Thursday, October 31, 2019

Prison life and strategies to decrease recidivism Essay

Prison life and strategies to decrease recidivism - Essay Example With these facts in mind, this research seeks, among other things, to further look into the daily happenings at a typical American prison. And more importantly, it also seeks to address the need to prevent recidivism and to reintegrate offenders into society. In his book â€Å"Crime and Punishment in America† (1998), Elliott Currie tells us that the American approach to violent crime is out of balance and just plain wrong. Despite America’s heavy reliance on jails and prisons as deterrents to crime, at that point in time, it still held the worst level for violence among the developed countries. The idea of America being soft on crime, he says, is a myth. Whatever some may argue, the fact is that crime’s response to punishment is unpredictable. He goes on to quote John DiIulio, who explains that the money spent to put a criminal behind bars prevents two or three more from committing crime. Also, according to James Wilson, despite the expense involved in maintaining prisons, the benefits, in terms of crimes avoided, far outweigh the cost. The problem is that, even after 25 years as of his writing (and in fact, even to this very day), the vast amount of cash spent on prisons has done little to make violent crime respond consistently. And despite this, the American public still insists on the effectiveness of the penitentiary system. As an example, Currie cites the female inmates sentenced on the most minor of offenses, such as drug charges or property crimes connected to such dependencies – and how their imprisonment has left multitudes of children parentless. In this case the system fails to account for the greater costs involved: substitute care, welfare dependency, and even possible delinquency and/or drug addiction. Another more direct example is how the lack of serious vocational training in most prisons leads inmates to leave it even more ill-prepared for the

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Term paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Term Paper Example A firm would boost that it has succeeded in business if it has met its objectives. When the firm is designing its objectives, it has to consider factors that would influence the market entry approach of the firm, pricing and distribution. Many automotive motive organizations face stiff competition in the market. This would call for a marketing strategy that aim which would aid the firm to meet its set objectives. Information regarding products of the firm in the market is very important since it enables the business to identify areas, which need correction when designing marketing approach. Marketing survey is an important exercise to the firm since it will dictate the approach or entry behavior of the business in a particular segment. Marketing strategy is a tool that the automotive firm would use to make a calculative approach into the market. The strategy would influence issues such as pricing, distribution, and market share among others. Marketing of products require a strategic entry behavior into the market in order to meet the set target of the organization. Most automotive companies manufacture similar products and supply their products into the same markets. Competition among these companies requires a devised mechanism that would woo buyers to purchase specific products of a particular company. Branding of the company products and employing marketing tactics would help to woo buyers into buying the company products. Automotive firm needs to consider a number of factors before rolling its products into the marketing. These factors would influence the amount of sale the firm is able to make, the growth of the automotive firm and market share of the firm. This paper explores strategic marketing strategies for automotive company. Market survey helps in establishing taste and preferences of customers. Conducting a marketing research would help an automotive firm to develop products that would suit the interest of the consumers. The firm may

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Theories for the Development of Agriculture

Theories for the Development of Agriculture Question #2: Agriculture was one of the greatest advancements in human history as it provided a foundation for the development of social hierarchies or rank societies, population growth, greater access to resources through trade, and power struggles among the elites. The big question, however, is how did the practice of agriculture originate? Hunting and gathering societies had been very successful up until the time marking the transition to agricultural and sedentary practices. Therefore, why did early modern humans decide to change from an already successful lifestyle? This is a curious matter because the beginnings of agriculture were surprisingly not that effective or successful in generating great outputs of resources as once commonly believed. Agriculture, though it was a successful development in sedentism and increased population growth, brought malnourishment to early Natufian farmers of the lack of variety in its first generations of use. Therefore, the question still remains, why did h unter and gatherers transfer to agriculture and how did the process of agriculture get initiated? There are multiple models proposing the development of agriculture which can be differentiated in a biological and environmental emphasis as well as in a cultural and sociological track. Through the research of Gordon Childe, Braidwood, Binford, Cohen, and Hayden, an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses can be made in the differentiating theories of the development of agriculture. One proposed theory for the development of agriculture was climate change. There have been several large climatic transitions between the interglacial periods. Bar Yosef researched the paleoenvironmental conditions of the Levant and suggests that about 14,000BP (before present) there were more fluctuations in precipitation than changes in temperature, ultimately responsible for the expansion of the vegetational belts. This allowed for vast latitudinal migrations, good foraging patterns, increase in population growth, and an abundance of food resources. However, between 13,000 and 12,800BP known as the Younger Dryas, conditions became colder and drier, decreasing the annual precipitations and a change in the distribution of rainfall locations (29 Oct 2009). This placed much stress on the plants and animals. According to Bar Yosef, the dry climate expanded desert conditions and caused reductions in C3 plants, used for cereal, but also the reduction of megafauna which were unable to ada pt to the new environment (Bar Yosef 1998: 174). This in turn created doubts about the current nomadic organization of the foraging groups. The hunting and gathering bands soon migrated towards the Mediterranean regions to join other foraging groups to live within a close proximity and seek refuge in the small fertile areas. Childe an advocate for climate change as the effect for the development of agriculture states in his Oasis Hypothesis that because of the transition to dry and cold conditions, humans and animals migrated toward the river valleys for necessary water consumption. Bar Yosef states that along with territorial restrictions, [there was] an increased motivation for intentional cultivation (Last Hunters 70). This not only increased population size but could have also instigated sedentary life. The ideal environment that would foster the origins of agriculture would be in an area with an abundance of resources. Previously it was considered that agriculture arose in marginal environments areas where severe climatic change forced human populations to find new foods to eat (Price and Gebauer 7); it is on the contrary however, that populations unable to sustain themselves would not take the risk of testing out new methods for the accumulation of food. Agriculture requires more energy expenditur e and work from all inhabitants than foraging, therefore as a struggling population, this method would not have been the best option. Childes argument takes into account the climatic and environmental pressures but it does not provide any cultural factors that might have also influenced the development of agriculture. Braidwood challenges Childes hypothesis and suggests a more culturally driven theory for the agricultural origins. Contrary to Childes Oasis Theory in which desiccation marginalized suitable foraging territories and caused large groups to settle in close proximities in lowland oases, Braidwood suggests through his Nuclear Zone Theory and through his research in the Zagros-Taurus mountain ranges, that agriculture in fact began in the well-watered regions known as the hilly flanks of the Fertile Crescent (Watson 25). Braidwood accepts the notion that climatic change has some sort of an effect on the origins of agriculture; however, he suggests that it only plays a minor role, contrary to the ideas of Childe. Braidwood instead proposes that the development of agriculture is dependent on the presence of cultural mechanisms (Redman 1978: 96) because along with the presence of agriculture, social and political systems of the early Natufian people were created as well. Braidwood states that agriculture was the natural outcome from social and cultural complexities. He questioned that if cultural change i s reliant on climate change stated by Childe, then why did agriculture not start before the large changes occurred during the interglacial periods, such as 125 million years ago (3 Nov 2009)? Using a cultural approach, Braidwood suggests that agriculture was not possible 125 million years ago because the human cognition was not fully developed and complex enough to suggest any such type of food accumulation methods (10 Nov 2009). Agriculture requires a lot of coordination and management controlled by the elites, therefore, it could be hypothesized that with the presence of social hierarchies, sedentism was also in establishment. The favorable environment of the hilly flanks as well as the presence of the ancestral or wild strains of the now domesticated plants offered foragers the option to settle down. With the act of settling down in the optimal zones, as well as the accumulation of knowledge about the physical environment, Braidwood suggests that over time, foragers would eventua lly realize the potential inherent in the local flora and fauna and would exploit that potential by domesticating appropriate species (Watson 25). This also suggests the requirement of greater cognition and larger brain size of the modern human; and therefore Braidwood argues agriculture appears only when the human culture was mature (3 Nov 2009). Braidwoods hilly flanks theory is successful because it attributes to developments of sedentism and food storage. Braidwood criticizes Childes dependence on climatic change as being the main reason for the origins of agriculture because he holds a cultural perspective in regards to its development. Braidwood states that if cultural change, the transition to agriculture, depended solely on noncultural factors, the climate, then there should be evidence of cultural change before the last Ice Age that separates the end of the Pleistocene and the Holocene (3 Nov 2009). Against Kleins Big Bang Theory regarding human cognition, agriculture simply did not happen before the Holocene because humans were not ready or complex enough to have the capability of creating the idea of agriculture (10 Nov 2009). Braidwood and Childe both suggest that agriculture occurred in small optimal zones, however, through Braidwoods research in the mountainous regions of Iraq, he concludes that there was no significant climate change because the areas were still relatively fertile and therefore there was a large concentrati on of animals and plants that could be exploited. According to the Willy Sutton principle, where there are ample resources, then people will settle there and take advantage of those resources (3 Nov 2009). A weakness in Braidwoods theory however is that he does not try to answer the question: why did agriculture occur at the time that it did? It is suggested that agriculture developed independently throughout the world at relatively the same time. Braidwood does not question why this happened but only concentrates on how it happened. Braidwood provides good reasons as to why he criticizes Childes hypothesis, however, his weakness is that he does not provide a strong alternative theory. In his book, Prehistoric Man, he states, the groups became agricultural villagers because they were ready for it (MacNeish 9) which demonstrates his theory that man only developed agriculture when the culture and cognition were more complex. This however is not an effective alternative hypothesis beca use it needs evidence to support the claim. The only evidence available is the size of the human brain, which does not deduce much information because archaeologists cannot question the cognitive capabilities of the deceased. Artifacts are available to suggest development in ideas and concepts, but this is also highly subjective. An alternative hypothesis to the development of agriculture is directly correlated with population growth. Both Mark Cohen and Lewis Binford attribute that with the pressures on food availability caused by population growth, agriculture was an innovative development which helped sustain growing societies. Louis Binfords model for agriculture weaves pieces of both Childes and Braidwoods hypotheses. Binford suggests that hunting-gathering groups maintained equilibrium between their population size and availability of resources in order to remain under the environments carrying capacity (Watson 26). This idea explains why foraging groups were successful; they kept a control on the food intake for each person. During the Younger Dryas, as climate became colder and drier, groups moved to the coastal regions where they became sedentary, as Childe had concluded. The difference however is that Binford focuses on population size as the stressor and instigator for agriculture. Groups congregat ed into the optimal zones, putting pressure on the available resources as well as creating an imbalance on the carrying capacity. This caused some groups to move out of the optimal zones and settle along the peripheries that had drought-resistant plants and smaller-sized animals (5 Nov 2009). With the increased pressure of supporting population sizes and the need to remain under the areas carrying capacity, groups intensif[ied] their subsistence practices in the direction of domesticating plants and animals (Watson 26). The necessity for subsistence strategies in addition significantly impacted societys social and economic factors, demonstrated through Brian Haydens social competition theory. This theory establishes that sedentism preceded agriculture. In order for the sedentary lifestyle to persist and work efficiently, rank societies were established. In response to social hierarchies, there is an inherent need to accumulate power and prestige. Power is equated to food, and in order for elites to maintain their prestige and power they need to be maintain large quantities of food. To exponentially increase their possession of food, the development of agriculture comes into effect. Hayden proposes that the development of agriculture is a result of stress from social competition and the change in the social environment (10 Nov 2009). This change in societal structure is not the result of agriculture but it is more so the cause of agriculture (10 Nov 2009). Hayden also states that agriculture can only occur in locations where there is already an abundance of food and where it can be reproduced (Zeder 2006: 111). The reason for this is that large societies would not put thei r inhabitants at risk attempting a new method of food accumulation if environmental conditions were unsuitable. The development of agriculture, if conditions were successful, was able to produce surpluses which increased rank of elites and created storage for food. Agriculture also increased long distance trade and cross cultural relationships. With the presence of surpluses, societies could afford to give something away (5 Nov 2009). A flaw in Haydens model is that he also fails to address Braidwoods question concerning the reason for why agriculture only occurs in the Holocene and not earlier. In order to understand the models described above with the origins of agriculture it important to account for the archaeological data. Some important ways to extract data is through pollen samples found in water bogs, radiocarbon dating, DNA extraction, etc. For example, in regards to Braidwoods hypothesis that climate change was not as important as Childe and Binford believed, reconstruction of plant communities enable archaeologists to reconstruct Paleolithic climates (29 Oct 2009). In order to reconstruct plant communities, pollen samples are used. Pollen samples can be preserved in waterlogged sediments because the mud at the bottom of the lakes have aerobic conditions, which means that there is no oxygen, allowing pollen and other artifacts to be nicely preserved (29 Oct 2009). Another method to reconstruct climatic conditions and determine when the Younger Dryas occurred is by evaluating methane gas presence in the ice cores found in Greenland (3 Nov 2009). This along with plan t communities can help reconstruct past climates. Lithic assemblages used by the first farmers, the Natufians, are also good indicators of when agriculture originated. Tools such as picks and sickle blades were used for harvesting cereals; this can be inferred by observing the microwear on the blades, but also through plant macrofossils which might contain residue from the particular grass being cut (Bar-Yosef 1998: 164). Agriculture can also be demonstrated by the structures of the central plant stems. In domesticated plants the seeds do not break off as easily as the wild grains do, which is evidence of human manipulation on plants to maximize output but a correlation of harvests with seasonality (29 Oct 2009). Another source of evidence for the origins of agriculture is looking at samples of preserved human coprolites in settled communities which helps detect what type of diet the human had. If there is a lack of nutrition, then it can be inferred that the society was just beginn ing the innovation of agriculture as there was a lack of nutrition and variety in early agricultural diets. Not just coprolites but also bone composition, tooth enamel, and support for the presence of pandemic diseases provide good archaeological support for the origins of agriculture (Zeder 2006: 110). Its observed that carbon and nitrogen isotopes found within the bone and microwear on teeth detect the nutrition of humans. Other archaeological evidence for the presence of agriculture, described by Zeder (2006: 110) is the presence of fences and corral to enclose the communitys animals; this reason fits nicely with the social theory and necessity for agriculture because it demonstrates the complete transition to sedentary life and the domestication of plants and animals. There are multiple theories that be equated to the development of agriculture and they all tend to build off of each other. Yes, each archaeologist or theorist emphasizes slightly different nuances, however they interrelate archaeological, environmental, and societal information in each of their models. According to Watson, Braidwoods account improves on Childes, and Binfords upon Braidwoods (27). I propose that the stress theories of Childe, Cohen, and Binford can co-occur with the cultural change theories of Braidwood and Hayden. Agriculture could have been a great phenomenon that occurred by accident, but human cognition had to have had enough knowledge for the manipulation of grasses and animals to exploit and produce large surpluses. In order to keep order within the society with the presence of agriculture there also has to have been control and power structures. Climatic changes play a huge role in regards to where societies choose to settle and in the strength of seasonal foo d production. In recognizing the biological and cultural aspects of agriculture, it can be deduced that these models are very much interrelated with specific links that may cause one theorists model to lean heavily to one side or another. There is not one universal applicable theory for the origin of agriculture because all of the worlds systems are interdependent on one another. Question #3: States are regionally organized societies with large populations that are economically and ethnically diverse. This suggests that the formation of a state occurs when there are social hierarchies with a small elite group that accentuates its sovereignty and dominance over the rest of the population. According to Algazes lecture, societies must have political administration, economic administration or redistribution, and religious indoctrination or infrastructure in order to be labeled as a state (17 Nov 2009). It has commonly been noted that states or cities are only considered as such with the dependence of a large population size, 100,000 people or more. R. Fox in his book Urban Anthropology, however, discusses that determining a state or a city on raw size or scale is not completely irrelevant but it is also not an important key component (17 Nov 2009). It is more important to evaluate a city or state on its function and sustainability. The central question therefore is: what comp onents are important in the formation of a state? In Jonathan Haas book, The Evolution of the Prehistoric State, he divides numerous theories of the origins and formations of states into two categories: the conflict position and the integration position. These two positions try to argue how states formed and regulated and maintained control over the complex societies. Through the theories of Engels and Fried regarding the conflict position, Haas argues that states formed and resolved economic and social stratifications effectively over their own populations and neighboring peoples through coercion. Opposed to the conflict position, Haas derives the integration position argument from Service, in which state governments were able to regulate and maintain social order over its inhabitants without the use of forceful tactics. Haas ultimately does not support either position: for conflict or for integration, however, if it was necessary, the conflict theory would seem more plausible as i t contains more valid reasons and logical thought.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some of the basic components that influenced Engels and Fried to cooperate with the conflict model were the increases in agricultural production, development of trade relationships, and the introduction of irrigation systems for water control. Engels states that the formation of the state begins with origins of agriculture (Haas 1982: 36). With the ability to produce more food and create surpluses for a growing population, societies became more sedentary and divisions of labor were created. The increase in food production created specialized occupations and allowed the elites to assume political administrative roles or have an impact in religious dealings. The role of religious figures is important as it is correlated with the states political administration. Religion has a faà §ade, seen to unite a population, however, it is also influentially political in order to control and regulate public affairs (Haas 1982: 44). The large prominence of religious temples provides strong support for the importance of religious ideology and coercion in a common belief upon the inhabitants within the state (Stein 1994: 42). Childe also argues that with the need to support non-agricultural producing groups within the society, irrigation agriculture not only increased food availability on a large scale but also was an important facet for social control (Haas 1982: 40). The social control derives from elites controlling the power of water supply as well as the necessity of a huge labor source. The conflict model comes into effect due to the presence of differences in economic wealth and divisions of labor. Engels states that as the politically dominant class acquires the new means of holding down and exploiting the oppressed classby levying taxes and enforcing social control [through] force (Haas 1982: 37). Austin also provides knowledge on the conflict position in the governments development of laws. Laws coerce the population to maintain order and submit to the political authorities of the elites; otherwise there are negative reciprocations (Haas 1982: 38). In Frieds model the basis for the conflict theory is the maintenance of social order in regards to possible conflict arousal to the differences in access to resources (Haas 1982: 49). With the increase in agricultural production and limited access to resources, private property became an issue in establishing economic and political status. Fried states that with the sanctity of private property, social order is accomplished through instituted governmental enforcement (49). Fried successfully discusses that with the changes in mate rialistic components such as increased food production, development of irrigation systems, and private property, the influence of political organization was pertinent. With the combination of military organization and laws along with stratification of classes, state formation provides support for elite social groups and the forceful submission of the peasant groups to the elites generating potential conflicts (Haas 1982: 49). Through evidence that supports state formations, economic scales become more and more important to maintain, grow, and flaunt among peripheral societies and therefore it is important to bring populations together in a defensive mode which calls for the construction of outer walls (19 Nov 2009). Fried provides theoretical approaches to his conflict theory based on the forced rule over a states inhabitants, however, Haas states that he fails to recognize the critical importance and utility of the archaeological record (1982: 50) for evidence to support his claim, and instead hypothesizes the emergence of states by looking at historically known societies (1982: 51). Frieds model can be testable, however it would need to be improved with more data and documentation from pre-state formed societies derived from the archaeological record rather than the historically based inferences. Fried bases his theory more on the logical approaches, for example, he supports the idea that within the means of producing more wealth, it is inevitable to have causes of social friction (19 Nov 2009). Some evidence that could relate to the forced control and economic differentiation amongst the inhabitants can be demonstrated through the layout of the city. For example, large structures belonging to the elites were central to the marketplace and the peasants separated farther away from the center. The presence of numerous temples centrally located indicates strong emphasis on religion and conforming to the beliefs described by the elites who most commonly absorbed the priest occupation. In Ubaid Mesopotamia, the architecture and distributions of artifacts demonstrate economic differentiations within households (Stein 1994: 38) such as with burial practices, artwork, and administration clay tablets. Also, the location of the houses and cities along the rivers and near the canal irrigation systems suggests potential trade of the surplus goods amongst neighboring societies with the ability to transport by waterways (Stein 1994: 42). Fried supports the conflict theory in which forceful tactics were used to create efficient states and political rule. On the contrary, advocates for the integration position propose social order was regulated without forceful tactics. Spencer for example argues that the lower classes, subordinate to the elite classes due to the development of social hierarchies within the political structure, accepted their lowly position in society compared to the wealthy elites (Haas 1982: 63) because of the inability to social climb. Haas also discusses that there might not be demonstrations of conflict or raging warfare between the elite and peasant groups because the peasants are politically and economically incapable of waging successful revolution[s] (1982: 79). According to Gumplowicz, the development of private property acted as a factor to maintain social control, an alternative to physical force (Haas 1982: 64). The main argument for the integration position is that after the state formed, classes were able to reunite through religion, residence locations, and language or culture. This suggests that integration might only be possible within the specific social classes and not throughout the all the social structures in the state. In regards to religion as a non-forceful factor in social order is through the argument of Moret and Davy who argues that rulers who view themselves as a god, thought that they derived their power from the will of the people (Haas 1982: 70). This reason is popularized to keep peasant revolts and power struggles within the kings hereditary circles subdued. Service asserts that political power in the formation of states due to the integration position was redistributive and was acquired by strong leadership qualities which were then passed into the hereditary elite classes (Haas 1982: 75). With the increase in population and size, integration is necessary for cooperation and successfulness in the administration of the state. Service also argue s that the first governments were ruled by right of authority and through the application of sacred sanctions (Haas 1982: 76). The purpose of the religious architecture was to provide social cohesion and control. The weakness of Services argument for the integration position is he advocates that the centralized government provides lots of resources and benefits to the people such as irrigation, religious beliefs, and protection, however he does not recognize that to have an effective state, force needs to be used to keep subjects under control to establish a stable and permanent government. The integrative position also proposes that public works were accomplished voluntary without physical force. However, there are no archaeological records of temples being voluntarily constructed. It can be detected from written documents that throughout other histories, public works were forced upon slaves; therefore the integration position seems weak and too optimistic. Evidence of the presence of walls and military troops suggests that protection was a necessity and important to demonstrate political autonomy over the societys own inhabitants and peripheral communities with who trade is accomplished. Haas does a great job in equally discussing the conflict and integration positions. It however seems more plausible that the conflict position influenced the formation of states as it part of human instinct to assert power and control over others in order to better maintain their own social position. Recognition of power and autonomy is essential in creating a stable state, and can only be accomplished by forcing people to cooperate with rules and regulations.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Hamlets Behavior in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay -- Hamlet Wil

Hamlet's Behavior in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet's behavior affects that of the other characters in the play in that his action drastically alters, not only their perception of Hamlet and his intentions, but also their actions and words in dealing with Hamlet. It is difficult to classify Hamlet as either sane or insane; however, it is certain that his mad behavior, whether feigned or authentic, serves only to heighten the confusion and eventual suspicion of the court, particularly Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guilderstern, and Polonius and Claudius duo. Hamlet's mental state is hard to decipher due to the complexity of the issue and the variety of ways his actions can be viewed. Edward Strachey believes that Hamlet is, "†¦A character made of many elements, ramifying themselves in many directions, some being healthy and some diseased" (Strachey 173). Strachey goes on to say that an attempt to classify Hamlet as either mad or sane is an, "†¦Over simplification of what is most complex" (Strachey 173). At the beginning of Hamlet, Ophelia tells her father about the vows of love that Hamlet has expressed to her. Polonius immediately questions Hamlet's intentions and reminds Ophelia that making a rash decision could cost her; but Ophelia assures her father that, "†¦He hath importuned me with love In honorable fashion†¦And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven" (Shakespeare 17). However, after Hamlet visits Ophelia in a crazed state she immediately turns to her Father and reports Hamlet in a much darker light. Lord Hamlet with his doublet all unbraced,No hat upon his head, his stocking fouled, Ungartered and down-gyved to his ankle, Pale as a shirt, his knees knoc... ...t for revenge. If Hamlet is indeed truly mad then he alerts his foes to this information and they in turn become very circumspect of Hamlet and his plans. Hamlet's madness serves to call attention to himself and raise suspicions of his enemies. Works cited Coleridge, Samuel Traylor. "Notes on the Tragedies of Shakespeare: The Character of Hamlet." Shakespearean Criticism. Ed, Thomas Middleton Raysor. Vol. 1. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1930. 40. Lennox, Charlotte. Shakespeare, the Critical Heritage. Ed, Brian Vickers. New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976. 129. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Norton Critical Edition. Ed, Cyrus Hoy. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1992. Strachey, Edward. A New Variorum Edition of Shakespeare: Hamlet. Ed, Horace Howard Furness. Vol. IV. J.B. Lippincott Company, 1877. 173.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Membership Record Management System Essay

Introduction In the present times were now in the era of modernization and one of the examples of the technologies that has been made is the computer. A computer now a days not only focuses in the line business, politics, education, and economics. It also places a major role in terms of religion. Just like the religion of Methodist Christian. Computers are used to record information, stored date and maintain information about the people that involves the institution. Computers processes are readily available to keep tracks of records, to right data and information to add or delete records and many more. As for now a days different kinds of establishments uses computers as part of their everyday operation. Record management for religions is also a sector affects by the influence of the computers because of the modern technology now a days. In addition for that, Methodist equips computer facilities that are very essential in an organization to use. This system helped other areas that involves in the institution by shifting the manual process of their task to automate processing, from manual records to computerize. And for that, the proponents have decided to develop a membership record management system that will help the said locale. 1:1 Background of the study United Methodist Church (UMC) is a Methodist Christian denomination that is both mainline Protestant and Evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. One of the Church is the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Palawe City of San Fernando Pampanga.This church has no proper way of recording the list of new member and other information of the church. The study will focus about the manual usage of registration to computerized way. The proponents will develop a system that will make the registration of the members easier and faster. This system will help the church to save, edit, retrieve and print the records of the members. 1.2 Statement of the Problem When were conducting the membership for the Methodist church were still  encountering so many problems on how we will make the registration easier. 1.2.1 General Problem The problem that the facilitators observed and the one that we’re trying to solve in the church are these: accommodating of registrants is slow, false information that has been encoded and they use manual method in conducting the membership for the church. 1.2.2 Specific Problems These were the specific problems that we’ve encountered using the existing system: 1. The members and administrator of the church take a lot of time in processing the information for their records. 2. They don’t have a proper storage for the records due to that other files have been loss. 3. There is a difficulty of locating files because files are not organized properly. 4. The encoding of information of the members may be inaccurate because of manual encoding. 5. The members don’t have a printed copy about the information on their membership. 1.3 Objective of the Study The Immanuel United Methodist Church Membership Record Management System will make the registration of the members faster and easier. Files of the members will be stored and organized properly. 1.3.1 General Objectives To develop Membership Record Management System for Immanuel United Methodist Church. The locale that we’ve choose is located in Palawe City of San Fernando Pampanga. The proponents will attempt to lessen all the problems encountered in the existing system. 1.3.2 Specific Objectives 1. To develop a system that will faster the processing of the information of the members. 2. To develop a system that will assure records security. 3. To develop a system that will provide fast searching and retrieval of recorded files. 4. To develop a system that will assure accurate and fast computation of the total members of the church. 5. To develop a system that  will provide a printed copy of their information. 1.4 Assumption In implementing the proposed system the proponents have set the following assumptions. 1. The proposed system will fasten the processing of the information of the members.. 2. The proposed system will assure records security. 3. The proposed system will provide fast searching and retrieval of recorded files. 4. The proposed system will assure accurate and fast computation of the total members of the church. 5. The proposed system will provide a printed copy of their information. 1.5 Conceptual Framework of the Study 1.6 Significance of the study The study aims to collect some significant information that will help the proponents in developing the proposed system which is IUMC Membership Record Management System. 1.6.1 Economic Significance With the implementation of the proposed system it will enable the registration to make it faster, more accurate, more significant, more efficient and secured. It will also have a brighter side in terms of economic businesses that are involve in the church that need to know about new technologies and membership system. 1.6.2 Educational Significance It will serve as a guiding tool in making computerized management system for future student that want to deal with system management. It will help computer students in building much better ideas for their own improvements. It will also serve as a reference guide for additional information in the field of Information Technology. 1.6.3 Social Significance It will enable the society to understand more about the importance of computerized system in these modern times. With the help of the system capabilities of doing the work will be easier and faster. 1.6.4 Technological Significance With the help of advance technology now a days these management related task are done faster. To help us now a days, service in churches use computers to be able to simplified more work. The proponents must experience what the technology can really do and how it transforms the traditional routine of work. By using computer equipments it will improve the performance of the church. 1.7 Scope & Delimitation The proponents believed that the proposed system will give the locale a great help and be more productive in performing their membership. These are the following capabilities that the proponents have set: 1. To perform some adding, editing, deleting or searching of records for members and what position they have in the church. 2. To have a process data of every attendant that goes on the church. 3. To have a computerized report, information and other gathered pieces of data. 4. To produce computerized printed copy to the member. 5. To perform a maximum update in each and every members that been encoded. 1.8 Operational Definition of Terms Record Management- Systematic administration of records and documented information for its entire members, information and for the management that handles the whole system. Information System- It is a combination of all the hardware’s, software’s and other facilities that involves about the system. In terms of planning, designing, analyzing and decision making for the system. Database- It is a systematically organized of records that allows easy retrieval, updating, analysis and output of records that represents almost every kind of information. Output- it is the information produce by a computer. Administrator- It is a person that is responsible for managing a computer or network and who has full access to the hardware and software. Members- These are the persons that are involve in managing the system. Protestant – a member of any several church denomination denying the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the reformation principles of justification by faith alone. Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature and Studies Each and every educational study requires information from others so that they can improve the study given by the proponents. The proponents gathered other related literary pieces on preceding research and letters of recognized experts that would have important details in relation about the problem that under goes further explanations whether the related information is by means of existing papered documents, the study focuses on the acknowledgements and to further make stronger the start of the study. 2.1 Review of Related Literature 2.1.1 Foreign LiteratureThe terms record, document and data are not interchangeable. According to BS15489, a Record is â€Å"Information created, received and maintained as evidence and/or information by an organization or person, in pursuance of legal obligations or in the transaction of business†. A record has to be retained as long as it has value and is destroyed at the end of that period. A Document therefore, is everything else so â€Å"does a ‘document’ really need to be stored at all?† Today with the advances in technology, churches have adapted to change and in certain circumstances are accepting emails and other electronic forms of documents or correspondences as ‘best evidence’ where bone-fide hard copy originals are not available. In the past when churches were looking for solutions to remove or reduce costs from their projects, their first port was to remove old files from their expensive office space and put it into deep storage i n a remote warehouse where the price was low and access was minimal. This type of service tended to be used for inactive archival documents, as a low cost method of keeping them safe until the end of their  statutory retention period when they could be destroyed. This is the origins of Document Storage. As legislation and technology came into place requiring churches and organizations to keep documents as evidence and technology has developed, the need has moved to that of managing information. This sort of active management, so an organization can quickly and easily locate & retrieve the information it seeks, has proven to offer such organizations competitive advantage in addition to the more obvious benefit of regulatory compliance. Storing documents is not a simple as putting boxes in an empty warehouse. With the introduction of computers and the electronically created and stored data they have give rise to, we produce more paper records per head of employee than ever before. Companies increasingly find the ‘paperless office’ continu es to be a myth though the ‘less-paper’ office is becoming a reality. 2.1.2 Local Literature The world of local document storage has transformed into an industry that is unrecognizable from its origins, although the paper document continues to remain constant, in the minefield of acronyms that surround the technology that has come to encompass a full Records Management Program. As part of the wider picture organizations are expected to have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) that includes Disaster Recovery Plans (DRP) all of which need to be safely secured but easy to retrieve. Enterprise content management (ECM), workflow mapping, digitization, hard copy storage web hosting of images and data mining are all part of the transformation that has come to represent the records management industry. After understanding the difference between what needs to be stored and what does not one then has to start understanding the different types or records and who is creating them. Most personnel are potential creators and they all need to understand whether the information they are creating should be stored securely and confidentially or securely destroyed. We have all heard of the recent stories of high profile laptops and information being stolen as well as identity theft fraudsters who rummage in bins to obtain details of clients in order to assume their identity. A formal in-house survey to understand who and where information should be stored can go a long way to creating a system understandable to all. 2.2 Related Studies 2.2.1 Foreign Studies The key to designing a successful records management system is to incorporate the following characteristics: firstly, one needs to be consistent in the manner in which records are captured, managed and maintained irrespective of whether they are electronic or paper records. Secondly they must be accessible to authorized people. One of the fears that people have when out sourcing records is discussed is whether their records will be accessible. A good records management company should be able to guarantee that records will be physically or digitally delivered to within 24 hours. Information must be held in a secure environment protect against floods, fire and intruders. Most records management organizations have password protected entry into their premises and do not publicly disclose the identity of their clients. In addition to the physical security and protection of the storage environment the documents also needs to be shown to be the original, free of any alteration. This may require special management and it is important that the provider is able to adhere to stringent management controls. Finally, retention policies should reflect the requirements of law. It is pre-requisite to be able to provide a full audit trial of any item at any time and where appropriate a ‘Certificate of Destruction’ to prove that the document was destroyed in accordance with government laws. Despite the records management industry being quite a complex industry, the barriers of entry remain very low and we still find anyone with a warehouse a transport network feels more capable than records management specialist to enter into the industry at the detriment of their clients who may find the lower costs being charged are actually resulting in their records not being held in an environmentally controlled warehouse and resulting in damaged records. 2.2.2 Local Studies While meeting statutory requirements is important, widespread usage of the records management system primarily rests upon meeting the first two goals (filing and retrieving records). In this era of enterprise-wide rollouts of records management systems, the users of the classification scheme have changed dramatically. While historically the classification was only really used by the centralized records management staff, it will now be used by  staff throughout the organization. In order to meet these needs, the classification scheme must be understandable by general business staff. It is clear that: If staffs are unable to easily determine where to file records, the records management system will become littered with miss-filed documents. If staff cannot easily find documents at a later date, then they will simply abandon use of the records management system entirely. For these reasons, the effective design of the classification scheme becomes an imperative. 2.3 Difference between the Previous Study and the Proposed Study The existing system of Immaculate United Methodist Church(IUMC) only uses manual process for record management, they just use typewriters and bond papers when they have to input information so therefore the papers of the members are not secure. And also they need a lot of time to organize the records of the registrants. The proposed system â€Å"Immaculate United Methodist Church Record Management System† will help the members of the church to have a clear access of their records and also a printed output of it also the records of the members will be secured. They don’t have to write and type manually. The said system will also automatically generate all records of the members. In this manner the workloads of the administrator and the other person’s that are related on the organization.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Food Poisoning Essay

Introduction: Every year millions of people suffer from food poisoning due to uncontrolled application of agricultural chemicals, environmental contamination, use of illegal additives , microbiological hazards and others but as a result of increasing awareness of consumers and their demands to provide them with safe, wholesome and high quality food have force many food premises to carry out a broad assessment and re-organize their systems of food control in turn to improve efficiency , rationalization of human resources and harmonizing approaches. This assessment of food control system has resulted to shift from the traditional approach which depends mainly on the final product sampling and inspection and move forward toward the implementation of a preventative safety and quality approach based on risk analysis. (FAO, 1998) Risk based approaches has been developed by World health organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and it is called risk analysis .(WHO,2011)-website Moreover, risk analysis is a combination of three interconnected elements which are Risk management, Risk assessment and Risk communication. (FAO/WHO training manual, 2006) Risk assessment is a scientific evaluation of risk associated with hazard either qualitatively or quantitatively .Risk management is the process where the relevant information of risk including risk assessment results are used to make decisions on how they will control the risk and implementing proper options. Finally risk communication which may define as the process by which exchange of information occur between risk assessors, managers and concerned parties. (http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/ae922e/ae922e04.htm) Government officials: In order to prepare a food products that is safe for human consumption and trade within the country or worldwide as well as maintain public confidence the government officials has a major role in this issue, yet it is clear that the government has no role in the production of food and cannot by itself to make safe or unsafe food. However, the government does play two important roles to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The first major role is to create food standards and implement it through laws, regulations, inspection, and compliance procedures. These standards range from setting legislation to prevent food adulteration toward defining limits on the levels of pesticides residues as well as levels of pathogenic bacteria, food labelling, preparation and packaging of food. As a consequence, USDAs in recent times implemented HACCP system for meat and poultry to reduce harmful contamination and the risk of food borne illness. The second role is to address food safety problems that are beyond the control of any person participating in the food chain, which require more than a regulatory solution like for example E.coli O157:H7 pathogen which originates in the gut of cattle and is spread through the environment to contaminate water, fresh produce, and beef during the slaughtering process causing a considerable hazard when present in food. Address these and many other food safety problems need a strong research base, and to develop an effective control measures not to mention the cooperation between farmers, livestock producers, food processors, retailers and consumers. Therefore, government officials play a leading role in promoting basic research and cooperation in such cases to reduce the risk of food borne diseases. (Taylor &ump; Hoffmann, 2001) In fact, applying risk analysis provides many benefits to all food safety stakeholders including government. In this term it can help food safety regulators to obtain more evidence and information they require to make an effective decision and to identify and apply suitable measures to control the risk in addition to evaluate these measures for example it can be used to assess the maximum level of pesticide residue in food supplies ,increasing the rate of tests ,provide advice to a certain population subgroup, review labelling requirements, and issue a ban and/or recall for the suspected food product in response. Risk analysis can be applied to support and improve food standards such as regulation (EC) no.1829/2003 on genetically modified foods and feed (EU, 2003) and many others standards. It allows the potential costs of compliance for comparison with the expected benefits, and supports setting priorities among the various problems related to food safety. (FAO 87, 2006) In addition to the above advantages, since in article2 (2) from SPS agreement indicates the need of scientific evidence in establishing sanitary and pytosanitary measures. (SPS) though, applying risk analysis will assist the government to meet their commitments and strengthen the basis for the food trade at the international level by increasing access to new market. (FAO 87, 2006) Moreover, gaps and uncertainties in scientific knowledge can be identified using risk analysis approach, which will lead to improve food safety and a better understanding of food related impacts on consumer health. (FAO 87, 2006) In general, risk analysis is used mostly for chemical hazards but recently FAO and WHO expand the scope to cover microbiological hazards as well. (FAO 76) As a result, microbial risk assessment has been used to assess the risk posed by Listeria in a wide range of food commodities and regulatory involvements to control pathogens. (Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2001 / Proposed Rules) Thus, through risk analysis the government officials can make out opportunities to reduce risk by using it to establish risk based inspection program, development and application of food standards, collaborate efforts with food processors, and consumer awareness. (Taylor &ump; Hoffmann, 2001) However, since not all countries have the capabilities and resources to conduct risk assessment ,so they must make use of international data and expertise available besides data that is internationally accepted such as codex standards which accepted as scientifically valid under SPS agreement .(FAO,76) Food processors: On the other hand, food processors as discussed earlier has the main role to produce safe ,wholesome and high quality food to meet customer demands. While world health organisation (WHO) has briefly indicated that food safety is a shared responsibility from farm to fork, http://www.eufic.org/article/en/artid/processing-food-safety-quality-1/ governments and intergovernmental organisation like Codex Alimentarius commission (CAC) has a major responsibility in creating food standards and so it is important to involve food manufacturers in the process of setting standards at the national and international levels. This participation is beneficial to all stakeholders, and government indeed should assist this exchange of information to help ensure supplying safe products. http://www.fao.org/docrep/v2890t/v2890t05.htm Achieving this requires implementing science based systems derived from risk analysis and associated risk management approaches like HACCP for industry. (Hobbs, 2007) However, to carry out a HACCP plan, hazard analysis is required, as it considers as the first of the seven HACCP principles, it is used to assess the probable hazards that could occur through food processing, gathering data regarding those hazards and their severity to the consumer besides the possibility of their occurrence. Once established a hazard analysis using risk analysis, it must be considered throughout the HACCP plan development. (Peter warring book, food quality assurance book) In addition to the above, there are a number of authors who have suggested the use of risk based systems in HACCP plan (Baird-Parker, 1994, 1995;Buchanan, 1995; Notermans and Jouve, 1995; Elliott,1996; Notermans and Mead, 1996). Thus demands to include some aspects of risk into HACCP system are increasing. (T.Mayeres,97) Burden or benefits) (Mayers, 1997) on the other hand stated that the HACCP system is functioning effectively without the need of risk assessment approach, bearing on mind that HACCP has been internationally considered as an effective way to control food borne hazards. However, some elements of risk analysis can be useful in HACCP by increasing the scientific basis of hazard analysis, can help in identification of critical limits, as well as increasing transparency in decision making.( (T.Mayeres,97) Burden or benefits) Part B/i: Owing to the increasing demands of the global market for sea food products, exposure to food borne illness may increase as a consequence. (Book of Iso and HACCP) For instance,

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

A Thematic Analysis of Hope and Other Urban Tales by Laura Hird The WritePass Journal

A Thematic Analysis of Hope and Other Urban Tales by Laura Hird Abstract A Thematic Analysis of Hope and Other Urban Tales by Laura Hird Alapi, Z. (2006). The New Review. Available: laurahird.com/newreview/hopeandotherurbantales.html. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Blake, W. (1970). Songs of Innocence and Experience; Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul. Oxford Paperbacks. ISBN-10: 0192810898. The Lamb, Pg. 1. Briscoe, J. (2006). Hope Springs Infernal. Available: theguardian.com/books/2006/nov/11/featuresreviews.guardianreview21. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Caesar, M. (1999). Umberto Eco: Philosophy, Semiotics and the Work of Fiction. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 9780745608501. Pg. 55. Cuddon, J.A. (1999). The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, UK, Penguin Books, ISBN-10: 0140513639. Fairclough, N. (2001) Language and Power, UK, Longman, ISBN-10: 0582414830. Goodman, K. Goodman, Y. (1979) Theory and Practice of Early Reading, U.S., Routledge, ISBN-10: 0898590035. Learning to Read is Natural, pg. 137 – 54. Hird, L. (2009). Interview by Trev Taylor. Available: laurahird.com/. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Hird, L. (2006). Hope and Other Urban Tales, Scotland, Canongate Books, ISBN-10: 1841955736. McEwan, I. (1998). Enduring Love, UK, Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099276585. Morace, R. (2001). Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting: A Reader’s Guide, UK, Continuum International Publishing Group, ISBN 0-8264-5237-X. Randell, Stevenson. (1992). Modernist Fiction: An Introduction, The University of Kentucky, ISBN-10: 0813108144. The Scotsman. (2006). Hope Heralds a New Dawn. Available: scotsman.com/lifestyle/books/hope-heralds-a-new-dawn-1-1416335. Last accessed 19/08/2013. Street, B. (2000). Literacy and Development: Ethnographic Perspectives, Introduction, London, Routledge, ISBN-10: 0415234514. Pg. 7 -8. Welsh, I. (1994). Trainspotting, UK, Vintage, ISBN-10: 0099465892.

Monday, October 21, 2019

What You Need to Know About Libel Laws

What You Need to Know About Libel Laws As a reporter, its crucial to understand the basics of libel and libel law. Generally speaking, the United States has the freest press in the world, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. American journalists are generally free to pursue their reporting wherever it may take them, and to cover topics, as The New York Times motto puts it, â€Å"without fear or favor.† But that doesn’t mean reporters can write anything they want. Rumor, innuendo, and gossip are things hard-news reporters generally avoid (as opposed to reporters on the celebrity beat). Most importantly, reporters do not have the right to libel the people they write about. In other words, with great freedom comes great responsibility. Libel law is where the press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment meet the requirements of responsible journalism. What Is Libel? Libel is published defamation of character, as opposed to spoken defamation of character, which is slander. Libel: Exposes a person to hatred, shame, disgrace, contempt or ridicule.Injures a person’s reputation or causes the person to be shunned or avoided.Injures the person in his or her occupation. Examples might include accusing someone of having committed a heinous crime, or of having a disease that might cause them to be shunned. Two other important points: Libel is by definition false. Anything that is provably true cannot be libelous.â€Å"Published† in this context simply means that the libelous statement is communicated to someone other than the person being libeled. That can mean anything from an article thats photocopied and distributed to just a few people to a story that appears in a newspaper with millions of subscribers. Defenses Against Libel There are several common defenses a reporter has against a libel lawsuit: Truth Since libel is by definition false, if a journalist reports something that is true it cannot be libelous, even if it damages a person’s reputation. Truth is the reporter’s best defense against a libel suit. The key is in doing solid reporting so that you can prove something is true.Privilege Accurate reports about official proceedings – anything from a murder trial to a city council meeting or a congressional hearing – cannot be libelous. This may seem like an odd defense, but imagine covering a murder trial without it. Conceivably, the reporter covering that trial could be sued for libel every time someone in the courtroom accused the defendant of murder.Fair Comment Criticism This defense covers expressions of opinion, everything from movie reviews to columns on the ops might include a rock critic ripping into the latest Beyonce CD, or a political columnist writing that she believes President Obama is doing a horrible job. Public Officials vs. Private Individuals In order to win a libel lawsuit, private individuals need only prove that an article about them was libelous and that it was published. But public officials – people who work in government at the local, state or federal level – have a tougher time winning libel lawsuits than private individuals. Public officials must not only prove that an article was libelous and that it was published; they must also prove it was published with something called â€Å"actual malice.† Actual malice means that: The story was published with the knowledge that it was false.The story was published with reckless disregard of whether or not it was false. Times vs. Sullivan This interpretation of libel law comes from the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Times vs. Sullivan. In Times vs. Sullivan, the court said that making it too easy for government officials to win libel suits would have a chilling effect on the press and its ability to aggressively report on the important issues of the day. Since Times vs. Sullivan, the use of the â€Å"actual malice† standard to prove libel has been expanded from just public officials to public figures, which basically means anyone who is in the public eye. Put simply, politicians, celebrities, sports stars, high-profile corporate executives and the like all must meet the â€Å"actual malice† requirement in order to win a libel suit. For journalists, the best way to avoid a libel suit is to do responsible reporting. Don’t be shy about investigating wrongdoing committed by powerful people, agencies, and institutions, but make sure you have the facts to back up what you say. Most libel lawsuits are the result of careless reporting.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Check Point Personal Philosophy of Education

I share the same opinion. I trust that there are certain talents that all people should have. The talents are basic talents however they are the starting point. Talents are building blocks that let children to continue stepping up to the next higher level of education that an individual should have. Instructional Philosophy I would have a behaviorist style in my class. The hypothesis of behaviorist is an educational and psychological hypothesis that states that one’s attitude is revealed by surroundings, not some one’s heredity. I believe that this is very significant because if an individual is in a bad surrounding, then their learning is slowed down by that bad surrounding. If a child is in a good surrounding they are more willing to learn and they absorb the teachings better. Behaviorist or Constructive approach to instruction I personally love the opinion of having Essentialism and Behaviorist merged together. Those two are my personal philosophy in education. Essentialism philosophy and the behaviorist style combined bring out the reality that there are definitely talents required and that the surroundings must be precise for a child’s learning. These opinions will help me supervise my classroom better and assist with my instructional technique. When the four are combined, they will work fine with each other and make me a better teacher. Check Point Personal Philosophy of Education I share the same opinion. I trust that there are certain talents that all people should have. The talents are basic talents however they are the starting point. Talents are building blocks that let children to continue stepping up to the next higher level of education that an individual should have. Instructional Philosophy I would have a behaviorist style in my class. The hypothesis of behaviorist is an educational and psychological hypothesis that states that one’s attitude is revealed by surroundings, not some one’s heredity. I believe that this is very significant because if an individual is in a bad surrounding, then their learning is slowed down by that bad surrounding. If a child is in a good surrounding they are more willing to learn and they absorb the teachings better. Behaviorist or Constructive approach to instruction I personally love the opinion of having Essentialism and Behaviorist merged together. Those two are my personal philosophy in education. Essentialism philosophy and the behaviorist style combined bring out the reality that there are definitely talents required and that the surroundings must be precise for a child’s learning. These opinions will help me supervise my classroom better and assist with my instructional technique. When the four are combined, they will work fine with each other and make me a better teacher.

Friday, October 18, 2019

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire and How It Mirrors the United Essay

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire and How It Mirrors the United States - Essay Example Importantly, the rise of both Roman and American empires follow almost same trajectory of consolidation of ‘pockets of power’ to large scale annexation through combined constitutional, economic and military assaults. The American quagmire in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the growing fallacies of the American empire gives a sense that its doom too would follow the Roman course. The purpose of the paper is to give a glimpse at the rise and fall of Roman empire and see the parallels with the case of the America empire, by examining some of the constitutive features of both the political formations in a brief and concise manner. The Making and the Unmaking of the Empires From the ancient period to the present time, world has seen the rise and fall of many empires. Roman, Greek, ancient Egypt, Persian, British, and American empires are a few to name. The timeline of these empires varies from each other. The chances of survival of an empire in ancient times were more than the mode rn ones. However, a country has more chances to survive than an empire. Decline or fall of an empire is inevitable and only depended upon on time whereas a country can survive for longer period. When a country goes for territorial expansion and succeeds in it, the country then transforms itself into an empire. After acquiring a status of an empire, the nation precipitates the unavoidable decline and fall of the empire. This is the basic but generalized story both the Roman empire and the American empire tell to us. The fall of empire reflects the decaying of the society. After the disintegration of an empire, the society experiences too much hardships and the life of the people become miserable. Experiences of fall of the Roman, ancient Egyptian empire show that the lives of the citizens later were never as good as it was during empires’ height. Now itself, we can sense that America citizens’ hardships are growing day after day and it certainly sheds light into the wea kening core of the American empire. Roman Empire lasted around one thousand years whereas American empire started stumbling only after two hundred and twenty years. There are certain parallels between fall of Roman Empire and the contemporary scenario in the United States. Romans started up with a republic, later transformed it into an Empire. The twentieth century saw America metamorphosing from a nation into an empire. It is very interesting to see that how these two most sophisticated republics of their times ended up as being vicious empires! Importantly, cold war with the former Soviet Union and the subsequent triumph of an American new global order have many parallels between the Romans’ eternal tension with the Carthage. Same as in the case of American empire, the Roman empire was also fully constituted only with the complete disintegration of Carthage. America too became an empire with truly global capabilities only after the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991. It is im portant to remember that â€Å"the Roman Republic was an unabashed plutocracy; the citizen-body was carefully graded according to stringent property qualifications. In turn, this classification regulated voting rights: all adult male citizens were enfranchised, but a system of electoral colleges guaranteed that the rich, if united, would always be able to out-vote the poor. In addition, the heavy costs of electioneering and office-holding ensured that all who were most prominent in government were

The Primary Goal of the Military Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Primary Goal of the Military - Essay Example This has been necessitated by the tendency of terror organizations and individuals with ill intent to sabotage security systems internally. As such, it has become crucial for the military to authenticate the identity of every individual accessing its premises and systems (National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Biometrics, 2006). Whereas this has been happening through security tools such as access cards, passwords, and tokens, these systems have proven to be ineffective as they can be forgotten, duplicated, shared, or stolen (Weicheng Shen, 1999). There is, therefore, need for a system that cannot be easily compromised. The use of human features, biometrics comes in handy in the identification of individuals while keeping their privacy intact. These features may be physical or biological and may include characteristics such as skin color, height, eye color and weight. These features are unique to individuals and readily available; hence, making them ideal for the dev elopment of dependable authentication systems. If used together with traditional systems, such as password protection and fingerprint technology, the result is a security system that is complex, and yet very efficient and hard to manipulate. Role Based Access Control DoD could develop access control systems based on the roles individuals play. This control algorithm allows users access to premises and equipment that are relevant to their activities in the military. The system, therefore, limits the accessibility of information and critical equipment to people who are authorized to interact with them (Ferraiolo, Kuhn, & Chandramouli, 2007). DoD could decide to develop a system, costs notwithstanding. A lot of resources would be deployed in the project, as long as it guarantees that the role-based access control will be possible. Since it would be hard to develop systems that cater for individual staff, DoD can come up with an authentication system based on the roles people play. Staf f can be categorized into groups, depending on their ranks and responsibilities in the military and offered access rights relative to their statuses (Murrell, 2001). This would provide officers within the same ranks similar access rights while still providing exceptions for exceptional cases. Enterprise RBAC (ERBAC) DoD spends public funds as it endeavors to provide security to the county. Just like any other public institution, it is necessary for the department to account for its expenses. It is, therefore, necessary for DoD to make sure all its activities make business sense. Enterprise Role Based Access Control seeks to ensure that as DoD invests in role-based access control measures, the results of using the system are not only financially measurable but also provide an acceptable return on investment. Depending on the severity of the case at hand, DoD is at liberty to choose the role-based access control methodology it wants to deploy. Insensitive matters of national or intern ational security, DoD could develop authentication systems without considering costs and returns on investment (Ballad, Ballad, & Banks, 2010). However, this ought to be done with caution as it is important for DoD to appear to use public resources appropriately and in the best interest of the citizens of the United Kingdom. Alternative solutions i. Discretionary Access Control This access control mechanism restricts access based on subject identity.  

Virtual team Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Virtual team - Research Paper Example Trust is a very crucial thing in a virtual team, which can reduce uncertainty to the global and technologically based environment. The theory of media richness and social presence questions the possibility of development of relationships and trust among members in a group (Duarte and Synder 30). The same theory asserts that use of computers to communicate may eliminate important types of communication people could use to convey trust, warmth, attentiveness, and other interpersonal affections. However, other studies have shown that communication is not a function of the characteristics of the media, but a function of context, setting, and timing. Therefore, we can view the aspects of context, setting, and timing in any theory that is attempting to argue that virtual teams cannot work in the present global society. A better way of looking at the problem of trust and relationships in virtual teams is considering communication behaviors. Communication among the members should be timed and be within the subject of concern. Also of paramount importance is commitment to communication, as regular communication produces socialization, courtship and social identification (Lipnack and Stamps 35). In conclusion, for virtual teams to succeed there are important steps to follow. These include holding a face-to-face meeting in the beginning, establishing clear codes of conduct for behavior, recognizing and rewarding for performers and every member realizing that most communications may be non-verbal so that they can be careful how they communicate (Duarte and Synder 20). A virtual team refers to a group of people who though separated by distance and/or space still work together towards a common goal by communicating using electronic means or by holding face-to-face meetings occasionally (Lipnack and Stamps Jeffrey 83). Virtual teams come because of reasons such as members not being

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Compensation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Compensation - Essay Example These wages are augmented by bonuses that are commensurate with the contributions the employee makes to specific projects or even their own entrepreneurial developments (â€Å"Facebook beats google†, 2012). The best fit and best practice approaches constitute different perspectives. The best fit approaches argues that compensation pay should be aligned with the organization’s strategy and values. The challenge these becomes finding the ‘best-fit’ between the strategic approach and compensation. These practices are contrasted with ‘best practice’ approach that argue there need not be a best fit between strategy and approach, but instead a universal approach to compensation in the organization. A customer service-agent that manages issues that arise between buyers and sellers at the online marketplace Half.com. These management practices occur over the telephone and through e-mail. Notably, there are over 2,000 emails a day to sort through. It is indicated that this information does not become tedious as the emails are of constantly different varieties. In terms of further information needed, it is necessary to consider what occurs when the issue cannot be resolved, as well as the extent that the employee is under pressure from Half.com to determine a best fit solution. 5. The compensable factors in paying my boss more than me are that he has a higher knowledge set and deeper managerial experience. This increases his organizational value as he is able to oversee crucial aspects or operational difficulties. This is further understood in terms of organizational contributions. While it is possible for the lower tier workers to make tangible contributions to organizational value, compensation is on a best fit spectrum so that the higher the individual is on organizational spectrum, the higher their value is the organization. This results in the higher compensation

Critique of a text Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critique of a text - Essay Example Unfortunately, this article does just that. ‘Inconvenient lives’ is an insight into the reasons why humans resort to abortion, supported by statistics and facts and the writer’s own vehement anti-abortion views. Bork, in this article, answers the questions whether abortion is always killing of a human being and is it done mostly for convenience? He takes the stand that abortion is akin to taking a human life by stating scientific research regarding how human life begins; drawing comparisons between a fetus and an elderly human being; discussing the various reasons through statistics as to why women opt for abortion and criticizing the views of some of the pro-abortion advocates. The writer draws the conclusion that abortion is an immoral act and the reasons behind committing it are irrational. He believes that women solicit it because it seems to be the most viable and convenient solution for their own multiple problems that might arise due to unwanted pregnancy. The writer opens the argument by giving the summary of how a fetus comes into being and develops into a full-fledged human being. According to him, killing the organism formed after the fusion of a male sperm and female egg is like killing a human being. It is quite evident that the writer cannot demarcate between a human tissue (the zygote) and a living person (the mother). By stating scientific and medical opinion he is just trying to impose that this human tissue is important enough to have rights of its own. It shall be most unfortunate however, to grant it rights equal to or superior than that of a woman which is a human being, all flesh and blood with thoughts and emotions. It is an absurd comparison that only diminishes the value to a woman. Much dramatic light has been thrown on the rights that the fetus should be granted but at the end the writer himself admits that â€Å"†¦the fetus cannot survive

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Consent and capacity to treatment in medical law of an adult Essay

Consent and capacity to treatment in medical law of an adult - Essay Example 41, 2008). When the law talks about the capacity, it involves the maturity level and understanding and despite that a patient cannot be considered as having lack of capacity only because he made an unwise decision which does not fulfill his own best interests. According to the law, capacity cannot be the regarded as the decision which is reasonable and sensible to another person, perceptions may vary (Coyne, p. 64, 2005). People who have capacity can make their own decisions unless it is proven that they lack capacity. Disability is not a factor which indicates the lack of capacity; in fact a disable person can well take his own decisions without the assistance of anyone else. But in some cases, a person with a disability may require assistance to clarify the issues and understand the choices to ensure and enable autonomous decision making, but the other people may not always find other people’s decisions rights (Jackson, p. 601, 2002). For this, the law says that it cannot be assessed that the person is making a right decision or not, but what should be determined is that the decision is not ‘bad’ and whether it shows the lack of capacity in the person to make decisions or not. ... 171, 2004). Clinical incapacity is not permanent. The people who are severely depressed, intoxicated, comatose, agitated or impaired otherwise lack the capacity to make their medical decisions but for the time being. Later, they may retrieve their capacity. Where a patient has the ability to make a decision, the doctors should assess it (Herring, p. 202, 2012). People with dementia require the evaluation of the person’s level of judgment and memory before proceeding with the medical care. The law says that if the doctors find the person lacking capacity, they may turn to a close relative or friend or anyone appointed by the person to make decisions on his behalf (Wong, p. 445, 1999). However, these kinds of cases where the decisions are made by substitutes for the people who cannot make decisions for themselves are rarely brought into the court. But, if the patient himself objects to the medical decision taken or to the determination of him clinically lacking capacity, it can be brought to the court. The doctors are ordered not to go against the person’s will unless it is declared that he is legally incapacitated (Sturman, p. 963, 2005). Once the capacity is determined, the patient’s consent is equally important. Adults are more commonly categorized in this group and they make their own health decisions. Every adult has the right to accept or refuse medical treatment (Pozgar, p. 320, 2011). In general situations, a doctor asks for the consent of the patient before treating them. This suggests that the patient should be legally able to give his consent. If the patient is under guardianship, his decision will not be made by himself (Appelbaum, p. 1838, 2007). The patient must be mentally able to permit the medical

Critique of a text Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critique of a text - Essay Example Unfortunately, this article does just that. ‘Inconvenient lives’ is an insight into the reasons why humans resort to abortion, supported by statistics and facts and the writer’s own vehement anti-abortion views. Bork, in this article, answers the questions whether abortion is always killing of a human being and is it done mostly for convenience? He takes the stand that abortion is akin to taking a human life by stating scientific research regarding how human life begins; drawing comparisons between a fetus and an elderly human being; discussing the various reasons through statistics as to why women opt for abortion and criticizing the views of some of the pro-abortion advocates. The writer draws the conclusion that abortion is an immoral act and the reasons behind committing it are irrational. He believes that women solicit it because it seems to be the most viable and convenient solution for their own multiple problems that might arise due to unwanted pregnancy. The writer opens the argument by giving the summary of how a fetus comes into being and develops into a full-fledged human being. According to him, killing the organism formed after the fusion of a male sperm and female egg is like killing a human being. It is quite evident that the writer cannot demarcate between a human tissue (the zygote) and a living person (the mother). By stating scientific and medical opinion he is just trying to impose that this human tissue is important enough to have rights of its own. It shall be most unfortunate however, to grant it rights equal to or superior than that of a woman which is a human being, all flesh and blood with thoughts and emotions. It is an absurd comparison that only diminishes the value to a woman. Much dramatic light has been thrown on the rights that the fetus should be granted but at the end the writer himself admits that â€Å"†¦the fetus cannot survive

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

I Have a Dream Essay Example for Free

I Have a Dream Essay Martin Luther King was a symbolic leader of American blacks who was the youngest man to receive a nobel peace prize. He was a worker for civil rights for people of his race. On August 28, 1963 in Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D. C. , he delivered the informative and persuasive speech, I have a dream. There was enthusiasm in his introduction which indicates victory, for the speech was an expression of his utmost joy for what he said as the ‘greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation’ (King, 1963) from the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which was the freeing of the American Slaves, issued by Abraham Lincoln. He pointed out the forgotten promise of America to all her citizens, meaning the black and the white with proper and just right, and that he dreams that these proper and just rights be given to all, regardless of the color. He was hopeful in his last words in the speech, which gave the audience the strength they needed at that time. He presented his words as if they were one reach away. And he thanked God Almighty after mentioning different religions, which I believe indicates unity despite each and everyone present there’s diversity. Martin Luther King was undoubtedly a great speaker. He talked slowly but clearly. There was a serious aura and strong emotion in his voice. Although he had limited body language, he was able to get the attention of 250, 000 audiences that day whom he informed, persuaded, and inspired through his eye contact once in a while even though he read his speech. It was obvious in the cheering of the crowd that they were interested and that they were getting something from the speech. He had clear organization of the speech, with a strong introduction, a substantial body where he was able to say what he wanted to happen, and a conclusion that left a hope and will to continue fighting to his audiences. However, in my opinion, I would rather make the speech a little shorter and more direct. King used a lot of descriptive words to further explain what he was trying to say. He also used metaphors to present analogies. Maybe these were helpful, but as for me, I would like to believe that the listeners would’ve understood the speech more if he was concise and simple with his choice of words. References: I Have A Dream by Martin Luther King. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from Youtube Web site: http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=PbUtL_0vAJk Martin Luther King Biography. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from Nobelprize. org Web site: http://nobelprize. org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio. html

Monday, October 14, 2019

Benefits and Strategies of Learning Through Play

Benefits and Strategies of Learning Through Play Play is essential in child’s early years. In my model of play, every area is interrelated in regards to play. Play can happen at any point of time and at any place. From a child’s perspective, play is enjoyable and imaginative. Educators play an important role in planning play activities in the curriculum and to sustain their thinking. Background of the family reflects how children play at home and with their peers. In my model of play, a cultural-historical theory drives my play practices. According to Vygotsky, â€Å"Children will give new meaning to objects in their play in order to progress imaginary play† and to understand reality by learning how people work through role-playing (Fleer, 2013). He also continued that professionals in early childhood will contribute in children’s play through interactions in sustained shared thinking and through play connections with children (Fleer, 2013). Thus; my model of play revolves around these important aspects for a child – culture, play, educator, curriculum, family and educator. Each aspect will be further explaining in the following: Play Cultural –historical view of play can be reflected in my model of play. In this model, children engaged in both structured and unstructured play. In unstructured play, children will develop a state of mind, helping them to deal with feelings or challenges in their life and at the same time, providing opportunities for them to explore different ways in doing things (Bruce, 2011). From a child’s perspective, they use very minimal effort to move between play and real world (Edmiston, 2008). When they play, they create imaginary situations. These imaginary situations are based on their real-world experiences and children give new senses to their movements and objects (Fleer, 2013). I observed how these two girls, Ann (three years old) and May (six years old) playing at the kitchen corner. They are creating imaginary situations. In their play, they take on roles. They pretend to be mother and baby. As they are in their imaginary situations, children began to move away from r eality. They became more detailed in taking their roles. In my observations, Ann began to sound like a baby and will seek attention from her â€Å"mother†. Both children learn about everyday concepts as they observe how their mother takes care of baby. From there, they also picked up scientific concepts about movement like walking, carrying baby dolls and cuddling. Culture The family background of the child sets conditions for play. Usually, children imitate the role of the people they have most contact with. For example, if children will imitate the role of the teacher when they are at home; or in school, they will take on the role of their mother as they had been observing how she manages the kitchen daily. As children develop their play, they adopt the role and create their make-believe stories. In my observations on my play model, Ann and May adopt the roles of mother and baby and they moved on to puppetry play and bake cookies. When children are in play, children move in and out of imaginary situations (Fleer, 2013). They use special languages to communicate to draw a line between real worlds and play experiences. Children also use their language based on their family background. As May and Ann are Malays, they have included their mother tongue in their play conversations. They used, â€Å"ka kak† which means sister in their conversation. T his also explains that culture reflects on how children interact in their play experiences. It frames on how children play occurs based on their everyday experiences. In Vygotsky’s theory, he noted that a child’s daily life experiences sets and frames on how play may occur and children will not play freely (Fleer, 2010). Curriculum In my school, we believe that children learn through play. In our planning, we engage children in purposeful play and as well as free play. Thus, we do not provide worksheets for children to work on. For example, children (aged 3 years old) will be hunting for items associated with letter ‘f’, explore what they can do their feet and traced the letter by walking on the letter. As children are still developing their fine motor skills, teachers should not be stressing if the child is able to write. Instead, teachers can work on their gross motor skills and they learn through kinetic movements. From children’s perspective, they view it as play as they get to walk, jump and most importantly, it is enjoyable and fun. In my school, children also participated in projects. We lead provocation through their play activities. During the interactions, teachers and children are involved sustained shared thinking. Sustained shared thinking is an effective interaction where two or more parties and â€Å"working together† to understand concepts, cracking a problem and extending conversations and activities (Siraj-Blatchford, 2007). In our play incidents during our project, we sustain children’s thinking by asking open-ended questions. Our curriculum is also tied closely to Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergarten framework. In a Kindergarten Learning Forum opening speech by Ms Indranee Rajah, she mentioned that MOE strongly believes that the critical principle of learning in the early years is engaging in learning through purposeful play (MOE, 2012). They believe that children will learn through purposeful play as they are feeling competent about their ability to learn and develop their physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills. In my centre, we believe that children are competent and engage children in both purposeful play and as well as free play. Therefore, my model of play ties in closely with my school’s curriculum which we encourage children to learn through play and as well as referring to MOE’s kindergarten framework to support children in purposeful play activities. Educators As educators, we play critical role in sustaining children in play. We need look into our pedagogical role in engaging children in play. As children change the meaning of objects we have to look into the depth of play experiences to ensure that these play experiences benefit the children. When a purposeful play activity happens, Educators have to thoughtfully plan the activities with appropriate resources and materials for children to explore. Teachers have to constantly reflect on their teaching practices to see whether their planned activities are inviting children’s interest to be engaged and learning (Lim, 2010). Thus, teachers should provide a variety of play activities in child’s learning and a balance of play and work activities. These balance of play and work activities should include unstructured play to structured play such as from child-initiated play to teacher directed play. Educators should also take note of the sensitivity interaction between child and adult in play and playful experiences activities. Some play does not have to be guide by adults but educators should note that they have to be around even though it is free play for children. Even though the school has a strong curriculum, teachers have to be culturally sensitive to understand each and every child who enters to the classroom. Thus, as educators, we should not be stereotyping the children through similar characteristics of the children. Instead, we should take time to listen to the children when they are at play and interactions before we really make any conclusions on the child’s need and making it into his or her individual goals. This also explains that educators are also assessing for play. In Fleer’s (2010) explanation, assessment for play is how educators assess formative assessment and summaries the assessment at the end of a project or event. While observing the children, we also assess the children through play. This helps educators to do their observations and analyse when children are engaged entirely in play activities (Fleer, 2013). Teachers play a critical how in documenting down these play moments. Documentations can be recorded down in photographs, children’s voices or drawing which children is comfortable with and they can be displayed in the classroom. From all these play moments, children can find out what do they want to find out, and apply their knowledge gained from their inquiry. Fahey (as cited in Fleer, 2013) reasons in inquiry learning, that it is important to provide children the chance to ask questions, clarifying points and to be engaged in the topics which they are interested. This is also useful and going in depth of the child’s play so that learning can be furthered in play (Fleer, 2013). Teachers and children can also review their play activities in a form of KWL chart. This helps children to revisit the play activities and find out what they have learnt and how they can apply their knowledge gain in other situations. Environment Another aspect to discuss is the environment conditions and affordances in play. I believe that environment has an impact in play practices. Whether it is at school, community or at home, it provides different opportunities for the child to learn in daily life. At school, based on child’s interest, educators can then work on setting up the relevant resources in the classroom. Hedges (as cited in Lim, 2010) even inspire teachers to work together with children and sharing responsibility in order to have a child-initiated curriculum where teachers and children can co-construct appropriate and meaningful knowledge. In my school setting we believe that the environment is the third teacher. From a child’s perspective, the visual influences interaction and developing thinking and learning (Strong-Wilson Ellis, 2007). As our school is inspired by Reggio Emilia, it advocates that teachers to take note to the numerous ways to use the space to invite interactions (Strong-Wilson Ellis, 2007). To encourage children to participate in their culture community and to engage in meaningful play activities, teachers who are influenced by Reggio Emilia have capitalize on the environment’s potential as a developmental niche where children acquire knowledge skills and understandings (New, 2007). Thus, at my school setting, the classroom has wide windows to allow natural light to shine through the class. The resources used in the classroom are closest to the natural materials such as twigs, leaves, branches. This can form part of children’s play as they use these materials to create new meanings and interact with their peers and teachers. The environment also reflects school’s basis in John Dewey’s educational philosophy and Vygotsky’s social constructivist learning theory (Tar r, 2001). Both theorists â€Å"believe that children can best create meaning and make sense of their world through living in complex, rich environments which support complex, varied, sustained, and changing relationships between people, the world of experience, ideas and the many ways of expressing ideas† (Tarr, 2001, p.7). The outdoor environment also supports in children’s play. In my school, children are encouraged to engage in outdoor play activities. As my school setting are able to afford big spaces for children, we have the space for water play and sand play. This provides children to be exposed to a variety of play activities be it in classroom or outdoors. Family With reference to cultural-historical theory, play is learned in families (Fleer, 2013). Families can engage children in play and they can learn to pick up valued skills. For an example, parents will do house chores and from a child’s perspective, it is a play and fun activity in helping their parents. In this case, play has developed into an activity which children have contributed to the family. I feel that families should not neglect children’s play at home or when they are with them. Involving families in children’s play can motivate the child in learning and exploring new things, and fostering relationship between them. In conclusion, play is leading activity (Fleer, 2013) in a child’s life. By viewing at how each and every aspect contributes to play, as an educator, I have to constantly reflect on my teaching practices on how I can engage children in play. As technology has been moving rapidly, children are more engaged in technology such as iPad, children may forgo about playing physically with peer interactions. Thus, families and educators should be reminded that there should also be a balance between play activities for the child to be engaged and learn. Reference List Bruce, T. (2011). Learning through play: for babies, toddlers and young children (2nd ed.). London: Hodder Education. Edmiston, B. (2008). Chapter 1. Ethics in play. In B. Edmiston. Forming ethical identities in early childhood play, pp. 1 – 24. New York: Routledge. Fleer, M. (2010). Chapter 2. Parallel conceptual worlds. In Early learning and development: cultural-historical concepts in play, pp.20 -32. New York: Cambridge University Press. Fleer, M. (2013). Play in the Early Years. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. Lim, S. M-Y. (2010). Reconsidering the play-work dichotomy in pedagogy. In M. Ebbeck M. Waniganayake (eds.). : Learning in diverse contexts, pp.141 -156. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Ministry of Education. (2012). Kindergarten learning forum. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2012/11/20/opening-address-by-ms-indranee-rajah-at-kindergarten-learning-forum-2012.php New, R. S. (2007). Reggio Emilia as cultural activity theory in practice. Theory into Practice, 46(1), 5-13. Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2007). Creativity, communication and collaboration: The identification of pedagogic progression in sustained shared thinking. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 1(2), 3-23. Strong-Wilson, T., Ellis, J. (2007). Children and place: Reggio Emilias environment as third teacher. Theory into practice, 46(1), 40-47. Tarr, P. (2001). Aesthetic Codes in Early Childhood Classrooms: What Art Educators Can Learn from Reggio Emilia. Name: Loo Si Hui Student ID: 25687514 Page 1