Education in the United States Essay

Education in the United States of America is governed by the Department of Education. There are three different levels of control and funding for public education: federal, state, and local. In the United States school is mandatory from Kindergarten through High School, consisting of thirteen different grade levels. Students can obtain an education by attending a public school, a private school, or a home school. In order to ensure that all students obtain the academic knowledge needed to progress through the grade levels, standardized tests are given regardless of where a student obtains an education (United States Department of Education, 2005). Education in the United States is governed and funded mainly by local jurisdictions, with the state and federal governments supervising educational activities and ensuring that all local jurisdictions are administering standardized tests and obtaining the funding needed to operate adequate educational facilities. The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that all powers that are not assigned to the federal government by the United States Constitution are reserved to the people or the individual states. As per the Tenth Amendment, the individual states control public education. Most states are divided into local jurisdictions that have elected school boards that oversee the individual school districts within its jurisdiction. The local school districts own and operate the public schools within its boundaries and are responsible for obtaining funding for each of the public schools they control (United States Constitution, Tenth Amendment, 1787). The majority of the funding for public education in the United States is obtained from local taxes and state governments. The federal government only provides 8. 5% of the funds for public education (National Center for Education Statistics, 2008). There has been some controversy over the No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001 which allows the federal government to withhold funding if a state or local school district is not complying with the standards set forth in the No Child Left Behind Act. However, the funding withheld for non-compliance is not a significant amount (No Child Left Behind Act, 2001). There is a larger controversy over the local school districts obtaining funding primarily from local taxes. Local jurisdictions can impose many different types of taxes on its citizens. In the commonwealth of Massachusetts there has been controversy over the imposition of excise taxes and corporate taxes. Excise taxes are taxes that are not property taxes or taxes that are imposed based on statutory law. Corporate taxes are imposed on corporations within a certain jurisdiction that are paid to the local government. These taxes are in addition to any federal or state taxes that the corporation is responsible for. Businesses in the commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to pay quarterly excise taxes on an accelerated basis due 15 days prior to the end of each quarter. The first quarter payment is 40% of the required annual excise tax, the second and third payments are 25% each, and the fourth payment is 10% of the excise tax. The minimum amount of corporate excise tax required of all corporations operating within the commonwealth of Massachusetts is $456 per year regardless of whether or not the corporation made a profit that year (The National Federation of Independent Business, 2007). Chapter 70 Part 1, Title XII, Chapter 70 of the General Laws of Massachusetts regulates the financial disbursements awarded to each public school district throughout the commonwealth. The legislative intent of Chapter 70 is to assure fair and adequate minimum per student funding for public schools in the commonwealth by defining a foundation budget and a standard of local funding effort applicable to every city and town in the commonwealth (Chapter 70). Chapter 70 sets up rules on how to allocate the money. These rules set standards on how the money will be distributed if it is below a base amount or higher than a base amount. For example, in Section 13, Part B, the law states that â€Å"if the amount appropriated is more than the base amount, funds shall first be allocated to ensure that the state school aid for each municipality equals the base amount† (Chapter 70). This part tries to ensure that an equal distribution is set to each school. Although this is only occurs when more money is available, it still sets the standard that each school will at least get its base amount before other funds are distributed. In the event that there are not enough funds to cover the base, a formula has been established to attempt to make the distribution fair. The amount is reduced by a constant amount per student. The rate is found by the difference between the base amount and the actual amount divided by the total enrollment of the state (Chapter 70). Cambridge, Massachusetts Cambridge, Massachusetts is a city right outside Boston, Massachusetts. Cambridge is famous for its two prominent universities: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The public school system in Cambridge is controlled by the Cambridge Public School District which consists of twelve elementary schools, of which eleven extend through eighth grade. There is only one high school in the Cambridge Public School District, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The Cambridge Public School District educates over 5,500 students every year with a project enrollment of 5,790 students for the 2008-2009 school year. The Cambridge Public School District has a proposed budget of $130,704,170. 00 for the 2008-2009 school year. This proposed budget has increased 2. 36% from the previous year. 75% of this proposed budget will be allocated to the individual schools within the district. The remaining 25% of this budget will be spent on administrative costs such as maintenance and security. The Cambridge Public School District is funded through a variety of sources in addition to local taxes. The Cambridge Public School District receives funds from thirteen federal grants awarded by the commonwealth of Massachusetts, eleven private grants, eleven revolving funds, ten state grants, two district federal grants, and one state-circuit breaker reimbursement. These grants account for $13,714,499 of the total funds needed to operate the schools within the Cambridge Public School District. The Cambridge Public School District also receives an average of $1,076 per student from Chapter 70 financial aid each year (Action Public Schools, 2006). Newton, Massachusetts Newton, Massachusetts is a suburb of Boston that consists of thirteen small villages. The Newton Public School District controls the fifteen elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools that are located in Newton, Massachusetts. The Newton Public School District educates an average of over 11,000 students each year throughout its twenty two public schools (Newton Public School District, 2008). The Newton Public School District has a proposed budget of $171,377,580 for the 2008-2009 school year. This proposed budget has increased 10. 5% from the previous year. According to this budget, the Newton Public School District spends $14,743 per student every year (Newton Public School District, 2008). The Newton Public School District is funded through a variety of sources in addition to local taxes. The Newton Public School District receives 55% of the revenue generated by the City of Newton. The Newton Public School District also receives over $8. 6 million dollars from federal, state, and private grants. Over $3 million dollars of the Newton Public School District budget is received from a program called Circuit Breaker which allocates special funds to school districts for additional special education courses. Federal, state, and private grants and the Circuit Breaker program account for almost $12 million dollars of the annual budget (Newton Public School District, 2006). The Newton Public School District also receives an average of $846 per student from Chapter 70 financial aid each year (Action Public Schools, 2006). Conclusions Allocating funds for public education in the United States is a complex process. Wealth and more funds do not necessarily lead to greater achievement by the students enrolled in the school district. Federal, state, and local jurisdictions must determine the most beneficial methods for allocating the educational funds available. These allocations are not equal and usually result in the more industrious neighborhoods receiving less funding from these sources, and incurring higher corporate taxes. The Newton Public School District receives less funding from external sources, and its businesses pay more corporate taxes. The allocated budget in the Newton Public School District is higher than the budget in Cambridge due to the fact that although the populations are similar, Newton operates twice as many educational facilities. . The Newton Public School District does not need the extra funds from external sources in order to reach its budget. Although the dollar amounts indicate an unfair advantage for the residents of Cambridge, both school districts are able to meet their budgets and educate their students adequately. Although the corporate tax system and excise tax system in Massachusetts may seem unfair to its businesses and residents, the public school districts within Massachusetts (including Newton and Cambridge) are able to meet the budget requirements due to the Chapter 70 allocations. The purpose of Chapter 70 is to create equality amongst the school districts and ensure that the cities that receive less corporate and excise tax are still able to operate successful public school districts so that every child within the commonwealth of Massachusetts has the opportunity to receive a quality education. REFERENCES The United States Census Bureau (2006). American FactFinder. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://factfinder. census. gov/ Action Public Schools (2006). Chapter 70 Aid Per Student High to Low. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://ab. mec. edu/about/Chapter70Aid/CH70PerStudentFY06. pdf Newton, Massachusetts (2008). 2008 Property Tax Rates. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://www. ci. newton. ma. us/Assessor/taxrate. htm Cambridge Massachusetts (2008). 2008 Property tax Rates. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://www. cambridgema. gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/FY2008_Property_Tax_Update_Newsletter. pdf Newton Public School District (2008). General Information. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://www. newton. k12. ma. us Cambridge Public School District (2008). General Information. Retrieved April 1, 2008 from http://www. cpsd. us/index. cfm

Compare, Contrast, and Evaluate Plato and Aristotle on human Well-being Essay

Plato’s ethics concerning well-being arise from the end of the discussion on justice where Thrasymachus articulates that justice is in fact merely a social contract whereby people agree not to inflict harm on others in return for not being harmed. Out of this rises the question well if this is all justice is, if it is only desirable for its consequences, In this case the avoidance of harm, then why shouldn’t I cheat? If I can get away with it why wouldn’t one cheat? Now follows the Gyges story, Glaucon puts it to Plato that if two men, one whom leads a life of virtue and one who doesn’t, acquired a ring that could turn you invisible, even the virtuous man would not be able to resist acting immorally so therefore people are not actually virtuous, more just scared of the consequences of not being so. This is making the point that no man is so virtuous that he could resist the temptation of being able to steal at will by the ring’s power of invisibility. In modern terms, Glaucon still argues that morality is a social construction, whose source is the desire to up hold one’s reputation for virtue and honesty; when that sanction is removed, the moral character would evaporate. However Plato disagrees, he thinks the truly virtuous man would act morally and be happy and at peace with himself, even when the outcome may not be seen as in their best interests e.g. loss of reputation; when sentenced to death Socrates had the chance to escape and go and live in another place but he refused to because it would be wrong to obey the laws of the land only when they suited you, so he stayed and was killed. For Plato this is not only the right thing to do but he would go as far to say that he would be happier dying virtuous than living having broken the law. Although I think this should not be taken as he enjoyed his actual death rather there was a certain content dignified air about it, as through living a virtuous life he had reached eudemonia because for Plato virtue is sufficient for human well being. Then to illustrate the extreme of what Plato is saying a second ring is added, and it is put to Plato that if both men had a ring, one just and one unjust, and the unjust man carries out his unjust activities but is clever enough to disguise it and up holds his reputation for being a moral citizen so therefore gets away un punished however conversely the just man whom has been virtuous in all his actions is misunderstood and crucified for being unjust and his reputation soiled. Is Plato saying even in this case it is still better to be the just man? Plato explicitly maintains that yes it is, and uses this example to show that if it is the most beneficial and right thing to do in this situation then I must follow that it is the most beneficial and right thing to do in all situations. But why is it the most beneficial? Why should people be just, Plato believes that it is down to the tri-partite nature of the soul; if things are not in the right balance then it becomes a matter of damaging your mental health. Plato believes that justice is gratifying in itself not merely because of its consequences. The purpose of human life is to live virtuously. The end that all virtuous beings should aim at; to be in union with the form of the good, this is the way of achieving the highest form of human well-being. In order to live virtuously one must have justice in the soul. Justice in the soul can only be present when the tripartite elements are in accurate harmony; when reason is ruling over spirit and spirit is controlling desires or appetites; wisdom can be seen to represent the rational part of the soul and courage parallels the spirited part of the soul with discipline existing in controlling desires. When the soul is in balance only then can virtue be exercised and human well-being achieved. Plato states that it is impossible for one to be happy if justice is not present in the soul and put forward this argument to illustrate why the unjust mans life leads to misery. Plato believes that the tyrant is the most unhappy of people because he is in a position of slavery and has no real freedom, he is ruled and governed by passion and surrounded by enemies. Due to being dominated by passion his main aim is to seek pleasure. Plato argues that each of the three parts of the soul corresponds to a different type of pleasure Rational- Gains pleasure in seeking the truth. Spirited- Gains pleasure out of achievement and honour. Appetitive- Gains pleasure through the empirical senses, e.g. sex/drink/food. The tyrant thinks that his pleasure is the best type, this can also be said for the oligarch and the philosopher, however Plato claims that only the philosopher’s assertion can be the real truth for he has experienced all types of pleasure and is therefore in the best position to decide. â€Å"when the whole mind accepts the leadership of the philosophical part, and there is no internal conflict, then each part can do its job and be moral in everything it does, and in particular it can enjoy its own pleasures and thus reaps as much benefit from pleasure as is possible† (586) But if the mind is controlled by either the spirited or appetitive elements it is not possible for it to attain its own correct pleasure and begins to coerces the other two elements to engage in false happiness, so far as that appetitive desires are farthest removed from reason and therefore law and order, and the tyrant is then farthest removed from mans true and proper pleasure so therefore cannot achieve well being and leads to the most of unhappy lives. So because justice is now desirable in itself and for its consequences its not a case of why should I do it, for Plato you act justly for its own sake. So how would the just man know what actions are virtuous and which are not; This is where the theory of the forms can be introduced, according to Plato we live in a world of appearances of which we cognise through perception, appearances are temporary, changing, fallible and subject to doubt. Although Plato also believed that there is an infallible, eternal, unchanging realm; the realm of the forms. The forms are independent of the mind ‘metaphysical entities’ as real as anything we cognise through are empirical senses. So in order for one to posses any ‘true knowledge’ then one must have access to the forms. In order to know what courage is one must know the form of courage so that when deciding if a particular act is courageous you can compare the form with the act and see if they have anything in common. Upon gathering this information you are now and only after consulting the form, in a position to obtain an objectively correct answer. Does this mean that those whom don’t have access to the forms of the virtues cannot be virtuous and in turn not achieve well-being? So in summary one must have the soul in the correct balance; this is the necessary and sufficient clause for well being and why is this the case because of the tri-partite nature of the soul. Aristotle’s ethics are very similar to that of Plato’s, sharing distinct similarities but also some differences. For Aristotle human-well being can also be translated as Eudemonia (flourishing). In book one Aristotle states that â€Å"that every art, every investigation and similarly every action and pursuit is aimed at some good† and that happiness is an activity of the soul according to virtue. As an early virtue theorist Aristotle believes a person should be judged on their character and not their actions. According to Aristotle virtue is something learned through constant practice beginning at a young age. To further understand this we should fully translate ‘arà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½te’-this is the word translated into ‘virtue’ in most English translations however the word more generally translates into excellence, so for example a musician will exhibit ‘arà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½te’ in performing without any moral connotations. It logically follows that excellence in music cannot be reached simply by reading about it, it requires systematic practice and practical implementation. For Aristotle there is not necessarily an essential distinction between being virtuous and exercising a learned skill like playing an instrument, he believes that virtue is also a learned excellence (the highest learned excellence). So to be virtuous one must practice at it; human well being for Aristotle involves ‘living well’ and exercising virtue is a necessary condition of this. Aristotelian virtue ethics are more specific than Plato’s, he talks of virtue in a more systematic sense. This is highlighted by the doctrine of the mean; his theory that virtue exists between the vicious extremes of excess and deficiency. For example the virtuous mean of courage lies between the vices of recklessness and cowardice, which represent excess and deficiency respectively. In order to achieve well being one must attempt to find the golden mean of all the virtues in the 36 name table, however Aristotle does clearly remind us that there are no exact laws in political sciences rather we need to approach each case individually informed by calculated virtues and some practical wisdom. Virtue for Aristotle is A posteriori; learning through experience, what is the mean path relative to us? Like Plato, for Aristotle we cannot pick and choose our virtues, we cannot decide to display courage and patience but not truthfulness and modesty, nor can people be virtuous if they do not demonstrate all the virtues. One of the most crucial points Aristotle makes is that although virtue is necessary for ‘well-being’ it is in fact not sufficient. In order to be truly happy one must have three things. 1. A good character. 2. One must be active in living virtuously 3. One must have external goods. Happiness according to Aristotle is a public not a private affair, so whom you share this happiness with is of great importance. The city-states of ancient Greece were tightly knit communities. In politics Aristotle says we cannot fully realize our potential as humans outside the bonds of a Greek city-state so therefore well being cannot be achieved in the life of a hermit. This is not the only external good that is required, Aristotle also believes that in order to achieve well-being wealth is required, although I feel it should be made clear that he is not saying one needs to be rich to happy, rather that there needs to be a absence of extreme poverty; the view that it is hard to be happy when starving. This is in direct contradiction with Plato’s teachings and is blatantly outlined in the story of the ring of Gyges. Another fundamental difference between Aristotle and Plato’s teachings on well being is that the whole of Plato’s metaphysics is underpinned by the forms. To be fully virtuous one must have access to the forms but Aristotle completely rejects the forms as having no tangible foundation for believing them. Aristotle thinks that the problem solved by the forms can in fact be answered empirically; he presents us with the function argument: this explains that the function of a harpist is to play the harp well. A human also just like the eye has a set purpose or function and the function of a good man is to live well or achieve ‘well-being’. But Plato believes that people who reject the forms for empirical verification are sophist whose beliefs have no basis. It seems that both Aristotle and Plato believe that in order for humans to achieve well being they must fulfil their function, so in order to identify the real difference of their views on well being we must understand their views on what our function is. Plato’s view on this is outlined in Book One of The Republic; Socrates is trying to prove to Thrasymachus that it is better to be just than unjust. He starts by determining that all things have their own definite function, and that that function is â€Å"that which one can do only with it or best with it (Republic I 352e).† For example, the function of eyes is to see, and since a pruning knife is better suited to pruning than a butcher’s knife, its function is to prune. Having established this, Socrates goes on to argue that everything also has a measured virtue that corresponds to the implementation of its function. The virtues of our ears are hearing and the virtue of the knife would be its sharpness. An object that is deficient in its virtue is said to be incapable of performing its function well (a dull knife would not be able to cut properly). Having demonstrated this, Socrates now looks at the human soul and its function. â€Å"Is there some function of a soul that you couldn’t perform with anything else, for example, taking care of things, ruling, deliberating? Is there anything other than a soul to which you could rightly assign these, and say that they are its peculiar function? †¦What of living? Isn’t that a function of the soul? (Republic I 353d)† Thrasymachus agrees to Socrates’ definition of the soul’s function and they go on to examine what the virtue of the soul is, that allows it to perform its function. From his previous argument regarding the importance of virtue in the performance of one’s function, Socrates infers that a non-virtuous soul would do a poor job of ruling etc, while a virtuous soul would do a good job. Then going back to where he and Thrasymachus had agreed that justice was the virtue of the soul, and injustice its vice. This enables Socrates to conclude that a just soul and a just man will achieve human well being and flourish, while an unjust man will not achieve well being and be unhappy. Aristotle agrees with Plato that the good for anything that has a function relies on the implementing of that function. So it follows that Aristotle tries to work out if human beings have a function (â€Å"the function argument†). â€Å"Then do the carpenter and the leatherworker have their functions and actions, while a human being has none, and is by nature idle, without any function? Or, just as eye, hand, foot and, in general, every part apparently has its functions, may we likewise ascribe to a human being some function besides all theirs? (Nicomachean Ethics Book I Chapter 7 29-33)†. So assuming that there is a function specific to humans Aristotle discounts sense perceptions because they are not only human traits. He concludes that the human function is to exhibit reason. The function of the excellent man to equal the function of any man the only difference is that the excellent man exhibits his function well. So For Aristotle, the human good seems to be synonymo us with human well being. Thus, in order for a human being to be happy, he or she must live a life that successfully expresses reason. Here we see that both agree that to achieve well being, humans must fulfil their function but do they disagree on what that function is? Plato believing that it is living a just life and Aristotle that it is excellent reasoning, I think not, isn’t being virtuous having reason ruling over the soul, surely this is the same as exhibiting excellent reason.

Common Assessment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Common Assessment - Research Paper Example The main aim and goals is to help obtain the necessary management skills to manage the Information Technology department. Goals and Objectives The chief role of this channel is to make sure that the organization accomplishes its goals through having a good knowledge on how to use the Information Technology systems that store, process, and transmit the required information of the organization. Secondly, the management can achieve this by ensuring that the management make good risk management decisions to minimize expenditures that are also part of IT budget, and thirdly is by helping the Information Technology systems management on the purpose of making use of the supporting software documentation resulting from the performance of the risk management. Target Audience The main audience used to identify these issues, and concerns leading to poor Technology management are the personnel who support the management process for their Information Technology systems. ... The system and application programmers IT quality assurance personnel Information system auditors IT consultants Strategies and techniques used to improve technology management Information Technology management is a technique used by many companies to take advantage of the available Information Technology resources to increase and improve the pace of production and create a competitive business operations. Many business or managers may fail to fully implement and make use of Information Technology in their due to the expenses, maintenance and upgrade requirements. However, this can be through developing good Information Technology management strategies in the company. The managers should also find a good way of using technology to improve and increase the company’s productivity and operations. Corporate strategy Managers to set the overall direction of a company use corporate strategy. The business shareholders and department managers determine the financial markets the corpor ation will function in, how to get the required materials and resources, and how to get its products into the marketplace (Tesar, 2003). The information Technology department should assist the company in achieving these goals. For example, the Information Technology systems can use the company’s website to advertise and sell the company goods and services online in markets. The technology department can also use the systems to order materials from dealers, and using commerce software to make forecasts for productions and sales of the company. Business strategy This strategy only focuses on one division, department, and product line in the company. Managers and the

Who has the Control over the Use of Euthanasia Essay

Who has the Control over the Use of Euthanasia - Essay Example In some states, there have been legislations that have been passed while others have been rejected overwhelmingly by the majority of the people. Such are the issues that surround this medical way of alleviating pain which has been used since time immemorial (Appel 610). As people continue to worry about active or passive euthanasia, medical practitioners, on the other hand, have a hard time deciding which method to use as they are morally obligated to ensure that people regain their health. However, if the medication process is not relevant to them, should they not end it to avoid suffering? If so, who should make the call? No particular answer has been found as the most endearing and most considerate though some argue that both voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia should be offered (Appel 615). The only difference is how long the patient takes before they succumb to their ailment and who is available to make the decision. Others argue that these provisions are wrong from a persona l dignity point of view. A clear consensus, though hard to come by for the past two centuries, should be sought and clarification on the issue of control given to ease pain and reduce needless suffering amongst fatally ill patients. The current law states that mercy killing or euthanasia is tantamount to homicide. The judicial system defines homicide as any type of intervention that is taken with an intention expressly aimed at ending life, whether it is to retrieve intractable disease or not. From this, one can learn that anything done to ease the pain of a dying person, whether they consent or not is unlawful and shall be treated as criminal offence (Smartt 105; Tulloch 64). From these stands taken by the law and the judicial system, euthanasia cannot be used at all unless legislation is passed to permit it. These events have shaped the way doctors react to cries by patients in anguish as they cannot risk being jailed for homicide or any other unlawful conduct (Dowbiggin 23). This is not fair at all. If suicide is a personal decision, why do they not accept euthanasia as one too? They should weigh this and allow people to have less suffering and since they have very short time to live, should be allowed to end their suffering in advance. There is no documented benefit of people suffering for six months and then die whereas they could have reduced the costs that will be transferred to the relatives (Annas 1239). This shows that the dispute of who is expected to control their death cannot be left to the doctors, the individual in question and neither can the state offer protection against suffering. However, it is crucial to understand that the word was coined as a means of encouraging painless and happy death that would be left to the physician. It was their responsibility to alleviate such pain. However, the area of bioethics has done considerable research on this area, and this has further complicated issues. There is a need, therefore, for the solution of this issue to be forthcoming. People suffering from chronic diseases and are in their final stages of these ailments should be aided to pass on peacefully. Though religious people argue that God is the only one with the power over death, it is imperative to understand that no religion spreads pain and suffering as a way of entering eternity. Even the suffering of Christ on the cross may not be compared to an invalid waiting for death for six months just because they cannot control their own death (Dowbiggin 27). It will ease their pain and allow the physicians to be responsible for other people. The relatives will also have a chance to rest and use the resources on other deserving

White privileges in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

White privileges in America - Essay Example The society of the United States of America inherently is a country of the whites. The American society has been structured by racial discrimination profoundly and racism has lastingly marked the society of the country as concluded by the report of the United Nations Human Council for the year 2009. However the racism affects the white population of the country as well, as they are from birth always been isolated from the people of color in the daily life. That is how racism is experienced by the white population of the society. (Lund and Colin, p 8: Wise, p viii) Racism and the privileges for the white thus hurt the living of the people of color and to some extent affect the white as well. 1. The White Privilege The roots of the society of America are permeated by the factor of racism which gets reflected in each and every institutions of the society. It get resembles in the culture of the society, in the society’s character as well as in its structure. There are several boun daries in the social lives set by the majority of the white population of the country for the people of the different skin color.... Whiteness and non whiteness stratified the society of the United States of America. In the society of America real situations are defined by Whiteness and it also impose real consequences.(Guess, 650; Lund and Colin, 8) According to Wise the society of the United States of America always bestowed some advantages to the individual born white in the society. These are the advantages from which the people of color are deliberately withheld. Whiteness which may have different meaning in different time and places, however in the United States of America being white entitles some common experience based upon the advantages and privileges from the people of color along with belongings. The racialization of a subordinate group also brings with it the racialization of the super ordinate group as they enjoy the position of dominance in the society and added to their advantages (Wise, viii, 3: Guess, 651) In the words of Wise, white privilege is enjoying every kinds of social, political economi cal as well as educational benefits along with facilities in health care services that an individual requires for earning prosperity, social security and respect for himself over the other classes of the society. According to him in short white privilege is the root of problems existing in a society that is not a meritocracy. (This is your nation on White Privilege) 2. Privileges enjoyed by the white population of the country According to the reports of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year 2009 and the United States Census Bureau for 2006, the total percentage of the white population of the society is 73.9 percent that experienced the unemployment rate

Create a STRONG THESIS FOR The last Report on the Miracles at Little Research Paper

Create a STRONG THESIS FOR The last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse - Research Paper Example Every point of repeating the use of these symbols Erdrich regulates the narrative by rephrasing the Catholic symbolism to suit a specific syncretism perceptive. This gradually obliterates the preceding tensions, which existed between the Catholic customs and the Ojibwe customary religion. Erdric brings the symbols to an ultimate synergetic declaration in the character of Father Damien. Moreover, Erdrich applies recurrence of Catholic symbolism to explore questions of gender and cultural distinctiveness, which are entrenched within the religious history of Catholicism and Ojibwe customary religion. Introduction This is one of the remarkable novels of Louise Erdrich, where he takes her readers through the saintly realm and on an astounding expedition of soul searching. The novel presents a challenge and adjusts our ideas about issues such as the deep meaning of gender and purpose for religion. This essay seeks to answer the question â€Å"does Louise Erdrich succeed in using repetitio n of religious symbols to fit specific syncretism view?† As a point of departure, Louise Erdrich argues her association with the faith of her custom, the Catholicism of her father and her mothers’ Ojibwe traditional religion. Erdrich accepts that, religion is a profound power, which people magnetize around the central faith system (Louise, 106). However, Erdrich notes that, individual loyalty to both is difficult. In an interview, with Katie Bacon, Erdrich confirms that, there is no existence of worry in his life concerning the two structures of belief (Katie, 11). This change in response presumes that Erdrich has undergone a complete metamorphosis on reconciliation. Looking directly at Erdrich’s application of religious symbolism over the course of her novel â€Å"The last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse†, she seems to have created a relationship between the two structures of belief. This allows her to move from a conflict point of complementary synergic acceptance to a point of balance (Louise, 107). It is imperative to note that, this change of mind to a reconciliatory tone is not by theological synthesis of the beliefs upheld by the two religions, but it comes from Erdrich’s aptitude to find a way to budge past the agonizing chronological association, which existed amid the two systems of beliefs. The change in perspective is mirrored in Erdrich’s application of religious symbolism in her novel. In the novel â€Å"The last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse† numerous of Aldrich’s religious arguments arrive at a sort of culmination. Use of Baptism Within this Baptismal prospect, Erdrich presents a substitute but practicable understanding of baptismal symbolism. Erdrich achieves this by describing the baptism of Lulu Nanapush. Nonetheless, in her second adjustment of the prospect, Erdrich decides to portray the events from the viewpoint of Father Damien. It is notable that, Father Damien ‘s recitation completes a trajectory of narrators that begun in The Beet Queen, with Wallace Pfef. At first Erdrich perceives the Christian baptism from A German-American view then explores the Ojibwe view through the eyes of Nanapush and reaches that a point of religious syncretism through the recitation of Father Damien who embraces both Catholic and Ojibwe customs (Louise, 113). The three viewpoints explored belong to men or a masquerading male such as for the case of Father Damien. These men are not able to sire children. Following this predicament, the power

THE DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING, TRAINING, MOTIVATING AND REWARDING Essay

THE DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING, TRAINING, MOTIVATING AND REWARDING STAFF IN A GIVEN FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY - Essay Example ensures that the employees are as enthusiastic about the business and they are devoted towards their organization. Involving employees in taking decision for the company and their opinion for making improvement leads company to success. If top management involves their employees in company's affairs, they will feel recognition and self respect and they will perform even better. It also helps in building trust and motivates employees. Bonuses or reward can also be a good and effective way to encourage and motivate employees. Through this process, they will get to know that, they are performing well in the organization and they are beneficial for the company as well. Bonus must be designed in such a way that people or employees understand that there is no payment in terms of bonus unless the company gets the profit and also exceeds the level of profitability. Bonus and reward is also based on team's success and the individual's performance. Feedback is also an important factor in HRM process. If an employee or a person is performing well, he will participate to enhance or Increase Company's productivity. He/she will be appreciated for this and should be recognized for his/her work in a positive and in effective way. Evaluation of the performance should be taken fairly. There is a need to develop a performance evaluation system which focuses on individual performance. Self rating as a part of evaluation process encourages or empowers employees. Evaluation becomes fairer if it is based on the records of and achievements of the employee. HRM practice and policies provide several good and effective ways of organizing and managing organization's functions. It also gives or provides help to develop effective strategies for making the company or organization more productive and successful. Employees play a lead role in any organization, so the polices and practices regarding employee or human resource should be followed effectively and in a good manner. ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR Organizational behavior is the body of knowledge which describes, analyzes and explains how organization influences the behavior of the members or employees and how they respond to the performance and ecology/culture of the organization or environment. Organizational behavior focuses on several functions and process of organization such as recruiting, rewarding, compensation, motivation etc; it also focuses the problems and difficulties of the organization. DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING, TRANING, MOTIVATING AND REWARDING STAFF IN DAVENHAM GROUP (Finance Company in UK) Davenham Group is a leading specialist, commercial finance company performing its functions in UK. Established in 1991 and divided into

Art homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art homework - Essay Example There are curved lines that are used to draw the tentacles of the animal. Swirling lines have also been used in the piece of art. The lines do occur at the edge where the color and texture change. Subject matter: the second painting is an oil painting that portrays three people on horses. This is evident as the artist drew the three people from the back side and you can see the back side of the horse. Based on the dressing by the three people , they seem to be from Mexico. What the artist had in mind was drawing three people who were riding their horse in a large field most probably the large coca plantations ( Reza 38). This is evident with the vanishing point that is evident in this piece of art. The piece of art has bright colors. a) Color – the colors that the artist used in drawing this kind of art were red, yellow and green. These are colors that are on can see in the real world. The dominant colors in this picture were bright colors. b) Lines – there are different types of lines that the artist uses . There are curved lines that are used to draw the people on the horses and the mountain. Swirling lines have also been used in the piece of art. The lines do occur at the edge where the color and texture change. Subject matter : The third painting is an oil painting that portrays a family. There is a man, woman and a child at the center. The horizon that connects the man is a resemble of the connection between the two (Reza 37). The flower just besides the child means that when and woman are in love they can get married and give birth to a child. The objective that the artist had in his mind while drawing this picture was drawing a complete family and add some artistic feature like the clouds and the flowers. The picture has bright colors. a) Color – the colors that the artist used in drawing this kind of art were yellow and green and the rainbow colors. These are colors that are on can see in the real world. The dominant

The Consequence of Communication Failure Essay Example for Free

The Consequence of Communication Failure Essay In the history and evolution of professional communication practices, there are several instances that have greatly impacted our understanding of the necessity for clear and effective technical communication. Few, however, have had such eye-opening impact that they continue to be discussed decades after their occurrence. Two such incidents to have reached this height are concerning the Three Mile Island nuclear plant and the Challenger shuttle launch. (Martha Cooper. Three Mile Island. 1979. The Washington Post. Web. 3 July 2012) (Martha Cooper. Three Mile Island. 1979. The Washington Post. Web. 13 July 2012) In March of 1979, the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant of Middleton, PA faced near meltdown. People feared an unseen enemy: radiation. B. M. Dunn had some vital information to the possibility of this incident prior to its occurring. Dunn relayed this information to D. F. Hallman. Hallman’s memo and the involvement of those who did or did not receive it have been under a microscope since this historical event. On January 28, 1986, another incident of failed communication occurred. The Challenger space shuttle was set to launch and indeed it did, but it did not make it to the intended destination as it exploded in mid-air. Prior to the launch, Roger Boisjoly had made efforts to address an issue of a possible equipment malfunction that had been pointed out by. Unfortunately, nothing was done to ensure the avoidance of this malfunction. In both instances, catastrophe could have been prevented. There were attempts made to address serious concern on both parts. There remains no question that something more could have been done. However, a question of great weight and of ongoing discussion is whether that missing link lies in the communication processes, the documents themselves, or the actions of those involved in the chain of communication. A Matter of Nuclear Proportion In a relatively short memo written by D. F. Hallman, manager of Plant Performance Services at TMI, he relays the concerns of B. M. Dunn. A problem with the practices and procedures of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant is addressed. Dunn is the manager of the Emergency Core Cooling System Analysis department of Babcock Wilcox (BW), the same company that designed the nuclear reactor for the Three Mile Island power plant. (Mathes) Short, Sweet, and to the Point? Quite frankly, this memo leaves much to be desired, given the weight of the situation. In its entirety, it is a few brief paragraphs addressing the situation and a few questions that need to be answered promptly. It is somewhat formal yet lacks the urgency in tone necessary to move the reader to action. There are, however, some references attached that provide the information in more detail. These attachments aside, Hallman seems to have minimal concern for the efficiency of the actions required. (Hallman) Upon some background research, it is clearly seen that Hallman was not the proper person for Dunn to contact with such vital information. For a decision such as this one, the concerns should have been sent to another department, one with the authority, ability and experiential knowledge to understand the gravity of the situation. Can one blame Hallman for not knowing? Could it be that he was aware of the proper destination of such information and failed to relay it there? Some questions are left unanswered. A Matter of Astronomical Consequence (Associated Press. Space Shuttle Challenger Wreckage Entombment; About. com; Web. 13 July 2012) (Associated Press. Space Shuttle Challenger Wreckage Entombment; About. com; Web. 13 July 2012) Roger Boisjoly wrote a memo addressing his concern with the possibility of O-rings that were vital in the safe launch of the Challenger space shuttle. Boisjoly was an engineer for Morton Thiokol, the manufacturer of those very O-rings. His memo was well written, with a clear layout and was directed to the proper recipient for effective action in such circumstances. The subject matter is clearly stated in the heading. After proper notation of the parties involved, Boisjoly writes with clarity of intent and the necessary tone to relay the seriousness of such a scenario. Textbook Effective In this memo, he does well to stress the fact that he believed this O-ring corrosion may lead to a â€Å"catastrophe of the highest order loss of human life. How else could one covey such urgency? Boisjoly admits an â€Å"honest and very real fear† that if immediate action was not taken to solve the problem with these O-rings, this entire shuttle mission stands in â€Å"jeopardy of losing a flight along with all the launch pad facilities. † The choice of words seems very intentional and appropriately weighty given the possible outcome. (Boisjoly) So what was done with this information? Apparently, it was merely dismissed as being non-crucial to flight success. The morning of the shuttle launch was particularly cold and this played a major factor in the performance or failure of these O-rings but this too was addressed by Boisjoly. Could he have done more to ensure that necessary action was taken to address the situation? Concluding Thoughts It seems very clear that from these two examples of communication one stands as lackadaisical or complacent and the other effectively and appropriately written. It may very well be that Hallman was not the appropriate recipient for the previous memos. It may also be said that Dunn was responsible for insuring the proper destination of this information. Whatever the case, this memo written by Hallman was ineffective both in composition and in handling. In contrast, Boisjoly wrote clearly and effectively. Why is it that the proper actions were still not taken? The bottom of this question may not ever be reached but it is a clear example of the need for serious handling of information—for both the writer and the reader. Without these two factors, we may have yet to see the worst examples of failed communication.

Dream Diary Essay Example for Free

Dream Diary Essay One of the dreams that I frequently experience is the one that deals with snakes. At least once a week, I tend to dream of scenarios where I attack snakes and kill them one by one. This kind of dream really bothers me because I am actually diagnosed with ophidiophobia or the fear of snakes and the idea of just being close to these animals horrifies me. Another dream which I usually encounter is the one which centers on school-related problems. I remember last week when I dreamed about the upcoming examinations where it was being illustrated that the tests will involve complex questions and I will achieve failing marks. Due to his dream, I committed myself to a more intense study habit in order to avoid the bad ending that I have dreamed of. Lastly, I also dreamed of random events where I travel from one place to another by riding a plane or train. These dreams are usually blurred but the theme, which is to transfer from one place to another, is consistent. By applying the lessons that I learned from school, it can be said that my dream regarding snakes can be explained using Freudian concepts where it was mentioned that the act of killing snakes symbolizes desires which I wish to accomplish in real life but are prohibited by the norms of society. It means that I unconsciously want to kill snakes in order to win over ophidiophobia, an event that is fulfilled in my dreams. Cartwrights theory, on the other hand, explains the nature of dreaming about school-related problems by saying that dreams are our minds way of offering possible solutions to our numerous concerns. While the dream about random traveling can be explained using Hobsons theory; it was explained that dreams are side-effects of the normal activations during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of our sleep. It suggests that dreams do not have emotional factors as determinants but are mere by-products of the brains complex activity. Consequently, these lessons made me realize that there is a variety of theories that offer possible explanations to dreams. However, man should only use these dream interpretations as guides and not as sole determinant of his life.