the globe. The quench to conform to this situation led to the emergence of the Ulysses Program which was perceived to incorporate most of the best traits that were needed in the partnering PwC, to bring out developmental leadership links to various communities. Ulysses was meant to instill concepts of leadership qualities among personnel in the PwC which would enable it meet its core goals (Sparrow et al., 2004). The program was initiated in the year 2001 where the firm sent a number of people to the developing countries where they were supposed to employ their leadership qualities in environments that posed different challenges. Compared to their home countries, the developing countries experienced political, social and economic challenges that called for a totally different approach in both running and management (Pless Maak 2009 pp.58). PwC therefore had to be multicultural oriented and accustomed to relatively poor technological advancements that the developing countries had. In realizing this, small teams were dispatched to operate in these fields on rotational basis, each constituting eight weeks working with NGOs, intergovernmental agencies and community based organizations. The exercise mainly comprised working to confront Aids epidemic scourge, poverty challenges, conflict and environmental degradation (CS). It was back in the year 2000 that the leadership team of the PwC drew attention to the global ever-changing trends in business running and management. PwC however lacked a global leading capacity to meet with the challenges presented by the intricate worldwide business and was at the verge of being left behind as top performing partners in leadership. Other big companies were taking a lead in the Ulysses Program in efforts to nurture leaders all over the globe through exposing them to varied environmental situations so that their leading skills are enhanced. Within a period of five years, the Ulysses Program had already dispatched 80 partners through its program and with 22 participants in the year 2006 (Marquez 2005 pp.50). In the year 2004, the firm resolved to deploy its staff in countries in Africa that were experiencing varied problems that ranged from health to economic. Most important of the teams that comprised of 18 young partners coming from different PwC boundaries was one sent to combat challenges presented by HIV/AIDS in various African countries especially in Namibia and Uganda. Other included landmine improvement in Eritrea, reintegration of ex-combatants in East Timor and the small project development in Ecuador (Hofstede, 2004) Learning activity in the Ulysses project was program to take several levels for each individual team and in the organization levels where there is cross exchange of the acquired knowledge between clients and the organization. All the members who were sent out for a particular mission were supposed to report back to the firm on their experiences during their leadership responsibilities. These briefing were critical in analyzing what was better to adopt which enabled the PwC to keep on refining the Ulysses model so as to meet the global leadership requirements in a better way (Marquez 2005 pp.51). Q2. Ulysses program has been able to make PwCs business strategy and goals successful. On its launching, the firms were more inclined towards the partners from Europe and USA only. This posed a misbalancing which Ulysses came as a solution by ensuring a multicultural and geographical diversity amongst all the teams. Its wider scoop of approximate 8000 partners from member firms of 768 cities coming from 139 countries made it possible to effectively incorporate different cultures and locations. All the participating candidates in the Ulysses project were required to have been selected from the heads of each company from respective territories. These nominations were based on excellence and thus ensured candidates with the best leadership potential per took the leadership roles (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2000). The joint PwC and Ulysses for instance applied their global business expertise in Southern Belize which turned out to be very successful. In the program, Brian McCann, a PwC client service that was a partner from Boston and who specialized in merges and acquisition, the rewards- both personal and professional, took part in the Ulysses project, was recruited and surprisingly found himself as the only member originating from the US team. This team (Belize) consisted of other colleagues from Malaysia, Sweden and Germany (Patton, 2004). The team lead in activities of leadership with Ta`axche Conservation trust (YCT) which was an NGO located in Southern Belize. The local government and the private sector were also involved in evaluating the growth and income-generating potential of the eco-tourism market in the region. The priority for the team incorporated building capacity in YCT, to ensure excellent services in meeting the needs of the local Mayan people. Economic conditions in souther n Belize were desolate, with approximately half of the population being no employed and 75% earning less than $200 a month (Patton, 2004). In spite of the tough circumstances and a short time framework, the team was able to deliver an exceptional work product for the clients. Through them, an international microgrant program looking for a local partner in Belize was put in place. They also wrote a proposal for YCT which was to offer micro funding for 100 new and on hand small businesses in the region over the following two years. The Ulysses team also started up a business training workshop for members of a Mayan womens craft center, developed a business plan for YCT and its woodworking training center, put up a computerized accounting systems for the Trust, and evaluated income generating opportunities for the Belize Forestry Department (Patton, 2004). Q3. The effectiveness of the Ulysses program can be determined through weighing on the Success of the outcomes of various projects under which were steered by Ulysses. It is therefore important to evaluate them against the programs goals which were: To recognize and build up future leaders of PwC to take on senior leadership responsibilities at national and international levels within a time span of five to ten years. To put up a global network of PwC leadership talent To enhance PwCs capacity to capitalize on its diversity and transnational nature of its operation To train leaders to guide the leadership in the global world of ambiguity and tension between diverse interests and stake holders groups To encourage the business sector to move towards a more responsible and sustainable business model In reflection towards this, Ulysses was successful in promoting a co-learning environment and openly worked with the participants on their interpersonal improvement tactics concerning to what the desired to learn from NGO partners. Further, the program was able to bring out cultural differences as an enabler as opposed to earlier perception that it was a barrier. The incorporation of diverse cultures was able to enhance on team acceptance, quality and more innovations which became part of the culture of PwC. Building relationships with clients and stakeholders across borders brought more collaboration which resulted to more success (CPID, 2005). Reports coming from PwC show that the program cycle has advanced offering the participants with wider global perspectives which are relevant to any company running its businesses all over the world (CS). Douglas Ready, a director in the International Consortium for Executive Development Research noted that the Ulysses Program has helped candidates to confront challenges that are beyond the strict confines of accounting and consultation skills. In addition, he argues that the program has instilled ideals like the community involvement that are elementary to its business culture (CRME, 2005). Ulysses has also offered a chance to partnering firms to rely on. The program has forced them to take on projects that are not in their proficiency. An example is during 2003 summer where McCann developed a business plan for an ecotourism group in Belize (Hempel Porges, 2004 p.74). This development castigated more innovation in diverse fields. McCanns most vivid memory is a dinner that he had with a Mayan farmer after spending a day discussing on a plan; Though the conditions were not favorable due to lack of electricity (CS). All PwC partners agree that theyve already put into practice their experiences to the charge of administrating people and clients. A Malaysian partner Jennifer Chang once pointed out that her team noticed a shift in her managerial style after the Belize trip. She listened more and became more flexible. According to her, it is after witnessing how other organization took long to effect decisions that one gained the patience for the people that one is working with. Ayub was among those promoted in June 2003 who became a manager of 20 partners. In his view, face-to-face conversations were better over e-mail due to the low-tech approach, building trust. The adoption of this technique made him achieve a significant progressive difference in Namibia.ÂÂ   Ulysses is even prone to be more than a expedition of personal discovery for a handful of partners. It could help build leaders capable of confronting the challenges of an increasingly global business (CS). Q4. Ulysses program presents both advantages and disadvantages in offering leadership development programs to its partners. During the short duration that candidates are enrolled in the program, they develop skills of leadership which arms them with good network as future leaders of PwC taking responsibility for longer periods of five to ten years (Evans et al., 2002). This is a relatively shorter training period as compared to other traditional ways where courses take up three to five years. On the other hand, the longer serving term takes the perspective that the world being highly ambiguous with tensions amid varied interests and stakeholders groups exists. Future PwC leaders are then predestined to forefront and shape a business model that is more accountable and sustainable and allows joint venture between business and civic societies (Dickmann Harris, 2005). The Ulysses program poses another benefit in that the concepts instilled to participants are directly related to building leaders who in return can be able to build businesses. The program thus focuses on unlocking performance and embracing diversity that makes its models well versant with global business environments and the demands related. Its can be argument reasonably that, whenever a brand is made, a sustainable business is also created to complement it (Jain 2004 pp. 13). Further, Ulysses eight-week program project in developing countries that merges NGOs and inter-governmental organizations seeks to bring a cohesive forum that is able to meet most of the challenges that a respective country may be experiencing. As opposed to the traditional ways, this program is more involving: participants are required to deliver developmental project managed by a partner organizations which moulds them to be innovative (Bhaskar-Shrinivas et al., 2005). In East Timor for instance, a UN project attempting to give ex-combatants of the independence struggle new meaning to their jobs and lives in their communities; PwC partners were drawn in to access the efficiency of the project. It was able to deploy its multinational teams and transfer them to the area to apply their capabilities and develop strategies that reflected new skills and behaviors. In additional, Ulysses participants benefit in the program, among other the GP initiative where there is a strong focus on su pport for intra-company network building (Harris et al., 2003). On the other hand, Ulysses is an expensive program that snatches away the original glamour of PwC as the enormous leading firm in training global world leaders thus a disadvantage.