Admission essay

I am a current student of Pasadena City College in California studying electrical engineering. I am a national of China and resident of United States of America for the past 2 years. I would like to apply for mathematics divisional wards in your university so that I can pursue a graduate program in mathematics after I complete my certificate program at this college. I hope to score grade B and above in the final examination. The courses I have undertaken include electrical technology, electrical power circuits’ generation and control, applied algebra, applied mathematics for electronics, principles of electrical verses electronics, programmable controls, electrical inspection and codes as well as engineering graphics. My interest in undertaking mathematics course in the University is because I intend to develop skills in physical science and engineering, skills in management science and skills in problem solving in engineering field as well as solving computing related problems. This will enable me to have critical thinking necessary to help me advance my career in the fields of actuarial science and management consulting. The courses I expect to broaden my knowledge in this area include differential calculus, linear and applied algebra, differential equations, projectory calculus, differential   integration, integration and infinite series, programming, microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, principles of economics, principles of accounting, analysis, probability theory, applied statistics and geometric series analysis. I hope to pursue further studies in applied mathematics in this university. The services provided by the university such as group discussions, availability of tutorial services, counseling, credit transfers, research opportunities, academic career advancement in system engineering and management science makes this university my ideal place to nurture my career goals. The university is also well equipped with other resources such as academic staff, housing, financial support, and diverse student population. It also has a good learning environment for all students. This is without the unique teaching dissemination of curriculum and extensive experience in teaching. The university also offers an international recognition that is well reputed worldwide. I am also an active participant in extra-curricular activities such as taekwondo, fitness, hockey, ice-skating and athletics. I have participated in fitness school competition and won several awards. I have also competed in taekwondo and won id different categories. I have participated in charity and community service within the community and back at home. I usually visit orphanages and volunteer donations such as foodstuffs and essential items to the orphans. My interest in this field has been due to the exposure I have received since my childhood where my parents live in the one of the largest industrial cities in China, Shanghai. I hope that when I graduate I will be able to get employment in one of the industries. I also intend to start my own firm that deals with management consultancy in actuarial science. During summer holidays I  Ã‚   have been worked in several engineering companies as electrical technician where I have done system installation of electrical equipments, worked as safety and electrical appliances maintenance in alternate energy sources. This exposure has helped to me expand my understanding and given me the urge to look for more knowledge and skills for future career. This will be achieved when I get the scholarship and admission to this university. I hope I will be able to acquire this valuable asset. REFERENCE Pasadena City College, Electrical engineering. Retrieved 23 April 2008, from http://mis.pasadena.edu/webcms/display_program.asp?program_id=28 University College Los Angeles. (2008). Graduate programs. Retrieved 23 April 2008, from   http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/asis/infoserv/faq.html Admission Essay Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesThe Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences produces dedicated and erudite pharmacists. Alumni of this college are not only expert practitioners of this intricate art, but are also skilled researchers. The faculty is comprised of some of the best academics and researchers in pharmacy in the world (Doctor of Pharmacy , 2007).This college utilizes the latest technologies, and this ensures that its students are familiar with the latest developments in pharmacy and communications. This is of immense benefit to students. They could become pharmacists; pharmacy administrators in a hospital or the government or pursue advanced studies in this fascinating field. Everyone is beset by doubts at some stage or the other in their academic life. The academic support of this college renders all possible assistance to students, in order to help them to perform at their p eak efficiency. This is one of the distinguishing features of this college, which makes it very attractive to the students (Doctor of Pharmacy , 2007).In the year 1630, Boston was granted the position of a town, by its development was such that by the year 1822, it was deemed to be a city. It constitutes New England’s cultural and economic centre. This city is one of the best educational centers in the world. It is replete with internationally famous institutions of higher learning. In addition, some of the best hospitals in the world are located in Boston.   (Visitors, About Boston, 2007).I was fortunate to make it to the US from Vietnam, when I was ten years old. This country and its inhabitants have been very kind to me. I owe much to this great country. On one occasion, my friend had to be admitted to a hospital, due to injuries sustained in an accident. I soon realized that his physical pain, trauma and danger of infection had been mitigated drastically by the drugs ad ministered to him. This incident served to enhance my fascination with the manner in which drugs affect the human body, in addition to revealing the extraordinarily beneficial effect of drugs, to me.My extent of my close association with medicines can be evaluated from the fact that despite adhering to a very busy schedule, in my day to day life, I actively participate in the activities of the PILS or the Pre-pharmacy Informational Learning Society and the AASA or the Asian American Student Association. Under the aegis of these dedicated institutions, I was fortunate to participate in a number of drugs distribution drives, organized by them. In addition, for the past three years, I have been employed as a pharmacist at a retail pharmacy. Thus I am no novice to drugs.I never rest satisfied with the general answer to a question. I always search for the full particulars about anything. This attitude will be of immense use to me in academics, as I will be eminently suited for research.I have always been involved with alleviating the trials and tribulations, brought on by ailments, of patients. I have paid close attention, both at home and outside, to the various medications that sick people imbibe, in order to obtain relief. I was extremely proficient at remembering the medication that people had taken for a particular disease. This interest increased over a period of time and it has become my life’s aim to excel in the field of pharmacy. My principal objective in life is to become a successful, competent and erudite pharmacist and this college’s exceptional pharmacy program will help me to realize this dream.ReferencesDoctor of Pharmacy . (2007). Retrieved January 23, 2008, from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Healt Sciences: http://www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/pharmaceutical_sciences/accelerated_pharmd/Visitors, About Boston. (2007). Retrieved January 23, 2008, from City of Boston.gov: http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/about.asp Admission Essay There are several reasons why I would like to get hold of an Advanced Certificate in Health Care Management: my passion and dedication for my job, promotion/personal growth, willingness to learn more, I want to lead the organization someday, and because I may want to change careers someday.My primary motivation is my job. See, I am a caseworker of the Department of Health and Human Services. I love my job too much that I would like to further what I currently know to be able to better serve the families, children, other individuals that I am engaged with.The skills that I have, for instance, in: 1) communication, 2) statistical analysis, 3) research, 4) etc will be enhanced and polished as well through the aforementioned program.Second, I also want to the best in my chosen field and so I will strive hard and do everything to be in top shape. In relation to that, I also want to get promoted to a better position, which in turn will provide me with increased reparation. This of course w ill not only help me keep up with life, it will also help me assist my family to experience better life.Third has something to do with my attitude. I simply have the willingness to learn and I always crave for more and for something new. I want to learn new things. In fact, I have always been curious about health economics, long-term care, as well as, the business facets of managed care and I really look forward to going over those topics.Fourth, honestly I would also want to become a manager someday. If I obtain an Advanced Certificate in Health Care Management, I will have the necessary managerial training that will make be become effective as a manager in leading day to day operations especially when it comes to the demanding tasks of planning and budgeting.Last but not least, in case I would like to move on to another health-related career, then I can easily do that as well because an Advanced Certificate in Health Care Management entails sub-courses that help individuals like m e with various concentrations and needs.Reference* No reference will be provided for this because this entails personal statements. Admission essay I am a current student of Pasadena City College in California studying electrical engineering. I am a national of China and resident of United States of America for the past 2 years. I would like to apply for mathematics divisional wards in your university so that I can pursue a graduate program in mathematics after I complete my certificate program at this college. I hope to score grade B and above in the final examination. The courses I have undertaken include electrical technology, electrical power circuits’ generation and control, applied algebra, applied mathematics for electronics, principles of electrical verses electronics, programmable controls, electrical inspection and codes as well as engineering graphics. My interest in undertaking mathematics course in the University is because I intend to develop skills in physical science and engineering, skills in management science and skills in problem solving in engineering field as well as solving computing related problems. This will enable me to have critical thinking necessary to help me advance my career in the fields of actuarial science and management consulting. The courses I expect to broaden my knowledge in this area include differential calculus, linear and applied algebra, differential equations, projectory calculus, differential   integration, integration and infinite series, programming, microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, principles of economics, principles of accounting, analysis, probability theory, applied statistics and geometric series analysis. I hope to pursue further studies in applied mathematics in this university. The services provided by the university such as group discussions, availability of tutorial services, counseling, credit transfers, research opportunities, academic career advancement in system engineering and management science makes this university my ideal place to nurture my career goals. The university is also well equipped with other resources such as academic staff, housing, financial support, and diverse student population. It also has a good learning environment for all students. This is without the unique teaching dissemination of curriculum and extensive experience in teaching. The university also offers an international recognition that is well reputed worldwide. I am also an active participant in extra-curricular activities such as taekwondo, fitness, hockey, ice-skating and athletics. I have participated in fitness school competition and won several awards. I have also competed in taekwondo and won id different categories. I have participated in charity and community service within the community and back at home. I usually visit orphanages and volunteer donations such as foodstuffs and essential items to the orphans. My interest in this field has been due to the exposure I have received since my childhood where my parents live in the one of the largest industrial cities in China, Shanghai. I hope that when I graduate I will be able to get employment in one of the industries. I also intend to start my own firm that deals with management consultancy in actuarial science. During summer holidays I  Ã‚   have been worked in several engineering companies as electrical technician where I have done system installation of electrical equipments, worked as safety and electrical appliances maintenance in alternate energy sources. This exposure has helped to me expand my understanding and given me the urge to look for more knowledge and skills for future career. This will be achieved when I get the scholarship and admission to this university. I hope I will be able to acquire this valuable asset. REFERENCE Pasadena City College, Electrical engineering. Retrieved 23 April 2008, from http://mis.pasadena.edu/webcms/display_program.asp?program_id=28 University College Los Angeles. (2008). Graduate programs. Retrieved 23 April 2008, from   http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/asis/infoserv/faq.html Admission Essay Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesThe Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences produces dedicated and erudite pharmacists. Alumni of this college are not only expert practitioners of this intricate art, but are also skilled researchers. The faculty is comprised of some of the best academics and researchers in pharmacy in the world (Doctor of Pharmacy , 2007).This college utilizes the latest technologies, and this ensures that its students are familiar with the latest developments in pharmacy and communications. This is of immense benefit to students. They could become pharmacists; pharmacy administrators in a hospital or the government or pursue advanced studies in this fascinating field. Everyone is beset by doubts at some stage or the other in their academic life. The academic support of this college renders all possible assistance to students, in order to help them to perform at their p eak efficiency. This is one of the distinguishing features of this college, which makes it very attractive to the students (Doctor of Pharmacy , 2007).In the year 1630, Boston was granted the position of a town, by its development was such that by the year 1822, it was deemed to be a city. It constitutes New England’s cultural and economic centre. This city is one of the best educational centers in the world. It is replete with internationally famous institutions of higher learning. In addition, some of the best hospitals in the world are located in Boston.   (Visitors, About Boston, 2007).I was fortunate to make it to the US from Vietnam, when I was ten years old. This country and its inhabitants have been very kind to me. I owe much to this great country. On one occasion, my friend had to be admitted to a hospital, due to injuries sustained in an accident. I soon realized that his physical pain, trauma and danger of infection had been mitigated drastically by the drugs ad ministered to him. This incident served to enhance my fascination with the manner in which drugs affect the human body, in addition to revealing the extraordinarily beneficial effect of drugs, to me.My extent of my close association with medicines can be evaluated from the fact that despite adhering to a very busy schedule, in my day to day life, I actively participate in the activities of the PILS or the Pre-pharmacy Informational Learning Society and the AASA or the Asian American Student Association. Under the aegis of these dedicated institutions, I was fortunate to participate in a number of drugs distribution drives, organized by them. In addition, for the past three years, I have been employed as a pharmacist at a retail pharmacy. Thus I am no novice to drugs.I never rest satisfied with the general answer to a question. I always search for the full particulars about anything. This attitude will be of immense use to me in academics, as I will be eminently suited for research.I have always been involved with alleviating the trials and tribulations, brought on by ailments, of patients. I have paid close attention, both at home and outside, to the various medications that sick people imbibe, in order to obtain relief. I was extremely proficient at remembering the medication that people had taken for a particular disease. This interest increased over a period of time and it has become my life’s aim to excel in the field of pharmacy. My principal objective in life is to become a successful, competent and erudite pharmacist and this college’s exceptional pharmacy program will help me to realize this dream.ReferencesDoctor of Pharmacy . (2007). Retrieved January 23, 2008, from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Healt Sciences: http://www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/pharmaceutical_sciences/accelerated_pharmd/Visitors, About Boston. (2007). Retrieved January 23, 2008, from City of Boston.gov: http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/about.asp

Does It Pay Off

Compare/ assess HSBC and Citi-corps IT strategies. Do they invest in IT primarily as a way of cutting costs and improving their operational efficiencies, or do they invest strategically with a view to entrench their competitive positions? As noted in the conclusion of the article written by the Asia Case Research Center and the University of Hong Kong HCBC and Citigroup have both developed into global financial institutions.Both organizations have heavily invested in Information Technology and, as is self-reported in both companies’ financial statements, both are committed to using IT to gain a competitive advantage. That is where the similarities end. When we examine the details it is obvious that although both firms have heavily invested in IT advancements the types of projects and overall approach are very different. Let us first look at HSBC. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation was founded by Thomas Southerland in 1865 with branches in London Shanghai, and San F rancisco.By the year 2007 the company had grown to have 9500 offices, 200,000 shareholders, 310,000 employees and over 125 million customers spanning 76 countries. HSBC built their business based on the philosophy of managing for value from 1998 through 2003 with the objective of providing a satisfactory return on shareholder capital. One of the primary ways HSBC attempted to accomplish this strategy was through its approach to leveraging technology.An example of the company’s technology strategy is found in a statement which was part of the company’s 1996 annual report. In this report the company described its IT policy as a strategy based on harnessing the power of new technology to provide new and better services for their customers while simultaneously improving the banks operational efficiencies. Then stated the challenge they saw as a global financial services organization factored highly around their ability to link different parts of the group more closely toge ther.As one progress’s further into the details of HSBC’s information technology approach numerous examples of this 1996 strategy are apparent in the organizations approach to the use of information technology. HSBC’s history appears dotted with instances of the development of ground breaking Independent systems, outsourcing to save costs, and acquisitions of emerging technologies. Despite the hefty price tag the company remained focused on providing innovate value added products and services to both current and prospective customers. Outsourcing is one key to the operational efficiency approach mentioned in its 1996 annual report.HSBC opened its first offshore processing center in China in 1996 and by 2007 had more than 18,000 employees across Asia spanning ten (10) Asian countries. HSBC estimated that by transferring its back office processing to India and China it saved the organization approximately 30 million U. S dollars annually. Further savings were real ized in 2003 when the bank merged and consolidated HSBC and HSBC Finance’s technology service teams later leading to the offshoring of the HSBC Group Service Center creating another 67 million in annual savings.In total HSBC claims that offshoring provides the bank an estimated cost savings of over 100 million U. S dollars annually. Meanwhile HSBC took on more IT staff to support service improvement projects and online banking. Heavily investing in platforms and applications designed to extend or streamline the online process HSBC fully embraced ecommerce. Beginning in 1998 with their successful Y2K testing and implementation HSBC heavily invested in the internet as a means of reaching new customers and deepening current customer relationships.Some of the projects were internally innovated however, most were a product of strategic acquisitions and/or partnerships with other organizations HSBC is very focused on innovation the company has used its innovative focus to successfu lly leverage the power of the internet to reach customers around the world. To create the world’s most inclusive efficient internet portal the company has worked with several different organizations that could assist in furthering its digital capabilities Some examples of these partnerships are:.Working with Compaq to design an internet payment gateway, partnering with HTK to enable merchants to set up online store fronts, working with MasterCard to develop and launch Asia’s first electronic wallet, cooperating with IBM to develop multichannel banking services, teaming up with Sky digital satellite to launch the UK’s first television banking system, and finally a joint venture with Merrill Lynch to introduce online brokerage services. At the same time the bank was partnering with multiple organizations developing several technology offerings things were also being innovated internally.HSBC developed and delivered many value added products and services like launc hing mobile banking and secure net payments for merchants in 1999, the creation of Ibusinesscorporation. com and HSBC. com. HSBC. com which was designed to create a common presentation of all HSBC’s services at any time anywhere to any of its customers was the crown jewel of the technology strategy. Overall the company dedicated a large percentage of its IT budget time and focus on the development, expansion, functionality and inclusiveness of creating a comprehensive online presence.HSBC spent 164 million dollars on the website hsbc. com in 2001 alone. The internet strategy seemed to pay off for HSBC creating large gains in number of customers and transactions. Overall gains were seen in commercial and consumer banking with increases in customer numbers in both divisions. Overall the bank saw its customer number increase 24% with online transactions increasing a whopping 116%. however this massive push online left the company with 26 websites and over 1. 1 billion dollars in expenses.In contrast to the HSBC’s strategies for utilization of IT recourses Citicorp followed the diversified financial services model built on the belief that different financial service products should be conglomerated to balance earnings and to create less earnings volatility. The company believed it was more cost effective to cross sell financial products in one go than to sell them separately. Different than the wide corporate structure found within HSBC Citicorp only consists of three major business groups all primarily supported by standard corporate infrastructure. While both banks focused on lobal growth HSBC focused on innovation and leveraging the internet to reach current and potential customers Citi corps approach was that of growth, commonality, and local control. Unlike HSBC, Citigroup took an integrated approach to its IT governance worldwide. By using a combination of packaged and customized software to develop group wide platforms Citigroup enhanced the s trength of its extensive international branch network to facilitate knowledge exchange across borders. Since IT projects at Citi were often initiated with a local business unit typically they were designed with local solutions in mind.The only truly global requirement placed on the innovating branch were that the local system be capable of effectively and efficiently being linked with Citi groups existing system and that security arrangements could be made. The key for Citi was the consistent platform and the ability to share knowledge across space not necessarily that it was internet driven and deployable to the whole world. Also in stark contrast to the HSBC strategy of cost savings through outsourcing, Citigroup pursued IT outsourcing only in a very limited way and not for strategic initiatives.While HSBC was building strategic initiatives with numerous external companies Citigroup took on projects like the 750 million dollar project in the 90’s to integrate the banks 60,0 00 personal computer and 2,000 LAN’s worldwide into a common global network and system infrastructure. The power of its integrated technology platform would later be demonstrated by the rapid integration of the 750 branch CitiFinancial system By 2000 Citigroup had leveraged its strong common technology platform and its international branch presence to launch its own online presence, Citi on the net.Directly related to their standard technology and growth platforms by the end of the year 2000 Citigroup had over 800 million online accounts in an effort to deliver convenience and value to its clients. Citigroup created new internet units including e-commerce, e-business, and e-capital markets to empower the existing business lines while simultaneously creating an internet operating group to drive the corporate internet strategy and again use it to coordinate efforts across divisions. By 2002 Citi on the net had been replaced by â€Å"my citi. om† providing the platform ne cessary to allow the bank the ability to make online banking available in over 90 countries ultimately leading to processing over 39 million transactions around the world in rout to being named â€Å"best of the web 2003† The banking giants internally driven internet strategy seemed to culminate with the launch of Citibank direct in 2006 and nearly 10 billion dollars in deposits. Overall in my perception of the IT strategies of both Citi and HSBC their direction of IT investment does not appear to fit into one black or white strategy however appears more likely to exist on a continuum.I believe there are examples of both HSBC and CITI investing in IT as a way of cutting costs and improving their operational efficiencies. With HSBC one example of this is outsourcing. With regard to Citi one example is the focus on standard systems providing local solutions. Additionally, I believe both organizations also used technology effectively as strategies to entrench their competitive p ositions. HSBC as a platform to cost effectively expand its global reach without the costly build-out of constructing an extensive global brick and mortar branch network through the use of the internet.In contrast, for CITI to be able to provide local solutions by leveraging its global knowledge, services, and offerings to provide value added products and services to current and prospective clients. In closing not addressed directly in the article but appears to be relevant as I look at the different IT approaches taken by both Citi and HSBC is where they started. Both companies come from different backgrounds created in different environments for the purpose of serving different clients.Although eventually their worlds collided their roots seems quite different. I can’t help but wonder, to what degree were the different approach to types and amounts of investment in IT between the two global banking giants has to be attributed to (1) Different business strategy’s with each company recognizing its own path of least resistance to accomplish their organizations goals. (2) The best way to leverage the current asset base of each individual organization. 2. In your assessment, which one of the companies do you think was cleverer in its IT investments?Both organizations appear to have shown the ability to differentiate one’s organization through the use of technology when technology that can complement their overall business strategy comes available. For Citibank this availability arose through an increase in recourses by the organization; conversely, for HSBC through technological advancements made in the market place. My perception is that both companies utilized IT investments like a vehicle, to get from where they were to where they wanted to be.The numbers provided in the back of this report show the companies are strikingly similar in many ways despite their very different beginnings and historical decisions regarding investment in IT. Fiv e factors compared n the report are compiled below that both demonstrate their striking similarity but also provide clues to who at least for now is winning the battle for global banking clients. Category(2006)| Citi-Bank| HSBC| Leader| #of Employees| 325,000| 312,000| Citi-Bank| IT expenditures| 3762| 4810| Citibank| Net-Profit| 21538| 16358| Citi-Bank| Total Assets| 1,884,318| 1,712,627| Citi-Bank|Market Capitalization| 269. 1| 212| Citi-Bank| | ROA| 1. 14%| 0. 96%| By doing some basic calculations using the numbers above it is easy to see that as of the time of this report the company with the best history of performance was clearly Citi-Bank. Although total assets and number of employees are strikingly similar the difference in the organizations is clearly found in three areas. Net profit, IT expenditure’s, and market capitalization. ROA for HSBC is . 96% which signifies it is destroying shareholder capital by losing 4 cents for every dollar invested.Conversely, Citi-Bank with an ROA of 1. 14% is creating value by transforming every 1$ invested in the company into 1. 14 cents providing a 14% return annually. Another metric not common in finance but appears pertinent here would be an employee to IT expenditure’s ratio where HSBC spent $15,416. 67 per employee and Citi-Bank spent $11,575. 38. The second ratio that appears to point to an adjusted IT strategy for HSBC is a total asset to IT expenditure ratio in which again HSBC spends 28% of its total assets on. IT where Citibank again has a better ratio at 20% of its total assets.Neither of these last two ratios is very common but both appear to be where HSBC could attempt to close the Gap in financial performance between the two companies. Finally of note needs to be the difference in market cap Assuming both companies have a fairly equal amount of issued common equity the fact that Citi-Banks market cap is 57 billion dollars higher that HSBC demonstrates to me that when the marginal investor c ompares the perceived future performance comparing both companies current business plan investors believe with more confidence that Citi-Bank will generate I higher return on investment and stronger cash flows than will HSBC.Despite HSBC’s efforts to cut costs be on the forefront of banking innovation Citicorp clearly was able to leverage its vast global network of fixed assets in a standardized approach more successfully than HSBC was able to leverage the internet to increase its profitability through global expansion. In closing I again wonder if part of the increased performance Citicorp sees beyond that which is seen by HSBC is related to cultural bias Simple current consumer preference in the majority of the cultures in which both firms operate.In conclusion, the writer would like to briefly mention potential factors that came to mind while reading this article. Thinking outside the numbers part of me believes that although trends are less prevalent than they have been f or generations past, several groups of people, are particularly fond of being able to bank at a physical location. Some don’t believe in banking at all. Like the trail that amazon is blazing in the online retail market place online banking platforms are different than most people are used to.Change is often strange and sometimes difficult but if HSBC’s IT strategy is ever to pay off it must hope like amazon that as time passes if more people become comfortable with the idea of online banking their model may thrive. However, until that time unless it were to drastically change its business model and begin to invest in a global network of physical bank branches HSBC’s best strategy may be to stay the course of investing in driving customers more towards the feeling of convenience than perceived safety.

Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and Solutions Essay

Global Warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation. Many people do not see this as a problem. However, it is currently a huge issue that is often talked about among scientists and many other people. Global Warming is caused by many different things. Greenhouse gases, deforestation, and solar activity are three different proven facts that cause global warming. Global warming is not something that is going to disappear; it is only going to get worse if people do not start doing something about it. The main cause of global warming is the burning of greenhouse gases. Some of the main gases are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and the loss of forests. Most of the harmful gasses are emitted by humans through the combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories, and electricity production. But why and how do these specific gases cause global warming, it is because all of these gases have very different heat-trapping abilities. A molecule of methane produces more than 20 times the warming of a molecule of CO2. Nitrous oxide is 300 times more powerful than CO2. Other gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons (which have been banned in much of the world because they also degrade the ozone layer), have heat-trapping potential thousands of times greater than CO2. But because their concentrations are much lower than CO2, none of these gases adds as much warmth to the atmosphere as CO2 does. Trees provide an important ecosystem function by storing carbon, a cause of climate change, in their biomass. Currently the world’s forests store 283 billion tons of carbon in their biomass. Half the world’s tropical forests have been cleared or degraded. Every hour, at least 4,500 acres of forest fall to chain saws, machetes, flames, or bulldozers. In 2012 three million hectares of mature forests were cut down. This is a causing effect to global warming and continues to rise every year. Something called solar activity is also reasoning behind global warming. Solar activity is simply the amount of heat that comes off of the sun. Scientists can tell that solar activity contributes to global warming because there have been recent changes in temperatures at different levels in the Earth’s atmosphere. There are models showing how the greenhouse effect is warming the lower part of the atmosphere (known as the troposphere) but cooling the upper atmosphere (known as the stratosphere). However, if the sun was responsible for the observed warming, warming of both the troposphere and stratosphere would be expected. Global warming also has countless numbers of effects in the environment. It has been proven that the increase in Earth’s average temperatures have already been causing tons of ice to melt worldwide, also causing sea levels to increase over time. It is also causing precipitation to increase worldwide on average. It is predicted that if we do not stop global warming other effects could happen later this century; such as; Hurricanes and other storms becoming stronger, floods and droughts will become more common, and ecosystems will change to the point of some becoming extinct. All of this stuff may not sound that bad, but you have to think that over centuries and centuries it is only going to keep getting worse. There are things we can do to help this, to solve this. If the human race were refrain from using greenhouse gases, or even stop using them all together, it would help immensely. Depending on our choices scientists say it can only increase by 2. 5 degrees, or increase by 10. There are also other options to reduce the gases we emit into the atmosphere. We could try to decrease them by increasing the amount of gases we take out of the atmosphere. This can be achieved by planting more trees, increasing forestlands, and changing the way we farm. All of these things would help to increase the amount of carbon dioxide we are storing. Global warming is something that is still around today and will continue to be around if we do not decide to do something about it. There are many causes of it, some to which are still unknown to scientists. For every cause there is an effect, and this unfortunately is not a good thing for Earth. However there are solutions to reverse the effect of global warming. Even though some of these ideas have fallbacks, there are a variety of options that put us on a path toward a more stable climate. Work Cited: 1. http://environment. nationalgeographic. com/environment/global-warming/gw-solutions 2. http://www. facingthefuture. org 3. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Global_warming#Solar_activity Video: 1. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=ROZJmX73FF4

Midterm exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Midterm exam - Assignment Example The new constitution, of the Second Republic, established a strong Executive, and also a President elected through popular vote by universal male suffrage, instead of the National Assembly. In the election held on December 10-11, 1884, five candidates participated; they included Lois Napoleon, General Cavaignac, Lamartine, Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin, and Raspail. The election campaign of Napoleon appealed to the left and the right. His manifesto supported family, religion, property, and eternal basis of social order; in addition to providing more work, ensuring comfortable old age for workers, and introducing favorable industrial laws. The election results were announced on December 20, 1884 and Louis Napoleon won with 5,572,834 votes, 74.2 % of total votes cast. After the victory, he immediately moved to the Elysee Palace (Spitzer 36). Louis Napoleon became Napoleon III on December 2, 1852. Following official request by for the Empire’s return, the Senate organized a referendum to be held on November 21-22, 1852, concerning making Napoleon emperor. 97% of voters voted in favor of the referendum, this represents 7,824,129 votes. Hence on December 2, 1852 the second republic ended and the Empire was restored. The referendum victory, therefore, introduced the Second French Empire; and the President’s title changed to Emperor Napoleon III (Spitzer 40). The main priority of Emperor Napoleon III was modernizing the French economy, which was behind the economy of United Kingdom and some German states. Napoleon IIII wanted the government to have an active role in the improvement of the economy. He advocated for the government enhancing infrastructure necessary for economic growth. He ensured the rebuilding of central Paris; this rebuilding enhanced commercial innovation and expansion. Borne Marche, the first departmental store in Paris was opened din 1852. The Emperor opened the French market to

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

DISCUSSION - Essay Example (APA website, 2010) Principle B of the same code encourages the building of relationships of trust. Further, it is stressed as important that a portion of the psychologist’s â€Å"professional time† should be contributed for â€Å"little or no compensation or personal advantage.† (ibid. Principle B) It is true that the psychologist clarify professional roles and obligations, though. (ibid. Principle B) This may be interpreted as suggesting that the driving of someone 100 miles to a canyon is not part of the professional obligations of the psychologist. While this may be true, a caring psychologist may argue that in considering the best interests and preferences of a client (see: ibid. Standard 3.10), this trip to the Grand Canyon would be completely justified. In addition, if the professional opinion of the psychologist is that the trip is of benefit to the wellbeing of the client, he/she is entitled to make that call. (see: ibid. Introduction and Applicability) From a personal perspective, the need to arrange and make the trip is evident – the lines between client and psychologist would not significantly be overstepped; only a superficial dependency would result; and the compassionate, caring psychologist would help the dying client to complete this one achievable wish. Sometimes it is possible to â€Å"just know† (writer’s quotation marks) something – your every instinct tells you that what you perceive is true and you want, more than anything, to act on your feelings. The question of honesty and integrity in the professional lives of psychologist is referred to no fewer than 17 times in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and its general principles and standards. (APA website, 2010) Of particular note in a reaction to the scenario here – where one would be tempted to â€Å"adjust results† (writer’s quotation marks) a little to ensure continued funding of

Korean War (Truce Talks and POWs) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Korean War (Truce Talks and POWs) - Essay Example Both sides waged a protracted conflict for over 4 years during which the frontlines kept shifting to and fro. The advance of the US to the Chinese border alarmed the latter to such an extent that it forced Chinese forces to intervene directly into the conflict. Sensing an opportunity, the Soviet Union agreed to the request of Zhou Enlai and provided support in the form of military hardware and logistics. Despite numerous difficulties and overstretched supply lines, the Chinese fought a prolonged campaign. For its part, the US was successful in inflicting numerous casualties on the Chinese and North Korean side, but was unable to force them to the negotiating table. Both sides gradually realized that it was impossible to dislodge the other and began contemplating negotiations. Initial negotiations began in 1951 and continued up to the day of the armistice agreement in 1953. Both sides engaged in combat alongside as a way to force the other to agree to their terms or soften their stand . Despite being technologically advanced, the allied could not consolidate their initial gains and were pushed back time and again past the infamous 38th parallel line. There were also major issues with repatriation of PoWs (Prisoners of War). While the Communist North wanted total repatriation of their soldiers, the allies insisted on leaving the ultimate decision to the PoWs themselves. Forceful tactics including bombing of Pyongyang could not force the North Koreans to scale down on this issue. For its part, the North Koreans also engaged in frequent smear campaigns against the US and accused it of trespassing the De-militarized zone (DMZ) by complaining to the United Nations. North Korea held over 15,000 PoWs while the Allies held over 15,000 PoWs consisting of North Korean and Chinese soldiers. While there is clear evidence that the allies treated their PoWs in a fair manner, the North Koreans on the other hand perpetrated massive war crimes on their prisoners. Apart from confi ning them in overcrowded camps under inhospitable conditions, the Communists also tortured and executed many of their prisoners. Allied PoWs were also starved besides being brain washed with Communist ideologies. While almost all of North Korean PoWs were repatriated after the armistice agreement, less then 10,000 allied prisoners ever made out of North Korea. The agreement has only resulted in a ceasefire, which has remained in existence ever since. Both nations continue to exist in a state of war with the border (DMZ) evolving into one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world. While South Korea has developed rapidly into a capitalist economy, North Korea has relegated into a secluded nation that depends extensively on material aid from China to feed its population. Both continue to engage in smaller skirmishes with frequent exchange of fire on a daily basis, thus keeping the situation

Law of Contract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Law of Contract - Essay Example In all this, the intention of enforcing agreements through contracts is to boost commercial relations, since commerce generally involves individuals or personal interaction; and the obligation imposed by a contract is, in general, created by the parties themselves. This makes one accountable for his/her promises, and ensures that they deliver such promise within the ambit of law (Richards, 2007). As it stands, Pete on putting on his website that it is â€Å"The shop that never sleeps† is intended to create the picture of an operating system whereby all customers’ needs are acted on promptly with zeal. In the face of law, this will not be taken to be a twenty four hour business, but within the working hours, it operates with an efficiency that will guarantee customers satisfaction. Any service below this mark can prompt the customer to seek legal action (Stone, 2009). On the same note, Pete put on his website that he has four tickets for Dob Bylan concert at a total pric e of â‚ ¬100 for each ticket. He goes further to say that the tickets will be sold to the first person placing an order with him. This amounts to an offer, to anyone who has â‚ ¬100 per ticket to buy. It puts Mr. ... The person making the offer in this case is known as the offeror whereas the one who has been addressed to is called offeree. Mr. Pete has made an express offer since he has specifically made his intentions known to the offeree(s) through writing (MacLntyre, 2010). An offer is very different from an invitation to treat. An invitation to treat can be termed as a mere invitation to make an offer and no contract can result from it alone. A good example is afforded by the display of goods in a shop or supermarket. From all the decided case so far, the display of goods only amounts to invitation treat, not an offer. The offer is made at the point whereby the prospective buyer approaches the shop attendant or cashier, by picking up the goods and expressing the desire to buy those (Stone, 2009). Here, is a case to explain this: Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain V. Boots (1953). The defendant has self service store in which certain listed drugs were displayed on shelves. It was illegal to sell such drugs unless the sale was under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. A customer selected some of those drugs from the shelves. The defendants had placed a registered pharmacist on duty at the cash desk near the exit, not at the shelves. The defendants were charged with the offence of listing drugs without supervision of a registered pharmacist. It was held that if the sale took place where the customer picked up the drugs, from the shelves, the defendants would be liable, but if the sale took place at the cash desk where the pharmacist was located, then the pharmacist would be liable (Richards, 2007). To Pete’s side the contract is executed on his part, since he has brought forward

Gender Roles in the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker Essay

Gender Roles in the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker - Essay Example The entire story of the book is told through the narration of Celie, the protagonist, who undergoes several troubles during her early childhood before being sold by the name of marriage. Struggling through her dark past, where she is violently raped by her perverted stepfather, she goes through another doomed phase in her life. She gets severely beaten up every day by her husband, who also refuses to inform Celie about the letters from her sister Nettie. Still, Celie goes through all these torments and comes out as a winner at the end of the story. The book is a story about the progress of the will of a woman to counter all the struggles she faces in life, a display of power of friendship and faith in motivating a person and, delivering the message of happiness that one gets by being self-satisfied. The Color Purple, during its time of release, created a flurry of arguments about the themes written about in the story. One of the major themes that drew many of the critics’ attention was the theme of gender roles. Although, Walker had established the default characteristics of men and women in the book, there was this subtle element of versatility present in each and every character of the book that completely abolishes any notions of traditional qualities that were displayed through these roles. Some of the examples that could be given for this change include the change of thought process in the minds of Albert, Celie’s husband and in the submissive role played by his brother, who is unable to bring his wife under control and as a result, gets to work under his wife. The representation of unconventional treatment of the gender can be first viewed through the role of Mr.__________, as introduced by Celie and commonly known to everyone as Albert. Albert, having lost his first wife, looks out for a second wife to assist him and his children. Having known to everyone has an unpopular girl, Celie

Responds to artical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Responds to artical - Essay Example It is such coalitions that make politicians to support the two groups that are for and against regulating the sale of alcohol on Sundays (Bruce 12). This is an indication that different groups advocate to business regulations for personal benefits. The rent seeking behavior is a common economic theory and practices that impact differently on players. Usually, it is aimed at achieving persona gains at the expense of others. This is behavior is evidenced in a number of ways. For instance, a number of regulations passed by relevant authorities affect the population differently. A perfect example is the case of taxation policies, which may favor or disfavor a section of the population. Progressive tax policy (which is a rent seeking scheme) is favored by the low and medium income earners. However, high income earners are opposed to this tax proposal. Such differences regarding ‘collective mechanisms’ can be explained using the symmetry and asymmetry arguments. While a section value collective mechanisms, others opposed to it advocate for individual liberty, leading to disagreements on the best arrangements that suits all groups. Such conflicts are asymmetrical in nature. Therefore, in order to realize a collective mechanism, the interests of those opposed to it must be sacrificed, hence asymmetrical. A reality that we all have to live with is the fact that our governments are in debt crisis that has been on the rise over the last decades. It is therefore important to understand the facts behind government expenditures. The first thing to note is the fact that government expenditures exceed tax revenue collected from different bases. This is an indication that the revenues generated are insufficient to fully finance government operations. Therefore, governments are ever in deficit. To finance their deficits, they have no choice but to borrow either internally or externally. It is fact that tax payers have to

Book Banning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Book Banning - Essay Example Book banning comes about apparently when there are obscene comments and images embedded within these books. Then there is the important discussion of the books having viewpoints which are usually non-digestible by the public at large. Also this brings to mind the proposition of hate literature which is making the rounds of the global book regimes (Foerstel 2002). It essentially creates a sense of animosity amongst the people and asks of them to think from a much diluted stance. These perspectives are usually not appreciated by the society at large and since there is the quintessential talk of globalization these days, it is only reasonable to ban such books which stir emotions and behaviors of people in a negative way. Another reason for banning books is that they contain incorrect data and information which is unacceptable in a civilized society. Writing books is a much esteemed proposition and usually the writers penning down their memoirs or books are seen with an appreciable eye (Mann 2000). However when these same writers go overboard, then there is a need to address the concerns of the people (the educated lot) by banning such books in the first place. Banning such books is very legitimate because these are spreading falsified data within the people which cannot be allowed under any procedural routine. These books are usually not given credit within the world’s most trusted book publishing companies and agencies, as well as disallowed sale on the book stores all around the world. To ban a book, there is a very important pre-requisite that someone must challenge the book as regards to its content or imagery. This challenge restricts materials which are not appreciated by a certain segment of the society or an individual who is indeed a part of that very society. If the book hurts the feelings of the people, there is a

Long Term Impact of Parental Divorce Essay Example for Free

Long Term Impact of Parental Divorce Essay This is an interesting study about how divorce can affect adulthood. At the age of sixteen, all students from one town completed a questionnaire. All the students were given a follow up questionnaire at thirty two years of age. Coming from a divorced family affects women more than men. This could be because of the close relationship between mother and daughter. Several studies have showed that parental divorce increases the risk of divorce for offspring. Children that have divorced parents have a lower self-esteem than those who do not. Divorce negatively affects children in the personal and social development in adolescence, which reduces the quality of intimate relationships in adulthood. The reason the quality of intimate relationships are lowered, is because parent-child relationships have been found to play an important role in perceptions of social support in adulthood. Many women have big issues with the trust factor that needs to accompany an intimate relationship. Women are less likely to get married, and the women that do marry are more likely to get divorced. This does not affect boys as much because boys do not need the parent-child relationship as much as girls. If doing a research paper on the topic of social development in adulthood, this would be a good article to get information. The article is a peer reviewed journal, making it a reliable source. The study was also done over a long period of time. It is important for other to see how divorce parents could be having an effect on their social development as an adult. Many women may not see the significant coming from divorced parents maybe affecting their relationships in adulthood. This journal along with other could only give a better look into problems in social development in adulthood.

For rich and poor in Russia Essay Example for Free

For rich and poor in Russia Essay I leaned my back on my big black chair. The cushion, now deep and saggy, still feels comfortable. It has been ten long years of sitting on the same chair yet I can still feel its soft leather and now dilapidated covers. This high-back chair has been with me since day one. It surely has witnessed countless heated arguments with my staff, serious conversations with directors, even termination scenes with employees. Today, as I am about to make the biggest decision for the company, the chair will once more bear witness to my decision-making. So I reached for the topmost document from a pile of white papers on my desk. This was from yesterday’s presentation. It read, â€Å"Strategy for Expansion,† with bold letters that seemed to be screaming at me. Yes, after ten long years of doing business, we have finally decided to widen our horizons and look for other markets to tap into. I stretched my feet under the table, putting back the document I sighed and asked myself, â€Å"Are we ready to do this? † â€Å"Sir, everyone is waiting for you in the boardroom,† my secretary interrupted. This is just one of the vivid scenes recurring to me whenever I think about my future career. Indeed I aspire to sit on the manager’s chair of a successful company in my home country of Russia. Yet the road towards that aspiration is long and bumpy, not to mention competitive and challenging especially in today’s business world. As this is the case, I deem that I need top-notch and excellent education and rigid practical training from a prestigious educational institution. Hence, I have chosen the European School of Economics to major in International Business. Primarily, I regard that an international learning environment offered by ESE is crucial in today’s competitive business world so as to prepare and train me in building a career in business especially in this time of globalization. Since ESE is home to students of different nationalities and allows free movement between the centers in London, New York, Rome, Milan, and Florence, I am certain to experience a dynamic, interesting, and challenging academic environment necessary in today’s competitive atmosphere of business. ESE will further hone my skills and strengthen my knowledge in preparation for my entry into the global marketplace by providing practical training or real-life application of business theories and perspectives through exposure and involvement in creating strategic plans, managing international projects, and addressing various challenges in today’s global business environment. Evidence of ESE’s capacity to do this is the myriad of graduates who are the movers and shakers in the business field occupying positions in management, organizational operations, marketing, and customer care, among others. Another testament to ESE’s ability to educate me excellently are the recognitions it has received. In fact, ESE programs have been validated by the highest ranked university by British students and the only independent university in the United Kingdom, the University of Buckingham. It is also accredited by the British Accreditation Council. Furthermore, I have been drawn to ESE’s philosophy of not just assisting students in choosing a career that suits them but more so encouraging them to fulfill their goals by chasing their dreams and doing what they love. This kind of encouraging environment will definitely ease the stress and pressures attached with higher education, not to mention bring fun and active spirit amidst academic requirements. Moreover, another significant factor in choosing ESE is its revered internship program. Since the school has established relationships with successful global companies, I am guaranteed to gain the needed exposure and adequate training necessary before entering the real business world. Particularly in my chosen major where I will be exposed to three internship placements, I will have the opportunity to explore which field I may be good at, to assess my own skills for future practice, and to earn the trust and confidence of employers for future employment options. Above all, I have chosen ESE, particularly the Bachelor’s Degree in International Business because of the quality of education that I will receive should I be accepted in the said program. Included in this quality education are the analytical and critical thinking skills that I will acquire, which will aid me in future organizational decisions. Furthermore, the kind of learning I will gain in the said program will give me a deep comprehension of the global business environment and the different factors that influence investment, trade, and the economy, thereby allowing me to come up with strategic business plans in the future. In addition, an ESE education will further strengthen my communication skills crucial in local and international business transactions and dealings as well as develop my creativity and flexibility in responding to various challenges that face the business environment. Because of all these qualities, I aspire to be one of the students to be educated with an ESE education. However, this education will not just be for me but for my country as well. As a Russian native, I have seen the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Though everyone seems to be climbing up the ladder of economic progress, the rich people continue to become richer very quickly and as a result, the gap continues to expand (Arvedlund, 2005). Hence, as someone with business and economic knowledge, I dream of working in an area where I can help bridge this gap – the supermarket industry. In 2001, it was only forecasted that supermarkets will gain momentum in Russia as the demand for food caused by the increasing purchasing power of Russians skyrocketed. In the past though, supermarkets were known to be exclusively high-income shopping places while outside markets are pictures of low and middle class shopping (Kozlov, 2001). While supermarkets provide all the conveniences of shopping, the prices of goods are high; while local stores’ prices are low, the quality of products is poor. Moreover, it was reported in 2008 that foreign supermarkets are beginning to expand their markets by establishing outlets in Russia, particularly in Moscow. Majority of these supermarket giants have been household names in developed nations. Their goal is to target consumers with a growing dispensable income by combining high quality products and low prices (Bentley, 2008). However, what I am aiming for is an all original Russian supermarket merging the features of a supermarket and a local store. My long-term professional dream is to establish a chain of supermarkets characterized by high standard goods, convenient shopping, low prices, and authentically Russian ambiance, where everyone regardless of income can enjoy shopping. After some time when the company has been established and have enough profits to sustain the business and even to venture out in other endeavors, we will expand to include charity work in our goals. This social responsibility is one aspect that many Russian companies seem to neglect. Hence, this dream will somehow decrease the gap between the rich and the poor and in a way support the less-fortunate to climb up the economic ladder quickly. Moreover, it is this very dream that inspired me to pursue a career in business; majoring in International Business in ESE is the first step towards this. Indeed the primary role of businesses, whether small, medium, or large, and local or international, is to create products and services and sell these to communities to gain profit for wealth creation in society (International Organization of Employers, 2005). How to effectively and efficiently achieve this purpose is what aspiring businessmen like me wish to study and master. The principles of marketing, various business methods, economics, business law and ethical practice, management and organization, and finance – these are just few elements that businesses need to take into consideration on their way to making profit. Yet beyond money matters, businesses have ventured out to include social responsibility and accountability to community as part of their strategy. For instance, businesses have sought to advance the quality of life like McDonald’s advocating for animal welfare, education of youth, clean environment, and charitable efforts (McDonalds, 2010). Moreover, businesses have also used their resources to embed social responsibility in their goods and services as in Vodafone’s Mpesa program in Kenya that enables people to do mobile banking and the content-filtering system the company incorporated for parents and children’s protection (Demos, 2006). If these companies successfully accomplished these endeavors, then it will not be impossible for the others to follow suit. Hence, I aim to do just that in my future business. To do this, I will apply my experience in interacting with different types of culture that I gained from living in several countries. Likewise, I will use my skills in developing relationships and working in groups to expand my business, develop ethical approaches in doing business, and incorporate charitable programs that will foster a symbiotic relationship between my business and the community or society. Since there are problems ahead, the analytical knowledge that business education will equip will come in handy. Nonetheless, this analytical approach will not only be applicable within the bounds of business but outside the business world as well. For instance, the lessons learned from economics, finance, and marketing will enable me to become an intelligent consumer. Moreover, the values taught by management and organization will help me manage my time and organize my schedule. In addition, the values acquired from business law and ethics will support my personal judgment and decisions in life and at work. Needless to say, I am fit to achieve all these through an ESE education because I am a hard worker and a leader. Testament to this is my experience working in the marketing department of a shoe company. Though a greenhorn, I was immediately tasked to handle the marketing plan for the newest line of rubber shoes. Together with the team, I looked into previous plans from the department and examined the core values of the company. I then gathered them and brainstormed on what marketing strategy would be best for the new shoe line. I assigned each member a task that includes researching the marketing environment, reviewing past marketing activities, studying the company’s marketing system, and devising methods to analyze marketing plan’s effectiveness. With all our inputs, we were able to come up with a solid strategy, which the company used to introduce the new product to the market. From this work experience, I showcased my leadership and management abilities to produce good results. I was also able to display responsibility, meticulousness, organization, and ability to work well with others to ensure that the task assigned to me was smooth sailing from beginning to end. All these qualities will come in handy in the real global competitive business world. Nonetheless, my life is not all work and business. I also use my time doing fun activities such as swimming and yoga, both of which ease my mind from the pressures of school, work, and personal life. In my spare time, I read books and newspapers. I find current events, politics, history, and business the most interesting topics to read about as they give me awareness of past and present events that shape people and ultimately influence their decisions and actions. Furthermore, I also devote my time in volunteer work. In fact, I was recently in Tijuana, Mexico to help build houses for homeless families in the said area and also in the reservation in Taos, New Mexico to immerse myself in the Pueblo culture together with Pueblo school children. I have likewise participated in the Walk to Cure Diabetes in San Francisco, CA for a number of times. The said experiences deepened my understanding of different kinds of people and made me appreciate life more. They also inspired me to do more for the community and society as there are many people who need help, care, and attention. Therefore, in the future, I wish to extend my hand to the underprivileged and unnoticed sectors of society. Before doing this though, I wish to earn my master’s degree to strengthen the undergraduate education I will acquire. This way, my dream of establishing and managing a solely Russian-based company will be easier to achieve. Additionally, earning a master’s degree will make me a more effective leader and manager bringing a Western style of conducting business, which I believe is more efficient when applied in the Russian environment. The higher degree will also strengthen the knowledge and skills I gained from studying in various parts of the world and from interacting with different cultures in bringing a global and efficient approach to the company and in promoting charity and community work as an integral component in today’s business world. So I stared at my secretary for a couple of minutes and then she said, â€Å"Sir, is there something wrong? Everyone is waiting.. † I did not let her finish and instead I asked, â€Å"Do you think it is time for me to buy a new chair? † â€Å"I most certainly think so, Sir. † With that, I already know what decision to deliver in the boardroom. References Arvedlund, E. E. (2005). For rich and poor in Russia, gap widens. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2005/04/26/business/worldbusiness/26iht-ruble. html? _r=2 Bentley, E. (2008). Supermarket giants check out Russia. The Moscow News. Retrieved from http://www. mn. ru/business/20080904/55345070. html Demos, T. (2006). Beyond the bottom line: Our second annual ranking of Global 500 companies. CNN. Retrieved from http://money. cnn. com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/30/8391850/index. htm International Organization of Employers. (2005). The role of business within society: Position paper. Geneva: International Organization of Employers. 1-10. Kozlov, V. (2001). Supermarkets gain momentum in Moscow. The Russia Journal. Retrieved from http://www. russiajournal. com/node/5018 McDonalds. (2010). Values in action. Retrieved from http://www. mcdonalds. com/us/en/our_story/values_in_action. html

Family Systems Therapy And Theories

Family Systems Therapy And Theories Family Systems Therapy is undergirded by a variety of theoretical approaches all of which focuses on human problems which result from relationships. As individuals we are encouraged to be autonomous, independent, make our choices and accept the consequences of these choices. This individualist stance seems to contradict the reality that we are born into families and spend our lives attached to a family either our own creation or one into which we are born. It is within these families that we learn, grow and develop. It is to these families we turn in times of hardships or triumphs. Family Systems Theories postulate that individuals are best understood within the context of their family. Like a living organism, families have properties which none of the individuals have, these properties are destroyed when members of the family are considered as individuals. Family systems theories shift the focus from individuals to the patterns in their relationships. Nichols 2009à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦p102. The behaviors manifested in one family member are linked to the behaviour of other members and may be a hallmark of how the family system functions not just symptoms of one members maladjustment. The difficulties of the presenting family member may, according to Corey 2009à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ p.412 Serve a function and purpose in the family Be unintentionally maintained by the family Be a function of the familys inability to operate productively Be a symptom of the dysfunctional patterns handed down across generations. This kind of approach is very different from the framework of individual psychology which conceptualizes human problem in an intrapsychic framework. The body of knowledge known as Family Systems Theory arises from observations by counselors as they work with individuals and their family. According to family system theories families are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals. They do not exist in isolation whatever affects the individual affects the entire system. Perhaps the most fundamental concept of how families operate is that the family is a system which has a tendency to maintain stability by using information about its performance as feedback Nichols (2009)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦p98. In this theoretical framework a family is considered to be cybernetic. At the heart of cybernetics is the feedback loop which determines whether the current operation of the system is acceptable and if not attempts to make the necessary changes. The feedback can either be negative or positive. Negative feedback is not bad but indicates that the system needs to take corrective measures to return to stability. Positive feedback may have negative consequences as it may serve to reinforce an error in the system. In order to maintain this stability, there are family rules and family roles. Family Roles-this is a description of what is expected of each family member. At a basic level there are roles of father, mother, daughter, sister and so on, but there are less obvio us roles for example one member may assume the role of the responsible one or the humorous one as the case may be. Family Rules-these are often understood by member of the family although not written down and often unspoken; they set guidelines for how the family operates. For example a family would understand who makes the final decision in important matters. Although family members may see these rules as just the way things are they may or may not be aware that different families would do the same thing differently. The pioneers of family therapy recognized that social and cultural forces shape our values, thoughts and our concept of normal, but it was Murray Bowen that first defined a family theory. According to him, the history of our family creates a mold that shapes our values thoughts and experiences. He further suggested that this mold is passed from one generation to the next. Bowens theory focuses on two counterbalancing life forces. The first is togetherness and the second is individuality. When a family shares too much togetherness, fusion is created and where there is too much individuality the result is estranged family. He introduced eight interrelated concept to explain how families develop and function. Differentiation of self is the ability to distinguish and maintain personal thoughts feeling goals and identity in the face of emotional and social pressures to do differently.Differentiation of self is the cornerstone of Bowens theory. This involves the psychological separation of intellect and emotions and the independence of self form others. It is ability to think and reflect and not respond automatically to emotional pressure. Differentiated people have the ability to balance their feeling and thoughts, they are capable of strong emotion, yet posses self restraint. They are able to take a stand on issues and have the ability to think decide and act on what they believe. Undifferentiated people act emotionally they tend to be impetuous displaying submissiveness or defiance. They find it difficult to be autonomous and are unable to take clear position on issues. They tend to reflect the dominant emotional pattern in the family. Emotional triangles are formed when two people who are unable to resolve a problem draw a third person into the conflict. The third partys involvement may be short lived so forcing the two people to resolve their differences. If the third parties involvement becomes long term then a triangle becomes a part of the relationship. Triangulation ease the tension but freezes the conflict in place Nicholas (2008) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦p128 and eventually undermines the relationship. According to Nicholas 2008 most family problems are triangular. Nuclear Family Emotional processes are the emotional patterns in a family that continue over generations. A partner who lacks differentiation in his her family of origin may become emotionally cut off from hisher parents and this would lead to fusion in marriage. Fusion can produce different effects on the marriage including emotional distance between partners, marital conflicts, physical or emotional dysfunction in one partner or projection of the problem on one or more of the children Nicholas Shwartz, 2008à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ p 128. A parent lack of differentiation is transmitted to children in Family projection process. An undifferentiated mother may become attach to a child (or children) because she has decided that her spouse is inattentive to her. The mother would project her lack of differentiation to the child who is most attached. This child will achieve least differentiation and more vulnerable to problems. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the more the mother forces her attention n the child the more the childs functioning is impaired Nichols and Shwartz ,2008p129 Multigenerational Transmission Process describes the transmission of anxiety from one generation to another. This is the unconscious passing on of anxiety which overrides the adaptive thinking and behavior of succeeding generations. Sibling Position children develop personality characteristics based on their position in the family. Emotional Cut Off describes the way people manage anxiety between generations. the greater the emotional fusion between parents and children the greater likelihood of cut off Nicholas and Shwartz 2008à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦p130 Societal Emotional processes are social expectation and their effect on the family. According to Bowen, all families lie along a continuum and there are no types of family. He believes that optimal family development occurs when members are differentiated and maintain a healthy contact with each other. For Bowen, family problems are the result of emotional fusion. Typically the family member with the symptom is the one who is least differentiated. This member is unable to separate hisher thoughts from the families and absorbs the anxieties of the entire family. Structural family theory emphasizes the need for parents to maintain a clear hierarchical position of authority. The origins of the theory can be traced to early 1960s to Salvador Minuchin who formulated the theory and set guidelines for therapeutic techniques. The theory is built on three component structure, subsystems and boundaries. Structure refers to the organized pattern in which families interact. Nicholas Shwartz 2008à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦p185. It describes the patterns of authority, communicating and interacting. Patterns develop as family transactions are repeated. In time these patterns become embedded and define roles and functions of family members creating predictability of the family interactions. These repetitions create expectations that establish rules in the family. Although alternatives are available the family rarely considers them and even in situations where patterns are dysfunctional, they are maintained. Dysfunction patterns give rise to a dysfunctional family structure. According to Minuchin, it is this dysfunctional structure which is the source of family problems. According to structural family theory each family system has subsystems. These are sub groups within the family structure which exist to accomplish various family tasks. Subsystem may be determined along the lines of generation, gender, role and interests. For example there are spousal subsystem and child subsystems. Within the subsystem each family member plays a different role. When one subsystem intrudes into another causes structural difficulties and indicates that boundaries between subsystems are diffuse. Diffuse boundaries can result in enmeshment. On the other hand boundaries which are rigid result in disengagement. Clear boundaries blend characteristics which are both rigid and diffuse. When there are clear boundaries parents occupies a position of leadership in the family. There are some aspects of the theoretical constructs of both Bower Family Systems Theory and Minuchins Structural Family Theory that are constant with my own world view. Like Bowen, I believe that our familys history creates a template which shapes our values thoughts and experiences and many of these values thoughts and experiences are passed down through generations. However this template in my opinion is only one of the possible template which shape values thoughts and experiences as there are many factories other than ones family of origin which influence who we become. Many persons can see the family pattern and make a conscious decision to build a life with different patterns. In this way the pattern in the family of origin is a powerful determinant but rather than been a template of what should be these patterns is template of what to avoid. The concept of differentiation is cornerstone of Bowenian theory and I share Bowens view that lack of differentiation can be transmitted from generation to generation. Parental lack of differentiation may manifest itself in children who are either emotionally fused or rebellious leading to emotional cutoff from family of origin. Bowen however seems to emphasize the mothers role in the process of passing anxiety from one generation to another. In my opinion he has pathologized the maternal role. Our social norms have prepared mothers to assume a nurturing role and this is not pathological. Bowens belief that there is a chronic anxiety in all life that is both emotional and physical Gladding 2009 p.235 is very different from my over world view. Generally the prominence given to anxiety as a defining force in all life is very foreign to my personal belief and system. My worldview starts from the opposite end. I see all of life filled with hope and choices. A life governed by anxiety is a life that chooses anxiety. It is my belief that the structure, subsystems and boundaries are three essential components of families. Family structure sets out the pattern of authority and the lines of communication. I strongly believe that parents should be in charged in every family and the children should know this. Parents should present a united front to children and any disagreement they have between themselves should not be played out with the children. Thus is one way of ensuring that the parent and child subsystems remain separate. To ensure separation clear boundaries must be establish between the subsystems. I believe that most family dysfunctions are the result of structural problems. Where there is no structure children develop chronic uncertainty which affects their overall functioning. Some children are at one extreme of severely maladaptive behavior while others are at the other extreme of over compensating behavior to gain favor. Along this entire continuum is the common thread of low self esteem. Keeping the family subsystems separated by clear boundaries in necessary for a healthy functioning family. Parents and children share their lives but parents relationship is maintained separate without threat from the relationship with children. These clear boundaries establish a hierarchical structure in which parents occupy a position of leadership. I believe that in Jamaica family structure problems and single parent households is a kind of chicken and egg situation. As the single parent tries to compensate for the absent parent, child and parent subsystems are confused as boundaries become rigid, defused, enmeshed and even destroyed. Often in these households it is hard to tell who is in charge and this leads to a wide range of problems including hostility between children and parents incest and other types of abuse. Many of these children assume adult roles before they are ready which result in early (single) parenting to begin the cycle once more. It is difficult for me to relate my own family to Bowerian family theory. Bowens emphasis on anxiety in the family of origin has no currency with me personally. Anxiety was not a part of my childhood. My parents were highly differentiated individuals who were independent thinkers. I am unable to see any triangulation and multigenerational transmission of anxiety. Among my nine siblings I do not even see birth order as an important consideration instead I see us accept each other as individuals with different abilities, talent, strengths and weaknesses. My family of origin was definitely ordered along the lines on Minuchins Structural Family Theory. There was a firm structure in place with strong subsystems and clear boundaries. We were nurtured and cared as children and guided into adulthood. We were encouraged and taught to be ourselves and the sibling all get along. My oldest sibling is 72 and my youngest is 49. We all agree that if our parent had any favorites among their children we cannot tell. The Bowenian Theory in counseling and psychotherapy is applied to trace patterns of family problems with a view to identify emotional reactivity and triangulation. The genogram has been found to be a useful assessment tool to identify these two issues. The aim of the therapist is to de-triangulate individuals and help them to develop differentiation. Along the way parents become better equipped to manage their own anxieties and less likely to transmit these anxiety to their children. Structural Family Theory underlines a therapy that seeks to reorganize families. The underlying assumption is that the familys difficulties are as a result of the organizational structure. The structural therapist assesses the presenting problems in four steps Firstly involve the whole family in the problem, secondly help them see how the family exchanges continue and support and perpetuate the problem. The therapist then exposes the impact of the past on the problem and finally explores options which the family members can take to relate in more productive ways that will create shift in the family structure and help resolve the presenting complaint (Nicholas and Schuartz 2009 p.196). Bowen and Minuchin had very different views of the source of dysfunction in individuals but both agreed that the dominant force in our lives is located in our families. Therapies based on this theoretical framework is directed at changing the organization of the family. When this is done then the functioning of the individual will be altered. This is not a change on the present individual only , but the whole family changes. In this way the individual change has a greater likelihood of remaining a permanent one.

Indias Economy and Infrastructure :: India Economy

India's Economy and Infrastructure OVERVIEW India is rich in natural resources and manpower and has made significant economic progress since attaining independence in 1947. India's economy encompasses traditional village farming, forestry, fishing, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. Economy transformed from primarily agriculture, forestry, fishing, and textile manufacturing in 1947 to major heavy industry, transportation, and telecommunications industries by late 1970s. Central government planning in 1950 through late 1970s giving way to economic reforms and more private-sector initiatives in 1980s and 1990s. A sophisticated industrial base has been created and a large pool of skilled manpower has emerged. Nevertheless, 67% of India's labor force (nearly 400 million) works in agriculture, which contributes 30% of the country's GDP. Production, trade, and investment reforms since 1991 have provided new opportunities for Indian businesspersons and an estimated 300 million middle class consumers. New Delhi has avoided debt rescheduling, attracted foreign investment, and revived confidence in India's economic prospects since 1991. Many of the country's fundamentals - including savings rates (26% of GDP) and reserves (now about $24 billion) - are healthy. Inflation eased to 7% in 1997, and interest rates dropped to between 10% and 13%. Even so, the Indian Government needs to restore the early momentum of reform, especially by continuing reductions in the extensive remaining government regulations. Moreover, economic policy changes have not yet significantly increased jobs or reduced the risk that international financial strains will reemerge within the next few years. Nearly 40% of the Indian population remains too poor to afford an adequate diet. India's exports, currency, and foreign institutional investment were affected by the East Asian crisis in late 1997 and early 1998, but capital account controls, a low ratio of short-term debt to reserves, and enhanced supervision of the financial sector helped insulate it from near term balance-of-payments problems. Export growth, has been slipping in 1996-97, averaging only about 4% to 5%Ââ€"a large drop from the more than 20% increases it was experiencing over the prior three yearsÂâ€"mainly because of the fall in Asian currencies relative to the rupee. Energy, telecommunications, and transportation shortages and the legacy of inefficient factories constrain industrial growth, which expanded only 6.7% in 1997Ââ€"down from more than 11% in 1996. Growth of the agricultural sector is still fairly slow rebounding to only 5.7% in 1997 from a fall of 0.1% in 1996. Agricultural investment has slowed, while costly subsidies on fertilizer, food distribution, and rural electricity remain .

The Apology Essay -- Greek, Socrates, Plato

In this paper I will be discussing the four charges brought against Socrates in Plato’s essay The Apology# and why exactly each of these charges is completely fictitious. The four charges brought against Socrates were that he argued the physical over the metaphysical, he argued the weaker claim over the stronger claim, he went against the gods, and he was corrupting the youth (Singer, lecture, 9-15-11). Each of these four charges is false for varying reasons and I will be addressing each explanation on why each charge is a complete sham, after discussing each charge. The first charge made against Socrates was that he argued the physical over the metaphysical (Singer, lecture, 9-15-11). This charge says that he believed in reason and science over the teachings of the gods. This alleged crime helped form the basis for the hatred and distrust the Athenians felt toward Socrates (Plato, p. 51). Socrates’ accusers claimed, â€Å"Socrates is an evil-doer and a curious person, who searches into things under the earth and in the heavens† (Plato, p. 51). This claim is completely false for multiple reasons. Primarily, Socrates simply did not argue the physical over the metaphysical; he just wanted to find true knowledge. He did not have any interest in this argument at all (Singer, lecture, 9-15-11). In Socrates opening statement to the court, Socrates identified the first charge to be false by directly confronting the philosophers who actually did this style of teaching. He stated,† I will ask you then to assume with me that my opponents are of two kinds: one more recent, the other from the past. I will answer the latter first, for these accusations you heard long before the others† (Plato, p. 51). In this statement Socrates was referr... ...s statement by Melatus illustrates that Melatus doesn’t have any knowledge on how to help the youth and that his main intention is to get Socrates sentenced to death (Plato, p. 54). In this paper I talked about Plato’s essay The Apology, in which Socrates was accused of committing four crimes against the people of Athens. These four charges were that he argued the physical over the metaphysical, he argued the weaker claim over the stronger claim, he went against the gods, and he corrupted the youth (Singer, lecture, 9-15-11). Each of these claims was completely erroneous for their own reasons, however the court sentenced him to death anyways (Plato, p. 61). The fact that he was executed despite being falsely accused and the fact that he accepted death instead of abandoning his beliefs helped make him the philosopher that is loved and revered still to this day.

College English - A Holistic Dialogue with Myself Essay example -- Tea

College English - A Holistic Dialogue with Myself The air was crisp and filled with the promise of snow. My first day of my first semester, I ran hurriedly upon the main thoroughfares of University Park, campus short cuts and walkways were yet unknown. Stopping occasionally, I took a knee, pulled out my highlighted map, and felt compelled to take an azimuth. Snow fell around me; my water tube dripped slowly; my muskrat hat caught the flakes within the fine bristles of the visor. Aviation glasses plastered to my face and cargo pockets bulging with my keys, student schedule, rolled up map, and glasses case, I stood up quickly and ran for class. Electrical Engineering Building West (EE West), I remained perplexed at what correlation possibly existed between electrical engineering and honors English. I entered the musty halls, hurried passed the classroom three times before realizing that the big windows were in fact doors, and entered five minutes late. Accustomed to arriving ten minutes prior to any professional engagement, I began the process of divesting myself of my gear, removing the appropriate folder and notebook (neatly labeled and prepared). When I realized my pathetic Lilliputian desk could, in no way, accommodate it all, I was distressed. Coat, hat, gloves, pack (lovingly referred to in its previous incarnation as the mini-Shirpa, a reference to the bulging packs of Tibetan mountain climbers), I had no room. As I was quickly going to discover, you never have enough room in English. To write something more than merely formulaic, ideas, impressions, thoughts bombard you. Quickly, your paper becomes like my pack, bulging with stuff. True to my â€Å"Be Prepared† motto, I find it difficult to discriminate between all the ten... ...n my research essay, I explored my own memories as a child struggling with a learning disability in Park Forest. Writing in philosophy and political science, I incorporated, engaged with, and struggled to realize what makes us â€Å"human, all too human† (Nietzsche 492). When I leave EE West 101 for the final time, my cargo pockets will bulge with my keys and glasses case; my pack will weigh heavily upon my shoulders; and I will remain a rough draft of the â€Å"Man in the Muskrat Hat.† If nothing else, ENGL 030 has reinforced the joy, the necessity, the vitality of learning. I have experienced the military, will experience college, and will still struggle to find my own voice. However as in many things, it is within the struggle that we find the greatest value. â€Å"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.† — Lao Tzu

Family and kinship terms Essay

Based on the interviews I performed for this exercise, I now have a broader view of the term family. For this exercise, I interviewed four individuals that were of Asian origin, specifically Filipino, or individuals originating from the Philippines. Based on my research and talk with my interviewed subjects, the Philippines is such a small country in the South East but these Filipinos can be found living all around the world. To an anthropologist, the term family simply pertains to the biological structure composed of two parents and at least one child. This structural unit is what has long been accepted in the Western world as the basic unit in society. However, there are quite a few modifications to Asians and more specifically, to individuals originating from the Philippines. In Philippine culture, the terms family and extended family can be used interchangeably, because their culture is often associated with a home that is inhabited by a married couple with children, as well as the grandparents and relatives-in-law. In the Western world, the extended family is seldom observed in one household and would only be necessary in special circumstances such is health conditions that affect the normal functioning of a family. In the Philippine tradition, the term family simply means the entire family as well as all the relatives that could possibly fit into the house and live for even an extended period of time. It has been explained to me that such close-knit family ties have been adapted by Filipinos from the Chinese travelers in the early centuries (Joaquin, 1988). Hence in the household, one bedroom can be inhabited by two girls that are not sisters but actually cousins. The term kinship, on the other hand, technically means the biological connection of an individual such as the kinship of the father or the kinship of the mother of a family. In the Asian point of view, kinship can mean any individual that is related to any member of the family. This not only includes those of with a biological connection, but also those individuals that have been related through marriage, or the in-laws. It is thus interesting to see how different cultures perceive the terms family and kinship. What amazes me is that the Filipinos that I interviewed have such a great attachment to the idea of family, that they call other elder non-related Filipino friends â€Å"Uncle† or â€Å"Aunt†. It has been explained to me that such adaptation of these greetings are a form of respect to these elder individuals, even if they are not really biologically related. It can thus look like one Filipino can have a thousand uncles and another thousand aunts because all of them are addressed with the same term that is used to address their biological aunt or uncle. Another interesting observation that I collected from my interview is that Filipinos tend to consider a non-biologically related individual as family if they have been in touch or in communication with that person for at least a couple of years and that they would even attempt to help these individuals out to the best of their abilities, even offering the last of their food to such friend. These individuals have big hearts and are more than willing to help out any individual who needs support. When I asked how they would consider a group of unrelated individuals that have lived together in a particular place, they responded that they consider this group as a family, too, and not a residence group. The members of this residence group are thus considered as brothers and sisters, depending simply on the age of each member of the group, or if one individual is elderly, then that individual will be called and considered as the group’s father or mother and that the youngest member of the group will be considered and called the group’s baby. Reference Joaquin, N. 1988. Culture and history: Occasional notes on the process of Philippine becoming. Solar Publishing, Metro Manila.