Commercial Law Free Essay Example, 2250 words

Patents refer to an exclusive right granted by the central governments to the creator of an invention to use, produce or sell the invention. Trademarks refer to names, designs, symbol, slogans, word or any other distinctive device that ascertains a product or a business. Also, it involves the use of symbols that are added to goods to distinguish them from similar products of other manufacturers. Patents and trademarks are an industrial intellectual property. The origin of a trademark can be traced to 2000 years ago among the Romans. In that period, Roman used to imprint or inscribed their goods with marks to differentiate them from those of other manufacturers. Ever since merchants have relied on those marks to single their products in the market. However, lack of registration of trademark legislation made it hard for the court to settle claims involving infringement owners right to the goods. The court relied on principles of common law to settle such claims. However, common law re lied on the evidence given by the claimant to prove the right of ownership. Such evidence depended on the reputation the plaintiffs had established in relation to use of the particular mark. We will write a custom essay sample on Commercial Law or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page v. Hill Smith Ltd, patenting is a process in which the proprietor informs interested individuals or organizations about the most distinguishing features of his or her products or services.

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )

Diagnosing ADHD It is very important to know how to recognize most of the characteristics of ADHD when making a diagnosis. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a real disorder , a real problem and can also be a real obstacle. Most commonly diagnosed in children, It consists of problems with attention span, impulse control, and activity level. In order for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must display at least six symptoms of inattentiveness or hyperactivity and impulsiveness. They must have been displaying theses symptoms for at least six months and have started exhibiting them before age seven. The symptoms must be present in at least two different settings and must make the child s life a little bit more difficult.†¦show more content†¦If a child is diagnosed with ADHD, he or she will consistently exhibit these signs no matter who they are with or where they are. There are also other characteristics to look for such as their social interactions and peer relationships. Some children show disruptive behaviors such as throwing tantrums when they don’t get what they want, yelling and screaming, and hitting. They can be a little nosier than other children, get into trouble a lot and this can make it very difficult to make a lot of friends and be accepted by their peers. Because a lot of different characteristics can be similar to other disorders it is important that a trained professional be the one to actually diagnose the child. Interventions for the classroom Approximately 5 to 7% of all children meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, implying that on average every classroom will contain a child with ADHD. Most children with this disorder have some of their greatest difficulties in adjusting to the demands of school. Various studies have shown that majority of students with ADHD tend do worse in school than typical children in the same grade. (p.246) When you are at school you are required to sit still, listen quietly, pay attention and so on.This can make it very challenging for a child that has ADHD and can put them at risk of having some academic difficulties, including underachievement, Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd ) DSM-5 Diagnosis Diagnosis: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Additional Information: difficulty in school prior to 12 years old, joint pain, two concussions within the past year. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, is â€Å"a disorder marked by inability to focus attention, or overactive and impulsive behavior, or both† (Comer, 2014, p. 530). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) an adult must show five or more symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity for at least six months that negatively effects daily school or work activities (American Psychiatric Association , 2013). Important to note is that these behaviors must be present in two or more settings or situations. Marcos’ behavior shows symptoms that pertain to combined inattentive hyperactive-impulsive presentation. For inattention Marcos shows symptoms with schoolwork including being easily distracted, making careless mistakes, not following through on instructions and failing to finish work and avoiding tasks that require more mental effort for a long period of time. At home these symptoms manifest as difficulty following through with chores, doing activities that require planning and following through, and he is often forgetful in daily activities. Marcos shows symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity including fidgeting and tapping his foot repeatedly and unknowingly. Although his currentShow MoreRelatedAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1710 Words   |  7 Pages Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD which is often referred to as childhood hyperactivity, it s a severe and chronic disorder for children. It is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders, and affects 3% to 5% of the school-age population. Boys outnumber girls three or more to one. Children with ADHD can experience many behavioral difficulties that often manifest in the form of inattention, being easily distracted, being impulsive, and hyperactivity. As a result, children withRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1744 Words   |  7 PagesI chose to research Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, in culture and child development for the following reasons. First, it is important as educators that we understand the difference between restlessness and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. Secondly, we must be conscious of the origins of ADHD, how to recognize it, the myths and prejudices against it, and kn ow the most appropriate intervention strategies. Educators must also realize that evenRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1002 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract There are many disorders that are first diagnosed whether it is during infancy, childhood or adolescence. The disorders range from intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, communication disorders, all the way through to elimination disorders. Attention-deficit and disruptive disorders are the most common. All including AD/HD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and unspecified disruptive disorder. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most commonRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1495 Words   |  6 Pagesoccasionally forget to do their homework, get fidgety when they lose interest in an activity, or speak out of turn during class time. But inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are all signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neuro-development disorder and can start as early as three years old throughout adulthood. People with ADHD have trouble focusing on tasks and activities, this c an have a negative impact on the individual in different ways. It can make the child feelRead MoreAttention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1699 Words   |  7 Pageshas had some difficulty sitting still, paying attention and even controlling impulsive behavior once or twice in our life. For some people, however, the problems that occur slim to none in our life occurs in the lives of theirs every day and interfere with every aspect of their life inclusive of home, academic, social and work. . The interaction of core ADHD symptoms with co-morbid problems and neuropsychological deï ¬ cits suggests that individuals with ADHD are likely to experience problems in academicRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)1259 Words   |  5 PagesAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly found disorder in children in the United States. Statistics show that the male to female ratio for children with ADHD is eight to one. 4.4 million Children be tween the ages four to seventeen have diagnosed with ADHD (Cheng Tina L et al.). African American children are at a higher risk for having ADHD. Caucasian children are least likely to have ADHD. 2.5 million children receive medication for ADHD, but African American childrenRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1058 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD/ADD.) While much is known about these disorders and how they affect the education of children, there are only a few known methods that consistently help an affected child focus and target in on what they need to learn. Medication for children With Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder must be used as an aid to help the affected child to focus and comprehend information being presented to them. Children with Attention DeficitRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1552 Words   |  7 PagesATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER Seth was a second grader at West Elementary. He constantly got reprimanded by his teachers for not paying attention in class. He could not understand the information given to him during the school day. He thought he was stupid and useless. But he was not. His parents got him tested by a doctor for ADHD. He is one of many kids in the United States who have been recognized as having it. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a major issue in the educationRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )978 Words   |  4 Pagesin diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children since the 21st century. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the increase has been seen as a difference from, â€Å"7.8% in 2003 to 9.5% in 2007 and to 11.0% in 2011† (p. 4). Many questions arise concerning why the numbers are on the rise, especially when boys are 7.6 percent more likely than girls to receive the diagnosis of ADHD. When should the line be drawn between a disorder, and hyperactivity that comes withRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd ) Essay700 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects almost 10% of American children between 13 and 18 years old, as well as 4% of U.S. adults over 18. Only a licensed mental health professional can provide an ADHD diagnosis, after a thorough evaluation. ADHD has three primary characteristics: Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Inattentive: Are effortlessly distracted, fail to catch details, are forgetful, and regularly switch activities. Find it difficult to focus Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd ) Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, is becoming more and more predominant every year throughout the entire world. It is one of the most common disorders that today’s children have. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, â€Å"Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased an average of 3% per year from 1997 to 2006 and an average of approximately 5% per year from 2003 to 2011,† which illustrates that this disorder is becoming a common one to diagnose (CDC, 2015). These percentages prove that ADHD is recognized and treated more than it was a few years ago. Now that children are being diagnosed, doctors, parents, and educators can make the necessary changes to positively affect the child’s daily life. This disorder is thought to have been caused by multiple ways, ranging anywhere from drinking while pregnant to low birth weight. The most common symptoms one might think of are inability to sit still or quiet down, difficulty with others, and lack of focus. These types of symptoms have the potential to cause a major disturbance in a school environment. Not only are they unable to focus on the lessons and grasp the concepts, but also they are disturbing the others around them. This can cause other classmates to become distracted too or it can also cause other students to feel irritated by that particular person with ADHD, even though it is not the child’s fault that they have the symptoms they possess. Realizing that a student hasShow MoreRelatedAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1710 Words   |  7 Pages Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD which is often referred to as childhood hyperactivity, it s a severe and chronic disorder for children. It is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders, and affects 3% to 5% of the school-age population. Boys outnumber girls three or more to one. Children with ADHD can experience many behavioral difficulties that often manifest in the form of inattention, being easily distracted, being impulsive, and hyperactivity. As a result, children withRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1744 Words   |  7 PagesI chose to research Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, in culture and child development for the following reasons. First, it is important as educators that we understand the difference between restlessness and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. Secondly, we must be conscious of the origins of ADHD, how to recognize it, the myths and prejudices against it, and kn ow the most appropriate intervention strategies. Educators must also realize that evenRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1495 Words   |  6 Pagesoccasionally forget to do their homework, get fidgety when they lose interest in an activity, or speak out of turn during class time. But inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are all signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neuro-development disorder and can start as early as three years old throughout adulthood. People with ADHD have trouble focusing on tasks and activities, this can have a negative impact on the individual in different ways. It can make the child feelRead MoreAttention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1699 Words   |  7 Pageshas had some difficulty sitting still, paying attention and even controlling impulsive behavior once or twice in our life. For some people, however, the problems that occur slim to none in our life occurs in the lives of theirs every day and interfere with every aspect of their life inclusive of home, academic, social and work. . The interaction of core ADHD symptoms with co-morbid problems and neuropsychological deï ¬ cits suggests that individuals with ADHD are likely to experience problems in academicRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)1259 Words   |  5 PagesAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly found disorder in children in the United States. Statistics show that the male to female ratio for children with ADHD is eight to one. 4.4 million Children between the ages four to seventeen have diagnosed with ADHD (Cheng Tina L et al.). African American children are at a higher risk for having ADHD. Caucasian children are least likely to have ADHD. 2.5 million children receive medication for ADHD, but African American childrenRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1002 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract There are many disorders that are first diagnosed whether it is during infancy, childhood or adolescence. The disorders range from intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, communication disorders, all the way through to elimination disorders. Attention-deficit and disruptive disorders are the most common. All including AD/HD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and unspecified disruptive disorder. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most commonRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1058 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD/ADD.) While much is known about these disorders and how they affect the education of children, there are only a few known methods that consistently help an affected child focus and target in on what they need to learn. Medication for children With Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder must be used as an aid to help the affected child to focus and comprehend information being presented to them. Children with Attention DeficitRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )978 Words   |  4 Pagesin diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children since the 21st century. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the increase has been seen as a difference from, â€Å"7.8% in 2003 to 9.5% in 2007 and to 11.0% in 2011† (p. 4). Many questions arise concerning why the numbers are on the rise, especially when boys are 7.6 percent more likely than girls to receive the diagnosis of ADHD. When should the line be drawn between a disorder, and hyperactivity that comes withRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1552 Words   |  7 PagesATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER Seth was a second grader at West Elementary. He constantly got reprimanded by his teachers for not paying attention in class. He could not understand the information given to him during the school day. He thought he was stupid and useless. But he was not. His parents got him tested by a doctor for ADHD. He is one of many kids in the United States who have been recognized as having it. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a major issue in the educationRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd ) Essay700 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects almost 10% of American children between 13 and 18 years old, as well as 4% of U.S. adults over 18. Only a licensed mental health professional can provide an ADHD diagnosis, after a thorough evaluation. ADHD has three primary characteristics: Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Inattentive: Are effortlessly distracted, fail to catch details, are forgetful, and regularly switch activities. Find it difficult to focus

Organizational Change Management Cost-Effective Approaches

Question: Describe about the Organizational Change Management for Cost-Effective Approaches. Answer: Introduction This report looks at the problems in the departments of the school and cost-effective approaches to providing high-quality learning experiences for the students in the school. The report also looks at the distribution of tasks within the departments and the competence of those appointed with different tasks in the institution. The report will provide ways in improving ways of integrating the three departments to provide a more united front in tackling issues identified. The report also introduces the idea of creating a new undergraduate degree program that combines economics with inputs from the other two departments. This report will provide a budget plan that will eliminate the school deficit and improve the schools research performance. Case Background The business school was created three years ago as the outcome of a university-wide exercise to restructure the university to improve the overall ranking of the university. Three departments were joined to form the business school namely; Economics, the Accounting and Finance and Management Studies. The head of the Department of Economics was replaced just four weeks ago. The Economics department has the least number of staff followed by the Accounting and Finance department and finally the Management Studies Department. The Economics department also has the least overall number of students followed by the Accounting and Finance department and then the Management Studies Department which has the highest number of students. The overall annual deficit is $192K most of which is contributed by the Economics Department which has a deficit of $750K. The largest surplus contributor is the Management Studies Department which has a surplus of $636K. The Accounting and Finance department has t he highest number of research active staff even with international reputations whereas the Economics department has the least with a staggering 2 being the only ones recognized as research active. The biggest receiver of external research grants in terms of total annual value is the Management Studies Department although the Accounting and Finance department is the one with the largest number of granters. Analysis Problem identification The report shall begin by identifying the problems in each of the three departments in the school. The first case study shall be the school of Economics. The school is plagued with some problems. The members have an unrealistically high opinion of themselves. The reputation they had was built by distinguished scholars most of whom either retired or moved on. The remaining long-serving members are now old and less productive. A high proportion of the staff has been promoted to senior grades regardless of the fact that only two members of the entire staff have retained an international reputation in their field (Cummings and Worley, 2014). Problem Analysis and Justification The department did little to prepare for the universitys teaching quality and student support review and contributed to the business schools poor overall score in the review. They relied on their long-established informal practices for managing teaching and student affairs which did not meet quality assurance requirements. Their poor score killed the other two departments morale. The numbers enrolled in the Master's degree have constantly dropped for the past years from 15 to only 8 in the current session. The department also has the lowest number of students in the undergraduate program. Research-wise, the department also had only 2 out of 7 have a strong record of publishing in top rank international journals. The second department is the Accounting and Finance department. The contact between the staff in this department and those in other parts of the business school is relatively little. Regarding research and teaching, this department is doing well therefore the problem we will majorly be addressing here is the inter-departmental relationship. The third department is the Management Studies Department which is the largest of the three departments. It also includes three sub-divisions; marketing, organization behavior and operations management. The staff is generally being demotivated by the feeling their success is being exploited by the rest of the business school to manage the deficit created by the Economics department and to fund new appointments in Accounting and Finance. Regarding research, some of the staff members are motivated and competent but due to the time they have to devote to teaching, they have insufficient time to publish all of their work. Solutions The Kurt Lewins change model begins with unfreezing an organization (Ben, Dunphy, and Griffiths, 2014). This involves reducing/stopping the maintenance of the current situation. It involves changing the existing mind set and showing people the need for change. (Mitchell, 2013). This is usually done by presenting a provocative problem to the people to show them how urgent the need for change is. The key to this step of unfreezing is communication (Burnes and Cooke, 2013) Unfreezing The Economics department staff members need to be shown that at the current annual deficit to income rate, the department will drive the university into a financial situation that could take years to recover from. Furthermore, they need to see that the only way the enrollment number into the Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral programs will increase is if the members increase their performance in research and gain recognition by other economists. Their current disregard to procedure and the university's approach to quality assurance is also a trend that can no longer continue. Their current teaching practices have proven ineffective and could be the cause of dwindling numbers in the enrollment numbers in the Master's department. The Accounting and Finance department members need to be shown that without their cooperation with staff members from the other departments in the school, the overall performance of the school will remain stagnant. The Management Studies department staff should be made to realize that if they are the only ones able to manage the deficit generated by the Economics department, they will be burnt out and therefore need to share their skill and expertise among the member staff of the other two departments to be at the same pace. They also need to realize that as long as the other departments are lagging behind, there should be no reason to get excited about their achievements since they will be ranked as an entire business school and not a department. This will help them see the need to work as one unit with a united front. Lines of communication between staff members and organizational heads need to remain open and honest to create a sense of trust and security in all those involved with the proposed change (Shirey, 2013). Round table discussions need to be held in individual departments and also between the major stakeholders and departmental heads to tease out the restraining forces that have to be overcome (Jones, 2010). The restraining forces in this case might be the older staff members who might insist on the maintenance of the old methods due to the safety it provides. Another restraining force would be the lack of trust among members of different departments (Manchester et al., 2013) Implementation Transitioning In this stage, new behaviors and attitudes are developed through organizational structure and process changes (Bamberg, 2013). There may be a period in which a lot of confusion will emerge. The process can be long and it takes time for people to feel comfortable and start taking actions that support the change (Thomas, Sargent and Hardy, 2011). First of all, the Economics department needs to reduce the amount of salary that is paid to the staff considering that its staff is the most highly paid (see below figures), but the lowest performing. 1030/10=103 $K (Per staff member in Economics department) 1176/14=84 $K (Per staff member in the Accounting and Finance department) 1344/16=84 $K (Per staff member in the Management Studies Department) This means that the Economics department staff are paid 22.6% more than the staff in the other two departments (see below figures). 103-84=19 (19/84)*100% =22.6% The salaries should be rationalized and standardized so that they are paid equally as the rest of the staff. Those promoted to senior grades will be compensated by other methods for example having their research funded by some of the money from the grants. This therefore means that the total salary bill for the Economics department will decrease to 840 $K and the new total costs will be 1040 $K (See figures below). 84 * 10 = 840 $K 840 + 200 = 1040 $K The remaining six long-serving members should be allowed to retire and let younger and more proactive members join the team. The new team will be at an even better position to take up the universitys approach to quality assurance. There should be a University based award introduced to appreciate the research done by the staff that receives top international ranking and recognition (Fallik, 2013). This will in turn motivate the members of the Economics staff to increase their aggressiveness towards research. These changes should see the number of enrollment in the Undergraduate program increase from 82 to around 150 next year. The number of enrollment in the Master's program is also set to increase to around 12 whereas the Doctoral is set to increase to about 5. The total enrollment number will be at 167 which is 85% more than the previous. This will then increase the total departmental income by 85% too (see figures below). 82+8=90 150+12+5=167 (167-90)/90 * 100% = 85% This will therefore increase the total departmental income minus research grants to 888 $K which will effectively change the surplus-deficit to 152 $K which is a decrease of the surplus-deficit by 79.7 %. 185/100 * 480=888 1040 888 =152 $K 750 152 = 598 (598/750)/750 * 100 = 79.7% An inter-departmental meeting should be held on a weekly basis to keep the staff members at par with the vision. In this meeting, a report should be given by each of the departments on the progress towards the mission. Here, the staff is meant to motivate each other and learn from each other. The Management Studies department being the most successful should share tips on how to stay focused and assist in the implementation of the plans (Palmer, Dunford and Akin, 2009). Cost effective methods of providing high-quality learning experiences such as e-learning should be introduced. An example of this would be to provide certain journals on e-learning cites accessible to all students rather than make printouts and thousands of copies which are only necessary for a short period. The roles of admissions, examining, timetabling and other aspects of teaching administration should be equally assigned to the support staff. These roles shall be handed over from the members of the staff and a training period of one week dedicated to passing over the roles to the support staff (Ruona and Choi, 2010). Lastly, it would be a good idea to create a new degree program that combines economics with inputs from the other two departments. A market analysis will have to be done to know the demand and requirements for the sustenance of such a program (Crawford and Nahmias, 2011). Also, research should be done on the credibility or accreditation possibility of such a course by the relevant government bodies that deal with the legality of such matters. Freezing Once the structures and strategies seem okay, efforts turn into locking them in (Oreg, Vakola, and Armenakis). This can be achieved by creating a reward system to motivate the members to stick to the new values and plans (Sherer and Spillane, 2011). Regular review meetings are to be held with the new staff support and the department heads and major stakeholders including those who hold posts crucial to the long-term implementation of the changes (Graetz and Smith, 2010). The training of certain groups such as the support staff and the Economics and the Accounting and Finance by Management Studies on the areas they excelled in should be maintained and the mentors to oversee that the necessary skills have been acquired (Griffin and Moorhead, 2011). Conclusion Clearly, there is a lot of effort and work required to change the current situation of the school and not only clear the annual deficit but generate enough income to create a profit margin for development. However, with the strategies and projections discussed in this report, the school should experience a net growth of around 80% in the next few years and clear all outstanding balances. It is however imperative that the determination and morale to effect the change be constant throughout the process. Recommendations Rationalize salaries with keen interest in the Economics department. Hold inter-departmental meetings. Employ younger and more proactive members to the Economics department. Encourage publishing of research by staff to increase recognition as a University and encourage larger enrollment numbers. References Bamberg, S. (2013). Changing environmentally harmful behaviors: A stage model of self- regulated behavioral change.Journal of Environmental Psychology,34, 151-159. Burnes, B., Cooke, B. (2013). Kurt Lewin's Field Theory: A Review and Re?evaluation.International journal of management reviews,15(4), 408-425. Choi, M., Ruona, W. E. (2010). Individual readiness for organizational change and its implications for human resource and organization development.Human Resource Development Review, 1534484310384957. Crawford, L., Nahmias, A. H. (2010). Competencies for managing change.International journal of project management,28(4), 405-412. Cummings, T. G., Worley, C. G. (2014).Organization development and change. Cengage learning. Fallik, F. (2013).Managing organizational change. Routledge. Graetz, F., Smith, A. C. (2010). Managing organizational change: A philosophies of change approach.Journal of change management,10(2), 135-154. Griffin, R. W., Moorhead, G. (2011).Organizational behavior. Nelson Education. Jones, G. R. (2010).Organizational theory, design, and change. Upper Saddle River: Pearson. Manchester, J., Gray-Miceli, D. L., Metcalf, J. A., Paolini, C. A., Napier, A. H., Coogle, C. L., Owens, M. G. (2014). Facilitating Lewin's change model with collaborative evaluation in promoting evidence-based practices of health professionals. Evaluation and program planning,47, 82-90. Mitchell, G. (2013). Selecting the best theory to implement planned change: Improving the workplace requires staff to be involved and innovations to be maintained. Gary Mitchell discusses the theories that can help achieve this.Nursing Management,20(1), 32-37. Oreg, S., Vakola, M., Armenakis, A. (2011). Change recipients reactions to organizational change A 60-year review of quantitative studies.The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science,47(4), 461-524. Palmer, I., Dunford, R., Akin, G. (2009).Managing organizational change: A multiple perspectives approach. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Sherer, J. Z., Spillane, J. (2011). Constancy and Change in Work Practice in Schools: The R ole of Organizational Routines.Teachers College Record,113(3), 611-657. Shirey, M. R. (2013). Lewins theory of planned change as a strategic resource.Journal of Nursing Administration,43(2), 69-72. Thomas, R., Sargent, L. D., Hardy, C. (2011). Managing organizational change: Negotiating meaning and power-resistance relations.Organization Science,22(1), 22-41.

Research into the future of work Essay Example

Research into the future of work Essay In order to construct this portfolio on the future of work the researcher will firstly examine the understanding of work as it once was. This will be an academic piece of work based upon authors and their literature that illustrates their thoughts and their visions and their theories about the future of work. Some of the modern workforce will still work all the hours they can, they will combine all their leisure life around their working life and find their vacation time in their job. Many other workers will end up with portfolios of work, a mixture of jobs, marginal work and gift work ethics. These facts are due to changes to the working environment that was affected by the political climate of the mid 80s, that had been dominated by the new right social economical theories of the Thatcherism period one nation Tory one nation. This concept was acknowledged and reported by researchers Bell and Weber and they likened this policy to that of the Victorian concept of values of hard work, though it reality it is not known whether the Victorian workers shared this enthusiasm for labour. We will write a custom essay sample on Research into the future of work specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Research into the future of work specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Research into the future of work specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Since the 2nd World war there has been a time of stability with a financial boom stretching for nearly thirty years. The labour market delivered unprecedented numbers of people from poverty. With few skills or credentials, workers could nevertheless find steady, unionised jobs in growing industries but such jobs are now increasingly rare. Since those heady times the Macro economic retrenchment beginning in the 1970s and successive rounds of industrial restructuring have reshaped the nature of work particularly for those with limited skills. Many traditional lines of unskilled labour have become obsolete or uncompetitive in the face of new technology and the import of cheaper goods due to foreign labour performing manufacture in 3rd World countries; this is due to lower labour costs in these poorer countries. New jobs have been created in abundance in some sectors, for instance Information technology but few of these offers less educated workers a realistic reliable route out of poverty. The world of work has changed dramatically over the past decade, perhaps more than any other decade of this century. Companies are both downsizing and expanding (often at the same time in different divisions or levels of the hierarchy). The researcher has found that the workforce is characterised by increased diversity with highly divergent needs and demands. Ever increasing upgrades as information technology has frequently changed both the manner and location of work activities. New organisational forms (such as those found in e-commerce) are now commonplace; teams are redefining the notion of hierarchy, as well as traditional power distributions; the use of contingent workers is on the rise. Globalisation and the challenges of managing across borders are now the norm instead of the exception. All of these changes can have a profound influence on how companies attempt to motivate their employees. Also the researcher agrees with Handy (1985) who suggested that contrary to popular impression, part time work appear to an increasing in Britain, as does self-employment. In fact Margaret Thatcher the ex prime minister, encouraged the growth of smaller units of self-employed people. Handy also suggests that people are employed more in more part time employment than ever before, whilst those in self-employment tend to work a lot of overtime to earn more money. The researcher suggests that now there is no such thing as a nine to five working day five days a week. Handy also describes part time work as if the country cannot give every one a job for life, would it be preferable to give every one a job for part of their lives rather than not at all. (Handy 1985:3) According to (Gorz 1999, translated by Turner) the labour force in Britain and throughout the world can be classified into two major categories: a major core of permanent and full time employees. The former are occupationally versatile mobile workers and around that core, a sizeable mass of peripheral workers, including a substantial proportional of insecure and temporary workers with variable and unsociable hours and poor wages. He also says that portion of outworkers of which are supposed to be known as self-employed operatives are paid on a seasonal basis or on a piece of work system that normally is unfair to the worker. In 1986, Wolfgang Lecher predicted that the proportion of stable full time jobs would fall 50% within ten years. Today according to Lecher In Britain 95% of new jobs are insecure. In conclusion the researcher believes that people today still have to work long hours to survive and the world of work is getting ever more competitive and unfortunately good jobs are becoming few and far between. The researcher argues that the term a job for life is no longer the case. He also suggests that it could be due to the growth of Information Technology and this argument is backed by Charles Handy who said we do not have hands into todays organisations (Thomson 1998,p1). People can work from home by downloading via telephone points to the head office computer and in return receive new instructions for the following days work load. The researcher also suggests cheaper employment in nations such as Asia has also damaged jobs in Britain. The future of work Part two This session Self and organisation is all about how and why the researcher is able to cope in the organisation, looking at the roles and procedures of the employment. The researcher will try to examine if the job role fits in with his values and how they fit. The researcher will attempt to use theories and models of organisational culture to support these views. For the case study for the second part of the research assignment, I intend to look at my own place of work and what we do as an organisation. [emailprotected] is the Liverpool F.C. study support centre. For the last eighteen months the researcher has worked for organisations as a student mentor at both at Liverpool Football Club (LFC) and Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) aimed at assisting special needs children both as a volunteer and in a paid capacity. The researcher specialises in working with children with physical and learning difficulties (see appendix). The work that the researcher does brings great self-satisfaction, to the researcher as well as the young people whom the researcher mentors. The researcher would cite Burnes who said, Organisational culture is a prime determinant of organisational performance (Burnes 2000). As with any group or collection of people, the children are motivated and influenced by the cultural norms that the mentor and location provide. The researcher would suggest sporting facilitates such as those at LFC and LCCC do provide a culture of which the children are highly motivated to learn in the presents of their sporting heroes. Literacy is one of five major strands of initiative known as Playing for success. David Blunkett, then Secretary of state for education and employment, said in the first PFS yearbook (2000) (see appendix) Playing for success combines two of my passions, education and football. The scheme is designed in helping thousands of young people to improve their literacy, numerically and ICT skills. It shows just how powerful a tool football can be in helping to raise standardsand how far the initiative has come from what was an idea in 1997. There are now centres in the top football clubs in the country helping pupils to improve the key skills by using football as an imaginative way of engaging and motivating young people. The researcher works with the children and helps them both individually and in small groups to focus on improving numerical and ICT skills as well as helping the pupils improve their self-esteem and acquire independent learning skills. Improvements in these areas are taken back into the school environment and help pupils with subjects across the whole of the curriculum. The researcher has found literature and a theory which does support this view with the case study in that Senge (1990) argues that a leaders role in an learning organisation is that of a designer, teacher, and steward who can be build a shared vision and challenge prevailing mental models. In the researchers case it could be said that he has the responsibility for young people by continually helping expanding their capabilities to shape their future that is, leaders are responsible for learning. The researcher has the experience of school children who have been set tasks by a teacher, which could then be met by an initial response by the pupil of cant do it, and this has led children in and around the local area with a lack of self-belief. It is the researcher job as the mentor to try and help the children to be motivated and to belief that they as individuals can do the tasks that they are set and not to adopt this negative attitude. The researcher has the belief that the culture of the Liverpool centre does have a positive culture to bring the best out of the children. A pattern of basic assumptions invented, discovered, or developed by a given group as it learns to cope with its problems of external adaptation and internal integration that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems (Schein, 1985, p9) The researcher suggests that a good mentor is someone who seems interested in what youre saying. Your problems might seem really minor to them because they are older and probably they have experienced bigger problems but they act in a thoughtful manner in order to solve the problems. (Batty et el 1998) Pupil to pupil mentoring can also in the researchers view and experience help overcome bullying. Through personal experience the researcher has used his role as a mentor to encourage pupils in their self-belief, gain more confidence and become socially acceptability. The researcher believes that the positive learning culture such as the one at process is greatly enhanced if the environment is conducive to positive learning. A strong culture such as at LFC has a much greater potential for implicit co-ordination and control of behaviour. A strong culture with well-socialised members improves effectiveness because it facilitates the exchange of information and the co-ordination of behaviour. Schein (1985:60) emphasises that culture usually consists of collective behaviours responses that have proven to be adaptive in the particular social organisations. The relationship between organisational culture and effective can only be placed on interactive characteristics of organisations the system of norms, beliefs and behaviour that forms the core of an organisation. This would be a true contribution to an organisation ultimate effectiveness. An integral part of this process is the demeanours of the study supporters and of course the physical environment of the centre. The motivational power of the club should never be underestimated as asking pupils to do extra work after school is never likely to be a popular concept unless there are suitable incentives and allowing pupils the opportunity to learn at Liverpool Football Club is a powerful attraction. Unlike in schools there is no prescriptive curriculum for study support so the centre is fortunate that it can be flexible in the approach of delivery of learning experiences. The researcher believes in the gaining variable experience in this organisation for one of the nicest professions in working with children with special needs and physical disabilities. The researcher wishes to cite the following. Learning to teach, as well as we all know but often fail to remember, is a complex bewildering and sometimes painful task. It involves developing a practical knowledge base, changes in cognition developing interpersonal skills and also incorporates an affect aspect. (Maynard Furlong (1994, p69) Roles, Relationships and the structure of work In addition to helping children to improve academically, the researchers role of mentor helps pupils improve their self-esteem and acquire independent learning skills. The period of mentoring take place every twelve weeks and during that time a marked improvement was seen in their interpersonal skills. Improvements in these areas are taken back into the school environment and help pupils with subjects across the whole of the curriculum. Senge supports this theory and argues that a leader role in a learning organisation is that of a designer, teacher, and steward who can build a shared vision and challenge prevailing mental models (1990). In [emailprotected]s case it could be argued that it is responsible for young people who will thereafter continually expand their capabilities to shape their future that is to say that the leaders/mentors are responsible for learning. The researcher has had the experience of dealing with school children that have been identified by their teachers as children who under perform and this has left children in and around the local area with a lack of self-belief. This self-belief is not endemic within the culture of the Liverpool centre as the opposite applies in as far as a positive culture reigns in order to bring the best out of the children. The prospect of learning at a football club entices and excites the pupils due to the phenomenal impact of football. It also helps challenge their perceptions of learning, which is usually perceived as, centred on the comparatively reserved confines of school. Therefore attending study sessions at a football club, with the high-tech resources, regardless of Whether or not the pupils are football fans, because it extends their experiences of learning, just by virtue of the location. The benefits to the pupils who attend have been monitored and measured with literacy and numeric test results show that students are really progressing because of the scheme. This is very pleasing for me as however, there are many more inspirational results that are more difficult to measure. These results are the increased confidence, the creativity, the willingness to learn and the hunger to do better, to succeed, that Playing for Success seems to breathe into the pupils. The researcher, suggest this is due to the schemes ethos of empowering the young pupils. Responding to their needs and interests, raising their self-confidence by showing respect and encouraging individuality. The football club attracts the pupils initially and projects a message that learning new skills can be done through many subjects, but they develop best in those subjects that interest and inspire the learner the most. The researcher as a mentor has the duty of been there for the child wether on a one to one or as a group exercise is there for the attention of those person. One way that the researcher introduces and portrays himself is in the way of his say I am here to help you, however he order for me to help you, you in turn have to help me (Mark Bradley 2001) It makes the students we have an understanding and it does start to form a good partnership just like in a place of work or organisation.

Falling Victim to the Past essays

Falling Victim to the Past essays In the novel, Wild Geese, by Martha Ostenso, the members of the Gare household struggle immensely under the oppressiveness of Caleb Gare, the father and Amelia Gare, the mother. The children of the Gare family face many obstacles, such as lack of voice, lack of control, and limited possibilities. Although Ostensos Wild Geese is an award winning piece of literature, much of the novels significance and power has been lost over time. The control Caleb and Amelia have over their children is vividly realistic but is portrayed in completely different ways; Caleb through his greed and need for control and Amelias desire to conceal her past. During the 1920s, the time which the novel was written, children had very few rights. A child was seen as property of the family. Children were to be seen but not heard and were to always be obedient. This is definitely the case in the Gare household. This lack of childrens rights is further compounded by the isolation of the Gares farming community in rural Manitoba. Policing would not have been prevalent in the immediate area, especially when it came to household affairs. Although this sort of treatment still exists in some homes, in general, our sense of what a familys responsibility is to a child and what the childs responsibility is to the family has evolved over time. Wild Geese is viewed as both scandalous and revolutionary. Written during a time when childrens rights were not yet defined, the novel challenges these views. Ostenso brilliantly portrays this evolution of the times with the character Lind Archer and her relationships with the Gares and Mark Jordan. Lind is a school teacher sent to teach in rural Manitoba. The Gare family, with whom Lind boards, is ruled and manipulated by the cruel Caleb and Amelia Gare. Caleb Gare delights in crushing the spirits of his four children and tormenting his wife. And then, stra...

What Is a GPA Scale The 4.0 Scale

What Is a GPA Scale The 4.0 Scale SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips GPA is a measurement of your academic success in high school that colleges will consider very strongly in the admissions process. But what is a GPA scale? Different high schools may use different GPA scales, and it’s important to know how these scales work so that you get a better idea of where you stand. In this article, I’ll tell you what a GPA scale is and the types of scales you might see used at your high school. // What’s a High School GPA Scale? GPA (Grade Point Average) is a way of measuring academic achievement in high school. It’s a numeric value that correlates with a student’s grades. Each letter grade that a student earns is worth a certain number of grade points depending on how high it is and, in some cases, the level of the class where it was earned. // The average of the grade points from all of a student’s converted letter grades in high school makes up his or her final GPA. Typically, one of two GPA scales will be used to measure the grades of students throughout their time in high school. The unweighted GPA scale goes up to a 4.0 and doesn’t take class difficulty into account.A weighted GPA scale typically goes up to a 5.0 and does consider the difficulty of a student’s classes.I’ll go over the basics of these two scales in the next couple of sections to give you a sense of how they work. // Unweighted 4.0 GPA Scale The unweighted GPA scale is the most commonly used GPA scale. It’s found in high schools and colleges alike and is very straightforward. // Essentially, the highest GPA you can earn is a 4.0, which indicates an A average in all of your classes. A 3.0 would indicate a B average, a 2.0 a C average, a 1.0 a D, and a 0.0 an F.This scale does not take the levels of your courses into account. For example, if you’re in all honors classes and earn a B average, you’ll have the same GPA as someone in all low-level classes who has earned a B average. // Here’s a table that shows how this scale corresponds to each letter grade: Letter Grade GPA A+ 4.0 A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 D+ 1.3 D 1.0 F 0.0 // Some high schools make more specific distinctions in GPA based on class averages out of 100 (i.e. a 90 average would mean a lower GPA than a 92 average even though they’re both technically A-s).Look at this GPA scale for more specific numbers. Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. // Weighted 5.0 GPA Scale Instead of using the basic unweighted scale, many high schools will use a weighted GPA scale. On a weighted scale, which typically goes up to a 5.0 instead of the standard 4.0, a student who earns an A in a high level class will have a higher GPA than a student who earns an A in a low-level class. While this scale is used frequently in high schools, you’re unlikely to encounter it in college since it takes course difficulty into account. // For the highest-level classes like honors and AP, students get an extra 1.0 added to the unweighted GPA value of their grades due to the difficulty of the class. A B in an honors class would be equivalent to a 4.0 on a weighted GPA scale, and an A would be equivalent to a 5.0. Some schools also offer mid-level classes between honors and low-level. For these courses, 0.5 points are usually added to the unweighted GPA, meaning an A would be equivalent to a 4.5. Grades in low-level classes are measured using the unweighted scale, so an A in those classes would be equivalent to a 4.0. Weighted GPA scales give colleges a better initial sense of the academic potential of students based on the rigor of their coursework. They also lead to greater accuracy in class rankings. Students who take lower level classes won’t surpass high-level students in the rankings as frequently because GPAs are adjusted for class difficulty. This can help incentivize students to take more difficult classes and challenge themselves since it won’t harm their GPAs unless they end up earning signficantly poorer grades. Figure skaters are judged partially on the difficulty of their routines, so a skater who executes an easy routine flawlessly won't prevail over another skater who executes a difficult routine with a couple of mistakes. It's the same with weighted GPA. How far away are you from a 4.0? Use our easy GPA tool to pinpoint how well you have to do in future classes to get your GPA up to that magical number. Why Do GPA Scales Matter to You? It’s important to be aware of the GPA scale used by your high school so that you can make responsible choices in the college application process. If you’re aiming for selective colleges, you need to understand that your chances might be different depending on whether your GPA is weighted or unweighted. A student with a 3.8 unweighted GPA who is in all Honors classes will have better chances of admission at a selective college than a student with a 4.0 weighted GPA who is in all low-level classes. Much of the advice you’ll see about GPA is based on an unweighted scale because the unweighted scale is a more universally understood metric. This means that if your school uses weighted GPAs you’ll have to make judgments about how you might compare to other applicants based on your coursework and not just the numbers. For example, if the average unweighted GPA for admitted students at a college is a 3.5, you can’t always assume that you’ll get in easily with a 4.0 weighted GPA. The two numbers are on completely different scales. You’ll have to take stock of the overall rigor of your coursework and selectivity of the school to see whether you compare favorably to other applicants. It’s smart to be aware of the different GPA scales so that you have a better understanding of how much you might need to raise your GPA in order to get into a school that you really like. // Conclusion High school GPAs are measured on one of two scales: weighted or unweighted. The unweighted scale is most common, and the highest possible GPA on this scale is a 4.0. The unweighted scale doesn’t take the difficulty of your classes into account. Weighted scales are also used at many high schools. Typically, they go up to a 5.0. A weighted scale will factor in the difficulty of your classes, so an A in an honors class translates to a full grade point higher than an A in a low-level class. It’s valuable to have some knowledge of how GPA is measured by your school so that you end up with a more informed perspective going into the college application process. Your GPA will play a significant role in college admissions decisions, so keep working hard to maintain and improve it! What's Next? If you're curious about your GPA, read our article that gives you step by step instructions on how to calculate it based on your grades so far in high school. Is your GPA above average? Below average? Find out more about average high school GPAs here. If you have a low GPA, you might be worried about applying to college. Learn more about how to navigate the college application process with a low GPA. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Introduction to Financial Markets - Forecasting interest rates Essay

Introduction to Financial Markets - Forecasting interest rates - Essay Example Interest rates, according to the Financial Times , have fallen back to the historic lows, permitting companies, individuals, and some countries to borrow loans at a price lower than before. Contrary to this, households and the extensive economy still fight back in the wake of credit stagnation. The relationship between these two forces, that is the stimulating impact on economic operations of low borrowing prices and the damping impact of a liability squeeze has adverse repercussions for investors globally, from those individuals who save on their own to the world’s largest insurance companies (Aline, Mackenzie, & Milne, 2010). For the past couple of years, following the 2008 collapse in equity markets as well as in a hysterical serach for â€Å"secure† investments, more cash has been poured into bonds as compared to earlier times. Bonds from the U.S Treasury debt to upcoming market corporate bonds have been performing amazingly well, being ranked among the possessions around the world that have generated the largest returns in 2009 and 2010. On the other hand, if the descending trend in rates were to come to an end, then there may be an abrupt halt to the rally in bonds. In the same way that falling interest rates raise the bond prices paying flat rates of interest, increasing rates eat into their value and push costs lower. It is noted that when the interest rates rises, bond holders and bonds funds are likely to undergo losses. In fact, in the near future, it is expected that borrowing rates may fall even lower. At the time when the article was written, the Federal Reserve was planning to buy government bonds with the only aim of pushing interest rates lesser (Aline, Mackenzie, & Milne, 2010). The issue to focus on in this section is that, even after extra two years of close to zero official rates and large quantities of stimulus spending, big economies like the United States have not grown as strongly as they expected. This is the reason why t he Fed is planning to start its â€Å"quantitative easing† despite the fact that there are many investors and economists who doubt that it will have a powerful impact on economic growth. The Fed is making interest rates low, which means inflation and decreased bond yield, seeming like a bubble. The factors likely to have an impact on future interest rate movements An interest rate can be defined as the quantity of money received in connection to a loan, generally stated as a ratio of dollars obtained for each hundred dollars lent. From the credit markets review in the section above, there are factors that may affect future interest rate movements.   First, the U.S economy is an important player in this section. When it grows, consumers get employment and thus get some investments to lend through banks, though they must also borrow to purchase big items like cars or homes, or to fund other properties by using credit cards. For instance, Lieb, in the article claims that he ha s never experienced such inexpensive borrowing rates on housing loans. This means that when the funds’ demands drop, interest falls. In contrast, when funds’ demand increases, there is a rise in interest rates, acting as a

Account for the changing attitude of Federral Government to the issue Essay

Account for the changing attitude of Federral Government to the issue of African-American Civil Rights in the period 1863-1965 - Essay Example Likewise, 1965 holds value because it is the year after the Civil Rights act was passed and the year the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed. The Emancipation Proclamation and the Voters Rights Act are separated by virtually 100 years, during which time the Civil Rights Movement and the United States Federal government shared a very tumultuous relationship.In the 1850's and 60's Sojourner Truth played a pivotal part in bringing together diverging groups within the Civil Rights movement, but it would be her historical sit down with President Abraham Lincoln that would signify the start of a collaborative relationship between the movement and the United States Federal government.At a women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio after women had chanted in opposition of Truth speaking, despite their disapproval she stood up and said, "I could work as much and eat as much as a man ... and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman I have borne thirteen children, and seen 'em most all sold of f to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman (Joseph, 1990)" Here Truth's words came to define the role of the black woman in the feminist movement and exemplify the extreme direction of the cause. She identified the place of the woman in American society as equal to a man's. Later on in an Equal Rights Convention in New York, she would go on to say, "There is a great stir about colored men getting their rights, but not a word about the colored women; and if colored men get their rights, and not colored women theirs, you see the colored men will be masters over the women, and it will be just as bad as it was before. So I am for keeping the thing going while things are stirring; because if we wait till it is still, it will take a great while to get it going again (Lewis, 1999)." This attitude she had was a response to the political climate surrounding the Civil Rights activism during her era. It was divided between two groups , black men and white women, leaving no space for the plight of the black woman to protest for her rights. She was essentially a radical feminist because she was a key activist in both the Feminist and the Abolitionist movements, but she denounced the need for male contribution in the drive towards equal rights with statements like, "Where did your Christ come from From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him (Lewis, 1999)" "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them (Lewis, 1999)." Likewise, her book The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, published in 1850 chronicled her life and became used as a powerful doctrine to persuade readers to support abolishing slavery for both male and female blacks, making a prominent figure in both movements. The money she received from the book also provided Truth with the money needed to buy a house in Florence Massachusetts, which was unheard of for a former sla ve. The success of the novel also established her as a respected public speaker known for her insight and wit. This insight she became known for also led her to be the first activist to connect the rights of slaves and blacks with the woman's movement. This was a connection that was met with much resistance by traditional moderate Feminists. Politics It was the Inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln on March 4th, 1961 that would mark the beginning of the United States Federal government's involvement with the Civil Rights

Essays Essay Example for Free

Essays Essay In 1514, Sultan Selim I (1512–1520) successfully expanded the Empires southern and eastern borders by defeating Shah Ismail I of the Safavid dynasty in the Battle of Chaldiran. In 1517, Selim I expanded Ottoman rule into Algeria and Egypt, and created a naval presence in the Red Sea. Subsequently, a competition started between the Ottoman and Portuguese empires to become the dominant sea power in the Indian Ocean, with numerous naval battles in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The Portuguese presence in the Indian Ocean was perceived as a threat for the Ottoman monopoly over the ancient trading routes between East Asia and Western Europe (later collectively named the Silk Road, a term coined by Ferdinand von Richthofen in 1877. [20][21]) This important monopoly was increasingly compromised following the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1488, which had a considerable impact on the Ottoman economy. Turkey 7 The Ottoman Empires power and prestige peaked in the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. The empire was often at odds with the Holy Roman Empire in its steady advance towards Central Europe through the Balkans and the southern part of the Polish-Lithuanian [] Commonwealth. Wikipedia:Citing sources At sea, the Ottoman Navy contended with several Holy Leagues (composed primarily of Habsburg Spain, the Republic of Genoa, the Republic of Venice, the Knights of St. John, the Papal States, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Savoy) for control of the Mediterranean Sea. In the east, the Ottomans were occasionally at war with Safavid Persia over conflicts stemming from erritorial disputes or religious differences between the 16th and 18th centuries. [22] The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is one of the most famous architectural legacies of the Ottoman Empire. From the beginning of the 19th century onwards, the Ottoman Empire began to decline. As it gradually shrank in size, military power and wealth, many Balkan Muslims migrated to the Empires heartland in Anatolia,[23]Wikipe dia:Verifiability[24] along with the Circassians fleeing the Russian conquest of the Caucasus. The decline of the Ottoman Empire led to a rise in nationalist sentiment among the various subject peoples, leading to increased ethnic tensions which occasionally burst into violence, such as the Hamidian Massacres. The Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers and was ultimately defeated. During the war, an estimated 1. 5 million Armenians were deported and exterminated in the Armenian Genocide. [25][26] The Turkish government denies that there was an Armenian Genocide and claims that Armenians were only relocated from the eastern war zone. ] Large scale massacres were also committed against the empires other minority groups such as the Greeks and Assyrians. [][][27] Following the Armistice of Mudros on 30 October 1918, the victorious Allied Powers sought to partition the Ottoman state through the 1920 Treaty of Sevres. [] Republic of Turkey The occupation of Constantinople and Smyrna by the Allies in the aftermath of World War I prompted the establishmen t of the Turkish national movement. ] Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, a military commander who had distinguished himself during the Battle of Gallipoli, the Turkish War of Independence was waged with the aim of revoking the terms of the Treaty of Sevres. [] By 18 September 1922, the occupying armies were expelled, and the Ankara-based Turkish regime, which declared itself the legitimate government of the country in April 1920, started to formalise the legal transition from the old Ottoman into the new Republican political system. On 1 November, the newly founded parliament formally abolished the Sultanate, thus ending 623 ears of Ottoman rule. The Treaty of Lausanne of 24 July 1923 led to the international recognition of the sovereignty of the newly formed Republic of Turkey as the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and first continuing state of the Ottoman Empire, and the republic was officially President of the Republic of Turkey. proclaimed on 29 October 1923 in Ankara, the countrys new capital. [] The Lausanne treaty stipulated a population exchange between Greece and Turkey, whereby 1. 1 million Greeks left Turkey for Greece in exchange for 380,000 Muslims transferred from Greece to Turkey. ] Turkey Mustafa Kemal became the republics first President and subsequently introduced many radical reforms with the aim of transforming old Ottoman-Turkish state into a new secular republic. [] With the Surname Law of 1934, the Turkish Parliament bestowed upon Mustafa Kemal the honorific surname Ataturk (Father of the Turks. )[] Turkey remained neutral during most of World War II, but entered the war on the side of the Allies on 23 February 1945, as a ceremonial gesture. On 26 June 1945, Turkey became a charter member of the United Nations. ] Difficulties faced by Greece after the war in quelling a communist rebellion, along with demands by the Soviet Union for military bases in the Turkish Straits, prompted the United States to declare the Truman Doctrine i n 1947. The doctrine enunciated American intentions to guarantee the security of Turkey and Greece, and resulted in large-scale U. S. military and economic support. [] Both countries were included in the Marshall Plan and OEEC for rebuilding European economies in 1948, and subsequently became founding members of the OECD in 1961. 8 Roosevelt, Inonu and Churchill at the Second Cairo Conference which was held between 4–6 December 1943. After participating with the United Nations forces in the Korean War, Turkey joined NATO in 1952, becoming a bulwark against Soviet expansion into the Mediterranean. Following a decade of Cypriot intercommunal violence and the coup in Cyprus on 15 July 1974 staged by the EOKA B paramilitary organization, which overthrew President Makarios and installed the pro-Enosis (union with Greece) Nikos Sampson as dictator, Turkey invaded Cyprus on 20 July 1974. ] Nine years later the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey, was established. [28] The single-party period ended in 1945. It was followed by a tumultuous transition to multiparty democracy over the next few decades, which was interrupted by military coups detat in 1960, 1971, 1980 and 1997. []Wikipedia:Citing sources In 1984, the PKK began an insurgency against the Turkish government, which ha s claimed over 40,000 lives;[29] a peace process is currently ongoing. 30][31] Since the liberalisation of the Turkish economy during the 1980s, the country has enjoyed stronger economic growth and greater political stability. [] Politics Turkey is a parliamentary representative democracy. Since its foundation as a republic in 1923, Turkey has developed a strong tradition of secularism. [] Turkeys constitution governs the legal framework of the country. It sets out the main principles of government and establishes Turkey as a unitary centralized state. The President of the Republic is the head of state and has a largely ceremonial role. The president is elected for a five-year term by direct elections. Abdullah Gul was elected as president on 28 August 2007, by a popular parliament round of votes, succeeding Ahmet Necdet Sezer. [32] Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers which make up the government, while the legislative power is vested in the unicameral parliament, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature, and the Constitutional Court is charged with ruling on the conformity of laws and decrees with the constitution. The Council of State is the tribunal of last resort for administrative cases, and the High Court of Appeals for all others. [] Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been elected three times as Prime Minister: In 2002 (with 34% of the popular vote), in 2007 (with 47%) and in 2011 (with 49%). Turkey The prime minister is elected by the parliament through a vote of onfidence in the government and is most often the head of the party having the most seats in parliament. The current prime minister is the former mayor of Istanbul, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose conservative Justice and Development Party won an absolute majority of parliamentary seats in the 2002 general elections, organized in the aftermath of the economic crisis of 2001, with 34% of the suffrage. [33] In the 2007 general elections, the AKP received 46. 6% of the votes and could defend its majority in parliament. 34] Although the ministers do not have to be members of the parliament, ministers with parliament membership are common in Turkish politics. In 2007, a series of events regarding state secularism and the role of the judiciary in the legislature occurred. These included the controversial presidential election of Abdullah Gul, who in the past had been involved with Islamist parties;[35] and the governments proposal to lift the headscarf ban in universities, which was annulled by the Constitutional Court, leading to a fine and a near ban of the ruling party. 36] 9 The Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara during a speech of U. S. President Barack Obama on 6 April 2009. Universal suffrage for both sexes has been applied throughout Turkey since 1933, and every Turkish citizen who has turned 18 years of age has the right to vote. As of 2004, there were 50 registered political parties in the country. [] The Constitutional Court can strip the public financing of political parties that it deems anti-secular or separatist, or ban their existence altogether. 37][38] There are 550 members of parliament who are elected for a four-year term by a party-list proportional representation system from 85 electoral districts which represent the 81 administrative provinces of Turkey (Istanbul is divided into three electoral districts, whereas Ankara and Izmir are divided into two each because of their large populations). To avoid a hung parliament and its excessive political fragmentation, only parties winning at least 10% of the votes cast in a national parliamentary election gain the right to representation in the parliament. ] Because of this threshold, in the 2007 elections only three parties formally entered the parliament (compared to two in 2002). [39][40] Human rights in Turkey have been the subject of much controversy and international condemnation. Between 1998 and 2008 the European Court of Human Rights made more than 1,600 judgements against Turkey for human rights violations, particularly the right to life and freedom from torture. Other issues such as Kurdish rights, womens rights and press freedom have also attracted controversy. Turkeys human rights record continues to be a significant obstacle to future membership of the EU. 41] According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Turkish government has waged one of the worlds biggest crackdowns on press freedoms. A large number of journalists have been arrested using charges of terrorism and anti-state activities such as the Ergenekon and Balyoz cases, while thousands have been investigated on charges such as denigrating Turkishness in an effort to sow self-censorship. As of 2012, CPJ identified 76 journalists in jail, including 61 directly held for their published work, more than Iran, Eritrea and China. [42] A former U. S. State Department spokesman, Philip J. Crowley, said that the United States had broad concerns about trends involving intimidation of journalists in Turkey. [43] Turkey 10 Foreign relations Turkey is a founding member of the United Nations (1945), the OECD (1961), the OIC (1969), the OSCE (1973), the ECO (1985), the BSEC (1992), the D-8 (1997) and the G-20 major economies (1999). On 17 October 2008, Turkey was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. [] Turkeys membership of the council effectively began on 1 January 2009. [] Turkey had previously been a member of the U. N. Security Council in 1951–1952, 1954–1955 and 1961. ] In line with its traditional Western orientation, relations with Europe have always been a central part of Turkish foreign policy. Turkey became a founding member of the Council of Europe in 1949, applied for associate membership of the EEC (predecessor of the European Union) in 1959 and became an associate member in 1963. After decades of political nego tiations, Turkey applied for full membership of the EEC in 1987, became an associate member of the Western European Union in 1992, joined the EU Customs Union in 1995 and has been in formal accession negotiations with the EU since 2005. ] Since 1974, Turkey has not recognized the Republic of Cyprus, but instead supports the Turkish Cypriot community in the form of the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which was established in 1983 and is recognized only by Turkey. [] The Cyprus dispute complicates Turkeys relations with both NATO and the EU, and remains a major stumbling block to Turkeys EU accession bid. [] Turkey is a founding member of the OECD and the G-20 major economies. Turkey began full membership negotiations with the European Union in 2005, having been an associate member of the EEC since 1963, and having joined the EU Customs Union in 1995. The other defining aspect of Turkeys foreign relations has been its ties with the United States. Based on the common threat posed by the Soviet Union, Turkey joined NATO in 1952, ensuring close bilateral relations with Washington throughout the Cold War. In the post–Cold War environment, Turkeys geostrategic importance shifted towards its proximity to the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Balkans. In return, Turkey has benefited from the United States political, economic and diplomatic support, including in key issues such as the countrys bid to join the European Union. The independence of the Turkic states of the Soviet Union in 1991, with which Turkey shares a common cultural and linguistic heritage, allowed Turkey to extend its economic and political relations deep into Central Asia,[44] thus enabling the completion of a multi-billion-dollar oil and natural gas pipeline from Baku in Azerbaijan to the port of Ceyhan in Turkey. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline forms part of Turkeys foreign policy strategy to become an energy conduit to the West. However, Turkeys border with Armenia, a state in the Caucasus, remains closed following Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territory during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. [45] Under the AK Party government, Turkeys influence has grown in the Middle East based on the strategic depth doctrine, also called Neo-Ottomanism. [46][47] Turkey 11 Military Troops of the Turkish Army; Type 209 submarines of the Turkish Navy; and F-16s of the Turkish Air Force. The Turkish Armed Forces consists of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The Gendarmerie and the Coast Guard operate as parts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in peacetime, although they are subordinated to the Army and Navy Commands respectively in wartime, during which they have both internal law enforcement and military functions. [] The Chief of the General Staff is appointed by the President and is responsible to the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Parliament for matters of national security and the adequate preparation of the armed forces to defend the country. However, the authority to declare war and to deploy the Turkish Armed Forces to foreign countries or to allow foreign armed forces to be stationed in Turkey rests solely with the Parliament. [] The actual Commander of the Armed Forces is the Chief of the General Staff General Necdet Ozel since August 4, 2011. [48] Every fit male Turkish citizen otherwise not barred is required to serve in the military for a period ranging from three weeks to fifteen months, dependent on education and job location. [49] Turkey does not recognise conscientious objection and does not offer a civilian alternative to military service. 50] The Turkish Armed Forces is the second largest standing armed force in NATO, after the U. S. Armed Forces, with a combined strength of just over a million uniformed personnel serving in its five branches. [51] Since 2003, Turkey contributes military personnel to Eurocorps and takes part in the EU Battlegroups. [] Turkey is one of five NATO member states which are part of the nuclear sharing policy of the alliance, together with Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. [52] A total of 90 B61 nuclear bombs are hosted at the Incirlik Air Base, 40 of which are allocated for use by the Turkish Air Force in case of a nuclear conflict, ut their use requires the approval of NATO. [53] In 1998, Turkey announced a modernisation program worth US$160 billion over a twenty-year period in various projects including tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, warships and assault rifles. [54] Turkey is a Level 3 contributor to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. [55] Turkey has maintained forces in international missions under the United Nations and NATO since 1950, including peacekeeping missions in Somalia and former Yugoslavia, and support to coalition forces in the First Gulf War. Turkey maintains 36,000 troops in Northern Cyprus; their presence is supported and approved by the de facto local government, but the Republic of Cyprus and the international community regard it as an illegal occupation force, and Turkey its presence has also been denounced in several United Nations Security Council resolutions. [] Turkey has had troops deployed in Afghanistan as part of the United States stabilisation force and the UN-authorized, NATO-commanded International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since 2001. 51][56] In 2006, the Turkish parliament deployed a peacekeeping force of Navy patrol vessels and around 700 ground troops as part of an expanded United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the wake of the Israeli-Lebanon conflict. [57] 12 Administrative divisions The capital city of Turkey is Ankara. The territory of Turkey is subdivided into 81 provinces for administrative purposes. The provinces are organized into 7 regions for census purposes; however, they do not represent an administrative structure. Each province is divided into districts, for a total of 923 districts. Provinces usually bear the same name as their provincial capitals, also called the central district; exceptions to this custom are the provinces of Hatay (capital: Antakya), Kocaeli (capital: Izmit) and Sakarya (capital: Adapazar? ). Provinces with the largest populations are Istanbul (13 million), Ankara (5 million), Izmir (4 million), Bursa (3 million) and Adana (2 million). The biggest city and the pre-Republican capital Istanbul is the financial, economic and cultural heart of the country. [] An estimated 75. 5% of Turkeys population live in urban centers. 58] In all, 19 provinces have populations that exceed 1 million inhabitants, and 20 provinces have populations between 1 million and 500,000 inhabitants. Only two provinces have populations less than 100,000. Turkey 13 Geography Turkey is a transcontinental[] Eurasian country. Asian Turkey (made up largely of Anatolia), which includes 97% of the country, is separated from European Turkey by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, an d the Dardanelles (which together form a water link between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean). European Turkey (eastern Thrace or Rumelia in the Balkan peninsula) comprises 3% of the country. 59] Topographic map of Turkey The territory of Turkey is more than 1,600 kilometres (1,000  mi) long and 800  km (500  mi) wide, with a roughly rectangular shape. [] It lies between latitudes 35 ° and 43 ° N, and longitudes 25 ° and 45 ° E. Turkeys area, including lakes, occupies 783,562[60] square kilometres (300,948 sq mi), of which 755,688 square kilometres (291,773 sq mi) are in Southwest Asia and 23,764 square Panoramic view of the Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia kilometres (9,174 sq mi) in Europe. [] Turkey is the worlds 37th-largest country in terms of area. The country is encircled by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean to the south. Turkey also contains the Sea of Marmara in the northwest. [] Mount Ararat (Agr? Dag? ) is the highest peak in Turkey with 5,137 m (16,854 ft) The European section of Turkey, East Thrace, forms the borders of Turkey with Greece and Bulgaria. The Asian part of the country, Anatolia, consists of a high central plateau with narrow coastal plains, between the Koroglu and Pontic mountain ranges to the north and the Taurus Mountains to the south. Eastern Turkey has a more mountainous landscape and is home to the sources of rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris and Aras, and contains Mount Ararat, Turkeys highest point at 5,137 metres (16,854  ft),[][61] and Lake Van, the largest lake in the country. Turkey is divided into seven census regions: Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean. The uneven north Anatolian terrain running along the Black Sea resembles a long, narrow belt. This region comprises approximately one-sixth of Turkeys total land area. As a general trend, the inland Anatolian plateau becomes increasingly rugged as it progresses eastward. [] Turkeys varied landscapes are the product of complex earth movements that have shaped the region over thousands of years and still manifest themselves in fairly frequent earthquakes and occasional volcanic eruptions. The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles owe their existence to the fault lines running through Turkey that led to the creation of the Black Sea. There is an earthquake fault line across the north of the country from west to east, which caused a major earthquake in 1999. 62] Turkey 14 Climate The coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea have a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Black Sea have a temperate Oceanic climate with warm, wet summers and cool to cold, wet winters. The Turkish Black Sea coast receives the greatest amount of precipitation an d is the only region of Turkey that receives high precipitation throughout the year. The eastern part of that coast averages 2,500 millimetres annually which is the highest precipitation in the country. Oludeniz on the Turquoise Coast, which is famous for its Blue Cruise voyages. The coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Sea of Marmara (including Istanbul), which connects the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, have a transitional climate between a temperate Mediterranean climate and a temperate Oceanic climate with warm to hot, moderately dry summers and cool to cold, wet winters. Snow does occur on the coastal areas of the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea almost every winter, but it usually lies no more than a few days. Snow on the other hand is rare in the coastal areas of the Aegean Sea and very rare in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Conditions can be much harsher in the more arid interior. Mountains close to the coast prevent Mediterranean influences from extending inland, giving the central Anatolian plateau of the interior of Turkey a continental climate with sharply contrasting seasons. Winters on the eastern part of the plateau are especially severe. Temperatures of ? 30  °C to ? 40  °C (? 22  Ã‚ °F to ? 40  °F) can occur in eastern Anatolia, and snow may lie on the ground at least 120 days of the year. In the west, winter temperatures average below 1  °C (34  °F). Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures generally above 30  °C (86  °F) in the day. Annual precipitation averages about 400 millimetres (15  in), with actual amounts determined by elevation. The driest regions are the Konya plain and the Malatya plain, where annual rainfall frequently is less than 300 millimetres (12  in). May is generally the wettest month, whereas July and August are the driest. [63] Winter in Lake Uzungol Economy Turkey has the worlds 16th largest GDP-PPP and 17th largest nominal GDP. [] The country is among the founding members of the OECD and the G-20 major economies. During the first six decades of the republic, between 1923 and 1983, Turkey has mostly adhered to a quasi-statist approach with strict government planning of the budget and government-imposed limitations over private sector participation, Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the countrys economic heart. The towers of Sisli are on the left, while those of Levent business district are on the right. Turkey foreign trade, flow of foreign currency, and foreign direct investment. However, in 1983 Prime Minister Turgut Ozal initiated a series of reforms designed to shift the economy from a statist, insulated system to a more private-sector, market-based model. ] The reforms, combined with unprecedented amounts of foreign loans, spurred rapid economic growth; but this growth was punctuated by sharp recessions and financial crises in 1994, 1999 (following the earthquake of that year),[64] and 2001;[65] resulting in an average of 4% GDP growth per annum between 1981 and 2003. [66] Lack of additional fiscal reforms, combined with large and growing public sector deficits and widespread corruption, resulted in high inflation, a weak banking sector and increased macroeconomic volatility. 67] Since the economic crisi s of 2001 and the reforms initiated by the finance minister of the time, Kemal Dervis, inflation has fallen to single-digit numbers, investor confidence and foreign investment have soared, and unemployment has fallen. Turkey has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government controls on foreign trade and investment and the privatisation of publicly owned industries, and the liberalisation of many sectors to private and foreign participation has continued amid political debate. ] The public debt to GDP ratio, while well below its levels during the recession of 2001, reached 46% in 2010 Q3. The real GDP growth rate from 2002 to 2007 averaged 6. 8% annually,[69] which made Turkey one of the fastest growing economies in the world during that period. However, growth slowed to 1% in 2008, and in 2009 the Turkish economy was affected by the global financial crisis, with a recession of 5%. The economy was estimated to have returned to 8% growth in 2010. [] 1 5 Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Turkey since 1933. It was selected by Skytrax as [68] Europes best airline in 2012. In the early years of this century the chronically high inflation was brought under control and this led to the launch of a new currency, the Turkish new lira, on 1 January 2005, to cement the acquisition of the economic reforms and erase the vestiges of an unstable economy. [70] On 1 January 2009, the new Turkish lira was renamed once again as the Turkish lira, with the introduction of new banknotes and coins. As a result of continuing economic reforms, inflation dropped to 8% in 2005, and the unemployment rate to 10%. ] Tourism in Turkey has experienced rapid growth in the last twenty years, and constitutes an important part of the economy. In 2011, 33. 3 million foreign visitors arrived in Turkey, making the country worlds sixth most-popular tourism destination; they contributed $23 billion to Turkeys revenues. [71] Other key sectors of the Turkish economy are banking, construction, home appliances, electronics, text iles, oil refining, petrochemical products, food, mining, iron and steel, machine industry and automotive.

The Wessex Tales Essay -- miscellaneous

The Wessex Tales Explore Hardy’s portrayal of women in three of the stories studied. The Wessex tales was set in the nineteenth century; Thomas Hardy decided to write his stories and novels in the past, during the nineteenth century before he was born. Hardy got some of his ideas from his grand parents; he used to spend long evening next to the fire listening to his grand parents telling stories form the past. Thomas Hardy invented his own places He is highlighting the point that women around that time do not have a say in any thing. The expectations of women were that they had a lower profile At this time people lived in small communities so every one knew each other, so gossip got around the community. If any one did any thing wrong then they became a victim of there own community, and would become isolated. Thomas Hardy portrays Rhoda s being a social victim for having a child out of wedlock, although she is isolated it is ironic that Farmer Lodge is not, but he is still accepted as part of the community. This shows women are lower than men women are inferior to men. Farmer lodge does not acknowledge the fact that he has a son ‘Just the same as usual’ ‘ Took no notice of you’ ‘None’ Rhoda son is use to his dad ignoring him. All that Farmer Lodge has given Rhoda is a job, Rhoda works away from the rest of the workers because she has been discarded. Hardy describes Rhoda as ‘Fading women of thirty’She looks older than she actually is; it also...

Learning a Second Language

Learning a second language after using your native language all your life can truly frustrating and overwhelming at first. But as one begins to chip away at the language and begin to some understand words, these form a foundation or scaffold upon which you can understand more words, primarily in context. More words, more context and this then creates cycle that helps towards achieving fluency in the target or second language. Mei-Yu (1998) once said that in the acquisition of oral language, â€Å"young children are active agents†, constantly process the language inputs that they are constantly exposed to and define and refine them ways that makes sense to them on a personal level. Children create hypotheses or theories about language rules, constantly filtering these theories through active engagement or connections with the more competent language users in their immediate environment. Unconsciously, they learn to recognize contexts and begin acquiring fine discrimination in their use of a language. This means that for a second language learner, the best way to learn is through immersion in the language. Total immersion creates a â€Å"sink or swim† instinct within the individual. The need to communicate and express one’s self will supersede all barriers to learning, and the individual will learn the language because of the instinctive need to survive. Children are especially natural linguists, able to effortlessly discern language rules and allow then to learn as many languages as they are exposed to. (Alyousef, 2005) However, the older we get, these natural language processes are replaced by conscious awareness of rules, which hinders the learning of a new language. For adults, the process of learning through immersion may take longer than for adults, but the process of second language acquisition remains essentially the same, especially if there is total immersion in the target language. For individuals moving to a new land permanently, total immersion will not be a problem. The â€Å"sink or swim† concept is so very true in the learning of a second language, the language must be learned in order to survive in society, then it most certainly be learned, it will only be a matter of time. Indeed learning a new language is all about exposure, but in most cases, such is not possible. For most of us, we learn a second language through formal and conscious lessons in second language classes. For people who are learning a new language, the best way to do so is through a strategy. For adult learners, it is important to follow some guidelines in order to facilitate language learning. The first step would be is to make an honest assessment of your competencies in the target language; do you have some basic knowledge or none at all? The second step is to analyze the language being taught and recognize similarities between the two. Teachers should be the one to initiate this. Language teachers should recognize individual skills and competencies which can be used to scaffold the new concepts being learned.   Building upon prior knowledge or what one already knows or is already skilled at is the best way to learn something new. In terms of language learning, the important thing is to reinforce the prior knowledge and connect it with the target skill, regardless of the languages involved. Starting with what you know is the best way to attack second language learning. When an individual approaches a lesson armed with knowledge and skills they already have, they have more confidence in exploring the new language. It is also encouraging because it gives you a sense of success and accomplishment early on in the lesson, something which is very important to maintain student motivation. Following similarities and prior knowledge, then learning can shift to the differences in the two languages involved to allow them to distinguish one from the other. Using prior knowledge once again, the learners should be allowed to recognize these differences themselves.   (Alyousef, 2005, p.7) Prior knowledge is a learning strategy that second language learners must use so that they will not feel so powerless while learning a new language. For those learning a second language, it is also important for the individual to realize why they need to learn the target language. Motivation is a crucial element of learning; if the target language must be learned to make an individual functional in society, then this need will facilitate the learning. (Crystal, 1987) Once the similarities have been established and the differences distinguished between the two alphabets, then the next is to focus on reinforcing the target language’s alphabet system and how their sounds are produced, making occasional references to the alphabet of the native language. These references will reinforce the connections between the two languages and help the student in the learning process. This strategy is meant to make the third-grade students be comfortable with the target alphabet by relating them to their native alphabet. Eventually, such references to the native alphabet will be gradually eliminated. This way the students can be fluent in the second alphabet independent of the mother tongue. (Mora, 2002) Of course for people who have achieved a certain level of fluency in the target language, the next step is to improve pronunciation. Knowing how to speak in a second language will not be of much value if you cannot be understood because of how you say it. Pronunciation can be a barrier in communication, so being able to say words correctly is crucial. The good thing is that accent is very easy to neutralize. Speech production is universal and the mechanism is the same for all of us. As such, we can learn to produce old sounds in new ways, such as when we attempt to pronounce a word differently. (Mora, 2002) But it must also be said that training the tongue to say words in new ways takes discipline. It can also be frustrating at first, and success can only be achieved with constant practice and conscious effort. This conscious production is necessary so that we can train the articulators to change its speech production habits. After knowing how the target sound is produced, the key is to constantly apply it until the body remembers it on its own without any conscious control on our part. Initially feedback is necessary; we need to listen to how we make the sounds so that we can make the mechanical adaptations necessary to achieve the change. To address this, we can record ourselves and monitor our progress as we continue to practice. Hearing how we improve over time is inspiring and encouraging. After all is said and done, there is great satisfaction in not just being fluent in a second language, but also being able to say it properly and clearly. Indeed, when it comes to learning a new language, the best way to do so is through patience and constant practice. If total immersion in the language is not possible, the best way is to form a strategy when approaching a language learning task. Whenever possible, the target language must be used so that the mind gets used to the language and begins to form a schema about it. References Alyousef, H. (2005). Teaching Reading Comprehension to ESL/EFL teachers. The Reading Matrix. Vol. 5, No. 2. Crystal, D. (1987). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language.   Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. Lu, Mei-Yu. (1998). Language Learning in Social and Cultural Contexts. ERIC Digest.