Hate crimes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Hate crimes - Essay Example Other standard investigations by the FBI include religious bias in the form of religious structure vandalism or damage and election crimes in the form of prohibiting one from voting due to religious, race, color, or disability (FBI â€Å"Overview†). The FBI has developed the Cold Case initiative that looks into and identifies unsolved cases that they act on to find answers and impart justice on behalf of the victims and their families. The FBI task force has also partnered with civil society, community groups, non-governmental organizations, and the local, state and county statute enforcement agencies to implement the task of investigating and execution effectively. The partnerships set the ground for training workshops and dialogue for awareness creation on hate crime. Such a platform is key to confidence building so that individuals can learn to report cases of hate crime to the FBI. The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) compiles hate crime data submitted voluntarily by about 17000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. Their personnel is properly trained to ensure authenticity if they collect and send to the FBI. Statistics shows a decrease in hate crime related offenses from 7722 in 2006 to 6624 in 2007. In 2007, out of the 6624, only three were multiple-bias incidents while the remaining 6621 being single-bias incidents. These included 50.8% racial bias, 18% religious bias, 17% sexual oriented bias and 13.2% ethnic or racial bias (FBI â€Å"Overview†). From statistics, intimidation was the leading type of hate crime with 47% followed by simple assaults and aggravated assaults with 31% and 26.9 respectively. About 81% of hate crimes against property involved destruction, damage or vandalism as followed by 18.6% involving burglary thefts, bribery and counterfeiting. Hate incidents could be single or multiple biases.

Intrest throughout the three stories Essay Example for Free

Intrest throughout the three stories Essay Sherlock Holmes is the main character in the story, as in all the Sherlock Holmes stories. He is a very proper and intelligent man with an extraordinary gift. He is Observant and analytical person and can obtain a large amount of information from a small amount of clues, which most others would overlook. From early on in the story Holmes does not hesitate to show off his detective skills when he meats Helen Stoner: You have come in by train this morning, I see. I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver. This shows that Holmes considers these observations to be trivial, and that they do not stretch his talent whatsoever. Doctor Watson is Holmes assistant. He is a fully qualified doctor and so a clever man, but next to Holmes he often comes across as a clumsy, less intelligent person. This contrast makes Holmes and Watson an interesting duo to read about. Watson is used for occasional humour during the story. It is very apparent that Watson admires Holmes: I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional investigations and admiring his rapid deductions. Finally, Conan-Doyle uses Watson to put forward questions and opinions, which the reader may be thinking of. Holmes never openly rejects these opinions, but nor does he accept them or answer Watsons questions clearly. This creates red herrings, which ensure that the outcome of the story remains a mystery to the reader. Helen Stoner, the lady that has come to Holmes for help, is portrayed in this story as the damsel in distress. She is in desperate need of assistance and has no one else to turn to. Whilst Helen is trying to explain her predicament to Holmes, He is very calm and collective and does not let her tell the story in full immediately; he frequently asks for details or interrupts Helen. This keeps the reader interested because he or she is eager to learn the story. Holmes attitude towards Helen reflects the time the story was written in. Holmes is very sympathetic and gentlemanly towards Helen: you must not fear, said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm. We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt'. Holmes is not being sexist in his assumption that Helen is helpless and afraid, he is merely showing the attitude towards women that was shared by most men at that time. Holmes knows that Helen needs help from someone who is reassuring and confident. Roylott is Helens stepfather. Roylott is an aggressive, violent character who threatens Holmes by bending his poker. Roylott is the prime suspect in the story for the reader, because the death of his stepdaughters would mean he would receive their inheritance. Throughout the story, Conan-Doyle gives several clues as to the outcome of the mystery. Firstly, when Helen is telling her story from the beginning, the reader learns that Roylott, who would inherit an amount of money in the case of the two sisters deaths, is a short-tempered, dangerous man who has a history of violence: There was a series of disgraceful quarrels and brawls with anyone giving him the least offence. These clues make Roylott the prime suspect for the death of Julia Stoner. Secondly, although it leaves many questions unanswered, Helen reveals that Julias last words were: Helen! It was the band! The Speckled band! . It turns out that she was describing the snake that bit her. Finally, there are several important clues given in Helens bedroom, next to Roylotts room, before the plot is unfolded. Above Helens bed, which is fixed to the floor, is a bell rope that does not work, and a ventilator. The ventilator is in a very strange place: the dividing wall between the two rooms. It turns out that these features were to allow the snake to get to Helen. Such clues were intended to intrigue the reader and hint to the reader, giving them a chance to work the mystery out for themselves. These clues are typical of the mystery genre. There are also several red herrings in the story, for example, the gypsies living in the grounds: It must have been those wretched gypsies in the plantation. These points are irrelevant but raise questions in the mind of the reader, making them want to read on. Conan-Doyle also uses tension to keep the reader interested. When Holmes and Watson are waiting for the snake to arrive in Helens room, they are in darkness and speak in whispers. Holmes makes it clear to Watson that they are in considerable danger and must not get caught. Conan-Doyle also uses language techniques such as shorter sentences to achieve this tension. At the end of the story, as was common in stories of this genre, Holmes gives an explanation of the crime for the benefit of the reader. The Devils Foot is similar to The Speckled Band in that from the start there is a character that we have reason to suspect: Mortimer. At first, Mortimer does not seem to be as vicious an enemy as Roylott, as was common in the time the story was written, but several clues unearthed by Holmes point the finger at him. The murder in this case is also similar to the murder in The Speckled Band. It is a very horrific and mysterious murder that some in the story believe to be of a supernatural nature. Murders like this were often present in stories of this time and genre and were designed to fascinate and shock the reader. Holmes, however, says: if it is beyond this world then it is certainly beyond me. This makes the reader believe that there must be a logical or scientific explanation. The crime is again solved by Holmes, who solves the mystery by noticing small clues and gathering information, in this case, noticing the link of combustible powder between the two rooms in which the murders took place. To support his idea of this powder being the cause of the deaths, Holmes puts his life on the line and tries it on himself. This eccentricity and willingness to go so far to solve a crime makes Holmes all the more interesting and unusual to the reader.

Foreign Policy: National Interests and Values

Foreign Policy: National Interests and Values Foreign Policy linking the protection of national interests and promotion of national values. Great Britain has lost an empire and has not yet found a role. Implicit in the introductory quotation by American politician Dean Acheson (Hutchinson Encyclopedia, 2003) is the principle that a nation has various choices in setting foreign policy. A precursor to setting effective foreign policy is the need to have a foreign policy vision, or a fundamental view of what the nation would like to accomplish in the world arena. Two considerations in setting a foreign policy vision involve deciding if the nation should focus on promoting its values internationally or if it should focus on protecting its national interests. This essay will show that foreign policy should not require a choice between protecting national interests and promoting national values; rather, it will demonstrate that a nation can protect its national interests and, at the same time, promote its values in the world arena. Beginning with separate discussions on protecting national interests and on promoting values, the essay continues with an exploration of the linkages between promoting a nations values and protecting its national interests. Finally, conclusions will be presented. Before embarking on an exploration of national interests and values in setting foreign policy, a working definition for the term foreign policy will be established to help in framing the discussion. The Republic of Ireland (1996), in observing that there is no universally agreed definition of foreign policy, furnishes this succinct definition for the term: the pursuit by a state of its interests, concerns, and values in the external environment. Foreign Policy magazine (undated, cited in Labor Law Talk, undated) offers a somewhat fuller, yet essentially supportive, definition: A foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how a particular country will interact with the other countries of the world. Foreign policies generally are designed to help protect a countrys national interests, national security, ideological goals, and economic prosperity. This can occur as a result of peaceful cooperation with other nations, or through aggression, war, and exploitation. Creating foreign policy is usually the job of the head of government and the foreign minister (or equivalent). The definition proposed by Foreign Policy magazine is accepted as the working definition in this context as it provides a more complete description, although the Irish definition will also be referenced. Protecting National Interests The working definition for foreign policy states, in part, that foreign policy is designed to help protect a countrys national interests; the Irish definition states, again in part, that foreign policy is the pursuit by a state of its interests. Each sovereign country can be expected to have different national interests and thus a different foreign policy focus because external policy reflects interests or concerns internal to the country pursuing them, according to the Republic of Irelands White Paper on Foreign Policy (1996). Logically, then, the protection of national interests through foreign policy is the protection of internal interests. Comparing the national interests of Canada and the United States, two closely-allied neighboring countries which are similar in many ways, provides insight into the extent to which national interests differ. Canadian foreign policy focuses on economic growth, social justice, quality of life, sovereignty and independence, peace and security, and harmonious national environment with the first three being the most important (Franks, 1997). Canadas neighbor to the south, the United States, sets foreign policy at three levels. Vital interests, which represent the highest level, include the physical security of American territory, the safety of American citizens, the economic well-being of American society, the protection of critical infrastructures from paralyzing attacks. Military troops may be used unilaterally and decisively to protect these vital interests. The second level includes those interests that do not affect national survival but do influence national well-being (e.g. protect ion of the global environment and commitment to allies). Finally, humanitarian and other interests, including responses to national disasters and promotion of human rights among others, are positioned at the third and lowest level (Gladkyy, 2003, citing White House, 1999). After the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the United States placed added emphasis on national security interests: The Government of the United States has no more important mission than (1) fighting terrorism overseas and (2) securing the homeland from future terrorist attacks. (Gladkyy, 2003, citing Bush, 2001). The contrast between national interests expressed by Canada and the United States is a stark one indeed. The expressed national interests of the United States are more reactive and could be considered to be more negative in tone than those of Canada which seem more proactive and uplifting. Interestingly, and perhaps demonstrating Canadas internal cultural attributes, three of the countrys six areas of national interest are focused on human bettermentsocial justice and quality of life, which are two of the three high priority interests, and a harmonious national environment. In contrast, humanitarian and other interests are relegated to the lowest priority national interests in the United States. Promoting National Values The working definition for foreign policy states that foreign policy, in addition to protecting national interests as mentioned earlier, is designed to protect a countrysideological goals; the Irish definition states that foreign policy, in addition to pursuing national interests, is the pursuit by a state of itsvalues in the external environment. According to Latham (2002), the term values refers to subjective views of individuals about what is worthy or important. He continues that in politics, [values] are views about the ends that social institutions ought to advance, and the virtues they ought to embody. As government is a social institution, values are the views governments should advance and virtues they should embody. Some examples of national values include freedom, democracy, free economies, and human dignity (The Hutchinson Encyclopedia, 2003). In addition, some national values can be discerned from the articulation of national interests. For instance, referring to Canadas national interests, one might conclude that Canadas values include human rights, peace, and environmental harmony. National values can be promoted by various means ranging along a continuum from active to passive. As an example, the United States, in promoting democracy, has used military actionthe most active meansand has modeled democratic behaviorsthe most passive means. In between these two extremes, the United States has used other approaches including diplomacy, foreign aid, international broadcasting, and even covert political manipulations. (Parapan, 2005). Linking the Promotion of National Values to the Protection of National Interests The thesis for this essay is that foreign policy does not have to involve a choice on the part of a nation between protecting its national interests and promoting its values in the world. A nation can do both and, conceivably, doing both effectively can enhance each one individually. A review of the literature revealed the following representative selections addressing the foreign policy linkage between protecting national interests and promoting national values: Haass (2003) claims that in the 21st century, the principal aim of American foreign policy is to integrate other countries and organizations into arrangements that will sustain a world consistent with U.S. interests and values for the purpose of promoting peace, prosperity, and justice as widely as possible. Abrams (2000) states a foreign policy of dominance will not only advancenational interests but will preserve peace and promote the cause of democracy and human rights. Mead (1994) states that foreign policy is based on a combination of interests and values, calling attention to the struggles associated with defining the national interest and national values and relating the two concepts in an overall foreign policy strategy. Using the term progressive internationalism, Falk (2004) summarizes a foreign policy based on four organizing ideas[that] embody a convergence of national values and interests: national strength, liberal democracy, free enterprise, and world leadership. And, finally, Edel (2005) quotes U.S. President George W. Bushs second inaugural address in January 2005: Americas vitalinterests and our deepest beliefs are now one. Seiple (2003) cautions the United States to be uncompromising over their national values when promoting their national interests, contrasting the differences between expressed values of fair play, the use of the Golden Rule, and the cherished freedoms of religion, association, and press and American interests [revolving] largely around economic access and a military that, by and large, is positioned around the world to protect that access. One factor that may complicate the alignment of national interests and national values in forming foreign policy is what might be considered to be an inherent conflict between the realism of national interests and the idealism of national values. Talbott (2000) expresses a contradiction between championing national interests and national values. He writes about the persistent effort to combine realism and idealism in the role [the United States] plays in the world, continuing by stating that the American people have made clear that they demand some thing nobler and more altruistic from their government and armed forces than the coldblooded calculus of raison detat or realpolitik in which European statecraft has often taken pride. McCraw (2003), in claiming that realism sees foreign policy as about national interests rather than promoting values, writes that this conflict explains why national governments have not been particularly identified with promoting human rights, a position that might be considered to be part of an idealistic foreign policy. The range of approaches nations can use in promoting national values as described earlier could also be applied in protecting their national interestsmodeling behaviors, diplomacy, providing foreign aid, broadcasting their messages, conducting covert political manipulations, and taking military action. For instance, a country that demonstrates democratic behavior may cause people in countries with totalitarian governments to push for democratic reforms. This to a large extent happened as formerly Communist countries of Eastern Europe established democratic forms of government modeled after those in countries of Western Europe and the United States in the latter part of the twentieth century. At the other extreme, the military incursion by the United Kingdom, the United States, and others into Iraq to purportedly establish a democratic government could be viewed as an example of forcing democratic values on a sovereign nation. The case of Iraq presents an interesting twist on the national values promotionnational interest protection issue, one that shows how the two are intertwined in foreign policy. In 2003, when the coalition of the willing invaded Iraq, the case for the incursion was based on the certainty that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction that could be used against other nations. This case reflected the desire to protect national interests, in this instance the safety of citizens. But, the invasion revealed that [t]here were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraqno unmanned aerial vehicles, no terrorist training camps, no outlawed Scud missiles, no nuclear weapons program (The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 2004). When no such weapons were found, the rationale for the invasion changed to a desire to install a democratic government. The case changed from one of protecting national interests to promoting values, this time by military force. If the rationalewas truly altruisticto install a democratic form of government in Iraqand the installation of such a government would help promote the stability of the region thereby ensuring the continued worldwide flow of oil (a strategic interest), then the invasion would represent an example of how the promotion of national values can be used as part of foreign policy to protect national interests. Whether the motive of installing a democratic government is true or simply a cover for the failure to find weapons of mass destruction is not a topic for this discussion; however, the efficacy of forcibly installing a democratic government is appropriate. Parapan (2005) asks a probing question: After all, what is it that terrorists hate? The American values and culture, or the American insistence on imposing those on others? Parapan suggests that reform must come from within. Only time will tell whether the new, more democratic government in Iraq will be accepted or replaced by another dictatorship or, even worse, by anarchy. Future historians will be able to compare and contrast the long-term outcomes of the popularly-installed democratic governments in Eastern Europe with the forcibly-installed democratic government in Iraq to assess which approach was more effective. Conclusions This essay set out to show that foreign policy should not require a choice between protecting national interests and promoting national values; rather, that a nation can protect its national interests and, at the same time, promote its values in the world. This thesis was proven with the caveat that the road to achieving this type of foreign policy can be difficult. With a working definition of foreign policy in hand, examples of national interests of Canada and the United States were compared and contrasted and examples of national values were presented and accompanied by a description of the continuum of methods countries can use in promoting their values. The definitions and discussions formed the foundation for establishing the linkage between promoting national values and protecting national interests. At the most basic level, the two definitions cited for foreign policy link the protection of national interests and promotion of national values as purposes of foreign policy. Five extracts resulting from a literature search established the linkage between national interests and national values in foreign policy development (Abrams, 2000; Edel, 2005; Falk, 2004; Haass, 2003; Mead, 1994). Difficulties in linking interests and values in foreign policy were characterized as a conflict between realism and idealism (Seiple, 2003; Talbott, 2000). The approaches available to nations as they establish foreign policy that protects national interests were shown to be largely the same as those available to promote values. Examples from initiatives to establish democracies in Eastern Europe and in Iraq were compared and contrasted in the context of promoting national interests and promoting national values. In summary, nations can simultaneously protect their national interests and promote their national values through their foreign policy. Perhaps the proper promotion of national values, one that models the desired values and empowers the citizens of the receiving nation to make their own choices, can actually enhance the protection of national interests in the country implementing its foreign policy through its stabilizing effects in other parts of the world. Bibliography Abrams, Elliott (2000). American powerfor what? Commentary, January 1, 2000 (The) Atlanta Journal and Constitution (2004) Strategy: Make facts fitTime confirms the fabrications and exaggerations of the Bush administrations case for invading Iraq. June 23, 2004. Bush, George W. (2001) Securing the homeland: Strengthening the nation, 2001. Cited in Gladkyy, Oleksandr (2003), American foreign policy and U.S. relations with Russia and China after 11 September. World Affairs, June 22, 2003. Edel, Charles (2005), Picking our fights carefully. The Cincinnati Post, March 3, 2005. Falk, Richard (2004) Toward the revival of principled politics in America. American Tikkun, September 1, 2004. Foreign Policy (undated) Foreign policy. Cited in Labor Law Talk (undated), Foreign policy. Available from: , undated [Accessed: April 14, 2005]. Franks, C. E. S. (1997) White paper on foreign policy, The 1998 Canadian Encyclopedia, September 6, 1997. Gladkyy, Oleksandr (2003), American foreign policy and U.S. relations with Russia and China after 11 September. World Affairs, June 22, 2003. Haass, Richard N. (2003) Defining U.S. foreign policy in a post-post-Cold War world. DISAM Journal, January 1, 2003. (The) Hutchinson Encyclopedia (2003) Dean Acheson. From speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point, December 5, 1962. April 22, 2003. (The) Hutchinson Encyclopedia (2003) US foreign policy in a changing world. September 22, 2003. Labor Law Talk (undated), Foreign policy. Available from: , undated [Accessed: April 14, 2005]. Latham, Stephen R. (2002) National values, institutions, and health policies: what do they imply for [Canadian] Medicare reform? Canadian-American Public Policy, November 1, 2002. McCraw, David (2003) Analysing New Zealands foreign policy: David McCraw replies to criticism advanced by Michael Bassett of his depiction of New Zealands approach to foreign affairs. New Zealand International Review, November 1, 2003. Mead, Walter Russell (1994) Lucid stars: The American foreign policy tradition. World Policy Journal, December 22, 1994. Parapan, Manuela (2005) Why Arabs are anti-U.S. World and I, January 1, 2005. (The) Republic of Ireland (1996) The white paper on foreign policy: Background to Irish foreign policy. Available from: [Accessed: April 14, 2005]. Seiple, Robert A. (2003) The privilege of power: The US is right to oust Hussein but it must better balance national values with national interests. The Christian Science Monitor, March 10, 2003. Talbott, Strobe (2000) Self-determination in an interdependent world. Foreign Policy, March 22, 2000. The White House (1999) A national security strategy for a new century. Defense Strategy Review Page, December 1999, 1-2. Cited in Gladkyy, Oleksandr (2003), American foreign policy and U.S. relations with Russia and China after 11 September. World Affairs, June 22, 2003. Stiff: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers Stiff: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadavers After reading the book Stiff I have gained a better understanding of what donating your body to science really means. Through my research and by reading the book, I have decided that a person should most definitely donate his or her body to science. I believe that once a person has died, there is nothing more that the person can do with his or her body. Why not give yourself to science and continue to help people even after you have passed away? I personally would like to die knowing that I could potentially save the lives of millions. The first option for donating your body to science mentioned in the book is for the practice of cosmetic procedures. In the first chapter of the book, Mary Roach attends a seminar where plastic surgeons perform different cosmetic procedures on cadaver heads. The surgeons are able to practice new procedures on nonliving patients before performing them on live patients. The cosmetic surgeons gain a better knowledge of human anatomy and how to perform specific procedures. Practicing on these patients is much easier, since the patients do not have blood that would block their view of a humans basic anatomy and facial structure. The surgeons can see everything that is going on in the surgery clearly which will help them to better perform these surgeries later on. In addition to cosmetic procedures, I have learned through my research that universities often provide cadavers for medical students to use as a way to advance their knowledge of the human body. In an article I read, it stated th at before first-year medical students are allowed to lay their hands on the living, they must first learn the anatomy of the dead. Students are required to take apart their given body and look at each section of a humans internal anatomy. Although it is possible to learn this information through high-tech simulators and body models, nothing can replace being able to see and touch a real body. This is why donating your body to science is important; so that medical students will have the chance to learn from dead bodies, before operating on live ones. The third chapter of the book is set at a body farm. A body farm is a research facility where human decomposition can be studied in many different settings. At the body farm, Mary Roach sees a variety of dead bodies that are being used to study human decomposition. Each body is at a different stage of decay. Studying these bodies can help determine the time in which a person has died. In reality, this can help investigators determine the time of death of a corpse. Knowing the time of death can help solve crimes and murder investigations, an important component of forensic science. In the book, Roach mentions fly larvae as an important way to determine when a person has died. Forensic scientists can conclude how old the larvae on a cadaver are, and therefore decide how long the person has been dead for. Other methods of determining this can be used, such as looking at the potassium level in a persons eyelids or studying the stage of their decay. Not only are the donated bodies at diff erent phases of decomposition, they are also put into different scenarios. Every time a person dies, they are not going to be in the same setting. This is why researchers at the body farm have to put cadavers in different situations. The first body Mary Roach sees at the farm is wearing sweatpants, so that examiners can study the effects of decay on bodies that are wearing clothing. During my research, I have learned that some of the other scenarios bodies have been put in include being buried, left outside, and even submerged in water. People die in all different settings, which is why it is important to know how a body reacts in these different environments. By donating your body to science, forensic scientists can learn the rate at which bodies decay, and therefore solve investigations later on. The fourth chapter involves the use of cadavers as crash test dummies. When a person donates his or her body to science, it is possible that he or she will be sent to a research facility where researchers study the effects of impact on the body. When car companies make new car models, it is necessary for them to test if a car provides safety to a human in the event of a crash. However, researchers cannot use nonhuman crash test dummies for these studies. Crash test dummies can tell you how much force a crash has unleashed on a body, but not how this force affects the body. Scientists need to know how much force a real body part can handle. For these test, researchers need subjects that will provide accurate results without causing harm or pain to them. In the past, dedicated researchers have donated themselves as dummies. However, this is neither safe and causes pain to the living researchers. Cadavers are better candidates, since they are not only human, but they also feel no pain a nd cannot sustain injury. During this section of the book, Mary Roach visits a facility where a simulated car accident is taking place on cadaver UM 006. The results from the car accident will help the car company know if the particular model will keep a person safe if a crash were to occur. Then, they can adjust the car to provide better safety. So someday, when a live human survives an accident, he or she has UM 006 to thank. In chapter six, Mary Roach discusses cadavers who are used to understand how bullets and bombs work, and how they affect the human body. Quite often, the bodies of people who choose to donate themselves to science are sent to facilities where the main goal of research is to figure out how to better protect those who are often exposed to danger. As with most tests, researchers need subjects who give results that are realistic and accurate, and that do not feel pain. Cadavers fill these needs when it comes to testing items such as bulletproof vests, army-strength footwear, and other protective wear. To ensure that our soldiers and police officers are safe, it is essential to guarantee that their equipment is safe and will withstand whatever circumstances they may endure. To do so, experiments are conducted to test these different items. Through these tests, researchers can tell if bulletproof vests will withstand the force of a shot, if boots will withstand the effects of a roadside bo mb, and if miscellaneous protective wear can handle under pressure. All of these tests are important in protecting those who give their life to protect us. In chapter seven, Mary Roach discusses a controversial experiment that many people choose to donate themselves to. These trials have become known as the crucifixion experiments. Throughout history, a number of scientists have been engrossed by the idea of recreating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Through trial and error, these scientists have each created their own theory about how Jesus was positioned on the cross and each event that took place during this time. Not only do some people choose to have their cadavers donated to this experimental process, but some actually volunteer themselves while they are still living. Although most people dont choose to take this path when donating their body, it is always another option that could be considered. Throughout the book, Mary Roach touches a couple of times on the subject of organ donation. I believe that organ donation is one of the most beneficial and practical means of donating yourself to science. In all other cases of donating yourself to science, your body is not used to provide direct help to others. In these cases, your body is used for studies and research that could one day hopefully help someone else. When you choose to donate your organs, you are directly giving yourself to someone else. The second you are considered dead (whether your heart has stopped beating or you have been considered brain dead) your organs are give to another person who is in need. In a sense, you are able to live on through another person, or at least a piece of you is. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, every eleven minutes a person is added to the waiting list to receive an organ. Seventy-five people receive an organ transplant each day. However, twenty people die every day waiting for an organ, because of the shortage of donated organs. When one person alone decides to become an organ donor, he or she could possibly save up to eight lives. So if you dont want to join the body farm, be used as a surgical patient, or become a human crash test dummy, I believe that deciding to become an organ donor is the easiest way to save lives. The book Stiff gave me a much better understanding of what it means to donate your body to science. Making the choice to give yourself to scientific research could help an endless amount of people. After all, what are you planning to do with your body when you die? Why not give yourself to something rewarding and beneficial? If you dont want your dead body to be shot for scientific study or to receive a facelift once you have passed away, choose to become an organ donor. You could save up to eight lives, and die knowing youre going to continue to help others. One day, I will certainly choose to donate my body to science, and potentially make life better for those who are still on earth. Personal Review I have always enjoyed reading, and throughout the years I have read all kinds of different stories. However, I have never a book quite like Stiff. In Stiff, Mary Roach talked about a topic that most people would find repulsive and somewhat hard to even think about. Cadavers arent a usual subject when it comes to writing books. Yet, I absolutely loved it. Roach found a way to write about death in a humorous way without ever being disrespectful. Who knew reading about dead bodies could be so funny? The book was filled with interesting facts and never had a dull moment. Most of the time, I had trouble putting the book down. I could also see all the hard work and research Mary Roach put into it. She knew what she was talking about inside and out. She traveled to different countries, researched a countless number of events in history, and interviewed numerous people who were somehow related to the topic. She also mentioned every little detail about what was going on, which made it that mu ch better. Roach never sugar coated anything. She always told everything like it was. Yet she always respected the cadavers and treated them like they were still alive. After reading this book, I feel much better informed about what it means to donate your body to science. I never understood all the possibilities of what could happen to you if you made the choice to donate your cadaver. Mary Roach wrote everything on a level that I could understand without getting confused. I now feel much better prepared about deciding whether to donate my body or not. I have decided that I definitely would like to donate my body to science and make my contribution to society. I would like to be able to help others even after I have passed away. Without this book, I dont think I ever really would have considered donating my body as an option. I didnt understand what it meant or what would happen. Mary Roach convinced me to donate my body to science, and I believe others would feel the same.

Tess Of The D Urbervilles - Finding A Place In Life :: essays research papers

Finding A Place In Life By human nature, people need a sense of belonging to be happy and fulfilled in life. It is more difficult for some to achieve this goal than others. Having friends and being loved is an important part of life for most people, yet if this is difficult for them to achieve, this goal could consume their life. This is true in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, where Tess, a descriptively pretty young girl goes to great lengths to find her place in the world. She moves from town to town searching for her place in society. She first settles in the city of Marlott where she leads a simple life. "Tess at this time of her life was a mere vessel of emotion untinctured by experience" (Hardy 11). Tess continues to travel to different towns in hopes she will improve her life by finding the person she wishes to spend the rest of her life with. Throughout all this disruption in her life, "she is an ambitious woman in search of a new sensation" (Hardy 15). She continues to travel because she wants more from life and has the ambition to attempt to find her place. Tess had to cope with many threatening, dangerous, and sad situations during her search. The first occurs when she arrives in the growing town of Tantridge. There she worked as a dairymaid on the Flintcomb-Ash Farm. Even with her dislike for this job she continues to work at it for over two years until she knows for certain that this is not her place in the world. As she "progresses (she) wonder whether it would be wiser to return home. The resolve, however had been taken, and it seems Vacillating†¦ to abandon it now, unless for graver reasons" (Hardy 67). As she continues to live in Tantridge, she gets into fights, drinks, and ends up being raped and impregnated. Alec is the man who attempts to convince Tess that she belongs with him, and that they were meant to be together. In her heart Tess realizes Alec is not the man she wishes to be with. Unfortunately she continues on in the one-sided relationship which leads to Alec raping Tess. She does not yet know how s evere the consequences are for not being a pure woman. This idea of being a pure woman is so important in this period of time that Tess keeps it a secret even from Angel, who is her new love and the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

Role Of Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Health And Social Care Essay

Within this assignment the followers will be covered, a description of multiple induration along with the assorted diagnosed types. The statistics of multiple induration will be given, every bit good as who are most at hazard. The many functions the multiple induration nurse specializer provides including, back uping those freshly diagnosed to accept they have multiple induration, managing symptoms, advice on life style and working life, instruction and instruction. The nurse specializer ‘s function in disease modifying therapy will be discussed, with treatment given to concordance with prescribed medicines. Evidence will be given to back up why the multiple induration nurse specializer is required and the importance of the function in footings of diagnosing, probes and intervention. The principle behind this chosen subject is to place if the multiple induration nurse specializer improves attention for patients with multiple induration ( Forbes et al 2006 ) . Besides does the multiple induration nurse specializer adjutant in advancing harmony with medicine and intervention programs ( Shaw & A ; McMillan 2008 ) . Multiple Sclerosis ( MS ) is a chronic status that affects the cardinal nervous system ( CNS ) . The medulla covering the nervousnesss of the CNS is damaged doing the tissues to be attacked by the immune system, in belief that a foreign organic structure has invaded the country involved ( MS Society 2010 ) . The consequence of the harm of the tissues is recognised through slower reactions from the signals of the encephalon to the organic structure, which can ensue in jobs with motion, address, weariness, vision, co-ordination to call but a few ( Burgess 2010 ) . There are three more common types of diagnosed MS which are, Get worsing Remitting, Secondary Progressive and Primary Progressive. On first diagnosing of MS it may be hard to lucubrate what type of MS the person is diagnosed with due to changing clip in backslidings from individual to individual ( Ms Trust 2010 ) . Get worsing remitting MS is more common in footings of diagnosing with over two tierces of those diagnosed with MS being categorised under this type ( Leary et al 2005 ) . With get worsing remitting MS an person may see backslidings in the part of one or two per twelvemonth. Full recovery periods in between onslaughts may be noticeable, although single ‘s symptoms may deteriorate due to the badness of the backsliding. Secondary imperfect is associated with less frequent backsliding but disablement with MS additions. Over half of those diagnosed with backsliding remitting ab initio, will be diagnosed with secondary imperfect within 10 old ages of initial diagnosing ( Leary et al 2005 ) Primary imperfect can be unfortunate with those diagnosed, unlike backsliding remitting and secondary imperfect there is no remittal periods, around 10 per centum of those diagnosed with this type of MS experience symptoms from the oncoming ( MS Society 2010 ) In 2008 MS statistics showed that over 85,000 of the population in the United Kingdom where diagnosed with MS, ( MS Trust 2008 ) . On the 10 April of this twelvemonth the MS trust ( 2010 ) republished figures demoing that figures have increased to 100,000, about 20 % addition within 2 old ages. Diagnosis age is normally between 20 and 40 and adult females are more likely campaigners to be diagnosed, there is no account for this, nevertheless the statistics are greater in Scotland, this is said to be due to the environment but research into this is ongoing ( MS Trust 2008 ) . In 2005 a survey was carried out by Forbes et Al ( 2006 ) . This survey evaluated the programme of the nurse specializer function, and aimed to place if the MS specializer function improved attention provided. The paper concludes that the specializer nurse continuance to care was evidentiary. There was argument over betterments with jobs with disease, and the betterment in quality of life with MS due to the specializer nurse. This may hold been true in footings of jobs with disease prior to 1993 when there was no available interventions, symptoms may hold been managed with steroids ( Shaw & A ; McMillan 2008 ) . Although Forbes et Al ( 2006 ) supports the function of the MS nurse specializer and the benefits to those who have MS to hold a nurse who is dedicated in this field, Forbes et Al ( 2006 ) believed that the Nurse specializer function in Ms may profit to be more research based. This is disagreed with Embrey and Lowndes ( 2007 ) who shows grounds of the many roles the nurse spe cializer dramas, including the nurse led clinics provided by the nurse specializers who aid with symptom control provides information and support for those who are freshly diagnosed or get downing interventions such as disease modifying therapy. Care needs for MS patient ‘s can be differential from patient to patient, this depends non merely how long diagnosing has been, but how persons deal with the diagnosing. The persons apprehension of the status and how their lives may be affected professionally and personally at different phases of there lives ( Malcomson et al 2008 ) . The nurse specializer can be a anchor for these patients understanding single attention demands, supplying information on how to cover with state of affairss that occur and supplying other signifiers of information and support services if and when required ( Burgess 2010 ) . Over the old ages intervention for MS has developed leting persons to pull off the status more successfully. The nurse specializer plays a large portion in reding, and back uping the person ‘s pick on chosen intervention if required ( Burgess 2010 ) . For get worsing remitting MS and those who have had two or more onslaughts over the twelvemonth Disease Modifying Therapy ( DMT ) may be a pick of intervention ( Shaw & A ; McMillan 2008 ) . However harmony with DMT can be an issue and the manner the nurse specializer uses her cognition and expertness may play a portion in the patients go oning the planned intervention programme ( Shaw & A ; McMillan 2008 ) . A survey by Shaw & A ; McMillan ( 2008 ) evaluated harmony with MS prescribed medicines ; grounds showed that 20 five per centum ne'er followed the planned government when on DMT intervention. This may hold been for assorted grounds including timing of injection, side effects or injection techniques. The biggest ground may be that an apprehension that DMT does non work from oncoming. The intervention takes clip to work patients must be made cognizant of the procedures involved in DMT. This can be clip devouring for the Ms nurse specializer but in their dedicated function nurse will to the full measure whether the single patient is able to understand that benefits out manner the backslidings and the progressive disablement that MS may hold ( Gutteridge 2006 ) .

Domestic Violence Course Assignment

Questions: Answer the following questions. Name three consequences for women victimized by male partner violence. ? Describe the following three theories: traumatic bonding, Stockholm syndrome, ND attachment. How do these theories explain a victim's entrapment in the relationship? Why can't battered women count on the criminal Justice system to protect them from an abusive male partner? Chapter 9 Review – Abusive Heterosexual Partners: Primarily Men Discuss at least three different types of definitions of partner violence. Discuss blame. Evaluate how it affects battered women and partner violent men. Discuss what is known about female partner abuse offenders.Compare and contrast differences with male offenders. Assignment – Due: Wednesday, April 4, 2012 Discuss the meaning and importance of practice, policy and prevention issues. Evaluate agency services versus individual counseling services. What problems do agencies appear to have? Discuss cultural competence and why is it needed in practice, policy and prevention. Discuss the controversy over treatment of male abusers. What is your opinion? Assignment – Due: Wednesday, April 1 1, 2012 Chapter 4 Review – Child Physical Abuse Should corporal punishment be outlawed?Is it effective? Why or why not? List five general categories of the effects of CPA on children. Describe a prototypical adult who abuses children. Assignment #5 – Due: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Chapter 12 Review – Abuse of Elderly and Disabled Persons How does elder abuse compare with abuse of younger adults? What is elder self- neglect? What sorts of individuals are most likely to abuse elders? What are some of the forms of abusing disabled persons that appear to be unique? What elder abuse problems and responses to abuse occur in nursing homes?

5 New Years Resolutions Mark Zuckerberg Made That Can Inspire You

5 New Years Resolutions Mark Zuckerberg Made That Can Inspire You By any stretch, Mark Zuckerberg is one successful guy. He has more money than most of us can even conceive of, he spends a lot of that money and time on philanthropic efforts, and- oh yeah- he runs the biggest social networking company in the world. Yet even from his vantage point at the top of the world, there’s room for self-improvement. Zuckerberg has made some strong New Year’s resolutions in the past. And although they may be a little extreme for someone with more modest means and less time available, we can learn a lot from his approach.Here are some of his past years’ resolutions (or â€Å"challenges†), and what we can take from them.1. â€Å"Learning to speak Mandarin.†Becoming fluent in a challenging language may not be super-accessible to someone juggling a job, a family, and daily obligations without a full-time language tutor. But you can certainly find time to learn a new skill this year.2. â€Å"Writing a thank you note each day to so meone who made the world better.†If you have time to write a flowery thank you note to Gandhi or Elvis every day this year, great. If you don’t, just saying â€Å"thank you† to someone each day is great, too. You could make a coworker’s day by thanking him for something that might ordinarily go unnoticed. Being thankful for the smaller things (even when bigger things are going wrong) might also help you feel less stressed at work.3. â€Å"Being a vegetarian (or only eating meat if I killed the animal myself).†Again, this one could be a very large commitment, depending on how much you love bacon. But really, it could be any healthy habit that makes you more mindful. Maybe it’s 10  minutes of yoga at lunch. Maybe it’s going to a spin class after work to decompress. This one could also be about self-accountability and embracing the choices you make in the workplace, instead of looking for the nearest coworker to throw under the bus.4. à ¢â‚¬Å"Wearing a tie every day.†When I saw this one, I thought of the old adage, â€Å"dress for the job you want.† Even as society and workplaces have gotten more casual, there’s some merit in this one. Taking an extra step to look good for work can make you feel sharper and more ready for the day.5. â€Å"Meeting one new person who doesn’t work at Facebook every day.†This challenge is about building your network, social and professional. Getting out there and making connections is one of the best things you can do to make your year brighter. Best case, you’ve created relationships that could take your career to the next level. Worst case, you’ve widened your world a little bit.So what do you think? Are you up for these challenges, or ones like them?This article is part of Bulk Up Your Career in 2017  campaign. Access the entire guide here to help you succeed in 2017.

Influence of Alcohol and Drug Addiction on Political socialization in America essays

Influence of Alcohol and Drug Addiction on Political socialization in America essays Effects of Drug and Alcohol Addiction on Political Socialization in America Political Socialization is the process, by which citizens of a particular region, nation, state, city, or country develop the ways in which they develop views and beliefs about the political issues of their respective areas. This process is developed in America, through this nations citizens families, peers, the media, and their political party involvement (if any). It is the intent of this research paper to show the reader how the rise in alcohol and drug addiction has had adverse effects on this process called political socialization, in America. The paper will lead the reader through the four influences in this process and show how addiction has a negative effect upon each . The first influence in a United States citizens life is the citizens family. The ways in which the family views political issues has a big effect on the ways that the individual also views these issues. Parents teach their children about the value of participating in the political system through their example and approval. Therefore, if the family has a strong addictive, anti-social tendency towards the political factions of their society, there will be a stong tendency towards the same anti-social perspective created in their children. In The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Volume 24, number 4, Jeanette Taylor, M.A. states that, after tabulation for the families of 35 delinquent, substance-abusing (multiple problem) adolescent males, as expected, a significant, positive correlation among conduct disorder, anti-social personality disorder, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse was found for each corresponding males family. It was concluded that identifying male multip le problem youths also identifies families with a high incidence of similar problems. This information states that a families tendencies are an almost m...

Power and Privilege Exclusion by Race Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Power and Privilege Exclusion by Race - Essay Example There is no doubt that the law has been used to further discrimination against racial minorities. The law as a political instrument. In a case called City of Memphis v. Greene, 451 U.S. 100, 123,126-27 (1981), the attempt to use the law as an agent of political discrimination is obvious. A white neighborhood association did not want the members of a black neighborhood to drive through their residential area. The City of Memphis, bowing under the pressure of the whites, passed an ordinance that closed the most convenient street giving access to the center of the city. In what can only be described as a wrong-headed decision, the Supreme Court sided with the residents in the name of "residential tranquility." A more classic use of the law as a political instrument could hardly be constructed. The in-power whites did not want the blacks to drive their streets; evidencing pure racism. Their ability to convince the city to close the street and exclude the black community from conveniently driving to the city center demonstrates a regional disregard for those citizens; and the Supreme Court's action took that disregard to a national level. Imagine, if you were a black resident of Memphis at the time, how disenfranchised you would feel. The city, as well as the nation, is telling you to drive out of your way just to preserve the tranquility of white racists. This is not the use of law, it is the abuse of law to further the agenda of the powerful and keep the out-class down. Justice and fairness. Similar to the case above, and a decision which flies in the face of the notion of fairness, the matter of Hernandez v. New York, 111 S. Ct. 1859 (1991), comes to the fore. In this instance, a prosecutor sought to exclude the plaintiff from sitting on a jury simply as a result of Hispanic ancestry. The claim was made that individual Latinos might have difficulty in understanding written documents submitted during the course of the trial, and should not be allowed to sit as jurors. The implication of this assumption is as bizarre as it is inappropriate. While the Supreme Court sided with the prosecution for technical reasons, the racism implied in the very act is clearly apparent; and its extension as a precedent speaks volumes regarding the political use of power and the law. In fact, it should be noted that "[w]here a rule has such a massively disproportionate impact, it is tempting to equate the impact, exclusion of Latinos, with an intent to exclude that grou p" (Friedman and Israel 1745). While the prosecutor in the case may not have intentionally meant to discriminate against an entire class of people, the notion that Hispanics cannot sit on American juries because they may not speak the language well enough is an ugly message to send. Imagine living in the U.S. as a third-generation Latina and being told that you were unfit for jury duty because you were sub-literate. The point you would get was that you were incapable of participating in the legal system because you were inferior as a result of your race. This is neither just nor fair. Once again, the powerful have designed and are perpetuating the institutionalized structure of excluding any one not resembling the people of privilege.

Introduction to Organisations and Management Essay - 7

Introduction to Organisations and Management - Essay Example The labour force is the one of the most crucial resources for a business organisation and its productivity depends on the organisational culture, structure, leadership, motivation, communication etc. Therefore, management has to take these necessary factors into account for bringing enhancement in productivity level contributed by the labour force. Traditionally, the business owners used to perceive the employees’ related expenses as an added cost of the company; whereas, as per the post-modern organisational concepts, the managements have realised the employees as vital investments for a company which will have return in future. Therefore, the nature structure and process of for completing a task has changed significantly in comparison to the earlier periods (Sole and Costa, 2001, p.2-3). Dodgson, Gann and Salter have identified the two paradigm of managements based on traditional and modern concept. The following the table depict the old paradigm of the managements and the c hanged paradigm of management. Table 1: Old and New Paradigm of Management (Source: Dodgson, Gann and Salter, 2008, p.42) As per the above table, it can be observed that the organisation in the post-modern age become very flexible and growth oriented. The organisations that have successfully understood and incorporated these changes are successful in an industry in comparison to companies following old paradigm of management (Dodgson, Gann and Salter, 2008, p.42-43). This paper will attempt to discuss organisation management of the separate companies i.e. Watsons Engine Components and H & M Consulting based on two case studies. The paper will focus on comparison of the certain areas of the both companies through analyses by using models and theories. The major areas relating to organisation management of the two companies will be organisational design and structure, teams and team working, approach to leadership and management, and approach to leadership and management. 2. Organisat ional design and structure The first step in the successful managing organisation is to create a healthy and smooth management decision making process which is crucial for achieving the organisational growth. Senior and Fleming has described that â€Å"the structure of an organisation is the formal way of identifying who is taking responsibility for what; who is to execute authority over who; and who is to be answerable to whom† (Senior and Fleming, 2009, p.78). Therefore, the organisation structure mainly focuses on the process of the decision making and it involves the top managements who are responsible for taking critical management decisions. For designing a growth oriented organisation, a favourable organisation structure is mandatory and each of the top level management must identify the plays their responsibility considering prevailing scenario for achieving the best possible outcome. Mcshane and Travaglione have identified two fundamental essentials for developing or ganisational structure. These two fundamental requirements are division of labour and coordination. The division of labour is helpful in shaping the specialized skills and coordination means the relationship status among the employees and top level managements. The coordination can be achieved through â€Å"Informal communication†, â€Å"Formal hierarchy†

Using ICT When Presenting a Research Project Essay

Using ICT When Presenting a Research Project - Essay Example With reference to ICT, its aim while presenting or preparing a research project is given below: ICT endures the capability to transcend time as well as space at anytime and anywhere. Its presence makes it probable to initiate asynchronous learning. Availability of the materials and relevant information becomes possible for 24 hours on a particular day and 7 days in a particular week. Advanced techniques of ICT for instance teleconferencing enables the instructions to be acknowledged concurrently to numerous learners who are disseminated geographically (Mehta & Kasnia, 2011) †¢ With the advent of ICT, it has become easier to have access to the required information related to a research project at any time. Hence, the dependence on the availability of books, materials and physical media such libraries has decreased (Kirkwood & Price, 2005) Application of the techniques used in ICT while researching a project helps in gathering the current and latest information from the online sources. With respect to global market scenario, the effective application of ICT helps in the sustainability within the competitive market scenario (Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2013) With the advent of emerging features incorporated with ICT, numerous ethical issues are rising within the modern day scenario.... With respect to global market scenario, the effective application of ICT helps in the sustainability within the competitive market scenario (Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2013) Ethical Considerations Related to the Use of ICT While Presenting a Research Project Along with Outlining Ways of Addressing Them With the advent of emerging features incorporated with ICT, numerous ethical issues are rising within the modern day scenario (Omogbadegun, 2010). ICT is a combination of the information and the communication facets, thus the combination of the two results in convergence, portability and personalisation. With respect to convergence, it reflects the multiple uses of ICT. Portability reflects mobility of the technical devices anywhere such as tablets and smartphones. Information created accordingly with respect to the preferences reflects the terminology personalisation (Tan, 2002). Ethical issues encompass privacy, property, accuracy and accessibility. ICT is pervasive a s it touches every aspect of an individual’s life (Salvi, 2011). Issues related with the use of advanced techniques are termed as technology manipulation. With the advent of modern technologies, there has been a considerable rise in ethical issues as well. Sound, video and photo manipulation has augmented significantly in the modern day scenario. Morphing is the term that is widely used for photo manipulation (Salvi, 2011). Source: (Slide Share, 2013) The above pictorial representation reflects an example of photo manipulation. In order to address such a critical ethical issue, effective measures and technologies must be implemented to reduce the ethical issues related to the ICT. Moreover, there should be a proper blockage with

Filtration and Packaging Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Filtration and Packaging - Essay Example the determination of the packing material depends on the nature, type, use and duration of the product. The other factors that influence packing are attractive designs, costs, customer preferences etc (History of packaging and types of packaging.2009). One of the significant determinants in selecting the ideal packing material is of course its cost effectiveness. It this regard, glass stands to be the most appropriate one because around 25% of the raw material cost can be attributable to a glass packing material. Whereas it is around 70-80% for a metallic packing material. Use of chemicals and innovations in this area has made glass one of the most popular packing materials now. But this enthusiasm is limited because due to the increased capital expenditure that is related to use of modern sophisticated glass in the packing industry (Packaging Materials. 2011). Glass has lots of interesting peculiarities to be the most popular packing material that consumers prefer. Among other thing s that make glass ideal for food and beverage packing is that they are either transparent or opaque. This makes the customers to have a first hand vision of the product before they buy it. Moreover the strength, and the ability to have a barrier to water as well as gas and inertness to toxic chemical substances, makes glass the ideal choice (PACKAGING MATERIALS. 2009). Consumers all around the globe prefer glass as packing material especially in the case of packing food and other beverages. They are reluctant to use plastic because of its non friendly environmental and health nature. The main facts that make glass popular among the consumers are purity, recyclables, quality, safety and versatility. Glass packaging supports all these things therefore consumers prefer it. Although almost ninety percentages of the consumers prefer glass to be their preferred choice for packing, it is estimated that glass accounts to only ten percentage of the market share for packaging in the food and beverage category. This clearly suggests that some thing is wrong somewhere. Glass packaging even though popular has not been seen in shelves of stores (Glass is The Consumers Preferred Packaging Material. 2011). In spite of being popular with the customers who prefer glass as a packing material, glass suffers from lots of disadvantage. Predominant among them is its disability to withstand shocks. Glass containers are easily breakable. This prompts the customer to take extra care on it. Other that that breakage of containers also creates small glass pieces inside. This if not noticed enters the body of the person who use it resulting in serious health damage and even death. Therefore use of glass containers is not at all recommended especially for children who are more vulnerable to injuries caused by glass through its use. Other main draw backs are compromise on the hermetic seal of the containers, color changes of the product due to more exposure to light. This draw back is so acu te for beverage products where glass containers permit more sunlight to penetrate inside thereby resulting in damages and loss to the product. Although glass has high barrier properties as well as inertness and adaptable to microwave processing, it is sometimes overweight. This overweight somewhat affects the moods of customers too. More and more customers prefer to carry less weighable things rather those products having more weight.

Freight Transport in Europe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Freight Transport in Europe - Essay Example In the modern era when every field is shaping itself, European freight transports have had to update according to globalization practices. However the hope of 2010 is there according to which it is expected that EU would take serious measures to half the road distance. According to Pompeo and Sapountzis (2002) one of the major reasons that could be count towards a constant rate in freight growth is being over confident in taking risks. (Pompeo & Sapountzis, 2002) Of course, the risk factor is there when ERTRAC is keen to achieve the following by 2010: During 1973 to 1976 and 1977 to 1981 the priority of the EU was to avoid damaging policy impact; and in 1982 to 1986 and 1987 to 1992 the emphasis was on risks and benefits of environmental policies for the internal market of cargoes. Even the European Environmental Agency held responsible the EU for the road static transportation infrastructure and for the exposure to the pollution of water and air. However, during 1992 to 1999 there was a stronger accent on 'paradigmatic change' to reflect global environmental risks, with proposed structural change in favour of public transport, energy efficiency and waste prevention. (Carter & Turnock, 2002, p. 57) It started with the UK publication, when in 1989 UK Transportation department concerning continuous growth of roads made some sentimental remarks. The remarks were emotional enough to jerk the Government to think seriously about the then transportation system which consisted of a developing European market in terms of logistics and freight. Therefore a program initiated which required heavy investment in motorways and trunk roads. It was announced that UK Government has decided to make the roads better. The program was so successful that it effectively doubled the existing investment plans and was seen as a commitment to the provision of infrastructure 'suited to the single market and other competitive challenges of the 1990s and beyond'. It was also argued that the investment was necessary for industry and to improve the country's economic geography, through increasing opportunities for less favoured regions, assisting urban regeneration and helping more prosperous areas to cope wi th growth. The programme had resulted from a substantial increase in road traffic (35 %) in the 1980s and the prospects of a doubling of road traffic from 1988 to 2025. Something had to be done and the government decided that road building was the main alternative to be pursued. (Berechman & Banister, 2000, p. 3) The past two decades in EU freight The past 50 years of European market has gone through tremendous ups and downs, where ups have been mostly initiated by the growth of free trade which liberalize the European market. The free movement and removal of transport barriers provide the EU with the motivation to create and groom their economic market. However in the initial 90s the growth through road transport was at little as 3%. There were many transport problems, among which the most

Group Behavior in Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Group Behavior in Organizations - Essay Example During its production of goods, the company has a history of using group work for effectiveness and efficiency in production. Productivity is the most important component in any organization; members of the group should learn how to work together. For organization’s initiatives and goals to be achieved, group productivity should be enhanced (Kowert, 2002). Any successful supervisor or manager should be in a position to guide his employees in a way that encourages an increase in performance. Being a hired consultant in Johnson and Johnson, I found that the organization has four main problems which will be analyzed in this paper. Thesis statement: This paper will analyze in essence the problems in Johnson’s and Johnson’s Company, the effects caused by the problems upon the group’s production, as well as recommendations to be adhered to in order to increase the productivity of the groups in the organization as seen below. Role conflicts occur in organizations due to individuals having many conflicting responsibilities in the organization. Research has depicted that most role conflicts come as a result of multiple obligations being given to varied groups (Kowert, 2002). Through the research carried out in Johnson and Johnson Company, it is clear that mid-level supervisors are given a lot of roles which include working with the employees they supervise. This has led to many role conflicts with the supervisor. This is due to the fact that the supervisor is expected to report underperforming employees and to collaboratively work with the group. Moreover, conflict roles are also caused by employees being asked to perform tasks which contradict at the same time. For instance, an employee can be asked by one supervisor to increase quality control on Johnson’s baby powder.

Filtration and Packaging Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Filtration and Packaging - Essay Example the determination of the packing material depends on the nature, type, use and duration of the product. The other factors that influence packing are attractive designs, costs, customer preferences etc (History of packaging and types of packaging.2009). One of the significant determinants in selecting the ideal packing material is of course its cost effectiveness. It this regard, glass stands to be the most appropriate one because around 25% of the raw material cost can be attributable to a glass packing material. Whereas it is around 70-80% for a metallic packing material. Use of chemicals and innovations in this area has made glass one of the most popular packing materials now. But this enthusiasm is limited because due to the increased capital expenditure that is related to use of modern sophisticated glass in the packing industry (Packaging Materials. 2011). Glass has lots of interesting peculiarities to be the most popular packing material that consumers prefer. Among other thing s that make glass ideal for food and beverage packing is that they are either transparent or opaque. This makes the customers to have a first hand vision of the product before they buy it. Moreover the strength, and the ability to have a barrier to water as well as gas and inertness to toxic chemical substances, makes glass the ideal choice (PACKAGING MATERIALS. 2009). Consumers all around the globe prefer glass as packing material especially in the case of packing food and other beverages. They are reluctant to use plastic because of its non friendly environmental and health nature. The main facts that make glass popular among the consumers are purity, recyclables, quality, safety and versatility. Glass packaging supports all these things therefore consumers prefer it. Although almost ninety percentages of the consumers prefer glass to be their preferred choice for packing, it is estimated that glass accounts to only ten percentage of the market share for packaging in the food and beverage category. This clearly suggests that some thing is wrong somewhere. Glass packaging even though popular has not been seen in shelves of stores (Glass is The Consumers Preferred Packaging Material. 2011). In spite of being popular with the customers who prefer glass as a packing material, glass suffers from lots of disadvantage. Predominant among them is its disability to withstand shocks. Glass containers are easily breakable. This prompts the customer to take extra care on it. Other that that breakage of containers also creates small glass pieces inside. This if not noticed enters the body of the person who use it resulting in serious health damage and even death. Therefore use of glass containers is not at all recommended especially for children who are more vulnerable to injuries caused by glass through its use. Other main draw backs are compromise on the hermetic seal of the containers, color changes of the product due to more exposure to light. This draw back is so acu te for beverage products where glass containers permit more sunlight to penetrate inside thereby resulting in damages and loss to the product. Although glass has high barrier properties as well as inertness and adaptable to microwave processing, it is sometimes overweight. This overweight somewhat affects the moods of customers too. More and more customers prefer to carry less weighable things rather those products having more weight.

Group Behavior in Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Group Behavior in Organizations - Essay Example During its production of goods, the company has a history of using group work for effectiveness and efficiency in production. Productivity is the most important component in any organization; members of the group should learn how to work together. For organization’s initiatives and goals to be achieved, group productivity should be enhanced (Kowert, 2002). Any successful supervisor or manager should be in a position to guide his employees in a way that encourages an increase in performance. Being a hired consultant in Johnson and Johnson, I found that the organization has four main problems which will be analyzed in this paper. Thesis statement: This paper will analyze in essence the problems in Johnson’s and Johnson’s Company, the effects caused by the problems upon the group’s production, as well as recommendations to be adhered to in order to increase the productivity of the groups in the organization as seen below. Role conflicts occur in organizations due to individuals having many conflicting responsibilities in the organization. Research has depicted that most role conflicts come as a result of multiple obligations being given to varied groups (Kowert, 2002). Through the research carried out in Johnson and Johnson Company, it is clear that mid-level supervisors are given a lot of roles which include working with the employees they supervise. This has led to many role conflicts with the supervisor. This is due to the fact that the supervisor is expected to report underperforming employees and to collaboratively work with the group. Moreover, conflict roles are also caused by employees being asked to perform tasks which contradict at the same time. For instance, an employee can be asked by one supervisor to increase quality control on Johnson’s baby powder.

GLS Australian Beverage LTD Essay Example for Free

GLS Australian Beverage LTD Essay 1937, Australian Beverages Ltd (ABL) commenced manufacturing soft drinks [non-alcoholic drinks rather than ‘hard’ drinks that contain alcohol]. 1970s and 1980s, the company expanded beverage portfolio by entering into other non-alcoholic beverage categories, such as fruit- and milkbased drinks. 2011, the company was Australia’s largest supplier of non-alcoholic beverages. -Tom Dwyer, current Managing Director since 2008. Joined the company at a time when carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) growth was stagnating and shareholder confidence in the company was waning. Dwyer established a strategic planning team to assess the current product portfolio and identify organic and acquisition growth opportunities. From this review the importance of operational excellence was identified Strong investment was made in world-class manufacturing facilities and systems. Process re-engineering was implemented to reduce the costs of manufacturing and time-to-market. Given the declining consumption of CSDs, Tom Dwyer has sought to reduce ABL’s reliance on them, focusing on growing new products and entering new non-alcoholic beverage Categories. Significant investment in product development of other non-alcoholic beverages Several acquisitions made to grow the market share of non-CSD based beverages in the company’s portfolio Entry into the Australian snack food market recently undertaken. Finalised the integration of a snack food business acquisition just over 12 months ago, Latest acquisition enabled ABL to leverage its strong distribution capabilities to supermarkets, convenience stores and hospitality channels by adding complementary food products to non-alcoholic beverages. CSDs still accounted for 68 per cent of company revenue in 2011. The board has requested the company continue to accelerate

Rap To Teach English As Second Language

Rap To Teach English As Second Language Introduction Music is part of popular culture. Language teachers have been integrated music and language learning in the classroom for many years. For example, using the song Yesterday from the Beatles to teach past tense. If music and songs can help learning English as a second language, English teachers in Hong Kong should be encouraged to use rap songs as a tool to teach English as a second language in the classroom. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, rap is a style of popular music developed by New York Blacks in the 1970s in which words are spoken rhythmically and often in rhyming sentences over an instrumental backing. In the early 1770s, Clive Campbell (Kool DJ Herc), a Jamaican immigrant, introduced the sound system from reggae music (Njubi, 2001). By combining the English sound system and other African-American linguistic features, rap has become a unique voice for the African Americans. When we talk about rap songs, we must mention hip-hop culture. Hip-hop is a cultural movement originated from the Bronx (a poor gang-oriented neighborhood) in New York City during the 1970s by African American. Njubi stated that hip-hop is clearly one of the most significant youth cultures as it has influenced what young people wear, how they talk and even the way they walk. It has also received significant attention from scholars and politicians. Hip-hop has been a major literacy force for over twenty years (Morris, 2002) because it has created rap as an important music genre. English teachers around the world are trying to use rap as an educational tool to promote English (Pennycook, 2003) because of its fast spoken lyrics. However, many teachers in Hong Kong are reluctant to use rap songs in the classroom because most of them think the lyrics either violent or sexual, and some think the materials are too black or Americanized (Low, 2009). In the following, we will discuss how rap songs can be an effective language learning tool to motivate students in learning English as well as increase their awareness of cultural differences. Why do we use rap songs for language teaching and learning? Music is accessible because of the technology such as iTunes and iPod. Since 1937, using folk, classical and pop music to teach English as a second language has been documented by educators in various professional journals (Sposet, 2008). Through music, students can improve their speaking skills, learning and understanding grammar, enhance their writing skills and increase their culture awareness (Peregoy and Boyle 2008; Saricoban and Metin 2000; Iwasaki, 2009). Woodall and Zeimbroski (2002) stated that music plays an important role in language and literacy development because students can learn grammatical structure and develop natural responses and speech through songs. According to Schoepp (2000), the repetitive nature of many rap songs can help English learners to get familiar with new words and phrases as they can rhyme and sing along. Many rap songs, just like folk songs, follow a repeated verse and rhyme, and that makes them easy to follow (Saricoban and Metin, 2000). For teenagers, it is important to improve their listening and speaking skills, as well as their attention span and memory (Hilll-Clarke and Robinson 2003). Mithen (2006) stated that all individuals have a capacity to acquire language and are born with a basic instinct to appreciate music. Iwasaki (2009) also agreed that music is a powerful medium to motivate students to learn a second or foreign language. When students listen to songs and sing along, the experience is enjoyable and stress-free, it can help second language learners to acquire the language more naturally and effectively. Perry (2004) also agreed with linguist Geneva Smitherman that rap lyrics are usually humorous, ironic, punning, teachy but not preachy. If according to Abbotts (2002) theory, repetition can help build language and fluency, then rap songs can definitely help stimulate second language learning because of its repetitive format. Also, by using the chorus in the rap songs, it can help students to learn syntax and lexical items easily and apply them in their daily conversations. Using music to enhance our memory and learning Mithen summed up three similarities between music and language : MUSIC LANGUAGE lyrics words singing speaking rhythm and melody intonation and stress time Lake (2002) found out language and music are closely tied together in the brain by pitch, rhythm and syntactical phrasing. When students understand the connections, they can acquire, process and produce English naturally. Neurologists have found musical and language processing in the same area of the brain (Maess Koelsch, 2001). To illustrate the strong connection between music and learning, Strickland (2005) conducted a very interesting and valid experiment. He asked a group of students if they could remember the words in ten poems. Then, he asked how many words they could remember in ten songs. Without much surprise, there were more hands go up the second time. It clearly proved that music has played a very important and memorable role in language learning. Medina (2002) agreed that we have good memory with music because all those repetitive words and rhythm stay in our head even after the English lesson. When we add rhythm and melody into language, it will help us to transfer words into long-term memory. Medina concluded that it is impossible to acquire language without memory. Using rap to teach poems and pronunciations According to Renegade (2002), the strongest poetic influence on rap is popular poems with four bears per line, for example, Eenie meenie, mynie moe, Catch a tiger by the toe. With all those rhyming, cross-rhyming, metaphor, symbolism and simile, rap can be a preferred literacy teaching tool to teach English as a second language. Renegade noticed rap lyrics are written according to highly structured rules. There are two forms of rap lyrics: Rhyme and rap song. A rhyme is a single long stanza, often a narrative and the writer can write as many as he / she wants, whereas a rap song borrows its structure from a popular song with repeating chorus in between. Renegade also observed that rappers have been using rap as a poetic tool because it has a strong emphasis on assonance, consonance, and combinations with end rhyme. Rappers like to use simile, metaphor, invention and reinvention of words to spark off new interest in poetry. In other words, using low culture to teach high culture. In 2002 and 2004, Low worked with a creative writing teacher to develop and teach spoken word poetry curriculum. The initial curriculum was only a seven-week program but in 2004, it became a long-term course. Low concluded the success of the program as a literacy of LIVING experience because students were able to use rap as a platform to speak inside and outside the classroom. Strickland also agreed that students are natural poets, and poetry is meant to be performed. Lake observed a strong connection between intonation and music. He noticed students interested in symbols and images, and that means they are more likely to be stimulated by audio or visual. He compared words, feeling, pitch and stress with musical expression. He concluded that speech without music is like language without heart because both music and language express emotions and convey messages. Through rap songs, students can learn pronunciation, intonation, stress, accent, pitch, tone, melody, rhyme, rhythm and fluency. Students who enjoy singing, chanting, lip syncing or mouthing along can improve their pronunciation skills and practice linking and reduction when speaking English Using rap to enhance reading and writing skills To be a good rapper, one must be able to use his / her voice to write, have good memory and reinvent rhymes spontaneously. Rap music encourages teenagers to write because it reflected the writers inner speech and images in their mind. For example, in Lows spoken word poetry school project, students in the class were able to write powerful and thoughtful poetry for the first time because they were inspired by rap. A lot of students in Hong Kong hate writing because expressing themselves in a second language is already difficult, and writing in a second language is even more challenging. Students need to have a reason to write, and that reason will become their motivation. Alvermann, Hagood and Williams (2001) shared a case of a 14-year-old Grade 8 / F. 2) African American boy who scored the lowest on the districts standardized reading test. The school boy loves rap, so Williams asked him to write to him about his favorite rap artist. The boy wanted to have more factual information about his favorite rap artist. Williams agreed to help the boy with his project, and he asked the boy to e-mail him regularly and keep him informed of his findings. The boy demonstrated that he was a capable reader because he searched for specific information through different websites, and he was a capable writer because he used popular culture texts in his writing. Instead of just giving information to the school boy, Williams guided him throughout the project and made him an independent learner, and enhance both of his reading and writing skills, not to mention giving him a higher self-esteem and more self-confidence. Iwasaki (2009) stated that rap songs have natural language and it can help students to process the meaning of words under an authentic environment. In Weinsteins (2008) study, she found many teenaged students have demonstrated sophisticated understanding of literary features through rap, for example, figurative language. Rap can help students, especially the social marginalized ones to write lyrics that can reflect social, economic and racial problems. Teenagers enjoy writing lyrics for rap because it is a channel for them to prove and establish their identity, an outlet for them to express their anger and frustrations about school, community, social norms, confusion and desire. Lake suggested that students are already heavily exposed to popular culture and music of their first language, it is likely that they are going to be curious about the popular culture and music of their second or foreign language as well. The purpose of writing for teenagers should not be just classroom based, it should be included a great variety and popular culture related topics. Despite worrying about low test scores, teenagers will be more willing and eager to try because when they see the purpose, they can produce quality work and invest their time in it. Through rap songs, teachers can further illustrate and explain grammatical structures to students. Based on Schoepps observation, songs can help students to develop a natural ability to use the target language in the right situation. When students are exposed to repetitive phrases in the right context, they can remember the language and apply it automatically. Using rap to help student to communicate with the world Iwasaki noticed that while students are gaining linguistic knowledge through rap songs, they are gaining the cultural knowledge at the same time as well. The lyrics always tell us something about the history, culture, thinking and attitude of a society. As Pennycook concluded that rap is a global phenomenon involving language use. Pennycook noticed rap has always helped the spread of English globally, especially to countries where English is a foreign language, like Japan and Korea. Mitchell (2001:1-2) argued that hip-hop and rap only belong to African-American culture. In fact, it has brought youth from around the world closer. It is not about where one comes from or which social class one belongs to, but what one can do with the language. Iwasaki believes culture, like music and language, develops and changes. Therefore, popular culture is a channel for the mass to express themselves and for those who want to release pressure from the society. Allowing students to expose to both mass and popular culture will help them to develop cultural awareness of others and their own. Pennycook argues despite the lyrics in rap contains highly controversial topics and expressions, it also communicates meaning on a global scale. Rap is not just about the blacks in the U.S. but a common language shared by a lot of Asian countries like Japan, Korea and even Hong Kong. s we are all going global, our ability to communicate and knowing each others language and music will help us to understand each others customs and traditions much better and faster, thus, avoid conflicts and misunderstanding. Based on the evidence above, few would agree with Schumanns hypothesis in 1976 that the greater the social distance between two cultures, the more difficulty the learner would have in acquiring the target language. Negative impression towards rap A lot of English teachers are reluctant to incorporate rap in their class because when they think of rap, they will have all these negative images villains, gangsters, low culture, low education, guns, drugs, blood, violence, sex, materials and bling bling. They do not know how and where to find the GOOD rap songs with positive meaning. Weinstein (2006) criticized the highly sexual nature of many popular rap songs often gives damaging images of black men and women. The music videos always emphasizes on violence and drugs which also reinforce stereotypes of Blacks and Black youths where they are seen as dangerous, immoral and anti-social. However, Iwasaki argued that any music-based lesson could become a disaster without any thoughtful selection and preparation. Same for Kolozes argument, people wrote songs about drugs, life in the ghetto, rebellion and sex in popular songs since the 1950s. Iwasaki urged teachers to actually make use of those discussions to enhance students critical thinking while acquiring a second language. According to her theory, without general culture knowledge and some social and political awareness, one would find it difficult to participate in common and meaningful topics that a second or foreign language can offer. Some teachers may think some rap songs are inappropriate for classroom use, but the massive influence of rap and hip-hop music around the world has to be considered and noticed. Just like all other popular culture and media, it has its positive and negative influence. Lake also agreed that it would be a foolish if teachers do not use music to take advantage of the positive influence of music as a teaching tool. Selecting a rap with a positive message and the right attitude can enhance English learning as well as social awareness. English teachers need to realize that each rap has a message to spread out. As Music in a universal language, most raps are trying to solve race, class and religion problems that face by the youth (Njubi, 2001). For example, Where is the Love? by Black Eyed Peas. The rap is about the U.S. after the 911 tragedy and calling for U.S. army withdrawal from Iraq. The rap song was the longest-serving British No. 1 in five years and the best selling record of 2003 in the U.K. The group performed the song at the 2004 Grammy Awards, where it was nominated for The Record Of The Year (Wikipedia). This rap was so popular and moved so many people around the world because it is a social-conscious rap. It focused on upright and political awareness. Despite social and political implications, raps do give a voice to young people and inspire them. Teachers should involve their students in the selection process because when they hear something they can relate to, it will motivate them to learn. Challenges The arguments for incorporating popular culture into traditional curriculum are quite compelling and have generated a lot of noises and controversies. A lot of teachers and educators are filled with confusions and anxiety. Morrell (2002) understands teachers feeling daunting about using popular culture because of a lack of understanding. Rap has always been controversial because it is the rappers are expressing opposing views to the dominant culture. By helping students to understand the content can help them to make a meaningful connection between language and culture. Allowing students to be exposed to both mass and popular culture will allow them to think about their own cultural beliefs. School education should incorporate elements and materials from popular culture. Just like what Itoi and Inose (2008) mentioned that teachers should encourage students to think critically around their surroundings and become an independent thinkers. Students can gain insights about the songs by understanding or implying what they hear. Situations in songs are usually open to interpretation, so students can exercise their imagination and express their opinions freely. Conclusion It is the teachers ultimate goal to inspire students to develop their sills and interest in English DURING and AFTER class. Music is one way to create memorable lessons and spark curiosity beyond formal language lessons. Music is a highly relevant source of language outside the classroom. Integrating music into teenagers everyday activities promotes literacy development, particularly for English learners. It is a way for students to experience rich and complex language in a relaxing and entertaining way. A learning environment filled with music will generate interest, encourage creativity and positive learning attitude. Plato once said, Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. Activity 1 Where is the love? by Black Eyed Peas Total class time : 60 minutes Warm up (12 mins) Use the rap song Where is the Love? (not the whole song, just the first part from Whats wrong with the world, mama? to Where is the love, the love, the love? Teacher will pre-teach and elicit some of the key words in the song. For example, addicted, trauma, terrorism, race, meditate, suffering, etc. through pictures and images Teacher play the song for the FIRST TIME, ask students to stand up every time when they hear a NEGATIVE WORD (either it is a verb, noun or adjective). For example, trauma, terrorism, discriminate, hate, killing, dying, hurt, sufferingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Task 1 (3 mins.) Play the song once (the selected part), ask students to identify the rap part and the chorus part Task 2 (5 mins.) Put students into 2 groups Ask both groups to come out to the whiteboard (2 whiteboards in the classroom) and when they listen to the words that rhyme, they have to write down on the whiteboard. For example, mama, drama and trauma/discriminate, hate, demonstrate, yeah/dying/cryingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Task 3 (5 mins.) Ask students to go to their computer Ask students to go the internet and search for the lyrics Ask students to copy and paste that file to a word document Ask students to underline all the rhyme words as they listen to it again Task 4 (5 mins.) Put students into 4 groups Play the song 2 times to the whole class Ask students to RAP along as much as possible (turn down the volume) Give each group 5 minutes to rehearse Task 5 (15 mins.) Tell students they can look at the lyrics from the computer screen and do a group rapping in front of the class The audience (other groups) have to watch and hold up their hip-hop cap afterwards if they like it. Teacher will count the number of hip-hop caps and write the result on the whiteboard and see which group is the audiences favorite No formal assessment is needed at this stage as this practice is to help the slower and quiet / shy students to build up their confidence. However, teacher will ask students randomly and see what and why they like or do not like about certain groups performance. Post class activity : A group project Time given: 10 days Teacher will spend 10 to 15 minutes explaining this group project Students need to work in a group of 4 Students need to find a controversial social or political topic in Hong Kong through the South China Morning Post or other English news media on the internet Students need to express their opinions about that topic by writing new lyrics that will fit into the rap song of their choice The rap song must be either from the U.S. or Hong Kong Students need to perform and record their NEW RAP and post it on YouTube. Students must provide a YouTube link of the original rap song with their own YouTube video A VERY useful Reference for students : http://blog.mtviggy.com/2010/03/24/top-10-canto-hip-hop-and-rap-songs/ Students need to vote for their favorite GROUP, favorite LYRICS, favorite RAP performance through the school intranet Activity 2 An Interview with your favorite rapper Lead in / Warm up Ask students if they know any local rapper Ask students who is (are) their favorite(s) Stage 1 Ask students to work in pairs (provided they like the same rapper) or individually to draft an e-mail to rappers like MC Jin, Famers, LMF, 24 Herbs, and invite them for an interview which will be conducted by the students Ask students to go online and look for more information about their favorite rapper Ask students to produce the first draft Stage 2 Ask students to produce the second draft based on the teachers advice and comments through e-mail Ask students to work in a group of 3s and prepare a list of questions as an attachment with their e-mail to IMPRESS the rappers so they WILL BE MORE EAGER to say yes to the interview Stage 3 Ask students to produce the FINAL draft Ask students to search from the internet and find out the management company or the record company of the artist that they would like to interview Ask students to send their request to those rappers Facebook accounts and blogs as well Students must send their e-mail through the teachers school e-mail account the teacher needs to have direct control of what goes out and comes in Stage 4 Peer assessment Teacher will ask students to vote and pick the 10 BEST interviewing questions through the school intranet Assessment for activity 1 (post class activity) The group project Peer assessment Instruction : Just put a Æ’Â ¼ in the box for the comment that you agree Questions What do you think, (name of the audience) ? Did you like our topic? Yes, its a hot topic and I can relate to it! Its a typical one! Sorryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦it doesnt interest me at all! Did our new lyrics get your attention? Did we bring out a clear message? Yes, very interesting and I wanted to know more! Not really! Sorry but I dont understand what you guys were trying to say! Whats the message? Did we write our new lyrics with the correct grammar? Yes! I think so! May be a few mistakes! Full of grammatical mistakes! Did we have the right pronunciation? Yes! Most of them! No! Was our rap clear and easy to follow? Yes! Most of them! No! Did our new lyrics rhyme with the tune? Yes! Absolutely! Most of them! No! Not at all!!! Did we rap with the right beat? Yes, I wanted to rap along with you guys too! You guys were off a little but it was still alright! Sorry! You guys couldnt catch the beat at all! Did we rap loud and clear enough? Yes! I couldnt hear some of them. Sorry, you guys were just mumbling! Teacher assessment Group members : ______________________________________________ 5=Totally agree 4=Agree 3=Average 2=Disagree 1=Totally disagree 1. An interesting topic which everybody in Hong Kong can relate to. 2. The contents of the rap showed your group had a good understanding of the topic. 3. The organization of the rap was clear and easy to follow. 4. The lyrics were expressive and creative. 5. The lyrics were well written. 6. The lyrics and tune went well together. 7. Your group had good pronunciation when rapping. 8. Your group used correct grammar when writing the lyrics. 9. All of you were very fluent and smooth with your rap. 10. It was a very enjoyable performance. TOTAL SCORE Assessment for activity 2 Writing an e-mail to your favorite rapper Teacher assessment Name of student : ______________________________________________ 5=Totally agree 4=Agree 3=Average 2=Disagree 1=Totally disagree 1. Your e-mail had an appropriate and easy to understand subject. 2. Your e-mail had greeting, introduction, body and closure. 3. The organization of your e-mail was clear and easy to follow. 4. You made your request clear and precise. 5. Your e-mail showed the importance of this matter. 6. Your e-mail supported with good reasons and it can persuade the reader to act according to your request 7. The spelling, punctuation and grammar of your e-mail were accurate. 8. Your e-mail was polite and sincere. 9. Your e-mail content fulfilled all the requirements stated. TOTAL SCORE Lyrics Where is the love? by Black Eyed Peas Whats wrong with the world, mama People livin like they aint got no mamas I think the whole world addicted to the drama Only attracted to things thatll bring you trauma Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism But we still got terrorists here livin In the USA, the big CIA The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK But if you only have love for your own race Then you only leave space to discriminate And to discriminate only generates hate And when you hate then youre bound to get irate, yeah Madness is what you demonstrate And thats exactly how anger works and operates Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight Take control of your mind and meditate Let your soul gravitate to the love, yall, yall People killin, people dyin Children hurt and you hear them cryin Can you practice what you preach And would you turn the other cheek Father, Father, Father help us Send some guidance from above Cause people got me, got me questionin Where is the love (Love) Where is the love (The love) Where is the love (The love) Where is the love The love, the love