Essay about The Cultural Art of Body Art - 1084 Words

For a long time now body art and decoration has been a custom in many cultural groups. Through research we have learned about the different types of body art and ornamentation such as permanent and nonpermanent tattooing, scarification, and piercings. These forms of body art and ornamentation are done for a variety of reasons, ranging from identification purposes to religious rituals. â€Å"Skin, as a visible way of defining individual identity and cultural difference, is not only a highly elaborated preoccupation in many cultures; it is also the subject of wide-ranging and evolving scholarly discourse in the humanities and social sciences† (Schildkrout, 2004). The process of ornamentation and body art is usually a painful experience, but it is†¦show more content†¦Secondarily, they are seen as a symbol of beauty or a derogatory symbol to keep troublesome kids alive. In his article Orie states that â€Å"Every Yoruba is born into a patrilineal clan† (Orie, 2011 ). When the children are born their parents decide when the scarification will take place, this usually happens between the age of three weeks to three months. The procedure is done by an oloola or akomola which is a professionally trained specialist. The procedure is said to be performed at dawn to help minimize the loss of blood, dawn being the coldest part of the day. The patrilineal stripes declare the clan membership of the children, and ensure that they are not denied the entitlements and rights of the clan members. There are many differences in the length, depth, spacing, and the placement of the stripes on the face. It may seem difficult to be able to be able to tell so much information about someone simply from the stripes on their face, but as Orie explains, for those that can read the traditional stripes, a brief look at someone’s face is enough to identify the town, regional affiliation, or family of that person (Orie, 2011). In the Maori culture of New Zealand, tattoos are distinct and unique, not only in their design, but also their significance. Palmer and Tano explain in their article that there are two methods that are involved when creating a moko tattoo. There is the method of carvingShow MoreRelatedThe Artist Is Present : Challenging Performance And Cultural Politics1506 Words   |  7 PagesPresent† challenging Performance and Cultural Politics Marina Ambramović’s concept of performance art interrogates the traditional forms and practices of what most people would consider to be the â€Å"norm†, that derive from personal preferences generated from different aspects of society. Abramović is known for her durational performance work that tests the endurance and limitations of her own body and mind. Performance art may be understood as a practice where the body of the artist is central or theRead MoreBody Art and Ornamentation Essays1569 Words   |  7 PagesRunning head: BODY ART AND ORNAMENTATION Body Art and Ornamentation in Different Cultures Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ANT101 July 28, 2013 There is no culture in which people do not, or did not paint, pierce, tattoo, reshape, or simply adorn their bodies (Schildkrout, 2001). Throughout history, body art and ornamentation has become a worldwide phenomenon and has played a key role in our lives, yet there is a social stigma which we cannot seem to rid ourselves of. It is mostRead MoreCultural Policy in Taiwan Essay955 Words   |  4 PagesCultural Policy in Taiwan Taiwan has its own very special government system. On the central government level (relevant to the federal government), there are both president and premier in the system. The National Assembly is the representation of all citizens to the president, and the Legislative Assembly is to the premier who is in charge of the Executive Yuan, the top administrative body of Taiwan. The current National Assembly is in charge of the change of constitution laws, while the LegislativeRead MoreA Student Of Art History Survey1506 Words   |  7 PagesAs a student of Art History Survey I, I need to complete a museum paper. I wondered if this paper is really a necessary assignment. I did not think of this paper as an assignment, but it as an opportunity to discover and experience great works of art which are certainly more dynamic and realistic than what I learned in the textbook. For my trip, I decided to visit the Dallas Museum of Art, one of the largest art museums in Texas. This museum is a valuable place where I can be immersed in the vastRead MoreDeborah Whaley s Black Women1423 Words   |  6 Pagesdistorted body parts; and the angry sapphire. Within the male dominated comic art world, Deborah Whaley’s Black Women in Sequence: Re-inking Comics, Graphics Novels, and Anime offers a countervision on the Black body. Women, especially Black women may welcome the book as a confirmation that their story is recognized and represented. For this audience, Whaley will explore the historical, racial, and sexual representation of Black women in sequential art pointing out the imagined Black body through interracialRead MoreThe Big Black Smiling Mammy, The Sexual Deviant, And The Angry Sapphire Essay1487 Words   |  6 Pagescomic art world, Deborah Whaley’s Black Women in Sequence: Re-inking Comics, Graphics Novels, and Anime offer a countervision on the Black body. Women, especially Black women may welcome this book as a confirmation about recognizing, represen ting, and reframing their story. For this audience, Whaley will explore the historical, racial, and sexual representation of Black women in sequential art pointing out the imagined Black body through interracial relationships, African fetishism, cultural politicsRead More The History of Modern Women and Body Art Essay1402 Words   |  6 PagesThe History of Modern Women and Body Art I chose to do this field report on body art because I, personally, find the topic very complex and interesting. It is for this reason that I decided to narrow the scope of my field research. I am focusing this report on the trends and evolution in body art as relating to modern women. When I say modern women I am referring to the women from about the 18th century to the current day. I chose to focus on women imparticular because of the strong societalRead MoreThe Los Angeles County Museum Of Art1301 Words   |  6 Pageschoosing only one museum for my cultural visit. Since, there are so many prodigious and amazing museums to choose from to visit in the county. But, I have heard many great feedbacks about the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from fellow classes mates, friends and family. So, I finally, had my destination set to and planned a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Upon my visit my attention was already fixated on the unique building layout and the many arts ex hibited located all around theRead MoreRelationship Between The Live Event And The Document Within Performance Practice1692 Words   |  7 Pagesevent and the document within performance practice, specifically focus on in relation to body, time and space. Performance art is commonly known as a performance presented to a viewer within a fine art context. Through performance artists emphasize the body’s role in artistic production. Performance archive has been characterized as a false representation of the art performance in the past. Yet, in contemporary art the relationship between live performance practices and documentation has overcome toRead MoreRelationship Between The Live Event And The Document Within Performance Practice1588 Words   |  7 Pagesthe document within performance practice, specifically focus on in relation to body, time and space. Performance art is commonly known as a performance presented to a viewer within a fine art context. Through performance art ists emphasize the body’s role in artistic production. Historically, performance archive has been characterized as an unfaithful representation of the momentary art experience. Yet, in contemporary art the relationship between live performance practices and documentation has progressed

In support of the constructivist theory of education for...

Educational philosophies differ from person to person. From behaviorist to constructivist and everything in between, the one thing they have in common is that they attempt to explain how people learn. This paper will explain why I tend to lean toward the constructivist theory of education and defend this theory using a variety of current literature. It is important to note that the theories that are talked about as educational theories are often looked at as both theories of teaching and learning; however most of these theories are not theories of teaching but rather learning (Baviskar, Hartle, Whitney, 2009). This may be especially true for constructivism where there can be a common misunderstanding of what constructivism actually is†¦show more content†¦The ability to critically think is vital for athletic trainers who must make difficult medical decisions in extremely short periods of time. Teaching critical thinking skills starts early as students are introduced to athletic training and evidence based practice in athletic training. The students are asked to critically evaluate scholarly journal articles and use their research to create poster presentations on topics of their choosing (with direction from their instructor guide). During this project the students receive instruction on how to differentiate valid scholarly research from research that may not be as accurate or reliable. This helps them to learn critical thinking skills that will be valuable to them in the future. In addition to these types of problems, constructivist learning theory advocates the use of real world problems in the classroom. The ability to solve real world problems helps them to obtain the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed as an athletic trainer. Athletic trainers must also be able to collaborate with a variety of other individuals including athletes, coaches, physicians, and a number of other health care professionals in order to provide the best care for their athletes. This collaboration often takes place with the athletic trainerShow MoreRelatedMultiple Intelligences Seminar and Workshop14464 Words   |  58 PagesExplanation 1. What is the theory of multiple intelligences (M.I.)? 2. How does this theory differ from the traditional definition of intelligence? 3. What do multiple intelligences have to do with my classroom? 4. How has M.I. theory developed since it was introduced in 1983? 5. Who are the critics of this theory and what do they say? 6. What are some benefits of using the multiple intelligences approach in my school? 7. How can applying M.I. theory help students learn betterRead MoreManagement Course: Mba−10 General Management215330 Words   |  862 Pageshow well a company is performing have been overwhelmed by the frequency and magnitude of these economic groundswells. In today’s competitive climate, where the changes outside a business exceed the productive changes within a business, a company’s future viability is clearly under enormous stress. To maintain business growth and a sustained economy, it is essential for managers to understand and find solutions for these and other fundamental wide-ranging issues. The bursting of the high-tech bubble

Reconstruction in South Essay Example For Students

Reconstruction in South Essay While reading Eric Foners book I came to appreciate the difficulties the freed black slaves encountered for example, how the previous slave owning class continued to manipulate the freed slaves. Also, I was impressed at the great sacrifice they made when attempting to become educated. Last of all I was surprised at the severity of persecution and abuse of blacks that was still considered legal after they were freed. When the label of slave was removed from the black American, it was meant to clarify that they were human beings. Human beings eligible to participate in Americas society and culture. However, racism denied them the privileges of the American citizen. Although they were no longer slaves, they were still considered to be savages, unintelligent, and the lowest class of person in the United States. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The Proclamation set the American slave population free. However, it did not indicate how new Black citizens would be incorporated into the free society. Emancipation would redefine how blacks saw themselves and their aspirations, and it would redefine the labor system. Blacks believed that they could equally share in prosperity and progress with whites. Blacks desperately wanted to move up in social standing and become educated. They desired literacy. They wanted to plant their own crops and have the chance to sell them for profit. They wanted to work hard for the chance of a better life for their children. The commitment to white supremacy in the South began with the planters intention of keeping the institution of slavery. Whites perceived emancipation as uncompensated liquidation of the nations largest concentration of private property and a redefinition of the place of blacks in American society(p.2). Blacks saw emancipation as their opportunity to become involved with society without the burden of being owned by someone. The labor system of free labor versus slavery contained a transition that few in the south were willing to accommodate. Planters went from owning blacks as property, to negotiating a wage in exchange for their labor. Although blacks were declared free, some were required to sign a yearly contract that promised service to one planter. If a free black chose not to sign the contract, he was intimidated into signing. The underlying message was clear, sign or have you and your family live in constant fear of abuse. With these contracts, planters tightened authority and presided over all details of the lives of blacks. Blacks were closely supervised to the point that the pace of work they desired was routinely challenged. The freedmen were persuaded to sign the contract in order to preserve the labor system that had been prevalent in the South. By voluntarily signing and adhering to contracts, both planters and freedmen would develop the habits of a free labor economy and come to understand their fundamental harmony of interests(p. 75). The Southern white planters would determine these interests. The contracts themselves bound the freedmen into a continued extorted form of slavery. At harvest time, most planters did not pay the blacks their earned wages. Blacks would labor the entire season only to be left with the feeling of desperation that was identical to slavery. Some contracts stipulated that if a crop failed the blacks would receive nothing and fines could be charged against their wages if the planter determined the work was unsatisfactory. Some contracts allowed the planter to penalize full wages accrued if the freedmen left work. On some plantations physical brutality and corporal punishment continued as if slavery never ended. The overall goal for equal treatment for the freedmen was contradicted as idle white men were never required to sign a labor contract (p.76). The South wanted the amenities that the North had, as long as the primary source of labor went undisturbed. Redefining the black labor force could endanger the entire economic system subscribed by the South. .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 , .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .postImageUrl , .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 , .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:hover , .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:visited , .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:active { border:0!important; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:active , .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07 .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u668b69351f2b7c32b240cca68bf2cd07:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Meiosis Vs. Meitosis Essay The prejudice and commitment to the continuation of a plantation slave labor system limited overall progress in the South. Southern planters would not accept that blacks were free Americans and could leave the area. Blacks however saw things differently. At the initial prospect of being free, they saw themselves as a citizen of the U.S. .

Health Literacy in Regards to Effective Communication

Question: Discuss about theHealth Literacy in Regards to Effective Communication. Answer: Introduction Health literacy is related to the skills required obtain, impute and process information pertaining to problems related to health like treatment and preventive methods of diseases, safety measures and accident prevention, primary medical aid, drugs and alcohol, emergencies and living a healthy life (Australian Bureau of Statistics). However, there is variation in the way health literacy is understood and applied. Ethnic and linguistic diversity is also an important barrier which should be considered, especially in a context to highly diversified country. Cultural competency is a crucial strategy for minimising the disparity in healthcare access and quality of healthcare provided by the organization. A health care system which is culturally competent can help to ameliorate the standards of health and care. It also helps in removing racial and cultural health disparities. Training about the cultural beliefs and diverse ethnic issues to service providers of the health organization would be beneficial. Also making strategies which overcomes system and language related hurdles to patient service would help to achieve goal of the organization. Effective Communication Communication is one of the foundations of health care. Effective communication is must for the interaction in healthcare. It includes making appointments and registering, discussing the medical condition, treatments and understanding the precautions and care. Health communication is stated as the interpersonal and communication with the mass activities focusing on enhancing the health of people and masses (Ishikawa Takahiro, 2010). Health Literacy in Regards to Effective Communication Health literacy is recognised as a determinant of health and quality of health care. Poor communication is one of the reasons of low quality health care in the health care organization. Consideration of health literacy in relation to language and culture is important in diverse health care environment. Effective communication should be observed at the level of organization, administration and personal terms to meet the diverse needs of health care. There is rise in recognition of the level of interrelation in health literacy and effective communication but only few attempts have been made to integrate them, for example, in the health professional training or developing organizational standards. Issues Health literacy status and effective communication between patient and the organization can be observed through the behaviour of the patients. They face several challenges. In many cases patients have issues learning about their medical conditions.Many of them lack the confidence in completing the medical forms by themselves. Few also require help in reading the hospital material. A discretion depicting the relation of health related knowledge to effective communication is also observed. Communication is measured differently in different framework of health literacy .About 25% population of northern territory in aboriginal in Australia and approximately 70% speak different languages at home other than English. It is more in remote areas. Some reports suggest that the difference in cultural and educational backgrounds between the patients and the health professionals lead to problems in health literacy (Lowell Schmitt 2014). Language barriers may be one the important factor in obstructing interactive patient-physician communication. For example, if an aboriginal patient seeks a health care physician from the same ethnic background, for the treatment of a particular disease and the traditional remedies. Both of them will have a comfortable and good quality communication leading a high level of health literacy because they speak the same language and share the common background. On the other hand, if there are an aboriginal patient (who does not speak English) and a non- aboriginal professional discussing a particular disease without using an interpreter. They will have a poor communication and a low level of health literacy because of the language and cultural gap. The patient may not have the idea about the medical terms and the medical language associated with the disease and the health care professional may not understand the patients knowledge about the disease and the conditions. This will affect the standards of the organization and the service they provide. The culturally bound beliefs, values of a person influence his knowledge of interpreting healthcare messages. Studies suggest that health literacy is a problem associated not just with the professionals working for the urban or poor population but it is an extensive problem associated with several communities. For example, the elder citizens mostly have less knowledge about health literacy in comparison to young generation which leads to poor communication and thus affecting the service of health care. (Baker, Gazmararian Sudano Patterson 2000). Getting information from internet is also a challenge for the elderly, poor and non English speaking population. Quality of the health information received is also not checked (Smith Malone, 2008; Walji et al., 2004). Studies are being conducted to determine the patients who are mostly vulnerable because of low health literacy. The test of foundation health literacy in adults (TOFHLA) and rapid estimate of adult literacy in medicine (REALM) are in use to check the health literacy and translated into many languages to be used in different cultures ( Dewalt, 2004) Merits and Demerits Health literacy can help in developing a good understanding of diseases and the health care organization services among the patients. As per the study conducted (Berkman) people having sufficient knowledge about health literacy can reach out, understand the health information opinions and instructions of the physician. This will lead to an effective communication and thus will helps in improving the management of chronic diseases, prevention of infections, and spread of severe viral diseases. A study religious leaders lead the way by WHO in Jordan gives a good example of health literacy in regards to effective communication. The study helped in improving the frequency and number of the religious leaders who guide the public about family planning, reproductive health and gender equality. The leaders were trained to improve their communication skills with the masses, knowledge about the health issues. The results were good as the family planning rate increased by approx 30% in four yea rs. Australia is a country with people from diverse cultural background. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population from countries where the native language is not English. They are prone to develop preventable chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders and cardio vascular diseases. The factors responsible for this include the lack of access to the services provided by the health organization. The CALD population expressed that they require more access to interpreters and communication related to their culture and education. They consider themselves as being discriminated and also experience racism which will create an unhealthy environment in the country. This problem can be attributed to the miscommunication which resulted due to lack of health literacy among the CALD population. Challenges The major challenges faced by the health professional include interacting with patients having poor health literacy and wining their trust. Patient with different socio-economic status, cultural background, education face difficulty while interacting with health professional from different background. The comfort level of the patient is also low while discussing a health issue with the professional. Also many times the patient does not prefer the same organization each time they require care. This hampers the quality of services by the organization. Strategies to Overcome the Hurdles Many organizations and professionals believe that communication is more effective when it is patient-centred, fulfilling patients need and preferences. (Stewart, 2001). The organization should be responsible for maintaining a patient- centred communication in every respect, from providing patient forms, reports, patients educational material and training professionals to be able to have a better communication with the patients. Professional should develop their skills to identify health literacy assumptions and biases as a part of cultural understanding. Strategies should be made to reach populations that may not understand the information and jargon in English. This includes patients who have a limited or no English proficiency, low health literacy or having diverse ethnic background. In addition to this health care disparities occur when miscommunication disproportionally affects certain patient populations. (IOM, 2001). It is important to overcome such problems to meet the national health policy goals. A health care service provider must also be aware of the ethical values of the patients to provide better services. It should serve the needs of the people related to diverse cultural background. Health literacy, cultural competence and linguistic competence are must in order to maintain an effective communication because these integrations are important for health care to serve the needs of diverse communities. (Pleasant Mc kinney, 2011). Although oral communication skills are recognised as an important feature of health literacy, some scientists consider cultural and conceptual knowledge, the use of information by an individual and interaction between health service providers and administration should be included in health literacy. Few other consider that the measures are inadequate. Scientist suggest to include the skill like cultural a conceptual knowledge, the way individuals assess the information and their communication with the professionals to be also measured to overcome the bridge of ineffective communication and create a better health environment in the society. Conclusion The goal of using techniques and methods to improve health literacy among the professionals and the patients from diverse culture should be to enhance quality of health for the people acknowledging patients understanding about their health condition treatment and precautions. The way they assess the various information regarding the health issues. This can be achieved by developing a better patient physician interactions which involves effective communication techniques like patient-centred communication and ensuring their skills and knowledge about the issues .the barriers which limit the professionals in improving the communication should be removed. New ways should be created to overcome the hurdles by the system to improve the effective health literacy and reduce the demands of the patients. References Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). Australian Social Trends: Using Statistics to paint a picture ofAustralian Society. Cat no. 4102.0. ABS: Canberra. Ishikawa, H., Takahiro, K. (2010). Health Literacy and health communication. BioPshychoSocialMedicine, 4(18). Viewed on 15 September 2016 from https://www.bpsmedicine.com Baker, D., Gazmararian, G. A., Sudano, J., Patterson, M. (2000). The association between age andhealth literacy among elderly persons. Journals of Gerontology Series A-Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 55(6), 368. Smith, E. A., Malone, R. E. (2008) Philip Morriss health information website appears responsible but undermines public health. Public Health Nursing. 25, 554-564. Walji, M., Sagaram, S., Sagaram, D., Meric-Bernstam, F., Johnson, C., Mirza, N. Q., Bernstam, E. (2004). Efficacy of quality criteria to identify potentially harmful information; A cross-sectional survey of complementary alternatives medicine websites. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 6. Retrieved on 15 September 2016, from https://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1550600 Eqbert, N. Nanna, K. M. (2009). Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies. The Online Journal of Issues in nursing. Retrieved from https://www.nursingwolrd.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol142009/ Pleasant, A., McKinney, J., Rikard, R.V. (2011). Health Literacy Measurement: A Proposed Research Agenda. Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives, 16(sup3),11-12 Dewalt, D.A., Berkman, N. D., Sheridan, S., Lohr, K. N., Pignone, M. P. (2004). Literacy and health outcomes. Journal of General Internal Medicines, 19, 1228-1239. Viewed on 15 September 2016 from https://www.nursingwolrd.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol142009/ Berkman, N. D., Davis, T. C., McCormack, L. (2010). Health literacy: what is it? J Health Commun Int Perspect.15 (1 supp 2):9-19. Doi: 10.1080/108110730.2010.499985. Viewed on15 September 2016. Retrieved fromhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4267746/#CR20 Ratzan, S, C. (2010). The Importance of Improving Health Literacy. Viewed on 14September 2016 from https://www.blogjnj.com/2010/06/the-importance-of-improving-health-literacy/ Kripalani, S, and Weiss, B, D. (2006). Teaching About Health Literacy and ClearCommunication, Journal of General Internal Medicine. 21(8): 888 890. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1831575/ Osborne, H. (2013). Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical ways to communicate your health messages. (ed. 2nd). Jones and Bartlett: Wall Street Burlington, https://books.google.co.in/books?id=kf9_IDhdRdcCprintsec=frontcoverdq=communication+and+health+literacyhl=ensa=Xved=0ahUKEwi0p8iL8Y7PAhUBPBQKHX8cCkEQ6AEIIjAB#v=onepageq=communication%20and%20health%20literacyf=false

The Deer Essay Example For Students

The Deer Essay It was the middle of summer in a small town called Harvey, in the city of Marquette, Michigan. The road driveway to my families cabin is really long it takes about a half-hour just to get to the cabin. Our camp is a very little, quaint, one bedroom in the middle of the woods. There is a creek the flows around our land, which is about 8 acres. About a half a mile away there is a rundown cabin that we call Jacks house. My dad always said that there was an old man Jack, who lived there. He would tell us that Jack would watch us at night while we were asleep. We will write a custom essay on The Deer specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Supposedly there was a rumor that he ate humans and animals for survival. He even told us that there were bears all surrounding us, but I never actually saw one. We usually go there on weekends during the summer for a vacation away from the city, but sometimes we end up staying longer. There isnt really much to do out there, so if we dont go to town, we go to Presque Isle Island near our camp. It is located in Marquette, Michigan, on Lake Superior, which is one of the coldest and biggest of the five Great Lakes. There are large rocks out there that we climb called Black Rocks. Besides the rocks there are a couple of parks with swings and slides, and a nature path that has a few site lookouts. It is so peaceful out there that all you can hear are the sounds of nature. As I pulled up in my car, I stopped and began to get out to go for a walk on the nature trail. As I looked up, I saw the deer. There was something about the way his helpless eyes gazed at me. I slowly started to approach him. It looked as if he had no hope for his life left. His hair was very thin but rough around his neck and legs. There was dried up blood above his left eye it seemed as if he were in a harmful fight with another deer recently. I slowly and calmly continued to walk towards him trying, as much as possible, not to frighten him in any way. Its ok, I wont hurt you. I want to try to help you live and be healthy. I said. As I got closer to him I could see felt covering two bumps on the top of his head. It was his antlers, which were just beginning to grow for his own protection and survival during the bitter cold winter that lay ahead of him. His body was extremely thin and fragile. I could not distinguish if he was very old, young or just sick. I gradually placed my hand out in front of his nose so he could smell me, as you would for a cat or dog. I had this weird feeling inside, a feeling of love and warmth. For some reason he trusted me more than anyone else. I thought maybe there was something that he knew about me. I had never seen or even been this close to any wild animal in the woods or the city like this. I was used to being around some domestic animals, not deer. My mom, my brother, and my boyfriend all tried to approach the deer, but it would back away, as if it was frightened of them but not of me. My whole life I have always loved animals. My dream, ever since I was a little girl, was to help animals in any way that I could, even if I was just brushing my dogs teeth, or clipping my cats nails. I dont know how some men and women could ever want to hurt these innocent animals by hunting them for food or pleasure. They are a living and breathing mammal that is here for a reason, just as you and me are. The deer seemed content with me. I must have had some thing about me that made him feel this way. After he sniffed my hand for awhile, he brushed his body against my side softly. .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb , .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .postImageUrl , .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb , .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:hover , .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:visited , .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:active { border:0!important; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:active , .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u283d790e2345cb72f368f35dc55b95bb:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Ethics In Criminal Justice - Forgiveness EssayIt was amazing the way he felt so comfortable with me, like no other animal has before. He totally trusted me for some reason, and I dont know why. I bent over and picked some weeds from off of the ground so I could feed him. After he finished licking my hand, he watched me to make sure I kept giving him more and more to eat. He inhaled it so quickly, as if he hadnt eaten in awhile. Step by step, I grabbed some more weeds and other greens to feed him. I tried to walk away after about fifteen minutes of feeding him, but he would follow me wherever I would go. He didnt want me to go and if he had to he would follow me everywhere. He even followed me onto the lookout site. I called him and snapped my fingers to try to get his attention so I could get him off of it. As he walked behind me I would pull and bend the branches of trees he couldnt reach down, so he could eat the leaves off of them. As the leaves gradually started to be scarce, I saw this lady back in the depth of the woods with four original deer and one albino deer around her. I walked up to her. She had about three buckets filled with corn. She said she fed the deer everyday through all of the season, whether it was very hot or extremely cold. The lady gave me a bucket to feed the one that had been following me. I knelt on the grass and he sat next to me while I hand fed him for about another hour. As much as I wanted to stay there with him forever, I knew I couldnt. I dont really know why the deer acted this way towards me. I must have made him feel very secure and content with me. Some people think I have an aura about me that somehow attracts animals to love and trust me so much. Animals make me feel so good about myself. They always seem to make me feel good about myself. I feel they actually know I am on this earth for someone or some reason. My dream was to be a veterinarian for large animals such as this. Until about four months ago I worked in a veterinary hospital to get field experience. While I was working there I had a major allergy attack and was in the hospital. They said there is really no way I could ever be a veterinarian and be happy. If I did decide to be a veterinarian, I would either be miserable, or be on medication all of the time. I now try to find a way to be around animals without being a vet. Such as I go to Presque Isle just to visit the deer and other little creatures out there.

Israelis and the Palestinians essays

Israelis and the Palestinians essays Israelis and Palestinians: The Middle-East Horror The Israelis and the Palestinians, both in the past and in the present, have caused one another great suffering because their religious beliefs have impelled them to violence over the issue of control of the city of Jerusalem. Both sides believe themselves to be divinely entitled to exclusive control of the city; both sides have lived under the shadow of violence as a result. These religious convictions and intolerance have had tragic consequences. Recently, many horrific acts of violence in the region have been perpetrated as a result of these beliefs, and many people have died in the struggle. Despite many efforts to resolve this conflict, there is presently no clear path to peace in sight. It is tragic that two of the world's great religions, Judaism and Islam, have taken the path of violence over control of this real estate, merely because they consider it to be of religious importance. This conflict has long-standing historical and religious roots. For many centuries, Jerusalem has been of great religious significance to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity (although Christians are not deeply involved in the struggle for control of the city). In biblical the city was controlled by Jews and the Romans. In later years, the Muslims took control of the city, and European Christians went on crusades to try to take control away from them. In the twentieth century, the Jews regained control (Jerusalem: A History of Bloodshed, Peace"). The state of Israel was founded in 1948, and the Israelis gained control of the city after winning the six-day war in 1967. The Israelis currently have control of the city; however they have allowed the Palestinians access and limited rule of some areas ("Jerusalem Bloodshed"). Palestinians want more area and control. The Israelis do not want to give it up. All throughout this history of shifting control and conflict over the city, ma ny p...

Education in the UAE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Education in the UAE - Essay Example Generally, the current education system has aided in developing the country’s economy in a number of ways. Education has facilitated better living standards for UAE citizens. Acquisition of advanced skills through education has enabled UAE residents secure well-paying jobs both at home and in foreign countries. In addition,education has facilitated acquisition of skills necessary for establishing personal businesses and self-employment. In this regard, many people can participate in nation building and public projects development. Participation of citizens innation building and other activities such as funding public projects has largely boostedthe economic growth of UAE. The current UAE education mechanism has aided in providing adequate personnel to run the country’s economic activities. The UAE isable to produce adequate personnel to serve in government and exportthe surplus to other countries. The current education system has been structured in away that facilitates training of technical and professional faculties such as engineering, medicine, accounting among others. This has assisted in lowering the wage bill since professionals acquired locally are cheaper than those acquired from foreign country. Money that used to be spenton acquiring human resource from other countries before the inception of the current education system isnow used for economic developments in the country. Education has helped in reducing over dependency on oil as the core source of income. In fact, the current education system in the UAE has boosted diversification of the economy base since unlighted people can engage in a variety of economic activities such as international trade, entrepreneurship, tourism and many other activities. The UAE education has a great potential of continued development in the next five years. This is because the UAE government has invested heavily on the new technology and

Application and Impact of Financial Reporting Standard 5 Essay

Application and Impact of Financial Reporting Standard 5 - Essay Example The best advantage is that this FRS does not affect a majority of transactions; however, it has an effect on complex transactions whose substance is not very apparent. Objective: The aim of Financial Reporting Standard 5 is to make sure that the substance of the transactions of the business is reflected clearly in the financial statements. Moreover, it intends to cover the honest representation of the commercial impacts of the transactions on the profits, losses, liabilities as well as assets of the business so that the accounting statements do not just consider the legal form of a specific transaction but also its commercial form. A chief point in concluding on the substance of the transaction is to note whether the transaction has resulted in an increase or decrease in liabilities or assets of the business. The definition of assets and liabilities has been clarified in the FRS 5. Once the identification of a liability or asset is done, the inclusion needs to happen in the balance sheet subject to the condition that there is adequate evidence of the existence of the liability or the assets. Moreover, the monetary value of these should be measurable. The asset or liability respectively should be included only if the transaction does not significantly alter rights of the benefits to the entity or its exposure of risks. If the transaction does not do so, it is appropriate to make amendments in the monetary value of the asset/liability. The FRS takes into consideration several transactions and gives a detailed disclosure and measurement guideline regarding transactions with specific features including consignment stock, repurchase contracts, loan transfer, securitization, factoring, revenue recognition, and private finance initiatives. Presentation and Disclosure FRS 5 takes a view of the problems of financing off-balance sheet items. The problem of understatement is solved due to the presentation and disclosure guidelines of FRS 5. A specific type of presentation known as "linked presentation" is suggested for financial arrangements that are non-recourse in nature. Such a presentation shows the deductions of finance from the gross amount of the particular item that is financed. Sufficient disclosure is vital for the transaction for having a clear idea of the commercial effect of the same. The disclosure requires detailed explanation when the recognition of the asset or liability is different from that found under the related headings in a balance sheet. (FRS 5, Accounting Standard Board) Thus, FRS 5 has a clear and structured approach for reporting the substance of the transactions. FRS 5 has a noteworthy effect on the reporting of financial statements. However, it is clarified that it does not affect a vast majority of a transaction, but certainly has an impact on complex transactions. Here, we take into consideration the impact and application of FRS 5 on various transactions.

INVESTIGATING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

INVESTIGATING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT - Essay Example ers, it usually refers to those people who exist outside the organisation, such as, customers, suppliers, shareholders, customers, governments, and competitors. In case of the proposed companies discussed in this paper, the both categories of stakeholders are affected by the business activities and their real interest in the nature and types of decisions that the company takes. Stakeholders come together for a unified purpose and help to increases their strength to solve the business problems of conflicts at various levels to achieve common goals (Steven, Normand and Glavas, 1998; Jones, 2007). In this section, an attempt has been made to critically analyse the stakeholder composition of Asda and perform a thoughtful insight of the success features and the need for improvements, in this direction. In case of Asda, prioritizing on the quality product services and competitive price setting, the customers would be drawn towards the company due to its low-price setting and good range of products. Present day customers have high expectations from present day organisations. At the same time, they want to reap benefits and give back to the community. This way it helps to inform about the company’s dealings and ethical business proceedings. Similarly, the Asda stores and depots have community notice-boards and a monthly magazine to disseminate information. Adsa has been taken over by the American retail giant Wal-Mart. This as a result makes Wal-Mart a primary stakeholder of Asda as the business performance of the company will largely affect the financial status of Wal-Mart. The role of Wal-Mart as a stake holder lies as the owner of the majority of the condoling shares. However, the power to make decisions still dwells in the hands of Asda. Any major decision that can potentially change the organizational structure of the company needs to be approved by the parent company (Cowe, Buckingham and Martinson, 1999). Employees at Asda are conscious about the needs of

Methods of Social Research

Methods of Social Research Methods of Research The correct choice of research methods to use in answering researcher set questions investigating a topic is one of the most crucial and vital elements to the successful conduct of a research exercise, (McNeill, 2005). While much attention can be paid to theory within the methodology employed by the researcher it is also critical to consider the actual research tools which back up the theoretical decisions made and provide the raw data against which the hypotheses of the research can betested. For much research the research tools will be a decisive factor in thesuccess or failure of the project. In many instances the choice of research tool is not assessed correctly with the result being data is generated which is of little or no use to the researcher, (Ruane, 2005). This occurs both due to the research method not suiting the particular needs of the researcher and the improper administering of the research method itself. For many,  choice of research tool is influenced however not by the objective needs of the research but by the ability and capabilities of the researcher in terms of time, cost or other related factors such as familiarity with the processes and techniques involved within specific sets of research tools. In this essay, we examine three research methods, show how they can be constructed in a holistic manner toachieve triangulation in relation to a research question and illustrate ethical concerns and the manner in which they can be resolved in the successful deployment of these research methods, (Somekh and Lewin, 2005). We discuss these methods as a process and thus relate our discussion to the manner in which theycan be integrated and successfully deployed. In this sense then we examine howfocus groups can provide insights into theoretical observations, how theseobservations can be explored within semi-structured interviews with a selectedsample and how these observations from interviews can be developed intogeneralised into hypotheses tested against larger samples through the use of questionnaires.However it should be noted that a critical element in deciding on whichmethodologies should be used in a research project and the relative strengthsand weaknesses of using those methodologies will depend to a large extent onthe specific circumstances involved in conducting the research, (Bryman, 2004). By this it ismeant that weaknesses for example within the conduct of questionnaire may infact be a positive element for certain projects and negative for othersdepending on the contextual basis for the research. We explore this and otherfeatures of research methods subsequently. Focus Groups Focus groups are atype of qualitative based research method based loosely on the generalprinciples which apply to interviews. However while interviews are generallyone-to-one situations involving a interviewer and interviewee relationshipfocus groups employ a one to many dichotomy, (Holloway and Jefferson, 2000). Indeedfocus groups resemble semi or unstructured interviews more particularly thanstructured interviews as one of the primary objectives of the researcher withinfocus group interviews is as a facilitator or moderator of group discussionbased on sets of general themes identified as being related to the research objectivesfor which the focus groups are being used to generate data, (Bloor et al, 2001).In particular focus groups are a very useful method to consider in theexploratory stages of research to help form ideas related to theoreticalobservations upon which later research can be based. While notoriginally a tool familiar to the social sciences focus group methodologieshave been long deployed and successful elements within business andspecifically marketing research. From these origins however their utility for socialscientific research has come to be recognised within many sections for specificinstances for which they are useful, (Fern, 2001). Focus groups havea number of advantages and disadvantages when applied towards collecting datain answering sets of research questions. Let us discuss the advantages of usingthis methodology to begin with. Perhaps a fundamental strength of focus groups istheir interactive nature when designed and implemented properly. In this mannerthe researcher can set general themes and topics and also ask specificquestions of the group related to the research topic by facilitatingintra-group discussion arising out of the topics mentioned by the moderator. Subsequentlyrecording and monitoring the discussions and interactions which occur withinthe group as the issues raised by the researcher are thrashed out can provide immenselyvaluable qualitative data and also critically have the possibility of offeringtheoretical insights or considerations missed by the researcher. In terms of aspecifically action research or ethnographic research outlook focus groups areeven more element as the interactive nature of focus groups allows the groupand its participants to actively engage with the research and even when plannedfor adequately by the researcher allow them to shape the outcomes and processesof the research itself, .(Czarniawska, 2004) Some of the keydisadvantages we can associate with the use of focus groups are internal groupdynamics, participant and interviewer bias and transcription related problemsin codifying and making the data generated amenable to analysis. However the primarydrawback to this method is related to the interactive nature discussed above inthat the researcher has much less control over the type and nature of datagenerated during the course of the research. Again as mentioned planning andgood moderating skills are essential in the use of this method, (Litosseliti, 2003). Internal groupdynamics can play a vital role in determining the success or failure of using focusgroups as a means of answering research questions. The specific disadvantagesbeing spoke of here include a common feature of socials groups wherebyindividual members of that group through personality and group dynamics come tolead and dominate discussions, (Vaughn, Shay, Sinagub, 1996).An interviewer needs to be aware of such situations and develop tactics andstrategies which are inclusive in terms of encouraging all of the individualswithin a group to participate as equally as possible in the discussion as it isbeing held. With larger groupsand to some extent even smaller groups as well due to possibilities of manypeople answering at the same time, especially in more animated discussions thenecessity of effective recording allowing for accurate transcription isessential. Bias can occur both in terms of the moderator and participants inthat moderator may lead the discussion too much in their desire to gatherrelevant data or otherwise colour the responses of participants who in turn maydesire to satisfy what they perceive to be the wishes of the moderator duringthe course of the discussion. Such considerations are not isolated to focusgroups and should be a common concern for any research exercise, (Morgan, 1997). Ethically similarsafeguards that are used in other types of research methods need to be employedwithin focus groups with some specific concerns. As with other types ofresearch informed consent needs to be adequately collected from theparticipants and in particular with focus groups if the topic is sensitive orcovers material of a private nature it must be remember that other people willbe present and thus the moderator must take further care in considering theethical implications of this feature, (Gregory, 2003). Semi-structured interviews If a researcherhas used a focus group in order to identity common themes and concerns associatedwith his or her choice of questions a useful follow on from focus groups can bethe use of more in depth and detailed semi structured interviews. Theinterviewees could perhaps be drawn from a representative sample from which thefocus group was composed. Semi structured interviews are a popular form of qualitativeresearch much relied upon within social scientific as well as otherdisciplinary investigations. The general purpose of such interviews is toexplore in details specific topics relevant to the interviewees knowledge andalso relevant to the research questions and objectives forming the focus of theresearch project, (Silveman, 2004). The normalstructure for such an interview is a one to one situation with an interviewereither having a list of some predetermined questions which are then used to branchfurther questions outwards during the conduct of the interview or alternativelythe interviewer is equipped with a set of general topics from which questionsare generated during the course of the interview. While not as interactive asfocus groups good semi-structured interviews are however in some way reliant onparticipant determination for the tenor and tone of the conduct of theinterview. This can be a principal strength of using this method in that it canbe a highly fruitful manner of exploring topics with which participants arefamiliar The advantages ofsemi structured interviews can be surmised under a number of headings. Thefirst of these is the opportunity it gives to both interviewer and intervieweeto explore in depth and detail the substantive issues for research within agiven project mentioned above. Not only though do semi-structured interviewsafford the opportunity to discuss themes in detail but the semi-structurednature also gives the interviewer freedom to dynamically adapt and respond tothe flow of the discussion as it occurs. In this sense the interviewer canexplore themes not suggested by the structure of the interview which wasoriginally planned; this is an important difference from structured interviewswhich lack this interviewer flexibility and freedom. A semi-structuredinterview can thus be said to allow for frank discussion, is a flexible and adaptivemeans as the interviewer and interviewee can respond and explore topics as theyoccur during the interview and as such can be a useful source of data for anyresearch project. Disadvantages withsemi-structured interviews again like those common to focus groups are thosewhich need to be taken account of with the use of any research method. Some ofthe main disadvantages we can associate with the use of semi structuredinterviews include participant bias, interviewer bias and the reliability ofany data generated during the course of the interview. Like focus groups theinterviewer needs to be aware of their responses and comments to theinterviewee so as not to colour or bias the responses given. Similarly aninterviewer needs to display a manner which does not indicate to theinterviewee preference supposed or otherwise for a particular set of responses.Reliability is a concern with qualitative research in general and aninterviewer needs to be cognisant of the type and form of data generated duringthe conduct of the interview. Ethically again similar principles which appliedto focus groups apply to semi-structured interviews in that the participants insuch interv iews give full informed consent to the interview taking place andthat confidentiality is ensured on the part of the interviewer in terms of anydata generated from the participant. Questionnaires Perhaps the mostfamiliar of research methods both to researchers and the general publicquestionnaires as part of a survey strategy have long held a dominant role inthe conduct of research projects, (Frazer Meredith, 2000). Questionnaires come in a variety of forms from postal, totelephone administered, to interviewer administered and so on but they are all characterisedon a reliance on a predetermined set of questions with predefined answers whichmake the data amenable to later statistical analysis either by hand or throughthe use of the many statistical computer programs which now exist. Questionnairesexcel at the testing of hypothesis concretely formed and outlined as well atgathering opinion based data from large samples, (McQueen, 2002). Questionnaires area form of quantitative research and thus they involve many statistical elementsin terms of carrying out research using them. Some of the fundamental concernswith using questionnaires include the need for sampling, ensuring effectiveresponses and a high response rate. In turn these three elements are related tothe principal advantages and disadvantages of using this method, (Oppenhiem,1992). Or in other words the success or failure and the degree to these for aparticular questionnaire is determined to a large extent by the successfulsampling of a target group and having a well-designed questionnaire with clearinstructions for participants in order to ensure correct responses and a highnumber of responses from the sample. The primary advantageof using a questionnaire lies in the amount of data which can be collectingallowing for varying degrees and sophistication in statistical analyses whichcan be performed on the data, (Gillham, 2000). The primary disadvantage ofusing questionnaires is the inverse of this strength in statistical termsrelated to the rigid and inflexible way in which data must be collected in thatthe researcher is unable to benefit from any interactivity in the research andeven when the questionnaire is interviewer administered there is a rigidity tothe questionnaire format which must be adhered to, (Houtkoop-Steenstra, 2000). Questionnaires in terms of the triangulation discussed above couldusefully be deployed in order to test hypothesis generated from theexplorations and conclusions reached during the use of focus groups. Conclusion As can be gatheredfrom our discussion then all of the research methods we have discussed are possessedof both positive and negative aspects in the case of their deployment in orderto answer research questions set by the researcher. It is argued that perhapsthe best means in which to consider the use of any of these research methods isto see them as part of a cyclical process related to the triangulation ofcertain research objectives, (yen, 1990). It can be arguedthat by using a combinational method then in the approach of constructing aresearch methodology has the benefit of playing various research methodsagainst each other, by this it is meant that certain methods will be strongothers weak and that a combinational approach will allow for the strongestpossible methodology to emerge and thus have the best chance of generatinguseful data for the research questions at hand, (Gorard and Taylor, 2004). However asmentioned in some of the limitations we discussed previously with regards tothe methods each of these particular methods require certain skills of the researcherfor them to be truly effective methods. Thus projects which would seek to useall of these methods as well as possible others would need to draw upon skilledresearchers in terms of their ability to conduct quantitative and qualitativeresearch in equal measure. Similarly using a combinational method increases therange of ethical considerations for the researcher with the possibility ofthere being a complex network of ethical issues that need to be resolvedcontinuously across the range of research methods used in the project (deMarrais Lapan 2004). Similarly for acombinational method to be effective as well as the use of any of these methodssolely also a strong methodology in terms of a plan for the research and itsconduct will need to be in place in order to generate truly relevant data forthe research questions which the researcher wishes to investigate, (Andrews,2003). In conclusion the organisation of research methods in terms of their deploymentis the most critical determinant of the success of the researcher in gathering datawhich will be of use in their subsequent and later analysis based on theresearch questions they have tasked themselves with answering. Organisation it canthus be argued is one of the principal determinants of whether the selection ofany research methods will be successful in collecting relevant and valuabledata for that project, (Ragin, 1994). References Andrews, R.J.(2003) Research Questions, Continuum, London Bloor, M. et al (2001) Focus Group inSocial Research, SAGE Publications, London. Bryman, A. (2004) SocialResearch Methods, Oxford University Press, Oxford Czarniawska, B.(2004) Narratives in Social Science Research, Sage, London deMarrais,K. Lapan, S.D. (2004) Foundations for Research: Methods of Inquiry inEducation and the Social Science, Mahwah, N.J. : L. Erlbaum Associates. Fern,E.E. (2001) Advanced Focus Group Research, SAGE, US. Frazer,L. Meredith, L. (2000) Questionnaire Design Administration : aPractical Guide, John Wiley, London. Gillham,B. (2000) Developing a Questionnaire, Continuum, London. Gorard, S. andTaylor, C. (2004) Combining Methods in Educational and Social Research,Open University Press, Maidenhead Hollway,W. Jefferson, T.(2000) Doing Qualitative Research Differently: FreeAssociation, Narrative and Interview, SAGE, London. Houtkoop-Steenstra,H. (2000) Interaction and the Standardized Survey Interview: the LivingQuestionnaire, Cambridge University Press, UK. Litosseliti,L. (2003) Using Focus Groups in Research, Continuum, London. Gregory, I. (2003)Ethics in Research, Continuum, London McNeill, P. (2005)Research Methods 3rd Edition, Routledge, London McQueen, R. (2002)Research Methods for Social Science, Prentice Hall, Harlow Morgan,D. L. (1997) Focus Groups as Qualitative Research 2nd edition,Sage Publications, US. Oppenheim,A. N. (1992) Questionnaire Design, Interviewing, and Attitude Measurement,Pinter Publishers, New York. yen,E. (1990) Comparative Methodology: Theory and Practice in InternationalSocial Research, Newbury Park, London. Ragin,C.C. (1994) Constructing Social Research: the Unity and Diversity of Method,Thousand Oaks, Pine Forge Press, US. Ruane, J.M. (2005)Essentials of Research Methods, Blackwell Publications, Malden MASS Silveman,D. (2004) Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice, SAGE,London. Somekh, B. andLewin, C. (2005) Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Sage,London Vaughn,S., Shay, J. Sinagub, S.J. (1996) Focus Group Interview in Educationand Psychology, SAGE, US.

Harriet Tubman : Walk to Freedom Essay examples -- slaves, antislavery,

Imagine a girl and her two little brothers, toes on the edge of the sidewalk; children trying to cross a street. As a big sister, she must go first. She takes a few steps ever so carefully, looking both ways, showing her younger brothers the way. She makes it to the other side of the street then turns to wave them over, telling them to follow exactly what she did and they too would make it across safely. The two little boys take a few steps just like their sister had done, looking both ways, but they are very scared. There are cars coming and they feel they might not make it in time, so they hurry back to the safe side of the street that they had first been on. After the first try, the boys are too frightened to try again by themselves, so their older sister crosses the street again, takes the boys by the hands and leads them to the other side. That is exactly how Harriet Tubman lived her life. During her first plan to escape slavery, she went on her way with two of her brothers. Har riet reached safety, but her brothers had turned back halfway to freedom. After that incident, Harriet Tubman devoted her life to helping slaves cross the street to freedom. THESIS With a past childhood surrounded with slavery, Harriet Tubman grew up with the need to make a difference; after years of smuggling slaves to freedom, her impact on antislavery changed the nation. Topic Sentence 1 †¢ After the combining of two plantations, two slaves had a child that would one day change the face of slavery completely. †¢ When two slave owners, Pattison Brodess and Anthony Thompson, got married, their plantations combined bringing two of their slaves together. Eventually the slaves got married as well and had a child. FIRST BODY Harriet Tubman was born in ... ...Home. Bookman, Ron. Web. 15 November 2013. . â€Å"Harriet Tubman.† 2013. n. pag. About.com Inventors. Vogel, Neil. The Library of Congress. Web. 15 November 2013. . Hickey, Claire. â€Å"Black History Month: Harriet Tubman – Champion of Freedom.† 4 February 2012. n. pag. The Washington Times. The Washington Times, LLC. Web. 20 November 2013. . Eversley, Melanie. â€Å"Harriet Tubman Changed History with Bravery.† 17 May 2011. n. pag. USA Today. Jones, Brent. Web. 18 November 2013 . â€Å"What Harriet Tubman Teaches Us Today.† 2011. n. pag. Black History Heroes. Cross, V. M. Web. 20 November 2013. . â€Å"Harriet Tubman. Biography.† 1996-2013: 1-3. Bio. Raven, Abbe. Web. 21 November 2013. .

Poe’s Devices for Heightening the Effect of Terror and Horror in Short Stories Essay

Edgar Allan Poe, an American poet, critic and writer of the XIX-th century, is a world- recognised master of the horror genre. Poe’s Tales of Arabesque clearly demonstrate his talent for cultivation of mystery, terror, and macabre. The process of this horror cultivation is very subtle and complicated. Poe, like an artist of arabesque who intertwines and interlaces flowers into an elaborate pattern, weaves a net of mystery and horror and entangles the reader in it. Poe starts any work ‘with consideration of the effect’ it would have on the reader. All other stages of story creation and literary devices used for it depend on that main effect. Thus, the genre of Poe’s works, their plot structure, type of narration, word choice, and imagery are the devices, with the help of which Poe creates and heightens the effect of terror and horror. Such works as ‘The Cask of Amontillado’, ‘MS Found in a Bottle’, and ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ serve as vivid examples of Poe’s sophisticated but very effective horror creating technique. The effect produced by the work on its reader largely depends on the genre of this work. It is no mere chance that Poe chooses the genre of a short story for his works of horror. On the one hand, a short story provides the writer with enough space to intrigue the reader, to rouse his interest in the plot. ‘MS Found in a Bottle’, for example, invites the reader to take part in a fantastic adventure in the midst of the stormy ocean. On the other hand, the plot unfolds very quickly, leaving no time for reasoning and meditation, keeping the senses heightened and sharp. Thus the perception of horror deepens and strengthens. Short forms of a short story bind the reader to pay closer attention to every word, to every comma and exclamation mark. Words used to create the atmosphere of terror and mystery become more colourful, more significant and profound: metaphors grow into symbols, symbols – to allegories. In ‘The Cask of Amontillado’, for example, the suspense of something terrible increases with every step Fortunato makes into the depth of the Montresors’ catacombs, with his every cough, with every proposal of Montresor to come back. But the effect of horror is heightened not only by length of a story, but also by its plot structure. A very short introduction or its complete absence and the disjunction placed at the very beginning of the story put the reader into the coarse of events at once. The events are mostly proleptic; being unaware of their meaning readers start experiencing nervousness and alarm, they feel that some dark, arcane mystery is about to uncover. The reversal in a short story comes to the end and it always comes unexpectedly. With the help of this device the writer shocks the reader, greatly intensifying his horror. Thus, terrified with the gloomy atmosphere of the Roderick’s castle and the constant sensation of trouble, the reader gets truly horrified at the sight of Roderick’s dead sister, lady Madeline, suddenly revived to life. The absence of a resolution prolongs the shock from the terrible mystery uncovered; or, as it is in ‘MS Found in a Bottle’, – the mystery that can never be resolved. The manner in which the story is narrated is no less important for heightening the effect of horror than its very plot. Though all the three stories proposed for this study are narrated in the first person, they are told in various types of the first person. These types differ by four main aspects. The first one is the part that the narrator plays in the story and his influence on the course of events. The narrator of the ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ is the central figure of the plot, moreover, he is its moving force. The reality of the story is revealed to us through Montresor’s eyes and is estimated by him. The reader is always with the narrator and as the narrator is a murderer the reader becomes his unwilling accomplice to murder. The horror of being a murderer is absolute. The narrator of ‘MS Found in a Bottle’ is also the central figure of the plot, all the events happen to him and are described by him. Being always together with the narrator, the reader embarks on a dangerous, perilous, hair-rising adventure, which ends as unexpectedly as it begins. Unlike the previous two stories, ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ is not a story about the narrator. It is Roderick Usher who is in the centre of the plot, it is his mind and his life that we are interested in. But as we are with the narrator, who is an observer and estimator of events, we can only feel the dark mystery of the House of Usher, but can not penetrate into. There is no greater horror than that of mystery and no greater terror than that of the unknown. The second aspect in which the three first person narrations differ is the use of tenses. Poe intentionally tells ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ in the past and presents all the events in chronological order. This device helps the writer to show the mind and actions of an insane person, who carefully plans a murder and methodically carries it out. Because of such step- by-step development of the plot the feeling of horror progressively grows higher and sensations of terror deposit. In ‘MS Found in a Bottle’ the writer builds up the narration in a way to bring the story closer to the reality and to the reader. That’s why he makes use not only of the past tense, but also of the present and even the present continuous. By describing the mysterious ship in the present the writer transports the reader on its deck, makes him feel the tossing of the ship, inhale the salty air. The use of the present continuous in the very end of the story heightens the horror and despair of being ‘amid a roaring, and bellowing, and thundering of ocean and of tempest’. The syntactic structure of the final passage – short abrupt sentences separated by dashes – creates the effect of the stream of consciousness and makes the reader not only the witness, but a participant of the final scene. The three main tenses of ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’- past perfect, past, and future – expand the borders of the events narrated. The past tense helps the writer to describe Roderick Usher as a reserved, mysterious, gloomy, melancholic, and abnormally sensitive person. The flash back made into Roderick’s childhood with the help of the past perfect shows that he has always been that kind of person and all his ancestors were like him. The future shows that though the House of Usher fell the mystery of it will never be solved. Thus the sense of ‘insufferable gloom’ and FEAR, which Roderick and his house arouse in the reader, roots in the ancient past and prolongs itself into the future. The final aspect that makes each of the three stories unique is the structure of the narration. ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ is formed of a combination of dialog, monologue, and description. These are the dialogues here that are of particular interest to the study. Dialogues of ‘The Cask’ are short and abrupt. Answers given to the questions are brief and concrete ( ‘Nitre? ‘ he asked, at length. ‘Nitre,’ I replied. ). This device makes every single word symbolic. Dialogues here are the part of the imagery that helps to draw the picture of horror and expectation of threat. Dialogues of ‘The House of Usher’ differ from those of ‘The Cask’. They are long, descriptive, and complicated. Some dialogues between the narrator and his friend grow into the monologues of Roderick. The final monologue of Roderick composed of broken and disconnected sentences shows the shock of horror Roderick experienced when he felt that Madeline was back from her tomb. This shock extends to the narrator and to the reader. ‘MS Found in a Bottle’ consists of a single monologue. The changing speech of the narrator reflects his mood and influences the mood of the reader. But the main function of this monologue is to create the hostile, tense, and gloomy atmosphere of the confusing reality. The main thing that influences the way in which the story effects the reader is the setting. Poe uses various stylistic devices to create a sinister setting and thus heighten the effect of horror and terror in his short stories. Metaphor is one of the most important stylistic devices. It enables the writer to describe implicitly the thing or notion for which there is no name in the common language, or a feeling ‘which will admit to no analysis’. Thus, for example, the supernatural wild ocean is named ‘watery hell’ or ‘chaos of water’. Simile helps to describe the indescribable in a more explicit form. Such similes as ‘waters rear heads like demons of the deep’, or ‘crew glide like the ghosts of the buried centuries’ arouse associations with death, mystery, and myth. And the comparison of the windows of the house of Usher with blind eyes inspires us to take the house as a living creature, strange and dangerous. Another device, used to animate inanimate objects is personification. Whatever Poe personifies – the wind (‘breath of wind’), silence (‘obstinate silence’), tempest (‘bellow of the tempest’), or air (‘wild air’) -it becomes brighter and more profound. Epithets carry out a chief function in creating the main images of the stories and drawing their sinister and horrifying settings. Thus, the ocean in ‘MS Found in a Bottle’ is described as unfathomable, terrible and thundering; the ship is gigantic and supernatural; the house of Usher is melancholy and ancient, it has bleak walls, dark intricate passages, Gothic archways, vaulted ceilings, and it inspires a ‘sense of insufferable gloom’ and ‘unredeemed dreariness’; the vaults of the Montresors are dark, damp and sombre. Poe frequently uses epithets that show the extreme quality, power, or size of an object described. Such epithets as intolerably hot wind, extreme fury, immense pressure, terrific breakers, and colossal supports form the fantastic reality of Poe’s works. An immense impact on our senses and feelings is made by colour and light words. Poe paints his gloomy settings with four main colours: black, red, grey, and yellow. These colours, however, never repeat those that we are used to, they are always unique and special. Poe sees every subtle hue of the colour and observes the way it ‘behaves’. Red, for example, is presented in two main hues: dusky-red and blood-red; it glares, streams down, or gleams in encrimsoned light. Red is the colour of blood and is therefore associated with pain and murder. Black, ebony black, and deep dingy black are the colours of ‘eternal night’ and ‘pitchy darkness’. They symbolise death, burial, fear, horror, and misfortune. Grey and leaden-hued arouse associations with ghosts, shadows, something elusive, mysterious, and imperceptible. Yellow or sickly yellow is traditionally regarded as the colour of disease, sickness, and insanity. The light in the stories is never bright but is always indiscrete, feeble, sluggish, faintly discernible, ghastly and mystic. And the gloomy setting created with the help of these hues of light can arouse in the reader nothing but the sensation of growing fear. In the conclusion it would be necessary to mention, that Edgar Allan Poe is an unsurpassed master of the horror creating technique. He uses such devices as genre, structure of the plot, type and structure of narration, vivid imagery, settings, colour, and light to heighten the effect of terror and horror in his short stories. The contribution he made into the development of the horror genre can not be overestimated.

South Africa essays

South Africa essays South Africa is the southernmost part of the continent of Africa. It is one of the earth's oldest and stable landmasses. This is why there are no folded mountain ranges. The only mountain ranges that are similar to that kind of range, would be those in the southern tip. This is where the north-south ranges meet an east-west range in the Paarl area. The rest of the country has been slightly pitted so that interior lakes like the Okovango Delta have no outlet to the sea. Most of the country is at an elevation of 3,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. South Africa lies north of 35 S latitude and is surrounded on three sides by the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Two large high-pressure areas control the weather in South Africa brought over by both of the oceans, in the winter a belt of depressions moves northward to bring rains to the south. During the summer moist tropical air masses migrate southward, bringing frequent thunderstorms. There are not many rivers in South Africa, and those few are not navigable. The unpredictable rainfall makes drought in the areas a very common problem. The towns and cities cannot depend on a consistent source of water for the year. Water supplies for both the town and the country must be very well planned, so there is no drought. Wells are usually the source for irrigation and general water supply in the countryside, however the urban and industrialized areas need the use of dams. On the major rivers of South Africa it is easy to see many of the plus 360 dams that have been built. These are easily found on the Orange, Vaal, Limpopo, and the Tugela rivers. Many of the dams provide hydroelectric power to the national electricity grid. Located on the upper Orange River are two of the largest dams in South Africa. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project was developed to supply water to the Transvaal industrial area by mid 1990's. Even though there are an abundant amount of dams in the country, t...

Regional Dialect - Definition and Examples

Regional Dialect s A regional dialect is a distinct form of a language spoken in a particular geographical area. It is also known as a  regiolect or topolect. If the form of speech transmitted from a parent to a child is a distinct regional dialect, that dialect is said to be the childs vernacular. Examples and Observations As opposed to a national dialect, a regional dialect is spoken in one particular area of a country. In the USA, regional dialects include Appalachian, New Jersey and Southern English, and in Britain, Cockney, Liverpool English and Geordie (Newcastle English). . . .In contrast to a regional dialect, a social dialect is a variety of a language spoken by a particular group based on social characteristics other than geography.(Jeff Siegel, Second Dialect Acquisition. Cambridge University Press, 2010)[L]inguists refer to so-called Standard English as a dialect of English, which from a linguistic point of view, is no more correct than any other form of English. From this point of view, the monarchs of England and teenagers in Los Angeles and New York all speak dialects of English, (Adrian Akmajian, Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication, 5th ed. The MIT Press, 2001) Studies of the Regional Dialects in North America The investigation of the regional dialects of American English has been a major concern for dialectologists and sociolinguists since at least the early part of the twentieth century when The Linguistic Atlas of the United States and Canada was launched and dialectologists began conducting large-scale surveys of regional dialect forms. Although the traditional focus on regional variation took a back seat to concerns for social and ethnic dialect diversity for a couple of decades, there has been a resurgent interest in the regional dimension of American dialects. This revitalization was buoyed by the publication of different volumes of the Dictionary of American Regional English (Cassidy 1985; Cassidy and Hall 1991, 1996; Hall 2002), and more recently, by the publication of The Atlas of North American English (Labov, Ash, and Boberg 2005). (Walt Wolfram and Natalie Schilling-Estes, ​American English: Dialects and Variation, 2nd ed. Blackwell, 2006) Varieties of Regional Dialects in the U.S. Some differences in U.S. regional dialects may be traced to the dialects spoken by colonial settlers from England. Those from southern England spoke one dialect and those from the north spoke another. In addition, the colonists who maintained close contact with England reflected the changes occurring in British English, while earlier forms were preserved among Americans who spread westward and broke communication with the Atlantic coast. The study of regional dialects has produced dialect atlases, with dialect maps showing the areas where specific dialect characteristics occur in the speech of the region. A boundary line called an isogloss delineates each area. (Victoria Fromkin, Robert Rodman, and Nina Hyams, An Introduction to Language, 9th ed. Wadsworth, 2011) Regional Dialects in England and Australia The fact that English has been spoken in England for 1,500 years but in Australia for only 200 explains why we have a great wealth of regional dialects in England that is more or less totally lacking in Australia. It is often possible to tell where an English person comes from to within about 15 miles or less. In Australia, where there has not been enough time for changes to bring about much regional variation, it is almost impossible to tell where someone comes from at all, although very small differences are now beginning to appear. (Peter Trudgill, The Dialects of England, 2nd ed. Blackwell, 1999) Dialect Leveling [T]he frequent complaint today that dialects are dying out reflects the fact that the basis for dialects has shifted. Nowadays, people travel hundreds of miles and think nothing of it. People commute to work in London from as far afield as Birmingham. Such mobility would explain, for example, why 150 years ago there was a traditional Kentish dialect, while today it barely survives, such is the close and regular contact with London. ... [I]nstead of small relatively isolated communities where each person mingles with more or less the same people for a lifetime, we have vast human melting-pots where people have diffuse social networks- mingling regularly with different people, adopting new speech forms and losing the old rural forms. Both developments in communication and the effects of urbanization have contributed to dialect leveling, a term referring to the loss of original traditional dialectal distinctions. (Jonathan Culpeper, History of English, 2nd ed. Routledge, 2005)

Death be not proud because I could not stop for death Essay

Death be not proud because I could not stop for death - Essay Example Donne treats death as a person in his poem and contradicts its power. He tells death not to be so proud as it is not as scary as it shows people it is. The writer tells death that it isn’t as powerful as it thinks it is and he contradicts its strength. The writer says that people don’t die when they meet death and neither will he himself. He compares death with ‘rest and sleep’ (Donne 11), the two things which are peaceful and not scary at all. He says that the good people know that death doesn’t bring pain rather pleasure. The poem further goes on to explain death as a slave and the writer accuses death of being associated with elements such as poison, sickness, and war. He says that he could just have some drugs and fall asleep which is just the same as death would be. Death is considered to be just a short sleep that humans take and then the good ones wake up again to eternity (Donne 11). Since this happens, death is not eternal and death dies whi ch means it has no power. The beginning of the poem focuses on the theme of death and the speaker addresses death as a proud person with an attitude problem who thinks himself as the most powerful. The speaker says that death considers himself as someone who can boss around and overpower the people. It is a powerful force that scares people and people wish to escape it. He is treated as the king as everyone thinks it is here to do something terrible (Donne 11). However, the speaker says that he isn’t afraid and he knows that death isn’t as scary as it shows everyone. The speaker confronts death and tells him that he isn’t scared as he knows that people think wrong. The poem then forms further elements that death is not actually death and it dies with reference to the Christian tradition that everyone will rise for eternity. This means that death is not real and it is not forever.

Problem and solution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Problem and solution - Essay Example Another effect of junk foods is poor performance and obesity. These foods contain very huge amounts of fats. Obesity is caused by accumulation of these fats in the body resulting in abnormal weight gains. A person who consumes junk foods at least twice a week gains an extra 4.5kg of body weight. Johnson, Paul Kenny(2010). Solution: the most effective way of reducing obesity is regular physical exercises. Exercising leads to burning of excess calories since it speeds up metabolism rate in the body hence aiding in shedding away some of the weight. Excessive intake of junk food should also be avoided, instead one should increase intake of white meat such as fish instead of red meat. High levels of sodium and fats contained in junk food can lead to high blood pressure or hypertension. Disproportionate dietary sodium can also have an undesirable effect on renal function and can cause kidney ailment. Consumption of junk food during pregnancy can intensify the risk of poor mental health, anxiety and depression in the young ones. It also causes emotional and behavioral problems such as tantrums and aggression. When junk foods are frequently used, they can cause cancer. This is based on the fact that they lack all the vitamins and proteins that are essential for proper functioning of the body. The immune system is also impaired. As a result, the diseased cells can become cancerous. Furthermore, packed junk foods usually contain preservatives and coloring which have carcinogenic substance. These carcinogenic substances are harmful for the body especially for the cardiovascular

Case study Tetra Tech EC and risk management case

Tetra Tech EC and risk management - Case Study Example The Task initiation Procedure was quite instrumental in ensuring that this happens. The most important factor that makes Tetra Tech successful in risk management is prior planning. Implementation of Tip ensures that all the potential risks are identified and the cost and ways of mitigating these risks created. This goes together with the fact that the company would inform its clients of all the potential risks involved and created a room for negotiation if after digging up the conditions were not as anticipated. This ensures that the company is able to share the risk of unpredicted conditions with the clients and thus reducing its losses. This was unlike in the previous situations where the initial contract was bidding all the way even when the conditions were observed to be worse than anticipated. In the lesson learnt portion, it has been stated that it is not important to write lesson learnt in writing as it makes them as discoverable. I think this is a statement of failing to acknowledge mistakes and errors that may have been made. This is very dangerous as it may lead to a repetition of the same mistakes. Mistakes are supposed to build up ones experience that makes them more competent to deal with future obstacles. Don Rogers can manage the lesson learnt through making his subordinates understand the importance of using past experience in solving future problem. This would be through creating a record that shows past and present performance with an analysis of what made it succeed or fail. Recommendations on how the limitations should be mitigated should then be given. In cases where a project succeeded, the factors that led to this success should be identified and ways in which they can be made to work better be analyzed. This would lead to the creation of a list on what to do and what not to do when dealing with a certain situation. In my view, Don Roger had done a

Letters to Friend Essay Example for Free

Letters to Friend Essay My host family were consisting of the old lady thats name Peggy and she were hosting two students before we arrived there. Shes very kind women, Towards the middle of my spring vacation, We were looking for american high school for next semester. But poor us, most of the schools got fully enrolled for next semester. So we tried to contact the rest of the schools that we knew from our friends, relatives or family. And finally we found out that one of the school thats called The newman high school still opening for enroll next semester. Lucky us that Peggy used to be the principle of the language school before, so she suggested us a lots of stuffs to prepare. We have been going to the News burry street, Havard university as long as I remembered. We know the best places for sight seeing. Where all the best rides , which park is the best. On day though while we were planning our next trip we decided that which days will we going back to EF. And we decided to stay in Boston for four more days in the hotel. It was a wonderful experience that we went there, walking around the city with my friends having just a map in my rucksack. Even though my summer was loaded with activity, it still seemed like a long break. After spending so much time in Boston, chilling around, and attending a guitar competetion , I felt like I needed more vacation! It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot . This trip gave me an unforgettable impression of Massachussets What about you ? Where did you go on your spring vacation ? Please write soon Yours, Jay

Images of Africa in Heart of Darkness and Things Fall Apart Essay

Images of Africa in Heart of Darkness and Things Fall Apart  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness portrays an image of Africa that is dark and inhuman.   Not only does he describe the actual, physical continent of Africa as "so hopeless and so dark, so impenetrable to human thought, so pitiless to human weakness" (Conrad 94), as though the continent could neither breed nor support any true human life, but he also manages to depict Africans as though they are not worthy of the respect commonly due to the white man.   At one point the main character, Marlow, describes one of the paths he follows: "Can't say I saw any road or any upkeep, unless the body of a middle-aged negro, with a bullet-hole in the forehead, upon which I absolutely stumbled three miles farther on, may be considered as a permanent improvement" (48).   Conrad's description of Africa and Africans served to misinform the Western world, and went uncontested for many years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1958 Chinua Achebe published his first and most widely acclaimed novel, Things Fall Apart.   This work-commonly acknowledged as the single most well known African novel in the world-depicts an image of Africa that humanizes both the continent and the people.   Achebe once said, "Reading Heart of Darkness . . . I realized that I was one of those savages jumping up and down on the beach.   Once that kind of enlightenment comes to you, you realize that someone has to write a different story" (Gikandi 8-9); Achebe openly admits that he wrote Things Fall Apart because of the horrible characterization of Africans in many European works, especially Heart of Darkness.   In many ways, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart can be seen as an Afrocentric rebuttal to the Eurocentric depi... ...t of Darkness.    Works Cited Achebe, Chinua.   "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness." Heart of Darkness: An Authoritative Text, Backgrounds and Sources, Essays in Criticism.   3rd  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ed.   Ed. Robert Kimbrough.   New York: W.W. Norton, 1988.   251-262. ---.   Things Fall Apart.   Greenwich: Fawcett Publications, Inc., 1959. Boahen, A. Adu.   African Perspectives on Colonialism.   Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987. Conrad, Joseph.   Heart of Darkness.   London: Penguin Books, 1989. "Doctrines on Colonialism."   The Government of Tibet in Exile.   3 May 2000. http://www.tibet.com/Humanrights/Unpo/chap2.html>. Gikandi, Simon.   "Chinua Achebe and the Invention of African Literature."   Classics in Context: Things Fall Apart.   Chinua Achebe.   Portsmouth: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 1996      

Raising a genderless baby: The Case of Storm Stocker Essay

Raising a family of three children is no easy feat to begin with, and the Stocker family of Toronto, Ontario has made one decision regarding their new baby that will hardly make it any easier. Mrs. Stocker gave birth to her third child on new years day of 2011, and accompanying the proud new parents e-mail to friends and families announcing the baby’s birth, was a rather controversial statement; â€Å"We’ve decided not to share Storm’s sex for now — a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation, a stand up to what the world could become in Storm’s lifetime (a more progressive place? †¦).† (CTV 1) Mr. & Mrs. Stocker had decided to raise their new baby boy or girl, with out the socially constructed pre-text of masculine or feminine gender traits, regardless of what the physical sex of the baby was. It is important to point this baby is neither a hermaphrodite nor born as a transsexual, but is completely anatomically healthy or â⠂¬Ëœnormal’ so to speak. The parents are simply keeping the sex of the baby secrete as to deprive society, and in the future its peers, teachers, coaches etc. of influencing it’s formation of gender and self. This highly controversial decision is however, fulfilling Freud’s notion of removing gender from the realm of biology, thus overcoming biological essentialism, and moving it into society, which he believed was the dominant force influencing how gender develops. In the modern era, however, the decision to keep baby Storms sex a secrete was met with significant controversy from American media, ABC news stating; â€Å"While child development experts applaud the family’s efforts to raise their child free of the constraints of gender stereotypes, they say the parents have embarked on a psychological experiment that could be potentially disastrous.† (ABC 1) while in Canada and internationally, especially in European countries such as Sweden and Finland where this is not unheard of, its been more readily accepted. Finnish people often choose specific diction to speak about themselves and others in a very neutral way which includes gender neutrality; â€Å"This rhetoric is based on a kind of moral code: it is highly valued to be seen and treated without particularities, without bodies, as a  person in your own right, without gender, without class, without ethnicity, without locality† (Lahelma 8) and in Sweden the government has actually updated the national Encyclopedia to account for the rising trend of parents raising their children genderless, adding the genderless pronoun â€Å"hen† to accompany the masculine â€Å"han† and feminine â€Å"hon†. And the trend isn’t just limited to linguistics. Recently â€Å"†¦the World Economic Forum declared Sweden the most gender-neutral country in the world, and gender neutrality is changing Swedish culture in profound ways. A children’s department store has dissolved its â€Å"girls† and â€Å"bo ys† sections†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Tietal 36). Freud would, however, have to agree with ABC news’ declaration that the results could be â€Å"potentially disastrous† as he viewed gender intringently linked to self-identity as well as sexual orientation. It is safe to assume Dr. Freud would view this decision to shelter the child as a psychological experiment destined to end in failure, resulting in a man or women not properly assimilated into society and bound for a miserable existence. However, as Sandra Harding said â€Å"What you see, what you find important, and how you understand the world depends on your ‘standpoint’† and as more recent feminist research has uncovered Freud’s beliefs in a binary set of man or woman is not necessarily true. Feminist Epistemology of society and science exposes how the commonly accept binary couple of male/female or masculine/feminine influences our conception of knowledge and how we come to conclusions, and even in American media it is quite pronounced the male/female roles have began to blend or at least have come to have changed since Freud’s time; â€Å"The stereotypes of boys were that they were self-sufficient, non-empathic, tough and good at war, and Girls were trained to be empathic and caring and more nurturing, are all falling apart. You even see tough football players bawling nowadays† (ABC 1). It would not necessarily be harmful for the baby to grow up in-between or with-out th e masculine/feminine binary because it is socially constructed anyway and growing up with-out it, or perhaps better put, on the outside of it, simply creates a new paradigm for baby Storm. Because men have held such a dominant role influencing research and education it has skewed history and research to man’s own advantage, resulting in a unidimensional view of gender and power almost always at the women’s expense  (Luecke 138). As Kimmel said in our textbooks, the phenomenon of biasing knowledge is always more pronounced when one group homogeneously controls political and ideological systems, which have up until very recent times been controlled strictly by males, giving them the conceptual power over gender, sexual orientation and almost every other field of research known to man. Though in recent decades much progress has been made on this issue, there is still much bias on part of male dominated research resisting the inclusion of minorities and feminist epistemology which needs to change in order for better research methods and more accurate out comes, especially from a constructionists approach to gender. As Sharlene Hesse-Biber put it; â€Å"If present science is distorted by the predominance of male perspectives, would not science become more objective by the deliberate inclusion of views from women, minorities etc.† The Social Constructionist Approach diverges from Freud’s belief in masculine/feminine binaries in that it acknowledges the contextual importance of gender and sexuality. The time, place, power and culture all play a part in defining what is considered masculine and what is feminine, concluding that gender and sexuality are not constants, but variables in a perpetual flux, resulting from the ebb and flow of societal norms and what social groups are in power influencing those norms. Storms identity as he grows up will certainty be influenced by his interactions with media, society and his parents but that influence will be minimized because of his immunity to the power of gender and sex stereotypes, living in, presumably, blissful ambiguity. And in many ways this gives him a certain power over us, or at least a power to change or blur the gender norms as he grows up; â€Å"It is impossible to explain gender without adequately understanding power – not because power is the consequence of gender difference. But rather because power is what produces those gender differences in the first place† (Kimmel 116). The case of Storm Stocker, while highly controversial, cannot be declined the notion of fascinating and perhaps highly influential on this centuries gender and sexual norms – thus society itself. This case as analyzed through intersectionality is perfect to highlight the many ways in which race, class, gender and sexuality all come to act as social forces on us as we develop in our given environment (Kennedy & Hellen 36). As we watch Storm  mature into whatever Storm aspires to be, Storm will be simultaneously turning back millennia of stereotypes, biases, roles and assumptions that have been entrenched in our global society. The potential for real social change stems from the point where other individuals who have been raised and socialized similarly to storm, organize and create social movements to further awareness and understanding of neo-gendered individuals (Madison & Shaw 435). In this way Storm and their contemporaries will show us how the binary concepts of man/women have been one of the most pervasive forces locking us within a certain realm of action and understanding dictated strictly by the reproductive organs we were born with. Who we love, how we love are all subject to change as â€Å"Our identities are a fluid assemblage of the meanings and behaviors that we construct from values, images and prescriptions we find in the world around us† (Kimmel 112). Works Cited â€Å"Baby raised without ‘gender’ sets off debate | CTV News .† CTV News | Top Stories – Breaking News – Top News Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. . â€Å"Baby Storm Raised Genderless, or Without a Gender, a Dangerous Experiment, Say Child Development Experts – ABC News.† ABCNews.com – Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News – ABC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. . Biber, Sharlene Nagy. Handbook of feminist research: theory and praxis. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications, 2007. Print. Harding, Sandra. â€Å"Feminist Standpoints.† Handbook of feminist research: theory and praxis. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications, 2007. 46-64. Print. Kennedy, Natacha, and Mark Hellen. â€Å"Transgender children: more than a theoretical challenge.† Graduate Journal of Social Science 7 (2010): 25-42. Print. Kimmel, Michael S.. The gendered society. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Lahelma, Elina. â€Å"Female Paths To Adulthood In A Country Of ‘Genderless Gender’.† Gender & Education 24.1 (2012): 1-13. Academic Search Complete. Web. Luecke, Julie. â€Å"Working with Transgender Children and Their Classmates in Pre-Adolescence: Just Be Supportive.†Journal of LGBT Youth 8.2 (2011): 116-156. Print. Maddison, Sarah, and Frances Shaw. â€Å"Feminist Perspectives on Social Movement Research.† Handbook of feminist research: theory and praxis. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications, 2007. 434-454. Print. Teitel, Emma. â€Å"Neither He Nor She.† Maclean’s 125.16 (2012): 36. Academic Search Complete. Web.