Desperately Seeking Synergy and Competing on Capabilities Essay

I.) I didn’t think that synergy was that much big of a deal until I read this article. I am one of those who assume that synergy exists, can be achieved, and will be beneficial, I didn’t really think about the downsides of synergy. When I read the article, it seems that it would be better if executives give more attention and evaluation to find real synergy opportunities. It’s good that the writer included in his article about the four managerial biases because it’s true that all too often, the managers are the ones being blamed for the failure of a synergy program, when the ones who really are to blame are the corporate executives themselves. These four biases will help corporate executives evaluate better the managers and themselves, be more aware of the situation, and be able to make more successful synergy programs. The process of sizing the prize is also a good addition to the article. Being more precise as to what needs to be done rather than generalizing all the goals tend to be more efficient and successful. It clarifies the real costs and benefits of a synergy program, as the writer stated, sizing the prize is the first and most important discipline in making sound decisions on synergy. Overarching goals should be disaggregated into discrete, well-defined benefits, and then each benefit should be subjected to hard-nosed financial analysis. Pinpointing the parenting opportunity will clear up the parenting bias. Corporate executives must know when and how to intervene in the management. The article conveniently stated the three relevant cases as to when intervention must take place to help the corporate executives. Then there is this bringing downsides to light which can clear up the synergy and upside bias. I think that in every action which anyone may undertake, being more familiar with the consequences and downsides of that action can help the individual evaluate that action and be more successful. All in all, corporate executives must take note of the disciplined approach the writers recommend, which is clarifying the real benefits to be gained, examining the potential for parental involvement, and taking into account the possible downsides of synergy programs. In relation to business policy and strategies, corporate executives with the help of the managers must be able to make clear and effective business policies and strategies which can be implemented for the betterment of synergy programs within the organization. Good policies will be able to guide them and their future employees in engaging in more successful synergies. I think this is related to accountancy because good interdepartmental communication and cooperation will help accountants do their job more precisely and conveniently. As a future professional, knowledge of this article will help me become a more effective leader by applying the three disciplined approaches he writers has stated and a more efficient team member who can synergize well with my co-workers. II.) The article uses the success of companies like Wal-Mart, Honda, and MedEquip to familiarize the readers with capabilities-based competition which is great because seeing a concrete example of the principle at work makes the article even more interesting, realistic and not plain and boring. The focus of the article was on Wal-Mart and the secret of its success, which is the set of strategic business decisions that transformed the company into a capabilities-based competitor such as the warehousing technique of cross-docking. Included in the article are these basic principles of a capabilities-based competition which can help a traditional company change or shape its organization into a more capability-based competitor. First, is that the focus of their corporate strategy should not be on the products but on the business processes. Second, competitive success depends on transforming a company’s key process into strategic capabilities that consistently provide superior value to the customer. Third, companies should create these capabilities by making strategic investments in a support infrastructure for these strategic capabilities. Fourth, is that the CEO is the champion of a capabilities-based strategy. I think that this puts the pressure on the CEO because he will be the one responsible for the direction of his company and the decisions he make can shape the future of the company. To be able to be a good CEO, one must outperform the completion in responding quickly to customer demands and to incorporate new ideas into products, produce a product that unfailingly satisfies customer’s expectations, see the competitive environment clearly, adapt simultaneously to many different business environments, and generate new ideas and to combine existing elements to create new sources of value. It is obvious that the CEO has a very big responsibility. In summary, the article speaks about the new logic of growth today, being a capabilities predator, a company focusing and investing more on its capabilities to satisfy the customer. But a question comes to mind after reading this article, what is the future of capabilities-based competition? If some time ago, the traditional companies were successful and were replaced by the growth of capabilities-based companies, what will happen if most of the companies will become more capabilities-based? Will the growth of these companies be consistent? Or will there be a new kind of competitor that dominates the market in the future? One thing is for sure though, organizations are going to have to be very dynamic and adapt to the ever changing needs of the customers. This is related to business policy and strategy because to be an effective capabilities-based competitor, the company must start on its core processes and making an efficient business policy can help this process. The company’s strategy will also determine the direction of the company whether it wants to focus on its capabilities or its products. This article can be related to accounting because a good accounting system can be a part of an organizations’ relevant business process, they can focus on investing and improving their accounting system to better satisfy their customer. Lastly, as a future professional, this has kind of updated my point of view on what to focus on, because until I read this article, I always thought that a good product is enough for you to be successful but in fact, one should focus more nowadays to the business processes and compete on capabities.

John Locke: Property Rights Essay

Perhaps one of, if not the, most historically influential political thinkers of the western world was John Locke. John Locke, the man who initiated what is now known as British Empiricism, is also considered highly influential in establishing grounds, theoretically at least, for the constitution of the United States of America. The basis for understanding Locke is that he sees all people as having natural God given rights. As God’s creations, this denotes a certain equality, at least in an abstract sense. This religious back drop acts as a the foundation for all of Locke’s theories, including his theories of individuality, private property, and the state. The reader will be shown how and why people have a natural right to property and the impact this has on the sovereign, as well as the extent of this impact. Locke was a micro based ideologist. He believed that humans were autonomous individuals who, although lived in a social setting, could not be articulated as a herd or social animal. Locke believed person to stand for, â€Å"†¦a thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and reflection, and can consider itself as itself, the same thinking thing in different times and places, which it only does by that consciousness which is inseparable from thinking. † This ability to reflect, think, and reason intelligibly is one of the many gifts from God and is that gift which separates us from the realm of the beast. The ability to reason and reflect, although universal, acts as an explanation for individuality. All reason and reflection is based on personal experience and reference. Personal experience must be completely individual as no one can experience anything quite the same as another. This leads to determining why Locke theorized that all humans, speaking patriarchially with respect to the time â€Å"why all men,† have a natural right to property. Every man is a creation of God’s, and as such is endowed with certain individual abilities and characteristics as gifts from God. Not being able to know God’s exact wishes for man, Locke believed that all men have an obligation to develop and caress these gifts. In essence, each man was in charge of his own body and what was done with his body. Of course, for Locke, each man would do the reasonable thing and develop his natural skills and potentials to the best of his abilities, in the service of God. The belief in God given abilities and the obligations that follow are not totally deterministic. Man, endowed with reason, could choose not to develop these abilities. Having the ability to choose the development of his potential, each man is responsible for that potential and consequently is responsible for his own body. The development, or lack therein, is a consequence of individual motivation and is manifested through labor. In keeping with the theory of one’s body is one’s own, a man’s property can be explained in terms of the quantifying forces of his labors. Physical labor or exercisation of his mind, to produce fruits for this person’s labor, is then his own property. Locke believed that one did not need the consent of a sovereign, as far as property was concerned, because it is the melding of labor and nature that makes anything owned. Yolton articulates this when he states, â€Å"(b)y mixing my work, my energy with some object, (nature), I particulise that object, it’s commonness becomes particular† Locke believed that as long as there was plenty for others, consent was pointless, irrelevant and would merely be an overzealous exercision of power. Pointless because as long as there was more for others in the common store, one was not infringing on another’s natural rights. Irrelevant because property production or the use of labor was completely individualistic and one should not be able to control another’s labor as it is an infringement on their natural rights. There are however limits, as far as property and labor are concerned. One limit is that of non destruction. God did not create anything for man to destroy. The amount produced by any man should be kept in check by his level of destruction. For example, there is a big difference between the cutting of one or a few trees and the harvesting of an entire forest. Yolton explicates this by stating that, â€Å"†¦ specific rights comes in conjunction with this restriction. Since ? Nothing was made by God for Man to spoil or destroy,’ the property making function of man’s activities ought to be curbed at the point of spoilage. If my acquisition spoils, I offend against the law of nature, since I have, in the beginning, ? no Right, further than’ my use. What is useful and is used has value and the person who uses them a right to them. The same rules are cited for land as for the produce of land. † The making of currency as an unspoilable property and medium for exchange seems to have by-passed this limit all together. Inequality becomes rampant and as such an authority is needed to protect a man’s property and the social peace. With the advent of money as unspoilable property, certain inequalities amongst men would develop. Those with less start to feel cheated and used. This is very dangerous for those with more, because with these inequalities, comes the danger of theft, or injury to property or body. It is for this reason that people enter into a social contract and appoint a soveriegn. The sovereign has the ability to protect those whose property is in danger, and will do so through the passing and enforcing of laws. In this way not only is a man’s property protected, but a state of peace is maintained as well. Locke not only believed in one individual’s right to property, but every individual’s right to property. Since every person is a creation of God’s, and it must be God’s wish that we serve him through the abilities that he’s given us, to interfere with a man and his labor, or the consequence of his labor, that is, his property, would be to interfere with God’s wishes. It is here that we begin to see the limits of men as well as the limits of the soveriegn. After all, how anyone interfere with the wishes of God? Locke believed that the power for social control must come from the sovereign. This sovereign is responsible to the will of the people, but has a protective authority, governing both over land and people. Locke believed that if a body of people, that is a community of people, chose to live and interrelate amongst each other, they must choose to live by a greater force, that is they must enter into a social contract. This force was the power of the majority manifested through the creation of a sovereign. Problems can arise, when individuals cannot agree. For this reason there must be a ruler and government to decide disagreements, make and enforce laws, and govern man. The enforcement of rules is not as absolute as it may sound. Even with the existence of a limited monarchy, man retains his individual and God given rights. As such, the sovereign, had no right to acquire or take away the property of another. If he did so he would be going against, God, the people, and all that is natural. The extent of the services of the existing sovereign is to govern over, protect, and enforce the laws of the people. Locke believed that the role of the sovereign and his authority is in serving the people and that there must not be parental, that is absolute authority. Yolton explains this like so, â€Å"If royal authority is derived from parental authority †¦ there would be as many kings as fathers†¦ from parental power it necessarily follows either that that all fathers have royal authority – in which case a contradiction arises – no one has royal authority. † In this way Locke is seen as a man who wants to limit the power of the sovereign over the individual. Locke believed that the sovereign, created out of the need for the protection of individual rights, that is, out of the need for protection of the privacy of property, could not manifest itself publicly through excessive social control. Perhaps Locke’s idea is better explained this way. â€Å"From privacy of possession, publicity of sovereignty does not follow†¦ `no Man could ever have a just Power over the life of another, by Right of property in Land or possessions'† This, of course, would include the man of sovereignty and the men of government. Property sets the limit of sovereignty, in that no man has just power over another or another’s property. This right comes directly from God, because it is a God given right that a man should gain property through labor. This also sets the tone of the role of government, that of servitude instead of command. Locke believed that civil society existed to free individuals from the insecurity of the state of nature. He thought that men united voluntarily in a concerted effort of preserving and protecting life, liberty, and estate. Here again we see the importance of property. Government within limits can work beneficially for all of man kind. This means that a sovereign would be necessary for the preservation of lives, the promotion of freedom, and the protection of estate. Locke is quite adamant about the preservation of individual freedom which Aaron describes as â€Å"need(ing) to be jealously preserved. † This right to the property produced through labor is an inalienable right that each and every individual has. Even the soveriegn has no right to interfere with or take away a man’s property. This is the true limit of any man or governing body. Locke favored a limited monarchy. This is an elected legislative assembly and a monarch that have the power to direct the commonwealth to preserve the community and it’s members and their rights. Locke believed that people were the absolute sovereign, and that if the appointed sovereign abused his authority the people would have the right to dissolve the government. This right of the people reinforces the limitations of the sovereign, while enforcing the accountability of the sovereign. It is in this sense that the community or the aggregation of individuality, retains power over the sovereign and in essence limits it’s power. This is the extent of the limitation of authority of the sovereign. The sovereign is a servant of the people, that has limited power only as long as the majority allows it to have power. It was Locke’s intent that the state was made for the individual and that the sovereign be used as a protective instrument for the good of the individual. Locke’s ideas of property are based on God given rights. Each person has been given a body, with certain abilities and potentials, to use by God. The use of this body is called labor and its product is called property. Since everyone has a body and a level of potential everyone is capable of producing property. The purpose of the sovereign is to protect the individuals right to property and their property. The sovereign is limited in it’s power and authority and does not have the right to take or interfere with any man’s property, since to do so would be an interference with the right’s of man as given by God. It was Locke’s hope that with such an ideology behind a people and their government that they might attain and retain Locke’s version of the good life, that is life, liberty, and most importantly estate. Bibliography: Aaron, Richard, John Locke, Oxford University Press, Toronto, 1963. Bowie, James, Twenty Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy, MacMillan Publishing, New York, 1964. Locke, John, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Oxford University Press, London, 1975. Magill, Frank, Masterpieces of World Philosophy, Harper and Row, New York, 1961. O’Connor, D. J. , John Locke, Pelican Books, London, 1952. Squadrito, Kathleen, Locke’s Theory of Sensitive Knowledge, University Press of America, Washington, 1978. Yolton, J. W. , Locke and the Compass of Human Understanding, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1970.

How To Lose Weight

At its most basic, losing weight is about burning more calories than what you eat. That seems simple enough, but if it were really that simple, none of us would have a weight problem. Too often we take drastic measures to see results, such as diets, pills or those weird fitness gadgets on infomercials that promise us instant success. Maybe you lose weight but what happens when you go off that diet or stop that crazy workout program? You gain it all back and more. The real secret to weight loss is to make small, lasting changes. The key is to forget about instant results and settle in for the long run.According to studies, to lose one pound of fat, you must burn approximately 3500 calories over and above what you already burn doing daily activities. That sounds like a lot of calories and you certainly wouldn't want to try to burn 3500 calories in one day. However, by taking it step-by-step, you can determine just what you need to do each day to burn or cut out those extra calories. By calculating your basal metabolic rate, you are able to calculate the amount of calories your body needs to maintain basic bodily functions like breathing and digestion. This is the minimum number of calories you need to eat each day.Also, calculate your activity level. For a week or so, keep an activity journal and use a calorie calculator to figure out how many calories you burn while sitting, standing, exercising, lifting weights, and the like throughout the day. Another, easier option is to wear a heart rate monitor that calculates calories burned. After a week, add your totals for each day and average them out to get a general idea of how many calories you burn each day. Then, keep track of how many calories you eat. For at least a week, enter and track your calories to write down what you eat and drink each day.Be as accurate as possible, measuring when you need to or looking up nutritional information for restaurants, if you eat out. After a week, add your totals for each day and average them out to get a general idea of how many calories you eat each day. Lastly, add it up. Take your basal metabolic rate number and add your activity calories. Then subtract your food calories from that total. If you're eating more than your basal metabolic rate plus your activity calories, you're at risk for gaining weight. When you want to know how to lose weight it comes down to planning.Plan to drink a lot more water, it will make you pee more often but will also clean you out and give you move energy. You also have to get more exercise and by exercise I mean try to get one hour of exercise of any kind in a day. This needs to be exercise that you like and not exercise that just feels like work as that will not be sustainable. As far as eating goes you will need to get back to those core eating habits of eating fruit and vegetables and reducing the amount of heavy carbs like rice and potatoes and make sure to eat often. Eating smaller meals more often will keep that m etabolism up for you.Finally if you want to know the real secret of how to lose pounds you need to worry about why you are trying to lose weight. On those days where it is really tough to diet or exercise or make good decisions then you need to be very clear what the heck this weight loss sacrifice is for. Is it going to make you healthier? Or do you want to fit into smaller clothes? Or is it a goal to prove that you are in control of yourself? All of these reasons and more are important. Write your reasons down and post them up everywhere. Make sure that you never forget the why of how to lose pounds.

Marketing Management 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing Management 4 - Essay Example Such a broad scope of functions and activities would be unfamiliar to people who handled the marketing side of companies in the past when nothing was expected of the marketing department other than producing sales brochures and executing advertising or promotional campaigns. The reason for this is the heightened level of complexity and competition in the business environment, with too many companies, too many products and too much marketing noise vying for customers’ attention. Thus, the product-driven marketing approach of old that generates a single sales transaction became impractical and was replaced by the customer-oriented approach, which strives to establish a long-term relationship with customers for repeated and continuing patronage (Kotler & Keller, 2006). A customer-focused marketing approach requires a range of activities that consists not only of market research and analysis, marketing strategy and implementation planning but also of organizational management and leadership and the setting up of efficient reporting, measurement, feedback and control systems (McKenna, 1991). The need for organizational management and leadership and for feedback-measurement-control systems is relevant to me, especially in my career plan to go into human resource management, since these particular marketing activities invariably call for proper handling of people. According to the literature, such organizational management and leadership require extensive interaction with the HR department on such issues as recruiting, training, leadership development, performance appraisals and compensation. Logically, the success of any marketing strategy depends on how well motivated and responsive are the people implementing it down the line. The same employee att itudes and dedication are important for the effectiveness of the monitoring system on the progress of the marketing program. There is an HR management tenet that says happy and contented

Philosophical Reflections Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Philosophical Reflections - Assignment Example My moral beliefs trace back to what my parents taught me when I was a child, hence the principle that I try to apply towards other people is to do as I would be done by; however, I have to admit that I often forget about this golden rule of ethics and act the way it is convenient for me, which later makes me ashamed of my actions. The golden rule is the core of my religious ethics, as religion plays significant role in my life and I know that it is religion that have taught me to think of other people before doing something. I believe in God, because He leads me throughout my entire life and maybe sometimes I don’t realize it, at the end of the day I understand that there is some divine force that carries me to where I am and defends me in the face of this often cruel world. As for the life after death matter, I honestly can’t comment on this topic, as my religion says that indeed it exists; though I don’t rely on it and don’t expect it to come, because I try to live where I am now. In fact living now is what makes me feel that my life has a meaning and it is living itself. I enjoy every second of my life and this is the main point. However, I still have long-running plans, for instance, I want to make my family happy and establish prosperity in my life. Concerning truth, I think it is relative and each and every human being understands it differently. Though I believe that I think - therefore I exist and this is the doubtless thing I truly believe in and pretty sure it is the truth. I am a free personality within the scopes of the freedom I need; I don’t need arbitrariness in my life to feel that I’m free to do anything; apart from this, in general I can make my personal choices therefore I’m free. Hence, one more thing that makes me free is my willingness to take responsibility for my decisions, as if I didn’t take it, this would mean that somebody else took it for me, and that

Networking Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Networking Management - Essay Example Typically network management software is based on a particular network management protocol. The capabilities provided with the software are basically based on the functionality support by the network management protocol. Most systems are not only using open protocols, but also vendor specific proprietary protocols. When selecting management software, the decision is driven by present status alerts and information to the operator, managed devices and network environment (Schwalbe 2005). IT Lab plans has plans to radically expand and upgrade its existing network infrastructure by opening new branches. This brings out more requirements and tasks for the administrator in terms of; management, monitoring and configuration. Expansion to remote branches requires remote configuration, proactive management with backbone links to all remote sites. IT support is critical and availability of the network will be a factor for support to consider. The fact that there is existing infrastructure will affect the compatibility and setup configuration of the additional devices. For this reason IT lab needs a solution to cut across the typical installed operational platform. It has built up a system that is not integrated and the consideration that integration costs more time and resources than available is crucial. The first option that IT lab has is using Sieomons NMS to manage their network. Evaluating the solution against their needs is the first task at hand. In comparison, Siemon is built for large networks with functionality to automate the critical and most important tasks of network management. Offering the unparalled ability to manage complex networks, Siemon’s solution fits many network administrators tasks as a general solution. Siemon provides a next generation intelligent infrastructure management solution. They have made an improvement on one of their

Manager in a News Paper Office Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Manager in a News Paper Office - Essay Example The inputs from different parts of the country may be from network of the company and the inputs regarding news all over the world can come through internet. Extracting news or inputs from network of the company involves managers who work under him and are responsible for collecting the inputs. The next part involves the middle management that exists between the person we discuss and the managers mentioned just above. The middle management compile the data according to the instructions and then pass on to the immediate subordinates of the person, whom we are about to discuss in this paper. The managerial role of Editor involves interpersonal, informational and discretional management. The interpersonal management deals with coordination of field staff and desk staff. The informational role plays a major role in being connected as presentation and organizing the news is the production activity in a news paper. The discretional management lies in deciding the presentation of news and a rticles according to contemporary needs of the society and subscribers. The real responsibility of the Manager (Editor) lies here as he has to go through the compiled or short listed inputs and then has to decide the placement of the news in different pages of the News Paper. ... In addition to the innovational presentation of the news in the News Paper and the official Website of the Paper, the Editor has to deal with two types of environment internally. The first one is the environment regarding reporters and contributors, who furnish inputs to the Newspaper. The second environment is comprised of the Sub Editors, News Editors who analyze and organize the news in print and electronic edition of the News Paper. Monitoring of economic, sociological and political trends is a responsibility as Editor has to follow the above trends in organizing the information. The first environment provides inputs and they deal with number of practical consequences. The editor has to make sure that the inputs are coming in properly by contacting the local bureau chiefs who supervise the inputs coming in. As coverage of the latest news in time is important, the Editor has to make sure that a reporter is present in night duty in each bureau to monitor the latest happenings in his area. While coming to the internal environment, it comprises of sub editors, Senior Sub Editors, Senior Sub Editors, Chief Sub Editors and News Editors. The Sub Editors and Senior Sub Editors are responsible for editing and re writing the news articles and chief subeditors monitor the production work. The Chief Sub Editors report to News Editors and Assistant Editors and they decide about the organizing the data. The Editor has to coordinate with News Editors and Assistant Editors and Associate Editors regarding the organization of data and in case of any doubts can contact Chief Sub Editors to know about the ground realities. After this initial exercise the News Editors and Assistant Editors organize the data in different pages of print and electronic editions.

SOCIAL SCIENCE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

SOCIAL SCIENCE - Essay Example Traditionally, there were models like biomedical model, which did not consider the human side of a patient. Jewson (1976, p. 235) analysis that in the biomedical model the â€Å"patient† was â€Å"designated a passive and uncritical role in the consultative relationship and his main function† was to â€Å"endure and wait.† According to Doyal (1983, p.31) in the traditional models â€Å"the disease had become more important than the person who harboured it.† However, there has been a shift to models that consider other factors such as social, psychological and environmental in shaping the context of a disease and illness. An example is the bio-psychosocial which has sought to understand medical conditions through the analysis of a variety of factors. The model acknowledges that in a disease context, there are many factors such as behavior and attitude towards the illness, social as well as psychological factors (Engel, 2012). The narratives from the patient s are today extensively applied to explore the patient experiences with illness (Charon 2001; Kleinman 1988). In this case, the awareness of the binary relationship between disease and illness has revolutionarised the medical practice. This is the difference between the biomedical constructs of the pathophysiological processes and individual’s subjective experience of the patient explored in other models that consider disease as a result of myriad factors (Kleinman 1988). The exploration of patient narrative is relevant in the case of diabetes because patients and physicians have different perceptions, concerns and goals (Anderson 1986; Freeman & Loewe 2000). In this assignment, a patient’s story on her experience with diabetes will be explored with an aim to construct the cultural, social and psychological meaning and locate the facts in contemporary theoretical perspectives. The real names

Internal and External Analysis for New Balance Athletic Shoes Inc Essay

Internal and External Analysis for New Balance Athletic Shoes Inc - Essay Example Finally, the company lacks the emphasis required on design in order to achieve broader sales volumes. The information uncovered for this report will be discussed in relative detail in this report. New Balance currently maintains a somewhat conservative mentality when it comes to trying to reach potential customers. This is an attitude within the company that needs to change and should represent flexibility in thinking toward a change in the brand. Such changes would require small internal adjustments in promotion (and the overall sales budget) to make the product stand out in the minds’ of consumers. Currently, the company only maintains 58 percent brand recognition (Bowen, Huckman & Knoop, 2008), considerably lower than that of their rival competition, Nike and Reebok. However, dollar for dollar, the company’s advertising expenditures are nearly equal with Reebok but the return on this investment is significantly higher for Reebok. The more mature-minded consumer may not be the ideal candidate for the modern New Balance company when it comes to increasing sales volumes, the key to moving forward may lay in reaching a much broader and younger, progressive consum er audience. The company is currently working with a wide variety of different styles for production which should be an integral part of the company’s operations: A well-developed research and development team combined with marketing excellence that can reposition the product (based on budget restrictions) as a more progressive shoe company. It is suggested that marketing strategies should include focusing on this element of good business, illustrating to prospective customers that the company intends to stay around and means business. Such marketing changes, developed through an appropriate project management team, could unleash a brand new image for New Balance, suggesting that it, too, can weigh quality with

The Person I Admire Essay Example for Free

The Person I Admire Essay A teacher is the one who is known as the base of our future or we can say teacher is the one who shows or teaches us the path of life. Mr. Lai is my favourite teacher. He is a brilliant tutor. He has the wonderful ability of being able to motivate students in a down-to-earth way. He is a very understanding teacher. He treats students like friends, understands them and solves their problems in the best possible and easiest way. He never shouts. He always remains calm. He is very helpful. A student can ask any question any time. Queries never irritate him, and he answers them very politely. I owe him lot of gratitude for finding my writing and grammar skills, of which I always felt I never had the ability to do, and improve my communication skills. Read more: Essays describing a person When I was in class tenth, I was very weak in English. After giving my exams, I decided to improve my English. I met Mr. Lai. I was very nervous. He gave me the confidence to realize that I could make something out of myself. He detected my strengths and weaknesses and suggested me ways to improve and work further on my writing, grammar and communication skill. The greatest thing I learned from him is that I could do it; a voice to believe in myself. He has no greed. He always gives his full time to the students. When I first arrived to commence on course, I was too young and lacked confidence and motivation. Fortunately, Mr. Lai was there and he did a wonderful job: he is intelligent, respectful, honest and very friendly indeed.

Observation of a Child | Methods and Findings

Observation of a Child | Methods and Findings Introduction This assignment has given me the opportunity to facilitate the development of my research skills using observation techniques on a focus child, and gathered inclusive resources to design and implement appropriate educational program to assist and meet the development and learning needs of the child. The real identity of the child will not be mentioned and the any information that will be collected in this assignment will be kept confidential. Case Study Background Information Ben is 4 years old. He has been with the school since he was three. Ben is the youngest child in the family. He stays with his parents, an older brother and a helper. His brother is two years elder than him and both of them attends the same school. Ben attends the full day program in school. Ben seldom engages in social interaction with his friends. He does not initiate or joins in for play. The teachers in his class attempt to encourage through verbal communication but he does not seem to show interest. His parents are aware of Ben’s development in school and they are concern about his social skills. His mother have shared previously that Ben displays sign of Autism but she felt that it was too early to bring him for assessment. Currently, Ben attends speech therapy session, thrice a week which he started earlier this year. Ben enjoys playing with animals and outdoor play. There are twenty five children in Ben’s class, together with the Curriculum Specialist, an Englis h Teacher and a Chinese Teacher. Literature Review Social development depends on individual’s acquisition of the many behaviors that helped one to be able to live in the society with their family and friends (Allen Cowdery, 2012). Planning for effective actions for improving early social behaviour in autism has been identified as a critical need for research due to the early signs of the symptoms and their conjectured role in their development (Cunningham, 2012). This does not only apply to this learning need, nevertheless, it applies to anyone who needs to receive additional support in social behaviour skill. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) faced challenges with social – communication and play skills and these are the core features of the disorder (Dykstra, Boyd, Watson, Crais, Baranek, 2012). According to Bruner, early social-communication can be theorized into three related communicative functions: social interaction, behaviour regulation and joint attention (Dykstra et al., 2012). Children with ASD will display deficiencies in these areas compared to typically developing children (Dykstra et al., 2012). Similarly, children with ASD show differences in quality and quantity of play when compared to typically developing children (Dykstra et al., 2012). In addition, research has proven that both social-communication and play skills plays an important role in developing language and social interaction skills (Dykstra et al., 2012). Evidence advises that social, emotional and behaviour problems will rise if the children did not receive any early intervention (Webster-Stratton, Reid, 2004). Guiding social and emotional skills to children who are at risk can lead to better behaviour in the child, inclusion with prosocial peer groups and achievement in academic (Webster-Stratton, Reid, 2004). To achieve these outcomes, the preschool age would be an appropriate time for the children to receive early intervention to facilitate social competence and reduce any inappropriate behaviour before it becomes a permanent patter (Webster-Stratton, Reid, 2004). Parents’ involvement in their child’s education affects their social competence. Children are likely able to handle their self-regulation and respond appropriately when their parents are emotionally positive and attend to prosocial behaviours (Webster-Stratton, Reid, 2004). Approaches to Observation Before I commence on my observations, I went around asking the teachers in school about Ben. I remained unbiased towards any opinions about him during my enquiring. I also look through his previous year’s portfolio to find out his abilities in physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains. With the raw data which I have collected, I decided to observe Ben’s self-help skills and his social skills. In all, I conducted four observations. I was a non-participant in observation A and B, whilst for observations C and D; I was a participant in observations. Whether I am a non-participant or a participant in my observations, the amount of involvement will vary substantial (Sociology Guide, 2014). Thus, I tried to balance my observations as a participant and non-participant to ensure that the data collected is true. The observation records are as follows: 28 February 2014 Observation A was made in the morning during Circle Time in the classroom. Their teacher was reading a story to the class, followed by a phonics activity. The duration of the observations was forty-five minutes. Anecdotal record was used. 6 March 2014 Observation B was made during their creative play and it lasted for thirty five minutes. In this observation, I used running record to observe Ben. On the same day, his shower routine is being observed for thirty minutes. 7 March 2014 Observation C was done during arrival and Piazza time where children gathered in the piazza to engage play with other children from all levels. It lasted for thirty minutes. Anecdotal record was used. 12 March 2014 Observation D was conducted during shower time in the toilet for near thirty minutes. I was participated during the routine and anecdotal record was used. Ethical Procedures Followed Firstly, I seek approval from my Centre Director to allow me to conduct my research in Ben’s class. I shared briefly explained to her the purpose of this research. She confirmed the approval by acknowledging the application form. As Ben is not from my class, I need to seek consent from his class teacher through my Centre Director. After confirmation, she arranges a meet up with the Curriculum Specialist in the class and I furthered shared with them on how I am going to use and conduct my observations. To avoid any disruptions in their class activities, I informed them the dates and the activities that I will be coming in to observe Ben. Through this meet up, we promote a climate of openness and transparency, support and co-operate in the provision and best interest of all participants (Association for Early Childhood Educators Singapore, n.d.). During the process of consulting the parents for consensus, the class teachers advise me that she will speak to the parent on my behalf first. This is because they have built up relationships and I may not be familiar with the parents. When Ben’s parents have agreed to participate in this research, I furthered explained to them the procedures that I will be taking and at any point of time, they can choose not to allow Ben to participate and they can withdraw the research at any point of time. Both teachers and parents have also been notified that the confidentiality of information will be kept disclosed. Due to shortage of manpower, I have been helping Ben’s class for a few weeks prior to this research task. This has facilitated me to be more familiar with the children. As a professional educator, I respect children’s rights. Smith (2007) suggested that â€Å"rights†¦ are acknowledged as cultural constructions about the essential entitlements for children† (p.3). Early childhood researchers in the world are very supportive of respecting children’s voices and opinions to be heard (Conroy Harcourt, 2009). In Association for Early Childhood Educators Singapore (AECES), it is mentioned educators should recognize the individuality of every child and having their rights to express their thoughts is vital (AECES, n.d.). Thus, I will inform the children the research that I will be conducting and seek informed assent from the children. Every response from them will be valued in my study. How Data were Analysed The observations were analyzed based on thematic analysis. Thematic analysis emphasizes on patterns of behaviour or classifiable themes (Aronson, 1994). Thematic analysis provides core skills that will be an advantage for conducting qualitative analysis (Braun Clarke, 2006). To be able to identify the themes, I looked through the data and grouped the recurring patterns together. First of all, I gathered all data and identify all relevant information and relate to the repeated pattern. For an example, I make a list of actions or words which Ben has exhibited such as â€Å"plays alone†, â€Å"walks away from friends† or â€Å"does not engage in play with friends†. Then I began to combine and list the related patterns into themes. These themes will be supported by related literature to construct a valid argument (Aronson, 1994). In addition, I also looked at the learning goals in the Kindergarten Curriculum Framework produced by Ministry of Education in Singapore to see if Ben is able to achieve the learning goals. This curriculum framework provides me a guide on milestones based on the age ranging from four years old to six years old. Findings Showing Areas of Additional Education and Developmental Needs Based on the observation data gathered, Ben has shown developmental needs in these two themes: Self-help Skills – Dressing Up and Lack of Social Interaction in Play. Self-help Skills – Dressing Up From my observations B and D, Ben seems to have difficulty in putting on his t-shirt and shorts after shower. His teacher will put on his diaper for him and thereafter his teacher will ask him to put on his pants. On the two occasions, Ben’s both legs were stuck on one side of the pants. He displays frustration when he could not achieve the task. When he faces desperation, he shouted, â€Å"help!† When putting on his t-shirt, he will bring the t-shirt to his teacher and said, â€Å"Please?† Before shower, Ben needs help to undress his uniform with assistance and minimal assistance is needed when he removes his pants. Establishing self-help skills such as dressing, feeding or personal hygiene leads to greater independence. This is a goal which all children, especially for children with disability who need to learn to live independently (Allen Cowdery, 2012). Self-helps skills can also intersect with the learning areas such as social skills and cognitive skills (Technical Assistance and Training System, 2010). Based on guidelines given by Cook, Klein Tessier (2008) children are able to undress without help at two to three years old. Even though we do refer age appropriateness in children’s development, we similarly have to look at individual appropriateness of the child. Individual appropriateness discusses how the each child’s develop based on their ways of learning, personality, physical growth, family background and culture ((Technical Assistance and Training System, 2010). With Ben’s ongoing speech therapy sessions, he certainly has shown improvement on his communication, based on the data I gathered from my observations on Ben and my conversations with the teachers I have queried. To assist Ben with his dressing up skills, I will implement forward chaining technique to help Ben in his dressing up skills. The dressing up task will be broken down into simple manageable steps. Ben will only move on to the second step only if he has accomplished the first step of putting on pants. Lack of Social Interaction in Play From Observation C, Ben was observed to be engaged in solitary play. When he arrived, he dropped his bag at the entrance of the door and walked straight to the shelf where animals’ figurines were placed. He took two tiger figurines and began to play. I walked over and asked him what the tigers are doing. He replied, â€Å"Walking.† and he continued to walk around the piazza and attempted to imitate the movement of a tiger. In Observation B, the children in Ben’s were engaged in creative play where they were free to choose a corner to play. Ben picked the blocks corner and sat down to play. He was also observed in playing by himself, even though his friends are near him. He displays little social interaction with his friends during playtime. According to Jerome Bruner, he emphasized the social environment as nature of learning in which adults should help a child to develop skills through the process of scaffolding (McLeod, 2012). Likewise in Vygotsky’s theory, the growth of a child derives from the interactions between children and their social environment (Tools of the Mind, 2013). Thus, it is critical for Ben to be engaged in social interaction with his peers to scaffolding his learning in other areas. Social skills influence other learning areas of development and vice versa (Allen Cowdery, 2012). Thus, it is critical for Ben to acquire social skills. This is a skill which cannot be forced as it is an on-going learning journey throughout a lifespan. To foster social interactions for Ben, some strategies can be plan and implemented for Ben in an inclusive education environment. This will be discussed further in the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Individual Education Plan Child Name Ben Childcare/Kindergarten The Global Preschool Date of birth 3 March 2010 Year Level 4 Date of Plan 17 March 2014 Any services currently working with the child eg Physiotherapist Ben is currently working with a speech therapist. He attends the session three times a week. Recourses/Program No program at the moment Purpose Funding source No Funding Contact Person Phone Number Length of Availability Understanding the child Child’s skills, strengths, preferences, abilities and motivations Ben likes to go for outdoor play. He likes to go to the playground and play tricycle. He likes to play with animal figurines and he is able to name the animals. Academic progress of the child Ben is able to identify the letters of the alphabet and able to identify words associated with the letter. He is able to count from 1 – 20. Social skills and relationships of the child He also displays minimal social interaction with peers. However, Ben enjoys receiving hugs from his teachers. Nature of attendance and engagement Ben’s attendance is regular and he seldom missed the lessons unless he goes for his speech therapy. Ben displays difficulty in engaging play with his friends. Education Plan Goals Barriers to achieving Goal Strengths related to Goal Strategies to achieve Goal Actions and Time-line To be able to dress himself mainly shorts and t-shirt with minimal assistance Ben may display frustrations or tantrums and might be distracted from the environment Ben likes to observe what his peers are doing and this may help him to achieve the goal. Breaking the stages into smaller and attainable steps for Ben through verbal communication. The teachers have been communicated on the steps for Ben to achieve. This will be consistent so in order Ben to receive the same information even if a different teacher helps with the routine. Time line: Three months To be engage in play with his friend. Ben prefers to play alone. He usually walks away from his friends. Ben will engage in play with his friends when they are playing animals. Engage a buddy for Ben. Ben will be with his buddy during play time. Teachers have to keep on encouraging and inviting Ben to play with his friends. Time line: Four months Review date†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦August 2014†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Reference List Allen, K. E., Cowdery, G. E. (2012). The exceptional child: Inclusion in early childhood education. (7 ed.). Singapore: Cengage Learning. Aronson, J. (1994). A pragmatic view of thematic analysis. The qualitative report, 2(1), 1-3. Association for Early Childhood Educators (Singapore. (n.d.). Guidelines for professional responsibilities in early childhood education. Retrieved from http://www.aeces.org/files/pdf/coe.pdf Braun, V., Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. Cook, R.E., Klein, M.D., Tessier, A. (2008). Adapting early childhood curricula for children with special needs (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall Conroy, H. Harcourt, D. (2009). Informed agreement to participate: beginning the partnership with children in research. Early Child Development and Care,179(2), 157-165. Cunningham, A. B. (2012). Measuring change in social interaction skills of young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(4), 593-605. Dykstra, J. R., Boyd, B. A., Watson, L. R., Crais, E. R., Baranek, G. T. (2012). The impact of the Advancing Social-communication And Play (ASAP) intervention on preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 16(1), 27-44. McLeod, S. (2012). Bruner. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/bruner.html Smith, A. (2007).Children’s rights and early childhood education: Links to theory and advocacy. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 32(3), 1-7. Sociology Guide. (2014). Observation: Participant and non-participant. Retrieved from http://www.sociologyguide.com/research-methodsstatistics/observation.php Technical Assistance and Training System. (2010). Developmentally appropriate practice – adaptive/self-help skills. Retrieved from http://www.tats.ucf.edu/docs/eUpdates/Curriculum-14.pdf Tools of the Mind. (2013). Vygotskian approach. Retrieved from http://www.toolsofthemind.org/philosophy/vygotskian-approach/ Webster-Stratton, C., Reid, M. J. (2004). Strengthening social and emotional competence in young children-The foundation for early school readiness and success: Incredible Years classroom social skills and problem-solving curriculum. Infants Young Children, 17(2), 96-113. Appendices Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Name: Loo Si Hui Student ID: 25687514 Page 1

Culture and Gender Differences in Communication

Culture and Gender Differences in Communication CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION While studying culture and communication, it is found that gender is an important factor that makes a difference in communication. Using evidences and examples from local and international, highlight and explain those differences. In a wider context, the use of signs and symbols has different meaning in verbal and non-verbal communication. Using examples explain and illustrate the most popular signs and symbols used in communication worldwide and discuss the key differences in their meaning. ‘For men and women, communication can be a very long drive, using different roads most probably to get to the same place.’ Having said that, it would be appropriate to first give a definition of the word communication followed by what gender is all about. Therefore, communication is known as a two-way process involving individuals trying to seek mutual understanding. Initially, it does not involve only the process of exchanging informations, ideas and feelings but also helps to develop and share meaning. It generally connects people or places in society. Communication is an essential key function for the management of individual, be it in the society, in an organisation or at home. Intriguingly, nothing can operate effectively if communication does not prevail as it should. As planned, we have to give a definition of the word gender which is an important factor that creates a gap between males and females. Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings and behaviour that a giv en culture associates with one’s biological sex. We also find it important to delineate culture which is the behaviour and belief of people depending on their particular social, ethnic or age group. Men and women are somehow being introduced to their particular gender roles at a very tender age. For example: â€Å"Little girls talk more indirectly; little boys talk directly. Little girls talk more with words; little boys use more actions.† Also, the differences can clearly be seen among teenagers in college and further at the workplace whereby women have the tendency to ask loads of questions before even starting the work as compared to men who are more prone to simply roll up their sleeves and get on with the work and assume that ladies are somehow worthless. As a matter of fact, these differences reflect in the: Style Content Structure Unique combination of influences on cognitive behavior According to researches, it can be said that men and women communicate differently by adopting distinct speech skills in regards to the situation they are facing, the purposes and the roles they play in society or at work. All these are consequently derived from gender differences emerged from both social and professional settings. Furthermore, gender can also be redefined as a paramount factor affecting communication within an organisation. In point of fact, gender differences are in one way or the other revealed during conflict or even serve as a cataclysm for conflicts while communicating. Generally speaking, women are famous to ‘read between the lines’ while men communicate to build up status. It is unfortunate that most of the times, girls use words to express their feelings, associate themselves emotionally or build rapport whereas men often contribute facts and figures as in a report. In regards to contents, men are more interested in talking about sports, money a nd business while ladies are always busy debating about feelings, relationships and people. Structure-wise, men are precise by directly coming to the point. Unlike women who are more detailed, regretful and animated, men are mostly not descriptive. Surprisingly, gender differences being a threat to the society and installing misunderstanding at work can however be beneficial in a certain way to both environments. The importance of communication maybe noticed in everyday life, for instance, a little connection can have a large impact and influence in one’s life. We all share the same ideas that males grow up learning some essential elements considered as being the center of masculinity such as being successful, aggressive, sexual and self-reliant. Certainly most men individually see life as a competition, therefore it can be put forward that the way they communicate becomes more of a brawl where they have to win. On the other side of the coin, females are taught that appearance is important, showing sensitivity and care is a must and they should anywise expect negative treatment from others. It is believed that ‘through communication with others, we come to understand how society defines masculinity and feminity.â⠂¬â„¢ Let us see how we can proceed accordingly. Most women are conditioned by culture to maintain harmonious relationships with others. That condition is revealed in softened demands, constrained statement and generally more tentative or lack confidence speech. Both men and women differ in the way they manage people and give orders. Many well-known studies have featured the fact that women have the tendency to soften their demands and statements, as compared to men who tend to be more direct. Women for example, use tag lines, phrases like ‘don’t you think’ preceding the presentation of an idea, ‘if you don’t mind’ following a demand or ‘this may be a crazy idea, but’ followed by a suggestion, trying to make their opinions and ideas be accepted and understood by others. As it has been mentioned above, in most cases women tend to ask more questions as compared to men. Indeed, asking, questions have different meanings when it comes to gender differences. Men ask questions for only one reason; to gather information. For women, asking questions have purposes to gather information, but as it can be noticed, women inquest when they already know the answer. The reason behind this is that they want to seek interest in what the other person has to say in order to cultivate the relationship. Moreover, be it in Mauritius or elsewhere, we normally observe that men are more likely to lean towards setting and acquiring goals contrary to women who show more passion for acceptance. Most men are known to act independently which means that they hardly seek advice or help from others while women chose to be in mutual understanding rather than showing unnecessary pride in most situations whereby they take decisions based on their colleagues. In most countries, men tend to expose their respect to their peers in the way the latter communicate opposed to women who show empathy through their actions. Also, women are well-known for their effective listening skills as compared to men. In addition to what has been said above, studies have proven that in Japan, men and women are expected to use different words to make reference to same points as compared to most other countries including Mauritius whereby both genders are supposed to use the same words to deliver a piece of information. Amazingly, it has been noticed that in the Chinese culture, the pitch and pronunciation that men and women use can differ. Men can take longer to express themselves as compared to women overall, of course depending on the topic raised. Similarly to the rest of the world, Chinese men converse more about politics and economy rather than family and education which are dedicated mainly for women. Unlike most Mauritian women, Chinese ones barely engaged themselves in conversation involving love and marriage. We also came to the conclusion that Chinese, Japanese and Indian women are not expected or rather allowed to talk about sensitive topic with strangers, contrary to Americans and Europ eans whether male or female who surely can interact with whoever they want. In Japan, men and women have different ways of communicating. Women in Japan speak more politely as compared to men. The Japanese language features elements that make women’s speech sound polite and feminine. In the meanwhile, men’s speech sound less polite and masculine. The language difference between genders reinforces Japanese social norms. Where women are the subordinates of men. In England modern society, it would therefore appear that women are equal with men. However the harsh reality tells us that women are not provided with an equal opportunity even for discussion, due to the fact that the two sexes respectively command different communication styles. In other words, the language women use is different from the one that men use. For further information, we made some researches and decided to interview a few people in the sole aim to gather unbiased data regarding the main differences that exist between the communication that flows between local men and women. Surely, we were delighted to know that most women in Mauritius are not keen to get themselves involved in conversations with strangers. Adversely, the majority of the local men will not hesitate to start conversing with someone they come across. Men hereby find it easier and comfortable to interact with others opposed to women and we strongly believe that this is due to on the way they have been brought up and develop their personality. In point of fact, this can help in building new relationships. More onwards, we also understood that Mauritian men pay more attention to football and other sport games and women mostly to fashion and make up. There is also another interesting point that we would definitely like to add is that amongst the working class people in Mauritius, women have the tendency to communicate more about the price of food and children and men are happier talking about politics or which cars are available in the market. Also, alike to most countries, women in Mauritius are always engaged in trend of GOSSIPING contradictory to men who most of the time try to escape from it. For a fact, it can be observed that while travelling, we can see many key differences in gender communication around the globe. In terms of couples, we can see that Asian people find it normal to communicate at higher pitch as compared to Americans and Europeans who usually opt to talk at a lower pitch. Typically speaking, most local people whether men or women, they both communicate at high pitch depending on the regions from which they belong and circumstances. Assuredly, gender communication difference is a worldwide issue. Communication between men and women differ in many ways, affecting their speech and outcomes. Nonetheless there are many other differences that can be highlighted in the way men and women communicate but we do believe that the above examples would help you have an idea of people interact with each other on a day to day basis. Without a doubt, gender differences help to resolve conflicts and strengthen healthy relationships. Now we shall give you an insight of the gender differences of both local and international people: GENDER DIFFERENCES MEN (LOCAL INTERNATIONAL) WOMEN (LOCAL INTERNATIONAL) Conversation Report talking (12 500 words/day) Rapport talking (25 500 words/day) Problem-Solving Are problem solvers Desire to understand problems Changing Subjects Tend to focus on the details of fact May mix personal and business talk Requests Tend to seek the respect of their peers Care for the approval of peers Equality Relate to others as rivals Relate to others as equals Managing ups downs Freely offer advice and analysis Tend to ask for help, advice and directions Body Language Desires space Desire closeness, togetherness and affinity Feedback Choose or resolve by force, persuasion or majority rule More concerned with feelings It has been discussed before that woman is more expressive than men. Research has shown that women are more focused on social-emotional interactions with others. Men and women tend to cope with stress and difficulties differently. Gray, 1992 stated that men cope with stress by drawing themselves from the conversation while women cope by reaching out and talking about the cause of the stress. Gray coined the phrase, ‘Men go to their caves and women talk.’ This is why; women in average speak about 25,500 words in a day and men in average speak about 12,500 words a day. Thusly it can be added that both gender should keenly comprehend each other in purpose to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

Huck Finn :: essays research papers

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The conflict between society and the individual is a very important theme portrayed throughout Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Many people see Huckleberry Finn as a mischievous boy who is a bad influence to others. Huck is not raised in agreement with the accepted ways of civilization. He practically raises himself, relying on instinct to guide him through life. As seen several times in the novel, Huck chooses to follow his innate sense of right, yet he does not realize that his own instincts are more right than those of society. Society refuses to accept Huck as he is and isn't going to change its opinions about him until he is reformed and civilized. The Widow Douglas and Miss Watson try to "sivilize" Huck by making him stop all of his habits, such as smoking. They try to reverse all of his teachings from the first twelve years of his life and force him to become their stereotypical good boy. However, from the very beginning of the novel, Huck clearly states that he does not want to conform to society. "The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me...I got into my old rags and my sugar hogshead again, and was free and satisfied." (page 1) Huck says this shortly after he begins living with the Widow Douglas because it is rough for him to be confined to a house and the strict rules of the Widow Douglas. Huck’s father, a dirty and dishonest drunk, was also a problem. He was so angry that his son could read, that he severely beat him and then forced him to stay in a secluded cabin. Huck then devises a plan to escape and heads down river were he teams up with Jim, a runaway slave. The theme becomes even more evident once Huck and Jim set out down the Mississippi. As they run from civilization and are on the river, they ponder the social injustices forced upon them when they are on land. The river never cares how saintly they are, how rich they are, or what society thinks of them. The river allows Huck the one thing that Huck wants to be, and that is Huck. Huck enjoys his adventures on the raft. He prefers the freedom of the wilderness to the restriction of society. Also, Huck's acceptance of Jim is a total defiance of society. Society automatically sees a black person, and even further, slaves, as inferior. They never think of slaves as human beings, only as property.

Causes Of World War One :: World War I, WWI

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many things led up to the start of World War I. There was much tension between the countries of Europe for more than fifty years. There were immediate causes, and long-term causes. Some immediate causes were the assassination of the heir of Austria-Hungry, Germany declaring war on Russia, Germany declaring war on France, and Great Britain declaring war on Germany. Some long-term causes or basic causes were imperialism, nationalism, and the arms race. The assassination of Archduke Frances Ferdinand, who was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was probably the last step on the long road to war. A Serbian patriot murdered Ferdinand in Sarajevo, on June 28 1914. The murder angered Austria-Hungary, leading them to declare war on Serbia. At the same time, Russia gets ready to attack Austria-Hungary as it mobilizes it army at the border. In Europe, there were two powers. The Allied Power were England, France, Russia, and later the U.S. The Central Power was the countries of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria. When Kaiser William II of Germany became cocky and let the treaty between Germany and Russia became invalid, and then Williams declared war unto Russia. France then gets ready to fight Germany as they declare war on them by marching through neutral Belgium. As Germany declares war unto France and Russia, Great Britain declares war on Germany as they go through Belgium. Basic causes included imperialism. Imperialism is a country wanting to take over the world and be the most powerful. The need for raw materials and new markets Europe starts to take over land in Africa, China, India, and Middle East. The fight for obtaining the most land results in European countries fighting over who gets what land. Another factor was nationalism. Nationalism is the love for ones country and feeling your part of the country. It results in each country claiming that they are the best. The Arms Race is another contributing factor to the war. Due to conflicts over land, countries start to prepare for and build up their armies. In conclusion, World War I occurs because of many unresolved factors.

Report on Recruitment and Selection Processes Essay

Healthcare United is an organisation that endeavours to employ the best healthcare professionals. They aim to be the number one Healthcare professionals in Australia, currently employs 1500 Healthcare professionals in VIC and NSW and they wish to widen their operation and open another office in Hobart. Comparing the newly developed 2012 Healthcare United recruitment and selection policy and relevant legislation, I have identified some basic problems still existing in the 2012 recruitment and selection guidelines. Through a detailed analysis on the recruitment and selection procedure, Healthcare United can improve the procedures and the overall process. Timeframes The policy in 2007 has an estimated timeframe of 30 days plus. This is now within a whole timeframe of 2 – 3 weeks maximum. There really needs to be a specific timeframe so Managers can be guided with that, in the 2007 guidelines the managers knew for example that reporting a position vacant had to be done in 2 – 3 days, this could drag out the initial starting process without this timeframe for each process. I feel each process needs a timeframe to keep the processes in the timely manner not just casual 2 – 3 week maximum timeframe, this is outdated compared to current research and practice. Personnel The manager and HR are involved. Analysing the vacant position should already be done by the Manager of department, there should be a template already done for all positions. This would speed the process up and can then be advertised as soon as the Manager notifies HR of the position vacant within their department. Approval of the position to be advertised should be done at this point. Documentation The Manager and HR complete the â€Å"permission to recruit form† together in the 2007 policy, however there is no mention of this in the 2012 policy which could lead to confusion at a later date, documentation should be recorded from the start of the process to the employment of the new employee. Policy should be in place at every process. Training & Support Managers are offered the support for HR in training of personal in 2012 policy, however nothing is mentioned in the policy about the processes of how this will be done? There needs to be a clear process of this as new employees will be asking what it is and how it is conducted? There is no mention of training in the 2007 Guidelines for training either and no mention of induction processes. The manager of each department should be able to identify knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies required for each employee. Support systems needed to implement policy and procedure. Eg: change to the workplace physical setting or new equipment. This all comes under the WHS legislation. Monitoring and Evaluation Mangers should be monitoring and evaluating there department in an ongoing manner, this should be recorded and updated in a formal document or record management system? In the 2007 guidelines and the 2012 policy nothing is mentioned about these processes at all? This is outdated for policies compared to current research and practise. Any monitoring and evaluation tools used must be accessible to relevant employees, valid and reliable and also comply with relevant legislation. Recommendations Position vacant analysis – needs to be conducted by managers and then approved by senior management and paperwork to be provided for each and every position as per 2007. HR not managers to deal with legislative and award requirement needs not managers. Position Description – It must be current and as accurate as possible. Templates reviewed on a quarterly basis for each position, and make sure they are in line with current legislation and it is listed within the advertisement. Timeframes – Estimated timeframes for each process need to be added to the policy as it was with the 2007 policy. This will give a clear indication of what the correct process and timeframes that will and are expected to maintain the outcome required in the specified time stated. Personnel – HR and managers – the lines of each duty in the selection process are not clearly identified it is uncertain what the managers duties are and what the HR departments are, so is contrary to 2007 guidelines? For example does the Manager short  list and short though resumes? Special exemptions to internal recruitment This is not in line the EEO legislation. Managers create advertisement with the support of HR for HU newsletter on intranet. Managers send advertisement with the support of HR advertisement to publications department to post on the intranet. Documentation – I suggest documentation being done for each position vacant and that the position be analysed by the Manager to determine whether the position is still required to be filled by a new employee or for example the duties can be provided and divided amongst current employees or only a part time employee? This should be every time a position becomes vacant. A process with documentation is imperative. Training and Support HR is in charge of the whole procedure in 2007 guideline, it should be the manager’s duty with some support from HR as stated in 2012. Monitoring and Evaluation Senior managers will sign off on the position description; and give approval of position this is consistent with the 2007 policy. Position descriptions are developed by managers using a position description template and Senior or HR management to sign off on position description and approve. Advertisement include: Position title – should be an updated template of each position title including: Key tasks and objectives with required targets. Qualifications required Skills, knowledge, attributes and experience WHS requirements Terms and conditions Advertisement Advertisement does not have a timeframe however the whole process needs to be completed in 2 – 3 weeks, maximum. But in Healthcare United’s 2007 policy, position must be advertised internally and externally for 10 working days. It is contrary to 2012 as in 2007 all positions were firstly advertised internally for a minimum of ten working days and then will be advertised externally for another 10 working days. The 2007 procedure is too long.  There is no mention to comply with the anti-discrimination legislation mentioned in either policy? Shortlist The 2012 policy states the managers will conduct most of this work? With the support of HR department, processes need to be clear on who is responsible for each process of the selection process? In the 2007 Guideline the HR department did the shortlisting and reading of all of the applicants, after a shortlist has been complied I think they then should be sent to the manager to decide who he/she would like to interview for the position. The internal applicants will go through the same application procedure as per EEO legislation. Administration staff to collate all resumes and give to managers. Managers to read and screen each external and internal application and divide them into ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘maybe’ piles and decide on the shortlist to interview. Managers then collate all documentation from short-listed applicants. Managers organise administration staff to send all external applicants not short-listed are standard letter by post or email. I nterview documentation and preparation Should be prepared by the manager with assistant from admin staff. Manager organises interview panel, two members of HR department with one of the HR members being the chairperson. Manager chooses and advises the staff member of their role as ‘expert’ and requests that they think of three job related interview questions. Position description Resumes for each shortlisted candidates Consent to check and release police record form. Standard interview questions for HR members of interview panel. Interview assessment forms for interviewers. Use checklists for documentations. Interview Applicants Selection panel consist of two HR members and one staff member of job related department, with Chairperson being the HR member. It is contrary to 2007 because all the responsibilities are of Managers. It is outdated as current research says that the interview must involve the managers. It does not comply with the current legislation either. Knowledge of relevant equal opportunity, fair work, privacy and anit-discrimination legislation is required within the panel. Interview Applicant To be conducted in a comfortable and quite location Food and beverages for interview panel Interview schedule and timing needed. Managers and HR to organise interview documentation as listed above. Chairperson greets candidate and makes introductions. Chairperson opens interview. Manager and HR member of panel ask applicant a series of standard interview questions. Manager from job-related department ask three question Chairperson asks applicant if they have any question Chairperson informs the candidate of the process. Panel thank candidate for attending Panel complete an interview assessment Panel select applicant Gain approval from senior management subject to reference check. Reference check Reference checking should be done by managers according to 2012 policy while in 2007 it was done by HR. Reference checks are an important part of the selection process. Healthcare united reference check must be conducted on both internal and external applicant by the managers and support of HR department. Procedure: Obtain applicants permission Phone workplace of applicant and speak to manager/referee. Introduce self and organisation and purpose of call. Only ask standard questions about applicant’s knowledge and job related skills, competencies, knowledge and attributes. Job offer The job offer is to be finalised by the department manager. It can be verbal offer made quickly in order to ensure preferred candidate is hired. A verbal offer of employment and a candidates verbal acceptance creates a contractual relationship. Any negotiation on employment terms and conditions must be on a ‘Without Prejudice† basis. Procedure: HR department organise written contract to be drawn up with terms and conditions. Administration to post or email contract to applicant.  Upon receiving of the signed contract HR post new employee advice about induction program. A letter of engagement will then be issued including, start date, position, hours or work and pay and entitlements. Conclusion The 2012 recruitment and selection process will take a maximum of 2-3 weeks. However, the 2007 recruitment and selection process has an estimated time of 35+ days, which is far too long for the stream lined 2012 policy. Even though it takes a much longer time in the process, the 2007 policy has included procedures into recruiting and selecting which is more accurate and detailed, which has a higher chance of recruiting the best possible healthcare professionals. This means they can have the best possible human resources so they can provide the good quality service. With all the existing problems in 2012 recruitment and selection process identified, Healthcare United should adopt the recommendations made above to make the recruitment and selection process more efficient and effective and in line with all current legislation. The policy should further specify what training needs to be undertaken and how it is to be supported. Identify training needs of workforce

The Devil in the Shape of a Woman

The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen (1987) astutely focuses attention upon the female as witch in colonial New England, thus allowing a discussion of broader themes regarding the role and position of women in Puritan society. Karlsen's work, which has been well-received, focuses on the position of accused witches as largely females placed in precarious social and economic positions, often because they stood to inherit, had inherited, or lost an inheritance in property.Karlsen departs from the idea that women accused of witchcraft were boisterous beggars, a depiction â€Å"tantamount to blaming the victim† (Nissenbaum) and instead points to these â€Å"inheriting women† as being socially vulnerable in a patriarchal culture. Karlsen's work is not merely of historical significance to the Salem outbreak of 1692. In fact, â€Å"that year remains something of an anomaly† (Nissenbaum) as one-third of the accused witches then were male compared to less tha n one-fifth of accusations made otherwise in colonial New England.Instead, Karlsen's study brings â€Å"women strongly back to center stage, locating them in a rich patriarchal matrix that integrates it with class and family. † (Nissenbaum). One reviewer notes that within this context, Karlsen offers significant insights. The first is a look at the â€Å"ambivalent assessment of women within New England's culture. † (Gildrie). Karlsen finds a scenario marked by its time and place in which women embodied the â€Å"Puritan ideal of women as virtuous helpmeets† (Boyer).In an odd duality, women were both the new stewards of God's spiritual leadership on earth, while subservient to a Medieval, misogynist gender role which largely placed their fate at the hands of men. Secondly, Karlsen focuses attention on the accusers and finds that they were engaged in a â€Å"fierce negotiation†¦ about the legitimacy of female discontent, resentment, and anger. † (Karl sen; see Gildrie). Accusations of witchcraft were often an outlet where this negotiation boiled over into violence, as men persecuted female neighbors who threatened an established, but precarious, social order.The crucial thesis on which much of the book rests is that witchcraft accusations were most often made against women who threatened the orderly transfer of land from father to son – a process at best fraught with tension and anxiety and at worst marked by the shift of scarce, valuable properties from one family to another by way of an intervening woman in a patriarchal inheritance system. The possessed girls played a dual role in this â€Å"symbolic cultural drama† in which they rebelled against the social role to which they had been predestined at birth by simultaneously acquiescing in that role by resisting the â€Å"witch. If nothing else, Karlsen's recent work proves that there is still room for substantial study and scholarship surrounding witchcraft, gend er, and other issues in colonial New England. One commentator writes, â€Å"Karlsen's study is provocative, wide-ranging, accessible, and frank. † (Lindholt). Another, that the book's â€Å"descriptions and analyses stand on their own as valuable contributions to our knowledge of witch lore and the ambiguous status of women in early New England. † (Gildrie).Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, whose Salem Possessed set the standard for social histories of the outbreak in Salem, find that Karlsen's work is one of â€Å"formidable intellectual power† and â€Å"a major contribution to the study of New England witchcraft. † It places the central role of women as witches under the microscope and â€Å"for the first time as the subject of systemic analysis† a considerable 300 years after the events transpired. Karlsen's work is required reading for the student, scholar, or general reader seeking to understand and interpret the broad picture of colonial wit chcraft in New England.

The Role of Women in Perfume and the Assault

The Role of Women in Perfume and The Assault In most cases, women are portrayed either as mother, lovers or people that fulfill men’s sexual needs. Both Perfume by Patrick Suskind and The Assault by Harry Mulisch is no exception. However, the reader might notice that in both novels women are portrayed in a flat, two-dimensional way and yet, paradoxically, have a significant symbolic value. The women of these novels seem to project the protagonists’ needs for these kinds of love and without them the novel would not exist. Therefore, they are not important for who they are, but rather for what they represent- the maternal and sexual love for men. In The Assault, Anton’s mother barely appears in the novel and yet we can notice how her subtly strong character had left a mark on Anton’s life. Her importance lays in what she represents in his childhood memory- a strong woman who is the core of the family. â€Å" †¦ She had a cavity in her tooth that could not be treated just then; to relieve the pain she had found a leftover clove in the kitchen to put on the sore spot, just as her mother and grandmother used to do. She sat up straight, but her husband across the table was bent over, reading a book. † (Mulish,10) Though this is a little detail that Mulisch had added, it characterizes her by inferring that she was strong. A contributing factor could be the setting of the novel. They were in time of war and the circumstances force her to be strong. We can also see a contrast between the mother and the father, the father was bending while she was sitting straight up. This infers that she was the more dominant figure. Therefore, even though Anton had lost both parents. The reader notices that Anton later on seeks Truus and Saskia to replace her, but does not search for anyone to replace his father. Truus who is also barely appears in the novel is a proof of how Anton never fully recovered of losing his mother. She was present in a time where he needed her affection. However, she is like a bridge to Anton between maternal and sexual love. â€Å"He touched her fingers; she took hold of his hand and pulled him close. On the cot she embraced him with one arm and with her other hand pressed his head against her breast. She smelled of sweat but also of something sweetish that he couldn’t identify. Perhaps it was perfume. † (Mulish, 32). Though she represents security and love like his mother did to him. The word choice by Mulisch insinuates Anton’s sexual awakening. The fact that they are on a ‘cot’ or a bed highlights the intimacy. She embraced him like a mother would embrace her child, however the focus on her ‘breasts’ arouses sexual feelings in Anton which he will realize later on in his life. Moreover, in the absence of light and presence of complete darkness, Anton cannot use his sight that is where the tactile and olfactory sense becomes heightened. This causes the scene to be more intense in the reader’s head. Saskia who is Anton’s first wife is also a two dimensional character in the book that is only present as Anton’s image of Truss. When Anton grows up he realizes that Truus was more than a mother figure to him. â€Å"There was nothing wrong with Saskia’s looking like the idea of Truus. Truus had under these circumstances, aroused an image in his mind to which Saskia seemed to respond, and that was fine, for it was not Truus’s image, but his own, and where it came from was unimportant†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Mulish, 131) The use of the word ‘aroused’ has a sexual connotation which came from the fact he felt intimacy in the dark and as a young boy, though unconsciously this intimacy aroused something inside him. Truus became like a fantasy of love that he perused. Saskia represents that love that he needed. Moreover, the addition of ‘under the circumstances’ insinuates that at the previous moment Anton needed certain affection which was in a form of a mother. However, now he needs it in a non-platonic form. This is where it shows that Anton never wholly recovered from losing his mother. As Sigmund Freud’s theory suggests, a man unconsciously marries a mother figure. Therefore, since Truus seemed to represent a mother figure and Saskia is his image of Truus, the mother figure in this novel is linked with romantic interest. Due to all the events that had happened to Anton, the woman he encounters in the dark (Truus) embodies his need for courageous, maternal and erotic love. This makes the two dimensional character Saskia, a symbol for his erotic desire. Anton in this passage is trying to reassure himself that where Saskia’s image came from is ‘unimportant’, however later on the readers realize that it actually does matter to him as they get divorced. Similarly to The Assault, the women in Perfume are portrayed very superficially and like Sasika, they represent erotic love. Although Grenouille seems uninterested in sex, there are many sexual parallels. In passages where Grenouille smells the women, Suskind describes it very sexually. â€Å"†¦ he (Grenouille) tore off her dress, and the stream of scent became a flood that inundated him its fragrance. He thrust his face to her skin and wept his flared nostrils across her, from belly to breast, to neck, over her face and hair.. †¦ down her genitals, to her thighs and white legs. † (Suskind, 45). Suskind uses imagery to form an image the reader’s mind. Like Mulisch did in the scene where Anton meets Truus, Suskind highlights the olfactory sense rather than others. This makes us smell the women and almost feel Grenouille’s sensation. He describes the power of the scent as a flood of water that moves towards Grenouille and floods him. He is completely taken over by it as if it were sexual feelings. However, he has no interest in the girl herself, but rather what she possesses. Here is where he parallels to Anton, who is not interested in whom Truus was but in what she represents to him. Stripping the females from their scent degrades them and reveals how Grenouille, like Anton, extracts what he needs of the woman and forgets about her as a whole. The remains of the females, which are their individualities, are forgotten like dead flower petals. â€Å"They lay on the surface for a moment, like eyes facing instant death, and lost all the color the moment the spatula pushed them down into the warm, oily embrace. †¦And it was not that the dead blossoms continued to give off scent there in the oil – no, the oil itself had appropriated the scent of the blossoms. † (Suskind, 181). This is the processes that Grenouille uses to steal scents from girls. Therefore, the blossoms here are a metaphor for the girls. This insinuates that they are only important for their scent which pleases Grenouille. The rest of the girl, which is her personality and her individuality all lies insignificantly on the surface ‘like eyes facing instant death’. Suskind continues to say how the blossoms had lost their color the moment Grenouille pushed the spatula. Sine color is what makes them beautiful it is insinuated that when Grenouille steals their scents, they are no longer beautiful for their inner selves. This makes Grenouille selfish. Anton and him extract what they need from the women and forget about her a whole. They do this to replace love that they were deprived of in their childhood. Like Anton Grenouille is deprived of his mother’s love and losing her has had a crucial impact on him. Since there is a thin line between different kinds of love, Grenouille, who is missing maternal love projects his needs in a sexual way. HE steals the essence of women for his own personal pleasure. â€Å"They lay on the surface for a moment, like eyes facing instant death, and lost all the color the moment the spatula pushed them down into the warm, oily embrace. And it was not that the dead blossoms continued to give off scent there in the oil – no, the oil itself had appropriated the scent of the blossoms. †(Suskind, 181) The use of specific time emphasizes the extent of Grenouille’s love- with the scent. Smell is always a strong sense that people associate with people they care for. It is intimate. Therefore it seems like non-platonic love. Moreover, the fact that Suskind writ es that Grenouille is not in love with the girl, but the scent emphasizes how Grenouille, like Anton uses women to project his needs. In conclusion, both Mulisch and Suskind do not show any effort in making the reader know the female characters deeply. Some women even remain unnamed for the whole novel! However, their presence is extremely crucial for the protagonists. Women are a projection of men’s needs. Some people may be offended when noticing such aspects of the portrayal of women in these two novels. There are two interpretations to why the authors portrayed the women that way. They could be either critiquing society for objectifying women or this portrayal reflects the authors’ own opinions

Religion: God and Moral Standards Essay

The topic that I have chosen to discuss for my final argumentative paper is â€Å"Religion†. I chose this topic because it plays a major role in my everyday life. During this paper I will discuss the most important part about religion, God. I will discuss whether the proof of the existence of God is necessary. I will then talk about the argument for the existence of God that I feel is the strongest and why I feel that it is. Then I will discuss the foundations of the Universe and where it emerged from. Another topic that I discuss is whether or not one can be moral and not believe in God. Next I will discuss whether or not science and religion are in conflict. God’s omniscience and human free will is another topic that will be covered during this paper. The last important topic that I will discuss during this paper is whether or not there is a rational argument for atheism. I believe that this paper will be interesting for me to write. I believe that God will always be real in my heart, whether or not any physical proof is ever found of him. Reading about the various proofs of the existence of God was very interesting for me. I say this because I am a firm believer in God and to think about how some people rationalize his non-existence to them is hard for me to understand. The argument that seems to be the best to me is the â€Å"Cosmological argument†. The argument states that â€Å"if something exists something else had to bring it into existence†. It goes on to talk about how things that exist do so because something else caused it to exist. It calls the something that brought I into existence â€Å"a first cause†. The only thing or being that could qualify as the first cause is God. Therefore, God would be the originating source of the universe, which I truly believe. I believe that philosopher’s have always sought proof of God’s existence because it was hard for them to believe that the world just happen one day. I think that they have always questioned the complexity of the world and knew there had to be some type of designer. I agree with this because the world is just too amazing and complex to just appear one day. Even if you believe in evolution, you still would have to question where the first being or animal came from. Everything has an origin and I believe that God is the origin of the universe. So the next topic to be discussed is the foundation of the universe and from where did the universe emerge. It has been said many times that â€Å"scientists believe that our universe began with one enormous explosion of energy and light, which is called the Big Bang†. This is considered to be the start of space and of time itself. However, it is believed that something that is outside of space, time and matter that caused this to come into existence. This theory was proven by astronomer Edwin Hubble in the late 1920’s. The way that the Big Bang theory is described parallels what the bible says about the beginning of life. The bible states â€Å"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth†¦and God said ‘let there be light and there was light†. I believe that this could be considered proof regarding the existence of God. I know that some scientists disagree and want to say that the universe came from the laws of physics, but none of these things existed before the initial blast. Another part of religion is being a moral person. So a question that has been asked is â€Å"can one be moral and not believe in God†? There are some people in today’s society that believe that you don’t need God to be moral, but I don’t necessarily believe that. They believe that people can set their own rules for life, and have their own personal values. I don’t believe that this would be a good idea considering the fact that everyone’s values are different, so there would be no standard for us to live by. In order for us to judge whether or not something moral or good then we should have a set of certain values that you would judge them by. It is said that to believe in God means that you believe in moral standards. Philosopher Immanuel Kant pointed out â€Å"we need an omnipotent God to enforce moral standards to make sure that everyone is properly rewarded and punished†. He stated this because he believed that â€Å"moral standards without moral sanctions don’t mean much†. I believe that people live a more meaningful life when they believe in the morals created by God and not by man. I say this because I believe that man will come up with moral standards that will only benefit him, but God comes up with morals that will benefit everyone. However, I don’t think this means that everyone that does not believe in God is immoral. There are some that still do good and behave responsibly without believing in him. I think that it just depends on the person and how they chose to live their lives. We will now go on to discuss whether or not science and religion are in conflict. It is said that most of the time science and religion are not in conflict, and that they only conflict on certain topics. One example of their conflict would be whether or not the Earth is the center of the universe, or the sun the center of the universe. The church teaches that the Earth is the center and that the Sun, Moon and other planets revolve around it. However, some scientists have taught that the Sun is the center of the universe and that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun. Another example of conflict between science and religion is regarding the creation of man and Earth and evolution. Cosmologists believe that the universe is about 13. 7 billion years old, but the Earth is only 4. 5 billion years old. So this would mean that the universe was here long before the Earth, so therefore the universe could not revolve around the Earth. I still don’t fully understand how they came up with their calculation, so I don’t believe them. I still believe that God created the Earth and the universe at the same time. It has been stated that the conflict exist because â€Å"science is based on observation of nature†, and religion is â€Å"largely based on faith†. I am more of a faith based person, so that is why I believe the God created the universe. We will now discuss whether or not God’s omniscience and human free will can be reconciled. Personally I don’t think they can be reconciled. Free will is defined as â€Å"the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion†. It was said that because God’s foreknowledge determines all human choice and activity, then God’s omniscience conflicts with human free will. I am a believer in human free will, but I also believe in God’s omniscience. I believe that God does predetermine how he wants our lives to be, but he also gives us choices that will decide which path our lives will take. I have always believed that God has put certain people in our lives for a reason, and we are also sometimes put into certain situations for a reason. I believe that this is done in order to teach us a lesson and so we can learn to make better decisions on our own. So I believe that ultimately the two can work together perfectly. The final topic I will discuss is whether or not there is a rational argument for Atheism. Personally I don’t agree with atheism, but I do understand that everyone has right to their own beliefs. It has been stated that people believe in atheism for a number of reasons. One example that is given is that they get tired of â€Å"watching the multitude of bad things happening to good people in the world†. As far as this statement goes, I was taught in church that â€Å"it rains on the just (good), just like it rains on the unjust (bad), so you should not use this as an excuse to not believe in God. Another example is the people will say â€Å"look at how some â€Å"so-called† Christians live and behave. I lead a better life than most of them do†. However, just because a person is a Christian and believes in God doesn’t mean they will do no wrong. I was taught that there is no big sin or little sin, but as long as you repent and ask for forgiveness then you will be saved by the grace of God. I simply just don’t believe that there is a rational argument for atheism, because I have been blessed too many times without a rational explanation for me not to believe in God. I say this because about fifteen years ago I was told by a doctor that I had a mass on my brain that looked like a tumor and that I would need to see a specialist in see if it was cancer. I went home upset and crying, but I pray all night. I went to church that Sunday and asked for prayer, the congregation prayed for me. I went to see the specialist the next week, who stated that there was not mass and that it was just part of my brain and there was no cancer. So I know personally what prayer can do, and nobody can make me feel different. In conclusion, I would like to rein irate how important religion is in my life. I actually enjoyed writing this paper because it made me realize why I truly believe in God. There is no scientist or atheist that can make me stop believing in God. I never realized how much Philosophy deals with God until I took this course. It was interesting to read about the different Philosophers, and how they try to prove that existence and non-existence of God. I hope that after reading this paper you can get a better understanding of my position on religion, and why I am a firm believer in God.