Religion and Education free essay sample

?U. S. President Dwight D. Howard stated that, â€Å"If our government is not based on deep religious beliefs it has no meaning. † (H. R. Guggisberg, 1988, p. 2) (MENG Xianxia/Cross-cultural Communication Vol. 7 No. 2, 2011, p. 232). Although religion has been a heated topic since the beginning of mankind, we cannot deny the influence it has had in educational institutions through the development of all civilizations. The role of religion in public education is not limited to America alone. Religion and Education are directly related to the development of all societies and cultures. In this paper, I will discuss and explain the influence of religion and education on societies since the beginning of mankind. 1) Religion deals with almost all aspects of human life. 2) History cannot be taught in education without the mention of religious influences on civilizations. 3) The role of religion in public education is not limited to America alone, since the beginning of mankind every civilization has shown some type of evolution within their religious and educational institutions. We will write a custom essay sample on Religion and Education or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page There are several examples from different parts of the world to prove how widespread the problem is. 4) All societies and civilizations are made up of individuals that belong to families. Families are the core of all societies and the religious choices of each family will society as a whole. 1) It may have influence in education, marriage, work, and even food. â€Å"American religious education, as a kind of spiritual support, has been playing a supportive role in Americans’ outlook on life, the realization of life value, the shaping of personality, ethic concepts and national spirit. It’s important role is manifested in the economic and political fields. † (MENG Xianxia/Cross-cultural Communication Vol. No. 2 1001, p. 231) Religion influence many aspects of day to day issues such as life choices, dress, and education. As shown in the article, â€Å"Religious Experience and Progressive Education,† published in the American Educational History Journal by Jared R. Stallones, â€Å"A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life revealed that fully eighty-four percent of Americans identify themselves as adherents of a specific religion. Eighty-eight percent are absolutely or fairly certain of the existence of God or a universal spirit, including fifteen percent of self-identified atheists. Eighty-two percent of the population considers religion to be very or somewhat important in their lives, and seventy-five percent of Americans, including ten percent of atheists, prayed at least once per week. † (p33) This demonstrates how religion is an important entity in the daily lives of many. This is because religions deal with the human life as a whole. For centuries people have searched for the meaning and truth of their own nature and the nature of the universe, religions are the result. We view religions as communities of people who share practices and beliefs, who gather together in special buildings to worship, and who have a special way of living. More than three-quarters of the world’s population consider themselves members of some kind of religion. Religion influences almost all aspects of human life. It may have influence in education, marriage, work, and even food. 2) The United States was founded on the principles of religion, the citizens of this country can practice whatever religion they like without being persecuted. The liberties provided under the Constitution allow individuals to practice their religious beliefs openly and without judgment. These beliefs provide guidance and structure in the lives of these individuals. â€Å"After the founding of the United States, although the Constitution clearly regulates â€Å"secularism†, religions in America are always closely intertwined with the process of American history, and play a huge impact on the political, economic, legal and cultural fields. American sociologist Richard Newhouse said, â€Å"A basic fact about the United States is that Americans themselves claim that most of them are Christian and the moral foundations of American society are Jewish-Christian morality just as non-Christian believe. † (Zhang, 2007, p. 13) (MENG Xianxia/Cross-cultural Communication Vol. 7. No. 2, 2011). There are thousands of religions and thousand more subdivisions of those. Religions are divided mainly into ancient and modern religions. Not to say that the â€Å"modern† religions just originated in the past couple years, just they are still practiced in present times. Some of the ancient religions include Egyptian, Zoroastria, Greek, Norse, and Celtic. (Source and Cite) 3) People have been shunned, ostracized, sacrificed, and killed because of their religious beliefs. These acts take place because individuals have different views. There are several examples from different parts of the world to prove how widespread the problem is. American society is a blend of secularized and religious elements. Anderson (2004) noted that these two elements have always posed a dilemma for public education. The struggle is how to accommodate both of these societal characteristics. He pointed out that the secular nature of American public culture and its underlying pluralistic character are important aspects of the context for our system of education. The role of religion in public education is not limited to America alone. There are several examples from different parts of the world to prove how widespread the problem is. Thomas (2006) reported a case in France in which a Muslim girl was expelled for wearing a traditional Islamic headscarf. The President supported the move saying that religion should not be permitted in public schools. Islamic leaders protested that the ban was prejudicial, singling out Muslims for discriminatory practices. Hinsliff (2004) reported an interesting controversy in which Christian evangelists in England wanted to have the strengthening of faith teaching in schools. They dropped the idea when†¦ 4) Families are the core of all societies and the religious choices of each family will affect society as a whole. The religious choices of a family will influence an individuals decisions that will in turn affect society as a whole. What in individual puts out into society will come back as their decision and actions affect society as a whole. Religion is an important entity in the lives of many. According to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, â€Å"Religious freedom includes the right to assemble for private and public worship, determine the conditions of membership, give religious instructions, preach its message publicly, and publish and circulate religious material† (International Religious Freedom, Sec. 2 (3) Article 18). The United States is one of the nations with most fantastic religious background, and in reality religion and religious education permeates all aspects of American life. Religion lies in American family education, school education, political activities and social life, playing a role that cannot be ignored. (MENG Abstract p. 1) Conclusion: Although religion has been and is a heated topic at times and since the beginning of mankind, we cannot deny the fact, the influence it has had in educational institutions through the development of all civilizations, I feel that this is a great thing. â€Å"You will not get very far into any educational issues without somehow bumping into religious themes. † Marty goes on to explains in Christianity and its legacy in education that â€Å"We Americans are taught to think of American society as a secular one in which religion does not count for much, and our educational system is organized in such a way that religious concerns often receive little attention. But if you think for a moment, you may realize that a better question is, where does religion not come into all this? â€Å" (Burke and Segal p. 631). To have religion thwarting together with education is what gives us history. It is what takes us to the next point in life. It gives us guidance and even sometimes warnings. As a young boy that has been brought up in the ministry and to see how religion has played a key role in my life and education†¦I applaud this. It is known that religion and education has been around for thousands of years and I believe it will continue for many more. From teaching your grandson to assemble a tomahawk to worshipping the Greek god of war, people show religion and education in many different ways. As, David P. Setran referenced in the Teachers College Record article More Religion in Education and More Education in Religion: Liberal Progressivism and the Educational Common Faith, 1917-1940, â€Å"The Kingdom of God proved to be a powerful image of the ideal democracy and a powerful representation of religion and education working together to build a better world. It is recommended that future scholars continue to look in other parts of the country and among other individuals to trace these powerful cooperative relation, thus restoring the place of religion as an important source and ally of progressive education. † (p. 1, abstract) (Teachers College Record, v114 n1 2012. 29pp. ) Religion and education have been wedded in western culture for as long as schools have existed, and as long as religious diversity and democratic decision-making endure in American society, then struggles between and about religion and education will continue in American schools (Religious Experience and Progressive Education,† published in the American Educational History Journal by Jared R. Stallones, p33. ) Religion and education has been around for thousands of years and it will continue for many more.

How Successful is Brechts The Good Person of Szechwan as an example of Epic Theatre Essay Example

How Successful is Brechts The Good Person of Szechwan as an example of Epic Theatre Essay Example How Successful is Brechts The Good Person of Szechwan as an example of Epic Theatre Paper How Successful is Brechts The Good Person of Szechwan as an example of Epic Theatre Paper Essay Topic: Play Bertolt Brecht was born in February 1898 in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. Up until 1924 Brecht lived in Bavaria. He declared himself as an anti-militarist at the age of eighteen, and to avoid conscription into the army he decided to study medicine at Munich University, but he ended up carrying out his military service at an army hospital in Augsburg. During this particular period of time Brecht had developed a violently Anti-bourgeois attitude. This was an attitude that seemed to reflect the rest of Brechts generations mounting deep disappointment in the civilization in which they lived that had come crashing down around them at the end of the First World War. Brechts plays are, in the most part, quite apparent and confident, but Brechts own theorizing however is not so clear-cut. Brecht is probably less unique than he is supposed to be. Brecht himself acknowledged a debt to traditional oriental theatre, and his plays also owe a lot to other broad ranges of theatrical conventions, such as, Elizabethan, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Bavarian Folk-plays, Techniques of Clowns and Fairground entertainers, to list but a few. For Brecht drama demanded that the audiences thought about the emotional and political issues that the play was trying to portray. So based on the Illusionist Theatre Brecht developed his idea of the Epic Theatre. Brecht believed that, The epic invites calm, detached contemplation and judgement; the dramatic overwhelms reason with passion and emotion, the spectator sharing the actors experiences (www. Shunsley. eril. net/armoore/drama/brecht. htm#8). The main difference between Brechts Epic Theatre and the more original Dramatic form of Theatre is that the Epic Theatre demands that the audience recognizes the fact that they are watching a play. The Epic Theatre seeks to turn the audience into an observer but at the same time trys to arouse their ability for action. The other features of the Epic Theatre is that the play will usually have a narrator of some form, who will relate the story to the audience directly, where as the more traditional Dramatic form of theatre would have a plot which would be unravelled as it is acted out upon the stage. In terms of the characters on the stage, Brecht wanted them to be alterable and be able to alter. By this he meant that not only were the characters able to play more than one character in the play, but also they were also able to show how the character they were playing is able to alter throughout the play as it develops. Brecht also wrote his plays so that each scene within the play was free standing and can almost be looked upon as mini plays within the whole play. Brecht developed techniques and devices that engaged his aims on the stage. One particular technique is called, Verfremdung or Alienation Effect. The Alienation Effect was developed to constantly remind the audience that it was only a play that they were watching and not real life. Some of the things that were used to alienate that audience was that Brecht used to refer to his actors as demonstrators, and he believed that they should stand beside that character, not get into the character. The actors and actresses should behave as though they know they are being watched, He expresses his awareness of being watched. This immediately removes one of the European stages characteristic illusions. The audience can no longer have the illusion of being the unseen spectator at an event which is really taking place. (Brecht on Theatre The development of an Aesthetic, Edited Translated by John Willett, pp92, 1993). Another way of breaking with the Illusionist effect was to flood the stage with a harsh white light, regardless of where the action was taking place, and leaving the stage lamps in full view of the audience; Making use of minimal props and using just Indicative scenery; Intentionally interrupting the action at key junctures with songs, in order to drive home an important point or message; and projecting explanatory captions onto a screen or employing placards. Among many of Brechts plays, one of the few that was regarded as the most important was The Good Person of Szechwan, which was written between 1938 and 1941, when he was in exile from the Nazi regime. Based upon Brechts ideas of the Epic Theatre I am going to discuss how successful The Good Person of Szechwan is as an example of Epic Theatre. From the outset this play clearly has quite a few elements of the Alienation Effect that Brecht intended to be evident in his plays. To begin with the play is set in the Chinese Province of Szechwan, so it naturally has an oriental feel to it. The play employs a narrator in the form of the character Wang the water-seller, WANG: I am a water-seller in the capital of Szechwan province. My job is tedious. When water is short I have to go far for it. And when it is plentiful I earn nothing. (The Good Person of Szechwan, Bertolt Brecht, pp3, 2000). It is clear from this quote to establish that Wang the Water-Seller is the narrator of the play, by the way he addresses the audience directly. In this particular quote, which is taken from the Prologue, it feels as though the reader has just met the character personally and they are introducing themselves and the story. Although the narrators direct addressing to the audience adds to Brechts intention of the Alienation Effect, it isnt only the narrator of the play that is able to do this. SHEN TEH: My beautiful shop! Oh, such hopes! No sooner opened, than it is no more. To the audience: The dinghy, which might save us Is straightway sucked into the depths: Too many of the drowning Snatch greedily at it. (The Good Person of Szechwan, Bertolt Brecht, pp20, 2000). Brecht emphasises the Alienation Effect by having other characters directly addressing the audience, which constantly reminds the audience that they are just spectators of a play. The way Shen Teh delivers the last four lines of the above quote seems to drive home an important political or emotional message, another way that Brecht does this is through the use of songs. The songs in a play were also an important factor in establishing the Alienation Effect, and some of the songs from Brechts plays have become quite popular. These songs can seem quite comic, but they very often have a menacing undertone. The most important thing about these songs in Brechts plays was their political or moral content. These songs were often placed at the end or very near the end of a particularly important scene; where there was a point the play writer wanted the audience to reflect upon. In the Good Person of Szechwan there are six songs, all of which are placed at the end of a particularly important scenes or in an interlude. The songs have been purposely placed where they are to drive home to the audience an important moral or political issue that the play writer wants the audience to think about at that moment in time. The use of songs was an important factor for Brecht in his development of the Epic Theatre. He considered that these songs helped the Alienation Effect by breaking up the continuity of the action and helping to prevent any chance of the audience becoming hypnotized by the performance. (A History of the Theatre in Europe, John Allen, pp291, 1983). In the Interlude between Scenes four and five. Shen Teh sings directly to the audience Song of the Defencelessness of the Good and the Gods, which is sung as the character of Shen Teh and as her alter ego Shui Ta. In this song Shen Teh deliberately changes into her cousin Shui Ta so that the audience can see that they are the same person, and the song is sung directly to the audience to make them question their own personal views on whether it is possible to remain good, when everything else about them is bad. Another Alienation effect that features strongly in The Good Person Of Szechwan is the use of masks. This was a custom that was widely used in Chinese theatre. The character of Shen Teh is made to use a mask to take on the persona of her Ruthless cousin Shui Ta. In terms of Brechtian alienation, the mask device in Boesings play functions much as it does in The Good Person of Szechwan. In both instances, the mask distances the actor-character from the role he or she adopts in order to survive in the given society. The audience, then, is invited not only to recognize these roles as pure inventions (though of undeniable power), but also to examine the social conditions which have caused the characters to take on these alternative identities. (Re-interpreting Brecht, his influence on contemporary drama and film, Edited by Pia Kleber Colin Visser, pp151, 1990). The character of Shen Teh in The Good Person of Szechwan is the most alterable character in the play in the fact that she plays both herself and her cousin, and also in the way her character alters as Shen Teh towards the end of the play. In The Good Person of Szechwan it is possible to see that Brecht intended the audience to consider the important political and Moral issues of this play by the way the final scene is written. It was quite common for Brecht to incorporate a Jury Scene in his plays to enable the audience to act as a kind of Jury in the courtroom. Brechts intention is for each individual member of the audience to leave the theatre thinking about the ending of the play. In The Good Person of Szechwan there is closure as far as the three Gods are concerned because they have found their Good Person, but for poor Shen Teh there is no closure as she is still left with all her problems of the poor immoral people of Szechwan sponging off of her, and also the problem of how to tell them that her cousin is really her, and that she isnt really as good as every body thinks she is. This is reflected by Brecht in the Epilogue, where an actor stands in front of the closed curtain and addresses the audience directly, Ladies and Gentlemen, dont feel let down: We know this ending makes some people frown. We had in mind a sort of golden myth Then found the finish had been tampered with. Indeed it is a curious way of coping: To close the play, leaving the issue open Theres only one solution that we know: That you should now consider as you go What sort of measures you would recommend To help good people to a happy end. (The Good Person of Szechwan, Bertolt Brecht, pp109, 2000). To conclude I think that Brechts ideas of the Epic Theatre are very well portrayed in his play The Good Person of Szechwan, and his use of the Alienation Effect within this play really gets the reader or audience thinking about the political and moral issues that the Playwright is trying to portray. I feel that The good Person of Szechwan is extremely successful as an example of Epic Theatre, because of the way that Brecht brings together all of the examples of what makes Epic Theatre and the Alienation Effect to produce this play.

Avon - Hello Tomorrow Campaign

Avon, the oldest cosmetics company in the United States and the world’s largest direct seller, received a much needed boost with Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrea Jung, at the helm (Creed and Laichas). Andrea became the company’s first female CEO in 1994, marking the beginning of a brand turnaround (â€Å"Avon Products, Inc. †). From its humble beginning to becoming the cosmetic giant that it is now, Avon has had a number of trials and bounce backs. It’s most recent success, the Hello Tomorrow global campaign was launched in response to lacking sales in 2005 (Elliott). The campaign goal was to restructure the company, reinvest in the brand as well as the sales representatives, all while spreading the word that Avon understands and empowers women all over the globe (Creed and Laichas, Elliott). Avon, originally named the California Perfume Company, was born in the 1880s, when David H. McConnell, a door-to-door book salesman, began to offer small bottles of perfume to the women who would allow him to come into their homes and talk about his books. It did not take him long to figure out that the women were more interested in the perfume than they were the books he was selling. Taking a leap of faith, Mr. McConnell stopped selling books completely to focus on the perfumes. Working from home in New York City, he brewed five different scents which he named the â€Å"Little Dot Perfume Set,† consisting of heliotrope, hyacinth, lily of the valley, violet, and white rose. He intended to sell the perfumes directly to customers utilizing all of the contacts he had made during his time as a traveling door-to-door salesman (â€Å"Avon Products, Inc. †). The first Avon Lady he recruited was the wife of a U. S. senator, Mrs. P. F. E. Albee, of Winchester, New Hampshire. Mrs. Albee was able to recruit and train a sales team of one hundred within the first six months. That number continued to climb steady, to over five thousand after twelve years. The company, excited about the growth, wasted little time in offering new scents to the perfumes along with other products. Ten years after the company’s beginning the first catalog was made, complete with illustrations, and a new production facility was built in Suffern, New York. This is also when the first products bearing the Avon name were released. Mr. McConnell was inspired by the landscape around their new facility, stating it reminded him of William Shakespeare’s home of Stratford-on-Avon, England. This product line consisted of cleanser, a toothbrush, and a vanity set (â€Å"Avon Products, Inc. †). Avon’s sales suffered during the Depression and World War II, however after the war more women began to look for ways of making money that would not interrupt there family life, quadrupling the sales force. In 1954, Avon launched its first television advertisements with the famous, â€Å"Ding Dong, Avon Calling,† slogan. They also jumped into the Latin American market by opening up offices in Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Three years later in 1957, the first office in the United Kingdom was opened with the name, Avon Cosmetics, Ltd. (â€Å"Avon Products, Inc. †) Today, Avon is sold via direct sales by over five million independent sales representatives in one hundred forty three countries, to nearly three hundred million customers (Avon Products, Inc SWOT Analysis 2008). The year 2005 was described by Business Week magazine as a year of collapse for Avon, with the United States, Mexico, as well as Central and Eastern Europe sales less than expected. CEO Andrea Jung stated that it was a tough year, but one that she would learn from. She learned a lot about both herself and the business. Publically making these statements were seen by many to be on of her defining moments, she practiced humility, which is one of Avon’s founding principles. The Hello Tomorrow campaign was a long time in the making, one that required changes not only in their marketing strategy, but also in the entire company’s way of operating (Creed and Laichas). Turing the company around was not an easy task. The company had always been run according to its entrepreneurial beginning; it had to be transformed into a globally integrated and managed business. In order to accomplish this transformation and remain the top spots in both the direct selling and cosmetics industries would require a large monetary investment. CEO Andrea Jung stated, â€Å"We needed to sustain investment in the brand, step up investment in our channel, and continue to drive out costs and manage for the long term. † Avon had to completely reorganize itself. CEO Jung believes that you have to base your organizational structure according to your strategy. With Avon, the company had become too large to function properly on the way it had been organized (Creed and Laichas). The Avon management team decided to do what they could to free up just over seven million from restructuring and analyzing costs, along with other changes, and then reinvest the money back into the company through both representatives and the brand (Creed and Laichas). Avon hired the advertising firm, Soho Square in New York, to begin developing the creative aspect of this global campaign, set to launch in the spring of 2007. Nicola Bell, a client services director for Soho Square, knew that the Avon name was a classic; they just needed a fresh jump start to firm the brand into the minds of consumers (Elliott). While analyzing costs, CEO Jung discovered that the current fifteen layers of management were no longer necessary. It could easily be cut back to eight layers, saving the company two million dollars. Four thousand five hundred, middle to senior management, representatives from all around the world would be removed from their positions. CEO Jung went to meet with all members of management face-to-face to let them know about the â€Å"de-layering,† as she called it. This was done before any decisions on who would go and who would stay were made (Creed and Laichas). Holding true to the decision to invest in the representatives, Avon changed the compensation plan to a universal multilevel plan and also reevaluated the commission rates, which vary depending on the market. They also took a close look at the frequency of the advertising campaigns they ran in Central and Eastern Europe, deciding to put more into their marketing efforts there (Creed and Laichas). One of the company’s biggest investments was in technology. A more user friendly website was created for representatives to use. It quickly became a much more efficient way for independent sales representatives to run their business. They can easily place orders, check product availability and process returns. Independent sales representatives even have the ability to generate prospective emails from the website. They can choose one for a given campaign or they can design their own. This investment in technology proved to be one of the company’s strengths, making Avon’s SWOT Analysis, compiled by Datamonitor, in April of 2007 and June of 2008 (Avon Products, Inc. SWOT Analysis 2007, 2008). The company also invested over ninety million dollars on brand advertising. The Hello Tomorrow campaign integrated both brand and channel, another first for the company. CEO Jung was quoted as saying, â€Å"The channel or the brand, that’s a very deliberate and strategic question, and I think the power of Hello Tomorrow, and Avon in its second chapter, is we can do both,† when asked about the strategy. She believes that by the company raising the brand so highly excites the representatives as much as it does the final customers, motivating them to drive their campaigns harder (Creed and Laichas). In yet another first for Avon, they made all prospecting and marketing materials around the globe look the same, from handouts, to television commercials, to the brochures. By using this massive, uniform, global campaign Avon hopes to portray the company’s enthusiasm for both the beauty industry and their channel onto others and building morale among the remaining workers (Elliott). The first two commercials Avon launched for the Hello Tomorrow campaign were focused on recruiting more independent sales representatives. One was based primarily on the traditional sales techniques of door-to-door selling, emphasizing the excitement of the sale as well as the strength of the brand. The other commercial focused on the flexibility of running an online Avon business, thus allowing women who may not have enough time for traditional sales the option of sticking strictly to sales via the internet. Avon is confident that the products will sell themselves once people try them, the more sales representatives they have pushing their product the better off they are (Elliott). Happy with the results of the campaign in Avon test markets, including Brazil and China the Hello Tomorrow campaign was officially launched. The company found that their two different advertising strategies would payoff by targeting women on an emotional level (Elliott). Continuing to fulfill what Avon views as their social obligation to women, it was announced on August 1, 2007, that actress Reese Witherspoon had joined the Hello Tomorrow team as the first ever Avon Global Ambassador and honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation. The Avon Foundation was developed to focuses on improving the lives of women, ending domestic violence, finding a cure for breast cancer, and instigating emergency relief standards. During her induction speech Reese said, â€Å"Avon is more than an iconic world class beauty leader. It is a company that is known the world over as a crusader for women’s causes. I’m] proud to be joining the great philanthropic work [that Avon has established],† (â€Å"Reese Witherspoon is An Avon Woman†). In addition to adding the fresh faced beauty on board, Avon also set up a global Hello Tomorrow Fund. In the United States, five thousand dollars is given out weekly to women who submit their name to Avon. The compa ny chooses people with ideas, projects, or programs that empower women and improves society. Each country where funds are received have set up their own guidelines unique to their culture (â€Å"Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund†). The re-branding strategy Avon used with the Hello Tomorrow campaign is listed as an opportunity on the company’s SWOT Analysis dated June 18, 2008. One of Avon’s biggest threats is their competition; L’Oreal, Revlon, Procter Gamble and Estee Lauder are all waiting in the wings for Avon to stumble. From the time the Hello Tomorrow campaign rolled out until the time the 2008 SWOT analysis was compiled, Avon had a sixteen percent growth in profit from their Color Line and a twenty percent growth in their fragrance line (Avon Products, Inc. SWOT Analysis 2008). Now that CEO Andrea Jung restructured the management team, those at the higher levels are closer to both representatives and the market; they believe that this will help them keep a handle on this ever changing business. Andrea stated that â€Å"We now manage this business for the long term and make the decisions not just for the next quarter but for what is good for the business in the long term,† (Creed and Laichas). Avon’s next global launch will be for a new fragrance, Bond Girl 007, which they have teamed up with James Bond entertainment franchise to develop, it will be released October of 2008 (Avon Products, Inc. SWOT Analysis 2008). https://help.ebsco.com/interfaces/EBSCOhost/EBSCOhost_FAQs/How_do_I_set_up_direct_links_to_EBSCOhost_profiles_and_or_databases http://www.bellarmine.edu/library/proxy_link_ebsco/ http://bu-branding.blogspot.com/2007/03/ http://coelhathoughtsjland.blogspot.com/2008/04/happy-freedom-dayfridayreese.html

Design your own greenhouse Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Design your own greenhouse - Assignment Example be applied to each variety in order to enhance the best conditions for photosynthesis.if the temperature does not match the variety, growth is inhibited since respiration increases over photosynthesis. Very low temperatures inactivate the enzymes of photosynthesis while very high temperatures denatures the enzymes. At low temperatures there is a low uptake of carbon dioxide For high photosynthesis to be enhanced, the optimum temperatures of 15-40 degrees Celsius should be maintained. Light- plants make more food under a high quantity of light and photosynthesis is low in low quantity and hence low growth rate. The quality of light determines the amount of light absorbed by plant leaves for photosynthesis. Green light is barely absorbed as it is reflected away. Blue light helps leaf growth and also encourages flowering. Plants exposed to light for a long duration absorbs more light for photosynthesis. The light reactions take place in the thylakoid while the dark reactions take place in the stroma. A blue colour filter should be used in the greenhouse as it’s the best quality for a high growth rate. Air pollutants like dust particles and smoke should be avoided as they reduce light

End Stage Renal Disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

End Stage Renal Disease - Essay Example A number of healthcare programs have come to the aid of ESRD patients in the United States, among them Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance (Sullivan 47). Through these programs, it is evident that healthcare provision is an expensive undertaking. As healthcare costs in this line exacerbates, the different forms of ESRD treatment do not seem to have a significant difference in terms of costs. Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis exhibit significant differences in the mode of treatment employed, but the costs incurred are roughly the same. This implies that the choice on the mode of treatment to use on patients remains a critical decision that nephrologists have to make. Another critical aspect to capture in addressing ESRD concerns is reimbursement. Despite the relative treatment differences in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (CAPD and CCPG), the reimbursement structure is the same (Sullivan 49). The government, through its various healthcare programs, and insurance companies continue to direct funds and resources to the coverage of qualifying patients and subscribers respectively. The reimbursement structuring has remained relatively the same, characterized by an ever rising trend in healthcare costs. Both nephrologists and ESRD patients have had substantial decisions to make regarding the reimbursement structure and the various treatment options available. There are a number of economic concerns that revolve around ESRD patients and their daily lives. To start with, these patients can hardly maintain permanent employment, meaning that their income earning continuity is relatively curtailed. This translates to a financial challenge to the patient and his/her dependents if any. Secondly, government healthcare programs and insurance companies do not necessarily provide 100% coverage. This means that the patients have additional costs to meet, especially in terms of acquiring ancillary drugs. Resulting to dialysis or kidney

Brainwashing Our Future Essay Example for Free

Brainwashing Our Future Essay Around the globe today, the belief that a perfect body existing is at an all-time high. With airbrushing being used on practically every photo of actors/actresses/models, young adults get the false sense that they have to be a specific way to be prefect or normal even. It’s unjust that airbrushing photos leads these young adults to hate on themselves or on others for not being something that, in all reality, isn’t even real. Airbrushed photos of modern idols case teenagers to participate in unhealthy eating disorders, to bully fellow peers, and to obtain emotional problems that will stay with them for a lifetime. With airbrushing of photos also comes the unhealthy practice of eating disorders in young adult, especially young women, to fulfill the belief that doing so will result in having â€Å"matched up to their beauty and perfection† (Petten Van). Disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating have become most commonly found in the adolescent population because of these photos. In general, teen girls grow up seeing airbrushed photos which cause the desire to be â€Å"perfect†, later resulting in eating disorders. 42% of 1st to 3rd grade girls want to be thinner and 86% females report onset of eating disorder by age 20; 43% report onset between ages 16 and 20 (â€Å"Eating Disorder Statistics†). As a result, death rate of young adults has increased immensely and continues to surrender the hope of ever ending the cycle of teen disorders. Generally, as the number of adolescents who attain an eating disorder increases, so does the number of deaths to the teen populatio n. Airbrushing also contributes to bullying. Young adults are given the idea that one has to be a specific way in order to be accepted, so as a rule, teenagers bully one another out of jealousy or belief that all should fit what is seen as the norm due to airbrushing. But in return, there is the â€Å"5% of Americans that naturally possess the body type portrayed in magazine images† (â€Å"Eating Disorder Statistics†). That 5% is also bullied by those brainwashed by society to see it as the standard form. It makes sense that â€Å"a healthy girl does not have a solid sense of who she is and can be very susceptible to thinking one should look like the models, even though the model is airbrushed and really only a fantasy† (Cooper). Demi Lovato, a young teen pop star, has â€Å"openly aired her troubles† many times, describing the effects eating disorders and bullying that resulted from social media, like airbrushed photos, had on her life (LaPort). Bullying is the result of teens not having many idols that are raw and â€Å"going through what many of them are† (LaPort). Summing up the overall affect airbrushing has on adolescents comes down to these: emotional predicaments that can stay on one’s heart and mind until the very last breath. As a victim of bullying, my cousin Morgan shared her thoughts and feelings on her experiences. â€Å"The things they said were so harsh†¦unforgettable,† she whispered. â€Å"Every day I look at myself and repeat those words, even though I physically know they aren’t true.† She is one of â€Å"160,000 children who miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students† (â€Å"Make Beats Not Beat Downs: Facts and Statistics†). Bullying and eating disorders do not have short term effects, and can affect even the most confident person on the planet. These long term emotional situations are hurting the young minds of society and it all comes back to the pointless use of airbrushing. Some believe airbrushing is â€Å"just and image†¦a fantasy if you will†, regardless of the effect it has on adolescents (Cooper). Which is true, but teenagers are at the point of learning who they are and look to these photos of their idols to help decide, or figure out, who exactly is it that they see themselves being as adults. Others believe that airbrushing protects the eyes of younger minds from inappropriate matters like tattoos, thongs, or smoking. In response, the sooner one learns what the real world has to offer, bad and good, the sooner one realizes that everything isn’t perfect and can make decisions based on actual matters. Parents cannot protect children from the ideas of society surrounding them no matter how much they try. Would one rather children learn by looking at something everywhere around them or by hearing it from a mind not brainwashed by the wrong doings? The governments that allow the use of airbrushing on models and actors could easily pass a law to ban the deceptive practice of airbrushing. But the government won’t act unless the citizens act upon it first. By celebrities themselves opposing the act of an artist reconstructing their photos, and sewing them if done regardless, soon enough there won’t be any airbrushed photos to be released to the public. Previous victims of eating disorders or bullying should take a stand and tell the government, and its people, just how badly these photos affect the generations of society today. If not stopped now, then when will airbrushing ever come to an end? It’s time to end it and stop brainwashing our future. Works Cited A) Catapano, Rosanna. ANAD (The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) n.p. n.d. Web. 22 March 2013. B) Diller, Vivian. â€Å"Is Photoshop Destroying America’s Body Image.† Huffpost Post. N.p. n.d. Web. 22 March 2013. C) Petten Van, Vanessa. â€Å"Photoshop: The Effect On Teen Girls and Why It Needs to be Banned.† Radical Parenting. n.p. n.d. Web. 22 March 2013.

Benito Mussolini :: essays research papers

Benito Mussolini was born on July 29, 1883 outside the village of Dovia di Predappio in the Northeastern Italian province of Forli. He had one sister and one brother. They always fought and argued over little petty things with each other. His sister name was Edvige and his brother’s name was Armaldo. His mother Rosa Malteni was a well respect and appreciated schoolteacher. His father Allesandro Mussolini was both a blacksmith and a committee socialist. He received his name "Benito" from the Mexican Revolutionary Juarez. Benito grew up as a delinquent, disobedient, and did not have any manners. He was a bully to the other children around him. He would get into numerous of fights with other children. Benito Mussolini was brought up in one the poorest regions in Northeastern Italy. When he was in school, he always kept to himself and very quiet. He wasn’t a class clown, never cried or rarely laughed. He always sat in the back of the classroom and read a book. He rather do that than play with the other children in his class. He got kicked out his first boarding school. When he was growing up he was surrounded by many political philosophies. There was anarchism, socialism, and others. Both Benito and his father Allesandro had very bad violent tempers. When Benito grew up, he became a teacher in an elementary school in his nearby town; he spread the party of doctrine. He was an editor, Fascist leader, laborer, soldier, politician, and revolutionary. He also became a socialist. He graduated at a teacher training school in Forli, Italy. Then he moved to Switzerland to find a better place to work. When he was in Switzerland, he got in trouble with the law for fighting and vagrancy. So he decided to move back to Italy but in Trent. When he returned he worked for a Social Newspaper Company and wrote several literacy works. The newspaper was called "La Lotta di Classe (The Class Struggle). The towns’ people loved his newspaper. He made the editor of "Avanti" (forward); it was published in Milan. When Benito wrote some ignorant and cruel suggestions and ideas in the newspaper. So the he was fired. He then decided to created his own newspaper. He called it, "Li Popolo d’ Italia" (The People of Italy). He hoped the war between Italy and Turkey might lead to collapse of society that might bring him to power.

Birth of a Nation: Art or Propaganda Essay

Mankind, engaging in war, driven by whatever instincts guide him, seeks to keep the defeats and victories of battle in his memory and on his conscience. To accomplish this men have used paint and canvas, ink and paper, or instrument and song in their effort to communicate the tragedy and glory of war. Never, before the career of D. W. Griffith had anyone attempted to bring the subject to film. The result of his efforts, weaknesses aside, mark a change in attitude towards film as a media. Perhaps audiences previously going to a picture expected emotional manipulation. After all, years before the film Birth of a nation, makers of film employed techniques to evoke pathos from viewers; whether through the use of a sobbing mother, a frightened child or what have you. In this respect the film was not a ground-breaker; However, through its effective use of devices such as symbolism, foreshadowing and allusions, as well as building on and arguably perfecting film techniques such as continuity editing, intercutting and close-ups, he transformed film from mere entertainment to art and propaganda. To present and explore a theme, symbolism is used everywhere in literature. Whether the image is subtle or obvious it is regardless a sign of considerable calculation and effort. In Birth of a nation Griffith places symbols everywhere, in doing this he merges literary devices of written works with his own visual works. For instance, the parched corn symbol in the scene where the southern army is eating symbolizes their desperation in the face of defeat. This imagery proves that Griffith wasn’t just presenting actors and a plot, he intended to dig far deeper than that, into the realm of a clever storyteller. Another example of his unique style is the use of foreshadowing, another literary device now commonly employed in film. The most prominent example of this is the scene where two gentlemen are talking, and as the camera pans down, we see a puppy struggling with a kitten. This is another strong example of symbolism; however, even more importantly it foreshadows the coming war. It is expertly placed to add to the building tension between sides which the audience already knows results in confrontation. Its placement reflects Griffiths desire to advance the complexity and diversity of film beyond entertainment to higher levels in society. To manipulate his audience’s emotions, he first had to draw them into the story and in turn into the stories underlying theme. He accomplished this by using numerous virgin film tools, much as an artist uses his own tools to create a believable painting. Among these tools he uses panoramas to illustrate setting, to paint, if you will – a moving picture. To show the swell of heated gunfire on a crowded battlefield i. e. the scene of the battle of Petersburg, or to bring across image of the delicate beauty of his native southern land to those who had never been there or seen a picture of it. This was the substance that transformed film into a genuine art form. Once he had the attention and anticipation of the audience, as well as their almost guaranteed acceptance of his word, he merely had to feed them a easily grasped, recognizable message to sway their emotions his way. This method of classic propaganda was used to fuel the audience’s already considerable ill-founded hatred of blacks. It comes in the form of a rebel black group who terrorizes the Cameron family, the film’s main characters. By placing blacks in this position it isn’t difficult to imagine the reaction of an average theatre goer. The film spawned riots, fired up racism, built stronger the negative stereotypes of blacks. It portrayed them as lazy, as illustrated in the black parliament, where a man rests his bare feet on a desk, alluding to uselessness in the employment environment. More horrifyingly than that it portrayed them as ultimately evil with the seizing of the Cameron’s home and the attempted rape of one of their daughters. The obvious bias presented, although appalling, demonstrates just how effective Griffith was at utilizing film not with the intention to merely entertain, but to spread propaganda and affect the perceptions of society itself. Griffith exploited his audience, he turned them against minorities and themselves. The film Birth of a nation exemplifies ignorance and hate at its worst. Although it stands for something that today is looked on as morally wrong, it proves by this very reaction that the film is not just mere entertainment, but something with a far more serious purpose. Since Griffith was the first to accomplish something of this nature, Birth of a nation therefore marks the transformation of film from pure entertainment into art and propaganda.

Preventing Juvenile Delinquency Essay

Introduction A major problem in modern day society, of course, is criminals. It is believed by some that some people are born criminals, that they just have a genetic make up to do ‘bad things’, but for those who know better, we know this is nowhere near true. Criminals are formed by their environment, life experiences, and other situational factors. You can have the exact same two individuals and raise them in separate places and although they are genetically and physically the same, they will grow up and mature into totally different individuals because, let’s face it, our environment and society rounds us into the type of people we are. So what needs to be done? It goes without saying that criminals and delinquency needs to be stopped, it ends in thousands of pointless deaths state wide and property damages can reach into the millions. The goal is to specifically find out what breeds a criminal, or a delinquent, and try to alter or deter them from the life they are inevitab ly going to have; A life of crime. ​ Methodology If delinquency is really a rational choice and a routine activity, then delinquency prevention is a matter of three strategies: prevention by convincing potential delinquents that they will severely punished for committing delinquent acts, then they must be punished so severely, that they never want to commit crimes again, or make it so difficult to commit crimes that the potential gain is not worth the risk. The first of these strategies is called general deterrence; the second is specific deterrence, and the third, situational crime prevention. ​General deterrence concept holds that the choice to commit delinquent acts is structured by the threat of punishment. If it believed that kids are going to get away with a crime, they are more likely to commit one. On the other hand, if they believe that their illegal behavior would result in apprehension and severe punishment, then only the truly irrational would commit a crime, the rest would be deterred. The main principle to the general deterrence theory is that the more severe, certain, and swift the punishment is, the greater the  deterrence effect will be. Even though particular crimes have certain punishment, there will be relatively no deterrent if they individuals feel as if they will not get caught. Conversely, even a mild sanction may deter crime if people believe punishment is certain. So if the justice system can convince would-be delinquents that they will get caught for the commission of a crime, they may decide that the risk is not greater than the reward and avoid the illegal act a together. ​One might argue that kids are not deterred by the fear of punishment because juvenile justice is based on the parens patriae philosophy, which mandates that children be treated and not punished. This greatly limits the power of the law to deter juvenile crime. In recent years, the increase in teenage violence, gang activity, and drug abuse promoted a reevaluation of deterrence strategies. Police wisely began to focus on particular problems in their jurisdiction rather than merely reacting after a crime has occurred. In result, po lice are now more willing to use aggressive tactics called drug-busting units. The result of this would be to deter membership in drug trafficking gangs. Juvenile courts also initiated a deterrence strategy. Juvenile court judges have been willing to waive youths to adult courts; prior record may outweigh an offender’s need for services in making this decision. Legislators seem willing to pass more restrictive juvenile codes featuring mandatory incarceration sentences in juvenile facilities, and the number of incarcerated juveniles continues to increase. Adolescents are not even spared capital punishment: the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the use of the death penalty for youths over 16. ​The effectiveness of general deterrence strategies is a topic of considerable debate. A number of studies have contributed data supporting deterrence concepts. Evidence indicates that the threat of police arrest can deter property crimes. Areas of the country in which punishment is more certain seem to have lower delinquent occurrences; the more likely people are to anticipate punishment, the less likely they are to commit crimes. Although the findings are persuasive, there is actually little conclusive evidence that the threat of apprehension and punishment alone can deter crime. More evidence exists that fear of social disapproval and informal pena lties, criticisms, and punishments from parents and friends may actually be the greater deterrent to crime than legal punishments. Because deterrence strategies are based on the idea of a rational, calculating offender, they  may not be effective when applied to immature young people. Minors tend to be less capable of making mature judgments about their behavior choices. It is also possible that for the highest risk group of young offenders, the deterrent threat of formal sanctions may be irrelevant. In sum, deterring delinquency through the fear of punishment may be of limited value because children may neither fully comprehend the seriousness of their acts nor the consequences they may face. Though in the surface deterrence appears to have benefit as a delinquency control device, there is also reason to believe that is has limited demonstrable effectiveness. ​The theory of specific deterrence holds that if offenders are punished severely, the experience will convince them not to repeat their illegal acts. Although general deterrence focuses on potential offenders, specific deterrence targets offenders who have already been convicted. Juveniles are sent to secure incarceration facilities with the understanding that their ordeal will deter future misbehavior. Specific deterrence is a popular approach to crime control today. Unfortunately, relying on punitive measures may expend rather than reduce future delinquency. ​Institutions have quickly become overcrowded and chronic violent offenders are packed into swollen facilities with juveniles who have committed non-serious and nonviolent crimes. The use of mandatory sentences for some crimes means that kids who are found to have committed those crimes must be institutionalized; first time offenders may be treated the same as chronic recidivists. Literature Review Some research studies show that arrest and conviction may under certain circumstances lower the frequency of re-offending, a finding which supports specific deterrence. However, other studies suggest that punishment has little real effect on reoffending and in some instances may in fact increase the likelihood that first time offenders will commit new crimes. Why does punishment encourage rather than reduce delinquency? According to some experts, institutionalization cuts youth off from prosocial supports in the community, making them more reliant on deviant peers. Incarceration may also diminish chances for successful future employment, reducing access to legitimate opportunities. Punishment strategies may stigmatize kids and help lock offenders into a delinquent career, putting emphasis on the expression â€Å"prison breeds better criminals†. ​Rather than deterring or punishing  individuals in order to reduce delinquency rates, situational crime prevention strategie s aim to reduce the opportunities people have to commit particular crimes. The idea is to make it so difficult to commit specific criminal acts that would-be delinquent offenders will be convinced that the risks of crime are greater than the rewards. Controlling the situation of crime can be accomplished by increasing the effort, increasing the risk, and/ or reducing the rewards attached to delinquent acts. ​Increasing the effort to commit crime can involve target hardening techniques such as placing steering locks on cars and putting unbreakable glass on storefronts. Some successful target hardening efforts include installing a locking device on cars that prevents drunken drivers from starting the vehicle. Access control can be maintained by locking gates and fencing yards. The facilitators of crime can be controlled by such measures as banning the sale of spray paint to adolescents in an effort to cut down on graffiti, or having photos put on credit cards to reduce their value if stolen. Increasing the risks of crime might involve such measures as improving surveillance lighting, creating neighborhood watch programs, controlling building entrances and exits, installing burglar alarms and security systems, and increasing the number of private security officers and police patrols. The installation of street lights may convince burglars that their entries will be seen and reported. ​Reducing the rewards of crime could include strategies such as making car radios removable so they can be kept at home at night, marking property so that it is more difficult to sell when stolen, and having gender neutral phone listings to discourage obscene phone calls. ​Although there is really no way to completely predict which children will behave in delinquent and criminal ways in the future, there are a multitude of risk factors that have been shown to correlate with these behaviors. Fetal substance exposure, prenatal difficulties, an abusive and violent family are all risk factors related to poorer executive functioning. This weakness is then shown to lead to violent behavior (Zagar, Busch, and Hughes 281). Other precursors to later frequent offending include poor child-rearing practices, poor parental supervision, criminal parents and siblings, low family incom e, large family size, poor housing, low intelligence, and low educational attainment (Zigler and Taussig 998). Physical and/or sexual abuse are specifically risk factors for homicidal  behavior (Zagar, Busch, and Hughes 288). It has also been shown that early-onset antisocial behavior is associated with more severe outcomes compared with antisocial behavior that occurs later, and it is more likely to persist into adulthood (Olds et al. 66). In short, delinquent behaviors are said to be controlled by three factors: General deterrence which suggests a practical solution to crime: increase the certainty and severity of punishment. Punishment can be made proportionate to the seriousness of the crime, and increasing the severity of punishment will reduce delinquency. The specific deterrence concept provides a simple solution to the delinquency problem: punishing more delinquents will reduce their involvement in criminal activity. Lastly is situational crime prevention which shows the importance of situational factors in delinquent act. It can be aimed at reducing or eliminating a specific type of delinquency, rather than eliminating all delinquency through social change. ​These strategies are certainly arguable, because I stand strongly on the premise that every crime does not deserve institutionalization because prison/ jail just breeds better criminals. For example, if a kid was to shoplift video games from a store, the practical, common, and fast thing to do would be arrest, conviction, and late jail, but for what? So he or she can be institutionalized then pick up on other crimes and be released from prison a better criminal. All the prisons I have seen and or visited are loosely called â€Å"correctional institutions†; I do not think there is any type of correcting going on behind those walls. Conclusion Our justice system really needs to focus on better ways of rehabilitating our youth, or so I feel. On the other hand, I do like that some crimes have very harsh punishments because those are the ones that I see are committed less often. We also have to keep in mind that it is not society’s responsibility to raise our children, real teaching starts at home with proper parenting. In some parents’ defense, some kids are hard to maintain, but that’s when further measures should be taken, for example jail visits and the scared straight program. To reinstate, in the future there should be better prevention techniques for delinquents, a way to make them regret their actions, but in the same way, not turn them into hardened criminals or ruin their lives based on one mistake. References: Saminsky, A. (2010). Preventing juvenile delinquency: Early intervention and comprehensiveness as critical factors. (02 ed., Vol. 02, p. 3). WEB Siegel, L. (2006). Juvenile delinquency . (9 ed., p. 587). Canada: Thomson Wadsworth.

Refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne

Refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne The Royal Exhibition Building located within Carlton Gardens in Melbourne Australia is a gem in comparison to other famous exhibition pavilions in the world. This site is ideal for large public or trade exhibitions and prominent main events. Having been completed in 1880, this iconic building has seen better days.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A growing demand in new market areas and the subsequent advancement in technology has placed new demands on this facility. This has prompted the authorities in charge to come up with strategies aimed at upgrading the venue into an amiable facility worthy of a six star status. The spot features first-class interior floor space of 12 000sq. m. over two levels, 7 000sq. m. of multipurpose outdoor grounds, exceptional public transport access and covertly secured parking lot (Cadamer 2008 , pp.101).  Scope of Feasibility Study for the Refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building Melbourne. Introduction The Commission for Sustainable Development in Australia has voted to commission a feasibility study to evaluate the technical and economic issues that would result from a refurbishment of the Royal building in the city of Melbourne. The intended refurbishment aims to upgrade this majestic venue to a level where it attains six star statuses. The study will consider the most viable options that can be undertaken to ensure that this historic site maintains its grandeur and it is also able to sustainably compete at the world market. The study will be ultimately used to support the use of readily available resources and technologies for the improvement of one of the worlds heritage sites so as to tap in to emerging market trends and also in an attempt to maintain the cultural heritage synonymous with the site. Its accessibility and connectivity to the rest of Melbournes financial, transportation and communication services will play a long way in ensuring this (David 2006 pp. 108).  This project is being overseen by the Department of Cultural heritage, Commission of Sustainable development, National Geographic and Natural Resources (Australia) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Australia). This project is funded under the Asian Pacific Economic Program for Asian Pacific countries in conjunction with the Australian ministry of cultural heritage. This Program aims to address the economic and social disadvantages which can result from the refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition building. Under this major Program, several Measures will be undertaken to improve the general ambiance of this historic site.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is supposed to be accompanied by a tangible and sustainable upgrade in the transport, energy and communications infrastructure within the eligible area, in order to facilitate economic development and social co-operation that would match demands of the 21st century. Objectives of Study The object of this study is to evaluate the technical and economic issues that would arise in refurbishing the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne such that it acquires a six star status. Bringing six stardom status to the Royal Exhibition Building is the core objective of this whole venture and this has to naturally fall under a careful sort out set of assumptions which will include the following. Determine the feasibility of providing a venue worthy of a six star status which is able to avail the desired competitive advantages to be able to tap in the numerous economic advantages being presented by the 21st century (Ihde 2001).  Identify the financial ramifications that might be associated with the said project. Provide an estimate of the human capital requirements a ssociated with the refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. Define any relevant geographical and archaeological features that would be encountered within the envisaged refurbishment activity, Carry out a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment, Define the major components, potential locations and basic layouts for connecting all the present and potential stake holders. Prepare a project budget to an accuracy of +/- 10%, Prepare a project schedule.  In order for a project of such a magnitude to come into effect, several stakeholders have to put their act together. In this case the possible stakeholders are the Department of Cultural Heritage. This is mandated with the preservation and promotion of Australias cultural sites and since the Royal Exhibition Building lies in its domain then it is inevitable that they be a stake holder. The Commission of Sustainable development has been mandated in coming up with possible ways of enhancing developments that are su stainable in both the short and long term economic future. The National Geographic and Natural resources Commission is a national body that ensures that all natural resources are harnessed and exploited accordingly. Hence it would seem a very viable option for the refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building to enable it to reap full benefits of its economic potential.  Development of Enterprise, Trade and Investment movement is movement that would want to promote the said refurbishment in view of a potential upsurge in trade and business ventures once the venue acquires six stardom statuses.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Refurbishment of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Municipal Council of Melbourne, being a local government duly elected by the people, it would be an ideal opportunity for the council to invest and hence enable the electorate to benefit from the accrued revenues generating from the refurbished sites. UNESCO. Having endured 130 years since its construction, the Royal Exhibition building is rated highly by the United Nations body as an important heritage site and thus is likely to get an instant node as a site worthy of getting an upgrade so as to march up to the demands of 21 st century. Refurbishments are bound to occur at some point in the lifespan of a building. A buildings construction and design should put into consideration how future refurbishments can be undertaken. It must have occurred to the original designers of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne to put in place certain measures that would have ensured that this majestic structure would in future allow for some sustainable renovations to take place in view of not only prolonging its life but also to improve its aesthetic value so as to draw a larger clientele. From a Similar point of view, the building’s original blue print could have revealed a d eliberate attempt to accommodate renovations which would enable the building to get acceptable returns on investment if it was ever to be put up for sale.  This feasibility study was prompted by the desire to achieve the following objectives; First there was the desire to extend the life of the iconic Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne so that future generations would be able to behold in real essence the grandeur and panache that was originally associated with the said building. Then it was considered quite crucial that the building should uphold and retain its attractiveness to the already changing clientele. It is also of paramount importance that the building is able to measure up to the ever changing environmental demands i. e being compliant under the green technology adage while at the same time retaining its attractiveness to clients. The building is also expected to continue attracting greater rents and also present a considerable return on investments in case of a po ssible sale. The building is also through its refurbishments supposed to attract a six star recognition while at the same time achieving the much coveted competitive edge. Any sustainable renovation has to face up to challenges posed by constraints presented by time limitation and the fact that refurbishments and reconstruction present extra expenses and an interruption to the businesses that operate from the particular venue (Ihde,2001 pp.111)). Due to the following reasons, the need to act swiftly and minimize expenses are the main challenges that formulators of renovation designs have to constantly deal with. During renovation, huge amounts of waste is generated, thus it is very vital that a suitable approach for dealing with reclaimed materials, equipment and resources be put in place. It is also worthy to note that budget allocations could considerably reduce if effective processes of ensuring that proper waste management practices are put in place. This should also be accompan ied by a proper utilization of reclaimed material Access to eco-friendly and reclaimable resources is linked to a structure’s blueprint.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is a close link between the two since the necessity of materials at a construction blueprint stage basically influences when, and to what degree, a structure requires renovation or remodeling. Secondly, design influences ease of access to required material so much so that if it fails to identify appropriate ways of using eco-friendly/reusable resources, then it follows that unnecessary expenses will be incurred while at the same time having to deal with identifying practical ways of dealing with the waste material (Hillary 2005 pp 101). Up to 97% of the construction work in Australia is carried out on already existing structures. Thus, building activities in the country have a great opportunity to embrace the concepts widely advocated the champions of a greener technology. Market analysis Australia is one of the fast developing countries in the world. The country has experienced several tremendous improvements over the last couple of years and this is not going to slow down. O ne of the areas noticeable is on tourism. Although tourism, one of the countrys key sectors, is having to endure an ever increasing competition from other Asian pacific countries, studies have indicated that a steady flow of tourists have continuously flocked Australia since the Sidney Olympics in 2002. This coupled with the fact that Australia is experiencing growing demand in new market areas such as venture and intellectual tourism, eco-tourism and upscale hotels, offers an opportunity for the country to revitalize the full-grown tourism sector, in addition the amplification of eco-tourism across the country. Other positive examples are the presence of offshore education and information and communication technology (ICT) enabled practices seen as possible additional sectors of potential development, especially from English-speaking countries. Foreign exchange earnings from both the agricultural and manufactured goods have immensely increased within the last 5 years, this has also seen an upward surge in developments in tourism, learning and monetary service providers.  Over 4,200 firms in Australian are doing business directly with China, there has also been a tremendous increase of small and medium sized enterprises from Australia in china in the last two years. Our resources companies has been joined by architectural, building, engineering, logistical, accountancy and legal firms are some of the companies from Australia that are now taking part in the Chinese market Export of manufactured goods to the least developed countries has increased from a partly 43% from the last ten year to an impressive 53% this current year. UBS has pointed out to India, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, and the UAE as emerging future markets for Australia products. With upsurge of economic developments in most countries that traditionally had shared little or no economic ties with Australia, It has thus become increasingly necessary for Australia to review its trade relations with these countries in attempts to tap into the new but lucrative business opportunities presented. In short, the emergence of these economic ventures is bound to present an ideal ground for the Royal exhibition building as a focal business/commercial center. 1st July 2004 marks the day when the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens got duly recognition by UNESCO and were therefore subsequently placed on the World Heritage list. Hence, they became the first sites within Australia to achieve a listing in World Heritage. Presently, the Royal Exhibition Building is a component site of Museum Victoria while the adjacent gardens fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Melbourne. With its fabulously lavish interior, all-embracing galleries and lofty arena, the Great Hall is second to none when it comes to hosting superb trade shows, fairs and artistic and public events. Hence with anticipated refurbishments, this majestic venue will not only attract high caliber clientele but will also enhance a long and an illustrious history as one of the worlds, cultural.business and heritage sites. Technical Analysis The Royal Exhibition is located in Carlton Gardens Melbourne Australia. It is made of brick and has been set on a bluestone base. It has long central naves and stunted transepts. For access, it has four triumphal entrance porticoes one on each side. Refurbishment works of for this building are aimed at embracing a variety of green building aspects. It is aimed at achieving high levels of carbon neutrality and water balance. Innovative technologies such as lowering the use of energy and recycling of used water in the building for cleaning and watering the adjacent gardens are some of the technologies that will be used. Figures in US $ Activity Duration Cost Moving and setting machines and equipment 2 months 2,000,000 Renovation of the e and w wings of the building 8 months 48,000,000 Renovation of the s and w wings of the building 8months 48,000 ,000 Restoration of adjacent parking area 2 months 6,000,000 Total cost 104,000,000 Dynamo Company limited which has taken part in the construction of numerous mega structures in Australia will be providing the necessary machinery and equipment. They were considered since they have all that was needed in terms of machines and equipment. The centrality of the building makes it most ideal for access of building materials. This is also enhanced by the availability of building material in Melbourne and good infrastructure which ensures smooth transportation.Above is an illustration of the time and amount of finances projected for complete renovation of the building. It has been decided to follow the following sequence so as to allow for continuation of business by half of the premises operating there even when renovation work is ongoing. This is only a projection and it has also been taken into account that financial implications at completion of the project might exceed the pro jected figures due to factors such as price inflation. It might also take longer than two years to complete due to other unforeseen circumstances such as erratic weather conditions.  Since the construction industry in Australia has grown considerably, there is abundant skilled labor to undertake the renovation. The various cadres required to undertake a successful construction venture for instance, architects, designers, engineers, masons, laborers, machine operators etc are in constant supply. Most of the waste material from the renovation will be put into good use. Rabble and debris from the site will be used to lay the foundation of the adjacent park. Discarded steel will be smelted and recycled. Statement of anticipated problems and risks Refurbishment of the Royal exhibition building is bound to experience the following hiccups; inadequate funds. Though there are potential stakeholders who might be willing to fund this project, their budgetary allocations might not be enough to see the project to its conclusive stage. The project also faces the problem of having to experience lapses in the time frame within which it is supposed to have commenced and gained completion. There is also the problem of price and market fluctuations in building materials which will mean that the original operating budgets cannot sustain the project to its conclusion. This project might also experience difficulties in having to deal with the numerous and stringent legal legislations required by the authorities. The emergence of other new and modern business venues might mean that this project is deemed vague and an attempt in futility. There can also emerge conflicting refurbishment designs (Seebhom, 2004). Financial analysis The proposed project is estimated to cost around one hundred and twenty ($120) US dollars. Twenty million is expected to cover the cost of labor while the rest is supposed to cover the cost of the building materials needed for the completion of the project . The vast amount of funds that this project is expected to require will call for several investors to chip in. However, the Australian government should be expected to contribute a substantial amount through its various bodies namely; Commission for sustainable development, National Geographic and Natural Resources commission and the development of Enterprise, Trade and Investments Program. Other potential investors include UNESCO and the Municipal Council of Melbourne. Having that the Royal Exhibition Building is a venerated business hub in Melbourne, several financial institutions might also consider it as good business and decide to finance the project anticipating improved returns once the project is complete.  Currently the Royal Exhibition Building has a usual turnover of about twenty five million dollars per annum. With improved facilities after the refurbishment, this revenue is expected to double. For all the investors to recoup their invested funds, it is estimated that it will take a minimum of five years for the hundred and twenty million dollars plus interest to be fully recovered by the investors. After that, the building is estimated to be accruing revenues of around forty million dollars per year. Financial Cash Flow Statement: Renovation of the Royal Exhibition Building  (figures in US$ ) EvaluationTo objectively and judiciously unearth the strengths and weaknesses of an existing business or projected endeavor, be able to identify the opportunities and threats involved, take stock of the available resources, coming up will ways of applying these resources to attain an anticipated amount of success is in most of the cases the reason why most feasibility studies are carried out. This has been the case with my case study. However, sound capital budgeting techniques must be adhered to so as to determine beyond doubt that the project will be viable financially. This not only helps in making sound economic decisions but it also allows for the exploration of profitable investment opportunities. I will confine myself to mainly three techniques to measure the worth of this particular project against its expected return on investment. Payback method It represents the number of years required to recover the original cash outlay invested in a project. It is based on the principle that every capital expenditure pays itself back over a number of years. It attempts to measure the period of time it takes for the original cost of a project to be recovered from the additional earning of the project. The formula for calculating payback period is; This shows a strong indication that the project is highly viable. Though the above method is favored due to its, simplicity, liquidity, safety and reliability, it fails to capture the time value of money, disregards the productivity and cost of capital and doesn’t capture the entire lifespan of projects. Net Present Value Method The net present value is the difference between the pr esent value of the future cash inflows after tax and the present value of cash out lay. It is expressed as follows; Conclusion This is also a good indication that the project is viable.  Inasmuch as one would want look forward to formulating a foolproof feasibility study, it should be noted that there are some underlying factors that will inevitably influence the course of events and which can be hardly be anticipated neither accounted for. For example a schedule feasibility study may fail to account for delays emanating from maybe erratic climatic conditions or may be due to a sudden inflation in world markets (Thomas 2004, pp. 222). List of References Cadamer. H. 2008. Feasibility Study. California: University of California Press. David A. 2006. Learn About Building Green and Sustainability. Warsaw: Trane  Publishers. Ihde, D.2001. Expanding With Sustainable Technology. Illinois: North West  University Press. Jean. 2001. Feasibility Study Simplified. New York: State Univer sity New Press.  Hillary. B. 2005. Emerging Technologies and Practices. Chicago: Chicago  University Press. Ramburg, B. 2009. Boosting Efficiency energy with emerging  Technologies.Chicago:Summer2009 Hacket. Seebhom. T. 2004. Feasibility methods Methodology ISBNI-4020=2618-8(e-book)Dordrecht,Netherlands:KluwertPublishers. Stephen, J. 2011. Building Community Using Social Technology. Maryland:  United Press.  Thiselton, D.2000. Sustainable energy. Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing  Company. Thomas, G. 2004. The Royal Exhibition Building. Melbourne: University of  Melbourne Press.

Website Redesign Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Website Redesign - Assignment Example From this study it is clear that as a professional Information Communication Technologist, the reporter would like to inform you that he needs to redesign the website’s ‘About Us’ and ‘Salon Team’ sections. As part of his responsibility, the reporter would like to urge your office to consider my suggestion to redesign the website so as to make it more appealing to the visitors.This paper discusses that in the author's opinion, might be disastrous for the company. Therefore, he kindly requests you to allow him to redesign these sections by using appropriate and large fonts and spacing, change the coloring and use more clear and conspicuous photos. He also suggests that these sections should be changed because they have a lot of grammar mistakes that if left as they are, can damage the reputation of the company. Therefore, he suggests that all the grammar mistakes should be corrected. Moreover, the sections are so wordy.meg a lot of unnecessary words we re used when it was being designed. For this reason, the reporter proposes that the wording structure need to be corrected. Any unnecessary words should be removed so as to make the website precise, readable, attractive and comprehendible. This, in the reporter's opinion, is the only way through which the website would be eye-catching and appealing to the target audience who is known for loving attractive things.  Ã‚  

European Union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

European Union - Essay Example integrate EU law.6 Vertical direct effect occurs when EU law has direct effect between private parties and a member state of the EU.7 The direct effect of Directives is a necessary part of the EU legal regime as EU law is administered through the Commission, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and national Courts. For the most part, â€Å"indirect administration† of European law is the primary mode of enforcement via national courts and â€Å"national authorities†.8 The Applicable Law Direct Effect The doctrine of direct effect was established by the ECJ in Van Gend en Loos v Nederlandse Administratie der Belastingen, in which it was held that the Treaty Establishing the European Community created legal rights that individuals could enforce through national courts within the European Community.9 Directives would have direct effect if they were clear and precise, unconditional and conferred a right upon the individual seeking to enforce it.10 The doctrine has since been developed by the ECJ as a means of enforcing EU law consistently through the EU.11 For example in Van Duyn, the ECJ held that once the Van Gend requirements are met and even if a Directive was conditional, it could still have direct effect against member states, regardless of whether or not the Directive was implemented.12 The main objective was to ensure that the intended outcome of the Directive was accomplished. In Van Duyn, the Directive’s outcome was the elimination of discrimination and in cases of this nature, the intended outcome would be important. This was because, the intended outcome would be compromised if individuals could not enforce it in the national courts.13 With regard to the fictional Directive, although not implemented by the UK, has direct vertical effect against the government based on the rulings in Van Gend and Van Duyn. The UK may only escape liability for the unimplemented Directive if the Directive itself is unclear and conditional. However, the D irective appears to be quite clear on its intention, the member state’s obligations and it is not conditional on the occurrence of an event. The only condition, is that the obligations arise when temperatures fall below 1 degree Celsius. Assuming that the temperatures were below 1 degrees Celsius at the time of the accidents in December 2012, the UK’s obligations to ensure road safety on primary roads and motorways arise. The accidents occurred on the A5 and the M6 and as such fall within the Directive obligations as primary roads and motorways. The Directive clearly sought to prevent the kinds of accidents that occurred. The Directive instructed member states to ensure that primary motorways and roads are kept clear of snow and ice once temperatures drop below 1 degree Celsius. Both accidents occurred on major motorways when temperatures presumably dropped below 1