Market Models of Education - Pros and Cons Essay - 2

Market Models of Education - Pros and Cons - Essay Example The authors of the Brave new classrooms : democratic education & the Internet argue that even though the online courses might have their place in providing for a higher level of education with respect to the social sciences or to the hard sciences, argues that the provision of online classes in terms of teaching creative writing skills is doing a strong disservice to students around the world. As a function of analyzing this particular point of view and summarizing it, the following critique will provide an interpretation into the method of argument that the authors in question use and this student’s view of whether or not it is an effective argument or not. Essentially, the authors indicate that there are several key reasons why Internet sources are not sufficient in teaching creative writing, or even writing in general. Firstly, the basis of traditional writing courses, as defined by the authors, has been predicated on small groups for many decades. As denoted within the chapter, this is not by accident. Instead, the utilization of small groups increases the overall level of interaction, self and peer review, and other relevant factors relating to the way in which creative writing is taught. However, within the Internet classroom, the overall interaction between students is necessarily limited and a one dimensional level of interaction between the instructor and the student is ultimately affected. Another rationale that the authors provide for why electronic courses are not as effective in teaching writing has to do with the fact that Internet classes necessarily pander to the elements of computer writing and professional business correspondence. The authors argue that even though it is true that these elements should doubtless be taught, to base entire courses on this is to lose sight of how effective writing techniques have produced exceptional articles, books, and opinions the past several decades.

Competition Bikes Inc. Storyline Essay Example for Free

Competition Bikes Inc. Storyline Essay To: Vice President The following is a summary report to recommend whether Competition Bikes should change its traditional costing method to activity based costing, and an analysis of the breakeven point with regards to sales units and dollars for both CarbonLite and Titanium bikes. It also discusses the impacts to the breakeven point. The cost-volume-profit evaluation and the traditional vs activity based costing method overhead analysis were used for the review and analysis. Traditional Based Costing vs Activity Based Costing Traditional Based Costing Method (TBC). TBC uses one rate, the overall cost of production, to estimate costs based on the revenue production created. Unlike ABC, manufacturing costs in TBC are only assigned to sold merchandises and do not account for nonmanufacturing costs such as administrative costs. This method is general not as accurate as ABC as it does not account for costs specifics to the level of products. For Competition Bikes, the company can see its manufacturing overhead is $239,020 for the Titanium bikes, and $232,380 for the CarbonLite bikes for a total of $471,400 in overhead costs. This means the unit cost for each is $713 for Titanium bikes, and $1359 for the CarbonLite bikes. Activity Based Costing Method (ABC). ABC determines and allocates cost by activities a company executes. This generally happens in four steps: identify each activity and its associated costs, both total and indirect; estimated cost driver and quantity; allocation computation; and cost allocation to the respective activity. ABC refines the way indirect costs are allocated to production and focuses on the costs of each individual activity. Costs are also further assigned to each product within the activities and each activity has its own cost driver. Because of the  specificity, active based costing provides a more accurate picture of the true costs. Direct material (DM), and direct labor (DL) are the same for each bike in using TBC or ABC. However, in using ABC, the company can break out the manufacturing overhead into factory setups, quality control, engineering services, product movements, utilities and services, and depreciation. The total for each bike using the ABC method is $590,715 for Titanium bikes, and $729,985 for CarbonLite bikes. Although the total is still the same $471,400 in overhead costs, the ABC method allows Competition Bikes to see that the Titanium bikes depreciate much faster than the CarbonLite and that it takes more utilities and services to make those bikes. Factory setups and quality control are much higher for CarbonLite bikes than those for Titanium ones. Per unit, the Titanium Bikes cost $656 each and the CarbonLite bikes cost $1460. Recommendation. It is recommended to use ABC to determine true costs associated with activities and products. This will give the company more knowledge of its finances and spending and in return by seeing a clearer picture of costs, make better decisions on funding and budget, and gain cost savings. Activity based management in Competition Bikes can use ABC to make decisions that increase profits while still meeting customer needs. Understanding where costs are going will help Competition Bikes to remove unnecessary costs and set fair price for the products. Overpricing products causes a lost in market sharing while underpricing products diminishes revenue. Better prices for consumers means more business for the company. With activity based costing, Competition Bikes will be able to determine the optimum sales units required with the sales mix of 9 Titanium bicycles produced for every 5 CarbonLite bicycles that will produce the bikes at San Diego at breakeven. The company will also be able to reevaluate activities on a regular basis to reduce future costs as well. Evaluating activities and setting sales prices are part of value engineering. Currently the company thinks it costs $1359 to make a CarbonLite bike and have set the selling price accordingly. In reality, the bikes cost $1460 to make. With a $101 difference, the company may want to adjust their selling price in future months. Using ABC also allows the company to use the Just in Time (JIT) system. This system allows ensures materials are purchased just in time to produce the products, and products are completed just in time for delivery. JIT uses the demand-pull system to receive the order, schedule production, delivered materials, and finished product delivered to the customer. This lessens the amount of excess parts and inventory saving the company money as well. Breakeven Point This analysis will evaluate the breakeven point for Competition Bikes Inc. Sales units and sales dollars will be identified for the breakeven point. These sales units and dollars will be broken down between CarbonLite and Titanium bikes. The breakeven point is used my companies to prevent loss. The Cost Volume Profit (CVP) is the tool in which to capture the breakeven point. Sometimes it is referred to as the breakeven analysis. The CVP assists the company in identifying future operation need, production costs, and expansion possibilities based on estimating costs, prices, and volumes. This profit response can help Competition Bikes determine the amount of needed sales, what products to manufacture, pricing policies, marketing strategies, and how much profit is actually needed. In this analysis we will assume that the fixed and variable costs remain constant, and that the number of units produced equals the number of units the company sells. CVP is defined by the equation Total Revenues – Total Costs = Profit. The breakeven point is the point in which the CVP equals zero or, Revenues – Expenses = 0. Meaning, the revenues cover all the costs, fixed and variable. Therefore, the CVP can be further broken down into Total Revenue – Total Fixed Costs – Total Variable Costs = Total Profit. The contribution margin is then identified by Total Revenue – Total Variable Costs (leaving out the fixed costs). Contribution Margin is important to identify the differences in each product’s profits. For Competition Bikes, the contribution margin for the Titanium bikes is $900-$679=$221. The  CarbonLite Bikes yield $1495-$1384=$111 each. Using the 450 Titanium bikes and 250 CarbonLite bikes sold, the total combined contribution margin for Competition Bikes is $127,000. That’s broken down like this: Titanium Bikes contribution margin of $221 per unit, 450 units equals $221*450, or $99,450. CarbonLite bikes contribution margin of $111 per unit, 250 units equals $27,750. Contribution margins $99,450 + $27,750 = $127,200 Total Contribution Margin. To determine the profits in more detail, we use the equation (Selling Price (per unit) * Quantity Sold) – (Variable Costs (per unit) * Quantity Sold) – Fixed Expenses = Breakeven Point (Zero). The fixed costs are the units sold * the weighted average contribution margin. The weighted average contribution margin is used to find the breakeven point and is essentially the average of contribution margin amounts per unit. The equation is Total Contribution Margin / Total Quantity Sold. For Competition Bikes, our combined weighted average contribution is $181.71. That’s $127,200/ 700 units sold (450 Titanium and 250 CarbonLite bikes) = $181.71. To establish the breakeven point, we also need to know the combined revenue and costs as well. So we calculate total revenue as the following. Titanium bikes are $900 each and 400 units sold, equals $405,000. The CarbonLite bikes are $1495 each and 250 sold which equals $373,750. Combine the $405,000 + $373,750 = $778,750 Total Combined Revenue. The variable costs for each are Titanium bikes: $679 in costs, 450 sold, which equals $305,550 or $679*450 = $305,550. CarbonLite bikes: $1384 in costs, 250 sold, which equals $346,000, or $1384*250= $346,000. The two together, $305,550 + $346,000 = $651,550 Total Combined Variable Costs. The total combined margin can also be calculated by taking $778,750 subtracting the $651,550 and it equals the same $127,200 Total Combined Margin we calculated earlier. We use this as a check and balance system here. To determine the breakeven units, we look at the fixed costs and weighted average contribution margin discussed earlier. The fixed cost for the company is $400,000. Divided by the weighted average contribution margin  181.71, we get the breakeven units for the product sales mix of 2201. The contribution margin ratio is the percentage of contribution margin to revenue. To find the contribution margin ratio, we divide the total combined margin by the total revenue. This tells us by how much the price per unit exceeds the variable cost per unit. In this scenario, Total Combined Margin $127,000 divided by Total Revenue $778,750 which is .163, or $127,000 / $778,750 = .163 Contribution Margin Ratio. Since the bikes are not equal, we must calculate a product mix in addition to the weighted average. Using the weighted average, we can calculate the breakeven point in a proportionate way using sales units and sales dollars. For sales units, we take the breakeven units for the product sales mix and multiply it by the ratio of units sold divided by the total number of unit sold. So for Titanium, the sales units at the breakeven point is [450 / 700] * 2201, or 1415 units. For CarbonLite, [250 / 700] * 2201 = 786 units. To calculate the sales dollars, we multiply the sales units by the sales price. In this instance, Titanium is 1415 units multiplied by $900 cost for each unit or, 1415 * $900 = $1,276,500. CarbonLite is 786 units multiplied by $1495 price for each unit, or 786 * $1495 = $1,175,070. The combined total sales dollars is $2,451,570 To break even, the profit must be zero. Gains and losses are equal. For Competition Bikes, the breakeven point is 1415, or $1,276,500 in Titanium bikes, and 786 CarbonLite bikes, or $1,175,070. Impacts of the Breakeven Point A2b. Based on an evaluation of cost-volume-profit, Prepare a summary report that describes the impacts to the breakeven point if company management needed to increase the cost of direct materials by 10% cost increase and needed to add $50,000 in fixed costs to the production facility. Company management has asked for a report on the impacts of increasing the  cost of direct materials by 10% and fixed costs by $50,000 in relation to the breakeven point. The contribution margin and weighted average are based in part on direct materials, or variable costs. Raising the costs by 10% is significant and will have a great impact on the company. Total Revenue is $778,750 and variable costs now $681,800. This increase is broken down by variable cost per unit to $709 for Titanium bikes, and $1551 for CarbonLite. The Contribution Margin per unit is now 191 and 44 respectively lowering the total combined contribution margin to $96,950. CarbonLite bikes contribution margin decreased from $111 to $44 per unit, over a 60% decrease. Calculated by dividing the Total Combined Contribution Margin $96,950 by the Total Units of 700, the 138.50 weighted average contribution margin per unit also dropped by 24% from 181.71. This shows how significant a 10% can be to the contribution margin. Ten percent in one area can mean much larger impact in other areas. With an increase in fixed costs to $450,000 that now brings the breakeven units for the product sales mix to 3249. We calculate this by $450,000 fixed costs divided by the lower weighed average contribution margin 138.50. This continues to affect numbers as we calculate sales units and sales dollars. Titanium bikes sales units are 450 units divided by 700 total units, multiplied by the weighted average 3249 for 2089 units. CarbonLite bike sales units are 250 units divided by the 700 total units, multiplied by the weighted average 3249, totaling 1160 sales. Sales dollars are calculated as Titanium bikes 2089 units * $900 = $1,880,100 and CarbonLite bikes as 1160 units * $1495 = $1,734,200 for a total $3,614,300. The breakeven point is now increased. Sales for Titanium bikes is now up to 2089 units, or $1,880,100 and CarbonLite bikes up to 1160 units, or $1,734,200. By raising direct costs 10% and fixed costs 13%, Competition Bikes now has to sell 674 more Titanium bikes, and 374 CarbonLite bikes to break even. That’s a 48% increase. Based on this analysis, it would be in Competition Bikes best interest to try to keep costs low. Variable and fixed costs show that a small increase can significantly impact the company’s breakeven point. Variable costs have a higher impact than fixed costs. Direct costs per unit should be specifically addressed in reducing costs as well as increasing sales.

Defining Time :: Definition Essays

Defining Time When I think of time, I am immediately drawn to the song Unchained Melody written by the Righteous Brothers. In this song there is one line that describes time almost perfectly, as I believe it to be. This verse states that time can do so much, however it is very broad but let me explain. The song was written about a love that was separated and to me moments were described prior to the breakup and how time would be cherished if another chance was given. These moments can be either spent talking, holding each other, or just being near one another. There are many things that are affected by time. Sleep for instance seems like wasted time, however it is very necessary to be productively effective while awake. Did you know that we spend one third of our lives sleeping. Of course many people vary based on their life style but their are many psychological factors to consider for each person. I do believe that time can be wasted in some cases such as the old idea of cutting the lawn with scissors. This is not an ideal way of doing it, and common sense tells that a lawnmower would be a much faster way of completing this task. This example simply depicts predicaments that people often run into. Sometimes we don't have a choice of how things are completed due to lack of knowledge or tools required for the task. Anyhow it would still be wasted time if there is a faster way of doing things. The old saying that, "time is money" is so relevant to this day and age. Why spend hours chopping down a tree and cutting the wood yourself, when you can purchase perfect size pieces at a local hardware store? Sure you would save money but the time spent could have been spent with your family, using a small portion of a paycheck instead. I have had moment where I have wasted time and understand that it is for personal satisfaction. An example of this is baking a cake. It is nice to say, "hey, I made this from scratch how do you like it"?, as opposed to "I saved ti me and bought it at the bakery".

How does Shakespeare examine the themes of revenge in Hamlet Essay

The revenge tragedy established itself within Elizabethan theatre as a tremendously popular genre. The style of the play had gradually evolved from the works of Seneca, an ancient Roman playwright. Once translated these plays performed, steadily rose in popularity, with plays such as Middleton’s ‘The Changeling’, Kids ‘The Spanish Tragedy’ and Tourneurs ‘The Revenger’s Tragedy’ being most popular. The ‘typical’ revenge tragedy play has several important conventions within it, which are key to the genre. see more:revenge hamlet A five part structure of: Exposition, anticipation, confrontation, partial execution and completion, portray the central character – the revenger, discovering the deed he must avenge, wrestling with his conscience over the justification and validity of the act, then planning and eventually executing the act of revenge. Often Jacobean revenge tragedy often questioned the revengers’ morality. How far does the task of revenge affect the revenger? How far does it taint the person? How can the audience be sure the protagonists’ madness is not actually real? Is it possible that the conflicting morality suffered by him brings unto the revenger real madness and mental instability? The questions over morality are furthered by the death of the protagonist another generic feature. Elizabethans generally firmly believed in the concepts of ‘heaven’ and ‘hell’, dying without forgiveness from God would mean eternity in perdition like the limbo in which Old Hamlet is in, in Hamlet ‘When I to my sulph’rous and tormented flames Must render up myself’. As the revenger usually dies at the end of the play after carrying out revenge, he dies without the chance of confession and absolution. This means the act of murder has not been forgiven. Inevitably this leads us to assume the protagonist will spend eternity in hell. We can debate the authenticity of the spirit demanding for revenge. If they were once a loved one of the revenger why would they make them vow to perform a deed, which would lead them to damnation? Could it be that the spirit is not in fact the spirit of the deceased but an evil spirit taking their form, tricking the revenger? After dispensing with some of the generic features, such as narrative by the ghost, it retains many of the conventions of the revenge tragedy. Hamlet is summoned to avenge the murder of his father, by his father’s spirit, the murderer being Hamlets’ uncle, now stepfather and newly crowned King Claudius. Hamlet feigns madness to disguise his intentions of revenge and has a play entitled ‘The Mousetrap’ performed, in which the murder of Old Hamlet is re-enacted. On preparing to kill Claudius Hamlet is set back by Claudius asking for forgiveness from God in a moment of prayer. This leads to an inevitable climax, which results in the death of Hamlet, Claudius and Laertes in a typically bloody ending. All of these events are to be expected from a revenge tragedy. Further more, Hamlet contains several scenes, key to its portrayal of the revenge theme. In act one, scene five Hamlet follows the supposed spirit of his father and is informed of his fathers murder â€Å"I am thy fathers spirit†¦ sleeping in mine orchid a serpent stung me†. This scene conveys the task of revenge being set, the whole of the play hinges on this event. The imagery within this scene is also telling. Old Hamlet is dressed in battle fatigue, thus symbolizing him as a war-king; the audience having been informed of the war he started against Old Fortinbras. This suggests that Old Hamlets position in hell is right and not solely due to him being unable to confess before his untimely death. This suggests repercussion on whether or not Hamlets’ soul will actually be damned, having not confessed but essentially living a good life. If the nature of damnation does in fact relay solely on whether or not one has lived a good life, and not whether or not one has confessed ones sins, then it is possible Hamlet has gone to heaven, thus Shakespeare can be seen to be subverting the ideas of religion within the revenge tragedy genre. Young Fortinbras comments â€Å"Bear Hamlet like a solider†, in death Hamlet is viewed as a hero, in this context it is not difficult to assume he has escaped damnation The theme of kingship is continued in Act two, scene two. We are presented with an image of Claudius, which is in direct contrast to the one presented of his predecessor. Talk of Claudius averting war with Young Fortinbras, shows the new king to be one which favour’s diplomacy to war. Surely such a king is more advantageous for Denmark than a bloodthirsty leader like the image we are presented of Old Hamlet. This furthers the question of whether Hamlet has enough moral justification to take a life, especially one that is so beneficial to the country. This scene is also important as the first signs of Hamlet feigning madness are demonstrated to the audience. In act three, scene two the feature of a play within a play is portrayed. Claudius is outraged by what he sees â€Å"Give me some light. Away†. Hamlet interprets Claudius’ reaction to the play as unequivocal proof of his guilt. This a crucial turning point in the play. Up to now Hamlet has been unsure of whether or not to perform his ‘duties’. That he is assured by Claudius reaction (poor evidence in hindsight) may illustrate Hamlets degradation by the mission he has been set. â€Å"I’ll take the ghost’s word for a thousand pound† In Act three, scene four the death of Polonius can be seen to serve multiple purposes. In its most insignificant form it leads Ophelia further into the madness, which eventually leads to her death. Also it demonstrates how the revenge plot has affected Hamlet â€Å"A bloody deed. Almost as bad as kill a king and marry his brother. † He has killed, in cold blood and without provocation, the father of his love and yet seems to show little remorse. Can Hamlet still be seen as the hero of the play when he himself is placed in the same situation as Claudius? Polonius’ death introduces a secondary revenge plot. Laertes now has to avenge his father’s death, inviting the audience to compare Laertes and Hamlet as revenger. The alleged actions of Claudius have provoked a cycle of revenge plots, in which all involved are led to their deaths. The penultimate scene of the play affects the resolution of the three revenge plots. Hamlet and Laertes both achieve revenge, in doing they so they sacrifice their earthly bodies and possibly their eternal souls. Young Fortinbras revenge on Denmark for his country as he and his armies easily occupy, thus turning previous defeats on their head. Both Hamlet and Laertes at the beginning of the play were both well-liked and talented men; Hamlet had the possibilities of becoming king bestowed upon him. Yet at the end each die as a murderer who is damned to Hell. Hamlet in this form can be seen as a severe commentary on the idea of revenge, that it is the role of God to act upon those who have wronged, not the individuals’. A modern audience may read Hamlet in ways different to that of a Jacobean counterpart would have viewed it in. Themes of religion are very strong in the play, and while an Elizabethan audience may have had a strong belief in the concepts of divine retribution, a modern audience may be less convinced by this. Religion is not as central to modern life as it was in the era the play was written. Thus issues such as deeds on earth having direct consequences on a persons’ fate in the afterlife- a crucial part of the genre, lessen in their importance.

Outline and Evaluate One Biological Therapy for Schizophrenia

The main form of biological therapy for schizophrenia is drug therapy. Some drugs are more effective at reducing the positive symptoms such as delusions and hallucination than negative symptoms such as lack of motivation and social withdrawal. There are two main categories of drugs, neuroleptic drugs and atypical drugs. Neuroleptic drugs such as Prolixin are conventional drugs that reduce psychotic symptoms but produce some of the symptoms of neurological diseases. These drugs block the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine within 48 hours and their effect on dopamine are believed to be very important in therapy.However it takes several weeks of drug therapy before schizophrenic symptoms show substantial reduction. These drugs are more effective in reducing positive symptoms than negative symptoms. This is supported by Birchwood and Jackson 2001 whose conclusion was the same. These drugs appear to be a more effective treatment for schizophrenia than any of the other approaches us ed alone. (Comer 2001) Researches have shown that patients can get independent to drugs which means they might not be able to stop taking them otherwise they might have to face serious problems. Neuroleptic drugs also have side effects.Windgassen 1992 found 50% of patients with schizophrenia who take neuroleptic drugs reported grogginess or sedation, 18% reported problems with concentration, and 16% had blurred vision. In addition many patients developed symptoms closely resembling those of Parkinson’s disease such as muscle rigidity, tremors and foot shuffling. Also it was found that more than 20% of patients who take neuroleptic drugs for over a year develop the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. These symptoms include involuntary sucking and chewing and writhing movements of the mouth or face.Atypical antipsychotic drugs (such as clozapine) also combat positive symptoms of schizophrenia but there are claims that they also have beneficial effects on negative symptoms as well. These antipsychotics also act on the dopamine system but are thought to block serotonin receptors in the brain as well. They help by only temporarily occupying the dopamine receptors and then rapidly dissociating to allow normal dopamine transmission. Atypical drugs have several advantages over neuroleptic drugs. Firstly they have fewer side effects than neuroleptic drugs.Secondly they benefit 85% of patients with schizophrenia, compared with 65% given neuroleptic drugs. However, the atypical drugs can produce serious side effects. For example, schizophrenic patients who take clozapine have a 1-2% risk of developing agranulocytosis. This involves reduction in white blood cells, and the condition can be life threatening. Although the use of antipsychotic drugs is crucial in the treatment of schizophrenia, many people do not experience the benefits they offer, normally due to their side effects.As a result, additional psychological treatments are used. The cognitive behavioural therap y (CBT) follows the assumption that people often have distorted beliefs which influence their behaviour in maladaptive ways. In this therapy, patients are encouraged to trace back the origins of their symptoms in order to get a better idea of how the symptoms might have developed. As well as this, they are also encouraged to evaluate the content of their delusions to consider ways in which they might test the validity of their faulty beliefs.Next the patients would be given behavioural assignments with the aim of improving their general level of functioning. The learning of maladaptive responses to life's problems is often the result of distorted thinking by the schizophrenic. Researches over time suggest that CBT has a significant effect on improving the symptoms of patients with schizophrenia, however the majority of studies of the effectiveness of CBT have used schizophrenics who are also taking antipsychotic drugs. This leaves the question, how much of the improvement is due to CBT alone?Also, CBT for schizophrenia works by trying to generate less distressing explanations of psychotic experiences, rather than trying to eliminate them completely. The negative symptoms shown by a schizophrenic may well serve a useful function for the person and so can be understood as safety behaviours and could cause potential damage. Lastly, it has been found that CBT doesn't actually work for all Schizophrenics, Kingdon and Kirschen found that many patients were not deemed suitable for CBT because psychiatrists believed that they would not fully engage with the therapy.

How does steinbeck use the character of George Essays

How does steinbeck use the character of George Essays How does steinbeck use the character of George Essay How does steinbeck use the character of George Essay How does Steinbeck use the character of George to show the lack of hope and inevitable loneliness awaiting all migrant workers? By Morally How does Steinbeck use the character of George to show the lack of hope and inevitable loneliness awaiting all migrant workers? In the story Of mice and men the author Steinbeck uses the character of George to show the lack of hope and inevitable loneliness awaiting all migrant workers in many different ways. Steinbeck shows that all migrant workers move from ranch to ranch to earn money but still end up living a sorrow life because a typical migrant worker works alone, has no dream, o family and no sense of a future life, unlike George who has a partner alongside him whom is Leonie, they have a dream, they treat each other as family, and they want a future life, if he had been alone, had moved from ranch to ranch without Leonie, then he also would be as typical as any migrant worker on any ranch. Nothing but alone. From chapter 1, Steinbeck shows the way all migrant workers would live and how they would come across to be as a typical migrant worker, their dress sense is one of many, they are always in their denim worthless, have nothing more than a ice of clothing and few possessions which are most of the time worthless. Steinbeck show that they live rough, dont have a home to return too and they have workloads which is the only form of identity they have. These all refer to poverty, having such little possessions, working for almost nothing, living rough and taking on whatever the day brings, having not much of an option to live different. Loneliness comes across frequently during this story, starting from the beginning where it at first shows George and Leonie traveling to the ranch together, we see that they have each other and Leonie says in chapter 1 An why? Because Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and thats why. This shows that instantly they are a pair of great friends, who have the most priceless possession any migrant worker would want, Friendship. Its the only thing apart from their ambitions that make them different to the rest of the migrant workers. Although Leonie seems to be getting the most out of the friendship they have between themselves, its George which gets the biggest reward, he gets a father figure status, company and has a sense of what family is like, as he treats Leonie as one of his own. Most importantly Leonie keeps George away from loneliness. George tries to tell Leonie as best as he can that they are not lonely as he says guys like us, that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They dont belong to no place. This is showing that George wants Leonie to know why the migrant workers are the way they are because they are lonely and have only themselves to look after. A character which best describes the loneliness of a migrant worker is Candy, the old migrant worker has kept his dog by his side, for so long that he considers it to be his only Eternal Ana once Nils jog was snot, nee Ana nothing, nee Isolate enamels Trot everyone and became Just like every other man on that ranch, a typical migrant worker. Therefore Leonie in the story has been compared to Candy dog, George controls Leonie, telling him whats right and wrong, what to do and what not to do, and soon enough the similar story between candy dog and Leonie become very much the same. George holds onto Leonie, Just like Candy did to his dog, but Leonie cannot be controlled, George tries his best to keep Leonie by his side, under control, y telling him over and over about their dream to live off the fat of the land, and that Leonie can tend the rabbits as soon as they start living that dream. However as hard as George tries to tell Leonie to stay away from trouble and keep himself to himself, he cant, he dozens know what to do in situations where he has to think for himself. Leonie dozens know his own strength. Steinbeck shows that although Leonie seems helpless and innocent looking, he is strong yet not knowing how to control his strength, for example his incident in weed where he had to flee from, because of hat he did, or squeezing the mouse to death in his pocket because again he couldnt control his strength swell as petting the innocent puppy too hard, in which he did care for and Just as curlers wife death, he had no intention of killing anything or anyone. Curlers wife is dead, because of Leonie, he had obviously no intention of doing such a thing, but when he did realize that what he had done was bad, it became clear to him that again he has struck off lightning. However this time George couldnt run anymore, he knew what he had to do, for lenses sake. George loves Annie, and has looked and cared for him in such ways, faithfully and honorably, but what he did, had to be done, he killed Leonie out of love so that he dozens die a more painful death by curler who has vowed to take revenge. Shooting him in the back of the head, while telling him to look in the far distance and to imagine tending the rabbits and living their dream, while at the same time George knows by killing Leonie and taking away the one person who gave him responsibility, that there is no future and there is no dream, nothing left but the typical life off migrant worker. He now is nothing but alone.

Alfred Dreyfus essays

Alfred Dreyfus essays Throughout Jewish history, there have been many events that have helped evolve the Jews as a nation. The exodus from Egypt, the destruction of the Temple, the Spanish Inquisition of 1492 and the Holocaust have all had profound effects on the Jews. One event which many people may not link which an advancement of Jewish history is the Dreyfus Affair of 1894. The Dreyfus Affair acted as a sort of watershed in Jewish history as many different thoughts, feelings and emotions were emitted from the Jews as well as for the Jews. From Alfred Dreyfus as an individual to the Affair itself, this long and unfortunate experience in essence opened the doors for a Jewish homeland. Alfred Dreyfus was born on October 9, 1859 in Mulhouse, Alsace to a family of Alsatian Jews. His family roots in Mulhouse and Alsace had been established for several centuries. His father Raphael Dreyfus had set up a small cotton mill, to which he soon added a textile factory. His business prospered enough to secure his family a more-than comfortable upbringing. Raphael married Jeanne Libmann and the couple had 13 children. Only seven of those children four boys and three girls survived infancy, and these seven grew up in a comfortable, respected lifestyle. The Dreyfus family as a result of their wealth were very well respected around France. In 1870, in the midst of the France-Prussian war, the Dreyfus family was forced out of Alsace and took refuge in Carpentras. It has been said that the sight of French troops traversing Mulhouse... determined his military destiny (Bredin 12). In 1871 with the Treaty of Frankfurt, Raphael chose French citizenship for him and his children who were minors and then left Mulhouse to settle in Basel, Switzerland. In 1873, Raphael and Jeanne decided to send Alfred to boarding school in Paris, however he had a hard time adapting and soon returned home to his family. Over the next few years, Alfred t...

Technical Writing for Engineers [The Ultimate Guide Course]

Technical Writing for Engineers [The Ultimate Guide Course] Engineers often believe technical writing to be highly-detailed documentation for fellow engineers. In fact, technical writing is a style that takes complex information and clearly explains it to a specific audience. Engineers are a great wealth of technical knowledge, however, they can struggle with how to prepare technical documents. Yet, by mastering this form of communication, engineers can enjoy important benefits. This article will outline how the challenges can become benefits and identify strategies for engineers to achieve great technical writing. We also offer a course that teaches technical writing to engineers. You can learn more about this course by clicking the button below. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(41482, '83300502-8324-43ca-96f7-5319276ffbe7', {}); Challenges versus Benefits An engineer is a writer. Or at least, they should be a writer. Communicating technical information can be just as important as developing it. Adding technical writing to your toolkit will add a surprising amount of value to your career. Writing is an important part of the engineering process. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your writing, this guide takes you through engineers’ common writing challenges, the benefits to overcoming them and tangible solutions to help you do just that. Challenge #1: Communicating Technical Knowledge If you’ve ever wondered why your boss or technician hasn’t understood the importance of a particular concept, the problem is likely communication. When too many technical details are presented in a report or other document, the crucial ones can get buried. Engineers often write technical documents as if their audience were fellow engineers. However, the audience is always changing. The reader of one document may be an expert while the reader of your next document may be a business-minded executive or a consumer. Writing for a non-engineering audience is a significant, important challenge. Benefit #1: Increased clarity and communication Good writing by an engineer will increase communication effectiveness. Directing your writing to the intended audience will allow the reader to understand the content on the first read, rather than needing to ask for additional details or explanation. By understanding the audience’s goal in reading the document, you as the writer can highlight the important data. Only the most crucial supplementary or background information should be included. The information that is needed for a decision, instruction or education must take center stage. Good technical writing will save time, avoid misunderstanding and increase workplace efficiency by promoting good communication between engineers and other staff. Solution: Use Technical Writing Style There is a major misconception that a complex and scholarly text is good technical writing. However, the opposite is true. Elaborate text often confuses the reader and conceals the purpose. Keeping the information accessible is most important. Technical writing uses the simplest and most direct language to convey the information. The tone is neutral and professional. To achieve this tone, use the active voice in your writing. Choose your words carefully so you use the fewest words possible while being precise. Avoid jargon and use clearly-explained terms instead. These strategies will create a text that effectively communicates technical details. Solution: Enhance with Graphics Good graphics support good writing. Include diagrams or schematics where they add value and increase reader comprehension. They should be directly referenced within the text and clearly explained in a caption. Challenge #2: â€Å"But no one ever reads it...† Some engineers get frustrated by the fact that their reports gather dust. Documenting can seem like a customary process with no real value. Why write a text that will never be read? The problem is not with the reader, but with the text itself. Technical documents that bury crucial information or are difficult to understand can delay reading, decision-making or worse, be altogether overlooked. A good technical document is written for a specific purpose and defined audience. Therefore, it is written to be read. Benefit #2: Valuable Career Skill Imagine how many crucial details get buried in elaborate yet inaccessible engineering reports. These reports make the reader hunt for the information they need. Engineers who can convey that essential information improve communication inside companies. Better communication ultimately increases efficiency and productivity. For this reason, employers view engineers with good communication and technical writing skills as highly valuable. Technical prowess is not enough. Technical writing can differentiate your skillset, leading to better employment prospects and higher job security. Solution: Know Your Audience Ignoring the audience is one of the biggest writing mistakes for engineers. The reader will be different for each document. To write well, you must know their knowledge of the field, relationship to the department or company, and purpose for reading. In the planning process, ask yourself, ‘Who is my reader?’. Then, write out this information so that you are aware of it and have a constant visual reminder. Keeping the audience top of mind will change the way you write your document. While you’re writing, ask yourself ‘Would my reader understand this text?’. If the answer is no, re-write it. If the answer is yes, you are producing good technical writing. Solution: Plan Effectively A technical document without a plan is like a ship without a captain. It is difficult to navigate and takes, long a long time to reach its goal (if ever!). As an engineer, you will have a deep understanding of the topic. For most reports, the reader needs to know only a fraction of your expertise. The planning process is crucial for separating the information that needs to be included from the rest. Be wary of details. The reader generally needs to know the implication of high-level specifications, not the specifications themselves. Once you’ve highlighted the necessary information, it can be organized into a coherent overview. Planning can take many forms. We recommend using a mind-map to capture and visualize the document. Other writers may prefer a pen-and-paper sketch or a spreadsheet outline. The format does not matter so long as it allows an effective and efficient plan for your document. Challenge #3: Making Time for Writing Writing often takes a back-seat to ‘real’ work. Sometimes, there can be not enough hours in the day to complete technical work, let alone to write it down. Documenting can feel secondary, and therefore gets little time allocated to it. It can be helpful to set aside time for writing where there are no distractions. Don’t wait until the end of the day to write your documents. Additionally having a quiet space can ensure you are focused without distractions. Benefit #3: Records and Completes Work Great work does not share itself. The most innovative concepts can be lost if they exist only in the laboratory. Technical writing records engineering work and allows it to reach beyond the engineering department. In addition, documentation provides a mark of completion. Some projects have a clear end point, while others can be vague. Documenting, including outstanding work for future, finalizes a project. Solution: Prioritize Writing Writing should not be an afterthought. For each major activity, documentation should be integrated into project management and time planning. By considering writing as part of the engineering process, creating the text will feel less onerous and more natural. Do not leave the writing to the last minute, as rushed writing is generally bad writing. Carve out time to plan, write and review the document. Solution: Engage in the Review Cycle As you get ready to review, take advantage of the available software tools. Check your text through both Microsoft Word’s Spelling and Grammar check with its Readability tool and the online Grammarly tool. Then, review the document again with the audience in mind. The most effective trick is to read the text aloud. Reading will highlight awkward phrases, unnecessary words, and repetition. The review process takes many forms. Most engineering companies have an internal review process using some variation of first draft-revised draft-final version. The revisions are completed by colleagues, supervisors or fellow experts. Understand the company’s review process and integrate into your writing timeline. The review provides a fresh perspective. Feedback and edits improve the document and offer valuable lessons for future writing. Take advantage of this learning opportunity. The review process can also be informal. If the executive you’re preparing the document for and your best friend have a similar level of knowledge of the topic, ask your friend to review your text. Friends and family can be a great resource to review your text for non-expert readability and accessibility. You can also ask your colleagues to do an initial review before sending it to the formal review. Additionally many engineering firms offer technical writing courses for their employees. These courses often come with document feedback and review. This allows you to receive objective feedback on the structure, style, and tone of your writing. Conclusion and Further Reading Good technical writing shines a light on important engineering work. Improving technical writing is not an overnight process, but one that provides big value to your work, your company and your career. To learn more, check out the following links: IEEE Professional Communication Society - Communication Resources for Engineers Engineer’s Guide to Technical Writing by K. Budinski'

Ethics Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethics Reflection - Essay Example At the workplace, the ethics are supposed to act as a guide as to how members of an organization can relate to one another and the people they are serving (Barney, 2007). This paper will review the roles ethics and social responsibility play in the workplace. As companies continue to grow, so does the need for skilled labour. The problem, however, becomes the need to change as the economic scene is also changing. This means that the standard of living is affected. People, therefore, require more money to satisfy their daily needs. In organizations that they aspire to work in, they dream of making it big and achieving their dreams (Shaw, 2010). However, the pressure brought on by life makes it harder for them with each passing day. This is where ethics at the workplace come into play. In the event, people go to work for all the wrong reasons; they are bound to be side tracked from their objectives. The goal would have been to make an honest living through hard work. As seen in many scenarios, greed gets the better of many people and they end up doing something wrong (Shaw, 2010). At times, they end up going against the workplace conduct. Many believe that doing the right thing is a moral obligation. This is more than true. When people trust an organization with their money only to learn that they are being robbed, it is never a good feeling. The people who have experienced this often lose faith in many honest organizations that are left. When thinking of stakeholders’ needs, it is very important that the planning be based on what the stakeholder wants. A strategic plan could help the smallest organization grow into something significantly huge (Weiss, 2008). Understanding what they want can be very tricky. However, with the right mind set, the perfect plan can be set in motion. The stakeholders need to be known first. This can be the first step in creating the strategic plan. When the audience has been identified, they can be approached with something that

How did the French support the Colonies during the American Revolution Research Paper

How did the French support the Colonies during the American Revolution - Research Paper Example The colonists probably would not have won the war without the aid of the country of France, who provided valuable support for the colonies. Fighting together against Great Britain, whom France considered a common enemy between the two countries, support was provided for the colonies at first only diplomatically. As the war progressed and the odds of winning shifted to favor the colonists, France provided direct aid in the form of officers, soldiers, and weapons to aid in battle, in addition providing ships and naval forces to help with battles at sea. The Founding Fathers of the nation considered an alliance with France largely because of the fact that they too disliked Great Britain, and with good reason. Wars were not unusual between the two countries, the most recent at that time being the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War (Brinkley 96). At its conclusion, the French lost valuable territories to Great Britain in the land of what is now America, cementing a d islike that would not easily be forgotten (Brinkley 97). The Founding Fathers decided to use this dislike to their advantage, and approached France to form an alliance. French Assistance to the Colonies At first, while France provided aid, it was only by indirect means, with no overt assistance. From letters written by Benjamin Franklin in 1775, the French already had knowledge of the widening crisis between Great Britain and America, and were certainly not keen to support Great Britain (United States Office of the Historian). Through a delegation appointed to France in 1776 consisting of Silas Deane as well as Benjamin Franklin, King Louis XVI was persuaded through position papers of his advisors to give aid to the colonists (Dull 61). He provided the monetary means to equip the colonists with arms in the form of one million livres tournois (Dull 61). King Louis XVI also ordered two groups of ships from the French fleet to stand ready for prompt dispatch, should Great Britain move to blockade any French ports of sea (Dull 61). The money itself was not loaned directly to the American government, as this would have been seen as an overt act of war; Great Britain, at this time, was keeping close watch on French actions and France could not afford another war with them (Dull 61). Secrets piled on top of secrets to help America. Commerce became the solution. The French foreign minister Comte de Vergennes created a commercial company, which was then used as a go-between and given the million livres tournois (Dull 61). The money, through the company, purchased arms from the French government, including guns, gunpowder, and other military supplies, which it sold to the American Congress, to be exchanged for payment in American tobacco (Dull 61). Through means such as this, France was able to provide indirect aid to the American nation while remaining largely in the background of any conflict between Great Britain and the Americas. It also did not hurt the French to k now that, once again, their common enemy would be wounded one way or another by the French supplies. It was soon apparent that secret aid would not be enough for the American Revolution. While France was content to provide that aid and remain in the background, causing strife to the country of Great Britain by aiding the colonists, they were unsure of whether or not openly supporting the war would be a good decision.

Emotional Intelligence and Employee Productivity Essay

Emotional Intelligence and Employee Productivity - Essay Example Scientific literature is filled with innumerable definitions and descriptive models of the term at hand; however, the ability and trait EI models are the most widely recognized to be the pertinently valid models of emotional intelligence measurement and description. There has been considerable chatter on the notion that whether emotional intelligence is indeed real or is it merely a subsection of the basic human intelligence; and if it has additional applicability over the conventional Intelligence Quotient and the major five personality facets. (Kluemper 2008, 8) This puts forward another question i.e. how can emotional intelligence be measured which would help us decide that who is more emotionally intelligent? Researchers came up with two basic modeled EQ tests. One of them is called the ability-based measure of EQ and test taker goes through maximal conditions whereas the self-report measure is conducted in ordinary conditions. The first model that will be discussed is commonly k nown amongst literary circles as the ability-based model. This model incorporates emotions in the simplex as the appropriate avenues of information that help the test taker understand as well as properly traverse through the social society that they find themselves in; either in the workplace or at school or even at home. The basic proposition constitutes that every individual varies from one another in their ability to understand and compute information in an emotional genre as well as connect the emotional procession of information with their overall intellect and understanding. This attitude is seen in a certain set of behavioral traits and actions. Salovey and Mayer divide emotional intelligence abilities into four areas -- in their four branch model: (Mayer et al 1997, 4) The ability to correctly preempt emotions. The ability to utilize emotions for assisting the thinking process. The ability to understand emotional connotations. The ability to manage emotions.

Pros and cons of the different learning methods Essay

Pros and cons of the different learning methods - Essay Example Commercially purchased social studies learning – commercially purchased social studies learning such as technology assisted teaching medium (DVD tutorials, online learning) became more versatile today than they were first introduced, it still cannot facilitate critical reflection and decision making due to the limitation of the medium (Rose and Fernlund, 1997).  Ã‚   Unlike the integrative method of social studies learning where a student can infer to various discipline in synthesizing his or her interpretation of the universe, commercially purchased social studies learning are only limited to the pre-set curriculum of the program purchased.   Online learning may provide interaction but the coverage of discussion is not as comprehensive compared to integrative mode of learning. Commercially purchased social studies learning can also be costly because the mode of instruction is highly commercialized.d) Teacher-prepared social studies learning – perhaps the most commo n teaching method is the teacher prepared social studies learning.   Teachers even predate the books as learning was already facilitated through oral transfer when the printed text was not yet around.   Transfer of knowledge is typically done on a lecture where a student can ask a question and the teacher answering the same.   The method of learning through a teacher prepared curriculum or lesson plan is no longer responsive to the need of the present environment where students has to interpret and synthesize information and making meaning out of them.   Lectures delivered by teacher prepared syllabus are limited to the range of knowledge of the teacher thus making synthesis limited due to the limitation of the input. This type of learning however is also cost effective because the cost associated to the transfer of knowledge and skill is only limited to covering the salary of the teacher and his or her instruction materials. III. Supplementary Materials The usage of chart to compare and contrast the pros and cons of integrated social studies learning,

Overcoming Shyness Via Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Overcoming Shyness Via Writing - Essay Example This granted me the ability to edit my thoughts and create much more informative or effective thought patterns that I often translated into effective verbal speeches. More importantly, the exercises and assignments in this course gave me an opportunity to improve myself as an analytical writer. That is because the exercises and assignments demanded that I have a thorough understanding of the topic offered up for discussion. As a writer, this class helped me improve my brain functions as well as my written and spoken speech skills. I had no idea before attending this class that there were so many different writing styles available to people. Oftentimes, I would just use the normal, everyday practice of writing notes or using text messaging when communicating with others. Through this class, I learned how to express myself through the written word in different styles. Which I will admit, made me seem like a more interesting person than I actually was. I also learned that using different styles for different occasions signifies a high sense of respect and value that one has for the person I am communicating with. Not being a native speaker of the English language, I will have to admit that the topics being discussed in class, and assigned for the written assignments were somewhat alien to me. That unfamiliarity proved to be a problem for me as the class progressed because I needed to spend quite some time familiarizing myself with the topics up for discussion. However, I will admit that this challenge also proved to be beneficial to me because it helped me improve my writing styles and skills. I learned how to write in a specific style depending upon a specific writing format and also the kind of information that I needed to present.  

Pros and cons of the different learning methods Essay

Pros and cons of the different learning methods - Essay Example Commercially purchased social studies learning – commercially purchased social studies learning such as technology assisted teaching medium (DVD tutorials, online learning) became more versatile today than they were first introduced, it still cannot facilitate critical reflection and decision making due to the limitation of the medium (Rose and Fernlund, 1997).  Ã‚   Unlike the integrative method of social studies learning where a student can infer to various discipline in synthesizing his or her interpretation of the universe, commercially purchased social studies learning are only limited to the pre-set curriculum of the program purchased.   Online learning may provide interaction but the coverage of discussion is not as comprehensive compared to integrative mode of learning. Commercially purchased social studies learning can also be costly because the mode of instruction is highly commercialized.d) Teacher-prepared social studies learning – perhaps the most commo n teaching method is the teacher prepared social studies learning.   Teachers even predate the books as learning was already facilitated through oral transfer when the printed text was not yet around.   Transfer of knowledge is typically done on a lecture where a student can ask a question and the teacher answering the same.   The method of learning through a teacher prepared curriculum or lesson plan is no longer responsive to the need of the present environment where students has to interpret and synthesize information and making meaning out of them.   Lectures delivered by teacher prepared syllabus are limited to the range of knowledge of the teacher thus making synthesis limited due to the limitation of the input. This type of learning however is also cost effective because the cost associated to the transfer of knowledge and skill is only limited to covering the salary of the teacher and his or her instruction materials. III. Supplementary Materials The usage of chart to compare and contrast the pros and cons of integrated social studies learning,

The Impact of Social Media on Businesses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Impact of Social Media on Businesses - Essay Example This is because; they will use the social media as a platform to advertise their products to their potential buyers (Zarrela 2010). According to Silver (2009), it is incorrect at this time and age to consign social media as a new phenomenon. Rather, social media should be accepted as part and parcel of the society. Social media has become an integral part of modern society. People do not need to log in to computers to be connected with friends. Nowadays most people are connected on these sites through their mobile phones. For in this way, they receive notifications just like receiving a text message. This means that they are connected on a 24/7 basis. Either way, the idea of social media application is just becoming so simple and easy to use for all types of age groups. Of late, social media has contributed greatly in building more steady governments, and in promoting to more democratic states. For example, Facebook and Twitter, contributed highly to the Arab spring. Through these two social networks, the people of Libya, Egypt and Libya managed to bring an end to abuse of power and dictatorship (Greenslade 2011). As of now, these social networks have brought together people of Syria, who are threatening to topple down the rule of Al Assad, the current president of Syria. In democratic states like Spain, people have used the social media to occupied public plazas nationwide, with a view to protesting high unemployment and exclusionary politics. In Israel, for instance, ordinary citizens from both right and left have put their differences aside and unanimously united in mass demonstrations against the high cost of housing. In India, furthermore, a single campaign against corruption went viral, bringing thousands to the street in support. According to Newman (2011), there are myriad business opportunities that are associated with social media marketing. Many businesses persons will be able to promote their businesses in the

Qualities of a good leader Essay Example for Free

Qualities of a good leader Essay Whenever and wherever human beings are gathered together in large numbers, they need leadership. Even children need their school prefects and schools captains ! Armies need Generals. Civilians need governments, captains of industry and intellectual leaders of thought as well. Men whether of the East or the West, require to be led and each group throws up its own leaders in each succeeding generation. Whether in the school-room, or on the battlefield or in governmental deliberations, people who are natural leaders and who are chosen to lead, always have the same qualities of character and of outlook. In the first place, it is the personal qualities that count for most, in other words, the personality. A leader, in any location, must be someone who can be looked up to and respected. His personal judgment must be trusted and he must be able to evoke love and warmth from those he leads. So the, the first quality of a leader is that he must have the ability to win over mens hearts. Secondly, he must have intellectual control over his followers and a mind that is capable of assimilating what is true and what is right and then of exerting this over others. It is useless, no matter what personal qualities or what intellectual prowess a man may have, if he lacks the initiative and the will to lead and to rally men around him. He must also, in his search for truth, have great powers of concentration. Again, a leader must possess this mysterious thing we call character or strength of will, clarity of mind, tenacity and determination. In other words character is knowing what you want to do and being ruthlessly determined to do it. Men and women will not follow a gloomy person! Therefore a kind sense of humor and a sense of optimism are two other essential qualities of a good leader. He must also, not only be a good judge of thins and of events, but of people too, so that he can select good subordinates. He must also show and practice such virtues as self-control, temperance and moderation, so that not only his body, but also his mind are always at their best, healthy  and sharpened like finely tempered steel. There is, too the good leader and the bad leader, of which Hitler, is a striking example of bad leader because it is possible to have all the qualities of leadership without the most important one of all. This is a moral sense of right and wrong and the right kind of love which is emphasized in many of the worlds great religions. This is true not only of international figures like Adolf Hitler, but also in smaller figures. The gangs of youths, typical of both East and West, whose members are led to violence and lawlessness are invariably led and inspired by leaders without a moral sense of right and wrong. The final test of a good leader is, of course, the question: Do men follow him? The answer will be Yes if, combined with strength of character, the ability to evoke love, a clear brain and a fair minded outlook, he also has a knowledge and respect for truth, honesty and fair play. Such a man surely possesses the spark of leadership and men will look up to him and follow him.

The Rise And Development Of American Novel English Literature Essay

The Rise And Development Of American Novel English Literature Essay When we speak about American Literature, we are speaking about written works that were produced in America geographically or politically. Apart from English writers the American writers also proved their worth in creating literature such as is able to be recognized as one the best masterpieces of the English works. The genre of novel gave the novelists a medium to speak freely to the world seeking comfort and knowledge contrasted to the other genres of literature in which apart from creativity a writer has to seek many other techniques of writing which sometimes hurdle the writer to express his or her true meaning. The category is as wide as poetry: novels are long prose fictions, including every kind of Plot (tragic, comic), all styles and manners of dealing with their material (from the satiric to rhapsodic) and showing a capacity to cover every imaginative subject matter from all points of view. They range from the popular Thriller to the most esoteric literary artifice. The capacity of the form to absorb other literary styles, its freedom to develop in any direction and its flexibility, have made the novel the major modern literary form.(Gray, 198). There are many reasons which show the absence of cultural voices in the early American novel. First of all there was no authentic American language or medium of expression avaiable for literary purpose. Americans were in a process to coin new style of language that could be considered as the American language distinguished from the English style or Englsih writing style. There was also lack of cultural support for the Americans to create new ideas or creative efforts. America due to the impact of colonialism was not in a strong position to depict its utmost culture in its works of literature. American culture tended to be parochial and generally distrustful of any written expression that was not didactic. For example, clergy such as Janathan Edwards taught that reading novels was an indulgence leading to moral decline. Due to an unstable society, there could be no stable American genre of the novel. Cathy Davidson and others have argued that some novels tried to attain an ideological status (Revolution and the Word, 1986) which is a critique of the existing order, and that the more popular the genre became, the more those vested with cultural authority worried over their loss of dominance. This was especially true because novels, unlike sermons, required no intermediaries for interpretation. The early American novel, as a genre, tended to proclaim a society egalitarian message. It spoke forà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦orphans, beggar girls, factory girls, or other unfortunates, and it repeatedly advocated the general need for female education'. (Davidson,73). The genre of novel can be classified as sentimental, picaresque, gothic and the novels of nostalgia or reclamation which unifies the spirit of the nation for example James Fenimore Coopers novel The Spy (1821). Sentimental novel or novel of sensibility reflects the sentimentalism of the 18th century which is reflected in sentimental comedy and domestic tragedy. The term Sentimentalism bears two meanings, first the overindulgence in emotion especially for the pleasure that this feeling provides, secondly the optimistic overemphasis on the goodness of humanity (sensibility), signifying in part a reaction against Calvinism, which regarded human nature as depraved. Pamela was the beginning of the style; although Fieldings more realistic Tom Jones was written in protest. There are also examples of 18th century sentimental novel: Oliver Goldsmiths The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), Henry Mackenzies The Man of Feeling (1771), Laurence Sternes Tristram Shandy (1760-67). Sensibility is a term for reliance on feelings as guides to the truth and not on reasoning and law. The term is concerned with primitivism, sentimentalism, the nature movement, and other aspects of romanticism. The high value that the e ighteenth century put on sensibility was a feedback against the stoicism of the 17th century and the theories progressed by Hobbes and others that human beings were inspired primarily by self-interest. Picaresque began in sixteenth century as a counterpoise to the chivalric romance. It includes a gallery of human types drawn from all societal classes. It sorts lower class protagonists who survive by treachery and malleability. Hero is both a swindler and a victim. It also features a encounter between the heros craving to survive and his natural itches to side with truth and goodness. Picaresque novel uses subsidiary characters, like Sancho Panza, who assist the hero. This genre also emphasizes liberty and emission from limits of conservative society and lastly it also features panoramic scenes. The purpose of this genre is that it contains different types of discourse: philosophical reflection, travel essay, political disquisition, it also parodies other traditional literary forms, such as poetry and the romance. It is also suitable for observation on politics of republicanism. Its dimness is its uneven point of views-not a problem in Huck Finn, though. Hugh Henry Brackenridges Mod ern Chivalry (1792-1815), Tabitha Gilman Tenneys Female Quixotism: Exhibited in the Romantic Opinion and Extravagant Adventures of Dorcasina Sheldon (1801), Charlotte Lennoxs The Female Quixote (1752), and Royall Tylers The Algerine Captive (1797) are a few examples of picaresque novels. The conventions of Gothic are mad monks, castles, ruined abbeys-and also superstitions and delusion, hidden corruption and human anxieties, mazelike pathways, haunted minds masked by apparently normal outward lives. Gothic conventions became a form for expressing fears of the conflicting claims of authority and liberty in American society-self-made, self-improved, self-confident men abusing power or undermining the social order. Charles Brockden Browns Wieland (1798), Ormond (1789), and Edgar Huntly (1799) are the examples of Gothic genre. So far as American literature is concerned Captain John Smith is considered to be the first American author due to his work: A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Noate as Hath Happened in Virginiaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(1608). This kinds of works are known as the colonial literature. Smiths other works are The Generall Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624). Other colonial writers of this manner are Daniel Denton, Thomas Ashe, William Penn, George Percy, William Strachey, Daniel Coxe, Gabriel Thomas, and John Lawson. During 18th century the focus of all the phenomena were shifted from religion to the reasoning with the advent of era of science and inventions. All the happenings were observed with the laws of Physics as were given by Sir Isaac Newton and thus religion and the rules of clergy were demolished. There happened a great shift from the Holy Scriptures towards the human reasoning as to say. This era is known as the Enlightenment of 18th century which strongly impacted the authority of churchmen hence making the way for democratic principles. There also increase in population in the British colonies which helped account for the greater diversity of opinion in religion as well as political life which is seen in the literature of this time. The American post-independence era gave rise to many pieces of writing concerning American State, comprising notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson and his many letters solidify his place as one of the most trained early American writers. So far as the first American novels are concerned, they were first published during late 18th and early 19th century. These works of fiction were too lengthy to be printed for pubic reading, but the publishers took the chance to public having hope that they would become steady sellers and hence need to be printed. Among the first American novels are Thomas Attwood Digges Adventures of Alonso, which was published in London in 1775, and William Hill Browns The Power of Sympathy published in 1791. Browns novel shows a tragic love story between siblings who fell in love without knowing that they were related. This epistolary novel is related to the Sentimental novel tradition. During the next decade many novels were published which were written by many female writers. Susanna Rowso is known very well for her novel, Charlotte Temple, which is a tale of seduction and written in third person warning against listening to the voice of passionate love and counsels resistance as well. Another female novelist, Hannah Forster wrote The Coquette: Or, the History of Eliza Wharton which was published in 1797 and it was also an extremely popular novel. This being told from Hannah Forsters point of view and secondly based on the life of Eliza Whitman, this another epistolary novel is concerned with a woman who is seduced and abandoned. Eliza is a coquette who is courted by two very very different men: a clergyman who is offering her the comfort and regularity of domestic life, and a noted and specified libertine. Both novels that is The Coquette and Charlotte are considered to be those novel which speak about the rights of women. In this way these novels can be rendered as the Feminist novels or works of American literature. These novels are also known as the democratic ones as they speak of equal rights of women. The novels are classified under the term as sentimental novels or sentimental genre, characterised by over indulgence in emotion. They are an open invitation to listen to the voice of reasoning against misleading passions and they are also an optimistic over-emphasis about the necessary goodness of humanity. Although these novels were very popular, yet the economic infrastructure of that time did not allow these writers to make their ways living easier. It was in 1809 when an American author, Washington Irving, was able to publish his work entitled A History of New-York from Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty and he became able to support himself from the income generated by his publications. Charles Brockden Brown is another American novelist who published Wieland in 1798, Ormond in 1799 and Edgar Huntlyin in 1799 which were of the Gothic genre. Hugh Henry Brackenridge published Modern Chivalry in 1792 which was of the picaresque genre. Tabitha Gilman Tenney wrote Female Quixotism, Charlotte Lennox wrote The Female Quixote in 1752. Royall Tyler, William Gillmore Simms, Lydia Maria Child, John Neal and Catherine Maira are the porminent figures of American novelists. Puritanism 17th Century: Puritanism is a movement created by extreme Calvinist Protestants who sought to purify religion and society. They believed God would cleanse their feelings through grace eliminating envy, vanity, and lust. Puritans valued plainness in all things including their writing. Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, and speech Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards Classicism/ The Age of Reason 18th Century: The Age of Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, is an intellectual movement which began in Europe. Writers during this time believed the goals of rational individuals were knowledge, freedom, and happiness. The literary movement which coincided with the Age of Reason was Classicism, based on the study of and adherence to the ancient classic works of Greece and Rome. Classicists valued clarity, order, balance, and reason instead of imagination. They believed nature was like a machine with fixed, unchanging laws. The following works are examples: Poor Richards Almanack -Benjamin Franklin Speech in the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry The Crisis, Number 1 Thomas Paine The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth Phillis Wheatly Nationalism in Literature Late 18th Century to Early 19th Century: Nationalism developed from pride, patriotism, and the desire to be distinctly different from the Europeans. American writers tried to write stories and poems unlike European Romantic writers, but they largely failed in their efforts. Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving and The Deerslayer James Fennimore Cooper Romanticism 19th Century: Romanticism is the movement that rebelled against Classicism in favor of the imagination and emotions. Romantic writers favored intuition over reason and were more concerned with the individual than the whole society. They saw art as an imaginative expression of an individuals essence. Romantics viewed nature as a beautiful mystery, and source of moral and spiritual lessons, not a machine. Many American Romantic writers were also Nationalists who used American history and legends as their subject matter. Rip Van Winkle Washington Irving, The Deerslayer by James Fennimore Cooper, Masque of the Red Death and The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, Walden by Henry David Thoreau, and Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne are the exemplary wroks. American Renaissance/ New England Renaissance Mid 19th Century: The American Renaissance is a flourishing of literature dominated by two groups: the Brahmins (based in Cambridge, Massachusetts) and the Transcendentalists (based primarily in Concord, Massachusetts). The Brahmins/Fireside Poets were Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier, and Holmes, Harvard professors who promoted a second attempt at creating a literature which, though based on European models, is distinctly American in character. The Transcendentalists, led by Emerson, were philosophers, social reformers, and writers. The Southerner Poe as well as the Anti-Transcendentalists, Hawthorne and Melville (more Massachusetts residents) are also frequently associated with this movement. Paul Reveres Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Old Ironsides by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walden or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau and Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne are a few works. Transcendentalism 19th Century: American Transcendentalism was created by Emerson who borrowed his ideas from German Transcendentalism and Indian religion to develop a new philosophy. Transcendentalists believe that the basic truths of the universe transcend the physical world and lie beyond the knowledge that can be obtained from the senses. They feel that every individual has the ability to experience God firsthand in his/her intuition. They value nature and believe in the spiritual unity of all life, stating God, humanity, and nature share a universal soul. They feel that nothing in nature is trivial or insignificant; all is symbolic and important. They also promoted the belief that every human being is born inherently good. Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walden by Henry David Thoreau and Woman in the Nineteenth Century by Margaret Fuller are prominent works. Anti-Transcendentalism 19th Century: Anti-Transcendentalism (like Transcendentalism) is a subsection of Romanticism. Hawthorne and Melville were far less optimistic than Emerson and his fellow philosophers. The Anti-Transcendentalists believed good and evil coexist in the world and that intuition could lead a person to evil just as easily as it could lead to good. The Scarlett Letter, The Birthmark, The Minsters Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Moby Dick by Herman Melville are few examples. Local Color and Regionalism Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century: Local color writers identify with a particular place or region of the country. They emphasized distinctive and colorful regional traits (speech patterns and dialects, local customs and folkways, character types, etc.). These writers promoted the objective observation of social facts as well as the sentimental treatment of human emotion and motivation.The White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain are the major works. Realism Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century: Realism, unlike Romanticism, places less emphasis on the imagination and more on observed fact. These writers viewed the world and human behavior scientifically, mirroring realities without softening or idealizing them. This movement is often considered a rebellion against Romanticism. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and My Antonia by Willa Cather show realism. Naturalism Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century: Naturalism was a significant offshoot of Realism. Many American authors were influenced by this movement. Naturalism demands that writers penetrate the surface of life and human character. It focuses on inherited traits and environmental conditions (nature and nurture). Naturalism usually explores the negative aspects of society. These authors did not judge their characters morality, but rather viewed them through a social Darwinist lens. Naturalists believed that chance exists but free will is rarely possible. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane and Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck are few examples of this era. Modernism First half of the 20th Century: Modernism is a self-conscious break from traditional literary forms and subject matter and a search for a distinctly contemporary mode of expression. It was heavily influenced by the horrors and disillusionment of World War One. These writers are also referred to as The Lost Generation. Their writing reflects isolation, alienation, and fragmentation. It places emphasis on individual perception, sensibility, and human consciousness. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingway and The Crucible by Arthur Miller are the exemplary works. Imagism Early 20th Century: Imagism is a subsection of Modernism that attempted to free poetry from stale conventions and florid language. It emphasized direct concentration on the precise image, the use of precise words and the language of common speech, new rhythms and the use of free verse, as well as complete freedom in the choice of subject.This is Just to Say and The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams,The Garden by Ezra Pound and Heat by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle) are the best examples of imagism. Harlem Renaissance Primarily the 1920s: The Harlem Renaissance, also called the New Negro Movement, is a period of outstanding creativity among African American writers. Many of these works were sophisticated explorations of black life and culture that revealed and stimulated a new confidence and racial pride. The following are a few works of literature. The Invisible Man Ralph Ellison Lift Every voice and Sing James Weldon Johnson Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Jurston Harlem: A Dream Deferred Langston Hughes Southern Renaissance 1930s and 40s: The Southern Renaissance is heavily influenced by traditional Southern humor (stories, sketches, tall tales, and folklore) as well as by the Local Color movement. This time period marked a sudden explosion of excellent Southern writers who emphasized regional speech patterns and dialects, local customs and folkways, as well as character types. The following are a few works of literature. A Worn Path Eudora Welty The Sound and the Fury William Faulkner All the Kings Men Robert Penn Warren Beat Movement The 1950s: Centered in the bohemian or beatnik urban artists communities, the Beat movement defines itself in its alienation from the conventional and its adaptation of the seedy and hip, embracing jazz music, drugs, sex, and Buddhism. The following are a few works of literature. Howl Allen Ginsberg On the Road Jack Kerouac Pluralism 20th century: Pluralism is a movement defined by diversity. During the 20th century American literature was no longer predominantly male, white, and Christian. Men and women of many cultures, races, religions, and ethnic groups began to be published. Many of these authors chose to use the first person point of view rather than the, previously popular, their person. Various voices shared their stories while addressing universal themes. The following are a few works of literature. The Bell Jar Silvia Plath The color Purple Alice Walker The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven Sherman Alexie Magical Realism The Second half of the 20th Century: Magical Realism was created in Latin America but it has influenced many writers of the United States as well. This movement juxtaposes the ordinary and the magical, incorporating fantastic elements into otherwise realistic fiction. The following are a few works of literature. Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquival Beloved and Song of Soloman Toni Morrison Going After Cacciato Tim OBrien The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold Post Modernism The Second half of the 20th Century: Postmodernists believe that there is no single truth, but rather a variety of perspectives none of which is better or worse than another. This movement neither embraces nor resists the conventional. It accepts everything equally. Postmodern works are often eclectic, and anachronistic. Postmodernists make no distinction between high art and popular culture, can blur the boundary between fiction and nonfiction, and often sample other artists work freelyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(very freely). The following are a few works of literature. The Simpsons Matt Groening Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas Hunter S. Thompson Snow Falling on Cedar David Guterson Breakfast of Champions Kurt Vounnegut Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf Edward Albee The Secret Life of Bees Sue Munk Kidd

Essay --

Teagan Seeley Word Count: 1294 HWC 204 Benjamin Guyer December 17th 2013 â€Å"Exploration of Similarities in Religious Texts: A Further Look at the Koran, the Tanakh and the New Testament† People who practice the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam collectively comprise over one half of the world’s population, and while disparities between these three religions are widely spread and politicized, the similarities between their religious texts outweigh their differences. A crucial similarity between these three religions is their view on Abraham as their spiritual patriarch (lecture). The Koran makes use of both the Tanakh and the New Testament, and while minor differences exist between these texts, the perspectives they share are far more significant. The Koran retains many of the core ideas found in the Tanakh and the New Testament, specifically in regards to the perception of Abraham, the status of God, and the role of women. Any religious text can be interpreted in any number of ways, and while it is easy to pull apart texts of different faiths and dissect the differences, finding common ground and similarities is arguably more important. As previously mentioned, one of the most important similarities between these three texts is the perception of Abraham. Abraham’s commitment to God was tested, and as it was proved, he is the basis for all three of the Abrahamic faiths. In Genesis, God speaks directly to Abraham, saying, â€Å"I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall by blessed.† (Genesis 12:1-3) In the Tanakh, Abraham’s loyalty to God is tested throughout the Bible, and as Abraham’s devotion become apparent, God solidifies ... ...he New Testament, large themes and important messages resonate similarly across the three faiths. The power, authority and oneness of God is undeniable and unquestionable. Similarly, those who disobey the direct commands of God and who do evil will undoubtedly face his punishment. Also, all three religious texts outline a specific hierarchy that is inherent to the believers; God is above Christ, Christ is above men, and men are above women. The roles and rights of women were limited, and not questioned. As with any ancient text, a reader must be aware of the difference in historical cultures, interpretations and biases. With these texts not all being written at the same time, cultural shifts undoubtedly occurred, but the Koran makes use of ancient Jewish and Christian Scriptures, as evidenced by the similarities between the Koran, the Tanakh and the New Testament.

Human Resource Planning Essay

Definition: Human Resources Planning is defined as the process of assessing an organization’s human resources needs in the light of organizational goals and changing condition and making plans to ensure that a competent, stable workforce is employed. The actual planning process will vary a great deal from organization to organization As defined by Bulla and Scott (1994), human resource planning is ‘the process for ensuring that the human resource requirements of an organization are identified and plans are made for satisfying those requirements’. Reilly (2003) defined workforce planning as: ‘A process in which an organization attempts to estimate the demand for labour and evaluate the size, nature and sources of supply which will be required to meet the demand.’ Human resource planning includes creating an employer brand, retention strategy, absence management strategy, flexibility strategy, talent management strategy, recruitment, and selection strategy. However, James Walker pointed out that for some companies, human resources planning is essentially management succession and development planning. For others it is the staffing process which includes forecasting and planning for recruitment, deployment, development and attrition of talent in relation to changing needs. Increasingly, however, it is a broader process addressing multiple levels for increasing organization effectiveness on the management of Human Resources. According to Walker, effective human resources planning is a process of analyzing an organization human resources needs under changing condition and development of the activities necessary to satisfy those needs. Walker sees human resources planning as two step processes, planning as they pertain to all aspects of personnel management. This will include for example planning with respect to desired organizational climate and development of staff reward and appraisal system appropriate to short range and long range organizational goals. This implies that help must be proactive and as well as reactive. Pattern states that Human Resource Planning is the process by which a firm ensures that it has the right number of people and the right kind of people in the right place at the right time doing things for which they economically most useful. Fayana (2002) emphasized that human resource planning deals with the systematic and continuing process of analyzing a firm’s human resources needs under mutating conditions and developing workforce policies suitable to the long-term effectiveness of the organization. It is a vital part of corporate planning and budgeting procedure since human resources costs and forecasting both effect and are affected by long-term corporate plans. Need and Importance of HRP Human resource Planning translates the organization objectives and plans into the number of workers needed to meet these objectives. The need and importance of HRP is as follows: HRP helps in determining the future manpower requirements and avoids problems like over staffing or understaffing in the organization. HRP helps in tackling with the factors like competition, technology, government policies etc. that generates changes in the job content, skill requirements and number and types of personnel required. Now a days there is a demand of exceptional intellectual skills while the existing staff becomes redundant, the HR manager has to attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel and also required to deal with issues like career development, succession planning for which he takes the help of HRP. A proper and realistic human resource plan is needed to ensure equal employment and promotional appointments to the candidates for weaker sections, physically handicapped and socially and politically oppressed citizens. HRP provides valuable and timely information for various designing and execution of personnel functions like recruitment, selection, transfers, promotions, layoffs, training and development and performance appraisal. It helps the organization to anticipate imbalance in human resources, which in turn will facilitate reduction in personal costs. HRP facilitates planning for future needs which will help in better planning of assignments to develop managers and to ensure the organization has a steady supply of experienced and skilled employees. Factors Affecting Human Resource Planning HRP is a dynamic and ongoing process. The process of updating is not very simple, since HRP is influenced by many factors, which are as follows: 1. The type of organization determines the production process and number and type of staff needed. 2. The human resource needs of an organization depend on the strategic plan adopted by it. For e.g. the growth of a business calls for hiring of additional labor, while mergers will need a plan for layoffs. 3. Organization operates under different political, social environment and has to carefully formulate the HR policies and so the HR manager has to evolve suitable mechanism to deal with uncertainties through career developments, succession planning, retirement schemes etc. 4. HRP also depends on the time periods and accordingly the short and long-term plans are adopted. And this time span is based on the degree of environmental uncertainties. 5. The type and quality of information used in making forecasting is an important factor influencing HRP. Accurate and timely human resource information system helps in getting better quality personnel. 6. HRP is required to ensure that suitable candidates should be appointed at the right kind of job. Limitations of Human Resource Planning a. It is very difficult to ascertain future manpower requirements of an organization, as future is always uncertain. b. It is more relevant to the countries that face the problem of scarcity of human resources. c. It is a time consuming and costlier process. d. It is beneficial in the organizations that adopt a professional approach and at the same time are conscious about the changing environment. e. HRP is beneficial where adequate skilled manpower is available. f. HRP is also made difficult in the organizations that have a very high labor turnover.

Report Education System in Japan Essay

Japan has already begun to experience a population decline, with the result that many universities are already having difficulty maintaining their student populations, although entry into top ranks of the universities remains hugely competitive. The emerging and foreseeable trend is that many universities will have to try to attract large numbers of foreigners or diversify or face closure. It is also now said that a university education in Japan is within easier reach of students today, but that the quality of that higher education is now in question despite the many educational reforms that have been set in motion. Each academic year begins in April and comprises of two semesters. Basic general degrees are four-year degrees, a feature adapted from the American system. Undergraduate students receive instruction via the lecture and seminar group method. The general degree may be followed by two-year Master’s degrees (generally a combination of lectures and guided research) and then a three year Doctorate (largely based on research) where these are offered. Graduate education in Japan is underdeveloped compared to European countries and the United States with only slightly more than 7 percent of Japanese undergraduates going on to graduate school as compared to 13 percent of American undergraduates. Postgraduate educational offerings are weak and the number of universities offering postgraduate programmes or a wide variety of programmes, is small, compared to that in other industrialized western countries. Japan has about three million students enrolled in 1,200 universities and junior colleges and consequently the second largest higher educational system in the developed world. Japan also has one of the largest systems of private higher education in the world. The 710 odd universities in Japan can be separated into 3 categories: highly competitive, mildly competitive and non-competitive (the schools that are first-tier being the infamously difficult to enter ones). Public universities are generally more prestigious than their private ones with only 25 percent of all university-bound students being admitted to public universities. More than 65 percent of high school graduates continue their studies; of these, over 70 percent are enrolled in private colleges and universities. Only about 10 percent of private institutions receive their financial resources from public funding, with most public funds on higher education being spent on the national and local public universities. Despite the impressive statistics, Japanese universities are considered to be the weakest link in the country’s educational system. While many western writers have, time and time again, attributed the economic success of Japan to the well-educated and highly literate population of Japan, recent writings and studies tend to be far more critical, lamenting the deplorable state and quality of higher education in Japan today. Despite the famed exam rigors and competitiveness, declining standards in education and the high school student’s lack of interest in studying have lately been under spotlight. Some attribute this disinterestedness to the fact that academic effort no longer assured automatic rewards with the disintegration in the formerly stable and guaranteed lifetime employment system. Japanese students are also widely known to traditionally consider their university days to be a social playground, a reward for the hard work and having made it there, and, as many critics have recently pointed, professors demand relatively little from their students. Despite the institutional change and sweeping national reforms underway in response to these criticisms, the key problems remain unresolved: the pyramidal-structure of the university system and entrance exam wars; the centrally-controlled curriculum and lack of individuality and creativity of students as well as the lack of competitiveness in educational suppliers.