Impacting factors on human social service Essay

Socio cultural factors are norms, values, beliefs, material and non material objects that are passed on from one generation to another in any given society .Socio cultural factors are crucial in any developmental aspect of a community.(Noyo Ndangwe p230) There is considerable interest in analyzing these factors that are impacting on human social service delivery and these are economic, religion, political and socio-cultural factors which are of special significance because of their tendency to shape the context or foundation for the operation of any other set of factors that operate upon human social service delivery. In this regard, we will try to look at one factor, that is, Socio cultural factor how it is impacting on human social service delivery. First and foremost would like to define the key concepts this assignment. 1. Socio means interaction. 2. Culture means the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behaviour of a particular nation or people. 3. Factors mean something that contributes to or has an influence on the outcome of something. 4 Impacting means to have an immediate and strong effect on something or somebody. 5 Social Service These are welfare programs aimed at enriching human life 6 Delivery means taking something to somebody.  The first to way to discuss this will be to try to analyse how socio-cultural factors affect the performance of Primary Health Care. There is now a large body of literature on the social and cultural determinants of health which ‘refer to both the specific features and pathways by which societal conditions affect health. The WHO has, for example, identified a number of socio cultural factors and conditions. The list of factors includes (i) cultural beliefs and taboos, (ii) gender inequality, and (iii) the urban – rural divide. The socio-cultural factors impacting on health will differ  between societies and even within sub-cultures within the same society. Thus the factors in a developed society will tend to differ from those that are operative in a backward, underdeveloped society. Factors such as urban-rural migration, unemployment, education, gender inequality, lack of money, transportation, distance to health facility, cultural inhibition, fear of going alone to health facilities, inability to make informed choices and the need to obtain permission from some authority figure such as the husband in the case of some married women have been cited (Social Determinants of Health: Nigerian Perspective: 2005). Social cultural taboos and social meanings attached to certain diseases and their causes are other socio cultural factors that are impacting on service delivery. Cultural beliefs and taboos Cultural beliefs and taboos impact upon the performance of the Primary Health Care in several ways. First, they shape forms of behaviour that lead to certain health outcomes. As an example, consider beliefs about fertility and family planning. People living in rural areas tend to want to have more children and not to want to use the more modern methods of family control (PHC, WHO: 2004). This has implication for population growth, the incidence of child and maternal mortality and the number in the population seeking access to health care. As another example, we can also consider the case of beliefs about HIV/AIDS. Quoting a UNESCO Report, Kickbusch et al (2002:4-5) have observed that in some parts of Africa, ‘people believe that clean and well-dressed individuals cannot become infected or that having sexual intercourse with a virgin will cure AIDS’. Ladipo et al (2003) have also reported a study on the perceptions of Gate keepers, the custodians of cultural beliefs and moral norms, about sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Using in-depth interviews with teachers, media representatives, religious, political and traditional leaders and focus group discussions among parents the study reported that the culture downplayed the sexual mode of transmitting the disease; ‘condom promotion was not accepted on religious grounds by most participants. Cultural beliefs not only also shape how individuals respond to forms of disease and illness but also choices about which forms of care should be accessed. For example, cultural beliefs about certain forms of disease may lead to silence and denial thus creating  veritable grounds for the continuation of behaviours and actions that promote the disease (Human Rights Watch, 2002). Studies of the social meaning of infertility in Nigeria have shown that beliefs about infertility play a determinant role in interpretation and treatment of infertility. Following these beliefs, most people used three treatment outlets: ‘churches (spiritualists), traditional healers and hospitals (orthodox medical treatment)’ (Okonofua et al 1997:211). Gender inequality Gender inequality impacts the Primary Health Care system through its contribution to lower status, lack of empowerment, higher rates of illiteracy, and higher levels of poverty for women. As in the case of illiteracy, these factors translate into higher incidence of ill-health for women and paradoxically, their lower capacity to access health care. For example, women with less education have less control over their sexual activities and therefore also more affected by sexually transmitted diseases. For example, HIV/AIDS which is transmitted largely through sexual activities is more prevalent among women than among men. The relative lack of control over their sexual choices also means that many more women get pregnant than should be the case. This has implications for fertility and maternal mortality rates. Women therefore have a higher need to access health care especially at the PHC level. Only women generally tend to need the permission of men to access health facilities. Poverty is also higher among women in the population than men. These factors suggest that women will also have a lower capacity to meet their health needs even when facilities exist to provide for those needs. The urban – rural divide The urban – rural divide is implicated in the differences in living conditions between urban and rural areas, in the distribution of the population between the two areas and in several other factors. Differences in these factors impact upon the performance of PHC in a number of ways. First, it imposes different challenges on PHC in urban and rural areas. It has been observed for example, that living conditions, especially with respect to the availability of electricity, good roads, water, transportation, communication, poverty and quality of life tend to be much higher in urban than rural areas (Imoudu, 1995). The implication of this is  the tendency for PHC units to be better staffed and equipped in urban areas than rural areas. It is thus not surprising to find that storage facilities for drugs are better in urban areas than rural areas (Gupta et al, 2004). Professional health personnels are also more reluctant to accept postings to rural areas. Another implication is the pattern and distribution of the disease burden between urban and rural areas. Given the fact that urban areas have more PHC facilities and that other secondary and tertiary health care facilities tend to be located in them, the health needs of urban populations tend to be better served than those of rural areas. There will therefore tend to be more pressure on PHC facilities in rural areas. If we take into consideration the additional factor of higher poverty in the rural areas, the lower capacity of rural communities to access health care when they need it will translate into worse health indices in the rural areas than urban areas. However it should be noted that socio cultural factors also impact positively in human service delivery in the following ways. Traditional medicines have become part or alternatives were modern medicine has failed. That not all in certain areas use of socio cultural factors has enhanced social service delivery in the areas of ceremonies which bring in foreign exchange and general leading to an improved standard of life of the people.eg prior to the kuomboka ceremony of the lozi people of western province, roads are graded, buildings painted, the towns and villages cleaned hospitality industry also takes a new shape which is a plus in service delivery. CONCLUSION Socio cultural factors are norms, values, beliefs, material and non material objects that are passed on from one generation to another in any given society. As we looked at how socio-cultural factors affect the performance of Primary Health Care we have noted that socio cultural factors are crucial in any developmental aspect of a community The socio-cultural factors impacting on health will differ between societies and even within sub-cultures within the same society. The WHO has, for example, identified a number of socio cultural factors and conditions. The list of factors includes (i) cultural beliefs and taboos, (ii) gender inequality, and (iii)  the urban – rural divide. The socio-cultural factors impacting on health will differ between societies and even within sub-cultures within the same society. Cultural beliefs and taboos impact upon the performance of the Primary Health Care in several ways. First, they shape forms of behaviour that lead to certain health outcomes. Gender inequality impacts the Primary Health Care system through its contribution to lower status, lack of empowerment, higher rates of illiteracy, and higher levels of poverty for women. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. Dr. Festus Iyayi, (2009), Socio cultural factors impacting upon Primary Health Care in Nigeria, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria 2. Global Health Watch (2004) Global Health Action, edited by Whyte, A., McCoy, D and Rowson, M, Russell Press 3. Noyoo. N, (2000), Social Policies and Social Services in Zambia. UNZA Publishers, Lusaka, Zambia. 4. Oxford advanced learners dictionary (2002).

Queen Elizabeth’s Speech To Her Troops

To lead a country there are certain traits that you must obtain. These include poise, confidence, trustworthiness, and ambition. As the ruler of England Queen Elizabeth I possessed all of these qualities and made them apparent when she addressed her troops as the Spanish Armada crept closer to the shores of England in 1588. In this compelling speech she delivers a clear purpose to her troops that she is dedicated to them in every way possible.Through her diction, ethos, and pathos Queen Elizabeth I successfully displays her dedication giving her troops the confidence to rally and attack the enemy. Queen Elizabeth I uses diction that exhibits her trust and dedication towards her troops. She praises her â€Å"faithful and loving people† and emphasizes the â€Å"loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects†. The queen chose these words because they show what her people mean to her. She could have chosen to simply call them her subjects.This is a much more derogatory and imper sonal way of addressing them. Instead she approaches them in a way that exposes how much she cares about them which in turn shows her dedication. Even though Queen Elizabeth I was far removed from the daily lives of her troops and people in her speech she speaks to them as if they are her own family. The Queen does not limit her use of diction to only praising her troops though. She also uses selective word choice to portray how much her country means to her.She refers to Spain invading England as â€Å"to invade the borders of my realm. † This statement asserts her protectiveness over her country. The Queen makes it clear that if anyone is to dishonor her country she will personally see that they receive a repercussion. The diction selected by Queen Elizabeth I tactfully presents her dedication to her troops and citizens. As the ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth I already possesses a certain amount of credibility and trustworthiness to her subjects.While speaking to the troo ps at Tilbury she exerts more ethos to prove her dedication. One thing that the Queen makes very clear is that she is willing to die for her country. She states â€Å"in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all, to lay down for God and my kingdom, and my people. † Even though she may not actually fight on the battlefield, just by asserting that she would be willing to risk her life for her kingdom of England if the time ever came proves her immense dedication to her people.She furthers her credibility by saying, â€Å"In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead. † The Queen would be fighting if she could, but instead she is â€Å"fighting† through one of her generals, but we know she is dedicated at heart. She also simulates loyalty when she says, â€Å"I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder. † Queen Elizabeth gains trustworthiness because she is willing to do anything for h er troops and people that will better their lives. The ethos that is professed advances the Queens dedication.When addressing troops that are about to enter into a life-threatening battle, as a speaker you need to calm their nerves, while also showing that you trust them. Queen Elizabeth successfully uses pathos to accomplish this task. The Queen renders, â€Å"we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom and of my people. † This statement demonstrates her confidence in the troops. Then, the troops realizing that their queen has so much faith towards them will possess the strength and courage to succeed in battle.

Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Project management - Essay Example Objective of the project is cleaning the environment; in ensuring there is coordination among the project management team and the community the expectations from both sides should be aligned to eliminate any chance of conflict. The sponsors for the project were amazed by the number of activities that were to be conducted on separate occasions. On their side some activities seemed duplicated, though the differences were minimal. They resorted that those activities ought to be merged. The cost of the project would have been reduced by twenty percent, in that process. Chronological flow of the task was also to be altered and environmental conservation sensitization to take centre stage. The following is the work breakdown structure as recommended by the sponsors. The three divisions (marketing, product research and development, and policy) of the tourism agency will have to be aligned so as to meet the goal of developing the Competitive Intelligence System. The goal is to be met by both internal and external team. To iron out and difference for strategic alignment and coordination the teams will be meeting weekly. The key problem encountered in this project was the evaporation of the goals and assumption set to guide the project. Project to run smoothly its goal and assumption ought to be realistic and print a picture of what is happening on the ground. The project management team that was head by the research and development did not do its homework when designing the goals and assumptions for this project. A project like this one whose impact is national, it is prudent for the concern party to incorporate all factors surrounding the project planning and implementation processes. One of the assumptions was that the â€Å"proven technology† will be imported without extensive modifications. This cannot be the case for technological projects like implementation of a Competitive Intelligence System.

Listening Log Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Listening Log - Essay Example he piano was the most commonly used instrument during the classical periods and was used by Beethoven on several occasions to relay his ideas and talent through music (Sais, 46). The performers of the song in this case were the attendants and those who participated in the composing, playing and listening to the music. Beethoven began the music composing piece with one thought in his head. He wanted the piece for his pupils that he was taking through in the music class. After he had been done composing the piece for the two years, he presented it to his pupils who were active listeners and also part of the performing. He had several symphony music pieces before and also did many others after this presentation. The time and place of the music was during the classical music period of the 1800s in Germany where Beethoven took opportunity of the then conditions in Germany to give hope and future developments to the German kids. The kids were seeing their parents struggle during this period in Germany. The place was the school where Beethoven had his music lessons to his pupils. The form of the moonlight sonata song is a bit different from other classical songs. The song possesses an end – weighted trajectory where there is a fast – slow then fast – fast rhythm. The form gives a prelude that is an insight to a proposition (Said, 51). The orchestra in the song was not active as the song was a dedication of Beethoven to his pupils. The kids therefore did or performed very little in making the orchestra of the moonlight sonata. Some may say that there was no orchestra at all. The rhythm of the song began from a slow, silent mode, slowly captivating the attention of the kids before hitting a high note. The rhythm from that point gets to a faster speed up to the end when it now goes down slowly and then comes to an end. In my own observation when trying to explain the impression of moonlight sonata, the piece is a perfect blend for the audience that is of the

Reporting Forensic Evidence Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reporting Forensic Evidence - Research Paper Example Therefore, the report ought to be more formal for clear presentation. For instance, in the report of the investigation that involves a group of criminal enterprise, a comprehensive report is to be produced. Therefore, the forensic investigators can apply the use of a computer to carry out the forensic procedures. Computer forensic is thus the utilization of the computer applications and also analysis for the discovery of any legal evidence involved in the field of forensics. The use of the computer to practice the forensic investigations enables a quick identification and capture of the potential criminal through the use of vital data in the computer (Stauffer & Bonfanti, 2006). During the forensic investigation process, some of the things that were accomplished are the process of gathering the critical details of the potential suspects. This can only be achieved when the forensic investigators are rightly granted a warrant. This warrant allows them to carry out the forensic investig ation procedures without any limits. Therefore, the investigators first must obtain a legal warrant from the authority to enable them access any form of information from individuals. Furthermore, the evidence obtained by the investigator must not be interfered with. For instance, in the computer forensic investigation, the computers must not be touched or even moved once the incidence has occurred. The investigators must further protect the data and the system and its components so as to be used for the prosecution in the court. Moreover, a continued chain of custody is maintained. Eventually, during the retrieval of the data of the suspects, the investigator ought to be extremely careful so as to avoid any distortion of data contained in the computer. Consequently, the evidence collected by the forensic investigator ought to meet some set requirements. These includes that the evidence ought to be produced then also be professionally authenticated and furthermore be of the best evid ence available (Stauffer & Bonfanti, 2006). There are numerous types of systems that are employed during the examination procedures of the forensic investigation. The evidence gathered by the investigator varies widely. Some of these evidences are obtained from the computer includes theft of the intellectual property; there is also theft of the trade secrets. For instance, the investigators can employ the manual form of collecting forensic evidence or they can employ the computer technology method in the collection of the forensic evidences. The computer method used in the collecting evidences of any form of crime is the latest developed procedure. This technique is quick and also among the most effective procedure to be utilized. The forensic investigators utilize the computer forensic to gather any forensic evidences to be utilized in court. For instance, the evidence obtained for criminals, theft, deaths, and all forms of suicides (Anastasi, 2003). Additionally, a variety of tool s are employed by the forensic investigator during the investigation process. Thus for an effective process in the forensic investigation, a smarty decision ought to be made on the best and most valuable tools to be utilized. This is to enable the investigator have an accurate analysis of the evidences obtained. These tools employed by the investigators can also be created by individuals who are experienced. Unfortunately, this idea is not embraced by many because it is hard to

Understanding The Relationship Between Organisational Structure and Assignment

Understanding The Relationship Between Organisational Structure and Culture - Assignment Example Organizational structure can be seen as the method in which interconnected groups and organizations are set up in order to permit them to function effortlessly from a larger standpoint. Two major purposes of a successful structure are to guarantee effective communication among different parts of the company and increase coordination among different departments. In practice, of course, it is impossible to separate structure and culture of an organization. So while we create organizational structure that spells out the positions to be filled by members of an organization. It is mostly culture that defines the roles that go with these positions and the kinds of people who will fill them. In a practical sense, it is difficult to differentiate structure and culture. â€Å"So while we create organizational structure that spells out the positions to be filled by members of an organization, it’s mostly culture that defines the roles that go with those positions and the kinds of peopl e who will fill them† (GTP Organizer Training 2007). 2. Explain how the relationship between an organization’s structure and culture can   impact the performance of the business. The relationship between organizational culture and organizational structure plays an important role in creating an impact on the performance of business. The culture of management and the employees, situations, events, substance, information, processes and such elements are necessary for organizational decisions and movement. In addition, power, task and responsibility of the employees also influence the performance of a business. The management fixes a structure for the business, which involves culture as a... Understanding The Relationship Between Organisational Structure and Culture Presently there is a lot of  information and data available on the culture of organizations. Organizational structure and organizational culture are closely intertwined with one another. It is also the point of view through which people see their organization and its atmosphere. Organizational culture is more of a bigger picture, a more universal term that refers to a big umbrella of smaller issues and topics in an organization. The organizational structure denotes to the infrastructure of the organization and the numerous practices and methods involved in that infrastructure. This organizational structure assists an organizational culture run with reliability and efficiency, which is be the trademark of a healthy organizational structure. It is seen in a sports team, corporation,  or any other group that is large enough to generate its own organizational culture. This makes the organization structure an integral component of the organizational culture of the organization, but al so narrows out a very particular section of the culture as its own duty and responsibility. In terms of work behavior, an individual is expected to be provided with employment when the organization recognizes and understands the values he or she is concerned about. The values of a firm are often portrayed in the mission and vision statements of the company, which an aspect of the planning function.

The Opportunities for Multinational Companies to Shift Resources Term Paper - 2

The Opportunities for Multinational Companies to Shift Resources around the World - Term Paper Example At a superficial glance, when a multinational invests in a country overseas, the partnership seems beneficial. Both the parties seem to profit. The multinational company finds a new domain to practice business on, while the country involved benefits due to the creation of jobs in its economy as well as the expansion in the consumer market due to the addition of the MNC’s product. There is, however, a more deep-rooted impact of this operation, which implies increased benefit for the MNC and less benefit for the developing country. The nation-state, which allows the multinational to operate within its borders, seldom sees the profit from the company’s operations (Chen, pp. 136, 2003). Multinational company, upon earning this profit, will whisk the profit out of the country to its own origin and home. Resultantly, even when million-dollar companies enter a developing country’s market, the million-dollar profit is not beneficial to the country itself in any way. If e valuated by the subjective eye, the situation can appear as if the MNC exploits the hosting country for its cheap labor and consumer market, while paying back only the bare minimum in the form of wages, while earning a massive profit as well as a beneficial expansion in operations. The operations of a multinational consist of combining the expertise (especially new technology) and the stock capital of the multinational with any opportunities the MNC may find in other countries in the form of cheap labor and other resources, leading to an increased output (Toyne, pp. 42, 2009). The result is often a substantial profit that the investors in the multinational divide amongst themselves and take home.

Master Dissertation (strategic change in aircraft maintenance company)

Master (strategic change in aircraft maintenance company) - Dissertation Example To investigate the research question a combination of secondary and primary research methodology was used. The secondary data was obtained from the already published data and the primary data was obtained through questionnaires by conducting a survey. Total 137 employees of ADAT participated in the research study however, only 96 questionnaires appeared to be completely filled. The data has been analysed by using the descriptive statistical techniques. The findings of the research suggest that efficient services of aircraft maintenance companies require resources and technical expertise. It has been identified that employee turnover has been one of the major issues of the company which directly influenced the performance of the company as a result of strategic change. Therefore, to increase the performance company needs to adopt strategies that can help it to gain sustainable growth in the industry by increasing its ability to retain highly-qualified staff and reducing costs of recru itment and selection. Based on the analysis, a few recommendations have been also given to the company. Table of Contents Abstract 2 List of Figures 5 List of Tables 5 Introduction 6 Research Background 6 Organisation Profile: Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) 11 Research Aim 12 Research Objectives 13 Research Questions 14 Research Rationale 14 Research Significance 15 Research Limitations 15 Definition of Terms and Abbreviations 16 Structure of Dissertation 17 Literature Review 18 Aircraft Maintenance 18 Financial, Auditing and Pricing 29 Human Resource Management 32 Marketing and Communication 33 Conceptual Framework 35 Research Methodology 36 Overview ofn Research Questions 36 Overview of Literature Review 36 Research Design 38 Research Methods 38 Secondary Research 38 Primary Research 38 Data Collection Tool 39 Sampling 39 Data Collection Procedure 41 Validity 42 Ethical Considerations 42 Findings and Analysis 44 Findings of Secondary Research 44 Findings of Primary Researc h 51 Conclusion and Recommendations 60 Recommendations 63 Reference 65 Appendix 74 List of Figures Figure 1 Business environment of Aircraft Business 8 Figure 2 Facility Map 12 Figure 3 Conceptual Framework 35 Figure 4 Expenditure of the Emirates 46 Figure 5 Experience 51 Figure 6 Associated with particular zone 51 Figure 7 Respondents' Association Zones 52 Figure 8 Involvement of Respondents in Maintenance Activities 52 Figure 9 Number of People Working in Aircraft Zone 53 Figure 10 Percent of Technical People in Aircraft Zone 53 Figure 11 Ranking of Organization for Maintenance Services 54 Figure 12 Perception of Employees 55 Figure 13 Performance of the Organization 56 Figure 14 Role of Training 57 Figure 15 Overall efficiency of the organization can be Improved 58 Figure 16 To improve efficiency in the Present scenario 59 List of Tables Table 1 Employee Turnover from 2008-2010 47 Table 2 Turnover Ratio 2008-2010 49 Table 3 Total Employee Replacement cost from 2008 -2010 50 Intro duction Research Background The global airline industry has net value of $467 billion which is expected to reach nearly $609 billion by 2013. The growth in the airline industry was nearly 30.4% in 2008 and growth in the global airline market was 1.8% by volume. It is expected to increase by 23.6% of the volume till 2013. There are tremendous changes observed in various factors of airline industry. Due to

A comparative analysis from the online retail company Rakuten to Essay

A comparative analysis from the online retail company Rakuten to another four companies - Essay Example Bezos and its headquarters is in Seattle. Mr. Bezos is still the CEO, Chairman and President of the Company- he took office in 1994 after founding the company. The senior Vice President is Mr. Thomas J. Szkutak who has been in office since 2002. Other executives include: Ms. Kathy Sheehan, Mr. Phil Hardin and Ms. Mary Bowman. Amazon.com has been able to increase its revenues to $74.5B from $61.1B in the previous years. It bounced back with a profit of $274M after a loss in the previous year of around $39M. This may be attributed to decrease in the percentage of sales related to cost of goods. Currently, the market price of its shares is $327.82, a 3.58% increase. The table below shows annual financial statement of the company. EBay Inc. is an online trading company that allows sellers and buyers to exchange products and services ranging from collectible and memorabilia to coins and sporting tickets. It also has an online payment service- PayPal. Its headquarters is located at Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, California. It has three presidents: John J Donahoe (President/CEO), Craig Hayman (President-Enterprise Business) and Devin N Wenig (President-Market Places). EBay shares are currently valued$54.36, this is a 0.02% decrease. The financial position of companies at the end of every fiscal year is very important for investors as it forms basis of their future decisions. There are many types of ratios in use today, however the ones that are more important to the investors are the profitability and liquidity ratios as they reveal the financial position of the company at the end of that year. Profitability is an important piece of information for investors as it will either attract them to a company or scare them away. This is due to the fact that high revenues and increased stock prices don’t necessarily equate to high dividends for investors. Profitability ratios therefore give investors a clue of the likelihood that a company

Discipline and Improve Students Behaviour in Classroom Education Essay Example for Free

Discipline and Improve Students Behaviour in Classroom Education Essay The problem of how best to discipline and improve students’ behaviour in classroom is of permanent interest. This review is oriented to searching different methodologies concerning students’ behaviour in classrooms, teachers’ discipline strategies and behavioural management. Different points of view and different examples for appropriate behaviour have been discussed referring to the topic. The sources reviewed present different solutions. This paper examines also the classroom environment and its relation to successful behaviour implementation. The first paragraphs give different definitions conversant with behaviour and discipline according to the authors’ view. The continuation of the literature review is presented by different approaches and strategies concerning a good behavioural management. This elaboration sets out some of the arguments and recommendations which are discussed in more detail. Charles C. M. submits several definitions corresponding to behaviour: Behaviour refers to everything that people do. Misbehaviour is behaviour that is not appropriate to the setting or situation in which it occurs. Discipline†¦ are strategies, procedures, and structures that teachers use to support a positive learning environment. Behaviour management is a science that puts an accent on what teachers have to do to prevent misbehaviour (Charles 1). Students’ behaviour depends on several factors such as traditions, demographic settings, economic resources, family, experiences, and more. Some authors have made important contributions in managing classroom discipline related the twentieth century. Jacob Kounin (1971), one of them, reports that appropriate student behaviour can be maintained through classroom organization, lesson management, and approach to individual students. Rudolf Dreikurs (1972) on the other hand emphasizes the desire to belong as a primary need of students in school. He identifies types of misbehaviour and gives ideas about how to make students feel a part of the class or group (p. 63). William Glasser (1986) shows another view, making a case that the behaviour of someone else cannot be controlled. He reckons that everybody can only control his own behaviour. Personally I support this idea that we must control ourselves. According to the opinion of the other authors, Linda Albert’s, Barbara Coloroso’s, Nelson and Lott’s a good discipline in the classroom can be achieved through Belonging, Cooperation, and Self-Control. A similar idea of classroom management is also presented by Rackel C. F who declares that the teachers, considered it was necessary, â€Å"to develop students’ sense of belonging to the school† (p. 1071) The author supports the opinion of the significance of a good school climate and tells that it might be precondition for facilitating positive youth development (Rackel C. F 1071). In order to attain to a good classroom atmosphere there is a need of growing positive relationship between students and teachers, motivation the students’ participation and clear rules to control classroom discipline (Rackel C. F 1072). In addition these above-mentioned views can be defined as a positive outlook as regards to improving the classroom management. Another point of view inside the subject of managing discipline is through active student involvement and through pragmatic Classroom management (Charles, C. M. 2007, p. 7). Discipline through raising student responsibility is also positively oriented approach for classroom management. The three principles that improve behaviour presented in the article â€Å"Self-assessment of understanding† are positivity, choice, and reflection (Charles, C. M. 12). There the author explains the principles meaning. He states that being positive means being a motivator. When students have opportunity to share their choices they can present themselves with a good behaviour. â€Å"Asking students questions that encourage them to reflect on their behaviour can help them to change behaviour† (Charles 14). Rebecca Giallo and Emma Little (2003, p. 22) from RMIT University Australia give their comments also on classroom behaviour management. They claim that confidence is one of the most important characteristic that influence teachers’ effectiveness in classroom management. Giallo and Little (2003, 22) based on the previous statement of Evans Tribble accept that less confident teachers seem more vulnerable to stressful classrooms. They maintain the theory that the classroom stress is a reason for giving up a teacher’s career. In school the stress can be overcome through involving of drastic measures concerning managing a good discipline. One of the most popular strategy for solving behaviour problems is punishment. By reason of the popularity of the subject in the field of education, many experts have written articles and books as well as given lectures on discipline and punishment. Anne Catey based on Dreikur’s words considers that there is no need of using punishment in class. Based on Catey’s words kids need to have a chance they can share their ideas in the class (1). This is the best way to â€Å"smooth, productive functioning in schools† (Charles, C. M, 1999). Anne Catey from Cumberland High School gets an interview from several teachers in Illinois district about their discipline practices. She accepts the suggestion given by Lawrence as mentioning that, â€Å"very effective technique is a brief conference, either in the hallway or after class, with the misbehaving student† (Punishment, 1). Anne Catey has her own techniques for classroom management. She disagrees with Lawrence viewing about humour as one of the bad strategies for effective discipline and believes that using of humour can be effective if done without abasing the students (Punishment, 1). In this way she gives each one a bit of individual attention. When some of her students are a bit distracted on one task, talking to friends instead of reading Catey says, â€Å"Since I always assume the best of my students, I assume the noise I hear is students reading aloud or discussing their novels. However, it’s time to read silently now instead of reading aloud† (Punishment, 1). This sounds as a good strategy but personally I disclaim this thesis. This doesn’t work all the time. I am trying to be strict with my students and according to this the pupils have to observe the rules in my classes. That doesn’t mean that I admit the severe punishment but rarely the stern warnings. I agree with the following techniques used by Anne Catey (2001) to modify behaviour including giving â€Å"zeroes for incomplete, inappropriate, and/or missing work and taking points off at the end of a quarter for lack of participation and/or poor listening†. As expected, these methods are effective for some of the pupils but not for the others. Related to the above-mentioned topic it could be noticed some of the classroom discipline strategies utilized in Australia, China and Israel. On the basis of elaborated research in these countries some psychologists and school principals (Xing Qui, Shlomo Romi, 2005) conclude that Chinese teachers appear less punitive and aggressive than do those in Israel or Australia. Australian classrooms are presented as having least discussion and recognition and most punishment. In Australia (Lewis, 2005) as concerned to the study the teachers are characterized by two distinct discipline styles. The first of these is called â€Å"Coercive† discipline and comprises punishment and aggression (yelling in anger, sarcasm group punishments,  etc). The second style, comprising discussion, hints, recognition, involvement and Punishment, is called â€Å"Relationship based discipline† (Lewis 7). Coercive discipline according to the above-mentioned authors means the teacher’s behaviour is such as â€Å"shouting all the time, unfairly blaming students, picking on kids, and being rude, to stimulate student resistance and subsequent misbehaviour† (Lewis, Ramon 2). The importance of classroom discipline arises not only from students’ behaviour and learning as outlined above. It depends also on the role of the teacher. Sometimes it is obvious that teachers are not be able to manage students’ classroom discipline and it can result in stress. So,â€Å"classroom discipline is a cohesion of teacher stress† (Lewis 3). Chan (1998), reports on the stressors of over 400 teachers in Hong Kong, claims that student behaviour management rates as the second most significant factor stressing teachers. In the article Teachers’ Classroom discipline several strategies have been presented for improving classroom management. They are Punishing (move students’ seats, detention), Rewarding (rewards, praises), Involvement in decision-making (decides with the class what should happen to students who misbehave), Hinting, Discussion and Aggression. Another strategy for improving discipline in class is conducting questionnaires between the students. It is an appropriate approach for defining students’ opinion about behaviour problems. In each Chinese and Israeli school a random sample of classes at all year levels have been selected. As a research assistant administered questionnaires to these classes their teachers completed their questionnaires (Yakov J. Katz 7). In comparison to all of the mentioned countries the model in China is a little different in that students support use of all strategies except Aggression and Punishment. Based on the conducted research the only strategy to range within a country by more than 2 ranks is Punishment, which ranks as the most common strategy in Australia, and the fourth and fifth most commonly used strategy in Israel and China. The author, Xing Qui generalises that, â€Å"there is not more Punishment at the level 7-12. â€Å"Classroom discipline techniques showed that students in China, compared to those in Australia or Israel, report less usage of Punishment and Aggression and greater use of Discussion and the other positive strategies. At the end of their article â€Å"Teachers’ classroom discipline and Student Misbehaviour in Australia, China and Israel â€Å"(p. 14) the authors recommend that teachers need to work harder to gain quality relationships with difficult students. What I have drawn from reviewing literature so far is that teachers are able to use different techniques for enhancing classroom management in their profession. After making a thorough survey on the above-mentioned issue I would like calmly to express my position. It is harder for the teacher to keep the student focused on any frontal instruction. That’s why as with all classroom management practices, the teachers should adapt what they like to their classroom, taking into consideration the age, ethnicity, and personality of the class as a group, and of them as teachers. Much of the disruptive behaviour in the classroom can be alleviated before they become serious discipline problems. Such behaviours can be reduced by the teacher’s ability to employ effective organizational practices. These skills are individual for each teacher. The lecturer should become familiar with school policies concerning acceptable student behaviour and disciplinary procedures. Establishing rules to guide the behaviour of students is also important. Once these standards are set up the teachers have to stick to them. I agree with the authors who prefer involving the positive approach in behaviour management. But I also accept that some situations are more complicated than the others and in this case the teachers must take drastic measures against inappropriate students’ behaviour.

What Is A Total Institution

What Is A Total Institution This paper will argue that the model of the total institution can offer insight into the workings of the Caribbean sugar plantation under slavery. In attempting to make this connection, it is essentially looking at the model in the light of the history of the sugar plantation, as well as looking at the history through the lens of the theory. And so it will argue that the model offers some insight, but that there are clear limits to its applicability. The theory of the total institution is a theory of relationships, not of the institution that contains them. Also the point is not to argue that the plantations were designed as total institutions, but that the total institution model contains widely applicable truths about the nature of human social organisations, and the place that individuals find in them, that explain particular aspects of the plantation. The one great difference between the plantation and the total institutions that inspired the development of the concept is that the purpose of plantations is profit, through the production of a commodity, while this is seldom the case with asylums and prisons; even if they are run for profit, their aim is to achieve control, not to produce anything by means of this control. What is a total institution? Total institution is a concept introduced by the sociologist Erving Goffman in his book Asylums: Essays on the Condition of the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates (1961) to describe an institution that functions by monopolising the reality of those inmates it seeks to control. There are two aspects of the concept that relate to the institution of the sugar plantation. The first concerns the way in which power is exercised to a degree that makes all those involved as inmates and supervisors bound to follow its dictates. The total institution is one which encompasses every aspect of its inmates relationship with the world, and controls them by controlling their understanding and their motivations. The other aspect of the total institution concerns the inmates themselves they internalise the rules and perspectives of the institution, and define themselves by their standards; essentially investing their identity in the role they are taught to play. Goffman argued that this was true of those with authority in the institution, as well as those whose behaviour and consciousness it was designed to shape. Perhaps the most important thing about this model, with respect to the sugar plantations, is that Goffman did not see the total institution as a narrowly defined tool, invented to control inmates, on the lines of Jeremy Benthams Panopticon (Smith, 2008). Rather, it is a natural outcome of the evolution of universal human and social realities within institutions which pursue their ends through a close control over the circumstances and behaviour of their inmates, because this control is effective. The power of the total institution The most powerful argument for the usefulness of the total institution model with respect to the sugar plantation is the way in which the plantation could function with such minimal physical control. Murrell (2000, 14) suggests that religion played a central role in achieving the domination that allowed slavery to persist. The complex and ambiguous role of religion in the culture of the plantation economies cannot be pursued here in any detail, but it seems fair to suggest that religion played the role that the therapeutic and normative discourse of psychology plays in Goffmans account of the asylum. A measure of the power of the slave plantation as a total institution, one which shaped the behaviour and understanding of its inmates, would be the longevity of the social relations it defined between people. The extent that plantation economies, along with the racial domination and colonial power that enabled them, survived after the abolition of slavery suggests the degree to which the social relations and identities defined during slavery had shaped the word-view of former slaves and their descendants. And slavery, in exercising virtually unlimited domination over people seen as naturally subordinate, imposed a model of family structure and gender relations on slaves which served the economic interests of their masters,(Wiltshire-Brodber, 2002) without respect for the innate desire which all people have for the closeness and security of a family. According to the total institution model, this would result in slaves embracing the roles defined for them, and internalising the identities that these roles define. And there is evidence of this effect in the way that gender relations in Caribbean societies, especially among the poorest sectors of society, continue to reflect patterns and identities that have their roots in the logic of the plantation. Matrilocal patterns of family structure and a strong belief in the value of female autonomy are combined with a strong patriarchal ideology (Momsen, 2002). Limits of the total institution model. While the total institution model can explain a great deal about the manner in which plantations functioned under slavery, there are limits to its applicability. These limits fall under two categories, which correspond, in a sense, the perspectives of those controlling, and those controlled by, the institution of the plantation. The first set of limits is illustrated by the many ways in which the total institution was subverted. The pattern of these subversive activities varied from island to island, and probably from plantation to plantation, included the survival of African religions, hidden or evolved into syncretic African-Christian forms such as sateria and used to define an identity distinct from that hypocritically imposed by western religious institutions, the persistence of secret practices, from planning for rebellion to distilling to informal patterns of domination and association, and the recourse to escape, at least on larger islands. Religion is interesting in that it so clearly plays an ambiguous role as an institution in the history of slavery. On the one hand, it contained elements that helped define a collective identity that subverted plantation authority. On the other hand, it was a source of comfort and control that made plantation life bearable and persuaded slaves not to rebel. It was partly an affirmation of African identity, partly a European lesson in being content with ones place. In the famous words of Karl Marx, religion was at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress.the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. (Marx, 1843/2002) Economics and the limits of the total institution The total institution is not generally an economic unit as well. It tends to exist as in the case of asylums, prisons, concentration camps in order to control the behaviour of those who are institutionalised. If it has an economy, in the narrow sense, it is an economy of efficient control, or exists to occupy people, like political prisoners; in a way that pays for the costs of the institution that imprisons them. The sugar plantation was an immensely profitable economic institution, however, and the economic models that evolved to produce sugar, the justifications for slavery and murderous racial oppression these entailed, and the social structures that emerged to make this violent form of slavery work, should all be seen in the light of the economic motivations they elected. It is tempting to imagine that slave societies did not obey a strict economic logic, in the same sense that capitalist societies do. Some historians (e.g. Genovese, 1989) have tried to make this point in order to define capitalisms distinctly rationalising, dehumanising and commodifying logic. But it seems clear that plantations were subject to economic logic. The difference in plantation models between those colonies most reliant on a steady arrival of new slaves, such as Haiti and those less so, illustrates that the economic exigencies defined by a particular form of productive activity are real and complex. The intensity of the exploitation that characterised Haiti is well established (Bellegarde-Smith, 1990). The economic limitations on the function of the plantation as a total institution are also, in a sense, the limits that the total institution model defines for the economic activities involved. Plantation economies were dedicated to making money, and they made a great deal of it for their plantation owners and their colonial rulers. They were for the most part seen as primitive and unpleasant places by those who made their immense fortunes there rather than societies with any redeeming, justifying values or institutions. An individual or institution dedicated to making money does not exercise more physical control than is necessary. Physical control is expensive, in the number of overseers it requires and in the limits it imposes on the activities of working people. And in the case of an economic unit like a slave plantation, with its vastly-outnumbered overseers, too much control might cause as much unrest as it prevents. It makes better economic sense to find the balance between too much control and too little, and to live with the limits (rebellion, subversive religious and magical practices, escape, clandestine romance and petty economic activities) that this permits. T he most extreme form of resistance is rebellion itself, and there were many rebellions, large and small, among the slaves of the Caribbean. Perhaps one measure of the degree to which economic calculation dominated the logic of plantation slavery is that the possibility of rebellion persisted perhaps it made more economic sense to risk the occasional bloodbath than to exercise the degree of rigorous control that would reduce the risk. Conclusion: The total institution model applies to institutions that function by means of control over the perceptions and sentiments of their inmates, rather than by means of physical force. This paper has argued that the model offers insights into the way in which slave plantation societies functioned, and were able to exercise such cruel authority with recourse to so little active control. The plantation is in fact a good test and confirmation of the model. The power that plantation owners and the government forces that supported them exercised was absolute, but it was not exercised in the form of absolute physical control. This paper has also argued that there are limits to the applicability of the model which reflect the economic motives driving the institution of the plantation. The strength and persistence of the cultural legacy of slavery in syncretic religions, in family structures and of a social order that allowed plantation agriculture to continue after the end of slavery all paint a picture of a complex reality in which the control of the total institution extended no further than was necessary to ensure a profitable sugar industry. The point is that the model of the total institution illuminates general truths about the nature of authority that help explain how and why, once the decision was made to develop Caribbean economies on the basis of slavery was, why the institution of slavery developed developed there as it did, why it persevered, and why in the case of Haiti it was overcome. References Cited Bellegarde-Smith, P. (1990) Haiti: The Breached Citadel. Westview Press. Genovese, Eugene D. (1989) The Political Economy of Slavery: Studies in the Economy and Society of the Slave South. Middletown,CT: Wesleyan University Press. Goffman, Erving. (1961) Asylums: Essays on the Condition of the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates Marx, Karl John C. Raines (2002) Marx on Religion Editor John C. Raines Philadlphia: Temple University Press, 2002 Momsen, Janet. The Double Paradox, in Gendered Realities: Essays in Caribbean Feminist Thought Editor Patricia Mohammed Kingston: University of the West Indies Press, 2002 Murrell, Nathaniel Samuel (2000) Dangerous Memories, Underdevelopment, and the Bible in Colonial Caribbean Experience in Religion, culture, and tradition in the Caribbean Authors Editors Hemchand Gossai, Nathaniel Samuel Murrell London: Palgrave Macmillan. Smith, Philip (2008) Punishment and culture Chicago:University of Chicago Press. Wiltshire-Brodber, Rosina (2002) Gender, Race and Class in the Caribbean in Gender in Caribbean Development: Papers presented at the Inaugural Seminar of the University of the West Indies Women and Development Studies Project Edited by Patricia Mohammed and Catherine Shepherd Kingston:Canoe Press UWI

Structure, Themes, and Motifs in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman :: Death Salesman essays

Structure, Themes, and Motifs in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman At first glance, Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman appears to be a simple story of the tragic life of an ordinary man. Through a few flashbacks, it would seem that his whole dreary life is told and that is about it. However, this can not be the case, as we know that Arthur Miller is one of the greatest playwrights alive. After reading the play for the fourth or maybe fifth time, I became fully aware of the intricate structure, many themes, and different motifs that Miller used to make this play a classic. In the case of this work, the title would just about sum it up. It is about a salesman, Willy Loman, who is quite ordinary and very unsuccessful. In the end, to no ones surprise he kills himself. The play takes place in the span of three days (including the funeral) and revolves around the return of Willy's two sons who are grown up. He has worked for decades traveling all over New England selling goods for a firm and seems to think that because he is well liked (which really isn't all that true), he is successful. He wishes that his sons too could be like him while they know that they will never be decent businessmen. This is a source of major conflict between the brothers, Biff and Hap, and Willy. Linda, Willy's wife, is very naive and thinks that her husband is just an innocent confused old man and faithfully loves him. She can not stand to see her sons argue against their father even thought they often are right. Through flashbacks and events in the play, it is apparent that Willy, at least subconsciously, believes his life has been terrible. He wishes he could have been as great as Uncle Ben, who made his fortunes in the African diamond mines and not on the rice patty. Willy was having an affair with another woman in Boston and Biff found out about it after his last year in high school. Incidentally, this event probably led to Biff's failure to complete math in summer school, which led to him not graduating high school. Willy tried numerous times to commit suicide with his car and the gas furnace. In the end, the salesman became convinced that he was worth more dead than alive and finally succeeded at something, killing himself with his car.

Academic Progress: Will No Child Be Left Behind? Essay -- essays paper

Academic Progress: Will No Child Be Left Behind? â€Å"These reforms express my deep belief in our public schools and their mission to build the mind and character of every child, from every background, in every part of America.†Ã¢â‚¬â€President George W. Bush (Executive Summary, 2001). â€Å"We like the bill, but this is a resource issue.†Ã¢â‚¬â€Peter McWalters, commissioner of education in Rhode Island (Coeyman, 2002). â€Å"No Child Left Behind? Everyone hates it. It’s a joke. Not obtainable.†Ã¢â‚¬â€teacher. The No Child Left Behind Act provides incentives for school districts to bring up academic progress, but instead the pressure involved may lead to poor-performing schools falsifying data, teaching to the test, or promoting unprepared students instead of truly improving student performance. Schools which do not achieve their Academic Yearly Progress for two sequential years will suffer loss of funding, corrective action, and may be closed. However, the only way to gauge academic progress on a nation-wide level is through standardized testing, which has serious limitations as a diagnostic tool. The concept of Academic Yearly Progress can lead to bizarre and arbitrary classifications of successful and failing. In additional, some of the corrective measures prescribed by NCLB may be inadequate. Rather than merely reaffirming the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, President Bush oversaw a complete restructuring. This restructuring, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, decrees that every student will be at the academic level deemed proficient by the 2013-14 school year. To achieve this goal, it calls for strict academic accountability. States still have the responsibility of determining their own statewide assessment programs, but... ...same amount of time; the fallacy of the principal as sole instructional leader; the fallacy of setting standards on the basis of exceptions; and the fallacy of uniform standards for all children. The fallacy that all children can learn --at the same level and in the same amount of time.† (2002) And if they cannot learn, we can switch them around, from teacher to teacher, school to school. The Act is unfailingly optimistic. That optimism will destroy any effect that the reform could have. No Child Left Behind is an earnest attempt to fix a real problem- the academic achievement gap between the children of the haves and the children of the have-nots in this country. Unfortunately, the Act gives a rigid timetable and a list of penalties and punishments without giving beleaguered schools solid, concrete examples of how to implement these reforms.

International Trade Essay -- Economics essays research papers

International Trade What is International Trade?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  International trade is defined as trade between two or more partners from different countries in the exchange of goods and services. In order to understand International trade, we need to first know and understand what trade is, which is the buying and selling of products between different countries. International Trade simply is globalization of the world and enables countries to obtain products and services from other countries effortlessly and expediently.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  International trade has been in existence throughout history and has an economic impact on the participating countries. Trade in most countries has a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and helps to boost the countries overall economy on a yearly basis. International Trade for the United States is available to all business and companies and is flourishing, even though as a country we import more goods than we export, which affects our country’s economy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the central body of the multilateral trading system-based in Geneva. The WTO primary job is to oversee the functioning and administration of trade agreements, including dispute settlements and serves as a forum for future trade negations and law makings. The WTO review legal matters and disputes and is the reviewing body or â€Å"watchdog† over international trade. The WTO agreements cover goods, services, intellectual property and set procedures and the govern...

Diagnosis Of Paranoid Schizophrenia Health And Social Care Essay

Simon has a diagnosing of Paranoid Schizophrenia and this is the most common manifestation of Schizophrenia ( Nice 2009, NHS 2009 ) . These symptoms are referred to as â€Å" positive † and â€Å" negative † . The positive symptoms include hallucinations and psychotic beliefs ( Nice 2009, NHS 2009 ) . In Simon ‘s instance these psychotic beliefs are of a paranoid nature where Simon believes that he is being spied on and that the all the wellness professionals are conspiring against him. The negative symptoms are more apparent in the prodromic phase, the early oncoming of the acute phase of the unwellness. These negative symptoms include concentration jobs, apathy and societal backdown, all of which Simon experienced particularly the societal backdown ( Townsend 1999, NICE 2009 ) . As a affair of class Simon ‘s head-shrinker should be contacted and informed of the state of affairs. This being done with a position to them go toing with Simons General Practitioner and an Approved Mental Health Professional ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . This would so represent the make-up of a full exigency mental wellness appraisal squad ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . When this has been done the appropriate governments, viz. the constabulary, can be informed and asked to go to besides. Their function as a peace keeper and to derive entree is imperative to enable the mental wellness professionals to speak to Simon, and if necessary perform a mental wellness appraisal ( W.A.G 2008 ) . The nurse should put on the line assess the state of affairs to estimate the sum of possible danger, if any, that Simon and others could be in, due to Simons actions ( Wetherell 2001 ) . If the hazard to Simon is assessed as high, due to him one time once more leveling the electrics, so because of â€Å" best involvement † and â€Å" necessity † in coaction with the go toing squad, the constabulary can be asked to measure the demand to derive exigency entree ( P.A.C.E 1984, M.C.A 2005 ) . The constabulary could utilize the powers of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act ( 1984 ) sec 17 ( 1 ) ( vitamin E ) , after advising Simon of the ground, to forcibly come in Simons place as in the instance of Baker v Crown Prosecution Service ( 2009 ) . The constabulary though have to be certain that something serious had happened or was about to go on as in Syed v Director of Public Prosecutions ( 2010 ) .This subdivision provinces that it would be appropriate for the constabulary to come in as it is imperative in â€Å" salvaging life or limb or forestalling serious harm to belongings † ( P.A.C.E 1984 ) . Bing that Simon has stopped leveling the flats electrics a more considered attack could perchance be used. It is recommended though that any intercession be the least restrictive ( M.H.A 1983 ) . Due to this and in the involvement of a collaborative attack it could be an thought if the head-shrinker or approved mental professional could try to prosecute with Simon and seek his cooperation ( N.I.C.E 2009, Barker 2007 ) . This would do deriving entree easier, as it would so be accepting entree, and it would cut down any â€Å" anxiousness † and â€Å" fear † that Simon may digest. Thomas, Cutting and Hardy ( 2004 ) emphasis that if the patient distrusts their nurse they are less likely to accept aid. Mc Cabe and Timmins ( 2006 ) point out that the focal point of communicating ought to be patient centred. This is of import in developing and keeping the curative relationship between Simon and his carers ( Peplau 1997, Rogers 1957, Barker 2007 ) . While Nichols ( 1993 ) found that developing a curative relationship with a patient can help the intervention of patients, and aid pat ients cover with a assortment of unwellnesss and upsets. Even though a less restrictive intervention way is recommended it is argued that the curative relationship would be hindered whilst Simon ‘s paranoia is in the dominance ( Johnstone et al, 1986, N.I.C.E 2009 M.H.A 1983 ) . To assist Simon with this positive symptom it would profit Simon, and aid battle with the nursing squad, to re-start Simon ‘s antipsychotic medicine ( N.I.C.E 2009, Perkins et al 2005 ) . The usage of coercion could be the ground behind Simon ‘s misgiving of nurses and his non harmony ( Kaltiala-Heino et al 1997, Bracken and Thomas 2001 ) . This fright could besides be a symptom of station traumatic emphasis upset, brought on by old forced admittances ( Meyer et al 1999 ) . The wellness systems usage of the jurisprudence to hale could hence be viewed as traumatising, negative and damaging to Simons hereafter intervention harmony ( Monahan et al 2001, Bracken and Thomas2001 ) . With relationship in head the nurse could take a low profile attack due to Simon ‘s paranoia driving his misgiving ( N.I.C.E 2009 ) . If one of the squad did manage to derive Simons trust, and Simon did hold to the least restrictive class of action, that being, one of an informal admittance to an ague psychiatric infirmary. It could be argued that due to the nature of Simon ‘s unwellness this would be short lived and Simon would non remain or accept intervention from the nursing squad ( N.I.C.E 2009 ) . Therefore the mental wellness capacity of Simon should be taken into history every bit good at this phase so that his admittance does non go improper, as in the instance of Bournewood NHS Trust ( ECHR 2004, M.C.A 2005 ) . This is because under common jurisprudence informal patients have two basic rights. The first is that they may go forth infirmary whenever they like and secondly that they may decline to accept any signifier of intervention that they do non desire ( Hogge t 1996 ) . Given so this highly complex and potentially volatile set of fortunes the Approved Mental Health Professional could, after measuring Simon ‘s behavior, use to the Magistrates Court for a subdivision 135, to derive entry ( M.H.A 1983, W.A.G 2008 ) . The magistrate has to be satisfied that Simon is enduring from a mental upset as defined in the Mental Health Act 1983.The Magistrate besides has to be satisfied that there is a sensible cause to surmise that Simon has been, or is being, abused, neglected or kept otherwise than under proper control, in any topographic point within the legal power of the justness or is populating entirely and unable to care for himself ( M.H.A 1983 ) . This would, if the warrant was granted, let the constabulary to coerce entry if necessary, so that a full and formal mental wellness appraisal could be carried out ( M.H.A 1983, W.A.G 2008 ) . It is non purely a necessity though to hold to transport out an appraisal instantly on the use of a subdivision 135 warrant ( M.H.A 1983 ) . The constabulary so have the power to transport and keep Simon for 70 two hours in a â€Å" topographic point of safety † , which could be an acute psychiatric infirmary ( M.H.A 1983, W.A.G 2008 ) . Once things have settled down and are less nerve-racking for Simon, a full mental wellness appraisal with the aforesaid squad, Psychiatrist, General Practitioner and an Approved Mental Health Professional could be undertaken ( Peplau 1997, Rogers 1957, Barker 2007, Nichols 1993, W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . On finishing the mental wellness appraisal, the measuring squad demand to make up one's mind the best class of action to suite Simon ‘s currant needs. This determination would finally be made by the Approved Mental Health Professional who has measure the societal and medical grounds presented ( W.A.G 2008 ) . They would hold to make up one's mind whether to acknowledge Simon under a subdivision of the mental wellness act 1983 and which subdivision would outdo enable the nurses to handle Simon ‘s symptoms and construct a curative relationship, section2 or the more restrictive subdivision 3 ( W.A.G 2008 ) . If the two physicians agree that Simon is enduring from a mental upset, and that this is of a nature or to a grade that, despite his refusal to travel to infirmary, he ought to be detained in infirmary in the involvement of his ain wellness, his safety, or for the protection of others, they can finish a medical recommendation signifier and give this to the Approved Mental Health Professional ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . If the Approved Mental Health Professional agrees that there is no other alternate but to confine Simon in infirmary, an application signifier bespeaking that the infirmary directors detain the individual could be completed ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . Simon ‘s period of appraisal in infirmary could so lawfully get down. Consensual intervention whilst under this Section, such as medicine, is permitted but can besides be given against Simon ‘s wants under Section 2 appraisal orders, as observation of response to intervention is considered portion of the app raisal procedure ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . This subdivision would compulsorily acknowledge Simon for a period of 20 eight yearss upon which it expires and can non be renewed ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . Simon will hold the right to appeal against this subdivision and can use to a Tribunal during the first 14 yearss ; the Tribunal should so take topographic point within seven yearss of the application ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . The chief determination would be how to ease intervention given that Simon is unwilling to prosecute with the nursing squad. With this in head, the other possibility unfastened to the Approved Mental Health Professional is mandatory entree of Simon using Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . This Section is a intervention order, and can ab initio last up to six months ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . It can so, if needed, be renewed after six months, the following order lasts up to six months and each subsequent order lasts up to one twelvemonth ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . If Simon is admitted under Section 3 he may appeal to a Tribunal one time in a six month period ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . The hearing normally takes topographic point within six to eight hebdomads of the application. One major difference is that for Section 3 intervention orders, the physicians must be clear about Simon ‘s diagnosing and proposed intervention program, and be confident that â€Å" appropriate medical intervention † is available for him ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . Most interventions for mental upset can be given under Section 3 intervention orders, including injections of psychoactive medicine such as major tranquilizers. However, after three months of detainment, either the Simon has to accept to their intervention or an independent physician has to give a 2nd sentiment to corroborate that the intervention being given remains in the individual ‘s best involvements ( W.A.G 2008, M.H.A 1983 ) . In decision, given these utmost fortunes the mental wellness professionals need to continually hazard assess his behavior to safeguard Simon. If Simon ‘s behavior alterations and, through leveling the electrics, seting himself in danger, so the constabulary could utilize their powers of entry. Bing that Simon is moderately settled though using a Section 135 is the path directed by the Mental Health Act. The Mental Health Team already know Simon from old successful intervention waies, hence he is presently populating in the community. So the demand for appraisal and diagnosing does non imminently exist. Even though the usage of coercion may be worsening Simon ‘s paranoia it is necessary to acknowledge Simon utilizing Section 3 of the Mental Health Act. This would enable the squad to instantly re-start Simon on his antecedently identified intervention way. Once this has been achieved and Simon ‘s symptoms have become more manageable for Simon the curative relationship can be rebuilt and strengthened. The nursing squad can collaboratively work with Simon to place what led to this backsliding and with Simon construct a hereafter program to place backsliding signatures and discourse any jobs Simon has, if any, with his medicine government.

In-class Internet Use and Grades Essay

The use of internet in a classroom has provided only a few visible advantages to the students: search immediate answers to questions asked by the instructor, and familiarity with the use of technology, which may be used by them in the later stages of their professional career. However, an in-class internet use has several adverse consequences, including, distraction to oneself, neighboring students as well as the instructor, and abuse of internet technology when the students watch porn, or indulge in chatting, whereas their attention should be on the valuable focused content being taught by an experienced professor. Based on the findings from University of Colorado in Boulder, Fischman (2009) reported that a professor was instrumental in reducing the use of laptops in her classroom when she proved to the students that their grades were lower when they used the laptops in the classroom, while the grades were much higher when they stopped using the laptops in the classroom. Fischman highlighted that the internet connectivity of classrooms was a major problem all over the country since the students distract others by watching movies in the classroom. As a result, several universities had banned the use of laptops in the classrooms, while some had declared laptop-free zones. Anderson (2006) summarized the shocking results of a survey conducted by Michigan State University, which revealed that 20% of students using excessive internet, had either withdrawn from a course, or had shown lower grades; in comparison to only 8. 5% students with alcohol abuse problems, who had shown poor academic performance. Timmer (2009) claimed that in-class internet use spoils discipline in a leaning environment since the students from US Military Academy at West Point were distracted when they indulged in internet chatting. Thus, it can be concluded that in-class internet use is more of a bane than a boon for the inquisitive students as well as the experienced instructors. References Anderson, N. (September 20, 2006). Internet replaces Jack Daniel’s as â€Å"Best excuse for a C Average. † Ars Technica. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from http://digg. com/d12unJ Fischman, J. (March 16, 2009). Students stop surfing after being shown how in-class laptop use lowers test scores. Wired Campus. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from http://chronicle. com/wiredcampus/article/3662/when-shown-how-in-class-laptop-use-lowers-test-scores-students-stop-surfing Timmer, J. (March 16, 2009). In-class laptop use sparks backlash, possibly lower grades. Ars Technica. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from http://arstechnica. com/science/news/2009/03/in-class-laptop-use-may-be-sparking-a-backlash. ars

Antigone as a Feminist Icon

Antigone as a Feminist Icon Male authority is a dominant theme in Sophocles’ â€Å"Antigone. † Men occupied the land, ruled the towns and assigned the women duties to perform. Antigone, however, believed that she was just as strong as the men who ruled society during that time, which led to her downfall. The goal of the feminist movement has generally been to seek equality between the sexes. Through the women’s movement, women have won the right to vote, and can now compete for traditionally male roles in the workplace.Although the feminist movement has largely taken place during the last 200 year, many figures in history have embodied characteristics of the contemporary feminist, such as the character of Antigone in Sophocles’ â€Å"Antigone. † Antigone’s introduction as a feminist is within the context of a fiercely sexist civilization. Sophocles paints a vivid portrait of a male dominated society. In 442 BC, women believed that they were i nferior to men because men held power and influence over the people and the cities.The patriarchy consisted of men who considered themselves of higher importance and standing, and men who would assign women duties and expect them to perform without question. This authoritarian rule placed women in a subordinate role and extinguished any hopes of power. In the face of this efficiently and tightly controlled agency, Antigone rebels with what Catherine Holland describes as an â€Å"otherness† and an â€Å"anti-authoritarian† bent. Her very existence as the protagonist and, simultaneously, the antagonist defines her character as the adversary of man and thereby the adversary of the world.Antigone’s razor sharp temerity captures the spirit of modern and nascent feminism as she slashes the societal fabric into which she is woven. Antigone’s relationship with her sister Ismene also acutely expresses her feminist attributes. Ismene says â€Å"You ought to realiz e we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men, and that we are ruled by those who are stronger. † These words provide insight into the female animus. Antigone confronts the difficult situation of whether or not to bury her brother Polynices against the wishes of her uncle, Creon the king.Ismene believes that women, including herself and Antigone, should not and cannot disobey Creon’s orders by burying their own brother. Antigone disagrees and decides to proceed with her plan. Her divergent thought puts her at odds with her entire family and her own survival. This speaks to the power of feminist thought. Antigone shines as a beacon for her contemporaries and for future generations who aspire to emulate her courage and honor. Vital to the play is Antigone’s conflict with Creon.Her resolute feminist ideology is perhaps most profound in regards to her interaction and relationship with her misogynistic and powerful uncle, the King of Thebes. Creon is a central patriarchal figure in society, and he renounces his beliefs in order to follow the laws of man. He values the laws of man above all other creeds, be they religious or moral. Conversely, Antigone follows the laws of the gods. She holds these principals paramount to the laws of Creon. When her mores, in particular, her family values, are impugned by the oppressive, myopic laws of the day, Antigone clashes with the intolerable, indulgent influence of Creon.With a fearless countenance she collides with Creon in a representative â€Å"battle of the sexes. † Creon forbids the burial of Antigone’s brother Polynices, which vexes the core of her family values. This profound allegiance compels her to disregard her place in society, while concurrently adhering to the traditional duty of women of that era. She now embodies a complicated and dynamic actor in her own story and the narrative of feminist thought. Antigone manifests the apogee of human probity, including forti tude and approbation for the gods.The law of the gods mandate that a proper burial right be given to a body. To Antigone this was more salient than Creon’s declaration otherwise. She reserves a traditional role as a woman; while also brazenly confronting this image. Challenging him through word and deed, she verbally criticizes him and ignores his decree against burying her brother. Creon becomes enraged by this rejection of his autonomy and condemns Antigone to death. Even though Creon knows that Antigone is the daughter of Jocasta, he knows that he must consummate his judgment to conserve his command over and respect of the people of Thebes.This battle between chauvinism of Creon and the conscious of Antigone sets the stage for the new king to secure his role as a strong and worthy leader. If he is feared and admired, he will be confirmed as the sublime authoritative force in Thebes. His deference to the state will engender the obedience of the people. Creon’s derisi ve manipulation to coerce others conflicts with Antigone’s courageous challenge to his leadership. Many of the men of Thebes embraced Creon’s bold assertions against women. As a model of defiance, Antigone is used to set an example to all of Thebes.Antigone is not only the first woman but first person whom intentionally defies Creon’s order to not bury her brother, who has been acknowledged a traitor to Thebes. Creon refuses to humble himself before others, or compromise on the issue but most importantly with women. He states that it is † Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man-never to rated inferior to a woman, never†. Antigone does not give Creon additional respect based on the fact that he a man in patriarchal society or because he is king. Rather she argues that there shall be equality under God and the equality among all of the sexes.Antigone makes it clear to Ismene that she will take action relating to their brother regardless if Ismene agrees or not. Although they argue, there difference in opinion stand out in the end. Antigone is brave enough to stand firm on her decision and although Ismene is far too weak to defy the kings laws, she still feels as if she holds somewhat of a responsibility towards her sister. Without the help of her sister, Iseme, Antigone is willing to put her life at risk in order to provide for her brother and give him what deserves as far as the what the Gods say should be done.Despite Creon, Antigone is willing to test male authority although it may mean not fulfilling her duties as a sister. Ismene states: â€Å"Remember we are women, we're not born to contend with men. Then too, we're underlings, ruled by much stronger hands, so we must submit in this, and things still worse†. These words express Ismene’s extreme fear of subordination towards men. It shows her viewpoint on how the laws restricted the lives of woman and inferiority men placed upon women. A sense of responsibility is place upon Ismene to die with her sister as the the result of Antigone’s plea for help and her fear of being without family. When Creon spoke to Haemon, about the actions of his fiance, he strongly stresses the importance of obligations and the relationships of a man to his father over his wife. Furthermore, he emphasizes the position of males in judgment making by stating, â€Å" Oh Haemon, never loose your sense of judgment over a woman† Haemon's defiance to his father lead Creon to proclaim him a â€Å"woman's slave,† a man who is unfortunately sided with a woman.Creon had strong belief that these types of actions were close to committing a sin. If Antigone had been born the son of Oedipus, Creon would not have the authority to choose, as his crown would rest upon Antigone's head. If Antigone were a male and Creon had been king, the possibility of her opinion on Polynices burial may have been considered. However, Antigone's femini nity made her situation more problematic than it was, as the King completely overlooked Antigone's judgment over the matter. In conclusion, Antigone validates feminist opinions in numerous ways.She begins to challenge society by her existence in the establishment of a dominant male society guided by her own uncle. Antigone defies her own sister and her own mortality as she stays loyal to her beliefs regardless of Creon’s devotion to his own laws. Antigone as a woman, acted out in obligation as a duty for her family and for the Gods. Her integrity serves as an example for her society. Antigone faced her mortality head on, which suggest that she possesses a strong characteristic of bravery and obstinacy. Her legacy will live on to inspire many other insurgents to take a stand on their principles.Antigone's solid feminist stance as a rebelling and male-controlled dictator shows that individualistic thinking and actions can be very powerful in both past and present modern day soc iety. Works Cited Amacher, Richard E. â€Å"Antigone: â€Å"The Most Misread of Ancient Plays†. † National Council of Teachers of English 20. 7 Apr. (1959): 355-58. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. ;http://www. jstor. org/stable/372655;. Holland, Catherine A. â€Å"After Antigone: Women, the Past, and the Future of Feminist Political Thought. † American Journal of Politcal Science 42. Oct. (1998): 1108-32. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. ;http://www. Jstor. org/stable/2991851;. Klemperer, Klemens V. â€Å"†What is the Law That Lies behind These Words? † Antigones Question and the German Resistance against Hitler. † The Chicago Press 64 Dec. (1992): S102-11. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. ;http://www. jstor. org/stable/2124971;. Knapp, Charles. â€Å"A Point in the Interpretation of the Antigone of Sophocles. † The American Journal of Philology 37. 3 (1916): 300-16. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. ;http://www. jstor. org/stable/849663;. Schilb, John, and John

Google in China Case Study Essay

In the case study presentation regarding the Google Company there have been many challenges that have arisen during the growth of the global leader. One of those challenges is in regards to the penetration of the largely available market in China. Google has a mission â€Å"to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.† (Closing Case: Google in China) Google has constructed a largely profitable advertising business that piggy backs its search engine; which by far is the largest in the world. Using a business model called pay-per-click; advertisers pay Google each time a user of the search engine clicks on one of the paid links that are usually listed on the right hand side of engines results page. These are the paid links and are not included in the main search results generated by Google. The Move In order to penetrate a larger market and further increase popularity Google began running a Chinese language service in 2000 for the largest country on the planet; even though the service was operated from the United States. In 2002, Chinese authorities blocked the site. The people that would have been using Google’s search engine were directed to a Chinese rival search engine company. This came as a huge surprise to Google’s managers. When this occurred the co-founder of Google quickly ordered several books on China and began studying in order to understand its vast country and its culture. In just two weeks’ time the services were restored in China. It appeared that this had just come out of nowhere. It was reported by Chinese users that politically sensitive material sites were no longer accessible. This gave way to the suggestion that the Chinese government had begun monitoring search activities more aggressively. This also generated the suggestion that the Chinese government had constructed a giant firewall between Chinese internet and the internet in the rest of the world allowing the Chinese government to block any sites that were deemed insurrectionary. Due to the fact that serving the Chinese from the United States was incredibly slow and the new censorship imposition was ruing search results Google decided it was time for some change. In a new mindset of operations Google decided to open up a site in China using Chinese management and employees and even a Chinese home page. The Culture and Conclusion It appeared that the cultural divide between Google and China caused some misunderstandings to take place; this in-turn caused some serious offenses to be made. Chinese government did what it felt needed to be done in order to keep the divide between government and citizenship as strong as it has always been. Realizing that it had crossed the line, the search giant Google decided to move its Chinese operations overseas. Google was faced with two choices, they could give up China or and lose over 100 million users, a number that rapidly increases every year, or operate out of China and respect the culture. Now that Google is up and operating in China, even though they have to provide a slightly more less lucrative service, they have provided a small notation for every site that has been blocked once the search results show up; a service no other provider gives. References Closing Case: Google in China; by International Business. Competing in the Global Marketplace, Seventh Edition Chapter 4: Ethics in International Business: by Charles W. L. Hill copyright  © 2009 McGraw-Hill, a business unit of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/eReader.aspx

Feature pitch Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Feature pitch - Assignment Example Only one third of Australians take part in physical fitness activities and sports. Keeping fit and recreation are the main motivations for the Australians that exercise. This has serious implications not only health-wise but also on the level of professional sports in the country. This story; therefore, seeks to critically analyze this tendency with a view to proposing the way forward. There are other factors that motivate Australians to take part in sports and physical fitness programs. They include peer pressure and checking weight. Some people exercise because their contemporaries are doing it. This is especially the case for young adults. As for older citizens, their major concern is weight. They; therefore, exercise in order to reduce weight. However, the frequency at which citizens are exercising is a major point of concern. 34% of the research sample did not participate in any sports or physical fitness activity while another 6% took part only occasionally. Only 29% of the people interviewed exercised more than twice a week. Is Australian a physically unfit nation? Do these findings have any implications? What is the government’s role in ensuring that Australia is physically fit? What measures can be put into place to remedy this situation? Of course, every individual is responsible for their own health. However, they need an enabling environment to help them uphold healthy practices. In essence, the story will recommend the way forward, basing on available resources. 1. I have planned to hold an interview with Peter McKay, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Recreation and Sports Research Group, at Sydney Gardens on 20 May 2014 at 4.00pm. He heads the research group that investigated the factors that motivated or de-motivated Australians in relation to physical fitness and sports. 2. Will hold another interview with Marisol Freanken, the Administration Coordinator, at Kiwi Square on 20 May 2014. Mr. Freanken will shed

EMBA 560 Executive position week 3 discussion 3 Research Paper

EMBA 560 Executive position week 3 discussion 3 - Research Paper Example The truth is that all businesses will eventually have to face change, and it is a wise and prudent ship’s captain who knows when to cut loose change course. A company which once commanded industry leadership around the world recently declared bankruptcy largely as a result of failure to adapt strategies to the changing environment, or by adapting change too late. The company is Kodak, formerly the world’s leading name in photography equipment and services. Kodak made its business on film photography, and when the first digital camera was invented in 1975 and was first brought to Kodak, the management considered it â€Å"cute† but insignificant because it was filmless (Mui, 2012). The company executives failed to see that the new invention was potentially disruptive and that the company must grab the opportunity of becoming a first comer and laying stakes on the new technology. Had Kodak not stuck solely to film photography in which it had dominated, and made its shift early by buying the rights to the new invention, the company would have been at the forefront of digital photography and imaging at present, instead of filing for bankruptcy protection. The problem with Kodak and the many other businesses that failed due to a misspecification in their strategy is that they are unable to recognize significant environmental shifts and to adjust accordingly to the opportunities brought about by change. Mui, C 2012 â€Å"How Kodak Failed.† Forbes. 18 Jan 2012. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2012/01/18/how-kodak-failed/ 2. Consider the industry where you are currently employed (or the one you would choose to work in if currently unemployed). How does a firm in your industry create competitive advantage in the marketplace? The firms in our industry generally acquire competitive advantage in three ways: by coming up with new innovations; by improving services to the customers; or by lowering prices significantly. The firs t is the best way, where possible, because the medical devices industry is highly technology driven, and new technologies that help save and improve lives will always have strong first-comer advantages. The problem with this choice of competitive strategy is that it is capital intensive because of the extremely high investment in research and development that it requires. Companies which do not have the financial size and strength to weather long periods of product development from laboratory to market is not going to survive this type of an industry. The other firms which cannot quite undertake their own innovations will have to compete on the basis of customer service and/or low price. The giving of deep discounts on good quality products is never a good idea, because it does not properly reward the R&D proponent and may become a demotivator for the research and development of new products. In order to maintain the value of a good product even during tight competition, firms have turned to improved customer management. This is ideal because when the company establishes a long-term relationship with a client that has the prospect of repeated transactions, particularly for institutions and physicians and in the case of patients for the prospect of upgrades, then keeping detailed information on them will help the company target those products that will serve their specific purposes better. That is a value-enhancing service that the company can

Parables of a Violent World Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Parables of a Violent World - Article Example Writers such as William Vollmann and others help to accomplish this important goal. McMurphy, the hero of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, is a quintessential individualist. He marches to the beat of his own drum and follows his own direction in life. He refuses to follow orders and seeks out pleasure. He has an irrepressible charm that works on nearly everyone around him. He is also a natural leader in his own way. But McMurphy is not approved of. He is too individualistic and non-conformist. Although he seems American in his self-reliance, in the course of the novel he runs into serious problems from a new, more materialistic, mechanical, conformist America, represented by the institution. The job of the institution, of the anesthetizing culture that currently surrounds us in America, is to repress the irrepressible. Too many outbursts, too many adventures, are bad for business, the institution says. It locks away and neutralizes people like McMurphy who don't fit in properly and h ave no desire to do so (Kesey). This is important to understand in light of what we saw after September 11. After the terrorist attacks there was a call to arms, and also, subsequently, a call to uniformity and conformity. We were asked to march to the beat of the same drum. The president ordered us into Iraq and we were supposed to obey. Those who disagreed had their patriotism questioned. In the administration itself, we saw how people were fired for disagreeing with the president. Times have changed since then. A cultural lull has descended on the country as politics have begun to calm down. Now we have access to endless entertainment much of which is not unlike having a lobotomy. The rise of excessive celebrity culture has been representative of the last few years. Everywhere you look celebrities pose in photographs and behave outrageously on television. There is no content to their actions. In a sense, they are simply a culture anesthetic, designed to lull us into complacency, just as the drugs in Kesey's mental hospital lull the patients into a stupor. The question we must ask ourselves, faced with all of this, is how best to respond? From time immemorial, it has been writers who take a stand against injustice and cultural complacency. Through their work, they skilfully satirize and pick apart the wrongs of the status quo and show us a better way to live. They celebrate the best of what is America and condemn the worst. We can see this in action in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. What we need more than ever, is skillful writers to take on the twin challenges of today: terror and celebrity. One of the writers who is moving in this direction is clearly William Vollmann. This wholly original American writer has been as prolific as the culture in turning out new work. Every year he seems to publish a new book. One of his most stupendous achievements is Rising Up and Rising Down, a multi-volume set of books which studies the role of violence in our world. He re the novelist is leaving behind the fiction in order to pursue social and historical research (Vollmann). We need our writers in this day and age to be grounded in reality. As such, this set of books is a magnificent achievement. Vollmann's work is multifarious, but there are a few elements which can be explored in a simple manner.