Cultural Acceptance in Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis Essay

Marjane Satrapi‘s graphic novel Persepolis is an autobiography that depicts her childhood up to her early adult years in Iran during and after the Islamic revolution. Throughout the novel Satrapi incorporates character development, religion, and the conflict of freedom vs. confinement in order to develop a greater appreciation between two opposing eastern and western cultures. When analyzing the current relationship between eastern and western cultures, it seems as if tensions and conflict arise from a complex and layered set of problems. These issues range from political, economic and military stances to opposing cultural beliefs. The genesis of these issues arises in a lack of empathy for the people in each nation. Satrapi uses character development to form a persona surrounding her childhood that makes the reader understand the human aspect of someone they would otherwise not relate to. The focus on her childhood establishes innocence. This innocence is what initially gives the reader the ability to view a different prospective with an open mindset. Satrapi also builds on this innocence with events in her childhood that can be appreciated by both eastern and western cultures. When she interacts with her friends they talk about romance and the opposite sex, dreaming of their price coming to save them. This is not something that is exclusive to young Iranian girls, but to all young girls. This similarity pulls the reader’s attention away from the fact that Marjane Satrapi is Iranian and builds a focus simply on that fact that she is a person with the same emotions and feelings as the reader. Satrapi also establishes the persona of her childhood through her personal morals. Throughout Persepolis Satrapi is vehemently concerned with social injustice, and is seen as a very empathetic child. She gets mad at the suffering of those who are in a lower social class because she sees how tormented they are. In chapter 3 of the novel Marjane takes a bath for hours in an attempt to understand how her grandfather felt in a water-filled torture cell. The reader incorporates the beliefs, morals, desires, fears, and overall  likeness that Satrapi conveys in her novel and gains a greater understanding of relationship all people possess through human nature. Although humanity shares a similarity in their greater design, there are still strong ideals that have existed since the foundation of civilized society. History has shown that the ideals formed through religion have become the most confrontational between differing cultures; however, Satrapi chooses the general aspects of faith and devotion and uses them as a connection between eastern and western religion. The more obvious physical differences between religions that Satrapi presents are pointed out in Joseph Darda’s article when he says â€Å"In this set of panels1, Satrapi introduces the reader to a familiar image, an Iranian woman in traditional hijab. Satrapi describes how most women hated the outfit because of the heat and awkward fit, but also appreciated the sense of security it gave them.† The hijab is something that the western audience cannot fully understand, however it is another example of how Satrapi is leading the readers to understanding Arabic culture. What stands out as the strongest tie between the east and west is the theme of freedom and confinement that both cultures value and desire. When comparing the Iranian revolution and the American Revolution the desire for freedom is a shared stake the two nations fought to obtain. The American colonies sought freedom from the British Empire and the corruption that was oppressing them. The Islamic Republic sought the same freedom from the oppression and corruption established in the Pahlavi dynasty, under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Even though the two ideals grew into conflicting ideals the reader is able to appreciate a universal right of freedom. By connecting the desired independence sought by both revolutions, the reader sees the seemingly opposed political powers were founded by the same ideal. Satrapi’s parents’ desire for her education is what initially keeps the family from leaving. The reason then becomes the militant control of the city and the constant fightin g that prevents them. Eventually Satrapi’s parents see how dangerous it is and send her away, yet they make the choice to stay. It seems odd that her parents wouldn’t leave with her. When analyzing the statistical data presented in the â€Å"Middle East Research Information  Project,† the casualties witnessed by Marjane and her family, â€Å"rose near eight thousand just in their hometown† (MERIP, 3). The death of Iranian citizens was not only brought by the fighting of the Mujahedeen rebel army, but anyone that was seen as a threat to their new ideals. Executions were common and always practiced in public according to Keith Jones’s article, â€Å"Tragedy of the Iranian Revolution.† In the face of this present danger it is hard for the reader to comprehend the logic in wanting to stay amongst the violence. What Satrapi presents as reasoning to the reader is the fact that her parents have always lived in Iran. They don’t know anything else. To evacuate raises a lot more internal conflicts for her parents than it would for their daughter who has not had time to settle in one area. Ultimately the decision not to leave goes beyond cultural ties, educational reasoning, or even being forced to stay. There is a natural tendency for man to become complacent and turn a blind eye to the evadable. Its human condition. People do not wish to think about the possibility of their entire lives being changed for better or worse. Even though this aspect of conflict is not shared by all of her readers, Satrapi’s descriptions instill sympathy and draw on the readers’ pathos in order to connect their emotions. Since the genesis of mankind, people have identified and sought their own uniqueness. Personal characteristics that define what they are viewed as. Man’s uniqueness does not have to be a source of conflict, but rather something to be appreciated. This is the moral that Satrapi is conveying by connecting eastern and western regions. Satrapi use of character development, religion, and values of freedom as a common ground for an understanding to be built between these two cultures. Ultimately Satrapi wishes for the reader to use her story as a way to not only appreciate personal uniqueness, but appreciate the uniqueness of others as well. As a civilization moving towards this concept of acceptance, a new ability to maintain peace and harmony will be nurtured. It seems ironic that an author such as Marjane Satrapi would be so bold in her value of mutual respect given all of the violence and persecution she endured throughout her early life; however, it is those negative experience s that give her the desire to live in dedication towards equality. Works Cited Darda, Joseph. â€Å"Graphic Ethics.† Theorizing the Face in Marjane Satrapi’s â€Å"Persepolis† 40.2 Iran’s Revolution: The First Year. Washington, D.C.: Middle East Research Information Project, 1980. Print. Jones, Keith. â€Å"World Socialist Web Site.† Tragedy of the Iranian Revolution. WSWS.org, 11 Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York, NY: Pantheon, 2003. Print. Annotated Bibliography Darda, Joseph. â€Å"Graphic Ethics.† Theorizing the Face in Marjane Satrapi’s â€Å"Persepolis† 40.2 (2013): 31-51. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. Journalist Joseph Darda discusses the implications of the Iranian revolution. In this article there is a focus on the political as well as social aspects that this conflict induced. This article was chosen because of its moderate stance on the Iranian revolution. Both sides of the conflict were presented. Iran’s Revolution: The First Year. Washington, D.C.: Middle East Research Information Project, 1980. Print. The Middle East Research Information Project’s article presented statistical findings surrounding war time casualties, Iranian economy, and global market as well as psychological research. It was chosen mainly for its non-bias scientific reports and statistical data. Jones, Keith. â€Å"World Socialist Web Site.† Tragedy of the Iranian Revolution. WSWS.org, 11 Feb. 2009. Web. 01 Apr. 2014. Keith Jones focuses on class conflict and the consequences that the Iranian revolution has on the caste system in Iran during the late twentieth century. This article was chosen because of the cultural conflict Mr. Jones presents, and how it relates to similar conflicts in Persepolis Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York, NY: Pantheon, 2003. Print. Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis tells the story of her childhood and the trials she faced with her family during the Iranian Revolution. This work was chosen because of its focus on the implications and consequences of cross cultural conflict Outline I Introduction a Background Information Thesis: Throughout the novel Satrapi incorporates character development, religion, and the conflict of freedom vs. confinement in order to develop a greater appreciation between two opposing eastern and western cultures. b Transition II Body 1- Character Development a Main Point: Character Development b Relation to novel c Explanation d Text Support: Descriptions of Marjanes childhood persona Chapter 3- taking long bath (empathy) e Tie into thesis & transition to next topic> III Body 2- Religion a Main Point: Religion is seen as opposing, but still carries same virtues b Relation to novel c Explanation d Text Support: Quote from Joseph Darda’s article e Tie into thesis & transition to next topic> IV Freedom & Confinement a Main Point: The desire to overcome oppression and obtain freedom is a foundation of both cultures. Marjane and family’s lack of freedom inspires emotion from the reader. b Relation to novel c Explanation d Text Support: Statistics from MERIP Quote from Keith Jones Article e Tie into thesis & transition to next topic> V Conclusion a Summarize main points and draw back to thesis b Reworded thesis c Personal moral learned/taught

Persuasive Letter

09/16/2012 Ms. June Watkins Principal Lone High School 12345 Out There Road Somewhere, KY 54321 Dear Ms. Watkins: It has come to my attention that the students of this school, in particular the incoming freshman, will be required to use IPads during this school year. The idea of using such technology is an advantage in some cases, like the continual ability to stay informed through the internet and the light weight of the device. However, there are other situations where IPads, being the only source for information, resources, and school supplies, are inappropriate for our students.Thus, I ask for your consideration in not implementing such devices in this school. First, we must consider the finances of most of the students and parents in this district. The option for payment of the device is given at the end of their high school careers with the school making the initial payment; however, the device could be outdated or broken by that time. What happens if one of the devices breaks during the school year or at any time during high school? Do the parents pay for the broken IPad as well a new one? Second, the students will be using the IPads at all points in time during school and at home.How will the issues of social networking, instant chat, and random browsing of the internet during class time be addressed? Students would need extreme restriction because of the inappropriate use of the internet; will there be a limitation set on the devices, and is it even possible to restrict the device? Lastly, I want to address the issue of word study and research by use of an IPad. Although there are many sources in which a student can gain more literacy, there are many more that encourage the use of poor grammar and spelling.Many times students rely on the computer to spit out the correct spelling, meaning, and content without the understanding that there are reliable and unreliable sources. How can we implement a device that goes against what we are trying to teach our students? With all of the positive uses of the IPad, there are an equal amount of negative uses for the same device. I hope you consider the points I have given before implementing such a major change in the school that will affect all students, teachers, and parents in this district. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,

Computer Based Learning †The Vikings Essay

The paper analyzes the effectiveness of computer based learning, factors that influence the learning process and the means of enhancing the technology towards a better instructional model. The Vikings – a learning package designed for history students is the base for this study. An evaluation of the package, its level of interactivity, the development model, its learning impact, and shortcomings are discussed in this paper. The paper also elaborates the changes in the design that will improve the learning model adopted in the Vikings package. The purpose of this paper is to establish the parameters that affect the learning process and how the computer based learning system can be used to make this learning process an enriching experience for the students. Computer Based Learning – A Brief The conventional classroom is slowly giving way to the computer based training applications that is universally accessible via the Internet. The personalized learning environment that this method offers has great potentials and can influence the learning process to a considerable degree. A successful prototype of this form of learning needs a high level of interactive media in tandem with an effective presentation of content that is simple to use and easy to relate. The market for this medium of learning has witnessed tremendous growth in the recent years with a wide variety of multimedia based learning tools available for the users. The use of multimedia and flash has not only made learning fun but has also facilitated retention and easy understanding of concepts. Many web based learning environments use innovative technologies that have revolutionized the learning process considerably over the past few years. Joyce A. Overfield and Lesley Bryan Lluka(2003) in their research article on evaluation of factors affecting computer based learning observe that computer based learning can be a valuable learning and teaching resource providing consideration is given to the nature of the student group. Availability and accessibility of computers is essential and students are unhappy if the support is lacking. These are some of the views that can aptly explain the effectiveness of the computer based learning system. This learning tool has improved learning experiences to a considerable extent as it does away with tedious conventional system of learning. The emergence of new technologies in this sector has collaborated to create a unique learning model for the students. This has not only set a new trend in learning but has revolutionized the way a student looks at his classroom project. Vikings – The Package The Vikings package is meant for students of history. The objective of the package is to impart historical facts and milestones to the students in a fun filled learning environment that makes the learning process easy and memorable. History has been labeled as a boring subject for many students and it can be a little tricky remembering facts and figures that relate to the distant past. The package uses maps and graphics to instill interest in the learner. The use of grid lines to mark specific study points and provide relevant information to the learner is a key feature of this package. The user needs to click on the relevant grid line to get details of the particular artefact related to the Vikings era. Terms used in the section are highlighted in red – a click on the highlighted term gives the user an explanation of the same. The developers of â€Å"The Vikings† claim that the package is highly interactive and excellent learning tool for students of history. The presentation of historical facts in a manner that facilitates learning is of prime importance in this application. The tool applies the concept of learning through activity and context based learning that ensures the involvement of the student throughout the learning process. This is in sharp contrast to the classroom learning process that is mostly abstract. A review of the two scenario presented below will make the contrast in both the learning modes clearer: Scenario 1: A teacher giving a lecture on the Vikings era and stating the facts verbally where the student has to be very attentive to relate the facts presented before him. Scenario 2: A student going through the Vikings package where a click of the mouse will give him the relevant information – pictorial description and maps on the screen relate to his cognitive senses and learning happens faster. The application uses the interactive instruction model that is designed to elicit some response in the user in the form of a mouse click. The programmed instruction with the aid of well-designed stimuli in the form of graphics acts as the user interface. A few basic factors that set the scenario 2 apart from scenario 1 are learner control, interaction level, learner motivation, collaborative learning, and navigation system that are discussed below. Learner Control Vaughan (1998) has described Computer Based Learning interactivity as empowering the end user of the package by letting them have control of the content and flow of information. The learning tool, â€Å"The Vikings†, simulates an environment where the control over learning is not completely in the hands of the student. The student decides the pace of learning but the path of learning is guided. In scenario 1 the student has to attend classes at the pre-defined timings and the teacher decides the topic of learning. In contrast the application allows the student the liberty to choose his topic of study and the sequence that he wants to follow at his own pace. It has been observed that by handing over the control of learning to the students enhances the learning experience. The advantages of learner control include greater individualization of instruction, increased sense of personal responsibility for learning, and the potential to optimize learning efficiency. (Interactivity: What is it and What can it do for computer based instruction? Terry K Borsook and Nancy Higginbotham-Wheat – Hannafin and Colamaio, 1987). A student who is a quick learner will have no problem going through the package and grasp the contents in one or two sittings. However, a slow learner will need time to grasp the information handed out – but he has the advantage of taking things slow and pacing his learning to his comfort level. The control of the learner over the entire learning process is seen as a positive reinforcement. The application should allow the student to decide his path of learning. An ideal learning application provides regulated control to the learner with the scope of browsing through the modules, set his learning objectives and pace of learning. Any additional related information or links to these should be provided to enable the student to look up on these extra bits of information. This not only enriches the learning experience but also boosts the confidence level of the learner. A systematic approach and relevant content packaged with attractive and compelling presentation will result in a satisfying learning experience. One of the concerns that have been observed is that giving too much of control over the learning experience may not be good since the learner does not know what is best for him. Borsook and Higginbotham-Wheat (1991) state that too much of control in the hands of the learner can shift the locus of control from one party to another and that diminishes true interactivity. Regulated control with guided flow of information is a better option. The Vikings package gives very less control to the student – the flow of information is directed by the package but this is one of the shortcomings of the tool. Allowing more leverage to the learner will make the learning tool more effective as this results in positive attitude towards learning and motivates them towards their learning goals. Interaction level The most effective teaching method involves a high level of interaction between the teacher and the student. A dedicated teacher is one who understands the student’s learning capacity and his shortcomings and guides him through with effective feedback. A two-way communication between the teacher and the student is very effective in the learning process. Computer based learning applications are continually striving to achieve the human to human interactivity level and have been quite successful in this venture with the aid of multimedia based technologies. The level of interactivity in the learning application tool is of prime importance for it to be effective. The representation of information through graphics and on screen presentation is the required stimuli that elicit some sort of response from the user, such as a mouse click. The application tool then responds to the user with relevant data. This process of interactivity in the application makes the learning process effective. Feedback is an integral part of interactivity. Berlo (1960) states in his work â€Å"feedback provides the source with information concerning his success in accomplishing his objective. † A classroom lecture where the teacher gives lecture to the class without class participation is quite ineffective. It is difficult to gauge in such a situation if the learning process was successful. An understanding of the student’s perception of the contents is essential. This is one of the essential features that a learning application tool should incorporate for it to be a successful learning model. The instructional design should take care that the learning model has scope to interact closely with the learner and guide him through the process for effective learning experience. The level of interactivity and feedback element present in â€Å"The Vikings† application is not substantial. A student going through the package is only following instructions that are being presented to him. Statements like â€Å"Click here to begin† and â€Å"Choose your artefact and click on the square to travel back in time† – these are some of the instructions that are provided to the student. This generates response from the student in the mode of mouse-click and the application narrates the relevant contents on the screen. The student needs to go through this text but this does not ensure learning. The application has no way of evaluating if the student has perceived the information presented to him correctly. There is no feedback mechanism that is applied in this model. This leaves the learning model incomplete. Proper feedback and evaluation gives the student a sense of his learning objectives and how much he has succeeded in this direction. Constructive feedback gives the student a clear picture of how much he has learnt, where he went wrong and what he should do to correct his mistake. Modes of interaction between the learner and the learning application model can be identified at different levels. The basic form of interaction is one that presents the stimuli to the learner and elicits some kind of response in the form of a mouse click or key press. A higher level of interaction that ensures the effectiveness of the learning process involves evaluating activities presented to the learner at the end of a module to gauge his understanding and performance level. This form of interaction gives a clear picture of the learner’s progress as feedback. The inclusion of this parameter in the instructional design of the learning application model is vital. Directing the learner to key learning points and providing links to related concepts enhances the quality of learning and promotes better understanding of the subject matter. Instances of such interactivity are problem-solving modules, puzzles, quiz, and brain twisters that ensure active participation from the learner. Engaging the learner in different kinds of activities related to the context enhances the learning process. This not only ensures that the learner has successfully grasped the contents but also increases the effectiveness of the model. One of the benefits of such activities is the interest level that is created in this type of learning environment. Learning becomes a fun activity and not a dreaded cumbersome experience that one goes through reluctantly. Once the interest level is high the learner is ready for more. He is willing to explore the unknown territories in pursuit of an in-depth understanding of the context. The learning process in such cases is unintentional and not deliberate and hence more effective. The multimedia and other high-end technology available have the potential to achieve this dream-learning model. Another key feature that determines the effectiveness of the learning application model is the quality of content. An application may provide all the features of good interactivity and presentation in terms of graphics and display, but a poor quality of content will negate all the rest. A package rich relevant content with suitable links to additional related information will ensure learning effectiveness. This leaves the control of learning in the hands of the learner. An individual may wish to go beyond the realms of his subject matter and explore other related areas in this way. Simulated learning environment in computer-based interaction is another excellent tool for learning. Simulations use selected elements of some world, real or imaginary, which operate together according to rules (Greenblat 1988). In such cases the learner can experience an imaginary sequence in which he can interact and learn. This kind of learning experience is a gradual process where the learner is allowed to make mistakes and learn. Teaching the history of Vikings era using this mechanism is not only an interesting option but also a powerful learning tool. It might be adventurous to move into the Vikings era and view the events of the past unfold in front of the student. The narration of the events in the background in synchronization with suitable graphics and animation will surely captivate the student’s attention and allow for greater learning experience. But it must be kept in mind that simply viewing the events of the past as an audience is not enough – the active participation of the learner is equally important to hold his interest level and retain the subject matter. Learner Motivation Kruse (2007) states that the success of any computer based learning package depends on learner motivation and even the most sophisticated package will fail if it does not motivate the students to learn. Computer games have managed to captivate the user’s attention to such an extent that everything else is forgotten. This is a classic example of motivation and interest that this type of software generates in the user. Educational models too can apply this theory while designing the learning package. The essential ingredient that is required to hold the learner’s attention is the active role of the learner in the learning process. There are several ways of ensuring that the learner actively takes the control of learning in his own hands. The interactivity of the learning package is one of the deciding factors that motivate the learner to proceed. The system should allow the learner to steer the path of learning. Enabling the student to browse the information and guiding him through the learning process will hold the student’s interest and motivate him to learn more. Structuring the learning content into a story telling format with compelling dramatic sequence will keep the student highly engrossed. The absorption of the learning material will be faster and effective. The Vikings package does not include this feature and the presentation of facts is in form of text that the student needs to go through. The effect of presenting the same facts through narration in the background will hold the student’s attention and interest. The ARCS Model of Motivational Design by Keller provides the direction to successful instructional design in this context. The ARCS model identifies four strategic components for motivating instruction. One of the basic parameters for keeping the student interested and motivated in the subject matter is his attention. Computer based learning has an edge over other conventional tools of learning like books in this context. The visibility and presentation of information through attention grabbing graphics and multimedia tool make this a more effective learning platform. Once the attention of the student is on the learning tool the application needs to stimulate the learner’s curiosity that in turn leads to search for answers and in-depth study of the learning module. The relevance of the content is another aspect that is important in learner motivation. This is a more goal centric strategy that appeals to the objective needs of the student. The objectivity of the study needs to be defined so that the student is aware of the purpose behind this learning activity. This keeps the student focused on his goal and helps him in the learning process. The application needs to arrange the information in such a manner that the student finds it easy to approach and understand. The sequencing and relevance of the information presented to him is vital. Correlating the tasks and facts in the learning module need to be very precise. The next step in motivating students is confidence-building strategy. The goal of this mechanism is to instill confidence in the learner that he is on the right track and that his learning objectives are being met. There are various technologies available that can be effectively used to evaluate the student’s understanding level of the module and based on this evaluation effective feedback is given to the student regarding his progress. Tasks for evaluating should range from simple to challenging levels that test the student’s perception. This challenges the student to go from one level to the other and enhances the learning process. The satisfaction of the learning experience is critical for measuring the effectiveness of the overall package. The achievement of meeting the goals of learning forms the base for a satisfying learning experience. Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback mechanism are instrumental in achieving this strategy. The Vikings package will attract the attention of the user with its graphical and pictorial representation but that is not enough. It is difficult to hold the interest of the learner with only graphical presentation of information. The student will very easily get bored with the facts presented in this manner. The package needs to adopt novel strategies to hold the student’s attention for a longer period of time. Use of storytelling mechanism, simulations and activity based learning modules as discussed earlier will motivate the student and enrich the learning experience. Collaborative Learning When students are able to participate in active learning activities, they find the learning more pleasurable and satisfying than non participative events (Fry and Coe,1980). The principle of collaborative learning provides many learning opportunities and enriches the learning experience considerably. A learning environment that allows interaction between the learners is highly conducive. A classroom environment provides this kind of scope to the students where a group of students sharing the same learning goal coordinate with each other, communicate their ideas, and share their understanding of the subject matter. Jonassen (1988) has stated in his works that the effectiveness of any learning environment is based on the types and levels of cognitive and metacognitive activity engendered in the learners. It is widely accepted that learning is enhanced in instructional settings where students are engaged in processing personally relevant content and are reflective during the learning process. Another feature of this learning principle as suggested by Slavin (1997) is that the reward structures inherent in collaborative environments have been found to have a positive effect on student motivation. Computers provide a stimulus for learning by increasing social interactions and cooperation (eg. Hoyles, Healy & Pozzi, 1992). The application of this mode of learning can be effectively used in computer based learning with the aid of various multimedia and authoring technologies available. The Vikings uses one such strategy in its learning application – the principle of situated learning or situated cognition. This is defined as â€Å"the notion of learning knowledge and skills in contexts that reflect the way the knowledge will be useful in real life† (Brown, Collins and Dugiud, 1989). The application is meant for two or more students at a time with the same learning objectives. The discussion of the facts and information between the groups of learners ensures the understanding of the subject matter. The collaboration between the students and the package offer an effective learning environment. One of the discrepancies of this learning principle is that collaborative learning may not have the desired outcome if the learners do not share the learning goals. Exchange of views and ideas may not enrich the learning experience, as some of the learners may not be attentive to what is being discussed around him. History is a subject that explores the past and discovers the roots of civilization and the world. The Vikings application aims to present the facts from the Vikings era to enable the students an understanding of how things were in those times. As such the application should aim at providing facts from the past that enables a better understanding of the world today. The Vikings package can implement some more principles of collaborative learning to create and effective learning environment. Use of interactive multimedia packages that enable the application to converse with the student and provide scope for evaluating the student’s knowledge and understanding of the subject matter is one method. Other methods involve the use of audio and visual depictions that is bound to impact the learner’s cognitive senses.

Management accounting & decision making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management accounting & decision making - Essay Example As at September 30, 20X0 Property, Plant and Equipment 1,840,000 Less: Depreciation (133,167) Net Book Value 1,706,833 Inventory 9,000 Receivables 144,585 Cash 172,700 Total Assets 2,033,118 Owner's Capital 2,000,000 Profit for the year (92) Creditors 12,960 Overhead cost payable 20,250 Total capital and liabilities 2,033,118 The above statement presents the cash budget, income statement and the statement of financial position for the six months ended September 30. In the forecasting of the cash budget, the effect of inflation has been ignored. During the six months period the inflation is expected to rise and it will impact all the variables of the projections. In addition, it has been assumed, in the cash flow forecast, that the credit sales will be settled at the end of two months. Same assumption has been applied in the cost of purchases which is being assumed to be settled at the end of the next month in which the sales were made. It has also been assumed that purchases, in orde r to maintain the inventory level to ? 10,000, are included in the total cost of purchase. In the income statement, it has been assumed that China glass and cutlery, bed linen and towel and miscellaneous items including toiletries are revenue expenditure and will be consumed entirely during the current period. The loss in inventory is proportionately divided between the two half of the years and half of the expected loss is taken. The corresponding impact has been taken in the inventory. Task 2 (a) As per the given scenario, the average spending has decreased by 15% which means that the average spending in actual turned out to be 127.5. If we substitute this figure with the current expected occupancy rate, the revenue is likely to decrease. The following table presents the revised income statement Income Statement In ? For the six months ended September 30,20X0 Revenue 386,325 Cost of Purchases (77,265) China glass and cutlery (10,000) Bed linen and towel (10,000) Miscellaneous item s including toiletries (5,000) Labor Cost (77,265) Overhead Cost (96,581) Depreciation (133,167) Losses in inventory (1,000) Net loss (23,953) As apparent from the above table, the net loss has further increased which would adversely affect the financial outlook of the company. In order to maintain the previous less of profitability (in this case net loss of 92) the company is required to maintain the same level of sales. This can only be done by increasing the level of occupancy so that the sales remain the same at ?454,500. In order to maintain the same level of sales the monthly occupancy should be increased by 20% monthly. Since the occupancy rate of august is already 90%, it can only by increased to a perfect 100%. Following is the revised occupancy rate if the previous level of sales is desired Monty Occupancy Rate April 24% May 36% June 61% July 97% August 100% September 73% Average 65% Thus the revise sales

Media and the International Olympic Movement Essay

Media and the International Olympic Movement - Essay Example Los Angeles placed the bid for hosting the 2016 Olympics, battling Tokyo, London, New York, Chicago, Paris, Madrid and Moscow for the honor. London was chosen as the host city for the 2012 games, receiving 54 of 104 votes by members of the International Olympic Committee. Interestingly, Atlanta has not submitted bids for hosting of Summer Olympic games Since 1996, while Los Angeles has submitted bids for several Olympic games. This could be due to the fact that the City of Atlanta invested so much money into building infrastructure, facilities and the relocation of public housing that it has yet to realize the kind of revenue that was expected to be generated by hosting the games in 1996. Atlanta was also plagued by the negative publicity surrounding the bombing that occurred in the nearby Olympic Village. New of the event made headlines globally for three consecutive weeks, and continued periodically for an extended period of time. Los Angeles city officials, on the other hand, plan ned for such events and other possible catastrophes or emergencies. It secured extra space for medical treatment facilities and extra public service workers to handle crime and traffic issues. The 1984 Summer Olympic Games went well without any major mishaps or negative newsworthy events. It can be argued that chance comes into play here. Emergencies that are unexpected tend to occur while those that are planned for do not.

Short Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Short - Essay Example This paper argues that insecurity can be fought without necessarily invading privacy. Following the recent leaks of the spying operations of the National Security Agency (NSA), it is evident that the government sees is traditionally rational to eavesdrop on almost all Americans’ communications for suspicious actions (Editorial Board, 2013). This breach shows that the security agency downplays the privacy rights of the citizens. Even though the society has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies, with most of the details being readily available online, the government has forcibly argued that security is one of its primary mandates. On the contrary, the fact that data gathered by the NSA is normally obtained without the consent of the originators raises some serious questions: why would security threats within the American population find the NSA activities as tactic threatening? Should individuals suspected of posing security threats to millions of innocent civilians enjoy immunity from eavesdropping? If yes, what should be the extent of their pri vacy? In light of these questions, one might think that the recent breaches of privacy would underscore the American society’s security scares as legitimizing their deliberate loss of own individual privacy (Editorial Board, 2013). If this is factual, it would imply that the citizens have become used to the notion of sacrificing their individual privacy in order to stay safe from terror activities. This is not the case, however. As such, the government forcefully argues that an individual who surrenders essential freedom would be safer. Regardless, Editorial Board (2013) said the likely loss of both privacy and security calls for a proper way to balance the two fundamental issues. Instead of gathering personal data on virtually all American citizens, the security agencies need to concentrate on real threats to

Managing people Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Managing people - Essay Example Concurrently, the changing demands from non-unionised employees are calling for salary re-negotiation that can easily lead to significant imbalance in management salaries. However, in order to remain without considerable trade union influence, the company is considering renegotiating these pay structures as part of what appears to be a poorly-developed salary and reward system. This report highlights the problems at Fastening Technologies in comparison to traditional versus more progressive HR policies and models available. Recommendations are offered in how to improve the most fundamental and long-lasting problems at the company related to performance appraisal systems, rewards management, and organisational structure and culture. Armstrong (2006) identifies that the total aim of HRM is â€Å"to ensure the organisation is able to achieve success through people† (p.28). This is a well-developed practice at Fastening Technologies Limited as with a change in HR leadership came new and ongoing discussions about how to link mission goals and strategy with human development and performance. Fortunately, Fastening Technologies has a team-focused organisational model that supports team training and interpersonal relationship development between managers and subordinates. Through the efforts of current HR leadership, the business has become a collectivist culture where group needs and team structures drive decision-making in management and within the line and support employee networks. Despite the efforts to build new systems and remove HR redundancies during a period where pricing has led to cost-cutting issues, Fastening Technologies seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding about employee behaviours and their personality related to job performance and motivation. Treven & Potocan (2005) refer to the locus of control model that dictates the level to which employees will

Watch video, discuss and consider the points Essay

Watch video, discuss and consider the points - Essay Example lawyer and possessed economics degree yet he chose to be a distributer in some small shop instead of seeking employment from renowned and well-established corporations like most new graduates do. Even at this stage, he was very philanthropic and used to give back to the community especially to the children who loved candy. As the saying goes, charity begins at home, David Klein was charitable and this probably contributed to the high traffic of customers frequenting the shop. Seeing this, and from the loyalty he had developed from the customers decided to seize the opportunity to introduce a premium price jelly belly. At this point one would describe as having followed one business ethic followed by many believers of laissez faire called self-interest business ethics theory. At the point when he created jelly belly, he was already an aggressive entrepreneur and an opportunist who not only wanted to make profit from a given opportunity but also a visionary business man who was focused at making the best out of himself from available opportunity. He trusted himself to introduce a new product with differentiated and improved quality and market it with success. He observed that the current candy were not naturally cooked and decided to give the idea to a company he was acting as a distributor for its product. The company also agreed and produced jelly belly beans in small quantities for which he sold alongside the other candy in the corner shop he was operating from. Noticing that the jelly belly was trading at relatively very high prices, he invented a plan to dupe the media (print media) to air his story claiming he was making big sales from that. However, this was a necessary evil since it marked the beginning of his blessings. By organizing friends and relatives to frequent the shop at exactly the same time when the media representative was visiting, thus giving the impression of a busy store selling g what customers loved an interestingly false presentation.

Management accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management accounting - Essay Example However, with the right tools information and skills, a company is guaranteed to stay afloat in a world where businesses keep dropping out of the corporate world. How companies manage their finances and workforce dictates whether the company is bound to open its doors come the next financial year. One of the major concerns in management is the management of accounts which is usually handled a company’s accountants in conjunction with the management of the company. Management accounting specifically deals with generating information pertaining to a given company and basically relates on how to minimize costs while improving sales and boosting profits within the available company’s resources. In short this is information that helps the management to make crucial decisions. Financial accounting on the other hand deals with generating information based on information relayed by external users and mainly deals with control of cash inflow and outflow in the company. So why is management accounting so important? Among the most important reasons why management accounting is important to company include; 1) Planning-this basically deals with making decisions pertaining to the company’s products where and when to make them, who to sell them to, how much labor it will use and so on and so forth (Caplan, 5). 2) Operational Control-management helps the top officials in identifying and minimizing production error from the time a product is initiated for production to the time it is released to the market for sale. 3) Performance and Evaluation-this involves evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of different products and different managers within the company. When dealing with management of accounts two concepts become clear: Variable (Direct) costs and fixed production overhead costs

Exploring Sexuality with William Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

Exploring Sexuality with William Shakespeare Essay The presence of homoerotic references in the works of William Shakespeare was a direct result of the Elizabethan attitude towards sex during the English Renaissance. Within the privacy of the sonnets, Shakespeare could effusively express a passion that the Elizabethan Era, with its social mores, stifled greatly as it frowned upon homosexuality. Given the freedom to express himself uninhibitedly, Shakespeare cast aside the homophobia of his age and inscribed love sonnets for another male, Mr. W. H. This unrestricted honesty created great tension and drama between Shakespeare and his adversary, the dark lady as well as fueling some of the greatest love poems of all time. Over hundreds of years, it comes to no surprise that many scholars have found the sonnets effective in revealing insight into the biography of William Shakespeare. The emotional pressure contained in many of the sonnets and the fact that many, if not all, are dedicated to a man named ? Mr. W. H. , provide important clues to Shakespeares life. It begins with the sonnets dedication, a passage written by Shakespeare that opens a world of controversy amongst scholars. The dedication runs as follows: To. The. Only. Begetter. Of These. Ensuing. Sonnets. Mr. W. H. All. Happiness. And. That. Eternity. Promised. By. Our. Ever. Living. Poet. Wisheth. The. Well. Wishing. Adventurer. In. Setting. Forth. T. T. (Shakespeare, 1490) The initials T. T. at the conclusion of the dedication refer to Thomas Thorpe, the original publisher of the sonnets (http://andrejkoymasky. com/liv/sha/sha00. html). However, one question remains, who is Mr. W. H? During the English Renaissance, it was customary for members of high social standings to hire established writers and poets to create masterful love sonnets and other works of literature for their entertainment. For a large portion of his adult life, Shakespeare spent his time writing sonnets for an upper class family, specifically for a young man (Rowse, 96). The beginning sonnets describe a ? lovely youth and it is believed that over time, Shakespeares sonnets became more personal as the relationship between him and his patron intensified. Scholars have professed that this patron could in fact be the only begetter of the sonnets, Mr.  W. H, or William Hughes. The majority of the sonnets were written between 1593 and 1596, however, they were not published until 1609 and then further edited in 1640, long after Shakespeares death (Auden, 86). The randomness of their order leads scholars such as Northrop Frye to question their validity in accurately capturing real life happenings (Fleperin, 96). The publisher who replicated the sonnets in 1640 actually changed the pronouns in sonnets 15 through 126 to make it seem as if the poems were addressed to a woman. The question now at hand is; are the feelings expressed in the sonnets a celebration of homosexual love? And if so, how could such feelings emerge in a time where homosexuality had no place in social life (Taylor, 39)? The sixteen hundreds were a time of strict values and high standards of living. At this time, embracing sexuality was not encouraged and questioning ones sexuality was not an option. During the English Renaissance it was common for men to wear their hair long and dress in silks and ruffles (Taylor, 45). World renowned professor, Edward Hubler, published his book, The Sense of Shakespeares Sonnets, in which he points out the Elizabethan men used the term lover between men without embarrassment (Hubler, 17). Author C. L. Barber, in his essay on Shakespeares Sonnets, reminds us that the suppressed roles of women in Elizabethan society kept them out of the theater, forcing men to play the roles of women in many of Shakespeares productions at the Globe Theater. This openness is most attributed to Shakespeares sexual curiosity, and because his masculinity was never in doubt, his sexual awakening quickly progressed. To truly grasp Shakespeares feelings for Mr. W. H, we must refer to sonnet twenty, which is the first in the series to address the mysterious love affair. Despite the fact that male friendships were openly affectionate, the sonnets powerful emotions are indicative of a deeper love (Cross, 1,490). Line two of the poem describe the subject as the master-mistress of his passion. Right away we sense a conflict between the love for a man and the love for a women. Shakespeare makes it known in lines eight and nine of the sonnet, that W. H was in fact created for a womans love and affection, telling his readers that his subject is male. Further into the poem he describes his acceptance of that fact that he was defeated by nature, but continues to acknowledge their love (Cross, 1,4940). Shakespeares persistence in his attempt to win over the heart of his acquaintance is noted in sonnets 135-137 (Cross, 1511,1512). It is here that Shakespeare emphasizes the name ? Will as seen in italics in nearly every line. It is at this point in the series where it is suspected that the poets love for W. H is being threatened by a woman. In attempts to re-establish the ? dark lady in relation to Mr. W. H, scholars have studied specific sonnets in which her character is revealed. We find that the twenty-five sonnets dedicated to a woman, the dark lady, dwell on her imperfections and falsehoods (Barber, 16). For example, in sonnet 127, Shakespeare devotes his energy to expressing a lower love toward the woman and a higher love toward the man. It is not until the later sonnets that Shakespeare begins to feel threatened by the dark lady, and begins to depict a competition for the heart of W. H. In sonnet 138, Shakespeare is almost trying to convince W. H that this woman could never love him in the manner that he was willing to (Cross, 1,870). Shakespeares main concern, in the midst of anguished humiliation, is to keep the mans love, not the womans. Shakespeares inner conflict expressed in his works evidently developed during a time when his life, outside of the ? dark lady and W. H, was relatively normal, and this is another reason as to why the sequence of the sonnets is so important. As we know, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582. She gave birth to his children soon after. Was this heterosexual fantasy life all a cover up for the love he shared with W. H? Because no one has been able to figure out the correct order of the sonnets we will never know precisely when these love affairs took place. To label Shakespeare a homosexual would be ignorant, only because the consummation of the love between the poet and his muse was never proven. We can only base our knowledge of his curiosity on the contents of the sonnets, and with that we can gather that Shakespeare was involved in affairs, not necessarily physical, with both a young man, Mr. W. H, and a reticent woman, the Dark Lady. The conflict involving these two characters sparked the fire that fueled the ingenious works of one of the greatest poets of all time, Mr. William Shakespeare. Auden, W. H. Lectures on Shakespeare. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. 2000. Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. New York: Riverhead Books. 1998. Cross, Wilbur, L. The Yale Shakespeare. New York: Barnes and Noble Books. 1993. Hubler, Edward. The Sense of Shakespeares Sonnets. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. 1952 Hugh, Calvert. Shakespeares Sonnets and Problems of Autobiography. Braunton: Merilin Books, 1987. Holland, Norman. Psychoanalysis and Shakespeare. New York: McGraw Hill Book Company. 1966 Pitt, Angela. Shakespeares Women. New Jersey: Barnes and Noble Books. 1981 Rowse, A. L. The Elizabethan Renaissance: The Life of the Society. New York: Charles Scribers Sons. 1971. Taylor, Gary. Reinventing Shakespeare. New York: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. 1989. Internet Sources http://www. onlineshakespeare. com/sonnetsabout. htm http://andrejkoymasky. com/liv/sha/sha00. html http://infopt. demon. co. uk/shakespe. htm http://www. shakespeares-sonnets. com/wilde. htm http://aspirations. english. com. ac. uk/converse/essays/cgonda/loves. acds http://eserver. org/emc/1-2/halpern. html.

The link between leadership and motivation

The link between leadership and motivation Introduction Self motivation is very crucial for those who have the ambition of being leaders at some point in life. This is especially applicable to those who are starters. The type of motivation required in order to ascend to high level of leadership is powerful. It is not a matter of chance that leaders with high capability come into being. It often entails an individual taking a decisive step to cultivate that success regardless of the huddles on the way. Hence, leadership and motivation are so much interrelated that they cannot be separated. Styles used in leadership have a greater impact in an organisation. Workers who are well lead become self motivated to deliver their best effort. Therefore, it is definite that changes in leadership style can improve motivation at workplace. The link between leadership style and motivation According to Manning and Curtis, there are two aspects of caring leadership: first is commitment to task; second and equally important, is concern for people (10). Effective leaders have the potential to inspire workers in an organisation and in turn improve productivity. Leaders need to create passion among workers so that they can see meaning and sense in the different roles they are playing. Both passion and inspiration are key ingredients in motivation. They can be cultivated by sound leadership styles. Leadership style which attempts to share and impart the significance of vision of an organisation with the rest of employees is very important in the process of motivating workers. Once every employee understands the common goal and objectives of an organization as enshrined in its vision statement, it will be quite easy for leaders to build motivation in them. Employees will only have a powerful desire to achieve the goals of an organisation if they understand or identify themselves with its vision (Maddock Fulton 15). It is only through a relational leadership style that vision can be shared from the top leadership to junior employees. An effective leadership style will ensure that workers are well informed of the impact of the vision and mission of the organisation (Clegg, Kornberger Tyrone 241). They should be made to feel part and parcel of the entire process of achieving success as well as enjoying the beneficial outcomes of their commitment. Once this is achieved, workers will be motivated not only because they have attractive fringe benefits but also because they have a bright future together with the organization. Poor leadership will conceal pertinent information from workers. This will make them have a feeling of alienation from the organisation and become less motivated. It is common knowledge that people will tend to have personal drive if they know quite well that they have something to benefit from or be excited about either in the short or long term. When such employee relation is achieved, then the work of a leader will be very smooth. Leaders who understand the fact that they need to create a close working relationship with employees are often successful. It is out of being close with fellow workers that it will be easy to identify and solve their problems at work and therefore motivate them. The link between leadership and motivation has scarcely been researched upon in the past although each of the concepts has been studied at great length (Daft 225). The manner in which the two components of organizational behavior interact is very important in ensuring positive growth in a business organisation. Since it is not possible to measure or quantify motivation, its impacts in an organization can only be felt or realized in the performance of a company over a given period of time. The process of motivation is complex and unless the impact of leadership on the latter is brought on board, it may not be an easy task. Nevertheless, it is sometimes possible for a leader in an organisation to motivate workers without translating to positive outcome in the organization. There are several initiatives which can be put in place in order to motivate workers. However, it is imperative to point out that any such measures can be hampered or enhanced by the leadership style in operation. For example, most workers will be motivated to offer their services if they have job satisfaction. This cannot exist in an organization unless it is well cultivated. It is upon the leader to change the leadership style for employees to derive satisfaction at work. For instance, one way of making sure that employees are satisfied at their place of work is by reducing the level of supervision. Effective leaders do not supervise their juniors too closely. This may create an environment of discomfort and a feeling of being threatened. Most workers would generally prefer to work with minimal control. This is also important because each one of them is made should be made accountable and responsible as well. Additionally, good leadership will recognize the extra effort by employee s. Exceptional performance by workers ought to be rewarded. Both monetary and verbal recognition from the leadership is welcome so that motivation can be enhanced. When organizational members are motivated, it leaves a positive impact on the performance of the organization. Further, theories of motivation like that of Marslow attempt to expound how leadership may be linked to motivation. Leaders in an organization are directly correlated to the growth and motivation of employees depending on the style used. Much research indicates that the top leadership has a key role to play in the determination of companys performance. Positive growth can only be achieved in a case whereby workers are wholly devoted and committed to the realization of the set goals and objectives. Nevertheless, there are some instances when leadership has been considered to be a subsidiary factor as far as organizational performance is concerned. The argument is that junior employees are the one who execute the actual task in an organization while leaders are mainly mandated to give guidance and direction on what is supposed to be done. It is perhaps better to consider teams within an organisation and investigate how team leaders can motivate workers. There is a vivid evidence that the presence of a team leader in an organization is a real motivating factor to workers ( Adler Allison 192). The level of motivation may be quite low whenever a team leader is absent. From this perspective, the general perception is that leaders who steer small teams in organizations are more influential to the teams they are leading compared to top executives. This can be explained from the fact they are very close to the rest of team members and will often listen and act expeditiously to arising issues. Moreover, workers are found to be less motivated when their team leader has been substituted with another one. It takes a significant amount of time before the team can adjust itself to the changes. Nevertheless, it is imperative to underscore the fact that it is only transformational leadership which can usher full motivation. Leadership styles are different and so is the application. One main factor which often leads to team members being motivated in the presence of their leader is the team bonding spirit which develops with time. Members in a team tend to bond emotionally with their leader to the extent that separating the two becomes tricky. Even in cases where a substitute team leader is brought on board, he or she is more or less regarded as a manager but not a leader. This implies that the link between effective leadership and motivation is not instantaneous. It is a process which demands time and space. However, there are demerits when leaders bond too closely with team members. For instance, charismatic leaders who seem to be all efficient and fail to delegate roles to members may prove to be fruitless in the long run. Such leaders fail to empower team members leading to de-motivation. Leaders who take control position of their teams and leave nothing to chance also fall into this category. Members of a team need to be given the chance to exercise their abilities bearing in mind that each one of them has unique potential different from the rest. Notwithstanding this argument, organizations which have established a culture of exemplary performance may not experience much of the impact of charismatic leaders. This is diffused by the growth momentum of the organization. At this point, it is crucial to note that there are some team leadership styles which can uplift the team spirit of junior staff. The subordinates also need to be empowered. This is one way through they can be made to feel a sense of belonging not just within a team but also in the entire organization. The subordinate workers will also derive great job satisfaction at their work place when this kind of transformational leadership is adopted. From the Social exchange standpoint, real empowerment of team members leads to the understanding that each member is important in the process of production and no one is treated as means to achieve the end product. This will definitely improve performance of the organisation owing to intrinsically motivated group. Leadership is a form of social influence which is developed in a cohesive group of people. If a team leader decides to delegate duties to the subordinate staff, then this should be done in a way that it will have the greatest positive influence on each worker. This is now where the difference between superb and inefficient leadership is observed. For example, a transformed leader will first of all judge the ability and potential of each team member and then delegate task accordingly. Workers should be assigned duties in areas of interest and ability so that they can be motivated as they enjoy performing their duties. A leadership style which tends to impose task on workers without evaluating their capability will often miss the point. Workers who are compelled to carry out duties are hardly motivated and this translates to dismal performance. Since leadership is perceived as a social process of creating influence, use of anti-social ways when leading a team may result to de-motivation. For example, leaders who prefer to severely punish errant team members are highly likely to de-motivate workers. A more friendly but firm mode of correcting members should be adopted. Besides, leaders who reward workers with non-contingent stuff may not enhance motivation in them at all. Workers tend to be more understanding when a leader reasons out rationally with them instead of taking some actions individually (Manning Curtis 48). It is evident that leadership style used may generate mixed feelings among workers and their level of motivation at work place. Although no particular leadership style can be proved to be effective in motivating workers, it is imperative to note that although leadership and motivation have been treated in the past as two separate and distinct entities, a close correlation can still be drawn between the two. There are those who argue that leadership does not have any impact on motivation. If this were true, then performance of an organization would not be tagged on the commitment and dedication of employees. Such argument may be misleading because as noted earlier, leadership is a form of social influence. Therefore, the team leader ought to be relational and accommodating to the workers. A leader is much more than just a manager who di shes out principles to be followed by workers. Moreover, a leader seeks to build the team through coordination and organization. In any case, leadership is not only about showing the way but also leading the way. From this understanding, a very strong link is established between leadership and motivation. The concept of motivational leadership is very handy in this discussion. If changes in styles of leadership can improve performance at work place, then leaders who are motivational are very important for improved performance in organizations. For example, workers will tend to admire a leader who is knowledgeable and skillful. They will be motivated by a leader who is confident enough and energetic in leading the team. The leader will also be valued depending on the ability to consider the individual needs of each member of the team in an organization. Workers will be motivated further if the leader is dynamic and capable of initiating changes within a team or organization. Static leadership styles which do not respond to current needs of an organization are cannot enhance motivation. A changed leadership style which seeks to convey information positively is a real motivator at work place. There are moments in the life of a business organisation when situations are tough and perhaps the returns are marginal. An effective leader will try as much as possible to communicate with workers coherently and in way they can easily understand (Griffin Moorhead 39). Effective communication will motivate workers in spite of the situation at hand. Employees will also be motivated if the style of leadership demonstrates confidence. This will enhance security level and workers will also feel safe in their jobs. Another area of importance in leadership and motivation is the decision making process within small working teams or the entire organization. Workers will feel a sense of value, respect and dignity when they are actively involved in the process of decision making at all levels of the organisation. Workers who take part in passing important decisions affecting them will appreciate a great deal and work even harder to achieve the goals of the decisions made. Committed leadership is fundamental in the realization of organizational goals and objectives. When ideas are internalized, deliberated upon and finally transformed into action, the greatest positive effect in the entire organization is produced. Leaders who are not committed to their course of duty may send the wrong signals to subordinate staff. It is obvious that the junior employees will tend to emulate the leadership of the team or organization. Therefore, a less committed leader will equally reverse the commitment of workers and eventually de-motivate them. Transparent form of leadership is the one that operates on an open system. Organizational leadership which runs the affairs of the entire team behind the curtains may not be liked by workers at all. This is also synonymous to directive leadership style whereby workers are supposed to take orders from above and perform their tasks regardless of difficulties. This form of leadership does not permit an open forum where each member of the organization can air opinions. A leadership style based on such principles will de-motivate workers. It makes them belong to the periphery and less significant in the organizational processes. It is factual that unless workers are happy, they will not be productive. Firstly, people who are happy work well with others because they are intrinsically motivated (Adair 85). They create a warm working environment and fellow colleagues enjoy working with them. As a result, a strong and well enhanced team work is built. In the case of a leader, a better working relationship with employees is also harnessed and this facilitates smooth running of the organisation. Conclusion In summing up this paper, it is worth to note that happy workers tend to be more creative at their place of work because their minds are liberated to think and act positively. This is also evident when problems arise in an organisation: workers who are happy would prefer to fix the challenge in preference to complaints. Furthermore, workers who are happy are more energetic and they devote this energy towards achieving the common goal of the organisation. These are elements of positive leadership which leads to motivation of workers. Either monetary or material rewards are good starting points in the process of motivating workers who in turn feel satisfied at their work place. The justification for rewarding workers is that the primary reason for working is to earn. From the perspective that human wants are insatiable, workers will ever value a token of appreciation due to their achievements at work. Therefore, any additional earning over and above the normal remuneration will definit ely lead to job satisfaction. This may be supplemented by verbal recognition on every little achievement by a worker. The security of the job is yet another positive influence towards satisfaction. Employees need to be assured that their jobs are secure and that they do not need to dwell on worries on how sustainable is their work is. Additionally, job security will reduce the rate of turn out in an organisation because workers have the assurance their future livelihood and hence satisfaction. Besides, workers should not be supervised too closely. There should be some degree of freedom. However they should be made to be accountable on their service delivery. This approach will enhance responsibility, sense of purpose and worth hence leading to job satisfaction. A worker who is supervised too closely will often feel threatened and uncomfortable. Hence, leadership style can improve motivation at work place.

Planning the Care of Terminally Ill Patients

Planning the Care of Terminally Ill Patients Critical care nursing is a challenging field in which nurses must be frequently confronted with ethical dilemmas. One of the most frequently encountered dilemmas that occur in this field is the management of care for terminally ill and actively dying patients. When providing care to such patients, it can become emotionally burdensome for the nurse to carry out medical interventions that may be uncomfortable or painful to the patient while not providing much of a benefit. Nurses in these environments often feel the desire to relieve the patient’s suffering and a sense of accountability for their comfort. When aggressive medical interventions are implemented for patients that are actively dying, it is important to recognize if any worthwhile benefits are achieved by the interventions. Sometimes in the ICU setting, the provided aggressive medical treatments do not offer notable medical or palliative benefit to an actively dying patient. The question that arises in these situation s may be: Should aggressive treatments be continued when they can be considered medically futile? One of the biggest challenges that surfaces when considering medically futile interventions is that there has been no universal agreement between medical professionals on how futility should be defined. For the most part, futility in relationship to medical interventions is defined as any clinical action which no longer serves a useful purpose in reaching a given patient’s goals and outcomes (Kasman, 2004). If a certain treatment only has the potential to prevent bodily death while not improving the health status of the patient or providing palliative benefit, it may be considered medically futile. When planning the care of terminally ill clients, it is important to weigh the effectiveness of the medical interventions against the benefits the treatment will bring as well as potential harms. The health care team must look at the patient as a whole instead of simply focusing on treating their specific diagnosis. Many factors come into play when considering which treatments may be appropriate and effective for these patients. Each patient’s unique goals should be evaluated thoroughly when the health care team creates their plan of care. For example, if an actively dying patient’s goal is to have a dignified and peaceful death, it may be considered maleficent to implement aggressive treatments such as intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (Kasman, 2004). It is important for the wishes of the patient and the patient’s family to be documented and known to the healthcare team when planning care. The problem of providing medically futile care has the p otential to affect everyone involved with the care on an emotional and intellectual level. This includes the patient, their family members, and members of the health care team involved. There are four ethical principles that must be considered when providing care to critically ill patients. These principles include beneficence, veracity, justice, and autonomy. The principle of beneficence in this context may be described as acting in a way which promotes the wellbeing of the patient. Veracity may be described as the truthful communication between healthcare providers and patients. The idea that all patients deserve to be treated equally according to their needs and that they should receive the appropriate level of care for their conditions describes the principle of justice. Autonomy is the principle that a patient has the ability to make their own individual decisions regarding their medical treatments. Beneficence is a commonly referenced principle in the context of providing interventions that may be considered medically futile. Because this principle is based on the idea of acting in a way that will have a positive impact on the patient, it would not be beneficent to provide care that is considered medically futile. This kind of care may succeed in prolonging the life of the patient, but it will likely have no net improvement on the patient’s quality of life, and may even result in a decreased quality of life. Veracity is a very important principle to implement in the critical care setting. Health care providers should be communicating with patients and their families in an honest manner about their medical condition. In some cases, providers may continue with life-sustaining treatments that will not result in a patient’s meaningful recovery for primarily emotional reasons including having concerns regarding the family’s reaction to the actual medical status of their family member (Suprising reasons for continuing futile treatment, 2012). This is an example in which the provider is not practicing veracity. It is important for the patient and their family to be given realistic expectations on the outcome of any treatment, even if it is a difficult discussion to have. Justice may be practiced in this setting by the careful consideration of each patient’s case individually. The healthcare team should evaluate each patient’s situation and consider what treatments will improve their condition as opposed to simply prolonging the life of their body. Even if a patient has decided they no longer desire to receive aggressive medical treatment, they still should be receiving adequate care and attention to their needs by the principle of justice. Autonomy is a vital component in providing care to critically ill patients. If at all possible, it is important for the patient to make their own decisions regarding their wishes during the end of their life. If the patient is not mentally competent or physically able to declare their decisions, the durable power of attorney would make these decisions if this person has been assigned prior to the patient’s incapacity. If there is no durable power of attorney, then the court will appoint a proxy that must act in a morally valid way and will make decisions with the patient’s best interests in mind (Kasman, 2004). When caring for critically ill patients, it can be challenging to understand the difference between interventions that are actually benefiting the client and interventions that will simply prolong the life of the client’s body. This is a concept that is especially difficult for family members who may not understand the severity of the patient’s medical status to understand. In some cases, the opinions of the healthcare providers and the opinions of the family members differ regarding what treatment options should be carried out for the patient. If this occurs when the patient is unable to make decisions for themselves and they have a surrogate appointed, the surrogate will make decisions on behalf of the patient. If the decisions made by the surrogate are not congruent with those of the physician, the physician may deny to carry out requested treatments if there are concerns of potential risks associated with them. If the surrogate continues to insist on the controversi al treatment, the patient’s case may be presented to other physicians. If the physician has serious concerns regarding the surrogate’s decisions, they have the right to request the court to replace the patient’s surrogate with one that has morals that are more sound. A recent case regarding medically futile care involved a man named David James who was originally hospitalized due to complications that arose with his stoma. During his stay at the hospital, he suffered from multiple organ failure. He was moved to the critical care unit with cardiovascular failure, respiratory failure, and renal failure where he was put on a ventilator. The patients medical condition was so bad that even aggressive medical treatments were unlikely to benefit him. As his condition continued to worsen, the hospital used the principle of beneficence and decided to place a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in the patient’s medical record. The family disagreed with this decision, and the medical team took the case to the Court of Protection (Griffith, 2013). The court originally decided that treatment for this patient would not be futile and therefore withholding treatment would not be in the patient’s best interest. The ruling was not well accepted, and the case then moved to the Court of Appeal where the original decision was overruled. Here, it was decided that the results that the proposed treatments sought out would not be able to be produced in this patients case. The treatment that could be provided would likely not offer any therapeutic benefit to the patient or palliate the patient’s condition, so it was ruled to be medically futile treatment (Griffith, 2013). The decisions made in the care of critically and terminally ill clients are not usually obvious or straightforward. It seems as though as technology develops further, death appears to become viewed more as an option rather than a fact (Paris, Angelos, Schreiber, 2010). Because of the principle of justice, patients will still receive quality medical treatment for their illnesses even if they have a DNR status. It is important for all patients, especially those who do not have a long life expectancy left, to be knowledgeable about their options for end of life care. Everyone deserves the right to making autonomous decisions regarding their health. For a patient that does not desire to endure aggressive medical treatments at the end of their life, an alternative option could be either palliative care or hospice care depending on their individual case. The client would still be treated and more effort would be put towards relieving the symptoms of their illness rather than implementing aggressive medical treatments that could prolong their life at the risk of decreasing their quality of life. This could allow the client to have a more peaceful, dignified death, rather than having to endure several medical interventions that may be intrusive and painful such as intubation, ventilation, and CPR. It is important for the family to understand that just because many life-prolonging options are available due to modern medicine, it is not always the best choice to implement these options. Some opponents of the idea of medical futility claim that physicians aim to overpower less knowledgeable patients and their families. This leads opponents to believe that healthcare providers who have end of life discussions with families regarding medically futile care are consequently delivering paternalistic care. Some also believe that the idea of medical futility is simply a decoy used by physicians to convince patients and families to withdraw medical treatments in order to lower the costs associated with end-of-life care and to help ration the hospital resources (Kasman, 2004). There are many examples of professional literature exploring this topic, which discuss the reality of medically futile care, some of which have been cited throughout this paper. I believe that aggressive medical treatment should not be carried out if multiple health care providers share the same opinion and have decided that the interventions will not provide any foreseeable therapeutic medical or palliative benefit to the patient’s condition. Through researching this topic, it has become clear that with the advancements in medicine, death is becoming a fact that is not as accepted as it once was. Many people want their loved ones to live as long as possible at any given cost. Death is a fact of life, and once that is better understood and accepted by family members it may be easier for them to let go of their loved ones once the time arrives. The last moments of some actively dying patient’s lives may be of higher quality if they are able to spend time with their families and have the chance to say goodbye, rather than having the health care team fight the inevitability that is death (Ufema, 2001). This decision does not come in any conflict with my value system. I realize that death is an inevitable part of life, and at some point, this should be accepted by patients and their families. The quality of life for patients who are actively dying, yet still receiving numerous medical interventions simply to keep their body functioning as long as possible, does not seem just. I would like to think that patients have the right to die a dignified death without having to suffer from extensive medically futile interventions. Planning the care of terminally ill clients in the critical care setting can be a challenging and emotional process for everyone involved. It is important for providers to be honest with those affected by end-of-life decisions regarding the patient’s medical status. Although death can be very difficult to discuss and accept, all patients deserve the right to die a dignified death. As technology in medicine continues to advance, it is likely that people will view death increasingly as an option. Patients should be educated on deciding and documenting their end-of-life decisions while they have the chance to state their wishes so that they can experience the last moments of their lives in the manner that they desire.

The Question of Freedom in America :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

The United States' democratic system embraces its numerous obligations in a manner which promotes a comfortable and effective society in which the citizens may embark on everyday life knowing that the government is continually engrossed in performi ng its duties to protect and support the rights of the people. Although suicide is illegal, the government must recognize the trauma of those who are terminally ill in order to maintain a fair and equal democracy. By weighing these ideas and recognizing the dignity of an individual along with the law, government attempts to provide a suitable life for all. Through combined efforts of freedom of expression and censorship, liberty is maintained, because both the speaker's and the listener's rights are re spected. The government recognizes that all human life is precious; and, therefore it does its best to enable each individual the ability to gain their desired position in life throug the help of social services. A position not n ecessarily of vast wealt h, but one in which a person may feel content and gratified. Jefferson envisioned such cases as above long before they were contemplated; it is through the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he reflected his strong, intellectual beliefs (Jeffers on 615). Of the most important part of Jefferson's philosophy is the following quote: Â   All men are created equal, they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter it. (616) Â   In accordance with the remainder of the Declaration of Independence, this statement has been the basis of both human rights and overall justice in American democracy. Because there is a partnership between the government and the people in the U nited States, society has improved in every aspect. The government recognizes and embraces responsibility, knowing that the citizens may control their own lives without harming others. Likewise, individuals are given the ability and courage to pursue a joyful life. Hence, people are free to express themselves with all intention towars respecting individual freedom of others.

Jazz Dance :: essays research papers

Afterreading the article on jazz dance, I had found out a number of interestingthings that I hadnt known before. I thought it was a dance form that wasfairly new, starting in the early 1900s. I then found out that it actually pre-dates all the way back to theseventeenth century. I also thought itcame from the United States, when it really originated in Africa and wasbrought here by the slaves. The dancingand drumming was such a part of their lives; it was eventually continued by theslaves on the plantations with dancing and the clapping of their hands forrhythm. It was used as a form ofentertainment, as well as enjoyment, and sometimes, even for competition. It wasaround the 1830s when the song and dance of the Africans began being performedin theaters, called Minstrel shows,but the dancers were actually white. Then in the 1860s, blacks were finally aloud to perform in these shows. They became very popular and then diedout in the early 1900s, which lead the way for new shows. The most popular of these being the Vaudeville show. The Vaudeville show, presented a numberof different acts with all different cultures of people and dance, whichencouraged diversity. It served as aprofessional school, a training ground and an experimental station for dancersdestined for Broadway, nightclubs and film.-Richard Kislan. The Vaudevilleera began the emergence of jazz music, which mixed ragtime and blues. The dancers would then begin to connect tothe condensed rhythms of jazz music. Nowjazz incorporates a gathering of styles and movement, which can mean a lot ofdifferent things to different people. When welearned jazz dance in class, I found it hard to keep up at first. I liked the way it looked, when someone whoknew what they were doing, was dancing. I remember changing directions a lot. I also noticed while dancing that you use pretty much every part of yourbody. I thought I would be good at it,considering I am an athlete, and I am tune with my body. But I wasnt, I just felt like so manydifferent things to remember. Maybe if Ipracticed it more, I could pick it up. What I didlike about jazz dance, is how free it is. It really gives you the opportunity to express yourself. Even the guy who came in to instruct us wastelling everyone to perform the moves in your own style. Since we didnt really have any jazz music, Ifound it hard to keep rhythm.

Animal abuse Essay

Animal abuse is when someone inflicts pain or harm upon an animal such as not giving them their basic needs (food and water) to beating them. In between 5 and 7 million animal companions enter an animal shelter nationwide, every year (www.aspca.org), and within 50 miles of Hayward, CA, there are 170 animal cruelty cases reported (www.pet-abuse.com). Imagine what these innocent beings that cannot speak out to let the human know they are in pain feel. Animals need us to speak out and help reduce their suffering instead of making their lives worse. Animal safety needs to be improved by creating more laws to protect animals from harm. Animal cruelty is shaped by two forms of abuse, different types of animal abuse, opinions on how animal cruelty happens, organizations that help fight for animal rights, and ways to report it. see more:animal abuse essay Everyday animals are being taken advantage of and being brutally abused. They are beaten, kept in cages, and enslaved just for a person’s own amusement (www.peta.org). Humans like to have freedom but yet they have no problem locking animals away because they don’t feel like dealing with them. The law sees passive and active abuse as illegal but they don’t have strict consequences that follow. Passive abuse is when the crime is less intentional and active is doing it intentionally to cause pain upon an animal (www.pet-abuse.com). Why should animals have to endure this cruel torture? What did they do to deserve this? I believe animals should be more protected under the law and not just thrown around like garbage. Furthermore, there are many three main categories of animal abuse which are slaughter houses, animal testing, and finally in-house abuse. When slaughter house workers cut the heads off of a chicken their hearts are still beating, so they are forced to suffer for to benefit humans and are not protected under the law to be slaughtered humanely. Two hundred and eighty-seven chickens, three point sixty-eight pigs, and one point two cow are  slaughtered per second (www.annimalsuffering.com). Should so many animals be put through this cruel and unusual torture? There should be a maximum number under the law that prevents them from slaughtering so many in a small amount of time. There are many forms of animal testing, but the two main animal tests are, the Eye Irritancy and Acute Toxicity. The Eye Irritancy test is also known as the Draize eye test which is performed on rabbits by inserting a fluid with a needle in one eye to see how it reacts to this fluid. The rabbits are put in a contraption that locks their heads and endure a lot of suffering such as ulcers, blindness, and usually death. Next, Acute Toxicity is a method where they determine how much of a chemical can be exposed to the mouth, skin, and inhaled with rats and mice. These rodents are poisoned and the experiment ends when at least half of the testing animals die from the trial. They suffer from excruciating pain, convulsions, loss of motor function and seizures (www.aavs.org). No laws state that animal testing cannot be performed; therefore, they can inflict pain upon the animals at any time without worry of being prosecuted. They are able to inject them with lethal chemicals but when it comes to humans everyone is against injecting humans such as in the death penalty because it is inhumane and unusual torture. Finally, in-house abuse, is abuse from human to pet. According to the U.S. Animal Abuse Classifications chart neglect/abandonment ranks 1st with 5, 365 cases, animal hoarding ranks 2nd with 2,061 cases, and shooting comes in 3rd with 1,888 cases. I believe there should be laws that require background checks on violence and brutality in order to own pets because there are connection between violence and abusing animals. Overall, the United States has a high rate of people mistreating innocent animals and it must be prevented in order to protect these voiceless beings. Since the law is not doing much to protect these animals from cruel humans, the people believe they can get away with this crime. They have insecurities and since animals are smaller than them and can’t speak out they take all their frustrations out on them. Animals are helpless creatures whom are assumed to have no feelings. Animals are put through pain and torture due to people’s anger and ignorance. When a human is murdered, the law gives consequences to the murderer, but when animals are end up dead because of being tortured, the law does not provide consequences for the crime. These  people need to take responsibility for their actions and get the same punishment that they would get if these inflictions were toward a human. Animals deserve to have the same rights and be protected under the law. Despite of all the ignorant people, there are those who believe in equality between animals and humans and choose to be up standers. If laws were created that protected animals, these organizations would have a better support system for their fight. Laws would make these groups easier to support, therefore they could make more of a difference. For example, animal shelters provide the basic necessities such as food, shelter, and water and a safe environment for them to recover from the harsh acts. Without these shelters, animals will lose hope, so in order to keep them running, donations need to be given. Besides animal shelter, there are specific organizations that help fight for animal rights and help prevent animal cruelty. Some examples of organizations are the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). These groups believe that animals are just as equal as humans and should not be treated the way they are. People need to take responsibility for their actions, take care of their pets properly, and encourage others to do the same. In order to provide sufficient ways of life for animals, the law must support these organizations. Although there are organizations that fight to make a difference, individuals can stop animal cruelty. The Karma Dog organization stated, â€Å"What come around goes around.† Furthermore, there are many strategies you can use to report any signs of abuse or neglect. They can call 911 if the animal is being forced to fight other animals, starved, tortured, and has heavy chains around the neck, open wounds, and mutilation. Another number you can call is 311. When calling 311 the conditions are deprivation of food, water, improper vet care and shelter, untreated skin conditions, has extreme flea infestation, and extremely long nails and matted hair. When seeing animal abuse posted through the internet you must immediately contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) which is partnered with the FBI (http://www.belladogmagaizine.com). Finally, you can go onto change.org and sign petitions to stop animal testing and cruelty. You may not think one signature will make a difference but it does because once enough signatures  are collaborated, the government will realize something needs to be done. Never give up and keep fighting for these innocent animals. Even though animal abuse is wrong and hurtful to animals, some owners don’t purposely inflict harm upon them. For example, if the owner is having a really busy day and doesn’t have the time to walk their dog or they forget to feed them. Why should the owner be penalized for an accident? If the owner tries his best and treats the dog well any other time shouldn’t he be let off with a warning? A person should not be penalized for an accident because many things happen in life that causes distractions. Pet owners don’t intentionally neglect their pets and they deserve the chance to prove the courts otherwise. Some believe that animals are here to serve us so if so then we should not have to pamper them as we would for ourselves. In conclusion, animals and humans are no different and they should not be treated differently under the law. However, people in the United States mistreat innocent begins and laws need to be enforced to prevent it. Some think that animals cannot speak, that what happens to them will not affect them mentally, but every living animals have feeling whether they can talk or not. Treat an animal the way you would want to be treated. When using products, people should think to look if it has been tested on animals. Registering or volunteering at organizations that help prevent and heal abused animals will set a good example to others to fight for what you believe in. The bible states, â€Å"Do unto others.† This phrase is for all being not just humans so why should animals have to continue suffering. Be your own person and fight against animal abuse because this is cruel and unusual torture. Works Cited â€Å"Pet Statistics.† ASPCA. N.p., 2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"Reporting Internet Animal Abuse | BellaDOG Magazine.† Reporting Internet Animal Abuse | BellaDOG Magazine. N.p., 2011. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"The Issues.† PETA. N.p., 2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. . â€Å"Types of Animal Testing.† -The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). N.p., 2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. . Corp., Petabuse. â€Å"Animal Cruelty.† Animal Cruelty | Pet-Abuse.Com Animal Cruelty Database. N.p., 2001-2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. . Corp., Petabuse. â€Å"Local Animal Cruelty Case Search | Pet-Abuse.Com Animal Cruelty Database.† Local Animal Cruelty Case Search | Pet-Abuse.Com Animal Cruelty Database. N.p., 2001-2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. . Hugo, Victor. â€Å"Animal Slaughter, Abuse and Cruelty. Behind the Screens.† AnimalSuffering. Animals Rights Concerns, 2003,2009. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. .