Acca Question Essay

Theory Introduction, basic probability theory, definition, laws of probability, conditional probability, independent and dependent events, applications. Unit No. 2Random Variables Introduction, Random numbers and their generation, Application of random numbers, concepts of random variables and their construction, Discrete and continuous random variables. Unit No. 3Equations Solving fist degree equations, Quadratic equations, Solution of quadratic equations by different methods, inequalities, absolute value, Co-ordinate system Unit No. 4Linear Equations Characteristic of linear equations, Slope- intercept form, determining the equations, Applications. Unit No. 5Matrices and Determinants Matrices, Different kinds of Matrices, Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication of matrices, Determinants, Application of matrices and determinants. Unit No. 6Inverse of Matrices Expansion of determinants, different Properties of determinants, Cofactors and minors of elements of a matrix, Cramer’s rule, Solution of system of linear equations by use of matrices. Unit No. Differentiation Derivatives, Differentiation of explicit and implicit functions, maxima and minima, Applications of derivatives. Unit No. 8Partial Derivatives Partial Derivatives, maxima and minima for functions of multi-variables Applications of partial derivatives. Unit No. 9Optimization First derivative test. 2nd Derivative test, Curve sketching, Revenue, Cost and profit applications in business. Recommended Book:- 1. Applied mathematics for Busine ss, Economics and the Social Sciences. By Frank S. Budnick. Mcgraw-Hill

Emma & Clueless

Intro: C appropriates E’s 19th Century context into a contemp. Beverley Hill’s society embedded in material availability and conspicuous consumption. o Austen’s PURPOSE not changed ( C ( satire of context and human nature ( C has other purp. ( Question value and validity of texts ( POMO TRANSFORMATION THESIS: The transformation of a text helps develop and mold new meaning to its counterpart, and hence deepen the understanding of each text.However , it is important to note that for this meaning is to be conveyed, many of the themes within the original text must remain the same, it is the context and the values inherent within these themes that change. o Both texts present, deluded central character living in own upper-class microcosm. †¢ Emma living in C19th England ( ‘handsome, clever and rich’ woman of ‘one and twenty’ with ‘nothing much to distress or vex her’. ? Lives in a world based around inheritance, breeding, ma nners and respectability as means for social valuing. Cher is a 15 year old living in the ‘Noxema commercial’ ‘land of imagists’ that is Beverley Hills in the 1990’s. ? Social values based upon material availability, image and conspicuous consumption. o Both protagonists attempt to transform a protege of lower class and elevate them to their higher status. oEmma’s naive intention of transforming Harriet by refining manners and intelligence (not to mention elevating ego) = IRONIC. ( contradicts stagnant class mobility of C19th England. LINK ( sense of hierarchy retained in C. ? Cher introduces Tai to school cliques ‘Persian Mafia’ ( reflects sense of materialism and conspicuous consumption of society ( ‘you have to own a BMW to sit with them’. ( ALSO REFLECTED IN FIRST SCENE ( MONTAGE. o ‘Loadies that no respectable girl would date’ o LOADIES comment ironic because Cher tells Tai in the scene before that c hoosing a BF is a decision that ‘every girl has to make for herself’. o TAI ( her transformation is aesthetic (not like in E) through ‘Cher’s main thrill in life – a make-over†. ( reflects extent of importance placed on image and superficiality in modern context. When first presented with Tai she stands out dramatically wearing a flannel shirt, and with died red hair ( as opposed to everyone in gym scene wearing black and white ( she is an outsider, of another class. ?INTERESTING ( although she is supposedly moved up in class, she is always subtly dressed differently to Cher and Dionne ( collars, etc, o Ease with which Tai changes social status gives sense of social fluidity, as does fact that Tai talks back to Cher in confrontation ( â€Å"you’re a virgin who can’t drive†. LINK ((( more subtle in Emma where Harriet doesn’t confront Emma, but distances herself by communication through letters. (( Travis’ eleva tion of class also gives impression of social fluidity ( he gets off drugs, becomes serious about skateboarding and joins a rehabilitation program. THIS IS UNDERCUT BY COSTUMING IN WEDDING SCENE. AND ALSO THROUGH FINAL COUPLINGS IN FILM ( HECKERLING UPHOLDS AUSTEN’S SENSE OF HIERARCHY.( TELEOLOGY REFUTED. o Although idea of ‘coupling’ in C does not lead to marriage (as in Emma), important to note fact that marriage, or at least a ‘wedding’ is the ideal and final goal for women. RE: final scene ‘I want sailor hats’ o In C weddings are deemed more important than marriage itself ( ‘you divorce wives, not children’; ‘husband number five’. o Although marriage is not equally valued in both contexts, the idea of DOMESTICITY is. In the C19th context of Emma, there was an up rise of the bourgeois and of their domesticity-based values. o This is also reflected in C WHEN Cher’s father values her for the menial tasks she performs in the home ‘ who takes care of the house? Who makes sure daddy’s had his orange juice? ’LEADS BACK TO THE IDEAS OF FEMALE OPPRESSION AND THE REBUFFING OF THE NOTION OF TELEOLOGY. BOTH TEXTS ARE BILDUNGSROMANS o Both deal with the personal and character transformations of heroines. o Satirical social comment on composed contexts. o Transformation catalysed by male protagonist ( heroine has to submit to being wrong. CONTEXT CHANGED o Inherent themes same ( breakdown of high culture into POMO setting/society o COHERENT UNDERSTANDING OF E FOR SOCIETY EMBEDDED IN MATERIAL AVAILABILITY AND CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION. oCHANGE OF MOP ( reflective of context ( change of narrative voice to voice over o Omniscient 3rd person is visual language in CLUELESS o EG. Emma : ‘we’re just friends’ (in respect to Mr Elton o Omniscient 3rd person :’had it been 10x more, 10x less, her companions admiration for her would’ve remained the same ’. o EG. Cher : ‘I have a way normal life for a teenager’ o Shot of her picking out her clothes from a motorised wardrobe. ? IRONY AND CONTRADICTION BETWEEN AURAL AND VISUAL. †¢ Both texts still satires of respective worlds. Conclusion. RE: POMO INTRO AND RELATE BACK TO QUESTION. ALL ABOUT VALUES AND ATTITUDES.HECKERLING IMAGINATIVE, ETC IN TRANSFORMATION OF TEXT BUT REMAINS TRUE TO AUSTEN’S PURPOSE ( TO QUESTION AND SATIRISE THE FOIBLES OF HUMAN NATURE. WHILST ADDING TO HER OWN; THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATION OF EMMA, HECKERLING HAS PROVEN THAT EVEN A ‘TEENPIC’ CAN BE VALUED, AND HENCE REINSTATES HER POST-MODERN BELIEFS WITHIN THE TEXT. EMMA AND CLUELESS CONTRIBUTE OT DEVELOPING AND RESHAPING THE VALUE OF EACH TEXT. EMMA ALLOWS CLUELESS TO BE VALUED, WHILST CLUELESS ALLOWS EMMA TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND ACCESSIBLE TO A COHORT GROUNDED IN A CONTEMPORARY CULTURE.

Qualitative Research- Fieldwork Observation Assignment

Qualitative Research- Fieldwork Observation - Assignment Example These issues can be accessed and evaluated through observation. This is true because most of the traits that determine students’ performance are physically portrayed. Most of these characteristics are associated with the environment which students grow in. For example, literatures have found that students brought up in poor backgrounds perform poorer than those brought up in middle class backgrounds (Billie & Bette & Wolfe, 2006). Specifically, physical characteristics like students behavior and the way they conduct themselves have a lot to say about their academic performance. In the effort to determine this concept, I sought to carryout a research through observation from a public school in a poor background setting. The aim of this research was to find out how the students conduct themselves and if their behavior conducts have any relationship with their academic performance. In learning theories, main focus is on behavioral psychology. For children to be able to learn and remember new things, some things are considered to take place in the learning process. According to Billie & Bette & Wolfe, (2006), some of these things are explained by behavioral and constructivism theories which focus their attentions on acquired factors that help the learner acquire knowledge. Burkhardt, (2004) asserted that students’ achievement is influenced by environmental factors such as cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. These factors are said to shape students behavior, which have adverse, effects on their academic performance. According to Burkhardt, (2004), students who come from poor back grounds have been found to perform poorly in their academic works. In some instances, living conditions are extremely harsh that the students have to attend school with empty stomachs. Field-notes My field-work started early in the morning at 7: am. I purposely decided to start my research at this hour in order to gather information on the arrival of students from the ir homes since this was a day school. Students started arriving some minutes after 7: am. There was only one teacher who had arrived by then. I later came to realize that he was the teacher on duty that day. He mobilized students in cleaning their classrooms and the compound. Most students were seen to be sluggish in responding to the teacher’s instruction. For example, when they were told to clean their classes, most of them hid themselves behind the classes. The teacher was forced to come after them with a cane. When the bell for the assembly was rung, some students were still arriving from their homes. In the effort to capture them for punishment, the teacher had difficult times as the students ran away while others hid themselves. In fact, some of those that were caught and given some punishment to do, they retorted to the teacher. When the lessons started, I visited one of the classes where I observed various occurrences. Some minutes before the teacher entered the class room, most of the students seemed not to be settled. They were discussing the previous night’s happenings. Some were chatting and gossiping. However, a few were seen to be preparing themselves for the lesson before the teacher entered. When the lesson started, some students were lying on their desks while others were busy chatting. In fact, remarkably few students concentrated on what the teacher was teaching. This was evident when the teacher asked questions related to what he taught. The students gave irrelevant answers while other said

Worldwide Recycling Comparison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Worldwide Recycling Comparison - Essay Example Initially, it was meant to ensure that glass bottles were returned to the major beverage seller at that time which as Coca-Cola. However, it eventually became a tradition that is used on all containers with so much success. Mannonen (2013) states that currently, Finland recycles almost 100 percent of the refillable glass containers. On average, a single glass bottle can be used up to 34 times. This is higher than any other nation in the world. Plastic bottles are also reused and recycled with the return rates standing at about ninety percent. When the plastic bottles are used in remanufacturing, they not only save raw materials but also energy since smaller quantity will be needed. Aluminum cans are endlessly being reprocessed. The cans are melted and used as raw material for new ones with five percent of energy that could have been used when making them from the original raw materials being saved. The latest inclusion to the system are the glass containers which are taken back for the raw materials. They are used in the making of new bottles, industrial frost and in the manufacture of lightweight concrete. Many foreigners who visit the nation are at times surprised when the see the locals luggage empty bottles and containers to shops. To the locals however, this is part of their day to day lives. When they buy drinks packaged in bottles, the price which they pay includes about ten to forty cent deposit. This deposit is given back to the buyer when they return the empty container to the shop. The payment is done through the reverse vending machine. The success of this system can be seen in the high rates of returns. These return rates have rarely been reached in other counties especially when all three packaging media are involved. The systems is monitored by Palpa whose sole goal is to ensure that the nation conserves its environment by keeping the containers used to package

Strategic Analysis of Zara Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic Analysis of Zara Inc - Essay Example Research indicates these factors include intensive competitive rivalry, buyer power with consumers, and even threats of substitute products that can drive pricing lower. Research has also indicated much negative publicity for Zara, something requiring addressing by Zara executives in order to improve and sustain a quality brand reputation in its international markets. Though Zara is able to effectively create some barriers, such as new market entrants and by removing buying power by limiting outsourced supplier presence, Zara still requires more emphasis on understanding market characteristics effectively to provide relevant products and gain more brand loyalty. Recommendations for business improvement have been identified as conducting more intensive market research, more emphasis on the promotional function and utilisation of interactive marketing, decentralisation of certain business functions along the value chain, and building more self-owned manufacturing and supply capacity in order to gain competitive advantage. 1.0 Industry analysis Buchanan and Huczynski (2010) provide knowledge of contingency theory, a strategic model that indicates as circumstances in the market or industry change, the organisation’s structure must also be changed in order to adapt and stay relevant. Zara is a prime example of a business that understands the market characteristics and capabilities of major rivals, creating contingency strategies in order to respond (quickly) to changing market and industry dynamics. This is accomplished, of course, through maintaining a stance in which Zara executives routinely scan the external environment to identify threats and opportunities that could contribute to a better market position. Thompson, Gamble and Strickland (2005) offer the Five Forces Model proposed by Michael Porter identifying five competitive threats that are industry-related that will either enhance or disturb maintaining profitability and competitive advantage. The most intensive industry concern for Zara is threat of substitutes in its operating markets. H&M, Gap Inc. and Benetton offer similar fashion merchandise that is focused on either youth markets with a trends-focused set of buying characteristics or mass markets that are attracted to fashionable styles at affordable prices. Macro-economic theory indicates that threat of substitutes becomes a legitimate concern when the demand for the product has been affected by price changes associated with substitute products (Boyes and Melvin 2007). For Zara, substitute products include clothing sold at resale shops, such as with the emerging trend for retro-style fashions. In this environment, clothing is sold at a nominal price, but still offering consumers products that are deemed fashionable. The ability of consumers to procure merchandise and fashion accessories from a variety of lower-cost sales facilities has the ability to affect demand for Zara’s merchandise. Thus, Zara must be aware of alternative procurement

Fiscal Impact That Economic Crisis Has Had On Law Enforcement Essay

Fiscal Impact That Economic Crisis Has Had On Law Enforcement Organizations - Essay Example Since then, policing has been a significant division of the public. Since policing is an important sector in the society. The police of the 21st century are faced with new challenges that need to be discussed. This easy is going to take the readers through the five most important challenges that the 21st centaury police are facing. These five main challenges include governance, cost and cuts, resources, crime and detection and operational priority. Considering the above challenges brings as to the main statement: The officers of Law Enforcement are faced with numerous challenges today as they risk their lives to defend and serve their communities. The tripartite model of Police Authority, Chief Constable and Home Office is very unclear with the existing grate confusion over the roles and responsibility. A solution needs to provide for the professional governance of the police service which is in a confused mess. The removal of NPIA and the changes cried out in SOCA model are a sign the challenges are being treated with seriousness. There are numerous quangos and technical empires and fiefdoms. The skills and expertise contained inside the large number of departments need consolidation and identification, applying the formulae of money value for areas and individuals. The ACPO statue plus all of his 349 members need to be repositioned and remodeled so that there is an increment in accountability and transparency. For there to be confident from the public, the reposition must start from the top with the structure of governance that makes the people who found it accountable, instead of the self perpetuating oligarchy that curren tly pervades. The question that the readers need to ask themselves is that, should there be 43 separately governed different forces within Wales and England (May and Herbert, 2010)? After many years of growth, the pressure in the service has heightened for them to demonstrate that they

Qualitative Article Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Qualitative Article Analysis - Essay Example The grounded approach employed in this study by McAdam was that of Social Constructionist workshops. In order to animate the study, groups of managers from enterprises involved in knowledge management were selected as participants. These workshops were then run by asking the managers to discuss the four generic areas of knowledge management. The four areas of knowledge management in relation to innovation discussed were knowledge construction, knowledge embodiment, knowledge dissemination and knowledge use. Cumulatively, five workshops were done with twenty five different organizations from all sectors represented. The quantitative realm of the study involved the use of questionnaires to survey the scope of knowledge management in relative to key trends (McAdam, 2000). The findings of the study were documented as per the four facets of knowledge management as a driver of innovation. Firstly, on the role of knowledge construction on innovation, it was established that the area of knowledge construction was a key driver of innovation as new knowledge developed was incorporated back into the organization. In addition it was explicitly verified that knowledge construction which lead to elevated innovation was contingent upon both scientifically constructed, as well as, socially constructed knowledge. Secondly, on the role of knowledge embodiment on innovation, it was discovered that for new knowledge to lead to innovation then it must be incorporated within the organization. Not only did participants consider innovation resulting knowledge embodiment as being reflected in the organization’s structure, but also an essential part of organizational culture. In addition, the participants recognized that the role of a knowledge worker was essential to embodiment of knowledge and consequently innovation. Thirdly, on the role of knowledge dissemination on innovation, it was realized that it

The Legislative basis for the assessment of the Smiths needs; Essay

The Legislative basis for the assessment of the Smiths needs; provision of service; and types of services available - Essay Example The standards include the concepts of; dignity; privacy; choice; safety; realizing potential; and equality and diversity. In conjunction with the Regulation Act, the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 seek to promote equity, choice and dignity among clients like the Smiths, by shifting the focus from institutional care and promoting a collaborative approach by health and care services. However, there have been concerns voiced by critics that some of the objectives of these Acts are undermined in terms of discriminatory practices, especially toward elderly citizens. It appears that age discrimination is widespread across health and care services, present in day-to-day language where it is considered 'benign' and evident in beliefs, values and attitudes that perceive the older person as characteristically different from the rest of society. This view is reflected in the chronic under funding of social care for older people. The Smiths, like many elderly within the population of Scotland, have ongoing health care costs, the need for social support, the need for education and up-to-date information pertinent to their social welfare and health needs, as well as idiosyncratic personal needs and expectations, such as assistance and support with their son going to court (Sim, 2005). In this respect, there is a critical need for a review of social and health provisions to the elderly who are living at home. Provision of Services The Scottish Ministers ensure that the provision of services meets a high standard of quality service by regularly reviewing the national care standards that apply to care services, and this includes the delivery of services to the elderly. To enable the optimum provision of services, the standards and services are continuously evaluated with the inclusive consultation of those who are the end users of the services; such as the Smiths. The Scottish Social Services Council's codes of practice are also taken into consideration. The code states the responsibilities of employers when regulating the activities of social service workers. As a code of practice, a list of expectations of social service workers details standards for professional conduct and practice. The code ensures a standardisation of care services across the Scottish community.Hence, an employer must ensure that a competent social worker is part of the services workforce, and this means they must understand the responsib ilities of their role. Policies, procedures and protocols must exist in hard document form to enable social workers to meet the code of practice standards. Training and ongoing professional development opportunities must be made available to social worker staffs. Policies must address issues of discrimination and dangerous or exploitive behavior. And finally the code must be promoted among social workers as well as the wider community. Types of Service For a couple like the Smith's several service care options are available; housing support services (which provides assistance, advice, and counseling) to support the elderly to live within their home; home care services; an independent health care service; a nurse agency; respite care;

SUDAN COUNTRY REPORT PROJECT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SUDAN COUNTRY REPORT PROJECT - Essay Example It has a series of civil wars, political instability and social instability. Achieving a good count of the population is difficult in Sudan because of the constant conflicts in the southern, Eastern and Western regions over the past few decades. The main contribution to this effect is the fact that the southern Sudan government has accused Sudan of deliberately manipulating the census in oil rich regions. These are on the border between Sudan and the Southern Sudan because, with the population as a determining factor, there can, therefore, be a fair share of wealth and power. The other challenge to the population count is the existence of southern Sudanese refugees in the north whose citizenship is questionable after the succession of South Sudan. Nevertheless, as at July 2010, the population was estimated at 43,939,598. Sudan is an ethic-based country. There are more than one hundred ethnic communities2. Arabic is the official language dominating the country’s population. English is being faced out as a foreign language taught in schools although it is still spoken by some people. The country’s population of up to 97% is adherents of Islamic religion with the majority in the Sunni branch. Others are in the Maliki School of Islamic jurisprudence, and the remaining 3% of the population are either Christians or animists. Religious identity plays a major role in political division, in the country in that the Northern and Western Muslims have been at the centre of the country’s political and economic system since independence. Ending the civil war started with the Machakos protocol in July 2002. In 2004, the Sudan government worked together with the United Nations, resulted in signing of the accord that declared for a peace agreement and hence their government signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Based on this agreement, the government of Sudan today is known as a government of National Unity, a power sharing government between the Sudan’s

Marketing product Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Marketing product - Essay Example The essay shall explore the various ways that S&H Distribution Ltd (shoes & heels) can employ to maximize its profits and gain a bigger market share. According to the UK Chartered Institution, Marketing is the management process, which identifies, anticipates and supplies customers’ requirements efficiently and effectively (Blick, 2010, 20). International marketing is the mix of these activities in the national boundaries. Firms branching into new markets should have marketing decisions. Notably, managers should consider four elements including how to identify, price, sell and distribute those products (Joshi, 2012, 41). These essential elements of international marketing are called marketing mix or the 4Ps. They include product, price, promotion, and place. Firstly, the product comprises the tangible and intangible features that meet consumers demand in diverse markets. Secondly, pricing develop policies that in revenue and strategically shape the competitive environment. Thirdly, promotion means devise ways to strength the desirability of the product or service to potential buyers. Fourthly, place is getting products and services into customers hands via transportation and merchandising. Marketing has evolved significantly over the years. What was once a simple concept to determine, explain and execute has now become an essential tool for any organization that wishes to become successful. Initially, there were the 4Ps, which included price, place, promotion and product. However, as the evolution of marketing continuous, several aspects have been incorporated into the marketing mix (Rama Moahana Rao, 2011, 162). They include physical evidence, processes, and processes. These extended elements represent the ever-changing factors that determine the marketing products. The changes in customer behavior and demographics also contribute to the addition of the 4Ps (Hougaard & Bjerre, 28). It is quite difficult to measure

Telephone cable Essay Example for Free

Telephone cable Essay Since the victim is an old woman, it is likely that her death resulted from a robbery attempt. The body was found suspended above the ground, with the anterior abdomen directly resting on the telephone cables. The body seems to have impacted the cables with some force, as evidenced by the notable horizontal impressions of the cable upon the abdomen. Also notable is the absence of livor mortis on the abdomen, indicating that the body was obviously placed/dropped upon the telephone cables some time after death. Livor mortis is apparent on the posterior side of the body, except on the blanched areas of the shoulder blades and buttocks, which are the parts of the body that must have been in contact with the ground for some time after death, thus also indicating that the body lay horizontally, on its back, for some time postmortem. The wrinkled appearance of the livor mortis in the intrascapular area must have been caused by clothing pressing upon the skin. Abrasions on the lower back and on the upper left abdominal quadrant indicate that the body may have been dragged or subjected to some other forms of impact/friction, but whether this occurred before or after death is currently hard to determine. The actual cause of death is not apparent from the images. The neighborhood in which the incident took place is a seedy and rundown area populated by homeless persons, drug addicts, and the like. The woman had been dead for about 24 hours when her body was found, and neighbors state they heard nothing unusual during the time frame. She was at the time of her death living with a man about her age. They had been living together for sometime. The man claims not to know anything about what happened, but does state they had been drinking heavily the night before the body was discovered. The death is in almost all likelihood the result of a crime, as can be conjectured from the location, and also from the postmortem removal of the body to the last position on the telephone cable, and the presence of postmortem laceration on the forehead and the abrasions on the abdomen and lower back. As there is no livor mortis on the head and legs, as would have happened if the body had been deposited on the telephone cable premortem or immediatly after death, we can conclude that the body was placed on the telephone cables after death, a further indication of malicious intent. The sequence of events are likely as follows: after the attacker killed the victim, he/she probably waited for dark before attempting to get rid of the crimes evidence, including the body. The attacker must have dragged the body, and then pushed it over the railings of the balcony. Somewhere along this process the abrasions on the abdomen and lower back and the laceration on the forehead might have been inflicted. When the criminal pushed the body off the balcony, perhaps with the intent dropping it to the ground and subsequently hiding the body for good, the rigor mortis that had set in due to the long wait between death and disposal caused the body to catch on the telephone cable.

Black hawk down

Black hawk down Analysis It can be argued that Black Hawk Down is accurate in the sense of numbers and statistics. Yes, two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down 19 Americans were killed, 84 wounded, and an estimated 2000 Somalis were killed and even more wounded.Yes the street fighting was realistic, and yes, they were in Mogadishu that day to capture two top lieutenants in Aidids government, and therefore from a military point of view, was a successful mission.But the film fails to retell the complexities of why the Americans are there in the first place. It is more a tool of American Hollywood propaganda than an accurate account of the Battle of Mogadishu. In Black Hawk Down the American soldiers are shown in an overly heroic way. No doubt these men were very brave struggling to survive with the odds so greatly against them. But the way they are portrayed and glorified is the patriotic nonsense one can expect from Hollywood. These soldiers are depicts without faults, and they can do no wrong. They are the ideal family men who constantly look after one another. Any facts that may contradict this, like their contribution to the Somali death toll before the battle (6-10,000 casualties in the summer of 1993 alone, two-thirds women and children) is conveniently left out. Their only shortcoming is the disastrous way the mission was handled but there is no blame put on them for that in the movie.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Battle of Mogadishu was clearly not a battle of â€Å"good versus bad as most things in life are. But the seeing the way the Somalis are portrayed as evil, barbaric and mindless people, it is clear that the movie would certainly like us to think that this was the case. The American soldiers are established as the saviours of the Somalis, and it is these soldiers who are wrongfully attacked. By using dramatic camera shots, and clichà ©d Hollywood lines like â€Å"Nobody asks to be a hero, it just sometimes turns out that way† help to drive home the themes of brotherhood and comradeship. By graphically showing the wounds and casualties of the American soldiers, the movie evokes sympathy and removes the blame for the catastrophe from the soldiers. They are portrayed as heroic and patriotic, but this portrayal is misleading. The film begins with scenes of starving Somalis on the brink of death or already dead; the screen is tinted blue to heighten the feeling of sadness. They all live in dilapidated huts, and the whole situation seems desperate children taking care of their dying parents. A sort â€Å"history† of American involvement is displayed on the screen: â€Å"Years of warfare among rival clans causes famine on a biblical scale† â€Å"Behind a force of 20,000 U.S. Marines, food is delivered and order is restored.† no mention of the USs past involvement in selling arms to the dictators, or helping to stir up clan violence. The audience only knows what they are being told the US troops are the good guys saving the day, not at all having anything to do with causing these atrocities. And after the audience is full of sorrow for the Somalis, a bright image of US military vehicle bringing food and supplies to Somalia. We are relieved that the Somalis are receiving the help they need, and we are subconsciously relieved that the blue tint is gone. So from the beginning of the movie we are made to see that the US military is the saviour and we as the audience are therefore indebted to them. We also now have sympathy for the soldiers it is this sympathy that dominates the rest of the film. Because the storyline of Black Hawk Down is just one big battle scene there are no subplots to entertain a wider audience, the themes of comradeship are over emphasized (mostly in a clichà ©d way) to make it more appealing. The tagline of the film is â€Å"leave no man behind† this is repeated about four times in the film, to the point where we can predict when it is coming. Similarly, we are flooded with messages of dedication and solidarity. Lines like â€Å"I think I was trained to make a difference† and â€Å"Its what you do right now that makes the difference.† These kinds of lines are without a doubt used to emphasize the honour and comradeship between the soldiers, it rather detracts the human interaction of these characters by reducing them to clichà ©d statements of emotion or motivation. The line â€Å"make a difference† is both overused and ambiguous what do the soldiers hope to make a difference in? This constant repetition of such dialogu e is a demonstration of the filmmakers wish to portray the American soldiers as good and moral men. Also this simplicity and predictability of these lines could be intended for us to make an easy definition between good and evil, and hero and villain. The American soldiers all have their specific identities, and their portrayal is made extremely personal compared to that of the Somalis. We have the â€Å"bad boy† the â€Å"underdog† and the â€Å"rookie† to name a few, and just to make sure we know who is who, the soldiers have their names written on their helmets (which was not done in reality). We see that these soldiers are people like us they watch television, play chess and do things any one of us would do. Most of all they are devoted family men. One soldier, after being severed I half, in his last words says: â€Å"Tell my girls Ill be okay.† And another one on his deathbed â€Å"Tell my parents that I fought well today, that I fought hard† even in death he is seeking his familys approval. This use of the soldiers having families makes our experience of these characters a much more personal one.   The Americans only shoot militia, not one innocent man, women or child is shot. However, we all know that this cannot be the case as in most urban conflicts; civilians are almost the highest casualties. Soldiers from that day have been quoted as saying â€Å"we fired on crowds and eventually at anyone and anything they saw. With these family members in mind, the horrific and graphic way in which the American casualties are displayed only reinforces our sympathy for the plight that the soldiers are in most of the gore and blood in the movie belongs to Americans, not Somalis a severed thumb attached only by a thread, a white detached arm that is picked up off the ground, a stomach pierced by a missile, a soldier severed in half, are all examples of American casualties. Thus the Americans are portrayed as the â€Å"good guys†, while the Somalis as the â€Å"bad guys† who inflict these casualties. With the â€Å"good guy† established, it seems natural have the opposite the â€Å"bad guy†. Enter the Somalis. Dressed all in black with shadowed sinister faces, accompanied by dark techno music they are the epitome of evil. We are unable to differentiate between one Somali and the next, and there are no names given to them. Their actions seem to be motivated by nothing more than the thirst for the blood of white men, Americans in particular. Even before the fighting starts, in the market place scenes, the camera does not focus on one Somali. They have no personalities, and their everyday lives are trivialized. The Somalis are therefore on the periphery of a movie set in Somalia. Even the extras do not resemble Somalis, but rather any black people. Another point is that the militia become indistinguishable from the citizens of Mogadishu. Even though the military officials in the movie say that those holding weapons are part of the militia. There is another scene when a general says:â€Å"The whole city is gonna come down on them.†At this point the distinction between citizenry and the militia is lost we know believe that the entire city is engaged in the conflict, which we therefore assume are all sided with Aidid. But there were reports that many of the Somalis were not part of Aidids militia but rather people who thought their homes were under attack and were therefore protecting their homes. The Somalis are depicted as a pack of rabid animals snarling at fallen soldiers, shooting at a corpse and fast moving hands grabbing at the fallen helicopter all convey an unexplained sense of hostility. Somalis appear like packs of animals with the use of aerial camera angles showing swarming bodies. There is nothing of Somali culture in the movie, and they are not given a voice. The Americans â€Å"affectionately† refer to the Somalis as â€Å"skinnies†.   We are told that thousands of Somalis were killed, but every time a Somali is shot, it is clean, and he (or she) conveniently falls away from the camera. There is no blood or gore like the American injuries. There are no innocent women or children killed, and in this way Black Hawk Down does not let us see the full scope of the devastation of the thousands of Somali deaths. This only allows for the interpretation of the Somalis as the â€Å"bad guys†. The US government had been involved in the making of Black Hawk Down since it first started being written, and the creators had the full co-operation and approval of the military because of the pro-American bias of the movie. The producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been quoted as saying to the Army vice chief of staff: â€Å"General, Im going to make a movie that you and your Army will be proud of.† The creators were allowed full use of military equipment and training, as well as dozens of actual soldiers for extras. But, the military, to ensure precision, monitored the filming daily.   Special task teams were set up to provide the moviemakers with specific military advice. Helicopters and Humvees were also loaned to them.It seems appropriate that a film endorsed by the US military, will have the views of the US military. And not surprisingly has had an overwhelmingly positive response from the military; Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfe ld and were among those pleased at the screening of the movie, and Army Secretary Thomas White gave the film a thumbs up

The Most Famous Online Shopping Website In China Marketing Essay

The Most Famous Online Shopping Website In China Marketing Essay Abstract Taobao is the most famous online shopping website in China. It was launched in 2003 and within two years it became the leader of Chinas online shopping market. In order to keep the leadership position in increasingly intense competition and sustain its development, Taobao needs to modify and better its strategies for future development. Furthermore, its marketing strategies can also provide a good example for other online shopping companies. This essay is going to make an overall analysis on Taobaos business strategies by SWOT. Key words: Taobao; marketing strategies; SWOT analysis Content 1. Introduction 3 2.1 Leading position in Chinas online shopping market 4 2.2 Effective combination of diversified offerings 4 2.3 Precise market positioning 5 3.1 Limiting itself to local market 6 3.2 Insufficient screen process to control counterfeit products 6 4. Opportunities 7 4.1 Growing demand for online shopping in China 7 4.2 Government support 7 4.3 Safer payment systems for online transactions 7 5. Threats 8 5.1 Low entry barrier leads to fierce competition 8 5.2 Strict policy for third parties payment license 8 5.3 Higher logistics costs 8 6 Conclusions 9 Bibliography 10 1. Introduction Taobao operates a website, Taobao.com which is the largest Internet retail website in China. According to its website the transaction volume on Taobao (gross merchandise volume or GMV) exceeded RMB200 billion (US$29 billion) in 2009. Taobao launched in 2003, is owned by Alibaba Group, which is a family of Internet-based businesses. (Taobao, n.d.) Taobao provides not only online platforms but also third-party online payment services (Alipay) and instant messaging services (Aliwangwang) Platforms within Taobao include Alimama (alimama.com), an online advertising exchange and affiliate network for publishers in China. In addition, there is also a classified listing website Koubei.com. (ibid.) SWOT analysis, according to Philip Kolter, is an overall evaluation of a companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. (Kolter, 2003) As the competition in the online shopping market is becoming increasingly fierce, Taobao faces some problems as well. The purpose of this SWOT analysis is to provide a critical review of key factors that may slow down Taobaos future development. 2. Strengths 2.1 Leading position in Chinas online shopping market Taobao is an acknowledged leader in both B2C (business to consumer) and C2C (consumer to consumer) online shopping market in China. Taobao has (should be: had) more than 190 million registered users by (could use: at) the end of April, 2010. (Taobao, n.d.) It has built a strong brand and is recognised by more Netizen (which is defined as the Chinese population who have accessed the Internet in the past 6 months by China Internet Network Information Centre) (CNNIC. 2008, January 15th). The company is well-thought-of by customers which gives Taobao more advantages in competition. 2.2 Effective combination of diversified offerings Taobao combines its three segment businesses effectively to enlarge its customer base. Take Alipay as an example, it is a third-party online payment platform, provides a simpler, efficient and safe payment service for both customers and sellers. This service not only ensure (should be: ensures) the transaction security but also reduces the transaction risk for online consumers, as it enables buyers to confirm the quality of goods before releasing funds to sellers. For example, if goods are found (to be) broken or fake, customers can request Alipay to postpone the release of funds to sellers. (Taobao, n.d.) This service help (should be: helps) Taobao (to) attract more customers. In addition, an instant message (could use: messaging) service called Aliwangwang make (should be: makes) the communication between (the) buyer and seller easier. Moreover, this service enables (the) buyer and seller (to) have a directly private bargain during the transactions, which is the preference of Chinese customers. 2.3 Precise market positioning Taobao analyzed Chinas online shopping market at the beginning of its business. Different from other online shopping websites which prefer older white-collar worker(s) with higher salaries or people who like collecting and sharing, Taobao chose fashionable younger females as the target customer. This market positioning proved more suitable for Chinas market compared to other websites (apostrophe not needed) . This is one of the reasons that the growth rate of Taobao is much higher than other competitors. 3. Weaknesses 3.1 Limiting itself to local market The design of Taobao website and other supporting services were based on Chinas local market. This localisation strategy made Taobao grew (should be: grow) fast at the beginning. However, with the development of the website, this strategy limits Taobao to the Chinese market and (, therefore resulting in a) lack of presence in (the) global market. 3.2 Insufficient screen process to control counterfeit products Although Taobao has taken some measures to control the sale of fake goods, such as rating the sellers by credit value, the result was not as expected. Because of the free strategy that Taobao used, individuals can establish an online shop easily without charge and requirement. This makes it even hard to monitor and select sellers that commit fraud. Lack of effective screening processes to control the sale of counterfeit products has had a negative influence on customers confidence in Taobao. It could also affect Taobaos brand image and sales. 4. Opportunities 4.1 Growing demand for online shopping in China According to CNNIC, the number of online buyers reached 87.9 million by June 2009, increasing from 74 million in 2008 and 46 million in 2007. The online shopping penetration rate achieved 24.8% by June 2009. (CNNIC. 2010, January 15th; 2010, July 15th) As the data above shows, more people in China prefer to buy products online. Convenience and various choices could be two main reasons. This increasingly growing demand for online shopping contributed to the growth of Taobao. 4.2 Government support After the global financial crisis, (the) Chinese government provided a RMB 4 trillion stimulus package in order to boost the domestic economic growth through 2010. (the) IT industry received around 0.5% to 1% of the cash injection. (Xinhua, 2008). This gave online shopping companies strong support for future developments. 4.3 Safer payment systems for online transactions The improved online payment systems play an important role in the growth of Chinese online shopping markets. There are more flexible payment systems for customers to choose. For example, a third-party online payment system ensures the security of transaction(s) and enables customers to get their refunds easily. A simpler and safer payment for online transaction(s) attracts (should be: attract) more customers. 5. Threats 5.1 Low entry barrier leads to fierce competition Because of the low entry barrier and fast growing market, Taobao meets many challenges, particularly in the face of increased competition from new market entrants. In addition, without many technical difficulties, it is easy for other competitors to copy Taobaos business pattern. Therefore, Taobao will be forced to increase investments on advertising or technological innovation. 5.2 Strict policy for third parties payment license Recently, Peoples Bank of China issued an Administrative Measures for the Payment Services Provided by Non-financial Institutions which has raised the entry standard for third payment party. In order to get (could use: obtain) and keep the license, Taobao has to increase its expenditure on online payment. 5.3 Higher logistics costs Taobao will give customers suggestions about the logistic companies which are mostly local third party logistics providers and customers usually take the suggestions because of the lower delivery prices these companies offered, compared to other international express companies, such as DHL and UPS. However, local third party logistics recently announced that they would raise the price. As most online customers are highly prices sensitive, this will have a negative effect on Taobaos sale. 6 Conclusions According to the SWOT analysis, although there are some drawbacks which have negative effects on Taobaos future development, the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages. In addition, there are many opportunities for Taobaos further growth. This conclusion will give some suggestions for Taobaos future business expansion. First of all, in order to keep the leadership position, technological innovation is crucial for Taobao. Taobao may focus on continuous improvement of its online payment system, which is also one of its strengths, particularly in the aspect of transactions (should be transactions, without apostrophe) reliability and security. Moreover, website functions, Internet stability and high-speed access to websites are also important in providing a better user experience, which may help to attract more customers. Secondly, as Taobao has the advantage of large scale consumers and sellers, Taobao may segment its market to provide more specialized services based on different demands so that it can meet customers requirements more effectively. To sum up, it is undeniable that the future of (the) online shopping market in China is promising. Based on the statistics by CNNIC, It is in a steadily (should be: steady) development stage. In this attractive online shopping market, more complete logistics providers and payment systems will appear. These will provide Taobao more opportunities to develop in the future.

How to Write a Personal Narrative Essay :: Personal Narrative Writing

How to Write a Personal Narrative Essay There is very little mystery to writing the personal narrative essay. There is no proper topic for such an essay. An essay can be about a variety of personal experiences. You, the writer, have the right to say what you want about your personal experience. You can write about anything -- Aunt Sally, the funky necklace you bought at a garage sale, the harrowing experience of being stuck in an elevator, the best Christmas you ever had, the worst day of your life. No topic or subject is off-limits; therefore there are endless opportunities to write an essay about your personal, point-of-view of what happened. Often the reason behind wanting to write a personal essay is unclear. Once the writing begins and the events are recorded and recounted it becomes clear that the writer is searching to find the meaning, the universal truth, the lesson learned from the experience. When writing, rewriting and good editing coalesce, a personal narrative essay becomes a beautiful thing. It shows how the past or a memory’s significance affects the present or even the future. We all have stories to tell. But facing a blank page is intimidating. Knowing where to begin becomes a real dilemma. A good place to start is with the word I. Write I was, I saw, I did, I went, I cried, I screamed, I took for granted. I is an empowering word. Once you write it on the page it empowers you to tell your story. That’s exactly what you are going to do next. Tell the story. Get it all out. Don’t worry about how many times I appears in the text. Don’t worry how scattered and unfocused thoughts are. Write however your mind tells you to write. This style is often called freewheeling writing or stream of consciousness. Once the story is all down on paper you will go back and begin to shape the essay into a form that says exactly what you want it to say about your experience. If you’re discouraged over what you’ve written, back away from it. Let it rest. Take a walk. Do something that distracts your mind from writing the essay. Many writers fi nd that even while doing something other than writing, their writing mind continues to work out what needs to be said and continues to uncover the multi-layered associations and voices of what they’re writing about.

Essay --

Article Analysis The article I choose to write my analysis on is about a small study that found brain differences between social butterflies’ and isolated people. A study conducted by Maryann Noonan on 18 people ages 27-70 proposes that parts of your brain may in fact be different depending on how much you socialize , whether your what some people call a social butterfly or a lone wolf. The researchers asked the people how much they socialized during a time period of 30 days; the socialization consisted of anything from phone calls to face to face interactions. They then scanned the brains of the 18 individuals in the experiment looking for anything that people with similar amounts of socialization had in common. From the brain scans they discovered that in fact three parts of the brain seemed to be bigger, additionally it appeared that those parts were also more strongly connected to other regions of the brain in the people who had more social interactions compared to the people who stayed t o themselves. The results that the experimenters found also correlated with a previous study done on monkey that had similar results in the brains of monkeys who lived in larger groups. In the end this research may be hard to fully understand, because it is hard to conduct an experiment that follows people from a young age and if their socialization directly effects their brain growth. The results of the experiment are surprising to me and leave me to believe that it is unlikely to have a definitive answer as to how our behavior affects our brain structure, unless an experiment is conduct from the start of someone’s early childhood. This article leaves me with a few questions however; the first question is do people’s brains make them the per... ...nships. We all know that animals don’t get married but they can still have a life long relationship with another member of their species in which they have offspring and live their wholes lives together. Humans and animals have similar social patterns they just show it in different ways. This can occur because one of the huge differences in humans and animals in that they have different behavior development and evolution. Human behavior is heavily based off of social organization and social interaction. While animal’s behavior is only slightly based on social influence because their actions are based on instinct and reactions to their environment. From the research I did I found that there are similarities between human and animal socialization patterns, animals may do it in different ways but they are expressing the same social patterns and expressions as humans.

How does art change your perception of a metaphysical concept? :: essays research papers

Death is a metaphysical concept that is abstract and theoretical in composition, but doesn’t embody a material form. From person to person, there are a vast array of interpretations of what death is and what it means to each individual. There is no single universal understanding of what death is, since it doesn’t embody any physical characteristics. I am the kind of person whose opinions are very easily influenced. Whenever I read a book, listen to a song, watch a movie, or look at artwork containing a strong message, my opinions (mainly metaphysical ones) are greatly impacted. Death is a topic everyone will witness countless times during his or her lifetime. Death of loved ones’, animals, or strangers are just few examples of experiences that can mold one’s impression of death. Since I am rather young, I have only truly experienced death on few occasions. One of which was the death of my grandfather. He was in a lot of pain and was bedridden for months. For him, death was almost inevitable and was an answer to the pain he was feeling. I’m not 100% definite how I personally perceive death, but because of my grandfather, I always think of death as being imperative, yet inevitable. I have a great fear for death, because I know how much pain it causes loved ones. When I was in my 9th grade Spanish class, I remember watching an informational movie on the art of bullfighting. A man dressed up in brightly colored clothes chases a bull around the ring, and tries to lodge a spiked instrument into his shoulder blade, and inevitably, kill him. Hundreds of people around the world congregate in Spain to witness this spectacle of death. In this art form, death is put on stage as a light-hearted form of entertainment. After I witnessed this very controversial art form, my perception of death was affected, and I started to perceive death as being more light-hearted, however I still don’t believe it ethical to gain entertainment from it. I now also perceive death as being almost graceful and serene. This type of art portrays death as un-daunting and I am not as fearful of it after I watched it. â€Å"Gassing† by David Olere is a chilling representation of a gas chamber during the time of the holocaust. When I first saw this, the hair on my arms immediately stood straight up.

“I Go Back to May 1937” Essay

– One paragraph on imagery in the poem – One paragraph on a literary element of your choice (metaphors, similes, etc.) â€Å"I Go Back to May 1937† is a wonderfully crafted poem by Sharon Olds. This poem has more meaning than you give it, for the imagery and foreshadowing it is filled with. This poem tells you a story of how the narrator’s father and mother met and how their life expanded from there.†I see my father strolling out / under the ochre sandstone arch, the / red tiles glinting like bent/plates of blood behind his head† (2-5) feels like it’s such a wonderful day. New young people are graduating into the real world and everyone’s proud of them. Yet, reading closely shows you that the red tiles are bent â€Å"like plates of blood† is not just a color description. There is something so mysterious and foreboding behind him on such beautiful a graduation day. The ominous scene appears again at â€Å"I/ see my mother with a few light books at her hip/ standing at the pillar made of tiny bricks/ the wrought iron gate still open behind her, its/ sword-tips aglow in the May air† (5-9) This time, the author puts in â€Å"sword-tips aglow in the May air†. Is it because the gate shall close on her life again and she will never be able to receive the happiness she should have gotten? The sharp knife finally cuts and twists into you when the narrator says, â€Å"You are going to suffer in ways you have not heard of/You are going to want to die† (18-19). After this one graduation day, everything breaks into pieces. The narrator is still worrying years later, even when he/she is finally an adult. The poem sends great images of how everything happened. Every word is carefully crafted so it fits and gives you the story the poet wishes to give you. The first two lines already give you an image of a young man leaving his college, strolling through this arch into his life, into his future. He is confident with his stride, not skipping, nor trudging. During the fifth and sixth line, there is a young woman there. She is more fragile, like carefully blown glass. She is the intellectual type as shown holding a few books, and lingering there at the gate, not moving. She is anticipating the time that she enters the world as a woman. Toward the end of the poem, the poet says â€Å"Take them up like the male and female/ paper dolls and bang them together/ at the hips, like chips of flint, as if to/ strike sparks from them† (26-29). This is where you see just two dolls, who’s expressions change and they cry out as the narrator hits them at each other. In the end though, the anger just burns out and all the narrator can do is decide â€Å"Do what you are going to do, and I will tell about it† (30).

Does the World Still Care About American Culture Essay

Pells – Does the World Still Care About American Culture? What does Pells mean by the statement, â€Å"American culture used to be the elephant in everyone’s living room†? â€Å"Elephant in the room† is a term used for an obvious truth that is going unaddressed or being ignored. It also applies to an obvious problem that everyone is ignoring or no one wants to state it. In the article when Pells mentioned â€Å"American culture used to be the elephant in everyone’s living room.† he meant that the American culture is being forced on everyone whether they like it or not it. If we look back after WWII everyone wants to study in the US because the American culture was the dominant culture in the world whether you are fan of the culture or not, it will still affect you. Just like an elephant in the living room whether you are comfortable or not you still can not deny the existence of the elephant. (Pells has a very different perspective on globali sm when compared to O’Connor and Verdu and even Rice-Oxley. When we go back to O’Connor’s and Rice-Oxley’s article we can see that both authors main point is that America is forcing its culture to the world. Moreover, they both believe that American culture is the dominant culture of the world. In the other hand, Pells believe that the American culture used to be the dominant culture in the world back in the 20’s centuries. Furthermore, Pells states that we are living in an era where the American culture is one of many other competing cultures in the world, in other words we are living in a new world order and a globalization era where everyone have many options of cultures to adapt from. Rice-Oxley writes about a cultural backlash against America. What is Pells saying here that is different? Do you agree with Pells’s assessment? After reading Pells article I’ve realized that the author believes there is no backlash against american because nowadays the American culture is just another another item on the shelves of the global supermarket. Pells states that in the 90’s many people assumed that the emergence of what they called global culture is just another mechanism for Americanization, but the truth is that globalization has strengthened the culture of other nations. Now the American culture is competing against other culture in shaping people’s values and tastes. Furthermore, Pells strongly believe that the world we are living is not a hegemonic American culture, instead it is a multiple form of art and entertainment.

Torture: Morality and Terrorist

In the article â€Å"The Truth about Torture†, Charles Krauthammer considers the ticking time bomb problem and argues that torture is sometimes not only morally permissible, but morally necessary. Krauthammer uses the example of terrorists in his example, what if we captured a terrorist with knowledge of an attack and the knowledge of future attacks; do we torture him for his information? Or simply just have him locked up? (Krauthammer 2). Utilitarian considerations are sufficient to justify using cruel actions against terrorists to extract confessions.Even though is cruel to torture one to extract information, it is our duty as citizens to maintain the happiness as a whole and do what is necessary to save lives. Utilitarianism is a consequential normative moral theory, which state the moral value of an action is determined by the most happiness or utility it creates (Mill 461). If we use this definition to analyze the case, then yes it is sufficient to use cruel actions such as waterboarding and sodium pentathol injections on terrorists to extract information.Waterboarding is a terrifying and deeply shocking torture technique in which the prisoner has his face exposed to water in a way that gives the feeling of drowning (Krauthammer 3). Sodium pentathol injection is a sedative drug; its purpose is to disinhibit the higher brain centres to make someone more likely to share their information (Krauthammer 3). In parts of Asia, torture is embedded in the criminal justice system (Wong 1). So there is no concern as to why torture can’t be used in the example of the terrorist. By torturing the terrorist, we are able to extract information from him, thus doing what is morally right and save lives.Maintaining and creating happiness among the whole is more important just the happiness of a person. If that is the case then wouldn’t torturing the terrorist be the right thing to do? Torturing him would make the world a more peaceful place and also lett ing terrorists know that we are not scared of them and we’ll do whatever it takes to spoil their well-thought-out plans. Utilitarianism allows for violations of justice. This is one of those violations because we’re torturing for the good of humankind and fighting off evil at the same time.Some might argue torturing someone is morally wrong, even though is for a good cause. The example of waterboarding and sodium pentathol injection is cruel and non-humane. This is because both these examples violate basic human rights. Injecting sodium pentathol into another human is usually against their own will, let alone extracting information from them without their consent. Utilitarianism holds that actions tend to help promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce unhappiness (Mill 462). In this case, wouldn’t we create unhappiness for the terrorist because he is suffering?Saving lives is one thing, but there must be better ways of extracting information than to tortu re another human. With regards to torture on the terrorist, is important to note that utilitarian maintain that each person’s happiness is to be weighted equally and that happiness is pleasure and the absence of pain (Mill 469). Torturing then would be the right thing to do because happiness out-weight unhappiness. More people will be upset and devastated if a terrorist attack did happen and we choose not to torture the terrorist to extract information. If the terrorist attack did not go as planned, so what?The terrorist wouldn’t be devastated and be sad as much as we would have to deal with the death of innocent people. The terrorist will probably just think of a better plan and hope it’ll execute to perfection the next time. Is necessary to be cruel and torture a terrorist to get information, but on one condition, if happiness out-weight unhappiness. This is the case when we know lives can be saved by means of torture. Torture is cruel, with examples such as i njections of sodium pentathol and waterboarding, but sometimes is needed to help do what’s best for humankind.Bibliography -Wong Kai-shing. â€Å"The Problem of Torture in China's Criminal Justice System† http://www. hrsolidarity. net/mainfile. php/2005vol15no05/2451/ – Krauthammer, Charles. â€Å"The Truth about Torture† http://www. weeklystandard. com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/400rhqav. asp? page=3 -Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. In Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings, Fifth Edition. Eds JohnPerry, Michael Bratman and John Martin Fischer. New York, NY: Oxford University press, 2010. Pp. 457-476.

Effects of Social Problems Symptoms Essay

The symptoms of social problems among teenagers in this day will give you an impression of the enormous impact and in the individual, society and the State. Teens on this day is the main asset and it is essential in the development of the country at the time to come. Effect of long term and short term will surely apply if teenagers and society on this day does not know how to menanganani problems that exacerbated the tapered, this makes the formation of identity and the glory of the morals of our society’s eyes fragile self.Morals is mirrored themselves for personal and individual. If the individual has a bad character, then that personal individual will also be bad. Teens who have bad attitudes, and may give the impression to oneself, family, community, and country. One employee who was born this mortal circle like a white cloth sesuci no kotoranya, it is it is up on the individual it how he wants to mencorakkan his life. Individuals who mencorakkan himself with a good character will be seen noble and high, as opposed to the individual who mencorakkan himself with negative things will be perceived by the public and angle dicemuh round. For someone who had the title of Muslims are predominantly teens, good morals should be decorated with the things of faith and devotion to God. Instead, the muslim teenager kebanyankkan on today is not in accordance with the teachings of islam, by contrast, Nations and religions humiliating the country. Cannot be disclaimed warranties are also symptoms of social impression this gives a deep impression on a person’s teens. Families play a role that is very important because of the happiness and harmony of the institution of kekeluargaanlah something that society was formed. The collapse of the family institution will cause a loss of happiness and harmony experienced something of the community. The morals of an individual good and noble juveniles comes from a family institution that harmony and happy. Therefore, the collapse of morals in the family institution will give a great impression upon the happiness and harmony of the family institution. something As a result of his careless harmonian in family a family no doubt will be the enactment of penceraian. This will make the future children will be left unattended and not well maintained, beyond missing site dependent and bermanja. The effect the enactment of social problems such as drugs, addictive lepak cultures, prostitution, gambling, same-sex relationships and other issues. Falls and ups something the State, religion and the nation at present is to see morals and moral thing for society. The disclaimed warranties not the morals of adolescents in today’s highly membimbangkan society. If this is not dammed by the party – the party that, chiefly by the Empire, then it is not surprising, someday will come our society will crumble and collapse the morals of adolescents – Malay teen will chiefly rosak and perish. However there is the sharpest impression that will be seen on teen attitudes, and presumably today is not dammed quickly. People in this country will be porak-peranda, were divided and not United-ECE. As a result the bad feelings and prejudices will exist within the community. The nature of each curiga-mencurigai will be enthroned in the hearts of the people. This impression when menberi goes pergaduhan in the community. The incoherent issues will exist if pergaduhan this involves between two clans. As for the crime levels in the community will also increase to which this is due to the levels of moral collapse among teenagers has increased. The main implications against the State if the symptoms are not social ditengani soon will lead the country will lose the leadership generation upholstery in the future. This will make the country’s development will be terbantut kerancakan and State socioeconomic data into humid country because his social and moral collapse of the symptoms is high among the public. This makes the case for the crime levels in the country will also increase in line with increased social symptoms he while enhancing the perbelajaan of kos to reduce rates for the crime. Beyond the evils outside evils will seep into the country if the young generation today don’t know keep their morals. And, the main impression is that teens today are predominantly of Islamic morals teenagers crushed and then view rosak Gentiles against religion that we anuti on this day surely gone Askew and bad.

Training Plan ( Training & Devolpment) Assignment

Training Plan ( Training & Devolpment) - Assignment Example Workshop and exercises (Day 2). Workshop served as the summative learning wherein participants were asked at the end of the module to identify gaps in their time management and how to improve them through effective time management. In this exercise, participant’s ability to manage their time effectively using the methods taught was gauged. The exercises will help the administrators of the training to identify training gap. This is beneficial for the training session because it will help ensure that the training objectives will be imbued among the participants. These objectives include a grasp of time management and the ability to manage and control their time and activities properly. Flipchart and power point presentation. For the participants have a visual idea of how to effectively manage their time using the various time management techniques such as time matrix, prioritizing, and goal setting, a power point presentation were used during the lecture and discussion to aid and facilitate understanding about SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bound) goal setting and other methods. This will aid the formative learning process Participant’s grasp of the training were measured in terms of their ability to construct their own Time Matrix, SMART Plans, Order of Priorities and ability to identify the important from non-important activities. The long-term benefit of the training plan may not be immediately felt by the students and administrators of the training. It is expected however that students must be able to have a greater efficacy and efficiency in their activities that will result to higher productivity and better performance in all aspect of lives due to the lessons learned in time management. Ultimately, it is also envisaged that with the ability to control time and manage activities, students will have a more fruitful and successful lives both in

The writing life of the arthur Stephen king Research Paper

The writing life of the arthur Stephen king - Research Paper Example While King was in college, he spent a lot of time doing odd jobs to pay for his tuition, but he continued to write. In 1967, King’s first professional story, â€Å"The Glass Floor,† was sold. After college, King was unable to find immediate employment, so he made money by selling many of his short stories to men’s magazines. Even after he obtained a job as an English teacher, King continued to write and sell his short stories to various publications. In 9171, he began to prepare notes for his first novels. From the mid-70s to the mid-80s, Stephen King saw some of his biggest successes. In 1974, his novel Carrie was published. He originally threw away the manuscript for the novel, but his wife convinced him to finish. To this day, Carrie remains to be one of his most acclaimed novels. The following year came the publishing and releasing of his second novel, Salem’s Lot. In 1977, after his mother’s death from cancer, King wrote and published The Shini ng, yet another one of his most-recognized novels and the most referenced in popular culture. The following year, The Stand, his forth novel, was written and published. In 1985, King had a taste of the comic book world, collaborating on an X-Men comic books with various other writers for a charity event. King took part in his own individual comic book adventure in 1986, writing the introduction to an anniversary addition of Batman (Collings 45). In the latter part of the 1970s, the conception of King’s first series, The Dark Tower series, led to further success for the writer. The first novel was featured in installments in various horror-based magazines. It was professionally published in 1982 and gained quick popularity amongst horror, fantasy, and science fiction fans. The seven-book series was written and published over a span of forty years, with the final one being released in 2004. In 2009, however, King also wrote and published a prequel to the series. On June 19, 199 9, Stephen King was involved in a car accident, during which he was struck by an unaware driver while King was walking along the road and reading a book (Brooks 428). The accident caused numerous injuries and great pain in King, prompting him to announce his retirement from writing in 2002. Due to the injuries sustained in his accident, he found it painful to sit for long periods of time, which took away a lot of his time for writing. However, King has since continued writing, pumping out almost a novel every year. His last published book, in 2009, was Ur. In March of 2011, King made it known that his next novel was set to be released November 8, 2011, and that he was planning on publishing an eighth Dark Tower novel in 2012. Stephen King is one of the most well-known horror writers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Though he is writing at a slower pace due to the pains of his accident, King has made it clear that writing is not only his job, but his life, and he has no i ntentions of parting from his works until his dying day. Until then, he will continue to appease to his loyal fans. Works Cited Beahm, George W. The Stephen King Story. 2nd ed. Kansas City, MO: Andrews & McMeel, 2000. Print. Beahm divulges into the life of Stephen King. The majority of the book is centered on King's childhood. More specifically, the events and

Innovation - PAYPAL make the life more easier Essay

Innovation - PAYPAL make the life more easier - Essay Example In 2002, PayPal was acquired by EBay Inc. and made the official payment channel of the worldwide sites of EBay electronic commerce business wing. PayPal is chosen as the innovation topic for the essay because the establishment of PayPal was followed by huge success and popularity of the same in the international financial services and online payments domain. The essay would include a discussion of why PayPal can be considered to be a radical innovation in the electronic commerce and financial services domain. A review of the different literary works presented on the topic of innovation is done to link the theories of innovation to the practical example of PayPal as a breakthrough innovation. A section of the essay would include a discussion of the conditions and background which led to the establishment and success of PayPal in the global business platform. The essay would be suitably concluded with a summary of the findings from the report and with a small discussion regarding the future strategies that are likely to be used by PayPal for continued success and sustainability. PayPal was initially set up as a technology push innovation and later ensured continued success through sustainable innovative practices. This technological innovation was a result of the combination of technological advances and improvement in the use of materials and processes within different businesses. The innovation was fuelled and supported by the boom of electronic commerce activities across the globe. The cross border electronic commerce transactions conducted by millions of people across the globe created the need for a unique, safe, secure and globally usable online payment transfer domain. The innovators of PayPal tapped in this market need and used the advances in technology like access to internet, development of financial services domains and electronic commerce businesses to create the online

Social Determinant of Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Determinant of Health - Essay Example The lower end of the hierarchy becomes the subject of the misfortunes within a given community. The essay will focus on the Martin’s family with an aim of determining how the social determinants of health are crucial. The level health is determined by the way people access different amenities. The social determinants are variables under which health providers depend on while designing health models. The Martin’s family is an extended family with a number of risk factors that determine their health status. The family lineage consist of hereditary diseases and habits that tend to recur a cross the family members. Mary Martin is married to Dominic and after 52 years, she is left a widower. The family had three children with the younger one deceased. Isaac and Julia are both alcoholics and Isaac died from an accident. Gilbert’s wife divorces his first wife and marries a second wife. The marriage results two children. His first marriage on the other hand bore the pair a son. The first wife suffered from asthma. The second wife has a history of schizophrenia. The ex-wife parents were alcoholic, her father died from lung cancers, and her mother dies of breast cancer. The family has a history of asthma, cancer and alcoholism (The Canadian Neighborhood n.d). The Martins family has a history of alcoholism. The factor puts the family at risk of passing the habit to future generation. The family linage has had a history of alcoholism. The male population tends to be at a higher risk of becoming an alcoholic than the female population. The family tends to adapt a culture of alcoholism. The environment under which a person stay, could influence their heath and habits that constitute to their health habits. The alcoholism tends to be a major factor in terms of the family health is concern. Children born from this family will tend to adapt alcoholic habits. The culture would tend to

Science fiction film studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Science fiction film studies - Essay Example c world that is not real, asks you to suspend your disbelief and pretend that it is, and then return to reality, hopefully, with some new insight for this world. At least that is the basic idea. However, sometimes the medium (or all the gimmicks) becomes the message and it is just for fun. There is nothing wrong with that either, as long as you know which side of the toast the butter is on. In other words if you started out making a message film but it got lost in the medium, than the message never gets out and the film usually winds up being a milquetoast event. All the films in this list have a message and were, supposedly, made to get that message out, let us see how it worked by analyzing a few. One can only imagine the audience seeing Fritz Lang’s Film, â€Å"Metropolis† for the very first time in 1927. The effects had to be as spellbinding as the audiences in 1977 seeing the premier of â€Å"Star Wars.† These two films as well as most others of the genre that have held the test of time as message driven movies have one thing in common. Their message is mythological. As Malcolmson notes in his article, The Matrix, Liberal Education and Other Splinters in the Mind, that, â€Å"Audience fascination with the character types is related to the power of myths.† (2004: 148) Whatever the innate and archetypal need for mythology, beliefs, religion is in the human psyche, it’s presence in sci-fi movies is profound and moving. When this connection is lacking, the movies is usually relegated to the b-movie section of the class. B-movies are fun too but that is another topic of discussion. However, while the effects of mythology in filmmaking are often profound their interwoven texture in the movie should not be too obvious, or it can become a little heavy-handed and the message can get blurred. Malcolmson also notes that â€Å"The Matrix† is â€Å"densely allusive† (2005: 141) and we find that was the intention of the Wachowski brothers as he quotes Larry

Membranophones Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Membranophones - Assignment Example Nonetheless, the Greeks did not have much use of the drums, unlike the Romans who used it in their armies and in their orchestras. They, however, neglected the patterns and rhythms that the Africans had developed but after their fall and invasion of the Moor, the rhythm was reinstated. The Moor used a different type of membrane for the drums. Unlike with the Africans who used animal skins, the Moor used the animal intestines. This made the drums make more distinct sounds unlike those of prior times, which formed the basis for the genesis of the physics of drums in the period of the Middle Ages. In the current age, however, we use metal strings instead of the animal intestines alongside other designs. The evolution of the modern drum of bass originated from different parts of the world. For instance, the Indians used the bass drums and it was taken to Europe through the Turkish trade routes. It then became a main instrument in the European culture due its large sound and application i n daily routines. The Europeans then went into North America to set up colonies and used the drums in numerous situations. The incoming of the slaves from Africa led to the incorporation of the missing patterns and rhythm. I like the drum due to it bass effect and makes the sound have a masculine effect. I suppose I also like the base since when I grew up, most of the music I used to listen to would be rated highly or lowly depending on the quality of the base and beats it had which resonates well with the beats of the drum.

Definition of Racism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Definition of Racism - Essay Example The influence of environmental factors such as the family, school, and religion which all played a part in molding the characteristics and traits of a person are downplayed; the characteristics of a person have already been determined by his/her race. Connotative Meaning The definition of racism above connotes that a specific race will have a specific set of qualities and characteristics which make it different from other races. That difference can be interpreted as superiority or inferiority depending on the person who looks at it. Some races, then, are simply superior to other races; they possess the genes that establish the superiority of their race even before they were born. Racism in this sense is a work of nature rather than a construction of culture and society. The belief that certain races are better than other races is another connotation of racism. It is a belief system that people hold about different races that influences how they see their own race and its relation to other races. This definition shows that races fall on a hierarchy; it could be a hierarchy of class, intelligence, or political power that guides people’s beliefs about their own and other people’s races. ... Racism can also lead people to discriminate against other races. This refers to the behavioral manifestation of racism. While other people keep racist ideas in their minds, others would act out those ideas and display racist behaviors. When people hold a belief of superiority or inferiority of other races, this could result to a discriminating or a hostile behavior towards people belonging to other races. Since a person believes that his/her race is better than others, he/she would tend to treat people belonging to a specific race unfairly and unjustly. The next connotation of racism that I’ll be tackling is about the distorted belief system that people hold against other races. First, there is no verifiable evidence which supports the idea that race predetermines the traits and characteristics of the people possessing it. There are just too many factors that influence people’s traits and characteristics. Attributing those traits and characteristics to race alone seems illogical. Second, there isn’t a single race that excels or performs best in a specific area such as business, sports, or politics, for instance. Successful people in those areas mentioned may come from different races (e.g. African-American Kobe Bryant and Argentinean Manu Ginobili for basketball). Racial differences are always present but these differences, however, are cultural in nature. A person’s accomplishment and achievement are only partially influenced by the culture he/she belongs to. Family, religion, education will have bigger influence than race in how a person grows and matures. It doesn’t follow, then, that differences in race will create superiority in a particular race. This notion of difference and otherness is another connotation of

Research, Writing, and Rhetoric Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

, Writing, and Rhetoric - Research Paper Example An experiment conducted by Stanley Migram proved the notion that what is considered ordinary, normal, stable, and decent people who got considered as non-violent or non-radical in their behavior could and did certain irrational actions under certain conditions (Fiske, Gilbert & Lindzey 1172). This experiment proved that situation over individual traits had more of a determining factor on human action. The experiment got designed to test if people were more submissive to obedience as a result of an authoritative power. The experiment demonstrated the dangers of obedience. It determined that situational variables provide a stronger sway on determining obedience than personality factors. Milgram showed that honest, decent and rational people could commit atrocities when caused to do so by an authoritative power. Well behaved people could not refrain from committing atrocities because of the situation or role they got asked to perform by a higher authority. Experiments conducted by Solomon Asch also showed that situations have more influence on human behavior than character or personality (Fiske, Gilbert & Lindzey 1172). Asch showed that a majority of people want to fit in than they desire to do the right thing. Asch through his experiments showed that people would do the wrong thing even if it means that they get hurt. People are afraid to undertake personal decisions and are quick to lay blame on circumstances rather than their personal flaws when things go wrong. Asch’s experiments show how an individual’s opinions get influenced by the decisions of a majority. His experiments demonstrated the power of social pressure. When people believe that the majority is right and they do not want to be seen as opposing to them, they are likely to agree with their decisions even if they are wrong. Here, the person overlooks his or her personal traits to appease the views of a majority even if they are wrong. Asch’s tests we re a further

Perception in thought processes Essay Example for Free

Perception in thought processes Essay This paper seeks to explore the role played by perception in thought processes in an individual’s life. It also focuses on intelligence and the relationship between intelligence and cognition. Perception which is the process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information influence thinking styles, thinking skills as well as the types of thoughts in an individual’s mind. The world of an individual begins by what is visible, imagined or told in a story about various issues and things in his or her immediate surrounding. When these things are assimilated by an individual, a response is ignited in the mind in the form of thought processes. (Bohm, D. 1994, p. 130). I perceive the current modern world as a place of creativity and competition and an arena where everybody is always pushing his or her way even if it is to the disadvantage of others. For instance, the industrialized nations continue to release greenhouse gases despite the world wide outcry on global warming. Due to these, I am always thinking of discovering something new that can push me a head of the rest in both competition and creativity. Most importantly, what is always in my mind is how to accumulate enough money in this capitalistic world where everyone is keeps to themselves. The egocentricity I encounter in my interaction with people has made me to think of ways on how to keep whatever I have to myself and a way from the selfish world. The characteristics of what I perceive as well as personal characteristics like my attitude, personality, motives, interests, past experiences and expectations affect the thought processes. Several definitions for intelligence have been developed by various researchers and scientists but there seems to be no consensus on the universally acceptable definition. According to Sternberg, J. R, Jean E. P. (2005), the definitions revolve around specific abilities which are pooled together to form general abilities as the parameters around which intelligence can be defined. Consequently intelligence can be defined as the ability to learn about, learn from, understand, and interact with one’s environment. These specific abilities are the reason for cognition which is the process of recognizing, interpreting, making judgments as well as reasoning; these involves perceptions, learning, memory, and decision making. The capacity for knowledge and ability to acquire it is a specific component of intelligence that can lead a person into judging a situation or an object. The capacity to reason and higher thinking coupled with ability to carry out an evaluation gives judgment as a product of intelligence. The ability to adapt to a new environment or to changes in the current environment dictates how an animal or human being will act on the information from its environment. Interpretation which is encompassed in cognition is as a result of the ability to comprehend the issue at hand and contrast and compare relationships that we face. Cognition can therefore be said to result from original and productive thought. Conclusion. What an individual perceives define the thought processes he or she is undergoing. Perception of the surrounding environment is what triggers the development of thinking skills and styles needed in response. Cognition is a consequence of specific abilities which are found in intelligence and they mostly occur together.

The Old Man at the Bridge Essay Example for Free

The Old Man at the Bridge Essay The book I have read Ive recently read a book, which has made a very deep impression on me. It is named Gone with the Wind The author of the book is Margaret Mitchell. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in a family of the president of the Atlanta Historical Society. All the family was interested in American history and she grew up in an atmosphere of stones about the Civil War. After graduating from the college Margaret Mitchell worked for a time for the Atlanta Journal. In 1925 she got married. In the following ten years she put on paper all the stories she had heard about the Civil War. The result was Gone with the Wind. It was first published in 1936 and became the talking point of all America. In 1939 the book was made into a highly successful film. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable played the leading roles. Vivien Leigh won the Oscar. Everyone loved her high-spirited and beautiful heroine, Scarlett OHara. The story is set around the time of the American Civil War (1861-1865), when the Southern states went to war with the North to defend their way of life. It was a way of life in which rich gentry lived in large houses and owned huge areas of land, cultivated by black slaves. Scarlett OHara was born in one of those rich houses. But Gone with the Wind is also about a love triangle. While Scarlett loves the quiet, gentlemanly Ashley Wilkes, the wild and decidedly ungentlemanly Rhett Butler is in love with her. Not so long ago, in 1991, a publishing company asked Alexandra Ripley, a historical novelist, to write the continuation of the story. Her novel Scarlett was not in the same class as the original. Critics have been writing very bad reviews of Scarlett but the book is popular with the public. ? , .  «  ». — . ? , , ? . , ? ? ? . - ?  «Atlanta Journal ». ? 1925 ?. . ? , ? .  «  ». ? 1936 ?. ? . ? 1939 ?. . ? .  «Ã‚ ». ? , . ? (1861-1865), ? , . , ? ? , . ? .  «  » ? . ? , ?  «  » .  ? 1991 ?. , , , .  «Ã‚ » ? ? .  «Ã‚ » , . Entertainment Nowadays everybody knows that people are very busy and don’t have much time to spare. Sometimes it’s only the weekend and I think that every day-off needs some special planning. The English say: Who knows how to work, knows how to rest. I think it’s true. In my view rest is as important as work. I prefer spending my free time with the people whose company I always enjoy. I also like to spend my spare time alone, when I’m tired and haven’t got any desire to talk to anybody, very often I want to get away from noisy streets and go to the countryside and change the scenery. On the other hand I may go to different entertainment centers such as cinema, theatre, concerts halls, etc. If you want to be strong and healthy, go in for sports. There are many sports clubs, swimming-pools, gymnasiums and sport grounds for everybody who loves sports. Sport will make you not only healthier and stronger, but kinder, more sociable, cheerful and even wiser. Sport will give you its strength and energy and you’ll become a greater admirer of life with all its problems and wonders. Travelling is also a good way to spend my spare time. Visiting new places, seeing sights and meeting new people is a very exciting and useful relaxation. I can go hiking. In summer I like to be outdoors from morning till night, sunbathing, walking barefoot on the grass. My family or my friends are the very people to go with to the riverbank, to the forest or to the seashore. Its really wonderful to put up a tent, make a fire and spend time in a picturesque place. People are dreamers, our dreams are different but each person chooses his own way of spending free time, either passive or active. In any case leisure should be refreshment and a source of inspiration. Education in Great Britain: Schools In Britain it is compulsory for everyone between the ages of 5 and 16 years to receive some officially recognized form of schooling, though most secondary schools continue to provide education until the age of 18. The vast majority of pupils attend state schools, which are absolutely free (including all text books and exercise books), but there are also about 500 private schools providing secondary education. The most famous of these schools are Eton and Harrow. There is no statutory age at which students change from primary to secondary school, nor are schools specialized — pupils choose from the numerous subjects taught in their particular school. The recently introduced National Curriculum has made it compulsory, however, for three core subjects — English, mathematics, and science — and seven other foundation subjects — technology (including design), history, geography, music, art, physical education, and a modern foreign language — to be included in the curricula of all pupils. Passage from one academic year to the next is automatic. After a two-year course, usually from 14 to 16 years of age, most pupils take their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), assessed on the basis of a mixture of course work and a written examination, in individual subjects. Pupils obtaining at least five passes at GCSE can then specialize for two years (usually from 16 to 18 years of age) in two or three subjects, in which they take the General Certificate of Education Advanced level (A-level) examination. This is used as an entrance qualification for university (minimum two passes) and other types of higher education, as well as for many forms of professional training. Education in Great Britain: Higher Education (1) There is a considerable choice of post-school education in Britain. In addition to universities, there are also polytechnics and a series of different types of assisted colleges, such as colleges of technology, art, etc. , which tend to provide more work-orientated courses than universities. Virtually all students on full-time courses receive grants or loans from the Government which cover their tuition fees and everyday expenses (accommodation, food, books, etc. ). Universities in Britain enjoy complete academic freedom, choosing their own staff and deciding which students to admit, what and how to teach, and which degrees to award (first degrees are called Bachelor degrees). They are mainly government-funded, except for the totally independent University of Buckingham. There is no automatic admission to university, as there are only a limited number of places (around 100,000) available each year. Candidates are accepted on the basis of their A-level results. Virtually all degree courses are full-time and most last three years (medical and veterinary courses last five or six years). Students who obtain their Bachelor degree (graduates) can apply to take a further degree course, usually involving a mixture of exam courses and research. There are two different types of postgraduate courses — the Masters degree (MA or MSc) and higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).