Women Police and Discrimination Essay - 2747 Words

Women Police and Discrimination When we as individuals in America think of freedom as a whole, most of us assume that we have come a long way since a gap of equality between men and women. And because we have come a long way, many people make the assumption that there is no inequality left in the United States, and women have the same opportunities as men. Yes, we have come a long way, but women are nowhere near equal to men. There are many aspects in life that this is regarded to, ranging from politics, gender roles, marriage, and society as a whole. When children are asked what they want to be when they grow up, little boys are expected to respond with a fireman, policeman, or something along the manly career, while we†¦show more content†¦The Role of Women in Law Enforcement in 1995. In this book, Heidensohn concentrates on comparing the points of view of women in policing in the United States, compared to those in Britain. She made it a point to show the reading audience how important it is to have a p ositive view of having women in the police force, as well as implied that we should look at Britain as a role model. As she says, ...as compared with British policing: optimism. Almost everywhere I went, there was a great deal of confidence about womens role in policing. She continues to explain how, although slowly changing, it is necessary for us as Americans to increase our acceptance of women police. The longer we wait to do something about this problem, the longer it is going to last. Frances Heidensohn also questions the thought of women in control. The title of her book has a question mark because, as she explains, The title of this book is a question. It was with this question and related ones in mind that I first began this project. Were women now more involved in social control? If they were did this make a difference either to them or to the agencies which employed them? As she illustrates, it is hard to configure whether or not women are in control today. If there needs to be a question asked, then the probability is most likely an answer with no. If women were in control, there would not be any hesitation to answer the question, which is what Heidensohn isShow MoreRelated Discrimination of Women in the Police Force Essay1767 Words   |  8 Pagesway since a gap of equality between men and women existed. Because of this progress, many people make the assumption that there is no inequality left in the United States and women have the same opportunities as men. Yes, it is true that the American society has come from one of inequality to that one that is more equal. Yes Americans have come a long way, but unfortunately women are still not equal to their male counterparts. This inequality towards women is evident within several different aspectsRead MoreWorkplace Discrimination in the Canadian Police Essay1587 Words   |  7 PagesPolice agencies are becoming more accustomed to hiring police officers of all cultures and ethnicities. However, like mo st careers an individual will choose to pursue there is always the possibility of them being discriminated against. A common type of discrimination police officers face is one based on their race or ethnicity. An officer is likely might experience racial discrimination in the form of harassment in the workplace. An example of this is a co-worker using racial slurs or unfavourableRead MoreThe Civil Rights Act Of 19641702 Words   |  7 PagesMy mother was a police officer for almost twenty years. Women have long been subject to, and the subject of, discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 originally did not include gender in the bill’s wording. Were it not for a backhanded comment made in jest by a backward congressman, women would not have been afforded equal rights protection in employment (Freeman, 1991; 2004). President Harry Truman inaugurated the legal Civil Rights Movement. Though people of color had long been yearning andRead MoreA Brief Note On Race, And Gender Discrimination1195 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature Review Discrimination will be the main focus on the research for this paper. The two types of discrimination which I will be focusing on is race, and gender. Gender discrimination is very high in the workforce. I will be primarily focusing on gender discrimination against women in the workforce. Women had to fight for the right to vote. Although they have the right to work they have many hardships in the workforce. Gender discrimination happens in various different occasions, and isRead MorePrejudice And Prejudice By The United States985 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States is a nation of immigrants plagued by hatred for one another. Prejudice and discrimination is more than one occurrence in history or the actions of a single individual. Discrimination was imbedded in our past by our ancestors and has afflicted our lives even today. The media, books, and movies instill the stereotypes that fuel the prejudice and hatred among our country’s people. Numerous times movies have chose n to use people of color to portray the villains and uncivilized beingsRead MoreThe Importance Of Equal Rights And Opportunity In America1113 Words   |  5 Pagesfor all its people. My America believes that equal rights are given to all its people no matter their race, religion, social status, gender, or sexuality. According to none of the aforementioned factors of a person’s identity should anyone face discrimination denying them of equal rights and opportunity. In my America, no one is denied their rights. In my America, everyone has the opportunity to pursue their passion. In America today we see people not being given equal rights and opportunity, for reasonsRead MoreAn Evaluation Of The York Police Department1197 Words   |  5 PagesDessler, page 503) Adverse impact plays a huge role in some companies and usually results in court cases and trials, with legal expenses adding up very quickly. The Baltimore Police Department seems to be in hot water with the city. It ap pears that within the police department, adverse impact is present. Even though the Baltimore Police Department may not have intended to discriminate, it appears that their hiring process may have just done that. For example, if there was an exam that the applicant hadRead MoreW. E. B. Dubois, Anna Cooper, And Karl Marx : The Social Conflict Of Society1680 Words   |  7 PagesIn analyzing Jerome Karabel’s: Police Killings Surpass the Worst Years of Lynching, Capital Punishment, and a Movement Responds, in comparison to the writings of Karl Marx, W.E.B. Dubois, Charlotte Gilman, Anna Cooper, and Ida Wells-Barnett, the social problems revealed within the text address the social conflicts of society and how differing populations are faced with discrimination and oppression by those who are dominant in power. Jerome Karabel’s profound article specifically focuses on killingsRead MoreRace, Drugs And Policing1483 Words   |  6 Pagesin drug delivery arrests and argues t hat race shapes perceptions of whom and what constitutes Seattle’s drug problem, and how the police response to that problem. The findings suggest that the blacks are significantly more in numbers among Seattle’s drug delivery arrestees compared to whites. The primary cause behind this racial disparity is due to the fact that police focus mainly on crack dealers who are predominantly blacks more than any other serious drug dealers. The evidence states that evenRead MoreEssay about Women Police Officers1192 Words   |  5 PagesWomen Today Are Under-represented In The Police Force Alice Stebbins Wells was the first female police officer hired by the Los Angeles police department in 1910 (Walker Katz, 2005). In the early years of women police officers women were hired as social workers for juveniles, as matrons, dispatchers, and to help guard female inmates. Law enforcement as a career has been increasingly more popular for women in recent years; however, the numbers have not increased greatly. In 2001, women

Children, Media, and Violence Essay - 1431 Words

The evidence is overwhelming. To argue against it, the link between media violence and teen violence is like arguing against gravity, said Jeffrey McIntyre, legislative and federal affairs officer for the American Psychological Association. As children are exposed to acts of violence in the media through television, video games, music, movies, etc. alarming results are occurring. The main negative effect being an increase in aggression among youth who are regularly exposed to the media and an increase in violent patterns as they mature into adulthood. If not resolved this problem of violence in the media will continue to push children, youth and adults to acts of aggression such as verbal and physical abuse and other more serious†¦show more content†¦A study that supports the personal example above was conducted by Craig A. Anderson PhD, a professor and director at the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University. They examined Japanese and American youth’s beha vior after consistently playing violent video games throughout a school year and they found that tendencies toward physical aggression, such as fights, pushing, etc., increased after 3 months into the school year and continued to increase by 6 months into the school year. This study showed that no matter the culture violent video games have the same negative effect and they strongly suggested that the exposure youth have to violent video games be greatly reduced (Anderson). Probably the most stunning statements and articles I came across were when researching gang violence. In an interview with Readers Digest in 2005 an anonymous gang member from Oakland California made the statement â€Å"We played the game by day and lived the game by night,† speaking of the game Grand Theft Auto which is based on gang violence, murder, stealing and sex. Ernest L. Cuthbertson, a police detective in Greensboro, N.C. said â€Å"I don’t care what any criminologist or psychologist says, but repeated exposure to any level of violence does alter the psyche of a person.† What are the solutions to overcoming this negative effect of media violence on the young people?Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children873 Words   |  4 Pages According to the Media Education Foundation, once a child reaches eighteen years of age, they have witnessed around 200,000 acts of violence and 16,000 murders (jacksonkatz.com). Our society loves entertainment and a grand portion of this entertainment contains violence. Children constantly consume violent visuals, due to their prevalence. Majority of our society is uninterested in the effects of media violence since its effects do not show immediately. Misinformation is our greatest enemy in theRead MoreThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children884 Words   |  4 Pagesis all this necessary to fabricate in the media? What are characters in movies teaching kids? What about the language in music talking about killing people and talking about violence like it’s the cool thing? What about new channels always talking about guns, bombs and threats to the public, is this what is influencing are children because they view it as a norm? Some may agree with this as others may disagree. Media violence is not the factor in violence today. Studies show that over 90% of homesRead MoreThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children974 Words   |  4 Pagesmany kinds of media, like Internet, video game, television and film. It is generally believed that some of the bad information such as violent content in the media can have a negative effect on people, and it can end up causing some social problem. It is clear that children are more likely to be influenced by media violence than other age groups because of their world outlook and personality are not formed. Furthermore is if media violence does have some profound influence on children, this will leadRead MoreThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children1357 Words   |  6 Pagesthe graphic cruelty and violence. According to American Psychological Association, the harmful influence of media violence on children dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, and remains strong today. A child that watches violence or hears about violence can be influenced to become violent. Indeed, in reviewing the totality of empirical evidence regarding the impact of media violence, the conclusion that exposure to violent portrayals poses a risk of harmful effects on children has been reached by theRead MoreMedia Violence and Children Essay1514 Words   |  7 PagesMedia Violence and Children Violence in the media has come under a lot of scrutiny lately. Even though this is not a new concern, it has resurfaced as the pinnacle of many debates among politicians, parents and educators. Children are progressively becoming more aggressive. This is in direct correlation to violence becoming more prominent among adults. Parents and educators continue to stress that the damage violent media inflicts on children will continue into adulthood. Multiple studiesRead MoreThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children1270 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent forms of violence. Some people feel that there is too much violence exposed in the media. Many studies have made the claim that the media is responsible for much of the violence seen in the world we live in (List and Wolfgang). However, people have choices and responsibilities we cannot allow ourselves to blame it on other things such as the media. The violence seen in our media has an impact on both adults and children. Since children are also exposed to various forms of media, there has beenRead MoreMedia Violence and Its Influence on Children546 Words   |  2 Pages Some of the violence found in teens and children increase each year because of all the violence parents let their children watch. Letting children play or see to much violent things can harm them later. Violence today is not just cause by media, theres a lot of other reason violence is increasing this days, but media is one of the top reasons.Violence from media is more found in children and teens. Violence found in children and teens could be increasing because of the influenceRead MoreThe Experience of Media Violence for Children531 Words   |  2 PagesMedia Violence By the time a child reaches the age of one, they see about 200,000 acts of violence on television. (Nakaya, 3). The Media has been becoming more and more violent over the years. A poll in an issue of Times Magazine, from 2005, showed that 66 percent of Americans think that there is an abundant amount of graphic acts of violence on televisions (Nakaya, 18). People are exposed to thousands of acts of violence through video games, television, and movies. Many studies show that mediaRead MoreThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children2411 Words   |  10 PagesMedia Violence is definitely harmful to children as the exposure of media violence can desensitize children (age 6-12) to violence and in the real world; violence becomes enjoyable and does not result in apprehensiveness in the child. There have been several studies and experiments regarding the adverse effects of violence used in video games, television, as well as movies. With both preschool and school-aged children, studies hav e found that they are more likely to imitate the violence they seeRead MoreThe Effects Of Media Violence On Children1943 Words   |  8 PagesFor many years now, the media has been a big part of our lives. Almost everybody in the world is or has connected to it one way or another. It is a way for families and friends to have fun together, for interesting topics that people are interested in, or to just enjoy alone. However, there is a problem that can be seen across all types of media: violence. Violence can be seen as a distraught way to get over problems. There is judgement issues involved for violence. It is done by bullies in school

Freakonomics Free Essays

An Incentive is something that Is used to motivate or use as an encouragement to Improve whatever the person Is doing. In studying economics, Incentives are used as form of payments, to encourage businesses to succeed In whatever they are doing. 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Freakonomics or any similar topic only for you Order Now The united States government puts a tax on foreign car companies to help united State citizens encourage to buy the American made cars. This acts as an Incentive for the citizens to buy American made cars to support the united States economy. The government’s plan to raise test scores actually worked because In public schools, teachers are awarded or punished based on their kids’ performance on standardized tests. 4. When a Japanese sumo wrestler is on the bubble, it means that if one sumo wrestler which is almost out of the competition faces a sumo wrestler that has a lot of wins, the wrestler with a lot of wins will let the one that is almost out of the competition win. 5. The authors from Freakishness are concluding that people are lust dishonest. When Paul Feldman left the basket and bagels, he noticed that all of he money was vanishing. This plays into economics because it shows us that small offices run more honestly and more efficiently. Chapter 3: Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? 1 . Conventional wisdom is something that is generally believed in. It is ideas that are generally accepted by the public. Conventional wisdom is used to encourage people to get more support and pay a closer attention to detail. 2. Although the police departments got rid of at least two thousand police reports in efforts to lower the crime rate, the crime rate still managed to rise because of the media’s coverage on rack cocaine. 3. The Black Disciples street gain was set up Just like a common business is set up. The top people in charge of both were called the board of directors. Under them, there will bosses in different cities which controlled another three individuals. There was a treasurer Just like in a business who manages the money and the â€Å"foot soldier† who sold the gangs’ drugs acted as sales people In large businesses. 4. A street-level drug dealer Is willing to accept low pay and poor working conditions so that he has a drive and something to work up to In order to come a bigger boss to eventually make more money. Like In small business, sales people act as lower earning Individuals who eventually want to work their way up to becoming something bigger and making more In a company. 5. A street level drug salesman Is different from a franchise owner because the drug dealer Is mostly looking out for himself and trying to make enough money to get by from month to month. However, they are both attempting to maximize their profits because they both want to see the company or their personal lives grow better. Chapter 4: Where have all the crimes gone? How to cite Freakonomics, Papers

Management Accounting Organizational Life Cycle Stage

Question: Discuss about theManagement Accountingfor Organizational Life Cycle Stage. Answer: Introduction This study deals with critical analysis on the article named as The Effect of Organizational Life Cycle Stage on the use of activity-based costing (Kallunki and Silvola 2008). In this particular assignment, focus has been given on investigating on usage of an activity-based price accounting systems in and amongst accounting companies in various organization in life cycle stages. The main overview of the article is explaining the successful as well as unsuccessful in phases of corporate life cycle (Kaplan and Atkinson 2015). This article background and purpose lies in dedicating longitudinal study especially for corporate life cycle. The main aim of the study investigates on organizational life cycle theories at each of the growth phases. The present segment explains the usage of activity-based costing for accounting firms at maturity as well as revival phases in support hypothesis (Ward 2012). In this study, emphasis has been given for conducting robustness check on results using var ious control variables on non-response bias in the near future. . Analysis The key points behind this journal articles explain in the development stage by accounting companies as considered by fast sales development as well as expansion of activities in related products. As rightly put forward by Soin and Collier (2013), sales of firm renders formal as well as bureaucratic organization in structuring the establishment of innovation deckling stage in given way. On the contrary, revival stages reveal the firms adopting divisionalized for coping up with complex as well as heterogeneous markets. In other hand, life cycle stages of the firm describes as organizational life cycle theories in accordance with internal characteristics in external contexts (Horngren et al. 2013). This particular firm operates in various firms as dependent under stages of development in the most appropriate way. The main idea behind the article reveals understanding of firm life cycle because of contingency whereby organization responses for matching purpose. According to Parker (2012), usage of management accounting varies from various stages in case of organizational life cycle for future analysis purpose. In addition, firms require formal management accounting as well as controller organizations in later life cycle stages in comparison with early stages. Therefore, organizational life cycle considers as variable in the empirical management in an effective way (Kaplan and Atkinson 2015). As opined by Chenhall and Moers (2015), main objective behind the article lies behind investigating usage of activity-based cost accounting system differing in and across life cycle stages. In this particular case, life cycle literature reports various increased competition as well as diversification of products (Kaplan and Atkinson 2015). These markets actually affects firms for attaining maturity as well as revival phases for keeping emphasis on formal cost controls. This particular paper contributes towards management accounting literature in exploring life cycle stages. The major lies in dedicating the size of firm at growth phase at revival stages (Cullen et al. 2013). This firm appears in maturity as well as revival stages of operations for possessing managerial need for an advanced cost accounting system. According to Parker (2012), main findings from this article reveal the significant inferences for actual practice of management accounting research. This particularly shedding graceful on real fundamental organizational need as designated for life cycle stages for business organization. On the contrary, small business firms make use of activity-based costing at various life cycle stages. Therefore, it expands the earlier studies for understanding the effect of size using activity-based costing in comparison with other life cycle stages of accounting firms (Kallunki and Silvola 2008). The main strength of the article conducts empirical analysis based from cross-sectional survey data comprising of 105 firms. As rightly indicated by Chenhall and Moers (2015), industries conducts in various life cycle stages in supporting theory The main consequences indicates the major features of firm as stated by life cycle literature affecting usage of advanced cost accounting at life cycle phases. On the contrary, companies ranges from gaining stock marketplace listing as opposite to firms especially in the development phases. In other words, life cycle stages based upon size or ages for remaining decisive for explaining usage of activity-based accounting activities for future analysis purpose (Kallunki and Silvola 2008). This article undergoes certain weakness in developing the hypothesis section. This article lacks essential analysis on organizational life cycle stages in depth form. Research methods used in this journal article conducts on empirical analysis using questionnaire completion of 105 Finnish firms (Kallunki and Silvola 2008). It operates using information from industries as well as life cycle stages in supporting hypothesis as derived by using life cycle theories. On the contrary, result indicates usage of advanced cost accounting system differing from life cycle phases. This study reports for lower profitability activities in more diversified products as well as services for control purpose. As rightly put forward by Chenhall and Moers (2015), it involves investigating on use of activity-based costing varying from accounting firms. On the contrary, it uses self-categorization variables in measuring the life stages of accounting firms for future analysis purpose. In addition, earlier studies reports for usage of activity-based costing rise with size for companies (Kallunki and Silvola 2008). Conclusion At the end of the study, it is concluded that Life Cycle Research make use of management accounting systems as it varies in and across stages of organizational life cycle. By comparing with growth firms, it has been noticed that administrative firm takes task of mature as well as revival firms dedicating huge complexity at the same time. In other words, it is needed for products and services attaining cost effectiveness for earning adequate profit margins especially on highly competitive markets. Addition to that, experiences is necessary for viewing at the increased diversification of products as well as markets in gaining higher organizational size. Therefore, it is sometime making use of advanced cost accounting systems like activity based costing for most of the revival firms. In other words, this above analysis finds out the usage of activity-based costing as rises depending upon the scope of accounting businesses in desired form. . Reference List Chenhall, R.H. and Moers, F., 2015. The role of innovation in the evolution of management accounting and its integration into management control.Accounting, Organizations and Society,47, pp.1-13. Cullen, J., Tsamenyi, M., Bernon, M. and Gorst, J., 2013. Reverse logistics in the UK retail sector: A case study of the role of management accounting in driving organisational change.Management Accounting Research,24(3), pp.212-227. Horngren, C.T., Sundem, G.L., Schatzberg, J.O. and Burgstahler, D., 2013.Introduction to management accounting. Pearson Higher Ed. Kallunki, J.P. and Silvola, H., 2008. The effect of organizational life cycle stage on the use of activity-based costing.Management Accounting Research,19(1), pp.62-79. Kaplan, R.S. and Atkinson, A.A., 2015.Advanced management accounting. PHI Learning. Parker, L.D., 2012. Qualitative management accounting research: Assessing deliverables and relevance.Critical Perspectives on Accounting,23(1), pp.54-70. Soin, K. and Collier, P., 2013. Risk and risk management in management accounting and control.Management Accounting Research,24(2), pp.82-87. Ward, K., 2012.Strategic management accounting. Routledge.

WoodstockA Peacful Rock Revolution Essays -

Woodstock:A Peacful Rock Revolution Woodstock: A Peaceful Rock Revolution To some, the 60s were a decade of discovery as Americans first journeyed to the moon. Others remember the time as a decade of America's moral decline with the advent of rock and roll and its representation of sinful, inappropriate ideals. Yet for many people, the 60s symbolized a decade of love and harmony. Hippies exemplified these beliefs, and in 1969 they gathered at a music festival known as Woodstock to celebrate their music, their love, and their freedom in a concert that has remained on of the most influential events of the 60s. The youth of the 60s were known as the Love generation. They made love promiscuously and openly, and preferred open to formal marriages. Weekend love-ins, free form gatherings, communal living quarters, and rock festivals were held in response to the love movement. The love movement was the hippie belief for peace and harmony. It reached its peak in the summer of 1967, and by then it had over 300,000 followers who referred to themselves as the love children or the gentle people. They gathered in San Francisco, the hippie center of the world, during the summers. During these Summers of love, they lived on the streets of Haight-Ashbury, sitting in groups along the street and strumming their guitars (Frike 62). These love children, otherwise known as the hippies were the result of the antiwar Shakoor 2 movement that was sweeping the nation during the Vietnam war. Hippies were resolutely against the war. They participated loudly, and often violently in countless anti-war protest rallies and marches. They were known to publicly burn draft cards, and some even renounced military service for prison (Hertsgard 124). Hippies were not only antiwar, they were predominantly antiestablishment. The status symbols of their elders were decisively rejected: wealth, social position, culture, physical attractiveness, and economic security. They held in disdain, cosmetics, expensive jewelry, nightclubs and restaurants and all other refinements of the affluent society. Wealth meant nothing to them. Personal freedom to express oneself was believed to be the most important thing in life. They were antiauthority, antirace discrimination, and antipollution, in short they were rebels against the society, fighting against the moral standards of America they felt were unjust (Hertsgard 153). Events such as rock concerts soon became a platform against the repressive government and accepted morals. Such events provided opportunities to express their resentment. The rock concert of Woodstock was a prime example. It was described by psychoanalyst Rollo May as a symptomatic event of our time that showed the tremendous hunger, need, yearning for community on the part of the youth(The Big Woodstock 17). Rock concerts of the 60s had become the equivalent of a political forum for the young for the expression of political ideas, the spirit of community and awareness of the world around. Woodstock was a celebration of joy which wiped out, at least temporarily, the persistent feelings of meaninglessness that permeate our culture This concert, held in Bethel, New York, in August of 1969, has become a symbol of the 60s. It is a symbol of the hippie culture embodied in Shakoor 3 the youth of the time. This concert was the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Billed by its youthful Manhattan promoters as An Aquarian Exposition, it promised music, peace, and great rock and roll. By a conservative estimate, more than 400,000 people, the vast majority of them between the ages of 16 and 30, showed up for the Woodstock festival. Thousands more would come if police had not blocked off access roads, which had become parking lots choked with stalled cars. The multitude of cars and people also forced the New York Thruway to close, creating one of the nation's worst traffic jams (Peace Mecca 10). People walked as many as twenty miles to get to the concert, all the while singing songs of peace and love and carrying placards displaying their hippie sentiments. Among the many were Keep America Beautiful-Stay Stoned, Love is Power, and Flower Power. Flowers, along with a dove perched upon a guitar became the symbols of the festival. These images were painted on cars, clothes and even bodies (Rock Audience). Their shabby clothes were a

Battle of Long Island in the American Revolution

Battle of Long Island in the American Revolution The Battle of Long Island was fought August 27-30, 1776 during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Following his successful capture of Boston in March 1776, General George Washington began shifting his troops south to New York City. Correctly believing the city to be the next British target, he set about preparing for its defense. This work had commenced in February under the guidance of  Major General Charles Lee and continued under the supervision of Brigadier General William Alexander, Lord Stirling in March. Despite the efforts, a lack of manpower meant that the planned fortifications were not complete by late spring. These included a variety of redoubts, bastions, and Fort Stirling overlooking the East River. Reaching the city, Washington established his headquarters in the former home of Archibald Kennedy on Broadway near Bowling Green and began devising a plan to hold the city. As he lacked naval forces, this task proved difficult as New Yorks rivers and waters would permit the British to outflank any American positions. Realizing this, Lee lobbied Washington to abandon the city. Though he listened to Lees arguments, Washington decided to remain at New York as he felt the city possessed significant political importance. Armies Commanders Americans General George Washingtonapprox. 10,000 men British General William Howeapprox. 20,000 men Washingtons Plan To defend the city, Washington divided his army into five divisions, with three at the south end of Manhattan, one at Fort Washington (northern Manhattan), and one on Long Island. The troops on Long Island were led by Major General Nathanael Greene. A capable commander, Greene was struck down by with fever in the days before the battle and command devolved to Major General Israel Putnam. As these troops moved into position, they continued work on the citys fortifications. On Brooklyn Heights, a large complex of redoubts and entrenchments took shape that included the original Fort Stirling and ultimately mounted 36 guns. Elsewhere, hulks were sunk to deter the British from entering the East River. In June the decision was made to construct Fort Washington at the northern end of Manhattan and Fort Lee across in New Jersey to prevent passage up the Hudson River. Howes Plan On July 2, the British, led by General William Howe and his brother Vice Admiral Richard Howe, began arriving and made camp on Staten Island. Additional ships arrived throughout the month adding to the size of the British force. During this time, the Howes attempted to negotiate with Washington but their offers were consistently rebuffed. Leading a total of 32,000 men, Howe prepared his plans for taking New York while his brothers ships secured control of the waterways around the city. On August 22, he moved around 15,000 men across the Narrows and landed them at Gravesend Bay. Meeting no resistance, British forces, led by Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis, advanced to Flatbush and made camp. Moving to block the British advance, Putnams men deployed onto a ridge known as the Heights of Guan. This ridge was cut by four passes at Gowanus Road, Flatbush Road, Bedford Pass, and Jamaica Pass. Advancing, Howe feinted towards Flatbush and Bedford Passes causing Putnam to reinforce these positions. Washington and Putnam hoped to entice the British into mounting costly direct assaults on the heights before pulling their men back into the fortifications on Brooklyn Heights. As the British scouted the American position, they learned from local Loyalists that Jamaica Pass was only defended by five militiamen. This information was passed to Lieutenant General Henry Clinton who devised an attack plan using this route. The British Attack As Howe discussed their next steps, Clinton had his plan for moving through Jamaica Pass at night and flanking the Americans put forward. Seeing an opportunity to crush the enemy, Howe approved the operation. To hold the Americans in place while this flank attack was developing, a secondary attack would be launched near Gowanus by Major General James Grant. Approving this plan, Howe set it in motion for the night of August 26/27. Moving through Jamaica Pass undetected, Howes men fell upon Putnams left wing the following morning. Breaking under British fire, American forces began retreating toward the fortifications on Brooklyn Heights (Map). On the far right of the American line, Stirlings brigade defended against Grants frontal assault. Advancing slowly to pin Stirling in place, Grants troops took heavy fire from the Americans. Still not fully grasping the situation, Putnam ordered Stirling to remain in position despite the approach of Howes columns. Seeing disaster looming, Washington crossed to Brooklyn with reinforcements and took direct control of the situation. His arrival was too late to save Stirlings brigade. Caught in a vise and fighting desperately against overwhelming odds, Stirling was slowly forced back.   As the bulk of his men withdrew, Stirling led a force Maryland troops in rearguard action that saw them delay the British before being captured. Their sacrifice allowed the remainder of Putnams men to escape back to Brooklyn Heights. Within the American position at Brooklyn, Washington possessed around 9,500 men. While he knew that the city could not be held without the heights, he was also aware that Admiral Howes warships could cut his lines of retreat to Manhattan. Approaching the American position, Major General Howe elected to begin building siege lines rather than directly assaulting the fortifications. On August 29, Washington realized the true danger of the situation and ordered a withdrawal to Manhattan. This was conducted during the night with Colonel John Glovers regiment of Marblehead sailors and fisherman manning the boats. Aftermath The defeat at Long Island cost Washington 312 killed, 1,407 wounded, and 1,186 captured. Among those captured were Lord Stirling and Brigadier General John Sullivan. British losses were a relatively light 392 killed and wounded. A disaster for American fortunes in New York, the defeat at Long Island was the first in a string of reverses which culminated in the British capture of the city and surrounding area. Badly defeated, Washington was forced retreat across New Jersey that fall, finally escaping into Pennsylvania. American fortunes finally changed for the better that Christmas when Washington won a needed victory at the Battle of Trenton.

Asian Popular Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 1

Asian Popular Culture - Essay Example Therefore, it is important for HR management to be involved in organizational planning in order to identify the appropriate resources to attain the planned objectives. Secondly, organizations are able to craft effective and successful corporate strategies with the help of HR management. Effective corporate strategies can be formulated with the help of HR management because of several reasons. To start with, HR policies can easily achieve coordination flexibility where it is possible to make effective use of available resources by making necessary reallocation to keep up with the changing needs hence making it easy for an organization to attain desired objectives even in a changing environment. In addition, HR policies can help an organization to attain resource flexibility, which is essential for company success in the market particularly if product or service differentiation is the strategy of choice to compete in the market. Resource flexibility can be attained through cross-training, job rotation and team training, processes that can be effectively executed through HRM management. i. HR management can help to identify the correct type of employees in order for the organization to attain core objectives. For example, HR can help to acquire employees with minimal to average skills for companies that adopt Low-Cost-Provider Strategy or highly skilled employees for companies that adopt Differentiation Strategy in market competition. ii. HR management can initiate the correct procedures to select appropriate employees in different organizations. Recruitment costs should be kept at the lowest levels in companies in order to reduce the general expenditures. In this case, the HR is responsible for evaluating the cheapest avenues of sources employees with the required skills. For instance, the HR department can decide to advertise internally through a memo if an evaluation of existing employees indicates that

Response Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response - Assignment Example This paper finds three of the statements of Brad interesting to look into further for an analysis. The highlight about the information and communication revolution brought about by the technology of Facebook, its ability to cut across social boundaries, and the growing concern about the ownership and usability of the content on Facebook are ideas that are worth scrutiny and analysis for their validity. It is, no doubt, true that Facebook has altered the way people communicate by providing a platform that surpasses the constraints of space and time. The article says â€Å"Facebook promises to change how we communicate even more fundamentally, in part by digitally mapping and linking peripatetic people across space and time, allowing them to publicly share myriad and often very personal elements of their lives† and it â€Å"reconnects regular folks with old friends and strengthens their bonds with new pals †¦help rebuild families† (Stone). This is very much true as the impact Facebook has had on the world internet users. Facebook claims on its website to have â€Å"more than 300 million active users† and it says â€Å"50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day† (Facebook). The extent of its influence is evident in its membership and usage. As the article says, the social networking is so powerful that it has been effectively used for activism as well. It is interesting to note that the article does not add any colour to the previous idea and the author keeps the voice low and account brief as seen in the second shortest paragraph. Secondly, the article says that Facebook has helped users build connections across socio-economic boundaries. To illustrate this, it cites the words of Mr. Zuckerberg who talks about a certain Claus Drachmann, a school teacher, who was successful in inviting Denmark’s Prime Minister for a talk in his school. This was made possible through Facebook, which otherwise would have

Animal Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Animal Rights - Essay Example Which is why for all the valuable things animals could do for mankind, man or at least a great majority of human beings, have thought to also accord animals similar rights as human beings. In the United States, these animal rights are enshrined in a number of laws and statutes that ensure protection to animals and that prosecute individuals who are involved in animal abuse. The Michael Vick Case Michael Vick was a football quarterback playing for Virginia Tech when he was sighted for his prowess in the football field and eventually awarded a crack at the National Football League via the Atlanta Falcons. It was during his stay with the Atlanta Falcons that Vick had the best time in his life as a league contract athlete when he led the Falcons in their bid for the NFC championship against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ironically, it was also during this time that Vick probably had the worst time in his life when it was discovered that he engaged in drugs and professional dog-fighting. While Vick had denied these allegations attributed to him, evidences linking him to the illegal activities had surfaced. In August 2007, Vick admitted to the NFL Commission that he had bankrolled and participated in the dog-fighting operation. He was promptly suspended by the NFL. And sooner after that, following an intense investigation by the FBI, Vick admitted to killing dogs himself, and was sentenced to 23 months in prison and pay a substantial fine for running a â€Å"cruel and inhumane† dog-fighting ring. He spent 21 months in jail and was committed on his last two months to house arrest. During this last part of his sentence, Vick thought of going back to professional play. After some negotiations that included professional monitoring by his probation officers, he signed up with the Philadelphia Eagles that signaled his re-entry to normal professional football. Lessons from Vick’s Case The Vick’s case offers a lot of insights and lessons that people could lea rn much from. One such insight is the observation that there are people, or groups of people, who would look at animals as objects of passion or consumption or prey and would not share a bit of humanity towards them. They would ignore that there is value in seeing animals, particularly pet animals, as capable of returning a caring gesture or a training effort as have been documented in many cases involving particularly pet dogs which grew under the protective and loving care of their owners. Jennifer Leonard, a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History (Reilly) writes: â€Å"We know that dogs were useful for lots of things in Stone Age culture as draft animals, in hunting, for warmth, and for protection.† In many cases, pet animals have proven themselves indispensable to human beings in providing company, care, assistance and many more valuable roles. An example of such an instance was the baby abandoned by her mother deep in the forest in Kenya sometime in 2005. A stray dog, which must just have given birth to her baby pups, heard the cries of the baby and dragged her to be with her own

IR spectroscopy of cigarette smoke

IR spectroscopy of cigarette smoke In this experiment the constituents of cigarette smoke in undisclosed brands A and B were analysed using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The smoke from the cigarettes of both brands were tested comparing both the levels of carbon monoxide and methane between both brands and the difference in concentration of these constituents in both the filtered and unfiltered of each of the cigarette brands. The results of this study showed that brand B filtered smoke had less carbon monoxide than brand B unfiltered smoke as well Brand A cigarette smoke which seemed to have relatively the same amount of carbon monoxide in both unfiltered smoke as well as having considerably more carbon monoxide than brand B. Introduction Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy is a form of IR spectroscopy which is most commonly referred to as FTIR spectroscopy and is used in analysis of the molecular constituents in a sample that is being processed. Infra red radiation is passed through the sample which hits some of the molecular constituents in the sample which either absorbs the energy or is transmitted back while some radiation completely misses the molecules altogether. This then shows the presence of a substance with absorption peaks which are consistent with frequencies of vibrations between the bonds and the atoms that make up the substance as the data is collected and processed. The amount of the particular constituents can also be picked up using the size of each peak on the display. [4] Infrared Spectroscopy has been used extensively over the past few years as a means of getting accurate data of samples that are being analysed for their chemical constituents. This software has the ability to recognise every single chemical constituent in a sample that has passed through a spectrometer which is held together by chemical bond, however this means that this particular method also has its limitations as it cannot process monoatomic gases as the atoms in the gas do not form a chemical bonds with each other given that IR spectrometer measures the vibrational energies of the bond lengths it will not show up on the final spectra. IR spectroscopy has further limitations which involve the speed of the processing of the data where each was processed separately; Ft-IR spectroscopy was developed to address this problem by collecting all the frequencies simultaneously. This was achieved by adding a new device to the original IR spectrometer which is known as interferometer. This device is responsible for taking the signal picked by the IR radiation and converting it into a new signal which is now encoded. This process again is very quick as it is measured to an order of one second. [4] Unfortunately this signal cannot be interpreted until it is converted once more by the Inferogram, this is accomplished by a mathematical technique known as Fourier Transformation which is performed by the software which then displays the spectra. Experimental Before the experiment was carried out the FTIR machine was calibrated according to the measurement of the wavenumber to ensure the accuracy of each trial that was carried out. This was done by using trace expansions where the band centres were estimated to be within ~0.1 cm-1 which is about a tenth of the resolution. [2] Prior to the actual measurements were taken a background spectra was taken with a full cell of air as a control for the experiment. Once this had been done at least three times to ensure accurate data the vacuum line was connected to the cell by the quick fit adapter. The process was commenced by ensuring all five taps on the pump were closed and turned all the way round, clockwise. Then glass wool was packed into the pipette bulb with care using tweezers to make a cigarette holder. The cigarette was inserted into the holder and the pump was switched on. Both taps one and two were opened (see figure 1). The chosen cigarette for that particular trial was then lit, (for unfiltered cigarettes both Cigarettes brands A and B filters were cut off with a pair of scissors). Tap three was then slowly turned so that it was only slightly opened for just one second which allowed air to flow through the machine and therefore causing the cigarette to burn much more energetically. To ensure that as much sample that could be obtained from the smoke was made possible, a boiling tube was placed over the burning cigarette to collect the smoke that was given off from the burning cigarette butt which is then trapped in the gas cell ready for analysis. Taps 1 was then closed and tap 2 was opened to allow cigarette smoke to pass into the gas cell. Tap 2 was then closed followed straight after that by tap 1. The cigarette was then stubbed out the cell was detached from the vacuum line. Once the sample was analysed by the FT-IR Spectrometer the gas cell was evacuated by being placed in a dessicator. The gas line was also evacuated by turning off the tap for the pump and then venting the gas by turning taps 1 and 4. [2] This procedure was carried out four times to test both filtered and unfiltered brands A and B to obtain 1275 spectra for each trial. Filtered Cigarette smoke A in (cm-1): CO (1985, 2325), CH4 (1275, 1675), OH (3000, 3625), CH3CHO (2250, 2525) Benzene (625) [5][7] Unfiltered Cigarette smoke A in (cm-1): CO (2150, 2200), CH4 (1275, 1675), OH (3000, 3625), CH3CHO (2250, 2525) Benzene (625) [5][7] Filtered Cigarette smoke B in (cm-1): CO (2150, 2200), CH4 (1275, 1675), OH (3000, 3625), CH3CHO (2250, 2525) Benzene (625) Unfiltered Cigarette smoke B in (cm-1): CO (2150, 2200), CH4 (1275, 1675), OH (3000, 3625), CH3CHO (2250, 2525) Benzene (625) [5][7] Discussion and Conclusion It seems that the overall data that was produced shows that filtered cigarette B smoke was the most harmless cigarette smoke in comparison to its unfiltered counterpart and both the filtered and unfiltered brand A cigarette smoke as it had the lowest levels of carbon monoxide. Even though there were very small errors in the analysis of the data there are still limitations with FT-IR spectrometer such as the large stretches of water which strongly absorbs infra red radiation over other molecules and also the difficulty of pin pointing exactly what each of the chemicals were according to the complex stretches that were displayed on the spectra produced. However the overall advantages are the speed at which the trials are run as all the frequencies are measured simultaneously rather than separately. The FT-IR is also self calibrating therefore so not have to be constantly calibrated by the user ensuring controlled data. [4] The Spectrometer also does not require a vacuum as the IR radiations is not absorbed by either oxygen or nitrogen.This is why this particular form of analysis is used worldwide in analysis of subastances as IR radiation can be absorbed in all three phases (Solid, Liquid and Gaseous states) therefore making it an accurate and versatile method. Acknowledgements My heartfelt gratitude extends to Sam Finlayanson, Lewis Alan Edwards5 for allowing me to use their spectra as part of my results so that I am able to write a complete analysis on the experiment. I would also like to thank Mr Douglas Hamilton for his helpful advice and kind support while carrying out the analysis on pgopher and finally the staff of Bristol Chem labs. References Intra-puff CO and CO2 measurements of cigarettes with iron oxide cigarette paper using quantum cascade laser spectroscopy, Danielle R.Crawforda, Milton E. Parrisha, Diane L. Geea and Charles N. Harward DLM manual Diagram produced on paint by Miss Abira Sri Satkunasingham Thermo Nicolet pamphlet : Introduction to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry Sam Finlayanson, Lewis Alan Edwards: spectra Abira Sri Satkunasingham: experiment calculations and results (spectra) NIST Web book ( for identifying the stretches) Formation and Analysis of Carbon Monoxide in Cigarette Mainstream and Sidestream Smoke Adams, J.D., Hoffman, D. Wynder, E. Determination of Particle-Size Distribution and Concentration of Cigarette Smoke by a Light-Scattering Method TAKASHI OKADA AND KAZUKO MATSUNUMA Central Research Institute, Japan Monopoly Corporation, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227, Japan Puff-by-puff and intrapuff analysis of cigarette smoke using infrared spectroscopy by Milton E. Parrish, Jim L. Lyons-Hart and Kenneth H. Shafer THE HITRAN MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPIC DATABASE AND HAWKS (HITRAN ATMOSPHERIC WORKSTATION): 1996 EDITION Fundamentals of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy By Brian C. Smith

The Inflammatory N Word :: Media Racism Essays

The Inflammatory N Word   Ã‚  Ã‚   The evening of February 25, 2002 started innocuously enough. My daughter Elena is an avid fan of the television show, Boston Public (Fox), and she was looking forward to watching the newest episode. Because Boston Public can contain controversial subjects, I monitor the show while my kids are watching it. The issues addressed in a kid-friendly show turn into a good starting point for discussions with my two teenage children. The new episode not only turned out to be the epitome of controversy; it was the beginning of new type of dialogue with my children.   Ã‚  Ã‚   I had not intended to watch the television show "Boston Public" (Fox), but when I saw the topic of the show, I set aside my homework and soon became engrossed. The February 25th episode centered on the inflammatory N word (Randall Kennedy) when two boys, one white and the other black, affectionately call each other n----r. Another boy, also black, objects to white person calling a black person this word and a fight ensues. When the teacher discovers the reason for the altercation, he assigns the class to read n----r – The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word, by Randall Kennedy. The class discussion that follows causes controversy with the administration of the school because the teacher leading the discussion is not an African-American. The show ends with the principal, who is black, teaching the class instead. After the show concluded, my daughter and I had a fiery discussion about the issues raised in the show. Elena felt it was entirely appropriate that only a n African-American can teach a class on the N word. I was unhappy with the ending and felt that it would have more impact if the principal and the teacher conducted the class together. One thing both of us agreed on – we had many questions and wanted more information than what a television show could give us so we decided to purchase Mr. Kennedy’s book and learn more on the issue.   Ã‚  Ã‚   What are the origins of racial slurs and why are they used? While it was impossible to find the exact origins of racial slurs, it seems that through out history, there is always a history of an oppressed race or religion. Part of this oppression has been the use of words to help the "powerful" remain in control. Alarmingly, some of these racial slurs have even slipped into every day language.

Accounting firm Essay

A supervisor in a large accounting firm is scheduled to interview a job candidate who comes highly recommended and has excellent qualifications. Jim has an accounting degree (bachelors) from a prestigious Ivy League school and has been working on his MBA by attending an online program for the last 18 months and is close to earning his degree. In addition he has been working for one of your competitors for several years and has excellent references attesting to his ability. Your payroll budget has recently been reduced significantly as a result of a declining client base and your manager has the final authority in establishing salaries for the new hires but generally is responsive to what his supervisor’s propose to a job candidate. In addition, the HR Director has published salary ranges for new hires that are to be adhered to, unless there are extenuating circumstances such as the candidate having special expertise, the ability to bring in additional clients, or excellent credentials including having the CPA certification. Your Role/Assignment: Your role is to determine whether distributive or integrative negotiations will be preferred in this scenario between the job applicant and the supervisor, and respond to the questions regarding the other parties who have an interest in hiring the job applicant. Use the Worksheet to answer the questions related to this scenario. Each question is worth 20 points. Once you are finished, submit your assignment to the Dropbox. See more:  Perseverance essay Questions: 1.What is the appropriate negotiation strategy that would be most advantageous for Sharon and Jim in this scenario, distributive or integrative bargaining? What are the factors that should be considered in making this determination? Answer: I believe the best negotiation strategy would be for Sharon and Jim to consider using Integrative bargaining. Because Jim does bring many positives to the bargaining table. If they seriously intend to land this talented new hire, they better offer him something better than they are proposing. I believe I would use Integrative bargaining in this situation if I was supervisor or manager. 2.What factors do you feel will contribute to the Accounting Supervisor and her Manager in determining the salary that Jim should be offered as a new hire? What are some other considerations that could be made to entice Jim to accept the job assuming that his salary demands could not be met? What are Jim’s and the Accounting Supervisor’s interests? Answer: The company is working with a reduced budget because they lost one of their major clients recently. This caused them to rethink and refocus the way ahead, and how they would continue to do business in the future; in order to survive as a company. Plus the Accounting Supervisor (Sharon) has been given specific instructions as to the â€Å"wiggle room† she has to play with; which is very little, when it comes to salary negotiations. I believe Helen (Accounting Manager) is thinking solely about the company and not really considering the applicant’s desires or views. 3.What are HR’s interests in this scenario, and what would be the potential negotiation strategy between the Accounting Manager and HR assuming that there is a decision that the published salary range for attracting Jim will have to be exceeded in order to hire him? Answer: The HR Director’s interest here is clearly the concern of the Accounting Supervisor and the Manager being able to successfully negotiate an acceptable salary that will not â€Å"break the bank† as (Richard) the HR Director puts it. He wants them to ensure they negotiate within the pre-determined salary ranges. The salary cap for the position is set at $50,000. But, the problem here is the fact that Jim is already earning $60,000 with a competitor. What Sharon and Helen must decide is whether they feel hiring Jim is worth going to management to ask for an exception to try negotiation salary beyond the cap. I personally do not believe $50K will land Jim. Helen wants to â€Å"save-face† with the HR Director, because she is afraid by going to him for more money will make her look weak as a manager. 4.Propose a negotiating outcome for each of the possible negotiations that could occur in this scenario and defend your responses. Negotiations between: Supervisor and Job Applicant I would use Integrative bargaining and try to negotiate Jim down (somewhat) on his salary expectations. The approach I would employ is the fact that he would be working for such a great company, a leader in the industry. I would emphasize the room to grow. I would also put incentives and or bonuses out there for him to strive for. I would get him to look at his potential for growth and salary increases in the future. Maybe, I would tie them to his performance. Supervisor and Accounting Manager If I was the supervisor, I would go strong after my Accountant Manager to approach the HR Director about an exception to policy for the position’s salary cap. If I felt strong enough about this potential new hire’s ability; then I think it would be worth the effort and time. They should look at this as the long term potential that Jim has to help this company become stronger and make more money be gaining more clients. Helen (The manager) must put personal beliefs or assumptions aside and seek advice or make suggestions based on her best professional opinion of the benefits to hire Jim. Accounting Manager and Human Resources Simply stated, Helen has to be willing to approach Richard about seriously exceeding the salary limits in order to sign Jim on to their team. The potential impact to have this â€Å"rising star† with the skill set and abilities he has already demonstrated is probably worth an second consideration. I think they should call a meeting to discuss this. I also believe the strategy they should use is, when Jim is interviewed, the interview should include all four: Sharon, Helen, and Richard. The three of them all sit down with Jim at the same time, and explain the company’s position and attempt to negotiate a reasonable salary range.

The Cholula Massacre by Cortes

The Cholula Massacre by Cortes The Cholula massacre was one of the most ruthless actions of conquistador Hernan Cortes in his drive to conquer Mexico. Learn about this historic event. In October of 1519, Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes assembled the nobles of the Aztec city of Cholula in one of the city courtyards, where Cortes accused them of treachery. Moments later, Cortes ordered his men to attack the mostly unarmed crowd. Outside of town, Cortes Tlaxcalan allies also attacked, as the Cholulans were their traditional enemies. Within hours, thousands of inhabitants of Cholula, including most of the local nobility, were dead in the streets. The Cholula massacre sent a powerful statement to the rest of Mexico, especially the mighty Aztec state and their indecisive leader, Montezuma II. The City of Cholula In 1519, Cholula was one of the most important cities in the Aztec Empire. Located not far from the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, it was clearly within the sphere of Aztec influence. Cholula was home to an estimated 100,000 people and was known for a bustling market and for producing excellent trade goods, including pottery. It was best known as a religious center, however. It was home to the magnificent Temple of Tlaloc, which was the largest pyramid ever built by ancient cultures, bigger even than the ones in Egypt. It was best known, however, as the center of the Cult of Quetzalcoatl. This god had been around in some form since the ancient Olmec civilization, and worship of Quetzalcoatl had peaked during the mighty Toltec civilization, which dominated central Mexico from 900–1150 or so. The Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Cholula was the center of worship for this deity. The Spanish and Tlaxcala The Spanish conquistadors, under ruthless leader Hernan Cortes, had landed near present-day Veracruz in April of 1519. They had proceeded to make their way inland, making alliances with local tribes or defeating them as the situation warranted. As the brutal adventurers made their way inland, Aztec Emperor Montezuma II tried to threaten them or buy them off, but any gifts of gold only increased the Spaniards insatiable thirst for wealth. In September of 1519, the Spanish arrived in the free state of Tlaxcala. The Tlaxcalans had resisted the Aztec Empire for decades and were one of only a handful of places in central Mexico not under Aztec rule. The Tlaxcalans attacked the Spanish but were repeatedly defeated. They then welcomed the Spanish, establishing an alliance they hoped would overthrow their hated adversaries, the Mexica (Aztecs). The Road to Cholula The Spanish rested at Tlaxcala with their new allies and Cortes pondered his next move. The most direct road to Tenochtitlan went through Cholula and emissaries sent by Montezuma urged the Spanish to go through there, but Cortes new Tlaxcalan allies repeatedly warned the Spanish leader that the Cholulans were treacherous and that Montezuma would ambush them somewhere near the city. While still in Tlaxcala, Cortes exchanged messages with the leadership of Cholula, who at first sent some low-level negotiators who were rebuffed by Cortes. They later sent some more important noblemen to confer with the conquistador. After consulting with the Cholulans and his captains, Cortes decided to go through Cholula. Reception in Cholula The Spanish left Tlaxcala on October 12 and arrived in Cholula two days later. The intruders were awed by the magnificent city, with its towering temples, well laid-out streets and bustling market. The Spanish got a lukewarm reception. They were allowed to enter the city (although their escort of fierce Tlaxcalan warriors was forced to remain outside), but after the first two or three days, the locals stopped bringing them any food. Meanwhile, city leaders were reluctant to meet with Cortes. Before long, Cortes began to hear of rumors of treachery. Although the Tlaxcalans were not allowed in the city, he was accompanied by s ome Totonacs from the coast, who were allowed to roam freely. They told him of preparations for war in Cholula: pits dug in the streets and camouflaged, women and children fleeing the area, and more. In addition, two local minor noblemen informed Cortes of a plot to ambush the Spanish once they left the city. Malinche's Report The most damning report of treachery came through Cortes mistress and interpreter, Malinche. Malinche had struck up a friendship with a local woman, the wife of a high-ranking Cholulan soldier. One night, the woman came to see Malinche and told her that she should flee immediately because of the impending attack. The woman suggested that Malinche could marry her son after the Spanish were gone. Malinche agreed to go with her in order to buy time and then turned the old woman over to Cortes. After interrogating her, Cortes was certain of a plot. Cortes' Speech On the morning that the Spanish were supposed to leave (the date is uncertain, but was in late October 1519), Cortes summoned the local leadership to the courtyard in front of the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, using the pretext that he wished to say goodbye to them before he left. With the Cholula leadership assembled, Cortes began to speak, his words translated by Malinche. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, one of Cortes foot soldiers, was in the crowd and recalled the speech many years later: He (Cortes) said: How anxious these traitors are to see us among the ravines so that they can gorge themselves on our flesh. But our lord will prevent it....Cortes then asked the Caciques why they had turned traitors and decided the night before that they would kill us, seeing that we had done them nor harm but had merely warned them against...wickedness and human sacrifice, and the worship of idols...Their hostility was plain to see, and their treachery also, which they could not conceal...He was well aware, he said, that they had many companies of warriors lying in wait for us in some ravines nearby ready to carry out the treacherous attack they had planned... (Diaz del Castillo, 198-199) The Cholula Massacre According the Diaz, the assembled nobles did not deny the accusations  but claimed that they were merely following the wishes of Emperor Montezuma. Cortes responded that the King of Spains laws decreed that treachery must not go unpunished. With that, a musket shot fired: this was the signal the Spanish were waiting for. The heavily armed and armored conquistadors attacked the assembled crowd, mostly unarmed noblemen, priests and other city leaders, firing arquebuses and crossbows and hacking with steel swords. The shocked populace of Cholula trampled one another in their vain efforts to escape. Meanwhile, the Tlaxcalans, traditional enemies of Cholula, rushed into the city from their camp outside of town to attack and pillage. Within a couple of hours, thousands of Cholulans lay dead in the streets. Aftermath of the Cholula Massacre Still incensed, Cortes allowed his savage Tlaxcalan allies to sack the city and haul victims back to Tlaxcala as slaves and sacrifices. The city was in ruins and the temple burned for two days. After a few days, a few surviving Cholulan noblemen returned, and Cortes bade them tell the people that it was safe to come back. Cortes had two messengers from Montezuma with him, and they witnessed the massacre. He sent them back to Montezuma with the message that the lords of Cholula had implicated Montezuma in the attack and that he would be marching on Tenochtitlan as a conqueror. The messengers soon returned with word from Montezuma disavowing any involvement in the attack, which he blamed solely on the Cholulans and some local Aztec leaders. Cholula itself was sacked, providing much gold for the greedy Spanish. They also found some stout wooden cages with prisoners inside who were being fattened up for sacrifice: Cortes ordered them freed. Cholulan leaders who had told Cortes about the plot were rewarded. The Cholula Massacre sent a clear message to Central Mexico: the Spanish were not to be trifled with. It also proved to Aztec vassal states- of which many were unhappy with the arrangement- that the Aztecs could not necessarily protect them. Cortes hand-picked successors to rule Cholula while he was there, thus ensuring that his supply line to the port of Veracruz, which now ran through Cholula and Tlaxcala, would not be endangered. When Cortes finally did leave Cholula in November of 1519, he reached Tenochtitlan without being ambushed. This raises the question of whether or not there had been a treacherous plan in the first place. Some historians question whether Malinche, who translated everything the Cholulans said and who conveniently provided the most damning evidence of a plot, orchestrated it herself. The historical sources seem to agree, however, that there was an abundance of evidence to support the likelihood of a plot. References Castillo, Bernal DiÃŒ az del, Cohen J. M., and Radice B.  The Conquest of New Spain. London: Clays Ltd./Penguin; 1963. Levy, Buddy.  Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King  Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs.  New York: Bantam, 2008. Thomas, Hugh.  The Real Discovery of America: Mexico November 8, 1519. New York: Touchstone, 1993.

Past-Tense Regular Verb Pronunciation Guide

Past-Tense Regular Verb Pronunciation Guide A language thats always changing and adding new words, English is a challenging one to learn, as it is full of quirks and exceptions. The construction of regular past-tense verbs, at least, is pretty straightforward. It is generally done by adding -d or -ed to the verb, and it doesnt change form based on the subject of the verb: I asked, he agreed, you accepted- the verbs in these instances all look alike, ending in -ed. What does differ between them, though, is the  pronunciation of the ending. For some verbs, its a voiceless sound like T, as in asked; in some, its a voiced sound of D, as in agreed; and in some, its pronounced like ID, as in accepted. The lists that follow are three groupings of regular past-tense verbs, based on their pronunciation of the ending.   Note:  When you are looking at sentences to find the verbs to change to past tense, be certain you have found the verbs.  Theyre the action words. Group A:  Voiceless Last Sound of the Infinitive If the infinitive of the verb has a voiceless sound at the end of it, such as p, k, s, ch, sh, f, x, or h, you pronounce the ed ending as a T. (Note the pronunciation in parentheses. Its the sound that determines the group that a word belongs to, not always the written letter. For example, even though dance ends with a -ce, its sound is that of an s, so its in this voiceless group.) Example: Ask, asked ask(T) -ed as â€Å"T† askedbakedbrushedcookedcrackedcrasheddanced (da:ns) tdresseddroppedescapedfinishedfixedguessedhelpedhikedhopedjokedjumpedkissedknockedlaughed (là ¦f) tlockedlookedmissedmixedpackedpassedpickedpressedpronouncedpushedrelaxedshoppedslippedsmokedstoppedtalkedtypedwalkedwashedwatchedworked Group B:  Voiced Last Sound of the Infinitive If the last sound in the  verb is a voiced one, such as in l, v, n, m, r, b, v, g, w, y, z, and vowel sounds, or diphthongs, then pronounce the -ed ending as D. (Note the pronunciation in parentheses. The sound determines the group that a word belongs to, not always the written letter. For example, even though advise ends with an -se, its sound is that of the voiced z sound, keeping that word in this voiced sound group.) Example:  Allow, allowed allow(D) -ed as â€Å"D† advised (ad’vaiz) dagreedallowedansweredappearedarrivedbelievedbelongedburnedcalledcarriedchangedcleanedclosedcoveredcrieddamageddescribeddieddriedearnedencouragedenjoyedenteredexplainedexploredfilledfollowedhappenedimaginedinterviewedjailedkilledlistenedlivedlovedmeasuredmovedopenedplannedplayedperformedpulledrainedrealizedrememberedrepairedsavedsharedshavedshowedsignedslammedstayedsnowedstudiedtraveledtriedturnedusedwelcomedwhisperedworriedyawned Group C:  T or D as the Last Sound of the Infinitive If the last sound in the infinitive verb is a t or d, pronounce the -ed ending as â€Å"ID.† Example:  Need, needed need(id) -ed as â€Å"ID† acceptedaffordedarrestedattendedcollectedcontactedcounteddecideddefendeddemandeddividedendedexpandedexpectedexportedfloodedgraduatedhatedhuntedincludedinventedinvitedlandedneededpaintedplantedpresentedpretendedprintedprotectedprovidedrentedrepeatedreportedrespectedrestedscoldedshoutedskatedstartedtreatedvisitedwaitedwantedwasted The past simple form is often confused with the present perfect. Review  present perfect versus past simple to  help you test your understanding of when to use the present perfect or past simple tense.

A Few Good Man Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Few Good Man - Movie Review Example ges to prove the presence of Code Red, â€Å"an extrajudicial punishment† for dissenting officers, but there is a setback when it is proved that Dawson was absent when the code red order was made. As the movie ends, Colonel Jessup contradicts his testimony and angrily justifies his actions that led to the death of Santiago. Jessup is arrested, while Downey and Dawson are found guilty of unbecoming conduct of a marine and discharged dishonorably. A Few Good Men touches on military justice and demonstrates how military honor and competence is suborned by authorities. Dawson and Downey were treated fairly in A Few Good Men as they were cleared of murder and Jessup was arrested for giving the code red order on Santiago. Dawson and Downey were following orders dictated by their code on abiding to a unit, corps, God, and country in the course of duty (Sorkin, 1990, p. 32). However, they followed orders from their superiors, including Colonel Jessup, but did not regard their duty to protect those not in a position to protect themselves leading to their dishonorable discharge. There was unfairness by the justice system in choice of attorney, willingness to make plea, and choice of prosecutor. Instances exist where the judicial system treated the accused differently as they were going against the word of powerful people. The first instance is assigning the Santiago case to Kaffee and Moore despite their proven inexperience in courtrooms and Kaffee best known for settling cases regardless of guilt, innocence, or the opinion of accused. The other instance is that Downey and Dawson were investigated by military that set up the justice system through appointing the attorneys and presided over the prosecution, which is a violation of their right to fair treatment. The other difference was through instructing Kaffee to plea on behalf of the accused to avoid getting the case to trial. This is evidenced by the prosecutor cautioning him that not pleading was a risk to his

Group Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Group Effectiveness - Essay Example Having said this, this part of the paper is aim at finding and assessing group effectiveness in the work place. standards of those using the output; Capability to work interdependently: the degree to which the group's members are able to work together in the future; and growth and well-being of members: the degree to which the experience of being in the group enhanced the individual members through the common goal (Hackman, 1990). Thus group effectiveness refers to the work quality of a work group. This will be illustrated using ASDA an international retail company with headquarters in the States. According to the work group model developed by Hackman (1990), the group that performs its assigned task well but is not able to work together in the future is not a truly effective group. ASDA is WALMART in the United Kingdom. At the stores, employees are defined within the roles they occupy and by departmental functions all working for a common goal. These group members, though working as a group are able to work independently in the absence of a group member. While, groups in ASDA are defined within various functions (e.g., Stocking group, cash department group, teller functions, security group etc) these are all indicative of the effectiveness of the various groups. Group effectiveness at ASDA supermarket, is further identified through a collective sense of "We" feelings amongst the group members. Thus at ASDA the life of a group and it members must be accounted for in determining the effectiveness of the group. This again can be seen from the common a shared common goal. For ex ample, ASDA UK sales have increased in the past two years. Again, return on assets and return on capital employed has also increased. Thus, based on Hackman (1990) argument that a group is effective once the output of the group is acceptable and satisfied those who consume it. 1.1.3 Assessing Group effectiveness at work Place According to Hackman (1998) review, group effectiveness can be assessed from different dimension. The researcher cited Hackett (1995) who illustrated the role of self-efficacy in career choice and development, she illustrates that self-efficacy plays a strong role in individual career choices. To assess the effectiveness of the group, attention should be paid at group commitment and output. At ASDA, employee's group effectivene

Textile industry and water pollution in China Essay

Textile industry and water pollution in China - Essay Example In recent times, China has risen to be among the world’s most powerful economies as the country intensely relies on textile industries as a way of assured sustenance. However, this aspect of economic growth has had a downside effect on the environment in which it has experienced intense degradation. Many analysts argue that the Chinese environment has suffered because the Chinese government has failed to create policies that regulate the Chinese environment. In addition, the lack of public awareness on the environmental challenges in China has also hindered any attempts by China in creating a proper balance between economic growth and environmental management (Wencong, 2012). Presentation of the problem As the current global statistics China, has at least fifty thousand textile industries making the country to be ‘the factory world’ (Ecotextiles, 2012). These textile industries are the prime victims of water pollution that has the forced the government to intervene as a way of protecting the Chinese environment. As at now, there is no strict legislation that holds Chinese textile companies viable for environmental degradation. This has influenced an increase in awareness of textile companies taking responsibility for the waste water from their industries. According to surveys, the chemical by products used in the production of textiles encompasses intense amounts of contaminated substances that have detrimental effect on human and the environment at large. This aspect poses a danger to the global community as the harmful substances find their way to the environment through the water used in washing these textiles by those that purchase these fabrics. The depiction here is that toxic chemicals find their way to water sources from the point of production to the last point of the chain that is at the point of consumption. Further, research has also unearthed that man made toxic chemicals used in the production of textiles have an effect on human health as the skins tends to absorb these harmful particles (Gang, 2009). Over time, various environmentalists have adopted campaigns that have the intention of influencing principal textile brands to less harmful substances in their production because of the effects that these substances present. Some of the textile manufacturers that have agreed to this campaign include Adidas, Marks and Spencer, Puma, Nike just to name a few. In this regard, environmentalists have initiated campaigns aimed at re-evaluating the legislation surrounding environment protection and support the natural ecosystem. In essence, the Chinese textile industry generates at least three billion tons of wastewater as compared to wastewate r generated by other economic propellants in China (Menon, 2010). In addition, China recorded at least six thousand environmental violation instances from Chinese textile factories as per the Water Pollution map of China database. The Waste Pollution Map body has the responsibility of consolidating data essential for launching legal action against textile industries that secrete both solid and liquid waste to water

The Role of Culture in English Language Teaching Essay Example for Free

The Role of Culture in English Language Teaching Essay English Language is traditionally viewed as a code made up of words and a series of rules that connect them together. Language learning here, involves only vocabulary learning, and the rules for constructing ‘proper’ sentences. In most schools in Meghalaya, grammar is being taught at a very early age and students are expected to understand complex idiomatic phrases at the secondary level. Linguistic terminologies, rules of grammar, complex vocabulary, proverbs and their meanings have to be learnt by heart for them to overcome their board examinations. Such a situation only confuses the learners at a very early age and demotivates them from learning any further than what they have to write in their examinations. This narrow understanding of language sees it as a body of knowledge which is fixed and finite and does not explore the complexities involved in using language for communication. When language is seen as ‘open, dynamic, energetic, constantly evolving and personal’ (Shohamy, 2007:5) it acknowledges the rich complexities of communication. Language is no longer a thing to be studied but rather, a way of seeing, understanding and communicating about the world and each language user will use his language differently to do this. Such an expanded view will make the educational process more engaging. The communicative approach to teaching emphasizes elements of communication, including negotiation of meaning, expression, and interpretation (Brown 2000). Speaking is not the only skill that communicative language teaching focuses on but also involves reading, writing, grammar, and culture (Lee VanPatten, 2003). Brown (2007) also adds that students in such classrooms need to use the target language in a meaningful context. The purpose of Communicative language teaching is to improve the learners’ knowledge of the second language, as well as how to use it appropriately in a given context (Li Song, 2007). Learners acquire the second language through interaction with others rather than rote memorization and grammar rule learning. Language is first and foremost a tool for purposeful communication and this involves learning the vocabulary and the rules of how to use them in various cultural contexts. Hence, language does not imply a body of knowledge to be learnt but a social practice in which to participate (Kramsch, 1994). It is something that people do in their daily lives, something that they use to express, create and interpret meanings and to establish and maintain social and inter-personal relationships. Learners can no longer be seen as passive recipients of knowledge, but rather, active participants in a dynamic, complex, personal communication system. Language learning should involve them talking analytically about language, exploring and discovering the ways in which it works in order to create and convey meanings. On the surface, culture can be seen as a body of knowledge that we have about a particular society. These may include cultural artefacts, tools, institutions, rituals, dress, food etc. On a deeper level, culture is a framework in which people live their lives and communicate shared meanings with each other. Creating and interpreting meaning always happens within this cultural framework wherein both cultures simultaneously influence the learners’ understanding. Learning to communicate in English involves an awareness of the ways in which culture inter-relates with language whenever it is used. Many scholars today believe that culture and language are inseparable and culture learning must be an integral part of language learning. According to Kramsch (1993) there are three ways how language and culture are bound together. Firstly, language expresses cultural reality (people express ideas, facts and reflect their attitudes through words). Secondly, language embodies cultural reality (it helps people give meaning and understand their own experiences). And thirdly, language symbolizes cultural reality (it serves as a social identity for people). Learning a second language necessarily involves comparison with the learners’ first language, but the latter is generally perceived as causing ‘interference’ in the learning of the target language. So, students are taught to imitate, practice drills, and create speaking habits without addressing the larger complexities of language learning. In the language classroom, learners do not only learn about a culture but they try to understand themselves in relation to that culture. This process entails the transformational engagement of the learner in the act of learning. Students bring with them their own conceptions, misconceptions, experiences, feelings and understanding to the classroom, and as they interact with another culture, their views will continue to change and shape their learning as well as their identity. The diverse cultural understandings and experiences of the students are highly influential and therefore need to be taken into account. There are many approaches to teaching culture in language learning. Saluveer (2004) has divided them into two broad categories: Those that focus only on the culture of the target language (mono-cultural approach) and those that are based on comparing the learners’ own and the other culture (comparative approach). Risager (1998) describes four approaches to teaching of culture, namely, the intercultural approach, the multicultural approach, the trans-cultural approach, and the foreign-cultural approach. Of these, the intercultural approach seem most appropriate for a study on Khasi-dominated classrooms as it draws upon the idea that culture is best learned through comparison of the target and the learners’ own culture. Though the main focus is on the target culture, the intercultural approach emphasizes the connections between the two cultures, thereby developing the learners’ intercultural and communicative competences, and enabling them to act as mediators betwe en the two cultures. Saluveer (2004) points out two categories of foreign language textbooks used in English language classrooms: Global textbooks which cover issues which appeal to people from different cultural backgrounds and include topics that can be set anywhere; and Locally produced textbooks which include materials which are consistent with the requirements of the national curriculum and such books usually foster learners’ awareness of both their own cultural identity and the target culture. Analysis of the current English textbooks being used by schools would prove to be very useful for the study. According to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2005 the goals for a second language curriculum are attainment of basic proficiency and the development of language into an instrument for abstract thought and knowledge acquisition through literacy. It believes that children learn much better in holistic situations that make sense rather than a linear and additive way that often has no meaning. Rich and comprehensible input is necessary for acquisition of the different skills of language. The NCF (2005) encourages a multi-lingual approach to schooling right from the beginning of a child’s education. It states that the success of â€Å"English medium† schools shows that language is learnt when it is not being taught as a language but rather, through exposure in a meaningful context. It is also of the opinion that input-rich communicational environments are essential for effective language learning. This includes learner chosen texts, parallel books and materials in more than one language, multi-media, â€Å"authentic materials† and so on. It states that a variety of materials should be available to provide an input-rich curriculum which focuses on meaning. The textbooks of Meghalaya have been recently revised as per the directives of the NCF 2005 wherein the focus is on developing an activity-based communicative approach towards teaching and learning. They have tried to incorporate culturally authentic materials which are relevant to the immediate environment of the child. The NCF 2005 has suggested the use of locally available resources such as folklore, storytelling, community singing and theatre. Listening should also be enriched with music such as folk, classical and popular compositions. Today, there is a unanimous agreement amongst scholars that teachers should integrate language and culture into their classrooms and they should not perceive them as two separate entities. Language is seen as part of culture and culture a part of language, which is why they cannot be separated and should be taught together. (Brown , 2007) Hence, we need to better our understanding of learners, recognize differences in their social and cultural worlds – their experiences, motivations and aspirations, and incorporate this diversity into our teaching and learning. When students communicate in such a classroom, they become both participants and observers of ideas, expressions, feelings and experiences, thereby engendering a greater awareness of themselves in relation to others. Research Problem Students of Shillong vary widely in terms of language use in their homes and communities depending on their socio-economic backgrounds. A major challenge faced by teachers today is enabling economically-disadvantaged tribal students to communicate effectively in English at the school level. The ones who are privileged enough to attend expensive multicultural English medium schools communicate exceptionally well compared to the under-privileged majority of students. The word-knowledge before they come to school also varies accordingly and greatly influences how they perform in the later levels of school. If there is a significant gap in the vocabulary at the primary level, it will widen as the student progresses. Such students become poor readers and consequently, they read less, thereby learning fewer new words. They usually do not develop fluency even in the later stages of education, either in speaking or writing. On the other hand, students with good vocabulary generally read more, thereby learning more words and improving their reading skills (Stanovich, 1986). This downward spiral is especially true with students from rural areas. They are hardly exposed to any English text except those which are essential in school and there is no opportunity for them to converse in English. Similarly, urban English-medium schools which are predominantly mono-lingual harbour secondary level students who generally avoid using English, except in situations when they have to. An inferiority complex coupled with intense peer pressure usually seals their mouths shut whenever an English-speaking situation emerges. To further complicate the situation, students from rural areas usually migrate to such schools at the elementary and secondary level. A study into the real or actual classroom situations and the effectiveness of ELT methods and approaches used in such schools would give a clearer understanding of the problems that are hindering the acquisition and learning of English. English language teachers have to cater to the context of the target students and since the problems of underprivileged Khasi children are similar to some extent, a clear understanding of the teaching-learning relationship between them can be achieved. Hence, language learning should build on the students’ prior knowledge, conceptions and misconceptions through an interactive and communicative process. Utilizing culturally â€Å"authentic† materials that students are already familiar with will encourage discussion and meaning making in the classroom. Audio-visual aids and other multimedia materials which are relevant to the immediate environment of the students have great potential for motivating the students to participate more actively in the language learning process. The current methods, strategies, and evaluation of teaching English do not give importance to integrating the students’ culture into language learning. The researcher believes that investigating the selection of textbooks, assessing the textbooks themselves, the teachers’ use of culturally relevant materials, and their creation of a learner-centered classroom environment for social interactive learning is a worthwhile enterprise not only for pedagogical purposes but also for insights into second language learning for monolingual classrooms in general. Area of Study The study focuses mainly at the elementary level. It will select 8 schools; four government schools and four private schools within the semi-urban areas of Shillong. The schools selected will be the schools following the MBOSE syllabus. Aims and Objective The main goal of the present study is to find out if integration of culturally relevant material into the teaching and learning of English as a second language would help promote communication skills in semi-urban English medium schools. The main objectives of the research are: †¢ The textbooks: A description of the textbooks in terms of its aim, content, approach and design will be presented in the study. †¢ If there is integration of culturally relevant materials in the textbooks, the study will examine how integration is being carried out: I. in actual classroom situation. II. in the audio-visual aids or tools available in actual classroom situation. †¢ The study will also examine the evaluation and assessment tools commonly practiced in the schools. †¢ The study will also provide a brief description of the teacher training programmes. †¢ Since the study focuses mainly on integration of local cultural materials to promote communicative skills, it will also document available materials to be incorporated appropriately at the elementary level. †¢ Tools and techniques incorporating culturally relevant materials to test development of communication skills for children at the elementary level. Methodology Both primary and secondary resources will be adopted in the study. For collection of Primary data, the study will incorporate the following methods: 1. The participant–observation method. This method will be used to examine the teaching practices, audio-visual aids, common language assessment strategies adopted in actual classroom situation. 2. The questionnaire method: This method will be used for analyzing the textbooks, and teacher training programmes. 3. The interview method: Interview schedule will be adopted for a study of teacher’s and student’s background. 4. Tools and techniques incorporating local and culturally relevant materials for testing communication skills. For secondary data, the study will try to collect materials from educational institutions, such as teacher training institutes, University libraries, and the State and National institute of school education. Fieldwork for the study will be carried out in the 8 selected schools located within the semi-urban areas of the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. Tentative Chapterisation 1. Introduction 2. Contemporary methods of English language teaching 3. Methodology 4. Data Analysis and Presentation of Materials 5. Summary and Future Projections of the Study

Planning for a Business Start Up

Planning for a Business Start Up Would it be feasible to open an electrical goods store in Thame? Thame is in Oxon (Oxfordshire). Abstract This report examines the business case for a start up business in Thame, Oxfordshire. The business in question is that of an electrical retailer, and the possibilities for both a small, independent enterprise and a large chain multiple are considered here. The report first considers the contemporary economic and retail environment, and then the relevant facts about Thame itself. It then looks at the possible market segmentation associated with the business, and considers some projected cashflow and expenditure models. In conclusion, the report does not foresee any guarantees of success for such a venture in the present climate, although it may be possible to accrue small margins through diversifying the business into e.commerce. Conversely, it may be that forthcoming large scale ventures have better prospects. 1. Introduction. This report examines the business case for starting a new venture in the form of an electrical retailer in Thame, Oxfordshire. It does so with due regard for the contemporary economic and retailing environment, as well as the relative prospects of a small, independent business as against a larger, diversified one. As Groom speculates, ‘A recession can be a smart time to launch a business or innovate, if you can find the money to invest. Competitors are struggling to cut costs and you can look forward to the upturn.’ (1). Liquidity in terms of start up costs, inventory, stock and rents is a key factor for consumer facing businesses, who cannot confidently predict their actual margins in the current climate. As will be discussed below, there are likely to be significant developments in UK electrical retailing sector over the next few years: not even the established multiple chains are assured of retaining their current margins. The one area which may offer smaller players a significant opportunity is e.commerce. As Hooley et al. point out, ‘A significant feature of the Internet is the shift in power away from manufacturers and retailers towards customers. While the period to the middle of the twentieth century saw power concentrated in the hands of manufacturers and suppliersthe customer now typically initiates an information search, whereas in the past the manufacturer or the retailer initiated and controlled this.’ (2) 2. A worthwhile business opportunity? The local/national competition. In the absence of detailed and focused market research data, the business case must be projected from the available circumstantial evidence. We will begin this discussion by looking at the market conditions for electrical goods and UK retailing in general. Both the British Retail Consortium and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported worsening trade figures in November 2008, with non-discretionary purchases, i.e. food and drink, the only categories not to be depressed. (3) A recent Bank of England survey reported that Banks are imposing tougher lending standards on loans and credit cards, although interest rate cuts may encourage households to spend money freed off by heaper mortgage repayments. As one analyst observes, ‘Non-food retail sales are driven by real wage growth, credit availability and housing wealth. Since real incomes, after inflation, have been falling for about two years, consumers have dipped into savings, and used remortgaging and credit cards to maintain spending. Things are now reversing.’ (4) A depressed housing market will further impact upon electrical retailing through a lower demand for appliances. The major multiple and discount electrical store chains are suffering from poor sales and margins at present, due to the following factors†¦ Depressed housing markets have resulted in lower sales of refrigerators, washing machines and other white goods. A price war between television manufacturers has depressed profit margins on these goods by 1 per cent in the second half of 2008. Sales of flat-screen TV’s have slowed to the level of white goods. Margins have been further reduced in pre-Christmas price cutting, with rival chains holding sales to reduce stock levels. (5) In specific company terms, this means that Comet’s like for like sales are down 11.6 per cent from 2007, and Kesa, its Anglo-French owned parent company, has suffered a first half loss. Its shares recently suffered an 11.9 pence fall to 142.5 pence, and it is planning to cut costs through redundancies in its UK stores. DSG International, Comet’s closest competitor, has recently scrapped its dividend on the same basis. (6) As a background to this, large format outlets in retail park developments have been contracting, with Comet and Curry’s planning to rationalise their chains. Meanwhile, Tesco and Asda are expanding their non-discretionary and homewares businesses, and Argos is reportedly expanding. DSG have also opened a 60,000 square foot outlet near Birmingham, under the Currys megastore brand. In the long term, there may be competition from completely new entrants, such as Carphone Warehoue, which is currently opening US electrical stores in partnership with Best Buy. ( 7) The Best Buy/Carphone partnership has already projected 200 large consumer electrical stores in Europe by 2013, with 100 of these in the UK. They will be going head to head with Curry’s, Comet and PC World, and projecting sales of  £6.2 billion by 2013. ( 8) This is based on anticipated margins of 5.6 per cent, whereas current incumbents such as Currys and Comet trade on typical margins of 1 per cent. It is planned to achieve this more favourable margin by adopting a ‘know your customer’ approach: as Charles Dunstone puts it, ‘If you go to a lot of electrical stores now, they just keep the rain off the stock, no one there does anything, they don’t display it nicely, if you ask a question they just read the label back to you.’ (9). 3. The Local and Regional Trading Context. Thame is in a relatively affluent area. A detached house in the town is currently valued at an average of  £383,799, with the entry level flat or maisonette costing an average of  £167,994. (10) Council tax is likely to rise in 2009, with a Band ‘D’ tax payer facing an increase of  £3.05. (11) . The area is already well provided with electrical retail outlets. Curry’s has ten stores within a twenty five mile radius of Thame, including three in Reading, two in High Wycombe and two in Aylesbury. There are five Comet electrical stores within the same area : Aylesbury, Oxford (Cowley), Oxford, High Wycombe, and Reading, the closest of which is 8.7 miles away. Tesco and Asda, which both sell household electricals, have stores within an 8 mile radius of Thame: Tesco’s Princes Risborough store is 7.65 miles away, whilst Asda’s Wheatley outlet is only 6.05 miles. DIY outlets such as BQ, who also sell some electrical appliances, also have stores in the area. Thame is listed as having two independent electrical retailers: Thame Audio, of Swan Walk, and Domesco Ltd, in Thame High Street. No trading figures are available for the latter, but in 2008 Thame Audio publicly reported a drop in turnover to  £100,000. (12 ) The local credit situation for new or small enterprises is not encouraging. The proprietor of Thames AV, the independent television and hi-fi store, has recently complained of having his business overdraft interest rate doubled to 8 per cent, with the bank (Barclays) unwilling to extend further credit. (13) This is redolent of the wider national situation: The Federation of Small Businesses indicates that ‘†¦Our members are being refused loans and threatened with overdraft withdrawals unless they agree to new, hiked-up rates. The banks have had their bail-out. They should not pass their problems on to loyal . . . customers.’ (14 ) There are support organisations for new enterprise in the region, including the Oxford Trust, and Oxford Innovation. (15) It must also be borne in mind that the balance of the regulatory framework is unlikely to be tipped towards small retailers in the near future. As one of their Trade Organisation representatives has commented, ‘Having received the recommendations of a detailed and extensive inquiry there is no justification for the government not driving forward the †¦remedy put forward by the†¦competition authorities.’ (16) However, the response from the Office of Fair Trading has so far been unequivocal: ‘It is not for the competition authorities to deny any players in a market opportunities for organic growth†¦out of a perceived need and ability to meet consumer demand.’ (17). In other words, there will be no regulatory leveling of the playing field to encourage or assist small businesses. 4. Market entry prospects and Cash flow Forecast. Deacons and Freely point out that ‘converting an idea into a business opportunity is the key element of the process of business creation†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢, simultaneously indicating that a number of elements need to converge: ‘The economic environment has to be conducive, the culture must be appropriate for risk-taking and the nascent entrepreneur must have the confidence to take an idea suggested by opportunities through to fulfilment.’ (18) Whilst not all of these factors are currently present, it is proposed here that small retailers can still take advantage of the untapped capacity in eCommerce. As Hooley et al point out, this market is not homogenous, consisting of highly differentiated segments, i.e. ‘†¦Explorers – highly optimistic and innovative; Pioneers – the innovative but cautious: Skeptics – who need to have the benefits of technology proved to them: Paranoids – those who are insecure about the technology; and Laggar ds – those who will resist the technology†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢. (19). In a survey of small retailers, over half said that they were already augmenting their footfall business with trading on the web. All of those who had done so considered the initial outlay had been well invested, and considered that they had already recouped their investment. Whilst none agreed with the idea that the web might eventually supplant their high street business, they all foresaw it playing an increasing role in their margins even those who had not yet started trading on the web. (Appendix 3). Cashflow Forecast. Individuals will not enter the sphere of business start ups on a level playing field, as financial institutions are applying increasingly stringent lending criteria. As Deakins and Freel point out, ‘The importance of human capital tends to be reinforced by external financial institutions, since research has shown that bank managers rate previous experience as an important factor in lending to new-venture entrepreneurs.’ (20) The margins cited above, i.e. those of between 1 and 5 per cent as accepted in the trading of the large electrical multiples, illustrate how difficult it is going to be for a small scale enterprise to expand or even survive in close proximity to them. The cashflow forecast prepared for this study is based on a reasonably well capitalized start up, with only a  £24,000 loan required, and this deferred until the second year of trading, i.e. no repayments due in the first twelve months. It also assumes the trader has personal liquidity of  £500 a month from their existing assets, which they are prepared to commit to the business. The business has a target monthly income of between  £8,000 and  £10,000, seasonally adjusted: taking into account all other income, this would accrue a grand total of  £134.000. (See Appendix 1). Assuming an annual stock inventory of  £96,000, the other major outgoing will be Rent and rates, which are currently high in both the high street and out of town sites, despite vacant lots and falling demand. This will amount to  £14,400 including business rates, and there will also be a  £4,000 start up cost for interactive website design. With nothing factored in for contingencies, a total expected expenditure of  £125,120 is perhaps a little optimistic, and the predicted profit of  £8880 may be reduced to a break even situation. This is not regarded as a bad result in the first year’s trading for an independent retailer. (Appendix 2). 5. Conclusion. Current retail trading conditions are, arguably, not auspicious for any scale of enterprise. However, they are particularly hazardous for the small retailer, and especially one which is relying on any element of credit. There is no guarantee that the latter will be available at all, or that the terms agreed for it will remain unchanged: as has been discussed above, if they do change, it is likely to be in favour of the bank, rather than the other way round. As Deakins and Freel point out, ‘For obvious reasons, little research has been done on new business ventures that subsequently fail, but it is commonly asserted that one of the main reasons for the reported high failure rates of such new ventures is under-capitalization.’ (21). With forthcoming large scale businesses such as Carphone concentrating on creating customer value through service, small businesses will no longer be able to claim any discernible advantage in that respect, unless they can apply to new areas of retailing such as e.commerce. On the positive side, small businesses may derive some advantage from official nervousness about their role in the overall economy. Chancellor Alistair Darling has augmented the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme, and widened the availability of Insurance from the Export Credits Guarantee Department. Stephen Alambritis, who is the head of parliamentary affairs for the Federation of Small Businesses, has indicated that ‘†¦Something’s happened somewhere [in government] that recognises that the real economy is small businesses, and if they don’t get the money and †¦the credit, then we’ll be in a recession.’ (22). With over 13 million people in the UK working in the small business sector, much depends on their sustainability. (23) However, the precise amount of support which might be available to any individual enterprise, such as the one under discussion here, cannot be anticipated. It must also be considered tha t any such support may be ephemeral in nature, and be reflected in higher taxes and lower business allowances when the fiscal books have to be balanced. Overall, the factors uncovered by this report indicate that this is not an appropriate time to open a small independent electrical retail business in Thame. Conversely, it may a propitious time for the kind of audacious, service orientated superstore mooted by Carphone Warehouse. As Blumentritt observes, ‘†¦Because defenders value efficiency and stability in their technology, structure, and organizational routines, they are sensitized to problems associated with innovation (e.g., high cost, risk of failure, threat to the established order)†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (24) If this is true of the existing electrical multiples, Thame may be a promising site for such a venture. Footnotes 1.) Groom, B., ‘A Great Time for New Businesses?’, Financial Times, 18.11.08, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b8fc9ccc-b510-11dd-b780-0000779fd18c.html [viewed 21.12.08] 2.) Hooley, G., Saunders, J., and Piercy, N., (2004), Marketing Strategy and Competitive Position, 3rd Edition, Financial Times/Prentice Hall, p.515. 3.) Cohen, N., ‘Plunge in UK retail sales and home deals’, Financial Times, 11 Nov 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/71a9f746-af7c-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 4.) Unattributed, ‘UK retail’, Financial Times, 7th Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1/d898f024-9447-11dd-953e-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 5. ) O’Connor, S., ‘The pain in Spain spreads to Kesa’s electrical goods’, Financial Times, 17th December 2008 INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2777ac0-cbdb-11dd-ba02-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 6.) Urry, M., ‘Kesa plunges on Comet warning’, Financial Times, 10 Sept 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae1807ca-7f18-11dd-a3da-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 7.) Thomas, D., and Rigby, E., ‘Wind of change blows through retail parks’, Financial Times, 17 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c93c46ae-9c7a-11dd-a42e-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 8.) Rigby, E., and Parker, A., ‘Best Buy and Carphone detail Europe venture’, Financial Times, 15 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2da7750-9a51-11dd-bfe2-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 9. ) Rigby, E., and Parker, A., ‘Carphone upbeat over ambitious new venture’, Financial Times, 15 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fc98369a-9ae8-11dd-a653-000077b07658.html [22.12.08] 10.) Proviser, Thame House Prices, INTERNET, available at http://www.proviser.com/regional/towns/thame/ [viewed 22.12.08] 11.) ThameNews.Net, ‘Council Tax rise likely for 2009’, INTERNET, available at http://www.thamenews.net/readmore.asp?Content_ID=3972 [viewed 22.12.08] 12.) Guthrie, J., ‘Store owner ‘disgusted’ with bank’, Financial Times, 24 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d30ec254-a163-11dd-82fd-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 13.) Ibid. 14.) ibid. 15.) O’Connor, S., ‘The pain in Spain spreads to Kesa’s electrical goods’, Financial Times, 17th Dec 2008 INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2777ac0-cbdb-11dd-ba02-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 16.) Unattributed, ‘ACS Calls for Political Action’, Association of Convenience Stores Website, INTERNET, available at http://www.acs.org.uk/en/Press_Office/details/index.cfm/obj_id/7082D32C-933E-4313-9CC47A5603AD2C50 [viewed 28.10.08] 17. ) Office of Fair Trading, (2005), Supermarkets: The code of practice and other competition issues. Conclusions. August, OFT807, HMSO, London, p.9. 18.) Deakins, D., and Freel, M., (2006), Entrepreneurship and Small Firms, McGraw Hill, London, p.228). 19.) Hooley, G., Saunders, J., and Piercy, N., (2004), Marketing Strategy and Competitive Position, 3rd Edition, Financial Times/Prentice Hall. p.493 20.) Deakins and Freel, op.cit., p.226. 21.) Ibid. p.229. 22.) Eaglesham, J., ‘Brown sharpens focus on small businesses’, Financial Times, Published 12.10.08, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7566b7c8-9877-11dd-ace3-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] 23.) Wright, W., ‘Dear Chancellor:  £1 billion Small Business Survival Fund’, Federation of Small Businesses Website, INTERNET, available at http://www.fsb.org.uk/frontpage/assets/fsbadvert.pdf [viewed 21.11.08] 24.) Blumentritt, T., and Danis, W.M., ‘Business Strategy Types and Innovative Practices’, Journal of Managerial Issues, Vol. 18, 2006. INTERNET, available at http://www.questia.com/read/5016256465?title=Business%20Strategy%20Types%20and%20Innovative%20Practices [viewed 24.12.08] Bibliography Blumentritt, T., and Danis, W.M., ‘Business Strategy Types and Innovative Practices’, Journal of Managerial Issues, Vol. 18, 2006. INTERNET, available at http://www.questia.com/read/5016256465?title=Business%20Strategy%20Types%20and%20Innovative%20Practices [viewed 24.12.08] Cohen, N., ‘Plunge in UK retail sales and home deals’, Financial Times, 11 Nov 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/71a9f746-af7c-11dd-a4bf-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Competition Commission, (2008), Market investigation into the supply of groceries in the UK, HMSO London. Deakins, D., and Freel, M., (2006), Entrepreneurship and Small Firms, McGraw Hill, London. Eaglesham, J., ‘Brown sharpens focus on small businesses’, Financial Times, Published 12.10.08, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7566b7c8-9877-11dd-ace3-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Epstein, M.J., (2004), Implementing E.Commerce Strategies: A Guide to Corporate Success after the Dot.Com Bust, Praeger, Westport Ct. Gilbert, X., and Strebel, P., (1988), ‘Developing Competitive Advantage’, in Quinn, J.B., Mintzberg, H., and James, R., (eds), The Strategy Process, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs NJ, pp.82-93. 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Marsh, P., ‘SQW and Oxford Innovation combine their expertise’, Financial Times, 22nd June 2006, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2bcb2e9e-018b-11db-af16-0000779e2340.html [viewed 22.12.08] Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B., and Lampel, J., (1998), Strategy Safari: The Complete Guide Through the Wilds of Strategic Management, Prentice Hall, London O’Connor, S., ‘The pain in Spain spreads to Kesa’s electrical goods’, Financial Times, 17th Dec 2008 INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2777ac0-cbdb-11dd-ba02-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Office of Fair Trading, (2005), Supermarkets: The code of practice and other competition issues. Conclusions. August, OFT807, HMSO, London. Proviser, Thame House Prices, INTERNET, available at http://www.proviser.com/regional/towns/thame/ [viewed 22.12.08] Rigby, E., and Parker, A., ‘Best Buy and Carphone detail Europe venture’, Financial Times, 15 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2da7750-9a51-11dd-bfe2-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Rigby, E., and Parker, A., ‘Carphone upbeat over ambitious new venture’, Financial Times, 15 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fc98369a-9ae8-11dd-a653-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Stroud, D., (1998), Internet Strategies: A Corporate Guide to Exploiting the Internet Macmillan, Basingstoke. ThameNews.Net, ‘Council Tax rise likely for 2009’, INTERNET, available at http://www.thamenews.net/readmore.asp?Content_ID=3972 [viewed 22.12.08] Thomas, D., and Rigby, E., ‘Wind of change blows through retail parks’, Financial Times, 17 Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c93c46ae-9c7a-11dd-a42e-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Urry, M., ‘Kesa plunges on Comet warning’, Financial Times, 10 Sept 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae1807ca-7f18-11dd-a3da-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Unattributed, ‘ACS Calls for Political Action’, Association of Convenience Stores Website, INTERNET, available at http://www.acs.org.uk/en/Press_Office/details/index.cfm/obj_id/7082D32C-933E-4313-9CC47A5603AD2C50 [viewed 28.10.08] Unattributed, ‘UK retail’, Financial Times, 7th Oct 2008, INTERNET, available at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1/d898f024-9447-11dd-953e-000077b07658.html [viewed 22.12.08] Wright, W., ‘Dear Chancellor:  £1 billion Small Business Survival Fund’, Federation of Small Businesses Website, INTERNET, available at http://www.fsb.org.uk/frontpage/assets/fsbadvert.pdf [viewed 21.11.08] Appendices. Appendix One. Cashflow forecast, Income.  ­Appendix Two Cashflow Forecast: Expenditure. Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total Stock 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 96,000 Accounting 500 500 1,000 Advertising 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 3,600 Bank Charges 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25