Intertextuality In Ragtime - 1466 Words

Intertextuality The elements of literature and culture are completely intertwined, and intertextuality useful in revealing the literature’s complexity in this given relation. Though it must also be remembered that intertextuality does not always have literary references, It use can be implemented to reflect a period of history. This study aims to reveal and present the intertextual relations that Ragtime presents to America’s history during the early 20th century. The aim of this segment will be to show the use of intertextuality to reveal Doctorow’s intention in citing historical characters and events history within Ragtime, juxtaposing them with the fictitious world of the story. First and foremost, Ragtime’s intertextual material and†¦show more content†¦This family represents the ease and comfort in the lives of people who gained their position through what is known as ‘the Progressive era’. During this time in history, a development of social aw areness in the need for reform was a major phenomenon and as a result, the years between 1900 to the beginning of the First World War came to be known as the Progressive Era. (Henretta 2006, p. 597). This issue of reform became a strong within America at the time of Ragtime’s creation, after the issues of the 1980’s influenced America to distance themselves from these growing tensions. However, Doctorow calls into question the nature of the prosperity attributed to the era with his portrayal of the two remaining families of Ragtime who are presented as being mostly neglected by historians. This is emphasized by the novels narrator, who reflects on white upper-middle class American families’ attitudes of the neglected and marginalized members of American society, where early on in the novel he states: â€Å"There were no Negroes. There were no immigrants† (Doctorow 1976, pp.11-12). In turn it is the lives of two marginalized groups including both immigrant s and Negros represented by the two other families in the story in which Doctorow intends to highlight and represent in the forefront to the reader. The immigrants are

Should Animals Be Banned For Medical And Cosmetic Research

In the United States about 20 million animals are used for medical and cosmetic research. These animals include mice, bunnies, cats, dogs, guinea pigs and many other species of animals. Many of these animals people have for household pets, people consider these animals to be friendly and harmless and they are loved by humans. However, these animals do not share the same rights as humans mostly because people believe animals are inferior to them. Animals can not speak for themselves and tell researchers not to test on them like people can. I think this is unfair because animals share the same emotions as people do, they can feel afraid and scared of the testing that is going to be done on them. Studies prove that is is not necessary to use animals for medical and cosmetic research, there are laws to protect animals and some governments banned using animals for cosmetic research. Animal testing is a fundamental method of research the United States. Many researchers in America believe that using animals for research is the only valid method to test vaccines, treatments and cosmetics because animals’ anatomy are similar to humans. Researchers are averse to try the other humane methods of research such as computer models and cell cultures before conducting experiments on animals. However, testing on animals is inhumane and animals are suffering while undergoing testing. According to PETA, â€Å"Before their deaths, some are forced to inhale toxic fumes, others are immobilized inShow MoreRelatedSave Animals. Say No to Animal Testing!1390 Words   |  6 PagesArgumentative essay: Save animals. Say no to animal testing! Nowadays, it is a well-known fact that many companies test their products like cosmetics and medicines with animals before production to check their products ’safety and quality. A huge amount of animals are used in research purpose every year. Is it right for human beings to sacrifice millions of animals for testing purpose? Should animal testing be banned? Animal testing is a controversial issue and there is a heated debated about prosRead MoreAnimal Experimentation Should Be Banned1426 Words   |  6 Pagesjudged by the way its animals are treated.† - Mahatma Gandhi. These famous words still ring true in today’s society as we struggle to overcome the scientific experimentation on animals. Animals have acted as the archstone of human civilization since the dawn of man, from a source of food, to companionship. However, in the past century, we have been blurring the line between environmental entitlement and environmental rape. Every member of the human race inte racts and depends on animals, and we owe themRead MoreAnimal Testing Should Not Be Banned1572 Words   |  7 PagesAnimal Testing Every year, over two hundred million innocent animals are injured or killed in scientific experiments across the world. Of those animals, between seventeen and twenty million are used in the United States alone. It is said that an animal dies in a laboratory every three seconds (Animal Testing 101). Those in favor of animal experimentation say they are taking animals’ lives to save humans. It is not necessary to subject animals to torturous conditions or painful experiments in theRead MoreEssay on Cosmetics Testing on Animals, Is It Necessary?547 Words   |  3 PagesWhy should animals have to die, just for humans to have cosmetics? It is understandable if you want to cover up a scar on your face, but to just wear makeup because you think you need it, or because you feel like you cannot live without it, is ridiculous. Animals should not be dyeing for our insecurities on how we look, or on how society judges us. If society sees someone who is not Barbie or Ken perfect they jud ge us, so we put makeup on, it is not right for society to do that. Because of theirRead MoreAnimal Testing Must Be Banned Essay1014 Words   |  5 Pagesmonoxide! Animal testing must be banned for unnecessary tests. Animals should not be guinea pigs. Animals still feel the pain when they are injected with medicine just like humans. Humans can defend themselves and stop the pain, but the animals get strapped down and cannot move. It is better to have tests run on animals because animals will help find cures faster. Animal testing must be banned for unnecessary tests because a lot of animals are dying for no reason. Ninety-four percent of animal testingRead MoreThe Use Of Research On Cosmetics And Its Effects On Society1604 Words   |  7 PagesBlinded by Beauty On average, 26 million animals are used every year for the use of research on cosmetics. These tests should be banned for many obvious reasons such as it is clearly cruel and inhumane, they cost more than alternative methods, and they do not predict an accurate result due to the anatomical differences. Animals are being unfairly tortured and killed for research on ingredients that people are unknowingly using in their everyday lives. Here’s an important question to consider;Read MoreAnimal Experimentation Is Cruel And Needs1100 Words   |  5 PagesFreshman Seminar, Per. 1 4 May 2015 Animal Experimentation Animal experimentation is cruel and needs to be banned. It is another form of animal abuse. The animals are locked in cold, tiny cages in laboratories waiting in fear of what might happen next. The animals are being treated cruelly and being injected with substances that the scientists do not know if it will harm the animals. â€Å"Right now, millions of mice, rats, rabbits, primates, cats, dogs and other animals are locked inside cold barren cagesRead MoreAnimal Testing Should Be Banned1263 Words   |  6 PagesAdult Education 19 May 2017 Animal Testing Should Be Banned Standard Number: 6.4.A Over 115 million animals are tested in laboratories throughout the United States each year. Typical animals included in these horrific tests include: cats, rats, dogs, rabbits, mice, monkeys, sheep, and birds. Researchers state that about 78,294 animals subjected to cosmetic and medicinal tests face severe pain (PETA, 2017). â€Å"Neither Federal nor state law prohibits the transfer of animals to laboratories; they onlyRead MoreEssay On Animal Testing1295 Words   |  6 Pagesmillions animals die every year from animal testing. Animal testing or animal research is a test performed on a living or dead animals. It normally involves testing out new cosmetic products or doing experiments for the medical purposes. Cosmetic companies test out their ingredients and products on animals to see if they’re safe to use for humans. A medical experimentation could involve injecting the animals, practicing surgeries on them, or exposing them to radiation. The practice of animal testingRea d MoreArgumentative Essay On Animal Testing1154 Words   |  5 Pagesthat animals are used for testing on many different products such as food, drugs, and cosmetics. Animals are used for testing on these different products before they are released to humans to ensure it’s safe for human use, the reason animals are used such as rats and chimps is because they share about 99% of the same DNA as us humans. Many medical breakthroughs have happened because of the use of animal testing, according to the California Biomedical Research Association, â€Å"nearly every medical breakthrough

Xiaomi Implemented Customer Service †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Xiaomi Implemented Customer Service. Answer: Introduction: Xiaomi has had successful remarkable milestones as the gadget maker in the technology industry. The Xiaomi success is attributable to its robust Customer Relationship (CRM) strategies(Olivier, 2015). One of the company goals is to focus on innovating quality products to meet the ever-changing preferences of the target markets. Xiaomi CRM strategy can be discussed based on the following aspects The Xiaomis CRM strategy is largely rooted on its online platform. The company interacts with its customers on Chinese social platforms. Recently, the company has established an active mobile community known as MiTalk(Olivier, 2015). The mobile community enables the users of the Xiaomi gadget to share their experiences. The platform facilitates effective management of the company interactions and relationships with customers well as potential customers. Through its digital operations, Xiaomi has created a Weibo account for each product range. This approach allows the company to collect useful information from their customers concerning their different product ranges(Millward, 2014). The online platform is the major link between Xiaomi and its customers(Olivier, 2015). The industry analysts have termed Xiaomi as a faceless company that is making enormous profits more than the mobile manufactures that have been in the industry for years. Xiaomi has integrated a WeChat in addition to its online platform to facilitate the interaction between the company and customers. The WeChat platform enables the company to set keywords and canned responses. Customers use the keywords such as "repair" and "restart" to get connected the appropriate customer representatives(Tolmao, 2016). Xiaomi is well recognized as the organization that is built on CRM strategy to facilitate customer interaction(Olivier, 2015). The online marketing strategies adopted by the company has labeled it as a digital marketing company. Through the strategy, the company has surpassed global companies such as Apple and Samsung to become the largest smartphone manufacturer in China. The Xiaomi CRM strategy is based on the app store to introduce its products to the global audience(Amazon Web Services, Inc., 2016). The app store has facilitated rapid delivery of services to the customers. To keep effective communication interactions with customers, Xiaomi has focused on upgrading its customer relationship management. For example, the company has created information inquiry platform that caters for the complaints and suggestions collections ( 95Teleweb Information Co., Ltd, 2017). Xiaomi CRM strategy has been effective in facilitating the customer interactions and communication. This has helped the company to make many of its sales through digital marketing. The Xiaomi CRM strategy enables the company to avail its products online(Firoze, 2015). The technique avails the company products to different customers across the world. Xiaomi Business-Customer Relationship Characteristics Xiaomi business success has been linked to its philosophy of "Be friends with our fans." Through the observance of this approach, the company has become a leading smartphone vendor in the Chinese market(Wang, 2014). Xiaomi attitude towards customers has been the key reason behind this prosperity. The Xiaomi-customer relationship can be linked to the following characteristics; Xiaomi has adopted different social platforms and techniques to engage with fans. Through social media strategy, the company has turned over 11 million users media followers into loyal customers. Besides, the approach provides customers with detailed information about their brands as well as providing channels where customers can raise their complaints(Wang, 2014). The application of CRM strategy, has enabled Xiaomi to improve its customer experience. For example, the customer relationship management employed by the company has made it easier to segment its customer needs appropriately, track their needs accurately and interact will all customers in a meaningful manner. As a result, the company has benefited from increased sales, higher customer satisfaction and retention(Tolmao, 2016). The Xiaomi CRM strategy has been in the line of the customers' change behavior in the Chinese market. In the past years, Chinese customers have increasingly opted for quality products at higher prices. Besides, they show a great appreciation on online shopping and reliance on social media to obtain product information(Tian, 2013). The Xiaomi CRM strategy is in line with this trend and therefore, positively influencing customer behavior on online shopping. Based on the Xiaomi online marketing strategy and social platform interactions it is well elaborated that its CRM strategy is a unique one. For example, the Xiaomi WeChat platform has enabled the company to listen to its customers more appropriately than before(Tolmao, 2016). This enables the company to attend to their customers' complaints without delay as well as having easy access to customers' feedback on their brands. There is a lot trust among the customers on the Xiaomi brands. This attributable to the company's dominance in online sales as well its ability to engage their customers through the different online platform and social media sites. The company has used this trust to control major smartphone markets in China and India(Firoze, 2015). References 95TELEWEB INFORMATION CO., LTD. (2017, March 26). Xiaomi Introduction. Retrieved from 95TELEWEB INFORMATION CO., LTD: https://www.95teleweb.com/en/case/case01/ Amazon Web Services, Inc. (2016, June 2). AWS Case Study: Xiaomi. Retrieved from Amazon Web Services, Inc.: https://aws.amazon.com/solutions/case-studies/xiaomi/ Firoze. (2015, March 30). Xiaomi Teams with The Mobile Store' to Sell MI 4, REDMI NOTE 4G: REPORT. Retrieved from Gizmeon Technologies Pvt Ltd: https://www.gizmeon.com/xiaomi-teams-up-with-the-mobile-store-to-sell-mi-4-redmi-note-4g-report/ Millward, S. (2014, November 4). These ten ingredients are the recipe for Xiaomi's secret sauce. Retrieved from TechinAsia: https://www.techinasia.com/10-strategies-xiaomi-secret-sauce Olivier. (2015, March 3). XIAOMI tripled its Sales in 2014! Retrieved from XIAOMI.COM: https://www.marketingtochina.com/xiaomi-has-tripled-its-sales-in-2014/ Tian, W. (2013, August 22). Consumer behavior is changing. Retrieved from China Daily Information Co: https://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-08/22/content_16912823.htm Tolman. (2016, January 1). Why Xiaomi Implemented Customer Service via WeChat. Retrieved from Tolmao: https://www.tolmaogroup.com/why-xiaomi-implemented-customer-service-via-wechat/ Wang, X. (2014, December 17). Social Marketing Boosts The Worlds No. 3 Smartphone Giant, Xiaomi. Retrieved from Forrester Research, Inc.: https://go.forrester.com/blogs/14-12-17-social_marketing_boosts_the_worlds_no_3_smartphone_giant_xiaomi/

Hemlock realise Essay Example

Hemlock realise Essay S.H uses very formal language for example even when he is talking to Watson he says which you will allow me, and uses laboriously constructed sentences frequently which appears to make himself sound more intelligent. He is very confident in himself and states his own opinion as a fact, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace. All these and the following points about S.H are what makes the stories so easy to parody: he always has the same features and has the same distinct mannerisms finger-tips still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and his gaze directed up to the ceiling. He also has a constant look of infinite languor in his face showing he doesnt let any case trouble him. Also he has a meticulous process of deduction involved in his method of investigation: he finds a clue and sits in silent thought; he is always right. He has a certain process of questioning, then observing, then analysing. S.H and Watson seem very close and the impression is given that Sherlock is never out of work. Their relationship however is similar to that of some teacher-pupil relationships, as Watson admires Sherlock while Sherlock looks down on Watson. Not only does he correct Watsons observations; S.H labours the point to make his assistant appear incompetent. For instance when Watson remarks that much of what hes read is invisible to him, S.H responds Not invisible, but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to look, and so you missed all that was important. He continues in a condescending tone, finally asking Watson what he understood of the womans appearance and ordering him bluntly describe it. After Watson gives his detailed description his efforts are under minded by Sherlock telling him You are coming along wonderfully! only to patronise him further and expose his inadequacies It is true that you have missed everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you have a quick eye for colour. We will write a custom essay sample on Hemlock realise specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Hemlock realise specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Hemlock realise specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When the solution to the crime is explained, S.H is in his customary relaxed position- feet up on the corner of the mantelpiece, and leaning back with his hands in his pockets. His summing up of the whole offence to Watson is addressed primarily to himself in a narrative style, of a tone similar in parts to reading a story to a small child. He even includes rhetorical questions for instance What does her clever step-father do then? He also gives a detailed description of the stages of the incident, taking care to highlight the main characteristics of each participant in the crime, helping to discard the irelevent details, concluding finally with the revelation of the truth. Even then, Watson is bemused and Sherlock takes a 2nd opportunity to demonstrate his linguistic and deductive skills and explain once more to him. In the parody Watson-who we presume is the anonymous narrator-is again ludicrously naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve, he demonstrates from the outset that H.J is admired by him but the exaggerated style pokes fun at the relationship between them as Watson gently caresses his boot. H.Js superhuman insight is a reflection of S.Hs unnatural abilities. In The Stolen Cigar Case, obvious statements are made by S.H and expanded in ridiculous detail made in a way which gives no room for argument. A comic effect that Bret Harte has made a vast use of is frequent sarcasm, H.Js attributes are being addressed rather that the person himself what new problem-given up by Scotland Yard as inscrutable-has occupied that gigantic intellect? This is a similarity as S.H is portrayed as someone remembered best for his eccentric characteristics rather than his personality. In addition to the characteristics of S.H and Watson, Bret also overdoes the examples of Sherlocks connections with important people, parodying C.Doyle by use of outrageous details. As seen in A Case of Identity S.H has meticulous record keeping, Bret Harte ridicules this by showing small glass jars on H.Js shelf containing Pavement and Road Sweepings and even fluff from Omnibus and Road-Car Seats!  H.Js speech and language are also very melodramatic to magnify the fact Sherlock speaks in a formal fashion. In the story, H.J goes to eccentric lengths to try and prove that his partner Watson has stolen his expensive cigar case, when all along it is clear to the reader that it has just been mislaid. He goes as far as to say to Watson You bartered your honour for it-that stolen cigar case was the purchaser of the sealskin coat. This left Watson stunned. However by the time H.J has finished his long speech about how Watson must have taken it, Watson was left doubting his own sanity, Even though he knew deep down he hadnt stolen the cigar case. When Hemlock realised that it had been in his draw all along he was vexed and in shock as he said slowly I have been mistaken, despite this he still didnt apologise to Watson for accusing him.  I think Bret Harte did an effective parody of the Sherlock Holmes stories as they are already over the top to start with, so it must have been difficult to compete with that. I think he achieved a comic affect within his version of the story and was good at enlarging the ridiculousness of it for the humour of the reader.

Gender and Culture Essay Example

Gender and Culture Essay Example Gender and Culture Essay Gender and Culture Essay Gender and Culture Name: Institution: Gender and Culture : My family legacy and position regarding gender, according to the transitional gender positions continuum, is gender-aware. I had working class parents. My mother worked full time as an insurance broker and a minister, and my father was a police officer. I interacted with my father often and he would take me to school and pick me up. The jobs that my parents had contributed to them being aware of each other’s roles and helping each other. Unlike in a traditional family, I spent more time with my father because his job allowed him more time, than I did with my mother, who seemed to be busy most of the time. Gender aware seeks to strengthen the experiences of imbalances of gender. Feminism has led to increased awareness of gender differences and the need for equality of the genders (Knudson-Martin, 2002). Some seemingly trivial issues such as who opens and controls conversations and who makes decisions such as deciding on the next session of therapy, offer clues on a coupleâ€⠄¢s gender awareness. People’s upbringing determines their gender awareness or lack thereof. The way that the parents behave towards each other will determine the type of views that the children will have concerning gender roles. Both genders benefit more from egalitarian relationships. However, adhering to traditional gender roles has negative consequences for the man and woman in a relationship. The people involved in such a relationship tend to form their relationship based on their power differentials (Hecker Wetchler, 2003). A man who expects his wife to stay at home and raise the children will influence his children’s thoughts into believing that women are expected to maintain such traditional roles. On the other hand, egalitarian families will influence their children into having an open mind concerning the role of each person in the family. The male children will adopt a mentality that it is okay for them to participate in chores, and the female children will learn that it is okay t o have dreams and ambitions regarding their professional lives. My family background has made me examine some issues relating to a couple’s relationship problems more closely. I seek to understand a couple better when I realize that there is a clear gender imbalance in the relationship. Before engaging in family therapy, I had taken negotiations between couples for granted. I assumed that couples used to consult each other on matters relating to their families. However, learning more about gender awareness has changed my perspective on relationships. With this knowledge, I realize that equality among the genders is paramount to some partners, while others do not even consider it. Those who consider equality to be a minor thing are less likely to consult their partners on pertinent issues or to negotiate with them on anything (Hecker Wetchler, 2003). Understanding the fact that every person lives in a number of subcultures and making an effort to understand these subsystems is an essential step in dealing with multiculturalism. The difficulty of multiculturalism lies in the fact that there are many minority cultures and it is not possible to identify and fulfill all the needs of these cultures. People from different minority cultures face certain levels of discrimination. Family therapists can be prone to this when they apply the culture of the majority to people who do not belong to the majority cultures. Another personal difficulty is learning how to control my bias and assumptions towards other cultures since this often leads to the application of stereotypical values. It is easy for a person to believe that she understands what other people are like because she has an idea about people in that culture. These problems can be overcome by applying critical counseling skills, which involve carefully listening, and understanding people, and treating each case individually. The counselor should at the same time apply professional knowledge and not just depend on the information received from the family members. I will be able to address the meta-framework of multiculturalism once I have synthesized all the information I need, and once I involve the family as active collaborators and not just participants (Yarhouse Sells, 2008). Collaboration involves working with the clients and alongside them so that the therapist can understand them better. The therapists realize and understand the importance of the clients’ knowledge (Gehart, 2009). References Gehart, D. (2009). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Hecker, L. L., Wetchler, L. J. (2003). An introduction to marriage and family therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Haworth Clinical Practice Press Knudson-Martin, C. (2002). Feminism in MFT: Where has it led us? Family Therapy Magazine Yarhouse, A. M., Sells, N. J. (2008). Family therapies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press

Aksum the African Iron Age Kingdom

Aksum the African Iron Age Kingdom Aksum (also spelled Axum or Aksoum) is the name of a powerful urban Iron Age Kingdom in Ethiopia that flourished between the first century BC and the 7th/8th centuries AD. The Aksum kingdom is sometimes known as the Axumite civilization.   The Axumite civilization was a Coptic pre-Christian state in Ethiopia, from about AD 100-800. The Axumites were known for massive stone stelae, copper coinage, and the importance of their large, influential port on the Red Sea, Aksum. Aksum was an extensive state, with a farming economy, and deeply involved in trade by the first century AD with the Roman empire. After Meroe shut down, Aksum controlled trading between Arabia and Sudan, including goods such as ivory, skins, and manufactured luxury goods. Axumite architecture is a blend of Ethiopian and South Arabian cultural elements. The modern city of Aksum is located in the northeastern portion of what is now the central Tigray in northern Ethiopia, on the horn of Africa. It lies high on a plateau 2200 m (7200 ft) above sea level, and in its heyday, its region of influence included both sides of the Red Sea. An early text shows that trade on the Red Sea coast was active as early as the 1st century BC. During the first century AD, Aksum began a rapid rise to prominence, trading its agricultural resources and its gold and ivory through the port of Adulis into the Red Sea trade network and thence to the Roman Empire. Trade through Adulis connected eastward to India as well, providing Aksum and its rulers a profitable connection between Rome and the east. Aksum Chronology Post-Aksumite after ~AD 700 - 76 Sites: Maryam SionLate Aksumite ~AD 550-700 - 30 Sites: Kidane MehretMiddle Aksumite ~AD 400/450-550 - 40 Sites: Kidane MehretClassic Aksumite ~AD 150-400/450 - 110 Sites: LP 37, TgLM 98, Kidane MehretEarly Aksumite ~50 BC-AD 150 - 130 Sites: Mai Agam, TgLM 143, MataraProto-Aksumite ~400-50 BC - 34 Sites: Bieta Giyorgis, Ona NagastPre-Aksumite ~700-400 BC - 16 known sites, including  Seglamen, Kidane Mehret, Hwalti, Melka, LP56 (but see discussion at Yeha) The Rise of Aksum The earliest monumental architecture indicating the beginnings of the polity of Aksum has been identified at Bieta Giyorgis hill, near Aksum, beginning about 400 BC (the Proto-Aksumite period). There, archaeologists have also found elite tombs and some administrative artifacts. The settlement pattern also speaks to the societal complexity, with a large elite cemetery located on the hilltop, and small scattered settlements below. The first monumental building with semi-subterranean rectangular rooms is Ona Nagast, a building that continued in importance through the Early Aksumite period. Proto-Aksumite burials were simple pit graves covered with platforms and marked with pointed stones, pillars or flat slabs between 2-3 meters high. By the late proto-Aksumite period, the tombs were elaborated pit-graves, with more grave goods and stelae suggesting that a dominant lineage had taken control. These monoliths were 4-5 meters (13-16 feet) high, with a notch in the top. Evidence of the growing power of social elites is seen at Aksum and Matara by the first century BC, such as monumental elite architecture, elite tombs with monumental stele and royal thrones. Settlements during this period began to include towns, villages, and isolated hamlets. After Christianity was introduced ~350 AD, monasteries and churches were added to the settlement pattern, and full-fledged urbanism was in place by 1000 AD. Aksum at its Height By the 6th century AD, a stratified society was in place in Aksum, with an upper elite of kings and nobles, a lower elite of lower-status nobles and wealthy farmers, and ordinary people including farmers and craftsman. Palaces at Aksum were at their peak in size, and funerary monuments for the royal elite were quite elaborate. A royal cemetery was in use at Aksum, with rock-cut multi-chambered shaft tombs and pointed stelae. Some underground rock-cut tombs (hypogeum) were constructed with large multi-storied superstructures. Coins, stone and clay seals and pottery tokens were used. Aksum and the Written Histories One reason we know what we do about Aksum is the importance placed on written documents by its rulers, particularly Ezana or Aezianas. The oldest securely dated manuscripts in Ethiopia are from the 6th and 7th centuries AD; but evidence for parchment paper (paper made from animal skins or leather, not the same as parchment paper used in modern cooking) production in the region dates to the 8th century BC, at the site of Seglamen in western Tigray. Phillipson (2013) suggests a scriptorium or scribal school may have been located here, with contacts between the region and the Nile Valley. During the early 4th century AD, Ezana spread his realm north and east, conquering the Nile Valley realm of Meroe and thus becoming ruler over part of both Asia and Africa. He constructed much of the monumental architecture of Aksum, including a reported 100 stone obelisks, the tallest of which weighed over 500 tons and loomed 30 m (100 ft) over the cemetery in which it stood. Ezana is also known for converting much of Ethiopia to Christianity, around 330 AD. Legend has it that the Ark of the Covenant containing the remnants of the 10 commandments of Moses was brought to Aksum, and Coptic monks have protected it ever since. Aksum flourished until the 6th century AD, maintaining its trade connections and a high literacy rate, minting its own coins, and building monumental architecture. With the rise of the Islamic civilization in the 7th century AD, the Arabic world redrew the map of Asia and excluded the Axumite civilization from its trade network; Aksum fell in importance. For the most part, the obelisks built by Ezana were destroyed; with one exception, which was looted in the 1930s by Benito Mussolini, and erected in Rome. In late April 2005, Aksums obelisk was returned to Ethiopia. Archaeological Studies at Aksum Archaeological excavations at Aksum were first undertaken by Enno Littman in 1906  and concentrated on the monuments and the elite cemeteries. The British Institute in Eastern Africa excavated at Aksum beginning in the 1970s, under the direction of Neville Chittick and his student, Stuart Munro-Hay. More recently the Italian Archaeological Expedition at Aksum has been led by Rodolfo Fattovich of the University of Naples ‘L’Orientale’, finding several hundreds of new sites in the Aksum area. Sources Fattovich, Rodolfo. Reconsidering Yeha, c. 800–400 BC. African Archaeological Review, Volume 26, Issue 4, SpringerLink, January 28, 2010. Fattovich, Rodolfo. The Development of Ancient States in the Northern Horn of Africa, c. 3000 BC–AD 1000: An Archaeological Outline. Journal of World Prehistory, Volume 23, Issue 3, SpringerLink, October 14, 2010. Fattovich R, Berhe H, Phillipson L, Sernicola L, Kribus B, Gaudiello M, and Barbarino M. 2010. Archaeological Expedition at Aksum (Ethiopia) of the University of Naples LOrientale - 2010 Field Season: Seglamen. Naples: Universit degli studi di Napoli LOrientale. French, Charles. Expanding the research parameters of geoarchaeology: case studies from Aksum in Ethiopia and Haryana in India. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, Federica Sulas, Cameron A. Petrie, ResearchGate, March 2014. Graniglia M, Ferrandino G, Palomba A, Sernicola L, Zollo G, DAndrea A, Fattovich R, and Manzo A. 2015. Dynamics of the Settlement Pattern in the Aksum Area (800-400 BC): An ABM Preliminary Approach. In: Campana S, Scopigno R, Carpentiero G, and Cirillo M, editors. CAA 2015: Keep the Revolution Going. University of Siena Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. p 473-478. Phillipson, Laurel. Lithic Artefacts as a Source of Cultural, Social and Economic Information: the evidence from Aksum, Ethiopia. African Archaeological Review, Volume 26, Issue 1, SpringerLink, March 2009. Phillipson, Laurel. Parchment Production in the First Millennium BC at Seglamen, Northern Ethiopia. The African Archaeological Review, Vol. 30, No. 3, JSTOR, September 2013. Yule P. 2013. A Late Antique Christian king from ?afar, southern Arabia. Antiquity 87(338):1124-1135.

Role Model Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Role Model Review - Essay Example Money and Career For Bill Gates, his profound and innate passion for computers actually made him decide to drop out from Harvard to possibly pursue a career in law. This same drive for computers, particularly software development, catapulted him to fame and fortune. Being pegged as the second wealthiest man by Forbes in 2010, Bill Gates was revealed to have a net worth of $53 billion (Kroll & Miller, 2010). His life manifested an entrepreneurial spirit focusing on doing things that he loved the most. In so doing, his efforts were repaid in multitudes. According to Net Industries (2011), â€Å"Gates’ competitive drive and fierce desire to win have made him a powerful force in business, but have also consumed much of his personal life. In the six years between 1978 and 1984 he took a total of only two weeks’ vacation† (Net Industries, 2011, par. 12). Sexuality, Family and Friends Information about views on sexuality was revealed in Top Synergy (2003) as quoted: â⠂¬Å"Bill's emotional life seems to be overly intense and his sexuality is very strong. Bill Gates is likely to make many demands of his partner and he has to guard against possessiveness, jealousy and a tendency to force someone to love him† (Top Synergy, 2003, par. 7). ... . "I think we've got the right set-up for them. They have a lot of close friends... they have a lot of close family. I think we're doing the best we can at providing them with a normal environment" (Stritof, 2011, par. 23). Bill Gates, from an interview by David Allison of the National Museum of American History revealed his close friends as school friend, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer, and Kazuhiko Nishi, from Japan (Bill Gates Interview, n.d.). Suffering and Death Spouses Bill and Melinda Gates, through their foundation, seek to alleviate poverty, improve the health of people from diverse cultural orientation hoping to minimize the incidents of suffering and death. As averred, their program on â€Å"the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases is working to end global suffering and death from neglected tropical diseases by expanding access to low-cost and proven treatments. While most of these diseases have little name recognition in industrialized countries, together they cause severe disability in the world's poorest countries and result in billions of dollars of lost productivity. The new grant announced today aims to end the suffering of more than 1.4 billion people worldwide who live on less than $1.25 per day† (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2009, par. 4). Comparison to Christianity According to Stritof (2011), â€Å"Melinda is Catholic. Bill's family was Congregationalist† (par. 17). In the website Jesus is Savior, David Frost who interviewed Bill Gates in 1995 revealed that â€Å"I'm not somebody who goes to church on a regular basis.   The specific elements of Christianity are not something I'm a huge believer in.   There's a lot of merit in the moral aspects of religion.   I think it can have a

Journals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Journals - Essay Example The Seattle man stands at 48 feet and weighs 26,000 pounds, each hammering man has a unique number instead of a name like most artistic work, for example, the man is Seattle is numbered #3277164. The typical hammering man statue is made up of hollow fabricated steel, and mechanized arm made from aluminum and operated by an electric motor, the whole contraption is covered in black automotive paint. The most striking aspect of the hammering man is that unlike other works of art that remain static throughout, the aluminum arm, hammers four times every minute as its run by a 3-hp electric motor set on automatic timing to keep the movement steady. The fact that it is huge and painted black also sets it apart from the rest of the surrounding environment since most are brightly colored and I found its apparent intrusion into the landscape making it even more compelling. The hammering man’s primary significance is its representation of the worker, according to the artist; it celebrate s the every worker whether it is a village craftsman, a South African coal miner computer tech in DC or any other individual engaged in work effort. After observing it for a few minutes, I felt that, aside from representing the workers, it also holds a profound philosophical meaning as it helps individuals contemplate on the meanings of their lives. Through the sculpture, people can reflect on their own lives based on their interpretation and how they can relate it with various aspects of their lives (Borofsky). Furthermore, the hammering man despite being fundamentally a machine also attempts to humanize labor by only hammering till evening and taking breaks on Labor Day every year. At the end of the day, while the sculpture/s are crude in comparison to other more traditional forms of art, it there is no doubt that it carries a deep meaning and is very significant both as an artist and humanist symbol. The Rotary Tumble Muharrem Yildirim has a degree in computer science and much of his work is geared towards the enhancement of human and machine interaction, his media for generating art is computer graphics through which he creates interactive works. David Tinapple is an artist and engineer and his work is focused on the creation of tools to gather and analyze media real time media and interactive video environment. They goal of his work is to illuminate those forces that are constantly in action around the human environment and explore assumption humans make in their consideration of the world. These two talented individual pooled their complementary tools to come up with the Rotary Tumble; the main objective was to create a digital object which would be both interactive and physically tangible and to this end, they focused on the physical spinning or tumbling of an object. They contemplated the impact of making the computer aware of the position and motion of a spinning or tumbling body, they assumed that if it is aware of the objects exact projection and mo tion in real time, it can be accurately mapped in spins. As such, they created what can be termed as a DIY (do it yourself) optical rotary encoder which is made up of black and white strips printed in a radial pattern and carry a digital encoding of the angle of rotation. Through an 8 bit a

The Literature of Realism Essay Example for Free

The Literature of Realism Essay I. Background †¢ 1. three fundamental issues: 1) conflict between the agrarianism and the industrialism 2) the conflict between the South and the North 3) the conflict between the East and the West †¢ 2. reaction against â€Å"the lie† of romanticism and sentimentalism †¢ 3. battle between â€Å"idealists† and â€Å"realists† †¢ 4. more attention to the immediate facts of life 5. the year 1865 an important shift from Romanticism to Realism a most significant event the holocaust or destruction of the Civil War ? a notable impact on American literature and art ? a profound emotional and philosophical impact on thinkers and writers ? some changes 1) putting to rest the romantic concept of war Romantics: a glorious, grand and noble encounter, something heroic Realists: a way of destroying romantic outlook on life a negative review of war — its destruction 2) changing the romantic concept of man Romantics: man as â€Å"the noblest work of God† Realists: man as a product of the environment, of his heredity, of fate or chance. 3) stimulating industrialization A. an explosive growth of business and industry a period of amazing engineering achievements, a period of frantic building and expansion B.  the emergence of an urban civilization a period of great plunder and exploitation, of greedy materialism and political corruption C. the miserable social ills the voices of criticism and voices of anger. 4) becoming the â€Å"melting-pot† society the influx of millions of immigrants — more freedom or a better living, or both — a land of opportunity 5) changing the concept of reality Romantics: the romantic concept of reality, the spiritual reality Realists: the visibly concrete world, the physical reality II. Major Features of American Realism †¢ 1. truthful treatment of material 1) examining characters in depth A. the individual — highly B. the function of environment — shaping character C. characterization — the center of the story D. the effect of action on characters E. the psychology of the people in the story 2) open ending †¢ 2. commonness of the lives of the common people 3. objectivity; an objective view of human nature and human experience †¢ 4. moral visions 1) the problems of the individual conscience in conflict with social institutions †¢ 2) focusing on the dilemma III. Local Color Fiction 1. Background 1) the shift of the publishing center: A. a new freedom B. a greater openness. 2) the growth of communication and transportation 3) the rapid growth of local magazines †¢ 2. Local-color Realism or Regionalism 1) a quality in literature fidelity to a particular geographical section and a faithful representation of its habits, speech, manners, history, folklore, or beliefs 2) a subordinate order of realism unique in his or her living section 3) more popular after the Civil War 4) a new freedom 5) much more interested in learning about life in other parts of the country 6) the desire to preserve distinctive ways of life and to come to terms with the harsh realities †¢ 3. Representatives women: Mary E. Wilking Freeman, Sarah Orne Jewett and Harriet Beecher Stowe: New England Kate Chopin: Louisiana men: Bret Harte: the Far West O. Henry: New York City Mark Twain: the Mississippi River †¢ 4. Local Color Fiction 1) a form of regionalism: local colorism A. people’s realization B. asserting their unique identity and seeking understanding and recognition C. the frontier humorists’ preparation D. the appearance of a lot of magazines 2) a quality of circumstantial authenticity A. not only an authentic surface but also the depths B. strong sketches of an environment C.simplicity: characteristic of vernacular language and satirical humor †¢ 5. Basic Features 1) a locale distinguished from the outside world the local character of their particular region 2) the exotic and the picturesque A. not common in other regions B. an attempt at accurate dialect reporting C. a tendency toward the use of eccentrics as characters D. the use of sentimentalized pathos or whimsical humor in plotting 3) the past A. not merely as nostalgia but also as realism in the social criticism B. the world of agrarian life a. the farms b. the people who were soon going to leave the farms c. the small towns d. a life that was vanishing 4) a great contradiction A. how things are right now B. how great the past had been 5) the influence of setting on character the diversity of America IV. Naturalism †¢ 1. Background 1) Charles Darwin’s ideas A. the struggle for existence B. survival of the fittest C. natural selection 2) Herbert Spencer’s theory of social Darwinism the weak and stupid would fall victim in the natural course of events to economic forces 3) the way of the development of the society 4) Darwin’s natural selection: a way to explain human behavior †¢ 2. Emergence 1) Emile Zola: the purpose of a novelist A. to be a scientist B. to place his characters in a situation C. to watch the influences of heredity and environment destroy them, or, to watch them overcome the inimical force of heredity and environment 2) some American writers A. human beings: no longer free and strong B. human life: governed by the two crushing forces of heredity and environment C. Howellsian realism: too restrained and genteel in tone †¢ 3. Major Features 1) the application of the principles of scientific determinism 2) three major concepts of literary naturalism A. humans: controlled by laws of heredity and environment naturalist fiction: no evidence of effective choice, or free will, or autonomous action B. life: a struggle for survival the naturalist’s concerns: a. social systems that destroy and dehumanize b. individual experience of loss and failure C. a major difference between the literary naturalists and the realists a. the violent, sensational, sordid, unpleasant, and ugly aspects of life b. all the aspects of life that are not too pleasant to consider 3) naturalist characters: A. being unable to resist the conditions that press upon them B. more or less combinations of innate traits and socialized habits †¢ 4. American Naturalistic Writers 1) not as pessimistic about life as the French 2) an optimistic feeling 3) a great regard for rugged individualism 4) similarities in theme and technique A. the forbidden subjects B. in a daring, open, and direct manner C. original and experimental in their respective styles 5) two examples of American literary naturalism: Stephen Crane and Theodore Dreiser A. an optimistic strain B. the influence of pessimistic determinism †¢ 5. Comparison With Realists and Romantics. 1) naturalists: reduce to nil the human chances of winning on their own terms realists: stress freedom of choice with large provisos concerning the power of outside forces romantics: stress the possible triumph of the human will 2) naturalists: see human beings no more than a physical object under the control of biological and environmental forces realists: see human beings just human beings romantics: see human beings almost as a god †¢ 6. Decline of Naturalism 1) the growth of psychological science and of psychoanalysis 2) the tendency to turn into the mythic through sheer immersion in the typical 3) disappearing with World War I 4) reviving during the period of the Great Depression in the 1930s The Literature of Realism (2) Some Leading Writers †¢ 1. Mark Twain (1835-1910) 1) Life A. born in Florida, Missouri B. a journey man printer at the age of 18 C. a pilot on the Mississippi River â€Å"Mark Twain†: â€Å"safe water† or â€Å"two fathoms deep† D. in 1865, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County 2) Literary Achievements A. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (1867) a collection of short stories B. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876)  · C. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)  · 3) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1) the idea of lost boyhood (2) the first person narration (3) Mark Twain’s greatest achievement A. the world’s view of America; a profound impact onthe development of American writing B. his influences on American writers of the 20th century a. his presentation of native American material b. his art of the vernacular idiom c. his departure from the tradition of the 19th century gentility d. his sense of alienation (4) Satire A. Twain’s satire on southern culture before the Civil War a. two different subjects: ? the experience of westward expansion ? the experience of southern slavery b. attitudes toward the South and the West ? much less pleasant ? the problem of slavery the problem of mistreatment of humans by humans c. condemning racial discrimination d. making fun of typical American values e. a brooding pessimism about American values and life itself B. Twain’s satire on the poor whites their ludicrous idea: they were white and they were better than black slaves C. Twain’s satire on the genteel upper-class southerners a. a very aristocratic life b. being violent accepting their violence as right (5) Style A. vernacular language: unpretentious, colloquial, and poetic style; the directness of the language B. local color: descriptions of local places and people; playing tricks on the reader; C. cracker-barrel philosopher: the moral stance of a cracker-barrel philosopher (someone who understand folk wisdom, has a pretty good common sense of view of life, and is pretty realistic about social problems) (6) Significance A. the major achievements of his art: a. the carefully controlled point of view, with its implicit ironies expressed through the voice of a semiliterate boy b. the masterful use of dialects c. the felicitous balancing of nostalgic romanticism and realism, humor and pathos, innocence and evil B. his ability a. to capture the enduring, archetypal, mythic images of America b. to create the most memorable characters in all of American fiction 2. O. Henry (1862-1910): one of the most prolific modern American short story writers 1) LifeA. born at Greensboro, North Carolina B. named William Sidney Porter C. using the penname â€Å"O. Henry† in his creative writing D. died at 48 2) Literary Achievements A. a great master of the art of fiction B. popular mainly for his short stories a. typically American b. self-sacrificing member of a family c. the surprise ending C. illustration of his styleoriginal conception, exaggeration, simile and metaphor, humor, and surprise ending D. the list of his short stories: about 300 titles Cabbages and Kings The Gift of the Magi The Cop and the Anthem A Municipal Report †¢ 3. Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) 1) Life A. born from a large, poor, religious, immigrant family at Terre Haute, Indiana B. bitter poverty, lacking education, skill and status C. against the poverty and narrowness of life D. direct personal experience and independent reading and thinking E. Spencer’s social Darwinism F. various jobs G. writing short stories. H. one of the first American writers to come from the lower level of society 2) Literary Career A. in September of 1899, Sister Carrie a. a landmark novel b. virtually ignored for more than a decade: the heroine transgresses the sexual code — a breach of proper moral conduct c. republliation in 1907: very popular, one of the key works in the Dreiser canon d. a female character, the new woman — more freedom in society, more independence, more ability to run her own life without being tied to a family, or without being tied to a husband — the beginning of women’s liberation movement e. Carrie: no control, no freedom of will, a slave to her heredity and to her environment B. Dreiser’s second novel Jennie Gerhardt (1911) C. â€Å"The Trilogy of Desire†: The Financier (1912) The Titan (1914) / The Stoic (1947) and an aptly autobiographical novel: The Genius (1915) a. financially successful people are of high sexual energy b. the chaotic nature of life prevents spiritual satisfaction c. normal and right for one to get the most from a society’s economic system D. Plays of the Natural and Supernatural (1916) The Hand of the Potter (1918) : a tragedy E.  An American Tragedy (1925): his masterpiece F. political activism and polemical writing a. Dreiser Looks at Russia (1928) b. â€Å"Tragic America† (1931) â€Å" † America Is Worth Saving (1941) G. attending International Peace Conference H. awarded the Merit Medal for Fiction I. joining the American Communist Part J. The Bulwark (1946) 3) Major Features A. stressing determinism: a. unable to assert their will against natural and economic forces b. pathetic in their inability to escape their fates c. subject to the control of the natural forces of heredity and environment B. society’s effect on a person  a. truthfully reflecting the society and people of his time b. treating human beings scientifically c. finding the explanation that man is the product of social evolution. C. narrative method: natural and free from artifice a. his tone: serious, never satirical or comic b. powerful narrative based on large quantities of material and detailed descriptions c. his powerful frankness widens the social and sexual range possible for literature in America d. striking at the American myth that success and famewere to be achieved by work and virtue e. dramatizing chance as a means of compelling characters to pay or gain for actions f.  characteristic of journalistic method of reiteration, word-pictures, sharp contrast, truth in color, and movement in outline g. its stubborn honesty and realism D. â€Å"the wheelhouse of American naturalism†, â€Å"chief spokesman for the realistic novel† and â€Å"a profound and prescient critic of debased American values†. a. American naturalism came of age b. recording the course and the vulgar and the cruel and the terrible William Dean Howells founder of American Realism; the most prominent critic of the entire realistic period Henry James a most prominent critic; an early psychological novelist one of the fathers of the psychological novel.

Alexander The Great Essay -- miscellaneuos

Alexander The Great Alexander the Great was a man with no equal in History. He was one of the most important forces known to man. Alexander the Great then crossed the Hellespoint, which is now called the Dardanelles and, as head of a Greek army undertook the war on Persia that his father had been planning. The march he had begun was to be one of the greatest in history. Alexander was one of the biggest influenced on people of all time and one of the most powerful personalities. He really molded people into acting the correct way. He brought people together and showed them how to live better. He defiantly changed the lives of many. Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC Philip his father was the brother of Perdiccas III king of Macedonia. His mother’s name was Olympia’s. Olympia’s was the daughter of King Neoptolemus I. He was known wide to be a great powerful man. Alexander had a younger sister named Cleopatra. The whole family had a lot of very important background. It was a fact t hat Alexander and Cleopatra’s parents did not get along. At this time it was a Macedonian tradition to have many wives. Philip had several and Olympia’s hated them all. She felt much hate towards them. When one of her rivals gave birth to a retarded son Arridaeus, there were many rumors that Olympia’s poisoned him. Olympia’s told Alexander that Philip wasn't his real father although he was. He made sure the boy was well educated, even the great philosopher Aristotle was one of Alexander's tutors. Even thought he though him well Philip wasn’t a very good father. He always discouraged Alexander and made him feel worthless. When Alexander the great was 3 his father’s son King Perdiccas died. His young son Amyntas was supposed to take his place as ruler. Philip was supposed to help him but he made his way above him making himself King Philip II. He proved to be a strong ruler, and in a few decades he conquered most of Greece. As a teenager Alexander became friends wit a boy around his age named Hephaestion. It was rumored that they were lovers. At this time Homosexuality was accepted in Greece. Even Alexander's father had many male lovers. Till this day no one really knows the relationship between the two but it is said that throughout their lives they stood by each other. When Alexander turned his father went away to war, leaving Alexander to serve as leader of Macedon. During t... ...me ill, and on June 13 he died in Babylon. He was 32. Historians have said that he died from malaria, but recently it has been said that he died of typhoid fever. The empire was soon torn apart by the struggles that Alexander the Great's advisors and generals had. This was now called the Diadochi. Diadochi is Greek for successors. In 319 the â€Å"Antipater† died and was succeeded as regent by Polyperchon, whom did Antipater’s son Cassander quickly oust. In time Roxanne and her son were also killed by Cassander, who became the king of Macedon in 305 BC. Alexander Aegus was thirteen when he died. He left his empire in his own words, "to the strongest. Whether or not Alexander had plans for any world conquering cannot be determined but he had accomplished greater conquests than any before him. He was one of the greatest generals of all time and one of the most powerful personalities of antiquity. He influenced the spread of Hellenism throughout the Middle East and into Asia; establishing city-states modeled on Greek institutions that flourished long after his death. Alexander will never be superior to any man and will remain forever as "the Great" in the pages of History as we know it.

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion In Work With Children And Young People

Dominic might be feeling excluded, lonely, confused and have low self esteem as he could feel that the children he sees attending the school have a higher status in society as they are allowed to attend the school. He is old enough to have probably attended school in his home country before moving to Britain and may be missing it and may make him feel anger towards the country/system he has moved to. He will be worried for his Uncle in prison without understanding why he is there.Dominic may also feel an amount of resentment to his parents as he might not understand why they have not tried to get him into the school if this has not been discussed with him. He may feel disempowered as at such a young age he might not feel able to express his feelings succinctly to his parents. 4. How might the discrimination affect other children in the setting? If there are other children within the hostel who are attending the school they might feel that Dominic is different as he doesn’t go to school like them.This can lead to them not wanting to socialise with him as children have a propensity to shy away from people/situations that are different to their â€Å"norm†. The children that are living in the surrounding area would wonder why this child is not going to school like most of their peers. This could lead to them thinking that Dominic, and other asylum seekers are different to them and perhaps lower in the social sector. They may not want to socialise if they see him outside school in a park or play area for instance.This can perpetuate the problem. 5. What could be done to prevent the discrimination? The managers of the hostel, who will be getting income from the government to house the family, should have information on a notice board or in a folder in the room, for example, in many different languages about local authority contact details. It would also be hoped that they would notice that Dominic is not attending school and, if they could not communic ate effectively with his parents, contact the nearby school and explain the situation.As it is the governments’ policy to provide education for all children of compulsory school age, it is the LEA’s legal duty to ensure this happens. Therefore, when the family applied for asylum and they listed Dominic as being 7, the LEA should have been notified and have contacted Dominic’s parents. This is irrespective of the asylum status. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in work with children and young people Case Study 2 1 Who is being discriminated against? The travelling community are being discriminated against.This case study highlights Sally in particular within the school setting. 2 What kind of discrimination is taking place? Cultural discrimination 3 How might the child experiencing the discrimination feel? Sally might be feeling a loss of motivation as she does not have a progress file, she may feel it is not worth trying her best as she may feel that there is no point as it is not cherished in the same way as her peer’s work is. This could also lead to resentment and anger.A child in this situation could feel depressed and confused, and that her work, and therefore herself as an individual, is not as valued as the other children in her class. This could bring on low self esteem. 4 How might the discrimination affect other children in the setting? The fact that Sally has settled into the nursery school well and that she is enjoying certain activities suggests that the discrimination is stronger amongst the adults in the setting rather than the children.As it is a nursery school the children will be younger and, to a certain extent, less likely to discriminate against Sally because she is a traveller. Another factor to this is that Sally has been there for 3 months which is a long time for children in this age range (normally 0-5 years old) to create friendship bonds, this however may be challenged if the other children notice that sh e is not being treated in the same way by not having a progress file. One very negative aspect is that it is stated that the local community have started a campaign to get the travellers removed from the area.The children within the homes of adults with this view may hear discussions and opinions that have a negative impact on how they see travellers themselves. This could be made worse if they learn that Sally, who is a traveller, is attending the same nursery as their own children and they may see her as someone they wish their children should stay away from. 5 What could be done to prevent the discrimination? The most obvious course of action would be that Sally’s key worker is challenged and reprimanded for her comments and for not having created a progress file for Sally.It should be explained to the key worker how this may make Sally feel and that especially as her key worker, it is the key workers role to make Sally feel included. Colleagues should have questioned why there was not a progress file for Sally, and a discussion, perhaps involving the parents of Sally, as to whether a progress file could be made for her to take with her if she did end up moving out of the area. This could be given to another nursery school as part of continuity in monitoring her progress in key stage 1.It can be difficult in an area where there is a lot of local opposition to a group in society but it would be the responsibility of the nursery to try to educate the children attending, about the travelling community, perhaps with stories and wall displays about their way of life and cultural beliefs. This could help to break the cycle of prejudice and the children may then challenge their parents views, making the parents stop and think about their own actions. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in work with children and young people Case Study 3 1Who is being discriminated against? Daniel 2 What kind of discrimination is taking place? Stereotyping 3 How might the chil d experiencing the discrimination feel? Daniel might be feeling a sense of disempowerment as he might believe that he is unable to challenge the practice of the playgroup even if there are other children who would prefer not to the run around game before snack time as it is insinuated that the children are not asked what they would like to do. There may be other reasons why Daniel doesn’t enjoy the afterschool club that are not explained in the text.He may have hearing problems and more sensitive to noise, this could be made worse by there not being a separate room for the children to go to for some peace and quiet. It may be simply that he needs some quiet time after a long day at school but feels ostracised to a certain extent as, for him to do what he wants he is not only physically, but socially put outside the group to the corners of the room. Although Daniel is happy to play by himself at home, he is of an age and maturity, where he may feel that this is socially unacce ptable when in a large group. This may lead Daniel to feel depressed.How might the discrimination affect other children in the setting? There are probably other children in the setting that, like Daniel would benefit from some quiet time after school, they may be physically and mentally tired but feel that the expectation to join in with the group activity it too much to say no. This can, like Daniel, lead to them feeling disempowered as the playworkers will be encouraging them to conform to the rest of the groups activities. There may also be children with other disabilities, whether they are physical or behavioural that excludes them from joining in the activity.They might then feel depressed or angry that they are not able to participate in something that is done every day. The exclusion could then give them a sense of lowered self esteem. 5 What could be done to prevent the discrimination? The play group should look into finding a separate â€Å"chill out† area for the ch ildren to use. Ideally it would be a room adjacent to the hall so that the noise levels would be greatly reduced, but failing this, a partitioned area that had a television and perhaps a games console would be useful.There could be soft furnishings like bean bags and oversized comfortable pillows for the children to relax on and perhaps read a book at the opposite end of the â€Å"chill out† area to the television. There should also be a weekly rota as to what group activity happens, this could be based on asking the children themselves what group activities, if any, they would like. This could mean that the children who like taking part in a fun quiz, or craft session for example, would be able to participate in a group activity.This would still allow the children who enjoy the run around games the opportunity burn off some energy. Daniel should be assigned a key worker who should notice the difference in his attitude between the morning and afterschool club. If he is assign ed a different person or the key worker does not work both sessions, then there should be discussion between the staff. It should then be raised gently with Daniel and his parent/carer to find out what was wrong. Question 2 Consider how your own attitudes, values and behaviour could impact on work with CYP.My own culture, background and upbringing can have an effect on my attitude towards the children I am working with. It would be important to understand and recognise this as any personal prejudices may lead to me discriminating against certain groups or individuals. It is my legal duty to protect the rights of children and young people. I could overcome this by researching different cultures and disabilities, especially of those children I am working with and by knowing and understanding any special educational needs it would enable me to help and communicate better with the children.If I find out about their own back grounds, abilities and individual needs, it will enable me to b e more effective and provide more appropriate and personalised support for those children. It would also be personally empowering when dealing with a new situation I hadn’t expected.Question 3 Describe what is meant by the term ‘inclusion’ and how this is implemented in schools. Inclusion or inclusive practice is a method of identifying and understanding barriers to participation and belonging. It is then being able to breakdown these barriers to ensure that the children are able to fully participate in all aspects of their school.In a school where inclusion is practiced everyone feels valued. It is not about viewing everyone as the same, or providing everyone with the same equipment, but giving them all the same opportunities to achieve their best through a high quality of education and understanding. Differences and similarities are understood, accepted and celebrated. Pupils should be educated along side their class mates and not segregated when they need supp ort. An example of this could be a child with a sight disability having a magnifier on hand for work books, or the same information in large print ready for him for each lesson.

Negative Effect of Video Games on Children Essay

The Negtive Effects of Video Gaming on Children Children don’t have to buy an expensive gaming system to play video games anymore, than can simply log onto the internet through their home computer or their handheld devices and they have an array of videogames to choose from. Every time a child pops a role playing videogame into their gaming console or logs onto the internet to play so called interactive video games, they enter a virtual world where there are no real consequences for their actions. While playing violent video games children can choose to play the violent roles of either car thieves or killers. The more time a child spends playing video games the less time they spend engaged in normal social activities with their friends. When a child is allowed to spend hours a day playing video games, especially violent role playing games, they can cause them to become violent, socially isolated, and depressed. First person role playing games allow children to identify with their character (Harding). The more time children spend as killing machines in the false reality of the video gaming world, the more desensitized they become to death and killing in the real world. Studies have shown the more time children spend playing violent video games, the more likely they are to respond to real world situations with aggression and violence (Gordon). A 2004 study published in the Journal of Adolescence found children, particularly teens, who played violent video games are more likely to become aggressive, confrontational, and see a decline in their academic performance (Harding). Allowing children to play violent video games is not worth the risk they pose! Children are exposed to enough violence through television without the help of violent games offered to them over the internet and through popular video gaming systems. Video games do not only expose children to violence they allow them to engage in it through the violent roles they allow them to play. Many of the roles children play over the internet or through their game consoles simulate real world situations where they can steal and murder with no consequences. Parents should not need to read the results of a study for them to realize that allowing their hild to play violent roles in video games, where they kill and steal, will encourage violent behavior from them in the real world. During September 2009 in Ohio a sixteen year old boy named Daniel Petric was forbidden by his father from buying the new version of the violent video game Halo that he was obsessed with. After being forbidden from buying the new version of the violent game Daniel snuck out of his house and bought it anyway. When Daniel’s father discovered he had disobeyed him, and bought the game, he took it away from him and locked it in his lockbox where he kept his gun. Later that same night, sixteen year old Daniel unlocked his father’s lockbox to retrieve his game and found his father’s gun. After finding the gun Daniel went into his parent’s bedroom and shot both his father and mother in the killing them (Gordon). No one can say with absolute certainty that the video game Halo caused the boy to shoot his parents. One thing is obvious, if the boy’s account of events are to be believed, the game played a huge factor in his descion to murder his parents that evening. Violent behavior unfortunately is not the only negative effect from children playing video games to often. A recent study by Douglas A Gentile, an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University found that children who spend several hours a day playing video games are at risk to become addicted to them. Once a child becomes addicted to their video game, their addiction can cause them to become depressed, anxious, and have social problems including social isolation (Gilmore). If a child is spending several hours a day gaming they can very easily become depressed. When a child spends most of their day playing video games they do not engage in normal healthy physical activity with their friends. It makes sense that the more time a child spends isolated playing video games the more likely they are to become depressed. Children need to spend time interacting with their friends in order to develop normal social skills. When children isolate themselves playing videogames alone all day, they begin to lose their friends and social skills. Studies show that the depression caused from children pathologically playing video games can be easily lifted when they simply stop playing them (Frontelera). Douglas Gentile said, â€Å"We found in children who started playing pathologically anxiety and depression got worse. And, when they stopped gaming the depression lifted† (qtd. in Gilmore). The idea that allowing a child to play his or her favorite video game for a couple hours a day can lead them to social isolation may sound farfetched, unfortunately it is not. The more time a child spends playing video games the less desire they have for one on one human contact. Although, children have the ability to interact with other players including their friends through the internet, their friends become part of the game itself and there is no real contact. Children need to spend time in social environments with their peers in order to learn and maintain the social skills they need to navigate through life. When a child loses his or her social skills they quickly become isolated and depressed. Their isolation and depression can lead them to identify themselves more with the character they are playing in their videogame than their own real life. First person role playing games allow children to identify with their character. Studies have shown the more time teenagers spend playing violent videogames at home the more likely they are to respond to real world situations with aggression and violence. A child’s imagination is amazing and sometimes limitless, unfortunately it can become dangerous when they begin to imagine themselves stealing cars and murdering people while playing first person role playing Videogames allow children to become kings and queens, or car thieves and murderers. Children can become so entranced by the different roles they play in the virtual worlds created for them through videogames that the line between the real world and the virtual one depicted in the video games they are playing becomes blurred. . Violent video games rewarded children for things like stealing cars and killing people.

The Affect or Effect Conundrum and How to Solve It

The Affect or Effect Conundrum and How to Solve It Lets face it- the English language has some confusing grammar rules. In fact, some words in the English language are so confusing that incorrect usage is more common than correct usage- and affect vs. effect are two such words!A problem many people have with understanding the difference between affect and effect is that there is only one letter that distinguishes the two from each other. Beyond that, affect is defined as to have an effect on so their definitions are similar. Then, both words sound almost the same when spoken quickly, creating further confusion. So, lets take a look at these two words and discuss a failproof way to remember the difference between them.AffectAffect is a verb that means to have an effect on; make a difference to; touch the feelings of (someone); move emotionally. However, there is one instance in which affect is a noun- when it refers to the way someone carries themselves or their outward demeanor. This usage of affect is uncommon, so it isnt a context youll encounter often unless youre in certain fields, where someone might refer to the patients affect (in psychology), meaning their disposition and how they outwardly present themselves.Examples:The extra side dish doesnt affect the cost of the mealIt doesnt affect me to watch sad movies, so I usually only laugh at them.EffectEffect is almost always a noun and can mean: a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause; an impression produced in the mind of a person. Effect can also mean: the lighting, sound, or scenery used in a play, movie, or broadcast, as in movie special effects.Examples:The effect of that movie on the audience is undeniable.Those lights have a nice effect on the look of the painting.And since it seems to be impossible to have an easy time with these two words, there is also one instance in which effect is used as a verb. When you effect change, you bring about change, and youll see it almost always combined with change in this context.The Raven EffectIf you want an easy mnemonic device to help with the affect vs. effect conundrum, you can think of the word RAVEN to Remember Affect is a Verb and Effect is a Noun. Just keep in mind that there are a few instances where this isnt always the case, but for most contexts and of the words, it is.Affect vs. Effect in a nutshell

50 Open Source Resources for Writers

50 Open Source Resources for Writers 50 Open Source Resources for Writers 50 Open Source Resources for Writers By Daniel Scocco Why pay for Word processors, image editing software and other tools when there are solid open source alternatives around? The guys from Job Profiles just compiled in fact a big list with 50 open source resources for writers. Below you will find my favorite ones: Open Office (office suite; forget Microsoft) NotePad++ (best notepad around, especially for editing HTML and other codes) AbiWord (very light word processor) JaLingo (desktop dictionary) Ever Note (organize your chapters and essays) Sonar (track your publishing contacts) PDF Creator (word as good as the Adobe software) Prompt (change your prompt to get inspired) GIMP (alternative to Photoshop) WordPress (if you need a website, go with WordPress) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:5 Uses of Infinitives45 Synonyms for â€Å"Old† and â€Å"Old-Fashioned†Testimony vs. Testimonial

WK2_mketing_VALS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

WK2_mketing_VALS - Essay Example The survey results will show the main features of a customer: conservative or liberal, intellectual or a working man, prefer innovation or stick to old products. Translating marketing information into intelligence requires three related general functions: surveillance, assessment, and prediction. This activity consists of observing the reports of marketing occurrences, discerning patterns and deviations from standards, and trying to make sense out of them. Surveillance serves two ends: it indicates likely trends and changes in the marketplace and then suggests what must be known and done to meet the changes. Assessment attempts to evaluate more specific knowledge of particular opportunities, or competitors capabilities and vulnerabilities. Knowledge of strengths and weaknesses of specific competitors supplies the basis for developing ones own marketing strategies and programs. Predictions provide a dimension of futurity that makes intelligence relevant for planned decisions. The surv ey shows that the company has area intelligence, which is concerned more with localized details and shorter-run aspects of the marketing-activities programs. It is of particular value to marketing personnel in specialized or functional areas, since they deal directly with operations but lack policymaking responsibility. For example, area intelligence guides the actual recruitment, selection, training, and direction of salesmen; the determination of specific prices and advertising programs; and the specification of product qualities (Paley, 87). The survey results will show a need in new products and designs and ability of customers to perceive innovations. The survey will determine the character of a consumer and his life style. Both the quality of the raw data and the effectiveness of the primary analysis determine the kind of marketing information that will be derived. Data must be sorted, classified,

CJ 450 Counter Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CJ 450 Counter Terrorism - Essay Example ding assignments, what status, rights, and protections would you afford someone who was an American citizen captured in the United States in the act of terrorist violence? How about someone who was a foreign national engage in terrorism in the United States? An American citizen fights American forces abroad? A foreign national, but not a member of a nations military, fighting American forces abroad? Would torture of any of these subjects ever be justified if it could save lives? How serious is the problem of anti-Americanism here at home? Should people be accountable for inciting violence when they glorify violent acts against America but themselves do not engage in it? What remedies are available to the government, if any, to deal with schools, mosques, and charities that indirectly support terrorism while not actually engaging in it? What should the remedies be? Give your overall assessment of the USA PATRIOT ACT. Do you think it has contributed to the lack of terror attacks in the United States since 9/11? If you were in Congress, would you vote to renew the act as is? Would you change anything? Why or why not? The 9/11 attacks upon the United States changed the vast majority of peoples’ perceptions about the importance as well as the necessity for improved and extended counterterrorism units to prevent further bombings.1 Without those attacks my job would not exist within its present format. The federal government the armed forces, the FBI, and the CIA underestimated the ability of Al-Qaeda to launch large-scale attacks within the United States, despite being of its previous bombings of American targets abroad. The Clinton administration had only carried out limited missile strikes against suspected Al-Qaeda bases in the Sudan, and seemed to be aware of that organization’s move to Afghanistan.2 American society has altered drastically in the last couple of decades due to immigration of people from Islamic countries in Asia and the

Describe the worst team experience you have ever had. What did you do Essay

Describe the worst team experience you have ever had. What did you do - Essay Example He asked me to fill in as head of our unit until they found an officer whos free and ready to take on. I gave him my worries of being a temporary superior to my team mates. The head promised me his full support in case of any insubordination. This was not a solution, I would still have to go back and work with these people once the new officer arrives. I decided I had to do my job as head of the unit, and still keep strong ties with my colleagues. I remembered Jim Collin’s level five leadership styles and was ready to undertake the challenging role (Collins, 2001). My colleagues became jealous of my new appointment. One of them swore not to take any orders from me, and stormed out of the room. The first 2 weeks in my position were a nightmare. People refused to due their work, or take any new assignments from me. But as tough as it was, I could not report them for that meant losing them. I felt like a juggler, trying not to drop a ball. As time passed, I realized all my team mates needed was equality. I decided to restructure our unit temporarily while I’m heading it. I gave each member a field where only he was responsible. They still had to report back to me, but I think it made them feel as if my appointment was just and administrative one, while in fact not much had changed. Not only did this strategy work for work relations, but our unit was doing better work than before. This worked right because my colleagues treated me well after I left the

Trends and Changes in the Legal Industry

Trends and Changes in the Legal Industry A Report issued for Samantha at PLS to discuss the trends and potential changes in the legal industry alongside financial analysis of the firm and another competitor. Future investment opportunities are also discussed as well as overall advantages and disadvantages. The Legal Sector and Brexit Britain opting to leave the European Union shook the country last year. The uncertainty surrounding Brexit has left legal professionals around the world nervously awaiting its impact on the commercial world. During the two year negotiation period law firms will be awaiting news of a hard or soft Brexit and further establishing how each potential outcome could implicate their clients. 1.1 A hard or soft Brexit? A hard Brexit wold involve Britain giving up full access to the single market and losing all rights to free movement within the EU. However, trading would be regulated by the World Trade Organisation suggesting that there would be no confusion politically about the withdrawal from the EU.[1] On the other hand, a soft Brexit would entail staying closely involved with the EU and keeping access to the single market. This would follow Scandinavian models whereby there is no membership of the EU but still access to the single market via the European Economic Area. 1.2 How Financial Services could be affected Within the commercial world, financial services would be one of the sectors most affected by a hard Brexit because businesses would lose their passport rights to operate in the EU. London is currently ranked as leading in financial services, meaning that Britain has a large trading surplus in the EU[2]. 7.7% of the UKs GDP is from outputting financial services with over 1.1 million employed in the industry and two thirds of them working outside London[3]. Therefore, losing access to the single market would affect many businesses and consequently clients of large commercial firms. The UK financial service sector has been considering loopholes if a hard Brexit is initiated. As banks are mostly affected by losing EU passport rights, alternative options are being considered if the UK did leave the single market with no deal negotiated (essentially a worst-case scenario situation).[4] Insurance and Asset management are less affected because they tend to be part of a global industry, for example, Lloyds of London[5]. However, many banks including HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, UBS and Morgan Stanley are standing by to move thousands of employees to countries within Europe ahead of negotiations taking place.[6] A report issued by Shearman and Stirling suggested that there are various ways of trading with the EU without needing a passport[7]. Some of the main loopholes being discussed are: Reverse solicitation Delegation of fund management/outsourcing of services Conduit entities Back to back trading[8] Back to back trading is the most prevalent of the four listed. Banks would sell its services from a local entity to EU clientele but would then transfer to the UK immediately after[9]. A drawback is that this is a short term solution, but can give law firms more time to find a long term alternative. EU regulators are also likely to frown upon loopholes when they will be relied upon by firms to carry on trading under a hard Brexit. [10]Essentially it is difficult for large commercial law firms to plan exactly how they are going to deal with the loss of passport rights. However, it would be beneficial if the UK attempts to convince the EU-27 that keeping financial markets open across the Channel is a matter of mutual interest because fragmenting Londons Ecosystem would lead to higher costs for everyone involved.[11] 1.3 The Technology sector Brexit will likely cause little affect to the technology and innovation sector on the premise that the UK stays in the European Economic Area. However, if negotiations mean that the UK fully detaches from the EU, then changes to this sector, as with many others, will be more wide-ranging[12]. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that there are successful countries operating outside of the EU. Norway is a prime example and has a strong presence in the technology and innovation sector without benefitting from EEA tax incentives, research, development, investment and funding.[13] More specifically intellectual property rights are mostly unaffected because they are not regulated by the EU. However, data protection is a hot topic of discussion. It remains to be seen if businesses within the UK will still be allowed to collect sale activity data via subsidiaries in the EU and whether the UK adopts the General Data Protection Regulation. [14]Technology has the same potential threats as financial services and the two year negotiation period will conclude the next chapter for the legal industry. However, it must be remembered that regardless of the outcome, advice and expertise of commercial lawyers will still be needed. Financial Analysis of PLS and FFS PLS 2016 PLS 2015 FFS 2016 FFS 2015 Profitability Return on capital employed 50.35 % 1:0.50 48.77% 1:0.48 91.08% 1:0.91 81.07% 1:0.81 Return on sales 27.99% 1:0.27 27.10% 1:0.27 31.05% 1:0.31 32.26% 1:0.32 Asset utilisation ratio 1:1.80 1:1.80 1:2.93 1:2.51 Liquidity and solvency Current ratio 1:2.63 1:2.90 1:2.14 1:2.40 Liquid ratio 1:2.63 1:2.90 1:2.14 1:2.40 Efficiency Creditor days 191.82 days 160.28 days 174.12 days 164.38 days Debtor days 233.08 days 209.64 days 198.05 days 188.01 days Stock days 0 0 0 0 Investment Gearing 52.80% 1:0.52 44.37% 1:0.44 79.90% 1:0.79 66.28% 1:0.66 Return on equity 48.66% 1:0.48 47.24% 1:0.47 87.20% 1:0.87 78.26% 1:0.78 Interest cover 0 0 0 0 Profitability Law firms are increasingly using profit to measure their firms success rather than revenue. This is because profit is a more accurate version of how the firm, large or small, is doing financially. Law firms are ranked by revenue so it is understandable to focus on this, but often profit points/important data can be overlooked. A law firm is a business and must always aim to improve profitability. [15] 2.1.1 Return on capital employed (ROCE) ROCE is a ratio that measures how successfully a company is turning its capital invested into profit. A higher percentage indicates a more effective use of capital and therefore an increase in shareholder value. When comparing revenue, FFS has a much higher yearly figure than PLS but its revenue has dropped significantly in just one year (70m). In 2016, FFS turned 91.08% of its capital into profit, which is a large improvement from the previous year which measured at 81.07%. The large percentage of profit stemming from capital investment may be due to a higher amount of reserves being re-entered back into the business. FFS seem to be using their share capital in a more financially beneficial way than PLS by retaining their reserves rather than distributing them all to members. This may be because recent investments in new offices needed funding. Eventually, FFS will be striving for a larger shareholder value. PLS has not seen a significant increase in ROCE (less than 2%). This suggests that substantial investment is not occurring. Instead they are using local firms in China, and not reinvesting profit for the financial year available for division amongst members. It may lessen their revenue for a while but investing in new offices like FFS could eventually improve their profitability and shareholder value. 2.1.2Return on sales (ROS) The ROS is a measure of how much profit is being formed per pound of sales. FFS suffered a decrease in their ROS by 1.21% which may be because of their loss in operating profit. Comparatively, PLS improved their percentage by 0.9% from 2015-2016. Where FFS have seen a significant increase in staff costs, PLS have only seen a minor one. Where FFS have suffered a large decrease in turnover, PLS have seen a minor one. PLS may have also focused more attention on the 6 profit points and lessened expenses to improve their overall profitability. PLS is unlikely to be underperforming as it is converting a similar amount of company revenue into profit as FFS, even though FFS has a much higher turnover. 2.1.3Asset utilisation ratio (AUR) The AUR for PLS has not increased from 2015-2016. This would be because they have not invested in the firm to gain more asset appreciation. Generally, the higher the AUR, the better the company is performing because it would be generating more revenue per pound of assets. FFS have invested in new offices meaning the general equity has decreased significantly since 2015. The equity at PLS has barely changed suggesting a higher inefficiency to deploy assets in order to generate a higher revenue. 2.2 Liquidity and Solvency 2.2.1 Current ratio The current ratio portrays the health of the business. A ratio above 1 but no higher than 3 suggests efficiency in utilising assets. Both firms are within this bracket but in 2015 PLS came close to 3 suggesting that they are not investing assets back into the firm as efficiently as they could. This however reduced significantly the next year. 2.3 Efficiency 2.3.1 Debtors days Debtors days is the measurement in days that a firm will take to collect cash from debts. Both firms have rising debtors days but it would take PLS longer to receive debts owed as the days have grown by 25 compared to FFS with only 10. It is well known that billing clients can be a long process and usually the cause for lengthy debtors day results from firms. However, clients could also be asking for longer or different credit terms causing the rise for both firms. PLS could take into account purchasing new software to speed up the billing process, generally improving timekeeping and tracking firm financials more acutely to improve their figures. 2.4 Investment Return on equity (ROE) The ROE depicts a firms profitability regarding how much profit is made from money shareholders have invested. ROCE and ROE come hand in hand because ROE analyses how much profit is being made from shareholder investment where ROCE assesses how much shareholder investment has gone into the company. FFS have a much higher ROE, which has increased by 10% in the year 2015-2016. PLS have barely seen an increase in growth suggesting that they are not investing their equity efficiently enough. Although FFS have suffered a massive reduction in revenue and remuneration to members, their investment from equity seems to be paying off. In 2016 87.20% of shareholder money transferred to profits whereas PLS only saw 48.66 %. Potentially investing globally with equity money could benefit the overall profitability of PLS. 3. Strategy and the legal industry All Industries change how they conduct business when assessing potential and current trends in their environment. This is often done by using analytical tools which further evidence changes to strategic positioning. 3.1 PESTEL PESTEL is a tool used to identify different trends of the legal macro environment. Politically speaking, Brexit is the most current threat to the legal environment. As a result of a hard Brexit the economy may suffer because large corporations are likely to move outside of the UK. [16]This means that the economy will not only suffer from loss of business but lack of investment. Brexit has already caused many firms to hold off further investment, which may be why PLS are considering opening a new office outside of the EU. The tightening of the government purse will also have an effect on firms, particularly in the energy sector where less contracts have become available.[17] Social aspects include the changes in loyalty of clients because it is much easier to shop around and choose different firms. It is in the interest of fee earners to keep their clients satisfied so they dont lose them to other firms. There has been a significant boom in software and technology recently. Clients of law firms who previously would have sought legal advice now have access to the internet and free online legal tools. However, on a more positive note firms have typically improved timing and efficiency because of billing and database software made specifically for law firms. [18]Most firms have also reduced the amount of paper being used because this is more attractive to environmentally conscious clients. The Legal Services Act [19]has meant that accountancy firms such as Deloitte and PWC have extended their own in house legal departments. Consequently, large commercial firms have lost clients and further gained competitors. Brexit may also cause loss of employment rights, lessen mergers and acquisitions and could cause various laws to be changed. 3.2 Porters Five Forces Porters five forces is a tool to assess how competitive forces shape strategy and ultimately profitability. This methodology was initially applied to the legal industry, but seemed to defy the competitive pressures outlined in Porters article, whereby it still experienced a rapid rise in profitability.[20] However, recent changes in the legal industry has led to re-evaluation regarding the use of the five forces tool, to gain an insight into the competitive market of law. The bargaining power of suppliers usually refers to the firms employees, as they do not have suppliers in the typical sense. There has been a growing amount of legal talent throughout the past three years [21]which means that firms have been able to reduce fee agreements. For example, instead of hiring more solicitors a firm may choose to hire experienced paralegals which would cost significantly less. Although this is positive, it does mean that recruiting fees are higher and may cause retention rates of staff to be lower. The power of buyers is the most commanding part of the five forces in terms of competitive strategy. Firms have seen less customer loyalty and less dependency from buying local for legal services.[22] Legal research charges have also been removed from overall billing which is costing firms millions in added cost.[23] The threat of new entrants relates mostly to smaller firms using technology to give legal services on the same level as larger firms.[24] This is because technology now allows this, and smaller firms charge significantly less. As PLS is an international firm it may at some point wish to enter a foreign market but some are saturated and are therefore hard to enter and be successful. The threat of substitute products and services has changed because of the Legal Services Act [25] This means that many companies who would have otherwise used law firms, are now investing in their own in house legal departments. Deloitte, an accountancy firm have done this and have subsequently saved in legal fees[26]. This all adds to the most important aspect of the five forces rivalry amongst existing competitors. However, with trends in the market changing rapidly, further threats in relation to other competitive measures are equally as important and making the market more complex. As in house becomes more popular (6 billion dollars in the US market in 2 years) [27]and client loyalty lessens, firms need to acknowledge that new service models create separation from rivals and provide the uncontested market space necessary to limit the impact of Porters Five Forces on their operational strategy[28] Organic growth vs Mergers Potential Merger with a local firm It is seen that mergers and acquisitions (MAs) are one of the principal ways in which organisations can achieve rapid growth.[29] They benefit from economies of scale and therefore lower overheads which means cutting costs significantly. Commercial benefits include instant access to client databases and loss in competition with the firm chosen to merge. As PLS are also looking to set up in culture completely different to that of the UK, it would be potentially very beneficial to have access to experienced legal professionals already based in Shanghai who understand the market and clients. The burst of activity in the last quarter helped make 2016 the second-best year for dealmakers since the financial crisis.[30] Therefore, more firms are seen to be merging in order to eliminate vulnerability and to make themselves truly global rather than just international. Norton Rose recently merged with Texas Fulbright and Ashurst with Australias Blake Dawson. Meanwhile, SJ Berwin became the first ever UK firm to join arms with an Asia-Pacific firm, King Wood Mallesons, in 2013.[31] As PLS are friendly with local firms who they pay for their services, there may be an option for a potential merger with them. It would also mean that PLS do not have to pay to set up their new office in Shanghai which would save a significant amount of money. There are risks involved with potential mergers. When two companies decide upon this option they may lose aspects of their brand which could cause an array of disadvantages including loss of clientele. It will also likely mean that they have less control over the business and its future. Given the importance of interaction with their foreign customers, PLS should opt for a high degree of control over their foreign market entry mode [32]and a merger does not necessarily give this. 4.2 Setting up a new office in Shanghai Organic growth is known to be expanding the business from the inside rather than the outside (MA). The economic benefit for PLS of investing in a subsidiary office would be that they do not have to pay local firms for their service. They can build their own client database, promote their own brand and have full control of the office. Businesses that grow organically can control their rate of growth and normally face less cultural and integration challenges than those that choose an inorganic strategy.[33] However, they may face cultural challenges with clients. The risks of organic growth lie in expansion that outpaces the ability to effectively manage, stretches resources too thin, strains capital, or diverts focus from the business core mission[34]. It would cost PLS a substantial sum of money to invest in the office and is the most expensive of the foreign market entry options. Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Cash flows ( £000) (1000) 1,500 1750 2,200 2,650 2,900 Present Value (1000) 1,071.42 892.86 801.75 689.82 539.21 Net Present value:  £2,995,000.06 The investment will add  £2,995,000.06 of value to PLS and therefore the office in Shanghai is worth potentially investing in. However, there are some risks involved with the NPV calculation. It does not consider unforeseen expenditure and is often based on estimates. It therefore does not fully account for potential risk in investments costs, discount rate and projected returns. Essentially, each investment holds significant risk because both a potential merger and buying a subsidiary office are very drastic forms of expansion. Other options such as purchasing a stake in an associate office or forming a best friend alliance may fit the needs of PLS more substantially. [35]Further, they may then decide upon organic growth or a merger once they have definitive evidence that the high risk will benefit the overall firm. Bibliography Legislation General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 Legal Services Act 2007 Secondary Sources Articles Downey, J, (2008) Mergers and acquisitions, Topic Gateway Series No. 54 Blomstermo, A, Sharma, D, (2006) Choice of foreign market entry mode in service firms, International Marketing Review, Vol. 23 Issue 2 Internet Articles Kuntz B, EYVoice: Organic vs. Inorganic: Which way to grow? Forbes (14 January 2014) accessed 20 February 2017 Fontella-Khan J and Massoudi A, MA boom set to continue in 2017 Financial times (29 December 2016) accessed 20 February 2017 Cooke A, Trends affecting the legal profession (Chambers student, 20 July 2016) accessed 19 February 2017 Sims A, What is the difference between hard and soft Brexit? Everything you need to know (The Independent UK Politics, 3rd October 2016) accessed 10 February 2017 M Arnold, Banks study loopholes to enable UK branches to sell to EU clients, (Financial times, 02 February 2017) accessed 14 February 2017 Katz T and others, Brexit: What impact might leaving the EU have on the UKs financial services industry? | insights | DLA piper global law firm (DLA Piper insights, 27 June 2016) accessed 14 February 2017 Reynolds B and others, Brexit and Equivalence: Review of the Financial Services Framework Across All Sectors (Shearman and Sterling LLP, 10 August 2016) accessed 16 February 2017 Rao K, PwC report reviews state of global financial market liquidity (PWC News releases, 12 August 2015) accessed 14 February 2017 Patrick F, Porters Five forces applied to the legal industry (Thompson Reuters Elite, 9 January 2014) accessed 10 February 2017 Smith L, Porters Five forces are actually relevant to law firms (Bloomer Law Big Law Business, 19 March 2015) accessed 10 February 2017 Rebeiro M, Impact of Brexit on technology and innovation (Norton Rose Fulbright, 21 December 2016) accessed 10 February 2017 Saunders P, Black J, and McNicholls K, http://www.legalfutures.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/developing-legal-talent-2016.pdf (Deloitte, February 2016) accessed 14 February 2017 Strong F, Porters Five forces for the legal industry (LexisNexis Business of Law Blog, 7 May 2014) accessed 16 February 2017 Samuelson, S.S. and Fahey, L. (1991). Strategic planning for law firms: the application of management theory. 52 U. Pitt. L. Rev 435 Booth S, How to ensure UK and European financial services continue to thrive after Brexit (Open Europe, 17 October 2016) accessed 16 February 2017 Millard R, Beyond the box: How to realign your firms business model (Solicitors Journal, 27 June 2012) accessed 16 February 2017 The 6 Profit Points of Every Law Firm: Taking control of data to help increase your firms profitability, (LexisNexis Law Firm Practice Management WHITE PAPER SERIES, January 2013) accessed 16 February 2017 Declaration I declare that: à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · The work in this assessment was carried out in accordance with the Regulations of The University of Law. à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · The work is original except where indicated by acknowledgement or special reference in the text, and no part of this assessment has been presented by me or anyone else to any University or body for examination either in the United Kingdom or overseas. à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · I have not conducted research involving human participants for the purposes of this work Date: 23rd February 2017 Word Count:2996 [1] Sims A, What is the difference between hard and soft Brexit? Everything you need to know (The Independent UK Politics, 3rd October 2016) [4] M Arnold, Banks study loopholes to enable UK branches to sell to EU clients, (Financial times, 02 February 2017) accessed 14 February 2017 [5] Booth S, How to ensure UK and European financial services continue to thrive after Brexit (Open Europe, 17 October 2016)