Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 4

Strategic Management - Essay Example This paper discusses the relevance of strategic management and its implications particularly to the hospitality industry. Strategic management is the process of specifying an organizations objectives, developing policies and plans to achieve these objectives, and allocating resources so as to implement the plans. It is the highest level of managerial activity, usually performed by the companys top leaders particularly the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and executive team. It provides an overall direction to the whole organization. An organization’s strategy must be best suited for its resources, circumstances, and to achieve its objectives. The process involves matching the companys strategic advantages to the business environment the organization faces. One aim of an overall corporate strategy is to put the organization into a position to carry out its mission effectively and efficiently. A good corporate strategy should integrate an organization’s goals, policies, and action sequences (tactics) into a cohesive whole (Wikipedia, 2006). â€Å"There are a few major forces driving change in the remote and immediate environments of the organization. These forces are often referred to as trends, create opportunities and pose threats to the firm. They shape and force change in both predictable and unpredictable patterns. Hence the success often comes from the choice of competitive methods used by the firm to take advantage of the threats and opportunities in the business environment. These methods should also provide the firm with sustainable competitive advantage. Above all the most important area of management in an organization is the effective and efficient allocation of the firm’s resources.† (Olsen, et al. 1998). Corporate strategy can be described as an organizations sense of purpose - a guiding purpose or policy, a focus/mission statement, even a philosophy,

Trident Submarine Case Study Essay Example for Free

Trident Submarine Case Study Essay In the fall of 1971, as President Nixon was attempting to convince The Soviet Union to include submarines and ballistic missiles in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), the US Navy was planning on introducing a new class of submarines called the Trident. The Trident submarines were to succeed the Polaris submarines, which was developed in the 1950s. The Trident submarines were not only physically larger than the Polaris submarines, they also possessed revolutionary propulsion components and weaponry. If the US could successfully launch the Trident program, Nixon felt it would generate progress in SALT by demonstrating the United States’ commitment to strategic submarines and missiles. However, if the Trident program was unable to deliver, Nixon would consider revamping the Polaris class, which could halt the Trident program indefinitely. In response to Nixon’s focus on the United States’ submarine capabilities, the Navy declared that they could assemble a Trident submarine just as quickly as building a Polaris. These bold claims introduced additional pressure on the people behind the Trident program, as the estimated build time had now been reduced. The updated time frame also shifted the discussion to the type of contract the Navy would use when dealing with contractors on the Trident. Instead of designing the contract to distribute risk equally and promote easy management, the Navy now needed a contract that would guarantee delivery of the first submarine within six years and would include strict controls over the project. The contract discussion quickly turned into a debate between the supporters for cost-reimbursement and fixed price contracts. A fixed price contract holds the contractor responsible for delivering a product that meets all of the performance specifications for an agreed price. A cost-reimbursement contract means that a contractor attempts to meet the customer’s performance, time, and cost requirements and will be reimbursed for the cost of the project. Both fixed-cost and cost-reimbursement contracts can be crafted in multiple forms. However, the Navy traditionally used fixed-cost contracts for products with known build times and little development effort. Cost-reimbursement contracts were typically used in first time development projects, where the time and costs could not be accurately estimated. The Navy has a history of using cost-reimbursement contracts on the first or lead ship and then using a fixed-cost contract for any additional ships. While the rationale behind using a cost-reimbursement contract on the lead ship in a class is understandable, I believe the Navy would benefit more from a fixed-cost contract in this situation. More specifically, by taking into account the shortened time frame, strict management requirements, and the desire to protect the government’s interests, I believe the Navy should use a Fixed Price Incentive (FPI) contract. A FPI contract establishes a final contract price that includes a target cost plus a profit adjustment. FPI contracts can use a formula to calculate the final cost allowing for an adjustment in profit if the cost and schedule changes. An FPI contract also contains a negative fee feature, which can be applied to adjust the profit of the contractor if the final cost or schedule exceeds the target cost or schedule. I believe the FPI is applicable because there is not enough information to set a firm target cost for the work, but there is enough information to establish initial target cost, initial target profit, and an initial profit adjustment formula. Moving forward after the lead ship is developed, the Navy can negotiate a firm-fixed-price contract when the actual cost is better defined. However, the fact remains that the Trident submarine is a new ship, and the shipbuilders could be faced with unrealized production challenges, such as mirror welds, which could slow down the build time and increase labor costs. These types of unexpected costs are the basis for the cost-reimbursement contract approach and remain a risk within every fixed cost contract. Fixed cost contracts also run the risk of reducing the quality of work in favor of remaining under budget. Considering the risks associated with a fixed-cost contract, I still believe that a fixed-cost contract in this situation will be more successful. It will allow the Navy to strictly enforce the contract, which will appease Admiral Rockover and bolster confidence in the House and Senate. The incentive portion of the contract is intended to ensure that the shipbuilders devote adequate time and resources to the Trident project as it directly impacts their profits. I also believe that risk associated with high development related costs is reduced by having the propulsion and weapons delivered to the shipbuilders as government furnished equipment (GFE), which are prefabricated systems that just require installation. The shipbuilders are experts in building submarines, so while the Trident ships will be larger the real development costs have already been experienced when creating the GFEs, so unexpected spikes in cost should be avoided.

Qualities And Philosophy Of Leadership In Nursing

Qualities And Philosophy Of Leadership In Nursing The first quality of a good leader is that he has passion for the craft and challenges me to be the best that I can be at whatever I am going to do. If things are made easy or handed to you, you wont work as hard to accomplish it. You are already aware of the outcome and it is always in your favor. A good leader challenges your highest level of your ability and always expects the best from you. He wants you to put your best foot forward and rewards you when you have done your best. A good leader always sets a good example because he leads by example. If your leader is unprepared, unmotivated, has no confidence and has lost his passion then you will be the same way. Your leader always needs to be #1 because he wants the same determination from you. A good leader finds ways to keep his team motivated and you will always benefit from his experience. A good leader always offers a complete explanation of the job to be done. He always offer clear and consice directions so that you will do a great job the first time. A good leader always wants his team to be successful with every task because that reflects back to him. Some of the traits of a good leader are that he is always visible. In order to provide strong leadership he needs to have a strong visual presence with the workers. They need to see him in the middle of a task working along side them getting the job done. He needs to be available for questions, comments and just general discussions. He needs to always be in the forefront so that the followers can have him at their disposal when needed. Another trait is that a good leader always needs to be consistant. Dont be a bully one day and try to be friends with your followers the nest day. Changing styles only confuses the followers. . Stick with one style of leadership. Those who look to you for leadership must know what to expect, that is consistency on a daily basis. Also, make decisions consistently. It is so important not to let your personal feelings cloud your decisions. Stay focused on the situation or issue, not on any one particular person. Many times we are more connected with some workers than others. Never let the work relationships change your response. Treat all employees equally and with the same amount of fairness. Always treat employees with the same amount of respect, showing favoritism makes you a terrible leader. Enforce the rules fairly. Try to always include employees in finding better solutions to problems. A good trait of the leader is to ask open ended questions, asking questions is always a great conversation starter. When you include your followers it always makes them feel like an important part of the team. Always encourage suggestions for improvement and changes that will set your team apart. The leader improves the team by listening to them, discussing and challenging their skills and complementing on a job well done. Set the tone for the work environment. An optimistic attitude from a leader can excite and motivate the team to always do the best job they can do. Confidence is contagious; so is having none. Employees feed off the tone that leaders set. A good leader is an encourager and always says well done or thank you when the job is finished. Many times leaders make mistakes, they are human beings just like everyone else. They arent perfect and will make many mistakes. But a good leader says, I made a mistake. Every team member will have more respect for the leader if they are always open and honest about all events. Honesty is always and forever the best policy. Leaders make the mistakes of sometimes putting business before people. Being insensitive and having a I am the king attitude, recognizing the outcome when it is good and not the people who do the work. My preceptor Mrs. McKenzie is a wonderful leader. She is always ready to teach you something new and has the confidence that I will do a good job. She is a good leader because she doesnt have the Im the teacher, youre the student attitude. She is always open to suggestion and the many questions that I have for her each and every time I am in clinic. When there is a code or another stressful situation she never looses her cool. She is full of useful information for both myself and the doctor. Ms Angela who is the charge nurse that is over the ER, now when I first met her she seemed cold and stuffy but once you see her in action she wants the students to be involved in all aspects of patient care. She even informs the MD on duty that they have a student and makes sure you are in the middle of everything that come thru the ER. The positive traits I noticed on my clinical rotation is that all the floors I have been on are all about team work. When a new patient comes in no matter whos patient it is all the nurse converge on the room and make sure the core nurse has all she needs. One nurse starts the IV, one nurse disrobes the patient, one nurse applies the ECG leads and the other starts the initial assessment along with the vital signs. As the student if you dont move fast you will miss out on everything. Students needs positive roles models and positive feedback to make sure that what they see in their nursing rotations make them a good nurse throughout your entire career. Many things make you a reliable nurse but I believe proper training and education plays a large role in being able to perform effectively, thus increasing reliability. The negative traits that I have observed is that some nurses dont want to have a student or a oriente for that matter. They forget that at one time they were a student or a new nurse on the job. They just want to have less intereference as possible to make their day go by. You are not allowed to ask them any questions or be in their patients room. I observed nurse not always using the proper techniques for different duties around the hospital. They are not washing their hands between patients, they arent using sterile technique when necessary and sometimes just over looking hospital protocol all together. The one negative trait that I will never possess is that I will never be a nurse because of the pay, I will always be the kind of nurse that loves nursing and that is why I do it everyday. I will never forget where I came from and treat someone like they are less than me because they work in a different area than me. I will never be the type of nurse that speaks negatively about a MD or a nurse in front of the patient or anyone else for that matter. More than likely I am a transformational leader. I work well with others, I have been trained and highly motivated with everything I do. I love to see people do well under the title that they work. I always try to be a good example and promote nothing but positive attitudes in the work place. I provide the guidelines and would allow the employees to do what they do. I like this style because it utilizes the skills that you know your employees already have, it makes them into their own leaders. My peers come to me for advice on a daily basis because they know that I really have a No-nonsense attitude when I am working towards something. I offer strong but friendly words of advice and never sugar coat anything to them. When a plan needs to be made normally I am the one who implements the stages. To my friends I am a strong leader because I get it done and take no excuses. Now will that make me a good RN? I hope so, but time will tell. A RN has to be a strong selfless leader who never turns down a challenge unless it is unsafe for the patients. Always ready to give the right information when needed and always learning new things everyday. How was your day as team leader? As a team leader, it wasnt anything different for me. I had a job to do and got it done in the safest, quickest manner it could be done. What is a true team leader? As stated by Wikipedia ,A team leader or team lead is someone (or in certain cases there may be multiple team leaders) who provides guidance, instruction, direction, leadership to a group of other individuals (the team) for the purpose of achieving a key result or group of aligned results. The team lead reports to a project manager (overseeing several teams). The team leader monitors the quantitative and qualitative result that is to be achieved. The leader works with the team membership The nursing profession is no different than any other profession when it come to leadership. Leadership is critical to managing patients toward optimal clinical outcomes. Changing patterns of care delivery and constrained resources require nursing leaders to be responsive, demonstrate flexibility, and hold what Kantor describes as the C skills: know the concepts and principles of leadership, demonstrate competence in the role of leader, and make the interpersonal connections needed to be successful in the role. 1 Mergers, flattened organizational structures, and increased spans of control have resulted in heightened nurse executive role expectations. The literature reflects the call for extraordinary nursing leadership, with articles describing the importance of leaders incorporating multiple theories into practice, including transformational leadership, organizational empowerment, and care-centered governance. What did you learn? What is your personal philosophy of leadership? I believe that nursing is a profession when using the criteria that Pavalko used to define the eight dimensions of a profession. I plan to show that nursing has relevance to social values, education, self-motivation, a code of ethics, commitment to life long work, a theoretical framework, and that there is a common identity. Additionally, I will discuss how the ADN prepared professional nurse has many roles, such as a caregiver, teacher, advocate, manager, colleague, and expert. It is my opinion nursing is a remarkably rewarding profession that consists of various obstacles that are triumphed over in order to pave the way for a rewarding and honorable future. There are many significant achievements accomplished by nurses in todays society including the values instilled in our social lives, as well as the education attained by individuals in order to seize the ability to give great care to the community. I believe it takes a unique type of person with a great deal of motivation and ambition to be capable of performing as a caretaker for others. It is crucial to believe in what you are doing by always using superior judgment, and by following the Code of Ethics in each decision you make in your working institution or at home with friends and family. Using the term Career in regards to nursing seems to be an understatement of my outlook on this astounding health care position, I have always considered this opportunity as a permanent gratifying commitment not on ly to myself, but to all of those whom rely on my specialized training and care for their well being. Although maybe not suitable for each person, nursing is a profession of choice for general public to apply themselves to if they so desire. There are numerous different regulations and system policies the nurses adhere to in order to maintain safety and quality care for all people. I believe nursing colleagues may be able to unite as one group with the same values in their trade in order to work harder on leading by example, and following each others strategies as well; furthermore, overcoming the obstacles of modern day traditional standards and excelling beyond the current generations outlook of the nursing profession. Nursing leadership and management is crucial in the foundation of nursing care. There is a direct correlation between leadership and quality of care. Poor nursing leadership leads to poor patient outcome and, inversely, good nursing leadership leads to excellent patient outcomes. I believe that a profession has a commitment to a lifelong work because you get involved in your establishment. It is very hard for me to think of leaving the nursing field, or the hospital I work in now, because there are so many people relying on me for my knowledge of this hospital. I have grown attached to those I work for and with. The rules of this hospital differ from others and after familiarizing myself in such depth here I could not just leave in hopes of finding another place to be so comfortable or appreciated. However, in todays generation many nurses do not feel the same way. There are many nurses that choose to work short term in one hospital and then leave to work in another facility. Due to this constant battle for hospitals and other health care provider facilities to keep continuous adequate nursing staff, the United States has had to find other means of populating our health care systems. For instance, According to the American Hospital Association, 17% of hospita ls recruit from abroad to fill nursing vacancies. New Trends in foreign Nurse Recruitment, Texas Nursing Voice, April, May, June 2008.

diz ish onli fer yOo babe... :: essays research papers

Alexander Hamilton was a man of vision as well as economic genius. While he was Americas Secretary of Treasury, he wrote three major reports to Congress. These included: Report Relative to a Provision for the Support of Public Credit, The Reports on Public Credit II, and The Report on Manufacturers. His views expressed in these three reports laid the foundation upon which the economic success of modern day America was built. Although many of his policies have since been tweaked modified or re-named, the fundamental ideas he expressed have been consistent throughout. The amazing staying power of Alexander Hamilton's economic policies and the success that they have produced are clearly evident in today's modern economy. One of the most profound things about the visionary economic policies of Hamilton is that they not only solved the immediate problems facing the United States, but they also accounted for many of the challenges that the United States would be forced to contend with in the distant future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When George Washington first appointed Alexander Hamilton Secretary of Treasury, the most pressing issue was the payment of the debt acquired while financing the Revolution. He tackled this issue in his first report to Congress entitled: the Report Relative to a Provision for the Support of Public Credit. ?It is agreed on all hands, that part of the debt that has been contracted abroad, and is denominated the foreign debt, ought to be provided for, according to the precise terms of the contracts relating to it. The discussions, which can arise, therefore, will have reference essentially to the domestic part of it, or that there is not the same unanimity of sentiment on this part, as on the other.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Secretary has too much deference for the opinions of every part of the community, not to have observed one, which has, more than once, made its appearance in the public prints.... It involves this question, whether discrimination ought not to be made between original holders of public securities, and the present possessors, by purchase. Those who advocate a discrimination are for making full provision for the securities of the former, at their nominal value; but contend, that the latter ought to receive no more than the cost to them, and the interest: And the idea is sometimes suggested of making good the difference to the primitive possessor....   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Secretary, after the most mature reflection on the force of this argument, is induced reject the doctrine it contains.

Effects of Shopping Addiction

Effects of Shopping Addiction Shopping is a necessary part of life. We shop for food, clothing, cars, homes, or anything that may be a necessity to survive. If shopping is necessary, how can it also be an addiction? The answer is the same as with other addictions. According to Wikipedia, addiction is the continued use of a mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse dependency consequences or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors. Oniomania, which is a Greek word meaning â€Å"for sale† is the technical term for the compulsive desire to shop, more commonly referred to as shopping addiction.Shopping addiction may be considered an impulse control disorder, an obsessive compulsive disorder, a bipolar disorder, or even a clinical addiction. Due to recent research it is now being compared to alcoholism, eating disorders and drug abuse. There is growing evidence that it is a significant and worsening problem with serious consequences both emotional and financia l. Shopping addiction is initially triggered by a mild need to feel special and less lonely. The failure of excessive shopping to actually fulfill these needs often lead to a vicious cycle of escalation.This then causes the person to experience the highs and lows associated with other addictions. The high of the shopping may be followed by a sense of disappointment, and of guilt, precipitating a further cycle of impulse buying in the quest for a sense of special identity. Now that the addicted person is increasingly feeling negative emotions like anger and stress, they attempt to self medicate through further shopping, followed again by regret or depression once they return home, which leads to an urge for another shopping spree.This person is now an addict and shopping is the drug of choice. The consequences of shopping addiction can be devastating, with marriages, longterm relationships, and jobs. Other consequences are financial which can include ruined credit history, theft and bankruptcy or extreme debt. The emotional effects range from anxiety due to stress that can also result to physical health problems and ruined relationships, or even suicide. Research has shown that compulsive shoppers and spenders also suffer from mood disorders, substance abuse or eating disorders.According to Elizabeth Hartney, â€Å"People with compulsive shopping addiction often have concurrent substance and or behavioral addiction problems, or â€Å"cross over† to other addictions at some point in their lives. Studies show that alcohol problems occur in 28% to 46% of compulsive buyers; other substance use disorders occur in 13% to 20% of compulsive shoppers; paraphilias and sex addictions occur in 10% to 13% of compulsive shoppers; and pathological gambling occurs in 5% to 20% of compulsive shoppers. â€Å"Impairment in relationships may occur as a result of excessive spending and efforts to cover up debt or purchases. Persons who engage in compulsive shopping or spen ding may become pre-occupied with that behavior and spend less and less time with important people in their lives. It is also common for an addict to begin lying and hiding their purchases from their family and keeping their spending to themselves. Relationships often suffer as friends are not repaid, spouses and family members are not repaid, and necessary home bills can not be paid.Family members do without because of the shopping addict's out of control use of money, which in turn puts a strain on their relationship. The trust between the addict and members of the family is often lost and this causes the addict to exclude themselves which increases the urge to fulfill the void. The anxiety or depression experienced may result in the interference of work and other social activity. Financial problems may occur if money is burrowed or there is excessive use of credit to make purchases. Most addict's find themselves in deep financial debt due to compulsive spending.They then are put into situations where there debt has become overwhelming and put them in dire restraints, leaving them unable to pay off bank loans, school fees, mortgages and other overhead costs. Many addicts lose their jobs due to the fact that they are unable to fulfill their duties. In the case of a shopping addict, they may steal from their employer which results in them being fired. Shopping addiction can also have an effect on students. If a student is suffering from shopping addiction, their level of concentration decreases and their grades suffer.The student becomes less motivated because they become fixated on their addiction to shop. There is also the risk of the student stealing from classmates or school property to support their addiction. This in turn can tarnish friendships and result in the student becoming expelled from school. According to Andrea Allen, â€Å"The creation of a condition such as compulsive buying might be associated with controversy and criticized by some as crea ting a trivial disorder; â€Å"medicalizing† a â€Å"moral† problem or creating a new disorder in order to sell more pharmaceuticals. Many people still classify compulsive shopping to not be an â€Å"addiction† which makes it a controversial topic. Some think it is an excuse for people to label their moral problem as a disorder. Some think that doctors may be trying to make it a medical disorder to sell medication to consumers believed to be suffering from such a disorder. Truth is almost anything can become an addiction, once it is something that gives you a physical or mental high and you become dependent on that feeling to fill voids and function from day to day.

Youth Justice essays

Youth Justice essays Juvenile delinquency has become a major issue in modern society, causing our society to revisit the foundations of our current juvenile justice, system, and thereby search for a new understanding of the motivations behind juvenile crime. Today's juvenile court system was built on the assumption that juvenile offenders needed to be rehabilitated, helped and assisted in order to escape the life of crime that often encircles the inner city streets. Juvenile offenders were conceptualized as a special case of criminals for any of the following reasons, or more creatively put together by juvenile lawyers, a victim of all these societal Juvenile offenders are considered to not possess the moral capacity to understand the depth of their crimes. They are victims of the social conditions of the neighborhoods which They are likely to outgrow' their criminal behavior. If placed with the adult criminal population they would have little chance of developing into proactive members of society. Based on these assumptions, the juvenile justice system has focused on the care and rehabilitation of the child rather than on punishment and incapacitation. However, a system which treats criminal as victims looses much of its ability to deter crime. Consequently the juvenile justice system has lost much of its impact, and perceived effectiveness. The changing nature of juvenile crime has also placed challenges in front of a system which is struggling to redefine its role in the criminal justice This paradigm has its roots in the Child Saver movement which arose at the end of the 19th century. Self proclaimed humanists, and reformers, the child savers were "dedicated to rescuing those who were less fortunately placed in the social order. Their concern for purity', salvation,' innocence,' corruption,' and protection'...

Definition and Examples of Target Domain in Metaphor

Definition and Examples of Target Domain in Metaphor In a conceptual metaphor, the target domain is the  quality or experience described by or identified with  the source domain. Also known as the  image recipient. In Introducing Metaphor (2006), Knowles and Moon note that conceptual metaphors equate two concept areas, as in ARGUMENT IS WAR. The term source domain is used for the concept area from which the metaphor is drawn: here, WAR. Target domain is used for the concept area to which the metaphor is applied: here, ARGUMENT. The terms target and source were introduced by George  Lakoff and Mark Johnson  in Metaphors We Live By (1980).  Although the more traditional terms tenor and vehicle (I.A. Richards, 1936)  are roughly equivalent to target domain and source domain, respectively, the traditional terms fail to emphasize the interaction between the two domains.  Ã‚  As  William P. Brown points out, The  terms target domain and source domain  not only acknowledge a certain parity of import between the metaphor and its referent but they also illustrate more precisely the dynamic that occurs when something is referenced metaphorically- a superimposing or unilateral mapping of one domain on another (Psalms, 2010). See Examples and Observations below. Also see: Cognitive LinguisticsConceptual BlendingConceptual DomainMetaphorical ClusterTenorWhat Is a Metaphor? Examples and Observations The Two Domains The two domains that participate in conceptual metaphor have special names. The conceptual domain from which we draw metaphorical expressions to understand another conceptual domain is called source domain, while the conceptual domain that is understood this way is the target domain. Thus, life, arguments, love, theory,  ideas, social organizations, and others are target domains, while journeys, war, buildings, food, plants, and others are source domains. The target domain is the domain we try to understand through the use of the source domain. - Zoltan Kovecses, Metaphor: A Practical Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2001   ​Target and Source Domains in LOVE IS A JOURNEY Metaphorical concepts fulfill all their functions . . . through a network of metaphorical expressions. . . . [T]ake the following example: Conceptual metaphor:LOVE IS A JOURNEYMetaphorical expressions:this relationship is foundering,we are going nowhere,this relationship is a dead-end street,we are at a crossroads, etc. . . . Metaphors connect two conceptual domains: the target domain and the source domain. In the course of metaphorical processes the source domain corresponds to the target domain; in other words, there is a mapping or a projection between the source domain and the target domain. The target domain X is understood in terms of the source domain Y. For example, in the case of the metaphorical concept mentioned above, LOVE is the target domain whereas JOURNEY is the source domain. Whenever JOURNEY is mapped onto LOVE, the two domains correspond to each other in a way which enables us to interpret LOVE as a JOURNEY. - Andrs Kertà ©sz, Cognitive Semantics and Scientific Knowledge. John Benjamins, 2004Mappings -  The term mapping  comes from the nomenclature of mathematics. Its application in metaphor research basically means that features from a  source domain (e.g. OBJECTS) are mapped onto a target domain (e.g. IDEAS). The term metaphorical expression refers to the surface realization of such a cross-domain mapping which is virtually what the term metaphor used to refer to (Lakoff 1993:203).(Markus Tendahl, A Hybrid Theory of Metaphor. Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is possible for two different parts of a sentence to make use of two distinct metaphorical mappings at once. Consider a phrase like, within the coming weeks. Here, within makes use of the metaphor of time as a stationary landscape which has extension and bounded regions, whereas coming makes use of the metaphor of times as moving objects. This is possible because the two metaphors for time pick out different aspects of the target domain.(George Lakoff, The Contemporary Theory of Metaphor, Metaphor and Thought, ed. by A. Ortony. Cambridge University  Press, 1993)

A Beginners Guide to the Enlightenment

A Beginners Guide to the Enlightenment The Enlightenment has been defined in many different ways, but at its broadest was a philosophical, intellectual and cultural movement of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It stressed reason, logic, criticism, and freedom of thought over dogma, blind faith, and superstition. Logic wasn’t a new invention, having been used by the ancient Greeks, but it was now included in a worldview which argued that empirical observation and the examination of human life could reveal the truth behind human society and self, as well as the universe. All were deemed to be rational and understandable. The Enlightenment held that there could be a science of man  and that the history of mankind was one of progress, which could be continued with the right thinking. Consequently, the Enlightenment also argued that human life and character could be improved through the use of education and reason. The mechanistic universe – that is to say, the universe when considered to be a functioning machine – could also be altered. The Enlightenment thus brought interested thinkers into direct conflict with the political and religious establishment; these thinkers have even been described as intellectual â€Å"terrorists† against the norm. They challenged religion with the scientific method, often instead favoring deism. The Enlightenment thinkers wanted to do more than understand, they wanted to change for, as they believed, the better: they thought reason and science would improve lives. When Was the Enlightenment? There is no definitive starting or ending point for the Enlightenment, which leads many works to simply say it was a seventeenth and eighteenth-century phenomena. Certainly, the key era was the second half of the seventeenth century and almost all of the eighteenth. When historians have given dates, the English Civil wars and revolutions are sometimes given as the start, as they influenced Thomas Hobbes and one of the Enlightenment’s (and indeed Europe’s) key political works, Leviathan. Hobbes felt that the old political system had contributed to the bloody civil wars and searched for a new one, based on the rationality of scientific inquiry. The end is usually given as either the death of Voltaire, one of the key Enlightenment figures, or the start of the French Revolution. This is often claimed to have marked the downfall of the Enlightenment, as attempts to rework Europe into a more logical and egalitarian system collapsed into bloodshed which killed leading writers. Its possible to say that we are still in the Enlightenment, as we still have many of the benefits of their development, but Ive also seen it said were in a post-Enlightenment age. These dates do not, in themselves, constitute a value judgment. Variations and Self-Consciousness One problem in defining the Enlightenment is that there was a great deal of divergence in the leading thinkers views, and it is important to recognize that they argued and debated with each other over the correct ways to think and proceed. Enlightenment views also varied geographically, with thinkers in different countries going in slightly different ways. For instance, the search for a â€Å"science of man† led some thinkers to search for the physiology of a body without a soul, while others searched for answers to how humanity thought. Still, others tried to map humanity’s development from a primitive state, and others still looked at the economics and politics behind social interaction. This might have led to some historians wishing to drop the label Enlightenment were it not for the fact that the Enlightenment thinkers actually called their era one of Enlightenment. The thinkers believed that they were intellectually better off than many of their peers, who were still in a superstitious darkness, and they wished to literally ‘lighten’ them and their views. Kant’s key essay of the era, â€Å"Was ist Aufklrung† literally means â€Å"What is Enlightenment?†, and was one of a number of responses to a journal which had been trying to pin down a definition. Variations in thought are still seen as part of the general movement. Who Was Enlightened? The spearhead of the Enlightenment was a body of well-connected writers and thinkers from across Europe and North America who became known as the philosophes, which is the French for philosophers. These leading thinkers formulated, spread and debated the Enlightenment in works including, arguably the dominant text of the period, the Encyclopà ©die. Where historians once believed that the philosophes were the sole carriers of Enlightenment thought, they now generally accept that they were merely the vocal tip of a much more widespread intellectual awakening among the middle and upper classes, turning them into a new social force. These were professionals such as lawyers and administrators, office holders, higher clergy and landed aristocracy, and it was these who read the many volumes of Enlightenment writing, including the Encyclopà ©die and soaked up their thinking. Origins of the Enlightenment The scientific revolution of the seventeenth century shattered old systems of thinking  and allowed new ones to emerge. The teachings of the church and Bible, as well as the works of classical antiquity so beloved of the Renaissance, were suddenly found lacking when dealing with scientific developments. It became both necessary and possible for philosophes (Enlightenment thinkers) to begin applying the new scientific methods - where empirical observation was first applied to the physical universe - to the study of humanity itself to create a â€Å"science of man†. There was not a total break, as the Enlightenment thinkers still owed a lot to Renaissance humanists, but they believed they were undergoing a radical change from past thought. Historian Roy Porter has argued that what in effect happened during the Enlightenment was that the overarching Christian myths were replaced by new scientific ones. There is a lot to be said for this conclusion, and an examination of how science is being used by commentators does seem to greatly support it, although thats a highly controversial conclusion. Politics and Religion In general, Enlightenment thinkers argued for freedom of thought, religion, and politics. The philosophes were largely critical of Europe’s absolutist rulers, especially of the French government, but there was little consistency: Voltaire, critic of the French crown, spent some time at the court of Frederick II of Prussia, while Diderot traveled to Russia to work with Catherine the Great; both left disillusioned. Rousseau has attracted criticism, especially since World War 2, for appearing to call for authoritarian rule. On the other hand, liberty was widely espoused by Enlightenment thinkers, who were also largely against nationalism and more in favor of international and cosmopolitan thinking. The philosophes were deeply critical, indeed even openly hostile, to the organized religions of Europe, especially the Catholic Church whose priests, pope, and practices came in for severe criticism. The philosophes were not, with perhaps some exceptions like Voltaire at the end of his life, atheists, for many still believed in a god behind the mechanisms of the universe, but they railed against the perceived excesses and constraints of a church they attacked for using magic and superstition. Few Enlightenment thinkers attacked personal piety and many believed religion performed useful services. Indeed some, like Rousseau, were deeply religious, and others, like Locke, worked out a new form of rational Christianity; others became deists. It was not religion which irked them, but the forms and corruption of those religions. Effects of the Enlightenment The Enlightenment affected many areas of human existence, including politics; perhaps the most famous examples of the latter are the US Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. Parts of the French Revolution are often attributed to the Enlightenment, either as recognition or as a way to attack the philosophes by pointing to violence such as the Terror as something they unwittingly unleashed. There is also debate about whether the Enlightenment actually transformed popular society to match it, or whether it was itself transformed by society. The Enlightenment era saw a general turn away from the dominance of the church and the supernatural, with a reduction in belief in the occult, literal interpretations of the Bible and the emergence of a largely secular public culture, and a secular â€Å"intelligentsia† able to challenge the previously dominant clergy. The Enlightenment of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries era was followed by that of a reaction, Romanticism, a turn back to the emotional instead of the rational, and a counter-Enlightenment. For a while, in the nineteenth century, it was common for the Enlightenment to be attacked as the liberal work of utopian fantasists, with critics pointing out there were plenty of good things about humanity not based on reason. Enlightenment thought was also attacked for not criticizing the emerging capitalist systems. There is now a growing trend to arguing that the results of the Enlightenment are still with us, in science, politics and increasingly in western views of religion, and that we are still in an Enlightenment, or heavily influenced post-Enlightenment, age. More on the effects of the Enlightenment. There has been a lean away from calling anything progress when it comes to history, but youll find the Enlightenment easily attracts people willing to call it a great step forward.

Health-related program for HLP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Health-related program for HLP - Assignment Example Notably, this gives the user an opportunity to work out their muscles when they are taking a break from the running sessions. During this time, on can do a few reps with the dumbbell as he or she catches breath after having run on the treadmill. Its structure consist of a usual treadmill machine with an extension on the front where one can use to place the dumbbells A user gains various benefits from the multifunctional treadmill such as: strengthening the heart of the user thus lowering his or her blood pressure, improving the circulation of blood in the body as well as protection from blood vessels and heart diseases. It may also be used by diabetic patients on a regular basis to reduce the blood sugar levels. The one outstanding advantage that comes with using the multifunctional treadmill is that it enables the user to acquire and maintain a good body shape. The heart needs to be kept in good condition and status as it is argued to be the most important muscle of the body. Other parts or tissues of the body, however, should not be left out during exercise. The muscle tissues of the arms, as well as legs, should be well maintained to maintain a good stature. The facility has some programmes that enable a user to achieve an improved or maintained health condition in as far as health and exercise are concerned. These programmes are as follows: first it has time location for the warm up period. Therefore, this enables a user to warm up before commencing on the actual exercise. It is an allowance of one minute that the user gets before he or she starts the exercise. Secondly, it has a speed control that enables a user to set his or her desired speed. Thirdly, it has an inclination control which one uses to adjust the treadmill to an inclination that they desire either steep or slope as the extremes. Fourthly, it enables a user to choose the type of exercise he or she wishes to do and

Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Annotated Bibliography Example Baltes, B. B., Finkelstein, L. M., Van, V. A. E. M., Dalhoeven, B. A. G. W., & De, P. I. E. (2011, February 04). Aging and training and development willingness: Employee and supervisor mindsets. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 32(2), 226-247. The authors published their results of employee development research. They focused on figuring out the relationship between the willingness of employee to obtain training and development and their age. Researchers even found out what factors have led to the creation of these relationships. In this research they study the perception of the supervisors regarding the link between age and an employee’s willingness to get trained. This research is helpful in identifying the mindset of both employees and supervisors regarding the importance of training and development. Before training is provided to employees, a needs analysis is conducted. Training needs analysis helps in figuring out who needs to be training, what kind of training is needed and why the training is required. Jean Barbazette, the writer of this text book focuses on all issues regarding training needs analysis. This book provides a huge variety of methods and techniques used to conduct a training needs analysis. The text book even provides information regarding why a training needs assessment is necessary. Donnelly conducted this research during the period of 2009. This research focuses on the importance of mobile learning through various technological advancements. Research even studied how the method of mobile learning can be manipulated by organizations to attain a competitive edge and to fight the difficult economic conditions. The researchers figured out that mobile learning can be conducted through devises that users carry around easily with themselves. These devises include MP3 players and mobile phones and these can be used to enhance the performance of employees. Gitman et

Compare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Compare - Essay Example In this paper, two passages are taken from two different writers namely Elie Wiesel and Cynthia Ozick. The aim of the paper is to undertake a comparative discussion on their writings namely â€Å"Night† and â€Å"The Shawl† respectively. This means that any major similarities or differences that are noticed in the two passages selected shall be discussed from the perspectives of the themes used by the writers, style of writing, themes covered in the writings, as well as any identified problems. Style of writing Reading through â€Å"Night† and â€Å"The Shawl†, readers get a sense of feeling that two different forms of writings are presented. This is rooted in the general approach used by the two writers, manifesting in the style of writing they used to present their work. Generally, â€Å"Night† is presented by Elie Wiesel from a more juvenile perspective of wording, making the whole style of writing easy to read and understand. There are not much use of literary devices and other technical literature terms. Rather, the reader to have a smooth flow of the storyline with no meandering of ideas entertained. The advantage that this had on the text was that it made it very easy for the reader to get along with the ideas being portrayed by the writer without any difficulty in understanding. Indeed, events were described in a down to earth approach making statements like â€Å"I decided to give my father lessons in marching in step, in keeping time. We began practicing in front of our block. I would command: ‘Left, right!’ and my father would try.† (PAGE 55). On the other hand, â€Å"the Shawl† is presented in a more classical manner, disbanding the use of naive and juvenile techniques to making the theme of the story flow. This was seen through several perspectives of the writing including the use of complex sentence structuring, idiomatic expressions and a number of literary devices. Along the way howev er, Ozick gets comic just as Elie had been throughout his writing by stating that of Stella who wanted to be in the shawl like Magda that â€Å"A thin girl of fourteen, too small with thin breasts of her own, Stella wanted to be wrapped in a shawl, hidden away, asleep, rocked by the march, a baby, around infant in arms† (PAGE 3). Themes The family as an agent of socialization Throughout both stories, the role of the family in society is clearly defined as both Ozick and Elie make statements that suggest that the family is an agent of socialization. By this, reference is being made to the larger concept of family and how the family plays its role in ensuring that the people that are born into it fit in perfectly. In â€Å"Night†, socialization is depicted as a bilateral responsibility between children and their parents. That is, parents socialize children and children socialize parents. The relationship between Elie and his father is shown to reflect the popular saying that if your parents take care of you for you to make teeth, you also take care of them till they loss their teeth. From another perspective, it could be said that the marching training that Elie gives to the father represents a reverse of role because it is fathers who are normally expected to teach their kids to walk. In â€Å"The Shawl† also, the role of family in socialization is resounded as Rosa makes frantic efforts to cater for her two daughters, Stella and Magda. Stella was 14 years and Magda was only 15 months. Due to economic

Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat - Essay Example The essay "Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat" examines the painting of famous artist Seurat. Due to the method’s demand for hard work, prevented its completion despite the published fact that he usually stays by himself working for long hours of the day and through the night on his paintings. The Circus as the title implies is the setting of the picture which shows the ringmaster on the forefront, the joyful dancing of the lady, prancing horse and the clown on his upside-down stunt. The painting depicts the gaiety going in the circus considered to have been a part of his experimentation of colors, as he also considered emotional characters coming out from his former mood of being very formal and static. Created during the years when Paris was still feeling the effects of the Franco-Prussian war, â€Å"The Circus† portrays the other side of the great devastation experienced during this time which recorded 36,000 people who died of starvation when the Germans besieg ed Paris and cut off all food supplies. Despite this fact, France rose to gather great minds from around the world and introduce their expertise and studies. It has been noted that Seurat and other impressionists never portrayed the dark side of the circumstances in France which could most probably be the reason behind the subject of this painting because Seurat would rather leave an impression to his audiences of the joyful pleasures the circus brings. During the time of Seurat, artworks have been a major contribution to the development of the country., attracting peoples from around the world not only in arts but also in other areas like philosophy, Sciences and Mathematics so that France then became the center of information and development. One of the developments produced in this era is what Seurat birthed as the Pointillism mentioned earlier which is also known as neo-impressionism. This was also the time when the ‘salon’, the French Academy of Art controlled the industry, dictating theme and style used in the artworks so that Seurat’s modern approach to his artwork was rejected because it was considered to be against the then generally accepted perception of art and beauty. The salon gave good exposure of artists and their works so it has been a very powerful tool to the success or fall of artists. Seurat was sneered at and his works have been despised by the impressionists but these did not thwart him in pursuing his personal style of performing arts in what he believed he could effectively use. He then joined hands with other artists whose works have also been rejected by the salon and formed an independent body where they coordinated their own exhibits. Contrary to what Seurat experienced with the impressionists, his artwork has been acclaimed by the increasingly educated population in the use of modern concepts. This gave Seurat a platform to continue with his style which he was known for and also to be the father of which, takin g a little following and influencing other successful artists during his time. The ringmaster’s whip and the whiplash is the motif repetitively expressed in

Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat - Essay Example The essay "Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat" examines the painting of famous artist Seurat. Due to the method’s demand for hard work, prevented its completion despite the published fact that he usually stays by himself working for long hours of the day and through the night on his paintings. The Circus as the title implies is the setting of the picture which shows the ringmaster on the forefront, the joyful dancing of the lady, prancing horse and the clown on his upside-down stunt. The painting depicts the gaiety going in the circus considered to have been a part of his experimentation of colors, as he also considered emotional characters coming out from his former mood of being very formal and static. Created during the years when Paris was still feeling the effects of the Franco-Prussian war, â€Å"The Circus† portrays the other side of the great devastation experienced during this time which recorded 36,000 people who died of starvation when the Germans besieg ed Paris and cut off all food supplies. Despite this fact, France rose to gather great minds from around the world and introduce their expertise and studies. It has been noted that Seurat and other impressionists never portrayed the dark side of the circumstances in France which could most probably be the reason behind the subject of this painting because Seurat would rather leave an impression to his audiences of the joyful pleasures the circus brings. During the time of Seurat, artworks have been a major contribution to the development of the country., attracting peoples from around the world not only in arts but also in other areas like philosophy, Sciences and Mathematics so that France then became the center of information and development. One of the developments produced in this era is what Seurat birthed as the Pointillism mentioned earlier which is also known as neo-impressionism. This was also the time when the ‘salon’, the French Academy of Art controlled the industry, dictating theme and style used in the artworks so that Seurat’s modern approach to his artwork was rejected because it was considered to be against the then generally accepted perception of art and beauty. The salon gave good exposure of artists and their works so it has been a very powerful tool to the success or fall of artists. Seurat was sneered at and his works have been despised by the impressionists but these did not thwart him in pursuing his personal style of performing arts in what he believed he could effectively use. He then joined hands with other artists whose works have also been rejected by the salon and formed an independent body where they coordinated their own exhibits. Contrary to what Seurat experienced with the impressionists, his artwork has been acclaimed by the increasingly educated population in the use of modern concepts. This gave Seurat a platform to continue with his style which he was known for and also to be the father of which, takin g a little following and influencing other successful artists during his time. The ringmaster’s whip and the whiplash is the motif repetitively expressed in

Globalization in China as it relates to MacroEconomics Essay

Globalization in China as it relates to MacroEconomics - Essay Example (U.S. Commercial Service) China has been doing an admirable job of attracting foreign direct Investment (FDI), which has made it a powerful force to reckon with in the World Economic scene. In 2004, China kept its place as one of the top two destinations in the world of FDI adding $64 billion. Over $564 billion of FDI has been invested in China since it opened to the world in 1979.Executives overwhelmingly consider China to be the undisputed top FDI destination for the third year in a row in 2004. About 40% of global investors expressed a more positive outlook on China's economy, four times the number of executives who had a dimmer view of China. The path to economic liberalization has been a difficult but fruitful one for China. It has triumphed due to its determination and commitment to open up its markets to foreign investors. A Business Week article in 2001 stated that "after two decades of steady but halting reforms, Beijing is now racing to dismantle the last vestiges of a command economy". Let us trace the FDI history in China. Since late 1978, China has carried out massive economic reforms in an effort to restructure its economy to be more market oriented. FDI was one of the primary goals of its reforms. The government has over the years slowly liberalized the restrictions on FDI to gain technology transfer, modern management skills and foreign exchange. The government's first move to entice FDI was taken in 1979 with the Equity Joint Venture Law. This law allowed the legal entry of FDI and provided a statutory basis for the establishment of joint ventures in China. But Investment was allowed in only designated Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and was encouraged via tax incentives. As investments grew, additional laws were required. In 1983 another law was issued which provided greater details on all joint ventures in FDI. The government also expanded the SEZs in 1984.Then it passed Foreign Exchange Balance Provisions and Encouragement provisions in 1986, which facilitated FDI and allowed firms to solve fore ign exchange problems. (Jun Fu, November 2000). In 1994, China conducted a new round of FDI reforms. It abolished the official exchange rate and adopted a market rate. It also abolished the exchange quota retention system. In 1996, the government adopted IMF article A that removed all restrictions on foreign exchange transactions. All these reforms went a long way to boost investor confidence. In the November 1999 US-China WTO Accession Agreement, China agreed to several ground breaking reforms. (Sandra Berkun, 2001). Some of them were: China will phase in trading rights and distribution services over three years, and open up sectors relating to distribution services such as repair and maintenance, warehousing, trucking and air-courier services (US-China Business Council). China committed to allow FDI in its telecommunications industry. Increased access in banking, insurance and securities will be phased in the next five years resulting in full market access in all activities and regions. China also promised national treatment for foreign banks and minority ownership in domestic security firms and more insurance businesses.(Lardy ,1998) Increased access for professional services including accounting, consulting, engineering, medical and Information Technology. (Lardy,

Mangroves and sea grasses in Florida Research Paper

Mangroves and sea grasses in Florida - Research Paper Example They usually form mangrove forest that is often inundated by tidal salt twice a day. Sea grasses are grass-like flowering plants that are totally submerged in estuarine and marine waters. These habitats occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, however, most are found in Florida Bay, and the region between Tarpon Springs northward to Apalachee Bay. Types of Mangroves in Florida There are three species of Mangroves found along the coastal region of Florida: black mangrove, white mangrove, and red mangrove. Black mangroves survive in slightly higher elevations than red mangroves, while white mangrove grows upland more than black and red mangroves. Red mangrove grows along the water edge (Saenger 289). Red mangrove is identified by its branching and arching drop roots from branches, prop roots from trunk. Black mangrove is identified by its pencil-like roots that grow up through the soil. The white mangrove is identified by its more rounded leaves than the leaves of black and red m angrove (Saenger 289). Importance of Mangrove in the Ecosystem Mangrove ecosystems are essential habitat for fish production. They provide breeding and feeding grounds for shell fishes and many fishes. Besides fish, it also supports a variety of wildlife such as crocodile, snakes, birds, deer, insects and fishing cats (Saenger 289). The mangrove forests also protect the coast from floods, fury of cyclone, coastal erosion, UV-B radiation, wave actions and sea level rise. Mangroves act as sinks for nutrients, and traps for sediments (Saenger 289). How do Mangroves Reproduce? Mangroves are flowering and seed-producing plants. Their seeds are larger as compared to other seeds produced by other trees and plants, and they usually begin germinating while still attached to the main plant. When the seeds drop from the tree, they float on water for a short period, and then they sink to the bottom (Gleason 21). They float for a short period while being dispersed to areas where they can grow: t hey can only grow in tidal water. The rate of growth depends on mineral availability and climate. Health of Ecosystem Occupied by Mangrove These ecosystems are free from the deleterious impacts of UV-radiation. Mangrove trees produce flavonoids, which serve as UV-screen compounds. Shores and coastlines with mangrove forest are protected from cyclones with tremendous speed that severely disturbs and destroys coastal ecosystem. This makes it a potent nursery and breeding ground for many fishes and other wildlife (Gleason 21). The mangrove roots prevent erosion of the coast, and attract suspended sediments making these regions fertile grounds for cultivation. They also support the growth of planktons, which is a source of fish food (Gleason 22). How Mangrove deals with Salt in the Water Mangroves eliminate salt at the root level, and mangrove trees can tolerate high salt levels in their tissues more than normal plants. Most of the salts are eliminated at the root level through Ultra fi ltration process. Any salt that passes through the roots is stored in old and dry leaves, which are later shed (Gleason 42). A few mangroves can tolerate high salt levels in their tissues, and the excess salt is eliminated through specialized cells in their leaves. For example, Avecennia is the only tree that survives in hot and salty regions. Florida Laws that Protect Mangroves The Florida Legislature passed the Mangrove Trimming and Prevention Act to protect mangrove forests. The act

Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat - Essay Example The essay "Analysis of The Circus by George Seurat" examines the painting of famous artist Seurat. Due to the method’s demand for hard work, prevented its completion despite the published fact that he usually stays by himself working for long hours of the day and through the night on his paintings. The Circus as the title implies is the setting of the picture which shows the ringmaster on the forefront, the joyful dancing of the lady, prancing horse and the clown on his upside-down stunt. The painting depicts the gaiety going in the circus considered to have been a part of his experimentation of colors, as he also considered emotional characters coming out from his former mood of being very formal and static. Created during the years when Paris was still feeling the effects of the Franco-Prussian war, â€Å"The Circus† portrays the other side of the great devastation experienced during this time which recorded 36,000 people who died of starvation when the Germans besieg ed Paris and cut off all food supplies. Despite this fact, France rose to gather great minds from around the world and introduce their expertise and studies. It has been noted that Seurat and other impressionists never portrayed the dark side of the circumstances in France which could most probably be the reason behind the subject of this painting because Seurat would rather leave an impression to his audiences of the joyful pleasures the circus brings. During the time of Seurat, artworks have been a major contribution to the development of the country., attracting peoples from around the world not only in arts but also in other areas like philosophy, Sciences and Mathematics so that France then became the center of information and development. One of the developments produced in this era is what Seurat birthed as the Pointillism mentioned earlier which is also known as neo-impressionism. This was also the time when the ‘salon’, the French Academy of Art controlled the industry, dictating theme and style used in the artworks so that Seurat’s modern approach to his artwork was rejected because it was considered to be against the then generally accepted perception of art and beauty. The salon gave good exposure of artists and their works so it has been a very powerful tool to the success or fall of artists. Seurat was sneered at and his works have been despised by the impressionists but these did not thwart him in pursuing his personal style of performing arts in what he believed he could effectively use. He then joined hands with other artists whose works have also been rejected by the salon and formed an independent body where they coordinated their own exhibits. Contrary to what Seurat experienced with the impressionists, his artwork has been acclaimed by the increasingly educated population in the use of modern concepts. This gave Seurat a platform to continue with his style which he was known for and also to be the father of which, takin g a little following and influencing other successful artists during his time. The ringmaster’s whip and the whiplash is the motif repetitively expressed in

Mangroves and sea grasses in Florida Research Paper

Mangroves and sea grasses in Florida - Research Paper Example They usually form mangrove forest that is often inundated by tidal salt twice a day. Sea grasses are grass-like flowering plants that are totally submerged in estuarine and marine waters. These habitats occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, however, most are found in Florida Bay, and the region between Tarpon Springs northward to Apalachee Bay. Types of Mangroves in Florida There are three species of Mangroves found along the coastal region of Florida: black mangrove, white mangrove, and red mangrove. Black mangroves survive in slightly higher elevations than red mangroves, while white mangrove grows upland more than black and red mangroves. Red mangrove grows along the water edge (Saenger 289). Red mangrove is identified by its branching and arching drop roots from branches, prop roots from trunk. Black mangrove is identified by its pencil-like roots that grow up through the soil. The white mangrove is identified by its more rounded leaves than the leaves of black and red m angrove (Saenger 289). Importance of Mangrove in the Ecosystem Mangrove ecosystems are essential habitat for fish production. They provide breeding and feeding grounds for shell fishes and many fishes. Besides fish, it also supports a variety of wildlife such as crocodile, snakes, birds, deer, insects and fishing cats (Saenger 289). The mangrove forests also protect the coast from floods, fury of cyclone, coastal erosion, UV-B radiation, wave actions and sea level rise. Mangroves act as sinks for nutrients, and traps for sediments (Saenger 289). How do Mangroves Reproduce? Mangroves are flowering and seed-producing plants. Their seeds are larger as compared to other seeds produced by other trees and plants, and they usually begin germinating while still attached to the main plant. When the seeds drop from the tree, they float on water for a short period, and then they sink to the bottom (Gleason 21). They float for a short period while being dispersed to areas where they can grow: t hey can only grow in tidal water. The rate of growth depends on mineral availability and climate. Health of Ecosystem Occupied by Mangrove These ecosystems are free from the deleterious impacts of UV-radiation. Mangrove trees produce flavonoids, which serve as UV-screen compounds. Shores and coastlines with mangrove forest are protected from cyclones with tremendous speed that severely disturbs and destroys coastal ecosystem. This makes it a potent nursery and breeding ground for many fishes and other wildlife (Gleason 21). The mangrove roots prevent erosion of the coast, and attract suspended sediments making these regions fertile grounds for cultivation. They also support the growth of planktons, which is a source of fish food (Gleason 22). How Mangrove deals with Salt in the Water Mangroves eliminate salt at the root level, and mangrove trees can tolerate high salt levels in their tissues more than normal plants. Most of the salts are eliminated at the root level through Ultra fi ltration process. Any salt that passes through the roots is stored in old and dry leaves, which are later shed (Gleason 42). A few mangroves can tolerate high salt levels in their tissues, and the excess salt is eliminated through specialized cells in their leaves. For example, Avecennia is the only tree that survives in hot and salty regions. Florida Laws that Protect Mangroves The Florida Legislature passed the Mangrove Trimming and Prevention Act to protect mangrove forests. The act

Christianity Essay Example for Free

Christianity Essay Followers of Jesus, a Jewish man, started a new religion, Christianity. Christianity started to grow during the Pax Romana, a period of peace in Rome. The Pax Romana lasted from 27 B. C. E to 180 C. E. and during it government improved, literature prospered, engineering improved, and laws formed. The peace during the Pax Romana provided a time for Christianity to rise. Christianity spread rapidly and successfully in the 1st through 3rd centuries because it appealed to many people, missionaries could easily travel and spread the message, and because of the events taking place in Rome. The Christian message, a universal message, appealed to many people. In the Sermon on the Mount, the only full sermon existing from Jesus, a section called â€Å"The Beatitudes† lists all of the blessed people. Jesus blessed the oppressed, the hungry, the merciful, the peacemakers, and the pure in heart in his sermon. The Christian message of hope appealed to those out of power and suffering under the rule of the Roman authority, because the Christian message gave people hope and a thought of salvation. The Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, encompasses the Christian message of hope. In addition because of the simplicity and directness of the Christian message, people could easily catch on to the message. In addition to those suppressed by the Roman government, Christianity also appealed to gentiles, non-Jews. Paul, a missionary, preached Christianity to the gentiles and compromised with them. Originally following the strict rules such as circumcision and eating Kosher showed to be a roadblock to the gentiles. Paul and Peter argued over whether or not the gentiles should have to follow these rules, and Paul won, so the gentiles that converted to Christianity did not have to adhere to any rules of dress, eating Kosher, or being circumcised. This allowed for Christianity to appeal to the gentiles. Christianity also appealed to widows. In Roman Civilization those that had been widowed had a low place in the social hierarchy and people looked down on them. However, in Christianity widows were honored and called brides of Christ. The charity work that the Christians did also made Christianity an appealing religion. Christians set up hospitals for the poor and homeless. Hospitals gave the homeless a place to become comfortable before they died. In addition to the charity work that Christians did, Christianity emphasized peace, love, and brotherhood, which appealed to some. In the 1st-3rd centuries C. E. the message of Christianity could also be spread quite easily throughout the Roman Empire. The 200,000 miles of roads built in Rome helped Christianity spread throughout the entire empire. The roads allowed for missionaries to travel throughout the empire easily so that they could spread and preach Christianity. The Pax Romana, a period of peace, also allowed for the roads to be safe for the missionaries to travel and spread the word without the fear of being attacked. The many different cities helped spread Christianity rapidly because of the great amount of people in a small area. In addition Christianity could catch on faster and reach more people. Missionaries also had an easy time getting across the message because of the use of only two languages. In the eastern half of the Roman Empire the people mainly spoke koine Greek, and in the western portion of the Roman Empire the people mostly spoke Latin. Because no language barrier existed, missionaries could spread Christianity with fewer difficulties. The events taking place in Rome helped the Christian message to spread rapidly and successfully. The old Roman religions started losing their vitality setting the stage for new beliefs and giving way to the rise of Christianity. Unlike other cults, like the cult of Isis or Mithras, Christianity was freer and adaptable. The loosely organized internal structure of Christianity allowed for Christianity to adapt to people. The persecution of Christians led to the organization of Christian ideas and thoughts. The persecution of the first Christians led to the idea that the ideas of Christianity should be written down and organized. The two groups of Christians, the Apostolics and the Gnostics, had similar but different views on Christianity. Irenaeus, an Apostolic Christian, wrote the first book of the Christian Church titled Against the Heresies. Irenaeus thought that the Gnostics did not represent the true teachings of Jesus, and that the Apostolic Christians represented the teachings of Jesus more than the Gnostics. The Apostolic view of Christianity became the mainstream Christian view and people recorded the Apostolic ideas in the Bible. The persecution on Christians led to the spread of the message of what the Christians died for. Christianity spread due to many factors including roads, missionaries, and the honoring of widows. The timing of the rise of Christianity helped Christianity spread and rise rapidly and successfully. The period of peace in Rome, the Pax Romana, helped Christianity flourish. Christianity at this time grew as older Roman religions started to decline, missionaries preached Christianity to many people, and the Christian message of hope gave hope to those who needed it. These factors along with the rise of Christianity during the Pax Romana helped Christianity spread and continue throughout the Byzantine Empire and beyond.

Analysis Of Engineering Students Problems In Speaking English Language Essay

Analysis Of Engineering Students Problems In Speaking English Language Essay The objective of the study was to investigate the English language problems in terms of speaking and writing skills of engineering students at a technical university in Malaysia based on the perceptions of students and English language lecturers. The study was conducted within the framework of needs analysis as part of the larger curriculum review exercise in the effort to redesign English language courses that meet the needs of the stakeholders. A 15-item questionnaire was formulated and distributed to 612 engineering students and 36 English language lecturers of the technical university. The findings of the survey indicated that there is a difference between students and lecturers perceptions of students problems in speaking and writing. Based on the findings of the study relevant recommendations were made to assist in the decision making process of the curriculum review exercise. KEYWORDS Language problems, Speaking, Writing, Curriculum review, English for Specific Purposes, Needs analysis INTRODUCTION One of the recommendations mentioned consistently in research projects commissioned by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education is the need for a comprehensive review of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) programmes of Malaysian universities (Morshidi et al., 2008; Isarji et al., 2008). The recommendation is in direct response to the nations concern for the declining standard of English among Malaysian university students and graduates and the need to meet the expectations of the stakeholders. The research project reported that based on scores in the English Proficiency Test (EPT) and perceptions of business leaders, government officials and academic staff, Malaysian university students, in general, were considered limited users of English in the productive skills; namely, writing and speaking (Isarji et al., 2008). The literature on ESP, college graduates, and employability reveals a list of problems faced by university students in terms of writing and speaking such as writing reports, memos, proposals, formal letters, instructions, manuals, summaries, technical jargons, and using grammatically correct sentences, participating in discussions, communicating with people, telephone conversations, everyday conversation, oral presentation, and negotiations (Horowitz, 1986; Basturkmen and Al-Huneidi, 1996; Ferris and Tagg, 1996; Hyland, 1997; Sullivan and Girginer, 2002; Abdul Aziz, 2004; Siti Hanim and Ismie Roha, 2005; Isarji et al., 2008); and Ostler et al., 2008). This study was conducted within the framework of needs assessment as part of the larger curriculum review exercise in the effort to redesign English language courses, especially in terms of speaking and writing skills of engineering students that meet the needs of the stakeholders. The research questions were as follows: 1. What are the problems of engineering students in writing and speaking? 2. What are the problems of engineering students in writing and speaking from the lecturers point of view? 3. Is there a difference between the perceptions of students and lecturers? METHODOLOGY This study utilized a survey based on a four-point Likert scale. The items in the survey were developed based on sub-skills in the productive skills. Six items were included in the survey in order to capture the perceptions of students writing sub-skills while ten items were to capture the perceptions of students speaking sub-skills. The survey was distributed to engineering students and English language lecturers of a technical university in Malaysia. A total of 612 students and 36 English language lecturers responded to the survey. Responses to the survey were subjected to descriptive analysis using the SPSS software version 12. In the analysis, the responses based on Agree and Strongly Agree categories were combined in order to capture the agreement to each statement. FINDINGS The findings are presented based on the three research questions. A summary of the findings based on students and lecturers performance are reported separately for both skills (speaking and writing skills). The summary of results is based on percentages of responses according to agreement to the statements in the questionnaires. The first research question is as follows: RQ1: What are the problems of engineering students in writing and speaking? According to Figure 1, on the average, more than half of the students reported that they had difficulties in writing. The most problematic writing sub-skill was writing grammatically correct sentences (71%), followed by choosing suitable words (66%), as well as developing and organizing their writing (56.5%). The writing sub-skill with the least problem as reported by the students was linking sentences in a paragraph (46.8%), followed by spelling correctly (47.7%), and combining paragraphs in an essay (47.7%). Figure 1: Engineering students perceptions of their problems in writing Figure 2: Engineering students perceptions of their problems in speaking In terms of engineering students perceptions of their problems in speaking, the data tabulated in Figure 2 shows that they had problems using grammatically correct language (73.3%), speaking fluently (72%), using varied vocabulary and expressions (67.8%) as well as speaking confidently in English (60.5%). The students, on the other hand, perceived to have fewer problems with participating in discussion (44.3%). communicating with people (44.6%), making suggestions and supporting their views (49.5), and speaking clearly and loudly (49.8%). The second research question asked, RQ2: What are the problems of engineering students in writing and speaking from the lecturers point of view? Figure 3: Lecturers perceptions of engineering students problems in writing Figure 4: Lecturers perceptions of engineering students problems in speaking The lecturers reported that the students had problems with all the sub-skills of speaking (Figure 3). The biggest problem was choosing suitable words (94.5%), followed by writing grammatically correct sentences (94.4%), and combining paragraphs in an essay (80.6%). As far as speaking is concerned, the lecturers reported that the students had problems with all speaking sub-skills (Figure 4). The top three problems reported were using grammatically correct language (94.4%), using varied vocabulary and expressions (91.6%) and speaking fluently (86.1%). The third research question is as follows: RQ3: Is there a difference between the perceptions of students and lecturers? The independent sample t-test conducted indicates that there is a significant difference (p≠¤0.05) between the perceptions of students and lecturers of students problems in writing and speaking in all the items (see Appendix 1). This shows that overall, the way the students perceive their problems in writing and speaking differ from the way their English language lecturers perceive the students problems. The results also show that the mean of the lecturers ratings on all the items were consistently higher than of the students ratings of their own speaking and writing problems. In a separate analysis, on the average, 56.2% of the students perceived writing as a problem as compared to the views of the lecturers on the same issue, which is 82.4%. Similarly, 58% of the students perceived speaking as a problem in contrast to the views of the lecturers, which is 80.2%. DISCUSSIONS This study is a small component of a larger curriculum review exercise. The findings of the study, in general, suggest that both students and English language lecturers were in agreement that the students had: problems in writing and speaking; specific writing problems in choosing suitable words and writing grammatically correct sentences; and specific speaking problems in using grammatically correct language, using varied vocabulary and expressions, and speaking fluently. Not only that both lecturers and students concurred that students had problems in writing and speaking, there is a significant difference between how students and lecturers perceived students problems. The lecturers tended to be more critical of the students problems in writing and speaking than the students themselves. One may not be far fetch to conjecture that the reason for the perceptions to be significantly different perhaps is due to the tenacity of most English language lecturers to accentuate the importance of attaining a minimum threshold level in order to succeed in an English medium university in contrast to the lackadaisical attitude of many Malaysian students towards English. The findings of this study are consistent with the literature on the perceptions Malaysian university lecturers and students of students attitudes towards English in general (Isarji et al., 2008). The findings of the study also provide realistic recommendations pertaining to curriculum review exercise. Firstly, in addition to the teaching of listening, speaking, reading and writing, there is a need to include grammar as an important core competence of language learning. The grammar component, however, needs to be taught in context instead of in isolation not only to ensure that language learning activities relate to the real world but also to enhance students motivation. It needs to be emphasized; however, for English language teaching and learning to solely focus on grammar is to ignore the importance of communicative competence as the ultimate goal. Secondly, students need to be provided with more opportunities to be involved in activities that promote rich vocabulary acquisition. Finally, in a curriculum review exercise, it is imperative to include the opinions of the stakeholders particularly the students and teaching staff. The fact that both students and lecturers acknow ledged the same language problems, even though there is a significant difference between their perceptions make it less demanding for the programme provider to design a language programme that meets the needs of the stakeholders including the students and university. CONCLUSION Even though Malaysian university students have the benefit of at least 11 years of exposure to English language learning as a subject in a school setting, the findings of the study indicate that both students and lecturers perceived grammar and vocabulary to be problematic to students. On this account, 3 hours of exposure to English a week for 14 weeks, which is a normal duration of an English course in a university will not produce a miracle. Notwithstanding, with a proper needs analysis, the programme provider will be able to formulate appropriate learning outcomes, adapt, adopt or develop relevant materials and design suitable learning activities to ensure university students are better prepared not only to undertake rigorous credit bearing faculty courses in English but also to enter the employment world.

Html and How it Works :: Essays Papers

Html and How it Works There are almost 300,000 Aborigines in Australia. About 34,500 live in Sydney. There is debate about when Aborigines migrated to Australia from Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian archipelago. There is evidence of occupation about 50,000 to 60,000 years ago. The earliest archaeological evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the Sydney area is 15,000 years ago at Emu Plains in Sydney's west. Captain Cook guessed that the population of Aborigines for all of Australia would have been about 150,000. Recent estimates are that the Aboriginal population was about 750,000 in 1788. Governor Phillip guessed that there were no more that 1500 Aborigines living in the Sydney area. The first official census of Aborigines did not take place until 1971. Aboriginal people throughout the Sydney area identified themselves more strongly as members of smaller clans or bands. There were an estimated 29 different bands liming in the Sydney area, and between seven and eleven based near the shares of Sydney Harbour and the nearby coast. Each band had approximately fifty members. The general collection of beliefs is known as the Dreaming. The Dreaming not only explains the past and how the present came to be, but also prescribes codes of conduct for important events. When Arthur Phillip was given his instructions from the British government before the First Fleet sailed, he was not instructed to negotiate or enter into treaties with the Aborigines for the use of purchase of land. To Europeans, possession or title to land depended on working or cultivating it. Cook had observed on his journey on the Endeavour that Aborigines did not work or improve the land, so that it was terra nullius, and therefore able to be claimed by the British government. The official instructions from the King, however, ordered Phillip to treat the Aborigines in a conciliatory fashion and that any wrongdoing towards them was to be punished. The critical difference between European and Aboriginal notions of land possession and ownership was that, for the Aborigines, there was no conception of the right of an individual to hold property to the exclusion of everyone else. For the colonists, there was no conception of anything else. Aborigines were closely connected to the land, but in a wider and more collective sense, not in the personal legalistic manner land was possessed in European society. From the outset, the stage was set for a fundamental and irreconcilable clash between cultures, which would soon impoverish the lives of Australia's indigenous people.

Melting Glaciers are Devastating for Wetlands Essay example -- Geology

Melting Glaciers: Great News for Titanic, Devastating for Wetlands Overview This essay is dedicated to the importance of wetlands and the impending danger of rising sea levels due to global warming. Historically we humans have taken for granted the numerous vital roles played by wetlands in our ecosystem and viewed them only as unpleasant and undesirable. So we have destroyed much of our wetlands, and now that we finally see how important they are we are going to lose what little wetlands remain to rising sea levels. What are wetlands? Wetlands are, quite simply wet lands. The word â€Å"wetlands† is the collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs, and similar areas. Here in Florida, wetlands are quite abundant. They can also be found in nearly every county and climactic zone in the United States. However, more than half of America's wetlands have been destroyed by man and his historically negative view of the vital waters. In general, wetlands are not very pleasant to humans to be around. Not only do they lack the beauty and grandeur of lakes, oceans and waterfalls, but they are also home to mosquitoes, flies, unpleasant odors and disease. Furthermore, wetlands tend to cover a large area that would be desirable to developers and farmers. Thus, wetlands were popularly and quickly drained and converted to farmlands or filled for housing developments and industrial facilities. Also, flood control levees and navigation channels have prevented fresh water, nutrients and sediment from reaching wetlands. This has converted many to open water. Some wetlands were even used as dumping sites for the disposal of household and industrial wastes! Today, both scientists and the government recognize the ma... ..., enhanced sedimentation, and enhanced peat formation. These measures must be taken seriously and immediately before we and our animals are paying the horrible price for our own irresponsibility! Back to Contents Resources Information from the following articles and web sites was used in writing this site: EPA Global Warming Site http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/ Facts About Wetlands http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/wetlands/ facts.html GLY 1073 Electronic Tutor http://ess.geology.ufl.edu/ NASA Fact Sheets http://pao.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/ fact_sheets/earthsci/green.htm Titus, J.G., Sea Level Rise and Wetland Loss: An Overview http:// www.epa.gov/oppeoee1/globalwarming/reports/pubs/ sealevel/index.html Wetland Processes and Values http://h2osparc.wq.ncsu.edu/info/ wetlands/funval.html Melting Glaciers are Devastating for Wetlands Essay example -- Geology Melting Glaciers: Great News for Titanic, Devastating for Wetlands Overview This essay is dedicated to the importance of wetlands and the impending danger of rising sea levels due to global warming. Historically we humans have taken for granted the numerous vital roles played by wetlands in our ecosystem and viewed them only as unpleasant and undesirable. So we have destroyed much of our wetlands, and now that we finally see how important they are we are going to lose what little wetlands remain to rising sea levels. What are wetlands? Wetlands are, quite simply wet lands. The word â€Å"wetlands† is the collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs, and similar areas. Here in Florida, wetlands are quite abundant. They can also be found in nearly every county and climactic zone in the United States. However, more than half of America's wetlands have been destroyed by man and his historically negative view of the vital waters. In general, wetlands are not very pleasant to humans to be around. Not only do they lack the beauty and grandeur of lakes, oceans and waterfalls, but they are also home to mosquitoes, flies, unpleasant odors and disease. Furthermore, wetlands tend to cover a large area that would be desirable to developers and farmers. Thus, wetlands were popularly and quickly drained and converted to farmlands or filled for housing developments and industrial facilities. Also, flood control levees and navigation channels have prevented fresh water, nutrients and sediment from reaching wetlands. This has converted many to open water. Some wetlands were even used as dumping sites for the disposal of household and industrial wastes! Today, both scientists and the government recognize the ma... ..., enhanced sedimentation, and enhanced peat formation. These measures must be taken seriously and immediately before we and our animals are paying the horrible price for our own irresponsibility! Back to Contents Resources Information from the following articles and web sites was used in writing this site: EPA Global Warming Site http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/ Facts About Wetlands http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/wetlands/ facts.html GLY 1073 Electronic Tutor http://ess.geology.ufl.edu/ NASA Fact Sheets http://pao.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/ fact_sheets/earthsci/green.htm Titus, J.G., Sea Level Rise and Wetland Loss: An Overview http:// www.epa.gov/oppeoee1/globalwarming/reports/pubs/ sealevel/index.html Wetland Processes and Values http://h2osparc.wq.ncsu.edu/info/ wetlands/funval.html

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Preparing yourself for a job interview can be stressful for some people, but now that you have an interview it is time for you to overcome your fear barriers and prepare yourself before the interview. The first impression is always the best impression so you want to dazzle the employer by walking in shoulders high, well dressed and groomed, nice smile, firm handshake, eye to eye contact, and sit when asked by the employer. Before you get to that point of walking in that employer’s room it is always important to do some homework first. Research about the company before the interview because it shows commitment and that is a quality that employers look for when hiring. You want to get to know all about the company and their mission study that and also more insight on the job for which you are applying for. Make sure their qualification matches your skills and abilities and be enthusiastic when speaking. Study your resume it is good to memorize what is on your resume so when the employer asks you a question about what is on your resume, you will know it and you should be not fumbling back and forth between words. Study you weakness and strengths as you compare your skills with the employer’s qualifications use the skill that you are qualified for as your strength. Your weakness is the qualifications that your employer is looking for that are not listed in your job description, study them and turn that it into a strength to show the employer that you may not have experience in that area , but know a lot about the subject and eager to learn more from working in their establishment. It is also important to produce a portfolio of yourself to show employers and they seeks for candidates who are well organized, prepared, knows the inn’s and out’s of the company and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done efficiently. Your job portfolio should include: †¢Resume †¢Master Application †¢Reference Page †¢Cover Letter †¢Thank You Letter †¢Certifications†¦ Perfect attendance, employee of the month, outstanding performance, participation awards †¢Letters of Recommendation†¦ from your former employer, past teachers, someone work with you on volunteer project †¢High School / G. E. D Certificate †¢Police Clearance †¢Valid Picture I. D †¢Social Security Card Indicates what credentials are need for the interview to prepare yourself for the questions the employer my through at you and remember never leave home without you portfolio! Through research, practicing, taking deep breaths inhale exh ale and visualizing how the interview will go can help you overcome nerviness and prepare you to stay calm. Staying mentally prepared will keep you advanced in an interview. That apply to your weakness as well write them down and go over them many times as that will help you nail the interview. This will help you gain confidence and stay in control of the interview but it is important to remember that the employer is in the driver seat, never try to take the lead. Prepare yourself for the end of the interview write down ten questions to ask the employer never ask about salary until the second interview and only after the employer mentions it first. This is what I would prepare and study to ask the employer: †¢When hiring what do you look for in an employee? †¢What type of skills do you look for when hiring? †¢When viewing a resume what shows the most interest? What type educational background do you look for? †¢What skills do I need to work on to get promoted in the company? †¢Does it take a long time for promotions? †¢If I want to go back to school to advance in the company does the company pay for school/training? †¢How many years have you been with the company? †¢How did you get the position that you are in? †¢What is your edu cational background? These are some good question to ask the employer to gain some more insight about the company and the interviewer, it shows interest and that you are open to learn. Also it helps you to identify if all what the employer’s answers are compares to your job description that you are a possible candidate for the position. Now that you have mentally prepared yourself for the interview, it is now the nigh before the interview what should you do? First you should get your wardrobe together find something suitable for the interview, wear darker colors not to loud, you don’t want to distract the employer with bright colors. Iron your cloths, bath or shower and do all you’re grooming the night before Get a goodnights rest by getting at least eight hours worth of sleep. Waking up early, having a well-balance breakfast, more grooming, it is best not to wear perfume/cologne the employer my be allergic to it, get ready early, visualize, review and practices for interview. Study your list that you made of your weakness and strengths and practice how you will articulate them, and arrive at the interview at lease fifteen minutes early.