Greek History Essays - Polis, Coin, Roman Currency,

Greek History Classical Studies (OFC304C) Skills Practice Task Short Answers 1) The sources for ancient history are divided into four categories. Name each of them, and briefly describe two of those categories. ?h Archaeology: Archaeology is the science or study of history derived from the evidence of the relics and remains of early human cultures as discovered chiefly by systematic excavations. The Oxford Classical dictionary defines archaeology as the study of the whole material culture. By this definition, archaeology is the study of history through the analysis of tangible evidence. e.g. roads, buildings, sculptures, tools ?h Coins (Numismatics) Numismatics is the science of coins and medals. As a source, coins are of particular importance. A lot can be determined in regards to metal usage, quantity of metals, craftsmanship, identity (in terms of origin) and trade. Coins were generally made of gold, silver, electrum, bronze and copper. Not much has changed in the way of coins. The designs are easily identifiable as to which period and origin they had belonged to. In addition to this, the complexity of the design work shows the relative ability of the people of that time in terms of workmanship. Roman coins can be found all over Europe. In light of this, it is possible to deduce that Romans had contact with other countries. Also the quantity of coins at a certain location could give some idea as to the amount of trade that existed. In addition coins are incredibly durable, thus being an ideal source for archaeological evidence. ?h Inscriptions ?h Literature 2) What was a Greek Polis? The Poleis were a body of cities in an autonomous state. There are many sources that define the Polis in one way or the other as a city-state. In all simplicity, it is a community of citizens (adult males), women, children, slaves and resident foreigners. It was self- sufficient, had its own government, constitution, unique culture (religion, tradition and so forth) and a defined territory. Some poleis were incredibly small and others such as Athens and Sparta have been estimated to have population figures above a hundred thousand. Although they were individual Heles and fought each other frequently over the scarce resources (in regards to arable land, metals etc.), they did unite to fight a common enemy in the Persian Wars. 3) Did the geography of Greece affect the development of the Polis? How? The topography of Greece is mountainous, rocky and there are only small patches of land that are suitable for agriculture. Poleis were intended to be small, it was a fact that the Greeks could not support large populations due to a lack of food resources among other deficiencies. Socrates said that an ideal population for an poleis would be that of 5000 citizens, which taking into consideration of non-citizens came to a figure of roughly 15000 to 20000 people. These lack of resources had forced groups of people to roam and create colonies that could be self supporting and very often those Poleis were situated on the sparse and separated patches of suitable land all over Greece. This later extended to islands and land that was far removed from the Greek peninsula. Not only did the lack of resources affect them, yet the sheer physical divisions, which were the result of mountains and other natural land formations. These physical formations affected the development of Poleis in regards to location. Many Poleis could be found near the coastal areas where the sea was accessible and the land less rugged. 4) What was an Agora and why was it important in a polis? The Oxford History of the Classical World defines the agora to be a place of assembly, a seat of justice and of government. The agora was the focal point for the citys everyday affairs and trade of all kinds. Brothels, foodstuffs, barbers and all levels of commerce took place here. Some Agoras were rather spacious, with dimensions up to the size of 100m by 200m. In addition there was an area known as the colonus agoraeus which was situated by the hill near the marketplace in Athens. Important public buildings and equally important public officials were stationed here. Even of more significance was the Council House where the Boule sat. These were the eldest and richest in the city (council of

Computer Game Narratives

Computer Game Narratives Free Online Research Papers In this paper we investigate if, and then how interaction can define narrative in a computer game. When developing computer games that include stories or story elements it seems natural to use the traditional linear narrative and storytelling methods without emphasizing that the computer is essentially different from any other media because of its interactive capabilities. Therefore it is important to investigate how it is possible to create forms of narratives that utilize the computers interactive capabilities. We approached the problem by investigating how it is possible to structure and objectify narratives so it can be understood by the computer. Through our investigation we propose that the solution to creating interactive narratives is to make procedural models that can be understood by the computer and theoretical models to work with when constructing such systems. Keywords: Narrative, Interactivity, Computer games, Introduction Storytelling is mankind’s tradition of communicating information, whether being educational, inspirational, entertaining or otherwise to get the listeners attention. We tell stories from our daily lives as a form of communicating our or other people’s experiences, ideas, or points of view. Storytelling and the narrative therein has evolved in association with advances in our society and reflects on many of its changes (Mello, 2001,  ¶ 2). As we sometimes observe; storytelling reflects social conditions, popular interests and traditions as in 19th century fairytales where characters dressed and spoke according to conventions of the story’s time and/or reflected the author’s hopes, fears or dreams. This is also true in 21st century narratives which both reflect contemporary and future interests and nostalgic flashbacks to ancient cultures of might and magic. Storytelling also serves the purpose of conserving social history, personal deeds and accomplishments; and through them we are allowed access to a grand spectrum of dramatic personal events, funny happenings and epic tales that changed the world as we know it (Mello, 2001; Latvala, 1999; Denk, 2006)? When the storyteller or author sits down to tell or write a story he is usually doing so from his own point of view, he is presenting his perspective on certain topics, and uses his abilities to lead the reader through events in the story. The storyteller /author try’s to construct causes and effect relationship between events and the characters he creates to act in these events. The method he uses to construct this is generally referred to as a narrative. As a consequence, the author is, wholly or partly, responsible for the intellectual and artistic content of his story and as such has more or less total control over its content (NLC, 2002, p.21). It is that total control that we, in this paper, want to challenge by investigating if established events and characters in a predefined story can be controlled and manipulated. By predefined story we mean, where events and characters have their own state or conditions for existence, and are subject to change when changes happen in their immediate environment, either through direct contact or alteration of objects in that environment. The changes are generated by interacting with the story, navigating and manipulation of elements therein, creating an interactive narrative. In this paper we will describe our approach to interactive narrative and some theoretic models for describing and implementing interactive narrative. We ask the following question: Is it possible to simulate interactive narrative in a computer game? By providing answers to this question we hope to provide alternative methods of experiencing narrative through interaction. Narrative The word Narrator, and its subsequent methodological denominator Narrative, derive from the Latin word â€Å"narrare† which has its Indo-European origin in the word â€Å"gnarus†, which means â€Å"to know.† (Meadows, 2003, p.5) Thus a narrative is a form of knowledge, and a narrator is one who has knowledge of something he is telling us. In their book Film Art: An Introduction, Bordwell and Thompson (2004) conclude that narrative can be described as: â€Å"†¦a chain of events in cause-effect relationship occurring in time and space† (p.69). While Cohn (1999) adds a more human element, when she states that narrative is a: â€Å"†¦series of statements that deal with a causally related sequence of events that concern human (or human-like) beings† (p.12) Other definitions tend to be more towards more current media formats, explaining that a narrative is: â€Å"†¦a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program† (WordNet ® -a, 2006). While others are more specific: â€Å"How the plot or story is told. In a media text, narrative is the coherent sequencing of events across time and space† (Boles, 2006). These definitions are all justifiable and include elements that are of a traditional nature and can be found in traditional storytelling. All underline a causal approach to events in a story, while the some emphasizes events in time and space and human or human-like beings as part of a narrative. It can probably be argued that human or human-like characteristics are a part of countless narratives, since even abstract entities sometimes include recognizable human elements as a means to convey messages through a story. According to these definitions we make sense of a story through narrative by identifying with its elements and linking them by cause and effect, time and space. Whether the time is backward or forward or events are remixed in seemingly random order, with hard established cause and effect relationships the fundamental purpose of narrative is to communicate meaningful messages to audiences or individual persons. With all these combined elements a narrative can be considered the overall method chosen to convey the message within a story to the reader, viewer, or player depending on the media platform (Dansky, 2006, p. 1). Narratives – Paradigm analysis Our approach is that narratives can be analyzed and broken down into, at least, character types and the functions they perform in any given story regardless of demographic or social situation. We further suggest that these categories of character types and functions can be simulated as constants and variables depending on the task at hand. These categories of character types and functions are not necessarily simulated in detail but up to the point where it is perceived to be real. Furthermore, we emphasized that building interactive narrative based on characters or entities is not entirely about building computational algorithms, but also concerns giving these characters and objects their own life by simulating what it means to exist in any given story orientated environment by simulating communication, emotions, and other complexities of human social interactions. We propose, based on the assumption that real life narrative and behavior – as it is with learning and intelligence – can be described precisely enough for it to be simulated by a machine. (McCarthy, Minsky, Rochester Shannon, 1955, p.1) This suggestion contradicts some authoritarian scholars in the field of narrative structure where they state that narrative is fundamentally a cognitive mental process that makes the human experience meaningful (Polkinghorne, 1988, p. 1) (McQuillan, 2000, pp. 7-8) and should, therefore, be at best a vague concept and hard to objectify. We counter-argue that the relationship between narrative and computer technology is at best ambiguous and that further research is needed to determine what happens to narrative when it is presented by a machine. Simulating Interactive Narrative If we are to reach the state of interactive narrative one needs to generate changes at the core of the narrative structure. If through interaction one is able to decide how the plot progresses by starting and stopping actions and events, and in what order events occur while maintaining a comprehensible plot or story he has achieved the state of interactive narrative. Narrative is there to produce meaning and comprehension, if that fails there is no narrative; only confusion. Based on this, we propose that the plot in an interactive narrative scenario be described on two levels: the author level and the player level. Furthermore, we propose that a procedural and theoretical model is needed to describe in detail the elements that are essential for a narrative to be considered interactive. Two-Level Plot By describing the plot at two different levels a form of balance could be achieved between these key elements in the game narrative: 1.High-level plot – predefined elements are under the author’s control 2.Low-level plot – the elements are freely altered by the player At the high-level, the author could retain the freedom to define the key episodes of the story while their actual implementation in the player time-frame is left to the game engine. While at the low-level the player performance can be dynamically analyzed and logically applied to the lower level details of the how and why of a specific episode or game sequence. Figure 1 shows a model describing the two-level plot. We expect that the overall effect will be that the plot becomes more dependent on the player who gains a part of the control on the development of the story. Moreover, the player is provided with a less predictable, more life-like experience with a different selection of the details in each episode and possibly the (involuntary) triggering of different sequences of episodes altogether. Interactive Narrative Model Interactive narrative needs a model of the narrative structure in any given computer game. This model should be based on analysis of traditional narrative structures and include the key elements or principals needed to successfully execute or reach a state of reciprocal course of action that triggers interactivity. The challenge is to find or construct a model that is suited to the interactive nature of computers. This model should be able to describe the procedurals of interactive narrative and not just a list of its elements. We work under the impression that interactive narrative should be based on a realistic simulation. This means that one needs to replace the action of the author statically writing the plot, with dynamic software capable of simulating the writing that is supported by theoretical structure to ensure that the storyline keeps coherent and intriguing. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a form of procedural model or platform for narrative, where the player engages in interactive communication with the gaming world resulting in a state of interactive narrative or as close to interactive narrative as the simulation allows. This platform would naturally be a computer game with an intriguing storyline or a journey through multiple rising actions, main events, and conclusions manipulated through interactive action by the player. Figure 2 shows a conceptual model of one possible structure of the narrative elements and their relationship to other elements and functions within the game framework. 1.Through the game the player makes sense of the gaming world and brings his perception to it through? the story/game mechanics 2.Narrative causality and logic: Here the rules, including all possible NPC actions at any given time in the narrative, are executed. Gaming world includes the narrative causality and logic and is designed and made by the game developer. 3.Narrative sequences and events: Here the player makes a choice in the narrative; these choices are influenced by all possible actions provided by the execution of NPC rules. 4.Player perception: An adaptive process where the player is affecting and being affected by narrative events. Player is able to affect narrative sequences of events and consequently their perception of events changes. 5. The narrative causality and logic is a constant predefined element but still contributing to narrative sequences of events as perceived by the player. Conclusion We suggest that a model of the narrative is needed to provide visual representation and overview of the components needed for an interactive narrative to be comprehensible and support the plot structure provided in the story. Such a model includes physical elements such as: human like characters, environmental objects (houses, cars, and trees etc.) and subjective elements like emotions, textures, light and shadows, character identities and other references to real entities. We furthermore propose that narrative is not only a cognitive process, but can be presented as concrete units and rules that are subject to changes through interaction. As a consequence we propose that the term interactive narrative describes the result of the interaction between – predefined elements in the game formalized and developed by the author – and the subjective perception that the player will form while interacting with them. The problem is that a comprehensive plot is dependant on a successful execution of the narrative and the relationship between events that need to be established in a meaningful way. The danger is that if we leave this relationship to chance or random interactive functions, we risk that no narrative will be established. However, by analyzing traditional narrative functions and elements it is possible to isolate elements within narratives that can be considered action based and subject to active engagement and justifies the implementation of interactivity into narratives within the framework of an event based story. Having established a relationship between interactivity and narrative we conclude that interactive narrative is a real possibility given that all parameters are met. We further conclude that extensive procedural and theoretic models are needed to explain and execute a state of interactive narrative in a computer game. Reference: Bordwell, D., Thompson, K. (2004) Film Art: An Introduction, New York: McGraw Hill, 2004 (7th ed.), p.69 Cohn D. (1999) The Distinction of Fiction, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1999, p.12 Dansky, R. (2006). Introduction to Game Narrative, In Bateman, C. Game writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames. Boston Mass: Charles River Media. Retrieved 10 November, 2007, from charlesriver.com/resrcs/chapters/1584504900_1stChap.pdf Denk, K. M. (2006). Making Connections, Finding Meaning, Engaging the World: Theory and Techniques for Ignatian Reflection on Service for and with Others, p.17. loyola.edu/Justice/documents/Template_for_Ignation_Reflection.doc Latvala, P. (1999) Finnish 20th Century History in Oral Narratives. Folklore vol.12. December 1999. Retrieved 10 November, 2007, from folklore.ee/folklore/vol12/oralnarr.htm McCarthy. J., Minsky, M. L., Rochester, N., Shannon, C.E. (1955) A proposal for the Dartmouth summer research project on Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved December 6th, 2006, from: formal.stanford.edu/jmc/history/dartmouth.pdf Meadows. M.S. (2003). Pause Effect: The Art of Interactive Narrative. Indianapolis USA: New Riders Mello, R. (2001). The power of storytelling: How oral narrative influences childrens relationships in classrooms. International Journal of Education the Arts. 2(1). Retrieved December 6th, 2006, from: ijea.org/v2n1/index.html WordNet ® -a (2006) Cognitive Science Laboratory Princeton University. Retrieved December 6th, 2006, from: http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=narrative Research Papers on Computer Game NarrativesMind TravelIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andThree Concepts of PsychodynamicInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThe Masque of the Red Death Room meanings

Analyse critically how research and practice developments can be Essay - 1

Analyse critically how research and practice developments can be disseminated to enhance the quality of the student learning exp - Essay Example Various health care stakeholders have been funding research studies on various issues surrounding the nursing practices. All this is meant to achieve the much touted quality healthcare delivery in the society. Such research and practices need to be communicated to the nursing professionals to boost their performance. Acquisition of information is one of the greatest challenges that affect many nurses (Gerrish & Lacey, 2010, 490). It is therefore important that they are given sound theoretical training that is result oriented if translated to practical applications in the field. Dissemination of information during learning among the nurses significantly explain their future performance in the field when assigned duties. It is therefore imperative that the methods of imparting such concepts are taken through critical assessment and all the factors taken into consideration. Information cost is one of the most important aspects of high standard performance of the leaners when they come i nto real life situation (Bergin, 2013, pg 2000). One of the most effective ways of ensuring that there is penetration of the ideas in learners is engaging them in the research study and requesting for observable findings. Learning is more effective when observation is done since pictures and objects seen makes more sense than what is merely said. It is proper that learning is backed up with a lot of drawing diagrams so that it would stick in the brain of the students in such a way that they are able to relate the theoretical work with the real life work (Exley & Dennick, 2009, 221). Nursing requires high accuracy since it deals in human life and therefore should be practice oriented so that not a single concept is missed as this could cost a lot (Power, 2008, 21-5). Creation of a motivating and engaging learning environment is one of the most appropriate approaches that can be applied in improving the nursing students’ mastery of the concepts and how they relate to the real l ife clinical practice. This may be achieved by involving the students in group assignments where they will brainstorm. Group work assignment may also be extended to research study where the students are given a given topic which they breakdown and undertake independent research before presenting as group to share their experiences. It is important for the tutors and nursing instructors to emphasize on the significance, relevance and integration of theoretical work and the knowledge with the professional practice with the aim of developing solutions to real life global health issues. It is advisable by the NMC 2010 nursing students spend more than 50% of their time undertaking practical. This may sink better by giving individual illustration of skills that are applicable in a specific topic so that the learners can create a picture of the possible practical scene and take deeper interest in the discipline (Keele, 2011, 34-56). It is important to ensure that the research covers variou s social problems that pertains to health challenges in the society so that the can begin to understand the directions of what they are studying and relate this with some of the experiences they have had as victims and not as nurses (Masters, 2009, 22). It is advisable that the syllabus structure of the nursing discipline need to put emphasis on periodic field work which will involve interactive session of the students with patients and other clinicians in healthcare facilities (finkelman & kenner, 2013, 135). This is as part of induction to the theory and its

The Career of a Physician Assistant Personal Statement

The Career of a Physician Assistant - Personal Statement Example Technology for Medical and Health Professions, I received the relevant premed school training thanks to their intensive and comprehensive courses in health, science, and chemistry courses. This training included hands-on clinical rotation experience at the Valley Baptist Medical Center as well. I firmly believe that my experience at this particular satellite school helped mold me into the personification of the epitome of the UT Health Science Physician Assistant. As a Med Tech student at the satellite school, I was privileged to have been given an opportunity to be part of weekly department rotations. The rotation schedules allowed me to assist doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. However, it was my stint as an assistant to a physician assistant that helped cement my plans for the future. I took the time to observe these qualified physician assistants go about their tasks with the doctors in charge. I came to realize that I had found my calling as a physician assistant. I would be able to help doctors in the performance of their duties through a range of healthcare procedures and duties that I would be specifically trained for if and when I complete my training as a Physician Assistant. My goal in pursuing this line of education is to be able to return to my community, armed and educated in the medical field of my choice. My return will mark the day that I fulfill my personal pact to contribute to the improvement of the mental, social, and physical well-being of the under-served and vulnerable people of my community. I humbly present myself to the UTHSCA PA admissions board in the hopes of being granted an opportunity to learn about becoming an exemplary Physician Assistant from the best educators in the state.

Critical Analysison a study-Cancer cachexia- omega 3 benefits Essay

Critical Analysison a study-Cancer cachexia- omega 3 benefits - Essay Example he ability to assimilate nutrients for body-building is being compromised at the same time that the underlying disease is causing diminished appetite leading to poor feeding. Unlike primary protein energy malnutrition (which occurs in anorexia nervosa or kwashiorkor/marasmus), cachexia is induced by disease conditions. With primary protein energy malnutrition, the problem is one of inadequate nutritional intake. But in cachexia, the issue is that patients, regardless of the adequacy of nutritional intake, have abnormally accelerated disposition of nutrients, hence a negative balance of metabolism results (Fearon and Moses, 2002). Inflammatory processes are involved in secondary PEM which are absent in primary PEM, and while primary PEM can be reversed by bolstering nutrient intake, the same benefit cannot be obtained in secondary PEM. In primary PEM there is faster loss of adipose tissue than that of lean body mass, but the loss is equally from both compartments in cachexia. Skeletal muscle loss is a feature that is peculiar to the cachexic state (Tisdale, 2003). Previous laboratory and clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and EPA-containing supplements demonstrate molecular anti-inflammatory activity which is relevant to the attenuation of cachexia, in both humans and animal models. However, past results from multiple studies have been equivocal in their findings, and this study aims to elicit independent objective evidence in favour of or against the proposition that EPA confers significant benefit in arresting the progress of cachexia in affected patients. Yes. There was inadequate discussion of the basis for their using the type of EPA preparations they used, as opposed to other available types. The authors could also have done a better job of reviewing the literature on the mechanistic aspects of how cachexia develops and what bearing this information will have on the approach they used for their

Issue of Tuberculosis in Australia

Issue of Tuberculosis in Australia The incidence and prevalence of Tuberculosis in Australia and Peru are of greatly vast differences. This paper will discuss the terms incidence and prevalence; why Tuberculosis remains an issue in Australia; and provide rationales for differences in incidences and prevalences taking into consideration the determinants of health. Incidence and prevalence when describing disease epidemiology are frequently used terms, often intertwined (Advanced Renal Education Program, 2015). Incidence describes the rate of new cases of a disease, generally conveyed as the number of new cases which occur at a given point in time (Advanced Renal Education Program, 2015). The incidence rate is commonly reported as a fraction of a population at risk of developing a disease (ie: per 100 000) (World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme). Whereas prevalence is articulated as a percentage of the number of cases per 100 000 (World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme). Prevalence is the actual number of live cases of the disease during a period (Advanced Renal Education Program, 2015). The association between incidence and prevalence depends on the natural history of the disease being reported (Health, 2017). Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the worlds deadliest diseases, with 1/3 of the worlds population infected (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). TB is an infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and usually affects the lungs (Australia, 2017). However, TB may also involve the kidneys, bones, spine and brain (Australia, 2017). TB is usually spread by breathing in the bacteria after an untreated person has coughed or sneezed (Australia, 2017). Overcrowding is a defining feature of areas of high TB endemicity (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Ongoing close contact between active cases and susceptible individuals is necessary to maintain endemicity in a population, however we will discuss health determinants further into this paper. Australia has maintained a low rate of TB since the mid-1980s, however over the last 20 years TB incidence rates have steadily increased (Teo, Tay, Douglas, Krause, Graham, 2015). Australia has recorded its highest incidence rate since 1985 in 2011 being 6.2 per 100, 000 (Teo et al., 2015). In 2015 Australias TB incidence was 6 per 100, 000 per the World Bank (Trade Economics, 2017). When researching the prevalence of TB in Australia World Health Organisation (WHO) publications noted TB case notifications to the value of 1 254, this being the same rate as per new and relapse cases (World Health Organization, 2015). The incidence of TB in Peru shows a much more alarming story. Perus TB cases were last measured in 2015 with an incidence rate of 119 per 100, 000 (World Health Organization, 2015). Research obtained from World Bank stating these incidences were recorded from new pulmonary, smear positive and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis cases (Economics, 2017). Prevalence information obtained at this time reads TB notification cases of 30 988 (World Health Organization, 2015). Total new and relapse cases registered were reported to be that of 29 833 (World Health Organization, 2015). With Australias TB incidence rate increasing, the question is why is this an issue now? Research shows that many of Australias holiday destinations are teeming with TB that is now becoming resistant to drug treatment (Dunlevey, 2015). Holiday makers such as teachers and childcare workers are reported to be travelling to TB hot-spots and many bringing the bacteria to Australian shores (Dunlevey, 2015). Research has also shown that those living in high TB prevalent countries are migrating to Australia ((AMA), 2008). With the increases in immigrants, overcrowding and malnutrition are common risk factors for the spread of TB (Australian Indigenous Health Info Net, 2015). Australias shoreline is another factor for the increase in TB rates with Western Province of Papua New Guinea and Torres Strait Islands having recorded active strains of Multi-drug resistant strains of TB ((AMA), 2008). TB remains to be a social disease that is inextricably linked to vicious cycles of poverty (Wingfield et al., 2016). Poverty predisposes individuals to TB and hidden costs associated with even free TB treatment can be catastrophic (Wingfield et al., 2015). Other determinants of health that can predispose populations to incidences of TB may include, but are not limited to: Income and social status: research shows that higher income and social status can be linked to better health outcomes. Education: poor health can be linked to lower education levels, increasing stress and lowering self-confidence. Physical environment: safe water and clean air, along with healthy workplaces and safe housing all contribute to good health outcomes. Generally, those people who are employed are healthier. Social support networks: better health outcomes have been linked with communities with greater support from families and friends. Culture and beliefs of family and community can have an overall effect on ones health. Genetics: can play a role in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses. Health services: access and usage of services that prevent and treat diseases influences health. Gender: different types of diseases at different ages can affect both men and women. The determinants of health are typically accountable for health inequities and the unfair and avoidable differences in health status as seen between Australia and Peru (Hargreaves et al., 2011). Social disadvantages such as lower educational attainment, job uncertainties, unemployment and poor access to appropriate housing (Hargreaves et al., 2011). Poor access to communications and environmental challenges also impact on health status (Hargreaves et al., 2011). Research has shown that although Perus malnutrition and school enrolment rates have improved, there is still a majority of poor children who temporarily or permanently drop out of school to help support their families (Agency, 2017). Poverty, malnutrition, and hunger is known to increase the susceptibility to infection leading to significant social and economic barriers that delay their contact with health systems in which an appropriate treatment regime can be commenced (Hargreaves et al., 2011). With this research found, th e author can not state that Australians are better-off than the Peruvians. Non-indigenous Australians living in Metropolitan areas have significantly greater resources at their disposal, housing and schooling is of higher quality, and health and support systems easily accessible (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). However, indigenous Australians and those living in rural and remote areas of Australia do not have the same access as their city cousins (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). The determinants of health therefore impact on the ability to access, resource, and utilise health care programs (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). As discussed, the incidence and prevalence of Tuberculosis in Australia and Peru have been shown to be of great differences. While this paper discussed the terms incidence and prevalence; why Tuberculosis remains an issue in Australia; and provided rationales for the differences in incidences and prevalences while taking into consideration the determinants of health. REFERENCE LIST: (AMA), A. M. A. (2008). Tuberculosis in Australia. Retrieved from https://ama.com.au/media/tuberculosis-australia Advanced Renal Education Program. (2015). Incidence and Prevalence. Retrieved from http://advancedrenaleducation.com/content/incidence-and-prevalence Agency, C. I. (2017). World Fact Book Peru. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pe.html Australia, D. o. H. W. (2017). Tuberculosis. Retrieved from http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Tuberculosis Australian Indigenous Health Info Net. (2015). Summary of Tuberculosis in Indigenous People. Retrieved from http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/infectious-conditions/tuberculosis/reviews/our-review Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2012). Australias food nutrition 2012. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Tuberculosis (TB). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/statistics/ Dunlevey, S. (2015). Tuberculosis disease explodes in Australians favourite holiday spots, WHO report shows. Health. Economics, T. (2017). Incidence of Tuberculosis Peru. Retrieved from http://www.tradingeconomics.com/peru/incidence-of-tuberculosis-per-100-000-people-wb-data.html Hargreaves, J. R., Boccia, D., Evans, C. A., Adato, M., Petticrew, M., Porter, J. D. (2011). The social determinants of tuberculosis: from evidence to action. Am J Public Health, 101(4), 654-662. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.199505 Health, N. I. o. M. (2017). What is Prevalence. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/index.shtml Teo, S. S., Tay, E. L., Douglas, P., Krause, V. L., Graham, S. M. (2015). The epidemiology of tuberculosis in children in Australia, 2003-2012. Med J Aust, 203(11), 440. Trade Economics. (2017). Incidence of Tuberculosis Australia. Retrieved from http://www.tradingeconomics.com/australia/incidence-of-tuberculosis-per-100-000-people-wb-data.html Wingfield, T., Boccia, D., Tovar, M. A., Huff, D., Montoya, R., Lewis, J. J., . . . Evans, C. A. (2015). Designing and implementing a socioeconomic intervention to enhance TB control: operational evidence from the CRESIPT project in Peru. BMC Public Health, 15, 810. doi:10.1186/s12889-015-2128-0 Wingfield, T., Tovar, M. A., Huff, D., Boccia, D., Saunders, M. J., Datta, S., . . . Evans, C. (2016). Beyond pills and tests: addressing the social determinants of tuberculosis. Clin Med (Lond), 16(Suppl 6), s79-s91. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.16-6-s79 World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme, W. G. T. Global tuberculosis control : WHO report (pp. 15 volumes). Geneva: Global Tuberculosis Programme. World Health Organization, W. (2015). Global tuberculosis report. In G. T. Programme. (Ed.), (pp. volumes). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organisation.

Affirmative Action is Discrimination Essay -- Critical Thinking Essays

Affirmative action is wrong and will not help solve the problems minorities face. The reason it is wrong is because it's discrimination. It has no place in today's society in today's society because it does more bad than good. In addition to that most people don't enjoy the presence of affirmative action. Also, it appears that affirmative action can actually be detrimental to employees health. First of all, affirmative action is discrimination, there is no hiding it. When an employer hires anyone because he or she is a minority, even if someone else if more qualified to do the job, it is discrimination. Just because it is reverse discrimination, when whites are discriminated against and minorities are being discriminated for, doesn't make it right. Affirmative action legalizes discrimination (Steele 1990, 39). "I thought discrimination was illegal in this country (Buchanan 1995, 1)." Also, if this discrimination continues racism in the United States may become worse. Imagine what you would feel like if you couldn't get a job just because you are a white man and not a hispanic man. The racism will become worse because of it, and that is the very thing it is trying to prevent. It is possible that because of affirmative action, racism will grow and continue to grow until we history repeats itself and we end up living under Jim Crow laws again. That is an extr! eme possibility to end up under Jim Crow laws again, but it is a definite possibility to end up somewhere close to Jim Crow laws again. &nb... ...nexperienced people to do work they're not qualified for. In conclusion, affirmative action is just wrong. Affirmative action should be abolished, such an unlawful thing shouldn't even be considered in the United States. If we allow affirmative action to proceed, we are just proving to ourselves that we endorse and accept discrimination in the workplace. There is absolutely no reason why it should exist. Affirmative action lends a bad name to the United States of America. Others may view our fine country as a country with people that are so irresponsible the government has to lower its standard just to get people jobs (DeWit 1996, 2). This indicates that affirmative action should be outlawed because it has no place in our fine country.

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 22

The waiter brought me another gimlet just as I finished my last one. Good man, I thought. He deserved an ample tip. Four days after the Emerald Lit Fest, I sat in the Cellar with Jerome, Carter, Hugh, Peter, Cody, and Bastien. The usual suspects. It was the first time I'd seen any of them in days. I'd been keeping a low profile, essentially only leaving my home to go to work and back. I hadn't seen or heard from Seth in that time either. None of us spoke. We just sat there in the dark, nursing drinks. Other people in the pub moved around and laughed, but we were a corner of silence. I could have sliced and diced the awkward tension among us. Finally, unable to take it anymore, I sighed. â€Å"All right,† I snapped. â€Å"You can stop pretending. I know you've all seen the video.† It was like letting the air out of a balloon. An opening of the floodgates. Hugh spoke first, admiration shining in his eyes. â€Å"Jesus Christ, that was the absolute best thing I've ever seen.† â€Å"I've seen it, like, ten times,† added Peter. â€Å"And it doesn't get old.† Cody's delighted look spoke for itself. I took down half of my drink in one gulp. â€Å"Sometimes I look around, and I can't believe this is my life. â€Å" Bastien had done an Oscar-worthy job of capturing my romantic escapade with Dana on film. She had never noticed the disembodied camera floating around; only the incubus had actually been invisible. Of course, Dana had been too preoccupied to really notice much. I'd made sure of that, and while I felt a certain amount of glee over my powers of pleasure and distraction, my post-ambrosia self still didn't like having that prowess put on display any more than I'd liked Seth's story being linked to me. At least no one knew who Tabitha Hunter was. † Fleur ,I swear you did things I didn't even know about,† teased Bastien. â€Å"Oh, be quiet,† I told him, knowing he lied. â€Å"This whole thing is embarrassing enough. I can't believe you had it all over the Internet in a matter of hours.† He shrugged. â€Å"Good news is hard to keep to yourself.† Jerome's eyes gleamed with subdued satisfaction. â€Å"No need to be embarrassed. What you did is laurel-worthy, Georgie. You'll be Succubus of the Year now.† â€Å"Great,† I said. â€Å"Maybe that comes with coupons that haven't expired.† â€Å"Joke all you want,† continued the demon, â€Å"but you've caused havoc in a powerful religious group. That is definitely worth celebrating.† So much so that Bastien was probably off the hook. True, he hadn't been in the spotlight, but I'd made sure that Jerome played up his role in the official written report. I think the demon knew I'd gone a little overboard in crediting Bastien for his assistance in this caper, but he hadn't dwelt on the technicalities. Regardless of what the paperwork said, the diabolical community knew it was Jerome's succubus in the extremely popular video. My boss's reputation had gone through the roof. As for the CPFV†¦well, yes, it was most definitely in chaos. Dana had resigned as soon as the scandal went public. Suddenly missing their strong leader, the group had collapsed into confusion, flailing about with no clear direction. Poor Bill. In addition to the embarrassment of a philandering wife, he now had to do damage control and still maintain his strong stance on family values for the sake of his political career. Reelections were next year; no one knew how he'd fare. I had mixed feelings about the whole matter. Sure, I hated the CPFV's horrible actions and was glad to see them go down. But Dana, despite her many flaws, had cared about Tabitha. It might not have been love, but the emotions were genuine. She'd opened herself up to me, and I'd made a mockery of it. Even if she managed to wade out of this mess, she'd probably never accept her sexual inclinations again. She'd bury them, continuing a campaign of homosexual intolerance. That bothered me, for the sake of both her personal and her political lives. â€Å"And when not taking down conservative bitches,† noted Hugh, â€Å"she destroys gods in her free time. Did you really beat up that kid too? You're, like, a size four.† â€Å"Don't forget about the Emerald Lit Fest.† Cody grinned mischievously. â€Å"Man, I can't believe I missed that.† â€Å"Is there anything you don't do, Georgina?† marveled Peter. â€Å"You haven't been learning to cook souffl? ¦s behind my back, have you?† I rolled my eyes and turned to the greater immortals, ignoring my friends' over-the-top praise. â€Å"Are you finally going to tell me the whole story on Sol, or whoever he was? You guys have been terribly laissez-faire about me killing a god.† â€Å"You know most of the details,† Carter told me. â€Å"And you didn't technically kill him,† added Jerome. I started. â€Å"I didn't? But†¦he exploded. There was blood everywhere. That seems kind of, I don't know, final. â€Å" â€Å"You destroyed his human manifestation,† explained the angel in an almost bored way. â€Å"The body he used to walk the mortal world. Sol – or Soma as he's accurately called – still very much exists.† â€Å"Soma's another name for ambrosia†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I began slowly. â€Å"Yes,† Carter agreed. â€Å"In Hindu spirituality, the god Soma is the divine embodiment of the drug. It runs in his veins and is then distributed to mortals.† I remembered his bleeding wrist and how his blood had dried. â€Å"His blood forms the crystals that make the ambrosia. That's what everyone was drinking. That's what I drank!† I shuddered. â€Å"You also drank it in its pure form,† noted Jerome, watching for my reaction, â€Å"straight from the source.† â€Å"Oh Lord,† I realized. â€Å"The goblet. I thought it was some sort of date-rape drug.† â€Å"In some ways it was,† Carter told me gently. â€Å"His blood, in its crystal form, serves as a self-enhancement that can be tolerated by mortals – and immortals – because it's diluted. In its concentrated form, it's too much to handle. It's disorienting. It goes beyond amplification of skills. It overloads the system, making you feel insanely good and susceptible to physical touch and strong emotion. â€Å" Hence my reaction to his advances – and subsequent attack on Alec. Of course, I was still so mad at the former drummer that I half believed my actions wouldn't have been any different sans ambrosia. â€Å"That's so disgusting,† I muttered. â€Å"I drank blood. Gross.† Cody and Peter exchanged glances. They grinned. â€Å"What was the deal with that dart thing?† asked Hugh. â€Å"The thing she impaled him with.† â€Å"Mistletoe. It guards the gateway between worlds. The Norse always said it grew on the Tree of Life – the tree that holds the world.† I frowned. â€Å"So, if he's just lost his physical body, then he's not really gone.† â€Å"He's never gone,† said Carter. â€Å"The Food of the Gods is always around – or at least some concept of it. Mortals always have and will continue to believe and pray for some magical cure-all that will change their lives. That's why he still has so much power, despite most not knowing who he is. People don't always have to know what they're worshipping or believing in to still grant it power. â€Å" â€Å"But, when he pops back down to this plane next time, he'll probably hole up somewhere else,† said Jerome more practically. â€Å"If Carter or I had done anything, it would have been an open declaration of war. Innocent Georgie's desperate defense sent a charming get-the-fuck-out message that didn't get any of us in trouble. It only required a small report.† He made a face; the demon hated paperwork. I sighed. â€Å"Okay then. One last question. Why the sex? Why go to all that trouble to get Alex to procure victims?† â€Å"Who doesn't want sex?† asked Hugh. â€Å"The stories do resound with his lechery, actually,† said Carter. â€Å"One myth even talks about him carrying off some god's wife because he just wanted her that badly. When you're a being of euphoria and ultimate physical prowess, I guess sex sort of goes with it. So I've heard, anyway.† I scowled. â€Å"And he was too lazy to even get the victims himself. What a bastard.† â€Å"He's a god,† said Carter, as though there were nothing more to add. I turned to the angel, thinking about what he'd said. â€Å"You've been a veritable wealth of knowledge today. But doesn't it bother anyone else that we're openly discussing and accepting, what, three different spiritual systems here? Hindu and Norse – plus ours. Which I always thought was the true one, by the way.† Jerome looked genuinely delighted. â€Å"Come now, you've rubbed shoulders with immortals from all sorts of ‘spiritual systems' since the beginning of your succubus existence.† â€Å"Yeah, I know†¦but I never thought about the logistics too hard. I thought we were all disparate – remember? They do their thing, we do ours? Now you're mixing it up like†¦like†¦we're all doing the same thing. â€Å" â€Å"Yeah,† said Cody. â€Å"Which one's right?† Angel and demon shared smirks. † ‘What is truth?' Pilate asked.† Carter just couldn't stay away from his quotes. His eyes held barely contained laughter. I sighed again, knowing we'd get no better answer from either of them. As our evening get-together wound down, Bastien unhappily declared he had to leave for Detroit. He made his farewells to the others, and then I walked him out. We stood outside the pub, wrapped in our own thoughts as locals and tourists alike moved through Pioneer Square. Finally, at the same time, we spoke. † Fleur – â€Å" â€Å"Bastien – â€Å" â€Å"No, let me go first,† he said adamantly. I nodded for him to go on. â€Å"What I did at the hotel wasn't right. I shouldn't have led you into that – especially when you told me right off not to. And what I said to Seth at your place†¦that was unforgivable. Yeah, I was pretty sloshed, but that's no excuse. Not by a long shot.† I shook my head. â€Å"God knows I've done a lot of stupid things while drunk. And people, for that matter. But don't beat yourself up too bad – at least not over what happened†¦uh, between us. You were right. I wasn't a victim; I went along with that. I made my own choices, choices that I have to deal with.† â€Å"It doesn't matter. You shouldn't forgive me. Especially after you saved me on the Dana thing. You figured out what I'd been too blind to see. No, I'm definitely beyond forgiveness.† â€Å"Maybe. But I'm going to forgive you anyway.† I gave him a playful punch. â€Å"And you can't stop me.† â€Å"Only a fool would stand in your way,† he said gallantly. â€Å"But I still don't think I deserve it.† â€Å"Bas,I've seen people come and go for over a thousand years. Hell, I've seen civilizations come and go. I don't have many constants in my life. None of us do. I don't want to write off one of the best ones I've got. â€Å" He opened his arms for me, and I rested my head against his chest, sad that he'd be going away again. We stood like that for a long time, and then he broke away so that he could look at me. â€Å"Confession time: I didn't have sex with you for altruism. You were right about that. And I didn't do it just because I could either. I did it because I wanted you. Because I wanted to be closer to you.† He touched my cheek and winked. â€Å"You're worth ten Alessandras. You would be worth going to Guam for.† â€Å"What about Omaha?† â€Å"No one's worth going to Omaha for.† I laughed. â€Å"You're going to miss your flight.† â€Å"Yeah.† He hugged me again, then hesitated before speaking. â€Å"There's one more thing you need to know. The day after my, uh, idiotic drunken outburst, Seth came to see me.† â€Å"What?† I racked my brain. That would have been during the time I was preparing for the Fest. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"He wanted to know what happened. Between us. All the details.† â€Å"What'd you tell him?† â€Å"The truth.† I stared off at nothing. â€Å"That guy's crazy about you,† Bastien said after a moment's silence. â€Å"Love like that†¦well, hell itself has trouble standing against love like that, I think. I don't know if a succubus and a human can really make things work, but if it can happen, he'll be the one it happens with.† He hesitated. â€Å"I think, no, I know I was a little jealous of that†¦both that he had your love and you had someone who loved you like that.† He gave me a bittersweet smile. â€Å"Anyway. Good luck. I'm always here if you need me.† â€Å"Thank you,† I said, hugging him again. â€Å"Keep in touch. Maybe we'll get assigned together again some day.† The roguish look, long absent during our solemn conversation, flashed to his face. â€Å"Oh, the trouble we could cause. The world isn't ready for us again.† He pressed a soft, sweet kiss against my lips, and then he was gone. A minute later, I felt Carter's presence behind me. â€Å"Parting is such sweet sorrow.† â€Å"That it is,† I agreed sadly. â€Å"But that's life, mortal or immortal.† â€Å"How's your high-wire act with Seth going?† I turned to him, almost having forgotten that reference. â€Å"Bad.† â€Å"Did you look down?† â€Å"Worse than that. I fell off. I fell off and hit bottom.† The angel regarded me with his steady gaze. â€Å"Then you'd better get back on.† I choked on a bitter laugh. â€Å"Is that possible?† â€Å"Sure,† he said. â€Å"As long as the wire hasn't snapped, you can always climb back on.† I left him and walked a few blocks to catch a bus back to Queen Anne. While I was waiting, I blinked and did a double take as Jody walked by. I hadn't talked to her in ages. After the Dana scandal, Mitch and Tabitha Hunter had dropped off the face of the Earth. I left the bus stop and ducked into a dark doorway §?laSuperman. A moment later, I hurried to catch up with her as Tabitha. â€Å"Jody!† She stopped and turned around. Her brown eyes widened when she recognized me. â€Å"Tabitha,† she said uncertainly, waiting for me to get to her. â€Å"It's good to see you.† â€Å"You too. How are things?† â€Å"Okay.† We stood there awkwardly. â€Å"How are you? I mean, after everything†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her cheeks crimsoned. â€Å"You don't have to avoid the topic. I can deal with it,† I told her gently. â€Å"It happened. Nothing to be done about it now.† She looked down at her feet, clearly troubled. â€Å"I've been wanting to tell you something. It wasn't†¦it wasn't just you, you know.† She looked back up, embarrassed. â€Å"She sort of, you know, approached me too, and we did some things†¦things I didn't really want to do. But I couldn't say no either. Not to her. It was a rough time in my life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  So. I wasn't Dana's first taste of forbidden fruit. The notion that she had forced Jody appalled me, more so than Dana throwing herself into rallies that denied her own nature. Suddenly, I didn't feel so sorry for her anymore. â€Å"Then she got what she deserved,† I declared icily. â€Å"Maybe,† said Jody, still looking upset. â€Å"It's been a disaster for their family. I feel the worst for Reese. And then there's the CPFV†¦they're a disaster too.† â€Å"Maybe it's for the best,† I said neutrally. She gave me a sad half-smile. â€Å"I know you don't believe in them, but they do have potential to do good. I'm actually on my way to a meeting right now. We're going to decide the fate of the group. I don't think we'll disband†¦but I don't know what direction we'll go in either. There are some people who think just like Dana. They're not a majority, but they're loud. Louder than people like me.† I remembered our gardening conversation. â€Å"And you still want some of the things you talked to me about? Helping those who need help now?† â€Å"Yes. I wish I could walk right in there and speak up. If I could get enough people's attention, I think we could really go in a new direction. A better direction that might actually affect change instead of just censuring and calling people names.† â€Å"Then you should do exactly that.† â€Å"I can't. I don't have the skill to talk to people like that. I'm not that brave.† â€Å"You have the passion.† â€Å"Yeah, but is that enough if I can't get it out?† Suddenly, I had to fight a giddy smile from taking over my face. â€Å"I've got something for you,† I told her, reaching into my purse. â€Å"Here. Take this.† I handed her the last packet of ambrosia. It was dangerous, perhaps, to give it to a mortal, but one dose wouldn't hit her too badly, and she'd never be able to get more. Besides, taking the temptation away from me was probably for the best. â€Å"What is this?† â€Å"It's a, um, herbal supplement. Like an energy blend. Haven't you seen those?† She frowned. â€Å"Like ginseng or kava or whatever?† â€Å"Yeah. I mean, it won't change your life, of course, but it always sort of gives me a kick. You just mix it in a drink and go from there.† â€Å"Well, I was about to buy coffee†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"That's perfect. And it can't hurt or anything.† Smiling, I squeezed her arm. â€Å"Do it for me, so I'll feel like I've given you a good-luck charm.† â€Å"Okay. Sure. I'll take it as soon as I get the coffee.† She glanced at her watch. â€Å"I've got to take off now if I want to be on time. You take care of yourself, okay?† â€Å"I will. Thanks. Good luck tonight.† To my surprise, she gave me a quick hug and then disappeared into the crowd of pedestrians. As I rode the bus home, I found I felt better about myself than I had in days. I'd sort of wanted to save the ambrosia for next year's Emerald Lit Fest, but I supposed I wouldn't need it so long as I actually allowed myself two days instead of one. After all, a little leeway never hurt.

Managing Conflict in People in Organizations

Managing Conflict in People in Organizations Abstract Organizations are made up of individuals with different beliefs, values and interests. The interactions among members of the organization often lead to disagreements on acceptable beliefs, norms, values or strategies. Thus, conflicts occur when individuals disagree on acceptable values, interests and beliefs (Gala and Garoupa, 2002, pp. 41-65).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Managing Conflict in People in Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conflicts have both positive and negative influences on organizations. Hence, conflict management focuses on minimizing the negative effects of conflict and improving its positive effects. The sources of conflicts include cultural differences, organizational structure and the personality orientations of the employees. It is important to correctly identify the sources of conflicts within an organization in order to enhance conflict management. Cultural conflict s can be reduced by promoting tolerance to cultural differences. Reviewing the organizational structure can help in identifying and resolving conflicts arising within the organization. Finally, counseling and enhancing job characteristics can help in minimizing personal conflicts. Managing Conflict in People in Organizations Introduction Organizational conflict is â€Å"a state of discord caused by the actual or perceived opposition of needs, values and interest between people working together†. Conflict comprises different human affective states which include but not limited to anxiety, resistance, antagonistic interaction, as well as, hostility. Conflict develops in an environment where at least two individuals interact. Conflicts can be functional or dysfunctional. Functional conflicts are normally beneficial to the organization. For instance, it can enable the organization to identify important problems that need urgent solutions. Additionally, functional conflicts provid e information that facilitates consideration or reconsideration of decisions that affect various stakeholders in an organization. Dysfunctional conflicts, on the other hand, have negative effects to the organization. In most cases, dysfunctional conflicts encourage hostilities, weaken group cohesion and divert energies. Conflict management focuses on reducing the negative effects of dysfunctional conflicts. It attempts to promote organizational learning, as well as, group outcomes such as employees’ performance. Conflicts emerge from different sources with an organization. Thus, effective conflict management requires an â€Å"in-depth understanding of the nature and sources of conflicts within the organization†. This paper focuses on the sources of conflicts within organizations. The difficulties faced by managers in reducing conflicts will be highlighted. Additionally, recommendations for reducing conflict and its negative effects will be suggested.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cultural Conflicts Culture refers to â€Å"shared attributes, values, goals and practices that characterize an institution, organization or a group†. People tend to hold different values, beliefs and attitudes in different parts of the world. Thus, culture varies from region to region. Cultural conflicts normally develop when members of a multicultural workforce can not tolerate each others culture. Intolerance to cultural differences can cause interpersonal and intergroup conflicts. It can also cause conflicts with groups in an organization. Cultural conflicts occur under the following circumstances. First cultural conflicts can occur when members of the organization hold different values. People perceive the world according to their cultural orientations. Thus, the beliefs of a worker can conflict with those of her co-workers. Workers who can not accept opposing views will, thus, have trouble in working with colleagues. For instance, workers and labor unions in America believe in negotiations as a way of solving organizational problems or conflicts. However, in Asia, most organizational problems are solved through a top-down decision making approach. Thus, conflict is likely to arise between American and Asian workers regarding the approach to solving an organizational problem. Second, cultural conflicts can result from non-correspondence of behavior. The business culture in a given country determines the accepted level of employees’ effort, accountability, and leadership style. Thus, the behavior of employees will be based on their culture. For instance, leadership in Japan is associated with the male gender. Consequently, Japanese who can not tolerate cultural differences will find it difficult to obey a female leader. Finally, cultural conflicts are caused by poor communication. People from different cultures normally speak different languages. Hence, conflicts arise if the language or communication channel used in the organization does not promote understanding among the employees. Difficulties in Minimizing Cultural Conflicts Lack of a clear understanding of cultural differences is the main challenge in minimizing cultural conflicts. A manager will not be able to identify and solve cultural conflicts if she does not understand the cultures of the employees. Learning the cultures of most employees is usually difficult since it involves a lot of time and commitment which most managers do not have.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Managing Conflict in People in Organizations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Language barriers within the organization can prevent employees from channeling their grievances to the management. In some cases, language barriers limit the management’s ability to implement decisions that are meant to solve organizational conflicts. For example, a manager can decide to promote teamwork in order to enhance group cohesion. However, teamwork can be interpreted differently in different cultures, thereby limiting the chances of promoting team cohesion. Incompatibility of staff expectations and the organization’s priorities is also an impediment in the process of cultural conflict resolution. In this context, the employees might not accept the approach used by the organization to manage cultural conflicts. In such circumstances, the conflict between the employees is likely to continue instead of reducing. Finally, managers might not be aware of the best strategies to solve cultural conflicts. The use of an inappropriate approach to conflict resolution can create new conflicts or worsen the existing conflicts in an organization. Addressing Cultural Conflicts Cultural conflicts can be managed effectively through a multi-dimensional approach. First, the concerned manager s hould attempt to learn and understand the cultures of his employees or team members. This can be achieved through culture immersion, as well as, learning new languages. Cross-cultural competency will enable the manager to understand the employees from their cultural perspectives. Hence, the manager will be able to develop organizational policies that take into account employees’ cultural make-up in order to avoid conflicts. Second, cultural conflicts can be reduced through staff training and development. In a multicultural workforce, the employees must be trained on the business cultures associated with the organization and its subsidiaries. For example, cohesion in a multinational corporation with its headquarters in America and subsidiaries in India and China can benefit from cross-cultural training. In this case, the employees in America will be trained on the business culture in India and China. The employees from China and India, on the other hand, will be trained on the business culture in America. Additionally, the training should be backed up with mentorship programs that promote teamwork and tolerance to diversity. Third, cultural conflicts can be managed by adopting a cross-cultural communication policy or strategy. The strategy should define the most suitable language and communication channels to convey important messages within the organization (Kornberger and Pitsis, 2011, pp. 306-319). Additionally, the objectives of the communication strategy should enhance cultural tolerance and teamwork among employees.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Finally, adopting appropriate human resource management policies can help in reducing cultural conflicts. Employee selection process should be based on a predetermined criterion that defines the desired personality attributes in the workforce (Bambacas and Patrickson, 2009, pp. 109-120). This will help in selecting the right employees who can tolerate cultural differences. Performance appraisal and remuneration policies should take into account the cultural make-up of employees in order to promote acceptance. In conclusion, managing cultural conflicts should be a teamwork that involves managers, employees and outside experts. Teamwork will enable the organization to identify several solutions and select the best alternative to manage cultural conflicts. Organizational Structure Conflict can arise from the organizational structure of a firm. Organizational structure refers to the activities such as coordinating production, supervising employees and allocating tasks; which are meant t o achieve the objectives of the firm. Organizational structure can lead to conflicts under the following circumstances. First, conflicts can arise if there is ambiguity in the organizational structure. Ambiguity in the purpose, as well as, the objectives of the organization can lead to divergent views on the best strategy to be pursued. When the objectives of the organization are not clearly defined, each manager might have a different opinion on the best strategy to be pursued. Thus, there will be conflict of opinion at the management level. In some cases, the members of the organization may have the same objective, but different views on the best approach to achieve the objectives. Second, role conflicts can arise if decision rights, task allocation and reporting relationships are not clearly defined (Leluch, Banthan and Kasouf, 2011, pp. 1082-1088). Decision rights define the authorities entrusted with the task of making important decisions in the organization. Conflict over the legitimacy of decisions can arise if there is no consensus on the individuals allowed to make certain decisions. Role conflict arises when the job descriptions do not clearly specify the tasks allocated to each employee. Thus, employees and their supervisors may disagree on what they are supposed to do or not do. Finally, conflict can arise due to scarcity of resources (Shanon and Gent, 2011, pp. 124-144). Some departments or groups in the organization are likely to receive more resources than others if the resource allocation policies do not promote equity. Inequality in resource allocation normally results into competition among members of the organization. Competition for scare resources can degenerate into hostility and confrontations. Additionally, competition for supremacy can result into conflicts. For example, two employees competing for promotion can resort to unorthodox means such as blackmail in order to outshine each other (Shanon and Gent, 2011, pp. 124-144). Difficulti es in Minimizing Conflicts Caused by Organizational Structure Reviewing the organizational structure of a firm in order to identify the sources of conflict is usually very difficult. For example, reviewing the structure of a multinational corporation will require a lot of time and financial resources. Financially distressed organizations might not have the resources to devote to reviewing their structures. Thus, identifying sources of conflicts and appropriate solutions becomes difficult. In small firms, the organizational structure can be easily reviewed and the sources of conflicts identified. However, the managers may disagree on how to restructure the organization in order to reduce conflicts. Besides, the managers may lack the competence or skills required to restructure the organization. Finally, restructuring an organization involves significant changes in the organization’s processes. Most employees tend to fear change, especially, if such changes are likely to affect their work or roles within the organization. Consequently, restructuring the firm in order to eliminate sources of conflicts can, possibly, meet resistance from employees. Strategies for Minimizing Organizational Conflicts A review of the organizational structure should be done in order to identify the sources of conflicts (Hoogervrost, Koopman and Flier, 2004, pp. 288-311). Surveys, interviews, as well as, focus group discussions can be used to identify the sources of conflicts with the firm’s structure. Alternatively, best practice can be used to predict sources of conflicts with the organization. In this case, the management will use predetermined standards to assess the effectiveness of the organization’s structure. The following recommendations can, thus, be used to reduce conflicts arising from the structure of the firm. Ambiguity in the organizational structure can be eliminated by demarcating departments according to their objectives. Mutual dependence among d epartments should be promoted through appropriate teamwork policies. Role conflicts can be reduced by accurately delineating and allocating responsibilities according to employees’ capabilities and qualifications. The tasks assigned to the employees should match their skills and competencies (Clare and Danislovic, 2010, pp. 3-27). Additionally, the human resources policies should clearly define the reporting structure and decision rights in the organization. Conflicts over scare resources can be addressed by enhancing employees’ satisfaction. The resource and power distribution policy should encourage equity and fairness. Employees should be rewarded according to their efforts and contribution towards achievement of the organization’s goals. Additionally, functional conflicts can be achieved by encouraging every employee to express his opinion concerning the effectiveness of the organizational structure. Personal Conflict Personal conflicts refer â€Å"to an in dividual’s inner workings and personality problems†. Since personal conflict occurs at the individual level, it can also be referred to as intrapersonal conflict. Personal conflict occur when a person experiences difficulties when making a decision due to uncertainty. In this context, personal conflict can take three forms which include the following. First, a person can experience an approach-approach conflict. This occurs when an individual is expected to make a choice between two equally attractive options. For example, a manager can be in an approach-approach conflict if he has to select one of two equally profitable investments. Second, a person can experience an approach-avoidance conflict. In this case, the individual has to make a decision concerning a situation with both positive and negative aspects (Gala and Garoupa, 2002, pp. 41-65).This means that the individual experiences the same degree of attraction, as well as, repulsion towards competing goals. For ex ample, a manager is in an approach-avoidance conflict if he has to dismiss a high performing but rude sales executive. In this case, dismissing the sales executive has both negative and positive effects to the organization. Finally, an employee can experience avoidance-avoidance conflict (Gala and Garoupa, 2002, pp. 41-65). In this case, the individual has to choose between competing alternatives. However, both alternatives have negative consequences. For example, a manager can experience an avoidance-avoidance conflict if he has to choose between resigning and accepting a demotion. Personal conflicts can also occur when an employee decides to pursue interests (personal goals and objectives) that are incompatible with those of the organization. In conclusion, personal conflicts can be attributed to personality orientation, goal incongruence and the expected level of performance. Difficulties in Minimizing Personal Conflicts Detecting personal conflicts is challenging due to the diff iculty associated with predicting or understanding the personality of an employee. In most cases, self-reports are used to collect information about employees’ personality orientations. However, the inaccuracy of self-reports limits the usefulness of the information collected using them. Assessing an employee’s capability during recruitment is usually very difficult due to the subjective nature of the process. An employee can be assigned too high or too low targets if his or her capability is not correctly gauged. In such circumstances, the management will not be able to understand the source of conflict that is facing the employee. A person can also experience personal conflicts due to his or her personal problems. However, personal problems can not be understood by the management if such problems are not shared. Additionally, some employees tend to shy off from sharing their problems for fear of being rejected by their colleagues. Thus, the management will not be in a position to minimize the personal conflicts facing the employee. Strategies for Managing Personal Conflicts Counseling can be used when personal conflicts lead to frustrations and inefficiencies among employees. Counseling is an important method of dealing with personal conflicts since it enables the counselor to understand the personality and personal problems of the employee. Managers can be trained to offer basic counseling services to their employees, thereby eliminating the need to hire a professional counselor. Personal conflicts can also be minimized by enhancing the job characteristics. For instance, employees entrusted with the role of making decisions should be trained on a variety of skills that will enable them to make the right decisions or choices. Employees who can not work without supervision should not be entrusted with tasks or jobs that provide great autonomy. This is because such employees may fail to make the right decisions or they may use the freedom provide d by their jobs to fulfill their personal interests. Other job characteristics that should be enhanced include task identity, and task significance. Enhancing these characteristics will help in avoiding role conflicts and promote employee satisfaction. Conclusion Conflicts occur when there is perceived or actual incompatibility of values, needs and interests among members of an organization. Conflicts have both positive and negative effects in organizations. The negative effects of conflict include poor team cohesion, hostility among members of an organization and reduced productivity. Consequently, conflict management focuses on reducing the negative effects of conflicts (Gala and Garoupa, 2002, pp. 41-65). Sources of conflicts include organizational structure, cultural differences and personality orientation of employees. Understanding the cultures of employees is the main difficulty experienced by managers in their attempt to reduce cultural conflicts. Difficulty in understanding the personality orientation of employees limits the chances of reducing personal conflicts. Conflict management begins with identification of the sources of conflict. Appropriate strategies are then formulated to minimize the conflicts as discussed above. References Bambacas, M., and Patrickson, M., 2009. Assessment of Communication Skills in Manager Selection: Some Evidence from Australia. Journal of Management Development 28(2), pp.109-120. Clare, J., and Danislovic, V., 2010. Conflict Management and Peace Science 29(1), pp.3-27. Dreu, D., 2008. Conflict in Organizations. New York: McGraw-Hill. Gala, J., and Garoupa, N. 2002. A Theory of International Conflict Management. Public Choice 110(1), pp.41-65. Gent, S., 2010. Decision Control and the Pursuit of Binding Conflict Management: Choosing the Ties and Bind. Economics of Knowledge 20(4), pp.2-12. Hoogervrost, J., Koopman, P., and Flier, H., 2004. Impact of Communication in Organizations: the Impact of Culture, Structure and Man agement Practices and Employee Behavior. Journal of Management Psychology 19(3), pp.288-311. Johanios, K., 2010. How does Democratic Accountability Shape International Cooperation. Journal of Conflict Resolution 34(2), pp.28-55. Kornberger, C., and Pitsis, M., 2011. Managing and Organizations: an Introduction to Thoery and Practice. London: Sage. Leluch, K., Banthan, J., and Kasouf, C., 2011. The Role of Trust in Buyer-Seller Conflict Management. Journal of Business Research 64(10), pp.1082-1088. Majur, K., 2010. Positive Organizational Culture as a New trend in Cross-Cultural Management. Journal of Positive Management 1(2), pp.65-74. McCalman, J., 2009. Lateral Hierarchy: The Case of Cross-Cultural Management Teams. European Management Journal 14(5), pp.509-517. Pathak, M., 2011. Managing Organizational Conflict. Journal of Conflict Resolution 55(5), pp.710-734. Shanon, M., and Gent, S., 2011. Bias and the Effectiveness of Third-Party Conflict Managment Mechanisms. Conflict Managem ent and Peace Science 28(2), pp.124-144. Shimoni, B., 2011. The Representation of Culture in Interactions and Cross Culture Management. Journal of International Management 17(1), pp.30-41. Usanier, J., 2011. Lenguage as a Resource to Access Cross-Cultural Equivalence in Quantitative Management Research. Journal of World Business 46(3), pp.314-319.

Using the Lexical Approach for the Acquisition of ESP Vocabulary †Spanish Essay

Using the Lexical Approach for the Acquisition of ESP Vocabulary – Spanish Essay Free Online Research Papers Using the Lexical Approach for the Acquisition of ESP Vocabulary Spanish Essay Galina Kavaliauskienà « and Violeta Janulevià ¨nà « propose in this article that specialized vocabulary is the most important realm in teaching ESP. They also consider that â€Å"the more words a learner knows, the larger the learner’s vocabulary is†. Also, we have to take into account another fact in what vocabulary knowledge concernes. Galina and Violeta affirm that a native speaker knows a wide range of many other words for any given word, this is the reason why the larger the combinatory possibilities of a word the learner masters, the more knowledge of specialized items s/he can use. These specialized items are called by some researchers ‘chunks of language’ (also ‘lexical phrases or items’, or ‘multi- word chunks’). According to the authors these chunks of language, which are the occurrence of lexical patterns in language use, are very important in language use and acquisition because they provide many advantages for ESP language teaching. Michael Lewis (a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine, a columnist for Bloomberg, and a visiting fellow at the University of California) proposed in 1993 that language consisted of lexical items belonging to four major groups. The first group consists of not many words and polywords, which have usually been considered to be essential vocabulary that the learner has to memorize. The second group is collocations, which is the way in which words usually occour with each other. The acquisition of the most common ESP collocations is paramount to develop an accurate level of English. The third and fourth groups are fixed and semi-fixed expressions, which are considered to be, as well as ESP collocations, the most important types of chunks or lexical phrases, because, as native speakers use and combine them, mastering these accurately will offer the learner the possibility to understand how language works. Related to Lewis’s theory, Galina and Violeta suggest that ESP students must learn and master high-priority vocabulary but do not need to know which category the chunks belong to. What ESP student must have in mind is the awareness of their existence and their effective learning. At this point the role of the teacher is essential for the learners to recognize chunks. S/he must spend some time to develop learners’ strategies for dealing with new lexical phrases. For this purpose they created a list of authentic passages containing the target lexical phrase so that learners are led to discover what different collocations exist for the item. As no knowledge on lexical category is needed to identify chunks of language, Galina and Violeta emphasize the use of authentic material, so that language units are learned in context, which is better for the students’ intake of ESP vocabulary. If an item is decontextualised it is more difficult to retain it in memory and conseq uently to master it. Finally, Galina and Violeta recommend for the students not to forget the new acquired ESP vocabulary to check comprehension of authentic passages, to practice, to revise and to consolidate. They suggest a specific activities for each recommendation, namely, a ‘fill in the blanks’ exercise to the comprehension check; oral practice for the second and ‘role-play’, ‘problem solving’, ‘discussions’, or ‘pictorial schemata’ exercises to revise and consolidate the vocabulary. In conclusion, ESP learners become aware of lexical phases and identify them thanks to Galina and Violeta’s lexical approach method, because they do not have to concentrate on lexical categories but on the structures of the phrases or chunks. It is worth to say that multi-word chunks is a challenge for second language acquisition because it reinforces the students spontaneous availability to use ESP items. It seems to be interesting Research Papers on Using the Lexical Approach for the Acquisition of ESP Vocabulary - Spanish EssayStandardized TestingAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementOpen Architechture a white paperAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeComparison: Letter from Birmingham and Crito19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraMind TravelQuebec and CanadaResearch Process Part OneRelationship between Media Coverage and Social and

Role of commercial banks in causing the financial crisis Term Paper

Role of commercial banks in causing the financial crisis - Term Paper Example On the other side of Europe, the G7 financial ministers have assumed the crisis to be an American problem until much of the European banking system effectively collapsed. In countries such as Germany, the bailing out of the major industries including the Hypo Real estate as well as European mega banks came to hit them hard as they are the big lenders. Other nations like Britain emulated what was happening and commendably made their banking systems to become national. By October 2008 many of the European countries including Canada had gone so far as to guarantee not only the deposits but as well the debts of the banks as well. The financial system in the world is the umbrella body that will be concerned with how all the institutions that deal with finances will work including the borrowing of money in the form of loans that will be repaid in a period that will be short or relatively longer. At times, the webs of debt and credit have always been fragile in times of panic, spreading problems from a part of the global economy to the other. The reason that is responsible for this is that when one link in the very intricate chain becomes weak and breaks and defaults on some debt, it can leave creditors hazardously short of funds, unable to assure the credit of other firms. In this way, the consequences of one failure can spread throughout the entire economy and hence the entire money market (Roubini and Mihm 117) . There are always marketing risks arising when financial institutions trade assets and liabilities as well as derivatives as opposed to holding them for longer investment, funding or hedging purposes, (Saunders and cornett 184). When this happens, the financial institutions are assumed to directly control the maturities of their assets and liabilities as well as the interest issues are concerned. As interest rates fall, many mortgage borrowers seek to repay their existing loans and refinance at a lower rate.

Digital Nation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Digital Nation - Essay Example On the other hand, the second section says the internet fosters disintegration, which is concern for â€Å"Daily Me† from a negative perspective. Third, technology harbors a global village from a positive perspective while Balkanizing and spreading worries of â€Å"mob rule† from a negative perspective (Dretzin 2010). Fourth, â€Å"Digital Nation† argues that technology is heterogeneous or endorses diversity of opinions and expression positively (Dretzin 2010). Technology can also be homogenous and result in close-mindedness from a negative standpoint. Fifth, technology positively enables self-actualization while promoting lessening personhood from a negative view (Dretzin 2010). The sixth section says the internet is an instrument of freedom and enablement from a positive view (Dretzin 2010). The internet is similarly an instrument of regular manipulation and exploitation, which is a negative perspective. Seventh, PBS’ Frontline believes the internet is a tool that can help educate, which is a positive aspect (Dretzin 2010). Alternatively, the internet can dumb down its hundreds of millions of users, which is a negative aspect. Eighth, technology endorses anonymous communication, which is a positively necessary element of whistleblowing or strong discussions (Dretzin 2010). The negative aspect of this section says technology spreads the fear of secrecy, which deteriorates responsibility in debates and tradition. Lastly, technology has introduced the abundance of data, which positively roots for new educational opportunities (Dretzin 2010). Technology also negatively imposes fear of data surplus, particularly in educational settings. PBS Frontline’s â€Å"Digital Nation† discussion of heterogeneity in technology was most captivating, challenging, and hopeful. This is because this aspect of technology teaches that humans are adjusting and learning to manage with technological change but with some